Abstract: A cultivator is provided for cultivating a field. The cultivator can have a frame with a tow assembly so that the cultivator can be towed by a tractor. A cultivating assembly can be provided pivotally attached to the rear of the frame. The cultivating assembly can have a plurality of discs that engage and penetrate the soil beneath the cultivating assembly. The cultivating assembly can have a center section pivotally connected at the to the rear end of the frame, a first wing section pivotally connected to one side of the center section, a second wing pivotally connected the other side of center section where all the sections have discs connected to them. A pair of ground wheels can be provided connected to the center section so that the ground wheels are positioned in front of the cultivating assembly when it is being used to cultivate a field.

Abstract: Aerification system and method for controlling moisture content and/or gas exchange below a surface of one or more areas to be irrigated. The system includes at least a first and a second aerification sub-systems in communication with the one or more areas, and installable in a recess above which the surface is located; at least one conduit to connect the first sub-system to the second sub-system; at least one pumping system for pumping a fluid between the first sub-system and the second sub-system; fluid from the first sub-system is at least partly transferable by the pumping system to the second sub-system and fluid from the second sub-system is at least partly transferable by the pumping system to the first sub-system. The pumping system periodically raises and lowers a height level of fluid between a predetermined minimum height level and a predetermined maximum height level in the first and second sub-systems.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a travelling vehicle body; a work machine mounted on a rear portion of the travelling vehicle body to be capable of being lifted and lowered; a control unit for controlling lifting and lowering of the work machine; and a rear sensor provided on the rear portion of the travelling vehicle body and configured to detect an object present behind the travelling vehicle body. The control unit may be configured to set a regulation height based on a height where the rear sensor detects the work machine while the work machine is lifted and then regulate lifting of the work machine during work in such a manner that a height of the work machine is kept less than or equal to the regulation height.

Abstract: A tractor has a controller and at least one sensor-for sensing at least one swath line of crop material corresponding to a quantity of crop material per unit length of a swath. The controller operates in dependence on at least one output of the at least one sensor to operate a steering mechanism of the tractor such that a baler towed by the tractor follows a said swath line in a manner aligning ingestion of crop material into the baler for baling. The at least one sensor is operable to sense a swath line that is laterally offset from the direction of forward movement of the tractor.

Abstract: An agricultural air seeder planting unit incorporates control valves that split flow and change direction from supply to distribution hoses. The flow area of the control valves is automatically adjusted pneumatically by movement of a piston in response to total pressure to provide a uniform velocity flow from each of the control valves.

Abstract: A ride-on vehicle, such as a zero turn radius lawnmower, includes a main chassis having first and second pivot joints, a in first rocker arm having a caster wheel on a first end portion and a drive wheel on a second end portion, and a second rocker arm having a caster wheel on a first end portion and a drive wheel on a second end portion, wherein the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm are independently pivotally coupled to the respective first and second pivot joints of the main chassis at a location between the caster wheels and the drive wheels. The ride-on vehicle may also include a modular mower deck assembly with a plurality of mower deck modules having a blade assembly, an electric blade motor configured to provide rotation to the blade assembly, and an attachment assembly configured to enable attachment between adjacent mower deck modules.

Abstract: A mower deck insert includes a first cutting chamber, a second cutting chamber, and a discharge passage extending adjacent to the first cutting chamber and the second cutting chamber. The first cutting chamber includes a first axial scroll extending about a first vertical axis. The first axial scroll includes a first upper surface having a first start region and a first end region. The second cutting chamber includes a second axial scroll extending about a second vertical axis. The second axial scroll includes a second upper surface having a second start region and a second end region. The first start region is vertically lower than the first end region, and the second start region is vertically lower than the second end region.

Abstract: A combine including a chassis, a crop residue handling system including a residue chopper, residue spreader, a spreader chute and a swath selection door, a receiver configured to determine a location of the combine, and a controller that controls the residue handling system. The controller configured to determine the location of the combine on a map, execute a crop residue spreading mode in response to the controller determining that the location of the combine is located in a designated crop residue spreading zone indicated on the map, and execute a crop residue windrow mode in response to the controller determining that the location of the combine is located in a designated crop residue windrow zone indicated on the map.

Abstract: An agricultural header includes: a header frame; at least one cutting unit carried by the header frame and including a cutting element and a driveshaft coupled to the cutting element; and a gearbox configured to drive the cutting element. The gearbox includes a gearbox output rotatably coupled to the driveshaft; and a clutch including an intermediate shaft and at least one clutch shoe rotatably coupled to the intermediate shaft and displaceable between a non-engaging position where the at least one clutch shoe does not engage the gearbox output and an engaging position where the at least one clutch shoe engages the gearbox output. The clutch is configured such that the at least one clutch shoe displaces to the engaging position when a rotational speed of the intermediate shaft reaches a threshold value.

Abstract: A harvesting combine having a feeder house drum assembly is provided herein, wherein the feeder house drum may include a sweep assembly that provides sufficient grasp upon the crops without having a damaging effect, wherein the crop throughput is improved while reducing damage to the crop. Coupling to receive the crop bearing grain from a conveyor, the sweep assembly may comprise either a panel or brush assembly coupled to a respective one of a plurality of paddle anchors that couple to the feeder house drum. In particular, each brush assembly may include at least one row of finger members coupled to a brush base, wherein the finger members may be arranged in tufts and received in stepped openings through the brush base. The finger members may include at least one row of straight or curved brush bristles; or at least one row of curved elongated fingers.

Abstract: In an electric grass cutting machine relating to the present invention, an electric motor for driving a traveling device having a pair of left and right front wheels and a pair of left and right rear wheels and a gear transmission for speed-changing output from the electric motor and transmitting the resultant power to the traveling device are disposed between the left and right rear wheels and arranged one after the other in the front/rear direction at positions laterally of a conveying duct for guiding cut grass pieces from a rear discharge type mower device to a grass collecting container supported to a rear portion of a machine body frame.

Abstract: A bagger attachment for use with a stand-on lawn mower. The bagger includes, in some embodiments, an impeller, a duct, and one or more bags which are covered by a hood. The hood is attached to a pivot frame that allows movement of the hood between open and closed positions. The bagger attachment may also include a frame assembly that facilitates mounting and removal of the bagger attachment from the mower. The bagger attachment may either contain removable bags, or may include a discharge door for dumping the clippings.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system, comprising: an interface configured to receive input defining a target windrow; a windrower comprising a windrow forming assembly configured to form a windrow; one or more sensors; and a computing system configured to control formation of the windrow according to the target windrow based on the input and further based on input from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A working platform that can be removably attached to a front portion of a utility tractor is provided in which the platform is at least horizontally adjustable, is sized to allow a user to move about on the platform, and the tractor can be controlled by a user with controls located on the platform. In addition, an automatic steering system may be included that allows the tractor to remain generally along a preselected course, such as between rows of trees or other objects. As the tractor moves down the row of an orchard, the platform can be adjusted so as to be in an appropriate position for performing work on the tree. A harvesting accessory system may also be attached to the tractor in conjunction with the working platforms, which supports and conveys bins from the tractor to the ground.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a round baler. The method comprises providing a nonstop baler type machine; feeding of crop into a prechamber and a main bale forming chamber; and providing, by a binding unit, a binding material to the main bale forming chamber for wrapping a bale formed in the main bale forming chamber, comprising, in a first mode of operation, providing a stretching apparatus in contact with the binding material, thereby, applying a compressive force to the binding material for stretching the binding material; and in a second mode of operation, providing the stretching apparatus free of contact with the binding material. Furthermore, a round baler is disclosed.

Abstract: A bale holder is actuated to hold a bale in a lift gate of a baler. Lift gate actuators are then actuated to lift the gate, while it is holding the bale. A gate position sensor senses the position of the lift gate, and a force detector detects a force that is used in order to support the gate in the detected position. Bale weight generation logic then generates a bale weight based on the sensed lift gate position and the detected force. A control signal is generated based on the bale weight.

Abstract: A baler for forming a bale includes a frame, an axle, and a sensor. The frame supports a bale chamber. The axle is connected to the frame at a first location and spaced apart from the frame at a second location. The sensor is positioned to measure the deflection of the axle based on a distance. The deflection of the axle changes based upon a weight of the bale.

Abstract: For forming a “wheatsheaf” bunch of flowers, a bundle of stems is twisted. For that purpose, use is made of a first and second rotatable receiving unit which keep flowers or groups of flowers separated from each other transversely to the axial direction relative to a rotation axis of the receiving unit. A multiplicity of stems are introduced in lying orientation in axial direction relative to the rotation axis into the receiving units, with a part of each bouquet component extending over a distance between the first and second rotatable receiving unit. The first receiving unit is rotated between the feeding of different bouquet components, while the second receiving unit rotates substantially along with the first receiving unit. Thereupon, a relative rotation angle between the first and second receiving unit is changed to twist the bundle of stems. After changing of the relative rotation angle, the bundle in the twisted condition is gripped and/or bound and taken out of the receiving units.

Abstract: An integrated stair planter to provide a plurality of levels for plants to be grown in areas where room is limited. Each of the levels enables various types of plants to be planted at any location. Each of the levels are in communication with one another for providing more efficient watering and drainage. The integrated planter includes side panels having a plurality of steps along an upper edge and a sloped lower edge, a plurality of risers to connect between associated risers of the side panels, a sloped floor to seal off an underside of the integrated planter and connect to the sloped lower edge of each of the side panels. A plurality of step planters are provided between associated treads of the side panels and abutting risers. An integrated opening is formed by the plurality of step planters as the step planters are connected to one another.

Abstract: A trellis apparatus for supporting a growing plant includes a mesh operable to support and hold a growing portion of a plant when the plant is held by a portable container, and a frame operable to support and hold the mesh above the plant when the plant is held by the portable container. The mesh is sized and configured to not support and not hold a growing portion of another plant when the other plant is not held by the portable container. The mesh includes an array of passages, each passage defined by a section of a line that is configured to form the mesh, and at least one of the passages is sized to allow a growing portion of the plant held by the portable container to extend through the passage. The frame includes a stanchion operable to position and hold the mesh above the plant when the plant is held by the portable container, and a coupler operable to secure the stanchion to the container that holds the growing plant.

Abstract: A greenhouse screen comprising strips of film material that are interconnected by a yarn system of transverse threads and longitudinal threads by means of a knitting, warp-knitting or weaving process to form a continuous product is provided. At least some of the strips comprise a polyester film having a transparency of at least 93%, said polyester film having at least one base layer B comprising a thermoplastic polyester and a UV stabilizer. The polyester film has a first and a second surface, wherein a permanent anti-fog coating is applied to at least one of the first or second surfaces of the polyester film. The anti-fog coating has a lower refractive index than the base layer B.A process for producing said film is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems control light used in growing plants, to create artificial or short days, of less than the standard 24 hour day. This artificial day, created by controlling light systems, maximizes growing time, and therefore, shortens the overall time for plant growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for growing mushrooms, comprising a shelving, comprising multiple support beds for holding compost and casing soil arranged above each other, a picking platform for harvesters, the platform movable with at least a vertical directional component along the shelving and a harvesting conveyor, comprising a harvesting conveyor belt that extends at least partially along the beds and is supported by a number of guides, along which the harvesting conveyor is movable, wherein at least one of the guides is coupled to the shelving; and at least one of the guides is coupled to the picking platform and is movable together with the platform with at least a vertical directional component.

Abstract: A sensor mount for use with a timber-working device includes a monolithic structure having a base portion configured to be secured to a frame of a timber-working device, and a sensor mounting portion including a cavity configured to receive a contactless sensor. The cavity has a sensor mounting surface for securing the contactless sensor thereto.

Abstract: A device for continuous release of a fluid at a near-optimum rate, the device including: a reservoir, having dimensions such that the fluid disposed in the reservoir is held in a shape having a height to a width ratio whereby the width is greater than the height; a flow-rate regulator adapted to regulate fluid release rate of the fluid exiting the reservoir via the flow-rate regulator.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems, processes and/or methods of controlling irrigation. In some embodiments, methods are provided that receive (4112) water usage information corresponding to a first volumetric water usage at a site location having an irrigation controller (130), wherein the first volumetric water usage corresponds to volumetric water usage from a beginning of a budget period of time to a first time within the budget period of time; determine (4114) automatically whether a volumetric water budget at the site location will be met for the budget period of time based on at least the first volumetric water usage, the volumetric water budget corresponding to a specified volume of water for use during the budget period of time; determine (4116) automatically, in the event the volumetric water budget will not be met, an adjustment to the irrigation by the irrigation controller; and output (4118) signaling to effect the adjustment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an article for enriching soil fertility, a method of manufacturing the same and a method of enriching soil fertility. The article comprising: a plurality of containers, each having a respective fluid-permeable membrane and each containing one or more fertilizers. At least one of permeabilities of the membranes and contents of the one or more fertilizers are selected to control a release of the fertilizers from the containers.

Abstract: A controlled agriculture environment containing one or more growing rooms, each containing one or more growing units is described. Each growing room is managed by an HVAC system under the control of an environmental control unit. Each growing room may have a specific temperature and humidity optimized for the type of plant or plants being room. The growing room may have a positive air pressure when compared to areas connected to it to ensure that no insects or contaminants can enter the growing room. The growing room may provide water feed, compressed air, CO2, and electricity to each of the growing units. The growing units are also connected wirelessly to an environmental control unit.

Abstract: The invention provides transgenic maize event MON 87427 and plants, plant cells, seeds, plant parts, and commodity products derived from event MON 87427. The invention also provides nucleotides specific for transgenic maize event MON 87427 and plants, plant cells, seeds, plant parts, and commodity products comprising nucleotides specific for transgenic maize event MON 87427. The invention also provides methods related to transgenic maize event MON 87427 and to the Roundup® Hybridization System (RHS). The invention also provides a Relative Development Scale useful for monitoring and determining reproductive development in maize that reconciles developmental differences across various maize varieties. This is useful for determining the optimal timing of a treatment regimen in which tassel development stage is an important factor, including various methods in making hybrid seed.

Abstract: The present invention provides to a novel powdery mildew resistance marker for winter squash plants, a powdery mildew resistant winter squash plant, and a method for producing a powdery mildew resistant winter squash plant using the same. The powdery mildew resistance marker for winter squash plants according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes a powdery mildew resistance locus on chromosome 3.

Abstract: The invention relates to the wheat cultivar designated 01071560. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the wheat cultivar 01071560. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the wheat cultivar 01071560 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing wheat plants by crossing the wheat cultivar 01071560 with itself or another wheat cultivar and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the wheat cultivar designated 01071563. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the wheat cultivar 01071563. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the wheat cultivar 01071563 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing wheat plants by crossing the wheat cultivar 01071563 with itself or another wheat cultivar and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the wheat cultivar designated 01071589. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the wheat cultivar 01071589. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the wheat cultivar 01071589 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing wheat plants by crossing the wheat cultivar 01071589 with itself or another wheat cultivar and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: An auger assembly (1) for receiving and conveying cheese curd downstream along a cheese processing line (32) includes an auger housing (2), a first auger (3) having a first shaft (5) extending through the auger housing (2), a second auger (4) having a second shaft (6) extending through the auger housing (2) and arranged Dcolinearly with the first shaft (5), a first bearing (9) mounted to the auger housing (2) and arranged at the end (7) of the first shaft (5), and a second bearing (10) mounted to the auger housing (2) and arranged at the end (8) of the second shaft (6). The first bearing (9) and second bearing (10) are colinear and facing each other. At least one slotted groove (11, 12) is formed the bearings (9, 10) to enable a cleaning fluid to contact a surface (13, 14) of the respective bearing (9, 10).

Abstract: A block former (1) for the production of blocks of cheese (19) includes an upright drainage column (2) having a feed opening (3) for curd particles (4) at an upper end (5) of the drainage column (2). The drainage column (2) includes an inner wall (6) having an interior surface (7) against which a pillar of curd (8) formed of the curd particles (4) slides as the pillar of curd (8) moves downwardly through the drainage column (2). The upright drainage column (2) is divided into an upper part (9) and a lower part (10). The interior surface (7) at the upper part (9) has a first finish and the interior surface (7) at the lower part (10) has a second finish that provides higher friction with the pillar of curd (8) relative to the first finish.

Abstract: A block former (1) for the production of blocks of cheese (19) includes an upright drainage column (2) having a feed opening (3) for curd particles (4) at an upper end (5) of the drainage column (2). The drainage column (2) includes an inner wall (6) having an interior surface (7) against which a pillar of curd (8) formed of the curd particles (4) slides as the pillar of curd (8) moves downwardly through the drainage column (2). The upright drainage column (2) is divided into an upper part (9) and a lower part (10). The upper part (9) has an inner cross-sectional area that is less than an inner cross-sectional area of the lower part (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling the air climate in an insect rearing climate housing. The system comprises in combination an insect rearing climate housing and an aeration system. The insect rearing climate housing comprises clusters of one or more stacks of crates with immature phases of insects, which stacks of crates comprise at least two ventilation openings associated with each crate. The aeration system comprises an air control unit with a database. The database comprises a reference table with conditioned air properties in relation to one or more input parameters. The aeration system further comprises aeration devices connected to the air control unit adjacent to each stack of crates. The aeration devices comprise a plurality of exit openings. The exit openings are arranged for providing airstreams over the immature phases of insects through the ventilation openings in each individual crate.

Abstract: An assembly for controlling the position of air inlets of an enclosure including an actuation rod which moves laterally and is positioned above and parallel with the air inlets, one or more actuation cables, where the first end of each actuation cable is attached to the actuation rod and the second end of each cable is attached to one or more of the air inlets and lateral movement of the actuation rod causes vertical movement of the actuation cables and attached air inlets.

Abstract: The present invention provides an autonomous cleaning robot device for cleaning in the animal husbandry environment. The cleaning robot is composed of a master machine (autonomous moving controller) and a slave machine (self-propelled cleaning head). The master machine and the slave machine are connected by a robotic arm and a traction hose. The robotic arm can adapt to the movement of the cleaning slave machine to reduce the resistance and secondary pollution or damage caused by friction between the traction cable and the ground during the movement. The traction hose combined with the robotic arm allows slave machine to enter and exit the fence without opening and closing the door to improve efficiency. In the treatment of dirt, the excrement is collected by a suction driving device, and is centrally collected in a storage tank, and then is compacted into blocks by the excrement compression device.

Abstract: An adjustable pet harness with rigid lifting components is disclosed. An example pet harness comprises a sling, first and second lifting rods, and first and second retainers. The sling defines first and second end loops. The first lifting rod is disposed in the first end loop. The first retainer extend through the sling and the first lifting rod to secure the first lifting rod in the first end loop. The second lifting rod is disposed in the second end loop. The second retainer extends through the sling and the second lifting rod to secure the second lifting rod in the second end loop.

Abstract: A rotary milking parlor controlled that uses a set of sensors generating sensor signals that determine whether or not an entity is located at a hazardous position of the rotary milking parlor, and a central control unit, where each sensor in the set of sensors generates first and second independent signals, the first and second signals conveyed separately via respective first and second signal lines to the central control unit, and the rotary milking parlor controlled to be operated only if both the first and second signals of all sensors in the set of sensors indicate that no entity is deemed to be located at a hazardous position.

Abstract: An automatic animal feeder includes a bowl, a base unit which accepts the bowl, a lid which may be closed to cover the bowl and prevent access to it, or opened about a hinge to allow access to the bowl, a lid control mechanism capable of keeping the lid closed, or opening the lid, the bowl including a profile on its outer surface, on the side furthest from lid hinge, and a base unit including a corresponding profile on its inner surface. The bowl profile and the base profile interlock when the bowl is positioned in the base unit, such that the side of the bowl with the profile is constrained against being lifted substantially vertically.

Abstract: Features are described for a pellet dispenser. The pellet dispenser be implemented as a complex molded unit to fit within the home cage of laboratory animals (e.g., hanging from a wall of the cage or inside a food hopper of the cage). The pellet dispenser may be contained within the cage or otherwise attached to the cage so as not to take up additional floor space in the cage which should be allocated for the small laboratory animal The pellets may be gravity or screw drive fed towards an ejector port. At prescribed times during the day, a prescribed number of pellets may be ejected into the animal cage. Additional components of the pellet dispenser include an ejector (e.g., a linear actuator) and pellet hopper.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a pet or other animal or object to kill or repel an arthropod or other pest species is described. The device is a spray station that includes a storage container having a reservoir for storing a pesticide or repellent composition, a spray nozzle for spraying the composition onto an animal or an object, tubing connecting the reservoir to the spray nozzle, a power source to pump the composition from the storage container through the tubing to the spray nozzle, and an attachment means for connecting the storage container to a substrate such as a floor or a sidewalk. A system is also described for treating a pet or other animal or object to kill or repel an arthropod or other pest species. The system includes a composition such as a pesticide or repellent for repelling or killing an arthropod or other pest species.

Abstract: Devices and system are provided that can not only stop a pet from pulling its owner, but to train a pet over time to not pull while being walked on a leash. In an exemplary implementation, a cuff can be wrapped around the highest point of either front leg of a pet, using, for example a hook and loop fastener and running a leash through the sleeve or guide on the outside of the cuff, so that an existing leash can be run from the collar, under the inside of the leg and up to the owner's hand.

Abstract: An animal training apparatus including a stimulation generator/stimulator module to generate the stimulation and deliver the stimulation to the animal, and a microprocessor comprising control logic programmed to control the stimulation generator/stimulator module to deliver the stimulation to the animal when a preset condition is satisfied, wherein at least a portion of the control logic is reprogrammable by a user. Also, an animal training system further includes a remote controller to control the animal training apparatus, wherein at least a portion of user input or functions of the remote controller is reconfigurable by the user. The user may reset, reconfigure, and reprogram the control logic of the animal training apparatus or the user input of the remote controller, or various functions provided by the animal training system.

Abstract: A combination pet harness and pet raincoat includes a pouch configured to extend longitudinally along a back of a mammalian quadruped, chest and waist strap assemblies for securing the pouch on the back of the pet and a cape that is selectively storable in the pouch and deployable from the pouch.

Abstract: A retractable leash with automatic locking and unlocking function including a housing, a spool with a cord wound therearound, a braking means, a cord opening, a stopping means and a biasing means. A second portion of the stopping means abuts against the cord in such a way that tensioning of the cord by an external force actuates the stopping means to overcome biasing force of the biasing means to rotate to the locking position, and untensioning of the cord by the external force returns the stopping means from the locking position to the unlocking position. The present invention automatically locks the leash when the dog rushes, thus improving safety of the leash.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and/or method of determining a health condition of an animal is provided. First data may be received from a first sensor device. The first data may be indicative of an animal event of an animal. Second data may be received from a second sensor device. The second sensor may be separate and/or distinct from the first sensor device. The second data may confirm an occurrence of the animal event. The animal event may be a discharge event and/or a feeding event. The occurrence of the animal event may be identified based on the first data and the second data. The occurrence of the animal event may be displayed via a display device. A health condition of the animal may be determined based on the animal event. The determination of the health condition may be based on a quantity and/or a duration of the animal event.

Abstract: A pet monitoring method and a pet monitoring system according to embodiments of the disclosure are provided. The method is described hereinafter. An image is obtained by a photographic device. At least one of an exercise status detection, an excretion status detection and a danger status detection of a pet is performed according to the image. Pet management information is presented on a management interface of a remote device according to a detection result.