Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for positioning a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator. The apparatus includes an actuation system for positioning the implement with respect to a reference, a position sensor for providing a position signal indicative of the position of the implement above the reference, and an electronic control unit for receiving the position signal. The electronic control unit is operatively connected to the actuation system, and directs the actuation system to stop the implement if a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the position signal indicates that the implement has reached a predetermined position. An apparatus and method is also disclosed for positioning one or more markers associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for wireless remote control of an output element coupled to a work vehicle. The output element performs work external to the vehicle and is actuated by an actuator controlled by an output controller in response to at least a remote control signal. The apparatus includes a wireless remote transmitter movable with respect to the vehicle and a wireless receiver supported by the vehicle. The transmitter has an actuatable input device for generating a command signal, a transmitter antenna, and a transmitter control circuit which receives the command signal from the input device, generates the remote control signal in response to the command signal, and applies the remote control signal to the transmitter antenna for wireless transmission to the work vehicle.

Abstract: A control system for a hitched or trailed implement coupled to a work vehicle is disclosed herein. The control system allows control to be selectively transferred between various types of implements by use of a hydraulic selector valve. An electronic control unit controls the actions of a hitch assembly actuator, a trailed implement, an auxiliary device, or some combination thereof as determined by the configuration of the hydraulic selector valve.

Abstract: A centralized monitoring unit for an agricultural implement is disclosed herein. The monitoring unit is preferably used with a planting system including a planting implement coupled to a work vehicle. The implement includes a frame supporting row units which are configured to apply a product (e.g., seed, fertilizer, insecticide, herbicide) to the rows in a field. The monitoring unit includes a product delivery apparatus which has at least one product channel for delivering the product to the row units, and an electronic product sensor which is coupled to the product delivery apparatus and configured to generate a product signal representing an amount of the product which moves through the product channel. An electronic display located in the cab of the work vehicle is configured to generate an image in response to a display signal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system for controlling a function of a machine system including an off-road work vehicle, a moveable device, and a positioning assembly including an actuator for moving the device in response to a control signal. The system includes an operator-adjustable input device which generates an input signal, and a control circuit which generates the control signal for moving the moveable device in a first or a second manner depending upon the rate of change of the input signal. The first manner is selected when the input signal changes slowly, and the second manner is selected when the input signal changes quickly. The system may include a sensor for sensing a parameter of the machine system and a command device for generating a command signal. A control signal is generated based at least upon the difference between the sensed parameter and command signals. Also disclosed is a system for controlling the elevation of an implement carried or trailed by a work vehicle.

Abstract: A system or method for controlling the position of an implement coupled to a work vehicle. The implement is moveable by a hydraulic positioning assembly including an actuator and a valve assembly which control the flow of fluid to the actuator in response to control signals. The valve assembly includes raise and lower valves, each valve requiring a control signal equal to a threshold value before the valve opens and fluid begins to flow. The system includes a sensor to detect the position of the implement and a control circuit. In response to a change in a position command, the control circuit applies a control signal to the appropriate raise or lower valve based upon the respective threshold value. The control signal may include a component for moving the implement at a desired rate of movement. After undesirable implement movement is detected, the control circuit modifies the threshold value.

Abstract: A system for physically positioning a hitch assembly at an initialized position prior to subsequent automatic control of the hitch position. The system includes an actuator for positioning an implement coupled to a work vehicle in response to control signals generated by a control circuit. The control circuit compares the sensed implement position to a predetermined position and, based upon the comparison, commands movement of the implement to an initialized position upon receipt of an input signal generated by an input device. The system may include an upper limit device or position command device used to set the predetermined position, and may include a display which indicates when the implement position is above the upper limit position or not equal to the commanded position. The input signal may be processed in another manner when the implement position is not above the limit position and is equal to the commanded position upon start-up.

Abstract: A system or method for controlling the position of an implement coupled to a work vehicle. The implement is moveable by a hydraulic positioning assembly including an actuator and a valve assembly which control the flow of fluid to the actuator in response to control signals. The valve assembly includes raise and lower valves, each valve requiring a control signal equal to a threshold value before the valve opens and fluid begins to flow. The system includes a sensor to detect the position of the implement and a control circuit. In response to a change in a position command, the control circuit applies a control signal to the appropriate raise or lower valve based upon the respective threshold value. The control signal is generated by using a predetermined gain. When undesirable implement movement such as an overshoot condition is detected, the control circuit modifies the gain value. The modified gain value is used to generate subsequent control signals for actuating the implement.

Abstract: A farming system which identifies the boundaries of agricultural fields and performs functions based upon whether a vehicle is located within a particular field is disclosed. The system includes a location signal generation circuit which receives positioning signals and generates location signals representative of the location of the vehicle. The system further includes a memory circuit which stores geo-referenced digital maps of the fields and may include boundary data or application maps for each field. The system further includes a control circuit which compares the location signals to the data stored in the memory circuit to determine when the vehicle is located in a particular field. In one embodiment, the control circuit selects a variable-rate application map for the particular field and generates variable-rate control signals from the map data which are applied to a variable-rate applicator.

Abstract: A control system for agricultural implements such as planters, conventional or air drills is disclosed herein. The implement has a frame with multiple sections and each section has a plurality of row units to apply product to multiple rows in a field. The implement is equipped with global output devices (e.g., lights, actuators for moving moveable frame members, actuators for moving markers) to perform global implement functions in response to global control signals. Each section includes one or more local product metering devices for applying products at varying rates in response to local control signals. The products include seed, fertilizer, insecticide and herbicide. The control system includes command sources (e.g., a lighting connector; an operator interface in the cab) to generate global commands for the global implement functions and to generate local rate commands for the metering devices. The control system further includes a global controller, and local controllers corresponding to the sections.

Abstract: A system for controlling wheel slippage of a vehicle carrying or trailing an implement when slip above a slip limit is detected. The implement is coupled to an implement positioning system including an actuator for raising and lowering the implement in response to a control signal. The system includes a first sensor for sensing an operating parameter such as draft force or implement position, a second sensor for sensing the vehicle's apparent speed, and a third sensor for sensing the vehicle's ground speed. The system may include a fourth sensor for sensing a second operating parameter. The system also includes a control circuit configured to generate a slip signal based upon the apparent speed and the ground speed, and to operate in a first manner when the slip signal is below a slip limit and in a second manner when the slip signal is above the slip limit.

Abstract: A control system for controlling outputs associated with off-road vehicles is disclosed herein. The outputs are actuated by actuators in response to control signals generated by a control circuit. In a normal mode, the control circuit generates the control signals based upon command signals generated by operator-actuatable command devices, and applies the control signals to the actuators to control the outputs. In a record mode, the control circuit stores a sequence of commands in a memory circuit to record the sequential actuations of the command devices. Then, in a playback mode, the control circuit generates the control signals based upon the recorded command sequence instead of the command signals. Playback can be triggered manually by a playback switch, or automatically based upon the geo-graphic position of the off-road vehicle. The control system can record and playback more than one command sequence.

Abstract: A system for reducing oscillations of an implement carried by a vehicle in a lifted position during travel. The implement is coupled to an implement positioning system including an actuator for raising and lowering the implement in response to a control signal. The system includes at least one load sensor for sensing implement load, a position sensor for sensing implement position, and a control circuit configured to generate a control signal to the actuator in a first manner based at least upon implement position and in a second manner based at least upon implement load. The control circuit transitions from the first manner of operation to the second manner of operation upon detecting oscillations of the implement beyond a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: A system or method for controlling the position of an implement coupled to a work vehicle. The implement is moveable by a hydraulic positioning assembly including an actuator and a valve assembly which control the flow of fluid to the actuator in response to control signals. The valve assembly includes raise and lower valves, each valve requiring a control signal equal to a threshold value before the valve opens and fluid begins to flow. The system includes a sensor to detect the position of the implement and a control circuit. In response to a change in a position command, the control circuit applies a control signal to the appropriate raise or lower valve based upon the respective threshold value. The control signal may include a component for moving the implement at a desired rate of movement. After undesirable implement movement is detected, the control circuit modifies the threshold value.

Abstract: A control system for engaging, disengaging and re-engaging a front wheel drive in an agricultural vehicle includes a control circuit configured to receive signals representative of vehicle operating parameters and to generate control signals corresponding to the desired state (i.e. engaged or disengaged) of a front wheel drive engagement circuit. Sensors are associated with the rear wheels, rear service brakes, implement positioning circuit, the vehicle body and the front axle to provide parameter signals related to wheel speed, braking, implement position and vehicle speed. Control logic executed by the control circuit in a continuously cycled routine determines the desired state of the engagement circuit based upon all operating parameters. The control circuit applies an appropriate control signal to the engagement circuit causing engagement or disengagement in accordance with the desired state.

Abstract: A system for regulating wheel slippage of a vehicle carrying or trailing an implement. The system includes sensors for sensing the vehicle's apparent speed and ground speed and an input device. The system also includes a control circuit configured to generate a slip signal based at least upon the apparent speed and the ground speed, and to generate a control signal applied to an actuator for moving the implement. The input device can be manipulated to enable and disable slip regulation and to set a slip reference value. The input device can be manipulated to derive the slip reference value from the slip signal, and to increment and decrement the slip reference value. The control circuit regulates wheel slippage by modifying the control signal when the slip signal exceeds the slip reference value with slip regulation enabled.

Abstract: A control system for regulating the elevational position of an implement carried or trailed by a vehicle, such as a tractor, includes draft force sensors for detecting the draft force produced by interaction of the implement with the ground, and a command device for setting a reference level of draft force. A control circuit coupled to the sensors and to the command device generates a draft force error signal representing the deviation of the sensed draft force from the desired level, and a draft force derivative signal representing the rate of change of the sensed draft force. The control circuit generates control signals for raising and lowering the implement following a predetermined control routine in response at least to the draft error signals. The rate of movement of the implement in response to the control signals is limited in response to the draft force error signal and the draft derivative signal.

Abstract: A hitch assembly control system including an actuator which positions the hitch assembly in response to control signals provided to an electrically driven actuator. The control system further includes an electronic controller operated under the influence of a program for deriving the control signals for the actuator from a series of inputs which monitor and measure various performance criteria. The program functions to operate the hitch assembly in a plurality of different operating states. In a DRAFT state, the hitch assembly position is controlled under the influence of at least four independently set variables. The control system of the present invention is capable of calibrating the hitch assembly configuration as well, as the limits of hitch assembly operation. Moreover, the control system of the present invention is capable of detecting, categorizing and recording failures which occur in various states of hitch assembly operation.

Abstract: A control system for engaging, disengaging and re-engaging a differential locking mechanism in an agricultural vehicle includes a control circuit configured to receive signals representative of vehicle operating parameters and to generate control signals corresponding to the desired state (i.e. engaged or disengaged) of a differential locking mechanism for limiting relative velocity between two driven wheels. Sensors are associated with the rear wheels, rear service brakes, implement positioning circuit, the vehicle body and the front axle to provide parameter signals related to wheel speed, braking, implement position and vehicle speed. Control logic executed by the control circuit in a continuously cycled routine determines the desired state of the differential locking mechanism based upon the operating parameters. The control circuit applies an appropriate control signal to the differential locking mechanism causing engagement or disengagement in accordance with the desired state.