Patent ID: 8634992
Filing Date: 2014-01-21
Classification: A01B,A01C,G01L

Abstract:
1. A dynamic supplemental downforce control system for a planter row unit, comprising: a downforce actuator associated with the planter row unit, said planter row unit generating an actual gauge wheel downforce Fa during planting operations, said downforce actuator disposed to operably change said actual gauge wheel downforce Fa when actuated; a control module for defining a desired gauge wheel downforce Fd; and a direction control valve disposed to control fluid flow to said downforce actuator, said actual gauge wheel downforce Fa and said desired gauge wheel downforce Fd being operably transmitted to said direction control valve; whereby in response to any imbalance between said transmitted actual gauge wheel downforce Fa and said desired gauge wheel downforce Fd, fluid flows through said direction control valve to said downforce actuator to change said actual gauge wheel downforce Fa in order to rebalance said actual and desired gauge wheel downforces.