Apparatuses, methods, and systems for providing down force for an agricultural implement
First Claim
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1. An agricultural implement, comprising:
- a toolbar;
a row unit coupled to the toolbar by a linkage, wherein the linkage includes a first arm and a second arm, and wherein each of the first arm and the second arm includes a first end coupled to the toolbar and a second end coupled to the row unit;
an opening device for creating a furrow;
an electric linear actuator operatively connected to the toolbar and linkage to provide a down force for the row unit to provide a substantially uniform furrow depth; and
a vision sensor positioned to read an area of ground in front of the row unit to provide information to prepare the down force provided by the electric linear actuator.
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Abstract
An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatus for providing down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to provide and maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.
45 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An agricultural implement, comprising:
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a toolbar; a row unit coupled to the toolbar by a linkage, wherein the linkage includes a first arm and a second arm, and wherein each of the first arm and the second arm includes a first end coupled to the toolbar and a second end coupled to the row unit; an opening device for creating a furrow; an electric linear actuator operatively connected to the toolbar and linkage to provide a down force for the row unit to provide a substantially uniform furrow depth; and a vision sensor positioned to read an area of ground in front of the row unit to provide information to prepare the down force provided by the electric linear actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A down force system for use with a row unit of an agricultural implement, comprising:
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an electric linear actuator operatively connected to a linkage of the row unit; and at least one vision sensor for sensing at least one soil characteristic and operatively connected to the electric linear actuator; wherein the at least one vision sensor monitors a portion of the ground in front of the row unit to determine the amount of down force needed to create a furrow based upon the at least one soil characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification