Pivoting robotic planter

An implement-operating vehicle comprising:

• a frame;
• a plurality of ground engagement elements coupled to the frame;
• a power source configured to power the ground engagement elements;
• an implement platform coupled to the frame, wherein the implement platform comprises a rotation bearing, the implement platform configured to:
• couple to a planter;
• and
• rotate the planter via the rotation bearing on an axis perpendicular to a ground surface;
• a platform motor coupled to the rotation bearing providing a force to cause the planter to rotate;
• and
• one or more controllers communicatively coupled to the platform motor and the ground engagement elements, the one or more controllers including one or more processors configured to execute a set of program instructions stored in a memory, the set of program instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to:
• control movement of the ground engagement elements along a ground surface in a first direction;
• and
• control operation of the platform motor to rotate the planter to a first position corresponding to the first direction.

A method comprising:

• driving an implement-operating vehicle in a first direction in a field toward a first headland and away from a second headland, the implement-operating vehicle coupled to a planter operating in a first planter position along a first furrow, wherein a forward section of the implement-operating vehicle is pointed toward the first headland;
• arriving at the first headland;
• raising the planter from an operating position to a travel position;
• moving the implement-operating vehicle along the first headland so that the planter is in line with a second furrow, while keeping the forward section of the implement-operating vehicle pointed within 90 degrees toward the first headland;
• rotating the planter on an axis perpendicular to a ground surface to a second planter position;
• lowering the planter from the travel position to the operating position;
• and
• driving the implement-operating vehicle in a second direction toward the second headland, wherein the planter is operating in the second planter position along the second furrow wherein an aft section of the implement-operating vehicle is pointed toward the second headland.