Abstract: A method of depositing oriented seeds into a trench including forming a trench (299); depositing a foam (289) into the trench (299); and depositing seed (279) from a seed orientation device (270) into the foam (289) in the trench (299). Also, an agricultural row unit (200) having: a frame (204); an opening unit (260) connected to the frame (204) for opening a trench (299) as the row unit (200) moves in a direction of travel: a foam delivery tube (281) for delivering foam (289) into the trench (299) opened by the opening unit (260); and a seed orientation device (270) disposed rearward from the foam delivery tube (281) for delivering oriented seeds (279) in the foam (289) delivered by the foam delivery tube (281).

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a furrow opener and a furrow closing system and a controller that performs closed loop control of the furrow closing system.

Abstract: A seed meter and seed delivery apparatus for delivering seed to a furrow in which the seed delivery apparatus orients the seeds.

Abstract: A seeding system having a seed meter (13) having a seed disc (120) and a plurality of apertures (122) disposed around the seed disc (120) creating a seed path (123); a seed accelerator having a wheel (911) and a wall (912), wherein the wall (912) is disposed over the seed path to entrain seeds, and the wall (912) and wheel (911) are configured to cooperate to accelerate seed; a conduit (610) for receiving seeds accelerated from the seed accelerator at a first end of the conduit, and the conduit having a second end opposite the first end; a seed orientation coil assembly (130) connected to the second end to receive the accelerated seed.

Abstract: A seeding system having a seed meter (13) having a seed disc (120); a pair of acceleration wheels (910, 920) disposed proximate to the seed disc (120) and positioned to receive seed released from the seed disc (120) and configured to accelerate the seed; a conduit (610) for receiving seeds accelerated from the pair of acceleration wheels (910, 920) at a first end of the conduit (610), and the conduit (610) having a second end opposite the first end; a seed orientation coil assembly (40) connected to the second end to receive the accelerated seed.

Abstract: A method of planting with a row unit (100, 200) includes forming a seed trench (128) in soil with the row unit (200), dispensing a seed from an outlet of a seed-delivery mechanism (202) carried by the row unit (100, 200), penetrating a wall of the seed trench (128) with a covering device (206, 302) to cover the seed with soil, and closing the seed trench (128) with a seed-trench closing assembly (118). A row unit (100, 200) for planting seeds includes a frame (102) configured to be coupled to a toolbar (104), a seed-trench opening assembly (116) carried by the frame (102) and configured to form a seed trench (128), a seed-delivery mechanism (112, 202) carried by the frame (102) and configured to deliver seeds to the seed trench (128), a covering device (206, 302) carried by the frame (102) and configured to penetrate a wall of the seed trench (128) and cover the seeds with soil, and a seed-trench closing assembly (118) carried by the frame and configured to close the seed trench.

Abstract: A trench opener having a row unit comprising a frame and a shank; a disc rotatingly attached to the frame, wherein the disc has an angle ? from vertical greater than zero degrees to 10 degrees; a wedge attached to the shank, the wedge having a disc facing side that is parallel with the disc, a second side opposite the disc facing side, wherein the second side is perpendicular to a ground surface, and a leading edge.

Abstract: A row planting unit closing system including a first stage closing unit adapted to be attached to a row planting unit and including: a first stage frame; and a set of at least one row closing wheel having a closing angle orientation non-perpendicular relative to the ground; and wherein the first stage frame is attached at a first end to the row planting unit, the first stage frame comprising a linkage mechanism for setting a toe in angle orientation of the set of at least one row closing wheel relative to the first stage frame.

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 split gauge-wheel assembly for a planter row unit includes an inner gauge wheel carried by the frame and configured to rotate about an axis and an outer gauge wheel carried by the frame and configured to rotate about the axis. The inner gauge wheel and outer gauge wheel define a gap therebetween. A knife is disposed in the gap between the inner gauge wheel and the outer gauge wheel, the knife defining a flow channel configured to deliver liquid at a rear end of the knife. A scraper is connected to the knife and disposed in the gap between the inner gauge wheel and the outer gauge wheel.

Abstract: A seed delivery apparatus and methods in which a seed conveyor delivers seed from a metering device to a furrow in a controlled manner to maintain seed placement accuracy within the furrow.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit (10) of an agricultural planter. The row unit (10) includes a trench depth adjustment assembly (90) configured to modify the trench depth. The trench depth adjustment assembly (90) includes a depth adjustment body (94) pivotally connected via a pivot (92) to a frame member (14) of the row unit (10). An electric motor (3030) is operable to cause rotation of a shaft (3034) operably coupled with the depth adjustment body (94), whereby rotation of the shaft (3034) causes the depth adjustment body (94) to pivotally move about the pivot (92) thereby changing a position of contact of the depth adjustment body (94) with a gauge wheel arm (54), thus changing the amount of upward travel of the gauge wheel (52) with respect to a trench opening disc (62) and thus the depth of the trench.

Abstract: A row unit (10) of an agricultural planter with an apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by the row unit (10). The row unit (10) includes a trench depth adjustment assembly (90T) configured to modify the trench depth. The trench depth adjustment assembly (90T) includes a depth adjustment body (5044) pivotally connected via a pivot to a frame member (14) of the row unit (10). An electric motor (5030) is operable to cause rotation of a shaft (5038) operably coupled with the depth adjustment body (5044), whereby rotation of the shaft (5038) causes the depth adjustment body (5044) to pivotally move about the pivot (92) thereby changing a position of contact of the depth adjustment body (5044) with a gauge wheel arm (54), thus changing the amount of upward ravel of the gauge wheel (52) with respect to a trench opening disc (62) and thus the depth of the trench.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit includes a knife disposed ahead of a 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.

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 row unit (10) of an agricultural planter with an apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by the row unit (10). The row unit (10) includes a trench depth adjustment assembly (90T) configured to modify the trench depth. The trench depth adjustment assembly (90T) includes a depth adjustment body (5044) pivotally connected via a pivot to a frame member (14) of the row unit (10). An electric motor (5030) is operable to cause rotation of a shaft (5038) operably coupled with the depth adjustment body (5044), whereby rotation of the shaft (5038) causes the depth adjustment body (5044) to pivotally move about the pivot (92) thereby changing a position of contact of the depth adjustment body (5044) with a gauge wheel arm (54), thus changing the amount of upward ravel of the gauge wheel (52) with respect to a trench opening disc (62) and thus the depth of the trench.

Abstract: System for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit (10) of an agricultural planter. The row unit (10) includes a trench depth adjustment assembly (90R) configured to modify the trench depth. The trench depth adjustment assembly (90R) includes a depth adjustment body (3044) pivotally connected via a pivot (92) to a frame member (14) of the row unit (10). An electric motor (3030) is operable to cause rotation of a shaft (3034) operably coupled with the depth adjustment body (3044), whereby rotation of the shaft (3034) causes the depth adjustment body (3044) to pivotally move about the pivot (92) thereby changing a position of contact of the depth adjustment body (3044) with a gauge wheel arm (54), thus changing the amount of upward travel of the gauge wheel (50) with respect to a trench opening disc (62) and thus the depth of the trench.

Abstract: A mini-hopper for an agricultural row unit that has a fill tube supplying material to a hopper. A backflow preventer is disposed in the fill tube or in a line to the inlet to prevent flow of material from the mini-hopper through the fill tube when the mini-hopper is in a transport position.

Abstract: A dynamic supplemental downforce control system for a planter row unit. The system includes closed-loop feedback circuit that cooperates with a downforce actuator to dynamically control fluid flow to the downforce actuator to maintain balance between the actual gauge wheel downforce and a desired gauge wheel downforce during planting operations.

Abstract: A soil apparatus (e.g., a knife) to engage in soil is described herein. In one embodiment, the soil apparatus includes a soil engaging portion to engage with soil and a plurality of sensors disposed in the soil apparatus. Each sensor is independently pivotable to independently position for sensing soil characteristics of soil.