Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver coupled to a near field communication (NFC) coupler located on the substrate. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a field confiner located between the NFC coupler and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy emanated from the NFC coupler through the port region to a port region of an adjacent module. A reflective surface is positioned adjacent the backside of each NFC coupler to reflect back side electromagnetic towards the port region.

Abstract: An electronic start system for an agricultural machine is configured to enable the machine to stop the engine while continuing to power onboard electronics and start the engine so long as one or more sensed conditions are met. The system can include a key lock operated by a physical key held by an operator and a button which can be pressed by the operator. The system can also include one or more sensors disposed on the machine for detecting various conditions. When the key is turned on, power can be provided to the onboard electronics, regardless of the state of the engine. Thereafter, when the button is pressed, the engine can be turned on if the one or more sensed conditions are satisfied, such as detecting a closed door, an operator in a seat, an activated brake, and so forth.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X18M726 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X18M726 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X18M726 through backcrossing or genetic transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are described. Maize variety X18M726, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X18M726 are provided. Methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X18M726 and methods of using maize variety X18M726 are disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver coupled to a near field communication (NFC) coupler located on the substrate. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a field confiner located between the NFC coupler and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy emanated from the NFC coupler through the port region to a port region of an adjacent module. The port region is offset laterally from the NFC coupler. The field confiner is skewed to provide a pathway between the NFC coupler and the port region.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver coupled to a near field communication (NFC) coupler located on the substrate. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a field confiner located between the NFC coupler and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy emanated from the NFC coupler through the port region to a port region of an adjacent module. An artificial magnetic conductor surface is positioned adjacent the backside of each NFC coupler to reflect back side electromagnetic energy with a phase shift of approximately zero degrees.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X18K375 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X18K375 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X18K375 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X18K375, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X18K375. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X18K375.

Abstract: A drill head including: an elongate housing, a first end of the housing being coupled to an end of a drill pipe in use; a base at a second end of the housing, one or more drill cutters being attached to the base; a supply passageway at least partially within the housing, the supply passageway being supplied with a flow of gas in use; a return passageway at least partially within the housing, a first end of the return passageway being connected to an end of an inner tube extending inside the drill pipe in use, and a second end of the return passageway forming an opening in the base proximate to the one or more drill cutters; and one or more ports for directing at least some of the flow of gas from the supply passageway into the return passageway in a flow direction extending away from the base and towards the inner tube, to thereby cause loose material to be drawn into the return passageway through the opening and transported away from the drill head via the inner tube in use.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X18M736 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X18M736 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X18M736 through backcrossing or genetic transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are described. Maize variety X18M736, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X18M736 are provided. Methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X18M736 and methods of using maize variety X18M736 are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X18H535 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X18H535 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X18H535 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X18H535, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X18H535. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X18H535.

Abstract: Agricultural machines such as sprayers can be improved by providing a control system configured to adjust an engine cooling package fan with variable speeds, to thereby minimize parasitic losses, based on progress of the HVAC system for attaining a desired temperature in the operator cab. In one aspect, as a gap between actual and desired temperatures (temperature differential) in the cab minimizes, the cooling package fan can be variably adjusted to increase or decrease in speed, depending on heating or cooling occurring in the cab, respectively. However, if a temperature of an area in the engine compartment reaches a predetermined threshold, such variable speed control can cease, and the cooling package fan can instead be controlled to cool the area.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver coupled to a near field communication (NFC) coupler located on the substrate. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a field confiner located between the NFC coupler and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy emanated from the NFC coupler through the port region to a port region of an adjacent module. An artificial magnetic conductor surface is positioned adjacent the backside of each NFC coupler to reflect back side electromagnetic energy with a phase shift of approximately zero degrees.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a tapered near field communication (NFC) field confiner located between the substrate and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy produced by the RF transmitter to the port region so that it can be emanated to a port region of an adjacent module.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver coupled to a near field communication (NFC) coupler located on the substrate. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a field confiner located between the NFC coupler and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy emanated from the NFC coupler through the port region to a port region of an adjacent module. The port region is offset laterally from the NFC coupler. The field confiner is skewed to provide a pathway between the NFC coupler and the port region.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver coupled to a near field communication (NFC) coupler located on the substrate. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a field confiner located between the NFC coupler and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy emanated from the NFC coupler through the port region to a port region of an adjacent module. A reflective surface is positioned adjacent the backside of each NFC coupler to reflect back side electromagnetic towards the port region.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a tapered near field communication (NFC) field confiner located between the substrate and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy produced by the RF transmitter to the port region so that it can be emanated to a port region of an adjacent module.

Abstract: Agricultural machines such as sprayers can be improved by providing a pressure relief system in the operator cab to allow the operator cab to be pressurized while avoiding over-pressurization. The pressure relief system can be arranged to allow air to freely escape from the operator cab during what would otherwise be an over-pressurization event, such as a door or window being closed. In one aspect, the pressure relief system can include a spring-loaded pressure relief valve configured to passively allow air to escape from the cab in order to maintain a cab pressure at or below a predetermined threshold, such as 100 Pascals. In addition, interior and exterior pressures can be monitored for implementing a closed loop control for the pressurization system to enable a more comfortable experience for the operator.

Abstract: An electronic start system for an agricultural machine is configured to enable the machine to stop the engine while continuing to power onboard electronics and start the engine so long as one or more sensed conditions are met. The system can include a key lock operated by a physical key held by an operator and a button which can be pressed by the operator. The system can also include one or more sensors disposed on the machine for detecting various conditions. When the key is turned on, power can be provided to the onboard electronics, regardless of the state of the engine. Thereafter, when the button is pressed, the engine can be turned on if the one or more sensed conditions are satisfied, such as detecting a closed door, an operator in a seat, an activated brake, and so forth.

Abstract: Agricultural machines such as sprayers can be improved by providing a control system configured to adjust an engine cooling package fan with variable speeds, to thereby minimize parasitic losses, based on progress of the HVAC system for attaining a desired temperature in the operator cab. In one aspect, as a gap between actual and desired temperatures (temperature differential) in the cab minimizes, the cooling package fan can be variably adjusted to increase or decrease in speed, depending on heating or cooling occurring in the cab, respectively. However, if a temperature of an area in the engine compartment reaches a predetermined threshold, such variable speed control can cease, and the cooling package fan can instead be controlled to cool the area.

Abstract: Agricultural machines such as sprayers can be improved by providing pressure sensors inside and outside of the operator cab, a cab sensor for sensing an open or closed state of the operator cab, and a controller configured to activate/deactivate an airflow system according to the pressure sensors and the cab sensor. Accordingly, the controller can activate the airflow system to provide a positive pressure differential in the operator cab (higher pressure in the operator cab/lower pressure external to the operator cab), and deactivate the airflow system when the operator cab is in the open state to maximize the life of the system.

Abstract: A fault detection system for an agricultural machine is configured to display to an operator a virtual layout of fuses and/or relays for the machine in an arrangement corresponding to an actual/physical layout of the fuses and/or relays on the machine. The system can monitor for fault conditions of the fuses and/or relays, and display a location of a fuse or relay corresponding to a physical location of where the faulty fuse or relay can be found from among other fuses and/or relays. A faulty fuse and/or relay can be highlighted, such as by changing a color of the fuse and/or relay, for rapid identification. The system can also display a list providing descriptions for the fuses and/or relays to assist with fault resolution.