Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a system of treating a field of interest. A plurality of soil samples are taken from different geographic locations in the field of interest. Geographic identifiers are determined for each of the plurality of samples wherein the identifiers identify the geographic location from which the sample was taken. The samples are analyzed to determine a plurality of soil characteristics indicative of soil condition. A plurality of data bases are accessed to obtain field characteristics corresponding to the field of interest, the field characteristics being indicative of current and historical information corresponding to the field of interest. A program for applying material to the field of interest is determined based on the soil characteristics, the geographic identifiers, and the field characteristics. The program is loaded into a controller operably coupled to an applicator. The applicator is controlled according to the program to apply material to the field of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus analyzes a plurality of soil samples to determine characteristics of the soil samples. An input portion sequentially provides a plurality of soil samples each having a known solid content. A plurality of vessels are supported for movement with a continuous conveyor relative to the input portion to receive the soil samples. A plurality of testing stations are arranged relative to the continuous conveyor to sequentially access the samples carried by the vessels. The testing stations each test the samples to determine at least one of the characteristics of the samples.

Abstract: A truck mounted particulate material applicator which entrains metered amounts of the particles in a fluid for conveying the material outwardly along tubes forming boom assemblies. The metering assembly and the booms are mounted in the mid portion of the truck wheel base for minimizing bouncing, and excess shock loads on the booms during travel, and also for providing a centrally located distribution point for the metering assembly. The present device includes a unique manifold for entraining particulate materials such as inorganic fertilizer or grains in fluid flow streams within tubes in which they form the boom assemblies. Each tube carries the metered air entrained material a different distance from the center to cover a wide path. Separate tubes are directed toward the rear of the truck to spread the material in the path of the truck.

Abstract: A liquid pesticide attachment for a granular material applicator for agricultural use which provides for injecting a metered amount of the liquid pesticide into an air stream containing a metered amount of granular material to be distributed, and having the material travel together to be deposited onto the ground. With any air distribution system for inorganic particulate material, a mixture of air and the particulate material is carried in a conduit, and a metering device is attached to provide for adding of the liquid material into the air-particulate material as it is being conveyed.