Method of determining remaining seed in a product distribution system and system thereof

An agricultural work machine configured to deposit a product on a field, comprising:

• a frame;
• a tank coupled to the frame and configured to store the product;
• a row unit coupled to the frame, the row unit comprising a hopper and a meter assembly;
• a distribution line coupled between the tank and the hopper;
• a control system comprising a controller and control logic, the control logic being executable by the controller to perform a work operation of depositing the product on the field;
• and
• a blower operably controlled by the controller to provide an air flow through the distribution line to transfer product from the tank to the row unit;
• a nozzle portion of the tank disposed in fluid communication with the blower;
• and
• a mechanism located in the tank above the nozzle portion, the mechanism operably controlled between an open position and a closed position;
• wherein, in the open position, the product in the tank flows through the mechanism into the nozzle portion;
• wherein, in the closed position, the mechanism blocks the product in the tank from flowing into the nozzle portion;
• wherein, the controller operably executes the control logic to determine an amount of product in the distribution line, the hopper and the meter assembly at any given time;
• and
• wherein the controller determines the amount of product in the distribution line, the hopper and the meter assembly by executing the control logic by:
• receiving a first product weight of the product in the tank from a tank scale before executing the work operation;
• after completing a first portion of the work operation, receiving a quantity of product deposited from the row unit via a sensor;
• determining a second product weight related to the quantity of product deposited from the row unit as a function of a density of the product;
• determining a third product weight based on a difference between the first product weight and the second product weight;
• receiving a current weight of the tank from the tank scale;
• and
• determining a remaining product weight based on a difference between the third product weight and the current weight, the remaining product weight being the weight of product located in only the distribution line, hopper and meter assembly.

An agricultural work machine configured to deposit a product on a field, comprising:

• a frame;
• a tank coupled to the frame and configured to store the product;
• a row unit coupled to the frame, the row unit comprising a hopper and a meter assembly;
• a distribution line coupled between the tank and the hopper;
• a control system comprising a controller and control logic, the control logic being executable by the controller to perform a work operation of depositing the product on the field;
• and
• a blower operably controlled by the controller to provide an air flow through the distribution line to transfer product from the tank to the row unit;
• a nozzle portion of the tank disposed in fluid communication with the blower;
• and
• a mechanism located in the tank above the nozzle portion, the mechanism operably controlled between an open position and a closed position;
• wherein, in the open position, the product in the tank flows through the mechanism into the nozzle portion;
• wherein, in the closed position, the mechanism blocks the product in the tank from flowing into the nozzle portion;
• wherein, the controller operably executes the control logic to determine an amount of product in the distribution line, the hopper and the meter assembly at any given time;
• and
• wherein the controller determines the amount of product in the distribution line, the hopper and the meter assembly when executing the control logic by:
• controlling the mechanism to its closed position;
• receiving a first weight of the tank from a tank scale after product is loaded in the tank and the nozzle portion, the distribution line, the hopper and the meter assembly are substantially empty of product;
• controlling the mechanism to its open position to allow product to flow from the tank into the nozzle portion;
• activating the blower to transfer product from the nozzle portion through the distribution line into the hopper and meter assembly;
• once the hopper and meter assembly are full of product, receiving a second weight from the tank scale;
• and
• determining the amount of product in the distribution line, the hopper and the meter assembly based on a difference between the first weight and the second weight.

An agricultural work machine configured to deposit a product on a field, comprising:

• a frame;
• a tank coupled to the frame and configured to store the product;
• a row unit coupled to the frame, the row unit comprising a hopper and a meter assembly;
• a distribution line coupled between the tank and the hopper;
• a control system comprising a controller and control logic, the control logic being executable by the controller to perform a work operation of depositing the product on the field;
• and
• a blower operably controlled by the controller to provide an air flow through the distribution line to transfer product from the tank to the row unit;
• wherein, the controller operably executes the control logic to determine an amount of product in the distribution line, the hopper and the meter assembly at any given time
• wherein the controller determines the amount of product in the distribution line, the hopper and the meter assembly when executing the control logic by:
• receiving a first weight of the tank from a tank scale after product is loaded in the tank and the distribution line, the hopper and the meter assembly are substantially empty of product;
• activating the blower to transfer product from the tank through the distribution line into the hopper and meter assembly;
• once the hopper and meter assembly are full of product, receiving a second weight from the tank scale;
• and
• determining the amount of product in the distribution line, the hopper and the meter assembly based on a difference between the first weight and the second weight.