Case Corporation

Brian A Hartman

David D Flamme

Abraham Orbach

David N Rounds

Randolph T Newton

An apparatus and method is disclosed for positioning a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator. The apparatus includes an actuation system for positioning the implement with respect to a reference, a position sensor for providing a position signal indicative of the position of the implement above the reference, and an electronic control unit for receiving the position signal. The electronic control unit is operatively connected to the actuation system, and directs the actuation system to stop the implement if a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the position signal indicates that the implement has reached a predetermined position. An apparatus and method is also disclosed for positioning one or more markers associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator. The apparatus includes an actuation system for positioning the implement and the one or more markers with respect to a reference, a position sensor for providing a position signal indicative of the position of the implement above the reference, and an electronic control unit for receiving the position signal. The electronic control unit is operatively connected to the actuation system, and directs the actuation system upon a predetermined time lapse after the position signal indicates that the implement has reached a predetermined position.

Apparatus and method for controlling the position of an implement and

Disclosed is farming apparatus for customizing the rate at which farming material such as seeds, fertilizers, herbicides and/or insecticides may be applied to an agricultural field. The implement, which deposits the farming material in the soil includes applicators for applying the farming material at predetermined and adjustable rates. In the cab of the tractor is an electronic unit which include apparatus for setting the application rate of the farming material, at least at selected portions of the field, and a communication link between this electronic unit and at least selected applicators on the implement, for conveying information relating to the amount of farming material to be applied for a distance travelled of the implement across the field. Conversion apparatus on the applicator permits converting the amount of farming material to be applied per unit distance to the amount of farming material to be applied per unit of time to thereby account for the speed of the vehicle and thus the implement over the field. The conversion apparatus includes a controller for controlling the applicators regardless of the ground speed to permit the desired amount of material to be applied to the field.

Growing community of inventors

Clarendon Hills, IL, United States of America

Brian A Hartman