Abstract: Methods and systems for applying a uniform layer of a substance such as a hydrogel or other fluid substance beneath a soil surface with minimal or little surface disturbance to the plants, the plant roots and the soil located on or slightly below the applied surface area. Embodiments include injecting a fluid substance into soil using at least one injector probe, a driver to drive the at least one injector probe into and out of the soil to and from a target depth, and a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the at least one injector probe about a central axis from one angular position to another angular position at the target depth.

Abstract: A method for transporting harvested crops from a field includes the step of providing a conveyor belt disposed adjacent a plurality of crops (such as alongside a row of crops or in-between rows). The conveyor belt has a spool attached thereto about which the conveyor belt can be wound. A winder is provided and has an attachment for receiving the spool. The spool is attached to the winder and, when crops being harvested are disposed on the conveyor belt, the winder is used to wind the conveyor belt around the spool, thereby transporting crops to the winder.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and a system are provided to create a uniform layer of a substance such as a hydrogel or other fluid substance underneath the soil surface with minimal or little surface disturbance to the plants, the plant roots and the soil located on or slightly below the applied surface area. It is to be clearly understood that various different embodiments may be employed to deliver a variety of different substances to the soil, and such substances may be gels or liquids. The presently preferred fluid substance is currently a hydrogel, and the present illustrated and described embodiment may be employed to inject hydrogel into soil but other fluid substances may be injected as well.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and a system are provided to create a uniform layer of a substance such as a hydrogel or other fluid substance underneath the soil surface with minimal or little surface disturbance to the plants, the plant roots and the soil located on or slightly below the applied surface area. It is to be clearly understood that various different embodiments may be employed to deliver a variety of different substances to the soil, and such substances may be gels or liquids. The presently preferred fluid substance is currently a hydrogel, and the present illustrated and described embodiment may be employed to inject hydrogel into soil but other fluid substances may be injected as well.

Abstract: A device for removing plants or portions of plants from the plant bed includes a frame having forward and rearward ends, and first and second containment coulters attached to the frame in side-by-side alignment. The first and second containment coulters define a space between them. A rotary cutter is rotatably attached to the frame rearward of the first and second containment coulters. A portion of the rotary cutter extends into the space between the first and second containment coulters. The rotary cutter includes a plurality of teeth along a peripheral edge thereof. A shroud is attached to the frame and extends over at least a portion of the containment coulter pair and the rotary cutter. The shroud includes side walls that extend downward from the top of the shroud along at least a portion of the height of the pair of containment coulters and the rotary cutter.

Abstract: A device for cutting the tops of crops in a crop bed includes a separator having an inlet, an outlet and an interior space defined between the two. A fan is in fluid communication with the separator and creates an air stream that flows into the separator inlet, through the interior space of the separator, and out the separator outlet. The air stream has an upstream end at or near the separator inlet, where air is pulled into the separator, and a downstream end at or near the fan and continuing beyond. A cutter is positioned upstream of the separator inlet. When the device is in operative position over a crop bed, the air stream lifts the tops of the crops into position to be cut by the cutter. The air stream carries the cut tops away from the crop bed.

Abstract: A method for transporting harvested crops from a field includes the step of providing a conveyor belt disposed adjacent a plurality of crops (such as alongside a row of crops or in-between rows). The conveyor belt has a spool attached thereto about which the conveyor belt can be wound. A winder is provided and has an attachment for receiving the spool. The spool is attached to the winder and, when crops being harvested are disposed on the conveyor belt, the winder is used to wind the conveyor belt around the spool, thereby transporting crops to the winder.

Abstract: A device for removing plants or portions of plants from the plant bed includes a frame having forward and rearward ends, and first and second containment coulters attached to the frame in side-by-side alignment. The first and second containment coulters define a space between them. A rotary cutter is rotatably attached to the frame rearward of the first and second containment coulters. A portion of the rotary cutter extends into the space between the first and second containment coulters. The rotary cutter includes a plurality of teeth along a peripheral edge thereof. A shroud is attached to the frame and extends over at least a portion of the containment coulter pair and the rotary cutter. The shroud includes side walls that extend downward from the top of the shroud along at least a portion of the height of the pair of containment coulters and the rotary cutter.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and a system are provided to create a uniform layer of a substance such as a hydrogel or other fluid substance underneath the soil surface with minimal or little surface disturbance to the plants, the plant roots and the soil located on or slightly below the applied surface area. It is to be clearly understood that various different embodiments may be employed to deliver a variety of different substances to the soil, and such substances may be gels or liquids. The presently preferred fluid substance is currently a hydrogel, and the present illustrated and described embodiment may be employed to inject hydrogel into soil but other fluid substances may be injected as well.

Abstract: A device for removing plant material from a plant bed. In one embodiment, the device includes a frame with an oscillating cutter attached thereto. The oscillating cutter is disposed such that a cutting portion thereof is beneath the surface of a plant bed when the device is in use. A conveyor is also attached to the frame, the nose of the conveyor being disposed beneath the surface of the plant bed. As the device moves along a plant bed, the oscillating cutter cuts plant material, which is scooped up by the nose of the conveyor and transported to a desired location.

Abstract: A device for removing plant material from a plant bed. In one embodiment, the device includes a frame with an oscillating cutter attached thereto. The oscillating cutter is disposed such that a cutting portion thereof is beneath the surface of a plant bed when the device is in use. A conveyor is also attached to the frame, the nose of the conveyor being disposed beneath the surface of the plant bed. As the device moves along a plant bed, the oscillating cutter cuts plant material, which is scooped up by the nose of the conveyor and transported to a desired location.

Abstract: A device for producing a root rope includes a transport path for suspending a carrier line thereabove, root material being deposited on the carrier line. A winding apparatus receives the carrier line and also receives at least one wrapping material. The winding apparatus uses a winding motion to wrap the wrapping material around the root material and carrier line, securing the root material to the carrier line and creating the “root rope.” A reel receives the root rope from the winding apparatus, the reel using a rotating motion to wrap the root rope around the reel.

Abstract: A device for producing a root rope includes a transport path for suspending a carrier line thereabove, root material being deposited on the carrier line. A winding apparatus receives the carrier line and also receives at least one wrapping material. The winding apparatus uses a winding motion to wrap the wrapping material around the root material and carrier line, securing the root material to the carrier line and creating the “root rope.” A reel receives the root rope from the winding apparatus, the reel using a rotating motion to wrap the root rope around the reel.