Row Cleaner Load Sensor
An agricultural row cleaner having a frame with a gauge wheel and an actuator to apply a selected force to the row cleaner.
1 . An agricultural row cleaner comprising:
an assembly bracket adaptable for connection to an agricultural toolbar;
a linkage pivotably connected to the assembly bracket;
an actuator disposed between the assembly bracket and the linkage;
a first row cleaner wheel arm pivotably connected to the linkage and a first row cleaner wheel rotatably connected to the first row cleaner wheel arm at an end opposite to the linkage;
a second row cleaner wheel arm pivotably connected to the linkage and a second row cleaner wheel rotatably connected to the second row cleaner wheel arm at an end opposite to the linkage;
a first gauge wheel arm pivotably connected to the linkage;
a second gauge wheel arm pivotably connected to the linkage; and
a gauge wheel disposed on an axle between the first gauge wheel arm and the second gauge wheel arm at ends opposite to the linkage.
2 . The agricultural row cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the assembly bracket comprises a top plate and a front plate extending downwardly from the top plate.
3 . The agricultural row cleaner of claim 1 wherein the linkage comprises:
a four bar linkage pivotably attached to the assembly bracket and extending rearward from a direction of travel, wherein the four bar linkage has an upper right bar, a lower right bar, an upper left bar, and a lower left bar; and
a crossbar connecting the lower right bar and the lower left bar.
4 . The agricultural row cleaner of claim 3 , wherein:
the first row cleaner wheel arm is pivotably connected to the upper right bar and the lower right bar;
the second row cleaner wheel arm is pivotably connected to the upper left bar and the lower left bar;
the first gauge wheel arm is pivotably connected to the upper right bar; and
the second gauge wheel arm is pivotably connected to the upper left bar.
5 . The agricultural row cleaner of claim 4 , wherein the actuator is disposed between the top plate and the crossbar.
6 . The agricultural row cleaner of claim 1 further comprising a pin connecting the first gauge wheel arm and the second gauge wheel arm.
7 . The agricultural row cleaner of claim 6 , wherein the pin comprises a load pin.
8 . The agricultural row cleaner of claim 1 wherein the axle comprises a load pin.
9 . The agricultural row cleaner of claim 1 further comprising a load sensor disposed on the first gauge wheel arm or the second gauge wheel arm.
10 . The agricultural row cleaner of claim 1 , further comprising a load sensor assembly comprising:
a sleeve;
a connection bracket connected to the sleeve and disposed about a second axle that connects the first row cleaner wheel and the second row cleaner wheel;
a handle connected to the sleeve at an end opposite to the connection bracket;
a connection plate disposed between the first gauge wheel arm and the second gauge wheel arm and having a hole through which the sleeve is disposed; and
a load sensor disposed between the handle and the connection plate with the sleeve disposed through the load sensor.
11 . The agricultural row unit of claim 10 further comprising a contact plate disposed between the load sensor and the connection plate.
12 . The agricultural row unit of claim 10 or 11 further comprising a pair of washers disposed between the handle and the load sensor.
13 . The agricultural row cleaner of claim 2 , wherein the top plate and the front plate are a unitary part.