Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a main frame having a support bar oriented in a direction generally transverse to a direction of travel when the implement is used to work a field; a plurality of rotating ground-engaging elements aligned along a length of the support bar, and a plurality of bearing caps. Each of the ground-engaging elements is configured to rotate about an axle, and each bearing cap is coupled to one of the ground-engaging elements. Each bearing cap includes an inertial sensor configured to measure an angular motion of the ground-engaging element and a transmitter configured to transmit the angular motion. Each bearing cap is configured to seal an interface between the ground-engaging element and corresponding axle. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating an implement carrying tillage elements in an agricultural field includes traversing the field with the implement while the tillage elements engage soil of the field, detecting a tillage event based on an operating parameter, recording a location of the tillage event with at least one computer, stopping the implement within the field in response to the tillage event, and generating a first representation of the tillage elements engaged with the soil. The first representation is generated with information from at least one sensor. The tillage elements are lifted to disengage the tillage elements from the soil, and a second representation of the tillage elements disengaged from the soil is generated. The implement is backed rearward through the field with the tillage elements disengaged from the soil, and a third representation of a portion of the soil worked by the tillage elements is generated.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a main frame having a support bar oriented in a direction generally transverse to a direction of travel when the implement is used to work a field, a plurality of rotating ground-engaging elements aligned along a length of the support bar, and a plugging detection system configured to alert an operator if one or more of the ground-engaging elements have an acceleration different from an acceleration of remaining ground-engaging elements by at least a threshold amount. The plugging detection system has an accelerometer for each of the plurality of ground-engaging elements and a control module that compares accelerometer data of each ground-engaging element to accelerometer data of the remaining ground-engaging elements. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating an implement carrying tillage elements in an agricultural field includes traversing the field with the implement while the tillage elements engage soil of the field, detecting a tillage event based on an operating parameter, recording a location of the tillage event with at least one computer, stopping the implement within the field in response to the tillage event, and generating a first representation of the tillage elements engaged with the soil. The first representation is generated with information from at least one sensor. The tillage elements are lifted to disengage the tillage elements from the soil, and a second representation of the tillage elements disengaged from the soil is generated. The implement is backed rearward through the field with the tillage elements disengaged from the soil, and a third representation of a portion of the soil worked by the tillage elements is generated.

Abstract: A method includes calibrating a camera to detect a position of an implement relative to a tractor pulling the implement, traversing an agricultural field with the implement engaging soil of the field, capturing at least one image of the implement in the field by a camera carried by the tractor, and generating a first representation of a position of the implement relative to the field, using at least one computing device carried by the tractor. The calibration includes moving at least one of the tractor and the implement to each of a plurality of known positions, in series, relative to one another. At each of the known positions, at least one image of the implement is captured by the camera. Each of the known positions is correlated with the at least one image. The camera can alternatively be carried by the implement, and images of the tractor may be captured.