Abstract: A gardening tool having an elongate handle with opposing first and second ends; a first tool implement reversibly attachable to the first end; and a second tool implement reversibly attachable to the second end. The first and second tool implements may be axially rotatable relative to one another. A gardening tool kit comprising the gardening tool described with at least three interchangeable tool implements. The toot implements for the tool and the kit may be one or more rakes, hoes, shovels, edgers, forks, and claws.

Abstract: An agricultural tool element (3) comprises a non-inflated tire (9) with a tread (9-1) and a pair of sidewalls (9-2) each connected to the tread (9-1) at a respective first end portion. The element (3) additionally comprises a rigid, generally annular base (7), by means of which the tire (9, 103) is fitted on a rotary support (2, 101) of an agricultural tool. The sidewalls (9-2) are each over-molded on a peripheral portion of the rigid base (7, 107) at a second end portion, opposite the tread (9-1).

Abstract: A wheel track renovator including a body attachable to a device, one or more augers mounted to the body and at least one drive connected to the one or more augers to drive the one or more augers.

Abstract: A recovery tool configured to attach to the rear or front a vehicle with a receiver hitch class III and up to provide interconnect and control between the vehicle and various accessory tools necessary to perform lift, drag, tow and pull using the vehicle. The recovery tool has a head gear connected to a hitch attachment where the hitch attachment connects the recovery tool to the vehicle. The recovery tool has lights for signaling, work lights, and other uses. The recovery tool can be controlled by a wireless controller. The recovery tool is adaptable to three-point tractor implement. The recovery tool may further include a hydraulic unit and can endure heavy mechanical work to perform dragging snow or dirt, road cleaning, driveway scraping, towing and recovery, search and rescue operation, pull boat docks and launch boats, dragging logs or broken articles as well as jump start truck or car.

Abstract: A caster wheel assembly for an agricultural implement system includes a frame configured to pivotally couple to a tool bar of the agricultural implement system via a mount, a sub-frame rotatably coupled to the frame, and at least one connecting linkage configured to control movement of the frame relative to the tool bar. The caster wheel assembly also includes a locking assembly, which includes a lock lever movably coupled to the frame, wherein the lock lever comprises a locking element and a release element, a locking structure fixedly coupled to the sub-frame, and a driving element fixedly coupled to the at least one connecting linkage.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine. The row unit includes a frame, a first gauge wheel arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a first gauge wheel coupled to the first gauge wheel arm, a second gauge wheel arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a second gauge wheel coupled to the second gauge wheel arm, and a depth sensor having a potentiometer coupled to the first gauge wheel arm.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine. The row unit includes a frame, a first gauge wheel arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a first gauge wheel coupled to the first gauge wheel arm, a second gauge wheel arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a second gauge wheel coupled to the second gauge wheel arm, and a position sensor assembly having a position sensor at least partially disposed between the first gauge wheel arm and the second gauge wheel arm such that the position sensor is at least partially concealed from view between the first and second gauge wheels when viewing the row unit along an axis of rotation of the first gauge wheel.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine. The row unit includes a frame, a ground following device coupled to the frame, a furrow following device coupled to the frame, and a position sensor assembly having a first position sensor configured to detect movement of the ground following device relative to the frame, and a second position sensor configured to detect movement of the furrow following device relative to the frame.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine. The row unit includes a frame, a gauge wheel arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a gauge wheel coupled to the gauge wheel arm, a position sensor assembly having a position sensor configured to detect a rotational position of the gauge wheel arm, and a controller coupled to the position sensor. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the position sensor and to provide an alert based on the signal.

Abstract: A twin row seed distributor body group is provided that enables twin sowing with a single seed distributor body of pneumatic sowing machines utilized in the agricultural industry. The twin row seed distributor body group contains at least one twin row seed distributor body provided for each sowing unit enabling synchronized sowing on two different sowing rows, at least one right and one left seeding disc, at least one shaft bearing group enabling the movement of seeding discs, at least one seeding disc motion shaft enabling the synchronized movement of the seeding discs, at least one modular main body inner bearing cover that enables fast mounting and maintenance of the disc shaft motion gear and disc motion gears operating inside the seed distributor body and also that forms a bearing for the seeding disc motion shaft, and a hinged seed discharge gate.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine. The row unit includes a frame, a gauge wheel arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a gauge wheel coupled to the gauge wheel arm, and a position sensor assembly configured to detect a gap corresponding to a rotational position of the gauge wheel arm. The position sensor assembly includes a sensing target surface. The sensing target surface is at least one of an eccentric surface or a cam surface.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine. The row unit includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame, and a position sensor assembly having a position sensor configured to detect wear of the furrow opener.

Abstract: A seeding machine includes a main frame and a row unit coupled to the main frame. The row unit has a row unit frame and a seed firmer coupled to the row unit frame. The seeding machine also includes a seed detection sensor coupled to the seed firmer. The seed detection sensor is configured to detect seed position within an open furrow.

Abstract: An agricultural machine has a communication component configured to receive a first data set and a second data set. The first and second data sets comprise indications of a soil parameter of a worksite. The first data set is captured at an earlier time than the second data set. The agricultural machine also has a controller configured to receive the first and second data sets and, based on the first and second data sets, generate a map of the worksite. The agricultural machine also has a controllable subsystem configured to receive a control signal from the controller. The control signal is generated based on both a position of the agricultural machine within the worksite and the generated map. The control signal is configured to control operator of the controllable subsystem.

Abstract: A system for dispensing agricultural products includes: a master controller, sets of agricultural product containers, meter devices, and secondary controllers. The meter devices are operatively connected to the product containers and configured to dispense products from the containers to rows in a field wherein each of the sets of containers is associated with a respective row in the field. The secondary controllers actuate the meter devices. Each secondary controller receives command data from the master controller and controls the meter devices for dispensing in response to the command data. Agricultural product from each product container is dispensed in accordance with operator defined instructions to the master controller. The instructions are capable of being provided to the master controller during the planting allowing the dispensing of individual containers to be controlled.

Abstract: A working machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a main body portion, a driving device, a working tool, a grip portion and a determiner. The grip portion is attached to the main body portion and configured to be held by a user of the working machine. The determiner is configured to determine an abnormal state of the working machine when a couple moment received by the user through the grip portion exceeds a couple threshold. The couple threshold is 200 N·m per 50 ms.

Abstract: A working machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an operating device, a working tool, a driving device, a braking device, a detection device, and a change device. The detection device detects a mode of an operation performed on the operating device. The change device changes a brake control to be performed by the braking device according to the mode detected by the detection device.

Abstract: A lawn mowing apparatus may include sensors that are fastened to both its mower deck and its chassis. The sensors may sense a position of the mower deck in relation to the chassis. The sensed position of the mower deck may be presented to the operator via a dashboard display of the lawn tractor or transmitted via a wireless signal to another device. Based on such sensed position, an operator of the lawn tractor may manually adjust the position of the mower deck until the sensed position of the mower deck is within an acceptable operating range. In some embodiments, servomotors may used to adjust the position of the mower deck until the sensed position of the mower deck is within an acceptable range.

Abstract: A weed trimmer extension system for cutting and collecting, or dispersing weeds includes a cutting enclosure, to which can be attached a collecting bag or a cutting disperser; a replacement cutting implement; and enclosure fasteners, for attaching the weed trimmer extension system to a weed trimmer. The cutting implement can further include a cutting blade; a cutting string with a greater cutting radius so the cutting string can operate close to an obstruction, without the cutting blade causing damage to the obstruction; and a perpendicular fin, which pushes air in a circular direction of motion, thereby creating a vortex of air, which rotates in the plane spanned out by the rotating cutting blade. The cutting enclosure covers the replacement cutting implement, which propels the cuttings, contained and directed by the cutting enclosure, into either the collecting bag or the cutting disperser, which disperses the weed cuttings.

Abstract: A residue spreader control system for an agricultural combine is provided that includes an operator input device for entering a residue spreader setting, a satellite navigation receiver for providing signals indicating the bearing of the agricultural combine, a residue spreader including crop residue deflectors at the rear of the combine that are movable by an actuator to steer the crop residue to the left or the right of the rear of the combine, and an ECU connected to all of these devices, wherein the ECU is configured to store the bearing of the agricultural combine in association with the residue spreader setting.

Abstract: A residue spreader control system for an agricultural combine is provided that includes an operator input device for entering a wind direction and wind speed, a satellite navigation receiver for providing signals indicating the bearing of the agricultural combine, a residue spreader including crop residue deflectors at the rear of the combine that are movable by an actuator to steer the crop residue to the left or the right of the rear of the combine, and an ECU connected to all of these devices to receive the wind direction and/or speed from the operator, to determine the bearing of the combine traveling through the field harvesting crops, and to calculate a control signal to applied to the actuator, wherein the control signal repositions the actuator and crop deflectors to counteract the effects of wind improperly blowing the residue off to one side of the combine.

Abstract: A picking unit of a cotton harvester row unit includes a drum rotatable about an axis and a plurality of spindles for harvesting cotton. The plurality of spindles is coupled to the drum. A first drive unit rotatably drives the plurality of spindles. A second drive unit produces electrical power to drive a drive shaft. An output gear is coupled to the drive shaft, and a drum drive gear is coupled to the output gear. The drum drive gear rotatably drives the drum such that the output gear operably transfers power from the drive shaft to the drum drive gear. The drum is operably controlled independently of the plurality of spindles.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a method for pruning a fruit plant. An exemplary method step includes obtaining an image of the fruit plant that has branches. Next, creating exclusion zones surrounding the branches. Then pruning the fruit plant based upon the exclusion zones.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes: a header frame; a cutter movably coupled to the header frame; a reel arm pivotably coupled to the header frame; a reel carried by the reel arm and including a plurality of tines; a variable displacement fluid cylinder including an interior chamber, a first piston linked to the reel arm placed within the interior chamber and a second piston placed within the interior chamber, the interior chamber defining a shared volume between the first piston and the second piston; and a piston driver linked to the cutter and configured to translate movement of the cutter relative to the header frame into displacement of the second piston within the interior chamber.

Abstract: A chopping system for a crop harvester comprises a chopper-timing adjuster configured to adjust a timing of operation between a first chopper and a second chopper by use of a worm.

Abstract: A combine harvester including an axial flow crop processor fed by a tangentially impelling feed beater mounted for rotation on a substantially transverse axis, and a multi-speed beater drive system that includes a beater shaft upon which the beater is mounted via bearings to permit relative rotational movement, and a secondary shaft arranged parallel to the beater shaft. To achieve a first beater drive speed a first drive path is closed between the beater shaft and the beater. To achieve an alternative, second beater drive speed a second drive path is closed between the secondary shaft and the beater. Both the beater shaft and the secondary shaft are driven simultaneously during operation.

Abstract: An approach for controlling ultraviolet intensity over a surface of a light sensitive object is described. Aspects involve using ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength range that includes ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B radiation to irradiate the surface. Light sensors measure light intensity at the surface, wherein each sensor measures light intensity in a wavelength range that corresponds to a wavelength range emitted from at least one of the sources. A controller controls the light intensity over the surface by adjusting the power of the sources as a function of the light intensity measurements. The controller uses the light intensity measurements to determine whether each source is illuminating the surface with an intensity that is within an acceptable variation with a predetermined intensity value targeted for the surface. The controller adjusts the power of the sources as a function of the variation to ensure an optimal distribution of light intensity over the surface.

Abstract: A plant protector can includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a lid coupled with the inner wall. The plant protector can further include a temperature sensitive coil coupled with the lid, wherein a change in external temperature can cause a change in the configuration of the temperature sensitive coil, causing the lid to transition between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: The potted plant system of the present invention uses the space between the inner and outer pots as a reservoir for water. The water reservoir acts passively to transport water into the spoil of the inner pot which is subsequently used by the potted house plant. The reservoir is filled by over watering the inner pot and allowing the excess water to pass through the apertures within the inner pot. Passive transport of water from the reservoir to the soil occurs as the water saturation of the soil decreases. As a result, the soil and the potted plant remain hydrated for longer period of time as the reservoir continuously replenishes the water. The water within the reservoir can be drained through a quick connect sliding valve located on the outer pot. The quick connect sliding valve is either placed above another water receptacle or is fitted with a hose that transports the water to a drain.

Abstract: A subsurface irrigation system is provided that includes a plurality of subsurface irrigation sleeves defining an area that has a first side and a second side. At least one of the first side and the second side is configured to be hydrophilic. The plurality of subsurface irrigation sleeves each include a tunnel. Tubing connects a first sleeve of the plurality of subsurface irrigation sleeves to a second sleeve of the plurality of subsurface irrigation sleeves. The tubing is configured to pass through the tunnels of the plurality of irrigation sleeves. An emitter is disposed on the tubing within the tunnel, the emitter emitting fluid to the area of the plurality of subsurface irrigation sleeves.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a container for hydroponically growing plants. The container has a bottom surface and an open top surface and a fluid reservoir having at least a portion of the volume between the bottom surface and the top surface. A pump is positioned at a bottom portion of the fluid reservoir. A length of tubing connects the pump to a valve that is further connected to additional tubing. A plurality of jets are connected to the additional tubing to spray fluid internal to the fluid reservoir. Further, there is a support structure, configured to fit into the open top surface, that has support components for interconnecting a plurality of openings and supporting the plurality of jets. Finally, a cover plate is configured to fit over the support structure in the open top surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting power in a switch location, and in a load location for use in a pre-existing infrastructure of switching AC power to a lamp (or other load) via a two terminal switch device. The switch is replaced with a module including a first controlled switch (such as a triac or relay) and a first impedance (such as a capacitor) connected in parallel, and another module including a second controlled switch (such as a triac or relay) and a second impedance (such as a capacitor) connected in parallel, is installed at the load location. In an ‘off’ state where the two controlled switches are in ‘open’ state, current is flowing via the impedances, but not through the load, so that power extractor circuits in the modules, connected in series to the impedances, extract low power for DC powering logic and other loads in the modules.

Abstract: A vertical hydroponics system is provided. The flow rate or pressure of the solution passing through the system is uniform throughout the system to reduce or prevent clogging and/or leaking. The diameters of the various components of the system's water supply plumbing are such so as to reduce or prevent clogging and/or leaking. The vertical hydroponics system includes at least one body, at least one pot coupled to a front surface of the at least one body for supporting one or more plants, and a water source fluidly connected to each body for delivering water uniformly to each pot. Each body is configured to direct water away from the front surface of the body to reduce or prevent leaking. Accordingly, flow rates or pressures not typically associated with vertical hydroponics systems may be used to deliver water to the pot(s).

Abstract: A plant pollination bag including a bag made of a flexible material, a pouch formed out of one or more additional pieces of material fixed to the wall of the bag, where a space is created between the at least one additional piece of material and the wall of the bag; at least one of a releasable closure and a tear line fixed to the one or more additional pieces of material and the wall of the bag, where the one or more of a releaseable closure and a tear line is adapted to seal the space between the one or more additional pieces of material and the wall of the bag; an elongated piece of material attached to the at least one of a releasable closure and a tear line, where the elongated piece of material is designed to extend from the interior of the bag to a location outside of the bag, where the elongated piece of material is further adapted to allow a user to at least one of A) open the releasable closure and B) tear the tear line from outside of the bag.

Abstract: Provided here are methods of using a mutated patatin-like phospholipase II? (“pPLAII?,” renamed here MATRILINEAL) to induce haploid induction in plants, cloning a pPLAII? to induce haploid induction in plants, and genetically engineering a plant to contain a mutated pPLAII?. Also provided are methods of applying topical and spray chemicals, lipids, and RNAi molecules to plants during pollination in order to induce haploid production. Further provided are methods of chemically treating plants during pollination to induce haploids while also reducing embryo abortion and increasing seed set.

Abstract: Provided is a pretreatment method for directly seeding an in vitro microtuber in an open field including: sterilizing a washed in vitro microtuber with chlorine dioxide and drying the sterilized in vitro microtuber; irradiating the dried in vitro microtuber with light and greening the dried in vitro microtuber; putting the greened in vitro microtuber in a storage container and storing the greened in vitro microtuber in a temperature range of 2 to 4° C.; and germinating the in vitro microtuber. The in vitro microtuber can quickly adapt to environment when directly seeded on a field, an early-stage management of the in vitro microtuber is facilitated, and physiological functions thereof such as vitamin synthesis is activated.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides Brassica oleracea plants exhibiting broad spectrum resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. Such plants may comprise novel introgressed genomic regions associated with disease resistance from Brassica oleracea var. capitata. In certain aspects, compositions, including novel polymorphic markers and methods for producing, breeding, identifying, and selecting plants or germplasm with a disease resistance phenotype are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for growing a genetically modified strawberry plant (e.g., a plug plant) having reduced activity of an endogenous TERMINAL FLOWER (TFL) gene. The genetically modified strawberry plants are of the genus Fragaria. Genetically modified strawberry plants with reduced TFL1 activity are grown in a nursery located at any of low elevation, high elevation, northern latitude, southern latitude, or in a controlled environment facility. The yield of strawberry fruit of genetically modified strawberry plants with reduced TFL1 activity is higher than conventionally grown plug plants. The plants of the present disclosure are transformed with the pSIM2441 vector.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV343991. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV343991, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV343991 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV343991 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV343991.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV346136. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV346136, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV346136 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV346136 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV346136.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV360779. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV360779, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV360779 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV360779 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV360779.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant breeding and aphid resistance. More specifically, the invention includes a method for breeding soybean plants containing quantitative trait loci that are associated with resistance to aphids, Aphis glycines. The invention further includes method for monitoring the introgression quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring aphid resistance into elite germplasm in a breeding program.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 45-246 RZ. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 45-246 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 45-246 RZ.

Abstract: A new dill variety designated ‘Teddy’ is described. ‘Teddy’ is a dill variety exhibiting stability and uniformity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 79-10 RZ. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 79-10 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 79-10 RZ.

Abstract: A system includes a cylinder and a piston that moves within the cylinder from a retracted position to an extended position. A vacuum port facilitates application of a vacuum pressure to the cylinder that results in a vacuum force being applied to the piston, which causes the piston to move toward a top end of the cylinder to the retracted position. A spring member applies a spring force to the piston when the piston is in the retracted position. The spring force offsets at least a portion of the vacuum force. A sensor generates a displacement signal in response to detecting movement of the piston from the retracted position toward the extended position. A control unit receives the displacement signal generated by the sensor and generates a valve control signal to be communicated to a valve located on a vacuum line connecting a vacuum source to the vacuum port.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a sealed gear housing for a hand-held applicator for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. In an embodiment, a first portion of the housing has a plurality of gear holes and a peripherally extending flange surrounding the gear holes. A second portion has a motor mount and having a peripherally extending groove in which the flange of the first portion fits, the first and second portions each have at least one delivery port configured to be coupled to an at least one disinfectant delivery line.

Abstract: A collapsible sound reducing pet container when fully assembled forms an enclosure having a generally rectangular volume with manually disassembleable top, bottom, front, rear, left, and right panels. The front panel defines a cutout having an area less than that of the front panel, and at least one of the panels comprises multiple layers of dissimilar soundproofing material. An electric fan is mounted to one of the panels, and a means is provided for energizing the fan responsive to presence of an animal within the enclosure. Each of the top, front, rear, left and right panels may be manually disassembled and each is sized to allow all of said panels to be stacked between and enclosed within the top and bottom panels, to collapse the container for transport and storage.

Abstract: A cage for monitoring an experimental animal is disclosed. The cage may include one or more walls that enclose a living space for at least one experimental animal. At least one of the one or more walls may include a first material that is a plastic material. The cage may further include a window that is transparent to a band of infrared radiation that is within the range of from about 3 ?m to about 14 ?m in wavelength. The transparent window may have an inner side exposed to the living space that includes a second material that is substantially non-toxic to the at least one experimental animal.

Abstract: A feeding system is provided to permit sequential entry to animals, one at a time, into a feeding station that weighs the animal, and then provides or prevents access to feed based on body weight or other criteria. It exits each animal if no feed is to be provided, or after feeding for a specified period of time. The system accommodates animals housed in groups, and allows individual animals to be fed precisely with minimal labour input. Feed consumption by individual animals is limited by the amount of time they remain in the feeding area of the station and the amount of feed provided to them. The system provides for the ongoing collection of data about the animals growth and controls and monitors feed intake and body weight.