Abstract: A self-cleaning gauge wheel assembly having a gauge wheel mounted for rotation on an agricultural planter and adjustable to set the depth of the planting. A pulley having a diameter at least 1/7th and less of the diameter of the gauge wheel is journaled about an axis spaced from and behind and elevated from the gauge wheel. An endless belt is provided around the gauge wheel and the pulley in tension so that movement of the planter, and associated rotation of the gauge wheel causes the pulley to accelerate any accumulated moist soil and expel it from the belt to provide a self-cleaning feature.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a front three-point hitch on a tractor includes a linking part for articulated mounting of the front three-point hitch, a connecting part for coupling the linking part to a support structure of the tractor, and a first contact region defined on the linking part and a second contact region defined on the connecting part. The first contact region interacts with the second contact region for coupling the linking part to the connecting part. The first contact region and the second contact region are separably clamped to one another in a coupling position. The linking part is selectively disposable in one of a plurality of coupling positions relative to the connecting part.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes at least one row unit having a plurality of support members, each of which is pivotably coupled to an attachment frame or another of the support members to permit vertical pivoting vertical movement of the support members, and a plurality of soil-engaging tools, each of which is coupled to at least one of the support members. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders are coupled to the support members for urging the support members downwardly toward the soil. A plurality of controllable pressure control valves are coupled to the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the cylinders. A plurality of sensors produce electrical signals corresponding to predetermined conditions, and a controller is coupled to the sensor and the controllable pressure control valves. The controller receives the electrical signals from the sensors and produces control signals for controlling the pressure control valves.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system that includes a row unit coupled to a tool bar of an agricultural implement. An opener system coupled to a chassis of the row unit that engages soil to form a trench. A downforce system that applies a downforce to the row unit to adjust a contact force between the row unit and the soil. A soil condition sensor that detects a condition of the soil and/or an operational sensor that detects operation of the agricultural implement system. A closing system that closes the trench created by the opener system. A controller coupled to the soil condition sensor and/or the operational sensor, wherein the controller controls the downforce system and the closing system in response to feedback from the soil condition sensor and/or the operational sensor.

Abstract: A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame, a power unit, and a cutting deck. The frame may be operably coupled to wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle. The power unit may be operably coupled to the wheels to provide drive power to the wheels. The cutting deck may be selectively powered by the power unit and operably coupled to the frame via a height adjustment assembly. The height adjustment assembly may be configured, based on actuation of an operating assembly, to be selectively transitioned into and out of a locked state in which the cutting deck is retained at a selected height, and selectively transitioned out of a transport mode.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method and a lifting mechanism for actively damping in mobile working machines vibrations which may occur as a result of raised attachments during travel. The method or the lifting mechanism has a prediction or a predictor for estimating the future vibration. The prediction is preferably carried out with a recursive least squares algorithm. The mobile working machine may, for example, be a tractor.

Abstract: A hoe drill opener including: a hydraulic cylinder; a frame mount attached on a first end of the hydraulic cylinder, where the frame mount is adapted to adjoin to a tractor; a pressure adjuster attached to the hydraulic cylinder at a second end; a depth adjuster extending from the pressure adjuster; a tiller at a first end of the depth adjuster; an opener extending from the depth adjuster, where the opener is adapted for sowing; and a wheel brace attached to the depth adjuster where the wheel brace support a wheel. Notches may also be provided on the pressure adjuster to allow adjustment of the tiller and opener. Preferably, depth is adjusted through the depth adjuster in conjunction with the pressure adjuster.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system that includes a row unit coupled to a tool bar of an agricultural implement. An opener system coupled to the row unit that engages soil to form a trench. A soil condition sensor. A closing system that closes the trench created by the opener system. The closing system includes a first disk that engages the soil and closes the trench. A second disk that engages the soil and closes the trench. A controller that couples to the soil condition sensor and controls a position or orientation of the first disk or the second disk in response to feedback from the soil condition sensor.

Abstract: A seeding implement has an implement frame with a lateral frame member. Spoked wheels rotate about a wheel axis that is fixed with respect to the implement frame. Shanks are mounted to the lateral frame member such that each shank is movable with respect to the frame. Each spoked wheel rotates about the wheel axis in a plane that is vertical, aligned with, and forward of, a front face of a corresponding shank, and ends of spokes pass adjacent to a front face of the shank. A spoke clearance distance between the ends of the spokes and the front face of the corresponding shank remains within a trash clearing range as the shank moves with respect to the implement frame from a first operating position to a second operating position that is below the first operating position.

Abstract: A meter roller for an agricultural metering system includes a flute and a recess positioned adjacent to one another along a circumferential axis of the meter roller. The flute and the recess are configured to meter flowable particulate material from a storage tank to a material distribution system via rotation of the meter roller. In addition, a first circumferential extent of the flute is at least 1.5 times greater than a second circumferential extent of the recess along an entire longitudinal extent of the flute and the recess, and the entire longitudinal extent of the flute and the recess is greater than the first circumferential extent of the flute and the second circumferential extent of the recess.

Abstract: A meter roller for an agricultural metering system includes a flute and a recess positioned adjacent to one another along a circumferential axis of the meter roller. The flute and the recess are configured to meter flowable particulate material from a storage tank to a material distribution system via rotation of the meter roller. In addition, a first circumferential extent of the flute is at least 1.5 times greater than a second circumferential extent of the recess along an entire longitudinal extent of the flute and the recess, and the entire longitudinal extent of the flute and the recess is greater than the first circumferential extent of the flute and the second circumferential extent of the recess.

Abstract: A display device for a working machine, includes: a plurality of candidate boxes in which candidate setting information to be set to the working machine is represented, the candidate boxes being displayed on a screen; and a contents display portion in which a setting item relating to the working machine is displayed. The display device includes a display control portion to move a display box to a position corresponding to the contents display portion in performing the setting to the working machine, the display box being one of the plurality of candidate boxes in which candidate setting information corresponding to the setting is displayed.

Abstract: A display device for a working machine, includes a plurality of setting boxes, each of the setting boxes including: an item display portion representing a setting item relating to the working machine; and a setting display portion representing setting information of the setting item. The plurality of setting boxes are displayed on a screen, and a setting input portion to input the setting information corresponding to the setting item of each of the setting boxes is displayed on the screen in addition to the plurality of setting boxes displayed on the screen.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester comprising first and second drive arm assemblies for connecting to respective cutting assemblies, and a drive unit consisting essentially of a hydraulic motor operatively connected to the first and second drive arm assemblies. Operation of the drive unit results in substantially linear and opposed oscillating motion of the cutting assemblies.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a string reel (1) for being mounted on a cutting head of a string trimmer in a rotatable manner in mowing operation. The string reel (1) is constructed as an exchangeable wearing part, onto which a number of mowing string strands (2) is wound up, for example two mowing string strands (2), so that in mowing operation each free thread end is pulled radially outwards by centrifugal force and the piece of thread pulled outwards by the rotary movement in mowing operation and located at the free thread end can knock off plant stalks. The mowing string strands (2) have a greater length than the respective thread piece pulled outwards in mowing operation at the free thread end, so that the number of mowing string strands (2) can be pulled out at the free thread end after wear of the thread piece.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an agricultural vehicle including a chassis and a header carried by the chassis that includes a cutterbar assembly with a plurality of cutting units. Each of the cutting units includes a rotatable disc carrying a plurality of knives each defining at least one cutting edge and a guard assembly including a plurality of extensions. Each of the extensions includes a bottom guard portion connected to a top guard portion to define a knife slot that allows the plurality of knives to pass through during rotation of the disc. At least one rotary driver couples to the rotatable disc of at least one of the cutting units.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes a cutterbar with at least one cutting unit. The at least one cutting unit includes a rotary driver; a rotatable disc coupled to the rotary driver; at least one knife mount coupled to a disc surface of the rotatable disc and including a locking portion biased toward the disc surface; and a knife locked in at least one direction by the locking portion, the knife defining at least one cutting edge.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a mower deck supporting a mower belt with cutting elements thereon to produce a cutting action when the belt is driven by a motor to rotate in an endless loop relative to the mower deck. A handle is supported on the mower deck to be movable between different orientations. The mower belt extends along multiple sides of the mower deck which are different in configuration from one another to vary the cutting configuration of the mower as the handle is displaced between different orientations. In a preferred embodiment, the mower deck is triangular in shape and guard members protrude outward from the sides of the deck over the cutting elements with transverse slots therein.

Abstract: Vegetation cutting apparatuses may include a wheeled apparatus frame. A cutting assembly may be carried by the wheeled apparatus frame. The cutting assembly may include an elongated chain support member having a chain support member edge. A cutting chain may be configured to traverse the chain support member edge of the chain support member. An engine may drivingly engage the cutting chain.

Abstract: Vegetation cutting apparatuses may include a wheeled apparatus frame. A cutting assembly may be carried by the wheeled apparatus frame. The cutting assembly may include an elongated chain support member having a chain support member edge. An elongated debris removal slot may extend into the chain support member from the chain support member edge. A cutting chain may be configured to traverse the chain support member edge of the chain support member. An engine may drivingly engage the cutting chain.

Abstract: A debris removal system for an agricultural harvester may include a chopper assembly configured to chop harvested crops into billets; an elevator having an elevator inlet that receives a stream of billets from the chopper assembly; and an extractor positioned adjacent the elevator inlet that is configured to remove from the harvester debris separated from the billets. A fan assembly may be positioned between the chopper assembly and the elevator inlet and may include a fan and a fan discharge outlet. The fan assembly may blow a stream of air through the stream of billets and toward the extractor to separate the debris from the billets for removal by the extractor. Moreover, the fan has a diameter that is approximately twice a height of the fan discharge outlet. Other debris removal systems and methods for removing debris from harvested crops also are provided.

Abstract: A crop ramp and belt support component for an agricultural harvesting head is provided. The crop ramp and belt support component includes a forward portion, a rear portion, and a belt support portion that are generally planar. The forward portion is inclined relative to the rear portion, and the rear portion extends from the forward portion. The belt support portion is substantially parallel to the rear portion and is configured to extend at least partially below an interior surface of a belt conveyor. The forward portion, the rear portion, and the belt support portion are fabricated as a unitary component.

Abstract: In a device and method for introducing high voltage into a substrate containing biological material, an applicator module having two or more applicators with simultaneously differently polarized applicators is used, through which the electrical high voltage is delivered in metered quantities to change the substrate. Different variants make it possible to introduce the high voltage into the substrate in controlled manner and selectively.

Abstract: The invention provides a horticulture arrangement (2) configured for support of a plant part (6) of a plant (5), comprising a horticulture lighting system (1) for horticulture lighting, the horticulture lighting system (1) comprising a light generating device (10) and an element (100), the element (100) having an elongated shape with an element length (L1), the element (100) comprising a plurality of light emitting regions (200) adapted to provide horticulture light (201) during operation of the light generating device (10), wherein an arrangement of positions of the light emitting regions (200) along the length (L1) of the element (100) is controllable.

Abstract: The present application discloses a support apparatus having: (a) pole, aligned in an approximately vertical orientation when in use, and a cross section, wherein the pole comprises one or more pairs of diametrically opposed holes, positioned along the length of the pole; (b) a unitary open hoop, approximately in a plane, comprising an elastic material; and further comprising: a first end portion an a second end portion; wherein when in use, the hoop is compressed so that the first end portion and the second end portion are urged past each other to form a parallel locus; and wherein when the hoop is compressed, the first end portion and the second end portion are formed as if bent to mate with and apply an opposed tension to a pair of diametrically opposed holes in the pole; and wherein when the hoop is compressed, the parallel locus engages with the pole to impede the vertical swing of the hoop.

Abstract: A greenhouse is disclosed having a light-transmitting barrier and a floor surface. The barrier and floor surface are connected to define an enclosure within the greenhouse for plant cultivation. The barrier includes an inner layer delimiting the enclosure and an outer layer. The inner and outer layers are impermeable to air to substantially prevent air from entering the enclosure through the inner layer. The outer layer is spaced apart above the inner layer to define an air passage therebetween. The air passage is in fluid communication with at least one air inlet in a bottom portion of the outer layer and with an air outlet in a top portion of the outer layer. Air within the air passage flows passively from the at least one air inlet to the air outlet upon being heated.

Abstract: A greenhouse, for cold weather climates, is configured with a gable that is offset toward the north wall and therefore the south extension of the roof, from the gable to the south wall is longer than the north extension. A greater amount of light can enter through this south extension and the inside surface of the north wall is configured with a reflective surface to allow light to be more uniformly distributed around the plants. The north wall may no widows and may be thermally insulated to prevent the greenhouse from getting too cold during the night. A ground to air heat transfer (GAHT) system may be configured to produce a flow of greenhouse air under the greenhouse for heat transfer, to moderate the temperature of the greenhouse. A thermal medium may flow to a thermal reservoir for heat exchange with the conduits of the GAHT system.

Abstract: A removably securable potted plant jacket is provided. The removably securable potted plant jacket includes a housing enclosure having an open upper end and an open lower end, wherein the housing enclosure consists of two members hingedly attached to one another. The open lower end includes a perimeter lip that allows the device to be secured around the upper end of planters and pots of various types and sizes. The housing enclosure includes a closure flap which runs along the length of the housing enclosure from the open top end to the open bottom end along the point of contact of the two housing members. The closure flap is removably securable using a fastener such as a hook and loop assembly. The device is adapted to protect plants from high winds and other environmental hazards, while the open upper end allows mist to moisten the plant protected within.

Abstract: A collapsible mulch dispenser has a collapsible hopper, a blower assembly, and a motor. The collapsible hopper is a freestanding receptacle that has a collapsible frame, a container, an outlet and a declined surface. The container is a bag that is mounted within the collapsible frame so that mulch can be poured into the container to be dispensed through the outlet. The declined surface is mounted within the container and forms a slope that directs the contents of the container to pass through the outlet. The blower assembly is a system used to deposit the mulch onto a desired surface. Accordingly, the motor and the blower assembly are coupled to the out so that mulch can flow out of the container and through the blower assembly.

Abstract: An agronomic method for the production of vegetables and mushrooms, includes the steps of performing a preventive chemical, physical and pedologic analysis of the soils intended for cultivation, in order to identify their composition, hydrologic characteristics, and verify the absence of pathogens, infesting organisms and pollutants; selecting among natural seeds and mycelia, not genetically modified, the ones most suitable for the parameters of the soil identified previously; and performing iterated periodic checks on the vegetable, mushroom species, that grow after seeding, in order to detect biotic adversities and/or infestations thereof.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein includes a method for operating lighting fixtures in horticultural applications. The method may include receiving a user input of a desired irradiance for a first color channel of one or more lighting fixtures that irradiates a plant bed, in which each of the one or more lighting fixtures comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) array, determining, for each of the one or more lighting fixtures, a PWM setting of the first color channel such that each of the one or more lighting fixtures irradiate the plant bed at the desired irradiance based on calibration data stored in each of the one or more lighting fixtures, and applying, to each of the one or more lighting fixtures, the determined PWM setting of the first color channel.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein includes a method for operating lighting fixtures in horticultural applications. The method may include receiving a user input of a desired irradiance for a first color channel of one or more lighting fixtures that irradiates a plant bed, in which each of the one or more lighting fixtures comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) array, determining, for each of the one or more lighting fixtures, a PWM setting of the first color channel such that each of the one or more lighting fixtures irradiate the plant bed at the desired irradiance based on calibration data stored in each of the one or more lighting fixtures, and applying, to each of the one or more lighting fixtures, the determined PWM setting of the first color channel.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a wood-handling device in a work machine. The wood-handling device is attached through a rotation device to an end of a set of booms of the work machine to create a desired orientation of the wood-handling device for the operation. The orientation of the wood-handling device using the rotation device is tied on the basis of the operation to be performed using the set of booms. The orientation of the wood-handling device is tied to the position of the end of the set of booms. The position of the end of the set of booms is defined while performing the operation, on the basis of the position of the end of the set of booms. The wood-handling device is oriented using the rotation device, according to the said tie.

Abstract: An emitter outlet defining an ingress channel having a first volume and area, and having a first portion that is substantially perpendicular to a second portion located downstream of the first portion which causes fluid flowing through the ingress channel to make a first fluid velocity reducing turn, and a first opening located off of the second portion that causes at least a portion of the fluid flowing through the ingress channel to make a second fluid velocity reducing turn, and an outlet bath with a second volume and area that is larger than the first volume and area of the ingress channel so as to cause further pressure and/or velocity reduction of the fluid entering into the outlet bath. In addition, emitters, drip lines and various methods relating to such an emitter outlet configuration are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flow-through oxygen infuser which is an assemblage of one or more venturis, in a chamber, is disclosed. When a venturi(s) is placed in an airtight chamber and water is passed through the venturi(s) a negative pressure is formed in the airtight chamber; additionally a minimal amount of pure oxygen is injected into the chamber generating very small bubbles of oxygen in the water passing through the venturis. The very small oxygen bubbles remain in suspension forming a solution supersaturated in oxygen. A flow-through model for infusing water with oxygen is disclosed. The use of supersaturated water for enhancing the growth of plants is disclosed. Methods for applying supersaturated water to plants in hydroponic culture are described. The promotion of beneficial aerobic bacteria with supersaturated water is described.

Abstract: This invention describes a new method of grain production wherein designated male plant pollen may be selected at anytime before pollination of a designated female plant. In the method, a designated female plant having both female and male components is grown. Furthermore, designated male pollen is selected for use in cross-pollinating the designated female plant. Cross-pollination may occur on one more days, is intentional, and occurs at a time when male components are not shedding pollen. The criteria used for selecting designated male pollen may include, but is not limited to, market information and commodity price information. Moreover, the designated male plant pollen may have a different maturity period compared to the designated female, selection may occur after the female has germinated, and/or result in a higher harvested crop value than other available pollen.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for selecting a plant comprising a functional restorer gene for maize S-type cytoplasmic male sterility comprising the steps of (a) screening a population of plants for at least one marker nucleic acid, wherein the marker nucleic acid comprises an allele linked to the functional restorer gene for maize S-type cytoplasmic male sterility; (b) detecting the marker nucleic acid; (c) identifying a plant comprising the marker nucleic acid; and (d) selecting the plant comprising the marker nucleic acid, wherein the plant comprising the marker nucleic acid further comprises the functional restorer gene for maize S-type cytoplasmic male sterility. The present disclosure also provides methods for restoring fertility in a progeny of an S-type cytoplasmic male sterile plant and methods for transferring an Rf3 gene into a progeny plant.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides tomato plants exhibiting resistance to tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and lacking unfavorable linked traits such as necrosis. Such plants may comprise novel introgressed genomic regions associated with disease resistance from S. chilense. In certain aspects, compositions, including novel polymorphic markers and methods for producing, breeding, identifying, and selecting plants or germplasm with a disease resistance phenotype are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides seeds and plants of cucumber hybrid SVCN6404 and cucumber inbred line APD-M314-0441MO. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid SVCN6404 and cucumber inbred line APD-M314-0441MO and to methods for producing a cucumber plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another plant, such as a cucumber plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid SVCN6404 and cucumber inbred line APD-M314-0441MO comprising introduced beneficial or desirable traits.

Abstract: The invention provides seeds and plants of tomato hybrid SVTM9003 and tomato line PSQ9Z13-T028. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid SVTM9003 and tomato line PSQ9Z13-T028 and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another plant, such as a tomato plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid SVTM9003 and tomato line PSQ9Z13-T028 comprising introduced beneficial or desirable traits.

Abstract: The invention provides seeds and plants of tomato hybrid SVTM9008 and tomato line PSQ-9Z15-9109. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid SVTM9008 and tomato line PSQ-9Z15-9109 and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another plant, such as a tomato plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid SVTM9008 and tomato line PSQ-9Z15-9109 comprising introduced beneficial or desirable traits.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of Brassica carinata breeding (i.e. Ethiopian mustard breeding), specifically relating to Brassica carinata variety DH-140.356. The present invention relates to seeds, plants or parts thereof, cells, methods of making, and uses of this variety and its progeny.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of Brassica carinata breeding (i.e. Ethiopian mustard breeding), specifically relating to Brassica carinata variety DH-153.113. The present invention relates to seeds, plants or parts thereof, cells, methods of making, and uses of this variety and its progeny.

Abstract: A lettuce cultivar, designated VX 12 MB, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds, plants and plant parts of lettuce cultivar VX 12 MB and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivar VX 12 MB with itself or another lettuce cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to lettuce cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar VX 12 MB, to methods for producing other lettuce cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar VX 12 MB and to the lettuce plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar VX 12 MB with another lettuce cultivar.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of Brassica carinata breeding (i.e. Ethiopian mustard breeding), specifically relating to Brassica carinata variety DH-140.251. The present invention relates to seeds, plants or parts thereof, cells, methods of making, and uses of this variety and its progeny.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of Brassica carinata breeding (i.e. Ethiopian mustard breeding), specifically relating to Brassica carinata variety DH-069.485. The present invention relates to seeds, plants or parts thereof, cells, methods of making, and uses of this variety and its progeny.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of Brassica carinata breeding (i.e. Ethiopian mustard breeding), specifically relating to Brassica carinata variety DH-156.090D. The present invention relates to seeds, plants or parts thereof, cells, methods of making, and uses of this variety and its progeny.

Abstract: A milking claw for efficiently drawing milk is disclosed. The milking claw includes a claw top and a claw bottom. The claw top includes a pair of front inlets, a pair of rear inlets, and an outlet. The front inlets and the rear inlets extend upwardly from a top surface of the claw top and are spaced on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the claw top. The outlet includes an air channel along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a flow passage disposed below the air channel. The flow passage includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The claw bottom is disposed below the claw top and includes a dividing wall, a sump, and a raised knob disposed within the sump.

Abstract: Provided is a control device which controls an animal toilet. The control device includes: a weight obtaining section which obtains a weight of an excreta tray; a disposition state determining section which determines whether or not the excreta tray is disposed; and a disposition state notifying section which causes a notification to be sent to a user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a raceway comprising a sloped base with an apex, a divider extending upward from the apex, two side walls, each opposing and parallel to the divider sufficient to form two elongated channels on the sloped base; and at least two tapered ends in fluid communication with the channels, each tapered end including an end wall, a pit, and a sloped floor extending from the sloped base to the end wall or pit.