A01B63/002

ULTRASONIC SENSORS FOR FIELD ROUGHNESS MEASUREMENT
20200329626 · 2020-10-22 ·

A system measures the roughness of the ground surface over which an agricultural implement passes as measured in the direction of travel The system includes at least one ground sensor attached to the agricultural implement that provides measurement of the distance to the ground. A controller is connected to the at least one ground sensor, and controls at least one adjustment of the agricultural implement. The at least one ground sensor provides instantaneous output based on the distance to the ground to the controller. The controller then calculates at least one statistical parameter from the instantaneous output. The at least one statistical parameter is calculated from variations in the distance to the ground in the direction of travel of the agricultural implement.

WHEEL ASSEMBLY OF AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
20200329623 · 2020-10-22 ·

A wheel assembly of an agricultural implement includes a wheel and a wheel frame supporting the wheel. The wheel frame is configured to pivotally couple to a toolbar of the agricultural implement, and the wheel frame is configured to rotate between a lowered position and a raised position. The wheel assembly also includes a mount configured to fixedly couple to the toolbar. In addition, the wheel assembly includes a linkage assembly configured to control rotation of the wheel frame between the raised position and the lowered position. The wheel assembly also includes a fastener configured to selectively engage the mount and the linkage assembly while the wheel frame is in the lowered position to block rotation of the wheel frame.

Row planter lock assembly
10779463 · 2020-09-22 · ·

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.

Middle breaker for a tillage implement

A tillage implement having a frame member extending in a fore-aft direction of the implement, the frame member pivotally connected in a foldable configuration, the frame member comprising a main frame section; a first wing section and a second wing section, each being pivotally connected at opposing lateral sides of the main frame section in the fore-aft direction; and a middle breaker including a first disc coupled to the main frame section, the first disc laterally offset from a centerline of the middle breaker extending in the fore-aft direction, the first disc having a concave side facing towards the centerline, and a second disc coupled to the main frame section, laterally offset from the centerline of the middle breaker, the second disc having a concave side facing towards the centerline.

ADJUSTABLE CLOSING SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
20200281107 · 2020-09-10 · ·

A row unit of an agricultural implement includes an opening system configured to engage soil to form a furrow, sensors configured to detect a soil tightness, soil conditions, operational conditions, or a combination thereof, and a closing system configured to close the furrow. The closing system includes a first closing disc configured to engage the soil and close the furrow and a second closing disc configured to engage the soil and close the furrow. The row unit also includes a controller configured to receive feedback from the sensors and to control a position, an orientation, or both, of the first closing disc, the second closing disc, or both, in response to feedback from the sensors.

Method and Device for Operating a Mobile System
20200278680 · 2020-09-03 ·

A method for operating a mobile system includes detecting a 3D profile of a driving route ahead of defined length, determining a target trajectory of the mobile system and/or of a tool of the mobile system on the basis of the detected 3D profile, operating the mobile system in a defined manner by taking into account the determined target trajectory along the driving route.

Implement operating apparatus
10750652 · 2020-08-25 · ·

An implement operating apparatus has a U-shaped drive frame supported on drive wheels, each pivotally mounted about a vertical wheel pivot axis. A steering control selectively pivots each drive wheel. A power source is connected through a drive control to rotate the drive wheels in either direction. First and second implements are configured to perform implement operations and to rest on the ground and when the drive frame is maneuvered to an implement loading position with respect to each implement, the implement is connectable to the drive frame and movable to an operating position supported by the drive frame. When the implement is in the operating position, the steering and drive controls are operative to move and steer the drive frame and implement along a first travel path or a second travel path oriented generally perpendicular to the first travel path.

System and method for monitoring the frame levelness of an agricultural implement

In one aspect, a system for monitoring the frame levelness of an agricultural implement include first and second sensors configured to capture data indicative of a position differential defined between a soil surface and a portion of an a first and second ground engaging tool positioned below the soil surface, respectively. The captured data may be associated at least partially with the receipt of sensor signals reflected off of the portion of the associated ground engaging tool positioned below the soil surface. The system may also include a controller configured to determine penetration depths of the first and second ground engaging tools based on the captured data received from the first and second sensors, respectively. The controller may also be configured to monitor the frame levelness based on a penetration depth differential defined between the first and second penetration depths.

Suspension control system providing suspension height corrections for an agricultural machine

A suspension control system dynamically adjusts pistons located proximal to wheels of an agricultural machine to substantially equalize distribution of weight of the machine at each wheel and/or provide a substantially constant desired orientation of the machine above a ground surface thereby protecting laterally extending sprayer booms from contacting the ground. Articulation, pitch, roll and/or machine height can be determined from piston measurements on the machine to apply such height corrections. For sprayers, this allows controlling clearance and suspension height to maintain the boom parallel to the ground to prevent damage.

System and method for rephasing fluid-driven actuators

In one aspect, a system for rephasing fluid-driven actuators includes a plurality of fluid-driven actuators fluidly coupled together in series. A controller is configured to monitor a position differential existing between current positions of rods of the actuators relative to a differential threshold based on sensor measurements. The actuators are out-of-phase when the monitored differential exceeds the threshold. The controller is also configured to initiate a flow of fluid to the actuators to rephase the actuators when the monitored differential exceeds the threshold. The controller is further be configured to continue to monitor the differential following initiation of the flow of fluid to the actuators. Additionally, the controller is configured to implement a control action associated with terminating the rephasing of the actuators when the monitored differential remains constant after a first time period has elapsed following initiation of the flow of fluid.