Abstract: A system and a method for tracking agricultural commodities, such as crop inventories, is based on measuring a flow of crop through an equipment unit during a period of time, and determining the flow of crop through the unit to be a transfer event. More particularly, there is measured a quantity of crop in a first equipment unit; followed by a detection of a presence of one or more additional equipment units proximate the first equipment unit; and by a determination of at least one crop transfer event between the first equipment and at least one of the additional equipment units based on a change in the quantity of crop in the first equipment unit and the detection of presence.

Abstract: A system and a method for tracking agricultural commodities, such as crop inventories, is based on measuring a flow of crop through an equipment unit during a period of time, and determining the flow of crop through the unit to be a transfer event. More particularly, there is measured a quantity of crop in a first equipment unit; followed by a detection of a presence of one or more additional equipment units proximate the first equipment unit; and by a determination of at least one crop transfer event between the first equipment and at least one of the additional equipment units based on a change in the quantity of crop in the first equipment unit and the detection of presence.

Abstract: An agricultural equipment drive system comprises a main drive shaft connectable to a power source, a first gear box, a second gear box and a second drive shaft. The first gear box has a first gear box input connected to the main drive shaft and a first gear box output at a first angle to the first gear box input. The second gear box has a second gear box input connected to the first gear box output and a second gear box output at a second angle to the second gear box input. The second drive shaft connects the first gear box output to the second gear box input.

Abstract: An electric drive apparatus for attachment to a swing away auger assembly includes a bracket and drive wheel adapted to be attached to the assembly and configured to pivot an attached swing auger. An electric drive motor rotates the drive wheel, and a control circuit assembly is connected to the electric drive motor by drive wires. The control circuit assembly is operative to activate the electric drive motor in response to forward, stop, and reverse drive signals received from a remote control unit. The control circuit is mounted to a heat sink plate such that heat generated in the control circuit assembly is conducted to the heat sink plate, and the heat sink plate forms an external wall of a circuit housing enclosing the control circuit assembly. The circuit housing is sealed. A bin spill prevention system has a sensor that shuts a discharge gate directing material into the conveyor.

Abstract: An agricultural equipment drive system comprises a main drive shaft connectable to a power source, a first gear box, a second gear box and a second drive shaft. The first gear box has a first gear box input connected to the main drive shaft and a first gear box output at a first angle to the first gear box input. The second gear box has a second gear box input connected to the first gear box output and a second gear box output at a second angle to the second gear box input. The second drive shaft connects the first gear box output to the second gear box input.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting separation of particles from a mixture of particles and gas, the apparatus comprises: a housing that defines therethrough a channel; an inlet in said housing to admit the mixture of particles and gas into the channel; a deflector in the channel; and a gas outlet port substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the channel and downstream of the deflector; wherein the deflector is shaped to direct the particles past the gas outlet port. A method of separation is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting separation of particles from a mixture of particles and gas, the apparatus comprises: a housing that defines therethrough a channel; an inlet in said housing to admit the mixture of particles and gas into the channel; a deflector in the channel; and a gas outlet port substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the channel and downstream of the deflector; wherein the deflector is shaped to direct the particles past the gas outlet port. A method of separation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reducing drip from nozzles mounted on a generally horizontally oriented supply conduit of an agricultural sprayer includes connecting the supply conduit to a source of pressurized liquid from the agricultural sprayer such that the liquid flows into an interior of the supply conduit, and venting air from the interior of the supply conduit as the pressurized liquid enters the interior of the supply conduit to reduce the amount of air remaining in the supply conduit when the nozzles are spraying liquid.

Abstract: An agricultural vacuum conveyor feeding apparatus includes a vacuum conduit having a first end thereof adapted for attachment to a suction port on a vacuum conveyor, and an intake nozzle defining an intake opening on a second end thereof. A material conveying member such as a rotating auger or a scoop extends outward from the intake end of the vacuum conduit and is operative to move granular material toward the intake opening of the intake nozzle when moved through a quantity of granular material. The material conveying member is attached to the intake nozzle such that the intake nozzle moves to follow the material conveying member as the material conveying member moves granular material toward the intake opening. In one embodiment the intake nozzle and material conveying member are fixed to a vacuum conveyor and moved by moving the vacuum conveyor.

Abstract: A method of reducing drip from a nozzle mounted to a generally horizontally oriented supply conduit comprises reducing the amount of air remaining in the supply conduit when the nozzles are spraying liquid. Conveniently the amount of air remaining in the supply conduit can be reduced by drawing liquid from an upper portion of the supply conduit to supply the nozzle. An apparatus for practicing the method comprises a nozzle secured at the output end of a nozzle conduit wherein the input end of the nozzle conduit is located in an upper portion of the supply conduit.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a body member forming a channel having first and second ends, forming a seat surface within and at the first end of the channel about an orifice that faces in the direction of the second end, the channel forming a first coupler at the second end, a closure member forming a closing surface and an oppositely facing bearing surface, the closing surface configured to be received on the seat surface to close the orifice, the closing member received within the channel with the closing surface facing the seat surface, a spring member having first and second ends and received within the channel with the first end of the spring member contacting the bearing surface and an adjustment member having first and second ends and forming a second coupler at the first end of the adjustment member that cooperates with the first coupler to mechanically link the adjustment member within the channel in various relative juxtapositions, one of the adjustment member and the body member forming an outlet pa