Method for automatically leveling a farm implement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9549497-B2
Application number	US-201414490993-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 19, 2014
Priority date	Sep 29, 2011
Publication date	Jan 24, 2017
Grant date	Jan 24, 2017

Abstract

A method and apparatus for automating some of the tasks that heretofore required operator action at headland turns or similar events are provided. The present invention automates operation of lift assist wheels and/or gull wings, such as those found on a stack-fold implement, based on the position of the tractor hitch to which the implement is coupled. An operator may control the position of the implement, such as at a headland turn, by raising and lowering the tractor hitch using a remote control. The invention enables the planter to compare the tractor hitch position relative to an implement position and control operation of the implement accordingly without additional user inputs.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method for automatically leveling a farm implement having a frame and being towed by a tractor that is coupled to the farm implement by a hitch, comprising:
receiving a hitch position signal from the tractor with an electronic control unit (ECU);
receiving a frame position signal from a sensor that detects a position of the frame with the ECU; and
operatively connecting the ECU to a hydraulic system, the ECU being configured to provide a command signal to the hydraulic system to control hydraulic fluid flow in the hydraulic system to automatically raise or lower the frame in response to changes in hitch position of the tractor.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydraulic system includes hydraulic actuators configured to raise and lower the frame.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein controlling hydraulic fluid flow includes controlling operation of an electric over hydraulic valve that is interconnected between the hydraulic actuators and hydraulics of the tractor.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the farm implement is a stack-fold planter having a pair of gull wings, and further comprising automatically placing the pair of gull wings in a float position when the hitch of the tractor is in a fully lowered position.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the hitch position signal is received from the tractor across an ISOBUS connector and the tractor is equipped with ISO 11783 technology.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the frame supports a bulk fill hopper and further comprising automatically raising and lowering the frame to maintain the bulk fill hopper in a level position.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind Canada Ltd

Inventors

• Tuttle Thomas
• Remoue Tyler

Classifications

• A01C7/208

  Chassis; Coupling means to a tractor or the like; Lifting means; Side markers · CPC title

• A01B73/044

  the axis being oriented in a longitudinal direction (A01B73/042 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A01B63/22 Primary

  operated by hydraulic or pneumatic means · CPC title