Abstract: Hydraulic bi-directional flow switches are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a piston disposed in a fluid channel between a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection, where the first and second fluid connections define a fluid pathway for hydraulic steering fluid. The example apparatus also includes a detector to detect a movement of the piston away from a default position of the piston, where the piston is to displace from the default position when the hydraulic steering fluid flows along the fluid pathway.

Abstract: Hydraulic bi-directional flow switches are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a piston disposed in a fluid channel between a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection, where the first and second fluid connections define a fluid pathway for hydraulic steering fluid. The example apparatus also includes a detector to detect a movement of the piston away from a default position of the piston, where the piston is to displace from the default position when the hydraulic steering fluid flows along the fluid pathway.

Abstract: Hydraulic bi-directional flow switches are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a piston disposed in a fluid channel between a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection, where the first and second fluid connections define a fluid pathway for hydraulic steering fluid. The example apparatus also includes a detector to detect a movement of the piston away from a default position of the piston, where the piston is to displace from the default position when the hydraulic steering fluid flows along the fluid pathway.

Abstract: Hydraulic bi-directional flow switches are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a piston disposed in a fluid channel between a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection, where the first and second fluid connections define a fluid pathway for hydraulic steering fluid. The example apparatus also includes a detector to detect a movement of the piston away from a default position of the piston, where the piston is to displace from the default position when the hydraulic steering fluid flows along the fluid pathway.

Abstract: A method, a controller and a vehicle for performing agricultural operations on a field with parallel arranged rows having ends. The operations are performed at positions related to the positions of the rows under control of the controller, based upon stored information about the orientation of the rows, stored information about a distance between adjacent rows, a distance signal related to a distance traveled by the vehicle and a direction signal related to the heading of the vehicle. The invention is particularly suited for providing dams to prevent water from a head ditch to enter into pre-selected, dry furrows on a field with an irrigation arrangement with raised rows and lower furrows between the rows, or dams matching up with adjacent raised rows so that water runs down each furrow.

Abstract: Crop information related to a particular crop is collected and stored in data storage during the performance of an agricultural operation. A harvested particular crop is segregated from all other genetically distinct crops by storing the particular harvested crops in one or more segregated storage volumes for storing the particular crop. Each segregated storage volume has a corresponding storage identifier. An electronically accessible data profile, associated with the particular crop, is provided or made available to a user. The data profile includes the collected crop information.

Abstract: Initial data is acquired on an agricultural product associated with a harvesting time. The acquired initial data is transmitted (e.g., handed off) via an electromagnetic signal or wireless communication to an intermediate data processing system associated with a handler of the agricultural product. Additional data is appended to the acquired initial data received at the intermediate data processing system to form composite data. The composite data is transmitted via an electromagnetic signal or wireless communication to at least one of a receiver and a data processing system for processing or storing the composite data. The composite data is transferred to or made available to a data management system, which may be accessible to one or more users who seek access to at least one of the initial data, the additional data, and the composite data on the agricultural product or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A sensing assembly comprises a forward point for mounting on a crop divider associated with a header. At least one movable arm is capable of interacting with one or more plants standing in a field. A sensor detects a position of the movable arm. A mounting assembly operably supports the movable arm and the forward point, where a rear portion of the forward point is spaced apart from a forward edge of the crop divider and the at least one movable arm is located above a bottom portion of the forward point when the mounting assembly is secured to the crop divider.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a planter comprises a boundary definer for establishing a boundary associated with a field. A location-determining receiver determines a position of a planter. A detector is capable of generating an activation signal if the location-determining receiver crosses the established boundary. An actuator is arranged for interrupting the dispensing of seed for a single planter row for a specified time duration or over a specified range of positions in response to the activation signal.

Abstract: A sensing assembly comprises a forward point for mounting on a crop divider associated with a header. At least one movable arm is capable of interacting with one or more plants standing in a field. A sensor detects a position of the movable arm. A mounting assembly operably supports the movable arm and the forward point, where a rear portion of the forward point is spaced apart from a forward edge of the crop divider and the at least one movable arm is located above a bottom portion of the forward point when the mounting assembly is secured to the crop divider.

Abstract: A method of shaping furrows in soil includes the steps of: determining existing elevation profiles for a plurality of existing furrows in a geographic unit; establishing a target elevation profile for each of the existing furrows; and moving soil laterally either toward or away from one or both side walls along a length of each furrow to achieve the target elevation profiles within the geographic unit.

Abstract: A method, a controller and a vehicle for performing agricultural operations on a field with parallel arranged rows having ends. The operations are performed at positions related to the positions of the rows under control of the controller, based upon stored information about the orientation of the rows, stored information about a distance between adjacent rows, a distance signal related to a distance traveled by the vehicle and a direction signal related to the heading of the vehicle. The invention is particularly suited for providing dams to prevent water from a head ditch to enter into pre-selected, dry furrows on a field with an irrigation arrangement with raised rows and lower furrows between the rows, or dams matching up with adjacent raised rows so that water runs down each furrow.

Abstract: A method of shaping furrows in soil includes the steps of: determining existing elevation profiles for a plurality of existing furrows in a geographic unit; establishing a target elevation profile for each of the existing furrows; and moving soil laterally either toward or away from one or both side walls along a length of each furrow to achieve the target elevation profiles within the geographic unit.

Abstract: Structure for converting a conventional manual steering system of an off-road vehicle to an automatic steering system utilizing remote signals. A stepper motor is connected through a belt or chain drive to a drive mounted on the upper end of a steering shaft. The stepper motor is connected to a microprocessor and moves with the steering shaft in both a manual steering mode and an automatic steering mode. An encoder provides a signal to a microprocessor that changes operation to the manual mode if the number of steps reported by the encoder is different than what is expected. An assembly including alternate steering wheel, shaft pulley, adapter insert and stepper motor is easily connected to the steering column. A drive motor may also be directly connected to the steering shaft.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for an oscillating sieve or chaffer comprises a first member that extends from the sieve or chaffer and a selective engagement device that selectively engages the first member and uses the difference in velocity between the two—the oscillating movement of the sieve or chaffer—to adjust louvers of the sieve or chaffer.

Abstract: A method and system for tracing the identity of an agricultural product comprises holding an agricultural product in a container having a tag. A container identifier of the tag is determined by reading the tag. Ancillary data is generated and is associated with a container location and the reading time. The ancillary data may include a status indicator (e.g., transaction descriptor) for the product, a custodian identifier or both. The container identifier and the ancillary data is transmitted for storage in a data storage system. A product-flow description (e.g., chain of custody) is established for the agricultural product for transport of the product from the origination location to the destination location.

Abstract: Initial data is acquired on an agricultural product associated with a harvesting time. The acquired initial data is transmitted (e.g., handed off) via an electromagnetic signal or wireless communication to an intermediate data processing system associated with a handler of the agricultural product. Additional data is appended to the acquired initial data received at the intermediate data processing system to form composite data. The composite data is transmitted via an electromagnetic signal or wireless communication to at least one of a receiver and a data processing system for processing or storing the composite data. The composite data is transferred to or made available to a data management system, which may be accessible to one or more users who seek access to at least one of the initial data, the additional data, and the composite data on the agricultural product or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A method and system of tracing an agricultural product relates to recording of at least one of planting information, growing information, harvesting information, chemical information, and weather information (e.g., electronically recorded) concerning a crop to form a data profile for a corresponding crop. Once harvested, the crop is segregated from intermixing with other harvested crops by placing the crop in one or more containers, each having a corresponding identifier. The data profile is associated with the container profile for later referencing of the data profile.

Abstract: A global positioning system based navigation system for a ground vehicle, in particular an agricultural ground vehicle such as a tractor, combine, sprayer, or the like, includes an inertial compensation assembly that provides inertial augmentation to compensate global positioning system based navigation information such as position, course, and track spacing for errors caused by variation of ground vehicle attitude (i.e., roll and yaw) over non-level terrain.

Abstract: A method and system of tracing an agricultural product relates to recording of at least one of planting information, growing information, harvesting information, chemical information, and weather information (e.g., electronically recorded) concerning a crop to form a data profile for a corresponding crop. Once harvested, the crop is segregated from intermixing with other harvested crops by placing the crop in one or more containers, each having a corresponding identifier. The data profile is associated with the container profile for later referencing of the data profile.