System and method for automatic detection of implement working width

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and system for automatic detection of implement working width of an implement on a vehicle. The method includes the steps of: tracking location of the vehicle;determining if the vehicle is making substantially parallel passes; if the vehicle is making substantially parallel passes the method also includes determining distances between consecutive passes; and calculating a calculated implement working width based on the distances between consecutive passes. A location sensor attached to the vehicle can be used for tracking the vehicle. Determining if the vehicle is making parallel passes can include grouping the location sensor readings into pass lines that each includes sensor readings defining a single pass line; and determining if a current passline is parallel to a prior pass line. Vehicle heading can be used for determining if pass lines are substantially parallel. Known implement working widths can be used to verify calculated implement working widths.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates to machines having implements and, more particularly, to automatically calculating the implement working width of a machine. Background technique [0002] Many crops are grown and harvested in parallel rows. Because of this regular pattern, the machines are able to pass continuously for planting, harvesting and other tasks. When making measurements and estimates of fields such as acres and yields, an important parameter used in these calculations is the implement width. The working width of the implement is the width of the area where the implement operates (cultivated land, planting and harvesting, etc.) when it passes through the field once. The appliance operating width may not be the same as the appliance physical width, which is the actual physical width of the entire appliance. For example, if a planter has track marker arms, the physical width will likely be greater than the implement's working width. [0003] ...

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Some of this data can be corrected through post-processing with manual entry, while other data may not be accurate at all

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