Abstract: Crop input application systems, methods and apparatus are provided. In some examples, a blade is disposed to remove soil from a trench sidewall and deposit soil on top of a seed in the trench.

Abstract: Gathering chains for row crop harvester heads which improve yield by minimizing the loss of kernels that may prematurely break loose and be lost to the ground. The gathering chains include continuous loops with a plurality bristle blocks removable attached to the continuous loops. Each of the plurality of bristle blocks include bristles extending laterally therefrom, whereby the bristles form a substantially continuous lateral conveying surface effectively closing an area above and across the width of the slot defined by the stripper plates. The bristles may include fine bristle filaments and coarser bristle filaments that are shorter than the fine bristle filaments.

Abstract: In one aspect, a liquid tank assembly is provided and configured to be mounted to a tractor. The liquid tank assembly includes a first tank configured to contain liquid, a second tank configured to contain liquid, a first support frame coupled to and supporting the first tank, and the first support frame includes a first mounting member configured to mount the first support frame to the tractor. The liquid tank assembly also includes a second support frame coupled to and supporting the second tank. The second support frame includes a second mounting member configured to mount the second support frame to the tractor, and the first support frame is coupled to the second support frame. In one aspect, a liquid tank assembly is provided and configured to be mounted to a tractor having a maximum width. A tank assembly width is no greater than a maximum width of the tractor.

Abstract: In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided an includes a frame, a first opener disc configured to open a seed trench, and a second opener disc configured to open a second trench different than the seed trench. The second opener disc is rotatable relative to the frame and is vertically moveable relative to the frame. In one aspect, an opener assembly is provided and includes a bracket, an opener disc coupled to the bracket and rotatable relative to the bracket and vertically moveable relative to the bracket, and a biasing member coupled to and between the bracket and the opener disc. The biasing member biases the opener disc vertically downward. In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided and includes an applicator support member made of a resilient material to allow movement of the applicator support member and inhibit deformation of the applicator support member.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus for applying liquid products to row crops. The liquid dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of drop assemblies supported by and laterally spaced along a boom structure. Each of the drop assemblies includes dribble hoses for dribbling a liquid product onto the soil in a rhizosphere of adjacent crop rows. The drop assemblies may include a spray assembly for spraying the row crops. The dribble hoses may be supported by a base unit with positionable support brackets.

Abstract: A crop input transfer system for transferring a crop input to an implement tank supported on an implement dispensing the crop input, the crop input transfer system includes a mobile supply vehicle powered independent of the implement. The mobile supply vehicle has a boom and a supply tank holding a crop input supply. The crop transfer system includes a coupler with a first coupler portion that matingly couples with a second coupler portion. The first coupler portion is mounted to the boom and the second coupler portion is mounted to the implement. The crop input supply in the supply tank is communicated to implement tank via the matingly coupled first and second coupler portions.

Abstract: In one aspect, an agricultural row unit is provided an includes a frame, an opener disc rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to open a seed trench, and an applicator assembly coupled to the frame and configured to apply a liquid. The applicator assembly including a housing and a valve coupled to the housing and configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid source. The valve is electronically powered to move to an open condition, in which fluid is configured to pass through and emit from the valve, and electronically powered to move to a closed condition, in which fluid is inhibited from passing through and emitting from the valve. The agricultural row unit also includes a closing wheel coupled to the frame and configured to close the seed trench.

Abstract: A delivery assembly for a crop input delivery system. The delivery system includes a boom adapted to be supported at a proximal end from a mobile vehicle, the mobile vehicle holding a supply of the crop input, the boom supporting a conduit having a proximal end in fluid communication with the supply of crop input. The delivery system further includes a first coupler and a second coupler. The first coupler is supported on a distal end of the boom and is coupled to the conduit. The second coupler is in fluid communication with a storage tank disposed on the implement, the second coupler configured to fluidly couple with the first coupler. A clamping assembly releasably couples the first and second couplers in fluid engagement.

Abstract: A liquid product storage and delivery system is provided. The liquid product storage and delivery system includes a storage tank and a liquid bladder supported inside of the storage tank.

Abstract: Gathering chains for row crop harvester heads which improve yield by minimizing the loss of kernels that may prematurely break loose and be lost to the ground. The gathering chains include continuous loops with a plurality of lateral extension segments which provide a substantially continuous conveying surface extending substantially across the width of the slot defining the path of travel of the row crop entering the row unit.

Abstract: A crop input applicator is provided. The crop input applicator monitors the presence of applied liquid crop in a seed trench and/or the relative placement of liquid crop and seed in a seed trench. In another aspect, the crop input applicator minimizes an offset between the liquid crop and seed placement.

Abstract: Crop input application systems, methods and apparatus are provided. In some examples, a blade is disposed to remove soil from a trench sidewall and deposit soil on top of a seed in the trench.

Abstract: In one aspect, a crop input applicator is provided. In one aspect, the applicator comprises a valve (e.g., voice coil valve) disposed to deposit liquid on or near a seed furrow and/or on or near a seed. In one aspect, the applicator includes one or more seed sensors disposed to detect passage of seeds.

Abstract: A stalk roll assembly for header of a combine harvester. The assembly includes first and second stalk rolls spaced laterally with respect to one another and rotating in opposite directions. Each stalk roll includes a frusto-conical nose and a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body includes a plurality of radially extending flutes. The nose includes a pair of helical flights. The plurality of flutes includes at least one cutting flute having a straight edge and a plurality of puncturing flutes with teeth. The stalk rolls are laterally offset a distance that permits the tips of the flutes to laterally overlap and the teeth of the puncturing flutes are longitudinally offset so the tips of the teeth are received between with the valleys of the teeth of the other stalk roll.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus for applying liquid products to row crops. The liquid dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of drop assemblies supported by and laterally spaced along a boom structure. Each of the drop assemblies includes dribble hoses for dribbling a liquid product onto the soil in a rhizosphere of adjacent crop rows. The drop assemblies may include a spray assembly for spraying the row crops. The dribble hoses may be supported by a base unit with positionable support brackets.

Abstract: An automated steering system for an agricultural vehicle operating in a row crop field. The automated steering system includes a correction system having a controller and an alignment sensor. The alignment sensor is disposed between two adjacently spaced crop rows and generates output signals indicative of the alignment sensor's lateral position relative to the two adjacently spaced crop rows as the vehicle advances in the forward direction of travel. The controller receives the generated output signals from the alignment sensor and determines an offset distance of said alignment sensor from a centerline between the two adjacently spaced crop rows. The controller outputs a modified vehicle position signal corresponding to the latitude and longitude position received from said GPS receiver shifted by the offset distance. The vehicle's on board navigation controller causes the vehicles on-board steering control system to steer the vehicle based on the modified vehicle position signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of applying liquid product to a crop growing in a field. A plurality of drop assemblies are laterally spaced along the boom structure, each of the plurality of drop assemblies include a boom mounting bracket which supports a vertical support member and a spray assembly disposed at a lower end of the vertical support member, the boom mounting bracket having a first pivot axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the boom structure. The drop assemblies are movable from a working position to a transport position. In the transport position the vertical support member is pivoted about the first axis such that the vertical support member is oriented toward the boom structure. In the working position the vertical support is oriented substantially perpendicular to the boom structure.

Abstract: A tillage point configured to produce a uniform subsurface soil profile. The tillage point includes a main body having a leading edge, a top surface and a bottom surface. Wing sections extend laterally from the main body.

Abstract: The vapor exhaust assembly, for anhydrous ammonia, includes a closed filter tower and a closed exhaust tower with vertical tubes. The filter tower is connected to the vapor tower by a vapor upper pipe and a liquid lower pipe. A filter tube is mounted in the filter tower. Ammonia enters the filter tower above an open end of the filter. Ammonia vapor moves from the filter tower through the vapor upper pipe to a vapor chamber in the vapor tower. Liquid moves from the filter tower through the liquid pipe to the vapor tower. Liquid received in the vapor tower is moved upward by a dam. Vapor in the liquid moves upward to the vapor chamber. Liquid moves downward from the dam top to a liquid discharge exit. A vapor discharge valve in the top of the vapor tower is opened to discharge vapor and increase liquid in both towers.