Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely positioning a stabilizer wheel of a towable agricultural implement simultaneously, cooperatively and proportionally control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from both the rod and base ends of the bore of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, to hold the piston of the hydraulic cylinder at a target position determined from a desired position input signal corresponding to a desired position of the stabilizer wheel with respect to a frame of the agricultural implement.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for regulating the flow of fluid supplied to actuators of an agricultural implement may include a tool and a fluid-driven actuator configured to actuate the tool relative to a surface. The system may also include a pump configured to supply fluid to the fluid-driven actuator and a valve configured to control a flow of the fluid supplied to the fluid-driven actuator. Furthermore, the system may include a first sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a first pressure upstream of the valve and a second sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a second pressure downstream of the valve. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors, with the controller configured to determine a pressure differential across the valve based on measurement signals received from the first and second sensors.

Abstract: In one aspect, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure differential between first and second fluid sources may include sensor body defining a cavity and a seal plate slidably positioned within the cavity. The seal plate may define first and second chambers within the cavity, which may respectively be in fluid communication with the first and second fluid sources. The sensor may also include a sensing element configured to detect a position of the seal plate relative to the sensor body, which may be indicative of the pressure differential between the first and second fluid sources. The sensor may further include a first spring positioned within the first chamber and compressed between a first side of the seal plate and the sensing element. Additionally, the sensor may include a second spring positioned within the second chamber and compressed between a second side of the seal plate and the sensor body.

Abstract: The present inventors have recognized that hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering “work units” of an agricultural implement used for engaging the ground can be improved by replacing one or more electronically controlled (electrohydraulic) proportional valves associated with a rod port of the cylinder with a simplified, flow control device, such as a pressure regulator, while still using the electronically controlled proportional valves associated with a base port of the cylinder. Due to the weight of the implement being associated with the rod side, which tends to force retraction of the rod when not opposed by the base side, complex proportional valves associated with the rod side can be replaced with such simplified devices providing a relatively low pressure sufficient to move hydraulic fluid with respect to the rod side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely positioning a stabilizer wheel of a towable agricultural implement simultaneously, cooperatively and proportionally control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from both the rod and base ends of the bore of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, to hold the piston of the hydraulic cylinder at a target position determined from a desired position input signal corresponding to a desired position of the stabilizer wheel with respect to a frame of the agricultural implement.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for regulating the flow of fluid supplied to actuators of an agricultural implement may include a tool and a fluid-driven actuator configured to actuate the tool relative to a surface. The system may also include a pump configured to supply fluid to the fluid-driven actuator and a valve configured to control a flow of the fluid supplied to the fluid-driven actuator. Furthermore, the system may include a first sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a first pressure upstream of the valve and a second sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a second pressure downstream of the valve. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors, with the controller configured to determine a pressure differential across the valve based on measurement signals received from the first and second sensors.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for remotely and individually controlling a plurality of remotely positionable stabilizer wheels of a towable agricultural implement utilize an electronic control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired position of the stabilizer wheel, and/or a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, to automatically and individually control a plurality of hydraulic positioning cylinders for individually positioning and holding the plurality of stabilizer wheel at the desired position of the stabilizer wheels.

Abstract: An implement control system includes an automatic control valve assembly configured to utilize fluid from a supply conduit to cause a cylinder to raise a ground engaging tool relative to a soil surface and to utilize the fluid flow from the supply conduit to cause the cylinder to lower the ground engaging tool relative to the soil surface while an automatic control mode is active. The implement control system also includes a controller configured to control the automatic control valve assembly based on a position of the ground engaging tool relative to the soil surface to control the position of the ground engaging tool relative to the soil surface while the automatic control mode is active. The controller is also configured to deactivate the automatic control mode in response to fluid pressure within a first manual control conduit exceeding a threshold pressure.

Abstract: The present inventors have recognized that hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering “work units” of an agricultural implement used for engaging the ground can be improved by replacing one or more electronically controlled (electrohydraulic) proportional valves associated with a rod port of the cylinder with a simplified, flow control device, such as a pressure regulator, while still using the electronically controlled proportional valves associated with a base port of the cylinder. Due to the weight of the implement being associated with the rod side, which tends to force retraction of the rod when not opposed by the base side, complex proportional valves associated with the rod side can be replaced with such simplified devices providing a relatively low pressure sufficient to move hydraulic fluid with respect to the rod side.

Abstract: An implement control system includes an automatic control valve assembly configured to utilize fluid from a supply conduit to cause a cylinder to raise a ground engaging tool relative to a soil surface and to utilize the fluid flow from the supply conduit to cause the cylinder to lower the ground engaging tool relative to the soil surface while an automatic control mode is active. The implement control system also includes a controller configured to control the automatic control valve assembly based on a position of the ground engaging tool relative to the soil surface to control the position of the ground engaging tool relative to the soil surface while the automatic control mode is active. The controller is also configured to deactivate the automatic control mode in response to fluid pressure within a first manual control conduit exceeding a threshold pressure.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for remotely and individually controlling a plurality of remotely positionable stabilizer wheels of a towable agricultural implement utilize an electronic control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired position of the stabilizer wheel, and/or a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, to automatically and individually control a plurality of hydraulic positioning cylinders for individually positioning and holding the plurality of stabilizer wheel at the desired position of the stabilizer wheels.