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 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.

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 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 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: 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 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 suspension module includes a spindle pivotably connected to an axle with a pivot element defining a vertical axis. The spindle has an attachment member and an attachment cap, with outer ends are rigidly interconnected by a pair of lift cylinders. The spindle includes a plate extending between the lift cylinders intermediate the attachment member and cap with the pivot element received between the attachment member and plate. Each lift cylinder has a ram movable within a housing of the lift cylinder. A wheelbox mounts to the wheel and couples with the spindle. First and second strut rods connect the wheelbox with the ram of one of the lift cylinders, and third and fourth strut rods connect the wheelbox with the ram of a second lift cylinder. The strut rods allow the spindle to move relative to the wheelbox while also transferring pivot torque between the wheelbox and the spindle.

Abstract: A suspension module includes a spindle pivotably connected to an axle with a pivot element defining a vertical axis. The spindle has an attachment member and an attachment cap, with outer ends are rigidly interconnected by a pair of lift cylinders. The spindle includes a plate extending between the lift cylinders intermediate the attachment member and cap with the pivot element received between the attachment member and plate. Each lift cylinder has a ram movable within a housing of the lift cylinder. A wheelbox mounts to the wheel and couples with the spindle. First and second strut rods connect the wheelbox with the ram of one of the lift cylinders, and third and fourth strut rods connect the wheelbox with the ram of a second lift cylinder. The strut rods allow the spindle to move relative to the wheelbox while also transferring pivot torque between the wheelbox and the spindle.