A method for executing an agricultural work process on a field by means of a group of agricultural work machines. The work machines each have work assemblies which are adjustable with machine parameters for adapting to the respective agricultural conditions. The work machines of the group communicate with one another via a wireless network. The work machines of the group are configured as self-optimizing work machines which each have a driver assistance system for generating and adjusting machine parameters in an automated manner. These machine parameters are optimized with respect to the agricultural conditions. The work machines of the group cooperate collectively in the manner of a virtual work machine.

In one aspect, a system for controlling the operation of a seed-planting implement may include a furrow-forming tool configured to form a furrow in soil present within a field. Furthermore, the system may include a sensor configured to capture data indicative of a topographical profile of the soil within the field. Additionally, a controller of the disclosed system may be configured to identify a topographical feature within the field based on the data received from the sensor. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to determine a position of the furrow-forming tool relative to the identified topographical feature. Additionally, the controller may be configured to initiate a control action to adjust the position of the furrow-forming tool when it is determined that the relative position between the furrow-forming tool and the identified topographical feature is offset from a predetermined positional relationship defined for the furrow-forming tool.

An implement guidance module is provided for positioning a drawn implement as the implement is pulled by a vehicle traveling along a desired path of movement, the vehicle having a connection point for receiving a hitch. The module includes a module main frame having a first end configured for connection to the vehicle connection point, and a second end configured for connection to the implement, the main frame having a longitudinal axis, and having a pivot mount connected to the second end with an implement mounting plate pivoting relative to the module main frame about a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A vehicle mounting plate defines the first end of the module main frame, and the implement mounting plate defines the second end of the module main frame.

A method for detecting real lateral locations of target plants includes: recording an image of a ground area at a camera; detecting a target plant in the image; accessing a lateral pixel location of the target plant in the image; for each tool module in a set of tool modules arranged behind the camera and in contact with a plant bed: recording an extension distance of the tool module; and recording a lateral position of the tool module relative to the camera; estimating a depth profile of the plant bed proximal the target plant based on the extension distance and the lateral position of each tool module; estimating a lateral location of the target plant based on the lateral pixel location of the target plant and the depth profile of the plant bed surface proximal the target plant; and driving a tool module to a lateral position aligned with the lateral location of the target plant.

One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.

The present disclosure relates to an agricultural plough arrangement comprising an agricultural work vehicle and a plough implement connected to the agricultural work vehicle and comprising at least one ground engaging tool. At least one actuator mechanism is configured to move the plough implement laterally with respect to the agricultural work vehicle, wherein a control unit is provided that is to: receive field-data indicative of conditions of a field across which the agricultural plough arrangement is being moved; automatically determine an actuator-control-signal for the actuator mechanism based on the field-data, wherein the actuator-control-signal is for moving the plough implement laterally with respect to the agricultural work vehicle on the basis of the field-data received.

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.

In one embodiment, a steering system for an agricultural implement system includes a first actuating cylinder configured to rotate a first track relative to an implement frame where the first actuating cylinder is connected to a first frame of the first track, and a second actuating cylinder configured to rotate a second track relative to the implement frame where the second actuating cylinder is connected to a second frame of the second track. The steering system also includes a first fluid control conduit extending to a cap end of the first actuating cylinder, a second fluid control conduit extending between a rod end of the first actuating cylinder and a rod end of the second actuating cylinder, a third fluid control conduit extending to a cap end of the second actuating cylinder, and a steering control valve in fluid communication with the first and third fluid control conduits.

A work machine receives a thematic map that maps values of a variable to different geographic locations at a worksite. Control zones are dynamically identified on the thematic map and actuator settings are dynamically identified for each control zone. A position of the work machine is sensed, and actuators on the work machine are controlled based upon the control zones that the work machine is in, or is entering, and based upon the settings corresponding to the control zone. These control zones and settings are dynamically adjusted based on in situ (field) data collected by sensors on the work machine.