Abstract: An electrical control system comprises a display device to display data and at least one sensor to detect or measure a duty cycle and to detect or measure a pulse frequency from a sensor output for sensing flow of a product or particle through a product or particle line of an agricultural implement. Processing logic is coupled to the at least one sensor. The processing logic is configured to determine an amount of product or particles flowing through the product or particle line of the agricultural implement based on the measured duty cycle and the measured pulse frequency of the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a meter module wherein the meter module comprises: an opening; a bottom opening; a metering mechanism disposed in the meter module; a bottom plate to selectively open and close the bottom opening; and a load cell for measuring a mass of material in the meter module, the method comprising: starting the metering mechanism to flow material through the meter module; at any time before counting, closing the bottom opening with the bottom plate; during a counting time, counting a number of metering units of the metering mechanism and measuring an amount of material with the load cell; and calculating an amount of mass per metering unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic system comprises a display device to display data and processing logic coupled to the display device. The processing logic is configured to determine a duty cycle of at least one sensor for sensing flow of a product or particle through a product or particle line of an agricultural implement and to determine an amount of product or particles flowing through a line of the agricultural implement based on the duty cycle of the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A seed meter (100) includes a housing (110) and a cover (112). A seed disc (130) is rotatably disposed between the housing (110) and the cover (112). The housing (110) includes a seed pool area (114) and a seed exit chute (104) separated by a generally vertical brush (212) on a seed-side of the seed disc (130). A seed retaining structure (200) disposed on the seed-side of the seed disc (130) within the housing (110) prevents the seed within the seed pool area (114) from passing over the generally vertical brush (212) from the seed pool area (114) into the seed exit chute (104) when the seed meter (100) is tilted or rotated.

Abstract: A meter module (200A, 200B, 200) for metering a product in communication with the meter module (200A, 200B, 200). The meter module (200A, 200B, 200) includes a meter housing portion (203) and a lower chamber portion (205), the meter housing portion (203) having a top opening (204) through which the product enters the meter housing portion (203). A metering mechanism is disposed in the meter housing portion (203) and is driven by an electric motor (216). As the metering mechanism is driven, the metering mechanism meters the product into the lower chamber portion (205), the metered product exits the lower chamber portion (205) through a bottom opening (158, 208) in the lower chamber portion (205). The lower chamber portion (205) may include a flow sensor and/or internal structure (260) to capture and weigh the metered product before exiting through the bottom opening (158, 208).

Abstract: An air seeder row unit includes a bracket configured to be attached to a frame of an air seeder, a support arm pivotally coupled to the bracket, a force device pivotally connected to the bracket and to the support arm, and a load sensor disposed adjacent the force device and configured to measure a load of the force device on the support arm. The support arm carries an opener disc and a gauge wheel, and the opener disc is configured to open a seed trench in a soil surface as the row unit travels in a forward direction of travel. An agricultural seeding implement includes a frame configured to be pulled through an agricultural field with a plurality of such row units coupled to the frame. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrical control system (400, 450) comprises at least one sensor (800, 900) that is configured to illuminate multiple light sources (924, 926) with each light source having a different wavelength and to sense one or more products (832) flowing in a product line (822, 922) of an agricultural implement (10, 1240). Processing logic (416, 1226) is coupled to the at least one sensor and the processing logic is configured to obtain sensor data from the at least one sensor, to determine response signals for each product when illuminated based on the sensor data, and to analyze the response signals for each product to determine product characteristics including color of each product to distinguish each product.

Abstract: An electrical control system comprises a display device to display data and at least one sensor to detect or measure a duty cycle and to detect or measure a pulse frequency from a sensor output for sensing flow of a product or particle through a product or particle line of an agricultural implement. Processing logic is coupled to the at least one sensor. The processing logic is configured to determine an amount of product or particles flowing through the product or particle line of the agricultural implement based on the measured duty cycle and the measured pulse frequency of the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A downforce load sensor for a planter row unit includes a load sensing connector rod coupled with a depth selector of the planter row unit. The load sensing connector rod is disposed to receive a load applied by a stop member supported on the row unit frame, the stop member being in abutment with an abutment member of a gauge wheel arm of a furrow opening assembly of the planter row unit. The load sensing connector rod generating load signals corresponding to a downforce applied to the soil by the gauge wheels of the furrow opening system of the planter row unit.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a meter module wherein the meter module comprises: an opening; a bottom opening; a metering mechanism disposed in the meter module; a bottom plate to selectively open and close the bottom opening; and a load cell for measuring a mass of material in the meter module, the method comprising: starting the metering mechanism to flow material through the meter module; at any time before counting, closing the bottom opening with the bottom plate; during a counting time, counting a number of metering units of the metering mechanism and measuring an amount of material with the load cell; and calculating an amount of mass per metering unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic system comprises a display device to display data and processing logic coupled to the display device. The processing logic is configured to determine a duty cycle of at least one sensor for sensing flow of a product or particle through a product or particle line of an agricultural implement and to determine an amount of product or particles flowing through a line of the agricultural implement based on the duty cycle of the at least one sensor.

Abstract: The disclosure provides basemats for fibrous panels, including a mineral wool present in an amount of at least about 60 wt %, based on the total weight of the basemat, a mineral filler, a cellulose present in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 3 wt %, based on the total weight of the basemat, and a binder. The basemat has a backing side and a facing side. Also provided are fibrous panels including the basemat of the disclosure and a porous veil.

Abstract: Air seeders that have force actuators acting on the firming implement and/or the closing wheel to adjust the downforce. In one example, the seeding implement includes a support arm having first and second portions. A finning implement support arm is pivotally connected to the support arm second portion at a first pivot at a first end of the finning implement support arm. A firming implement force actuator is pivotally connected to the support arm second portion at a first end of the firming implement force actuator and connected to the firming implement support arm at the second end of the firming implement force actuator.

Abstract: Air seeders that have force actuators acting on the firming implement and/or the closing wheel to adjust the downforce. In one example, the seeding implement includes a support arm having first and second portions. A finning implement support arm is pivotally connected to the support arm second portion at a first pivot at a first end of the finning implement support arm. A firming implement force actuator is pivotally connected to the support arm second portion at a first end of the firming implement force actuator and connected to the firming implement support arm at the second end of the firming implement force actuator.

Abstract: Described herein are air seeders that have force actuators acting on at least one of the firming implement and closing wheel to adjust for a specified downforce on at least one of the firming implement and the closing wheel. In one example, a seeding implement includes a support arm having a support arm first portion and a support arm second portion. A firming implement support arm is pivotally connected to the support arm second portion at a first pivot at a first end of the firming implement support arm. A firming implement force actuator is pivotally connected to the support arm second portion at a first end of the firming implement force actuator and connected to the firming implement support arm at the second end of the firming implement force actuator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic system comprises a display device to display data and processing logic coupled to the display device. The processing logic is configured to determine a duty cycle of at least one sensor for sensing flow of a product or particle through a product or particle line of an agricultural implement and to determine an amount of product or particles flowing through a line of the agricultural implement based on the duty cycle of the at least one sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an air seeder tower includes a valve with an actuator, and a closed loop feedback control with a sensor to control actuation of the valve to control air flow out of the air seeder vent tower.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for monitoring one or more agricultural implements during agricultural operations and for monitoring operator performance criterion. In some embodiment, the operator performance criterion may be reported to a monitor on the agricultural implement as well as a remote fleet monitor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an air seeder tower includes a valve with an actuator, and a closed loop feedback control with a sensor to control actuation of the valve to control air flow out of the air seeder vent tower.

Abstract: An assembly for demonstrating sound transmission properties includes a base portion and a tray portion partially defining a transmission aperture is removably inserted into a portion of the base portion. A first sound-reducing tile having a first sound transmission property is placed in the tray portion and a sound generating device disposed in an interior volume of the base portion emits sound that is attenuated by the first sound-reducing tile as the sound exits the transmission aperture. A second sound-reducing tile having a second sound transmission property is placed in the tray portion and the sound generating device disposed in the interior volume of the base portion emits sound that is attenuated by the second sound-reducing tile as the sound exits the transmission aperture. A sound measuring device disposed outside the interior volume device can compare the first and second sound transmission properties.