Granted Patent B2

US 12,653,085 · App. 16/997,361 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Inventors: Alan F. Barry (Nevada, IA); Loren Leusink (Ames, IA); Jacob Christensen (Ames, IA); Kurt Townsend (Ames, IA)

Assignee: Ag Leader Technology

A01B69/006A01B59/004A01B69/004A01B73/065A01B59/042

Abstract

Claims (26)

1 . An agricultural implement comprising:

(a) a toolbar comprising:

(i) a pin and

(ii) at least one ground engaging tool;

(b) an elongate attachment, a first end of the elongate attachment attached to the toolbar via the pin;

(c) a first draft link extending between a second end of the elongate attachment and the toolbar;

(d) a first actuator in operable communication with the first draft link, wherein actuation of the first draft link via the first actuator adjusts the angle of the toolbar relative to the elongate attachment; and

(e) a controller in electronic communication with the first actuator,

wherein the controller is configured to actuate the first draft link to adjust the angle of the toolbar relative to the elongate attachment to maintain alignment of the agricultural implement with a towing vehicle, the towing vehicle connected to the elongate attachment by a hitch.

2 . The agricultural implement of claim 1 , further comprising a position receiver disposed on the implement.

3 . The agricultural implement of claim 1 , further comprising a hitch position sensor disposed on the hitch.

4 . The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein the controller is in further communication with a guidance system.

5 . The agricultural implement of claim 1 , further comprising:

(a) a second draft link extending between the second end of the elongate attachment and the toolbar and

(b) a second actuator in operable communication with the second draft link, wherein actuation of the second draft link via the second actuator adjusts the angle of the toolbar relative to the elongate attachment.

6 . The agricultural implement of claim 1 , further comprising a first hinge positioned on the toolbar on a first side of the pin and a second hinge positioned on the toolbar on a second side of the pin.

7 . The agricultural implement of claim 6 , wherein the toolbar is configured to fold inward at the first and second hinges into a compact configuration.

8 . A method for steering an agricultural implement comprising:

determining a vehicle guidance path on a controller;

traversing the vehicle guidance path with a vehicle, the vehicle attached to the agricultural implement, the agricultural implement comprising an elongate bar and a hitch, wherein the elongate bar is rotatably engaged with a first end of the hitch; and

adjusting the angle of the elongate bar relative to the hitch via actuation of an actuator in communication with at least one draft link, wherein the at least one draft link extends between a second end of the hitch and the elongate bar such that the agricultural implement traverses the vehicle guidance path with path fidelity.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising storing the vehicle guidance path traveled for use in subsequent operations.

10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the angle of the elongate bar is adjusted on-the-go.

11 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising sensing the position of the agricultural implement via at least one position sensor.

12 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising mapping exact locations of the vehicle and the agricultural implement during operation.

13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the vehicle is a tractor and the implement is a planter.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (399)