Abstract: This invention provides an oblique submerged reverse deep rotary tilling device, which includes a stander, a mounted frame, a gearbox and an oblique blade roller. However, the oblique blade roller is mainly made up of configured rotary blades whose tips bend to the same direction. The angle between the rotary tilling blade roller and the traction speed is 55˜70° while the rotary blade tips are all toward the right side of the traction speed. Side force balance blades are installed to the left side of the oblique blade roller and used to balance the axial component force of the oblique blade roller. The working pattern of this invention is an oblique submerged reverse rotary tillage method. Therefore, there is no soil restriction on the top of the tilling soil clod. Meanwhile, due to cutting soil configured regularly, the right-side soil has been cut when the rotary tilling blades soil begins tilling. The soil is mainly destroyed by tension.

Abstract: Land cultivating systems and methods utilizing high-pressure fluid jet cutting techniques are disclosed. An example system includes a mobile unit, a traveler arrangement operably coupled to the mobile unit to ride on the surface of stubble residues as the mobile unit moves across land to be cultivated, and a fluid jet cutting head supported by the traveler arrangement. The cutting head is configured to selectively discharge a high-pressure fluid jet to make a cut through the stubble residues and underlying soil as the mobile unit moves across the land. A soil opening device is provided to form a furrow in the ground in line with the cut made by the high-pressure fluid jet, and a liquid injector nozzle is provided to discharge fertilizer or other chemical(s) into the soil.

Abstract: A towed vehicle hitch tongue includes movably connected front and rear tongue members, and a fully exposed master cylinder connected at opposite ends thereof to the tongue members such that a rearward force urging the front tongue member toward the rear tongue member forces pressurized braking fluid out of a port thereof into a braking circuit configured to exert a braking force. The braking circuit prevents braking until the rearward force warrants braking, provides dampening of the brake action, allows the towed vehicle to reverse, and can provide emergency stopping and dampening of movement of the hitch tongue. Instead of using movable front and rear tongue members, sensors can detect what the towed vehicle is doing, and apply appropriate braking force in response.

Abstract: A towed vehicle hitch tongue includes movably connected front and rear tongue members, and a fully exposed master cylinder connected at opposite ends thereof to the tongue members such that a rearward force urging the front tongue member toward the rear tongue member forces pressurized braking fluid out of a port thereof into a braking circuit configured to exert a braking force. The braking circuit prevents braking until the rearward force warrants braking, provides dampening of the brake action, allows the towed vehicle to reverse, and can provide emergency stopping and dampening of movement of the hitch tongue. Instead of using movable front and rear tongue members, sensors can detect what the towed vehicle is doing, and apply appropriate braking force in response.

Abstract: A boom center section for an agricultural machine includes a bulkhead haying a first end and a second end, at least one bulkhead opening located adjacent at least one of the first and the second ends of the bulkhead, and at least one connection assembly disposed within the at least one bulkhead opening. Each bulkhead opening is formed through a first wall of the bulkhead. Each connection assembly includes a plurality of connectors.

Abstract: A vehicle platform comprises a central body that can support one or more implement configurations, such as sprayer booms, or planting row units. A plurality of adjustable legs extends downward from the central body. An arm assembly has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is pivotably coupled the central body and the second end coupled to a support beam. A plurality of nozzle assemblies is supported from the support beam. An arm actuator is arranged to control a transverse position of the support beam and the nozzle assemblies with respect to a reference point on the central body, such that each nozzle assembly may be aligned with a row of seeds or plants.

Abstract: An auto traveling work vehicle includes a first control computation section for outputting a first steering value computed for deviation resolution based on a positional deviation between a target traveling path and a self vehicle position, a second control computation section for outputting a second steering value computed for the deviation resolution based on the positional deviation and a directional deviation which is adjusted with using a weight coefficient which provides a progressively decreasing tendency with increase in the positional deviation, a target steering computation section for outputting a target steering value for traveling along the target traveling path based on the first steering value and the second steering value, a steering driving control section configured to input the target steering value and to output a steering driving signal, and a steering driving section for effecting steering of a steerable wheel based on the steering driving signal.

Abstract: An autonomous agricultural system receives weather information and determines preferred courses of action based on the information received.

Abstract: mowing device has a central frame mounted on wheels (16a, 16b) carrying at least two mowing units (20a, 20b) which are each connected to the central frame (12) via a connection unit (24a, 24b), wherein a connection unit (24a, 24b) includes a main pivot arm (28a, 28b) and an outer pivot arm (26a, 26b), the outer pivot arm (26a, 26b) connected to the main pivot arm (28a, 28b) in such a manner that it is pivotable about an outer arm joint (34a, 34b) relative to the main pivot arm (28a, 28b), the connection unit (24a, 24b) further including a mowing unit joint (32a, 32b) for connecting the mowing unit (20a, 20b) to the outer pivot arm (26a, 26b), the mowing unit joint (32a, 32b) arranged at the end of the outer pivot arm (26a, 26b) that is remote from the outer arm joint (34a, 34b).

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling a modular farm are provided. The system includes a farm networking service that provides monitoring and control of farm operations for farms that are part of the network. The farm networking service can transmit controlling instructions and notifications to the farms in the network. Users can upload data associated with a farm and farm operations to the farm networking service. The farm networking service can learn from aggregated data to enable best practices, crop recipes, and other information for all of the farms in the network.

Abstract: A seed coating assembly (16) includes a housing (36) with a high-speed rotary coating atomizer (66) therein, and a relatively slow speed rotatable body (42) equipped with through-slots (44) located above the atomizer (66) in a location to divert and evenly spread incoming seeds prior to coating thereof. The body (42) is preferably a substantially circular disk mounted coaxially with the atomizer (66) at a distance of from about 1.5-10 inches above the atomizer (66).

Abstract: A furrow opener for an agricultural implement includes a main body defining a knife and a wing body defining a pair of wings. The wings include respective leading edge members of wear resistant material along a front thereof which extend forwardly at a laterally inward slope towards a common junction on the wing body. A front end face on the wing body at the common junction is oriented perpendicularly to a forward direction of the opener. A nose member of wear resistant material spans across the front end face of the wing body and the front ends of the leading edge members of the wings to define a radius of curvature between the leading edges of the wings.

Abstract: A method for facilitating an active agent distribution in an agricultural cultivation area, including: measuring at least one chemical or physical property of discharged surface water at a plurality of measuring points in the agricultural cultivation area; transmitting measured data of the chemical or physical property to a control unit; allocating the measured data to a plurality of surface regions of the agricultural cultivation area; determining for the respective surface regions an active agent quantity to be applied as a function of the measured data ascertained for the respective surface regions and as a function of a stored rule; and supplying to an output unit an amount of the respective active agent quantity for the respective surface region.

Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a container and fluid injection device. The fluid injection device includes a housing having a flow tube having an inlet end and an outlet end. A shroud is positioned between the inlet end and the outlet end and has a first end and a second end defining a ramped surface therebetween. The shroud redefines at least a portion of the fluid pathway as a constricted fluid pathway. A diverter port is between the inlet end and the shroud and diverts a portion of the inlet fluid into the container. An injection port is between the shroud and the outlet end and receives product from the container. The first end of the shroud includes a step defining a notch in fluid communication with the diverter port. The second end defines a recess in fluid communication with the injection port.

Abstract: Described herein are implements and application units for 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: Described herein are implements and applicators for placement of fluid applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a fluid applicator for applying fluid to plants in rows in a field includes at least one applicator arm that is actuated by an actuator to move the applicator arm from a position in the row between plants to a position adjacent to the plant.

Abstract: A trimmer head for use with a handheld lawn maintenance tool is shaped in a hub-and-spoke manner, wherein the trimmer head includes a housing formed of a hub, a circular rim, and a plurality of spokes extending therebetween. A spool is positioned within the hub, and a pair of pieces of trimmer line are inserted into opposing sides of the circular rim through the spokes for winding onto the spool. The trimmer line extends outwardly from the housing at a location spaced away from the hub.

Abstract: A mower frame unit is operatively connected with a tractor device and the mower frame is moveable between a generally horizontal first position and a generally vertical second position. The mower frame is moveable from the first position to the second position via a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly carried by the mower frame to pivot the mower frame about a transverse axis. The mower frame carries a tensioner assembly that is operatively connected to a lock assembly. The tensioner assembly serves at least two purposes. Namely, to tension a belt operatively connected to mower blade and to maintain a portion of the lock assembly in a locked manner when the tensioner assembly is in a state of tension.

Abstract: A mower frame unit is operatively connected with a tractor device and the mower frame is moveable between a generally horizontal first position and a generally vertical second position. The mower frame is moveable from the first position to the second position via a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly carried by the mower frame to pivot the mower frame about a transverse axis. The mower frame carries a tensioner assembly that is operatively connected to a lock assembly. The tensioner assembly serves at least two purposes. Namely, to tension a belt operatively connected to mower blade and to maintain a portion of the lock assembly in a locked manner when the tensioner assembly is in a state of tension.

Abstract: A walk-behind mower includes a deck. The deck includes a rear portion, a power source attached to the deck, a plurality of wheels attached to the deck, a handle attached to the rear portion of the deck. Structure is included to enable a distal end of the handle to be selectively located in a plurality of positions. The handle extends upward and rearward from the rear portion of the deck.

Abstract: Transmit patches lie on the outer set of conductive patches that are coupled to the transmitter via the signal splitter. The receive patches lie on the outer set of conductive patches that are coupled to one or more receivers to receive a radio frequency field (e.g., fringing field) associated with the transmitted signal of one or more adjacent corresponding transmit patches. A detector is associated with one or more respective receivers for determining or estimating an attenuation of the radio frequency field (e.g., fringing field). An electronic data processor is arranged for evaluating the estimated attenuation to estimate the amount, volume, mass or flow (e.g., yield) of harvested agricultural material and/or other than grain content of the agricultural material.

Abstract: An agricultural working device, such as a mulcher, is improved with a working rotor which is driven by a drive shaft and a cutting rail with a cutting edge which can be directed towards the working rotor. Sensors for acquiring parameters of working rotor and/or cutting rail are provided. An electronic control apparatus is provided with at least one encoder to set the cutting rail. A method for setting the position of a cutting rail of a working device, such as a mulcher, relative to a working rotor, is configured in such a way that the rotational speed of a drive shaft and the rotational speed of the working rotor are measured and compared with one another. When a ratio of the rotational speeds differs by a predefined threshold, a change in the position of the cutting rail is brought about.

Abstract: Vehicles including a power system incorporating dual drive shafts. An exemplary power system may include an engine having a vertically-oriented crankshaft that extends outwardly both below the engine (lower drive shaft) and above the engine (upper drive shaft). The lower drive shaft may power an implement of the vehicle via an implement drive system, while the upper drive shaft may power drive wheels of the vehicle via a traction drive system. In another embodiment, the second drive shaft may be formed by a jackshaft adjacent the engine.

Abstract: A windrow merger includes heads having cams that control the speed of the tines. The cam is configured with a section that slows the speed of the tines while passing a lower front portion of the path of rotation to lift material from the ground at lower speeds and therefore handles the material more gently at the point of pickup. The cam is configured to accelerate the tines at the point where the lifted material is propelled rearward from the pickup assembly. The merger heads also include a widened conveyor that is configured with an upper surface extending rearward and slightly downward to further evenly distribute material across the width of the conveyor. The heads are supported on skids that have a linkage connecting the skids at each end of the head with one of the skids having a mechanism that acts as a master to control the slave of the linked opposite skid.

Abstract: A threshing system of an agricultural harvester includes a rotor cage surrounding a rotor, a threshing space defined between the rotor cage and the rotor, and a transition cone defining an infeed to the rotor cage and the threshing system. A mating interface between the rotor cage and the transition cone is curved in three different dimensions of a Cartesian coordinate system for maximizing the threshing space. As viewed from above the mating interface of the threshing system, a convex portion of the rotor cage is mounted to a concave portion of the transition cone.

Abstract: A threshing and separating system for an agricultural harvester includes: a rotor; a rotor cage at least partially enclosing the rotor, the rotor cage including a first flat wall, a second flat wall connected to and angled with respect to the first flat wall, and a curved wall connected to the second flat wall; and at least one vane connected to the first flat wall or the second flat wall.

Abstract: A guiding device for an agricultural baler having a frame includes a pressing means and a guiding means extending along the pressing means for leading a wrapping material to the pressing means. The guiding means is adjustably coupled to the frame via at least two resiliently pre-stressed bearing means.

Abstract: A self-propelled baling vehicle for forming a bale of material includes a drive system for propelling the baling vehicle, a baling system for forming the bale, and a control system coupled to the drive system and the baling system. The control system includes a controller configured to determine a proposed location for ejection of the bale, operate the drive system to maneuver the baling vehicle from a first position to a second position for ejection of the bale at the proposed location, operate the baling system to eject the bale at the proposed location, and operate the drive system to maneuver the baling vehicle back to the first position.

Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a processing conveyance that is positioned between a pickup roll and a main bale chamber for conveying crop material from the pickup roll to the main bale chamber. The processing conveyance includes at least one of a bottom wall and side wall having at least one sieve with a plurality of openings extending through the sieve. The openings are sized and configured for allowing non-crop material to exit from the at least one processing conveyance through the openings.

Abstract: An agricultural baler including a bale case, a plunger, a duct, and a stuffer unit, operably associated with the duct. The stuffer unit includes a fork assembly including tines, a drive mechanism acting on the fork assembly, and a clutch arrangement for selective coupling the drive mechanism to a power source of the baler. The clutch arrangement includes a selectively operable dog clutch including a driving clutch member and a driven clutch member. The driving and the driven clutch member are configured for selectively engaging each other in one direction of rotation of the driving clutch member relative to the driven clutch member. The clutch arrangement furthermore includes an overrunning clutch associated with the driving clutch member and the driven clutch member.

Abstract: A multi-part square baler produces multi-part bales that each include two smaller single bales. The baler includes a double knotter configured to tie first and second four string knots that connect the ends of a multi-bale top-string and a multi-bale cincture string encompassing the two small single bales. The double knotter is also configured to tie a two-string knot on the strings encompassing the first small bale and another two-string knot on the strings encompassing the second small bale. The strings encompassing each of the small single bales are also tied into a respective one of the two four-string knots.

Abstract: Provided is a growing medium for plants, including a substrate having voids, and a magnetized magnetic particle dispersedly carried by the substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a method for hydroponic culture of a plant of the family Asteraceae which is suitable for growing the roots of the plant of the family Asteraceae. The method for hydroponic culture of a plant of the family Asteraceae includes a hydroponic culture step including culturing a plant of the family Asteraceae while adjusting the amount of a nutrient solution so that 10 to 50% of the total length from the tip of the tap root of the plant of the family Asteraceae is soaked in the nutrient solution, and the rest of the tap root is exposed to a gas.

Abstract: A method of delivering at least one nucleic acid to a plant, comprising: applying a light energy to a surface of the plant to create a pore; and applying at least one nucleic acid to the pore, wherein the at least one nucleic acid comprises RNA, wherein the at least one nucleic acid comprises at least one of a RNA interference (RNAi), an antisense RNA (asRNA), a micro RNA (miRNA), a small interfering RNA (siRNA), a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a non-coding RNA (ncRNA), mitochondrial RNA (mtDNA), and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A self-contained soil module, the soil module including a biodegradable outer frame forming the shape of the soil module, a biodegradable wrapping disposed within the biodegradable outer frame, a soil composition contained within the biodegradable wrapping and at least one plant seed of at least one type of plant disposed within the soil module.

Abstract: A system for regulating the supply of conditioned gases to an environmentally controlled enclosure. A greenhouse or warehouse in which plants are grown are supplied with gases having a controlled absolute humidity, temperature, and carbon dioxide content. The properties of exhaust gas from the environmentally controlled enclosure are measured, and the mass of bone dry gas provided, the absolute humidity, temperature, and carbon dioxide content in the enclosure are maintained, and the transpiration rate of plants in the enclosure is measured by comparing properties of conditioned gas at the inlet with exhaust gas exhausted from the enclosure, in order to enhance transpiration of the plants in the enclosure, to allow the grower to maximize growth or other selected properties of the plants under cultivation.

Abstract: A landscape border system having a first bracket, a second bracket and an adjustable locking pivot pin. The first bracket has a first end adapted to receive a first bordering member and a second end having a first opening in a first hinge component. The second bracket has a first end adapted to receive a first bordering member and a second end having a second opening in a second hinge component. The hinge pin is adapted to be aligned and inserted along a common axis within the first and second openings in the first and second hinge components. When the hinge pin is partially inserted into a first position, the first bracket and the second bracket are adapted to pivot relative to each other. When the hinge pin is inserted deeper into a second position, the first bracket and the second bracket are locked in position and cannot pivot relative to each other.

Abstract: A vegetative support and high stress training cultivation apparatus includes a body member having a continuous channel wrought in an upward surface thereof. A first portion of the body member is disposed at 100° to 110° relative a second portion of the body member. A plant limb is securable into the continuous channel by action of each of a pair of hook and loop fastening bands attached to the body member and devised to secure overtop the plant limb and maintain the limb interior to the continuous channel whereby the plant limb is caused to bend between 100° to 110° over a knee-bend. A triangular bracket disposed on an undersurface of the body member enables hooking engagement to existing lines strung to anchor the plant limbs along projected trajectories. The body member is readily installable and removable without damaging the plant.

Abstract: Techniques for generating high-yield fungi production are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a system for generating high-yield fungi production, the system comprising at least one modular container and a growing system housed within the modular container. The growing system may include a substrate preparation system configured to accept substrate and prepare substrate for pasteurization, a pasteurization system configured to pasteurize prepared substrate received from the substrate preparation system, a draining, cooling, and packing system configured to cool and drain pasteurized prepared substrate from the pasteurization system and to pack pasteurized and cooled substrate into at least one growing container, an inoculation system configured to inoculate the pasteurized and cooled substrate, and a plurality of vertical racks coupled to a ceiling of the modular container and configured to hold the at least one growing container.

Abstract: A debris collector and associated systems and methods are disclosed. The debris collector is configured to receive and process debris, such as lawn debris, by way of a variety of intake systems, such as a basket and vacuum tube. After intake, the debris collector is configured to process the debris by way of an auger and agitators, so as to be passed through a blower fan for disposal.

Abstract: A powered stump grinder at the center front of a walk-behind machine is disclosed. The grinder machine has a front cutter head assembly pivotally connected to the walk-behind machine by a central pivot assembly connected to the center front part of the frame or body of the machine. The central pivot assembly includes a vertical pivot axle/axis, for lateral movement of the connected front cutter head assembly. Generally horizontal hydraulic cylinders, extending between a frame or body of the stump grinder and left and right lateral portions of the pivot assembly, pivot horizontally and extend and retract to control lateral movement of the connected front cutter head assembly by pivoting the pivot assembly, which in turn pivots the connected cutter arm, and hence, the cutter head assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for combining the use of near real-time and/or real-time data acquired from an array of single purpose or integrated sensors mounted on a mechanized irrigation machine. According to a preferred embodiment, the integrated sensor of the present invention preferably provides for the collection of a variety data. According to a further preferred embodiment, the integrated sensor suite of the present invention may preferably include internally mounted sensors within a common housing which preferably includes a spectrometer, a radiometer and sensors to measure temperature, rainfall, relative humidity and barometric pressure. According to a further preferred embodiment, the number of integrated sensors mounted on a mechanized irrigation machine may preferably be determined based on a detected number of management zones and/or a detected location.

Abstract: A sprinkler system for lawns and landscaping is custom-fitted to each particular lot or area to be irrigated. Each in-ground, pop-up, rotating sprinkler head has a pattern defining plate fitted therein having a central opening made therein, as by laser cutting, solid particle deposition, or the like, the opening being congruent with the area to be watered, as adjusted for any sloped portions of the area. A pattern sampling aperture aligned with spray nozzles of the sprinkler rotates about the opening in the defining plate, feeding an amount of water to each radial line of the area about the sprinkler sufficient to reach from the sprinkler position out to the periphery. A speed control comprising a spring-biased cam and an opposing turbine wheel in the water flow slows spray head rotation at arc portions of longer water throw and speeds rotation where the throw is shorter, thus to obtain substantially uniform water coverage over all parts of the area served by each sprinkler head.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to be mechanically coupled to at least one growth substrate. The apparatus includes a frame with a plurality of connecting members and a plurality of insertion anchors. The insertion anchors are configured to be inserted at least partially into the at least one growth substrate and are mechanically coupled to the plurality of connecting members which form one or more openings therebetween.

Abstract: A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus including a reservoir having a base defining a first portion of the reservoir and a cover defining a second portion of the reservoir. An upper opening is defined in the cover. A planting column with a hollow interior is positioned above the upper opening. At least one planting port is defined in the planting column. A conduit can pass through the hollow interior of the planting column, the conduit fluidly communicated with the reservoir. A fluid distributor is positioned atop the planting column, the fluid distributor in fluid communication with the conduit. Fluid is selectively circulated from the reservoir through the conduit in the planting column to the fluid distributor, where the fluid is redirected down the hollow interior of the planting column and back to the reservoir. A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus including a reservoir positioned on a plurality of rollers.

Abstract: Growing systems may include a number of modular growing chambers adapted to be configured in a stacked arrangement with each growing chamber surrounding a corresponding portion of the plant. The grow chambers may be selectively added or removed during plant growth, such that different sections of the growing plant may be influenced differently using aeroponic, hydroponic or other growing techniques. The grow chamber stack may be portable and provided with integrated or independent lifting devices to assist an operator in adding or removing chambers from the stack. Three growing processes may be facilitated using such systems. These include a process for producing assorted product from a single plant for simultaneous harvest, a process for producing an extended harvest of a desired size product from a single plant, and a process for extending the productive life of a plant and provide for multiple, continued, and perpetual harvest.

Abstract: Typically greenhouse crop production uses 85% of the floor area for growing crops. The present invention provides a fourfold increase in the usable growing area by using a conveyor to move plants around a closed loop 11, with a plurality of carriages mounted on the conveyor and at least one tray 7 configured to be received on each of the plurality of carriages, each tray 7 configured for growing at least one plant by means of hydroculture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a growing system that includes a hollow grow tower with planting units configured to hold plants disposed on the tower exterior where the planting units have a passage that extends into the tower interior. The tower also includes a drain port at one end and a water-dispensing nozzle at the other end. The nozzle includes outlet apertures in fluid communication with the interior of the tower where one or more of the nozzle outlet apertures may be square. An enclosure surrounds the tower, and one or more light sources are mounted on the enclosure to direct light towards the tower. The tower and enclosure can be connected to a suspension frame that suspends the entire system off the ground. The system may include a closed-loop irrigation system and a multi-tank cleaning system. System variables, such as water flow, temperature, lighting, and water nutrient level can be computer controlled.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of soybean variety UB12521065 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety UB12521065 and its seed, cells, germplasm, plant parts, and progeny, and methods of using UB12521065 in a breeding program.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated LIJ7292, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line LIJ7292 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line LIJ7292, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line LIJ7292, and plants produced according to these methods.