Abstract: A garden row making tool is disclosed comprising of a plurality of uniquely designed blades coupled to a rail. The rail shaft is coupled to the rails' center of balance. The rail shaft is elongated with a handle shaft extension designed so that the tool can be comfortably held, easily pulled, safely maneuvered and easily turned with a human hand. The tool creates multiple sets of deep, straight, evenly spaced, rows of furrows and mounds of proportional depth, height and spacing. With a pivot action of the tool, new sets of rows are seamlessly joined to the previously created rows, so that the resulting rows will facilitate the garden layout plan, the seeding process, the conservation of irrigation water as well as the harvesting process. There is no blade located in the middle of the tool. All respective parts of the tool can be easily coupled, by hand, making the inventive, row making tool user friendly, effective, efficient, and portable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a wear coating to the back side of a wear part.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a ripper used penetrate and break up soil that includes a leading edge configured to decrease wear and reduce drag, while providing superior performance. The ripper is comprised of a main body, a top cap, a wing, and a bracket.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a plant maintenance apparatus to move along a plant or line of plants. The apparatus has a support frame to connect to a prime mover to move the apparatus. A sensing member is mounted from the frame, to contact and be deflected by the plant as the apparatus is moved. A sensor to senses the deflection and if the deflection is above a threshold it issues a signal to an actuator. There is a near ground member, mounted from and moving with the frame. The near ground member acted on by the actuator, so that when the threshold is met the near ground member moves to a first position away from the plant when immediately adjacent thereto, and then moves to a second position once past said plant.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the downforce applied to an agricultural implement having multiple row units

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a depth control system in which a position sensor directly measures linear translation of a hydraulic cylinder that lifts and lowers a work unit on an implement frame to set and adjust the depth of the work unit without the use of a rockshaft. The position sensor may be positioned adjacent to or integrally formed with the hydraulic cylinder, and provides a voltage to a controller remote from the implement. The controller automatically adjusts the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic cylinder to maintain the depth of each work unit at an operator-selected level and can be used to calibrate the actual position of multiple work units relative to the frame and to one another.

Abstract: Embodiments include a ground scout having an ability to identify the location of rows of crops and the end of the rows so that it can navigate, but in other embodiments, the ground scout can also rely more on an aerial drone to navigate, to act as a communication relay system, and so on. A buddy system including a ground scout and an air scout (e.g. drone) communicate their findings with each other.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle platform system and method configured to perform various in-season management tasks, including selectively applying fertilizer, mapping growth zones and seeding cover crop within an agricultural field, while self-navigating between rows of planted crops and beneath the canopy of the planted crops on the uneven terrain of an agricultural field, allowing for an ideal in-season application of fertilizer to occur once the planted crop is well established and growing rapidly, in an effort to limit the loss of fertilizer.

Abstract: A seed meter is disclosed as having resilient tines for eliminating multiple seeds from being disposed for planting. As the seeds are displaced along a seed path, the resilient tines contacts the additional seeds with a force so as to dislodge additional seeds while not dislodging seeds wherein individual seeds are present. This helps in planting the seeds individually and sequentially.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for metering granular material, such as seeds, fertilizer, or the like, in particular within a distribution unit or sowing unit of a distribution machine or sowing machine as well as a corresponding metering apparatus. By way of the method, the granular material being carried and conveyed by an airflow and/or by its own kinetic energy is directed through a feed tube into a metering unit, where it is guided along an approximately circular arc path and tangentially directed into an outlet tube, which is adjacent to the metering unit and which runs, at least in a section, slightly curved. The granular material being approximately evenly spaced and/or evenly metered and conveyed in an outer area of the curved outlet tube is at least partially carried by the airflow being discharged and exiting the metering unit through the outlet tube.

Abstract: An air flow control system for an agricultural product delivery system is provided. The control system a sensor disposed within, along, or just before a secondary distribution manifold for measuring an air flow pressure therein and generating a signal in response to the air flow pressure in the secondary distribution manifold. A controller is operatively connected to the sensor and configured to receive the signal and to adjust the air flow pressure to the secondary distribution manifold in response to the signal.

Abstract: A material distribution system includes: a chassis; a material tank carried by the chassis and configured to hold a material; and a header configured to receive and distribute material from the material tank entrained in an air flow. The header includes: a header body having a pair of sidewalls, an inlet configured to receive entrained material from the material tank and a plurality of outlets, the sidewalls defining a width therebetween that increases from the inlet toward the plurality of outlets; a valve associated with an outlet that is configured to switch between a distributing position and a purging position, the valve blocking its outlet in the purging position; and a plenum having a volume of air that is selectively in fluid communication with the plurality of outlets to provide a purging air flow to the outlet with the associated valve when the valve is in the purging position.

Abstract: By varying the agricultural product application rates when a product delivery system travels through predetermined overlap areas, the drawbacks of over seeding such overlap areas may be substantially reduced. As a result, a product delivery system may travel without stopping meter sections and without dragging a seeding tool through a completely seeded region.

Abstract: A system for planting cover crop seeds in fields with standing row crops. A high-clearance agricultural vehicle is provided with a high-clearance toolbar. The system is provided with soil sealers. A seeder with a reciprocating seeder is provided above the soil sealers to deliver various types of seeds onto the disrupted soil, after which the soil sealers cover the seeds with soil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for monitoring and controlling activities of at least one gardening tool (12) within at least one activity zone (14). According to the invention, a monitoring device (16) is provided for analyzing at least one activity zone state of the activity zone (14) and at least one gardening tool state of the gardening tool (12) to control the gardening tool (12).

Abstract: An agricultural cutting blade has top and bottom surfaces and mounting apertures extending through top and bottom surfaces. A cutting edge support surface (e.g. that may be a flat, pointed or rounded) is formed on the cutting blade body with the cutting edge support extending along a side of the cutting blade body transversely between the top and bottom surfaces. A clad material deposited upon the cutting edge support such as by laser cladding process. The clad material can be built up, that is layered in partial or full overlapping relation to provide at least 2 and often more than 4 layers of clad material at one or more locations. A cutting edge provided by the clad material that may be a ground surface into a laser clad bead.

Abstract: A lawn care device may include a cutting deck housing at least one blade, a rotatable shaft, and a blade mount perably coupled to the rotatable shaft. The blade mount may include a clasp to secure the at least one blade within an engagement slot of the blade mount. The cover assembly may form a cavity with at least one sidewall extending substantially around a periphery of the blade mount.

Abstract: A plain mower includes a plurality of rotary cutters for cutting a crop and a swathing unit for forming the cut crop material into a swath. The swathing unit includes an auger that rotates about an axis to transport crop material axially through the swathing unit. The swathing unit can be configured in a first configuration in which the crop material is ejected axially from the auger, and can be reconfigured in a second configuration in which the crop material is ejected radially from the auger.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method particularly well suited for cutting vegetation and applying chemical fluids to the stump efficiently over wide areas, particularly with common mechanical devices such as sickle bar trimmers, rotary mowers, and flail mowers. Furthermore, the chemical fluids are precisely applied to the desired vegetation stumps so that the biomass has low chemical residue and the chemicals does not disturb the soil. Therefore, the biomass is preserved, soil residues are reduced, chemical waste is reduced, undesired vegetation is treated with a correct dosage, and manual labor is dramatically reduced. Thus, the soil residues are reduced and the biomass is preserved for further downstream processes.

Abstract: Method for packing harvested berries directly into clamshell packages during hand harvesting by a harvester. The harvester utilizes a new open-topped harvesting apparatus that has a plurality of bottom assemblies for supporting a shipping tray that contains a plurality of clamshell packages. The open-topped harvesting apparatus further includes a plurality of front and rear end wall assemblies affixed perpendicular to the bottom assembly. A first side wall assembly is affixed perpendicular to the bottom assemblies and affixed to the plurality of end wall assemblies. A second side wall assembly is affixed perpendicular to the bottom assemblies and affixed to the end wall assemblies. The second side wall has two belt notch-like loops for allowing the carrier to be secured on a harvester's belt; and the second side wall further including an arch-shaped side supporter for maintaining the bottom assemblies substantially horizontal to the ground when worn by the harvester.

Abstract: A system including one or more first carriers each configured to carry two or more robotic systems. The system also can include one or more second carriers configured to be coupled to a vehicle that is movable across a surface. Each of the one or more first carriers each can be movably coupled to and carried by one of the one or more second carriers. The system can be configured to automatically hold each of the one or more first carriers in a first carrier position and stationary with respect to the surface for a first time period while the vehicle moves the one or more second carriers in a first direction with respect to the surface, such that at least a portion of each of the two or more robotic systems carried by each of the one or more first carriers is carried in a stationary manner with respect to the surface for the first time period by each of the one or more first carriers. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle including a body, a plurality of wheels movably coupled to the body, a guidance control system. The plurality of wheels can be configured to roll through rows between plant beds such that at least a portion of the body moves above the plant beds. The guidance control system can be configured to guide the vehicle along the rows. The guidance control system can be configured to track a different individual plant location of each individual plant of plants that are either planned for growth or growing in the plant beds. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A system including a foliage displacement system. The foliage displacement system can include a support structure and two or more surfaces movably coupled to the support structure and configured to move between an open configuration of the foliage displacement system and a closed configuration of the foliage displacement system. The two or more surfaces can be configured to move foliage of a plant toward a center of the plant such that crops of the plant that underlie the foliage are exposed when the foliage displacement system moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A system including a picking apparatus including a plurality of grippers each spaced apart and extending radially from a central axis of the picking apparatus, and each configured to pick a different individual crop of crops of plants. The picking apparatus can be configured to use a first one of the plurality of grippers to pick a first individual crop of the crops at a first time. During a second time period that starts with a second one of the plurality of grippers picking a second individual crop of the crops and ends with a third one of the plurality of grippers picking a third individual crop of the crops, the picking apparatus can be configured to offload the first individual crop from the first one of the plurality of grippers. The second time period can start after the first time. The second and third ones of the plurality of grippers can be configured to hold the second and third individual crops, respectively, at the end of the second time period. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A combine harvester including a frame, threshing apparatus, a grain cleaning system, and, a feederhouse pivotally mounted to the frame on a transverse lift axis. The feederhouse includes a conveyor for conveying cut crop material from a fore opening to an aft opening. The feederhouse is configured to support a cutting header at its forward end. The grain cleaning system includes a transverse cross-flow fan having a debris screen protecting an air inlet channel. The debris screen includes a plurality of elongate transverse screen elements each being mounted to the frame so as to provide a degree of vertical movement freedom with respect to the frame. At least one elastic member is connected between the underside of the feederhouse and the frame and connects the plurality of screen elements. At least one elastic member is stretched as the feederhouse is raised and the vertical spacing between the plurality of screen elements increases.

Abstract: A combine harvester including a frame, threshing apparatus, a grain cleaning system, and a feederhouse pivotally mounted to the frame on a transverse lift axis. The feederhouse includes a conveyor for conveying cut crop material from a fore opening to an aft opening. The feederhouse is configured to support a cutting header at its forward end. The grain cleaning system includes a transverse cross-flow fan having a debris screen protecting an air inlet channel. The debris screen is pivotally mounted along a first transverse edge to the frame and along a second transverse edge to the underside of the feederhouse. One of the first transverse edge and second transverse edge is slideably mounted to the frame or feederhouse respectively to permit the feederhouse to be raised and lowered around the lift axis.

Abstract: A square baler has a press channel, a knotter arranged on the press channel, a blower and flow guide element, which is moveable between a first position, in which the flow guide element directs a blowing air stream of the blower onto the knotter, and at least one second position, in which the flow guide element directs the blowing air stream past the knotter.

Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a processing conveyance that is positioned between a pickup roll and a main bale chamber for conveying crop material from the pickup roll to the main bale chamber. The processing conveyance includes at least one of a bottom wall and side wall having at least one sieve with a plurality of openings extending through the sieve. The openings are sized and configured for allowing non-crop material to exit from the at least one processing conveyance through the openings.

Abstract: A bale processor (10) of a type for tearing apart a bale of forage material into filamentary material includes a shredder rotor (13) with blades that remove filamentary portions of the bale and delivers such filamentary material directly to a multiple fan blower (14a/14b) for blowing such filamentary material directly to and out of a delivery chute (15). An independent dual discharge feature permits discharge out of either side and/or one or more blowers placed closer to the shredder rotor can be used independently of the dual discharge feature and the multiple fan blower feature.

Abstract: Starch from the aquatic plant duckweed (Spirodela Polyrhiza) is fermented to produce an organic protein meal for feedstock. Fermentation is accomplished first by grinding the collected duckweed (lemna) then by the addition of 2 enzymes (e.g., Alpha Amylase and Glucomylase) in a cooker. Yeast is added in the fermenter to produce ethanol. The solids are centrifuged out after distillation of the ethanol through a stripper column. After the ethanol is stripped the solids are centrifuged out and the remaining thin stillage is recycled back to the aquatic plant growing area. This high nitrogen organically produced thin stillage provides 100% of the nitrogen needed to grow the Aquatic plant, so the process can be made 100% self-sustaining and certified organic.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for accelerating growth of plants in a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse or an algae pond. The method comprises reversibly adsorbing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide containing gas, such as ambient air or a flue gas; desorbing the adsorbed carbon dioxide; and releasing the desorbed carbon dioxide into the controlled environment. In a preferred embodiment water vapor is also adsorbed from the carbon dioxide containing gas and recovered as liquid water. The liquid water can be used in the plant growing process.

Abstract: A plant growing system is provided and includes a liquid supply/drain floor system including a first liquid holding tank and a second liquid holding tank adjacent and attached to the first liquid holding tank, a framed structure assembly attached to the first liquid holding tank and the second liquid holding tank, a lighting system attached to the framed structure assembly, and a cover that covers the framed structure. The first liquid holding tank and the second liquid holding tank also function as a floor of the plant growing system.

Abstract: A greenhouse includes housing walls delimiting a growing space for growing plants, an air mixing chamber for conditioning of air, air distribution for distributing conditioned air from the air mixing chamber into the growing space along the plants, a re-circulation air connection connecting the growing space to the air mixing chamber for having used air flow from the growing space back into the air mixing chamber, an ambient air inlet connecting the environment to the air mixing chamber for having ambient air flow from the environment into the air mixing chamber, and a heating unit for heating of air. The heating unit is located at the ambient air inlet for heating ambient air before it gets mixed in the air mixing chamber with used air.

Abstract: A cage for a piece of produce is formed from a metal mesh to prevent pests such as birds, rodents, and other small animals from reaching the piece of produce. The cage may be positioned about the piece of produce while still on the plant from which it is growing. The cage may have an opening to allow the stem of the piece of produce to pass therethrough. The cage may have a latch to hold the cage closed. The cage may include two or more pieces of metal mesh which may be hinged together.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for an in-ground sprinkler to controller a liquid flow rate through a chamber, while reducing or eliminating leakage. Embodiments may utilize a flat, external surface that is configured to be flush with a ground surface to control the liquid flow rate through the in-ground sprinkler. In embodiments, a permanent magnet may be positioned on the flat, external surface to control an internal patch system. Responsive to the permanent magnet controlling the internal patch, liquid flowing through the chamber may be controlled.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for deploying infrastructures for variable rate water distribution systems. Embodiments of the present invention can afford users with the ability to control water distribution as well as modify existing infrastructures to meet dynamic target water distribution area demands. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may be used to provide users with accessibility to components for expedited servicing, modification, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for a variable rate water distribution system. Embodiments of the present invention can afford users with the ability to variably deliver water to portions of the variable rate water distribution system. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide users with the ability to flush portions of the variable rate water distribution system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for irrigating soils and crops are described. The irrigation system may include a center pivot irrigation system and at least one irrigation apparatus. The irrigation apparatus may include at least one side frame, at least one back frame, at least one boom assembly, at least one means for enabling the apparatus to move, and/or at least one means for configuring the apparatus to the center pivot irrigation system. The disclosure may reduce and/or eliminate rut formation.

Abstract: A field irrigation interface display method constituted of: receiving an indication of an irrigation status of a respective one of a plurality of soil-topography zones of a field; controlling a display of a user device to display a graphical illustration of the field split into the plurality of soil-topography zones; controlling the display of the user device to display thereover an informational graphical illustration associated with the received indication of the respective soil-topography zone; controlling the display of the user device to display a first actionable graphical illustration of a first irrigation attribute of the respective soil-topography zone; and responsive to a user gesture at any one of the displayed first actionable graphical illustrations, outputting a first irrigation adjustment signal arranged to adjust the amount of irrigation provided by a particular one of a plurality of irrigation device sets to the respective soil-topography zone.

Abstract: A plant cultivation apparatus includes a cultivation unit including a cultivation bed that includes a recess having a recessed cross-sectional shape and receiving cultivation liquid injected into the recess, and a cultivation plate provided on the cultivation bed. The cultivation plate is supported by the recess of the cultivation bed, and includes an air supply path formed inside the cultivation plate, an air intake port through which air is supplied to the air supply path, and an air discharge port connecting with the air supply path and formed on an upper surface side of the cultivation plate where a cultivation plant is disposed. The cultivation bed includes an air intake port through which air is introduced and guided to the air supply path of the cultivation plate, and an air discharge port connectable with the air intake port of the cultivation plate.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid SV2040PB and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid SV2040PB and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another pepper 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: Tomato rootstock variety designated ‘RTS-119’ is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of tomato rootstock ‘RTS-119’, to the plants of tomato rootstock ‘RTS-119’, and to methods for producing plants, and to methods for producing other tomato rootstock lines, cultivars, or hybrids derived from the tomato rootstock ‘RTS-119’.

Abstract: Tomato rootstock variety designated ‘RTS-123’ is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of tomato rootstock ‘RTS-123’, to the plants of tomato rootstock ‘RTS-123’, and to methods for producing plants, and to methods for producing other tomato rootstock lines, cultivars, or hybrids derived from the tomato rootstock ‘RTS-123’.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of Cucumis melo, in particular to a new variety of melon designated NUN 16121 MEM as well as plants, seeds and melon fruits thereof.

Abstract: A rice hybrid designated HR140004 is disclosed. Seeds of rice hybrid HR140004 were deposited under the Budapest Treaty (ATCC Accession PTA-121604), the plants of rice hybrid HR140004 and methods for producing a rice plant by crossing the hybrid HR140004 with a plant of the same genotype, or rice plant not of the same genotype, are also disclosed. Methods of growing and producing blends of rice seeds including seeds of rice hybrid HR140004 are disclosed.

Abstract: An inbred rice line designated 144006 is disclosed. Seeds of inbred rice line 144006 were deposited under the Budapest Treaty (ATCC Accession PTA-121602), the plants of rice line 144006 and methods for producing a rice plant by crossing line 144006 with itself or another rice line are also disclosed. Hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing inbred rice line 144006 with another rice line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and distinctive canola, designated G30853A. Also included are seeds of canola G30853A, to the plants, or plant parts, of canola G30853A and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing the canola G30853A with itself or another canola genotype, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of canola G30853A.

Abstract: A new lettuce variety designated ‘Newham’ is described. ‘Newham’ is a grasse-type lettuce variety exhibiting stability and uniformity.

Abstract: A unique reconfigurable expandable shrinkable quick-assembly quick-disassembly indoor-outdoor kennel for multiple types of animals comprises stackable, interchangeable, expandable, and shinkable panels, doorframe panel, door panel, single-shaft-clamp-couplers, double-shaft-clamp-couplers, double-shaft-couplers, and double-clamp-couplers. Each of the panels can be used either as a roof panel, a truss panel, a wall panel, a floor panel, a ramp panel, a perch panel, or a storage panel. Each of the couplers is for centering, aligning, coupling, and locking inside the tube ends of at least two panels, to prevent the panels from twisting, bending, and collapsing.

Abstract: An animal litter, process for preparing the animal litter and a method for removal of animal waste using the animal litter are provided. The animal litter generally includes ground malt sprouts, a lubricant, and a cohesiveness agent. The animal litter is in the form of discrete plural particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted.