Ground-engaging implement with lateral position adjustment
First Claim
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1. A ground-engaging agricultural implement, the implement comprising:
- a front member;
a first rear member spaced apart from a front member and positioned generally parallel to the front member;
a first pair of first pivotable arms generally parallel to each other, the first pair of first pivotable arms rotatably connected to the front member, or a section thereof, at two front pivot points;
the first pair of first pivotable arms rotatably connected to the first rear member at two rear pivot points;
at least one first opener of a first row unit extending downward from or with respect to the first rear member, where the at least one first opener comprises a ground-engaging member to form a groove in soil or ground;
a first actuator with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end coupled to one of the first pivotable arms, the second end coupled to the front member or the first rear member to adjust a first lateral position of the first opener or first row unit with respect to the front member for precise application of a nutrient or other crop input; and
a first position sensor for estimating the first lateral position of the first opener or first row unit with respect to the front member, the first position sensor estimating the first lateral position based on an angle between any first pivotable arm and the front member or the first rear member.
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Abstract
A first rear member is spaced apart from the front member and positioned generally parallel to the front member. A first pair of first pivotable arms are generally parallel to each other. The first pair of first pivotable arms are rotatably connected to the front member at two front pivot points. The first pair of first pivotable arms are rotatably connected to the rear member at two rear pivot points. At least one first opener (e.g., nutrient knife or projecting, ground-engaging member) extends downward from or with respect to the first rear member.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A ground-engaging agricultural implement, the implement comprising:
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a front member; a first rear member spaced apart from a front member and positioned generally parallel to the front member; a first pair of first pivotable arms generally parallel to each other, the first pair of first pivotable arms rotatably connected to the front member, or a section thereof, at two front pivot points;
the first pair of first pivotable arms rotatably connected to the first rear member at two rear pivot points;at least one first opener of a first row unit extending downward from or with respect to the first rear member, where the at least one first opener comprises a ground-engaging member to form a groove in soil or ground; a first actuator with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end coupled to one of the first pivotable arms, the second end coupled to the front member or the first rear member to adjust a first lateral position of the first opener or first row unit with respect to the front member for precise application of a nutrient or other crop input; and a first position sensor for estimating the first lateral position of the first opener or first row unit with respect to the front member, the first position sensor estimating the first lateral position based on an angle between any first pivotable arm and the front member or the first rear member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A ground-engaging agricultural implement, the implement comprising:
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a front member; a first rear member spaced apart from a front member and positioned generally parallel to the front member; a first pair of first pivotable arms generally parallel to each other, the first pair of first pivotable arms rotatably connected to the front member, or a section thereof, at two front pivot points;
the first pair of first pivotable arms rotatably connected to the first rear member at two rear pivot points;at least one first opener or first row unit extending downward from or with respect to the first rear member; a first actuator with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end coupled to one of the first pivotable arms, the second end coupled to the front member or the first rear member to adjust a first lateral position of the first opener or first row unit with respect to the front member; a first position sensor for estimating the first lateral position of the first opener or first row unit with respect to the front member, the first position sensor estimating the first lateral position based on an angle between any first pivotable arm and the front member or the first rear member; a second rear member spaced apart from the front member and positioned generally parallel to the front member; a second pair of pivotable arms generally parallel to each other, the second pair of pivotable arms rotatably connected to the front member, or a section thereof, at two front pivot points;
the second pair of pivotable arms rotatably connected to the second rear member at two rear pivot points;at least one second opener extending downward from or with respect to the second rear member; a second actuator with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end coupled to one of the second pivotable arms, the second end coupled to the front member to adjust the second lateral position of the second opener or a second row unit with respect to the front member; a location-determining receiver for determining a position of the implement in a field relative to a path plan or guidance path; and an implement data processor for independently adjusting the first lateral position of the first opener and the second lateral position of the second opener relative to a guidance path of the implement while simultaneously applying seed and nutrient to the field with a fixed or variable lateral offset to the guidance path based on the determined position or zone.
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Specification