Abstract: A method of calibrating individual exit lines of an agricultural ammonia applicator having a delivery path that extends through a manifold and multiple exit lines includes installing a fixed flow restricting orifice upstream of a variable flow restricting orifice and measuring the pressure upstream of the fixed flow restricting orifice. Beginning with the variable flow restricting orifice in an unrestricting flow condition, the pressure downstream of the variable flow restricting orifice is repeatedly measured and compared with the measured upstream pressure. The variable flow restricting orifice is incrementally closed after each comparison so long as the measured pressure downstream of the variable flow restricting orifice and the pressure upstream of the fixed flow restricting orifice remain substantially the same.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement has a main frame section, a left wing section, and a right wing section. Lift wheels and gauge wheels are actuated by hydraulic cylinders supplied by a hydraulic system. Solenoid valves connect groups of hydraulic cylinders to each other and to bypass circuits. The solenoid valves and the bypass circuits function to selectively allow coordinated control and individual control of the lift wheels and gauge wheels. The hydraulic system has at least one hydraulic flow divider and combiner dividing hydraulic flow and pressure between at least one left hydraulic circuit and at least one right hydraulic circuit. The at least one hydraulic flow divider and combiner functions to coordinate the motion of the left rear lift wheels and gauge wheels, and the right rear lift wheels and gauge wheels, and may be overridden by bypass valves.

Abstract: An agricultural implement including a frame, a hydraulic system, a controller and a plurality of sensors. The hydraulic system is coupled to the frame and has a plurality of hydraulic actuators fluidically coupled in a series arrangement. The controller is in control of the hydraulic system. The plurality of sensors have at least one sensor coupled to each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators. The sensors are in communication with the controller, with the controller executing the steps of receiving at least one signal from the sensors indicating a need to rephase the hydraulic actuators; and operating the hydraulic system to rephase the hydraulic actuators dependent upon the signal.

Abstract: An agricultural system including a frame, a hydraulic system, a controller and a plurality of sensors. The hydraulic system is coupled to the frame and has a plurality of hydraulic actuators fluidically coupled in a series arrangement. The controller is in control of the hydraulic system. The plurality of sensors have at least one sensor coupled to each of the plurality of hydraulic actuators. The sensors are in communication with the controller, with the controller executing the steps of receiving at least one signal from the sensors indicating a need to rephase the hydraulic actuators; estimating an amount of time needed to rephase the hydraulic actuators; and altering a function of the agricultural system to allow for the hydraulic actuators to be rephased in the time needed.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement including a first frame configured to be moved in a travel direction, at least one second frame coupled with the first frame, at least one rolling basket assembly coupled to the at least one second frame, at least one actuator pivotally connected to the at least one second frame, and a pressure control system operatively connected to the at least one rolling basket assembly. The pressure control system includes at least one sensor coupled to the at least one rolling basket assembly for sensing a load exerted on the at least one rolling basket assembly by a ground surface and providing a downward pressure measurement signal. The pressure control system also includes a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and configured to control the adjustable downward force applied by the at least one actuator.

Abstract: An ammonia applicator system includes adjustable orifices with openings having variable sizes that can be changed remotely, without having to disassemble exit lines from a distribution manifold. In this way, the restriction of the exit lines and, thus, line flow rate can be adjusted remotely and/or automatically, even during ammonia application use. Each adjustable orifice may include a valve and an actuator that controls the valve for changing the size of the opening of the adjustable orifice. The actuator may be a rotary actuator, such as a stepper motor, and the valve may include an adjustment knob and a screw that can rotate to allow a needle to advance or regress through an opening of a valve body of the valve.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a main section including a hitch extending in a travel direction, a plurality of foldable wing sections coupled with the main section, a plurality of ground engaging tilling elements, and a plurality of lift and gauge wheel lift mechanisms. The tilling elements are coupled to the main section and wing sections. Each of the lift and gauge wheel lift mechanisms has a rear lift wheel actuator and a front gauge wheel actuator. A control system is configured to independently actuate the rear lift wheel actuators and the front gauge wheel actuators to control a depth of tilling elements in each of the sections when the implement is in a field configuration, and to level the implement front to rear and side to side.

Abstract: A traction unit drawn agricultural implement for treating a field along repeated generally parallel longitudinal swaths has a hydraulic system for lifting and lowering a ground engaging implement portion at the beginning and end respectively of each swath. A system for aligning the beginning of one swath with the termination of the previous swath determines initial lift and lower times and adjusts the hydraulic system to bring the times into closer conformity. Automatic lifting and lowering may utilize GPS information, or the system may be manually controlled by an implement operator.

Abstract: The transport dimensions of an agricultural implement having ground engaging components are minimized by the provision of sub fames to enable the ground engaging components to retract relative to their associated frame member so that the inboard and outboard frame members may be folded and kept in a transport position providing maximum clearance between opposed elements and a minimum overall width and height.

Abstract: In an agricultural air seeder, a fluid line connection for a pneumatic distribution system, the fluid line connection including a female and male connector. The female connector has an inside diameter with an annular groove, and a discrete seal disposed within said annular groove. The male connector is positioned within the female connector, the male connector having an outside diameter sealed with the seal.

Abstract: An air cart for an agricultural air seeding system includes a frame; at least one tank for holding a material, and a metering system associated with the at least one tank. The metering system is configured for metering the material from the at least one tank at an output rate. A sensor senses a parameter associated with an angular orientation of the air cart relative to a reference plane, and provides an output signal indicative of the angular orientation. An actuator adjusts an output rate of the metering system and moves at least one of the at least one tank and the metering system relative to the frame. A controller is coupled with each of the actuator and the sensor and receives the output signal from the sensor. The controller is configured for controlling the actuator and adjusting the output rate of the metering system, dependent upon the output signal.

Abstract: An agricultural air seeding system, comprising: an agricultural planting implement including at least one section at least one secondary header removably attached to the at least one section, at least one attachment bar attached to the at least one section, and a plurality of application tools removably attached to the at least one attachment bar and fluidly coupled to the at least one secondary header; an agricultural air cart coupled to the agricultural planting implement; and a pneumatic distribution system fluidly coupled to the agricultural planting implement and the agricultural air cart, the pneumatic distribution system including a plurality of conduits capable of transporting agricultural product, at least one of the plurality of conduits including at least one flow obstruction such that a substantially equal air pressure is delivered to the plurality of application tools.

Abstract: An agricultural implement comprising a chassis, a plurality of wheels coupled to the chassis, and a pneumatic distribution system coupled to the chassis, the pneumatic distribution system including at least one tank capable of storing and releasing agricultural product; a metering arrangement including conduit capable of transporting the agricultural product; and a blower fan arrangement configured to transport the agricultural product, the blower fan arrangement including a first blower fan and a second blower fan, each blower fan having an air inlet and an air outlet, and a transition section fluidly coupling the air outlet of the first blower fan with the air inlet of the second blower fan.

Abstract: An air flow control system for an agricultural product delivery system includes a sensor. The sensor is disposed within, along, or just before a secondary distribution manifold for measuring an air flow pressure therein. The sensor generates a signal in response to the air flow pressure in the secondary distribution manifold. The air flow control system also includes a controller which is operatively connected to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal and to adjust the air flow pressure to the secondary distribution manifold in response to the signal.

Abstract: An agricultural air cart assembly is provided with individually controlled product distribution lines which allows for balanced pressures and even dispersal of air through different distribution lines of different lengths running to different sections or row units of a seeder or drill. Rotatable fans are operatively connected to corresponding first and second distribution lines and are configured to generate optimized air flows in the first and second distribution lines which entrain and carry the product downstream toward corresponding row units at balances pressures. A controller is operable to adjust the pressures of the air flows outputted by the first and second fans by adjusting the position of corresponding fan shrouds over the intakes of the first and second fans.

Abstract: A material distribution system includes: a chassis; a material tank carried by the chassis and configured to hold a material; and a header configured to receive and distribute material from the material tank entrained in an air flow. The header includes: a header body having a pair of sidewalls, an inlet configured to receive entrained material from the material tank and a plurality of outlets, the sidewalls defining a width therebetween that increases from the inlet toward the plurality of outlets; a valve associated with an outlet that is configured to switch between a distributing position and a purging position, the valve blocking its outlet in the purging position; and a plenum having a volume of air that is selectively in fluid communication with the plurality of outlets to provide a purging air flow to the outlet with the associated valve when the valve is in the purging position.

Abstract: An agricultural implement having agricultural implement for supporting a plurality of gangs of disk blades extending generally laterally relative to a for travel direction. The implement has carrier frames pivotally connected to wheel assemblies for controlling the height of the carrier frames relative to the ground through hydraulic actuators acting on the wheel assemblies. A hydraulic control unit enables independent and individual control of each actuator through the use of three way valves that selectively connect or lock individual actuators.

Abstract: Data is collected from sensors related to the opener assembly for seeders, such as for discs and hoe drills, in order to better determine how the opener assembly reacts while operating in various conditions and to more precisely control operation of the opener assembly. Accordingly, a control system and a sensor array are utilized to provide automatic and continuous down pressure adjustments (according to a certain user specified range) at various speeds to substantially maintain a relatively constant seed depth. The sensor array could also be monitored and controlled by an operator to control settings (such as with respect to seed depth and/or opener down pressure) of the seeding implement from the cab to provide manual down pressure adjustments at various speeds. In various aspects, seeding speed and/or tractor speed may also be parameters controlled via the sensor feedback according to a certain user specified range of sensor variation.

Abstract: The agricultural product application equipment, and in particular, to an agricultural air cart assembly where each distribution line is a self-contained unit with movable shroud portion that provides greater airflow control in each of the product distribution lines.

Abstract: An agricultural air cart assembly includes an agricultural air cart. The agricultural air cart includes independently controllable, first and second product metering systems that regulate the rates at which product flows from a storage compartment into corresponding first and second distribution lines. Independently controllable, rotatable fans are operatively connected to corresponding first and second distribution lines and are configured to generate optimized air flows in the first and second distribution lines which entrain and carry the product downstream toward corresponding row units at balanced pressures.