Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the operation of a seed-planting implement may include a ground-engaging tool and an actuator configured to adjust an operating parameter of the ground-engaging tool. Furthermore, the system may include a controller configured to control the operation of the seed-planting implement such that a primary crop is planted in a field as the seed-planting implement is being moved across the field. Additionally, the controller may be configured to determine a density of a cover crop present within the field. Moreover, the controller may be configured to determine an adjustment to be made to the operating parameter of the ground-engaging tool based on the determined density. In addition, the controller may be configured to control the operation of the actuator to execute the adjustment of the operating parameter.

Abstract: An agricultural cart including a product metering system comprising an auger assembly extending generally along an axis non-parallel to a horizontal plane and non-perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and a holding chamber disposed at an upstream end of the auger assembly and configured to reduce pulsations within a flow of agricultural product from the auger assembly. The agricultural cart also includes an air source coupled to the product metering system and configured to transfer the agricultural product to an agricultural implement via an airflow.

Abstract: An attachment for a conventional, walk-behind power tiller for forming seed rows and adjacent furrows wherein an auger disposed perpendicularly to the seed row being formed has a larger diameter at its proximal ends and a smaller diameter at its central, inner end. The auger is rotated using power derived from the tiller to which the novel seed row forming apparatus is attached. In operation, the larger diameter outer portions of the auger dig a furrow and move the disturbed soil inwardly along the diminishing diameter of the auger, thereby depositing the soil from each side of the auger into a central berm or seed row. The apparatus provides seed row-forming capability for use with small rotary tillers and provides minimum soil tillage while readily forming planting rows.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring data between a host device and a data storage device having a first memory space and a second memory space. The host issues access commands to store and retrieve data. The device stores commands in the first memory space pending transfer to the second memory space. An interface circuit evaluates relative proximity of first and second sets of LBAs associated with pending first and second commands, and delays promotion of later pending commands in front of earlier pending commands during an overlap condition. If the overlap is caused by performance enhancing features (PEF) the PEFs are disabled so the commands can be scheduled for disc access. Indicators are set in the commands to signal that a PEF has caused the overlap and that PEF can be disabled. Values are added to indicators in the commands such that the PEFs can be modified and avoid overlaps.

Abstract: A flexible rotatable drive shaft is provided with a first male coupling that is received in a second female coupling located on a gearbox. The male coupling has two circumferential grooves that define a first fully engaged position and a second intermediate engaged position. In both engaged positions the male coupler is mounted to the gearbox, however only in the fully engaged position is the flexible rotatable drive shaft in a driving relationship with the gearbox . The female coupler is provided with a latch pin for selectively engaging the first and second circumferential grooves. The latch pin is provided with a circumferential surface for engaging the grooves and latching the flexible rotatable drive shaft to the gearbox and a recessed section for unlatching the flexible rotatable drive shaft from the gearbox.

Abstract: A gearbox is drivingly coupled to a seed meter by a drive element. The drive element comprises a drive shaft on which is mounted a multifaceted sleeve. The multifaceted sleeve is pinned to the drive shaft by a coffer pin. The cotter pin provides torque protection by defining a torque transmission limit. The multifaceted sleeve is driven by a gearbox output. The gearbox output is provided with a hexagonal opening into which the hexagonal sleeve is received. The drive shaft is provided with a drive coupling. The drive coupling comprises an annular axially extending bore having aligned transversely extending apertures passing therethrough. The drive coupling is coupled to the spindle of the seed meter. The spindle is received in the bore. A readily releasable pin extends between the drive shaft and spindle.

Abstract: A ground opening device intended for use with agricultural apparatus is disclosed. The device has a rotatable cutting element and a mounting means. The rotatable cutting element has a cutting edge which forms a narrow groove in the ground when the cutting element is rotated. The cutting element is arranged such that its cutting edge oscillates in two directions simultaneously: in a direction substantially transverse to the groove being formed in the ground and in a direction substantially vertical with respect to the ground surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and a machine for substantially automatically positioning root control bags in the ground. The method includes the steps of excavating soil to form a trench, positioning root control bags, supported by formers, in the trench or an adjacent trench, and then filling the trench and the bags with soil excavated by the machine. After the bags have been filled the formers are extracted from the filled bags leaving the bags in an erect and filled condition within the filled trench. The invention extends to a machine for performing these operations, the machine including an excavator, bag positioning means, former extractions means, and soil conveying means for conveying soil excavated by the excavator to a position intermediate the bag positioning means and the extraction means. The various components of the machine can be automated to a greater or lesser extent.