Abstract: An agricultural product application system includes a controller and product dispensing apparatus. The product dispensing apparatus includes a metering module in communication with the controller and is configured to control a flow rate of product from a product source to product dispensing units. A display device is in communication with the controller. The controller receives operating limits and an application rate of the product dispensing apparatus. The controller determines a forward speed range based upon the operating limits and on the application rate. Display information is generated for providing a visual representation on the display device of the forward speed range.

Abstract: A system for handling a fluid includes a container for separating the fluid into a liquid and a vapor such that at least a portion of the vapor is disposed above the liquid. The system also includes at least one valve for releasing the vapor from the container, at least one sensor to detect a level of the liquid in the container, and a controller in communicatively coupled to the at least one valve and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to control the at least one valve to release the vapor such that the liquid level is maintained at or above a desired liquid level. The controller is configured to determine diagnostic data based at least in part on signals received from the least one valve and the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A work vehicle with a metering system, airflow system, and a covering structure moveable between various positions for user access includes features that facilitate assembly and/or disassembly of the metering system. The work vehicle has a venturi structure with a plurality of venturi tubes that are disposed in a compact arrangement.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame, a linkage pivotably coupled to the attachment frame, and a row unit frame having a leading end pivotably coupled to the linkage to permit vertical pivoting movement of the row unit frame relative to the attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to the attachment frame and the linkage, for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil, includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for advancing the ram in a direction that pivots the linkage and the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil.

Abstract: In one aspect, a calibration method for a seed meter may include controlling an operation of a singulator to apply an initial aggressiveness setting for the singulator. The method may further include controlling the seed meter to rotate a seed transport member of the seed meter relative to a seed chamber of the seed meter containing a plurality of seeds. The method may additionally include performing a calibration cycle, which may include monitoring a first parameter indicative of a number of occurrences of seed multiples as the seed transport member rotates, iteratively adjusting the aggressiveness setting from the initial aggressiveness setting as the first parameter is being monitored, and when the first parameter crosses a first threshold, recording the associated aggressiveness setting as a minimum aggressiveness setting for the singulator.

Abstract: A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a particle disc configured to receive a plurality of particles from a particle metering and singulation unit, and a particle belt configured to receive each particle of the plurality of particles from the particle disc and to expel the particle to a trench in soil. The particle disc is configured to accelerate each particle of the plurality of particles to a target particle transfer speed.

Abstract: A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a first particle disc configured to meter particles and a second particle disc configured to receive the particles from the first particle disc and to transfer the particles toward a trench in soil. The particle delivery system includes a vacuum source configured to reduce air pressure within a first vacuum passage to couple the particles to one or more first apertures of the first particle disc. The vacuum source is also configured to reduce air pressure within a second vacuum passage to couple the particles to one or more second apertures of the second particle disc. A rotation rate of the first particle disc is controllable to establish a particle spacing between the particles within the trench. A rotation rate of the second particle disc is controllable to expel the particles at a particle exit speed.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a number of row units. The row units include one or more seed meters for receiving, singulating, and dispensing seed to the ground such that preferred spacing of subsequent seed is attained. Seed delivery systems are included to aid in transporting the seed from the seed meter to the ground in a controlled manner to mitigate skips and to aid in controlling the spacing of the seeds, which can be based upon the ground speed of the implement as it moves through the field. The seed delivery systems can control the transport of the seed to a furrow in the field such that the seed can experience zero or near zero relative velocity so that the seed will have little to no movement once positioned in the furrow.

Abstract: An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.

Abstract: A distributing machine—spreading machine and/or sowing machine includes a container, receiving material to be distributed, supported by a support frame, an outlet opening on the base of the container, a metering element downstream of the outlet opening, a motor-driven metering slide displaceable relative to the outlet opening, and a distributing element downstream of the metering element, for distributing the material. For adjusting a speed of the metering slide, while providing a compact design, the metering slide of the metering element includes a threaded spindle that is mounted axially fixed and is driven in rotation by a motor rotary drive having an axially fixed output shaft. Along the threaded spindle, a spindle nut is guided that engages with the threaded spindle. The spindle nut is connected to the metering slide, or to a lever arm arrange thereon, to actuate the metering slide by rotation of the threaded spindle.

Abstract: A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a particle metering and singulation unit configured to meter a plurality of particles from a particle storage area and a particle belt disposed a selected distance apart from the particle metering and singulation unit. The particle belt is configured to receive the plurality of particles from the particle metering and singulation unit. The selected distance between the particle metering and singulation unit and the particle belt enables the plurality of particles to accelerate under an influence of gravity to a particle speed at the particle belt within a target percentage of a belt speed of the particle belt.

Abstract: A metering system for an agricultural vehicle includes meter rollers, each including protrusions driving flow of flowable particulate material in response to rotation of the meter roller. The metering system also includes a drive shaft driven in rotation and includes transmission assemblies that each correspond to a respective meter roller. Each transmission assembly includes a respective moveable gear actuatable to engage each of a plurality of gears to establish a respective gear ratio corresponding to one of a plurality of different speeds of the respective meter roller relative to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a particle belt housing configured to be disposed adjacent to a particle metering and singulation unit and a particle belt disposed within the particle belt housing. The particle belt includes a base, a plurality of flights extending from the base, a particle engagement section configured to receive a particle from the particle metering and singulation unit, and a particle exit section configured to expel the particle toward a trench in soil. The particle delivery system includes a flex system coupled to the particle belt housing proximate to the particle exit section of the particle belt, where the flex system is configured to drive each flight of the plurality of flights to temporarily flex, such that the flight drives the particle to accelerate through the particle exit section in response to straightening of the flight.

Abstract: A singulating meter includes a seed disc with seed apertures rotates in a vertical plane through a seed reservoir. A horizontal seed tube has an inlet adjacent to the top of the seed disc and the seed apertures move along a seed aperture path toward the inlet. Pressurized air flows into the tube inlet, and through each seed aperture as it rotates upward out of the seed reservoir pushing a seed into each seed aperture which seed then moves along the seed aperture path through about 180 degrees of rotation to a release position at the top of the path where the seed is carried horizontally into the seed tube. An ejector pushes debris out of the seed apertures into the seed tube. An alignment guide moves the singulator element of the meter into the operating position where same is magnetically secured.

Abstract: A seed trench depth sensor is adapted to mount to an agricultural implement. The trench depth sensor determining the difference between a distance measured to a bottom of the seed trench by a first sensor and a distance measured to a surface of the soil by a second sensor disposed rearward of the first sensor.

Abstract: A scraper assembly for a split gauge wheel of a planter row unit. The scraper assembly includes a scraper blade having a finger projection configured to extend downwardly into a gap between the inner and outer wheel members of the split gauge wheel. An inner scraper flange extends laterally inward from the finger projection and is disposed in proximity to a circumferential periphery of the inner wheel member. An outer scraper flange extends laterally outward from the finger projection and is disposed in proximity to a circumferential periphery of the outer wheel member. As the gauge wheel rotates, the inner and outer scraper flanges remove soil buildup on the circumferential periphery of the respective inner and outer wheel members and the finger projection removes soil buildup in the gap between the inner and outer wheel members.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling ground-engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include first and second ground-engaging tools configured to perform first and second operations, respectively, on a field as the agricultural implement is moved across the field. Furthermore, a controller of the disclosed system may be configured to determine a first value of a field characteristic based on the received sensor data and adjust an operating parameter of the first ground-engaging tool based on the determined first value. After adjusting the operating parameter of the first ground-engaging tool, the controller may be configured to determine a second value of the field characteristic based on the sensor data and adjust an operating parameter of the second ground-engaging tool based on the determined second value.

Abstract: A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a particle belt having a particle engagement section configured to receive a particle from a particle metering and singulation unit and a particle exit section configured to expel the particle toward a trench in soil. The particle delivery system includes an air flow system configured to establish an air flow toward the particle engagement section of the particle belt to accelerate the particle toward the particle belt, such that a particle speed of the particle reaches a target particle speed, is within a target percentage of a belt speed of the particle belt, or both, as the particle reaches the particle engagement section of the particle belt. The air flow toward the particle engagement section is a substantial portion of a total air flow established by the air flow system relative to other sections of the particle belt.

Abstract: A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a first particle belt configured to receive a particle from a particle metering and singulation unit, a second particle belt configured to receive the particle from the first particle belt and to expel the particle to a trench in soil, and a particle transfer assembly configured to facilitate transfer of the particle from the first particle belt to the second particle belt. The first particle belt is configured to accelerate the particle to a target particle transfer speed, and the second particle belt is configured to accelerate the particle to a target particle exit speed greater than the target particle transfer speed.

Abstract: A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a particle belt having a particle acceleration section. The particle belt is configured to receive a particle, to accelerate the particle at the particle acceleration section, and to expel the particle toward a trench in soil. The particle delivery system includes a first hub assembly engaged with the particle belt at a first location and a second hub assembly engaged with the particle belt at a second location. The particle acceleration section is disposed generally at the first location, a substantially no-slip condition exists between the first hub assembly and the particle belt at the first location and between the second hub assembly and the particle belt at the second location, and the first hub assembly and the second hub assembly are configured to stretch the particle belt at the particle acceleration section to accelerate the particle.