Abstract: An agricultural tillage system including a carriage frame assembly, a plurality of tillage elements coupled to the carriage frame assembly, an actuator and a residue reactive system. The actuator is moveably coupled to the tillage elements, and is directly in control of a soil contact depth of the tillage elements. The residue reactive system is in controlling communication with the at least one actuator. The residue reactive system reduces the soil contact depth of the tillage elements when the residue mass on the soil is reduced and/or the slope of the soil is above a predetermined value.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for monitoring the condition of a seedbed within a field may include a seedbed tool configured to ride along a seedbed floor as an implement frame is moved across the field. The system may also include an actuator configured to adjust the position of the seedbed tool along a lateral direction relative to the implement frame such that the seedbed tool traverses a lateral swath of the seedbed floor along the lateral direction. Furthermore, the system may include a seedbed floor sensor configured to detect the position of the seedbed tool relative to the implement frame. The position of the seedbed tool may be indicative of a profile of the lateral swath of the seedbed floor as the seedbed tool rides along the seedbed floor with movement of the implement frame in the forward travel direction.

Abstract: A system for providing a position for an agricultural vehicle. The system includes a first receiver structured to be coupled to a first vehicle, the first receiver configured to receive position correction information from an external source and determine a first position of the first receiver in three dimensions using the position correction information. The system also includes a second receiver structured to be coupled to a second vehicle and configured to determine a second position of the second receiver, wherein the first receiver is configured to determine the first position using the position correction information at a higher level of accuracy than the second receiver is configured to determine the second position.

Abstract: Techniques are described that include creating and retrieving equipment information via a digital distributed ledger-based system. The techniques include authenticating a user of a digital distributed ledger-based system. The techniques further include receiving an operations data from the user, wherein the operations data comprises equipment data logged during operations of an equipment. The techniques additionally include storing the operations data and identification information for the equipment in at least one or more blocks of a digital distributed ledger, and distributing the one or more blocks among nodes of the digital distributed ledger, wherein the digital distributed ledger is configured to immutably store the operations data.

Abstract: An aerial monitoring system (12) for agricultural equipment includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (10). A controller (120) of the UAV (10) is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a position and a velocity of a reference point (148) on a target agricultural tool, and to determine a target point relative to the reference point (148) that provides a line-of-sight to a target object on the target agricultural tool. The controller (120) is also configured to output a second signal to a movement control system (36) of the UAV (10) indicative of instructions to move the UAV (10) to the target point and to maintain the velocity of the reference point (148) in response to reaching the target point. In addition, the controller (120) is configured output a third signal to a sensor control system (40) of the UAV (10) indicative of instructions to direct a sensor assembly (38) of the UAV (10) toward the target object.

Abstract: Techniques are described that include creating and retrieving equipment information via a digital distributed ledger-based system. The techniques include authenticating a user of a digital distributed ledger-based system. The techniques further include receiving an operations data from the user, wherein the operations data comprises equipment data logged during operations of an equipment. The techniques additionally include storing the operations data and identification information for the equipment in at least one or more blocks of a digital distributed ledger, and distributing the one or more blocks among nodes of the digital distributed ledger, wherein the digital distributed ledger is configured to immutably store the operations data.

Abstract: A system for detecting the levelness of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and tool assemblies supported relative to the frame. The tool assemblies each include a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes sensors coupled to two of the tool assemblies and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools of the tool assemblies. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensors and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s) of each of the tool assemblies. Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) are not level when the monitored value(s) differ by a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method for determining residue coverage within a field may include receiving, with one or more computing devices, first and second images of the field. The first image may depict a portion of the field at a first time during a crop-growing period and the second image may depict the portion of the field at a second time during the crop-growing period, with the first and second times being different. Furthermore, the method may include generating, with the one or more computing devices, an estimated residue coverage map for the field based on the received first and second images. Additionally, the method may include generating, with the one or more computing devices, a prescription map for the field based on the estimated residue coverage map.

Abstract: A system and method for performing cutting operations with an agricultural implement includes a cutting member capable of cutting plant material supported on the agricultural implement. A vibration source is operatively coupled to the cutting member. The vibration source is configured to generate a vibrational output at an ultrasonic frequency which is transmitted to the cutting member. The vibrational output is propagated through at least a portion of the cutting member to vibrate the cutting member as the plant material is being severed during the performance of the cutting operation.

Abstract: A method for determining residue coverage within a field may include receiving, with one or more computing devices, first and second images of the field. The first image may depict a portion of the field at a first time during a crop-growing period and the second image may depict the portion of the field at a second time during the crop-growing period, with the first and second times being different. Furthermore, the method may include generating, with the one or more computing devices, an estimated residue coverage map for the field based on the received first and second images. Additionally, the method may include generating, with the one or more computing devices, a prescription map for the field based on the estimated residue coverage map.

Abstract: A soil monitoring system includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to instruct an actuator to drive a shank to move upwardly and downwardly, such that at least one soil monitoring sensor coupled to a lateral side of the shank moves in a cyclical pattern through soil as the shank is driven to move through the soil along a direction of travel. The controller is also configured to receive multiple sensor signals from the at least one soil monitoring sensor while the at least one soil monitoring sensor is at respective depths within the soil, in which each sensor signal is indicative of at least one soil property. In addition, the controller is configured to determine a vertical profile of the at least one soil property based on the sensor signals.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining field characteristics of a field across which an implement is being moved may include a tine configured to engage a surface of soil within the field. The system may also include a sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a load being applied to the ground engaging tine by the soil. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller being configured to determine a field characteristic of the field based on measurement signals received from the sensor.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a chassis and a shank carried by the chassis. The shank includes: a shank body configured to penetrate a soil top surface; a sensor attached to an outer surface of the shank body and defining a probing area; and a sensor shield carried by the shank body in front of the sensor, the sensor shield being configured to deflect oncoming soil flow away from the sensor without substantially disrupting soil flow into the probing area.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for sensing soil characteristics of an agricultural field, including soil variability and/or clod stability, in real time to allow rapid adjustment of an implement while traversing the field. The implement could be a planter, a fertilizer applicator or a tillage implement treating the field with ground engaging tools. The system can sense the soil characteristics, for example, by continuously transmitting acoustic energy to the field and sensing sound energy scattered back. This, in turn, can allow a continuously updated estimation of the field, such as in terms of clod size. Adjustment of the implement can include changing its speed and/or application of a seedbed attachment, such as changing a depth of the ground engaging tool.

Abstract: A system for detecting the levelness of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and tool assemblies supported relative to the frame. The tool assemblies each include a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes sensors coupled to two of the tool assemblies and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools of the tool assemblies. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensors and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s) of each of the tool assemblies. Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) are not level when the monitored value(s) differ by a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An agricultural implement controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of at least one image of a field and to determine a crop residue mass map of the field based on the at least one image. In addition, the agricultural implement controller is configured to receive a second signal indicative of a position of an agricultural tillage implement within the field and to determine a target penetration depth, a target downforce, a target speed, or a combination thereof, of at least one ground engaging tool based on the crop residue mass map of the field and the position of the agricultural tillage implement. Furthermore, the agricultural implement controller is configured to output a third signal indicative of instructions to control at least one actuator coupled to the at least one ground engaging tool based on the target penetration depth, the target downforce, the target speed, the combination thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the position of an agricultural implement being towed by an agricultural vehicle may include first and second wheels and first and second non-contact-based braking devices. As such, the first braking device may be configured to apply a braking force to the first wheel, and the second braking device may be configured to apply a braking force to the second wheel. Furthermore, the system may include a controller configured to control an operation of the first braking device or the second braking device when it is determined that the position of the implement differs from a predetermined position for the implement such that the braking force is applied to the corresponding wheel in a manner that adjusts the position of the implement towards the predetermined position.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a chassis and a shank or shanks carried by the chassis. The shank or shanks include an on-the-go nitrate-N sensor or sensors. Nitrate-N conditions are determined for at least first and second zones at different soil depths, either by multiple sensors carried on one or multiple shanks during a single pass of the agricultural implement, a single sensor carried first at the first depth and thereafter at the second depth during multiple passes of the agricultural implement, or a sensor moved between the first and second zones during a single pass of the agricultural implement. Rates for applying additional nitrogen can be calculated from the determined conditions, and the application rates and determined conditions can be mapped.

Abstract: A system for providing a visual indication of field surface conditions during the performance of an agricultural operation by an agricultural implement includes a user interface, an imaging device provided in operative association with the agricultural implement, and a controller. The imaging device has a field of view directed towards a portion of a surface of a field. The controller is configured to receive image data from the imaging device representing surface features located at the portion of the surface of the field, transmit the image data for display on the user interface, and control the user interface to display at least one digital reference object in association with the image data. The at least one digital reference object provides a visual reference for assessing a characteristic of the surface features displayed on the user interface.

Abstract: A self-cleaning gauge wheel assembly having a gauge wheel mounted for rotation on an agricultural planter and adjustable to set the depth of the planting. A pulley having a diameter at least 1/7th and less of the diameter of the gauge wheel is journaled about an axis spaced from and behind and elevated from the gauge wheel. An endless belt is provided around the gauge wheel and the pulley in tension so that movement of the planter, and associated rotation of the gauge wheel causes the pulley to accelerate any accumulated moist soil and expel it from the belt to provide a self-cleaning feature.