Systems and methods are provided for determining a soil roughness measure. A transducer transmits an ultrasonic signal towards a soil surface and receives a first echo signal of the ultrasonic signal and a second echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. A first distance between the transducer and a first point on the soil surface is calculated based on the first echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. A second distance between the transducer and a second point on the soil surface is calculated based on the second echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. A soil roughness measure of the soil surface is determined based on a difference between the first distance and the second distance.

An inner oil passage (45) is formed inside a slidable spool (22). The slidable spool (22) defines, in its circumferential face, a first opening (46), a second opening (47) and a third opening (48). The first opening (46), the second opening (47) and the third opening (48) are communicated to the inner oil passage (45). When the slidable spool (22) is switched to a floating position (F), the first the first opening (46) is aligned with a first port end portion (25a), the second opening (47) is aligned with a second port end portion (26a), and the third opening (48) is aligned with a fourth port end portion (24a), respectively, and a first cylinder port and a second cylinder port are communicated to a tank port (24) via the inner oil passage (45).

An includes a soil-sensing arrangement. The apparatus (1) includes a seed-delivery mechanism. The soil-sensing arrangement includes one or more soil-sensing elements. Each of the one or more soil-sensing elements senses one or more conditions of the soil. The one or more soil-sensing elements can take the form of one or more soil-sensing tines (19). In the method, material is delivered to a locally-optimised soil depth LOD. In the method, there is at least periodic sensing of one or more conditions of the soil, and at two or more depths at mutually differing proximities to the locally-optimised depth.

An agricultural implement includes a disk blade assembly including a hanger, a first disk blade, and a second disk blade. Furthermore, the agricultural implement includes a fastener coupling the hanger to a frame member of the agricultural implement. Additionally, the agricultural implement includes a first load sensor configured to generate data indicative of a first load applied to the fastener at a forward side of the frame member by the disk blade assembly. Moreover, the agricultural implement includes a second load sensor configured to generate data indicative of a second load applied to the fastener at the aft side of the frame member by the disk blade assembly. In addition, the agricultural implement includes a computing system configured to determine when at least one of a first disk blade bearing or a second disk blade bearing has failed based on the data generated by the first and second load sensors.

An inner oil passage (45) is formed inside a slidable spool (22). The slidable spool (22) defines, in its circumferential face, a first opening (46), a second opening (47) and a third opening (48). The first opening (46), the second opening (47) and the third opening (48) are communicated to the inner oil passage (45). When the slidable spool (22) is switched to a floating position (F), the first the first opening (46) is aligned with a first port end portion (25a), the second opening (47) is aligned with a second port end portion (26a), and the third opening (48) is aligned with a fourth port end portion (24a), respectively, and a first cylinder port and a second cylinder port are communicated to a tank port (24) via the inner oil passage (45).

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.

An agricultural trench depth sensing system having a trench implement adapted to be disposed in a soil trench opened in a soil surface. In one embodiment an ultrasonic sensor detects a distance to an upper surface of said trench implement or a target disposed thereon. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes one or more fingers which rotate with respect to said trench implement to detect the soil surface relative to said trench implement. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes side sensors for detecting the sidewall of the soil trench.

An air seeder row unit includes a bracket configured to be attached to a frame of an air seeder, a support arm pivotally coupled to the bracket, a force device pivotally connected to the bracket and to the support arm, and a load sensor disposed adjacent the force device and configured to measure a load of the force device on the support arm. The support arm carries an opener disc and a gauge wheel, and the opener disc is configured to open a seed trench in a soil surface as the row unit travels in a forward direction of travel. An agricultural seeding implement includes a frame configured to be pulled through an agricultural field with a plurality of such row units coupled to the frame. Related methods are also disclosed.

An on-the-go monitor and control means and method for an agriculture machines includes on-the-go soil sensors that can be used to control tillage and seeding depth. On seeder implements, the sensors provide information that affects uniform plant emergence.

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.