Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for shifting weight between a tractor and toolbar and between sections of the toolbar and for folding a toolbar between a field position and a transport position.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system having: a row unit coupled to a tool bar of an agricultural implement; an opener system coupled to the row unit and configured to engage soil to form a trench; a soil condition sensor; a closing system, configured to close the trench created by the opener system, the closing system comprises: a first disk configured to engage the soil and close the trench; a second disk configured to engage the soil and close the trench; and a controller configured to couple to the soil condition sensor and control a position or orientation of the first disk or the second disk in response to feedback from the soil condition sensor.

Abstract: A coulter assembly for collecting soil samples from an agricultural field in one embodiment comprises an annular collection blade configured for penetrating soil to capture a sample, an annular cam ring configured for stationary mounting to a frame of an agricultural vehicle and comprising a cam track, a blade hub coupled to the blade for rotatably supporting the annular collection blade from the annular cam ring, and a movable sample collector mounted to the annular collection blade. The moveable sample collector is configured and operable for extracting a soil sample as the annular collection blade is rotated through the soil. The moveable sample collector in one embodiment comprises a piston mechanism including a cylinder and rod movably disposed therein which actuated by the annular cam ring to alternatingly open and close a collection end of the cylinder as the annular collection blade rotates through the soil.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and implements for sensing, analyzing, and displaying different soil parameters. A soil sensing system includes a mechanical component of an agricultural implement and at least one sensor disposed on the mechanical component. The sensor generates an electromagnetic field through a region of soil as the agricultural implement traverses a field. The sensor comprises at least one radar transmitter and at least one radar receiver and the sensor measures different soil parameters including a soil dielectric constant.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cartridge includes at least one compartment and a reagent in the at least one compartment. The reagent is a chemical composition for testing at least one of soil and vegetation for a chemical contained in the soil or vegetation. The reagent can be used in a soil and/or vegetation analysis test. The cartridge can contain an authentication chip to ensure that the reagent is the correct reagent for the analysis test.

Abstract: A seed orientation system for an agricultural planter includes a seed orientation coil assembly defining a helical pathway. As seed from a seed source enters the seed orientation coil assembly air flow from an air source is directed toward the seed causing the seed to orient as the seed moves along the helical pathway toward a seed exit. Upon exiting the seed orientation coil assembly, the seed is deposited into the seed furrow with the seed tip-down and with germ of the seed facing an adjacent seed row. The seed orientation system may be retrofitted onto existing planter row units.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for shifting weight between a tractor and toolbar and between sections of the toolbar, for controlling operative height of a toolbar and sections of a toolbar and for folding a toolbar between a work position and a transport position. A ground engaging wheel and an actuator are coupled to the toolbar. In one embodiment, a fluid control system is responsive to a command signal to modify the actuator pressure such that the actuator pressure corresponds to a desired pressure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure includes a method of calibrating a pump in a system to determine a minimum pump duty cycle needed. The system comprises a pump, a plurality of application lines downstream of the pump, and a flow control device in each application line. The method determines the minimum pump duty cycle to achieve total flow in the system, achieves a minimum pressure in the system, and ensures that the flow control device is not at or beyond a maximum open position.

Abstract: A seed delivery apparatus having a seed meter configured to entrain seeds on a seed disc and to release said entrained seeds at a seed release location; a seed conveyor having an upper end disposed to receive released seeds from said seed meter and a lower end through which the released seeds are discharged proximate a soil surface; and a loading wheel rotatably disposed at said upper end of said seed conveyor to introduce the released seeds from said seed meter into said seed conveyor, wherein said loading wheel has a plurality of radial fingers with each of said radial fingers having a sinusoidal configuration.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit of an agricultural planter. The row unit includes a trench depth adjustment assembly configured to modify the furrow depth. In one embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a gear box having one or more gears which engage with a gear rack. The gear box may be pivotally connected to a depth adjustment body supporting a rocker that adjusts upward travel of gauge wheel arms. In another embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a depth adjustment arm having a screw receiver that cooperates with a driven screw that adjusts the position of the depth adjustment arm acting on the gauge wheels to adjust trench depth.

Abstract: A method of height control of a machine attachment during operation at different fore-and-aft pitch angles. A height controller receives a first signal magnitude generated by a height sensor disposed on the machine attachment. The first signal magnitude is relative to a first height of the machine attachment disposed at a first pitch angle. The angular degree change is determined when the machine attachment is moved from the first pitch angle to a second pitch angle. A corrected signal magnitude is determined by applying a correction factor to the first signal magnitude. The correction factor is a product of said angular degree change and a scale factor.

Abstract: A method of controlling the downpressure on an air seeder that has a plurality of seed assemblies and a plurality of fertilizer assemblies each applying an adjustable downforce, wherein the method includes keeping a total downforce applied by all of the plurality of seed assemblies and all of the plurality of fertilizer assemblies less than a maximum downforce. The method may also include keeping the downforce applied by each of the fertilizer assemblies less than the downforce applied by each of the seed assemblies.

Abstract: System for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit (10) of an agricultural planter. The row unit (10) includes a trench depth adjustment assembly (90R) configured to modify the trench depth. The trench depth adjustment assembly (90R) includes a depth adjustment body (3044) pivotally connected via a pivot (92) to a frame member (14) of the row unit (10). An electric motor (3030) is operable to cause rotation of a shaft (3034) operably coupled with the depth adjustment body (3044), whereby rotation of the shaft (3034) causes the depth adjustment body (3044) to pivotally move about the pivot (92) thereby changing a position of contact of the depth adjustment body (3044) with a gauge wheel arm (54), thus changing the amount of upward travel of the gauge wheel (50) with respect to a trench opening disc (62) and thus the depth of the trench.

Abstract: A system for seed orientation includes a seed disk capable of rotation in operation and having at least one singulator to adjust an orientation of seed to a desired seed orientation for placement within a furrow during planting. A vision system in proximity to the seed disk determines seed orientation data for seed on the seed disk.

Abstract: A system for sensing characteristics of a trench in a soil surface during planting operations. A trench opening assembly opens a trench in the soil surface as the trench opening assembly moves in a forward direction of travel. A trench closing assembly disposed rearward of the trench opening assembly closes the opened trench with soil. One or more sensors may be disposed on an appurtenance disposed in said trench configured to provide characteristics of an area of the open trench or an area of the trench closed with soil by the trench closing assembly or a sensor may be disposed outside of said trench configured to provide characteristics of an area of the trench closed with soil or a combination of the sensors may be disposed in the trench and outside of the trench.

Abstract: A ground-engaging component disposed at least partially within a planting trench formed by a planter row unit in a soil surface. The ground engaging component is capable of pivoting laterally side-to-side about a pivot axis as the ground engaging component advances in a forward direction of travel. The ground engaging component may include at least one wing extending laterally outward to form a side trench in a sidewall of the planting trench as the planter row unit advances in the forward direction of travel. The at least one wing may include a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a fluid source to deposit fluid into the side trench.

Abstract: A seed conveyor assembly that delivers seed to a planting surface in a controlled manner to maintain seed placement accuracy within a trench. In one embodiment, a seed guide for a seed conveyor assembly includes a relief portion and an introduction portion that includes at least one protrusion. The protrusion is angled from a side of the introduction portion toward the center of the introduction portion. The end of the protrusion is proximate the center of the introduction portion being further from the relief portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a seed firmer having a resilient portion and a firming portion that are molded together into a unitary part with each portion being a different material.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and harvesters for adjusting settings of a harvester. In one embodiment, a computer Implemented method includes capturing, with at least one image capture device that is located on the harvester, images of a field view of an unharvested region to be harvested, analyzing the captured images to determine crop information for a crop of a harvested region that is adjacent to the unharvested region, and adjusting settings or operating parameters of the harvester for the unharvested region based on the crop information for the crop of the harvested region.

Abstract: A dynamic supplemental downforce control system for a planter row unit. The system includes closed-loop feedback circuit that cooperates with a downforce actuator to dynamically control fluid flow to the downforce actuator to maintain balance between the actual gauge wheel downforce and a desired gauge wheel downforce during planting operations.