The present invention relates to a head for attaching an agricultural tool to a support beam configured to be towed along a longitudinal axis, the support beam extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis, said head including a mounting bracket assembly configured to mount to the support beam at a location along a length of the support beam, and enable attachment of the agricultural tool such that the agricultural tool, when attached, suspends from the clamped mounting bracket assembly, the mounting bracket assembly being mountable to the support beam such that a tool attachment portion of the mounting bracket assembly is forwardly disposed, enabling the agricultural tool to be attached at a fore or central position along the longitudinal axis relative to the transverse support beam, or rearwardly disposed, enabling the agricultural tool to be attached at the central or an aft position along the longitudinal axis relative to the transverse support beam.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a two-position quick-connect mounting system for mounting a farm implement to a toolbar in an operating configuration, the mounting assembly including a toolbar bracket and an implement bar, the implement bar being mounted to the toolbar bracket by: i) raising the implement bar into a downward facing cavity of the toolbar bracket; and ii) longitudinally translating the implement bar such that lateral projections on either side of the implement bar are received into operating slots in the toolbar bracket, and a spring-biased locking member automatically engages a securing member. In an illustrative embodiment, the implement bar may be mounted to the toolbar bracket in a stowage configuration by sliding the projections into stowage slots separate from the operating slots. In some embodiments, the implement may advantageously be mounted in one of two mounting configurations, without requiring tools.

A slip control system for an off-road vehicle includes a control system configured to output a signal indicative of a first action if a magnitude of slippage of the off-road vehicle relative to a soil surface is greater than a first threshold value and less than or equal to a second threshold value. Furthermore, the control system is configured to output a signal indicative of a second action, different than the first action, if the magnitude of slippage is greater than the second threshold value.

A castor wheel support for a towed agricultural implement having a frame positioned parallel to the soil over which the implement is towed. Parallel links interconnect the castor support with the frame. The castor support has a spindle with a longitudinal axis A for supporting a castor mounting structure for pivoting movement. The castor mounting structure supports an axle hub assembly and a wheel. The axis A of the spindle is angled forward 3 degrees to minimize wobbling.

An illustrative control system for an precision agricultural implement includes a controller having a convolutional neural network, a machine vision module, a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of actuators in communication with the controller, the plurality of actuators including a plurality of agricultural tool actuators.

An agricultural implement system includes a tow bar configured to couple to a hitch assembly. The agricultural implement system also includes a tool bar pivot hinge assembly comprising two pivot points. The agricultural implement system additionally includes a first tool bar member mechanically coupled to a second tool bar member via the tool bar pivot hinge assembly; the first tool bar member extending transversely from the tow bar, wherein the tool bar pivot hinge assembly provides for an axis of rotation of the second tool bar member about the first tool bar member and additionally provides for an extension of the second tool bar member away from the first tool bar member.

An automated system for moving a crop harvester relative to an obstacle in a crop field. The system includes a sensor that is configured to sense a presence of the obstacle in the crop field, and transmit a signal corresponding to the presence of the obstacle. A motor is configured to move the crop harvester relative to the agricultural vehicle. A controller is configured to activate the motor based upon the signal received from the sensor and thereby move the crop harvester relative to the agricultural vehicle to prevent physical contact between crop harvester and the obstacle.

An agricultural machine includes a frame, an arm pivotally coupled to the frame at a first end of the arm, and a target element on the first end of the arm. The target element is configured to rotate with the arm, and includes an outer surface and a projection extending away from the outer surface. The agricultural machine also includes a first sensor fixed to the frame. The first sensor is configured to detect the outer surface. The agricultural machine also includes a second sensor fixed to the frame. The second sensor is configured to detect the projection.

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.

An illustrative modular smart implement for precision agriculture includes a chassis having a hydraulic system, a control system, and articulating tool arms that are adapted to releasably receive one of a tool attachment for working a crop and/or field, including precision planting, cultivating, thinning, spraying, harvesting, and/or data collection. A toolbar fixed to the chassis receives and supports the articulating tools arms. An alignment member and side shift actuator provide movement of a portion of the tool arms along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toolbar, and a lift actuator provide movement along a vertical axis.