System and method of work machine implement control for subterranean mapping applications

A work machine comprising:

• a machine frame coupled to at least a first implement for working a terrain;
• a subterranean monitoring unit and a load sensor associated with the first implement;
• one or more position sensors respectively associated with the machine frame and the at least first implement;
• and
• a controller configured during a subterranean monitoring operation, independent of an earth working operation of the first implement, to:
• automatically control at least one actuator associated with the first implement to maintain contact of at least one surface of the first implement with a ground surface, the automatic control based at least in part on input signals from the load sensor corresponding to a predetermined range of load values;
• and
• generate multidimensional parameters for an electronic worksite map associated with a current location of the work machine, the parameters generated via at least input signals from the subterranean monitoring unit further corresponding with input signals from the one or more position sensors.

A system for mapping a worksite traversed by at least a first work machine, the at least a first work machine comprising a machine frame coupled to at least a first implement for working a terrain, a subterranean monitoring unit and a load sensor associated with the first implement, and one or more position sensors respectively associated with the machine frame and the at least first implement, the system comprising:

• one or more processors residing upon or otherwise functionally linked to the at least first work machine, and configured during a subterranean monitoring operation, independent of an earth working operation of the first implement, to:
• automatically control at least one actuator associated with the first implement to maintain contact of at least one surface of the first implement with a ground surface, the automatic control based at least in part on input signals from the load sensor corresponding to a predetermined range of load values;
• and
• generate multidimensional parameters for an electronic worksite map associated with a current location of the at least first work machine, the parameters generated via at least input signals from the subterranean monitoring unit further corresponding with input signals from the one or more position sensors,
• wherein the updated electronic worksite map is uploaded to a remote data storage by the at least first work machine performing the subterranean monitoring operation, and retrievable by at least a second work machine performing an earth working operation in association with the worksite.