Devices, systems, and methods for seed trench protection
AssigneeAg Leader Technology
InventorsRoger Zielke, Tony Woodcock, Scott Eichhorn, Brett Buehler, Bob Heston, Joe Holoubek, Jonathan Brand
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Protecting open seed trenches from ingress of foreign material, such as plant residue. Preventing foreign material from entering the open seed trench during planting increases crop yield by minimizing delayed germination and late plant emergence. Various implementations of adjustable row cleaners may be used to prevent ingress of foreign material. Also, various shields may be disposed on the row units of a planter to prevent ingress of foreign material.
Claims18
An agricultural row cleaner, comprising:
- (a) a pair of row cleaner wheels, each of the row cleaner wheels comprise tines and wherein the tines are retractable and extendable;
- (b) an actuator in communication with the pair of row cleaner wheels;
- and
- (c) at least one controller in communication with the actuator,
- wherein the row cleaner is adjustable on-the-go via the actuator to adjust at least one of tilt angle, pitch angle, wheel depth, and wheel shape.
An agricultural row unit comprising:
- (a) a row cleaner comprising a pair of wheels;
- (b) a row cleaner adjustment system comprising at least one actuator in communication with the pair of wheels;
- (c) a controller in communication with the row cleaner adjustment system;
- and
- (d) at least one sensor in communication with the controller configured to measure a residue condition,
- wherein the controller assesses signals from the at least one sensor and sends a corresponding signal to the row cleaner adjustment system to adjust a component of the row cleaner.
A method for adjusting a row cleaner comprising:
- sensing a crop condition;
- detecting a vehicle condition;
- transmitting signals to a controller of sensed crop and vehicle conditions;
- assessing the signals by the controller;
- transmitting an adjustment signal to an adjustment system in communication with a row cleaner;
- and
- adjusting the row cleaner via the adjustment system,
- wherein the crop condition comprises one or more of soil type, soil flow, soil spread, residue type, and residue movement, and
- wherein the vehicle condition comprises one or more of vehicle speed and row cleaner status.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.