Abstract: A system for distributing particulate material from an agricultural machine includes a fan configured to provide an airflow in a supply line for distributing particulate material, a hydraulic system configured to drive the fan at a plurality of fan speeds, and a control system configured to control the hydraulic system. The control system executes a program stored in a non-transient medium operable to: determine a given product application rate for distributing the particulate material; determine a given ground speed of the agricultural machine; determine a fan speed for achieving the given product application rate at the given ground speed; and control the hydraulic system to drive the fan at the fan speed.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for equalizing airflow in lines delivering product-conveying air to boom sections of an agricultural machine by controlling valves, such as electronically, in each air distribution line to induce additional pressure drops in lines which would cause imbalance in the system. Such valves can include, but are not limited to: ball valves, butterfly valves, gate valves, globe valves, diaphragm valves, pinch valves and/or plug valves. With the proposed system, the lines of least pressure drop can be induced with additional pressure drop by particular valves in order to bring the lines back to a balanced state.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronically controlled valve in each air distribution line for delivering product-conveying air to a boom section of an agricultural machine. The valves can be used to balance airflow between lines by controlling back pressure at the boom sections. In one aspect, an electronically controlled butterfly valve can be installed in each air line between a fan's plenum outlet and a dry product delivery meter. Each valve can be configured to allow some flow when in a closed position. This could be achieved, for example, by configuring a valve plate with a circular perimeter shape that has a smaller diameter than an inner diameter of the line or tube in which the valve plate is mounted.

Abstract: The invention provides a product leveling system within at least one tank or particulate material supply compartment that helps to encourage uniform movement of an agricultural product out of the bottom of the compartment. More specifically, the invention relates to a product leveling system that helps monitor areas in which agricultural product is prone to starving and also prone to accumulation, such that quantities of the agricultural product can be diverted from the areas prone to accumulation to the areas prone to starving. For instance, at least one leveling device having a driving shaft and a helical coil may be rotatably mounted within the compartment and rotated to encourage agricultural product to be moved from areas of accumulation to areas where the agricultural product is more quickly removed, resulting in starving. The product leveling system may include three coils mounted about the compartment.

Abstract: A metering system for distributing particulate material includes a meter housing containing a metering wheel. An inlet and/or outlet of the meter housing provides a projection extending into the opening of the inlet and/or outlet so that the flow of particulate material is optimized. This can provide even distribution of such material, including at low rotating speeds such as 5 RPM, while using a polyurethane metering wheel with straight vanes. In one aspect, projections extending into the inlet on opposing sides can substantially form an hourglass shape, and the outlet can comprise a substantially diagonal shape, analogous to a parallelogram, instead of more traditional rounded/rectangular shapes.

Abstract: The invention provides an unloading system which can be arranged to move a bin or box a distance away from metering equipment of an agricultural machine, such as a dry pneumatic applicator, to allow access to bottom oriented-gates of the bin and retractable chutes for directing particulate material out of the bin and away from the machine. In one aspect, the bin can be lifted or vertically raised by one or more cylinders to allow access to the bottom gates and allow gravity to empty the material from the box, through the bottom gates, down one or more chutes directed to a particular area. One or more hoppers of the bin, typically 1 to 4, can each have a bottom positioned slide gate or door that can be operated to expose a chute for emptying the material out of the box.

Abstract: The invention provides a pneumatic conveying system for an agricultural product applicator, which system comprises multiple fans configured to serve separate boom sections of the applicator to more efficiently conduct airflow with respect to each section. In aspects of the invention, multiple centrifugal fans of the same or similar size can be used, or multiple centrifugal fans of various sizes can be used, such as one or more larger fans and one or more smaller fans. Exemplar aspects could include three small or medium sized centrifugal fans, four small or medium sized centrifugal fans, and five small or medium sized centrifugal fans, thereby allowing the system to raise outlet air pressure at an elevated flow. Another aspect of the invention could include configuring one fan to supercharge another fan, in series, also allowing the system to raise outlet air pressure at an elevated flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronically controlled valve in each air distribution line for delivering product-conveying air to a boom section of an agricultural machine. The valves can be used to balance airflow between lines by controlling back pressure at the boom sections. In one aspect, an electronically controlled butterfly valve can be installed in each air line between a fan's plenum outlet and a dry product delivery meter. Each valve can be configured to allow some flow when in a closed position. This could be achieved, for example, by configuring a valve plate with a circular perimeter shape that has a smaller diameter than an inner diameter of the line or tube in which the valve plate is mounted.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for equalizing airflow in lines delivering product-conveying air to boom sections of an agricultural machine by controlling valves, such as electronically, in each air distribution line to induce additional pressure drops in lines which would cause imbalance in the system. Such valves can include, but are not limited to: ball valves, butterfly valves, gate valves, globe valves, diaphragm valves, pinch valves and/or plug valves. With the proposed system, the lines of least pressure drop can be induced with additional pressure drop by particular valves in order to bring the lines back to a balanced state.

Abstract: The invention provides a metering system for distributing particulate material in which an inlet and/or outlet of a meter housing containing a metering wheel provides a projection extending into the opening of the inlet and/or outlet so that the flow of particulate material is optimized. This can provide even distribution of such material, including at low rotating speeds such as 5 RPM, while using a polyurethane metering wheel with straight vanes. In one aspect, projections extending into the inlet on opposing sides can substantially form an hourglass shape, and the outlet can comprise a substantially diagonal shape, analogous to a parallelogram, instead of more traditional rounded/rectangular shapes.

Abstract: The invention provides a product leveling system within at least one tank or particulate material supply compartment that helps to encourage uniform movement of an agricultural product out of the bottom of the compartment. More specifically, the invention relates to a product leveling system that helps monitor areas in which agricultural product is prone to starving and also prone to accumulation, such that quantities of the agricultural product can be diverted from the areas prone to accumulation to the areas prone to starving. For instance, at least one leveling device having a driving shaft and a helical coil may be rotatably mounted within the compartment and rotated to encourage agricultural product to be moved from areas of accumulation to areas where the agricultural product is more quickly removed, resulting in starving. The product leveling system may include three coils mounted about the compartment.

Abstract: The invention provides a control system configured to start/stop metering of particulate material, upon command from a user, or according to a prescription map, with calculated sequencing and delays for starting/stopping boom sections, in order to achieve a substantially uniform distribution of material along a target line. In one aspect, following a command to stop metering, programming of when meters (corresponding to booms sections) turn off is updated to follow a delayed order according to multiple parameters, including ground speed of the machine, and flow of material, as determined by type of material, fan speed, tube diameter and tube length. The control system can dynamically account for such parameters to determine timing for when boom sections are selectively enabled/disabled to achieve the substantially uniform distribution.

Abstract: The invention provides an unloading system which can be arranged to move a bin or box a distance away from metering equipment of an agricultural machine, such as a dry pneumatic applicator, to allow access to bottom oriented-gates of the bin and retractable chutes for directing particulate material out of the bin and away from the machine. In one aspect, the bin can be lifted or vertically raised by one or more cylinders to allow access to the bottom gates and allow gravity to empty the material from the box, through the bottom gates, down one or more chutes directed to a particular area. One or more hoppers of the bin, typically 1 to 4, can each have a bottom positioned slide gate or door that can be operated to expose a chute for emptying the material out of the box.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control system configured to reference a data structure, such as a look up table, to variably control fan speed based on ground speed of an agricultural machine, independent of engine speed of the machine, to achieve a given application rate for a field. In one aspect, the control system can control a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) solenoid to a pump causing a transfer of a given amount of fluid to achieve a correct fan speed according to the data structure. As a result, fan speeds can be prescribed for any application rate, such as a light application rate of 100 pounds per acre, with slowing the fan down, or a heavy application rate of 1000 pounds per acre, with speeding the fan up, all as a function of ground speed, while decoupled from engine speed.

Abstract: The invention provides a pneumatic conveying system for an agricultural product applicator, which system comprises multiple fans configured to serve separate boom sections of the applicator to more efficiently conduct airflow with respect to each section. In aspects of the invention, multiple centrifugal fans of the same or similar size can be used, or multiple centrifugal fans of various sizes can be used, such as one or more larger fans and one or more smaller fans. Exemplar aspects could include three small or medium sized centrifugal fans, four small or medium sized centrifugal fans, and five small or medium sized centrifugal fans, thereby allowing the system to raise outlet air pressure at an elevated flow. Another aspect of the invention could include configuring one fan to supercharge another fan, in series, also allowing the system to raise outlet air pressure at an elevated flow.

Abstract: A system configured to drive a fan of an agricultural applicator is provided. The fan is mounted on a wheeled chassis assembly propelled via a drive train by an engine in a forward direction of travel. The system includes a hydraulic pump mechanically driven by the engine. The hydraulic pump is connected to drive the fan in creating a pressurized air stream to distribute product from the applicator across a field. The system further includes a stroke limiter mechanically connected to the hydraulic pump. When the engine slows below a threshold speed, the stroke limiter automatically diverts a portion of a power demand by the hydraulic pump via the drive train to drive movement of the wheeled chassis assembly.

Abstract: A system is provided for regulating a ground speed of a vehicle having an engine and a variable transmission that is driven by the engine. The system includes a mode selector that is movable for selection between a high speed mode of operation and a deceleration mode of operation. The system also includes a controller connected in communication with the mode selector and a manual input. The controller is configured to receive and store a deceleration gear value via the manual input for operation of the system. When the mode selector is selectively positioned for the deceleration mode of operation, the controller is operatively connected to cause the engine to operate at a deceleration engine speed value, and to cause the transmission to automatically shift to the deceleration gear value.

Abstract: A frame assembly is configured to enhance control and maneuverability of a three-wheeled agricultural applicator. The frame assembly includes a fork assembly mounted on a single front wheel assembly having a single front floatation tire. The front floatation tire generally includes a tread having a central crown, a first tread face extending in one direction from the crown, and a second tread face extending in a second direction from the crown opposite the first tread face. The frame assembly includes a spindle housing having an opening with a central axis aligned at an angle from vertical and configured to receive a kingpin extending upward from the fork assembly. When turning the agricultural applicator at a turn angle from a straight-forward direction of travel, the angle of the kingpin causes the vertical alignment of the crown of the front tire to roll a roll angle from vertical.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake system configured to enhance control and maneuverability of a three-wheeled agricultural applicator. The brake system includes a brake pedal in fluid communication with a rear brake system and a front brake system. The front brake system includes a flow limiter in communication with a brake actuator configured to delay application of a second braking force by the front brake system relative to application of a first braking force by the rear brake system. The front brake system includes a front brake mechanism comprising a caliper assembly in combination with a disc brake configured to apply the second braking force to the at least one front wheel assembly. The caliper assembly employs a spacer combined with a series of bushings to float the caliper assembly in general alignment with movement of the disc brake caused by dynamic forces associated with operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A three-wheeled agricultural applicator includes a hood assembly with enhanced maneuverability between an open and a closed position. The hood assembly includes a hood and a linkage assembly coupling the hood to a frame assembly of the agricultural applicator. The linkage assembly includes a first pivotal hood coupling assembly, a second pivotal hood coupling assembly, and a third pivotal hood coupling assembly located therebetween, attached to the hood. The linkage assembly further includes a first assist device and a second assist device each attached between the hood and frame assembly. The first and second assist devices are each configured to exert a force to assist the operator in moving the hood from the closed position toward an open position.