Abstract: A system for adjusting the spacing between ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include a plurality of ground engaging tools including a first end tool, a second end tool, and at least one intermediate tool positioned between the first and second end tools, with an adjustable ground engaging width being defined between the first and second end tools. The system may further include a biasing element positioned between each respective pair of adjacent engaging tools and configured to apply a biasing force against its respective pair of adjacent tools such that an inter-tool spacing between each respective pair of adjacent tools is maintained substantially uniform across the plurality of ground engaging tools as the ground engaging width is adjusted.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the levelness of a multi-wing agricultural implement may include a central frame section, a wing section pivotably coupled to the central frame section and a field contour sensor configured to generate data indicative of a contour of an aft portion of the field located rearward of the implement relative to a direction of travel of the implement. The system may further include a controller communicatively coupled to the field contour sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the data received from the field contour sensor and assess a levelness of the implement based at least in part on the contour of the aft portion of the field.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining soil levelness as an agricultural implement is being towed across a field by a work vehicle may include a vision-based sensor configured to capture vision data associated with a portion of the field present within a field of view of the vision-based sensor. A controller of the system may be configured to receive, from the vision-based sensor, the vision data associated with the portion of the field present within the field of view of the vision-based sensor. Additionally, the controller may be configured to determine a soil levelness of the portion of the field present within the field of view of the vision-based sensor based on a spectral analysis of the received vision data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a harvesting machine for harvesting a crop in a field, at least one operating value for a working part of the harvesting machine being determined in dependence on at least one plant property of the crop. According to the invention, it is provided that the plant property is mapped in a plant growth model, the plant growth model modelling a development over time of the plant property and determining a predictive value or a predictive characteristic of the plant property for the time of the harvest.

Abstract: In a sowing method and a corresponding sowing device for discharging granular seed onto an underlying surface for seed, seeds (K) which are present in a reservoir container (10) are removed from the reservoir container and separated by means of a separating device (20) and successively allowed to fall onto the underlying surface (B) for seed. After the separated seeds (K) leave the separating device (20) seed dressing is applied to them by means of an application device (30) during their falling movement onto the underlying surface (B) for seed.

Abstract: The present invention involves a seed firmer with a pusher attachment that extends the life of the seed firmer and brackets for mounting the same to a planter. The disclosed invention additionally involves an adjustment mechanism for seed or grain drill planters which allows for the adjustment of the camber and/or toe of individual coulters on the planter.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mobile operating platform for a paddy field, including a body, a power generating device, a movement control system, a draft control system and an automatic leveling system, where the power generating device, the movement control system, the draft control system and the automatic leveling system are all mounted on the body. The present invention has a compact overall structure, and utilizes the pressure of a water flow to realize the movement of the platform, and can fully utilize the characteristics of the water flow to reduce power consumption, and avoid the use of a heavy and complicated traditional walking device, the entire mobile operating platform for a paddy field does not contact the ground, saving mechanical power and avoiding damage to an aquatic crop; the draft control system adjusts a draft by the amount of water filled in a closed cavity in the body.

Abstract: An agricultural implement including a frame, a plurality of ground engaging tools connected to the frame, a fertilizer device configured for applying at least one liquid fertilizer and including a plurality of fluid lines and a plurality of fertilizer applicator assemblies fluidly connected to the plurality of fluid lines. Each fertilizer applicator assembly includes an applicator connected to the frame and a valve fluidly connected to the applicator. The valve is configured for varying a rate of the at least one liquid fertilizer through the applicator. The agricultural implement also includes an electronic control unit operably connected to the valves of the plurality of fertilizer applicator assemblies and configured for automatically adjusting the valve of at least one fertilizer applicator assembly of the plurality of fertilizer applicator assemblies to vary the rate of the at least one liquid fertilizer, dependent upon a fertilizer requirement characteristic.

Abstract: Described is a lawn mower robot comprising: a frame; cutting means configured for cutting grass, adjusting the height; movement means, associated with the frame for moving it along a working trajectory in a feed direction; a system for detecting the presence of grass in an area of ground along the working trajectory in the feed direction; a computerised command and control unit operatively associated with said cutting means, movement means and detection system; said detection system comprises a radar sensor configured for sending an electromagnetic wave towards the ground, receiving a reflected electromagnetic wave from the ground and transmitting a signal representing said reflected electromagnetic wave to the command and control unit.

Abstract: An autonomous mowing system comprising: a memory configured to hold a set of path data defining a set of paths, the set of paths comprising a transit path to a maintenance area and a set of mow paths to cover the maintenance area; a processor coupled to the memory; a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, the computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions executable by the processor, the set of instructions comprising instructions for: using the set of path data, determining a plurality of candidate routes that traverse the transit path and fully cover the maintenance area and a total cost for each of the plurality of candidate routes; determining a least cost route from the plurality of candidate routes; and configuring an autonomous mower to follow the least cost route to mow the maintenance area

Abstract: This invention is a system to control depredators and predators having a configurable ground utility robot where the robot has an all-terrain autonomous mobile apparatus that can navigate in both structured and unstructured environments, a processor, at least one sensor that communicates with the processor, and at least one computer program that performs at least the following functions: receives and interprets data from the at least one sensor; controls the mobile apparatus; at least one control device; and where the ground utility robot is powered by renewable energy.

Abstract: A blade and a lawn mower including the same is provided. The blade includes a main body, the main body includes a body portion and an assembling portion which is connected to the body portion, the assembling portion is configured for being disposed on a mowing disk of a lawn mower, the mowing disk is rotatable about an axial direction, the body portion includes two side faces opposite to each other, each said side face has a curved section and a plane section, the two side faces define a midline therebetween, and the midline and a vertical plane which is lateral to the axial direction define an angle therebetween.

Abstract: The invention provides a mower. The mower comprises a housing and a cutting device arranged in the housing. The mower is provided with a height adjustment device. The height adjustment device comprises a rotating member and a traction member arranged on the housing. One end of the traction member is fixed on the rotating member, and the other end of the traction member is fixed on the cutting device. The rotating member rotates to drive the traction member to adjust the height of the cutting device. Such an arrangement makes the mower have a simple structure, save internal space of the mower, and be convenient to operate.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for a combine harvester that has a processing stage with an input for a crop flow, a first output for a useful flow and has abundant threshed grains, and a second output for a residual flow with scarce grains. At least one operating parameter of the processing stage is adjustable. The driver assistance system has an actuatable rethreshing device arranged at the second output of the processing stage, a residual grain sensor for detecting a proportion of threshed out grain in the residual flow downstream of the rethreshing device, and an evaluating device that turns the rethreshing device on and off, compares the proportions of threshed out grains in the residual flow when the rethreshing device is turned on and when the rethreshing device is turned off, and to adapt the at least one operating parameter of the processing stage based on the comparison.

Abstract: A self-propelled combine harvester has at least one tilting mechanism for the uniform distribution of a harvested material on an oscillating conveying and cleaning unit, in particular a top sieve. The tilting mechanism has elements for defining a swiveling direction of the conveying and cleaning unit which are arranged between the conveying and cleaning unit and a machine housing. The tilting mechanism has an actuator for continuous adjustment of at least one component part of the elements from an initial position to an adjusting position. The position of the at least one component part decisively defines the swiveling direction. An electric control unit controls the actuator depending on a state of the combine harvester and/or harvested material and the initial position of the at least one component part of the tilting mechanism.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating a crop flow on at least one conveying and cleaning unit, particularly a top sieve, of a combine harvester, wherein the conveying and cleaning unit is excited to a longitudinal oscillation and a transverse oscillation. The transverse oscillation is controlled depending on at least one state, wherein least one state for controlling the transverse oscillation is the inclination of the combine harvester, wherein at least one further state for controlling the transverse oscillation is the grain purity, particularly the grain purity of a main crop flow. The transverse oscillation is pre-controlled depending on the inclination of the combine harvester and fine-tuned depending on the grain purity.

Abstract: An electrically actuated mulch control lever includes an upper plate and a lower plate pivotably mounted together on a top surface of a mower deck. A compression spring is retained between the upper plate and the lower plate urging the upper plate and the lower plate to pivot together. An electric linear actuator is connected to one of the plates, and a mulch gate hinge is attached to the other plate.

Abstract: A residue vision system includes a harvesting machine configured to traverse a field and harvest an agricultural material, a residue distribution system carried by the harvesting machine and configured to distribute a residue of the agricultural material onto a first harvested area of the field, at least one camera coupled to the harvesting machine and configured to acquire an image of a second harvested area of the field, and an electronic control unit in communication with the at least one camera and the residue distribution system. The electronic control unit is configured to analyze the image acquired by the at least one camera, and in response to the analysis adjust the residue distribution system to adjust distribution of the residue onto the first harvested area of the field.

Abstract: A riding mower includes a seat, a main rack configured to bear the seat, a mowing element, a walking assembly for enabling the riding mower to walk across a lawn, and an operation assembly configured to be operated by the user so that the riding mower is controlled to walk and output power. The riding mower further includes a parking system, a linkage mechanism and a gearbox. The parking system is configured to switch the riding mower between a parking state and a non-parking state. The linkage mechanism is connected to the parking system. The gearbox is connected to the linkage mechanism. The parking system controls, through the linkage mechanism, the gearbox to implement braking.

Abstract: A method for harvesting and post-production packaging of leafy crops by hydroponic technique comprises the steps of spraying a plurality of vital plants such to create a water film on leaves to keep them hydrated. The method includes pre-cooling the vital plants at a temperature lower than or equal to +5° C. within a period of about 12 hours and cutting and separating the plants from the supporting substrate and from roots. The method also includes packaging the plants at a temperature not higher than 5° C. The invention also includes a plant for harvesting and post-production packaging of leafy crops by hydroponic technique.

Abstract: A rotary cleaning system for a combine harvester that includes a hollow drum having a plurality of apertures along at least a portion of a length of an exterior surface of the drum, the drum having a feeding end configured to receive a harvested crop and a discharge end configured to expel chaff from the harvested crop and a guiding vane positioned in an interior of the drum, wherein one of the drum and the guiding vane is configured for rotation while the other one of the drum and the guiding vane is stationary to expel grain through the plurality of apertures in the drum. A feeding mechanism can be attached to supply the crop to the hollow drum. A fan can be attached to the rotary cleaning system to generate an air flow stream. A plurality of fingers can be positioned in the drum.

Abstract: A roll for an agricultural baler includes an interior tube and an exterior tube surrounding and connected to the interior tube. The exterior tube has an exterior surface and a plurality of loops extending from the exterior surface of the exterior tube.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a baler controller configured or programmed to obtain an ejector inclination value from a positional relation between a tractor inclination sensor and a bale ejector of a baler, the ejector inclination value being a sensor value of the inclination sensor corresponding to the bale ejector, and to allow ejection of the bale when a size of the bale in the baler is larger than a first threshold value and the ejector inclination value is less than a second threshold value.

Abstract: An automatic net wrap remover is shown and described. The automatic net wrap remover includes a housing constructed of a base and a plurality of sidewalk. The housing has an interior volume. The base supports a belt system that will support a round hay bale and help to rotate the bale. A spindle is attached to the top of one of the plurality of sidewalls that will engage the hay bale. A blade is attached adjacent to the spindle that cut the net wrapping of the hay bale.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber and defining a plurality of apertures for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A pollen pod is mounted to the grow module in one of the apertures and contains pollen for pollinating the plant pods to facilitate plant growth. A pollen ejection device, which may be a pressurized air nozzle or a protruding member for puncturing the pollen pod, is fixed to the liner or otherwise stationary relative to the pollen pod and is configured for engaging the pollen pod when the grow module rotates the pollen pod past the pollen ejection device to discharge and disperse pollen onto the plant pods.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A lighting assembly is positioned within the grow chamber and includes a plurality of lights that are independently movable and adjustable. A controller receives an illumination parameter that may indicate a particular region of the grow chamber that should be illuminated, a particular lighting intensity, wavelength, or schedule, or other information related to a preferred lighting condition within the grow chamber. The lighting assembly is operated to illuminate the grow chamber according to the received illumination parameter.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, and/or manufacture adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method configured for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, installing a support system for a green wall, the support system comprising a plurality of trays that are configured to interface with a securement system.

Abstract: A storage assembly includes a body with a space defined axially therethrough. A tray is connected to the top of the body and multiple pivotable members are pivotably connected to the body and the tray. Each member includes a reception portion for storage purpose, and a cover is mounted to the reception portion. A tube is inserted in a connection portion of the tray and receives fishes and plants in the tube. A base is connected to the underside of the body and is connected with a light device on the top thereof. The pivotable members can be pivoted to enclose the tube or to be pivoted outward around the tube.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. The grow module defines a root chamber and a plurality of apertures for positioning a root end of the plant pod in the root chamber. A resonator may be positioned on each plant pod or at each of the plurality of apertures for generating a unique sound signature when a specific plant pod is inserted into a specific aperture. A detection device, such as a microphone, measures the sound waves generated by the resonator and a controller determines a location and/or a type of the plant pod based on the unique sound signature.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for using photosynthetic biomass to purify water, reduce indoor air pollution, remove greenhouse gases including CO2 from outdoor atmospheric air, and produce biofuel, food products, and fertilizer are provided herein. Also provided herein are systems and methods for enhancing growth of a photosynthetic biomass in a greenhouse.

Abstract: The agricultural material includes a cellulose acylate layer and a polymer layer. The cellulose acylate layer is formed of cellulose acylate. The polymer layer is provided on a first CA surface, which is one surface of the cellulose acylate layer. The polymer layer has a moisture permeation resistance of at most 7.5×10?4 m2·day/g per 1 ?m of thickness and is formed of a polymer different from cellulose acylate. The agricultural material has a tear strength of at least 0.10 N.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods, the grow module defining a plurality of grow chambers spaced apart along the circumferential direction. One or more resilient sealing elements, e.g., formed from silicone, are positioned at the distal ends of the grow module to seal a gap between the grow module and the liner. The resilient sealing elements define one or more air ducts for providing a flow of air through the resilient sealing element into one of the plurality of chambers and a flow regulating device for regulating the flow of air.

Abstract: Disclosed is a climate control system for use with an indoor plant growing environment. The system includes an air supply system and a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system utilizes a reheat coil in parallel with a condenser coil. In the airflow path of the air supply system the reheat coil is positioned downstream of the cooling coil. The method of operating the climate control system relies upon the input of set point values for enthalpy, dry bulb temperature and dew points into a controller. The controller receives data from sensors within the plant growing environment and uses this data to manage the operation of a three-way valve, supply fan speed, and compressor speed in order to maintain the indoor plant growing environment within an accepted range of each of the three set points.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A lighting assembly is positioned within the grow chamber and includes a plurality of lights that are independent movable and adjustable. A controller detects an abnormal growth condition, e.g., a plant growing in a single direction, the presence and location of bare or void regions within a particular plant, growth toward a pinch point, and other growth abnormalities. The lighting assembly may be adjusted to correct the abnormal grow condition, e.g., by modifying an illumination schedule, an illumination direction, an intensity, a wavelength, or another parameter of the generated light.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to improved vertical farming using autonomous systems and methods for growing edible plants, using improved stacking and shelving units configured to allow for gravity-based irrigation, gravity-based loading and unloading, along with a system for autonomous rotation, incorporating novel plant-growing pallets, while being photographed and recorded by camera systems incorporating three dimensional/multispectral cameras, with the images and data recorded automatically sent to a database for processing and for gauging plant health, pest and/or disease issues, and plant life cycle. The present disclosure is also directed to novel harvesting methods, novel modular lighting, novel light intensity management systems, real time vision analysis that allows for the dynamic adjustment and optimization of the plant growing environment, and a novel rack structure system that allows for simplified building and enlarging of vertical farming rack systems.

Abstract: A six-device-in-one material-saving consumer-and-manufacturer-cost-saving shipping-volume-saving multi-barrier-locking multi-root-gripping-and-water-flowing solar-light-securing sprinkler-securing umbrella-pole-securing trellis-securing anti-dig garden-and-tree-protecting vertical-truck-bed-extender-truck-bed-tonneau-cover stackable landscape barrier, comprises: a material-saving barrier, a barrier-connecting end-wing molded to the material-saving barrier for saving materials during manufacturing, being half of the length of comparable prior art and saving money for consumers by requiring less overlap at the ends of the landscape barriers and preventing animals from digging beneath the landscape barrier, when inserted into the soil vertically and bending to create a variety of corner angles, adjustable-corner-angling holes cut out from the material-saving barrier for lockingly supporting a garden-plant cage and promoting bending of the end-wing to form a variety of corner angles, material-saving tongue-lockin

Abstract: Trellis arrangements are used for supporting fruit-bearing plants as they grow. A problem in some orchards or the like is that it can be difficult to install trellis posts in the ground, in particular when the posts are relatively long and difficult to place at the correct angle. The invention discloses a trellis comprising a plurality of supports, each support comprising a shaft embedded in a ground, and at least one connector arm extending upwards at an acute angle with respect to the ground. The trellis is such that for each support, a post is sleeve-fitted to the connector arm so that the post extends upwards at an acute angle but does not touch the ground; the upwardly extending posts collectively support elevated lines running between the posts; and the lines support branches of a fruit bearing plant growing along the lines.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing areas of damage on sports turf, and in particular a turf repair tool which can be used to repair pitch marks, blemishes and other areas of damage, for example on golf greens, by creating a seed bed using a first end of the turf repair tool and dispensing seed into the seed bed from a second end of the turf repair tool. The first end of the turf repair tool can create a seed bed of a predetermined size and shape and the second end of the turf repair tool can dispense a calibrated or predetermined amount of seed into the seed bed, allowing for optimal plant growth. Optionally, the turf repair tool can level the playing surface and/or protect the seed by dispensing coloured sand over the seed bed after the seed has been dispensed.

Abstract: A leaf collection assembly for collecting leaves falling from a tree includes a collar that is positionable around a trunk of a tree. A plurality of arms is provided and each of the arms is coupled to and angles upwardly from the collar when the collar is positioned around the trunk of the tree. A screen is attached to the collar and each of the arms such that the screen forms a cone when the collar is positioned around the trunk of the tree. In this way the cone captures leaves falling from the tree. A pair of chutes is provided and each of the chutes is coupled to the collar. Each of the chutes is aligned with the cone to direct the leaves outwardly from the cone for bagging the leaves.

Abstract: The application provides a multifunctional robotic device including a body, an energy unit installed in the body, a power unit powered by the energy unit, the power unit including an output shaft wherein the output shaft is located at the lower part of the body and exposed from the body, and at least two working units, the working unit is detachably connected to output shaft of the power unit and driven by the power unit.

Abstract: A tree tap and a method of using same. Tree sap, such as birch or maple sap, is collected with the tree tap that has been inserted in the tree without forming a recess shaped to receive the tap prior to insertion. The tree tap includes a blade defining opposed blade side surfaces. The tree tap includes at least two sap collecting apertures each provided in a respective one of the blade side surfaces.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A hydration assembly is positioned within a root chamber and includes a plurality of nozzles that are independent movable and adjustable. A controller detects an abnormal or undesirable growth condition, e.g., plant roots growing in a single direction, into conflict with each other, toward a pinch point, or in another abnormal direction. The hydration assembly may be adjusted to correct the abnormal or undesirable growth condition, e.g., by modifying a hydration schedule, a nutrient concentration, a spray direction or magnitude, or another hydration parameter.

Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A nutrient dosing system is positioned within a root chamber and includes a plurality of nozzles. A nutrient cartridge and a water supply are fluidly coupled to a dilution tank and are independently regulated to control the flow rate of nutrients and water that are mixed to create a flow of diluted nutrient mixture. A pump system selectively discharges the flow of diluted nutrient mixture to desired locations within the root chamber.

Abstract: First beam source radiates a near infrared reference beam of 905 nm, in which light tends not to be absorbed in water toward a leaf of a plant. Second beam source radiates a near infrared measuring beam of 1550 nm, in which light tends to be absorbed in water toward the leaf of the plant. Threshold level setter/water content index detector calculates a water content index of one leaf as a total sum ?Ln(I905/I1550) of the reflection intensity ratio. Controller displays a graph representing a total sum of water content of the leaf and a pixel average value as a time-transition of the water content contained in the plant from the start of the measurement period on a UI screen of a monitor. Viewed from the first and second beam sources, a white reference substrate covering a back surface of the leaf is disposed on the leaf of the plant.

Abstract: A portable hydroponic system includes a water tank and a media pot having a plurality of apertures that is removably positioned along the top of the tank. A lower housing and an upper housing are removably positioned within the tank beneath the media pot. Each of the housings including a central opening that are vertically aligned and a supply line is positioned through the openings. A submersible water pump is positioned within the lower housing and is connected to the supply line. An air pump having an air supply hose is also connected to the supply line. The pumps supply highly oxygenated water through the inside of the upper housing to the apertures along the bottom of the media pot and pull water from the apertures along the sides of the pot downward along the outside of the upper and lower housings back into the pump.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hydroponic system comprising a water container, a gas pump disposed within the water container, and an air chamber disposed around the gas pump. The hydroponic system also includes an air line extending into the air chamber to drive air into the air chamber water within the water container, and an air bell disposed within the water container to capture the air from the air line, wherein the air bell maximizes the surface area of the water with the captured air. Also disclosed is a system and a method for implementing the system.

Abstract: A tower catch mechanism that facilitates loading of vertical grow towers in a vertical farming structure having associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a load conveyance mechanism that transfers grow towers to a loading position where grow towers are loaded onto a select grow line. Each grow line may include a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. The system may include a tower catch mechanism that registers grow towers in position at the loading position for insertion into a select grow line. In some implementations, the tower catch mechanism can be integrated into other structures of the vertical farming system, such as a gutter basin corresponding to a select grow line.

Abstract: An irrigation system for a vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. An irrigation line having apertures at the select positions provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers, while a gutter structure captures excess solution. In a closed loop system, the excess solution returns to a recirculation tank. The present disclosure provides a dual pump system for effectively and efficiently removing excess nutrient solution from the gutter structure.

Abstract: Dihaploid recoveries of Schendonorus meadow fescue and festulolium may be created using the method disclosed herein. The method includes crossing a ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) inducer line (IL) with individuals from a meadow fescue or festulolium cultivar or population. Such a cross can create a variety of resulting individual plants, including dihaploid recoveries. Some of the dihaploid recoveries can also be rhizomatous even when the parental meadow fescue or festulolium plant did not display a rhizomatous trait.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a number of sequences involved in the transport of alkaloids from the root to the leaf in tobacco, methods of using such sequences, tobacco plants carrying modifications to such sequences, and tobacco products made from such plants.