METHOD FOR SOWING USING A SEEDING MACHINE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for sowing using a seed drill, as well as the seed drill itself.

[0002] EP3262911B1 discloses a method for sowing, comprising: (a) performing multiple sowing passes over a field using a precision seeder having a mobile frame; (b) cultivating the soil during each sowing pass using a group of cultivators attached to the frame and in a lowered position as the frame crosses the soil; (c) opening furrows in the cultivated soil during each sowing pass using a group of opening devices attached to the frame in a lowered position behind the cultivators; (d) metering seed from a seed metering device into an airflow that delivers seed to the opening devices during each sowing pass; (e) dispensing the metered seed into the furrows by means of the opening devices.when the frame crosses the ground; and (f) when the mobile frame approaches a headland at one end of a seeding pass, successively raising the cultivating means and the opening means from the ground and into raised positions, in such a manner that the cultivating means are raised first and the opening means are raised after the cultivating means, the raising step comprising controlling the position of the cultivating means and the opening means in such a manner as to cause the cultivating means to be raised from the ground, while the opening and dispensing steps continue through the opening means in their lowered position until the cultivating means reach their fully raised position, the raising of the opening means from their lowered position commencing only then,After the cultivators have first reached their raised position, the metering of seeds into the airflow by the seed metering device is stopped when the cultivators begin to rise from their lowered position towards their raised position. A sensor detects when the cultivators have reached their raised position.

[0003] The method or seed drill known from EP3262911B1 has the disadvantage that only an inadequate seeding result can be achieved.

[0004] The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a method and a seed drill by means of which an improved sowing result can be achieved.

[0005] This problem is solved by a method and a device according to the claims.

[0006] According to the invention, a method for sowing seeds using a seed drill with a pre-tool and a seeding tool is provided. The method comprises the following process steps: Working the soil with the front tool; sowing seeds into the soil with the seed drill; when the seed drill passes from a working area to a headland, successive raising of the front tool and the seed drill, in such a way that the front tool is raised first and the seed drill is raised after the front tool, characterized by the fact that When crossing the headland boundary from a working area into a headland, a control command to raise the front tool is given by means of a computing unit, and the distance traveled by the seed drill since the control command to raise the front tool is recorded by means of a displacement sensor, whereby a control command to raise the seed drill is given by means of the computing unit when the defined distance has been traveled since the control command to raise the front tool.

[0007] The method according to the invention has the advantage that the pre-tool or the seed drill can be raised precisely when crossing the headland boundary, regardless of the current driving speed or the hydraulic power of the towing vehicle. Thus, the current lifting position of the pre-tool is not decisive for whether the seed drill is raised; instead, the seed drill can be raised exactly at the headland boundary. This significantly improves the quality of the sowing process. In contrast, with a method known from the prior art, the position at which the seed drill is raised depends on various factors, such as the available hydraulic flow, the current driving speed, and the basic settings for the lifting speeds.

[0008] A seeding tool within the meaning of this document may comprise a seeding bar on which individual tines or seed tubes for placing seed into the soil may be arranged. Furthermore, the seeding tool may include an opening device for creating a furrow into which the seed can be placed. In particular, the tines or seed tubes may be arranged precisely behind the opening device so that the seed can be placed directly into the furrow.

[0009] For the purposes of this document, a front-mounted tool may be a disc harrow, rotary harrow, spring tine harrow, cultivator, front board, fertilizer share or any other soil cultivation tool.

[0010] For the purposes of this document, a seed drill can be an autonomously operated machine. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that a seed drill, for the purposes of this document, is a piece of equipment that is pulled by a tractor or other agricultural vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, it can also be advantageous to arrange several pre-tools in a row.

[0012] Furthermore, it can be advantageous for the displacement sensor to be designed as a radar sensor, which delivers a defined number of rising edges of a binary signal to the processing unit for a defined distance traveled. The processing unit then uses this number of rising edges to determine the distance traveled since the control command to raise the pre-tool. This offers the advantage of using a simple and therefore robust sensor as the displacement sensor. Moreover, the distance traveled can be measured or sampled with sufficient accuracy using a radar sensor.Because a radar sensor delivers a predefined number of rising edges of a binary signal for a given distance, for example one meter, the signal from the radar sensor can be easily evaluated in the processing unit by counting or detecting the rising edges.

[0013] In particular, the radar sensor can be configured to deliver between 100 and 150 rising edges of a binary signal per meter. This provides sufficient accuracy for distance measurement for the purposes at hand.

[0014] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the defined travel distance after the control command to raise the pre-tool is already preset at the factory and cannot be adjusted by the machine operator. This can increase the simplicity of the seed drill. The defined travel distance can be set at the factory because it depends solely on the physical distance between the pre-tool and the seed drill and therefore does not need to be changed during operation of the seed drill.

[0015] An alternative design variant allows the operator to influence the defined travel distance via a preset setting. This would, for example, enable the lifting of the seeding tool to be adjusted depending on field conditions or the type of seed being sown.

[0016] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the seed supply to the seeding tool is stopped at the same time as the seeding tool is lifted.

[0017] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the seed supply to the seeding tool is stopped slightly earlier than the seeding tool is raised, so that seed already in the supply devices can be sown without losses.

[0018] Furthermore, it can be provided that the control command for raising the pre-tool is initiated by an input command from a machine operator into an operator interface. This has the advantage that the machine operator can define or set the headland boundary himself based on his experience.

[0019] In an alternative design variant, it can also be provided that the control command to raise the front tool is initiated by evaluating a detection device, for example a camera arranged on a tractor or on the seed drill.

[0020] In another alternative design variant, it can also be provided that the control command to lift the pre-tool is started based on position data, such as from GPS sensors or acceleration sensors.

[0021] Furthermore, it may be provided that a left pre-tool and a right pre-tool, as well as a left seeding tool and a right seeding tool, are designed, wherein A lifting operation for the left front tool is started by a first input command, which is entered by a machine operator and triggers a control command in the computing unit to lift the left front tool, and the distance traveled by the seed drill since the control command to lift the left front tool is recorded by means of the displacement sensor, and a control command to lift the left seed drill is issued by means of the computing unit when a defined distance has been traveled since the control command to lift the left front tool, and a lifting operation for the right front tool is started by a second input command, which is entered by a machine operator and triggers a control command in the computing unit to lift the right front tool, and the distance traveled by the seed drill since the control command to lift the right front tool is recorded by means of the displacement sensor.The system detects the movement of the seed drill, and a control command to raise the right seeding tool is issued by the processing unit when a defined distance has been covered since the control command to raise the right front tool. This is particularly advantageous when the headland boundary is not perpendicular to the current movement or direction of travel of the seed drill, but rather at an angle to the current direction of travel.

[0022] In another, alternative embodiment, it is of course also conceivable that the lifting process for the left pre-tool is started in the opposite direction to the right pre-tool, analogous to the described design.

[0023] Another advantageous configuration is one in which, when crossing the headland boundary from the headland into the working area, the control unit issues a command to lower the seed drill, and the distance traveled by the seed drill since this command is issued is measured by the displacement sensor. The control unit then issues another command to lower the seed drill once a defined distance has been covered since this command. This ensures that even when entering the working area from the headland, cultivation can begin precisely at the headland boundary.

[0024] According to further training, it is possible for the pre-tool to be lowered to a predefined immersion position, with the current immersion position being detected by a depth sensor and transmitted to the processing unit, and / or for the seeding tool to be lowered to a predefined immersion depth, with the current immersion position being detected by a depth sensor and transmitted to the processing unit. This offers the advantage that, by introducing the seed at the correct depth, the growth process can be improved and thus the yield in the field can be increased. In contrast, with seed drills known from the prior art, the immersion position is not determined by a depth sensor, but rather a weight-dependent immersion control is used, in which the immersion position is determined by the soil hardness.

[0025] A possible procedure for sowing seeds is described in its entirety below. To cultivate the field, a seed drill is driven from the headland into the working area. Once the headland boundary is crossed, the operator can issue a control command to lower the seed drill head via an input command in the operator interface. This allows the electric valve, which is coupled to the seed drill head's hydraulic cylinder, to be switched in such a way that the seed drill head is lowered. Furthermore, a displacement sensor can be used to record the distance traveled by the seed drill since the control command to lower the seed drill head was issued. The processing unit can then issue a control command to lower the seed drill head once the defined distance has been traveled since the initial control command.The electric valve, which connects the seeder's hydraulic cylinder, can be switched to lower the seeder. Simultaneously, or optionally slightly earlier or later, a seed metering device can be used to start feeding seed to the seeder. The seed can then be sown into the area being worked.

[0026] At the end of the working area, the machine enters the headland. When the headland boundary is crossed, the operator can issue a control command to raise the seed drill via the operator interface. This activates the electric valve that connects to the seed drill's hydraulic cylinder, raising the seed drill. A displacement sensor can also be used to measure the distance traveled by the seed drill since the initial command to raise the seed drill. Once the defined distance has been covered, the control unit can issue another command to raise the seed drill. This command activates the electric valve that connects to the seed drill's hydraulic cylinder, raising the seed drill. Simultaneously, or...Optionally, the seed feed to the seeding tool can be stopped slightly earlier or later using the seed metering device. The seed can then be sown into the area being worked.

[0027] In another implementation variant, it is also conceivable that the control command to raise or lower the pre-tool is not issued simultaneously with the machine operator's input command to the operator interface, but rather that the control command is issued with a delay. This allows the machine operator to issue the input command as soon as, for example, the front wheel of the tractor crosses the headland boundary. The control command to raise or lower the pre-tool can then be issued by the processing unit once a defined distance has been covered since the input command. This has the advantage that key points on the tractor, such as the front wheel, are clearly visible, thus enabling precise command input by the machine operator.

[0028] According to the invention, a seed drill is designed with a pre-tool and a seeding tool, wherein the pre-tool is designed for cultivating soil and wherein the seeding tool is designed for introducing seed into the soil, and wherein the pre-tool is coupled to a pre-tool lifting device and wherein the seeding tool is coupled to a seeding tool lifting device, and wherein the pre-tool and the seeding tool can be lifted independently of each other. Furthermore, a processing unit is designed which is configured such that a control command for lifting the pre-tool and another control command for lifting the seeding tool can be issued, wherein a displacement sensor is designed by means of which the distance traveled by the seed drill can be detected, and wherein the displacement sensor is coupled to the processing unit, and wherein the processing unit is designed to execute the control commands of the method according to one of the above embodiments.

[0029] The seed drill according to the invention offers the advantage that the pre-tool and the seeding tool can be raised or lowered precisely when crossing the headland boundary, independent of the current driving speed or the hydraulic power of the towing vehicle. Thus, the current position of the pre-tool does not determine whether the seeding tool is raised or lowered; instead, the seeding tool can be raised or lowered exactly at the headland boundary. This significantly improves the quality of the sowing process.

[0030] Furthermore, an electric hydraulic control valve block can be provided, which is coupled to a pre-tool hydraulic cylinder of the pre-tool lifting device and to a seed drill hydraulic cylinder of the seed drill lifting device. This electric hydraulic control valve block allows a selective flow of hydraulic fluid to be directed to the pre-tool hydraulic cylinder and / or the seed drill hydraulic cylinder. This offers the advantage that the seed drill hydraulic cylinder and the pre-tool hydraulic cylinder can be actuated individually and independently of each other by means of the electric hydraulic control valve block. Thus, the seed drill hydraulic cylinder or the pre-tool hydraulic cylinder can be extended or retracted solely according to the control command. This can be initiated at any time or even simultaneously.

[0031] Furthermore, it can be provided that the pre-tool lifting device is coupled with a depth sensor, by means of which the lifting position of the pre-tool lifting device can be detected, and / or that the seeding tool lifting device is coupled with a depth sensor, by means of which the lifting position of the seeding tool lifting device can be detected. This offers the advantage that, by introducing the seed at the correct depth, the growth process can be improved and thus the yield in the field can be increased. In contrast, in seed drills known from the prior art, the penetration position is not determined by a depth sensor, but rather a weight-dependent penetration control is provided, in which the penetration position is determined by the soil hardness.

[0032] In one particular configuration, the depth sensor of the pre-tool lifting device can be designed as a displacement sensor coupled to the pre-tool hydraulic cylinder, and / or the depth sensor of the seed drill lifting device can be designed as a displacement sensor coupled to the seed drill hydraulic cylinder. This offers the advantage that such a displacement sensor can be simple and robust, thereby reducing the seed drill's susceptibility to malfunctions.

[0033] According to a further advantageous design, the electric hydraulic control valve block can be coupled to a hydraulic fluid accumulator. This offers the advantage that the hydraulic fluid flow rate available from a towing vehicle can be temporarily stored in the hydraulic fluid accumulator, thereby increasing the lifting speeds for the individual front tools or seeding tools.

[0034] Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the seed drill includes individual different pre-tools, which, viewed in the direction of travel, can be arranged one behind the other or next to each other on the seed drill.

[0035] In particular, it may be provided that the individual hydraulic valves of the hydraulic control valve block are designed in the form of solenoid valves.

[0036] In particular, it can be advantageous if the hydraulic fluid reservoir comprises a hydraulic cylinder coupled to an attachment of the seed drill, especially to a seed drill hopper, with the weight of the attachment serving to provide the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinder. This has the advantage that the weight of the attachment can be used to store the necessary energy in the form of potential energy.

[0037] Furthermore, the pre-tool lifting device may be coupled with a relief spring and / or the seeding tool lifting device may be coupled with a relief spring. This offers the advantage that the individual hydraulic cylinders can be made smaller, thus requiring a lower hydraulic fluid flow rate for the same stroke, and consequently, a lower hydraulic fluid flow rate for operating the seed drill.

[0038] Furthermore, the relief spring of the pre-tool lifting device can be dimensioned and arranged such that the pre-tool remains in an equilibrium position between a fully raised and a fully lowered position when the pre-tool hydraulic cylinder is unpressurized, and the pre-tool hydraulic cylinder is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder. Alternatively, the relief spring of the seed drill lifting device can be dimensioned and arranged such that the seed drill remains in an equilibrium position between a fully raised and a fully lowered position when the seed drill hydraulic cylinder is unpressurized, and the seed drill hydraulic cylinder is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder. This results in further relief and thus a reduction in the required hydraulic fluid flow rate.

[0039] Positional terms, such as left, right or top, bottom, refer to the seed drill in its processing state, whereby the positional term left means left when viewed in the direction of travel and the positional term right means right when viewed in the direction of travel.

[0040] To better understand the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0041] They each show, in a highly simplified, schematic representation: Fig. 1 a side view of a first embodiment of a seed drill; Fig. 2 a top view of a first embodiment of a seed drill; Fig. 3 a highly simplified schematic representation of an embodiment of a hydraulic circuit for a seed drill.

[0042] It should be noted at the outset that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or component designations, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the positional designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated, and these positional designations must be applied analogously to the new position if the position changes.

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a seed drill 1. Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a top view of the first embodiment of the seed drill 1. The seed drill 1 will subsequently be described in more detail by means of a summary of the Fig. 1 and 2 described.

[0044] As from Fig. 1It can be seen that the seed drill 1 may have a main frame 2, which serves to accommodate the individual attachments. The main frame 2 may be coupled to a chassis 3, on which several wheels 4 may be arranged.

[0045] Furthermore, the main frame 2 may be coupled to a drawbar 5, which serves to connect the seed drill 1 to a towing vehicle (not shown). During operation, the seed drill 1 is pulled by the towing vehicle, with the drawbar 5 located at the front when viewed in the direction of travel 6.

[0046] As from Fig. 1As further shown, the seed drill 1 may be provided with a storage container 7 for receiving seed. A seed metering device 8 may be coupled to the storage container 7, which serves to deliver seed in a controlled manner to a seeding tool 9, 10. In particular, the seed metering device 8 may be connected to the seeding tool 9, 10 by means of a hose 11 for transporting seed. For the sake of clarity, the following are shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 Only individual hoses of the hose system 11 are shown, although it is clear to the person skilled in the art that the hose systems can be distributed across the entire width of the seed drill.

[0047] The hopper 7 can generally also be referred to as attachment 19 of the seed drill 1. The seed drill 1 can, of course, have other attachments 19 besides the hopper 7.

[0048] As from the Fig. 1 and 2 It can further be seen that the seeding tool 9, 10 is coupled to a seeding tool lifting device 12, by means of which the seeding tool 9, 10 can be lifted. In particular, it can be provided that the seeding tool lifting device 12 comprises a seeding tool hydraulic cylinder 13, which serves to lift the seeding tool 9, 10.

[0049] As from the Fig. 1 and 2 It can further be seen that the seed drill 1 may include a pre-tool 14, 15, which serves to pre-treat the soil 16. As can be seen from the Fig. 1 and furthermore, it can be provided that a pre-tool lifting device 17 is designed, which serves to lift the pre-tool 14, 15.

[0050] As from Fig. 1Furthermore, it can be provided that the pre-tool 14, 15 comprises a front and a rear pre-tool, wherein the pre-tool lifting device 17 can, for example, comprise a linkage by means of which the front pre-tool and the rear pre-tool can be lifted together. Furthermore, it can be provided that the pre-tool lifting device 17 comprises a pre-tool hydraulic cylinder 18, which can serve as an actuator for the lifting movement.

[0051] In seed drills 1 with a large working width, it is possible to provide a left seeding tool 9 and a left pre-tool 14, or a right seeding tool 10 and a right pre-tool 15, which can be raised and lowered individually and independently of each other. Furthermore, it is of course also conceivable that additional pre-tools or seeding tools are distributed across the width of the seed drill. In particular, it is also conceivable that the left seeding tool 9 has its own seeding tool lifting device 12 and that the right seeding tool 10 has its own seeding tool lifting device 12. Similarly, it is possible to provide that the left pre-tool 14 has its own pre-tool lifting device 17 and that the right pre-tool 15 has its own pre-tool lifting device 17.

[0052] Furthermore, a processing unit 20 may be provided, which serves to evaluate data from the sensors of the seed drill 1 or to control the seed drill 1. In particular, it is conceivable that the processing unit 20 is coupled to the towing vehicle via a standardized communication interface, for example, an ISOBUS. The input elements for entering control commands into the processing unit 20 can be located on the towing vehicle. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the processing unit 20 is located in the towing vehicle and that the sensors of the seed drill 1 are coupled to the processing unit 20. The processing unit 20 can be permanently installed on the towing vehicle.

[0053] Furthermore, it is conceivable that a displacement sensor 21 is provided, which serves to measure the distance traveled by the seed drill 1. The displacement sensor 21 can, for example, be in the form of a radar sensor, which can be arranged on the seed drill 1.

[0054] Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the distance measuring sensor 21 is located on the towing vehicle.

[0055] Furthermore, it is also conceivable that an internal distance measuring sensor of the towing vehicle is used and that the data on the distance traveled is transmitted to the computing unit 20.

[0056] In yet another embodiment, it is also conceivable that the displacement sensor 21 is designed in the form of a rotary sensor which is coupled to one of the wheels 4.

[0057] In yet another embodiment, it is also conceivable that the distance measuring sensor 21 is designed in the form of an acceleration sensor, which can be arranged on the seed drill 1 or on the towing vehicle.

[0058] As in Fig. 2 schematically shown, a headland boundary 24 can be formed on the ground 16 between a working area 22 and a headland 23, at which the front tools 14, 15 or the seeding tools 9, 10 must be raised or lowered when passing over it.

[0059] As from Fig. 1As further shown, it can be provided that a depth measuring sensor 25 is formed on the seed drill lifting device 12, in particular on the seed drill hydraulic cylinder 13. Similarly, it can be provided that a depth measuring sensor 26 is formed on the pre-tool lifting device 17, in particular on the pre-tool hydraulic cylinder 18. The depth measuring sensors 25, 26 can be designed in the form of a displacement measuring system by means of which the extension position of the hydraulic cylinders 13, 18 can be determined.

[0060] As in Fig. 1 As further schematically indicated, a relief spring 27 may be arranged on the pre-tool lifting device 17. The relief spring 27 may be coupled to the pre-tool hydraulic cylinder 18, or it may be arranged at another location on the pre-tool lifting device 17. It is also conceivable that the relief spring 27 is directly coupled to the pre-tool 14, 15.

[0061] Furthermore, a relief spring 28 may be arranged on the seed tool lifting device 12. The relief spring 28 may be coupled to the seed tool hydraulic cylinder 13, or it may be arranged at another location on the seed tool lifting device 12. It is also conceivable that the relief spring 28 is directly coupled to the seed tool 9, 10.

[0062] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a highly simplified possible hydraulic circuit diagram, where, again, the same reference symbols or component designations are used for identical parts as in the preceding figures. Figure 1 and 2 to be used. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding sections. Figure 1 and 2 pointed out or referenced.

[0063] As from Fig. 3It can be seen that an electric hydraulic control valve block 29 is provided, by means of which a hydraulic flow of hydraulic fluid available from a towing vehicle can be directed into the seed drill hydraulic cylinder 13 or into the pre-drill hydraulic cylinder 18. The electric hydraulic control valve block 29 can be arranged centrally on the seed drill 1. Furthermore, it is of course also conceivable that the individual valves for the seed drill hydraulic cylinder 13 and the pre-drill hydraulic cylinder 18 are not arranged on a common valve block, but that they are arranged individually and at a distance from each other on the seed drill 1.

[0064] Furthermore, it is also conceivable that in addition to the seed drill hydraulic cylinder 13 or the pre-tool hydraulic cylinder 18, further parallel hydraulic cylinders or further independent hydraulic cylinders for other tools are provided.

[0065] Furthermore, the hydraulic system may include a pressure line 30 and a return line 31. In a further embodiment, a hydraulic fluid reservoir 32 is conceivable in the pressure line 30, which serves to temporarily store the hydraulic flow rate provided by the towing vehicle. This may be particularly necessary if the towing vehicle can only provide an insufficient hydraulic flow rate to meet the requirements of the seed drill. The hydraulic fluid reservoir 32 allows hydraulic fluid to be stored during periods when the hydraulic cylinders are not being actuated, and this fluid can then be made available when the hydraulic cylinders are actuated, thus enabling lifting operations to be carried out at an increased speed.Furthermore, the hydraulic fluid buffer can cushion 32 pressure peaks when the hydraulic valves close.

[0066] As from Fig. 3 As can be seen, the hydraulic fluid accumulator 32 can be designed in the form of a gas pressure accumulator. In an alternative embodiment, or additionally, the hydraulic fluid accumulator can also be designed in the form of a hydraulic cylinder 33, which is coupled to an attachment 19, wherein the attachment 19 serves as a restoring mass for the hydraulic cylinder 33 and thus for storing the hydraulic flow rate in the form of kinetic energy.

[0067] The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiment variants, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in this technical field due to the teaching on technical action by the present invention.

[0068] The scope of protection is defined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be consulted for the interpretation of the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments shown and described can, in themselves, represent independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying these independent inventive solutions can be found in the description.

[0069] All references to value ranges in this description are to be understood as encompassing any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g., the reference 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e., all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g., 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0070] Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, for a better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size. Reference numeral list 1 Seed drill 28 Relief spring for seed tool lifting device 2 Main frame 29 electric hydraulic control valve block 3 chassis 4 wheel 30 Pressure string 5 drawbar 31 Return line 6 Direction of travel 32 Hydraulic fluid intermediate storage 7 Storage container 8 Seed metering device 33 hydraulic cylinder 9 left seed drill 10 right-hand seeder 11 Hoses 12 Seeding tool lifting device 13 Seed drill hydraulic cylinder 14 left fore-tool 15 right-hand tool 16 Floor 17 Pre-tool lifting device 18 Pre-tool hydraulic cylinder 19 attachment 20 computing unit 21 Displacement sensor 22 Processing area 23 Headland 24 Headland boundary 25 Depth measuring sensor, seed drill 26 Depth measuring sensor pre-tool 27 Relief spring pre-tool lifting device

Claims

1. A method for sowing by means of a seed drill (1) with a pre-tool (14, 15) and a sowing tool (9, 10), the method comprising the method steps of: - working a soil (16) by means of the pre-tool (14, 15); - introducing seeds into the soil (16) by means of the sowing tool (9, 10); - when the seed drill (1) passes over a headland boundary (24) from a working surface (22) into a headland (23), successively raising the pre-tool (14, 15) and the sowing tool (9, 10) in such a way that the pre-tool (14, 15) is raised first and the sowing tool (9, 10) is raised after the pre-tool (14, 15), characterized in that when the headland boundary (24) of the working surface (22) is passed into the headland (23), a control command for raising the pre-tool (14, 15) is given by means of a computing unit (20) and that by means of a distance measuring sensor (21), a distance traveled by the seed drill (1) since the control command for raising the pre-tool (14, 15), is recorded, wherein a control command for raising the sowing tool (9, 10) is given by means of the computing unit (20) when a defined distance has been covered since the control command for raising the pre-tool (14, 15).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance measuring sensor (21) is configured as a radar sensor which supplies a defined number of rising edges of a binary signal to the computing unit (20) for a defined distance, wherein the distance travelled since the control command to raise the pre-tool (14, 15) is determined in the computing unit (20) via the present number of rising edges since the control command to raise the pre-tool (14, 15).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control command for raising the pre-tool (14, 15) is started by an input command of a machine operator into a user interface.

4. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a left pre-tool (14) and a right pre-tool (15), as well as a left sowing tool (9) and a right sowing tool (10) are formed, wherein - a raising operation for the left pre-tool (14) is started by a first input command, which is input by a machine operator and triggers a control command for raising the left pre-tool (14) in the computing unit (20), and wherein by means of the distance measuring sensor (21), the distance traveled by the seed drill (1) since the control command for raising the left pre-tool (14), is recorded, wherein a control command for raising the left sowing tool (9) is given by means of the computing unit (20) when a defined distance has been covered since the control command for raising the left pre-tool (14) and wherein - a raising operation for the right pre-tool (15) is started by a second input command, which is entered by a machine operator and triggers a control command for raising the right pre-tool (15) in the computing unit (20), and wherein by means of the distance measuring sensor (21), the distance traveled by the seed drill (1) since the control command for raising the right pre-tool (15), is recorded, wherein a control command for raising the right sowing tool (10) is given by means of the computing unit (20) when a defined distance has been covered since the control command for raising the right pre-tool (15).

5. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the headland boundary (24) is crossed from the headland (23) into the working area (22), a control command for lowering the pre-tool (14, 15) is given by means of the computing unit (20) and that the distance travelled by the seed drill (1) since the control command for lowering the pre-tool (14, 15) is recorded by means of the distance measuring sensor (21), wherein a control command for lowering the sowing tool (9, 10) is given by means of the computing unit (20) when a defined distance has been covered since the control command for lowering the pre-tool (14, 15).

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the pre-tool (14, 15) is lowered into a predefined immersion position, wherein the currently present immersion position is detected by means of a depth measurement sensor system (26) and transmitted to the computing unit (20) and / or that the sowing tool (9, 10) is lowered into a predefined immersion depth, wherein the currently present immersion position is detected by means of a depth measurement sensor system (25) and transmitted to the computing unit (20).

7. A seed drill (1) with a pre-tool (14, 15) and a sowing tool (9, 10), wherein the pre-tool (14, 15) is configured for working a soil (16) and wherein the sowing tool (9, 10) is configured for introducing seeds into the soil (16) and wherein the pre-tool (14, 15) is coupled to a pre-tool raising device (17) and wherein the sowing tool (9, 10) is coupled to a sowing tool raising device (12), wherein the pre-tool (14, 15) and the sowing tool (9, 10) can be raised independently of one another, characterized in that a computing unit (20) is formed, which is configured such that a control command for raising the pre-tool (14, 15) and a further control command for raising the sowing tool (9, 10) can be given, and that a distance measuring sensor (21) is formed, by means of which the distance travelled by the seed drill (1) can be detected, wherein the distance measuring sensor (21) is coupled to the computing unit (20), wherein the computing unit (20) is configured to execute the control commands of the method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The seed drill (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that an electric hydraulic control valve block (29) is formed, which is coupled to a pre-tool hydraulic cylinder (18) of the pre-tool raising device (17) and to a sowing tool hydraulic cylinder (13) of the sowing tool raising device (12), wherein by means of the electric hydraulic control valve block (29) a hydraulic fluid flow can be selectively directed into the pre-tool hydraulic cylinder (18) and / or into the sowing tool hydraulic cylinder (13).

9. The seed drill (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the pre-tool raising device (17) is coupled to a depth measuring sensor system (26), by means of which a raising position of the pre-tool raising device (17) can be detected and / or that the sowing tool raising device (12) is coupled to a depth measuring sensor system (25), by means of which a raising position of the sowing tool raising device (12) can be detected.

10. The seed drill (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the depth measuring sensor system (26) of the pre-tool raising device (17) is configured in the form of a distance measuring sensor which is coupled to the pre-tool hydraulic cylinder (18) and / or that the depth measuring sensor system (25) of the sowing tool raising device (12) is configured in the form of a distance measuring sensor which is coupled to the sowing tool hydraulic cylinder (13).

11. The seed drill (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the electric hydraulic control valve block (29) is coupled to a hydraulic fluid accumulator (32).

12. The seed drill (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the hydraulic fluid accumulator (32) comprises a hydraulic cylinder (33) which is coupled to an attachment part (19) of the seed drill (1), in particular to a reservoir (7) of the seed drill (1), wherein the weight force of the attachment part (19) serves to provide the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinder (33).

13. The seed drill (1) according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the pre-tool raising device (17) is coupled to a relief spring (27) and / or that the sowing tool raising device (12) is coupled to a relief spring (28).

14. The seed drill (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the relief spring (27) of the pre-tool raising device (17) is dimensioned and arranged such that the pre-tool (14) remains in an equilibrium position between a fully raised position and a fully lowered position with a pressureless pre-tool hydraulic cylinder (18), wherein the pre-tool hydraulic cylinder (18) is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder and / or that the relief spring (28) of the sowing tool raising device (12) is dimensioned and arranged such that the sowing tool (9, 10) remains in an equilibrium position between a fully raised position and a fully lowered position when the sowing tool hydraulic cylinder (13) is depressurized, wherein the sowing tool hydraulic cylinder (13) is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder.