Abstract: Various aspects and features related to wireless communication for unmanned vehicles or inspection routes are described. In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, a system, and an apparatus are provided. A method of wireless communication includes identifying a plurality of checkpoints for an inspection route corresponding to a mobile communication device. The method includes identifying a task status for a current checkpoint of the plurality of checkpoints, the task status indicating a status of one or more tasks corresponding to the current checkpoint. The method includes sending a report to a communication device indicating the task status for the current checkpoint.

Abstract: The controller that receives at least one sensor signal indicative of a measured profile of a particulate material within a storage tank of an agricultural system. The controller also determines whether a variation between the measured profile and a target profile is greater than a threshold value. The controller outputs a first output signal to a user interface indicative of instructions to inform an operator of a profile variation, outputs a second output signal to an agitator indicative of activation of the agitator, or a combination thereof, in response to determining that the variation between the measured profile and the target profile is greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a landscaping project on a plot of land. The system creates a flexible landscaping template that is physically placed over the land that is to be landscaped. The flexible landscaping template has graphics printed on its surface that identify a variety of plants, indicate planting positions, and identify a variety of soil conditioning products the plants. The graphics on the flexible landscaping template can also indicate the placement of water management conduits and electrical conduits, the placement of hardscaping products and/or the placement of construction foundations. The flexible landscaping template is generated using input from a user and environmental criteria for the land to be landscaped. Once the flexible landscaping template is generated, the materials identified on the flexible landscaping template are gathered into a shipping module by a supplier company.

Abstract: An agricultural planting or seeding implement having a ground engaging tool that forms an opening along an axis in the soil, a sensor disposed aft of the ground engaging tool, and a row unit disposed aft of both the ground engaging tool and the sensor relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural planting or seeding implement. The sensor engages with the ground at a depth within the opening and generates a signal indicative of a soil property of the ground.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for selecting an agricultural input include and second seed meters that selectively meter seed from first and second sources, respectively, into a common planting trench. In some embodiments, the seed meters are selectively operated by electric motors controlled with reference to a seed type prescription. In some embodiments, the first and second seed meters deposit seeds along a common plane.

Abstract: An erosion control roll comprises a porous outer casing having an interior, a fill material within the interior, wherein the fill material comprises a mineral wool. The erosion control roll is flexible and positionable where it can provide one or more of erosion control, sediment separation, water flow diversion, and a fire barrier.

Abstract: An agricultural planting or seeding implement that includes a ground engaging tool that forms a trench in a field. The ground engaging tool includes a blade that forms the trench. A first conduit couples to the blade. The first conduit deposits agricultural product in the field. A sensor couples to the ground engaging tool. The sensor generates a signal indicative of a soil property of the field.

Abstract: A system for managing material accumulation relative to an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging tool supported on an agricultural implement and an infrared sensor having a field of view directed towards the ground engaging tool. The infrared sensor may be configured to generate data indicative of a temperature gradient of field materials at the ground engaging tool. A controller of the system may be communicatively coupled to the infrared sensor. The controller may monitor the data received from the infrared sensor and determine a presence of material accumulation relative to the ground engaging tool based at least in part on the temperature gradient of the field materials at the ground engaging tool.

Abstract: A carrier adjustment assembly for coupling to a frame member of an implement includes a laterally adjustable carrier configured to be coupled to an opener and a first outlet providing at least one nutrient. The assembly further includes a plurality of lateral spacers positioned adjacent to the carrier to laterally adjust the carrier and provide a plurality of adjustment positions. The carrier adjustment assembly facilitates lateral adjustment of the carrier by removal of at least one captively held lateral spacer that sets the lateral adjustment of the carrier, a lateral adjustment of the first outlet, and an adjustment of a lateral separation between a seed row provided by a second outlet and a nutrient row provided by the first outlet.

Abstract: A planter includes a seed a delivery system for delivering seed from one or more hoppers to one or more row units of the planter. The seed delivery system includes a number of seed entrainers. The seed entrainers receive seed from the one or more hoppers. The seed is combined with a fluid, such as air, which moves the seed through the seed entrainer and towards one or more row units of the planter. The entrainer includes one or more outlets, with the outlets corresponding to different row units, and the outlets can be varied based upon the need of seed delivery for the planter.

Abstract: A metering system includes a plurality of metering elements that are independently controllable. A calibration method of the present disclosure includes generating calibration factors for the individual metering elements. Also, a method of the present disclosure includes operating the metering elements according to the respective calibration factor.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a depth sensor coupled to the frame. The depth sensor is configured to generate signals corresponding to a depth of a furrow. The row unit also includes a controller configured to receive the signals, and a downforce adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame and to the controller. The controller is configured to activate the downforce adjustment mechanism to adjust a downforce on the frame based on the signals received by the controller.

Abstract: A system and method for generating land maps of a land area. The land maps can include two-dimensional and three-dimensional land maps. The land maps may be efficiently generated based on field data obtained by mobile machines configured to traverse the land area, with the mobile machines associated with one or more sensors. The land maps may be used to accurately and efficiently guide other mobile machines as such mobile machines traverse through or operate within the land area.

Abstract: A controller is operatively connected to a dispensing system and configured to change the dispensement of an agricultural input from the dispensing system in different predetermined locations within at least one predefined test plot in a management zone of an agricultural field. The predetermined locations have been randomized and replicated for quantifying the agronomic response in a statistically valid manner.

Abstract: A planting unit for a seeding machine comprising a seed supply, a seed meter and a seed delivery system to deposit the seed within a furrow. The seed meter is driven by an electronic control unit to achieve a pre-defined pattern of the seeds. The planting unit is adapted to skip dispensing of seeds at locations at which a tramline extends transversely to the travel direction. The following possibilities to achieve the tramline are described: (a) the seed meter comprises adjacent apertures for receiving the seeds and at least one of the apertures is closed, (b) a seed branch-off assembly is adapted to take a seed out of the seed delivery system, (c) the seed delivery system is slowed down to reduce the speed of the seed transport, (d) a seed transport device for moving a seed from the seed meter to the seed delivery system is disabled, or (e) a seed removal device is provided to provide the skip.

Abstract: A method to reduce bag rupture in an agricultural spray dispensed from a nozzle is disclosed. The method comprises dispensing the agricultural spray from the nozzle. The agricultural spray comprises water, at least one polymer, and at least one perforation-aid type adjuvant. The agricultural spray exhibits fewer fine droplets exhibiting a diameter less than about 150 ?m formed via the bag rupture approach to droplet formation.

Abstract: The tree planting machine includes a vehicle main unit, a beam, and a plurality of planting devices. The beam is attached to the vehicle main unit along the vehicle width direction, and is longer than the vehicle width of the vehicle main unit. The plurality of planting devices are attached to the beam.

Abstract: A method for automatic delineation of agricultural field management zones using remote sensing data from multiple years of observation and field data, including: selecting and processing remote sensing images appropriate for management zones delineation; defining management zones analytics parameters; generating a dataset by calculating vegetation indices for every appropriate remote sensing image, by removing outliers and values of non-arable spots, by considering different resolutions of remote sensing images, by applying statistical interpolation algorithms; generating field management zones by applying statistical classification methods on the dataset including merging small and separate management zones into larger neighboring zones. A computer system is programmed and configured to generate field management zones automatically; to enable user to assign rates for every management zone, and to export them to agricultural machinery and to mobile phone or tablet device for online and offline usage.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to fluid distribution systems. The fluid distribution systems being made up of a plurality of positive displacement pumps disposed on a fluid distribution manifold and proximate to the tank and the point of product discharge. The system optionally has a valve system for precision control of fluid discharge.

Abstract: A wheelbarrow for spreading a material is provided. The wheelbarrow generally includes a bucket configured to contain at least one material and having an opening through which the material is configured to flow, a controllable closing flap configured to close the second opening, and a distribution plate extending under the opening. The distribution plate is positioned such that material flowing gravitationally through the opening travels along the distribution plate towards an application surface exterior to the bucket of the wheelbarrow. The distribution plate may include guide channels configured to distribute the material across a width of the distribution plate as the material travels along the distribution plate.

Abstract: A mobile agricultural machine has a valve controlled to apply liquid material to a field. An application assembly defines a conduit from the valve to a distal application tip. The application assembly includes a distal conduit section that has an inner diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of a more proximal conduit section, that is closer to the valve, than the distal tip of the application assembly.

Abstract: An agricultural robot for monitoring plants in a growing site, the robot comprising: a sensor module comprising: a speaker operable to transmit a directional acoustic signal at an object; and a microphone operable to register a reflection of the acoustic signal; a sound analyzer operable to time-index the reflection received by the microphone and maps a location of the object that reflected the received acoustic signal; and an autonomous mobile platform onto which the sensor module is mounted.

Abstract: A sensor for determining soil properties is disclosed herein. The sensor includes a ground engaging structure adapted for coupling to an agricultural implement and to penetrate soil at a predetermined depth. An electrode assembly is disposed on a sensing surface of the ground engaging structure that includes a plurality of electrode sensing units. The plurality of electrode sensing units are configured to selectively generate a series of electric fields that project outwardly into the surrounding soil in response to receipt of an excitation signal and sense changes in the electric field corresponding to a change in a measured electrical output signal that is used to determine one or more soil properties during movement of the agricultural implement in a field.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for selecting an agricultural input include first and second seed meters, which selectively meter seed from first and second sources, respectively, into a common planting trench. In some embodiments, the seed meters are selectively operated by electric motors controlled with reference to a seed type prescription. In some embodiments, the first and second seed meters deposit seeds along a common plane.

Abstract: A growth information management device and the like with which growth information acquired from a plurality of farm fields can be easily divided or processed in other like manners. A growth information management device 10 generates boundary information on farm field information based on measured growth information 24 that is plant growth information that has been measured, generates independent farm field information 53 sectionalized based on the boundary information, and converts the measured growth information corresponding to the independent farm field information into growth level information 45 that is information indicating a level of growth of a plant and displays the growth level information on a display unit 16.

Abstract: An agricultural planter row unit has a gauge wheel supported by a gauge wheel arm, to control planting depth. An actuator drives movement of a mechanical stop that bears against a gauge wheel support arm to position the gauge wheel support arm to obtain a desired planting depth. A seed depth control system generates a force estimate indicative of a force to make a planting depth adjustment. The control system automatically controls actuation of the seed depth actuator to exert the estimated force.

Abstract: A row unit for an agricultural planter having features for releasably operably coupling a seed meter of the row unit to a seed deposition apparatus of the row unit such as a seed conveyor, seed tube or the like. Apparatus may be used for tipping a seed meter of the hopper for disengagement from the seed deposition apparatus or for biasing the seed deposition apparatus into operative engagement with the seed meter. The row unit includes features such as latches for releasably operably coupling the row unit to crop input and vacuum supply lines. Apparatus may also be used for tipping a seed meter of the hopper for disengagement from the crop input and vacuum supply lines. Systems are used for supplying vacuum and crop inputs to the seed meter via the releasably engageable apparatus.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement including a main frame section having a pull hitch tube extending in a travel direction and a plurality of pivotally coupled wing sections coupled with the main frame section. Each of the plurality of wing sections has at least one pivotal sub-frame. A hydraulic actuator is connected between the wing frame and the sub-frame to urge the sub-frame between an operating position and an elevated transport position. An actuator controller is configured to apply a predetermined force of the sub-frame towards the ground independently of other sub-frames so as to provide a more uniform tillage of the ground.

Abstract: A sensor system for determining soil characteristics is disclosed herein. The sensor system includes a ground engaging device for coupling to an agricultural implement. The ground engaging device includes at least one disc member having an aperture and an elongate shaft extending through the aperture. A first sensor unit is arranged on a sensing surface of the disc member and is configured to measure forces acting on the disc member. A second sensor unit is arranged on the elongate shaft and is configured to measure forces acting on the shaft. A processor is communicatively coupled to each of the first and second sensor units. The processor is configured to generate an output signal indicative of a soil characteristic based on the forces measured.

Abstract: A disc opener unit for an agricultural implement has a down pressure adjustment device that automatically adjusts the amount of down pressure applied on a furrowing disc based on strain measurements taken by a strain gauge or load cell. The strain gauge, which may be mounted to an arm that is used to set the position of a depth setting gauge wheel, provides feedback to a processor that in turn controls the amount of hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic cylinder to adjust the down force applied on the disc. The amount of down pressure is therefore adjusted in substantially real-time in response to changes in field conditions, which improves furrow depth consistency and reduces wear on the gauge wheel and its components.

Abstract: A row unit, including a frame with an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a parallel linkage, the lower portion having a gauge wheel depth control linkage, the gauge wheel depth control linkage coupled to plural gauge wheels; a first device coupled to the upper portion and configured to provide an adjustable down force; and an electric actuator coupled to the gauge wheel depth control linkage, the electric actuator configured to provide adjustable positioning of the gauge wheels.

Abstract: A method of making a supercapacitor from waste tires, includes the steps of providing rubber pieces and contacting the rubber pieces with a sulfonation bath to produce sulfonated rubber; pyrolyzing the sulfonated rubber to produce a tire-derived carbon composite comprising carbon black embedded in rubber-derived carbon matrix comprising graphitized interface portions; activating the tire-derived carbon composite by contacting the tire-derived carbon composite with a specific surface area-increasing composition to increase the specific surface area of the carbon composite to provide an activated tire-derived carbon composite; and, mixing the activated tire-derived carbon composite with a monomer and polymerizing the monomer to produce a redox-active polymer coated, activated tire-derived carbon composite. The redox-active polymer coated, activated tire-derived carbon composite can be formed into a film. An electrode and a supercapacitor are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a dispensing box for a drug-containing ampoule. The dispensing box for the drug-containing ampoule includes a partition member including a partition wall for partitioning a plurality of unit cells in which ampoules are stored, a shutter opening or closing a lower portion of each of the unit cells partitioned by the partition member, a driving unit operating the shutter, a conveyer on which a dropping ampoule is seated when the lower end of each of the unit cells is opened, and a discharge hole defined in an end of the conveyer to dispense the ampoule seated on the conveyer when the conveyer is operated. A drug storage matrix in which the drug-containing ampoule is stored may be provided, and a shutter device for dispensing the drug-containing ampoule may be provided to easily dispense the drug-containing ampoule.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for determining corrected population based on a meter drive signal. Systems, methods, and apparatus are additionally provided for determining a stability metric based on a meter drive signal. A method for monitoring a seed application rate of a seed planter includes measuring a rotation of a seed disc of a seed meter, measuring a performance value corresponding to the seed meter, and calculating the population value based on the rotation and the meter performance value.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and method for monitoring and controlling field operations including planting and harvesting operations. In one embodiment, a data processing system of a machine includes a data transfer and processing module that communicates bi-directionally with different types of controllers and sensors mounted on the machine or an implement attached to the machine. The data transfer and processing module is configured to execute instructions to receive signals from these controllers and sensors, process these signals, and generate data for monitoring and controlling field operations of the machine. At least one display device is coupled to the data transfer and processing module. The at least one display device displays the data for monitoring and controlling field operations of the machine or implement to a user or operator.

Abstract: A soil characteristic sensor is mounted on a soil engaging element of a planting machine. It can be mounted, for instance, on an element that engages the soil before a trench is opened, or after a trench is opened, but before it is closed. It can be mounted on an element that engages the soil in a region of the soil trench, but after the trench is closed. It can be mounted on a scraping element that scrapes a disc, and it can be mounted on wedges or other items that run through the soil, and are carried by shanks.

Abstract: A soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.

Abstract: A method includes generating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control signal to fly the UAV over a worksite and capture imagery information at different geographic locations. The imagery information is used to generate a tree inventory metric that indicates a tree inventory at the worksite, or is used to generate a productivity metric that identifies a productivity category for a geographic location at the worksite. The method also generates an action signal based on the tree inventory metric or productivity metric, such as an action signal to deploy machines to different geographic location, or an action signal to update a worksite completion metric.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for providing implement-based speed control for a work vehicle may include a planter controller provided in operative association with a planter towed by the work vehicle and a vehicle controller provided in operative association with the work vehicle. The planter controller may be configured to access an input associated with at least one predetermined threshold value for an operating parameter of the planter and monitor the operating parameter relative to the predetermined threshold value(s) as the planter is being towed at a current ground speed of the work vehicle. In addition, when the operating parameter differs from the predetermined threshold value(s), the planter controller may be configured to adjust a speed control request transmitted to the vehicle controller to cause the current ground speed of the work vehicle to be automatically increased or decreased between predetermined maximum and minimum speed values set for the work vehicle.

Abstract: A method of sowing watermelon seeds includes seeding triploid watermelon seeds and watermelon pollinizer seeds in separate cells within a seedling tray. The triploid watermelon seeds produce seedless watermelons and the pollinizer seeds produce seeded watermelons. The seeded watermelons are not inherently bred to have reduced competition to plants grown from the triploid watermelon seeds.

Abstract: An agricultural planting or seeding implement includes a frame, at least one row unit, one or more imaging devices, and a processor. The at least one row unit includes a seed trench opening assembly extending along an opening line and configured to open a seed trench, a seed deposition assembly configured to deposit a seed in the open seed trench, and a seed trench closing assembly extending along a closing line and configured to close the seed trench. The one or more imaging devices capture images of a field behind the agricultural planting implement as the agricultural planting implement traverses the field.

Abstract: A farm vehicle includes a seat that converts between sitting and kneeling positions. The seat has three cushions: a first one to support a user's chest and head, a second to supports his knees, and a central cushion that pivots transversely between a lowered position and a raised position. In the lower position, the third cushion supports the user's pelvis in the kneeling position. In the raised position, the third cushion forms a sitting part in a sitting position. The slide-way comprises a supporting slide-way that allows translation of the seat in a direction of travel. The seat is mounted on a base that pivots on the slide-way to allow the first, second, and third cushions to pivot about a vertical pivot axis of the farm vehicle.

Abstract: A method for managing agricultural operations by predicting amount of crop or product remaining for a field includes performing agricultural operations on at least a portion of a field using an agricultural machine, sensing data associated with the agricultural operations using sensors associated with the agricultural machine, communicating the data associated with the agricultural operations to a computing device, analyzing the data associated with the agricultural operations performed using the computing device to determine an area prediction for a remaining portion of the field upon which the agricultural operations are to be performed, and using the area prediction for the remaining portion of the field by the computing device to determine a time associated with completing the agricultural operations for the field or an amount of material or other resources associated with completing the agricultural operations for the field.

Abstract: A seed metering system, for use on a row crop planter, selects individual seeds from a seed reservoir and dispenses the seeds singularly at a controlled rate. A direct drive seed metering system includes a seed disc having a plurality of suction apertures with a recessed pocket adjacent to an aperture. The recessed pockets act to agitate seeds in the seed reservoir and to direct seed flow towards the apertures. A seed path relief system allows the placement of the seeds such that they are released from an outer edge of the seed disc. An adjustable seed singulator is mounted adjacent to the face of the seed disc where inner and outer blades are adjusted radially to compensate for the singulation of various seed sizes and shapes. The seed disc is driven via engagement of an internal gear with the external gear of an independent drive motor.

Abstract: A method for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting that includes a seed meter. The seed meter has a split seed meter reservoir with a pair of seed meter chambers flanked by or next to a pair of seed disks. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver one type of seed from one of the seed meter chambers for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter.

Abstract: A seed meter drive system includes a clutch having a toolless fastener configured to selectively couple the clutch to a downstream component. The clutch is configured to receive a rotational input via a flexible drive shaft, and to drive the downstream component in rotation while the clutch is engaged.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a force sensor that senses a force characteristic indicative of a force applied by a portion of the agricultural machine to ground. An acceleration sensor also senses accelerations on that portion of the machine, and an applied downforce is corrected for the forces contributed by the sensed acceleration. An action signal is generated to control the agricultural machine based upon the corrected downforce signal.

Abstract: An ammonia applicator system includes has adjustable orifices with openings having variable sizes that can be changed remotely, without having to disassemble exit lines from a distribution manifold. In this way, the restriction of the exit lines and, thus, line flow rate can be adjusted remotely and/or automatically, even during ammonia application use. Each adjustable orifice may include a valve and an actuator that controls the valve for changing the size of the opening of the adjustable orifice. The actuator may be a rotary actuator, such as a stepper motor, and the valve may include an adjustment knob and a screw that can rotate to allow a needle to advance or regress through an opening of a valve body of the valve.

Abstract: A control system and method for automatically determining characteristic for optimum machine performance including a user interface console, a processor and a controller. Data for operation setting and optimization condition is fed into the control system through the user interface console. The processor processes the data by incrementing at least one variable parameter to generate an output data corresponding to each incremented variable parameter.

Abstract: An article holding system according to an embodiment is an article holding system which is provided with a fixed portion, a movable portion, a hollow member located between the fixed portion and the movable portion, a drawing portion to draw in the hollow member, and a fluid control device to supply fluid to an inside of the hollow member, wherein the hollow member deforms in a state that the fluid is supplied by the fluid control device, and the hollow member is drawn out from the drawing portion, to change a distance between the fixed portion and the movable portion.