Abstract: In one aspect, a method for determining soil clods within a field includes receiving one or more images depicting an imaged portion of an agricultural field. The method also includes classifying a portion of the plurality of pixels that are associated with soil within the imaged portion of the field as soil pixels with each soil pixel being associated with a respective pixel height. The method also includes generating a first ray from a local maximum in a first direction and a second ray from the local maximum in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first ray until opposing endpoints are determined based on a detected edge condition. Lastly, the method includes determining whether a soil clod based at least in part the first ray or the second ray of the candidate soil clod.

Abstract: The present inventors have determined that implementation of an authentication process which can be selectively applied to safeguard parameters which modify dispensing of particulate material during agricultural operations can advantageously allow users of varying levels of experience and understanding to maintain ease of conducting field operations while reducing the possibility of waste and expense. A control system can determine a level of access for an operator or user on an individual basis. Upon determining a level of access for the operator to be sufficient for modifying a parameter, the control system can apply an input from the operator to modify the parameter, and can accordingly adjust dispensing of particulate material.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for monitoring the condition of a seedbed within a field may include a seedbed tool configured to ride along a seedbed floor as an implement frame is moved across the field. The system may also include an actuator configured to adjust the position of the seedbed tool along a lateral direction relative to the implement frame such that the seedbed tool traverses a lateral swath of the seedbed floor along the lateral direction. Furthermore, the system may include a seedbed floor sensor configured to detect the position of the seedbed tool relative to the implement frame. The position of the seedbed tool may be indicative of a profile of the lateral swath of the seedbed floor as the seedbed tool rides along the seedbed floor with movement of the implement frame in the forward travel direction.

Abstract: A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

Abstract: The controller that receives at least one sensor signal indicative of a measured profile of a particulate material within a storage tank of an agricultural system. The controller also determines whether a variation between the measured profile and a target profile is greater than a threshold value. The controller outputs a first output signal to a user interface indicative of instructions to inform an operator of a profile variation, outputs a second output signal to an agitator indicative of activation of the agitator, or a combination thereof, in response to determining that the variation between the measured profile and the target profile is greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: A system for identifying plugging within an agricultural implement is provided. The system includes a ground engaging tool configured to be supported by the agricultural implement. A weight sensor is operable to measure a weight of one or both of the ground engaging tool and the agricultural implement. A controller is communicatively coupled to the weight sensor. The controller is configured to receive, from the weight sensor, a signal that corresponds to the weight of one or both of the ground engaging tool and the agricultural implement. The controller is further configured to determine when the ground engaging tool is plugged based at least in part on the signal from the weight sensor.

Abstract: An agricultural planting or seeding implement having a ground engaging tool that forms an opening along an axis in the soil, a sensor disposed aft of the ground engaging tool, and a row unit disposed aft of both the ground engaging tool and the sensor relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural planting or seeding implement. The sensor engages with the ground at a depth within the opening and generates a signal indicative of a soil property of the ground.

Abstract: A product distribution system mounting assembly includes a first member configured to rigidly couple to a frame of an agricultural apparatus and a second member configured to rigidly couple to a plurality of tubular components of a product distribution system of the agricultural apparatus. The first member and the second member are configured to engage with one another to form a sliding interface that enables the plurality of tubular components to move along a vertical axis relative to the frame as the agricultural apparatus moves in a direction of travel through a field.

Abstract: The invention provides a product leveling system within at least one tank or particulate material supply compartment that helps to encourage uniform movement of an agricultural product out of the bottom of the compartment. More specifically, the invention relates to a product leveling system that helps monitor areas in which agricultural product is prone to starving and also prone to accumulation, such that quantities of the agricultural product can be diverted from the areas prone to accumulation to the areas prone to starving. For instance, at least one leveling device having a driving shaft and a helical coil may be rotatably mounted within the compartment and rotated to encourage agricultural product to be moved from areas of accumulation to areas where the agricultural product is more quickly removed, resulting in starving. The product leveling system may include three coils mounted about the compartment.

Abstract: An agitator for an agricultural system includes a shaft configured to rotate about a rotational axis during operation of the agricultural system, and an extension coupled to the shaft. The extension includes a hoop and a tine extending from the hoop, and the tine extends acutely relative to the rotational axis of the shaft.

Abstract: An agricultural product storage compartment assembly includes a first storage compartment configured to couple to a frame. The first storage compartment is configured to provide a first agricultural product to a first metering assembly. The agricultural product storage compartment assembly also includes a supplemental storage compartment configured to couple to the frame independently of the first storage compartment. In addition, the agricultural product storage compartment assembly includes a first flexible link configured to facilitate flow of the first agricultural product from the supplemental storage compartment to the first storage compartment. Furthermore, the agricultural product storage compartment assembly includes a first valve configured to selectively block flow of a second agricultural product from the supplemental storage compartment to the first storage compartment while the first valve is closed. The agricultural product storage compartment assembly also includes a weight monitoring system.

Abstract: A system for managing material accumulation relative to ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging tool and an acoustic sensor configured to generate data indicative of an acoustic parameter of a sound produced as the ground engaging tool engages the ground when a ground engaging operation is performed within a field. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the acoustic sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the data received from the acoustic sensor and determine a presence of material accumulation relative to the ground engaging tool based at least in part on the acoustic parameter.

Abstract: A distribution orifice system for a dry product applicator with a pneumatic conveyance system is provided which redirects product that drags along a surface(s) of a delivery line's wall(s) back into a main central or primary airflow portion that carries the product downstream through the pneumatic conveyance system. The distribution orifice system may deflect the agricultural product's particulate material radially inward away from the delivery line's wall while longitudinally advancing it in a downstream direction. The system may include a ring ramp that can be renewed by uninstalling the ring ramp, flipping it 180-degrees, and reinstalling it to present an intact ramp surface facing upstream and the wore ramped surface facing downstream.

Abstract: A system for monitoring soil composition within a field may have a ground-engaging tool configured to engage soil within a field as an implement moves across the field. The system may further have a sensor configured to generate data indicative of a soil composition within the field, where the sensor is movable relative to the ground-engaging tool while the implement moves across the field such that the sensor generates data indicative of the soil composition at different depths within the field. Additionally, the system may have a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller being configured to determine the soil composition at the different depths within the field based at least in part on the data received from the sensor.

Abstract: A system for detecting the operational status of a ground engaging tool of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and a tool assembly supported relative to the frame. The ganged tool assembly includes a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes a sensor coupled to the tool assembly and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensor and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s). Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) as being plugged when the monitored value(s) differs from the predetermined threshold value.