Tillage implements, systems, and methods for working a field
A tillage implement includes a frame, a first sensor coupled to the frame and configured to measure an orientation of the frame, a shank engaged with the frame and carrying a tilling tool, and a second sensor coupled to the shank or the tilling tool and configured to measure an orientation of the tilling tool. A system for working a field includes a tillage implement and a tractor drawing the tillage implement. The tractor may include a computer configured to receive information from the first sensor and the second sensor and control an operating parameter of the tillage implement. Related methods and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
1 . A system for working a field, comprising:
a tillage implement comprising:
a frame;
a first sensor coupled to the frame and configured to measure an orientation of the frame;
a shank engaged with the frame and carrying a tilling tool;
a tractor drawing the tillage implement, the tractor comprising a computer configured to receive information from the first sensor and the second sensor to calculate a frequency of a cultivator sweep, the computer comprising an implement controller configured to control an operating parameter of the tillage implement based on the frequency of the cultivator sweep.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor comprises an accelerometer.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor comprises an inclinometer.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is configured to transmit a first signal related to the orientation of the frame, and wherein the second sensor is configured to transmit a second signal related to the orientation of the tilling tool.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer comprises a display configured to communicate a property of the field to a system operator, the property of the field based at least in part on a difference between the orientation of the frame and the orientation of the tilling tool.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the property of the field comprises a smoothness of an interface between a layer of worked soil and an underlying layer of unworked soil of the field.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the operating parameter of the tillage implement is selected from the group consisting of an implement speed, a downward force on the tilling tool, and a height of the tilling tool.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second sensor is disposed behind a cutting edge of the tilling tool.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the tillage implement further comprises a third sensor coupled to the shank and configured to measure an orientation of the shank.
10 . A method of working a field, the method comprising:
dragging a shank of a tillage implement through soil, the shank carrying a tilling tool and coupled to a frame;
generating a first signal with a first sensor, the first signal corresponding to an orientation of the frame;
generating a second signal with a second sensor disposed within a body of the tilling tool, the second signal corresponding to an orientation of the tilling tool;
determining a location of the tilling tool relative to the frame based on the first signal and the second signal; and
calculating a frequency of a cultivator sweep using the first and second signals; and
modifying an operating parameter of the tillage implement based on the frequency of the cultivator sweep.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein at least one of generating the first signal and generating the second signal comprises generating a signal with an accelerometer.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein at least one of generating the first signal and generating the second signal comprises generating a signal with an inclinometer.
13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising modifying the operating parameter of the tillage implement based on the first signal and the second signal.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein modifying the operating parameter of the tillage implement comprises modifying the operating parameter to improve a smoothness of a seed bed formed by the tilling tool.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein determining a location of the tilling tool comprises determining a smoothness of a seed bed formed by the tilling tool.
16 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the second sensor is disposed behind a cutting edge of the tilling tool.
17 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising generating a third signal with a third sensor coupled to the shank, the third signal corresponding to an orientation of the shank.