US 11,716,919 B2
Method for orienting an implement attached to a three-point hitch
Manuel Billich, Dischingen (DE)
Assigned to DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on Jul. 27, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/47,369.
Claims priority of application No. 102017212951.4 (DE), filed on Jul. 27, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2019/0029164 A1, Jan. 31, 2019
Int. Cl. A01B 63/00 (2006.01); A01B 59/06 (2006.01); A01B 63/111 (2006.01); A01B 63/10 (2006.01)
CPC A01B 63/008 (2013.01) [A01B 59/066 (2013.01); A01B 59/068 (2013.01); A01B 63/10 (2013.01); A01B 63/1117 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for adjusting an orientation angle of an agricultural implement attached to a utility vehicle, the method comprising:
arranging a three-point hitch such that an upper link is coupled to a first articulation point of a support structure of the utility vehicle and to a first coupling point of the agricultural implement and at least one lower link is coupled to a second articulation point of the support structure of the utility vehicle and to a second coupling point of the agricultural implement, the first articulation point of the support structure of the utility vehicle positioned above the second articulation point of the support structure of the utility vehicle;
arranging a lift arm having a first articulation point connected to a third articulation point of the support structure of the utility vehicle, a second articulation point connected to a lifting cylinder connected to a fourth articulation point of the support structure of the utility vehicle, and a third articulation point connected to a length-adjustable lifting spindle connected to the at least one lower link between the second articulation point of the support structure of the utility vehicle and the second coupling point of the agricultural implement, the third articulation point of the support structure of the utility vehicle positioned above the first articulation point of the support structure of the utility vehicle, and the fourth articulation point of the support structure of the utility vehicle positioned below the first articulation point of the support structure of the utility vehicle and above the second articulation point of the support structure of the utility vehicle;
adjusting the orientation angle based on a target length of the upper link, wherein the target length of the upper link is determined as a function of the orientation angle and as a function of a lower link angle; and
adjusting the orientation angle corresponding to a difference between a current inclination angle of the utility vehicle on a slope relative to an earth horizontal line as measured by an inclination sensor and a target inclination angle parallel to the earth horizontal line to be maintained for the agricultural implement carrying liquids in an open container to maintain the liquids in the open container, and depending on a direction of the slope, increasing the orientation angle to maintain the target inclination angle parallel to the earth horizontal line when the slope is in a first direction and decreasing the orientation angle to maintain the target inclination angle parallel to the earth horizontal line when the slope is in a second direction opposite the first direction.