Apparatus, systems and methods for steerable toolbars
AssigneeAg Leader Technology
InventorsAlan F. Barry, Loren Leusink, Jacob Christensen, Kurt Townsend
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A steerable toolbar system including a steerable implement. The steerable implement including a toolbar in operable communication with a first end of a hitch, at least one link extending between a second end of the hitch and the toolbar, at least one actuator in communication with the at least one link, and a pivot disposed at a connection point between the hitch and the toolbar. The system also including a controller in electronic communication with the at least one actuator, where the controller is configured to adjust the angle of the toolbar relative to the hitch via actuation of the at least one actuator.
Claims13
An agricultural implement comprising:
- (a) a toolbar comprising:
- (i) a pin and
- (ii) at least one ground engaging tool;
- (b) an elongate attachment, a first end of the elongate attachment attached to the toolbar via the pin;
- (c) a first draft link extending between a second end of the elongate attachment and the toolbar;
- (d) a first actuator in operable communication with the first draft link, wherein actuation of the first draft link via the first actuator adjusts the angle of the toolbar relative to the elongate attachment;
- and
- (e) a controller in electronic communication with the first actuator,
- wherein the controller is configured to actuate the first draft link to adjust the angle of the toolbar relative to the elongate attachment to maintain alignment of the agricultural implement with a towing vehicle, the towing vehicle connected to the elongate attachment by a hitch.
A method for steering an agricultural implement comprising:
- determining a vehicle guidance path on a controller;
- traversing the vehicle guidance path with a vehicle, the vehicle attached to the agricultural implement, the agricultural implement comprising an elongate bar and a hitch, wherein the elongate bar is rotatably engaged with a first end of the hitch;
- and
- adjusting the angle of the elongate bar relative to the hitch via actuation of an actuator in communication with at least one draft link, wherein the at least one draft link extends between a second end of the hitch and the elongate bar such that the agricultural implement traverses the vehicle guidance path with path fidelity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.