Abstract: A method for treating plants comprises estimating a growth state or maturity state of a plant based on a planting date, a current date and the crop type of the plant. A root zone estimator or data processor estimating a size, diameter or radius of a root zone of the plant based on the determined growth state or maturity state. The data processor adjusts a lateral offset of a distribution pattern of a crop input or nutrient from at least one nutrient knife based on the size, diameter or radius of the root zone and safety zone about the root zone, where the at least one nutrient knife tracks a path outside of or bounded by the root zone.

Abstract: At least one sensor carried by a mobile machine senses a sensed forage crop attribute value independent of plant population for an individual forage plant. A processing unit derives a derived forage crop attribute value based on the sensed forage crop attribute value.

Abstract: A data processor determines whether a draft force on the implement is unbalanced based on an error between the observed implement angle and a target implement heading exceeding a threshold deviation. The data processor is adapted to generate a control signal to compensate for the imbalance in the draft force by adjusting the first lateral position via the first actuator, or by adjusting the second lateral position via the second actuator, the first actuator and the second actuator being positioned on opposite lateral sides of the implement.

Abstract: A laterally movable carrier is associated with a row frame. The carrier is connected to a frame member, an opener, a first outlet and a second outlet to allow for dynamically variable adjustment of the lateral separation between a first row of planted seed and a second row of planted seed, where the first row of seed is adjacent to the second row of seed.

Abstract: A first rear member is spaced apart from the front member and positioned generally parallel to the front member. A first pair of first pivotable arms are generally parallel to each other. The first pair of first pivotable arms are rotatably connected to the front member at two front pivot points. The first pair of first pivotable arms are rotatably connected to the rear member at two rear pivot points. At least one first opener (e.g., nutrient knife or projecting, ground-engaging member) extends downward from or with respect to the first rear member.

Abstract: A row frame is coupled to the rear member. A first opener is configured to open the soil; the first opener is supported by or from a first support extending downward from the frame member. A first outlet is configured to dispense or apply a nutrient strip. A laterally movable carrier is associated with the row frame. The carrier supports the first opener and the first outlet. A second outlet can dispense or plant seed, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet have a lateral separation that is dynamically adjustable during the simultaneous application of seed and the nutrient strip.

Abstract: A crop harvesting width of a harvester head is partitioned into a plurality of portions. At least one sensor detects a metric of a crop being harvested for each of the plurality of portions. A processing unit determines an attribute of the crop harvested for each of a plurality of portions using the detected metric.

Abstract: A crop harvesting width of a harvester head is partitioned into a plurality of portions. At least one sensor detects a metric of a crop being harvested for each of the plurality of portions. A processing unit determines an attribute of the crop harvested for each of a plurality of portions using the detected metric.

Abstract: A harvester comprises a first stripper plate and a second stripper plate spaced from the first stripper plate by a channel, and at least one actuator to move the first stripper plate and the second stripper plate based upon at least one of sensed crop attribute values or derived crop attribute values.

Abstract: A system for sensing the diameter of stalks of plants senses the position of a laterally movable member arranged to contact a stalk of a plant located within an elongate gap in a row harvesting unit to determine and map the stalk diameters.

Abstract: A system for sensing the diameter of stalks of plants senses the position of a laterally movable member arranged to contact a stalk of a plant located within an elongate gap in a row harvesting unit to determine and map the stalk diameters.

Abstract: A capacitance-based moisture sensor may include a sleeve having an internal cavity, a container filled with soil or other material inserted into the internal cavity, and a pair of ring-shaped conductive bands around the exterior of the sleeve forming a capacitor and providing a frequency output. The rings positioned around a perimeter of the sleeve may be connected to a fixed inductor to form an oscillator with a variable frequency output. The sensor may be calibrated from the frequency output for each of a plurality of substances, measuring the volumetric water content for saturation of the material, and determining at least one fitting constant in an equation wherein volumetric water content is a function of the frequency output and a plurality of fitting constants.

Abstract: A soil compaction reduction system and method determine a path through the field for a mobile machine or control a soil compaction characteristic of the mobile machine based upon a varying soil compaction characteristic of the mobile machine as the mobile machine traverses the field and based upon a soil compaction constraint.

Abstract: A harvester comprises a first stripper plate and a second stripper plate spaced from the first stripper plate by a channel, and at least one actuator to move the first stripper plate and the second stripper plate based upon at least one of sensed crop attribute values or derived crop attribute values.

Abstract: A crop harvesting width of a harvester head is partitioned into a plurality of portions. At least one sensor detects a metric of a crop being harvested for each of the plurality of portions. A processing unit determines an attribute of the crop harvested for each of a plurality of portions using the detected metric.

Abstract: At least one sensor carried by a mobile machine senses a sensed forage crop attribute value independent of plant population for an individual forage plant. A processing unit derives a derived forage crop attribute value based on the sensed forage crop attribute value.

Abstract: A soil compaction reduction system and method determine a path through the field for a mobile machine or control a soil compaction characteristic of the mobile machine based upon a varying soil compaction characteristic of the mobile machine as the mobile machine traverses the field and based upon a soil compaction constraint.

Abstract: A crop harvesting width of a harvester head is partitioned into a plurality of portions. At least one sensor detects a metric of a crop being harvested for each of the plurality of portions. A processing unit determines an attribute of the crop harvested for each of a plurality of portions using the detected metric.

Abstract: A capacitance-based moisture sensor may include a sleeve having an internal cavity, a container filled with soil or other material inserted into the internal cavity, and a pair of ring-shaped conductive bands around the exterior of the sleeve forming a capacitor and providing a frequency output. The rings positioned around a perimeter of the sleeve may be connected to a fixed inductor to form an oscillator with a variable frequency output. The sensor may be calibrated from the frequency output for each of a plurality of substances, measuring the volumetric water content for saturation of the material, and determining at least one fitting constant in an equation wherein volumetric water content is a function of the frequency output and a plurality of fitting constants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for acquiring elevation data for an area. The method includes using a GPS receiver to map ground elevations while driving back and forth over an area and periodically recording position, elevation, and time. Then, at least one track is made across the parallel tracks so that the cross track intersects the parallel tracks. The data obtained is processed and elevation data from the cross track is used to adjust elevation data for the parallel tracks, compensating for elevation drift in measurements recorded by the GPS receiver. The adjusted data for the entire area is processed using the method of the present invention to obtain an elevation map for the area.