Abstract: A nozzle assembly for use with an agricultural crop sprayer includes a nozzle body and a turbine element journaled to the body. The turbine element has a fluid-conveying internal passage having a rifled profile. Other nozzle assemblies have a nozzle tip journaled to a nozzle body, and the nozzle tip has a fluid-carrying passage with a surface profile configured to interact with fluid passing therethrough to apply a torque on the nozzle tip.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a boom for a sprayer vehicle, comprising: a fluid-carrying medium; one or more first nozzles fluidly coupled to the fluid-carrying medium; and plural unmanned aerial vehicles tethered together, the plural unmanned aerial vehicles each comprising plural fans, wherein the one or more first nozzles are arranged to discharge material through one or more fans of the plural fans.

Abstract: A wheel-mounting assembly for a utility vehicle includes a chassis and a wheel support assembly mounted to respective outboard ends of first and second telescopic axle assemblies. The first and second telescopic axle assemblies are laterally spaced from one another and are each secured to the chassis. The first and second telescopic axle assemblies each include a respective actuator arranged to control extension and retraction thereof for steering and track-width control.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a boom for a sprayer vehicle, comprising: a fluid-carrying medium; one or more first nozzles fluidly coupled to the fluid-carrying medium; and plural unmanned aerial vehicles tethered together, the plural unmanned aerial vehicles each comprising plural fans, wherein the one or more first nozzles are arranged to discharge material through one or more fans of the plural fans.

Abstract: A boom for a sprayer vehicle includes a fluid-carrying medium; at least one nozzle fluidly coupled to the fluid-carrying medium; and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle tethered to the fluid-carrying medium. The at least one unmanned aerial vehicle includes a plurality of fans, and the nozzle is arranged to discharge material through a fan. Related methods and sprayer vehicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ladder system includes a rail, a ladder bracket supported by and configured to slide along the first rail and the second rail, a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position, and a bumper coupled to the ladder and configured to apply a force to a bumper stop when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder bracket from sliding along the rail. An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels, and a ladder system carried by the chassis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for use with an agricultural crop sprayer includes a nozzle body and a turbine element journaled to the body. The turbine element has a fluid-conveying internal passage having a rifled profile. Other nozzle assemblies have a nozzle tip journaled to a nozzle body, and the nozzle tip has a fluid-carrying passage with a surface profile configured to interact with fluid passing therethrough to apply a torque on the nozzle tip.

Abstract: A wheel-mounting assembly for a utility vehicle includes a chassis and a wheel support assembly mounted to respective outboard ends of first and second telescopic axle assemblies. The first and second telescopic axle assemblies are laterally spaced from one another and are each secured to the chassis. The first and second telescopic axle assemblies each include a respective actuator arranged to control extension and retraction thereof for steering and track-width control.

Abstract: A wheel-mounting assembly for a utility vehicle includes a chassis and a wheel support assembly mounted to respective outboard ends of first and second telescopic axle assemblies. The first and second telescopic axle assemblies are laterally spaced from one another and are each secured to the chassis. The first and second telescopic axle assemblies each include a respective actuator arranged to control extension and retraction thereof for steering and track-width control.

Abstract: A ladder system includes a rail, a ladder bracket supported by and configured to slide along the first rail and the second rail, a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position, and a bumper coupled to the ladder and configured to apply a force to a bumper stop when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder bracket from sliding along the rail. An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels, and a ladder system carried by the chassis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ladder system includes a fixed support, a ladder bracket supported by the fixed support, a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position, and an air spring coupling the ladder to the ladder bracket and configured to apply a force to the ladder when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder in the lowered position. An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels, and a ladder system carried by the chassis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprising a reel, a tether configured to be wound about the reel, and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle attached to the tether. When unmanned aerial vehicle is at rest, the unmanned aerial vehicle resides on the reel. Related methods of operating such a system can be used to extract crop from a field.

Abstract: An agricultural applicator machine has a frame and at least one horizontally extending boom assembly. The boom assembly pivots to a folded position in which it is secured in a boom-cradle mechanism. The boom-cradle mechanism includes a crossmember and a boom rest at an outer end of the crossmember, the boom rest having a rigid inboard boom stop, a rigid outboard boom stop, and a saddle portion. The inboard boom stop extends from the saddle portion in an out-of-phase configuration relative the outboard boom stop. The boom-cradle mechanism has a locking assembly having an actuator assembly configured to rotate the crossmember, and thus the cradle boom rest. The actuator assembly connects to the crossmember through a linkage assembly. The actuator assembly causes the crossmember to rotate causing the boom rest to move between an open position and a locked position.

Abstract: A wheel-mounting assembly for an agricultural utility vehicle includes a chassis and a telescopic axle arrangement fixed to the chassis. The telescopic axle arrangement includes an inner axle telescopically received in an outer axle, which is fixed to the chassis. A wheel-support assembly is mounted to an outboard end of the inner axle. A steering-control actuator is connected between the inner axle and the wheel-support assembly. The steering-control actuator is connected to the inner axle through an opening provided in the outer axle, which allows the steering-control actuator to translate together with the inner axle when track width is adjusted.

Abstract: A ladder system includes a fixed support, a ladder bracket supported by the fixed support, a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position, and an air spring coupling the ladder to the ladder bracket and configured to apply a force to the ladder when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder in the lowered position. An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels, and a ladder system carried by the chassis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ladder system includes a first rail, a second rail parallel to the first rail, a ladder bracket supported by and configured to slide along the first rail and the second rail, a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position, and an air spring coupling the ladder to the ladder bracket and configured to apply a force to the ladder when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder in the lowered position. Another ladder system includes a rail, a bumper stop below the rail, a ladder bracket, a ladder, a bumper, and an air spring. An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels, and a ladder system carried by the chassis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural applicator machine has a frame and at least one horizontally extending boom assembly. The boom assembly pivots to a folded position in which it is secured in a boom-cradle mechanism. The boom-cradle mechanism includes a crossmember and a boom rest at an outer end of the crossmember, the boom rest having a rigid inboard boom stop, a rigid outboard boom stop, and a saddle portion. The inboard boom stop extends from the saddle portion in an out-of-phase configuration relative the outboard boom stop. The boom-cradle mechanism has a locking assembly having an actuator assembly configured to rotate the crossmember, and thus the cradle boom rest. The actuator assembly connects to the crossmember through a linkage assembly. The actuator assembly causes the crossmember to rotate causing the boom rest to move between an open position and a locked position.

Abstract: A system comprising a reel, a tether configured to be wound about the reel, and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle attached to the tether. When unmanned aerial vehicle is at rest, the unmanned aerial vehicle resides on the reel. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A crop-extraction system includes a crop-conveying medium, a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles tethered together and configured to suspend the crop-conveying medium in air, and at least one crop-extraction device configured to extract crop and transfer the crop to the crop-conveying medium. Other crop-extraction systems include a ground vehicle carrying a storage bin, a crop-conveying medium coupled to the ground vehicle, and an unmanned aerial vehicle coupled to the crop-conveying medium and configured to extract crop and transfer the crop to the crop-conveying medium for deposit into the storage bin. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sprayer vehicle includes a chassis having a longitudinal axis and supported by a plurality of wheels, a boom carried by the chassis, and a pivoting mechanism. The boom has a first boom extension and a second boom extension, each carrying a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge material. The pivoting mechanism is configured to co-linearly orient the first boom extension at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the chassis and the second boom extension at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the chassis. Other sprayer vehicles are configured to discharge material while the wheels of the sprayer are oriented at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the chassis. Control systems and methods are also disclosed.