Patent ID: 7686095

Claim:
A tractor implement control system for a tractor having an implement coupled thereto, the implement including at least one hydraulic actuator disposed to raise and lower at least one ground engaging tool on the implement with respect to the ground, the implement including an implement position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an implement height, wherein the implement height can be varied by the at least one hydraulic actuator, the control system comprising: an operator input device configured for movement through a range of positions in a manual mode for transmitting signals indicative of a range of implement heights the input device further having assignable fixed first and second positions located within the range of travel on opposing side of a neutral position of the input device and between the neutral position and the respective extents of travel of the input device, the input device further configured to transmit a signal indicative of a first stored implement height when in the first assignable position and to transmit a signal indicative of a second stored implement height when in the second assignable position; and at least one digital controller coupled to a hydraulic valve that is responsive to the height signals and is responsive to the position sensor (1) to drive the implement to the first implement height when the input device is moved to the assignable first position and released within a predetermined period of time to return to a neutral position and (2) to drive the implement to the second implement height when the input device is moved to the assignable second position and released within a predetermined period of time to return to the neutral position; wherein the at least one digital controller is further configured to associate and store any of a plurality of different first implement heights between and including an upper and lower range of travel of the implement to the first assignable fixed position and any of a plurality of second implement heights between end including an upper and lower range of travel of the implement to the second assignable fixed position the at least one digital controller including control logic configured to calculate (1) a height difference value between the first implement height and an actual height of the implement indicated by the position sensor when controlling the implement at the first implement height, and (2) a height difference value between the second implement height and the actual height of the implement indicated by the position sensor when controlling the implement at the second implement height; and the at least one digital controller configured to have an automatic mode to actively control the implement at at least one of the first and second implement controlled to heights such that the Implement is adjusted for movement above and below the height.