Down pressure adjustment device and method for use with a disc opener assembly of an agricultural implement

A method for operating an agricultural implement including a disc opener unit, the disc opener unit comprising a disc configured to cut a trench into the ground and a gauge wheel assembly including a gauge wheel and a depth control arm coupled to the gauge wheel via a crankshaft extending through the disc, the depth control arm including a first end coupled to the crankshaft and a second end opposite the first end, the depth control arm configured to engage a depth adjustment member of the disc opener unit adjacent to the second end of the depth control arm, the method comprising:

• controlling an operation of a cylinder to apply a down force on the disc opener unit such that the disc cuts the trench at a desired penetration depth;
• monitoring a load applied through the gauge wheel assembly as the disc is being used to cut the trench into the ground, the load being monitored with a load sensor installed on the depth control arm;
• and
• controlling the operation of the cylinder to adjust the down force applied on the disc opener unit when the monitored load increases above or decreases below a given setpoint.

A method for operating an agricultural implement including a disc opener unit, the disc opener unit comprising a disc configured to cut a trench into the ground and a gauge wheel assembly configured to set a penetration depth of the disc, the method comprising:

• controlling an operation of a cylinder to apply a down force on the disc opener unit such that the disc cuts the trench at a desired penetration depth;
• monitoring a load applied through the gauge wheel assembly as the disc is being used to cut the trench into the ground, the gauge wheel assembly including a gauge wheel and a depth control arm coupled to the gauge wheel via a crankshaft extending through the disc such that the depth control arm is positioned on a first side of the disc and the gauge wheel is positioned on an opposed second side of the disc, the load being monitored with a load sensor installed on the depth control arm, the depth control arm being provided in operative association with a depth adjustment member of the disc opener unit positioned on the first side of the disc;
• and
• controlling the operation of the cylinder to adjust the down force applied on the disc opener unit when the monitored load increases above or decreases below a given setpoint.

A down pressure control system for an agricultural implement, the down pressure control system comprising:

• a disc opener unit including a disc configured to cut a trench into the ground and a gauge wheel assembly configured to set a penetration depth of the disc, the gauge wheel assembly comprising a gauge wheel and a depth control arm coupled to the gauge wheel via a crankshaft extending through the disc such that the depth control arm is positioned on a first side of the disc and the gauge wheel is positioned on an opposed second side of the disc, the depth control arm configured to be coupled to a depth adjustment member of the disc opener unit, the depth adjustment member being positioned on the first side of the disc;
• a load sensor positioned on the first side of the disc, the load sensor being configured to provide an indication of a load applied through the gauge wheel assembly;
• and
• a controller configured to monitor the load based on data received from the load sensor, the controller being further configured to adjust a down force applied on the disc opener unit when the monitored load increases above or decreases below a given setpoint