Automated leveling and depth control system of a work machine and method thereof

A seeding implement, comprising:

• a multi-section frame including a first frame section, a second frame section, and a third frame section, the first frame section being disposed between the second and third frame sections, where each frame section includes a front end and a rear end;
• a first control system for controlling a height of each frame section relative to the other frame sections, the first control system comprising:
• a first actuator coupled to the first frame section, a second actuator coupled to the second frame section, and a third actuator coupled to the third frame section;
• a first sensor coupled to the first frame section, the first sensor configured to detect a first height of the first frame section from an underlying surface;
• a second sensor coupled to the second frame section, the second sensor configured to detect a second height of the second frame section from the underlying surface;
• a third sensor coupled to the third frame section, the third sensor configured to detect a third height of the third frame section from the underlying surface;
• a control unit disposed in electrical communication with the user control, the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor, the controller operably controlling the first actuator, the second actuator and the third actuator in response to the user control, the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor;
• wherein, the control unit compares the first height, the second height, and the third height to one another and determines if each height is equal to or within a threshold limit of one another;
• further wherein, when one of the first height, second height or third height is determined not to be equal to or within the threshold limit of the other two heights, the controller determines which frame section is uneven with the other two frame sections and actuates the actuator that is coupled to the uneven frame section until the first height, second height, and third height are equal or within the threshold limit of one another;
• and
• a second control system for controlling a pitch of each frame section, the second control system comprising:
• a front wheel and a rear wheel coupled to and supporting each frame section, the front wheel and rear wheel adapted to move along an underlying surface;
• a front wheel arm coupled to the front wheel of each frame section and pivotably coupled to the front end of the frame at a first pivot location;
• a rear wheel arm coupled to the rear wheel of each frame section and pivotably coupled to the rear end of the frame at a second pivot location;
• a linkage coupled to the front wheel arm and rear wheel arm of each frame section, the linkage including a linkage actuator for adjustably controlling a length of the linkage for each frame section;
• a fourth sensor coupled to each frame section at or near the first pivot location, the fourth sensor configured to detect a front height of the front end of the respective frame section relative to the underlying surface;
• a fifth sensor coupled to the frame section at or near the second pivot location, the fifth sensor configured to detect a rear height of the rear end of the respective frame section relative to the underlying surface;
• the control unit disposed in electrical communication with the fourth sensor and the fifth sensor, the control unit operably controlling the linkage actuator based on the detected front height and rear height of each frame section.