PERFORMANCE MONITOR FOR A SEED PLANTING IMPLEMENT

摘要

A performance monitor (100) for a seed planting implement (10). The monitor (100) is used with a planting system including a planting implement (10) coupled to a tractor (102). The target rate at which seed is planted by the implement (10) in the soil of an agricultural field is controlled based upon a control signal. The actual seed planting rate is monitored using an optical seed sensor (276) supported by the implement (10) at a location where seeds exit the implement (10). The implement (10) and the tractor (102) include data buses (104, 106, 108) linked to each other, and signals from the seed sensors (156) are transmitted to a controller (154) on the tractor (102) via the busses (104, 106, 108). The controller (154) applies a display signal to an electronic display (140) located in the tractor's cab to produce an image which an operator can view to determine the actual seed application rate. The image also shows the target seed application rate to allow the operator to compare actual and target rates to determine whether the implement (10) needs to be adjusted or repaired to eliminate or reduce any deviation in rates. Seed application rates for each section of a multiple-section implement (10) can be displayed sequentially for effecient use of the display (140), with the rate for each row unit (14) also being displayed.