Patent classifications
A01B23/043
AGRICULTURAL APPARATUSES AND RELATED METHODS
An agricultural implement has (i) an elongated open channel member; and (ii) a connecting assembly comprising a first vertical connector plate positioned against a first vertical side of the open member and a second vertical connector plate positioned against a second vertical side of the open member. When the open member twists about a longitudinal axis, its upper and lower flanges will move within upper and lower channels about upper and lower raised surface areas. A clamping assembly includes: a first clamping member extending horizontally between the first vertical plate and the second vertical plate positioned over and proximate an upper surface of the upper flange; a second clamping member extending over and proximate a lower surface of the lower flange; and a third clamping member extending (i) over and proximate a lower surface of the lower flange or (ii) over and proximate an upper surface of the upper flange. A support frame has at least one forward central wheeled support unit connected to the support frame, having at least one first middle wheel operable to freely rotate 360 degrees about a first steering axis. At least one forward outward wheeled support unit is also connected to the support frame and generally transversely aligned with and transversely spaced from the central wheeled support unit, and comprises a restricted rotation caster wheel operable to rotate about a second steering axis only in an outward angular direction from a straightforward direction.
SOIL CULTIVATOR
A soil cultivator for mechanical weed control between rows of cultivated plants includes a frame attachable to a tractor for movement along a traveling direction, and at least one soil processing unit attached to the frame. The at least one soil control unit includes a deformable sub-frame made of an elastic material. The soil cultivator further comprises a first adjusting means connected to the deformable sub-frame via at least one first connecting element, and a second adjusting means connected to the deformable sub-frame via at least one second connecting element. At least one adjusting unit is provided for carrying out a movement of the first and the second adjusting means, such that the deformable sub-frame is elastically deformable by the movement of the first and the second adjusting means such that the extent of the deformable sub-frame changes transversely to the traveling direction.
System and method for detecting levelness of tools of a tillage implement based on tool loading
A system for detecting the levelness of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and tool assemblies supported relative to the frame. The tool assemblies each include a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes sensors coupled to two of the tool assemblies and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools of the tool assemblies. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensors and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s) of each of the tool assemblies. Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) are not level when the monitored value(s) differ by a predetermined threshold value.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING LEVELNESS OF TOOLS OF A TILLAGE IMPLEMENT BASED ON TOOL LOADING
A system for detecting the levelness of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and tool assemblies supported relative to the frame. The tool assemblies each include a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes sensors coupled to two of the tool assemblies and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools of the tool assemblies. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensors and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s) of each of the tool assemblies. Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) are not level when the monitored value(s) differ by a predetermined threshold value.
Modular harrow apparatus
A modular harrow apparatus for smoothing horse pens includes a vehicle carabiner that attaches to an ATV, a UTV, or a small tractor. Each of a pair of chains has a vehicle end coupled to the vehicle carabiner and a harrow end. A lead harrow bar has a pair of first front eyelets coupled to the pair of chains and a pair of first rear eyelets. A second harrow bar has a pair of second front eyelets. A pair of linkage systems is coupled between the pair of first rear eyelets of the lead harrow bar and the pair of second front eyelets of the second harrow bar. A plurality of tines is coupled to a first bottom face of the lead harrow bar and a second bottom face of the second harrow bar.
Tillage point having variable ground engaging structure
The present invention provides a tillage point having a ground engaging structure configured to adjust with respect to the ground so that the tillage point can flexibly adapt to various field conditions. The ground engaging structure can comprise wings for increasing soil fracture below the ground surface and/or a cover board for moving soil along the ground surface. The ground engaging structure can variably adjust using an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, connected to linkage which can move the ground engaging structure through multiple angles about a pivot point during tillage operations. In addition, a controller can adjust the actuator to maintain an angle of the ground engaging structure according to a location on a prescription map.
System and method for monitoring frame levelness of an agricultural implement
A system for monitoring frame levelness of an agricultural implement may include first and second sensors configured to detect first and second parameters indicative of forces exerted on first and second ground engaging tools of the implement by the ground, respectively. The system may also include a controller configured to monitor a parameter differential between the first and second parameters based on measurement signals received from the first and second sensors, with the monitored parameter differential being indicative of at least one of pitch or roll of a frame of the implement. The controller may be further configured initiate a control action associated with adjusting the pitch and/or the roll of the frame based on a magnitude of the monitored parameter differential to adjust an orientation of the frame relative to the ground.
Tillage Point Having Variable Ground Engaging Structure
The present invention provides a tillage point having a ground engaging structure configured to adjust with respect to the ground so that the tillage point can flexibly adapt to various field conditions. The ground engaging structure can comprise wings for increasing soil fracture below the ground surface and/or a cover board for moving soil along the ground surface. The ground engaging structure can variably adjust using an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, connected to linkage which can move the ground engaging structure through multiple angles about a pivot point during tillage operations. In addition, a controller can adjust the actuator to maintain an angle of the ground engaging structure according to a location on a prescription map.
Modular Harrow Apparatus
A modular harrow apparatus for smoothing horse pens includes a vehicle carabiner that attaches to an ATV, a UTV, or a small tractor. Each of a pair of chains has a vehicle end coupled to the vehicle carabiner and a harrow end. A lead harrow bar has a pair of first front eyelets coupled to the pair of chains and a pair of first rear eyelets. A second harrow bar has a pair of second front eyelets. A pair of linkage systems is coupled between the pair of first rear eyelets of the lead harrow bar and the pair of second front eyelets of the second harrow bar. A plurality of tines is coupled to a first bottom face of the lead harrow bar and a second bottom face of the second harrow bar.
Universal frame and implement system
A small-scale land prep and maintenance equipment system includes a universal frame with a tongue element that includes an implement connection point (such as a through-hole or threaded hole) configured for receiving a saddle and bolt aspect of an implement. Advantageously, the implement connection point of the universal frame and the saddle of the implement provide for a robust and rigid connection between the universal frame and an implement while also enabling quick changeover of landscaping implements. Moreover, because the universal frame may be used on any number of implements, the cost of an integrated frame in each implement is avoided.