FIELD OF THE DESCRIPTION

The present description relates to agricultural machines. More specifically, the present description relates to using a seed sensor on a planter to detect planting characteristics and generate control signals.

BACKGROUND

There are a wide variety of different types of agricultural machines that plant seeds. Some such agricultural machines include air seeders and planters that have row units (collectively “planters”).

As one example, a row unit is often mounted to a planter with a plurality of other row units. The planter is often towed by a tractor over soil where seed is planted in the soil, using the row units. The row units on the planter follow the ground profile by using a combination of a down force assembly that imparts a down force to the row unit to push disk openers into the ground and gauge wheels to set depth of penetration of the disk openers.

The seed can be carried, prior to being planted, by a container or tank on the row unit itself, or it can be pneumatically delivered to the row unit by a grain cart that is also pulled by the tractor. In either case, the seed can be delivered to the furrow by a delivery system.

The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

SUMMARY

A seed sensor senses seeds on a row unit and generates a seed sensor signal. A number of planting characteristics, such as a seed orientation, seed slugging, (seed misplacement on a delivery system or the ground) delivery system wear, and seed abnormalities, can be detected based on the seed sensor signal. The planter can be controlled based on the detected planting characteristics.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.

