SOIL MOISTURE-BASED PLANTER DOWNFORCE CONTROL
First Claim
1. A seeding machine comprising:
- a main frame;
a row unit coupled to the main frame, the row unit having a row unit frame, a gauge wheel coupled to the row unit frame, and a furrow opener coupled to the row unit frame; and
a downforce adjustment system for adjusting an amount of downforce applied to the row unit, the downforce adjustment system including a moisture sensor configured to detect a moisture level of soil, a controller configured to receive a signal from the moisture sensor corresponding to the detected moisture level, and an actuator configured to change the amount of downforce applied to the row unit based on the signal received by the controller.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A seeding machine includes a main frame, and a row unit coupled to the main frame. The row unit has a row unit frame, a gauge wheel coupled to the row unit frame, and a furrow opener coupled to the row unit frame, the furrow opener having a stationary or rotating surface that contacts and moves soil. The row unit also includes a furrow closer, the furrow closer having a stationary or rotating surface that contacts and presses soil. The seeding machine also includes a downforce adjustment system for adjusting an amount of downforce applied to the row unit, the downforce adjustment system including a moisture sensor, a controller configured to receive a signal from the moisture sensor, and an actuator configured to change the amount of downforce applied to the row unit based on the signal received by the controller.
0 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A seeding machine comprising:
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a main frame; a row unit coupled to the main frame, the row unit having a row unit frame, a gauge wheel coupled to the row unit frame, and a furrow opener coupled to the row unit frame; and a downforce adjustment system for adjusting an amount of downforce applied to the row unit, the downforce adjustment system including a moisture sensor configured to detect a moisture level of soil, a controller configured to receive a signal from the moisture sensor corresponding to the detected moisture level, and an actuator configured to change the amount of downforce applied to the row unit based on the signal received by the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A seeding machine comprising:
a controller having a processor configured to; detect a moisture level with a moisture sensor coupled to a row unit on the seeding machine; determine whether the moisture level is above a predetermined threshold; and in response to determining that the moisture level is above a predetermined threshold, decrease a downforce on the row unit. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A seeding machine comprising:
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a main frame; a row unit coupled to the main frame, the row unit having a row unit frame; and a downforce adjustment system coupled to the row unit for adjusting an amount of downforce applied to the row unit, the downforce adjustment system including; a moisture sensor coupled to the row unit and configured to detect a moisture level of one or more layers of soil, the moisture sensor selected from a group consisting of a capacitive sensor, an infrared sensor, and a radar sensor; a controller configured to receive a signal from the moisture sensor corresponding to the detected moisture level; an actuator configured to change the amount of downforce applied to the row unit based on the signal received by the controller; and a linkage coupled to the actuator, the row unit frame, and the main frame, wherein the linkage is pivotally coupled to the main frame. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification