Method of operating a planter for planting seeds in a field for experimental purposes

Abstract

A method of operating a planter where plot characteristics are input into a controller that is associated with a planter. A distance measuring device associated with the controller senses ground speed and distance traveled and transmits the sensed information to the controller. The controller then automatically adjusts the rotational speed of a seed plate of a row planter mounted to the planter based upon the sensed information to achieve the input plot characteristics.

1 . A method of operating a planter for planting seed in a field for experimental purposes, comprising the steps of:
 inputting plot characteristics into a controller associated with a planter;   sensing ground speed and distance traveled by the planter, and transmitting the sensed information to the controller; and   automatically adjusting the seed metering unit to maintain alley alignment based upon the sensed information and the inputted plot characteristics.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of automatically adjusting vacuum pressure of a row planter based upon a comparison of a sensed vacuum pressure and a predetermined vacuum pressure. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of diagnosing an error based on sensed information as compared to predetermined information. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step of creating an error report file. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step of activating an alarm based upon the determination of the error. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of graphically displaying seed group location within a planter system. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of providing field mapping information to the controller to automatically change plot characteristics during planting. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plot characteristics are selected from a group consisting of trip distance, alley length, seed count, and set back.