Abstract: A cover crop termination system uses heat from a vehicle's exhaust to terminate a cover crop. Preferably, the cover crop termination system is mounted on the front portion of a walk-behind tractor. As the tractor is propelled across a field of cover crops, heat from the vehicle's exhaust is directed to a perforated manifold positioned adjacent to the cover crop so that the exhaust heat terminates the cover crop. The exhaust heat may be supplemented by electrical heaters mounted adjacent to the perforated manifold.

Abstract: Active coulters are integrated into a planter for a walk-behind tractor. The coulters are “active” (rather than passive) because the coulters are powered (i.e. actively rotated) directly by the walk-behind tractor, rather than passively rolling as the tractor is propelled across a field. The active coulters cut cover crop residue on the surface of the field so that the planter seed drill can plant seeds into the soil beneath the (preferably) flattened cover crop residue on the surface of the field.

Abstract: A plug detection system for an agricultural implement with a ground-engaging tool may include a rotational speed sensor, a ground speed sensing system, and a controller. The rotational speed sensor may be configured to detect a rotational speed of the ground-engaging tool. The ground speed sensing system may be configured to detect a ground speed of the agricultural implement. The controller may be in communication with the rotational speed sensor and the ground speed sensing system and may be configured to determine a threshold rotational speed based on the ground speed and send an alert signal when the rotational speed is below the threshold rotational speed.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for anaerobic digestion of digester feed, the apparatus having: (a) a flexible tubular bladder; (b) a digester feed inlet port and tube; (c) a slurry outlet port and tube; and (d) a gas outlet port and tube. The invention also provides a method for using such an apparatus and similar apparatus described within.

Abstract: A gauge wheel for an agricultural implement includes a tire. The tire includes a first circumferential section forming an axially inward portion of the tire. The first circumferential section comprises a lip extending radially outward from the tire and having an axially inward end configured to contact an opener disc. The lip also includes an axially outward end. Also, at least one cutout extends axially between the axially inward end and the axially outward end of the lip. Moreover, the at least one cutout is configured to enable displaced soil to move from the axially inward end to the axially outward end of the lip. The tire also includes a second circumferential section extending from the first circumferential section at the axially outward end of the lip and forming an axially outward portion of the tire.

Abstract: A row unit for an agricultural implement includes a closing disc configured to move soil into a trench. The row unit includes a first arm having a first end coupled to a center portion of a coupling and a second end configured to rotatably couple to a support structure of the row unit. A second arm includes a first end coupled to an outer portion of the coupling and a second end configured to rotatably couple to the support structure. The outer portion of the coupling is rotatable relative to the center portion, and rotation of the outer portion relative to the center portion drives a rotational axis of the closing disc to revolve about a longitudinal axis of the center portion to enable the closing disc to maintain a desired toe angle relative or a desired camber angle as the row unit travels across a field.

Abstract: Disclosed is a distribution device for metering granular material, such as seeds, fertilizer, or the like. The seed drill coulters of this distribution device are supplied with grains from at least one grain storage hopper via respectively separate feed tubes, wherein each of these feed tubes is allocated a metering device and a sensor unit for detecting the grains located in the partial flow. Each sensor unit and each metering device are respectively connected in signaling terms with a central regulating device, which processes the quantities of grains detected in the feed tubes as well as the motor torques measured in the metering devices, and which regulates the grain distances for each metering device by varying the drive speeds of the drives under consideration of target values for the grain distances and/or of target values of a longitudinal distribution of the grains from single, multiple, or all metering devices.

Abstract: A grass trimmer has a main body and a trimming device. The main body has an operating device and a power source. The trimming device has a grass cutting assembly having a cutting member and a power head for rotating the cutting member. The power head has a housing, a rotor assembly and a stator assembly. The housing is formed integrally and defines an accommodation chamber. The rotor assembly is received in the accommodation chamber of the housing and has a rotor sleeve which rotates around an axis. The stator assembly is at least partly received in the rotor sleeve. The rotor assembly further has two or more magnetic pieces disposed at an inner wall of the rotor sleeve. The stator assembly has a stator support and a coil assembly. The stator support includes a mounting portion and a supporting portion. The coil assembly is disposed in the rotor sleeve by the supporting portion.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine comprises an exchangeable crop processing element, which is installed in the interior of the harvesting machine and which is available in different variants, an electronic control unit, which is connected with a data bank in which data concerning the crop processing element are stored, and a reading device, which is set up to interact with an identification element placed on the crop processing element and to transmit an output signal to the control device that clearly identifies the crop processing element during or after an incorporation of a crop processing element into the harvesting machine; with the aid of the signal, the control unit updates the data bank.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a driver assistance system that regulates a spreading on the ground of a crop flow exiting the combine harvester. The driver assistance system includes spreading strategies that can be selected in order to regulate the spreading of the crop flow exiting the combine harvester.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus (5, 7, 9) for treating a crop (21), the apparatus having a longitudinal (L) and a transverse direction (T) and comprising—a cutting device (19), adapted to cut the crop (21)—a pick-up device (27), adapted to pick-up the crop and to move it substantially rearwards in the longitudinal direction. The cutting device (19) is displaceable between a cutting position (23) and a non-cutting position (25). The pick-up device (27) is adapted to pick-up the crop either from the cutting device (19) or from ground (12). The apparatus may further comprise a transport device, a front cover and/or a rear guide. The disclosure further relates to an arrangement comprising such an apparatus and a use of such an apparatus or arrangement.

Abstract: A bale forming apparatus and a bale forming method form cylindrical bales. A bale forming chamber is surrounded by a bale forming mechanism. A bale is formed in this bale forming chamber. This bale is pushed onto a bale supporting construction. This bale supporting construction buffers the bale. A further bale is created in the bale forming chamber. One pushing member pushes the old bale from the bale forming chamber onto the bale supporting construction. This pushing member is connected with a holding device and performs a movement on a circular path for pushing the bale. The drive rotates the holding device around a rotating axis. A pivotal guiding member is pivoted into a guiding position and contributes to provide a bale forming chamber for the new bale.

Abstract: The bale wrapping assembly during at least a part of a wrapping operation intermittently introduces one or more twines into the outer circumferential surface of a completed bale.

Abstract: A crop sensing system for a baler includes a compression system for forming a bale and a feed system for picking up crop from a surface and conveying the crop to the compression system. The crop sensing system includes a sensor arrangement having at least one sensor being coupled to at least one of the compression system or the feed system, wherein the at least one sensor generates a signal corresponding to a crop load on the at least one of the compression system or the feed system. The crop sensing system includes a control unit configured to receive the signal from the sensor arrangement and calculate crop mass data based on at least the signal.

Abstract: An agricultural baler has a baling chamber with a plunger that is provided to reciprocally move in the baling chamber, the baling chamber walls separating the baling chamber from the environment, wherein the baling chamber walls include fluid channels formed at the environment side of the wall and directly adjacent to the baling chamber in such a manner that, during operation of the agricultural baler, heat is transferred from the baling chamber wall to fluid in the fluid channels, and the fluid is moved along said fluid channels during operation of the agricultural baler.

Abstract: A baler having a compression system for forming a bale. The baler also has a feed system having a pack mode for accumulating the crop in a pre-compression chamber and a lift mode for conveying the crop to the compression system. The baler also has a sensor arrangement having at least one sensor generating a signal, the at least one sensor being coupled to the feed system. The signal corresponds to a crop load on the feed system. A control unit is configured to receive the signal from the sensor arrangement and initiate the lift mode based on at least the signal.

Abstract: Loppers include first and second elongated handles that are both directly connected and indirectly connected through a linkage assembly. The first handle has a static blade having a concave shearing edge extending generally transverse from the longitudinal axis of the first handle. The second handle has a curved end portion that curves toward the first handle and is pivotally secured to the static blade. An articulated blade has a convex cutting edge and is rotatably secured to the static blade. A link connects the curved end portion to an end of the articulated blade. Movement of the second handle relative to the first handle pivots the curved end portion about the static blade, thereby moving the cutting edge relative to the shearing edge via the link. The static blade and articulate blade are offset from the handles and extend generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first handle.

Abstract: A lighting system and method for the growing of a plant seedling is disclosed, including at least one light source (30) for illuminating the plant seedling (39) with grow light during growth stages of the plant seedling growth process, and a controller for the controlling the spectral power distribution of the grow light emitted from the light source (30) such that the grow light in at least some growth stages of the plant seedling growth process comprises more energy in the blue wavelength range than in other growth stages of the plant seedling growth process. In use cases where the grow light is supplementing available daylight, an additional sensor (33) may be used to measure the amount and spectral composition of daylight and control the grow light such that spectral power distribution of total light received by the plant seedling is controlled accordingly.

Abstract: Body for cultivation of a plant, comprising a growing medium. The body has a longitudinal axis and an external surface defined by: an upper surface part; a lower surface part opposite to the upper surface part; an outer surface part; and an inner surface part opposite to the outer surface part. In a first transition zone, one longitudinal side of the inner surface part fades into one longitudinal side of the outer surface part and, in a second transition zone, the other longitudinal side of the inner surface part fades into the other longitudinal side of the outer surface part. The body is transformable from a first shape into a second shape. Viewed in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis, the outline of the second shape is determined by the outer surface part. In the first shape, the body is unfolded such that the inner surface part is exposed to the surrounding. In the second shape, the body is folded up such that the inner surface part is folded up onto itself.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for indoor agriculture using at least one growth chamber illuminated by laser light. In an example embodiment of the agriculture system, a growth chamber is provided having one or more walls defining an interior portion of the growth chamber. The agriculture system may include a removable tray disposed within the interior portion of the growth chamber. The agriculture system also includes a light source, which may be disposed outside the growth chamber. The one or more walls may include at least one aperture. The light source is configured to illuminate at least a part of the interior portion of the growth chamber. In embodiments in which the light source is disposed outside the growth chamber, the light source is configured to transmit the laser light to the interior portion of the growth chamber via the at least one aperture.

Abstract: This discloses a device called the vegetable tent. The vegetable tent is made out of various parts that allow for minimal storage space when not in use and can be assembled around a tomato cage (or other support structure) to offer protecting against various fauna, allowing space for the plant to grow and providing easy access to the plant for harvesting.

Abstract: An irrigation mat for supplying fluids for a root region of plants is described, which has at least one lower layer and one upper layer that are each composed of a textile fabric. Between the lower layer and the upper layer, at least one tunnel is provided for accommodating at least one tube, which has exit openings for the fluid. The lower layer and the upper layer are attached to each other over a large area in at least one region outside the tunnels. In addition, an irrigation system is described, which has an irrigation mat of this kind and tubes.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of optical sensors located along at least one pipe segment of a rotating arm that pivots around an irrigation area of a field, the plurality of optical sensors continuously monitors soil and vegetation conditions and transmits sensed data to a central computer, and a plurality of in-ground sensors scattered in the irrigation area of the field, the plurality of in-ground sensors continuously monitors soil conditions and transmits sensed data to a plurality of gateway devices located in the rotating arm, the plurality of gateway devices transmits data from the plurality of in-ground sensors to the central computer where data from the plurality of optical sensors and the plurality of in-ground sensors is integrated with external data to determine water and fertilizer needs based on which an irrigation schedule is created.

Abstract: A drip irrigation system valve for placement directly onto soil, including a valve chamber defining an interior space and having an open bottom in fluid communication with the soil onto which it is placed; a water inlet in fluid communication with said interior space and having a valve seat disposed on an interior end; a base stake connected to said valve chamber for insertion into soil; a platform for supporting an expandable member; an expandable member disposed on said platform within said interior space; a valve membrane disposed within said interior space above said expandable member and having an upper side and a lower side and which defines a water reservoir within said interior space above said upper side and which prevents water entering into said valve chamber and from directly contacting said expandable membrane; and a valve seal disposed on said upper side of said valve membrane immediately above said expandable member for sealing engagement with said valve seat when said expandable member is wett

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for cannabis cultivation using a capillary mat where the capillary mat is capable of simultaneously irrigating cannabis plants and delivering a selected set of nutrients under controlled and reproducible conditions to provide plasticity to express substantially the same cannabinoid components within the cannabis plants.

Abstract: An apparatus for growing plants hydroponically. The apparatus comprises a base or pot portion for receiving a growing media and plant. Formed beneath the base portion is a slotted downspout that is operative to allow water and nutrients into the base and allow the plant roots to grow in their natural orientation. A lid may also be provided, preferably having an aperture formed thereon, for forming a closure about the pot or base portion. In use, growing media and plant are placed in the base. The lid element is then placed upon the top portion of the base or pot and thereafter positioned into any reservoir of suitable size through which water and air will travel to feed the plant via the slotted downspout.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of melon hybrid SV7484MA and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of melon hybrid SV7484MA and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a melon plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another melon plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046668. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046668. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046668 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046668 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are alfalfa varieties with low or reduced lignin content, including an alfalfa seed designated CW 096043 deposited as ATCC Accession Number PTA-122473, an alfalfa seed designated CW 103009 deposited as ATCC Accession Number PTA-122475, an alfalfa seed designated CW 099079 deposited as ATCC Accession Number PTA-122474, an alfalfa seed designated CW 090075 deposited as ATCC Accession Number PTA-122471, an alfalfa seed designated CW 054004 deposited as ATCC Accession Number PTA-122470, an alfalfa seed designated CW 093009 deposited as ATCC Accession Number PTA-122472, and an alfalfa seed designated CW 104015 deposited as ATCC Accession Number PTA-122476.

Abstract: A system includes includes a first milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a first dairy livestock and a second milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a second dairy livestock. The first and second milking box stalls face opposite directions. An equipment portion is located between the first milking box stall and the second milking box stall. A robotic attacher is housed in the equipment portion and configured to service both stalls at different times.

Abstract: The cat tree feeder allows cats to consume their food from an elevated surface without jumping to the floor, walking to the other room, and discover that the dog has eaten all of the cat food. The cat tree feeder was invented to solve the age-old problem that exists with families that own both cats and dogs; is there a simple and convenient way to keep the dog out of the cat food? The cat tree feeder is light-weight and easily attaches to a platform on a cat tree, or the edge of a table surface or the edge of a countertop surface. Additional benefits of the cat tree feeder include; no bending to access and place feeding bowls, inaccessible by small children and crawly insects, and no accidents occur like stepping upon or kicking over of the cat food bowls. The cat tree feeder literally stands above other elevated cat feeders.

Abstract: An insect-proof pet feeder prevents ants and other insects from accessing and contaminating pet food. The pet feeder contains a food feeder and water feeder with feeder lids. The food feeder automatically dispenses food into the food dish. The water feeder automatically dispenses water into the water dish. A water channel surrounds the perimeter of the food dish and creates a mote filled with water to prevent ants and other insects from accessing and contaminating the pet food. The water dish supplies water to the water channel and is elevated to prevent water from traveling back into the water dish.

Abstract: An animal feeder for the feeding of animals in a remote location. The trough of the feeder has a retractable cover controlled by an actuator that is programmable to open the trough to allow feeding and close the trough to prevent feeding over desired intervals.

Abstract: The invention relates to device for soothing and calming an animal. In one embodiment, the device comprises a toy-shaped structure filled with soft stuffing material for an animal to lie against, the filler stuffing material at least partially defining a pouch within a central opening in the toy adapted to removably receive a modular simulator. The modular simulator generating rhythmic soothing acoustic sounds that simulate the actual breathing of the animal's mother and to communicate said breathing sound to the animal when lying against the toy structure. In another embodiment, the sound simulator is disposed in a pouch provided on a harness, the pouch being in proximity to the heart of the animal.

Abstract: A swinging bird perch assembly is provided for birds of various types. The perch assembly includes an arch-shaped frame supporting an elongated rod there between. The frame may be configured as a flat u-shaped lattice structure having a first end attached to a first end of the elongated rod and a second end attached to a second end of the elongated rod. The width of the lattice structure of the frame is adapted to accommodate various birds at one time. An attractant item may dangle from an upper end of the lattice structure. Alternatively, a feeder assembly may be attached to the elongated rod to hold a given quantity of a food source for the bird.

Abstract: A system for clam digging comprising a clam gun and a cart. The cart comprising a set of wheels, a tower, a plate, a lever, and a tether. The lever with a handle and an attachment point at opposite ends and a pivot mechanism in-between the opposite ends, the pivot mechanism coupled to an upper part of the tower. The tether with a first tether end and a second tether end, the first tether end configured for detachably coupling to the attachment point of the lever, wherein the second tether end has a vent hole cover configured for detachably coupling with the tubular handle of the clam gun and covering a vent hole in the tubular handle.

Abstract: A fishing line guide includes an attachment portion, a support leg frame, a support leg portion and a guide ring portion. The support leg frame extends from a base end of the attachment portion and is integrally formed with the attachment portion. The attachment portion and the support leg frame are made of a metallic material. The support leg portion extends from the base end of the attachment portion and is composited with the support leg frame throughout the overall length of the support leg frame. The guide ring portion is located at a tip end of the support leg portion. A fishing line passes through the guide ring portion. The support leg portion and the guide ring portion are partially or wholly made of a plastic material. A sectional area of the support leg frame gradually decreases toward the tip end of the support leg frame.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for spooling line on and off of a reel using a turnbuckle mechanism that is adapted to securely fit between two opposing handles on the reel and includes a power driver attachment for quickly turning the tumbuckle mechanism.

Abstract: A present handle assembly is mounted to a handle shaft of a fishing reel. The handle assembly includes a handle arm and a handle knob. The handle arm is mounted to the handle shaft. The handle knob is mounted to the handle arm. The handle arm herein includes an arm body made of metal and a resin portion. The metallic arm body has a mount part and an arm part. The mount part is mounted to the handle shaft. The arm part is integrally formed with the mount part. The resin portion covers the mount part and at least a part of the arm part.

Abstract: An anti-reverse device for a fishing reel according to an embodiment includes an anti-reverse gear provided on a rotator rotated by a handle operation, an anti-reverse pawl to be engaged with the anti-reverse gear, and a cam controlling engagement and disengagement of the anti-reverse pawl with the anti-reverse gear in accordance with a rotational direction of the rotator. The cam includes a friction clip attached to the rotator and rotating together with the rotator with a friction force between the rotator and the friction clip, and a bias member biasing the friction clip in a direction in which a clamping force of the clip member is increased. The friction clip includes two clip members clipping the rotator, a connecting portion connecting the two clip members so as to be openable and closable, and an engaging portion formed in one of the two clip members to engage with the anti-reverse pawl.

Abstract: A torque limiting device includes a shaft member that is rotatable by torque, a first cam portion, a second cam portion and an urging member. The first cam portion is rotatably mounted to the shaft member. The second cam portion is mounted to the shaft member so as to be unitarily rotatable therewith and be movable along an axial direction of the shaft member. The second cam portion is configured to enable torque transmission between the first cam portion and the second cam portion when engaged with the first cam portion so as to be unitarily rotatable therewith. Additionally, the second cam portion is configured to disable torque transmission between the first cam portion and the second cam portion when disengaged and separated away from the first cam portion along the axial direction. The urging member urges the second cam portion toward the first cam portion.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a fishing accessory (10) which includes a first retaining formation (12), a second retaining formation (14) and a linking formation (16, 18, 20) for interlinking the first and second retaining formations so that they are offset in different planes relative to each other.

Abstract: A wearable barrier against ticks including a section of material, the section of material being flexible so that the section of material can be manipulated to snugly fit around a limb of a user, wherein the section of material is a flat strip or band of material, the section of material including: a first layer, the first layer directly contacting at least one the user's skin, an article of clothing worn by the user, or a combination thereof, and a second layer, the second layer being an adhesive layer disposed on an outer surface of the first layer, wherein the adhesive layer extends completely around the limb of the user to extend a barrier against a tick, such that the tick is trapped on the adhesive layer when the tick comes into direct contact with the adhesive layer, is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A humane repeating animal trap having multiple points of entry and redundant mechanisms which prevent an animal reaching the storage section of the trap from escaping. The trap permits selective viewing of the contents without opening the trap and indicators signaling not only the presence of animals within the trap, but also which of multiple points of entry were used by the animals to enter the trap.

Abstract: A dog repellent system for including in the original construction of, or to be added to an existing vehicle that lacks a protective barrier for operators and passengers, such as bicycles, motorcycles, and the like.

Abstract: A game call striker utilizes a hollow axially opening counter weight to its striker shaft as a chamber within which a weight supported on an axially extending resilient member is mounted in axial alignment with the striker shaft and in non-contacting relation to the walls of said chamber.

Abstract: A decoy or other representation of an animal comprising a substantially planar body cut from a sheet of weatherproof or weather resistant material, the body having a periphery corresponding to the animal, the body having at least a first side having a first printed graphic comprising a photo-realistic image corresponding to one side of the animal, typically also a second side having a second graphic comprising to a photo-realistic image corresponding to an opposite side of the animal. A stake having a first end configured to be removably secured to the body and a second end configured to be secured into the earth may be provided. The body preferably has a relatively low-glare, matte finish coating over the first and second graphics.

Abstract: Organ and tissue preservation solutions having improved formulations. The improved solutions are comprised of two separate solutions. The first solution, is comprised of one or more salts, water, dissolved oxygen, Poly (0-2-hydroxyethyl) starch, lactobionic acid, adenosine, raffinose and allopurinol and said first solution has a pH of at least 7.0;, preferably from about 7.3 to about 8.2; and a second solution comprised of water, and reduce glutathione at a pH of below 7.0, preferably from about 3 to 6 wherein oxygen present in the solution is removed. The two formulations are then mixed together at the point of use resulting in the organ and tissue preservation solution having improved stability and that contains oxygen to prevent ischemia in the preserved organs. The present invention is also comprised of kits that contain the two formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for tissue, such as an allograft, storage and preservation for extended periods of time at room temperature in a sterile tissue culture chamber. The invention further provides a process for maintaining the sterility of tissue using the apparatus as described.

Abstract: An apparatus for perfusing an organ or tissue includes a perfusion circuit for perfusing the organ or tissue; an oxygenator for oxygenating perfusate that circulates through the perfusion circuit; and an oxygen supply device such as an oxygen concentrator or an oxygen generator configured to supply oxygen to the oxygenator. A method of perfusing an organ or tissue includes producing oxygen from a device such as an oxygen concentrator and an oxygen generator; supplying the produced oxygen, preferably as the oxygen is produced, to a perfusate to oxygenate the perfusate; and perfusing the organ or tissue with the oxygenated perfusate. The produced oxygen preferably has a concentration greater than the oxygen concentration in air.