Abstract: A first conductor is embedded in the first dielectric layer to a first wear depth, where the first wear depth is associated with a first threshold wear level. A second dielectric layer overlies the first dielectric layer to a second wear depth. The second wear depth is associated with a second threshold wear level greater than the first threshold wear level. A second conductor is embedded in the second dielectric layer and separate from the first conductor. An indicator is adapted to indicate whether the wear plate is the first threshold wear level or the second threshold wear level.

Abstract: The measurement device comprises a transmitter for providing a transmitted signal at a frequency. The transmitter provides the transmitted signal to the transmitting antenna. A receiving antenna is arranged to receive the transmitted signal. A receiver is capable of receiving the transmitted signal from the receiving antenna. An electronic data processor is adapted to measure an observed parameter of the transmitted signal between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna to estimate the precise yield, where the observed parameter comprises observed attenuation, phase or both of the transmitted signal, as received at the receiver.

Abstract: A soil characteristic sensor is mounted on a soil engaging element of a planting machine. It can be mounted, for instance, on an element that engages the soil before a trench is opened, or after a trench is opened, but before it is closed. It can be mounted on an element that engages the soil in a region of the soil trench, but after the trench is closed. It can be mounted on a scraping element that scrapes a disc, and it can be mounted on wedges or other items that run through the soil, and are carried by shanks.

Abstract: A monitoring device for monitoring crop yield is disclosed. The monitoring device is mounted to a housing of a grain elevator of an agricultural work machine proximate a crop conveyor assembly arranged in the housing and has at least one aperture formed therein. A material engagement member is arranged on the mounting structure and is pivotal with respect to the mounting structure about a pivot point. The material engagement member can comprise first end and a second end opposite of the first end. At least one rotational sensor is arranged in the monitoring device and is configured to detect spatial movement or position of the material engagement member. A processing device is coupled to the at least one rotational sensor and is configured to determine an aggregate crop yield based on the detected rotational magnitude of the displacement of the first end or second end.

Abstract: A sensor system for determining crop yield is disclosed. The sensor system comprises a mounting structure mounted to a housing of a grain elevator of an agricultural work machine and has at least one aperture formed therein. A fulcrum assembly is arranged on the mounting structure. A rocker arm is pivotal about a pivot axis of the fulcrum assembly and extends between a first end and a second end. An engagement member is coupled to the second end of the rocker arm and extends through the at least one aperture of the mounting structure. At least one gap distance sensor is mounted to the fulcrum assembly and is configured to detect an inclination of the rocker arm relative to the fulcrum assembly. A processing device is coupled to the gap distance sensor and is configured to correlate the detected inclination of the rocker arm to an applied force.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a time domain depth sensor system and method for determining a depth of a ground engaging device in soil. The sensor system may include a signal transmission element arranged on an outer periphery of a ground engaging device that is adapted to penetrate soil. The signal transmission element can be arranged to receive and transmit an electrical signal that is responsive to impedance discontinuities detected by a pulse detector. The pulse detector is configured to detect a first and a second reflected signal corresponding to a sensed impedance discontinuities at a first and a second soil location. An electronic data processor is communicatively coupled the pulse detector and is configured to determine the depth of the ground engaging device in the soil based on a difference between a first time of propagation of the first reflected signal and a second time of propagation of the second reflected signal.

Abstract: A harvesting machine has a controlled subsystem that performs harvesting machine functionality, and a control system that controls the controlled subsystem. A header is mounted to the harvesting machine and has row dividers (that divide rows of crop stalks) and gathering chains. A set of crop loss inhibitors is mounted proximate a forward portion of each of the gathering chains, in a direction of travel of the harvesting machine. The crop loss inhibitors also include a sensor that senses a variable, indicative of a crop attribute, as each crop stalk passes through the set of crop loss inhibitors.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a time domain depth sensor system and method for determining a depth of a ground engaging device in soil. The sensor system may include a signal transmission element arranged on an outer periphery of a ground engaging device that is adapted to penetrate soil. The signal transmission element can be arranged to receive and transmit an electrical signal that is responsive to impedance discontinuities detected by a pulse detector. The pulse detector is configured to detect a first and a second reflected signal corresponding to a sensed impedance discontinuities at a first and a second soil location. An electronic data processor is communicatively coupled the pulse detector and is configured to determine the depth of the ground engaging device in the soil based on a difference between a first time of propagation of the first reflected signal and a second time of propagation of the second reflected signal.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine. The row unit includes a frame, a gauge wheel arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a gauge wheel coupled to the gauge wheel arm, and a position sensor assembly configured to detect a gap corresponding to a rotational position of the gauge wheel arm. The position sensor assembly includes a sensing target surface. The sensing target surface is at least one of an eccentric surface or a cam surface.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine. The row unit includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame, and a position sensor assembly having a position sensor configured to detect wear of the furrow opener.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine. The row unit includes a frame, a first gauge wheel arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a first gauge wheel coupled to the first gauge wheel arm, a second gauge wheel arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a second gauge wheel coupled to the second gauge wheel arm, and a position sensor assembly having a position sensor at least partially disposed between the first gauge wheel arm and the second gauge wheel arm such that the position sensor is at least partially concealed from view between the first and second gauge wheels when viewing the row unit along an axis of rotation of the first gauge wheel.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine. The row unit includes a frame, a gauge wheel arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a gauge wheel coupled to the gauge wheel arm, a position sensor assembly having a position sensor configured to detect a rotational position of the gauge wheel arm, and a controller coupled to the position sensor. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the position sensor and to provide an alert based on the signal.

Abstract: The measurement device comprises a transmitter for providing a transmitted signal at a frequency. The transmitter provides the transmitted signal to the transmitting antenna. A receiving antenna is arranged to receive the transmitted signal. A receiver is capable of receiving the transmitted signal from the receiving antenna. An electronic data processor is adapted to measure an observed parameter of the transmitted signal between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna to estimate the precise yield, where the observed parameter comprises observed attenuation, phase or both of the transmitted signal, as received at the receiver.

Abstract: A harvesting machine has a controlled subsystem that performs harvesting machine functionality, and a control system that controls the controlled subsystem. A header is mounted to the harvesting machine and has row dividers (that divide rows of crop stalks) and gathering chains. A set of crop loss inhibitors is mounted proximate a forward portion of each of the gathering chains, in a direction of travel of the harvesting machine. The crop loss inhibitors also include a sensor that senses a variable, indicative of a crop attribute, as each crop stalk passes through the set of crop loss inhibitors.

Abstract: An agricultural planting machine is described. In one example, the machine comprises a trench opener configured to open a trench, and a trench depth sensing system comprising a ground-engaging component and a trench depth sensor configured to generate a signal indicative a displacement of the ground-engaging component by directly sensing a surface of the ground engaging component. In one example, an agricultural planting machine comprising a trench opener configured to open a trench, and a trench depth sensing system comprising a ground-engaging component and a capacitive sensor comprising a transmitter element driven by an input signal to generate an electric field and a receiver element configured to generate an output signal based on a capacitive coupling between the transmitter and receiver elements, wherein the capacitive coupling changes based on movement of the ground-engaging component within the electric field.

Abstract: A soil characteristic sensor is mounted on a soil engaging element of a planting machine. It can be mounted, for instance, on an element that engages the soil before a trench is opened, or after a trench is opened, but before it is closed. It can also be mounted on an element that engages the soil in a region of the soil trench, but after the trench is closed. It can be mounted on a scraping element that scrapes a disc, and it can be mounted on wedges or other items that run through the soil, and are carried by shanks.

Abstract: An agricultural planting machine is described. In one example, the machine comprises a trench opener configured to open a trench, and a trench depth sensing system comprising a ground-engaging component and a trench depth sensor configured to generate a signal indicative a displacement of the ground-engaging component by directly sensing a surface of the ground engaging component. In one example, an agricultural planting machine comprising a trench opener configured to open a trench, and a trench depth sensing system comprising a ground-engaging component and a capacitive sensor comprising a transmitter element driven by an input signal to generate an electric field and a receiver element configured to generate an output signal based on a capacitive coupling between the transmitter and receiver elements, wherein the capacitive coupling changes based on movement of the ground-engaging component within the electric field.

Abstract: A moisture sensor that has a drive electrode and a separate sense electrode is described. Both electrodes have surfaces that face the sensed material and the surfaces are co-planar. The drive electrode receives an excitation signal and generates an electric field that produces a current in the sense electrode. The current is indicative of moisture in the sensed material.

Abstract: A moisture sensor that has a drive electrode and a separate sense electrode is described. Both electrodes have surfaces that face the sensed material and the surfaces are co-planar. The drive electrode receives an excitation signal and generates an electric field that produces a current in the sense electrode. The current is indicative of moisture in the sensed material.

Abstract: A capacitance-based moisture sensor may include a sleeve having an internal cavity, a container filled with soil or other material inserted into the internal cavity, and a pair of ring-shaped conductive bands around the exterior of the sleeve forming a capacitor and providing a frequency output. The rings positioned around a perimeter of the sleeve may be connected to a fixed inductor to form an oscillator with a variable frequency output. The sensor may be calibrated from the frequency output for each of a plurality of substances, measuring the volumetric water content for saturation of the material, and determining at least one fitting constant in an equation wherein volumetric water content is a function of the frequency output and a plurality of fitting constants.