An agricultural implement having a row unit and a material throw monitoring system. The row unit includes a ground engaging tool configured to engage with a ground at a ground engaging point to form a trench, and a conduit configured to deposit an agricultural product in the trench. The material throw monitoring system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is oriented toward the ground engaging point and configured to provide feedback to the controller based at least in part on material displaced by the ground engaging tool. The controller is configured to determine a throw distance of the material relative to the ground engaging tool based on the feedback from the sensor, determine an action to adjust operation of the agricultural implement based on a comparison of the throw distance with a threshold, and communicate the action with a controller coupled to the agricultural implement.

An agricultural implement includes a longitudinally extending frame configured to be coupled to a tractor, a first elongate toolbar extending laterally outward from the frame and carrying a first row unit, a second elongate toolbar extending laterally outward the frame and carrying a second row unit, a first sensor configured to sense a position of the first row unit relative to ground, a second sensor configured to sense a position of the second row unit relative to the ground, a first actuator configured to rotate the first elongate toolbar relative to the frame based at least in part on the sensed position of the first row unit, and an actuator configured to rotate the second elongate toolbar relative to the frame based at least in part on the sensed position of the second row unit. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.

An apparatus for controlling weeds, which includes a tine formation adapted to remove or disrupt targeted weeds, and a tine support assembly adapted to support the tine for movement about a first control axis in a generally vertical direction between an engaged position wherein the tine formation in use contacts a ground surface for removal or disruption of targeted weeds and a disengaged position wherein the tine formation is substantially retracted from the ground surface. The tine support assembly is further adapted to support the tine for movement about a second control axis in a generally horizontal direction. The tine support assembly further includes a first actuation mechanism adapted to effect movement of the tine about the first control axis, and a second actuation mechanism adapted to effect movement of the tine about the second control axis. The apparatus also includes a sensing system for sensing aspects of an environment and generating data indicative thereof, and a classification system for identifying target weeds within the environment on the basis of the data from the sensing system. A control system is adapted to activate the first and second actuation mechanisms of the tine support assembly in accordance with a predetermined control logic thereby sequentially to position the tine for disruptive contact with the targeted weeds.

A method of controlling tilt of an agricultural implement being towed by a tow vehicle along a field includes providing a controller, a first sensor, a second sensor, and an actuator coupled to the implement. The method includes detecting a baseline level of the tow vehicle with the first sensor at a first location in the field, wherein the implement is located at a second location in the field spaced rearward of the first location. The controller determines when the implement will be at the first location in the field, and an implement level of the implement is measured with the second sensor once the implement is at the first location. The implement level is compared to the baseline level with the controller. The controller determines if the difference between the implement level and baseline level is within a tolerance range, and further controls the actuator as needed.

The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to devices, systems and methods for on-the-go monitoring and controlled feedback in a supplemental downforce application. Certain implementations provide real-time monitoring of furrow depth via contact and non-contact approaches, some of which are combined with gauge wheel feedback to calibrate and otherwise control the application of supplemental downforce to the row unit. A combination of sensor types are employed in collecting furrow depth measurements, which can be used to adjust the supplemental downforce through a control system module. A gauge wheel load sensor may be used to modify the application of supplemental downforce.

In one aspect, a system for monitoring soil flow around a ground-engaging tool of an agricultural implement. The system may include a ground-engaging tool configured to be moved through the soil as the agricultural implement travels across a field. Furthermore, the system may include a radar sensor configured to capture data indicative of a flow of the soil around the ground-engaging tool within a detection zone of the radar sensor. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the radar sensor. The controller may, in turn, be configured to generate a representation of the flow of the soil around the ground-engaging tool within the detection zone based on data received from the radar sensor.

An orientation control system for an agricultural implement includes a first sensor configured to emit a first output signal toward a soil surface and to receive a first return signal indicative of a first height of a first portion of a frame. The orientation control system also includes a second sensor configured to emit a second output signal toward the soil surface and to receive a second return signal indicative of a second height of a second portion of the frame. In addition, the orientation control system includes a first actuator, a second actuator, and a controller configured to control the first and second actuators such that a difference between the first height and a first target height is less than a first threshold value and a difference between the second height and a second target height is less than a second threshold value.

An agricultural machine includes a frame member; a toolbar coupled to the frame member parallel to the frame member; a row unit coupled to the toolbar; and an actuator coupled between the frame member and the toolbar, the actuator configured to rotate the toolbar based on a sensed position of the toolbar. Related methods are also disclosed.

A method and system for estimating surface roughness of a ground for an off-road vehicle to control an implement comprises detecting motion data of an off-road vehicle traversing a field or work site during a sampling interval. A first sensor is adapted to detect pitch data of the off-road vehicle for the sampling interval to obtain a pitch acceleration. A second sensor is adapted to detect roll data of the off-road vehicle for the sampling interval to obtain a roll acceleration. An electronic data processor or surface roughness index module determines or estimates a surface roughness index based on the detected motion data, pitch data and roll data for the sampling interval. The surface roughness index can be displayed on the graphical display to a user or operator of the vehicle.

A control system for a tillage implement broadly includes front and rear sensors, a leveling assembly, and a controller. The front sensor is positioned on a front of a central section, wherein the front sensor is configured to obtain height information indicative of a height of the front of the central section above a ground. The rear sensor is positioned on a rear of the central section, wherein the rear sensor is configured to obtain height information indicative of a height of the rear of the central section above the ground. The leveling assembly is configured to adjust a front to rear orientation of the central section. The controller is configured to receive the height information from the front sensor and the height information from the rear sensor, and to provide instructions to the leveling assembly to adjust the front to rear orientation of the central section based on the received height information.