A system for monitoring the operational status of shear pins for ground-engaging assemblies of agricultural implements includes a ground-engaging assembly including an attachment structure pivotably coupling the ground-engaging assembly to a frame of an agricultural implement, a ground-engaging tool pivotably coupled to the attachment structure at a pivot joint, and a shear pin at least partially extending through the attachment structure and the ground-engaging tool to prevent pivoting of the ground-engaging tool about the pivot joint. The system also includes an orientation sensor configured to generate data indicative of an orientation of the attachment structure, and a computing system communicatively coupled to the orientation sensor. The computing system is configured to monitor the orientation of the attachment structure and determine a change in an operational status of the shear pin based on detected changes in the monitored orientation of the attachment structure.

An agricultural system includes a tillage implement with a frame, a shank mount coupled to or integrally formed with the frame, a rotary sensor coupled to the shank mount, and a shank coupled to a bracket via a first fastener. The tillage implement also includes a rod assembly with a first end portion coupled to the bracket via a shear bolt that is configured to shear upon contact by the shank and a second end portion coupled to a rotary shaft of the rotary sensor.

A system for identifying a failed shear pin of a ground-engaging system of an agricultural implement may include a ground-engaging system having an attachment structure coupled to a frame of an agricultural implement, a ground-engaging tool pivotably coupled to the attachment structure at a pivot joint, and a shear pin at least partially extending through the attachment structure and the ground-engaging tool to prevent pivoting of the ground-engaging tool about the pivot joint. The system may further include an operator notification member provided in association with the ground-engaging system and movable between a non-triggered position and a triggered position. Additionally, the system may include a linkage that, upon failure of the shear pin, allows the operator notification member to be moved from the non-triggered position to the triggered position.

A system for identifying broken shear pins on an agricultural implement includes a plurality of shank assemblies. Each shank assembly includes an attachment structure coupling the shank assembly to the frame of the agricultural implement. Each shank assembly also includes shank pivotably coupled to the attachment structure and a shear pin extending through the attachment structure and the shank to prevent pivoting of the shank. The system also includes a first sensor configured to generate data indicative of vibrations of the frame and a second sensor configured to generate data indicative of the soil condition aft of each shank. Additionally, the system includes a computing system configured to determine when the shear pin of at least one shank assembly has failed. Furthermore, the computing system is configured to identify a location of each shank assembly with a failed shear pin.

A monitoring system for an agricultural tool includes a plate coupled within the agricultural tool. A shank is pivotably connected to the plate via a pivot bolt extending through the plate and shank. A first sensor device is coupled to the shank and a second sensor device is coupled the plate and aligned with the first sensor device when the shank is in a ripping position. An alarm is configured to notify when the shank is changed to a pivoted position such that the first and second sensor devices are no longer aligned

In one aspect, an agricultural implement includes a row unit including a frame. A center coulter can be operably coupled with the frame. A knife can be operably coupled with the frame and positioned aft of the center coulter. A diverging gap can be defined between the center coulter and the knife such that the diverging gap increases in width in the forward/aft direction as a location along the knife moves upward.

A mechanical coupling arrangement for interconnecting a compression spring assembly and certain working tools such as the disks of an agricultural tillage implement includes a hinge having a pivot axis and first and second arms extending from the pivot axis. Linkage arrangements couple the first hinge arm to the spring assembly and the second hinge arm to the working tools. A shear pin extends between the hinge arms remote from the pivot axis for fixing the angular relationship between the arms so long as the spring compression remains less than a predetermined maximum. Shear pin failure allows one hinge arm to pivot relative to the other when the predetermined maximum tension is exceeded uncoupling the spring assembly from the tools.

A soil apparatus (e.g., seed firmer) includes a locking system. In one embodiment, the soil apparatus includes a lower base portion for engaging in soil of an agricultural field, an upper base portion, and a neck portion having protrusions to insert into the lower base portion of a base and then lock when a region of the upper base portion is inserted into the lower base portion and this region of the upper base portion presses the protrusions to lock the neck portion to the upper base portion.

A system that is able to vary a depth of a row cleaner by adjusting a downforce applied to the row cleaner to promote planting at a desired seed depth and soil moisture.

A soil apparatus is drawn through a furrow and reflectance from the furrow is obtained from the soil apparatus, and a height off target is measured between the soil apparatus and the furrow.