Abstract: A rock picking system for efficiently picking rocks from a field. The rock picking system generally includes a frame, a reel unit rotatably connected to a front portion of the frame, a motor mechanically connected to the reel unit to cause rotation of the reel unit, and a plurality of front teeth extending forwardly and downwardly from a lower front end of the frame. The reel unit includes a plurality of teeth that assist in pushing rocks in a field over the front teeth by providing a rearward and upward force to the rocks as they engage the front teeth.

Abstract: A vertical tilling implement to be pulled behind and agricultural vehicle having a number of gangs of fluted-concave disc blades, rolling baskets, and wheels connected to a main frame. As the vertical tilling implement is pulled, the fluted-concave disc blades move the soil in a direction lateral to the side of the blades as well as up. Meanwhile, the rolling bars aid in leveling the seedbed and crushing the remaining large pieces of soil. The vertical tilling implement reduces the amount of subsoil compaction and cuts through heavy residue making it ideal for use in the fall or in the spring.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes the use of one or more electromechanical hydraulic cylinder assembly in place of hydraulic cylinders. The assemblies may take various forms for actuation, and can convert an electric power source to hydraulic power for use on or with the implement. A control system is also provided for connecting to a tractor to provide control information to the assemblies or to a central hydraulic supply via a ISOBUS that rebroadcasts input controls from a source, such as a tractor used in conjunction with the agricultural implement.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for testing seed germination and predicting seed emergence in stressful field conditions, such as cold and flooding stress. Cold Soak Test and ultra-drying methods are provided herein. The methods find use in the development of corn breeding technologies and germplasm selection to evaluate and develop new hybrids that can produce stable stands under stressful field conditions.

Abstract: A chemical granule metering system, for use on a row crop planter, allows for control of chemical granule drop rate. The chemical granule metering system also includes a motor permitting control of chemical granule drop rate by adjusting the rotational speed of the motor. An impeller for a chemical granule meter system having a plurality of apertures is optimized to allow a broad range of chemical granule flow rates, reduce or mitigate clogging, and reduce pulsing characteristics of the metering system.

Abstract: A mobile injection device including a peristaltic pump assembly configured to be installed in a device for placing material on or beneath the soil surface. The device delivers material into the soil subsurface as a fluid or a suspension. The peristaltic pump has a rotor assembly that urges a fluid additive in precision amounts through flexible tubes into a manifold. A pressurized fluid is introduced to the manifold to mix the additive in the pressurized fluid and inject the mixture into the ground through an injection nozzle. A computer control system monitors the ground speed of the device and determines the amount of additive to be pumped into the manifold to provide a uniform distribution of the additive to the soil.

Abstract: An attachable trimmer includes a trimming unit, an arm assembly, a limit switch, and a rod assembly as the attachable trimmer is mounted onto a mower deck of a lawn mower. The trimming unit is connected with the arm assembly while the limit switch is oppositely positioned of the trimming unit across the arm assembly. The rod assembly is connected with the arm assembly in between the trimming unit and the limit switch. The rod assembly moves the attachable trimmer in between an expanded position and a retracted position upon the user's discretion. The trimming unit is only operational when the attachable trimmer is at the expanded position as the limit switch completes an electrical circuitry to electrically power the trimming unit.

Abstract: A reel lawn mower which has a connection structure for connecting a reel cutting unit to a main body. The reel cutting unit has a spiral cutting reel which is rotated by a prime mover to cut grass together with a bedknife. In the connection structure, in order to connect the reel cutting unit to the main body so that the reel cutting unit rolls around a virtual horizontal line perpendicular to the shaft center of the cutting reel in the center of the axial direction of the cutting reel, the reel cutting unit includes a connecting arm with an arc portion shaped so as to follow a virtual arc centered on the virtual horizontal line. The connecting arm is slidably supported so as to prevent the arc portion from coming off the virtual arc.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a motor connection system and method for mounting and removing a motor to and from a reel assembly frame of a turf-care vehicle without the use of tools. In various embodiments, the system includes a plurality of shoulder bolts longitudinally extending from a mounting end of the motor and a bearing housing that is mountable to a reel assembly frame of a turf-care vehicle. The bearing housing includes a plurality of self-tightening keyhole slots structured and operable to receive a respective one of the shoulder bolts. Each keyhole slot comprises a interior bezel that is interoperable with the respective shoulder bolt such that rotation of the motor to a Home position will structurally hold and secure the motor to the bearing housing.

Abstract: A reaping machine includes a sickle bar that can rotate and at least one reaping blade arranged on the sickle bar. The reaping blade is supported so that it can pivot on a pin fastened to the sickle bar. The pin has a fastening section for fastening to the sickle bar and a holding section separated by a shoulder from the fastening section for holding the reaping blade so that it can pivot. To simplify the placement or installation of the pin on the sickle bar, at least one raised section extending in the radial direction past a circumferential segment of the pin is formed in the fastening section of the pin.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester residue handling selection method having the steps of: selecting a chop/swath residue handling mode resulting in a mode selection; setting a chopper speed range for a chopper in a residue handling section dependent upon the mode selection; and positioning a windrow door dependent upon the mode selection.

Abstract: An adjustable row unit for a header of a combine harvester is disclosed. The row unit includes opposed and cooperating curved deck plates that reduce the distance from the upper surfaces of the deck plates to the stripping roll pinch points. The deck plates move in unison and the opening of the stalk receiving gap is variable and subject to coarse and fine adjustment. Coarse adjustment is achieved by moving the deck plates into a selected stalk receiving position and fine adjustment is performed by a yieldable biasing member when the deck plates are in the selected stalk receiving position.

Abstract: A conveyor system for a harvester is provided where the conveyor system includes a conveyor with openings and an agitator that is configured to impart an agitating motion to the conveyor to aid in the separation of materials.

Abstract: A crop feeding roller for a header includes a plurality of finger units within the roller each having a pair of fingers projecting outwardly for engaging crop outside the peripheral wall of the roller. The peripheral wall has opposed finger guide holes associated with the pair of fingers. Each finger unit including an inner member carrying the fingers and containing an elongate guide slot transverse to the axis of the roller and a stationary guide member within the guide slot at a position within the roller arranged to cause the inner member with the fingers of each of the finger units to reciprocate during the rotation of the roller. The guide slot is shaped with at least one curved lobe to one side of a transverse center section so that the slot can be S-shaped or C-shaped to improve the dwell time and swept area obtained by the finger movement.

Abstract: A towable vertical stacking bale accumulator features angle-adjustable roller beds on an obliquely oriented trailer frame whereby a rearwardly declining slope of the rollers gravitationally conveys individual bales from the baler to a stacking station at the rear of the trailer frame, where an automatically controlled gate provides a stop for retaining the bales until either a full stack is compiled or an error is detected. Spring loaded bale lifters feature concave undersides to encourage retraction of same as they are lowered down the sides of a newly arrived bale, and carry hanging bale guides that prevent the incoming bales from overshooting sides of the roller bed. Lift frames on which the bale lifters are carried are raised and lowered by hydraulically driven lift arms, and are further stabilized by engagement of lift frame followers with guide members of upright support structures provided on opposing sides of the roller bed.

Abstract: An agricultural baler comprising a main bale chamber having a pair of opposed side walls. Each side wall includes a plunger slot arrangement defining a plunger slot. Each plunger slot has opposite ends and is open at both an inside adjacent to a plunger and an opposite outside. The plunger is reciprocally disposed within the main bale chamber, and includes a pair of opposed sides and at least one roller extending laterally outward from each side. Each roller is positioned within a respective plunger slot. The baler is characterized by a pair of plunger slot covers, with each cover only partially covering a respective outside of a corresponding plunger slot such that each end of the plunger slot is uncovered.

Abstract: An agricultural baler comprising a main bale chamber having a pair of opposed side walls, with each side wall having a plunger slot arrangement defining a plunger slot. Each plunger slot has opposite ends and is open at an inside adjacent to a plunger. A pair of rotating elements are positioned within each plunger slot, with each rotating element being located at a corresponding end of a respective plunger slot. A pair of plunger slot belts are each positioned in association with a respective plunger slot and partially wrap a respective pair of rotating elements associated with each plunger slot.

Abstract: A sensor assembly and method is described for determining the position of a reciprocating plunger of a baler. A first sensor may detect at least one location of a crank arm driving the plunger as the crank arm rotates. A second sensor may detect a rotation of a crank gear that drives the rotation of the crank arm. A controller may determine a position of the reciprocating plunger relative to a baling chamber based upon, at least in part, the detected crank arm location and the detected rotation of the crank gear.

Abstract: A green roof modular system includes at least four planter modules each including a planter including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, and a biodegradable insert including a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with one another to form an interior space, wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extending above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, and wherein the plurality of the sidewalls of the insert are adapted to retain a plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, such that one of the planter modules abuts each of the remaining three planter modules and substantially no gap exists between the abutting planter modules in plan view.

Abstract: A lawn roller device is provided that is configured to retrieve and remove sand burrs and lawn briars from a lawn surface using a roller having a fibrous material outer layer. The device comprises a roller having one or more wheels supporting a cylindrical body, over which is supported a removable fibrous material outer layer. The roller is supported on an axle and is pulled or pushed using frame and shaft portion. The shaft portion supports a handle member, or alternatively is secured to a hitch of a motorized landscaping vehicle and pulled over the surface of a lawn. The device is sufficiently weighted and the fibrous material is such that sand burrs and lawn briars adhere thereto upon contact, whereby the lawn is cleaned of these items and the fibrous material can be removed and cleaned after each use.

Abstract: A switch-free multi-cutting mode shearing tool includes a shearer including a first handle and a second handle pivotally connected together, a cutter blade pivoted to the first handle and having a cutting edge protruding over a front end of the first handle, an actuation portion projecting between the first and second handles, an elongated slot located in the actuation portion and a plurality of engagement grooves located at one side inside the elongated slot, a link pivoted to the second handle and having a movable end, and a pin located at the movable end and inserted into and movable along the elongated slot and selectively engageable into one of the engagement grooves, and a pushing element mounted at the second handle such that when closing the first and second handles, the pushing element is forced to touch and push the actuation portion of the cutter blade.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stimulating plant growth, which comprises: (a) placing a light transmissive material for adjusting or retaining light spectrum wavelengths below 500 nm (section A), between 500˜630 nm (section B), and above 630 nm (section C) between the light and a photosynthesis receptor of the plant; and (b) providing the illuminance or photon flux density of section B lower than that of section A or section C after the light passing through the light transmissive material. The present invention also provides an apparatus and methods for computing cumulative light quantity, comprising (a) a spectrum sensing unit; (b) a spectrum multi-band setting module; (c) a cumulative light quantity computing module; (d) an information processing unit; and (e) a control unit.

Abstract: A systemic crop protection method using, as a systemic biocide, oxidative radicals which are electrolytically produced in mineral salt-containing, plant nutrient-rich water and are filled into devices to carry out injection in the phloem of a plant, bush, or tree. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts are eliminated by: 1. producing the biocidal oxidative radicals and breaking up the water molecule clusters into two-molecule to three-molecule clusters in an aqueous, mineral salt-containing nutrient solution using electrolysis; 2. filling, under pressure, electrolyzed phyto-physical nutrient solution and biocidal oxidative radicals along with compressed gases, nitrogen, CO2, and/or argon into the injection devices; 3. placing injection cannulae on plants or trees and with the help of a drill, screwing the injection cannulae into the phloem of the plants; 4. grafting on the injection devices; 5. automatically, slowly and constantly administering the injection to the phloem of the plant; 6. repeating as required.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for growing plants comprises a bounded area (22) that holds a plurality of mobile carriers (24). Each carrier supports one or more rotatable plant-growing modules (26), with means for rotating the modules, and means for feeding water to plants in the modules. The module (26) comprises a cylindrical structure (54) for holding plants such that the plants grow radially inwardly toward a light source (62) inside the cylindrical structure. The bounded area has means for moving the mobile carriers, such that each mobile carrier is movable along a path within the bounded area.

Abstract: A raised bed garden system has a plurality of panels that can be designed in any size and shape. The panels can be pre-formed in various sizes and can be joined together by various types of couplings to make larger sizes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous cultivation system for organic ginseng using multilevel cultivation tables, including a facility including: a rainproof plastic roof, a first sun-shading screen placed on the rainproof plastic roof and allows transmission of an adequate amount of sunlight for cultivation of ginseng, and a second sun-shading screen installed at front, back, and left, and right sides of the facility and that allows air to smoothly pass therethrough; a plurality of multilevel cultivation tables that includes three or more levels of cultivation tables each; a water supply device for uniformly supplying water to the cultivation tables; a ventilation window and an air blowing fan installed on a ceiling of the facility to ventilate an upper portion of the facility; and auxiliary light sources installed under all of the cultivation tables except for lowermost cultivation tables.

Abstract: A water butt comprises an interior volume for storing liquid; a container suitable for holding one or more plants, disposed on a side of the water butt; and a duct coupled between the interior volume of the water butt and the container, and configured to allow passage of liquid from the interior volume to the container. An apparatus mountable to a water management device for receiving liquid therefrom, comprises a container suitable for holding one or more plants; and a duct coupled to the container, and configured to allow passage of liquid from the water management device to the container.

Abstract: A water retention device for use with a plant container. The water retention device includes a plate structure including a central cover and a sidewall extending from a perimeter of the central cover, wherein the sidewall supports the central cover above a growth medium in the plant container. A trough is formed in the central cover for receiving water from a drip tube, wherein the trough includes a plurality of holes for the passage of water from the trough to the growth medium within the plant container.

Abstract: An upright open face flexible irrigation bag having a first edge with a first set of zipper teeth and a second edge with a second set of zipper teeth and a slider for in situ securing the first set of zipper teeth to the second set of zipper teeth around a sapling and an emitter wherein the emitter includes flow control through either a restrictive nozzle or an emitter valve or both with both the emitter valve and the restrictive nozzle located external to the irrigation bag and proximate a ground edge of the upright irrigation bag with the irrigation bag including an emitter valve for compensating in a water pressure head in the irrigation bag.

Abstract: An improved hydroponic nutrient delivery gardening system apparatus is described. This improved hydroponic delivery gardening system apparatus improves upon existing systems by minimizing the effects of sunlight and heat on the nutrient solution system without the use of an external nutrient cooling system, improve nutrient availability to roots, improve oxygen availability to roots, and improve the consistency of, and the ability to accurately measure, the pH of the media and nutrient mix.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of cucumber hybrid SV4196CD and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid SV4196CD and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a cucumber plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another cucumber plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of the lettuce line designated SV5926LC. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of lettuce line SV5926LC, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant produced by crossing a plant of lettuce line SV5926LC with itself or with another lettuce plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of lettuce line SV5926LC, including the gametes of such plants.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of the lettuce line designated SV6370LC. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of lettuce line SV6370LC, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant produced by crossing a plant of lettuce line SV6370LC with itself or with another lettuce plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of lettuce line SV6370LC, including the gametes of such plants.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of the lettuce line designated SV8143LC. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of lettuce line SV8143LC, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant produced by crossing a plant of lettuce line SV8143LC with itself or with another lettuce plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of lettuce line SV8143LC, including the gametes of such plants.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of the lettuce line designated SV1235LB. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of lettuce line SV1235LB, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant produced by crossing a plant of lettuce line SV1235LB with itself or with another lettuce plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of lettuce line SV1235LB, including the gametes of such plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae strain line following a line of DDL01 (KACC93085P) which is obtained by selecting a conventionally known Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae strain and then cross-breeding the selected strain with the Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae strain DDL01 (accession number: KACC93085P), and also relates to a fruit body obtained through cultivation of the strain.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed to a hand-held applicator (126) for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. The hand-held applicator comprises: a first housing having housing section (209) including a first end through which a disinfectant delivery line (140) extends or an electrical line (198) extends; and second housing (205) coupled to the housing section and having a sealed gear chamber (216) for supporting gears (186A, 186B and 186C) and bearings. The second housing comprises a first portion (213) and a second portion (215) configured to be removably affixed in abutting contact to the first portion. The second housing has an external delivery port (579) centered between a pair of side-by-side gears. The applicator comprises a switch (232) positioned on the underside of the housing section. The second portion may include a motor mount (680) for coupling a motor (238) in the housing section.

Abstract: The present invention provides an odour controller comprising at least one absorbent mineral material and a microbiota that facilitates malodour-control. Preferably, the absorbent mineral material is expanded perlite and/or exfoliated vermiculite.

Abstract: A cage (10) for rabbits or similar pets comprising a grill element (11) generally having a rectangular shape and which can be curved or shaped at the top as required, and where the grill element is applied to the top edge of a basin-shaped tray with modular walls and where this base comprises a bottom surface (13) and side walls (14, 15) which respectively form the long sides and the short sides of the tray, where the cage can be joined to at least one further cage alongside, where the cages are joined by removing from each of the cages their respective vertical wall (15) on the joining side, preferably the short side but also the long side, and where the two trays are held together by a specially shaped horizontal profile (18) with an up-turned “U” shape comprising the two vertical sides (19) which overlap on the joined edges of the tray bottoms positioned side by side.

Abstract: A milking device, including: a platform that is rotatable in a direction of rotation and includes an edge and a plurality of milking stations, and a milking mechanism for milking a dairy animal; a plurality of feeding troughs which are distributed along the edge, outside next to the platform on a fixed world frame and within reach of the dairy animals on the milking stations. The feeding troughs do not have to be made unnecessarily complicated and movable or foldable, so that reliability of in particular the feed portion of such a milking device can be improved.

Abstract: An animal watering device includes a trough that holds water, a water conduit system in fluid communication with the trough, a water outlet at a bottom portion of the trough, an outlet valve arrangement associated with the water outlet, and a water level control system. The water level control system includes a controller, a timer, and a low level sensor that senses a low water level in the trough. The timer measures a first time interval and a second time interval. The water level control system opens the water outlet under a first condition, and under a second condition if failing to meet the first condition, where the first condition is met when the first time interval has expired and the water level in the trough is at or below the low level sensor, and the second condition is met when the second time interval has expired.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water container structure, which is a container combination for an animal to drink water and comprises a containing unit, for water to be added, at an upper end and a receiving unit for the animal to drink the water with its mouth at a lower end. A plurality of grooves, spaced up and down, are concaved at two corresponding sides at a predetermined height of the containing unit at the upper end for two projecting portions extending inward at an upside of the receiving unit at the lower end to insert in. A water dispensing amount of the container combination is controlled by installing and screwing the water dispensing device of the containing unit and the upper end on the receiving unit at the lower end by hand to allow to predetermined control of the water dispensing amount.

Abstract: A highly absorbent PVA/starch towel cools an animal through the process of evaporative cooling. The towel is textured with indentations. A ridge extends along the crest of the towel. Water is applied to and absorbed by the towel. The towel is held to the animal with elastic straps, which allow the towel to be flapped periodically while fastened to the animal. Periodic flapping brings more absorbed liquid to the towel surface to facilitate continued evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A gundog training tool prevents gun shyness by gradually allowing a pup to adapt to the sound of a gunshot. A pop gun shoots treats upon creating a simulated gunshot so that the dog grows used to the sound of a gunshot and creates positive reinforcement rewarded by the treat. As the pup learns, a charge in a housing is introduced to provide a simulated gunshot that expels a treat that trains the dog to feel excitement at the sound and smell of a gunshot. The size of the charge adjusts to create louder simulated gunshots as the pup learns so that the pup is prepared for introduction to actual gunshots, such as from a shotgun shooting at a bird.

Abstract: An apparatus for running, exercising, leading or walking a dog comprising an arc bar having two ends, each end comprising an extendable cord extending from inside the arc bar and terminating in an attachment means, the extendable cord biased in a retracted position inside the arc bar and a retention member attached to the extendable cord distal from the attachment means which acts to limit extension of the extendable cord outside the arc bar and prevents transfer of force to the extendable cord on the other end of the arc bar. The present apparatus enables a dog to run within a defined range of a person or bicycle while limiting transfer of force from one side of the apparatus to the other during use.

Abstract: An automatically retractable pet leash, comprises a casing or guard (10) inside which is a winding device of a cord or ribbon that protrudes from the casing or guard (10) through an aperture (13), and a braking mechanism operated by a pushbutton (12), and also comprises a handle (11) for gripping the leash with one hand. It also comprises a protective shell (14) designed to protect the casing or guard (10) from knocks or blows that can damage it; the casing or guard comprises at least one housing designed to accommodate by snap-fitting, when used, at least one coupling or ribbing element foreseen on the body of the protective shell (14) in such a way as to hold the protective shell (14) locked against the casing or guard (10).

Abstract: A pet animal collar comprises a processor unit configured to effect illumination patterns comprising a combination of color and blink for an array of light sources on the collar. A memory unit coupled to the processor stores multiple illumination patterns, and a radio receiver unit provides wireless remote access to the processor unit to enable uploading and/or selecting at least one of illumination patterns. In some aspects, the processor unit responds to sensor signals from a sensor unit (such as an accelerometer) on the collar to select or change a displayed illumination pattern. A computer program product includes a non-transitory computer readable medium storing software instructions that cause the processor unit to control and adapt the illumination patterns.

Abstract: The present invention is for an animal leash having a housing having a cell phone supporting attachment thereon for holding a cell phone. This allows the cell phone to be rapidly attached to the animal leash housing and to be quickly removed from the animal leash housing to thereby allow the user of the animal leash to use the cell phone hands free while walking their pet.

Abstract: A poultry cage comprises a resting surface in a horizontal plane having a plurality of openings, a manure collecting surface arranged underneath the resting surface, and a drying air channel comprising a first side wall having a set of first openings for directing drying air towards the manure collecting surface and a set of second openings for directing drying air towards the manure collecting surface. Each first opening directs the drying air at a first angle against a vertical direction towards the manure collecting surface and each second opening directs the drying air at a second angle against a vertical direction towards the manure collecting surface, wherein the first angle being different than the second angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for loading poultry supplied in supply stations located one above another at different heights into poultry holders placed in a loading station, wherein the device is provided with a frame, a first carriage movable on the side of the supply stations in vertical direction along the frame, a second carriage movable on the side of the loading stations in vertical direction along the frame and a transport element connected to the first and the second carriage, wherein the connection between the carriages and the associated end of the transport element is configured for relative rotation, wherein the connection between the transport element and either of the carriages is configured to allow a limited relative movement in horizontal direction and the first carriage is provided with a conveyor connecting to the supply stations for carrying the poultry onto the transport element in any position of the transport element.