Patent ID: 8700270
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: A01B,G01L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: measuring a first force applied in a first direction and a second force applied in a second direction on a drawbar of a tractor at a pivot point of connection between the tractor and a towed implement, the first force and the second force on the drawbar being generated by the towed implement; calculating a lateral component of a draft force applied to the tractor by the towed implement using the first measured force and the second measured force and a known orientation of at least one of the forces; calculating a longitudinal component of the draft force applied to the tractor by the towed implement using the first measured force and the second measured force and the known orientation of at least one of the first and second forces; calculating a magnitude of the draft force applied to the tractor by the towed implement using the calculated longitudinal component of the draft force and the calculated lateral component of the draft force; calculating a direction of the draft force applied to the tractor by the towed implement using the calculated longitudinal component and the calculated lateral component, the direction of the draft force being calculated relative to a center axis of the drawbar; providing the calculated magnitude of the draft force and the calculated direction of the draft force to an electronic draft control system; and setting an operating configuration of at least one of the tractor or towed implement with the electronic draft control system in response to at least one of the calculated magnitude of the draft force and the calculated direction of the draft force.