Patent Description:
It is well known that, to attain the best agricultural performance from a field, a farmer must cultivate the soil, typically through a tillage operation. Modern farmers perform tillage operations by pulling a tillage implement behind an agricultural work vehicle, such as a tractor. Tillage implements typically include one or more tools configured to engage the soil as the implement is moved across the field. For example, in certain configurations, the implement may include one or more harrow disks, leveling disks, rolling baskets, shanks, tines, and/or the like. Such tools loosen and/or otherwise agitate the soil to prepare the field for subsequent planting operations.

During tillage operations, field materials, such as residue, soil, rocks, and/or the like, may become trapped or otherwise accumulate between adjacent tools, such as adjacent disks of a disk gang assembly. Such accumulations of field materials may inhibit the operation of the disks in a manner that prevents such disks from providing adequate tillage to the field. In such instances, it is necessary for the operator to take certain corrective actions to remove the material accumulation. However, it may be difficult for the tillage implement operator to determine when material accumulation has occurred relative to a given disk gang assembly. <CIT> discloses a system for detecting the operational status of a ground engaging tool of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and a tool assembly supported relative to the frame. The ganged tool assembly includes a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes a sensor coupled to the tool assembly and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools and a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensor and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s). Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) as being plugged when the monitored value(s) differs from the predetermined threshold value. <CIT> discloses a system for determining material accumulation relative to ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement includes a frame member extending along a first direction, first and second ground engaging tools coupled to the frame member, a sensing arm, a sensor, and a controller. The first and second ground engaging tools are spaced apart from each other in the first direction such that an open space is defined between the first and second ground engaging tools. The sensing arm is aligned with the open space defined between the first and second ground engaging tools and is displaceable, with the sensor being configured to detect displacement of the sensing arm. The controller is configured to monitor the displacement based at least in part on data received from the sensor to determine a presence of material accumulation between the first and second ground engaging tools.

Accordingly, a system and related method for detecting material accumulation relative to disk gang assemblies of an agricultural implement would be welcomed in the technology.

The solution to the technical problem is achieved by the subject-matter of independent claims <NUM> and <NUM>, defining per se the invention. Particular embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

In general, the present subject matter is directed to systems and methods for detecting material accumulation relative to disk gang assemblies of an agricultural implement. In several embodiments, a computing system may be configured to monitor an applied load through a disk gang assembly to determine or infer when the disk gang assembly is plugged or is otherwise experiencing plugging-related conditions. Specifically, the monitored load may be compared to an applicable load threshold and, when the monitored load differs from the threshold (e.g., by exceeding the threshold), the computing system may determine or infer that the corresponding disk gang assembly is plugged. Upon making such a determination, the computing system may be configured to automatically initiate a control action, such as by generating an operator notification and/or automatically adjusting the operation of the implement.

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate differing perspective views of one embodiment of an agricultural implement <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the agricultural implement <NUM> coupled to a work vehicle <NUM>. Additionally, <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the implement <NUM>, particularly illustrating various components of the implement <NUM>.

In general, the implement <NUM> may be configured to be towed across a field in a direction of travel (e.g., as indicated by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) by the work vehicle <NUM>. As shown, the implement <NUM> may be configured as a tillage implement, and the work vehicle <NUM> may be configured as an agricultural tractor. However, in other embodiments, the implement <NUM> may be configured as any other suitable type of implement, such as a seed-planting implement, a fertilizer-dispensing implement, and/or the like. Similarly, the work vehicle <NUM> may be configured as any other suitable type of vehicle, such as an agricultural harvester, a self-propelled sprayer, and/or the like.

As shown in <FIG>, the work vehicle <NUM> may include a pair of front track assemblies <NUM>, a pair or rear track assemblies <NUM>, and a frame or chassis <NUM> coupled to and supported by the track assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>. Alternatively, the track assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> can be replaced with tires or other suitable traction members. An operator's cab <NUM> may be supported by a portion of the chassis <NUM> and may house various input devices (e.g., a user interface <NUM>) for permitting an operator to control the operation of one or more components of the work vehicle <NUM> and/or one or more components of the implement <NUM>. Additionally, as is generally understood, the work vehicle <NUM> may include an engine <NUM> and a transmission <NUM> mounted on the chassis <NUM>. The transmission <NUM> may be operably coupled to the engine <NUM> and may provide variably adjusted gear ratios for transferring engine power to the track assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> via a drive axle assembly (not shown) (or via axles if multiple drive axles are employed).

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the implement <NUM> may include a frame <NUM>. More specifically, the frame <NUM> may extend longitudinally between a forward end <NUM> and an aft end <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may also extend laterally between a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM>. In this respect, the frame <NUM> generally includes a plurality of structural frame members <NUM>, such as beams, bars, and/or the like, configured to support or couple to a plurality of components. Furthermore, a hitch assembly <NUM> may be connected to the frame <NUM> and configured to couple the implement <NUM> to the work vehicle <NUM>. Additionally, a plurality of wheels <NUM> (one is shown in <FIG>) may be coupled to the frame <NUM> to facilitate towing the implement <NUM> in the direction of travel <NUM>.

In several embodiments, the frame <NUM> may be configured to support various ground-engaging tools. For instance, the frame <NUM> may support one or more disk gang assemblies <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, each disc gang assembly <NUM> includes a toolbar <NUM> coupled to the implement frame <NUM> and a plurality of harrow disks <NUM> supported by the toolbar <NUM> relative to the implement frame <NUM>. Each harrow disk <NUM> may, in turn, be configured to penetrate into or otherwise engage the soil as the implement <NUM> is being pulled through the field. As is generally understood, the various disk gang assemblies <NUM> may be oriented at an angle relative to the direction of travel <NUM> to promote more effective tilling of the soil. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the implement <NUM> includes four disk gang assemblies <NUM> supported relative to the frame <NUM> at a location forward of the remainder of the ground-engaging tools. Specifically, the implement <NUM> includes a pair of front disk gang assemblies 44A (e.g., left and right front disk gang assemblies 44A) and a pair of rear disc gang assemblies 44B (e.g., left and right rear disk gang assemblies 44B) positioned aft or rearward of the front disk gang assemblies 44A relative to the direction of travel <NUM> of the implement <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the implement <NUM> may include any other suitable number of disk gang assemblies <NUM>, such as more or less than four disk gang assemblies <NUM>. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the disk gang assemblies <NUM> may be mounted to the frame <NUM> at any other suitable location, such as adjacent to its aft end <NUM>.

Additionally, as shown, in one embodiment, the implement frame <NUM> may be configured to support other ground-engaging tools. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame <NUM> is configured to support a plurality of shanks <NUM> configured to rip or otherwise till the soil as the implement <NUM> is towed across the field. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame <NUM> is also configured to support one or more finishing tools, such as a plurality of leveler disks <NUM> and/or rolling (or crumbler) basket assemblies <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, any other suitable ground-engaging tools may be coupled to and supported by the implement frame <NUM>, such as a plurality of closing discs.

It should be appreciated that the configuration of the implement <NUM> described above and shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is provided only to place the present subject matter in an exemplary field of use. Thus, it should be appreciated that the present subject matter may be readily adaptable to any manner of implement configuration.

Referring now to <FIG>, a side view of a portion of the implement <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, particularly illustrating a side view of portions of the left side front and rear disk gang assemblies 44A, 44B of the implement <NUM>. As indicated above, each disc gang assembly <NUM> may include a plurality of harrow disks <NUM> supported relative to a toolbar <NUM>, such as via a plurality of hangers <NUM> (e.g., Changers). The toolbar <NUM> of each disk gang assembly 44A, 44B is, in turn, configured to be coupled the implement frame <NUM>.

For instance, as shown in <FIG>, the toolbar <NUM> of the front disk gang assembly 44A is coupled to an adjacent frame member <NUM> of the implement frame <NUM> via a front support arm <NUM> and a front rockshaft <NUM> of the implement <NUM>. Specifically, a first end of the forward support arm <NUM> is coupled to a corresponding gang bracket <NUM> (e.g., via a bolt or pin <NUM>), which is, in turn, coupled to a portion of the toolbar <NUM> of the front disk gang assembly 44A. Additionally, an opposed, second end of the forward support arm <NUM> is coupled to the front rockshaft <NUM>, which is, in turn, rotatably coupled to an adjacent frame member <NUM> of the implement frame <NUM>. Similarly, as shown in <FIG>, the toolbar <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>) of the rear disk gang assembly 44B is coupled to the adjacent frame member <NUM> of the implement frame <NUM> via a rear support arm <NUM> and a rear rockshaft <NUM> of the implement <NUM>. Specifically, a first end of the rear support arm <NUM> is coupled to a corresponding gang bracket <NUM> (e.g., via a bolt or pin <NUM>), which is, in turn, coupled to a portion of the toolbar <NUM> (not shown) of the rear disk gang assembly 44B. Additionally, an opposed, second end of the rear support arm <NUM> is coupled to the rear rockshaft <NUM>, which is, in turn, rotatably coupled to the adjacent frame member <NUM> of the implement frame <NUM>.

In several embodiments, rotation of each rockshaft <NUM>, <NUM> in a first direction (e.g., as indicated by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) adjusts the position of the disk gang assemblies <NUM> relative to the implement frame <NUM> such that the penetration depth of the disk blades <NUM> is increased. Similarly, rotation of each rockshaft <NUM>, <NUM> in an opposite, second direction (e.g., as indicated by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) adjusts the position of the disk gang assemblies <NUM> relative to the implement frame <NUM> such that the penetration depth of the disk blades <NUM> is decreased. It should be appreciated that the rotation of each rockshaft <NUM>, <NUM> may be controlled via a suitable actuator (not shown) (e.g., a fluid-driven actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder) coupled between the rockshaft <NUM>, <NUM> and the implement frame <NUM>.

As the implement <NUM> is moved across a field, the harrow disks <NUM> may be configured to penetrate the soil surface of the field to a given penetration depth and rotate about their respective rotational axes relative to the soil such that field materials flow between adjacent disks <NUM>. However, in certain instances, a plugged condition or state may occur in which field materials accumulate between adjacent disks <NUM>. For example, when the soil in the field has high moisture content, the soil may stick or adhere to the harrow disks <NUM> such that the soil accumulates on and/or between the disks <NUM>. Moreover, a large chunk of residue or a rock may become lodged between adjacent harrow disks <NUM> in a manner that inhibits the flow of field materials there between, thereby causing additional field materials to accumulate therein. As such, the harrow disks <NUM> may become plugged and not perform as intended. Such plugging typically results in the rotational speed of the harrow disks <NUM> being reduced. For instance, as materials accumulate relative to the harrow disks <NUM>, the rotational resistance or friction applied by such materials may result in the rotation of the blades <NUM> being slowed or even stopped. Slowing or stopping of the rotation of the harrow disks <NUM> typically prevents the blades <NUM> from properly working the soil and can lead to undesirable tillage results (e.g., a lack of breaking-up of the soil or the generation of undesirable surface features, such as ridges or furrows).

Moreover, in addition to reductions in the rotational speed, the present inventor has recognized that material accumulation relative to the harrow disks <NUM> also results in the draft loads on the disk gang assemblies <NUM> being increased. Specifically, as additional field materials collect or accumulate on, around, and/or between the harrow disks <NUM>, such materials cover a larger portion of the disks <NUM>, thereby resulting in an effective increase in the penetration depth of the disks <NUM> and, thus, an increase in the draft loads associated therewith. As such, by monitoring the loads applied through a given disk gang assembly <NUM> during the performance of a tillage operation, it may be inferred or determined when the gang assembly <NUM> is plugged. For example, the draft loads on a gang assembly <NUM> generally vary as a function of the ground speed of the implement <NUM> and the penetration depth of the harrow disks <NUM>, and this relationship can be used to establish an expected or baseline draft load range for each gang assembly <NUM> at various combinations of speed/depth settings (e.g., via a look-up table and/or algorithm). In such an embodiment, by monitoring the load applied through a given disk gang assembly <NUM> relative to a maximum load threshold for the draft load range associated with the current ground speed and depth setting, it can be inferred or determined that the disk gang assembly <NUM> is plugged when the monitored load exceeds the maximum load threshold.

In addition to such threshold-based load monitoring (or as an alternative thereto), the monitored load applied through a given disk gang assembly <NUM> of an agricultural implement <NUM> may be compared to the monitored load applied through another disk gang assembly <NUM> of the implement <NUM> to determine or infer plugging of one of such gang assemblies <NUM>. For example, it may generally be expected that similarly positioned gang assemblies (e.g., the front gang assemblies 44A or the rear gang assemblies 44B) will experience the same or similar draft loads. As such, when the monitored loads of one gang assembly exceeds the monitored loads of a similarly positioned gang assembly by a given load differential threshold, it may be inferred that the gang assembly experiencing the increased loads is plugged. For instance, the loads applied through the left front disk gang assembly 44A may be continuously compared to the loads applied through the right front disk gang assembly 44A. In the event that the loads applied through one of such gang assemblies 44A exceeds the loads applied through the other of such gang assemblies 44A by the associated load differential threshold (e.g., a threshold value selected based on the current ground speed of the implement <NUM> and the current disk penetration depth), it may be inferred that the highest loaded front gang assembly 44A is plugged.

In several embodiments, the load applied through each disk gang assembly <NUM> may be monitored using one or more load sensors <NUM> provided in operative association with the disk gang assembly <NUM>. In general, the load sensor(s) <NUM> may correspond to any suitable sensing device or system configured to provide or generate data indicative of the draft load on the associated disk gang assembly <NUM>. For example, the load sensor(s) <NUM> may correspond to piezoelectric or strain gauge sensors and/or any other suitable sensing devices.

Two different examples of load sensors <NUM> that can be used to monitor the applied load through a disk gang assembly <NUM> are shown in <FIG>. In one embodiment, the load sensor(s) <NUM> may correspond to one or more load pins provided at one or more associated connection points between the toolbar <NUM> of the disk gang assembly <NUM> and the main implement frame <NUM>. For instance, as shown in <FIG>, the bolts/pins <NUM>, <NUM> connecting each gang bracket <NUM>, <NUM> to an associated support arm (e.g., the front support arm <NUM> or the rear support arm <NUM>) are configured as load pins 80A. In such an embodiment, each load pin 80A may be configured to generate data associated with the load applied through such joint/connection point, which, in turn, is directly indicative of the draft load on the disk gang assembly <NUM>. Alternatively, the load sensor(s) <NUM> may correspond to one or more load cells (e.g., donut load cells) provided around the attachment bolts/pins at the connection points. In another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the load sensor(s) <NUM> may correspond to one or more strain gauges 80B provided in operative association with the toolbar <NUM> of each disk gang assembly <NUM>. In such an embodiment, by detecting the strain applied through the toolbar <NUM>, the associated draft load on the disk gang assembly <NUM> can be determined. In further embodiments, the load sensor(s) <NUM> may correspond to any other suitable sensing device or system and/or may be provided in operative association with any other suitable component (e.g., any other suitable component of the disk gang assembly <NUM>) so as to provide an indication of the applied load through each disk gang assembly <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic view of one embodiment of a system <NUM> for detecting material accumulation relative to disk gang assemblies of an agricultural implement is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the system <NUM> will be described herein with reference to the implement <NUM> and related disk gang assemblies <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. However, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed system <NUM> may generally be utilized with agricultural implements having any other suitable implement configuration and/or with disk gang assemblies having any other suitable gang configuration.

In general, the system <NUM> may include one or more components of an agricultural implement, such as one or more of the components of the implement <NUM> described above. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> may include one or more disk gang assemblies, such as one or more of the front disk gang assemblies 44A and/or one or more of the rear disk gang assemblies 44B of the implement <NUM>. Each disk gang assembly <NUM> may generally be provided in operative association with one or more load sensors (e.g., the load sensors <NUM> described above) configured to provide data indicative of the load applied through the disk gang assembly <NUM>. For instance, as described above, one or more load pins or load cells 80A may be provided at the joints or connections between the toolbar <NUM> of a given disk gang assembly <NUM> and the main implement frame <NUM>. In addition to such load pin(s) 80A (or as an alternative thereto), one or more strain gauges 80B may be provided in association with the disk gang assembly <NUM> to allow the applied load through the assembly <NUM> to be monitored.

In accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, the system <NUM> may also include a computing system <NUM> configured to execute various computer-implemented functions. In general, the computing system <NUM> may comprise any suitable processor-based device known in the art, such as a computing device or any suitable combination of computing devices. Thus, in several embodiments, the computing system <NUM> may include one or more processor(s) <NUM> and associated memory device(s) <NUM> configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions. As used herein, the term "processor" refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in a computer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits. Additionally, the memory device(s) <NUM> of the computing system <NUM> may generally comprise memory element(s) including, but not limited to, a computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), a computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disc (DVD) and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory device(s) <NUM> may generally be configured to store suitable computer-readable instructions that, when implemented by the processor(s) <NUM>, configure the computing system <NUM> to perform various computer-implemented functions, such as one or more aspects of the methods or algorithms described herein. In addition, the computing system <NUM> may also include various other suitable components, such as a communications circuit or module, one or more input/output channels, a data/control bus and/or the like.

It should be appreciated that the computing system <NUM> may correspond to an existing computing system of the implement <NUM> or associated work vehicle <NUM> or the computing system <NUM> may correspond to a separate computing system. For instance, in one embodiment, the computing system <NUM> may form all or part of a separate plug-in module that may be installed in association with the implement <NUM> or work vehicle <NUM> to allow for the disclosed system <NUM> and related methods to be implemented without requiring additional software to be uploaded onto existing computing systems of the implement <NUM> and/or the work vehicle <NUM>.

In several embodiments, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to monitor the load applied through each disk gang assembly <NUM> relative to an associated load threshold. Specifically, in one embodiment, the computing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the load sensor(s) <NUM> provided in association with one or more of the disk gang assemblies <NUM> (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection) to allow the applied load through such assembly(ies) <NUM> to be monitored. The monitored load may then be compared to the associated load threshold selected based on the current ground speed of the implement <NUM> and the current depth setting of the harrow disks <NUM> to determine or infer the "plugging" status of the corresponding gang assembly <NUM>.

For example, in one embodiment, the load threshold may correspond to a maximum load threshold for an anticipated or expected draft load range for the disk gang assembly <NUM> given the current ground speed of the implement <NUM> and the current depth setting of the harrow disks <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to determine or infer that the corresponding disk gang assembly <NUM> is in a non-plugged state when the monitored load is at or below the load threshold and that the disk gang assembly <NUM> is in a plugged state when the monitored load exceeds the load threshold. In another embodiments, the load threshold may correspond to a differential threshold value associated with an anticipated or expected load differential between two disk gang assemblies <NUM> (e.g., given the current ground speed of the implement <NUM> and the current depth setting of the harrow disks <NUM>). In such an embodiment, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to determine or infer that the disk gang assembly <NUM> experiencing the highest loads is in a plugged state when the load differential between the two disk gang assemblies <NUM> exceeds the associated load differential threshold.

As indicated above, the load threshold selected for evaluating the plugging status of a disk gang assembly <NUM> may generally vary as a function of ground speed and disk penetration depth. Thus, in several embodiments, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to calculate or select an applicable load threshold value based on the current ground speed of the implement <NUM> and the current penetration depth of the disks <NUM>. To account for variations in the ground speed and/or the penetration depth, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to utilize one or more look-up tables and/or mathematical relationships to select an appropriate loading threshold. For instance, in one embodiment, the computing system <NUM> may include a look-up table or mathematical relationship that correlates threshold values for the load threshold to the ground speed of the implement <NUM>, thereby allowing the computing system <NUM> to select an initial threshold value based on the current ground speed of the implement <NUM>. Such initial threshold value may then be adjusted or corrected (e.g., up or down), as necessary, based on the current penetration depth of the disk blades <NUM> (e.g., by scaling or adjusting the initial value based on a known relationship between the penetration depth and the threshold values). In another embodiment, the computing system <NUM> may include a plurality of ground-speed-dependent look-up tables or mathematical relationships (e.g., one for each of a plurality of different ground speeds) that correlates threshold values for the loading threshold to penetration depths of the disk blades at each ground speed, thereby allowing the computing system <NUM> to select an appropriate threshold value as a function of the penetration depth and ground speed. In such an embodiment, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to use suitable interpolation techniques to calculate a threshold value when the current ground speed is between two reference ground speeds for which look-up tables and/or mathematical expressions are stored within the computing system's memory <NUM>.

Referring still to <FIG>, to select the applicable loading threshold, the computing system <NUM> may generally be configured to receive an input associated with the current penetration depth of the disk blades <NUM>. In one embodiment, this input may be received from the operator. For instance, the operator may select or input the desired or current penetration depth setting via the user interface <NUM> provided within the cab <NUM> of the work vehicle <NUM>. Alternatively, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to actively monitor the current penetration depth of the disk blades <NUM> via sensor feedback provided by one or more depth sensors <NUM>. For example, in one embodiment, each depth sensor(s) <NUM> may correspond to a pressure sensor or position sensor provided in operative association with a corresponding disk gang actuator(s) (not shown) of the implement <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the sensor(s) may be configured to monitor the extent to which the actuator(s) has been extended/retracted, thereby allowing the computing system <NUM> to determine or infer the penetration depth of the disk blades <NUM> based on the extended/retracted state of the actuator(s). In another embodiment, each depth sensor(s) <NUM> may correspond to a position sensor (e.g., a rotary or linear potentiometer) configured to monitor the relative position between the toolbar <NUM> of the corresponding disk gang assembly <NUM> and the implement's main frame <NUM>, thereby allowing the computing system <NUM> to determine or infer the penetration depth of the disk blades <NUM> based on such position data. In even further embodiments, the computing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to any other suitable depth sensor(s) or feedback device(s) that allows the computing system <NUM> to directly or indirectly monitor/infer the penetration depth of the disk blades <NUM>.

Additionally, as shown in <FIG>, to allow the computing system <NUM> to monitor the ground speed of the implement <NUM>, the computing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to one or more ground speed sensors <NUM>. In general, the ground speed sensor(s) <NUM> may correspond to any suitable sensing device or system that is configured to provide data indicative of the ground speed of the implement <NUM>. For instance, in one embodiment, the ground speed sensor <NUM> may correspond to a GPS device or any other suitable satellite navigation position system configured to generate data associated with the ground speed of the implement <NUM>. In another embodiment, the ground speed sensor(s) <NUM> may correspond to a rotary speed sensor(s) configured to monitor the rotational speed of a given component that provides an indication of the ground speed of the implement <NUM>, such as the engine <NUM> or transmission <NUM> of the work vehicle <NUM> or a wheel of the vehicle <NUM> or implement <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that, in several embodiments, the specific loading threshold value selected for the disk blades <NUM> of a given disk gang assembly <NUM> may differ from the threshold value selected for the disk blades <NUM> of a different disk gang assembly <NUM> of the implement <NUM>. Specifically, in many instances, the draft loads on the rear disk gang assemblies 44B may be significantly less than the draft loads on the front disk gang assemblies 44A independent of ground speed and penetration depth. As such, the threshold selected for the front disk gang assemblies 44A (e.g., the max load threshold or the load differential threshold) may differ from the threshold selected for the rear disk gang assemblies 44B to accommodate the expected or anticipated difference in the draft loading between such gang assemblies.

As indicated above, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to determine or infer the "plugging" status of one or more disk gang assemblies by comparing the applied load(s) through such assembly(ies) to an associated loading threshold. Moreover, when it is determined that a given disk gang assembly <NUM> is plugged or otherwise in a plugged state (e.g., a partially or fully plugged state), the computing system <NUM> may be further configured to automatically initiate one or more control actions. For example, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to provide the operator with a notification that one or more disk gang assemblies <NUM> are in a plugged state. Specifically, in one embodiment, the computing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the user interface <NUM> of the work vehicle <NUM> via a wired or wireless connection to allow notification signals to be transmitted from the computing system <NUM> to the user interface <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the notification signals may cause the user interface <NUM> to present a notification to the operator (e.g., by causing a visual or audible notification or indicator to be presented to the operator) which provides an indication that one or more of the disk gang assemblies <NUM> are in a plugged state. In such instance, the operator may then choose to initiate any suitable corrective action he/she believes is necessary, such as adjusting the penetration depth of the disk blades <NUM> and/or adjusting the ground speed of the implement <NUM>.

Additionally, in several embodiments, the control action(s) executed by the computing system <NUM> may include automatically adjusting the operation of the implement <NUM> and/or the associated work vehicle <NUM>. For instance, in one embodiment, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to automatically adjust the penetration depth of the disk blade(s) <NUM>, such as by actively controlling the operation of an associated disk gang actuator to raise or lower the disk blade(s) <NUM> relative to the ground when plugging is detected. In another embodiment, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to automatically adjust the ground speed of the implement <NUM> to address plugging-related conditions, such as by actively controlling the engine <NUM> and/or the transmission <NUM> of the work vehicle <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method <NUM> for detecting material accumulation relative to disk gang assemblies of an agricultural implement is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the method <NUM> will be described herein with reference to the agricultural implement <NUM>, disk gang assemblies <NUM>, and system <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. However, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed method <NUM> may generally be utilized in association with agricultural implements having any suitable implement configuration, disk gang assemblies having any other suitable gang configuration, and/or systems having any other suitable system configuration. In addition, although <FIG> depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the methods discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will appreciate that various steps of the methods disclosed herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> may include receiving data indicative of an applied load through a disk gang assembly of an agricultural implement. For instance, as indicated above, the computing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to one or more load sensors <NUM> configured to generate data indicative of an applied load through a given disk gang assembly <NUM>. By receiving the data from the associated load sensor(s) <NUM>, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to monitor the load applied through such disk gang assembly <NUM>.

Additionally, at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> may include comparing the load to a load threshold selected for the disk gang assembly. As indicated above, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to select a load threshold to be used for inferring or determining the state of plugging of a give disk gang assembly <NUM>. In one embodiment, the load threshold may correspond to a maximum load threshold, such as a maximum load value associated with an anticipated or expected draft load range for a disk gang assembly <NUM> given the current ground speed of the implement <NUM> and the current depth setting of the harrow disks <NUM>. In another embodiment, the load threshold may correspond to a differential threshold value associated with an anticipated or expected load differential between two different disk gang assemblies <NUM> given the current ground speed of the implement <NUM> and the current depth setting of the harrow disks <NUM>.

Moreover, at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> may include determining that the disk gang assembly is in a plugged state when the load differs from the load threshold. Specifically, as indicated above, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to compare the monitored load for the disk gang assembly <NUM> to the applicable threshold and determine or infer that the disk gang assembly <NUM> is in a plugged state when the load differs from the threshold (e.g., when the monitored load exceeds an associated maximum load threshold or when the monitored load exceeds the monitored load of another disk gang assembly by an associated load differential threshold).

Referring still to <FIG>, at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> may include initiating a control action when it is determined that the disk gang assembly is in the plugged state. For example, as indicated above, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to automatically initiate a control action when it is determined that a given disk gang assembly <NUM> is in a plugged state. For instance, in one embodiment, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to generate an operator notification associated with notifying the operator of the plugged state of the disk gang assembly <NUM>. In addition to such operator notification (or as an alternative thereto), the computing system <NUM> may be configured to automatically adjust the operation of the implement <NUM>, such as by reducing the ground speed of the implement <NUM> and/or by adjusting the penetration depth of the disk gang assembly <NUM>.

It is to be understood that the steps of the method <NUM> are performed by the computing system <NUM> upon loading and executing software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such as on a magnetic medium, e.g., a computer hard drive, an optical medium, e.g., an optical disc, solid-state memory, e.g., flash memory, or other storage media known in the art. Thus, any of the functionality performed by the computing system <NUM> described herein, such as the method <NUM>, is implemented in software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium. The computing system <NUM> loads the software code or instructions via a direct interface with the computer readable medium or via a wired and/or wireless network. Upon loading and executing such software code or instructions by the computing system <NUM>, the computing system <NUM> may perform any of the functionality of the computing system <NUM> described herein, including any steps of the method <NUM> described herein.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for detecting material accumulation relative to disk gang assemblies (<NUM>) of agricultural implements (<NUM>), the system (<NUM>) including an implement frame (<NUM>) and a disk gang assembly (<NUM>) supported relative to the implement frame (<NUM>), the disk gang assembly (<NUM>) including a toolbar (<NUM>) coupled to the implement frame (<NUM>) and a plurality of disks (<NUM>) supported by the toolbar (<NUM>),
a load sensor (<NUM>) configured to provide data indicative of an applied load through the disk gang assembly (<NUM>); and
a computing system (<NUM>) communicatively coupled to the load sensor (<NUM>), the computing system (<NUM>) being configured to:
monitor the load applied through the disk gang assembly (<NUM>) based on the data provided by the load sensor (<NUM>);
compare the monitored load to a load threshold selected for the disk gang assembly (<NUM>) wherein the load threshold comprises a maximum load threshold;
determine that the disk gang assembly (<NUM>) is in a plugged state when the monitored load exceeds the maximum load threshold;
initiate a control action when it is determined that the disk gang assembly (<NUM>) is in the plugged state; and
characterized in that
the computing system (<NUM>) is further configured to select the load threshold based at least in part on a ground speed of the agricultural implement (<NUM>) and a penetration depth of the plurality of disks (<NUM>) of the disk gang assembly (<NUM>).