Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

Abstract: Use of a liquid fuel composition in an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine containing a lubricating composition for lubricating said internal combustion engine, wherein the liquid fuel composition comprises at least one nitrogen-containing detergent additive, for the purpose of reducing engine wear caused by the presence of soot in the lubricating composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods related to agricultural planters. In some implementations, the row unit includes a soil engaging member, where the soil engaging member engages at least one sidewall of a trench and displaces soil from the sidewall to cover the seed. In further implementations, the row unit includes a sensing system for sensing sidewall compaction and/or soil moisture.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring soil properties including soil moisture, soil electrical conductivity and soil temperature during an agricultural input application. Embodiments include a soil reflectivity sensor and/or a soil temperature sensor mounted to a seed firmer for measuring moisture and temperature in a planting trench. A thermopile for measuring temperature via infrared radiation is described herein. In one example, the thermopile is disposed in a body and senses infrared radiation through an infrared transparent window. Aspects of any of the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in or communicate with an agricultural intelligence computer system as described herein.

Abstract: A system that is able to vary a depth of a row cleaner by adjusting a downforce applied to the row cleaner to promote planting at a desired seed depth and soil moisture.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory and a hardware processor that receives a query from a device. The query includes first search parameters. The processor also retrieves, from a database and based on the first search parameters, a plurality of previously issued queries and applies a machine learning algorithm on the plurality of previously issued queries to determine second search parameters. The processor further adds the second search parameters to the query to form an enhanced query and communicates the enhanced query to a plurality of response systems. The processor then receives, from the plurality of response systems, a plurality of responses to the enhanced query, constructs, based on the plurality of responses to the enhanced query, an enhanced response to the query, and communicates the enhanced response to the device for selection of a response from the plurality of responses.

Abstract: A terminal or coupling portion at the end of an elongated strap member is configured with a plurality of apertures to adjust the overall strap length by engaging in a mating connector. The mating connector is configured to reveal an external marking of size or dimensions that is externally visible adjacent each aperture when the connector and elongated strap are engaged. In preferred embodiments the terminal or coupling portion of the strap is constructed of a laminated material elastic member to provided suitable pliability to engage the mating connector but with a fabric covering bonded to opposing side to be resilient to eventual tearing or damage from adjustment or use.

Abstract: An ultrasound system for imaging a target is provided.

Abstract: Use of a liquid fuel composition in an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine containing a lubricating composition for lubricating said internal combustion engine, wherein the liquid fuel composition comprises at least one nitrogen-containing detergent additive, for the purpose of reducing engine wear caused by the presence of soot in the lubricating composition.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for imaging and characterizing a soil surface and a trench in the soil surface formed by an agricultural implement. The sensors are disposed on the agricultural implement in data communication with a processor to generate the soil surface and trench images which may be displayed to the operator. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more time of flight cameras for determining a depth of the trench and other characteristics of the surrounding soil surface and the trench, including detection of seeds, soil or other debris in the trench and moisture lines within the trench. The system may control operating parameters of the implement based on the generated images.

Abstract: A tillage implement comprising a frame operably supporting tillage tools, and a soil monitoring system comprising instrumentation operably supported from the frame and disposed to detect soil criteria before, after, or before and after the soil is tilled by the tillage tools. The soil criteria detected is at least one of surface residue criteria, soil clod size criteria, and soil shatter criteria.

Abstract: A system for sensing characteristics of a trench in a soil surface during planting operations. A trench opening assembly opens a trench in the soil surface as the trench opening assembly moves in a forward direction of travel. A trench closing assembly disposed rearward of the trench opening assembly closes the opened trench with soil. One or more sensors may be disposed on an appurtenance disposed in said trench configured to provide characteristics of an area of the open trench or an area of the trench closed with soil by the trench closing assembly or a sensor may be disposed outside of said trench configured to provide characteristics of an area of the trench closed with soil or a combination of the sensors may be disposed in the trench and outside of the trench.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

Abstract: A tillage implement comprising a frame operably supporting tillage tools, and a soil monitoring system comprising instrumentation operably supported from the frame and disposed to detect soil criteria before, after, or before and after the soil is tilled by the tillage tools. The soil criteria detected is at least one of surface residue criteria, soil clod size criteria and soil shatter criteria.

Abstract: A pant suspender device has a front strap that is connected to the center of the front of the wearer's pants at the front button or snap that is above the zipper. The opposite end of the suspender is a back strap that connects to the back center of the pants, such as the center belt loop, with a rear fastener. The opposing ends of the front and back strap that extend to above the pants then connect to each other via a left and right straps, each of which extend over an opposing shoulder of the wearer. The rear strap may be readily disengaged from the belt loop via alternative rear fasteners or the rear fastener can be disengaged from the rear strap by unsnapping a webbing member that passes through a slot in the rear fastener.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

Abstract: A soil apparatus (e.g., seed firmer) having a locking system is described herein. In one embodiment, the soil apparatus includes a lower base portion for engaging in soil of an agricultural field, an upper base portion, and a neck portion having protrusions to insert into the lower base portion of a base and then lock when a region of the upper base portion is inserted into the lower base portion and this region of the upper base portion presses the protrusions to lock the neck portion to the upper base portion.