Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a frame having an integrated elongate toolbar carrying at least one row unit, at least one wheel coupled to the frame, a sensor configured to sense a position of the row unit relative to the ground, and an actuator configured to raise or lower the frame relative to the wheel based at least in part on a sensed position of the row unit. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a frame having a tongue hitch for attachment to a towing vehicle, the tongue hitch being oriented along a longitudinal axis inline with the direction of travel. The agricultural machine has an axle mounted to the frame and an arm mounted to the axle. A front spindle is mounted at the front end of the arm with a front tire mounted to the front spindle and a rear spindle is mounted at the rear end of the arm with a rear tire mounted to the rear spindle. The tires are positioned on a same side of the swing arm. The front tire has a different diameter than a diameter of the rear tire.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a longitudinally extending frame configured to be coupled to a tractor, a first elongate toolbar extending laterally outward from the frame and carrying a first row unit, a second elongate toolbar extending laterally outward the frame and carrying a second row unit, a first sensor configured to sense a position of the first row unit relative to ground, a second sensor configured to sense a position of the second row unit relative to the ground, a first actuator configured to rotate the first elongate toolbar relative to the frame based at least in part on the sensed position of the first row unit, and an actuator configured to rotate the second elongate toolbar relative to the frame based at least in part on the sensed position of the second row unit. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a tractor comprising a lifting hitch, and an implement comprising an implement frame carried by the lifting hitch. The implement frame has an integrated elongate toolbar carrying at least one row unit. A sensor is configured to sense a position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground. A control system is configured to receive a signal related to the sensed position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground and cause the lifting hitch to raise or lower a portion of the implement frame connected to the lifting hitch relative to the tractor based at least in part on the signal. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An implement includes an implement frame having an integrated elongate toolbar carrying at least one row unit, at least one wheel coupled to the implement frame and defining an axis of rotation, a sensor configured to sense a position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive a signal related to the sensed position of the at least one row unit relative to the ground and cause a lift system to raise or lower a portion of the implement frame connected to the lift system to rotate the implement frame about the axis of rotation of the at least one wheel based at least in part on the signal. Control systems and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric motor addressing system and method for an agricultural implement receives, at an electronic control unit (ECU), an address claim request from each motor of a plurality of motors coupled to the ECU via a first bus. Each address claim request includes a requested bus address and a binary value corresponding to a pin connector setting associated with a harness connector of the respective motor. The system associates the binary value with a physical address for each motor without reference to the bus address and maps each bus address to the physical address.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a frame having a tongue hitch for attachment to a towing vehicle, the tongue hitch being oriented along a longitudinal axis inline with the direction of travel. The agricultural machine has an axle mounted to the frame and an arm mounted to the axle. A front spindle is mounted at the front end of the arm with a front tire mounted to the front spindle and a rear spindle is mounted at the rear end of the arm with a rear tire mounted to the rear spindle. The tires are positioned on a same side of the swing arm. The front tire has a different diameter than a diameter of the rear tire.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a frame having a tongue hitch for attachment to a towing vehicle, the tongue hitch being oriented along a longitudinal axis inline with the direction of travel. The agricultural machine has running gear configured to support the frame. The running gear includes an axle mounted to the frame and a swing arm pivotably mounted to the axle defining a main pivot axis. A front spindle is mounted at the front end of the swing arm with a front tire mounted to the front spindle and a rear spindle is mounted at the rear end of the swing arm with a rear tire mounted to the rear spindle. The tires are positioned on a same side of the swing arm. The front tire has a smaller diameter than a diameter of the rear tire.

Abstract: An electric motor addressing system and method for an agricultural implement receives, at an electronic control unit (ECU), an address claim request from each motor of a plurality of motors coupled to the ECU via a first bus. Each address claim request includes a requested bus address and a binary value corresponding to a pin connector setting associated with a harness connector of the respective motor. The system associates the binary value with a physical address for each motor without reference to the bus address and maps each bus address to the physical address.

Abstract: An electric motor addressing system and method for a planter implement receives, at an electronic control unit (ECU), an address claim request from each motor of a plurality of motors coupled to the ECU via a first bus. Each address claim request includes a requested bus address and a binary value corresponding to a pin connector setting associated with a harness connector of the respective motor. The system associates the binary value with a physical address for each motor without reference to the bus address and maps each bus address to the physical address.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a frame having a tongue hitch for attachment to a towing vehicle, the tongue hitch being oriented along a longitudinal axis inline with the direction of travel. The agricultural machine has running gear configured to support the frame. The running gear includes an axle mounted to the frame and a swing arm pivotably mounted to the axle defining a main pivot axis. A front spindle is mounted at the front end of the swing arm with a front tire mounted to the front spindle and a rear spindle is mounted at the rear end of the swing arm with a rear tire mounted to the rear spindle. The tires are positioned on a same side of the swing arm. The front tire has a smaller diameter than a diameter of the rear tire.

Abstract: An electric motor addressing system and method for a planter implement receives, at an electronic control unit (ECU), an address claim request from each motor of a plurality of motors coupled to the ECU via a first bus. Each address claim request includes a requested bus address and a binary value corresponding to a pin connector setting associated with a harness connector of the respective motor. The system associates the binary value with a physical address for each motor without reference to the bus address and maps each bus address to the physical address.

Abstract: A particulate delivery system for use with a mobile machine includes a particulate placement mechanism for placing particulate material in the ground in a single row as the machine travels along the ground, a plurality of particulate sources and a plurality of particulate meters. Each of the particulate meters operates independently and is configured to deliver particulate material from one of the particulate sources to the particulate placement mechanism for placement in the row. A controller may be configured to control a plurality of drive mechanisms, each drive mechanism associated with one of the particulate meters. The controller may also be configured to receive position information from a position determining device and to control operation of the drive mechanisms according to the position information and according to a field prescription.

Abstract: A seed delivery mechanism for an agricultural planter that receives seeds from a seed meter of the planter and delivers the seeds to a seed trench as the planter moves in a planting direction has a first endless belt trained about a first drive pulley and a second endless belt trained about a second drive pulley. The first and second drive pulleys rotate the first and second endless belts to provide confronting belt segments that form a seed delivery path between a conveyor entry point and a release point. The first and second endless belts are configured with a downward reach oriented to move seeds predominantly downward and a rearward reach oriented to move the seed predominantly rearward. The rearward reach provides a rearward velocity component to seeds at the release point that offsets a forward velocity of the planter as the planter moves in the planting direction.

Abstract: A metering device (24) for an agricultural planter (10) has a metering chamber (80) with a seed discharge (98) area and a metering disc (66) rotatable within the metering chamber (80). The metering disc (66) has plurality of seed pockets (68) for carrying seeds on the metering disc (66), the seed pockets (68) being disposed at mutually spaced locations about the metering disc (66). The metering disc also has a magnetic drive ring (136) in the outer periphery of the metering disc (66). The metering device also has a stator positioned adjacent the metering disc. The stator (132) interacts with the magnetic drive ring (136) to rotate the metering disc (66) within the metering chamber (80) such that the seed pockets (68) move successively in proximity to the discharge area (98) during rotation of the metering disc (66).

Abstract: A seed delivery mechanism for an agricultural planter that receives seeds from a seed meter of the planter and delivers the seeds to a seed trench as the planter moves in a planting direction has a first endless belt trained about a first drive pulley and a second endless belt trained about a second drive pulley. The first and second drive pulleys rotate the first and second endless belts to provide confronting belt segments that form a seed delivery path between a conveyor entry point and a release point. The first and second endless belts are configured with a downward reach oriented to move seeds predominantly downward and a rearward reach oriented to move the seed predominantly rearward. The rearward reach provides a rearward velocity component to seeds at the release point that offsets a forward velocity of the planter as the planter moves in the planting direction.

Abstract: A metering device (24) for an agricultural planter (10) has a metering chamber (80) with a seed discharge (98) area has and a metering disc (66) rotatable within the metering chamber (80). The metering disc (66) h a plurality of seed pockets (68) for carrying seeds on the metering disc (66), the seed pockets (68) being disposed at mutually spaced locations about the metering disc (66). The metering disc also has a magnetic drive ring (136) in the outer periphery of the metering disc (66). The metering device also has a stator positioned adjacent the metering disc. The stator (132) interacts with the magnetic drive ring (136) to rotate the metering disc (66) within the metering chamber (80) such that the seed pockets (68) move successively in proximity to the discharge area (98) during rotation of the metering disc (66).

Abstract: An apparatus and method to precisely meter and dispense two or more crop inputs with a common metering disc is presented to achieve proper placement in the soil relative to one another. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to precisely meter and dispense two or more crop inputs with a common metering disc is presented to achieve proper placement in the soil relative to one another. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials.

Abstract: A metering disk for dispensing two or more crop inputs to achieve proper placement in the soil relative to one another. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials.