Agricultural trench closing systems, methods, and apparatus

Abstract

An agricultural row unit includes a gauge wheel and a soil-penetrating tool. A sensor is coupled to the soil penetrating tool and the gauge wheel and produces an output corresponding to changes detecting between the position of the gauge wheel and the soil penetrating tool A control system is coupled to an actuator configured to apply a downward pressure on the soil-penetrating tool, wherein the control system receives the output from the sensor for controlling the actuator and the downward pressure on the soil.

1 . An agricultural row unit attachable to a towing frame for movement over a field having varying hardness conditions, said row unit comprising:
 a soil-penetrating tool;   a gauge wheel mounted for rolling engagement with the soil surface;   a sensor coupled to said tool and said gauge wheel for detecting changes in the difference between the vertical positions of said tool and said gauge wheel, and producing an output corresponding to said changes;   a controllable actuator coupled to said tool for applying a downward pressure on said tool; and   a control system coupled to said actuator and receiving said output of said sensor for controlling said actuator and thus the downward pressure on said tool.   
     
     
         2 . The agricultural row unit of  claim 1  which is a planting row unit that includes an opening device for opening a furrow into which seeds can be planted, and said soil-penetrating tool is at least one closing wheel for closing said furrow after seeds have been deposited into said furrow. 
     
     
         3 . An agricultural row unit attachable to a towing frame for movement over a field having varying hardness conditions, comprising:
 a planting row unit that includes an opening device for opening a furrow into which seeds can be planted;   a soil-penetrating tool;   a gauge wheel mounted for rolling engagement with the soil surface;   a sensor coupled to said tool and said gauge wheel for detecting changes in the difference between the vertical positions of said tool and said gauge wheel, and producing an output corresponding to said changes;   a controllable actuator coupled to said tool for applying a downward pressure on said tool; and   a control system couple to said actuator and receiving said output of said sensor for controlling said actuator and thus the downward pressure on said tool, wherein said soil-penetrating tool is at least one closing wheel for closing said furrow after seeds have been deposited into said furrow.