An apparatus and method for determining uniformity of a tilled surface of a seedbed prepared by a tillage tool of an agricultural tillage implement utilize a seedbed uniformity sensing arrangement including a sensing element having a sensor body adapted for vertically articulating attachment to the implement behind the tillage tool and defining a soil-contact surface configured to bear against the tilled surface. The sensing element includes a vertical position sensor including a strain gage fixedly attached to the sensor body for generating a surface uniformity signal in response to bending loads imposed on the sensor body by vertical movement of the soil-contact surface as it rides along on the tilled surface. The surface uniformity signal is processed to provide an indication of the general uniformity of the tilled surface, and a surface control signal that is used for controlling operational parameters of the tillage implement.

In one aspect, a system for monitoring seedbed floor conditions within a field may include a frame and a wheel coupled to the frame. The wheel may be configured to support the frame relative to a soil surface of the field as the frame is moved across the field. The system may also include a support arm pivotably coupled to the frame and a disc coupled to the support arm, with the disc configured to penetrate the soil surface of the field and roll relative to a seedbed floor within the field. Furthermore, the system may include a sensor configured to detect pivotable motion of the support arm relative to the frame. As such, the pivotable motion of the support arm may be indicative of variations in a profile of the seedbed floor as the ground engaging assembly is moved across the field.

The disclosed devices, systems, and methods relative to devices, systems and method for active control of ground engaging elements based on soil conditions. Various implementations utilize one or more sensor inputs and/or database or map inputs to adjust gauge or closing wheel down force applied by a row unit to account for the moisture of the soil being planted in real time.

A control system for an agricultural implement includes a controller configured to perform the following steps in response to determining that performance of a ground engaging tool is below a threshold performance. The controller is configured to adjust a speed of the agricultural implement to an adjusted speed. The controller is configured to raise the ground engaging tool to a target raised position in response to the speed of the agricultural implement being substantially equal to a first threshold speed. The controller is configured to adjust the speed of the agricultural implement to an initial speed in response to a position of the ground engaging tool being substantially equal to the target raised position. The controller is configured to lower the ground engaging tool to a target depth in response to the speed of the agricultural implement being substantially equal to a second threshold speed.

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.

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 sensor senses the ground surface over which the mobile machine is traveling. The sensor can do this by sensing the position of a ground-following device having a proximal end coupled to the frame and a distal end configured to engage a surface of the ground and follow the surface of the ground as the mobile machine moves in a direction of travel, or by sensing the surface of the ground behind a surface cleaning device that exposes the surface of the ground to the sensor.

An agricultural implement includes at least one row unit having a plurality of support members, each of which is pivotably coupled to an attachment frame or another of the support members to permit vertical pivoting vertical movement of the support members, and a plurality of soil-engaging tools, each of which is coupled to at least one of the support members. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders are coupled to the support members for urging the support members downwardly toward the soil. A plurality of controllable pressure control valves are coupled to the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the cylinders. A plurality of sensors produce electrical signals corresponding to predetermined conditions, and a controller is coupled to the sensor and the controllable pressure control valves. The controller receives the electrical signals from the sensors and produces control signals for controlling the pressure control valves.

In one aspect, a system for determining forces exerted on rolling ground engaging components of an agricultural implement may a ground engaging component configured to roll relative to soil within a field as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. A controller of the disclosed system may be configured to control an operation of a braking device such that a braking force is applied to the rolling ground engaging component. When the braking force is being applied to the rolling ground engaging component, the controller may be configured to monitor a rotational speed of the rolling ground engaging component based on measurement signals received from a sensor. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine a force exerted on the rolling ground engaging component by the soil within the field based on the applied braking force and the monitored rotational speed.

An agricultural implement system that includes a mount system that couples to a row unit. The mount system supports a depth adjustment system that adjusts a depth of an opener relative to a soil surface. The mount system includes a plate that couples to the row unit in a plurality of positions to change an orientation of the depth adjustment system relative to the row unit.

An agricultural implement system that includes a depth adjustment system that couples to a row unit and adjusts a depth of an opener relative to a soil surface. The depth adjustment system includes a cam that rotates about an axis. A cam follower contacts the cam and adjusts a position of a packer wheel to adjust the depth of the opener.