Abstract: A disc assembly for an agricultural implement includes a mounting assembly having a housing and a rotatable shaft configured to be disposed within the housing. The mounting assembly includes a first end cap non-movably coupled to the rotatable shaft, in which the first end cap is configured to engage a longitudinally inward surface of a first disc blade. The mounting assembly also includes a second end cap having a first engagement feature configured to selectively engage a second engagement feature of the rotatable shaft to non-movably couple the second end cap to the rotatable shaft. The second end cap is configured to engage a longitudinally inward surface of a second disc blade, and the second end cap is selectively removable from the rotatable shaft via disengagement of the first and second engagement features to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the rotatable shaft with the longitudinal passage of the housing.

Abstract: A disc assembly for an agricultural implement includes a mounting assembly having a housing and a rotatable shaft disposed within the housing. The rotatable shaft includes a recess extending along a portion of an axial extent of the rotatable shaft. The recess is formed by an inner surface of the rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft also includes a first engagement feature formed on the inner surface and a key disposed about the recess. The key is configured to engage an opening of a disc blade to block rotation of the disc blade relative to the rotatable shaft. Furthermore, the disc assembly includes a fastener having a shaft configured to extend through the opening of the disc blade and to engage the recess of the rotatable shaft. The shaft has a second engagement feature configured to engage the first engagement feature to couple the disc blade to the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus, which may be a tillage apparatus, is disclosed that may have a flexible frame. The frame may be made from open members. The frame may support ground engagers and may be supported on wheel assemblies. The ground engagers may be connected to a spring trip mechanism. The ground engagers may be mounted to open members of the frame with a clamping style mechanism. The clamp mechanism may include wedge devices. The frame may be lowered and raised relative to wheels of the wheel assemblies with a lift mechanism. One row of ground engagers may be raised or lowered relative to the frame independent of another row of ground engagers. An anti-skid or skew control system may be employed in association with the independent height adjustment of one row of ground engagers. A system may be provided to maintain and control the height of a tow hitch forming part of the apparatus.

Abstract: A hitch device for an implement, suitable for being mounted on an agricultural vehicle, including a chassis transverse to the direction of travel of the hitch, a system for coupling an agricultural implement to the chassis, the coupling system being designed to pivot freely relative to the chassis, about a vertical axis, an attachment device for attaching the chassis to the agricultural vehicle, the attachment device including at least two arms intended to link the chassis to the agricultural vehicle, and each carrying two pivot links that together define a deformable parallelogram.

Abstract: An automatic guidance system is adapted to be mounted on a work vehicle such as a farm tractor for assisting an operator steer the vehicle on a desired track relative to a furrow. The system includes sensors for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic ranging signals. The sensors are ultrasound transducers mountable on ends of a planter drawn by the vehicle for directing ranging signals downwardly toward field adjacent of a furrow such that the ranging signals strike the field or furrow and are reflected back into the respective sensor. Guidance logic stored in a memory of a controller is executed by a processor to determine tractor headway direction and headland turning directions representative of desired tractor headway and headland turning directions, and a human interface device generates guidance images viewable by an operator for steering the tractor relative to furrows in the field and in the headland.

Abstract: A power seeder may include a frame, one or more wheels, one or more blades capable of cutting into soil, an engine capable of powering the one or more blades, and a seed hopper. The seed hopper may have an opening capable of dispensing seed located forward of the one or more blades. The one or more blades may rotate in an opposite direction to a forward rotation of the one or more wheels. In some embodiments, the seeder may further include a handle for adjusting the height of the one or more blades, a plurality of interlocking teeth, and a spring. The spring may provide a load to counteract the force of gravity on the one or more blades. The aerator may also include a flap located between the opening and the one or more blades.

Abstract: The disclosed pneumatic seed meters for small seeds and fine grains may include a rotational disk with a plurality of radially disposed holes. The holes may define a seed path when the rotational disk rotates. The seed meters may also include a sealing structure that is positioned and configured to inhibit seed leakage from the seed meter. The sealing structure may define a seed containment chamber. Various other related methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural planting machine includes a seed meter configured to meter seed, a transport mechanism configured to transport the seed to a discharge location, and a loader assembly. The loader assembly includes an element having an actuating surface, a hub configured to rotate relative to the actuating surface, and a compartment supported on the hub and configured to receive the seed from the seed meter and to eject the seed into the transport mechanism, the compartment comprising first and second movable elements that are movably coupled to the hub and configured to engage the actuating surface and move relative to the hub based on rotation of the hub relative to the actuating surface.

Abstract: A zero-turn vehicle including a mode selection interface, a memory and at least one controller is provided. The mode selection interface provides a mode section input for a user. The memory is used to store mode instructions relating to at least one operation mode. The at least one controller in communication with the mode selection interface and the memory, the at least one controller configured to selectively modify normal operating characteristics of the zero-turn vehicle based the mode selection input from the user by implementing the stored mode instructions associated with the mode selection input.

Abstract: A ZTR mower includes a pair of rear drive wheels, a mowing deck including multiple cutting blades, an electric storage battery, a pair of electric wheel motors each configured to rotate one of the rear drive wheels, multiple electric blade motors each configured to rotate one of the multiple cutting blades, and a master controller in communication with each of the pair of wheel motors and the multiple blade motors. The master controller is configured to control a rotational speed of each of the pair of wheel motors and the multiple blade motors. The master controller is configured to send voltage pulses to the multiple blade motors.

Abstract: An autonomous lawn mower includes: a housing, provided with a bottom shell, a movement module, a cutting mechanism with a cutting element, and a control module. The autonomous lawn mower further includes a protecting assembly provided with a protecting wall. In a horizontal direction, the protecting wall is disposed on an outer side of the cutting mechanism. The protecting assembly at least includes a movable protecting member. The protecting wall at least includes a movable protecting wall that is disposed at the movable protecting member and is located on the outer side of the cutting mechanism in the horizontal direction. When the cutting mechanism is at any cutting height and the movable protecting member is in a free state under no external force, a ground clearance of a lower end of the movable protecting wall is an initial distance. The initial distance remains less than M. 38 mm?M?40 mm.

Abstract: Power tools are provided. A power tool can include a drop wheel moveable in a vertical direction about a pivot axis; a spring rotatably biasing the drop wheel about the pivot axis; a stop mechanism defining a plurality of stop positions each corresponding with a different relative position of the drop wheel; and a user interface configured to selectively disengage the stop mechanism to permit the drop wheel to rotate about the pivot axis until the stop wheel contacts an underlying surface below the power tool, wherein the user interface is disposed at a handle of the power tool.

Abstract: A power tool is provided including a housing, a brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor, and a gear assembly. The motor includes a stator having an inner stator, a rotor shaft extending along a center axis and including a first bearing and a second bearing; an outer rotor, a first end cap, and a second end cap. The first end cap includes a radial back plate having a center opening in the radial back plate through which the rotor shaft extends and pins projecting around the rotor shaft and parallel to the rotor shaft. The gear assembly is mounted on the first end cap and includes planetary gears supported by the pins in engagement with the rotor shaft.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method comprises determining, in received yield data, one or more passes, each pass including a plurality of observations. For each pass of the one or more passes, one or more discrete derivatives are determined, and based on the one or more discrete derivatives first outlier data is generated. First filtered data is generated by removing the first outlier data from the yield data. Furthermore, for each observation in the yield data, a plurality of nearest neighbor observations is determined, and used to determine a plurality of absolute differences in yield values. Based on the plurality of absolute differences, second outlier data is determined. Second filtered data is generated by removing the second outlier data from the first filtered data. Using a presentation layer of a computer system, a graphical representation of the second filtered data is generated and displayed on the computing system.

Abstract: A spreader tool for an agricultural machine, which includes an inlet into which material is passed from one or more further components of the agricultural machine and an outlet through which the material may be deposited from the machine. A sensing unit is positioned within the flow path of material deposited through the outlet and configured, in use, to measure an impact parameter indicative of a force and/or frequency of material deposited from the spreader tool and incident on a detection surface of the sensing unit, which may be used to determine the grain loss associated with the machine.

Abstract: A header for a harvesting machine which includes one or more crop-engaging components and a sensing unit positioned within a flowpath of material and downstream of at least one of the one or more crop-engaging components. The sensing unit is configured, in use, to measure an impact parameter indicative of a force and/or frequency of material incident on a detection surface of the sensing unit in order to determine a measure of grain loss associated with the header.

Abstract: A system for controlling harvesting implement height of an agricultural harvester may include a computing system configured to monitor the height of a harvesting implement of the harvester relative to a field surface based on the received sensor data. Additionally, the computing system may be configured to determine an implement height error signal by comparing the monitored height of the harvesting implement to a predetermined target height. Moreover, the computing system is configured to divide the determined implement height error signal into a first and second frequency portions, with the second frequency portion having a greater frequency than the first frequency portion. Furthermore, the computing system is configured to control the operation of first and second actuators of the harvester based on the first and second frequency portions of the implement height error signal, respectively.

Abstract: A sweeping apparatus for a reel of a combine comprises a plurality of brush assemblies, each brush assembly comprising a plurality of flexible bristles attached to a selected contact member of the reel and extending outward from the outer edge of the selected contact member such that as the selected contact member passes over the knife, the bristles extend down between the knife guards.

Abstract: A flexible and rotatable coupling assembly for a feeder conveyor of a combine harvester, for example. The coupling assembly connects a first rotatable shaft to a second rotatable shaft. The coupling assembly includes a spherical bearing that is connectable to the first rotatable shaft for accommodating a radial or angular misalignment between the first and second rotatable shafts; and a flexible and rotatable coupler that is non-rotatably connectable to the first and second rotatable shafts for transferring rotation between the first and second rotatable shafts. The flexible and rotatable coupler is either directly or indirectly connected to the spherical bearing. The flexible and rotatable coupler has a flexible component for accommodating the radial or angular misalignment.

Abstract: A round baler having a baling chamber, a wrapping material reservoir, a feed apparatus having an actuator, the feed apparatus configured to convey a wrapping material from the wrapping material reservoir to the baling chamber, a cutting apparatus moveable between a retracted position allowing free movement of the wrapping material and an advanced position to cut the wrapping material, and a braking apparatus for applying a braking force on a roll of wrapping material installed in the wrapping material reservoir, and an actuator for controlling operation of the feed apparatus and the cutting apparatus. The round baler further comprises a tensioning element connecting the actuator to the braking apparatus to control a down force exerted on the roll of wrapping material and so control the tension in the wrapping material.

Abstract: A wrapping material supply apparatus for supplying wrapping material to a wrapper inlet of a baling chamber, in which a bale is to be wrapped. The wrapping material supply apparatus includes a wrapping material supply unit displaceable between a baling position and a wrapping position by a first actuator, and a cutting apparatus located at a lower end of the wrapping material supply apparatus. Movement of the wrapping material supply apparatus between the baling position and the wrapping position is independent of the movement of the cutting apparatus.

Abstract: A cam member includes an intermediate disk, a first eccentric cam disposed on an upper surface of the intermediate disk and connected to a first blade and a second eccentric cam disposed on a lower surface of the intermediate disk and connected to a second blade. A center of gravity of the first eccentric is positioned in a first direction from a rotation axis of the cam member. A center of gravity of the second eccentric cam is positioned in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the rotation axis. A center of gravity of an upper half of the intermediate disk is positioned in the second direction from the rotation axis. A center of gravity of lower half of the intermediate disk is positioned in the first direction from the rotation axis.

Abstract: A light emitting device for plant growth includes: a light emitting diode (LED) chip configured to emit a first light having a peak wavelength of 380 nm to 445 nm; and at least one wavelength conversion material configured to be excited by the first light, and convert the first light into a light having a peak wavelength of 500 nm to 610 nm, wherein a photosynthetic photon efficacy (PPE) of an output light emitted from the light emitting device is 3.10 ?mol/J or more.

Abstract: A plant treatment apparatus includes: a plant holding unit; an ultraviolet irradiation unit configured to irradiate a plant held by the plant holding unit with light comprising ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of no less than 270 nm and no more than 290 nm; and either (i) a plant immersion unit configured to immerse the plant held by the plant holding unit into a liquid that comprises water and is held by the plant immersion unit, or (ii) a liquid ejection unit that ejects the liquid towards the plant held by the plant holding unit.

Abstract: A true living organic (TLO) plant growing system that allows soil to be reused for every new growth cycle. In one aspect, the TLO plant growing system of the solves the problem of preventing opportunities for anaerobic micro-organism activity from building up within the soil thereby creating toxic chemicals that kill microbes beneficial to the growth of the plant. Specifically, the TLO system includes an aerated chamber between the bottom of the bed and the soil that the plants are growing to provide oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, and moisture to the TLO soil and plants and to promote optimal growing conditions, among other advantages disclosed herein.

Abstract: Plant growing systems and apparatuses are described herein. The system may include a plurality of planter module apparatuses where each planter module has an outer module and an insert. The insert may be removeable. Each planter module may further include top and bottom ports to engage planter module legs and/or horticultural accessories. Each planter module may further include a reservoir and a moisture wick. Each planter module may include a watering ring. Each planter module may be electrified. Each planter module may further communicate with one or more computing devices.

Abstract: A method of potting a tree, wherein the method includes the steps of inserting the root system of the tree into the lumen of the pot, and supplying a particulate substrate to the pot to cover the root system using an apparatus including a supply system. To pot trees quicker, the supply system includes i) a buffer, and ii) at least one chute, wherein the method includes providing the buffer with a predetermined amount of particulate substrate, and batch-wise release of the particulate material in the buffer to provide the pot with the particulate material from the buffer via the at least one chute by gravity.

Abstract: A compact conditioning system for controlling a volume, comprises: (a) at least one light source, said light source being coupled with a replaceable focusing lens; (b) at least one fan; (c) at least one temperature sensor; (d) control circuitry adapted to receive inputs from said sensor(s) and/or from a user, and to operate said light source(s) and/or said fan(s) as a result thereof; and (e) a housing suitable to house said light source, fan and control circuitry and adapted to be positioned at the top of a structural element defining a closed space.

Abstract: An improved mycelium in the form of an edible aerial mycelium that is suitable for use as a food product, including a food ingredient for making mycelium-based food, such as bacon. A method of making an edible aerial mycelium suitable for use as a food product, including a food ingredient. An edible product containing an edible aerial mycelium, and a method of making an edible product comprising an edible aerial mycelium, such as a mycelium-based bacon. A mycelium-based food product having a texture that is analogous to a whole-muscle meat product, wherein that whole-muscle meat product is bacon.

Abstract: A cooling device according to the present invention includes a housing configured to accommodate fungi. Warm air enters the housing through an inlet located in the housing. The air flows through the housing, which holds fungi. The air exits the housing and can be driven by an exhaust fan. In some embodiments, a HEPA filter is included to purify the air and prevent dispersal of fungal spores.

Abstract: There are provided a system, method(s), and apparatus comprising multiple interacting machines and sub-systems for autonomously/automatically, semi-autonomously/semi-automatically and/or manually harvesting items such as mushrooms from a mushroom bed, wherein the yield and quality of the harvest can be improved over standard methods of harvesting. The system may be referred to as a “harvesting and packing system”, having multiple interacting sub-systems, machines or apparatus to transport and position a harvester at different levels of a multi-layered growing bed, operate the harvester to scan and harvest items from the growing beds, and transfer harvested or “picked” items such as mushrooms to a packer having a stem cutter, discard bin(s) and collection bin(s) to enable fully autonomous harvesting and packing.

Abstract: A spreading device, a powder-like mixture composition and a method tor spreading the composition for control or prevent forest pathogens on tree stumps are disclosed.

Abstract: A water-absorbent copolymer may include a vinyl alcohol constituent unit x and a constituent unit z other than the vinyl alcohol constituent unit x and a vinyl ester constituent unit y, wherein a ratio of a content of an average sequence of the constituent unit z to a content of the constituent unit z is 50.0 mol % or less.

Abstract: A system and method for determining specific prescriptions for targeted areas/plants within given irrigation areas. According to preferred embodiments, the system may use imaging data in combination with other sensors and analysis modules to identify selected pests and diseases affecting given crops. Preferably, the system may use machine learning/AI modules to analyze the data and to provide targeted prescriptions for targeted groups of identified crops based on identified conditions of infestation and/or disease within the identified crops.

Abstract: A nutriculture device includes: a culture bed having an upward facing opening; a planting panel that covers the opening of the culture bed, includes a through hole having a crop pass therethrough, and defines an internal space between the cover and the culture bed; a water retention mat inside the internal space and that retains water; a plurality of culture containers each of which supports the crop, each of which is arranged in the internal space, and each of which is provided with a bottom hole; a medium housed in each culture container; a mat-side water irrigation unit feeding water to the water retention mat; and a container-side water irrigation unit feeding water into each of the culture containers per container unit including some of the culture containers or per culture container. The nutriculture device with this configuration can cultivate high-quality crops while suppressing generated drainage water.

Abstract: The primary object of the present invention is directed to a High Flow Venturi Nozzle capable of diffusing gas into a large quantity of fast-moving liquid. A secondary object of the present invention is directed to a two-piece High Flow Venturi Nozzle assembly. Lastly, a third object of the present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing and using the two embodiments noted above.

Abstract: A system for hydroponic cultivation including a cultivation container that includes an outer bucket having a drain defined in a lower portion. The outer bucket is configured to receive and support a perforated insert for holding a growing medium and tin a root mass/ball of a plant. The cultivation system also includes an elongated trough having an upper portion and a lower portion. The trough defines a longitudinal irrigation channel inclined downwards from a first end towards a second end. The upper portion forms shoulders on opposing sides of the trough for receiving the cultivation container. An irrigation system is also provided to deliver a hydroponic solution to the plant, which includes a delivery unit associated with the cultivation container and is configured to deliver the hydroponic solution to the plant from an upper portion of the cultivation container. A lighting system is also provided to deliver light to portion and side canopies of the plant.

Abstract: A manifold for a hydroponic system comprises a main body, an inlet port, an outlet port, and an electrical conductivity probe. The main body defines a dosing chamber and comprises at least one dosing port in fluid communication with the dosing chamber. The at least one dosing port is configured to facilitate introduction of dosing fluid to the dosing chamber. The inlet port is coupled with the main body and is in fluid communication with the dosing chamber. The outlet port is coupled with the main body and is in fluid communication with the dosing chamber. The electrical conductivity probe is coupled with the main body and extends into the dosing chamber downstream of the at least one dosing port. The electrical conductivity probe is configured to detect an electrical conductivity of a hydroponic fluid contained in the dosing chamber. A hydroponic system and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A New Guinea Impatiens plant designated SAKIMP062 is disclosed. Embodiments include seeds of New Guinea Impatiens SAKIMP062, plants of New Guinea Impatiens SAKIMP062, to plant parts of New Guinea Impatiens SAKIMP062, and methods for producing an impatiens plant produced by crossing New Guinea Impatiens SAKIMP062 with itself or with another impatiens variety. Embodiments include methods for producing an impatiens plant containing in its genetic material one or more genes or transgenes and transgenic impatiens plants and plant parts produced by those methods. Embodiments also relate to impatiens varieties, breeding varieties, plant parts, and cells derived from New Guinea Impatiens SAKIMP062, methods for producing other impatiens lines or plant parts derived from New Guinea Impatiens SAKIMP062, and the impatiens plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods.

Abstract: Capsicum plants produce fruits which are and remain green at maturity and/or over-maturity, and not olive green like existing evergreen varieties. The plants homozygously include in their genome a mutant allele of the cl gene encoding the Capsicum stay-green (CaSGR) protein and a mutant allele of the wt gene encoding the phytoene synthase (PSY) protein. Further, parts and cells of the plants, in particular pepper fruits are and remain green at maturity and/or over-maturity. Moreover, methods for producing the Capsicum plants and methods identify, detect and/or select the plants.

Abstract: The invention provides seeds and plants of tomato hybrid SVTM9013, tomato hybrid SVTM9014, tomato line PSQ-9Z15-3848V, and tomato line PSQ-9Z15-3854V. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid SVTM9013, tomato hybrid SVTM9014, tomato line PSQ-9Z15-3848V, and tomato line PSQ-9Z15-3854V 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 SVTM9013, tomato hybrid SVTM9014, tomato line PSQ-9Z15-3848V, and tomato line PSQ-9Z15-3854V comprising introduced beneficial or desirable traits.

Abstract: Hybrid tomato varieties designated ‘VT19077208’ and ‘VT19108230’ are disclosed. ‘VT19077208’ and ‘VT19108230’ are hybrid tomato varieties exhibiting stability and uniformity.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a somatic cell meter includes a somatic cell concentration measuring section, a time constant recording section, and a somatic cell concentration deriving section. The somatic cell concentration measuring section measures the somatic cell concentration of centrifuged raw milk in association with the duration of the centrifugation. The time constant recording section records a time constant in the association relationship between the somatic cell concentration and the duration. The somatic cell concentration deriving section derives the somatic cell concentration based on a measurement result from the somatic cell concentration measuring section and a recorded content from the time constant recording section.

Abstract: A ventilation system for a housing structure with a plurality of air vents including: vent control modules configured to control and actuate opening and closing of at least one air vent of the plurality of air vents; an electro-mechanical drive unit mechanically coupled to each of the plurality of vent control modules and providing mechanical power thereto, the drive unit including a motor and a drive shaft, the drive shaft being disposed parallel to the axis of the air vents; a control unit, in communication with the drive unit and the plurality of vent control modules, configured to control the drive unit and individually control each of the vent control modules; the vent control modules use the mechanical power of the drive unit to individually effect the opening and closing of each respective vent of the plurality of air vents.

Abstract: A modular flooring system for construction of a piggery with a plurality of pigsties with underlying manure channels, wherein the flooring system includes one or more flooring system support units. Each flooring system support unit including a top part with a flooring support surface and an opposing underside and a bottom part with a support side and an opposing topside, and a middle part. The middle part including at least two interconnecting support legs extending between, and connecting the top part with the bottom part. The modular flooring system including one or more gratings for being mounted on and extend between top parts of the flooring system support units and one or more watertight manure channel membranes.

Abstract: A system for harvesting insects from a habitat. The system configured to separate waste, live insects, and dead insects in a manner that the live insects may undergo a first processing procedure and the dead insects may undergo a second processing procedures. For example, the first processing procedure may include processing the insects for human consumption and the second processing procedure may include processing the dead insects for minerals or materials.

Abstract: Pet waste collection training pads having one or more regions elevated from a surface upon which the pads are to be disposed. More specifically, the present disclosure discloses a pet waste collection training pad arrangeable on a selected surface, comprising at least one upper layer and at least one lower layer; the at least one upper layer containing absorbent; and the at least one lower layer including at least one pleat having a base, wherein the at least one pleat elevates a region of the pad relative to the base of the pleat when the pad is on the selected surface.

Abstract: Described are pet food dishes and methods of using pet food dishes.

Abstract: Cooling blankets for humans and animals including a plurality of chambers containing phase change material. The panels include upper and lower layers of weldable material with a plurality of linear welds connecting them and forming PCM chambers which extend across the panels in a generally linear, side-by-side arrangement. The panels further include fastener elements to connect adjacent panels and form a larger blanket. The shape and configuration of the panels and the PCM chambers allows them to be rolled for easy transportation and for charging.

Abstract: A cat teaser includes a base, pogo pins of a power supply, a main body shell, a fixed frame, a main control circuit board, a main body motor, a laser emitting module, an auxiliary motor that swings up and down, and a conductive disc. The pogo pins of the power supply are in contact with the conductive disc. The conductive disc supplies power to the main control circuit board. The main control circuit board controls the main body motor, the laser emitting module and the auxiliary motor that swings up and down.