| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 172002000 | AUTOMATIC POWER CONTROL | 76 |
| 20090032273 | IMPLEMENT/VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A control system controls steering of an implement which is coupled to an agricultural utility vehicle. The control system includes a control unit, a sensor, a hydraulic system on the utility vehicle, an electronically actuatable hydraulic valve, a hydraulic actuator on the implement and a steerable wheel on the implement. A status variable of the utility vehicle or of the implement can be detected with the sensor and transmitted to the control unit. A current operating state of the utility vehicle and/or of the implement is determined by the control unit. The hydraulic valve is connected to the hydraulic system and to the actuator. The hydraulic valve can be actuated as a function of the current operating state of the utility vehicle and/or of the implement in order to block the steering of the wheel with the actuator. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090159302 | CONSTANT WORK TOOL ANGLE CONTROL - A method of controlling a work tool with respect to a design surface gradient identifies surface gradient and determines a desired angle for the work tool. Movement of the machine is monitored and the distance between the design surface gradient and the work tool is determined. The angle of the work tool is varied based on one or more of these parameters. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090242219 | TRACTOR WITH AUTOMATIC STEERING ARRANGEMENT - A tractor has hydraulically driven wheels at a cab end and castor wheels at an engine end. It can be driven cab forward in a working mode with a header on the forward end. It is rotated to engine forward in the transport position for more stable higher speed travel. The driven wheels are driven by hydraulic motors each having their own drive pump the output of which is controlled by a cam plate. There is provided an automatic steering system having a guidance controller arranged to receive GPS position information and feed back signals and to generate output for controlling a hydraulic control valve for controlling flow in hydraulic fluid for a double acting hydraulic control cylinder arranged to actuate pivotal movement of the steering link member independently of the steering shaft. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20100051298 | HYDRAULIC SHOCK DISSIPATION FOR IMPLEMENT BOUNCE - To dissipate hydraulic shock created by the bouncing of an implement mounted on a wheeled vehicle, such as a towed tillage implement or the bucket of a vehicle, such as a wheel loader, an electronic control valve, which supplies hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator that raises and lowers the implement, is actively controlled by an electronic controller. As the vehicle with an implement is transported at higher speeds, the implement tends to bounce creating pressure spikes in the hydraulic system that raises and lowers the implement. The pressure spikes are dissipated by actively generating random or cancelling hydraulic pulses in the hydraulic system. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20120073842 | DRAINAGE PLOW CONTROL AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN ELEVATION OF A CUTTING EDGE OF A DRAINAGE PLOW - A pitch plow and a method of controlling an elevation of a cutting edge of a pitch plow having a frame and a shank that is pivotally mounted to the frame, with the shank defining a cutting edge includes a control system that controls an elevation of the cutting edge. The control system includes a hydraulic control between the shank and the frame to pivotally adjust the shank and an electronic control to control the hydraulic actuator. The electronic control includes a processor and first and second sensors. The processor produces an output that adjusts the hydraulic control in a manner that controls the elevation of the cutting edge. The first sensor may measure GNS location and provides a GNS location input to the processor. The second sensor may measure orientation of said shank and provides a shank orientation input to the processor. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120118593 | VIBRATORY RIPPER HAVING PRESSURE SENSOR FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING ACTIVATION OF VIBRATION MECHANISM - In an aspect of the invention a ripping mechanism for a vehicle is provided which includes a support frame, a ripping member, a vibrator mechanism, a pressure sensor, and a control system. The control system is configured to determine when the ripping member is engaged with hard material using the pressure sensor. When the ripping member is engaged with hard material, the control system is configured to permit operation of the vibrator mechanism. In some embodiments, the control system may further be configured to automatically start the vibrator mechanism when it detects that the ripping member is engaged with hard material. When the ripping member is not engaged with hard material, the control system is configured to deactivate the vibrator mechanism. In some embodiments, deactivation of the vibrator mechanism means that the control system turns off the vibrator mechanism. In some other embodiments, deactivation of the vibrator mechanism means that the control system prevents operation of the vibrator mechanism. In yet other embodiments deactivation of the vibrator mechanism may entail both turning off the vibrator mechanism and preventing operation of the vibrator mechanism. In yet other embodiments, the control system may include a switch that permits a vehicle operator to select which of these aforementioned actions the control system takes when determining that the ripping member is not engaged with hard material. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20130000930 | CONTROL DEVICE AND PITCH ANGLE CONTROL METHOD - A control device for automatically controlling a pitch angle of a blade includes a hydraulic oil amount calculation unit and an open ratio setting unit. The hydraulic oil amount calculation unit is configured to calculate an amount of hydraulic oil passing through a blade tilt cylinder valve. The open ratio setting unit is configured to cause the blade tilt cylinder valve to open at a predetermined open ratio when a request for the pitch angle to be changed has been received, to cause the blade tilt cylinder valve to close when the calculated amount of hydraulic oil has reached a predetermined amount of hydraulic oil required for the change of the tilt angle, and to cause the open ratio to be smaller than the predetermined open ratio while a request for a predetermined action necessitating that hydraulic oil be supplied from a main valve is being received. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130087349 | BLADE CONTROL SYSTEM, CONSTRUCTION MACHINE AND BLADE CONTROL METHOD - A blade control system of the present invention includes a determining part which is configured to determine whether or not a load acting on a blade exceeds a first threshold, and a tilt controlling part which is configured to supply a hydraulic oil to a tilt cylinder for causing the blade to perform a rightward tilt action and a leftward tilt action when the determining part determines that the load acting on the blade exceeds the first threshold. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130087350 | BLADE CONTROL SYSTEM, CONSTRUCTION MACHINE AND BLADE CONTROL METHOD - A blade control system first open ratio setting part for setting a first open ratio of a proportional control valve based on a difference angle between a blade angle and a slope angle; a second open ratio setting part for setting a second open ratio of the proportional control valve based on a difference load between a blade load and a target blade load; and a lift controlling part for controlling the proportional control valve in accordance with the second open ratio when the blade load is out of a predetermined load range and for controlling the proportional control valve in accordance with the first open ratio when the blade load is within the predetermined load range. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130087351 | Dual Cylinders For Effecting Tilt And Pitch Functions Of A Dozer Blade - A bulldozer blade is coupled to the forward ends of right and left push-beams of a push frame by pivotal connections defining a transverse axis about which pitch adjustments of the blade pitch may be made by right and left push-beam cylinders provided between the beams and blade, the cylinders also effecting tilt adjustments of the blade about a longitudinal axis located midway between the push-beams. The push frame is, mounted for pivoting vertically about a second transverse axis so as to adjust the height of the blade, with a pair of lift cylinders being coupled between the bulldozer and the blade for effecting this adjustment. An electro-hydraulic control system including an electronic controller is provided for effecting individual or simultaneous control of the push-beam cylinders for effecting blade tilt and pitch adjustments in accordance with operator inputs, with, position feedback being provided by cylinder position sensors. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130161033 | IMPLEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MACHINE - This disclosure relates to a control system for a machine. The control system includes a sensor configured to provide an implement measurement signal indicative of a velocity of a machine implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the implement measurement signal, determine whether a main threshold condition is met, and determine an adjusted implement command based at least in part on the implement measurement signal. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130255975 | Aerator With Low Fuel Level Control - An aerator with low fuel level control includes a low fuel level sensor, and a controller electrically connected to the low fuel level sensor and to the coring head that provides a warning to the operator and raises the coring head and/or prevents lowering the coring head into the operating position after the low fuel level sensor indicates a low fuel level in the fuel tank. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130255976 | Aerator Hole Spacing Control With Lockout - An aerator hole spacing control with lockout prevents operation of a coring head except if the speed control is at a limited range of preset coring speed positions between the minimum and the maximum. Electrical signals corresponding to a coring speed may be provided to a controller that allows the coring head to be lowered to an operating position only if the signals are within the limited range of preset coring speed positions. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130292144 | Anti-bounce control system for a machine - A system for automated control of a motor grader includes a first sensor to indicate bounce of the motor grader and a speed sensor to indicate the ground speed. A controller determines a maximum amplitude of the bounce of the motor grader and controls the ground speed of the motor grader at least in part based upon the maximum amplitude of the bounce. A method is also provided. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20140034339 | LOAD SENSING PIN - A load sensing pin disposed to receive a load applied in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the pin. A load sensor is substantially fixedly oriented with respect to the applied load or alternatively with respect to the pin which is rotationally restrained with respect to a support structure. The load sensor is disposed to generate a load signal corresponding to strain of the pin resulting from the applied load. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140041884 | Auto Crab Operation for Motor Grader - An apparatus and method are provided for assisting an operator of a motor grader to steer the motor grader in a crab steer mode. The method includes receiving an operator selection of an automatic crab steer mode, determining that a condition of the motor grader is such as to permit automatic crab steer, and receiving an operator steering command. The received operator steering command is converted to an articulation command to place the machine into a crab steer mode. The articulation command is executed and is also converted into a final steering command consistent with the articulation command, and the final steering command is then executed. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140048295 | Agricultural Apparatus For Sensing And Providing Feedback Of Soil Property Changes In Real Time - An agricultural system includes an agricultural row unit movable on a field between a first soil condition and a second soil condition, the first soil condition having a different soil hardness than the second soil condition. A down-pressure actuator applies an initial first pressure associated with the first soil condition. A soil-hardness sensing device is positioned at a distance D forward of the row unit and outputs a soil-hardness change signal when detecting a change from the first soil condition to the second soil condition. At least one memory device stores instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the down-pressure actuator to change, in response to receiving the soil-hardness change signal, the initial first pressure to a different second pressure when the row unit encounters the second soil condition. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140116735 | Agricultural Systems - An agricultural implement includes at least one row unit having a plurality of support members, each of which is pivotably coupled to an attachment frame or another of the support members to permit vertical pivoting vertical movement of the support members, and a plurality of soil-engaging tools, each of which is coupled to at least one of the support members. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders are coupled to the support members for urging the support members downwardly toward the soil. A plurality of controllable pressure control valves are coupled to the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the cylinders. A plurality of sensors produce electrical signals corresponding to predetermined conditions, and a controller is coupled to the sensor and the controllable pressure control valves. The controller receives the electrical signals from the sensors and produces control signals for controlling the pressure control valves. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140124227 | DYNAMIC SUPPLEMENTAL DOWNFORCE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PLANTER ROW UNITS - A dynamic supplemental downforce control system for a planter row unit. The system includes closed-loop feedback circuit that cooperates with a downforce actuator to dynamically control fluid flow to the downforce actuator to maintain balance between the actual gauge wheel downforce and a desired gauge wheel downforce during planting operations. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140151074 | BLADE CONTROL SYSTEM AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINE - A blade control system includes an angle obtaining part, an open ratio setting part and a lift cylinder controlling part. The angle obtaining part is configured to obtain an angle of a lift frame with respect to a designed surface. The open ratio setting part is configured to set an open ratio based on the angle. The lift cylinder controlling part is configured to open a proportional control valve at the open ratio for elevating the blade when a distance between the designed surface and an edge of a blade is determined to be less than or equal to a threshold. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140174770 | System and Method for Optimizing a Cut Location - A system for determining a cut location at a work surface includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores a final design plane of the work surface and determines an actual profile of the work surface. A plurality of target profiles extending along a path are determined, each corresponding to a cut location. The target profiles are based at least in part upon the cut location, a loading profile, slot parameters, and the actual profile of the work surface. The controller is further configured to determine a lowest cost target profile and the lowest cost target profile defines an optimized cut location. A method is also provided. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140196919 | System And Method Of Tractor Control Based On Agricultural Implement Performance - A method and system for controlling operation of a tractor and/or agricultural implement towed by the tractor is disclosed. A vibration sensor is mounted to the agricultural implement to detect the magnitude of vibration, or bounce, on the agricultural implement. Because the magnitude of the vibration is a function of several operating parameters including, but not limited to, the speed at which the tractor is travelling and the downward pressure applied to the agricultural implement, one or more additional sensors are provided to monitor these operating parameters. Each of the sensors generates a feedback signal and transmits it to the controller. The controller is configured to generate an reference signal to control an actuator as a function of the magnitude of vibration and the measured operating parameter. The actuator receiving the reference signal is configured to control operation of the tractor or agricultural implement to reduce the magnitude of vibration. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140251647 | AGRICULTURAL TOOL WITH ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED DOWNPRESSURE SYSTEM - An agricultural tool for a tractor tool bar comprises a unit, such as a planter unit, that includes a ground contacting member for performing a working operation on the ground for changing the state of the soil, such as by opening a furrow to receive a seed from the planter unit. A downpressure system for the tool includes a two part telescopic air shock extending between the tool bar and a parallelogram linkage that attaches the unit to the tool bar. A sensor is operatively connected to the portion of the air shock that is attached to the parallelogram linkage for sending a signal representative of the length of the shock to an electronic controller. The controller operates through a feedback loop to attempt to maintain the air shock at a predetermined length which corresponds to a desired amount of downpressure. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20150014003 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MACHINE - A control system for a machine is disclosed. The system includes a ripper sensor associated with a ripper of the machine configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of the ripper. The system includes a steering command sensor associated with a steering control module of the machine. The steering command sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a steering command of the machine. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the signals indicative of the position of the ripper and the steering command of the machine. The controller is configured to execute an action based on the engaged state of the ripper and the steering command of the machine. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150021057 | Farm Implement Having A Frame Supported By A Lift Wheel Assembly And A Pair Of Gull Wings - A method and apparatus for automating some of the tasks that heretofore required operator action at headland turns or similar events are provided. The present invention automates operation of lift assist wheels and/or gull wings, such as those found on a stack-fold implement, based on the position of the tractor hitch to which the implement is coupled. An operator may control the position of the implement, such as at a headland turn, by raising and lowering the tractor hitch using a remote control. The invention enables the planter to compare the tractor hitch position relative to an implement position and control operation of the implement accordingly without additional user inputs. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150090466 | VIBRATORY RIPPER HAVING PRESSURE SENSOR FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING ACTIVATION OF VIBRATION MECHANISM - In an aspect of the invention a ripping mechanism for a vehicle is provided which includes a support frame, a ripping member, a vibrator mechanism, a pressure sensor, and a control system. The control system is configured to determine when the ripping member is engaged with hard material using the pressure sensor. When the ripping member is engaged with hard material, the control system is configured to permit operation of the vibrator mechanism. In some embodiments, the control system may further be configured to automatically start the vibrator mechanism when it detects that the ripping member is engaged with hard material. When the ripping member is not engaged with hard material, the control system is configured to deactivate the vibrator mechanism. In some embodiments, deactivation of the vibrator mechanism means that the control system turns off the vibrator mechanism. In some other embodiments, deactivation of the vibrator mechanism means that the control system prevents operation of the vibrator mechanism. In yet other embodiments deactivation of the vibrator mechanism may entail both turning off the vibrator mechanism and preventing operation of the vibrator mechanism. In yet other embodiments, the control system may include a switch that permits a vehicle operator to select which of these aforementioned actions the control system takes when determining that the ripping member is not engaged with hard material. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150129255 | LIFT SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL TILLAGE IMPLEMENT - An agricultural tillage implement includes a main section including a hitch extending in a travel direction, a plurality of foldable wing sections coupled with the main section, a plurality of ground engaging tilling elements, and a plurality of lift and gauge wheel lift mechanisms. The tilling elements are coupled to the main section and wing sections. Each of the lift and gauge wheel lift mechanisms has a rear lift wheel actuator and a front gauge wheel actuator. A control system is configured to independently actuate the rear lift wheel actuators and the front gauge wheel actuators to control a depth of tilling elements in each of the sections when the implement is in a field configuration, and to level the implement front to rear and side to side. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150296701 | GROUND ENGAGING MEMBER ACCUMULATION DETERMINATION SYSTEM - A sensor to be mounted to an implement senses a region proximate a flow by ground engaging member of the implement. A electronics receives signals from the sensor and identifies accumulation on the grounding engaging member based upon the signals. The electronics outputs signals based upon the identified accumulation | 10-22-2015 |
| 20160066498 | Agricultural Apparatus With Hybrid Single-Disk, Double-Disk Coulter Arrangement - An agricultural row unit assembly includes an attachment frame, a swing-arm, an opener disk, a deflecting disk, a support, a gauge wheel, and a ground-hardness sensor. The opener disk is mounted to and offset from the distal end of the swing-arm for forming a furrow, and is configured to rotate about a first axis. The deflecting disk is mounted to the distal end of the swing-arm for deflecting debris from entering the furrow, and is configured to rotate about a second axis. The support has a first end pivotably mounted to the swing-arm and a second end movable relative to the opener disk. The gauge wheel is mounted to the second end of the support. The ground-hardness sensor is disposed within the swing-arm and is configured to detect movement of the gauge wheel relative to the opener disk. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160135356 | Agricultural Implement Having Power Assist Wing Wheels - An agricultural planter which provides an improved method for extending and retracting the wing boom and which has improved maneuverability is disclosed. A drive member is provided that drives one or more of the wing wheels on the agricultural planter. The drive member may be, for example, a hydraulic motor or an electric motor. When a wing boom is extended or retracted between the transport position and the working position, a controller generates a command signal to the drive member to drive one or more of the wing wheels forward or reverse, thereby assisting the wing boom in retracting or extending the telescoping portion of the hitch assembly and in extending or retracting the booms. During operation, the controller may similarly generate a command to the drive member to drive one or more of the wing wheels either in forward or reverse according to the operation of the towing vehicle. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160135357 | Agricultural Implement Having Power Assist Carrier Wheels - An agricultural planter which provides an improved method for extending and retracting the wing boom and which has improved maneuverability is disclosed. A drive member is provided that drives one or more of the carrier wheels on the agricultural planter. The drive member may be, for example, a hydraulic motor or an electric motor. When a wing boom is extended or retracted between the transport position and the working position, a controller generates a command signal to the drive member to drive one or more of the carrier wheels forward or reverse, thereby assisting the draft links in retracting or extending the telescoping portion of the hitch assembly and in extending or retracting the booms. During operation, the controller may similarly generate a command to the drive member to drive one or more of the carrier wheels either in forward or reverse according to the operation of the towing vehicle. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160183446 | Soil Cultivation Implement Having a Device for Reconsolidation - A towed soil cultivation implement ( | 06-30-2016 |
| 172003000 | Motive power control | 8 |
| 20100018728 | REAR WHEEL DRIVE ASSIST FOR A WHEEL TRACTOR SCRAPER - A rear wheel drive assist for a wheel tractor scraper, the wheel tractor scraper having a tractor portion with a power source operatively connected to the front driven wheels, and a rear, scraper portion having a bowl, work tool, and first and second rear wheels, the rear wheel drive assist includes a work tool pump fluidly connected to a work tool motor to drive the work tool, fluid operated drive motors operatively connected to the rear wheels, and a diverter valve selectively movable between a first position that delivers fluid flow from the pump to the work tool motor, and a second position that delivers fluid flow from the work tool pump to the rear wheel drive motors. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100044060 | MOTOR GRADER - In a motor grader, when a cylinder hydraulic pressure detected by a cylinder-hydraulic-pressure-detecting section is less than a predetermined threshold value, a control section makes a determination that the motor grader is in a running state and uses a running-hydraulic-pressure waveform corresponding to the running state to control the hydraulic pressure supplied to a clutch. When the cylinder hydraulic pressure is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the control section makes a determination that the motor grader is in a working state and uses a working-hydraulic-pressure waveform corresponding to the working state to control the hydraulic pressure supplied to the clutch. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20120199371 | ENGINE SPEED CONTROL DEVICE AND MOTOR GRADER INCLUDING THE SAME - An engine speed control device is adapted to control a motor grader including a transmission with a plurality of manually shiftable low speed stages and at least one high speed stage, the transmission being configured to switch between a manual mode for manually selecting one of all the speed stages and an automatic shifting mode for automatically shifting a predetermined speed stage and higher. The engine speed control device includes an upper limit engine speed control unit configured to set an upper limit engine speed to be an out-of-service travelling-use upper limit engine speed at the at least one high speed stage, and set the upper limit engine speed to be a working-use upper limit engine speed at any one of the low speed stages, the working-use upper limit engine speed being lower than the out-of-service travelling-use upper limit engine speed. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20130112441 | AUTONOMOUS SELF-ACTUATED PLOUGHING IMPLEMENT - An implement has at least a first plow share in front, provided with an anti-rollback mechanism, and at least a second plow share in the rear, with another anti-rollback mechanism. The plow shares are interconnected by alternate approaching and distancing mechanisms. A telematic control unit based on a computer system that is assisted by a global positioning system, autonomously guides movement of the implement. A steering system formed by an oscillating support can rotate in a plane perpendicular to the advancement direction of the implement and lifts one of the plow shares in relation to the ground and moves it laterally. A power supply system using renewable energy or internal or external combustion engines is mounted on the implement. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20140345890 | MOTOR GRADER - A motor grader is provided with an engine, front and rear travel wheels, a transmission which has hydraulic clutches for switching between forward and reverse travel and for switching between speed stages, changes the speed of power from the engine, and transmits the power to either the front travel wheels and/or to the rear travel wheels; a work implement which includes a blade for grading; a very low-speed travel controlling means; and a vehicle speed adjusting knob. During travel at a forward first speed, the very low-speed travel controlling means causes one of the hydraulic clutches of the transmission to operate as a braking clutch, causing the motor grader to travel at a very low speed. The vehicle speed adjusting knob is a member for setting the vehicle speed during very low-speed travel to an arbitrary speed. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20150008006 | ANTI-BOUNCE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MACHINE - A system for automated control of a motor grader includes a first sensor to indicate bounce of the motor grader and a speed sensor to indicate the ground speed. A controller determines a maximum amplitude of the bounce of the motor grader and controls the ground speed of the motor grader at least in part based upon the maximum amplitude of the bounce. A method is also provided. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150053435 | DRIVE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE PULLING A TOWED VEHICLE - A drive system is provided for a towing vehicle pulling a towed vehicle, such as a tractor pulling a scraper. The drive system includes a diesel engine which drives a generator for generating electrical power. Tractor drive motors are drivingly connected to driven wheels of the tractor. An assist drive motor is drivingly connected to driven wheels of the scraper. A power distribution unit controls distribution of electric power from the generator to the tractor and assist drive motors. A control unit controls the power distribution unit as a function of vehicle speed. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150366125 | COMBINATION C-SHAPED SPRING AND SYSTEM - A C-spring contains an inner spring that is spaced apart from the outer primary spring. In one example usage, the upper and lower legs of the C-spring have rear regions respectively configured for being mounted to a tubular frame tool frame member of a ground working implement, such as a disk, and to a bearing housing. | 12-24-2015 |
| 172004000 | Constant depth type | 16 |
| 20100078185 | ACTIVE IMPLEMENT DOWN FORCE SYSTEM PROVIDING REDUCED HEAT GENERATION - A line connects the tractor hydraulic power beyond supply to the pressure reduction valve that is connected to the implement cylinder ends and automatically controls implement down pressure. Fluid under pressure is supplied from a line independently of the tractor selective control valve during automatic down pressure mode operation, the selective control valve can be positioned in a float mode when the down force circuit is controlling implement down pressure. The circuit eliminates a stall signal from the selective control valve to the hydraulic pump that otherwise would cause the pump to rise to the high, heat-producing stall pressure if the selective control valve operated in an active pressure mode. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20120227992 | AUTOMATIC DEPTH CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT - An agricultural implement system is provided that includes an implement, and a fluid control unit configured to mount to a tow vehicle. The agricultural implement system also includes a depth control cylinder mounted to a frame of the implement and fluidly coupled to the fluid control unit. The depth control cylinder is configured to adjust a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the implement by varying a height of a ground engaging wheel. In addition, the agricultural implement system includes a sensor communicatively coupled to the fluid control unit and configured to output signals indicative of the penetration depth of the ground engaging tool. The fluid control unit is configured to automatically control fluid flow to the depth control cylinder based on the signals to maintain a user-selectable penetration depth. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120318540 | DEPTH LIMITING OF RIPPER ATTACHMENT BY ELECTRONICALLY LIMITING CYLINDER LENGTH - A ripper depth limit system and method is disclosed. The ripper depth limit system includes a lift input for operator controls to raise and lower the ripper, a depth limit input, a lift sensor input that senses the ripper lift cylinder position, and a controller that processes the inputs to generate, execute and revise ripper lift cylinder commands that keep the ripper above the ripper depth limit. The depth limit input can select the ripper depth limit from a plurality of predefined depth limits, or between minimum and maximum ripper depths, or by other means. The ripper depth limit system can also include a pitch input for operator controls of ripper pitch, and a pitch sensor that senses ripper pitch cylinder position, and the controller can process the pitch inputs to generate, execute and revise ripper pitch and lift cylinder commands that keep the ripper above the ripper depth limit. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120318541 | AUTOMATIC PITCH HOLD OF A ELECTROHYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED RIPPER - A ripper pitch hold system and method for a ripper that includes pitch and lift cylinders. The system includes operator pitch and lift inputs, operator pitch hold input, cylinder position inputs, and a controller. The controller processes the inputs and generates pitch and lift cylinder commands that maintain the ripper pitch angle at a pitch hold setting. The controller can update the pitch hold setting with and maintain the pitch angle at the latest operator pitch input. Alternatively, the controller can cease to process operator pitch inputs, and maintain the pitch angle at the pitch hold setting. The pitch hold input can include an activation control, and pitch selector. The pitch angle and pitch hold setting can be set to the angle selected by the pitch selector. The pitch selector can include operator adjustable and fixed pitch settings. Operator adjustable executing operator pitch commands and fixed ignoring operator pitch commands. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130032363 | SUPPLEMENTAL DOWN FORCE SYSTEM AND GROUND WORKING IMPLEMENT WITH SAME - A supplemental downforce system is shown for a ground working implement having a frame and a plurality of ground engaging row units movably mounted to the frame for up and down movement relative to the frame. The downforce system includes at least one actuator between the frame and each row unit to apply an up or down force to each row unit. The actuators are assigned to one group of at least two groups of actuators. A control system controls the down force applied by each group of actuators separately so that each group of actuators is given the amount of supplemental down force that group of row units needs. In a closed loop feedback system, at least one row unit in each group of row units is equipped with a load sensor so that feed back of the soil reaction force on the row unit is supplied to the control system. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130180742 | SOIL MONITORING SYSTEM - A soil monitoring system is provided that includes a sensing shank, and a first sensor coupled to a leading edge of the sensing shank. The first sensor is configured to output first signals indicative of a pressure exerted on the first sensor by soil as the sensing shank is driven through the soil along a direction of travel. The soil monitoring system also includes a frame forming a channel oriented in a substantially vertical direction relative to a surface of the soil, and a carrier coupled to the sensing shank and disposed within the channel. The soil monitoring system further includes an actuator extending between the frame and the carrier. The actuator is configured to linearly drive the carrier in a reciprocating motion to vary a penetration depth of the sensing shank within the soil. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130248212 | AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS - An agricultural implement includes at least one row unit having a plurality of support members, each of which is pivotably coupled to an attachment frame or another of the support members to permit vertical pivoting vertical movement of the support members, and a plurality of soil-engaging tools, each of which is coupled to at least one of the support members. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders are coupled to the support members for urging the support members downwardly toward the soil. A plurality of controllable pressure control valves are coupled to the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the cylinders. A plurality of sensors produce electrical signals corresponding to predetermined conditions, and a controller is coupled to the sensor and the controllable pressure control valves. The controller receives the electrical signals from the sensors and produces control signals for controlling the pressure control valves. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130319698 | AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WITH COMBINED DOWN FORCE AND DEPTH CONTROL - An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130341056 | MULTIPLE-SECTION AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT - A self-compensating multiple-section agricultural implement is disclosed. The agricultural implement includes a first ground-engaging tool coupled to a first frame section. A lift device in fluid communication with a hydraulic controller is coupled to the first frame section. The lift device is configured for raising and lowering the first frame section to move the first ground-engaging tool between a first ground-engaging tool transport position and a first pre-selected operating depth. A second frame section is coupled to the first frame section forward of the first ground-engaging tool. A second ground-engaging tool is coupled to the second frame section. An extendable and retractable cylinder is in fluid communication with the hydraulic controller and is coupled to the first frame section and the second frame section. The extendable and retractable cylinder is configured to move the second ground-engaging tool between a second ground-engaging tool transport position and a second pre-selected operating depth. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140048296 | Agricultural Apparatus For Sensing And Providing Feedback Of Soil Property Changes In Real Time - A planting row unit is attachable to a towing frame and is movable in a forward direction on a field having soil of varying hardness conditions. The planting row unit includes an opener device forward of the towing frame for preparing the soil for receiving at least one of the fertilizer and the seeds. The opener device includes a soil-hardness sensor for detecting changes in soil-hardness conditions and an opener blade for maintaining, in response to the changes, a constant soil-penetration depth Z in the soil independent of the varying hardness conditions. A modular actuator is mounted to the opener device for applying pressure to the opener blade, the modular actuator being mountable to at least one other component of the planting row unit for applying pressure. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140048297 | Agricultural Apparatus With Hydraulic Cylinder And Manifold For A Row Unit - An agricultural row unit includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to a towing frame, and a linkage assembly pivotably coupled to the attachment frame to permit vertical pivoting movement of the linkage assembly relative to the attachment frame. The row unit further includes a hydraulic actuator coupled to the linkage assembly for urging the linkage assembly downwardly toward the soil, and a hose connection manifold mounted adjacent to the hydraulic actuator for circulating hydraulic fluid between a hydraulic source and the hydraulic actuator. The hose connection manifold has a modular port for accepting, one at a time, a removable control valve and a port plug. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140060862 | AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT - An agricultural implement, for working soil across which the agricultural implement travels or is towed, includes a frame, a first depth maintaining unit, including a first hydraulic actuator for adjusting height of the first depth maintaining unit relative to the frame, a second depth maintaining unit, including a second hydraulic actuator for adjusting height of the second depth maintaining unit relative to the frame, at least one soil working tool, and a hydraulic system including the hydraulic actuators configured to be connected to a mechanism supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic system. A first side of the first hydraulic actuator communicates with a first side of the second hydraulic actuator and a measuring mechanism configured to provide a measured value corresponding to a first amount of hydraulic fluid occurring on said first sides. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20150296698 | SOWING SHARE - A coulter with a coulter disc for delivering agricultural materials into soil along one direction F of travel, a height measuring apparatus which is located in the region of the coulter disc for measuring a penetration depth T | 10-22-2015 |
| 20160106022 | AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WITH COMBINED DOWN FORCE AND DEPTH CONTROL - An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160128263 | Agricultural System - A gauge wheel load sensor is provided for an agricultural planter having a row unit that includes a pivotably mounted gauge wheel and a down pressure controller for controlling the down pressure on at least a portion of the row unit. The load sensor includes a mechanical element mounted for movement in response to the downward force applied to the row unit; a fluid-containing device containing a movable element coupled to the mechanical element for changing the fluid pressure in response to the movement of the mechanical element; and a transducer coupled to the fluid-containing device for producing an output signal in response to changes in the fluid pressure. An energy storage device, such as an accumulator, may be coupled to the fluid-containing device for receiving a limited amount of fluid in response to changes in the fluid pressure to damp pressure spikes in the output signal of the transducer. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160192574 | AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WITH COMBINED DOWN FORCE AND DEPTH CONTROL | 07-07-2016 |
| 172400500 | Land leveller type | 11 |
| 20090056961 | Machine with automated blade positioning system - A system is provided for positioning a work implement. The system has at least one actuator for actuating a movement of the work implement. In addition, the system has at least one sensor associated with the at least one actuator and configured to sense at least one parameter indicative of an orientation and a position of the work implement. The system also has at least one ground inclination sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of an inclination of a surface of the ground. Furthermore, the system has a controller configured to automatically adjust the orientation and position of the work implement in response to data received from the at least one sensor and the at least one ground inclination sensor | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090223684 | Mounting console with visibility improvements - A steering wheel assembly for a construction vehicle, such as a motor grader, is provided. The steering wheel assembly includes a chamfer or defines a space for viewing a portion of a grader blade of the motor grader. | 09-10-2009 |
| 20100163258 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BLADE LEVEL CONTROL OF EARTHMOVING MACHINES - A system for automatically controlling the position and level of an earthmoving implement on an earthmoving machine. The system includes at least one hydraulic actuator adapted to raise and lower the earthmoving implement, a device for delivering a pressurized fluid to and receiving pressurized fluid from the actuator, and an electronic control circuit that includes electronic sensors for sensing the absolute orientation of the machine and the position of the actuator, and a controller for receiving outputs of the sensors, calculating an amount of the pressurized fluid that must be delivered to or received from the actuator to achieve a desired position for the earthmoving implement, and control the delivering-receiving device to deliver or receive the amount of the pressurized fluid to achieve the desired position for the earthmoving implement. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100314141 | TURFPLANER - A turfplaner system with a laser capable of emitting a planar light over an area and a device capable of being transported over the area. The device has a rotational elongated cutter and a pair of receivers for receiving the planar light wherein each receiver is a fixed vertical distance from the cutter and on separate ends of the cutter. A control mechanism moves the rotational cutter to maintain each receiver in a fixed vertical position relative to the planar light wherein as the turfplaner is transported over the area the cutter removes any material above a fixed distance below the planar light. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20120012350 | Surveying System And Laser Reference Plane Smoothing Method In Surveying System - A surveying system comprises a plurality of rotary laser devices ( | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120160526 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A ROTATION ANGLE OF A MOTOR GRADER BLADE - The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a system and method for controlling a rotation angle of a blade of a motor grader having a front frame operatively coupled to a rear frame at a point defining an articulation angle between the front and rear frames. The control system includes at least one sensor operatively associated with the blade, at least one sensor operatively associated with a wheel, at least one sensor operatively associated with at least one of the front frame or the rear frame, and a controller operatively coupled to the at least one sensors. The controller is adapted to determine a current position of the blade, determine a wheel steering angle, determine an articulation angle, and control the rotation angle of the blade based in part on the wheel steering angle and the articulation angle. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20130081831 | BLADE CONTROL SYSTEM AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINE - A blade control system of the present invention includes a distance calculating part, a blade load obtaining part and a lift cylinder controlling part. The distance calculating part is configured to obtain distance between a designed surface and a cutting edge of a blade. The blade load obtaining part is configured to obtain blade load acting on the blade. The lift cylinder controlling part is configured to execute a dozing control when the aforementioned distance is greater than a first distance. Further, the lift cylinder controlling part is configured to execute a dozing control when the aforementioned distance is less than a second distance. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130255977 | Control for Motor Grader Curb Operations - A method is provided for controlling a motor grader having a blade, a blade shift actuator, a sensor to detect a distance to a curb, one or more steerable wheels, a steering actuator, an articulated frame, and an articulation actuator. In one aspect, an object sensor is located and configured to determine a gap between the blade and the curb, and to maintain the gap at a predetermined value in the absence of user intervention by automatically manipulating one or more of the blade shift actuator, steering actuator, and articulation actuator. The determination as to which one or more of the actuators to use in maintaining the blade gap may be made based on a mode selection by an operator of the motor grader. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20140174771 | Turfplaner with Improved Gimbal - A gimbal for attaching an implement to a three-point hitch is described. The gimball includes a tow plate comprising a first side and a second side wherein the tow plate comprises lower brackets on the first side arranged to connect to lift arms of the three point hitch and an upper bracket on the first side arranged to connect to a stabilizer arm of the three point hitch. An implement plate is rotationally attached to the tow plate wherein the implement plate comprises an upper implement bracket for coupling to an upper implement arm and a lower implement bracket for coupling to a lower implement arm. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140326471 | Motor Grader Cross Slope Control With Articulation Compensation - A motor grader is provided having cross slope cut angle control for providing accurate cuts generally, and particularly while the machine is travelling in other than a straight and level fashion. A controller is configured to adjust the cross slope angle of the blade, so that the cross slope cut angle corresponds to a desired cross slope cut angle. The controller receives a signal indicative of the desired cross slope cut angle and executing a pure pursuit procedure to identify a blade cross slope angle to yield the desired cross slope cut angle. The pure pursuit procedure includes identifying a blade travel direction, and identifying a horizontal component thereof. The blade edge is projected onto a plane perpendicular to the horizontal component of the blade travel direction, generating a slope function specifying the cross slope cut angle as a function of blade cross slope angle. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20160095273 | Gimbal for Connecting Implements to a Tow Vehicle - A gimbal is provided for attaching an implement to a three-point hitch. The gimbal has an implement plate comprising a first side and a second side wherein attached to the first side is an upper implement bracket for coupling to an upper implement arm and a lower bracket for coupling to a lower implement arm wherein the second side comprises a retaining cavity. A tow plate is received in the retaining cavity and is rotational relative to the implement plate. The tow plate comprises lower brackets arranged to connect to lift arms of the three point hitch and an upper bracket arranged to connect to a stabilizer arm of the three point hitch. | 04-07-2016 |
| 172005000 | Obstruction sensing type (includes plant sensing) | 3 |
| 20120305274 | Hydraulic down pressure control system for an agricultural implement - An agricultural row unit includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to a towing frame, and a linkage assembly pivotably coupled to the attachment frame to permit vertical pivoting movement of the linkage assembly relative to the attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the linkage assembly for urging the linkage assembly downwardly toward the soil, and an accumulator is mounted to the hydraulic cylinder for supplying pressurized gas to the hydraulic cylinder urging the linkage assembly upwardly away from the soil. A manifold is removably mounted to the hydraulic cylinder via a mounting interface, the manifold being selected from a group of different types of modular manifolds in which each manifold is removably mountable to the hydraulic cylinder, one at a time, via the same mounting interface, the manifold having two hydraulic-fluid ports including an inlet port and an outlet port. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20130146318 | Agricultural Apparatus With Integrated Controller For A Row Unit - An agricultural row unit includes a linkage assembly that is pivotably coupled to an attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the linkage assembly and applies pressure to the linkage assembly. A controller is mounted in the row unit such that is coupled to the hydraulic cylinder for controlling the pressure applied by the hydraulic cylinder. | 06-13-2013 |
| 172006000 | Electrical | 1 |
| 20090101371 | GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT - The invention provides a guidance system for guiding a towed agricultural implement such as seeders, planters, sprayers and the like, along a preferred path between rows of growing crop or standing stubble by sensing the rows of growing crop or standing stubble with a uniquely designed paddle-like sensor means which does not engage the ground. | 04-23-2009 |
| 172007000 | Draft responsive | 6 |
| 20130192854 | DRAFT FORCE SENSOR ASSEMBLY - A draft sensing mechanism includes a draft frame adapted to be attached to a frame of a vehicle. The draft frame has left and right supports adapted to be coupled to corresponding left and right draft links. A draft strap has a left end fixed to a front side of the left support and a right end fixed to a front side of the right support. The draft strap is deflectable in response to draft forces applied to the left and right supports. A draft sensor is attached to the draft strap. The sensor generates a draft signal in response to deflection of the draft strap. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20150289436 | IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO LOAD TRANSFER - A load sensing and lift cylinder adjusting system for a three-point linkage arrangement on a tractor, which includes; a control system and load setting system; a load sensing system in the form of a load sensing proportional valve in fluid connection with the lift cylinder; a load adjusting system which includes a load sense pump connected to the load sensing proportional valve and the tractor's hydraulic oil supply; the load sensing system monitors load on the lift cylinder via oil pressure from within the lift cylinder and if the load drops from the pre-set load this sends a signal to the load adjusting system which diverts oil from a hydraulic oil supply to the lift cylinder to maintain the pre-set load; if the pre-set load is exceeded a signal is sent to the load adjusting system which diverts oil from the lift cylinder back to the tractor's hydraulic oil supply. | 10-15-2015 |
| 172009000 | With manual actuator to select type of condition sensed | 3 |
| 20080257569 | ELECTRONIC DRAFT CONTROL FOR TRAILED IMPLEMENTS - A draft load control system for an agricultural tractor towing a trailed, ground-engaging implement that monitors implement height using sensors located on the tractor or sensors coupled to an on-board control communications system and adjusts the implement position in relation to the ground based on draft load, implement height, and tractor wheel-slip to maintain a more accurate, consistent draft load on the tractor while maintaining the implement engaged with the ground and preventing the tractor-implement ground speed from being reduced to zero. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080257570 | ELECTRONIC DRAFT CONTROL FOR SEMI-TRAILED IMPLEMENTS - A draft load control system for an agricultural tractor coupled to a semi-trailed, ground-engaging implement that monitors implement height using sensors located on the tractor or sensors coupled to an on-board control communications system and adjusts the implement position in relation to the ground through coordinated action of the three-point hitch and the on-implement position actuator based on draft load, implement height, and tractor wheel-slip to maintain a more accurate, consistent draft load on the tractor while maintaining the implement engaged with the ground and preventing the tractor-implement ground speed from being reduced to zero. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20100071919 | MECHANICAL HITCH CONTROL UNIT - A mechanical hitch control system for a vehicle includes a draft force sensing member, a mechanical hitch control unit, a hitch valve actuator, and a cable transmitting a draft force signal to the hitch control unit. A draft cam is coupled to the draft force sensing and setting members. A position cam is coupled to the position setting member and to a hitch position sensing member. A draft pickup cam is coupled to the draft cam and pivotally mounted on the hitch position setting member. At least one of the cams is operatively engagable with the hitch valve actuator. The cams are enclosed by housing with an opening covered by a removable side plate. The cams and levers are coupled to input members which are inserted through the side plate. The assembled cams, levers and input members are then installed into the housing through the opening. | 03-25-2010 |
| 172010000 | Sensitivity adjustment | 1 |
| 20100300711 | Implement Control Systems - A control system for an implement ( | 12-02-2010 |
