Abstract: The present invention provides a ground engaging film roller 30.2 having a generally horizontal axis of rotation and an outer circumference for engaging ground, the roller having opposed outer ends 30.21 of a larger circumference than the circumference of portions 30.22 located between the opposed ends. The present invention also provides a film deployment system having a ground engaging film roller as described above, which is rotationally mounted to a frame 30.1, the ground engaging film roller 30.2 receiving film from above and to a front location of the roller, and passing between a film locating roller 30.3 and the ground engaging roller 30.2, the ground engaging roller 30.2 shaping the ground it engages by forming a channel in ground at the opposed ends 30.21 of the roller 30.2 for the film to be located as it leaves engagement with the ground engaging roller 30.2.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for applying a sheet of film material to the ground by utilizing first and second double disk openers to create first and second grooves in the ground and inserting the sheet into the grooves by use of a pair of press wheels which travel behind the disk openers and force the sheet into the grooves. Use of the disk openers accommodates a method of applying the sheet to planted seeds in non-tilled, frozen and/or near frozen soil conditions for increased crop yields.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an air cart includes a primary hydraulic assembly and a secondary hydraulic assembly. The hydraulic system also includes a first valve configured to block a flow of a hydraulic fluid flowing in a first direction from the primary hydraulic assembly and a second valve configured to block a flow of the hydraulic fluid flowing in a second direction from the secondary hydraulic assembly.

Abstract: Apparatuses, computer media, and methods for determining a value of a forest factory. A stump land value component and a biomass component of a forest factory are determined. A value of the forest factory is obtained by combining the components. The stump land value component may be normalized by a crop rotation time period. A carbon value component of a forest factory may be determined and the value of the forest factory adjusted. A land parcel may be partitioned into land partitions, in which forest parameters are associated with each land partition. A stump land value component, a biomass fuel value component, and a carbon credit value component may be determined from the land partitions. The carbon credit value component may be determined a percentage of coniferous trees, deciduous trees, and corresponding constant values of oxygen generation.

Abstract: A heavy-duty seedling planter for reforestation comprises specially configured coulter wheels that form a unique seedbed furrow. An elongated, rigid frame includes a front towing connection, and a rear strut for mounting trailing furrow compaction wheels. The planter is towed over the ground by an agricultural tractor and an operator seated within a cab dispenses seedlings. The coulters are spaced apart from one another along the frame. Both coulters are towed in approximately ten degrees and positively cambered approximately three degrees. The axes of rotation of the coulters are neither coaxial, coincident, collinear nor coplanar. The trailing coulter almost touches the midpoint of the leading coulter. Dual convex packer wheels trailing the frame compress soil, close the furrow, and create twin, parallel irrigation trenches.

Abstract: Plastic mulched raised beds are fumigated using a fumigation system containing two opposing armatures affixed to a mounting arm at about a 15° angle and a blunt-ended knife with a blade attached at about a 90° angle to the knife. The system allows fumigant to be applied to the interior of the raised, plastic mulched beds without disturbing the mulch.

Abstract: A device serves for transplanting trees or shrubs. The device comprises a carrier that is capable of encircling the tree or the shrub. Circularly arced slideways are supported on the carrier, and spades are adjustably supported along the slideways. The spades can be adjusted from a digging position, in which they encircle the tree or shrub, to a transport position, in which they substantially complement each other to form a bowl. So that the spades can be easily adjusted, the slideways are accommodated in guide boxes. The guide boxes are supported on the carrier so that they can be adjusted independently of each other.

Abstract: An expandable stinger planter is described which includes a base frame and a pivot frame mounted to the base frame for pivotal movement thereon about multiple pivot axes. A stinger comprised of a pair of elongated probes is mounted to the pivot frame and extending to bottom ends. A stinger mounting frame is operatively positioned between the pivot frame and at least one of the elongated probes. An actuator on the stinger mounting frame is operable to shift the bottom ends between a closed position and an open wherein the bottom ends are opened and form a plant discharge opening. An internal plant receiving receptacle within the probes is open to the plant discharge opening at the open position whereby a plant placed in the plant receiving receptacle may be discharged through the plant discharge opening.

Abstract: A landscaping dressing for application to spread mulch, pine needles, and similar natural fiber soil covering comprising a blend of linseed oil and soybean oil. The dressing will restore faded mulch and reduce fading of fresh mulch. Plant derived oils such as eucalyptus and neem oil may be included in the dressing.

Abstract: A method of controlling noxious weeds, particularly nutsedge (Cyperus spp) by soil solarization, comprising covering the soil with an effective thickness of a transparent, thermoplastic IR retentive film for a sufficient period of time to either kill or suppress the weeds. Also a field management method for the growing of cash crops susceptible to interference by noxious weeds comprising the steps of forming planting beds of soil; subjecting the soil to soil solarization; painting the film to terminate the solarization period; and transplanting cash crop.

Abstract: An expandable stinger planter is described for attachment to an excavator type boom. The planter includes a frame arrangement that may be releasably secured to the boom, with a stinger depending therefrom. The boom may be selectively operated to drive the probes deep into the ground. The stinger includes a pair of elongated probes that have bottom ends configured to be opened and closed by operation of an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is selectively operable to shift the probes relative to one another between a closed position wherein the bottom ends are closed together, and an open position wherein the bottom ends are spaced apart from one another to form a plant discharge opening. The probes form an upwardly open internal plant receiving receptacle that is open to the plant discharge opening at the open position whereby a plant placed in the plant receiving receptacle may be discharged through the plant discharge opening as the probes are lifted by the boom.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a sheet of film material (5) from a roll (2) and laying the film material (5) on the ground subsequent to sowing seeds by a seed sower (3), the apparatus comprising a main framework (6), a secondary framework (10) connected to the main framework (6), a pair of spaced-apart ground engaging wheels (15) rotatably mounted on the secondary framework (10), a receiving means for the roll (2), the ground engaging wheels (15) being located for engaging the roll (2) adjacent the ends (18) thereof for rotating the roll (2) and acting as a dispensing and laying means for dispensing film (5) from the roll (2) and laying the film (5) over the ground.

Abstract: Mulching system using opaque artificial mulching material (1) in perforated embodiments. Perforated embodiments have predetermined pattern of precisely spaced uniform holes (10) preperforated during manufacture. Preperforations allow pre-seeding before mulch is applied to effect weed prevention for densely planted wide row crops. Will also automatically provide proper spacing and eliminate need for thinning crop. Preperforation provides protection from root maggots. Some embodiments have abrasive substance (7) on top side, or abrasive substance (8) on bottom side, or on both sides to repel and destroy both slugs and snails. This is accomplished by abrasive substance (7 or 8) lacerating skin of slugs or destroying digestive tract through ingestion of abrasive substance (7 or 8), other embodiments can have weatherproof sticky substance-clear or insect attractant colored (11) applied to mulching material (1) and covered by removable protective film (9).

Abstract: Apparatus for planting seedlings, especially tree seedlings is described. A plant (32) is held in space (26) between two plates (23) and (24) whose lower edges are in mutual contact and form a cutting edge (25) which on downward movement penetrates the ground and an opening of its lower edges forms an excavation in which the plant is supported by means (33) and (34) while the plates are upwardly retracted.

Abstract: An agricultural machine and method for applying and securing a plastic film onto a seed bed. The machine includes a cutter that severs the plastic film at the end of a row or other area for which covering is desired, while covering the severed ends so as to anchor them to the soil.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism (20) for a ground-engaging tool is arranged as a swinging parallelogram such that the tool has varying components of velocity in the horizontal and vertical directions. The mechanism is synchronized such that the tool has a rearwardly-directed velocity component substantially equal to the forward ground speed of the frame, when the tool is in the vicinity of its bottom dead center position. Hence, the tool has a substantially-zero net horizontal velocity as it engages the ground. The tool may include a burner head (25) and/or an injector mechanism (26) for planting a pneumatically-delivered seed-vermiculite mixture through a sheet of imperforate plastic mulch.

Abstract: An apparatus for transplanting seedlings from a nursery pan to vegetable beds or flower beds as the case may be. The apparatus automatically takes up seedlings from the nursery pan individually pot by pot, and prior to implanting them, levelling a soil around the bed, digging holes in the bed to implant the seedlings therein, and compacting the soil around the root portions of the implanted seedlings.

Abstract: In a planting device for attaching to an agricultural vehicle a planting slide is mounted on a frame for reciprocating sliding motion horizontally in the direction of travel of the vehicle under the influence of a hydraulically operable pressure cylinder. A support plate is mounted on the slide for sliding adjustment vertically, upwards and downwards, and a hollow, funnel-shaped planting spade is pivotally mounted on the support plate on an axis which extends transversely to the direction of travel of the vehicle.The tip of the spade is held in a forwardly directed pivoted rest position by means of a pre-stressed spring, but upon rearward pivotting of the spade, as occurs in operation when the support plate slides down so that the spade penetrates the ground, a control valve having a stem articulated to the spade activates the pressure cylinder to push the slide rearwards on the slide.

Abstract: The machine is adapted to transplant plants in bare soils or covered by a plastic film, in which case the plastic film is applied by the machine itself which is provided with at least one multiple-arm device pivoted along a horizontal axis and having, at each arm, an openable cup articulated thereto. The plant to be transplanted is placed within the cup connected to the multiple-arm device, which is driven synchronously with respect to the motion of the machine. The cup is sunk into the ground, opening the film if present and the soil, while upon control of a cam said cup opens and transplants the plant. The machine furthermore comprises elements for ridging the soil around the plant, after it same has been transplanted, for preparing the soil in front of the transplanting region and for fixing the edges of a possible plastic film.

Abstract: An expandable stinger planter is described for attachment to an excavator type boom. The planter includes a frame arrangement that may be releasably secured to the boom, with a stinger depending therefrom. The boom may be selectively operated to drive the probes deep into the ground. The stinger includes a pair of elongated probes that have bottom ends configured to be opened and closed by operation of an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is selectively operable to shift the probes relative to one another between a closed position wherein the bottom ends are closed together, and an open position wherein the bottom ends are spaced apart from one another to form a plant discharge opening. The probes form an upwardly open internal plant receiving receptacle that is open to the plant discharge opening at the open position whereby a plant placed in the plant receiving receptacle may be discharged through the plant discharge opening as the probes are lifted by the boom.