Abstract: An apparatus for delivering seed to a planting surface, having: a seed meter having a housing with a guide pocket; a seed conveyor disposed to receive the seed from the seed meter at an upper end of the seed conveyor, the seed conveyor having a belt which conveys the seed from the upper end to a lower end of the seed conveyor, and wherein the conveyed seed is released from the seed conveyor with a rearward velocity relative to a forward direction of travel of the seed conveyor; a conveyor motor disposed to drive the seed conveyor, wherein the conveyor motor has a housing having a guide boss; wherein the guide boss engages with the guide pocket.

Abstract: A trench closing assembly including a scraper.

Abstract: A system for seed orientation includes a seed disk capable of rotation in operation and having at least one singulator to adjust an orientation of seed to a desired seed orientation for placement within a furrow during planting. A vision system in proximity to the seed disk determines seed orientation data for seed on the seed disk.

Abstract: Described herein are implements and applicators for placement of fluid applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a fluid applicator for applying fluid to plants in rows in a field includes at least one applicator arm that is actuated by an actuator to move the applicator arm from a position in the row between plants to a position adjacent to the plant.

Abstract: Described herein are implements and applicators for placement of fluid applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a fluid applicator for applying fluid to plants in rows in a field includes at least one applicator arm that is actuated by an actuator to move the applicator arm from a position in the row between plants to a position adjacent to the plant.

Abstract: Systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants include a system for seed orientation having a vision system positioned in proximity to a seed disk. The vision system determines seed orientation data for seed on the seed disk. A seed belt receives seed from the seed disk and the seed belt adjusts an orientation of the seed from the seed disk to a desired seed orientation within a furrow during planting.

Abstract: A system for sensing characteristics of a trench in a soil surface during planting operations. A trench opening assembly opens a trench in the soil surface as the trench opening assembly moves in a forward direction of travel. A trench closing assembly disposed rearward of the trench opening assembly closes the opened trench with soil. One or more sensors may be disposed on an appurtenance disposed in said trench configured to provide characteristics of an area of the open trench or an area of the trench closed with soil by the trench closing assembly or a sensor may be disposed outside of said trench configured to provide characteristics of an area of the trench closed with soil or a combination of the sensors may be disposed in the trench and outside of the trench.

Abstract: Described herein are implements and applicators for placement of fluid applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a nozzle includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a rotatable member to rotate over the fluid outlet to selectively expose the fluid outlet to at least one opening to provide fluid flow from the fluid outlet through the opening. Upon the rotatable member rotating over the fluid outlet, a different number of openings is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A wheel adapted for use with a trench closing assembly. The wheel has a circumferential tread coaxial with a central axis of the wheel, the circumferential tread extending axially an axial width. A continuous wall member joined with the circumferential tread extends radially inward to a central opening and axially outward from an inner edge of the circumferential tread by an axial distance, the axial distance not extending beyond a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the central axis at a midpoint of the axial width, whereby the circumferential tread and the wall member together defining a shape in the form of an uppercase Greek letter sigma.

Abstract: An implement having a frame and a soil moving implement that is attached to the frame. The soil moving implement is disposed in a row between plants for moving soil from between rows of plants to at least the rhizosphere of the plants to cover fluid that is deposited in the rhizosphere.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering seed to a planting surface, having: a seed meter having a housing with a guide pocket; a seed conveyor disposed to receive the seed from the seed meter at an upper end of the seed conveyor, the seed conveyor having a belt which conveys the seed from the upper end to a lower end of the seed conveyor, and wherein the conveyed seed is released from the seed conveyor with a rearward velocity relative to a forward direction of travel of the seed conveyor; a conveyor motor disposed to drive the seed conveyor, wherein the conveyor motor has a housing having a guide boss; wherein the guide boss engages with the guide pocket.

Abstract: A seed unit for placing seeds into soil is described herein. A seed unit includes a seed meter for singulating seeds, a shaft to deliver the seeds into soil during operation, and an actuator coupled to the shaft. The actuator moves the shaft during operation and the shaft delivers seeds into the soil without a continuous seed trench.

Abstract: A trench closing assembly including a fluid applicator.

Abstract: A seed unit for placing seeds into soil is described herein. A seed unit includes a seed meter for singulating seeds, a shaft to deliver the seeds into soil during operation, and an actuator coupled to the shaft. The actuator moves the shaft during operation and the shaft delivers seeds into the soil without a continuous seed trench.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for delivering seed from a metering device to a furrow. In one embodiment, a seed meter entrains seeds on a seed disc rotating toward a seed release location. A guide brush assembly guides the entrained seeds toward the seed release location, whereupon the entrained seeds are released from the seed disc into an upper end of a seed conveyor. The seed conveyor conveys the seed toward the soil and releases the seed with a rearward relative velocity.

Abstract: A liquid application apparatus for applying liquid to soil during a planting operation, having: a ground-engaging component mounted to a planter row unit, the planter row unit opening a planting trench, the planter row unit depositing seeds in the planting trench, the ground-engaging component disposed at least partially within said planting trench as the planter row unit traverses the field; a first liquid injection conduit mounted to said ground-engaging component and disposed to inject liquid into a first sidewall of said planting trench, and wherein said ground-engaging component is mounted in a housing via at least one of a height adjustment arm that is pivotably mounted in the housing to allow for height adjustment of said ground-engaging component, and a spring that is pivotably mounted in the housing to allow for vertical deflection of said ground-engaging component.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a system for seed orientation includes a seed disk capable of rotation in operation and having at least one singulator to adjust an orientation of seed to a desired seed orientation for placement within a furrow during planting. A vision system in proximity to the seed disk determines seed orientation data for seed on the seed disk.

Abstract: A system for sensing characteristics of a trench in a soil surface during planting operations. A trench opening assembly opens a trench in the soil surface as the trench opening assembly moves in a forward direction of travel. A trench closing assembly disposed rearward of the trench opening assembly closes the opened trench with soil. One or more sensors may be disposed on an appurtenance disposed in said trench configured to provide characteristics of an area of the open trench or an area of the trench closed with soil by the trench closing assembly or a sensor may be disposed outside of said trench configured to provide characteristics of an area of the trench closed with soil or a combination of the sensors may be disposed in the trench and outside of the trench.

Abstract: A seed delivery apparatus having a seed meter configured to entrain seeds on a seed disc and to release said entrained seeds at a seed release location; a seed conveyor having an upper end disposed to receive released seeds from said seed meter and a lower end through which the released seeds are discharged proximate a soil surface; and a loading wheel rotatably disposed at said upper end of said seed conveyor to introduce the released seeds from said seed meter into said seed conveyor, wherein said loading wheel has a plurality of radial fingers with each of said radial fingers having a sinusoidal configuration.