Abstract: Application units provide placement of fluid applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, an application unit includes a frame to be positioned in operation between two rows of plants and a plurality of flexible members coupled to the frame in operation such that the plurality of flexible members guide a lateral position of the frame to be approximately equidistant from the two rows of plants based upon whether at least one flexible member of the plurality of flexible members contacts one or more plants of the two rows of plants. The plurality of flexible members include a plurality of fluid outlets for spraying crop input in close proximity to the rows of plants.

Abstract: A soil apparatus (e.g., seed firmer) having a base portion for engaging in soil of an agricultural field, and the base portion is adapted for connection to an agricultural implement; a window in the base portion; a wear resistant insert disposed in or on the base portion in one or more locations selected from the group consisting of i) ahead of the window in a direction of travel of the soil apparatus through soil and disposed on the base portion, ii) ahead of the window in a direction of travel of the soil apparatus through soil and disposed in the base portion, wherein the base portion has a ground engaging portion, the ground engaging portion has a greater wear resistance than the base portion, iii) above the window, and iv) below the window.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an air seeder tower includes a valve with an actuator, and a closed loop feedback control with a sensor to control actuation of the valve to control air flow out of the air seeder vent tower.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and devices for controlling and monitoring liquid applications of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a flow device for controlling flow during an agricultural operation includes an offset ball valve having multiple openings that rotate in position to control flow of a liquid through the offset ball valve to an outlet passage. The flow device also includes a first passage that provides a first flow path from an inlet to at least one opening of the offset ball valve and second passage that provides a second flow path from the inlet to at least one opening of the offset ball valve.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and devices for controlling and monitoring liquid applications of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a flow device for controlling flow during an agricultural operation includes an offset ball valve having multiple openings that rotate in position to control flow of a liquid through the offset ball valve to an outlet passage. The flow device also includes a first passage that provides a first flow path from an inlet to at least one opening of the offset ball valve and second passage that provides a second flow path from the inlet to at least one opening of the offset ball valve.

Abstract: Systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants of agricultural include a system for seed orientation having a vision system positioned in proximity to a seed disk. The vision system determines seed orientation data for seed on the seed disk. A seed belt receives seed from the seed disk and the seed belt adjusts an orientation of the seed from the seed disk to a desired seed orientation with a furrow during planting.

Abstract: Systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants of agricultural fields include a seed firmer having a base support to be positioned in operation in proximity to a trench for planting seed in the trench, a vision system coupled to the base support in operation to determine seed orientation data for a first seed in a pre-orientation position, and an actuator coupled to the base support. The actuator adjusts an orientation of a second seed to a desired seed orientation within the trench if desired based on the pre-orientation data for the first seed in the pre-orientation position.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a yield sensor of a harvesting machine. The yield sensor generates a grain force signal as clean grain piles are thrown by the elevator flights against the sensor surface of the yield sensor. A grain height sensor is disposed to detect a height of the clean grain pile on each passing elevator flight. Each grain height signal is associated with a corresponding grain force signal by applying a time shift to account for a time delay between the time the grain height signal is generated and the time at which the impact signal is generated. The grain force signal is corrected by multiplying the grain force signal by a correction factor. The correction factor is the sum of the grain height signals divided by the sum of the grain force signals over a predetermined period.

Abstract: Systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants of agricultural fields include a seed firmer having a base support to be positioned in operation in proximity to a trench for planting seed in the trench and a lower member integrated with the base support or coupled to the base support. The lower member includes a non-planar ground contacting lower surface to adjust an orientation of the seed to a desired seed orientation within the trench and to position the seed within the trench at a desired depth.

Abstract: A load sensing bracket for a disk opener assembly of an agricultural implement. The load sensing bracket includes a body having a cantilevered arm, the body is configured to engage with and secure to a portion of a depth setting arm of a disc opening assembly. The cantilevered arm has an upper end with an extending projection that is receivable in any one of plurality of notches of a fan shaped member thereby setting a position of the depth setting arm relative to the fan shaped member which sets a position of the gauge wheel relative to the disk. A sensor is disposed on the cantilevered arm generating a signal relating to strain in the cantilevered arm which corresponds to a down pressure on the gauge wheel.

Abstract: A seed firmer and bracket combination for a planter row unit. The bracket includes a forward configured to mount to a frame member of the planter row unit. A rearward portion extends rearward of the seed tube or seed conveyor. The seed firmer includes a body having an upper portion, a tail portion, and a resilient flexible portion between the upper portion and the tail portion. The upper portion is releasably received in a vertical opening in the bracket such that the resilient flexible portion and tail portion extend downwardly and rearwardly from the bracket. The seed firmer is releasably restrained in the bracket preventing the seed firmer from moving upward, forward, rearward and downward until the upper portion of the seed firmer is disengaged from the bracket.

Abstract: Described herein are implements, systems, and methods for applying stress to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, an agricultural implement comprises a frame transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement and a stress mechanism disposed on the frame in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to the row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field.

Abstract: Described herein are expandable network architectures with communication systems having multiple networks for communications between machines and implements for field operations including planting and harvesting operations. In one embodiment, a communication system includes a first communication module including at least one port of a first network, at least one input port and at least one output port of a second network, and a first network gateway to translate between a first protocol for the first network and a second protocol for the second network. A second communication module is communicatively coupled to tike first communication module. The second communication module includes at least one port of the first network, and at least at least one input port and at least one output port of the second network.

Abstract: A seed firmer and bracket combination for a planter row unit. The bracket includes a forward end configured to mount to a frame member of the planter row unit. The seed firmer includes a body having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a resiliently flexible central portion. The upper portion of the seed firmer body is releasably retained between a forward surface and a back surface of the rearward end of the bracket by a rearwardly extending upper arm and lower arms that respectively engage a top edge and a bottom edge of the back surface preventing the seed firmer body from moving vertically and horizontally relative to the bracket until the upper arm is disengaged from the top edge of the back surface.

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: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for determining the depth of a trench opened by an agricultural planter. Sensors are provided for detecting the position of a ground-engaging element of the planter such as a gauge wheel or seed firmer of a row unit of the planter. Apparatus and methods are provided for installing such sensors onto a row unit of the planter. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling downpressure on a row unit based on the trench depth. Methods are provided for mapping trench depth measured by the depth sensors.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring soil properties including soil moisture and soil temperature during an agricultural input application. Embodiments include a soil moisture sensor and/or a soil temperature sensor mounted to a seed firmer for measuring moisture and temperature in a planting trench. Additionally, systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting depth based on the monitored soil properties.

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: An apparatus and methods for delivering seed from a metering device to a furrow. In one embodiment, a seed meter entrains and releases seed from a seed disc at a seed release location. The released seed is directed into a seed conveyor by a loading wheel. The seed conveyor conveys the seed toward the soil and releases the seed with a rearward relative velocity.

Abstract: A system, method, and device for displaying spacing information of discharged seeds. A seed disc may be configured to rotate at a disc velocity to discharge seeds. A seed sensor may be configured to generate a first signal indicative of a discharge time of a seed. A drive module may be operably coupled to the seed disc and may be configured to generate a second signal indicative of the disc velocity of the seed disc. A discharge time for the discharged seeds may be determined based on the first signal and/or the disc velocity of the seed disc may be determined based on the second signal. A seed disc index may be determined for discharged seeds based on the disc velocity of the seed disc and the discharge time for the seed. Spacing information may be determined for the seeds by comparing the determined seed disc indexes.