Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed transport mechanism configured to transport a seed along a transport route, a seed sensor configured to sense presence of the seed at a first location along the transport route, and a motor configured to drive movement of the seed transport mechanism to transport the seed from the first location to a second location in which the seed is released from the seed transport mechanism. A processing system is configured to track a position of the seed along the transport route based on an indication of the sensed presence of the seed at the first location and detected movement of the seed transport mechanism, and generate a motor operating parameter based on the tracked position of the seed and a target parameter for releasing the seed. The motor of the seeding system is operated based on the motor operating parameter.

Abstract: Agricultural machines and implements have a need to adapt to changing environments. A closing system for an agricultural machine has a need to adapt to changing ground surface. The closing system includes a closing device pivotably connected to the agricultural machine, a passive mechanical element that is operable to apply an initial amount force to the closing device, and an actuator that is operable to apply an actuator force to the passive mechanical element to increase the amount of force that the passive mechanical element applies to the closing device. The actuator can be a linear actuator having an adjustable stroke length to vary the amount of actuator force applied to the passive mechanical element. The passive mechanical element is operable to absorb a shock force as the closing device traverses a ground surface. The passive mechanical element includes one or more springs adjacent the actuator.

Abstract: Locations of seeds in a field can be identified using event-based processing or frequency-based processing. A material is applied to the field, based upon the seed locations.

Abstract: A row unit has a seed meter and a seed delivery system. A target seed population is obtained and a motor that drives at least one of the seed meter and the seed delivery system is intermittently pulsed to plant seeds in groupings based on machine speed and target seed population.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter assembly having a metering member with a seed side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the seed side. The metering member is operable to selectively move seeds from the seed reservoir. A pump provides a pressure differential between the seed side and the non-seed side for adhering the seeds to the metering member. A conveyor has an inlet for receiving the seeds and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine. The conveyor includes a belt movable from the inlet to the outlet. A pneumatic seed displacer includes a nozzle disposed adjacent the metering member for concentrating air. The nozzle is configured to eject the air towards the metering member for directing the seeds from the metering member to the conveyor.

Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile agricultural machine, the method comprising operating a row unit having a ground-engaging element to deliver product to a furrow formed by the row unit, receiving an indication of rotational speed of the ground-engaging element, determining that the rotational speed of the ground-engaging element is below a threshold, and controlling an action of the mobile agricultural machine based on the determination.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system comprising a plurality of planting units, each planting unit configured to meter and deliver seed and a control system configured to obtain a seed planting model that identifies a plurality of seed planting locations on a worksite, identify a machine path on the worksite, identify, based on the machine path, a set of the seed planting locations for each of the planting units, and control each planting unit to deliver seeds to the set of seed planting locations identified for the planting unit.

Abstract: Locations of seeds in a field can be identified. A material is applied to the field by an agricultural machine, based upon the seed locations. The placement of the material is detected and the agricultural machine is controlled.

Abstract: Locations of seeds in a field can be identified. A material is applied to the field by an agricultural machine, based upon the seed locations. The placement of the material is detected and the agricultural machine is controlled.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter having a metering member with a seed side facing the seed reservoir, a non-seed side opposite the seed side, and a plurality of apertures. The seed meter is operable by pressure differential between the non-seed side and the seed side to adhere seeds to the seed side and move seeds from the seed reservoir. A conduit has a venturi with a throat disposed adjacent the metering member. The throat presents an opening directed toward the seed side and the plurality of apertures. The opening is configured to receive a seed adhered to one aperture of the plurality of apertures. An air pressure source is configured to provide greater than atmospheric air pressure on the non-seed side such that during operation of the row unit an air stream passes through the one aperture toward the opening.

Abstract: A mobile agricultural machine includes a row unit having a furrow opener mounted to the row unit and configured to engage a surface of ground over which the mobile agricultural machine travels to open a furrow in the ground. A furrow closer is mounted to the row unit behind the furrow opener relative to a direction of travel of the mobile agricultural machine and configured to engage the surface of the ground to close the furrow. A furrow sensor system is mounted to the row unit and configured to sense characteristics relative to the furrow opened by the furrow opener and generate a sensor signal indicative of the characteristics. The mobile agricultural machine can further include a control system configured to determine a furrow quality metric corresponding to the furrow sensed by the furrow sensor system based on the sensor signal and generate an action signal to control an action of the mobile agricultural machine based on the furrow quality metric.

Abstract: Locations of seeds in a field can be identified using event-based processing or frequency-based processing. A material is applied to the field, based upon the seed locations.

Abstract: A seed meter disk includes a body defining a plane of rotation, a seed-side, and a lower-pressure-side. A circumferential array of seed openings are provided on the seed-side of the seed meter disk for seed adherence. A circumferential array of kick-out pockets are provided on the lower-pressure-side of the seed meter disk. A circumferential array of recessed seed agitator pockets may be provided for seed mixing and agitation. A circumferential array of raised agitator pegs or features may be provided for seed mixing and agitation. A kick-out wheel assembly includes a kick-out wheel rotatably held by a kick-out wheel arm. The kick-out wheel has at least one protrusion portion including a plurality of kick-out protrusions each of which is configured to mate with and enter one of the kick-out pockets to facilitate dislodgement of a seed or other particle from within a seed opening.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a depth sensor coupled to the frame. The depth sensor is configured to generate signals corresponding to a depth of a furrow. The row unit also includes a controller configured to receive the signals, and a downforce adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame and to the controller. The controller is configured to activate the downforce adjustment mechanism to adjust a downforce on the frame based on the signals received by the controller.

Abstract: A seeding machine for a row unit, in which the row unit has a seed disk rotatable about a first axis to convey seed from a seed reservoir, includes a seed delivery apparatus. The seed delivery apparatus includes an elongated housing having a first opening through which seed is received, a second opening through which seed exits, and an elongated interior chamber. The seed delivery apparatus further includes a first pulley, a second pulley, and an endless member driven by the first pulley and/or the second pulley. The endless member is movable within the elongated interior chamber to receive seed from the first opening and convey seed to the second opening. A seed diverter is movable with respect to the endless member and pivotable about a second axis non-coincident with the first axis. The seed diverter is positioned to contact and guide seed into the seed delivery apparatus.

Abstract: A seeding machine for a row unit, in which the row unit has a seed disk rotatable about an axis to convey seed from a seed reservoir, includes a seed delivery apparatus. The seed delivery apparatus includes an elongated housing having a first opening through which seed is received, a second opening through which seed exits, and an elongated interior chamber. The seed delivery apparatus also includes a first pulley, a second pulley, and an endless member driven by the first pulley and/or the second pulley. The endless member is movable within the elongated interior chamber to receive seed from the first opening and convey seed to the second opening. A seed diverter is movable with respect to the endless member and translatable from a first position to a second position. The seed diverter is positioned to contact and guide seed into the seed delivery apparatus.

Abstract: A seeding machine for a row unit includes a rotatable seed disk with a plurality of apertures through which an air pressure differential is applicable to retain seed thereon. A seed delivery apparatus includes an elongated housing having a first opening through which seed is received, a second opening through which seed exits, and an elongated interior chamber. The seed delivery apparatus further includes a first pulley, a second pulley, and an endless member driven by the first pulley and/or the second pulley. The endless member is movable within the elongated interior chamber to receive seed from the first opening and convey seed to the second opening. The endless member is further positioned to sweep across a portion of the seed disk, which is controllable to angularly accelerate cooperatively with movement of the endless member to facilitate movement of a retained seed by the endless member from the seed disk.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed meter configured to meter seed, a seed meter sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of movement of the seed meter, and an assistive seed transport mechanism configured to receive the metered seed from the seed meter and to transport the metered seed along a delivery path. A control system is configured to determine a position of the seed in the assistive seed transport mechanism based on the sensor signal, and generate a control signal to control the agricultural machine based on the determined position of the seed.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed transport mechanism configured to transport a seed along a transport route, a seed sensor configured to sense presence of the seed at a first location along the transport route, and a motor configured to drive movement of the seed transport mechanism to transport the seed from the first location to a second location in which the seed is released from the seed transport mechanism. A processing system is configured to track a position of the seed along the transport route based on an indication of the sensed presence of the seed at the first location and detected movement of the seed transport mechanism, and generate a motor operating parameter based on the tracked position of the seed and a target parameter for releasing the seed. The motor of the seeding system is operated based on the motor operating parameter.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system comprising a plurality of planting units, each planting unit configured to meter and deliver seed and a control system configured to obtain a seed planting model that identifies a plurality of seed planting locations on a worksite, identify a machine path on the worksite, identify, based on the machine path, a set of the seed planting locations for each of the planting units, and control each planting unit to deliver seeds to the set of seed planting locations identified for the planting unit.