Patent classifications
A01B63/1112
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS HAVING ROW UNIT POSITION SENSORS AND A ROTATABLE IMPLEMENT FRAME, AND RELATED CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS
An implement includes an implement frame having an integrated elongate toolbar carrying at least one row unit, at least one wheel coupled to the implement frame and defining an axis of rotation, a sensor configured to sense a position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive a signal related to the sensed position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground and cause a lift system to raise or lower a portion of the implement frame connected to the lift system to rotate the implement frame about the axis of rotation of the at least one wheel based at least in part on the signal. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.
SYSTEMS COMPRISING AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS CONNECTED TO LIFTING HITCHES AND RELATED CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS
A system includes a tractor comprising a lifting hitch, and an implement comprising an implement frame carried by the lifting hitch. The implement frame has an integrated elongate toolbar carrying at least one row unit. A sensor is configured to sense a position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground. A control system is configured to receive a signal related to the sensed position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground and cause the lifting hitch to raise or lower a portion of the implement frame connected to the lifting hitch relative to the tractor based at least in part on the signal. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.
Independent ground engaging tool depth control
In one embodiment, a seeding implement control system includes a controller including a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a target extension length of an actuator. The actuator is configured to control a ground engaging tool of a row unit. The actuator is also configured to position a lower surface of a blade of the ground engaging tool a target distance above a soil surface while the actuator is extended to the target extension length. The controller is further configured to store the target extension length in a memory device of the controller. The controller is configured to instruct the actuator to transition to the target extension length in response to receiving a second signal indicative of transitioning the ground engaging tool to a disengaged position.
Method and system for controlling the height of an agricultural implement relative to the ground
In one aspect, a method is disclosed for automatically controlling a position of an implement of an agricultural work vehicle relative to a ground surface. The method may include monitoring, with one or more computing devices, an implement position parameter indicative of the position of the implement relative to the ground surface. The method may also include calculating a normal output signal based on the implement position parameter. The method may also include determining when a boost condition is satisfied based on a comparison between the implement position parameter and a predetermined implement position parameter threshold. The method may also include computing a boost output signal based on the implement position parameter. The method may also include adjusting the position of the implement relative to the ground surface based on the normal output signal and the boost output signal.
MULTI-SENSOR TOOL HEIGHT CONTROL FOR GROUND ENGAGING TOOLS
A mobile machine includes a frame, and a set of wheels supporting the frame. The mobile machine also includes a set of ground-engaging tools mounted to the frame that are movable relative to the wheels to change a depth of engagement of the ground engaging-tools with ground over which the mobile machine travels. A first sensor senses a position of the frame relative to the ground surface over which the mobile machine is traveling. A second sensor senses a position of the frame relative to the wheels. The sensor signals from both sensors are used to control the frame height.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING TILLAGE CONDITIONS
A system for monitoring tillage conditions of a field may include an agricultural implement and a tillage sensor supported on the agricultural implement. The tillage sensor has a field of view directed towards a portion of the field disposed relative to the agricultural implement, with the tillage sensor being configured to generate data indicative of a tillage floor levelness associated with a tillage floor of the field disposed below a surface of the field. The system may further include a controller configured to receive the data from the tillage sensor indicative of the tillage floor levelness as the agricultural implement moves across the field and monitor the tillage floor levelness based at least in part on the data received from the tillage sensor.
SOIL MONITORING SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL TILLAGE IMPLEMENT
A soil monitoring system for an agricultural tillage implement includes a sensor configured to be coupled to a frame of the agricultural tillage implement. The sensor is configured to be directed toward a region of a soil surface. In addition, the sensor is configured to emit an output signal toward the region of the soil surface and to receive a return signal indicative of a profile of the soil surface within the region. Furthermore, the soil monitoring system includes a controller configured to identify a rough soil profile in response to determining that at least one variation in the profile of the soil surface within the region is greater than a first threshold value, and/or in response to determining that a number of variations in the profile of the soil surface within the region is greater than a second threshold value.
FRAME CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
A frame control system for an agricultural implement includes a first sensor configured to be coupled to a sub-frame of the agricultural implement and directed toward a soil surface. The first sensor is configured to emit a first output signal toward the soil surface and to receive a first return signal indicative of a first height of the sub-frame above the soil surface. The frame control system also includes a first sub-frame actuator configured to be coupled to the sub-frame and to a main frame of the agricultural implement. The first sub-frame actuator is configured to control a first position of the sub-frame relative to the main frame along a vertical axis. In addition, the frame control system includes a controller configured to control the first sub-frame actuator such that a difference between the first height and a target height is less than a threshold value.
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
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.
GROUND ENGAGING TOOL MONITORING SYSTEM
An agricultural implement includes a frame and a ground engaging tool assembly having a shank rotatably coupled to the frame and a ground engaging tool coupled to the shank. In addition, the agricultural implement includes a monitoring system having a sensor mounted to one of the frame or the ground engaging tool assembly and directed toward a target. The target is the other of the frame or the ground engaging tool assembly, and the sensor is configured to emit an output signal toward the target and to receive a return signal indicative of a measured position of the ground engaging tool assembly relative to the frame. The monitoring system also includes a controller configured to determine that the ground engaging tool assembly is in a deflected position in response to determining that a difference between the measured position and a working position is greater than a threshold value.