Systems, methods, and apparatus for agricultural implement trench depth control and soil monitoring
First Claim
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1. A monitoring system for an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units, each of the plurality of row units opening a trench in a soil surface into which seeds are deposited as the agricultural implement advances in a forward direction of travel, the monitoring system comprising:
- a soil reflectivity sensor comprising light-emitting diodes and disposed in an implement associated with at least one row unit, said implement configured to resiliently engage a bottom of said trench into which the seeds are deposited by said at least one row unit, said soil reflectivity sensor configured to measure light reflected from a surface of the soil within said trench;
a processor in electrical communication with said soil reflectivity sensor; and
a display, said display in electrical communication with said processor.
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Abstract
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring soil properties including soil moisture and soil temperature during an agricultural input application. Embodiments include a soil moisture sensor and/or a soil temperature sensor mounted to a seed firmer for measuring moisture and temperature in a planting trench. Additionally, systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting depth based on the monitored soil properties.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A monitoring system for an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units, each of the plurality of row units opening a trench in a soil surface into which seeds are deposited as the agricultural implement advances in a forward direction of travel, the monitoring system comprising:
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a soil reflectivity sensor comprising light-emitting diodes and disposed in an implement associated with at least one row unit, said implement configured to resiliently engage a bottom of said trench into which the seeds are deposited by said at least one row unit, said soil reflectivity sensor configured to measure light reflected from a surface of the soil within said trench; a processor in electrical communication with said soil reflectivity sensor; and a display, said display in electrical communication with said processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification