US 11,785,876 B2
Seed trench closing systems
Michael Strnad, Delavan, IL (US); Jeremy Hodel, Morton, IL (US); Dale Koch, Tremont, IL (US); Todd Swanson, Morton, IL (US); and Dillon Sloneker, Danvers, IL (US)
Assigned to Precision Planting LLC, Tremont, IL (US)
Filed by Precision Planting LLC, Tremont, IL (US)
Filed on Oct. 26, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/80,671.
Application 17/080,671 is a continuation of application No. 16/190,101, filed on Nov. 13, 2018, granted, now 10,874,042.
Application 16/190,101 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2017/032456, filed on May 12, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/465,134, filed on Feb. 28, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/425,978, filed on Nov. 23, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/336,069, filed on May 13, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0051839 A1, Feb. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. A01B 76/00 (2006.01); A01C 5/06 (2006.01); A01B 79/00 (2006.01); A01B 49/02 (2006.01); A01B 49/06 (2006.01); A01B 63/32 (2006.01); A01C 7/04 (2006.01); G01B 7/26 (2006.01); G01B 15/00 (2006.01); A01C 7/20 (2006.01)
CPC A01B 76/00 (2013.01) [A01B 49/027 (2013.01); A01B 49/06 (2013.01); A01B 63/32 (2013.01); A01B 79/005 (2013.01); A01C 5/064 (2013.01); A01C 5/066 (2013.01); A01C 5/068 (2013.01); A01C 7/042 (2013.01); A01C 7/203 (2013.01); A01C 7/205 (2013.01); G01B 7/26 (2013.01); G01B 15/00 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An agricultural implement system, comprising:
a row unit coupled to a tool bar of an agricultural implement;
an opener system coupled to the row unit and configured to open a seed trench in a soil surface as the row unit travels in a forward direction of travel;
a seed delivery mechanism disposed rearward of the opener system and configured to deposit seed into the open seed trench as the row unit travels in the forward direction of travel;
a closing system disposed rearward of the seed delivery mechanism, configured to close the open seed trench with soil the closing system including:
a first closing wheel configured to move the soil adjacent a first side of the open seed trench into the open seed trench;
a second closing wheel configured to move the soil adjacent a second side of the open seed trench into the open seed trench;
a trench closing sensor disposed in the seed trench rearward of the seed delivery mechanism and extending toward the closing system, the trench closing sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a force against the trench closing sensor applied by the soil moved into the seed trench by the first and second closing wheels; and
a controller in signal communication with the trench closing sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control a closing wheel actuator to adjust a downforce applied by the closing wheels to the soil surface in response to the generated signal from the trench closing sensor.