WO2015020595A1

WO2015020595A1 - Method of marking a track when planting and method of following a track at post-planting passage

Info

Publication number: WO2015020595A1
Application number: PCT/SE2014/050907
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan VÅLBERG
Original assignee: Väderstad-Verken Ab
Priority date: 2013-08-09
Filing date: 2014-07-25
Publication date: 2015-02-12
Also published as: SE1350949A1

Abstract

The present document shows a method of sowing seed for a crop in a field with the aid of a sowing machine comprising a plurality of row units, each of which is arranged to feed out a respective row of seed. The method comprises performing at least two substantially parallel passes over the field, wherein each row unit, during the pass, feeds out a respective row of the seed. The method further comprises modifying the feed-out from at least one of the row units during a start period of a pass and/or during an end period of a pass, so that the row of crop which is formed by the seed of the row unit, in a start section and/or in an end section thereof, will visually differ from other rows of crop.

Description

METHOD OF MARKING A TRACK WHEN PLANTING AND METHOD OF

FOLLOWING A TRACK AT POST-PLANTING PASSAGE

Technical field

The present document relates to a method of marking a track when sowing seed and to a method of controlling an agricultural implement when this is advanced in a field containing previously sown or planted crop.

Background

In connection with the cultivation of crops in fields in which various types of driven agricultural implements are utilized, there is a need to keep track of where in the field a vehicle has been driven and where one shall be driven. An example of such a situation is when fertilizer and/or weed killer is to be applied to a previously sown or planted field.

It is known to, during sowing, shut off row units corresponding to tracks for tractor wheels. When the crop begins to grow, empty rows are then formed. When fertilizer and/or weed killer is/are to be applied, the wheels of the tractor are placed over these empty rows, in which case damage to the crop is minimized and it is known where in the field one has driven or shall drive. In order to minimize the areal loss which is associated with this way of forming tracks, the tires of the tractor are usually exchanged, prior to such driving, for narrower tires than are used in soil cultivation and sowing.

For some crops, however, it is not necessary to shut off any row unit, but rather the distance between the seed rows shall be such that the tractor wheels (which can, but do not have to be narrower according to the above) still find space between adjacent rows.

Since the shutting off of row units in such a situation is unnecessary, there is a need to otherwise keep track of where a vehicle has been driven and where one shall be driven in order that subsequent runs, for example when applying fertilizer and/or weed killer, shall be optimal.

Summary One object is therefore to provide alternative ways of keeping track of where a vehicle has been driven and where one shall be driven in a field.

The invention is defined by the appended independent patent claims. Embodiments emerge from the appended dependent patent claims, from the following description and from the drawings.

According to a first aspect, a method of sowing seed for a crop in a field with the aid of a sowing machine comprising a plurality of row units, each of which is arranged to feed out a respective row of seed, is provided. The method comprises performing at least two substantially parallel passes over the field, wherein each row unit, during the pass, feeds out a respective row of the seed. The method further comprises modifying the feed-out from at least one of the row units during a start period of a pass and/or during an end period of a pass, so that the row of crop which is formed by the seed of the row unit, in a start section and/or in an end section thereof, will visually differ from other rows of crop.

By the term "sowing machine" is here meant not only machines of the kind which are normally referred to as sowing machines, but also precision sowing machines (so-called "planters") and other types of machines which in some way feed out crop in rows.

In the same way, the term "seed" relates to both seed in the form of grain, bulbs or root parts, but also seed in the form of preincubated plants and therewith comparable forms of seed.

By "start section" is meant a relatively short section of a row of seed or crop, which section is found at that end of the row in which the feed-out of the crop in the row first takes place.

By "end section" is meant a relatively short section of a row of seed or crop, which section is found at that end of the row in which the feed-out of the crop last takes place.

By "visually" is meant that the difference shall be substantially optically identifiable, even if this is realized with the aid of tools such as filter, sensor and/or radiation. By modifying only one section at the start or end of a row, a lasting indication which is easy to grasp and which entails minimal areal loss is achieved.

The method is especially suitable for use in seeding which is realized by a number of substantially parallel passes, whereof every one pass takes place in a first direction and every other pass takes place in a second direction which is substantially opposite to the first.

In addition, the method is especially suitable for use in seeding in which the feeding of all the row units is substantially halted while a turn is performed between two adjacent passes. The feeding of the row units can thus be halted when a pass is concluded, whereafter turning takes place and the feeding of the row units is recommenced once a subsequent pass is started. Thus substantially no sowing takes place on the turning zone, at least not of the main crop.

The turn can be in the order of magnitude of 180 degrees. Two passes can, but do not have to be wholly adjacent to each other.

The modification of the feeding can relate to one or more rows. In some crops, for example, a clearer marking can be achieved by two adjacent row units being shut after or before turning, i.e. during an initial or concluding phase of a pass.

In the method, the start period and/or the end period can be shorter than 5 % of the length of the row, preferably shorter than 1 % of the length of the row, around 0.3-4 m, 0.5-3 m, around 2 m or around 1 m.

The sowing machine can comprise a number N of row units and wherein said modification is effected for every Nth. row unit.

The modification can comprise at least one of: non-feeding of seed, sparser feed-out of seed, denser feed-out of seed, and feed-out of a second seed for another crop.

As further alternatives or complements, the modification can comprise intermittent feeding, for example such that a plurality of following sections of more densely sown crop are separated by sections without crop. In this way, various sowing patterns can be achieved, like "dashed lines", "dash-dot" lines, etc. The method can further comprise performing at least one pass over the field without modifying the feed-out from any of the row units during a start period of a pass or during an end period of a pass.

By switching between modified and unmodified passes, a relatively narrow sowing machine (which has relatively few row units) can produce markings in a field which in later passes shall be driven over with a

significantly wider fertilizer spreader or weed killer spreader.

The method can further comprise performing alternate passes with and without modification of the feed-out, wherein a pass with modification of the feed-out constitutes every second pass, every third pass, every fourth pass or every fifth pass.

Alternatively, or as a complement, the method can comprise

performing at least two successive and substantially oppositely directed passes, wherein the feed-out from different row units is modified in respective of said passes.

The two successive and oppositely directed passes can be directly following one upon the other, i.e. without any intervening pass.

The specific row unit whose feed-out is modified can thus vary on the basis of what is necessary to ensure that a center line is produced for the following implement.

Alternatively, or as a complement, the method can comprise

performing at least two successive and substantially equidirectional passes, wherein the feed-out from different row units is modified in respective of said passes.

The two successive and equidirectional passes can be separated by an intervening pass in the opposite direction, i.e. without any intervening pass. Alternatively, the passes can follow directly one upon the other, for example if sowing is performed according to a pattern in which sowing in different directions takes place in different parts of the field, such as when sowing in a circular pattern.

The method can further comprise receiving position data for the sowing machine in a control unit and controlling the row unit at least partially on the basis of said position data. In the method, a distance between adjacent rows of crop can be such that an agricultural implement can be advanced with each of its wheels placed between two adjacent rows.

According to a second aspect, a method of feeding out material with the aid of a feed-out machine onto a field in which crop grows in substantially parallel rows is provided. The method comprises visually identifying a row of said crop, which row has a start section and/or an end section and visually differs from other rows of crop, and, prior to a run substantially parallel with said rows, steering the feed-out machine, viewed perpendicularly to the rows, on the basis of said start section or end section.

By the term "material" is meant both liquid and granular or powdery material. This can thus embrace both fertilizer and weed killer.

The term "feed-out machine" embraces both dedicated feed-out machines and drawn implements for feed-out.

By virtue of the fact that control is based on visually identified start sections and/or end sections of rows, a simple way of keeping track of where a vehicle has been driven and where one shall be driven is achieved.

In the method, the machine can be steered such that a guide mark on the feed-out machine is lined up with a row which has said start section or end section.

A "guide mark" can be a specially arranged part on the machine, for example a "sight"", but can also be an arbitrary part, such as a center line of the machine.

The method can further comprise receiving position data for the machine in a control unit and steering the feed-out machine at least partially on the basis of said position data.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig 1 is a schematic diagram of a pattern for placing rows of seed in field.

Fig 2 is a schematic diagram of a pattern for driving a machine in a cropped field. Figs 3a-3b show schematically alternative patterns for placing rows of seed or driving a following machine in a cropped field.

Description of embodiments

The invention will be exemplified below with reference to agricultural implements in the form of a precision sowing machine 1 and a weed killer spreader 4, which are drawn by a tractor 2. The precision sowing machine 1 has a plurality of row units 1 1 a-1 1 h, which each feed out a respective row of seed.

In fig 1 , a number of ready-seeded rows 31 a-31 h and a number of rows 32a-32h for which sowing is in progress are shown schematically. The ready-seeded rows 31 a-31 h have been seeded while the agricultural implement 1 has been driven in a first direction S1 and the sowing which is in progress in fig 1 is now taking place along a second direction S2, which is substantially parallel but opposite to the first direction S1 . A row spacing R is present between the rows 31 a-31 h, 32a-32h.

Present among the ready-seeded rows 31 a-31 h is a modified row 31 d, the feeding of which has been started and stopped a path section M1 later and earlier, respectively, than the feed to other rows 31 a-31 c, 31 e-31 h.

Among the rows 32a-32h for which sowing is in progress is found a modified row 32f, the feeding of which has been started a path section M2 later than the feeding to other rows 32a-32e, 32g-32h.

The path sections M1 , M2 can, for example, be shorter than 5 % of the length of the row, preferably shorter than 1 % of the length of the row, around 0.3-4 m, 0.5-3 m, around 2 m or around 1 m. The path sections M1 , M2 can, but do not have to be, of equal length.

The path section M1 is produced by modification of the feed-out from a row unit 1 1 d. The path section M2 is produced by modification of the feed-out from another row unit 1 1 f.

It will be appreciated that a row can have modified start section (fig 3a,

3b), modified end section (fig 3a, 3b), or both modified start section and modified end section (figs 1 -2), according to what is considered suitable. The specific feed-out of which row units 1 1 a-1 1 h is modified depends on, for example, what distance is desired between modified row ends, the width and number of row units 1 1 a-1 1 h of the agricultural implement 1 , and the width of the following implement 4.

Figs 3a and 3b shown schematically how the feed-out from row units of an eight-row sowing machine 1 can be modified to fit with a twelve-row following implement 4.

As can be seen from Fig 3a, in a first pass S1 , row unit number 7 is shut off at the start of the pass, so that the seventh row from the left acquires a modified start section. In a second pass S2, no row unit is shut off. In a third pass D3, row unit number 3 is shut off at the end of the pass, so that the 19th. row from the left acquires a modified end section. In a fourth pass S4, row unit number 7 is shut off at the end of the pass, so that the 31 st. row from the left acquires a modified end section.

As can be seen from Fig 3b, the drawing vehicle 2 and the following implement 4, in a first pass F1 , are steered with the seventh row from the left as the guide line.

Following turning, the drawing vehicle 2 and the following implement, in a second pass F2, are steered with the 19th. row from the left as the guide line.

If a distance, viewed perpendicularly to the directions of advance S1 , S2, between modified row ends, which distance is greater than the width of the agricultural implement 1 , is desired, it is possible to drive passes with alternating modified row end and unmodified row end. For example, every second, every third, every fourth or every fifth pass can be made with modified row end, while other passes can be made without modified row end.

It is further possible to only drive passes with modified row end at the start of a new pass or only with modified row end at the end of each pass.

It will further be appreciated that the specific feed-out of which row unit or row units is modified can vary, for example as is shown in figs 3a and 3b. This especially applies when the sowing machine is in the form of a precision sowing machine operating with relatively large row spacing, for example in the order of magnitude of 70 cm, which, with an 8-row precision sowing machine, gives a working width of 560 cm. This sowing machine width can be combined with a fertilizer spreader or weed killer spreader, which can have a working width in the order of magnitude of 10-24 m.

It will be appreciated that with large row spacings it is not always possible to fit in modified row ends such that perfectly non-overlapping following passes can be marked. It may thus be necessary to choose which row ends' feed-out shall be modified, so that the modification is made as close as possible to the desired center position.

It is possible to effect the modification in a number of different ways: As is mentioned above, it is possible to wholly shut off the feed-out of seed for the path section M1 , M2 (or corresponding time) of modified feed-out which is desired.

Alternatively, the feed-out can be effected in sparser or denser form. As another alternative, feed-out can be effected of an alternative crop. The modification of the feed-out can be effected in a number of different ways.

One possibility is to get the user himself to modify the feed-out for one or more row units prior to a commenced pass. In the same way, it is possible to get the user himself to modify the feed-out for one or more row units prior to the last part of a pass.

In such cases, the user can himself control one or more of the row units in order to modify the feed-out, for example by shutting off or switching on the feed, or alternatively by altering the feed rate.

Alternatively, the control system of the feed-out machine can be configured and/or programmed so that when it is signaled that a new pass is to be started, the feed-out of one or more of the row units is modified. In the same way, when it is signaled that a pass is to be concluded, the feed-out of one or more row units can be modified.

The signal that a pass is to be commenced or concluded can be produced manually by the user. Alternatively the signal can be produced on the basis of a control system, which determines where or when the signal shall be produced based on knowledge of the position of the feed-out machine. The position can be determined, for example, with the aid of GPS or another positioning system, by dead reckoning (based on distance driven, driving time, speed, driving direction, etc.) or with the aid of a local signaling system installed in the field.

The row spacing R can be determined according to that which is considered suitable for the crop which shall be sown, the conditions at the site where sowing shall take place, and also with due regard to the equipment which shall be used for post-sowing passes.

The row spacing can also be chosen in order to suit a following thresher or harvester.

Such row spacings R can be in the order of magnitude of 20-100 cm, preferably 30-95 cm, 35-90 cm, 35-80 cm, 45-80 cm or 45-75 cm.

According to specific embodiments, the row spacing can be about 35 cm, about 37.5 cm, about 40 cm, about 45 cm, about 50 cm, about 55 cm, about 60 cm, about 70 cm, about 75 cm, about 80 cm, about 85 cm or about 90 cm. By "about" is here meant deviations in the order of magnitude of +/- 3 cm.

Fig 2 shows schematically the advance of a second agricultural implement 4 over a field in which rows 31 a-31 h, 32a-32h have been sown with crop.

As can be seen from the left-hand part of fig 2, the agricultural implement 4 is driven so that a center line, viewed in the direction of travel F1 , of the tractor 2 coincides with a row with modified end section 31 d.

In connection with turning and steering toward the next pass which shall take place in the direction F2, the center line of the tractor is lined up with a row 32f which has modified end section.

The identification is expediently realized visually, by the user looking to see which row has modified end section and steering toward this.

As a complement, the steering can be assisted with the aid of any of the above position determining systems, wherein the above-discussed visual steering constitutes a complement.

It will be appreciated that the tractor 2 can be provided with a guide mark or "sight" to facilitate steering. Alternatively, what is perceived by the user as the center line of the tractor can be utilized.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1 . A method of sowing seed for a crop in a field with the aid of a sowing machine (1 ) comprising a plurality of row units (1 1 a-h), each of which is arranged to feed out a respective row (31 a-31 h; 32a-32h) of seed, which method comprises:

performing at least two substantially parallel passes (S1 , S2) over the field, wherein each row unit (1 1 a-h), during the pass, feeds out a respective row (31 a-31 h; 32a-32h) of the seed,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y

modifying the feed-out from at least one of the row units (1 1 a-1 1 h) during a start period (M2) of a pass and/or during an end period (M1 ) of a pass, so that the row of crop which is formed by the seed of the row unit (1 1 a- 1 1 h), in a start section and/or in an end section thereof, will visually differ from other rows of crop.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the start period and/or the end period is/are shorter than 5 % of the length of the row, preferably shorter than 1 % of the length of the row, around 0.3-4 m, 0.5-3 m, around 2 m or around 1 m.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sowing machine comprises a number N of row units (1 1 a-1 1 h) and wherein said modification is effected for every Nth. row unit.

4. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said modification comprises at least one of:

non-feeding of seed,

sparser feed-out of seed,

denser feed-out of seed, and

feed-out of a second seed for another crop.

5. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which method comprises:

performing at least one pass over the field without modifying the feed- out from any of the row units during a start period of a pass or during an end period of a pass.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, which method further comprises:

performing alternate passes with and without modification of the feed- out, wherein a pass with modification of the feed-out constitutes every second pass, every third pass, every fourth pass or every fifth pass.

7. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 -5, which method comprises:

8. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 -5, which method comprises:

9. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which method further comprises:

receiving position data for the sowing machine in a control unit and controlling the row unit at least partially on the basis of said position data.

10. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance between adjacent rows of crop is such that an agricultural implement can be advanced with each of its wheels placed between two adjacent rows.

1 1 . A method of feeding out material with the aid of a feed-out machine (4) onto a field in which crop grows in substantially parallel rows (31 a-31 h; 32a-32h), which method comprises:

visually identifying a row of said crop, which row has a start section

(M2) and/or an end section (M1 ) and visually differs from other rows of crop, and,

prior to a run substantially parallel with said rows, steering the feed-out machine (4), viewed perpendicularly to the rows, on the basis of said start section or end section.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the machine is steered such that a guide mark on the feed-out machine is lined up with a row which has said start section or end section.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1 1 or 12, which method further comprises: receiving position data for the machine in a control unit and steering the feed-out machine at least partially on the basis of said position data.