Row unit for agricultural implement
First Claim
1. A downforce control system for a planter row unit, comprising:
- a downforce actuator associated with the planter row unit to urge the row unit downwardly with a controllable force that can be adjusted,said planter row unit producing a gauge wheel downforce during planting operations,said downforce actuator disposed to change said gauge wheel downforce when actuated;
a control module for defining a desired gauge wheel downforce;
a valve in fluid communication with said downforce actuator for adjusting the fluid pressure supplied to said actuator, said valve associated with the planter row unit; and
a controller for adjusting the gauge wheel downforce produced by said downforce actuator.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A downforce control system for a planter row unit, comprising:
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a downforce actuator associated with the planter row unit to urge the row unit downwardly with a controllable force that can be adjusted, said planter row unit producing a gauge wheel downforce during planting operations, said downforce actuator disposed to change said gauge wheel downforce when actuated; a control module for defining a desired gauge wheel downforce; a valve in fluid communication with said downforce actuator for adjusting the fluid pressure supplied to said actuator, said valve associated with the planter row unit; and a controller for adjusting the gauge wheel downforce produced by said downforce actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification