Abstract: In one embodiment, a frame member; a toolbar coupled to the frame member, the toolbar parallel to, and rearward of, the frame member; a row unit coupled to the toolbar; and an actuator coupled between the frame member and the toolbar, the actuator configured to rotate the toolbar based on a sensed position of the toolbar.

Abstract: A crop orientation system includes a controller having a processor and memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions. The processor executes the stored instructions to: determine first heading values for a first vehicle at intervals during a first crop planting event over a first field; generate a first set of histogram values representing the first heading values for the first vehicle during at least a portion of the first crop planting event over the first field; and generate display signals to render a first histogram display based on the first set of histogram values for a first user associated with the first vehicle.

Abstract: A working element is mounted on an agricultural machine having a deformable connecting structure including upper arms and lower arms. The connecting structure includes a system for adjusting the down-pressure having a movable mechanism and a reference member. The mechanism includes a lever and a resilient member that are articulated about a first axis. The mechanism allows an engaged state in which it is held against the reference member in a working position, subjecting the working element to a down-pressure, and an adjusting state in which it is movable about a lower axis with respect to the reference member. The mechanism includes a second axis about which the lever is pivotable in an intermediate state.

Abstract: An agricultural system includes an agricultural soil analyzer positioned forward of a ground engaging tool relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural system. The agricultural soil analyzer is configured to output a first signal indicative of a parameter of soil forward of the soil conditioner relative to the direction of travel. The agricultural system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the agricultural soil analyzer. The controller is configured to receive the first signal from the agricultural soil analyzer. Furthermore, the controller is configured to determine a target parameter of the agricultural system based on the first signal and to output a second signal indicative of the target parameter.

Abstract: A mechanism for operating a discharge gate assembly mounted on a railcar. The gate assembly includes a frame defining a discharge opening, a door slidably positioned on the frame for a generally horizontal range of movements between a closed position and an open position. An operating shaft assembly is mounted on the frame for rotation about a fixed axis and is operably coupled to the door such that the door moves in response to rotation of the operating shaft assembly. The mechanism for operating the discharge gate assembly includes a mount carried by and with the railcar and an actuator carried by the mount outside a range of travel of the slidable door. A force transfer mechanism is operated by the actuator for rotating the operating shaft assembly to slidably move the door between the closed and open positions in response to operation of the actuator.

Abstract: Agricultural seed planting systems include a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.

Abstract: A device for attaching to a shank of a planting unit. The device may include liquid delivery tubing for delivery fertilizer to a planting furrow and a forming bar configured for securing to the shank. The forming bar may include a passageway extending therethrough for receiving and passing through fertilizer or other liquid that is delivered to the liquid delivery tubing. The forming bar may include a shank connecting portion, a rib portion, and a foot portion. The rib and foot portions may define the passageway. Further, the foot portion may protect the tubing. A method for using the device to deliver fertilizer to a seed furrow is also described.

Abstract: A seed firmer for pressing seeds into soil during planting. The seed firmer includes a mount for attachment to a row unit of a planting machine. An arm defines a ground-facing surface having at least one point of contact with the ground, including a rearmost ground contact point with respect to a direction of forward travel during planting operation. The ground-facing surface has a transition section directly trailing a rearmost ground contact point, the transition section can extending upwardly from the rearmost ground contact point with a radius no less than 25 mm. Also, in some constructions the rearmost section of the ground-facing surface defines a ratio of horizontal distance to vertical height that is no less than 1.2:1.

Abstract: An agricultural planter includes a plurality of row units attached thereto for planting seed in a field. The row units include a seed meter for singulating and dispensing seed. Opening wheels or discs are included to create an opening in the field, such as a furrow. The row unit can include one or more continuous tracks for supporting the row unit as it moves through the field. The tracks reduce compaction around the created furrow and provide better control of seed depth placement. Furthermore, one or more cylinders may be provided that control the depth of furrow being created to also control the depth at which the seed is deposited.

Abstract: A row unit for an agricultural planter is provided. The row unit may include a body operably coupled to the agricultural planter, a bracket secured to the body, and a chassis pivotably coupled to the bracket. The bracket may include a top wall and opposing sidewalls extending downwardly from the top wall. The chassis may be coupled to the bracket beneath the top wall of the bracket.

Abstract: A planting system including a plurality of seeding row assemblies, each having components maintained at a controlled elevation. The seeding row assembly includes a tillage row unit controlled to maintain a desired elevation relative to a seeding row unit, the seeding row unit being configured to passively follow the local terrain. Each seeding row assembly can include two position sensors that generate signals corresponding to the elevation of the seeding row unit and the ground engagement attachment, respectively, or a differential position sensor that generates signals corresponding to the difference in the elevations. Various embodiments include a local closed loop controller that adjusts elevation of the tillage row unit relative to the seeding row unit to a desired set point. In some embodiments, the down force of the seeding row unit is actively controlled.

Abstract: Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow are provided. In some aspects, an agricultural device is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device.

Abstract: A depth adjustment assembly for a disc opener or other furrowing device has an eccentric cam with an outer surface that engages and thus prevents rotation of a gauge wheel arm. As rotation of the gauge wheel arm sets the relative position of a gauge wheel relative to the furrowing device, preventing rotation of the arm sets the cutting depth for the furrowing device. The eccentric cam may have a smooth outer edge defining an indiscrete range of positions or a profile outer surface that defines discrete depth setting positions. The eccentric cam is biased into engagement with a receiver by a pin and spring, but overcoming the bias allows the cam to be momentarily disengaged and rotated to reposition the eccentric cam.

Abstract: A dynamic supplemental downforce control system for a planter row unit. The system includes closed-loop feedback circuit that cooperates with a downforce actuator to dynamically control fluid flow to the downforce actuator to maintain balance between the actual gauge wheel downforce and a desired gauge wheel downforce during planting operations.

Abstract: The seed drill element comprises a frame, a seed tank, a seed dispenser, and a member for opening a furrow in the ground. The seed drill element further comprises mechanism for bearing against the ground, having a rear block and/or a front block, with each block having at least one wheel and an arm hinged to the frame, and also topsoiling mechanism including a rear link, two front links, and an intermediate link. The topsoiling mechanism also comprise a mechanism for moving the rear link relative to a reference part connected to the frame. In addition, the seed drill element includes a locking mechanism so that the topsoiling mechanism can be configured for front topsoiling, for rear topsoiling, and/or for rocker topsoiling.

Abstract: A method of making a nonwoven composite material. The method includes the steps of: providing a hydraulically entangled web containing a fibrous component and a nonwoven layer of substantially continuous filaments; applying a bonding material to at least one side of said web; and creping said at least one side of the hydraulically entangled web. The bonder material may be an aqueous mixture including a curable latex polymer, a pigment, and a cure promoter. Also disclosed is a nonwoven composite material made of a hydraulically entangled web including a fibrous component; a nonwoven layer of substantially continuous filaments; and regions containing bonder material covering at least a portion of at least one side of the composite material, wherein at least one side of the web has been creped.

Abstract: An agricultural planter comprises a frame with a plurality of wheels and adapted to be towed by a tractor. The planter has a plurality of row planting units mounted on the frame and carrying planting implements, and the planting units are vertically movable relative to the frame. A soil-hardness sensing unit carried on the frame produces a signal representing the hardness of the soil. A controllable biasing device is connected to the planting units for adjusting the force applied to the soil by the planting units, in response to the signal representing the hardness of the soil.

Abstract: A seeding assembly (20) for attachment to a cultivating or seeding tine (21). The seeding assembly (20) includes a seed tube (52) movably attached to the tine (21) by parallel linkages (53, 54). A wheel (63) is attached to the seeding tube (52) to regulate the height of the lower extremity (53) of the seeding tube (52) so that a seed is delivered to a seed bed (54) prepared by a closing tool (58) located forward of the seed tube (52).

Abstract: A metering drive mechanism is provided for use with a seed depositing implement adapted for movement across the ground. The mechanism includes a gauge wheel, an arm assembly supporting the gauge wheel for rolling engagement with the ground, and a mounting bracket on which the arm assembly pivots. The mechanism restricts upward pivoting movement of the arm assembly beyond a predetermined position, thus establishing the height of the implement. However, downward movement of the arm assembly is allowed in order to permit the gauge wheel to remain in contact with the ground at all times during travel. A spring urges the wheel against the ground with a force that remains constant, even when the predetermined position of the arm assembly relative to the bracket is changed to vary the height of the implement.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a signal indicative of the hardness of soil. The apparatus has a frame to be moved relative to soil on which a hardness analysis is to be conducted and a sensing element mounted to the frame so that the sensing element engages soil relative to which the frame is moved and structure associated therewith generates a) a first signal as the sensing element encounters soil of a first hardness and b) a second signal as the sensing element encounters soil of a second hardness.

Abstract: An agricultural seed planter comprising a frame adapted to be mounted to any conventionally drawn tool bar; a shaft attached to the frame and angled relative to the direction of travel and having mounted thereupon a soil cutting wheel designed as a multi-tined spider; sweepers attached to the frame and positioned to the side and parallel to the plane of rotation of the soil cutting wheel; a vertically adjustable ski shaped surface contacting member adjacent to the soil cutting wheel adapted so as to regulate the depth of soil cut; a seed dispensing apparatus positioned to deposit seed generally behind the soil cutting wheel and a suitable seed covering device, the sweepers comprise rigid formations attached at their forward facing ends to the frame of the planter and extend rearwards, on either side of an in close proximity to the multi-tined spider wheels such that, when in motion, any accumulated debris is swept from the tines of the spider.

Abstract: A seedling planter utilizes support wheels located on a main frame near the rear of the planter. The support wheels are pivotable relative to the frame, thereby allowing the force exerted by a set of intermediate packing wheels to be varied. The seedling planter was a novel planting assembly which incorporates two primary structural members; a first planting assembly piece or link which is connected to the frame, and a planting arm which is pivotally connected to the first piece. The first piece is movable to vary the height of the pivot axis about which the planting arm rotates. The planting assembly also includes a soil height level detection subsystem to automatically control downward extension of the first planting assembly piece. The planting arm is thus positioned at a desired predetermined height above the soil as it is rotated into the ground to provide consistent planting depth. A cam-operated seedling holder clamps the seedlings along the rear edge of the planting arm.

Abstract: A planting unit which includes opening plows, seed chute, and covering devices, which are carried by a four link parallel motion linkage to the tool bar, has a novel spring arrangement. The spring extends from one of the junctions of the linkage to a spring lever mounted at midpoint of one of the links. The spring lever is adjusted about its pivot point by having an adjustment bar extending through an ear and held in place by a pin through one of a selected number of holes. The linkage is connected to a cylindrical tool bar by "U" bolts so that each of many planting units may be adjusted for proper alignment relative to all the other planting units. The cylindrical planter tool bar is journaled to a main tool bar so that all of the planting units upon the planter bar may be adjusted by rotating the cylindrical planter tool bar about its longitudinal axis, making it unnecessary to rotate the entire main tool bar.