Soil characteristic sensors on ground-engaging elements of a planting machine

Abstract

A planting system having a plurality of row units, each row unit having: (a) at least one opening disc configured to open a seed trench; (b) a soil engaging member configured to engage a sidewall of the trench during planting; and (c) at least one strain gauge in operative communication with the soil engaging member, wherein the at least one strain gauge measures force on the soil engaging member during planting operations.

1 . A planting system comprising a plurality of row units, each row unit comprising:
 (a) at least one opening disc configured to open a seed trench;   (b) a soil engaging member configured to engage a sidewall of the trench during planting; and   (c) at least one strain gauge in operative communication with the soil engaging member, wherein the at least one strain gauge measures force on the soil engaging member during planting operations.   
     
     
         2 . The planting system of  claim 1 , wherein the force on the soil engaging member during planting operations is a measure of sidewall compaction. 
     
     
         3 . The planting system of  claim 2 , wherein when excessive sidewall compaction is detected target downforce on the row unit is decreased and when insufficient sidewall compaction is detected target downforce on the row unit is increased. 
     
     
         4 . The planting system of  claim 2 , wherein when excessive sidewall compaction is detected supplemental closing wheel force is increased and when insufficient sidewall compaction is detected supplemental closing wheel force is decreased. 
     
     
         5 . The planting system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more moisture sensors disposed on the soil engaging member, wherein the one or more moisture sensors is configured to measure soil moisture. 
     
     
         6 . The planting system of  claim 5 , wherein a supplemental closing wheel force is adjusted based on soil moisture readings.