Automatic Depth Control System for Tractor Implement

To control depth of tractor implement, an automatic depth control system based upon microcomputer was developed. This system consists of data aquisition system to measure and to record travel speed, draft and depth of the implement, hydraulic system to control the implement depth and 3-point hitch to attach the implement. Program, written in C language, was able to select position control, draft control and mixed control. To analyze parameters affecting this system, the performance of the system was evaluated through use of computer simulation and verified in soil bin experiments. 3-point hitch was lifted by hydraulic pressure and lowered by implement weight. Dead band was one of the important factors which affect the stability and the accuracy of the system. The system became unstable when the flow rate was increased or when the dead band was decreased. The position control mode with on-off control showed the great ability to control the implement at the given plowing depth. With the draft control, the tractor load could be reduced, however the plowing depth was changed unexpectedly when the soil was hard and inconsistent. The mixed control could improve the performance of the system to maintain the plowing depth without overload of the tractor.