Agricultural implements having row unit position sensors and at least one adjustable wheel, and related control systems and methods
An agricultural implement includes a frame having an integrated elongate toolbar carrying at least one row unit, at least one wheel coupled to the frame, a sensor configured to sense a position of the row unit relative to the ground, and an actuator configured to raise or lower the frame relative to the wheel based at least in part on a sensed position of the row unit. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.
1 . An agricultural implement, comprising:
a frame having a fixed rigid structure including a drawbar, a hitch, and an integrated elongate toolbar, the toolbar carrying at least one row unit coupled to the toolbar by a parallel linkage;
at least one wheel coupled to the frame at a position leading the toolbar when the implement travels in a normal forward direction of travel;
a rotary sensor configured to sense a position of the toolbar relative to ground when the at least one row unit is in contact with the ground by measuring an angle of an element of the parallel linkage; and
an actuator configured to raise or lower the frame relative to the at least one wheel based at least in part on a sensed position of the toolbar.
2 . The implement of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to receive a signal from the sensor and control the actuator based on the signal.
3 . The implement of claim 2 , further comprising a control component configured to drive the actuator, wherein the controller is configured to send a control signal to the control component.
4 . The implement of claim 3 , wherein the control component comprises a control valve, an air valve, an electronic control component, a magnetic control component, or an electromagnetic control component.
5 . The implement of claim 1 , further comprising a second sensor configured to sense a position of the at least one wheel relative to the frame.
6 . The implement of claim 5 , wherein the actuator is configured to raise and lower the frame relative to the at least one wheel based in part on the sensed position of the at least one wheel relative to the frame.
7 . The implement of claim 1 , wherein the toolbar is rotatably coupled to a plurality of adjustable wing sections.
8 . The implement of claim 7 , further comprising at least another actuator configured to raise or lower a wing section of the plurality of adjustable wing sections relative to the toolbar.