Abstract: A vacuum seed meter includes a vacuum channel and a seed disc having seed cells defined as openings through a perimeter region of the seed disc, which rotates through the vacuum channel. The seed meter includes a sensor that addresses the seed cells in a way that enables prediction of imminent seed starvation of the seed meter.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the operation of a seed-planting implement may include a ground-engaging tool and an actuator configured to adjust an operating parameter of the ground-engaging tool. Furthermore, the system may include a controller configured to control the operation of the seed-planting implement such that a primary crop is planted in a field as the seed-planting implement is being moved across the field. Additionally, the controller may be configured to determine a density of a cover crop present within the field. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine an adjustment to be made to the operating parameter of the ground-engaging tool based on the determined density. In addition, the controller may be configured to control the operation of the actuator to execute the adjustment of the operating parameter.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the operation of a residue removal device of a seed-planting implement may include a residue removal device configured to remove residue from a path of the seed-planting implement. The system may also include a sensor configured to capture data indicative of a residue characteristic associated with a portion of the field within a detection zone positioned forward of the residue removal device relative to a direction of travel of the seed-planting implement. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. As such, the controller may be configured to monitor the residue characteristic associated with the portion of the field within the detection zone based on data received from the sensor. Additionally, the controller may be further configured to control the operation of the residue removal device based on the monitored residue characteristic.

Abstract: A vacuum seed meter includes a vacuum channel and a seed disc having seed cells defined as openings through a perimeter region of the seed disc, which rotates through the vacuum channel. The seed meter includes a sensor that addresses the seed cells in a way that enables prediction of imminent seed starvation of the seed meter.

Abstract: A plant product extraction apparatus or extractor is provided for separating or grading fine particles from a larger portion of material, such as separating trichomes from a stalk or flower of a plant. The apparatus imparts a plurality modes or patterns of oscillations and vibrations to a particle separator or sieve that holds the plant matter. A motor drives a back and forth motion to a support platform supporting a sieve. The sieve is constrained by a retention tray that is supported by the support platform. Vibratory motors provide rapid shaking vibration through the retention tray to the sieve. Agitators may be placed inside of the sieve to facilitate the separation of the plant materials. The various motors and locomotion patterns facilitate the separation of finer plant materials from a larger portion of a plant.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a seed-planting implement may include a furrow-closing assembly having a closing disc. A controller of the system may be configured to determine when a penetration depth of the closing disc falls outside a predetermined depth range based on data received from a depth sensor. The controller may also be configured to control the operation of an actuator to adjust a down pressure applied to the closing disc to return the monitored penetration depth to within the predetermined depth range. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to determine an operational adjustment to be made to an additional tool of the seed-planting implement based on the adjustment made to the down pressure applied to the closing disc. In addition, the controller may be configured to control the operation of the additional tool to execute the operational adjustment.

Abstract: A pneumatic seed delivery system is provided for use with planter for row-crop planting an agricultural field in which the pneumatic seed delivery system may use high pressure air to accelerate seeds that are singulated from a seed meter to match ground speed when planting. The pneumatic seed delivery system includes an air accelerator arranged downstream of a release location of the seed meter. The air accelerator may define a pneumatic device such as an air conveyor or air amplifier that merges a primary airflow with a controllable supplemental airflow to provide a correspondingly controllable combined airflow that carries and accelerates the singulated seeds so that the seeds can be released with a rearward horizontal seed velocity component that approximates a forward ground speed of the planter to reduce seed tumble.

Abstract: A pneumatic seed delivery system is provided for use with planter for row-crop planting an agricultural field in which the pneumatic seed delivery system may use high pressure air to accelerate seeds that are singulated from a seed meter to match ground speed when planting. The pneumatic seed delivery system includes an air accelerator arranged downstream of a release location of the seed meter. The air accelerator may define a pneumatic device such as an air conveyor or air amplifier that merges a primary airflow with a controllable supplemental airflow to provide a correspondingly controllable combined airflow that carries and accelerates the singulated seeds so that the seeds can be released with a rearward horizontal seed velocity component that approximates a forward ground speed of the planter to reduce seed tumble.

Abstract: In one aspect, a calibration method for a seed meter may include controlling an air pressure source to apply an initial air pressure to a seed transport member of the seed meter defining a plurality of seed cells. The method may further include controlling the seed meter to rotate the seed transport member relative to a seed chamber of the seed meter containing a plurality of seeds. The method may additionally include performing a calibration cycle for the seed meter, which may include monitoring a first parameter indicative of a number of empty seed cells as the seed transport member rotates, iteratively adjusting the air pressure from the initial air pressure as the first parameter is being monitored, and when the first parameter crosses a first threshold, recording the associated air pressure as a minimum air pressure for the seed meter.

Abstract: In one aspect, a calibration method for a seed meter may include controlling an operation of a singulator to apply an initial aggressiveness setting for the singulator. The method may further include controlling the seed meter to rotate a seed transport member of the seed meter relative to a seed chamber of the seed meter containing a plurality of seeds. The method may additionally include performing a calibration cycle, which may include monitoring a first parameter indicative of a number of occurrences of seed multiples as the seed transport member rotates, iteratively adjusting the aggressiveness setting from the initial aggressiveness setting as the first parameter is being monitored, and when the first parameter crosses a first threshold, recording the associated aggressiveness setting as a minimum aggressiveness setting for the singulator.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for dispensing agricultural products into a field using an agricultural machine may include a metering device configured to control a rate at which an agricultural product is dispensed into the field. Furthermore, the system may include a controller configured to determine a density of a cover crop present within the field as the agricultural machine is moved across the field. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine an adjustment to be made to the rate at which the agricultural product is being dispensed for use in growing a primary crop within the field based on the determined density. Additionally, the controller may be configured to control the operation of the metering device to execute the adjustment of the rate at which the agricultural product is being dispensed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the operation of a seed-planting implement may include a ground-engaging tool and an actuator configured to adjust an operating parameter of the ground-engaging tool. Furthermore, the system may include a controller configured to control the operation of the seed-planting implement such that a primary crop is planted in a field as the seed-planting implement is being moved across the field. Additionally, the controller may be configured to determine a density of a cover crop present within the field. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine an adjustment to be made to the operating parameter of the ground-engaging tool based on the determined density. In addition, the controller may be configured to control the operation of the actuator to execute the adjustment of the operating parameter.

Abstract: A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement including an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly, in which at least one webbing extends across the exhaust opening forming a plurality of apertures, the at least one webbing is integrally molded into the seed tank assembly, and the at least one webbing is configured to provide structural support to the seed tank assembly and to reduce seed head pressure into an inductor box positioned beneath the exhaust opening.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for monitoring seed meter operation may include operating a seed meter such that seeds are transported by a seed transport member of the seed meter from a seed acquisition region to a separate location for subsequent discharge from the seed meter. In addition, the method may include receiving an index signal from a sensor located within a portion of the seed meter across which an air pressure differential exists to allow seeds to be transported by the seed transport member and receiving a timing signal associated with an extent to which the seed transport member has been rotated within the seed meter following receipt of the index signal. The method may also include evaluating data from the sensor based on the timing signal to identify at least one of the presence or absence of a seed within the one or more seeds cells of the seed transport member.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the operation of a seed-planting implement may include a furrow-closing assembly having a closing disc. A controller of the system may be configured to determine when a penetration depth of the closing disc falls outside a predetermined depth range based on data received from a depth sensor. The controller may also be configured to control the operation of an actuator to adjust a down pressure applied to the closing disc to return the monitored penetration depth to within the predetermined depth range. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to determine an operational adjustment to be made to an additional tool of the seed-planting implement based on the adjustment made to the down pressure applied to the closing disc. In addition, the controller may be configured to control the operation of the additional tool to execute the operational adjustment.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the operation of a residue removal device of a seed-planting implement may include a residue removal device configured to remove residue from a path of the seed-planting implement. The system may also include a sensor configured to capture data indicative of a residue characteristic associated with a portion of the field within a detection zone positioned forward of the residue removal device relative to a direction of travel of the seed-planting implement. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. As such, the controller may be configured to monitor the residue characteristic associated with the portion of the field within the detection zone based on data received from the sensor. Additionally, the controller may be further configured to control the operation of the residue removal device based on the monitored residue characteristic.

Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply, wherein the inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.

Abstract: A multi-variety seed meter can include a set of divider walls in a seed chamber to promote seed delivery on a first-in-first-out (FIFO) basis. This can be helpful to reduce the amount of seed variety mixing which may occur at transition points while planting in an agricultural field, since the first variety can be substantially exhausted from the seed meter before the second variety begins to get picked up by a seed transport member.

Abstract: An agricultural product distribution system includes an inductor box configured to receive agricultural product and conveyed air to combine the conveyed air and the agricultural product. The conveyed air is configured to direct the agricultural product through ports to multiple distribution units. Moreover the inductor box includes a baffle retention channel configured to receive a removable baffle. Furthermore, the removable baffle includes at least one opening configured to control an amount of conveyed air directed through the ports to the multiple distribution units.

Abstract: An agricultural product distribution system includes an inductor box configured to receive agricultural product and conveyed air to combine the conveyed air and the agricultural product. The conveyed air is configured to direct the agricultural product through ports to multiple distribution units. Moreover the inductor box includes a baffle retention channel configured to receive a removable baffle. Furthermore, the removable baffle includes at least one opening configured to control an amount of conveyed air directed through the ports to the multiple distribution units.