Abstract: A containment assembly and method includes generally side-by-side longitudinal tanks that are oriented substantially along a direction of travel of the containment assembly. The containment assembly includes a frame, a ground engagement member, and a plurality of tanks coupled to the frame. Each tank includes a longitudinal axis defined between a fore end and an aft end that is substantially parallel to the direction of travel. A length between the fore end and the aft end of the tank is greater than the width between a left side and a right side of the tank. A tank bottom surface is contoured to direct the granular material toward the aft end. The plurality of tanks are oriented such that at least a right side or a left side of one tank is proximate at least a right side or a left side of another one of the plurality of tanks.

Abstract: A system for distributing a product on an agricultural implement is provided. The system comprises a primary container having a primary container inlet and a product exit, and the primary container is configured to accommodate the product and permit the product to move through the product exit in response to fluid pressure. The system further comprises a pressure supply assembly including a pressure source that provides a pressurized fluid to the primary container through the primary container inlet. The system further comprises a delivery conduit having a first end connected to the product exit and is configured to permit the product to pass there through by dense phase flow.

Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a biasing member, a ground engaging tool, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by compensating for changes in draft force caused by changes in terrain elevation.

Abstract: A dense phase induction system and method includes an induction valve assembly configured and oriented to establish and maintain efficient transfer and induction of granular material. The induction valve assembly includes arcuate geometry to facilitate the flow of granular material from a granular supply to a dense phase distribution system.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for distributing a product by dense phase flow is disclosed. The agricultural implement comprises a frame and a product distribution system configured to distribute the product to different positions on the frame by dense phase flow. The product distribution system includes a primary container configured to accommodate the product and includes a primary container inlet and a product exit. The product distribution system also includes a pressure supply assembly configured to provide a pressurized fluid and is in fluid communication with the primary container through the primary container inlet. The product distribution system also includes a distribution conduit that includes a conduit first end connected to the product exit and a conduit discharge end opposite the conduit first end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a method for dense phase transport of a granular product, such as seed. A dense phase delivery line includes a porous medium located along a side wall of the dense phase delivery line. When air and seed are send through the delivery line, a control cover may be moveably positionable over the porous medium to control the flow of air through the porous medium and to start, stop, or otherwise control the dense phase transport of seed through the dense phase delivery line.

Abstract: A marker assembly for use with an agricultural implement includes a float linkage that allows limited vertical displacement of the marker assembly when the marker assembly is in a fully deployed position. This limited vertical displacement accommodates changes in surface terrain (contour) as well as in-field obstructions. The marker assembly is comprised of a series of interconnected linkages. The linkages are extended by an actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder and ram. The float linkage allows for vertical displacement of the extended linkages even when the actuator is in an extended position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agricultural implement and a method of making an agricultural implement. The agricultural implement has a primary containment unit and a plurality of sections. At least one dense phase delivery line connects the primary containment unit to each of the sections. A transport control system allows for individual control of the dense phase transport of the granular product from the primary containment unit to each of the plurality of sections via the at least one dense phase delivery line.

Abstract: A marker assembly has a scalable frame that allows a user to set the width of the frame to provide flexibility in defining the width at which a marking furrow is made. The scalable frame includes multiple linkages interconnected to one another in a manner that allows the frame to be folded into a relatively compact configuration for storage and/or transport. An outer linkage has a telescoping member that allows a user to vary the spacing of a marking disc to vary the width at which a marking furrow is made in the ground.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a system may include an external position adjuster configured to move a sensor within an agricultural tank without requiring access inside the agricultural tank. In another embodiment, a method may include magnetically coupling a sensor to a structure located inside an agricultural tank, wherein the sensor is adjustable to different positions inside of the agricultural tank in response to user input from outside of the agricultural tank.

Abstract: A knife opener includes a pair of flared blades designed to cut spaced, but paired furrows. The knife opener is particularly well-suited for use in no-till or minimum-till agricultural operations primarily in conjunction with seed and/or fertilizer placement adjacent a soil cut-line generally in the direction of travel. In addition to being angled away from the main body of the knife, one of the blades is angled forward and the other blade is angled rearward. Seed and/or fertilizer dispensing receivers may be associated with each of the blades.

Abstract: A surface brake system for a detachable agricultural implement towed by a tow vehicle is provided. The detachable agricultural implement includes a frame connected by a telescoping tongue assembly at the tow vehicle. The frame and tongue assembly are movably supported by at least one wheel assembly having a circumferential tread surface. The brake system includes a pivot linkage pivotally connected at the frame of the detachable agricultural implement, and a horizontal aligned brake arm attached at the pivot linkage. The brake system further includes an actuator cylinder interconnected between the pivot linkage and the frame. Movement of the actuator cylinder causes the brake arm to engage a brake pad assembly against the outer circumferential tread surface of the wheel assembly so as to restrain movement of the wheel assembly and frame of the agricultural implement as the tow vehicle extends and retracts the telescoping tongue assembly.

Abstract: The present planter unit, and planter implements using the present planter unit, include first and second discs and first and second pathways. The first and second discs may be generally planar and in a non-overlapping relation. As the planter unit is towed through a field, the first disc creates a first trench in the seedbed and the first pathway deposits a first material in the first trench. Subsequently, the second disc creates a second trench which is continuous with the first trench and partially fills the first trench. A second material is deposited in the second trench by the second pathway.

Abstract: A knife opener includes a pair of flared blades designed to cut spaced, but paired furrows. The knife opener is particularly well-suited for use in no-till or minimum-till agricultural operations primarily in conjunction with seed and/or fertilizer placement adjacent a soil cut-line generally in the direction of travel. In addition to being angled away from the main body of the knife, one of the blades is angled forward and the other blade is angled rearward. Seed and/or fertilizer dispensing receivers may be associated with each of the blades.

Abstract: An air velocity indicator and control device is provided for use with pneumatic distribution systems used in air seeders that pneumatically discharge agricultural product to the ground, seedbed, or furrow. The air velocity indicator and control device includes a tubular housing, extending between an inlet and an outlet, and pivotally housing a deflectable plate that actuates in response to encountering an airflow entrained with agricultural product. A magnitude of deflection of the deflectable plate, corresponding to airflow velocity, can be displayed through an indicator assembly. This enables a user to identify velocity variances and differentials within the air seeder and make corrective adjustments. In some implementations, multiple air velocity indicator and control devices are ganged together with deflectable plates that pivot in unison with each other. The relative angle of fixation of the deflectable plates, upon the pivot pin, can be adjusted to permit airflow tuning as needed.

Abstract: An agricultural implement is provided with folding wing assemblies coupled to a central boom that provides a simplified arrangement for transporting the implement. The implement may include wing frames and row units that may be raised to allow the wing assemblies to fold rearwardly, into a compact, transport position. While being raised, prior to being folded rearwardly, the wing assemblies may be supported by the central boom, which is rigidly coupled to a central frame. The central boom is pivotally coupled to a hitch assembly.

Abstract: A branch for distributing granular material includes an inlet portion, a transition portion downstream of the inlet portion, and an outlet portion downstream of the transition portion. Each portion has a critical air flow rate that is required to cause the granular material to flow through the respective portion. The branching that occurs at the transition portion results in the critical air flow rate of the transition portion being greater than the critical air flow rate of the inlet portion, typically requiring an amount of air at least equal to the critical air flow rate of the transition portion to flow granular material through the branch. In the disclosed branch, the inlet portion is oriented relative to the outlet portion such that applying air to substantially equal the critical air flow rate of the inlet portion results in granular material being urged by gravity to move through the transition portion and into the outlet portion.

Abstract: A fill tube and sensor assembly has a single electronic sensor to detect the level of product in a hopper of an agricultural implement relative to a fill line. The electronic sensor can be positioned at various heights relative to the fill tube to provide variability in the height of the fill line. The sensor provides a full level signal until product is drawn from the fill tube. Once the product is dispensed from the fill tube and into the general interior volume of the hopper, the single sensor provides an empty level signal that can be used to alert an operator of a diminished product supply or control operation of the farm implement.

Abstract: A lock assembly operable to secure a lift linkage associated with moving a boom assembly between a lowered, operative position and a raised, inoperative position is provided. The lock assembly includes a lock pin mounted at a carrying frame interconnected between a lift linkage and the boom assembly. The lock assembly also includes a lock plate mounted at the lift linkage. In the raised position of the lift linkage, the lock plate includes a slot configured to align so as receive the lock pin. Once aligned, the boom is pivoted toward the folded, stowed position. As the boom pivots, the boom pushes the lock pin through the slot. The lift linkage is then lowered to seat the lock pin in the slot and thereby secure the lift linkage and supported boom in the raised, folded position.