US 6,701,857 B1Granted

Depth control device for planting implement

OwnerLynn David Jensen, Chris Nelson +1inventors

InventorsLynn David Jensen, Chris Nelson, James P LeClaire

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the down pressure exerted by an actuating device on a seed channel opener of a planting implement in order to maintain the seed channel opener at a predetermined depth. The method and apparatus includes a depth control device which senses the load on the depth control wheel of the planting implement and transmits a sensed load output to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit includes a micro-controller which receives, monitors and analyzes the sensed load output and compares it to the predetermined depth value. When the micro-controller detects a change between the predetermined depth value and sensed output value, a signal is transmitted to a regulating control valve which adjusts the down pressure exerted by the actuating device on the seed channel opener to maintain the proper cutting depth.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A planting implement which is connectable to a vehicle for towing comprising:

(a) a frame having tires attached thereto for movement along a ground surface;
(b) a ground working implement having a proximal end connected to said frame and a distal end, said ground working implement further comprising:
(i) a seed channel opener having a center axis and affixed to said distal end of said ground working implement, said seed channel opener adapted to be driven into said ground surface to form a seed channel to a first depth;
(ii) a depth control wheel having a center axis, said depth control wheel adapted to be in light contact with said ground surface;
(iii) a support and adjustment mechanism secured between said seed channel opener and said depth control wheel, said support and adjustment mechanism adapted to support said depth control wheel at a relative position to said seed channel opener, and
(iv) a depth adjusting mechanism connected to said support and adjustment mechanism;
(c) an actuating device secured between said frame and said ground working implement, said actuating device adapted to exert and adjust a down pressure on said seed channel opener;
(d) a depth control device adapted to measure the load on said depth control wheel in order to determine a sensed load on said depth control wheel and electronically transmit a sensed load output;
(i) an electronic control unit capable of receiving, monitoring and analyzing the sensed load output transmitted by said depth control device, and
(j) a regulating valve in communication with said electronic control unit and in communication with said actuating device,
wherein, when said electronic control unit determines a change in the sensed load output received by said depth control device, said electronic control unit transmits a signal to said regulating valve which causes said actuating device to adjust the down pressure on said seed channel opener, thereby maintaining said seed channel opener at said first depth.

8 more elements

A method for automatically adjusting the down pressure exerted by an actuating device on a seed channel opener of a planting implement, said planting implement including a seed channel opener adapted to be driven into a ground surface to form a seed channel at a first depth, a depth control wheel, a support and adjustment mechanism having a first end connected to said seed channel opener and a second end connected to said depth control wheel, and a depth adjusting mechanism connected to said support and adjustment mechanism, said method comprising:

(a) connecting a depth control device to said support and adjustment mechanism, said depth control device adapted to measure the load on said depth control wheel in order to determine a sensed load on said depth control wheel and electronically transmit a sensed load output;
(b) providing an electronic control unit mounted to said planting implement, said electronic control unit adapted to receive, monitor and analyze the sensed load output transmitted by said depth control device, and
(c) providing a regulating control valve in communication with said electronic control unit and in communication with said actuating device,
wherein, when said electronic control unit determines a change in the sensed load output received by said depth control device, said electronic control unit transmits a signal to said regulating control valve which causes said actuating device to adjust the down pressure exerted on said seed channel opener, thereby maintaining said seed channel opener at said first depth.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.