Abstract: A method to cultivate a piece of farmland using a permanently unmanned autonomous tractor that comprises an engine and at least one wheel operatively connected to the said engine and supported on a surface of the piece of farmland, the method including the steps of running the engine to turn the wheel in order impose a movement of the autonomous tractor over the surface of the piece of farmland, cultivating the piece of farmland while the autonomous tractor is moving over its surface, assessing slip of the wheel with respect to the surface, wherein when it is established that the wheel slips in longitudinal direction with respect to the surface of the piece of farmland, the autonomous tractor is controlled to make an emergency stop.

Abstract: A method for cultivating a piece of farmland, includes providing an autonomous tractor having a lifting device for connecting an agricultural implement for performing an agricultural operation to the tractor and an engine for driving the implement, and crossing the farmland with the tractor while the agricultural implement is driven by the engine to cultivate the piece of farmland, wherein in a step preceding the cultivation of the farmland, the agricultural implement is put on top of the tractor with the lifting device, such that the centre of mass of the agricultural implement is within the footprint of the tractor, and in a second step the agricultural implement is operatively connected with the engine of the tractor, whereafter the farmland is crossed with the tractor while the agricultural implement is supported by the tractor and driven by the engine thereof to cultivate the piece of farmland.

Abstract: A method for cultivating a piece of sloping farmland using an autonomous agricultural vehicle for performing an agricultural operation to attain the cultivating, the method including generating a cultivation plan for the piece of farmland, which plan includes multiple contiguous paths that extend over the piece of farmland, which paths are to be crossed by the autonomous vehicle in a predetermined order, and after the plan has been generated, controlling the autonomous vehicle such that it crosses the land by moving over each of the multiple contiguous paths according to the predetermined order, wherein a predetermined direction of movement of the autonomous vehicle over each of the paths depends on an angle of inclination of the each of these paths.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a chassis, an engine connected to that chassis and at least two tracks for supporting the vehicle on a surface, the tracks including a first track adjacent a first lateral edge of the chassis, a second track adjacent a second lateral edge of the chassis the tracks each being part of a separate first and second track assembly, each track assembly including a subframe with multiple wheels positioned around its circumference to guide the corresponding track, the subframe connected to the chassis using first and second axles, each subframe hingeably connected to the chassis at the first axle and moveably connected to the chassis via a suspension system at the second axle to allow vertical movement of the subframe with respect to the chassis, the suspension system including a Watt's linkage, and the first and second track assemblies each have a separate Watt'linkage.

Abstract: An autonomous tractor for autonomously crossing farmland, includes one or more sensors for detection of an obstacle when crossing the farmland, and a central processing unit (CPU) for receiving input signals from the the sensors and for controlling movement of the tractor based on the input signals in order to avoid the obstacle, a coupler for coupling an agricultural machine able to be coupled to the tractor, and the agricultural machine includes one or more additional sensors for detection of the obstacle, wherein coupling of the agricultural machine operatively connects the additional sensors to the CPU and automatically provides data to the CPU regarding the location of each of the additional sensors on the agricultural machine and one or more specifications of each of these additional sensors.

Abstract: An autonomous tractor for autonomously crossing farmland, includes one or more sensors for detection of an obstacle when crossing the farmland, and a central processing unit (CPU) for receiving input signals from the the sensors and for controlling movement of the tractor based on the input signals in order to avoid the obstacle, a coupler for coupling an agricultural machine able to be coupled to the tractor, and the agricultural machine includes one or more additional sensors for detection of the obstacle, wherein coupling of the agricultural machine operatively connects the additional sensors to the CPU and automatically provides data to the CPU regarding the location of each of the additional sensors on the agricultural machine and one or more specifications of each of these additional sensors.

Abstract: A boom for mounting to an agricultural sprayer comprises an elongate frame supporting a plurality of liquid application devices, liquid delivery means connected to the application devices, and an elongate tray attached to, and extending along, the boom. The tray is movable between a first position in which the tray extends substantially horizontally beneath one or more of the application devices to prevent material from leaking onto the ground below, and a second position in which the tray is located clear of delivery paths of the liquid application devices.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer includes an ozone supply arranged to clean at least a portion of the sprayer after a spraying operation has been completed, by supplying ozone to the residual spray liquid and to the interior of the sprayer plumbing. The ozone supply may be preceded by a rinsing or flushing of the sprayer plumbing using a rinse fluid, with the ozone injected to a circulating fluid in the sprayer plumbing. The sprayer may have an auxiliary liquid tank, such that residual spray liquid may be drained to the auxiliary tank to be cleaned using ozone. Such a cleaning operation can be performed at the same time as a further spraying operation, thereby providing for improved efficiency of operation of the sprayer.

Abstract: A boom suspension assembly for an agricultural sprayer having a chassis, a lift arm assembly mounted to the chassis, and a boom support frame pendulously suspended from the lift arm assembly. Springs and dampers between the chassis and the boom support frame control pitch and yaw movement of the boom support frame away from a neutral position. The lift arm assembly, boom support frame and dampers provide a four-bar linkage which maintains the boom support frame in a steady alignment when raised and lowered.

Abstract: A boom for mounting to an agricultural sprayer which includes an elongate frame that supports a plurality of liquid application and delivery means, and an elongate tray attached to, and extending along, the boom. The tray is movable between a first position in which the tray extends substantially horizontally beneath one or more of the application devices to prevent liquids from leaking onto the ground below, and a second position in which the tray is located clear of delivery paths of the liquid application devices.

Abstract: A boom for mounting to an agricultural sprayer comprises an elongate frame supporting a plurality of liquid application devices, liquid delivery means connected to the application devices, and an elongate tray attached to, and extending along, the boom. The tray is movable between a first position in which the tray extends substantially horizontally beneath one or more of the application devices to prevent material from leaking onto the ground below, and a second position in which the tray is located clear of delivery paths of the liquid application devices.

Abstract: An agricultural trailed implement includes a chassis with tongue for hitching to a tractor. A housing is integrated into a loadbearing section of the tongue. A pump or generator is mounted inside the housing and is driven by a PTO shaft connected to an attached tractor. The pump housing may define a sump which provides a fluid reservoir to supply the pump in a hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer including an applicator boom which itself includes a centre boom frame and a pair of multi-section boom side assemblies. Each side assembly is mounted by a respective hinge to the centre boom frame. Neighbouring boom sections are mutually connected by a hinged joint which permits folding around an upright axis from a deployed operating configuration to a transport configuration. A spring and damper mechanism is associated with the hinged joint for controlling pivoting movement around the upright axis between said two boom sections.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer including an ozone supply which is arranged to clean at least a portion of the sprayer after a spraying operation has been completed, by the supply of ozone to the residual spray liquid and to the interior of the sprayer plumbing. The ozone supply may be preceded by a rinsing or flushing of the sprayer plumbing using a rinse fluid, with the ozone injected to a circulating fluid in the sprayer plumbing. The sprayer may have an auxiliary liquid tank, such that residual spray liquid may be drained to the auxiliary tank to be cleaned using ozone. Such a cleaning operation can be performed at the same time as a further spraying operation, thereby providing for improved efficiency of operation of the sprayer.

Abstract: A boom mounting assembly for attachment to an agricultural application machine is provided. The assembly includes a boom support frame which is suspended from a primary frame mounted to a chassis. The boom support frame comprises a transverse beam for supporting an intermediate section of a fluid application boom. The suspension mechanism allows both yaw and pitch of boom support frame relative to the primary frame resulting from fore and aft forces on the boom. Dampers are each connected between the primary frame and the boom support frame at a position spaced from the transverse center of the assembly. Damping of pitch and asymmetrical yaw movement of the transverse beam away from a neutral position is controlled by the first and second dampers.

Abstract: An agricultural trailed implement includes a chassis with tongue for hitching to a tractor. A housing is integrated into a loadbearing section of the tongue. A pump or generator is mounted inside the housing and is driven by a PTO shaft connected to an attached tractor. The pump housing may define a sump which provides a fluid reservoir to supply the pump in a hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural application machine includes a chassis which carries a storage tank for the material to be applied. The chassis has a central longitudinal beam from which at least a pair of wheels is suspended. A transversely-extending boom assembly is suspended from the longitudinal beam. An engine is located to one side of the longitudinal beam and has an output drive shaft connected through the longitudinal beam to hydraulic pumps. The narrow chassis allows steerable wheels to be positioned at tolerable track widths while permitting a large steering angle and thus small turning radii.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer boom comprises vertically spaced upper and lower beams extending along the boom and connected by brace members formed from a unitary bent tubular member that is secured to the upper and lower beams, and gripped, by clamps.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer boom comprises vertically spaced upper and lower beams extending along the boom and connected by a plurality of brace members formed from a unitary bent tubular member that is secured to the upper and lower beams, and gripped, by clamps.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer including an applicator boom which itself includes a centre boom frame and a pair of multi-section boom side assemblies. Each side assembly is mounted by a respective hinge to the centre boom frame. Neighbouring boom sections are mutually connected by a hinged joint which permits folding around an upright axis from a deployed operating configuration to a transport configuration. A spring and damper mechanism is associated with the hinged joint for controlling pivoting movement around the upright axis between said two boom sections.