System and method for determining proper downforce for a planter row unit

摘要

A system and method for determining the appropriate downforce on an agricultural planter row unit that minimizes soil compaction while maintaining desired furrow depth. A load sensor is disposed to generate a load signal corresponding to loading on a depth regulation member of the row unit. In one method a load margin is calculated based on a minimum detected load value. In another method, a load margin is derived through a statistical analysis of the detected load values. The load margin calculated or derived by any of the methods is indicative of the amount of supplemental down force that should be increased or decreased to bring the load margin toward zero. A ground contact parameter may also be used in connection with the load margin to provide further confidence on the proper amount of downforce required to ensure furrow depth while minimizing soil compaction.

主权项

1. A method of determining when to adjust supplemental down force acting on a row unit of an agricultural planter to ensure desired furrow depth while minimizing soil compaction as the planter traverses a field, the row unit having a depth regulation member, the method comprising:
(a) as the planter traverses the field, a load sensor generates load signal values variable in magnitude in relation to loading on the depth regulation member of the row unit, wherein said loading results from a force applied by the row unit to the soil surface as the planter traverses the field; (b) monitoring said load signal values occurring during a sampling period; (c) from among said load signal values occurring during said sampling period, identifying a minimum load value, wherein said minimum load value is a load signal value with a lowest signal magnitude; and (d) calculating a load margin using said minimum load value, wherein said load margin is indicative of an amount of downforce on the row unit in excess of a desired downforce.