Abstract: An agricultural row unit adapted to be moved over soil by an agricultural planter to clear crop residue includes a residue clearing disk or brush. The row unit may include a motor to drive rotation of a crop residue disk or brush. The agriculture row unit may also include a controller configured to adjust the operating speed of the motor in response to factors internal and/or external to the agricultural row unit. The factors may include at least one of a speed of the agricultural planter along the row, a height of crop residue disk or brush the relative to a surface of the soil, a height of the crop residue disk or brush relative to a surface of the soil, amount of crop residue in the row, and a downforce pressure on the row unit.

Abstract: A seeding machine moves over the ground and includes a frame, at least one hopper containing seeds to be planted and planting row units connected to the frame. Each of the row units includes a seed metering device that separates and guides individual seeds into a planting position, and a shaft that reciprocates with respect to the frame through a stroke path. The stroke path includes extension towards the ground to a lowered position and retraction away from the ground to a raised position. The shaft engages one of the seeds from the planting position while the shaft is near the raised position. The shaft moves the one of the seeds downward while the shaft extends toward the ground to create an opening in the ground by pressing the one of the seeds into ground while the shaft is near the lowered position.

Abstract: A planter for planting seeds in the ground including a seed meter configured to provide a regulated flow of seeds, and a seed conduit defining a first portion of a flow path configured to transport the seeds from the seed meter towards the ground. The planter also includes a seed guide having an aperture in fluid communication with the seed conduit, the seed guide defining a second portion of the flow path configured to transport the seeds from the seed conduit towards the ground, and a shaft configured to reciprocate with respect to the seed guide through a stroke path towards and away from the ground. The shaft is configured to create a discrete hole in the ground for one of the seeds. A side of the shaft is configured to inhibit the one of the seeds from entering the second portion of the flow path until the shaft retracts past the aperture.

Abstract: An encapsulated seed planting device for planting a seed that is encapsulated in a water soluble cover. The encapsulated seed planting device comprises a frame and a support device for supporting the frame above a surface. A planting unit is provided that comprises a cartridge for receiving the seed. A compression device is coupled to the cartridge for holding the seed. A piston is positioned in a facing relationship with the cartridge. The piston is configured to push the seed out of the cartridge and into the surface. A cylinder is positioned in a facing relationship with the piston. The cylinder is configured to move the piston. A control device is provided for controlling operation of the cylinder.

Abstract: An encapsulated seed comprises a seed. A shell is coupled to the seed. The shell comprises a binder for orienting the seed in a desired position relative to the shell. The shell may further comprise a fertilizer for providing aid to the seed. The shell may also comprise an alignment feature.

Abstract: A field planting system for planting seeds of at least two plant genotypes in a field includes a multi-variety planter operable to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field. The field planting system also includes a controller in operable communication with the multi-variety planter. The controller is configured to receive georeferenced field information for the field and plant information for the at least two plant genotypes, and generate a planting map for the field based on the georeferenced field information and the plant information, the planting map including a planting pattern for interplanting the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes. The controller is further configured to monitor a location of the multi-variety planter in the field, and control the multi-variety planter to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field according to the planting map.

Abstract: A crop feeler device comprising a rod. A pivot device is coupled to the rod. The pivot device is configured to pivot in two opposing directions. A housing is rotatably coupled to the pivot device. A pair of torsion devices is positioned colinearly on the pivot device. The torsion devices are configured to return the rod to a central position after a pivot of the pivot device. A rotary sensor is positioned to measure a rotation of the pivot device or the rod as the rod moves from the central position.

Abstract: A crop feeler device comprising a rod. A pivot device is coupled to the rod. A bottom plate is positioned in a facing relationship with the pivot device. The pivot device is configured to pivot in two opposing directions. A pair of stretchable devices is positioned on opposing sides of the bottom plate. The stretchable devices are configured to return the rod to a central position after a pivot of the pivot device. A top plate is positioned in a facing relationship with the pivot device. A rotary sensor is positioned to measure a rotation of the pivot device or the rod as the rod moves from the central position.

Abstract: A crop feeler device comprising a rod. A base is coupled to the rod. A housing is positioned in a facing relationship with the base. The base is configured to pivot in two opposing directions relative to the housing. A compression device is positioned within a portion of the housing. A guide is positioned within a portion of the housing and in a facing relationship with the compression device. A cable is coupled to at least one of the rod or the base and to the guide. A sensor is positioned to measure a sensing distance from the sensor to at least one of the guide, the cable, or the compression device as the compression device is compressed as the base pivots relative to the housing.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to house a vehicle, including a first container leg disposed on a first corner of a first container, a second container leg disposed on a second corner of the first container, a third container leg disposed on a third corner of the first container, a fourth container leg disposed on a fourth corner of the first container, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth container legs each having an upper portion with a ramped receiving slot and a lower portion with a first ramped foot, and wherein the ramped receiving slot is to receive a protrusion associated with a second ramped foot of a second container different from the first container.

Abstract: A field planting system for planting seeds of at least two plant genotypes in a field includes a multi-variety planter operable to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field. The field planting system also includes a controller in operable communication with the multi-variety planter. The controller is configured to receive georeferenced field information for the field and plant information for the at least two plant genotypes, and generate a planting map for the field based on the georeferenced field information and the plant information, the planting map including a planting pattern for interplanting the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes. The controller is further configured to monitor a location of the multi-variety planter in the field, and control the multi-variety planter to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field according to the planting map.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit adapted to be moved over soil by an agricultural planter to clear crop residue includes a residue clearing disk or brush. The row unit may include a motor to drive rotation of a crop residue disk or brush. The agriculture row unit may also include a controller configured to adjust the operating speed of the motor in response to factors internal and/or external to the agricultural row unit. The factors may include at least one of a speed of the agricultural planter along the row, a height of crop residue disk or brush the relative to a surface of the soil, a height of the crop residue disk or brush relative to a surface of the soil, amount of crop residue in the row, and a downforce pressure on the row unit.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit adapted to be moved over soil by an agricultural planter to clear crop residue includes a residue clearing disk or brush. The row unit may include a motor to drive rotation of a crop residue disk or brush. The agriculture row unit may also include a controller configured to adjust the operating speed of the motor in response to factors internal and/or external to the agricultural row unit. The factors may include at least one of a speed of the agricultural planter along the row, a height of crop residue disk or brush the relative to a surface of the soil, a height of the crop residue disk or brush relative to a surface of the soil, amount of crop residue in the row, and a downforce pressure on the row unit.

Abstract: A field planting system for planting seeds of at least two plant genotypes in a field includes a multi-variety planter operable to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field. The field planting system also includes a controller in operable communication with the multi-variety planter. The controller is configured to receive georeferenced field information for the field and plant information for the at least two plant genotypes, and generate a planting map for the field based on the georeferenced field information and the plant information, the planting map including a planting pattern for interplanting the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes. The controller is further configured to monitor a location of the multi-variety planter in the field, and control the multi-variety planter to plant the seeds of the at least two plant genotypes in the field according to the planting map.

Abstract: A seeding machine moves over the ground and includes a frame, at least one hopper containing seeds to be planted and planting row units connected to the frame. Each of the row units includes a seed metering device that separates and guides individual seeds into a planting position, and a shaft that reciprocates with respect to the frame through a stroke path. The stroke path includes extension towards the ground to a lowered position and retraction away from the ground to a raised position. The shaft engages one of the seeds from the planting position while the shaft is near the raised position. The shaft moves the one of the seeds downward while the shaft extends toward the ground to create an opening in the ground by pressing the one of the seeds into ground while the shaft is near the lowered position.

Abstract: A row unit for a work vehicle includes a row unit frame with a closer frame. The closer frame defines a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The closer frame is supported for rotational movement about a substantially vertical steering axis to vary a turning angle between the longitudinal axis the vehicle longitudinal axis. The row unit includes a closer implement assembly with first and second closer implements and a walking beam construction. The first and second closer implements are attached to opposite areas of the walking beam construction. The walking beam construction is rotationally attached to the closer frame to support rotation of the closer implement assembly about the transverse axis. The first and second closer implements are configured to move ground material into a ground opening from opposites sides as the work vehicle moves across the field.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to house a vehicle, including a first container leg disposed on a first corner of a first container, a second container leg disposed on a second corner of the first container, a third container leg disposed on a third corner of the first container, a fourth container leg disposed on a fourth corner of the first container, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth container legs each having an upper portion with a ramped receiving slot and a lower portion with a first ramped foot, and wherein the ramped receiving slot is to receive a protrusion associated with a second ramped foot of a second container different from the first container.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a first link to rotate about a pin joint, a second link rotatably coupled to the first link, the second link having a nozzle at a first end and a weight at a second end opposite the first end, and a fluid inlet including a funnel portion and an opening, the funnel portion having a conical taper converging towards the opening.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to house a vehicle, including a first container leg disposed on a first corner of a first container, a second container leg disposed on a second corner of the first container, a third container leg disposed on a third corner of the first container, a fourth container leg disposed on a fourth corner of the first container, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth container legs each having an upper portion with a ramped receiving slot and a lower portion with a first ramped foot, and wherein the ramped receiving slot is to receive a protrusion associated with a second ramped foot of a second container different from the first container.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a first link to rotate about a pin joint, a second link rotatably coupled to the first link, the second link having a nozzle at a first end and a weight at a second end opposite the first end, and a fluid inlet including a funnel portion and an opening, the funnel portion having a conical taper converging towards the opening.