Tool exposed status and lockouts

1. An implement for working an existing ground surface, the implement comprising:

a frame supported above the existing ground surface by a ground-engaging portion and a suspension;

a tool supported by and adjustable relative to the frame and configured for working the existing ground surface down to a selected depth;

a housing arranged around portions of the tool, secured to the frame, and having a bottom; and

a monitor system configured for identifying an exposed condition of the tool, by:

determining a first tool position relative to the existing ground surface; and

determining a second tool position relative to the bottom of the housing, wherein the exposed condition comprises a tool position that is both above the existing ground surface and below the bottom of the housing.

2. The implement of claim 1 , wherein the monitor system is configured for identifying a side of the implement having the exposed condition.

3. The implement of claim 1 , wherein the monitor system further comprises a lockout module configured for performing lockout operations.

4. The implement of claim 3 , wherein the lockout operations comprise triggering operator notifications.

5. The implement of claim 4 , wherein the operator notifications include an indication of a side of the implement with the exposed condition.

6. The implement of claim 3 , wherein the implement comprises alert features for ground personnel and the lockout operations comprise triggering ground personnel notifications.

7. The implement of claim 3 , wherein the tool is a rotor and lockout operations include locking out the rotor if it is not already operating.

8. A method of managing an exposed condition of a ground-engaging tool configured for working an existing ground surface down to a particular depth, comprising:

monitoring a position of the ground-engaging tool relative to the existing ground surface;

monitoring a position of the ground-engaging tool relative to a bottom of a surrounding housing; and

identifying an exposed condition when the ground-engaging tool is both below the bottom of the surrounding housing and above the existing ground surface.

9. The method of claim 8 , further including triggering lockout operations when the exposed condition is identified.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the lockout operations include notifying an operator.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the lockout operations include triggering alert features for ground personnel.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the lockout operations include locking out operation of the ground-engaging tool when the ground-engaging tool is not operating.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising deactivating the lockout operations when either:

the ground-engaging tool is no longer below the bottom of the surrounding housing; or

the ground-engaging tool is no longer above the existing ground surface.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein monitoring the position of the ground-engaging tool relative to the existing ground surface is based on an actual scratch position of the ground-engaging tool.

15. A method of operating an implement with a ground-engaging tool configured for working an existing ground surface down to a selected depth, comprising:

receiving a notification that the ground-engaging tool is in an exposed condition, the notification being based on:

a determination of first tool position relative to the existing ground surface; and

a determination of a second tool position relative to the housing, where the exposed condition comprises a ground-engaging tool position that is both above an existing ground surface and below a bottom of a housing surrounding the ground-engaging tool;

adjusting a feature of the implement until the ground-engaging tool is no longer exposed, the adjusting comprising one of:

adjusting a leg of the implement to lower the housing around the ground-engaging tool until the housing is in contact with the existing ground surface; and

adjusting a position of the ground-engaging tool to a position within the housing.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein receiving the notification comprises an indication of a side of the implement having the exposed condition.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein adjusting the leg comprises adjusting a leg on the side of the implement having the exposed condition.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein adjusting a feature of the machine is performed while continuing to operate the ground-engaging tool.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein adjusting a feature of the implement is performed prior to operating the ground-engaging tool.