DEPTH INDICATION SYSTEM FOR TILLAGE IMPLEMENTS

INDICATEUR DE PROFONDEUR DE CREUSAGE POUR MATERIEL ARATOIRE

English Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention consists of a depth sensing and recording
device for agricultural implements where the depth of
operation for soil cultivation is critical.
In combination with the depth changing mechanism of the
implement it senses and records the true operating depth
at all times and makes this information available to
the operator at his station on the tractor or other prime
mover. It further enables him to change to a preselected
depth when desired.
Heretofore the depth settings for cultivation have been
made through the visual observation of the operator from
his station on the tractor, particularly when a plurality
of tillage implements are used in tandem. This gives rise
to errors in human judgment, which this invention over-
comes.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property
or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A depth sensing and recording apparatus for a tillage implement
having depth changing means comprising an electrical circuit, a var-
iable resistance element in said circuit, a mechanically actuated
member in slidable contact with said variable resistance element to
change the current flow through said circuit, said variable resistance
element having a fixed distance pivotal relationship to the wheel
axis of an oscillatable ground engaging wheel assembly, said mechanically
actuated member being pivotally connected to the wheel assembly to
translate oscillating movement of the latter into reciprocating move-
ment and wherein the resultant changes in current flow are read as
depth readings on a recording gauge in the electrical circuit, said
recording gauge being located on the prime mover for the tillage
implement.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein a plurality of tillage implements in
tandem relationship to a prime mover are each provided with sensing
and recording apparatus with electrical connections to a series of
recording gauges at the operator's station on the prime mover.

Description

1~3'(~2 -t-
This inven~îon relates to a control system for agricultural
implements where heights or depths of operation are critical.
More particularly it relates to a dep~h sensing and recording
device for a single tillage implement, or for a plurality of
tillage implements in tandem. It provides accurate fee~back
information to the operator as to the true operating depth at all
times.
'
Heretofore the depth settings for cultivation have been made
through the visual observation of the operator. This gives rise
to errors in human judgment since the operator is making his
observations from the tractor that draws the tillage implement,
or series of tillage implements in tandem.
The sensing and recording features of the present invention
enable the operator to know at all times the true depth of culti-
vation through the mere observation of a series of gauyes at his
operating station on the tractor.
When it is desired to change the depth through the conventional
hydxaulic raising and lowering mechanism of the implement, the
information is fed back from the sensing components of this
invantion to the recording components of this invention.
~n a preferred embodiment of ~his invention the depth sensor is
mounted between an oscillating yoke member of the depth determining
wheel of the implement and a fixed point in relation to the depth
determin4ng wheel. Means to provide this oscillation are the
conventional hydraulic or mechanical means for raising and lowering
the disc gangs of an agricultural implement.
.~
As the yoke member is oscillated about ~he wheel axis, a
slidable rheostat member is maintained in contact with a variable
resistance element in the housing of the depth sensor. An electrical
3a circuit connects the depth sensor to a recording gauge at the
operator's station. Changes in ampe.rage are readable directly as
de~th measurements on the recordi.ng gauge. ~

~t is thus seen that the operator can con~ ~ ~ e~ ~e~ h of till~ge,
maintsin it at a desired or preselected degree, or ch~nge it for
varying soil condition~.
For a plurality of tillage implements in tandem~ a depth sensor may
be mounted on each implement, connected by electrical circuits to a
- series oP recording g~uges all mounted at the operator's station.
The invention will now be more fully described in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings wherain:
` `
Figure 1 is a front view of a tillage implement showing the manner in
which the depth 6ensor device i~ mou~ted in relation to the depth
determining wheel.
Figure 2 shows the inner components of the depth sensor devics;
Figure 3 shows the instrument panel with gauges for three depth senæor
devices on tillsge implemsnts in tandem.
As shown in ~ig.1, the depth sensor device 1 iæ mounted between the
lower yoke memb0r 6 of the depth determ1ning wheel 3 and a point
5 which has a fixed relationship to the axis of rotation of wheel 3.
As the lower yoke member 6 is oscillated about wheel a~is 7 throu~h
the raising and lo~ering action of the disc gang, the slidable rod
2 of the depth sen~or device 1 is moved in and out.
This in and out movement of rod 2 is further illustrated ~ Fig. 2
wherein is shown a cross-member ~ mounted at the inner end of rod~.
Cross member 8 is pro~ided with a contact point 9 that moves back
and forth on a variable resistance element 10 as the rod 2 ~nd its
cros9-member 7 are actuated.
The variable resistance element 10 is connected to a 12 volt electrlcal
energy source such as a b~ttery. The current flow through cross-
member g is taken off by rod 11 and thonce t.o a g~uge on an
instrument panel at the operator's station.

3~
Fig. 3 shows an instrument panel with three gauges Por three depth
sensor devic~s on three tillage implements in tandem. These
gaug~s are generally indicated at 12. Fig,. 3 also shows the
elactrical lead-in wires from the depth ssnsor.
It is ~hus seen that the device of the present invention provides
a true depth reading at all times that may be observed as often
as the operator desires to do so. At such ti~es as he wishes to
change the depth setting the recording gauge shows him that the
desired depth has been attained.
It is also within the scope of this in~ention to use its sensing and
recording components for indicating the stroke position of a hydraulic
cylinder, reel height or table height for a swather, or the direction
of tra~el of a tractor where it would be incorporated with its steering
m~chanism.