Abstract: A GNSS control system and method are provided for guiding, navigating and controlling a motive component, such as a tractor, and a working component, such as an implement. A vector position/heading sensor is mounted on the motive component and includes multiple antennas connected to a GNSS receiver. The sensor also includes inertial sensors and a direction sensor, which are connected to a microprocessor of a steering control module (SCM). The SCM can be hot swapped among different vehicles and can interface with their respective original, onboard control systems. The implement can be provided with an optional GNSS antenna, receiver or both, and can be guided independently of the motive component. The SCM can be preprogrammed to guide the vehicle over a field in operating modes including straight line, contour, concentric circle and point+direction.

Abstract: An articulated equipment position control system and method are provided for equipment consisting of motive and working components. The components are connected by an articulated connector, such as a pivotal hitch. GPS-derived positional data is utilized for power-articulating the hitch to maintain the working component, such as an implement, on a predetermined course. Operator-inducted course deviations can thus be corrected. The working component can also be positioned to follow the course of the movive component. The system includes a microprocessor control subsystem, which interfaces with a steering guidance system.

Abstract: An adaptive guidance system for a vehicle includes an on-board GPS receiver, an on-board processor adapted to store a preplanned guide pattern and a guidance device. The processor includes a comparison function for comparing the vehicle GPS position with a line segment of the preplanned guide pattern. The processor controls the guidance device for guiding the vehicle along the line segment. Various guide pattern modification functions are programmed into the processor, including best-fit polynomial correction, spline correction, turn-flattening to accommodate minimum vehicle turning radii and automatic end-of-swath keyhole turning.

Abstract: An automatic steering system and method are provided for a vehicle including an hydraulic primary steering system. The automatic steering system includes a guidance module with a GPS receiver and a microprocessor adapted to process and store GPS data defining travel paths, which can be associated with a cultivated field in an agricultural vehicle application. An automatic steering module is connected to the guidance module and to a steering valve control block, which provides pressurized hydraulic fluid in parallel with the vehicle's primary hydrostatic steering system. The automatic steering system utilizes a constant factor, such as steering rate, for predictability and simplicity in the operation of the automatic steering system. A feedback loop from the vehicle hydrostatic steering system uses the vehicle's actual turning rate for comparison with a desired turning rate.

Abstract: A controller system having a half-duplex serial line as a bus for transferring commands, status and data between all controllers in a planting and spraying system. A bus master connected to the serial line synchronizes each controller to the network while a base console coordinates the operation of each planting and spraying system. Separate system controllers operate in conjunction with each system accessory module to control the components of each planting and spraying system. Operation of a spray control module is controlled by the sprayer control console, operating in conjunction with a base console. A planter monitor module provides control over a plurality of components in a seed-planting system. A base console with a primary user interface and a planter controller console with a planter user interface are connected to the planter monitor module over a communications medium.

Abstract: A fertilizer knife assembly is capable of being connected to an agricultural implement and is operative for flow of fertilizer into a furrow opened by the knife assembly. A wear point of cast chrome alloy iron has a leading portion and a shoe portion in engagement with and secured by welding to a leading edge and a free end respectively of an elongated shank capable of being connected to an agricultural implement. An elongated fertilizer tube is positioned adjacent a trailing edge of the shank and has one end portion thereof secured to a trailing end of the shoe portion of the wear point. An elongated shield is spaced from and surrounds an exterior surface of the fertilizer tube and has opposite side edges thereof secured to the shank trailing edge by hard facing welding in a manner to protect the fertilizer tube and define an air space surrounding the same.