2337results about "Adjusting devices" patented technology

An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.

A ground opening device includes a ground-penetrating element configured to penetrate a ground surface, a down drive element configured to apply a downward force to the ground-penetrating element, a reaction force sensor configured to sense a ground reaction force in response to the action of the ground-penetrating element, and a controller configured to adjust the downward force on the ground-penetrating element in response to the sensed ground reaction force.

An implement has a tongue used to tow the implement that can be raised or lowered with respect to the rest of the implement. The tongue is raised or lowered by a hydraulic cylinder. The raising and lowering ports of the cylinder are connected to two hydraulic accumulators to permit the tongue to flex up or down while the implement is towed through the field. These accumulators are disconnected from the cylinder when the wings of the implement are lifted and the implement is towed over the road to prevent the implement from oscillating backwards and forward about an axis defined by its wheels.

An apparatus for preparing soil for the placement therein of at least one of seed and fertilizer. A frame is provided with there being first structure on the frame for penetrating the soil to create an opening for at least one of seed and fertilizer as the frame is advanced in a travel direction. A second structure is provided on the frame at least partially downstream of the first structure for at least one of a) stripping soil clods from the first structure and b) loosening soil downstream of the first structure.

An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.

An agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame, a linkage pivotably coupled to the attachment frame, and a row unit frame having a leading end pivotably coupled to the linkage to permit vertical pivoting movement of the row unit frame relative to the attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to the attachment frame and the linkage, for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil, includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for advancing the ram in a direction that pivots the linkage and the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil. An accumulator positioned adjacent to the hydraulic cylinder has a fluid chamber containing a diaphragm, with the portion of the chamber on one side of the diaphragm being connected to the hydraulic-fluid cavity in the hydraulic cylinder, and the portion of the chamber on the other side of the diaphragm containing a pressurized gas.

A down pressure assembly for incorporation into an agricultural implement to be pulled by a tractor (10) has an attachment frame (21) for attachment between a portion of the agricultural implement and at least two wheels (22) of a row unit (18) for traveling along the ground, the row unit (18) also having a tool (23) disposed between the two wheels (22) for engaging the ground, the down pressure assembly also having at least one torsion element (41, 50) disposed on the frame (21), with the torsion element (41, 50) having one fixed mounting to the frame (21) and one adjustable mounting to the frame (21), and the assembly further having an adjustment mechanism (37, 60) for varying the torsion of the torsion element (41, 50) at the adjustable mounting; and at least one down pressure member (36, 56, 57) for receiving a force from the torsion element to apply a downward force to the top members (26, 27) of the frame (21).

In one embodiment, an agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame. A support member is pivotably coupled to the attachment frame to permit vertical pivoting movement of the support member relative to the attachment frame, and at least one furrow-closing device is mounted on the support member. A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the support member for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil. The hydraulic cylinder includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for urging the ram in a first direction that pivots the support member in a first vertical direction. An accumulator has a fluid chamber containing a pressurized gas for urging the ram in a second direction that pivots the support member in a second vertical direction.

An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit, a press wheel cylinder configured to vary contact force between a press wheel and a soil surface, a closing disk cylinder configured to vary contact force between a closing disk and the soil surface, a residue manager cylinder configured to vary contact force between a residue manager and the soil surface, or a combination thereof. The agricultural implement system also includes an electronic control unit configured to automatically regulate a pressure within the cylinders, and a manual backup system configured to facilitate manual pressure adjustment of the cylinders.

A control system for an engineless, motor-driven lawnmower vehicle includes electric motors and controllers. At least one of the electric motors is an electric drive motor connected to a drive wheel of the lawnmower vehicle to enable transmission of motive power. At least one other electric motor is a mower-related electric motor connected to a lawnmower rotary tool to enable transmission of motive power. At least one of the controllers is a drive wheel controller which includes a drive wheel driver and which controls operation of the electric drive motor in response to a signal from at least one operator sensor for detecting an operation amount of at least one operator. At least one controller controls to activate or stop the mower-related electric motor. At least one controller is connected to the drive wheel controller and transmits a control signal thereto in response to a signal from the operator sensor.

A dozer blade control system controls the position of a bulldozer blade, maintaining the blade at a constant position as the dozer travels through a worksite. The control system monitors the angle of the dozer blade with respect to the earth and when it senses that the dozer blade is tilting, it corrects the dozer blade's position by extending or retracting hydraulic cylinders that couple the dozer blade to the chassis of the crawler-tractor. When the dozer chassis pitches forwards, the blade begins to tilt forward and to drop closer to the ground. The control system senses this forward rotation of the blade and retracts the hydraulic cylinders that couple the blade to the chassis, causing the blade to return to and maintain its original position. Conversely, when the dozer chassis pitches backwards and the blade begins to tilt backward and rise higher above the ground, the control system extends the hydraulic cylinders coupling the blade to the chassis and lowers the blade, causing the blade to return to and maintain its original position with respect to the earth.

An arrangement for controlling the height above or depth below an irregular surface of a body moving over or below the surface includes a rotation sensor coupled to a controller responsive to an angular deflection signal output by the rotation sensor. The rotation sensor and controller are mounted to a vehicle moving over the surface such as an agricultural vehicle traversing a field. A semi-rigid, flexible arm has a first end coupled to the rotation sensor with a ground engaging member attached to a second opposed end of the arm. In one embodiment, the flexible arm includes an elongated coil spring attached to a rigid shaft and the ground engaging member is a spherical ball attached to the shaft's distal end. The coil spring is pre-loaded to a selected bending or flexure force and permits the ground engaging member to impact obstructions in the field without damage to the rotation sensor. The coil spring also prevents damage to the rotation sensor when the vehicle is reversed in direction. The flexible arm may be urged downwardly to ensure that the ground engaging member contacts the soil and upward and downward rotation stops may be provided to limit rotation of the rotation sensor and flexible arm combination. When a plurality of rotation sensors and flexible arms are employed such as along the length of a combine header, each rotation sensor may be individually calibrated by rotating the sensor relative to the head unit to which it is mounted to permit all sensors to uniformly measure the height above or depth below the soil surface.

A winged implement includes an hydraulic control circuit having two operator-controlled valves, including a work valve and a transport valve. Using only these controls, and without leaving the tractor cab, the operator can (1) fold the implement for transport; (2) unfold the wings; (3) place the implement in the field use position with substantial constant down pressure on the wings; and (4) raise the wings and center section to an intermediate position with the wings inclined upwardly for end row turns.

This disclosure is directed to the field of agricultural machinery and relates to implements generally used in combination with a multi-row soil trench closing mechanism. Specifically, the disclosure relates to row treating units adapted to be attached to and following a multi-row planter and incorporating a combination of tools that includes a seed trench closing wheel assembly and a firming / packing wheel assembly. The deployment of and down force exerted by the packing wheel is independently adjustable and controlled using pneumatic air bag operators and the soil penetration of the trench closing wheels is limited.

Hitch mount assembly for snow blades or other accessories or implements for off-road vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles. The assembly includes a receiver for mounting to the vehicle chassis and an implement assembly readily removably coupled to the receiver. The configuration of the receiver and implement assembly allows for self-alignment during the mounting operation. A switching mechanism and actuator also can be used to pivot the working implement remotely. The mount assembly can be attached to the vehicle with a powered winch or manually.

To realize high pressure-tightness and improvement in a high-frequency characteristic due to a low impedance between a shunt FET and a ground of a FET switch circuit. An antenna switch module comprising a switch circuit for switching between transmitting and receiving of a signal between an antenna and a transmitting portion and / or a receiving portion and having a shunt circuit, wherein a capacitor of the shunt circuit of the switch circuit is provided to a dielectric layered body, and remaining elements of the switch circuit are provided to semiconductor chips mounted on the dielectric layered body.

A control system controls steering of an implement which is coupled to an agricultural utility vehicle. The control system includes a control unit, a sensor, a hydraulic system on the utility vehicle, an electronically actuatable hydraulic valve, a hydraulic actuator on the implement and a steerable wheel on the implement. A status variable of the utility vehicle or of the implement can be detected with the sensor and transmitted to the control unit. A current operating state of the utility vehicle and / or of the implement is determined by the control unit. The hydraulic valve is connected to the hydraulic system and to the actuator. The hydraulic valve can be actuated as a function of the current operating state of the utility vehicle and / or of the implement in order to block the steering of the wheel with the actuator.

Agricultural planter row units feature soil finishing assemblies for closing a seed groove after seed is placed in the soil. An adjustable furrow closing assembly enhances upper seed groove coverage and closure with soil resulting in sustained relative humidity levels and optimum seed-to-soil contact for faster seed germination. The furrow closing assembly includes a closing wheel assembly having at least one closing wheel and a press wheel assembly having a press wheel following behind the closing wheels. The closing wheels and press wheel are attached to the planter row unit in a manner allowing the press wheel to move vertically relative to the closing wheels. Adjustable down-force systems are provided to vary the down force applied to the closing wheels and the press wheel to maintain optimum soil contact in irregular terrain and in varying soil densities and conditions to provide optimum soil coverage and compaction of the seed bed.

An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.

An articulating and locking mechanism of agricultural implement chassis is disclosed, intended for disc harrows and other implements with great working width, which are characterized by articulation to reduce the total width so as to facilitate transportation and storage, constituted of a main structure or chassis (1), central disc gang chassis (2), lateral and articulating disc gang chassis (3), with arrangements of vertical plates or extensions (4 and 5) welded and joined by shafts (6) for articulation by means of hydraulic cylinders (7), equipped with locking mechanism made up of hydraulic cylinders (8), locking and unlocking actuators (9, 9A), locks (12, 12A), coupling shafts (13, 13A) inserted in sleeves (14, 14A) and joined to the vertical closure plates (15) of the inner ends of the articulating chassis (3). Locking flanges (17) welded to the central chassis (2) form a quick closing action with the locks (12, 12A) providing rigidity in the locking between said rigid and articulating chassis during the implement's field operation.

An agricultural row unit having a support frame, a structural support housing coupled to the support frame, and a swing arm having a leading end pivotably coupled to the structural support housing. An agricultural tool is coupled to a trailing end of the swing arm, and a hydraulic actuator is mounted to and fully enclosed within the structural support housing. The hydraulic actuator adjustably urges the agricultural tool downwardly toward a soil surface such that vertical pivoting movement is permitted in response to terrain changes in the soil surface.

An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit, a press wheel cylinder configured to vary contact force between a press wheel and a soil surface, a closing disk cylinder configured to vary contact force between a closing disk and the soil surface, a residue manager cylinder configured to vary contact force between a residue manager and the soil surface, or a combination thereof. The agricultural implement system also includes an electronic control unit configured to automatically regulate a pressure within the cylinders, and a manual backup system configured to facilitate manual pressure adjustment of the cylinders.

An agricultural machine comprises a body and a drawbar, which drawbar is connected to the body using a first articulation with a substantially vertical axis and allows the agricultural machine to be moved along during work and during transport, the body resting on the ground during work using wheels which are each connected to the body via at least one connecting element, the body comprising a central unit and a working unit, which working unit is arranged transversely to the direction of forward travel during work and is arranged substantially parallel to the direction of forward travel during transport. It is notable in that the working unit is connected to the central unit using a second articulation with a substantially vertical axis so that the working unit can be brought into a work position or into a transport position with respect to said central unit, and wherein the singular or plural connecting element allows (allow) the corresponding wheel(s) to be moved away from or closer to a vertical mid-plane of the body, the wheels being used during work and during transport.

A hitch and adapter assembly for connecting an implement to the front end of vehicles such as all terrain vehicle providing a rigid connection with limited motion for reduced vibration operation. The hitch has two spaced apart sockets on a rigid frame that pivotally connects to the vehicle providing a rigid extension thereof. The sockets receive and cooperatively engage respective pins on the implement providing a quick connection. An electrically powered hydraulic cylinder is connected at one end to the frame and the other end connects to the vehicle by a coupler that slip fits into a socket therefore on the vehicle. The frame pivotally connects to the vehicle at two spaced apart positions. There is a coarse and fine adjustment for varying the height and tilt positions of the implement.

A system for propelling a combine over the ground and driving other components of the combine includes an engine driving a transmission via a hydrostatic drive system. A microprocessor stores a work table and a road table for controlling engine speed. A gear selector operates a switch to select one of the tables and a throttle control operates switches to select a speed value from the selected table. When working a field, the work table is selected so that the engine runs at speeds in a range suitable for driving the other components. For transport of the combine the road table is selected so that the engine may run at a speed higher than speeds suitable for driving the other components. For a given setting of the throttle control, the engine is controlled to run at either a first or second speed depending on the setting of the gear select lever.

An agricultural work vehicle capable of communicating with a host computer and capable of being steered by a remote control device so as to enable the agricultural work to link with the host computer and perform in an optimum work form, wherein the agricultural work vehicle is provided with a position calculation means measuring the position of the machine body, a steering actuator operating a steering device, a shifting means, and a control device controlling them. An optimum working speed and an optimum work driving value calculated from past and current weather information, field information, work information, work machine information, and crop information are transmitted from the host computer to the control device. The agricultural work vehicle is controlled and caused to work at the optimum working speed and the optimum work driving value along a set travel path.