IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,457,562
Granted Patent B2
US 11,457,562 · App. 16/991,467 · Granted Oct 4, 2022

Method for controlling unload of a mobile farm implement

Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill (Shell Rock, IA); Shawn W. Gerdeman (Delphos, OH); Ronald J. Schlimgen (Shell Rock, IA)
Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
A01D41/127A01D90/10G05B19/409G05B19/416G05B2219/37095G05B2219/45017
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,457,562
App. No.
16/991,467
Granted
Oct 4, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of unloading mobile farm implements is presented. Unloading the mobile farm implement is accomplished by transmitting commands to unfold an auger arm and to open a container door and by monitoring weight measurements from the implement.

Claims (17)

1. A controller for automating unloading of agricultural material from a mobile farm implement, the controller comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor,

wherein the controller is coupled to the mobile farm implement comprising a container and an auger arm in communication with the container, the container having a container door, and the controller is configured to:

determine that a power takeoff speed is above a first threshold;

open the container door of the mobile farm implement to assist the unloading of agricultural material from the container to the auger arm through the container door, in response to determining that the power takeoff speed is above a first threshold;

determine that the power takeoff speed is below a second threshold; and

close the container door of the mobile farm implement, in response to determining that the power takeoff speed is below a second threshold.

2. The controller of claim 1 , where the controller is further configured to receive a user selection before determining that the power takeoff speed is above a first threshold.

3. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive a user input specifying the second threshold before determining that the power takeoff speed is below a second threshold.

4. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to engage an auger of the auger arm with a power take off.

5. A mobile farm implement, comprising:

a container, the container having a container door;

an auger arm, the auger arm in communication with the container;

a controller for automating container door operation of the mobile farm implement, the controller having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and the controller configured to:

determine that a power takeoff speed is above a first threshold and/or below a second threshold;

change a position of the container door of the mobile farm implement, in response to determining that the power takeoff speed is above the first threshold and/or below the second threshold, such that agricultural material is unloaded from the container to the auger arm through the container door.

Continuity (6)
Division 16037097 · Jul 17, 2018
Continuation 15428679 · Feb 9, 2017
Continuation 14942500 · Nov 16, 2015
Continuation 14213246 · Mar 14, 2014
Provisional Application 61799957 · Mar 15, 2013
Related Publication 20200367433A1 · Nov 26, 2020
Cited By (11)
US 12,356,894 US 12,419,217 US 12,472,911 US 12,543,655 US 12,582,033 US 12,588,589 US 12,588,593 US 12,650,701 US 12,660,758 US 12,669,361 US 12,696,845