Abstract: An agricultural sprayer includes an actuator configured to adjust the position of a boom assembly of the sprayer relative to a frame of the sprayer. A computing system is configured to determine the operating parameter of the sprayer at a current time based on received sensor data. Moreover, the computing system is configured to anticipate when the boom assembly will move relative to the frame in a fore/aft direction at a future time based on the determined operating parameter, with the fore/aft direction being parallel to a direction of travel of the agricultural sprayer. In addition, when it is anticipated that the boom assembly will move, the computing system is configured to control the operation of the actuator before the future time such that movement of the boom assembly relative to the frame is reduced at the future time.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for monitoring a level of hydraulic fluid in an agricultural sprayer includes a drive system, a hydraulic fluid system, and a fill level sensor. The system also includes a computing system communicatively coupled to both the drive system and the fill level sensor. The computing system is configured to monitor the level of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic fluid reservoir based on data received from the fill level sensor. The computing system is further configured to detect a leak condition in the hydraulic fluid system based at least in part on the monitored level of the hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic fluid reservoir and control an operation of the drive system to reduce the ground speed of the agricultural sprayer in response to detecting the leak condition.

Abstract: A system for distributing particulate material from an agricultural machine includes a fan configured to provide an airflow in a supply line for distributing particulate material, a hydraulic system configured to drive the fan at a plurality of fan speeds, and a control system configured to control the hydraulic system. The control system executes a program stored in a non-transient medium operable to: determine a given product application rate for distributing the particulate material; determine a given ground speed of the agricultural machine; determine a fan speed for achieving the given product application rate at the given ground speed; and control the hydraulic system to drive the fan at the fan speed.

Abstract: An agricultural application implement for delivering particulate product to a field. The implement includes a frame, a bin to hold product, a pneumatic conveying system fixed to the frame, a metering system operably connected between the supply compartment and the pneumatic conveying system, and a bin lift system. The pneumatic conveying system includes an airflow source to provide an airflow, and a delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the bin. The delivery line includes a plurality of outlets. The metering system meters product with the airflow to result in a mixed flow of airflow and product for the delivery line. The bin lift system includes hydraulic cylinders coupling the bin to the frame, and a bin lift controller to control the hydraulic cylinders to raise or lower the bin.

Abstract: A motor creep control system includes at least one motor and a manifold fluidically coupled to the at least one motor and configured to control flow of a fluid through the at least one motor. The manifold includes an input port, an output port, at least one fluid control valve to control the at least one motor, and a motor creep control valve. A first state of the motor creep control directs the fluid from the input port, through the at least one fluid control and motor, and to the at least one output port. Meanwhile, a second state of the motor creep control in conjunction with the at least one fluid control valve being deactivated directs the fluid from the input port that leaks past the deactivated at least one fluid control valve to the at least one output port, while bypassing the at least one motor.

Abstract: A routing system for an agricultural sprayer includes a support configured to operably couple with the sprayer. An adaptor is configured to transfer a flow therethrough. The adaptor is at least partially positioned within an envelope defined between a wheel assembly and laterally offset components of the sprayer. A conduit has a first section operably coupled with a first portion of the adaptor and a second section operably coupled with an opposing second portion of the adaptor. The first section and the second section of the conduit are configured to transfer the flow therethrough such that the flow is serially transferred through each of the first section of the conduit, the adaptor, and the second section of the conduit.

Abstract: The agricultural sprayer includes a frame and a tank supported on the frame, with the tank configured to store an agricultural fluid. Furthermore, the sprayer includes a boom assembly coupled to the frame and a plurality of nozzles supported on the boom assembly. Additionally, the sprayer includes first and second actuators configured to adjust the position of the boom assembly relative to the frame and an actuator control valve configured to control a flow of fluid to the first and second actuators. Moreover, the sprayer includes a first fluid conduit fluidly coupled between the first actuator and the actuator control valve and a second fluid conduit fluidly coupled between the second actuator and the actuator control valve. In addition, the sprayer includes a stabilization valve configured to selectively occlude the fluid from flowing between the first and second actuators via the first and second fluid conduits.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for monitoring a level of hydraulic fluid in an agricultural sprayer includes a drive system, a hydraulic fluid system, and a fill level sensor. The system also includes a computing system communicatively coupled to both the drive system and the fill level sensor. The computing system is configured to monitor the level of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic fluid reservoir based on data received from the fill level sensor. The computing system is further configured to detect a leak condition in the hydraulic fluid system based at least in part on the monitored level of the hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic fluid reservoir and control an operation of the drive system to reduce the ground speed of the agricultural sprayer in response to detecting the leak condition.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer includes an actuator configured to adjust the position of a boom assembly of the sprayer relative to a frame of the sprayer. A computing system is configured to determine the operating parameter of the sprayer at a current time based on received sensor data. Moreover, the computing system is configured to anticipate when the boom assembly will move relative to the frame in a fore/aft direction at a future time based on the determined operating parameter, with the fore/aft direction being parallel to a direction of travel of the agricultural sprayer. In addition, when it is anticipated that the boom assembly will move, the computing system is configured to control the operation of the actuator before the future time such that movement of the boom assembly relative to the frame is reduced at the future time.

Abstract: An agricultural product delivery applicator for delivering particulate product to a field. The applicator includes a bin having a first chamber to hold a first product, a second chamber to hold a second product, and a third chamber to hold a third product. The applicator further includes a pneumatic conveying system having an airflow source to provide an airflow, a delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the bin, and an outlet coupled to the delivery line. A metering system is operably connected between the supply compartment and the pneumatic conveying system. The metering system meters product with the airflow to result in a mixed flow of airflow and product. The metering system includes a novel hydraulic circuit for helping to meter the product.

Abstract: An agricultural application implement for delivering particulate product to a field. The implement includes a frame, a bin to hold product, a pneumatic conveying system fixed to the frame, a metering system operably connected between the supply compartment and the pneumatic conveying system, and a bin lift system. The pneumatic conveying system includes an airflow source to provide an airflow, and a delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the bin. The delivery line includes a plurality of outlets. The metering system meters product with the airflow to result in a mixed flow of airflow and product for the delivery line. The bin lift system includes hydraulic cylinders coupling the bin to the frame, and a bin lift controller to control the hydraulic cylinders to raise or lower the bin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control system configured to reference a data structure, such as a look up table, to variably control fan speed based on ground speed of an agricultural machine, independent of engine speed of the machine, to achieve a given application rate for a field. In one aspect, the control system can control a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) solenoid to a pump causing a transfer of a given amount of fluid to achieve a correct fan speed according to the data structure. As a result, fan speeds can be prescribed for any application rate, such as a light application rate of 100 pounds per acre, with slowing the fan down, or a heavy application rate of 1000 pounds per acre, with speeding the fan up, all as a function of ground speed, while decoupled from engine speed.

Abstract: An agricultural product delivery applicator for delivering particulate product to a field. The applicator includes a bin having a first chamber to hold a first product, a second chamber to hold a second product, and a third chamber to hold a third product. The applicator further includes a pneumatic conveying system having an airflow source to provide an airflow, a delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the bin, and an outlet coupled to the delivery line. A metering system is operably connected between the supply compartment and the pneumatic conveying system. The metering system meters product with the airflow to result in a mixed flow of airflow and product. The metering system includes a novel hydraulic circuit for helping to meter the product.

Abstract: A motor creep control system includes at least one motor and a manifold fluidically coupled to the at least one motor and configured to control flow of a fluid through the at least one motor. The manifold includes an input port, an output port, at least one fluid control valve to control the at least one motor, and a motor creep control valve. A first state of the motor creep control directs the fluid from the input port, through the at least one fluid control and motor, and to the at least one output port. Meanwhile, a second state of the motor creep control in conjunction with the at least one fluid control valve being deactivated directs the fluid from the input port that leaks past the deactivated at least one fluid control valve to the at least one output port, while bypassing the at least one motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a pump stack in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize a pump stack mounting arrangement including a pump stack, a crossmember with a web having an opening providing clearance for passage through the opening of at least one successive pump of the pump stack, and a removable mounting plate adapted for attachment to the crossmember and the at least one successive pump on an opposite side of the crossmember from a proximal end of the pump to provide support for a distal end of the pump stack. By removing the mounting plate, detaching any successive pump in the stack from its immediately preceding pump in the pump stack, and moving the detached part of the pump stack axially through the opening, clearance is provided for servicing a pump in the stack without removal of the whole pump stack or the crossmember.

Abstract: An agricultural machine such as a high clearance sprayer is provided with a hydraulic warm-up system for warming multiple hydraulic circuits. The sprayer includes a parking brake system, a hydraulic system including a parking brake hydraulic circuit and at least one ancillary hydraulic circuit, and a hydraulic warm-up system. The warm-up system includes a warm-up circuit defined by the parking brake hydraulic circuit and the at least one ancillary hydraulic circuit so that oil flows through the parking brake hydraulic circuit into the at least one ancillary hydraulic circuit. As a result of this oil flow, the at least one ancillary hydraulic circuit is warmed to improve functionality of the ancillary hydraulic circuit. Where the parking brake is activated and the sprayer is stationary, oil may be diverted to the ancillary hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a pump stack in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize a pump stack mounting arrangement including a pump stack, a crossmember with a web having an opening providing clearance for passage through the opening of at least one successive pump of the pump stack, and a removable mounting plate adapted for attachment to the crossmember and the at least one successive pump on an opposite side of the crossmember from a proximal end of the pump to provide support for a distal end of the pump stack. By removing the mounting plate, detaching any successive pump in the stack from its immediately preceding pump in the pump stack, and moving the detached part of the pump stack axially through the opening, clearance is provided for servicing a pump in the stack without removal of the whole pump stack or the crossmember.

Abstract: An agricultural machine such as a high clearance sprayer is provided with a hydraulic warm-up system for warming multiple hydraulic circuits. The sprayer includes a parking brake system, a hydraulic system including a parking brake hydraulic circuit and at least one ancillary hydraulic circuit, and a hydraulic warm-up system. The warm-up system includes a warm-up circuit defined by the parking brake hydraulic circuit and the at least one ancillary hydraulic circuit so that oil flows through the parking brake hydraulic circuit into the at least one ancillary hydraulic circuit. As a result of this oil flow, the at least one ancillary hydraulic circuit is warmed to improve functionality of the ancillary hydraulic circuit. Where the parking brake is activated and the sprayer is stationary, oil may be diverted to the ancillary hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: A ground drive hose routing system and method for a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize drive hose bulkhead connection arrangements mounted on transversely movable axle members to define segments of a hose arrangement that are constrained to lie and move primarily in only one direction, to isolate horizontal hose movement related to track-width adjustment from vertical hose movement resulting from action of suspension members. For steerable wheels, an additional pivotable segment is utilized in conjunction with the drive hose bulkhead connection arrangements to accommodate turning motion while maintaining isolation between other primarily horizontally and vertically constrained movable segments of the hose arrangement.