An agricultural implement comprising: a ground engaging tool; and an actuator mechanism (366; 466; 566). The actuator mechanism is configured to provide a bias force to the ground engaging tool such that it is biased towards a working position. The agricultural implement also includes a controller that is configured to automatically set the level of the bias force that is provided by the actuator mechanism based on control-data.

An agricultural system comprising a plough. The plough comprising: a plough body; a stone-trip-mechanism that is configured to be tripped when the plough body encounters a stone or other obstruction; and a trip-sensor configured to provide trip-data in response to the stone-trip-mechanism being tripped. The agricultural system also includes a location-determining-system associated with the plough, wherein the location-determining-system is configured to provide location-data that is representative of a location of the plough; and a controller. The controller is configured to: receive the trip-data; and store location-data provided by the location-determining-system as a trip-location based on the trip-data, wherein the trip-location is a location of the plough at the time that the stone-trip-mechanism is tripped.

An agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame, a linkage pivotably coupled to the attachment frame, and a row unit frame having a leading end pivotably coupled to the linkage to permit vertical pivoting movement of the row unit frame relative to the attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to the attachment frame and the linkage, for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil, includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for advancing the ram in a direction that pivots the linkage and the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil. An accumulator positioned adjacent to the hydraulic cylinder has a fluid chamber containing a diaphragm, with the portion of the chamber on one side of the diaphragm being connected to the hydraulic-fluid cavity in the hydraulic cylinder, and the portion of the chamber on the other side of the diaphragm containing a pressurized gas.

A lock assembly is provided for a row planter unit to maintain the unit in a raised transport position and to relieve stress on the hydraulic system of the planter unit. The lock assembly includes a lock arm pivotally mounted to the bracket assembly of the row planter unit for selective receipt in a notch or detent on the mounting plate or mast of the bracket assembly so as to retain the row unit in the raised transport position. The lock arm can be disengaged from the bracket assembly notch or detent, such that the planter unit can be lowered to the field use position.

In one aspect, a system for monitoring tool float on an agricultural implement may include an implement frame, a rocker arm pivotably mounted to the implement frame, and a tool coupled to the rocker arm. The system may also include a biasing element coupled between the frame and the rocker arm, with the biasing element configured to permit the tool to move relative to the implement frame. Furthermore, the system may include a rotational position sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a rotational position of the rocker arm relative the implement frame, with the rotational position being indicative of an additional amount of available relative movement between the tool and the implement frame.

In one aspect, a system for determining field characteristics of a field across which an implement is being moved may include a tine configured to engage a surface of soil within the field. The system may also include a sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a load being applied to the ground engaging tine by the soil. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller being configured to determine a field characteristic of the field based on measurement signals received from the sensor.

An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.

An implement load management method includes sensing respective loads on at least one wheel supporting a central portion and one or more wheels supporting a wing portion, the central portion and the wing portion comprising segments of an implement; and actuating a fluid-type cylinder to cause pivotal movement between the central portion and the wing portion based on the sensed loads, wherein the actuating comprises causing fluid flow in either of two opposing directions through the fluid-type cylinder based on evaluation of a load on the one or more wheels supporting the central portion and the one or more wheels supporting the wing portion. Related implement load management systems are also disclosed.

In one embodiment, an implement load balancing method comprising sensing respective loads on one or more wheels supporting a central portion and one or more wheels supporting a wing portion, the central portion and the wing portion comprising segments of an implement; and causing, via actuation of a fluid-type cylinder, pivotal movement between the central portion and the wing portion based on the sensed loads, wherein the causing comprises causing fluid flow in one direction through the fluid-type cylinder based on a load on the one or more wheels supporting the central portion being greater than a load on the one or more wheels supporting the wing portion and causing fluid flow in an opposing direction through the fluid-type cylinder based on a load on the one or more wheels supporting the central portion being less than a load on the one or more wheels supporting the wing portion.

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.