Depth control for ground working agricultural implements

• US 4,176,721 A
• Filed: 11/28/1977
• Issued: 12/04/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: KEP Enterprises, Sweet Manufacturing Limited
• Original Assignee: KEP Enterprises, Sweet Manufacturing Limited
• Inventors: Sweet, Ralph, Poggemiller, Erhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Stouffer, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US05/855,277
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 172/4, 172/7, 172/9, 172/26, 172/264, 172/265, 172/551, 172/570, 172/572, 172/573, 172/574, 172/657, 172/705, 172/707, 172/708, 172/710, 172/184, 172/186, 172/187, 180/79, 180/131, 280/87.2, 104/244.1
• US Class Current: 172/4
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/22 operated by hydraulic or pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 33/14 Lifting or lowering mechanisms for the tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/903 Monitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/926 Special suspension or gauging feature

Abstract

A depth control device is attached to agricultural implements such as cultivators, seed drills, discers and the like, in order to control, within pre-determined limits, the depth of penetration of the earth working components. It comprises firstly a ground or surface engaging sensing member extending forwardly of the framework and secondly, a sensor that is connected to the earth working components. Both of these sensors are connected to mechanism to raise and lower the earth working components which controls the depth of penetration thereof so that, for example, if uneven ground is encountered, the depth penetration is corrected and if the density changes of the ground being worked, thus affecting the suction, then once again depth penetration is corrected. Structure is provided to average out the effect of conditions changing the depth of penetration so that the desired average depth of penetration is maintained particularly in relatively wide machines. Switches are actuated by the sensors and these switches are connected to solenoids or solenoid valves which in turn operate the raising and lowering mechanism for the earth working components, the mechanism being operated either by hydraulic rams or reversible electric or hydrostatic motors.

Claims

1. In an agricultural implement which includes a main frame, a ground engaging element mounted in said frame and means to set the depth of penetration of said ground engaging element with the ground;

the improvement which consists of first sensing means supported by said frame and engaging the surface of the ground in advance of said ground engaging element, to sense the contour of the surface of the ground over which said first sensing means passes, second sensing means mounted in said frame and being operatively connected to said ground engaging element to sense the change in depth penetration of said ground engaging element, and control means in said frame operatively connected to said ground engaging element for raising and lowering same relative to said frame, said first and second sensing means being operatively connected to said control means, said first sensing means including a first ground engaging wheel, means mounting same for rotation and castoring action to said frame, a second ground engaging wheel journalled for rotation behind said first ground engaging wheel, link means extending rearwardly from said first ground engaging wheel for journalling and supporting said second ground engaging wheel for rotation, said link means being pivotally connected to said means mounting said first ground engaging wheel, for movement of said second ground engaging wheel in a vertical plane, and spring means extending between said means mounting said first ground engaging wheel and said link means intermediate the ends thereof, normally urging said second ground engaging wheel into contact with the surface of the ground.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 in which said means operatively connecting said first sensing means with said switch means includes a support bar pivotally connected by one end thereof to said frame, said first sensing means being supported adjacent the distal end of said support bar and extending downwardly therefrom, a crank arm pivoted to said frame and including a first and second arm extending at an angle from one another from a common locus, said first arm being operatively connected to said support arm, said second arm being operatively connected to said switch means.

3. The improvement according to claim 2 which includes means supporting said switch means relative to said frame, including a first bar, an "up" switch and a "down" switch mounted on said bar and being operatively connected to said means to set the depth of penetration of said ground engaging implement, a second bar spaced and parallel to said first bar, switch actuators on said second bar operatively engageable with said switches when said bars move lengthwise relative to one another, one of said bars being supported for sliding movement relative to the other of said bars, one of said bars being operatively connected to said second arm of said crank arm, the other of said bars being operatively connected to said ground engaging element.

4. The improvement according to claim 3 in which said means to set the depth of penetration of said ground engaging element includes means to raise said ground engaging element clear of the ground into transport position and means operatively extending between said means to set the depth of penetration, and said first sensing means to raise said first sensing means clear of the ground when said ground engaging element is raised clear of the ground and to lower said first sensing means in engagement with the surface of the ground when said ground engaging element is lowered for engagement with the ground.

5. The improvement according to claim 2 in which said means to set the depth of penetration of said ground engaging element includes means to raise said ground engaging element clear of the ground into transport position and means operatively extending between said means to set the depth of penetration, and said first sensing means to raise said first sensing means clear of the ground when said ground engaging element is raised clear of the ground and to lower said first sensing means in engagement with the surface of the ground when said ground engaging element is lowered for engagement with the ground.

6. The improvement according to claim 1 in which said means to set the depth of penetration of said ground engaging element includes means to raise said ground engaging element clear of the ground into transport position and means operatively extending between said means to set the depth of penetration, and said first sensing means to raise said first sensing means clear of the ground when said ground engaging element is raised clear of the ground and to lower said first sensing means in engagement with the surface of the ground when said ground engaging element is lowered for engagement with the ground.

10. The improvement according to claim 6 in which said means to set the depth of penetration of said ground engaging element includes means to raise said ground engaging element clear of the ground into transport position and means operatively extending between said means to set the depth of penetration, and said first sensing means to raise said first sensing means clear of the ground when said ground engaging element is raised clear of the ground and to lower said first sensing means in engagement with the surface of the ground when said ground engaging element is lowered for engagement with the ground.

7. A first sensing means for agricultural implements, a ground engaging element attachable to said implement and means to set the depth of penetration of said ground engaging element with the ground;

said first sensing means including a first ground engaging wheel, means mounting same for rotation and castoring action, a second ground engaging wheel journalled for rotation behind and in alignment with said first ground wheel, link means extending rearwardly from said first ground engaging wheel for journalling said second ground engaging wheel for rotation, said link means being pivotally connected to said means mounting said first ground engaging wheel, for movement of said second ground engaging wheel in a vertical plane, and spring means extending between said means mounting said first ground engaging wheel and said link means intermediate the ends thereof, normally urging said second ground engaging wheel into contact with the surface of the ground, said means mounting said first ground engaging wheel including a wheel fork, a spindle spanning said fork, said wheel being journalled for rotation upon said spindle, a fork mounting shaft extending upwardly from said fork, means mounting said fork mounting shaft for castoring action of said first sensing means, said spring means including a rod pivotally connected by one end thereof to said link means, a sliding clevis secured to said wheel fork adjacent the upper end thereof, said rod slidably engaging said sliding clevis and a compression spring reacting between said sliding clevis and anchor means on said rod.

8. In an agricultural implement which includes a main frame, a ground engaging element mounted in said frame and means to set the depth of penetration of said ground engaging element with the ground;

the improvement which consists of first sensing means supported by said frame and engaging the surface of the ground in advance of said ground engaging element, to sense the contour of the surface of the ground over which said first sensing means passes, second sensing means mounted in said frame and being operatively connected to said ground engaging element to sense the change in depth penetration of said ground engaging element, and switch means in said frame operatively connected to said ground engaging element for raising and lowering same relative to said frame, said first and second sensing means being operatively connected to said switch means, said means operatively connecting said first sensing means with said switch means includes a support bar pivotally connected by one end thereof to said frame, said first sensing means being supported adjacent the distal end of said support bar and extending downwardly therefrom, a crank arm pivoted to said frame and including a first and second arm extending at an angle from one another from a common locus, said first arm being operatively connected to said support arm, said second arm being operatively connected to said switch means.

9. The improvement according to claim 8 which includes means supporting said switch means relative to said frame, including a first bar, an "up" switch and a "down" switch mounted on said bar and being operatively connected to said means to set the depth of penetration of said ground engaging implement, a second bar spaced and parallel to said first bar, switch actuators on said second bar operatively engageable with said switches when said bars move lengthwise relative to one another, one of said bars being supported for sliding movement relative to the other of said bars, one of said bars being operatively connected to said second arm of said crank arm, the other of said bars being operatively connected to said ground engaging element.