Adjusting the response of the row sensor

If the sliding frame is controlled by the row sensor, the sliding movements are not guided by the camera system, but are rather triggered by pulses that are emitted from the inductive sensors 3 in the two sensor units. These pulses are generated when the guide arms 1 are pressed out of the plant row towards the parallelograms due to contact with the plants.

Due to the resulting rotating movement, the contact tab 2 in each sensor unit is moved towards the sensor. As soon as the centre axles are completely covered by the contact tab and sensor, the sensor emits switching signals.

The response of the sensor units can be adjusted via the position of the contact tab and the tension of the tension spring 5. The greater the distance from the contact tab to the sensor, the greater the deflection of the guide arm must be until the sensor emits a pulse. The stronger the tension spring presses onto the guide arm, the greater the force must be to deflect the guide arm. The smaller the distance from the contact tab to the sensor and the pulling force of the springs, the earlier and faster the sensor sends control pulses to the sliding frame in case of contact of the guide arm with the plant.

The length of the trigger path can be checked with an LED 4 in the sensor. As soon as the contact tab has triggered a pulse, the LED lights up. This requires that a camera system be installed and switched on.

It is recommended to start with the setting at the largest trigger path and the highest spring tension, and to gradually reduce the path and the tension by repeating steps 4 to 8 until the desired response is achieved.