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US 6,070,538 AGranted
Modular agricultural implement control system
AssigneeCase Corporation
InventorsDavid D. Flamme, Abraham Orbach, Paul W. Haack, Eric D. Jacobson
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AssigneeCase Corporation
InventorsDavid D. Flamme, Abraham Orbach, Paul W. Haack, Eric D. Jacobson
Estimating the term…
A control system for agricultural implements such as planters, conventional or air drills is disclosed herein. The implement includes a frame with one or more sections. Each section supports a plurality of row units configured to apply a product at variable rates to rows in a field. The products can include seeds, fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides. In one configuration, the control system monitors the rates at which the product is applied to the rows. This configuration of the control system includes sensors configured to sense the rates at which product is applied, and a control module configured to monitor the sensed rates and generate a multiplexed output signal representative thereof. The output signal is used, for example, by a cab-mounted display or recording device. The control system, however, can be reconfigured to both monitor and control the application rates by installing a second control module on the frame. The second control module generates rate control signals in response to rate command input signals. The rate control signals are applied to the metering device to cause the metering device to meter product to the row units at the commanded rates. Commanded rates are set, for example, by a cab-mounted display control module.
A modular application control system for an agricultural implement including a support structure, a plurality of row units supported by the support structure for applying a product to rows in an agricultural field, and a metering device for metering the product to the row units, the system comprising:
A method of reconfiguring a product application control system for an agricultural implement including a support structure, a plurality of row units coupled to the support structure and configured to apply at least one product to a plurality of rows in a field, and a metering device configured to meter the product to the row units, comprising steps of:
A modular application control system for an agricultural implement coupled to a vehicle, the vehicle including an operator station and the implement including a support structure, a plurality of row units coupled to the support structure for applying a product to a plurality of rows in a field, and a product metering device for metering the product to the row units, the control system comprising:
A kit for providing variable-rate control of a product when used in combination with a control system for an agricultural implement, the implement including a support structure, a plurality of row units supported by the support structure to apply the product to a plurality of rows in a field, and a metering device to meter the product to the row units, the control system including a plurality of rate sensors for sensing at least one rate at which the product is applied to the rows and for generating rate signals representative of the at least one rate at which the product is applied to the rows, a meter status sensor coupled to the metering device for sensing a parameter of the metering device and for generating meter status signals representative of the parameter, and a monitoring control module coupled to the rate sensors and meter status sensor and configured to monitor the at least one rate at which the product is applied and the parameter of the metering device, the kit comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.