Drainage plow control and method of controlling an elevation of a cutting edge of a drainage plow

A method of controlling the elevation of a cutting edge of a drainage plow, said drainage plow having a frame that is adapted to connect to a prime mover, a shank that is connected to said frame and a hydraulic actuator that is adapted to adjust pitch of said shank relative to earth, said shank defining a cutting edge, wherein the pitch of said shank relative to earth causes a change in the elevation of said cutting edge, said method comprising:

• positioning at least one sensor on the drainage plow, said at least one sensor comprising a GNS receiver and an inclinometer, measuring current elevation of said cutting edge relative to earth with said GNS receiver and current pitch of said shank relative to earth with said inclinometer;
• providing the current elevation of said cutting edge relative to earth and the pitch of said shank relative to earth to a processor and combining the current elevation of said cutting edge relative to earth, a desired elevation of said cutting edge relative to earth and current pitch of said shank relative to earth using said processer to provide a valve control output;
• and
• supplying the valve control output to a hydraulic valve assembly connected with said hydraulic actuator and activating said hydraulic valve assembly with the valve control output of said processor.

A drainage plow, comprising:

• a frame that is adapted to connect to a prime mover;
• a shank that is connected to the frame;
• a hydraulic actuator that is adapted to adjust pitch of said shank relative to earth, said shank defining a cutting edge, wherein the pitch of said shank relative to earth causes a change in the elevation of said cutting edge;
• and
• a drainage plow control comprising an electronic control and a hydraulic valve assembly, said hydraulic valve assembly adapted to be connected with said hydraulic actuator to adjust pitch of the shank, said electronic control being adapted to activate said hydraulic valve assembly;
• wherein said electronic control comprises a processor and at least one sensor, said at least one sensor comprising a GNS receiver that is adapted to measure current elevation relative to earth and to provide a GNS location input to said processor, said at least one sensor further comprising an inclinometer that is adapted to measure current pitch of said shank relative to earth and to provide a current pitch input to said processor, wherein said processor activates said hydraulic valve assembly from said inputs in a manner that adjusts said hydraulic actuator to affect the pitch of said shank relative to earth, wherein said electronic control combines the GNS location input, the current pitch input and a desired elevation of said cutting edge relative to earth to provide a valve control output and wherein said electronic control activates said hydraulic valve assembly as a function of the valve control output.