Abstract: A soil analysis system for determining one or more categories of soil based upon the particle sizes in a soil sample. The soil analysis system includes an image sensor and an image analysis assembly. The image sensor produces an image to distinguish individual particles of a soil sample and calculates particle size. The image analysis assembly is coupled to the image sensor to determine a category for each particle based upon the size of the particles, percentage of each category of particles, and one or more categories of soil for the soil sample.

Abstract: An improved mobile agricultural products crop input application control system is associated with a plurality of operably coupled application machines including a delay coordinating system particularly adaptable for use in site-specific (precision) farming, wherein selected discrete delay information unique to each on-board crop input storage release point, crop input transport system, and/or crop input dispensing point is combined with anticipated field reference point data obtained with a machine positioning system, e.g.

Abstract: A vehicle with a hydrostatic drive circuit assembly including a vehicle frame and a hydrostatic drive circuit. The hydrostatic drive circuit has four hydrostatic motors configured to produce a torque and cause rotation of the wheels or tracks of the vehicle, and two hydrostatic pumps adapted to distribute fluid to the hydrostatic motors. A controller is provided to signal for adjustments of torque applied to the wheels when a first wheel is rotating at a first rate and a second wheel is rotating at a second rate different than the first rate. The controller is adapted to cause adjustments to the displacement in either the motors or the pumps, and cause a change in torque in the first wheel that is substantially equal and opposite to the change in torque in the second wheel.

Abstract: An all wheel steer variable load carrying tractor vehicle which is particularly suited for towing crop input implements, the front section of which comprises a cab and engine the back section of which comprises several storage containers for carrying bulk crop inputs. The storage containers are releasably attached to the vehicle and can be changed based on the type of crop inputs applied and any implements towed by the vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with all wheel steering to increase maneuverability. The vehicle is also equipped with high flotation tires or tracks to minimize soil compaction. A delivery system in combination with a control system coordinates the movement of the crop inputs from the vehicle to places located off the vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile products applicator includes a monitoring system particularly adaptable for use in selected product management applications, wherein application rates for selected products stored on-board one or more storage devices are measured on-the-go and visually reported to an applicator operator in near real-time. The mobile products applicator provides environmental advantages to all through enhanced resource management by eliminating or significantly reducing ground and/or water contamination.

Abstract: A system for creating application maps for controlling a dispensing apparatus based upon field data, the system including a system for maintaining field data. The field data may be georeferenced relative to geographic coordinates of the location of the field data. Application rate equations for correlating field data relative to desired output may be selectively defined based upon selected field data and desired output to produce application maps for a particular field. A processor is designed to selectively access field data for a particular field to execute application rate equations for the field data to produce an application map which may be used for variable rate application of material by dispensing apparatus based upon the selected field data and the desired output.

Abstract: A variable flow spray nozzle system for delivering a plurality of crop inputs over an agricultural field using a spray boom having a plurality of release zones. Each release zone on the boom is has multiple nozzle modules, and each nozzle module is individually controlled and capable of variable flow. A control system in communication with each nozzle module and a positioning system, such as a GPS system, controls the application of multiple crop inputs so that the crop inputs are applied at a variable prescriptive rate. Thus, it is possible to vary the flow of crop inputs along the length of the boom as well as in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of the boom.

Abstract: A crop input applicator system for controlling the application of crop inputs from each dispensing point. The applicator is equipped with a locating system and an on-board computer. The on-board computer uses location data collected from the locating system, along with machine signature data, and application maps to create status maps indicating the area treated by crop inputs. The computer compares the status map to the current location of the applicator and based on the comparison automatically controls dispensing points so that those dispensing points over an area previously treated are deactivated, while dispensing points over an area not yet treated remain active.

Abstract: A pre-charged multi-variable rate crop input applicator implement comprising a plurality of crop input storage reservoirs located on the implement. The reservoirs on the implement are charged with crop inputs from a remote source. The crop inputs are released from the reservoirs on the implement to the field. Since the reservoirs are pre-charged with crop inputs, the time it takes for a crop input to reach the ground is negligible, making the implement particularly suited to precision farming applications. An accompanying control system controls the rate of discharge of crop inputs at each dispensing point on the implement allowing multiple crop inputs to be applied at a variable rate and at the desired prescriptive mix.

Abstract: An improved mobile agricultural products application system including a multi-variable rate dispensing system particularly adaptable for use in site-specific farming, wherein selected discrete crop input delivery information unique to selected on-board crop input storage devices, and/or crop input transport systems, and/or crop input dispensing points is combined with anticipated field reference point data obtained with a machine positioning system, e.g. "Dead Reckoning", GPS, and/or radar, and a computer, to direct independent functioning of selected on-board storage devices, material transport systems, crop input release mechanisms and/or dispensing point mechanisms to ensure stored crop inputs are released and combined to vary a prescription of delivered crop inputs in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of machine travel as the crop input applicator machine(s) travels over a predetermined geographic land area.

Abstract: An improved mobile agricultural products crop input application control system including a delay coordinating system particularly adaptable for use in site-specific (precision) farming, wherein selected discrete delay information unique to each on-board crop input storage release point, crop input transport system, and/or crop input dispensing point is combined with anticipated field reference point data obtained with a machine positioning system, e.g. "Dead Reckoning", GPS, and/or radar, and a computer, to direct independent functioning of selected on-board storage devices, material transport systems, crop input release point mechanisms and/or dispensing point mechanisms to ensure stored crop inputs are released for a timely combination to achieve a predetermined quantity and prescription of crop inputs delivered to the anticipated field reference point as the crop input applicator machine(s) travels over a predetermined geographic land area.

Abstract: A spinner spreader machine has a product conveyor assembly that efficiently and accurately spreads either lime or fertilizer products, or combinations thereof. The versatility of the machine is enhanced with a plurality of conveyor belt assemblies configured to overcome the self-cohesive characteristics of certain products such as lime. The versatility of the machine is further enhanced when the conveyor apparatus provides a substantially constant volumetric distribution of product to the spinner mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of measuring and reporting a product application rate for a mobile product applicator. Machine parameter data, such as the speed of the applicator and a measurement of an amount of crop product applied by the mobile product applicator, is collected. Based on the collected machine parameter data, an application rate is determined. The application rate is displayed on a visual display device, such as a computer screen, on-the-go in near real time.

Abstract: A swath planning system accepts curved path information to synthesize and generate parallel curved paths. The swath planning system terminates the generation of parallel curved paths which exceed physical limitations of the associated machinery. The swath planning system provides an operator with significant advance information to create a more efficient and relaxed product application. The swath planning system further provides environmental advantages to all through enhanced resource management by eliminating or significantly reducing ground and/or water contamination and by eliminating or significantly reducing product waste due to more precise and accurate placement of resources.

Abstract: A mobile products applicator includes a monitoring system particularly adaptable for use in selected product management applications, wherein application rates for selected products stored on-board one or more storage devices are measured on-the-go and visually reported to an applicator operator in near real-time. The mobile products applicator provides environmental advantages to all through enhanced resource management by eliminating or significantly reducing ground and/or water contamination.

Abstract: A boom swing control device for controlling boom swing relative to a frame. Booms may be supported relative to a frame for application of material over a wide area. During an application process, the booms are subjected to various external forces which cause the booms to move or swing relative to the frame. The boom swing control device of the present invention includes first and second members operably coupled to the boom and the frame supporting the boom to control and dampen movement of the boom relative to the frame. The second member is moveably supported relative to the first member to move between an extended or excited position and a retracted normal operation position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil anslysis system for determining various soil characteristics. Various soil characteristics may include moisture content, organic matter content and the presence of nitrogen phosphate, potassium and other elements. The soil analysis system includings a plurality of testing assemblies for determining soil characteristics. The soil analysis system further includes a soil testing device or probe which is operatively inserted into the soil to support the testing assemblies. Preferably, the soil analysis system is used in cooperation with a positioning system and a data collection system for recording soil characteristic data based upon the geographic location to which the soil characteristic data relates.

Abstract: An intelligent mobile product application control system capable of controlling product application by calculating control values on a per position basis from data that has traditionally been used to generate digital land area maps. The system includes a vehicle having coupled thereto at least one distributed network including at least one intelligent control module having a geographic raw data processor. The intelligent control module is responsive to raw geographic information data for controlling at least one actuator device in a manner that results in at least one predetermined product being applied to a predetermined geographic land area at variable rates determined by the raw geographic information data.

Abstract: A product application control system having at least one distributed network. Each distributed network includes at least one independent control module for controlling at least one activator device. The system includes a central processor which has a process distribution controller which monitors the level of processing activity of the central processor. The responsibility for processing objects is maintained in the central processor so long as the level of processing activity in the central processor does not exceed a predetermined target level. If the target level is exceeded the process distribution controller causes responsibility for processing one or more objects to be downloaded to at least one independent control module.

Abstract: An animated map display transposes information from any of the basic or application maps of a computer-controlled agronomic system, as well as geological or environmental features, physical structures, sensor signals, status information, and other data, into a two- or three-dimensional representation that is projected using a heads-up display (HUD) overlaid onto the real-world terrain and environment visible to the operator through the windshield of the product application vehicle. The animated map display may present information relating to a particular map set as a three-dimensional image corresponding spatially to real-world terrain or environment, as well as alphanumeric, pictorial, symbolic, color, or textural indicia relating to navigational, sensor, or other data inputs. The operator may use an input interface graphically linked to the animated map display to interactively enter information, relationships, or data into the database or agronomic system.