Method of evaluating accumulators of planter downforce system
A planter downforce system includes a plurality of hydraulic accumulators. Each of the plurality of hydraulic accumulators is operatively connected to a pressure line associated with a row unit of a planter. A pressure sensor is operatively connected to the pressure line. An orifice is operatively connected to the pressure line to limit flow of fluid within the pressure line to a hydraulic zero-pressure tank. A controller is operatively connected to the pressure sensor and configured to determine accumulator charge pressure of the accumulators.
1. A method for determining accumulator charge of hydraulic accumulators used in a planter downforce system, the method comprising:
increasing channel pressure to a maximum pressure for a plurality of channels fluidly connected to the pressure line, each of the channels associated with one of the hydraulic accumulators;
delaying for a time sufficient to allow the hydraulic accumulators to fill with fluid;
turning off the tractor hydraulic selectable control valve dedicated to down force;
bleeding the pressure line through the orifice dumping fluid to the hydraulic tank;
accumulators, via charge pressure, pushing fluid back through the down force control valve thereby dumping the fluid to the hydraulic zero-pressure tank via the orifice; and
determining pressure with the pressure sensor immediately prior to down force system pressure dropping.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicating the pressure from the pressure sensor to a processor.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising displaying a message on a display operatively connected to the processor, the message indicative of the pressure.
4. The method of claim 2 further comprising displaying a message on a display operatively connected to the processor, the message indicative of whether or not one or more hydraulic accumulators should be maintenanced.
5. The method of claim 2 further comprising displaying a message on a display operatively connected to the processor, the message indicative of whether or not to recharge one or more of the hydraulic accumulators.