Agricultural toolbar apparatus, systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9320190-B2
Application number	US-201214122614-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 4, 2012
Priority date	Jun 3, 2011
Publication date	Apr 26, 2016
Grant date	Apr 26, 2016

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus for shifting weight between a tractor and toolbar and between sections of the toolbar, for controlling operative height of a toolbar and sections of a toolbar and for folding a toolbar between a work position and a transport position. A ground engaging wheel and an actuator are coupled to the toolbar. In one embodiment, a fluid control system is responsive to a command signal to modify the actuator pressure such that the actuator pressure corresponds to a desired pressure.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A control system for an agricultural toolbar drawn across a ground surface by a tractor, comprising:
a wheel coupled to the toolbar and engaging the ground surface;
an actuator having an actuator pressure, said actuator being coupled to the toolbar, said actuator being disposed to modify a ground force between said wheel and the ground surface, said ground force being related to said actuator pressure;
a fluid control system, said fluid control system being in fluid communication with said actuator, said fluid control system being operable to control said actuator pressure; and
a controller in electrical communication with said fluid control system, wherein said controller is operable to send a command signal to the fluid control system, said command signal corresponding to a desired pressure, and wherein said fluid control system is operable to modify said actuator pressure in response to said command signal such that said actuator pressure corresponds to said desired pressure, and wherein said fluid control system is operable to maintain said actuator pressure at said desired pressure.

2. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the toolbar has a work position and a transport position, and wherein said wheel substantially supports a weight of the toolbar in the transport position.

3. The control system of claim 1 , further including an electronic display in electrical communication with said controller, said electronic display being mounted in an operator station of the tractor, said electronic display being operable to display said desired pressure to an operator, said electronic display being operable to receive an actuator pressure command from said operator and to set said actuator pressure command.

4. The control system of claim 1 , further including a weight transfer sensor in electrical communication with said controller, said weight transfer sensor operable to send a weight transfer signal to said controller.

5. The control system of claim 4 , wherein said controller stores a desired weight transfer signal value, wherein said controller is operable to modify said desired pressure such that said weight transfer signal becomes closer to said desired weight transfer signal value.

6. The control system of claim 5 , further including a weight transfer actuator, said weight transfer actuator being operable to transfer weight between the tractor and the toolbar, said weight transfer actuator having a weight transfer actuator pressure, wherein said weight transfer sensor comprises a pressure sensor, wherein said weight transfer signal comprises a signal related to said weight transfer actuator pressure.

7. The control system of claim 6 , wherein said weight transfer actuator is in fluid communication with said fluid control system, and wherein said fluid control system is operable to control a position of said weight transfer actuator.

8. The control system of claim 7 , wherein said position of said weight transfer actuator is related to a height of the toolbar relative to the tractor.

9. The control system of claim 8 , wherein the toolbar includes a wing section and a center section, said wing section being pivotally mounted to said center section for pivoting relative to said center section about a generally horizontal axis, and further including a wing section actuator operable to pivot said wing section about said generally horizontal axis, wherein said wing section actuator is in fluid communication with said fluid control system, wherein said fluid control system is operable to control a position of said wing section actuator.

10. The control system of claim 5 , wherein said controller stores a desired weight transfer value, further comprising an electronic display in electrical communication with said controller, said electronic display being mounted in an operator station of the tractor, said electronic display being operable to display a value corresponding to said weight transfer signal to an operator, said electronic display being operable to receive a weight transfer command from said operator and modify said desired weight transfer signal value based on said weight transfer command.

11. A method of controlling an agricultural toolbar drawn across a ground surface by a tractor, comprising:
reconfiguring the toolbar from a transport position to a work position;
sending a command signal corresponding to a desired ground force between a ground-engaging wheel pivotally coupled to said toolbar and the ground surface;
modifying an actuator pressure in a weight transfer actuator such that said ground force corresponds to said desired ground force; and
maintaining said modified actuator pressure such that said ground force is maintained at said desired ground force.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
reconfiguring the toolbar from said work position to said transport position; and
supporting a portion of the weight of said toolbar with said ground-engaging wheel in said transport position.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
displaying a value related to said ground force to an operator;
receiving an input corresponding to said command signal from said operator; and
modifying said ground force based on said input.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
measuring a weight transfer value.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
storing a desired weight transfer value; and
modifying said actuator pressure such that said weight transfer value becomes closer to said desired weight transfer value.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
transferring weight between the tractor and the toolbar using said weight transfer actuator, wherein said step of measuring said weight transfer value is accomplished by measuring said actuator pressure in said weight transfer actuator.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
controlling a degree of extension of said weight transfer actuator.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said degree of extension of said weight transfer actuator is related to a height of the toolbar relative to the tractor.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
modifying an angular position of a wing section of said toolbar.

20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
displaying a value corresponding to said weight transfer value to an operator;
receiving a command from said operator; and
modifying said weight transfer value based on said command.

21. A control system for an agricultural toolbar drawn across a ground surface by a tractor, comprising:
a wheel coupled to the toolbar and engaging the ground surface;
an actuator having a net actuator pressure, said actuator being coupled to the toolbar, said actuator being disposed to modify a ground force between said wheel and the ground surface, said ground force being related to said net actuator pressure;
a fluid control system, said fluid control system being in fluid communication with said actuator, said fluid control system being operable to bring said actuator pressure to a desired actuator pressure;
an electronic control system in electronic communication with said pressure control valve, wherein said electronic control system is operable to modify said desired actuator pressure and;
a weight transfer sensor in electronic communication with said electronic control system, said weight transfer sensor operable to send a weight transfer signal to said electronic control system.

Assignees

• Sauder Gregg A
• Koch Dale M
• Prec Planting Llc

Inventors

• Sauder Gregg A
• Koch Dale M

Classifications

• A01B73/06

  foldable about a vertical axis · CPC title

• A01B76/00

  Parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, not provided for in groups A01B51/00 - A01B75/00 · CPC title

• A01B73/065

  to a position essentially forward of the axis, in relation to the direction of travel · CPC title

• A01B63/22 Primary

  operated by hydraulic or pneumatic means · CPC title

• A01B63/145 Primary

  for controlling weight transfer between implements and tractor wheels · CPC title