Abstract: A row unit downforce system including: a downforce actuator in operational communication with the row unit and constructed and arranged to apply supplemental downforce to the row unit and opening disks; a monitoring system comprising at least one furrow depth sensor constructed and arranged to generate furrow depth values; and a control system module, wherein the control system module is constructed and arranged to generate actuator command signals in response to the furrow depth values.

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: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for closing a planting trench. Embodiments include a disc assembly for loosening soil adjacent to the planting trench. In some embodiments a closing wheel assembly pivots relative to a subframe of the row unit.

Abstract: Described herein is an agricultural row unit that has a knife disposed ahead of the gauge wheel for delivering material to soil adjacent to a trench. In one example, an agricultural row unit includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame, and a knife disposed ahead of the wheel and comprising a material delivery conduit disposed on, through, or adjacent the knife.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit includes a gauge wheel and a soil-penetrating tool. A sensor is coupled to the soil penetrating tool and the gauge wheel and produces an output corresponding to changes detecting between the position of the gauge wheel and the soil penetrating tool A control system is coupled to an actuator configured to apply a downward pressure on the soil-penetrating tool, wherein the control system receives the output from the sensor for controlling the actuator and the downward pressure on the soil.

Abstract: A seed firmer for firming seeds deposited in the seed trench to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. A bracket mounts the seed firmer to the row unit frame such that the seed firmer is aligned with the seed trench. The seed firmer includes a resilient insert positioned in the firmer body to stiffen the seed firmer to more resiliently firm the seed into the soil.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for closing a planting trench. Embodiments include a disc assembly for loosening soil adjacent to the planting trench. In some embodiments a closing wheel assembly pivots relative to a subframe of a row unit of a planter.

Abstract: A soil apparatus (e.g., seed firmer) having a locking system is described herein. In one embodiment, the soil apparatus includes a lower base portion for engaging in soil of an agricultural field, an upper base portion, and a neck portion having protrusions to insert into the lower base portion of a base and then lock when a region of the upper base portion is inserted into the lower base portion and this region of the upper base portion presses the protrusions to lock the neck portion to the upper base portion.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units. Each of the row units includes a seed meter configured to dispense seeds and a seed conveyor disposed to receive seeds from the seed meter and guide the seeds toward the soil surface. The monitor system includes a monitor and a control module. The control module is in data communication with the monitor, the seed meter and the seed conveyor for controlling a rate of the seed meter and a rate of the seed conveyor.

Abstract: A closing wheel assembly for an agricultural planter row unit. The closing wheel assembly includes a pivot arm having a forward end pivotally mounted to a frame of the planter row unit. A first closing wheel is rotatably supported by the pivot arm about a first axis of rotation. A second closing wheel is rotatably supported by the pivot arm about a second axis of rotation. An actuator applies a force on the pivot arm rearward of the first and second axes of rotation to modify a force between the closing wheels and the soil surface.

Abstract: An agricultural trench depth sensing system having a trench implement adapted to be disposed in a soil trench opened in a soil surface. In one embodiment an ultrasonic sensor detects a distance to an upper surface of said trench implement or a target disposed thereon. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes one or more fingers which rotate with respect to said trench implement to detect the soil surface relative to said trench implement. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes side sensors for detecting the sidewall of the soil trench.

Abstract: A row unit for an agricultural planter has features for releasably operably coupling a seed meter of the row unit to a seed deposition apparatus of the row unit such as a seed conveyor, seed tube, or the like. Apparatus may be used for tipping a seed meter of the hopper for disengagement from the seed deposition apparatus, or for biasing the seed deposition apparatus into operative engagement with the seed meter. The row unit includes features such as latches for releasably operably coupling the row unit to crop input and vacuum supply lines. Apparatus may also be used for tipping a seed meter of the hopper for disengagement from the crop input and vacuum supply lines. Systems are used for supplying vacuum and crop inputs to the seed meter via the releasably engageable apparatus.

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 seed trench depth sensor is adapted to mount to an agricultural implement. The trench depth sensor determining the difference between a distance measured to a bottom of the seed trench by a first sensor and a distance measured to a surface of the soil by a second sensor disposed rearward of the first sensor.

Abstract: A row unit for an agricultural planter having features for releasably operably coupling a seed meter of the row unit to a seed deposition apparatus of the row unit such as a seed conveyor, seed tube or the like. Apparatus may be used for tipping a seed meter of the hopper for disengagement from the seed deposition apparatus or for biasing the seed deposition apparatus into operative engagement with the seed meter. The row unit includes features such as latches for releasably operably coupling the row unit to crop input and vacuum supply lines. Apparatus may also be used for tipping a seed meter of the hopper for disengagement from the crop input and vacuum supply lines. Systems are used for supplying vacuum and crop inputs to the seed meter via the releasably engageable apparatus.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit includes a soil-engaging tool supported from a pivot arm. A sensor generates an output signal relating to an orientation of the pivot arm relative to a frame member. An actuator is configured to applying a down pressure on the soil-engaging tool. A control system in signal communication with the sensor is responsive to the generated output signal to effect a change in applied down pressure on the soil-engaging tool by the actuator. The soil-engaging tool may be a closing wheel or a flap. One or more additional sensors may be provided on gauge wheel arms of the row unit with the control system being responsive to output signals of the additional sensors to effect the change in applied down pressure on the soil-engaging tool by the actuator.

Abstract: A seed firmer and bracket combination for a planter row unit. The bracket includes a forward end configured to mount to a frame member of the planter row unit. The seed firmer includes a body having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a resiliently flexible central portion. The upper portion of the seed firmer body is releasably retained between a forward surface and a back surface of the rearward end of the bracket by a rearwardly extending upper arm and lower arms that respectively engage a top edge and a bottom edge of the back surface preventing the seed firmer body from moving vertically and horizontally relative to the bracket until the upper arm is disengaged from the top edge of the back surface.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a seed firmer includes a base support to be positioned in operation in proximity to a trench for planting seed in the trench, a vision system coupled to the base support in operation to determine seed orientation data for a first seed in a pre-orientation position, and an actuator coupled to the base support. The actuator adjusts an orientation of a second seed to a desired seed orientation within the trench if desired based on the pre-orientation data for the first seed in the pre-orientation position.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a seed firmer includes a base support to be positioned in operation in proximity to a trench for planting seed in the trench and a lower member integrated with the base support or coupled to the base support. The lower member includes a non-planar ground contacting lower surface to adjust an orientation of the seed to a desired seed orientation within the trench and to position the seed within the trench at a desired depth.

Abstract: Described herein is an agricultural row unit that has a knife disposed ahead of the gauge wheel for delivering material to soil adjacent to a trench. In one example, an agricultural toolbar includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame, and a knife disposed ahead of the wheel and comprising a material delivery conduit disposed on, through, or adjacent the knife.