×

Guidance control system for farm tractor/implement combination having improved turnaround capability

  • US 5,240,079 A
  • Filed: 07/28/1992
  • Issued: 08/31/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. Apparatus for positioning an implement being drawn by a tractor or the like to travel along a desired path of movement, the tractor having a mounting hitch for the implement, said apparatus being adapted to selectively operate in one of a row following mode and a trailing mode, said apparatus comprising:

  • hitch means adapted for attachment to the mounting hitch of the tractor and adapted to have the implement mounted thereto, said hitch means having hydraulic means for selectively retracting and extending each side of the hitch means generally horizontally relative to the mounting hitch of the tractor to thereby adjust the angular orientation of said hitch means relative to the mounting hitch;

    first sensing means adapted, during the row following mode, for sensing the angular orientation of said hitch means relative to the mounting hitch and generating a signal indicative of said sensed orientation;

    wand means operatively associated with said apparatus and adapted during said row following mode to detect the lateral position of the implement relative to the desired path as the tractor moves generally along the desired path;

    second sensing means adapted, during the row following mode, for sensing the position of said wand means and generating a signal that is indicative of said sensed position;

    third sensing means adapted, during the trailing mode, for sensing the lateral position of said hitch means relative to the tractor and generating a signal that is indicative of said sensed position;

    means for switching said apparatus between said row following mode and said trailing mode;

    means for controlling said hydraulic means during said row following mode to adjust the angular orientation of said hitch means so that the implement follows the desired path of movement in response to said signals from said first and second sensing means;

    said controlling means controlling said hydraulic means during said trailing mode to adjust the angular orientation of said hitch means so that the implement is maintained in a predetermined lateral position relative to said tractor in response to said signal from said third sensing means.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×