Abstract: An apparatus and system for positioning a trailing wheel behind a row planting unit in a row planting system and for transferring weight between a row closing unit with row closing wheels and a trailing wheel while providing for independent movement of the trailing wheel and row closing wheels is provided. A trailing or firming wheel assembly is positioned behind a row closing unit with a set of row closing wheels. A cam-based depth limiting system provides for a depth stop and depth limiting adjustments while providing for independent movement of the trailing wheel and set of row closing wheels.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for closing a planting trench include a disc assembly for loosening soil adjacent to the planting trench. In some embodiments a closing wheel assembly has a subframe, a vertical pivot mounting the closing wheel subframe to a row unit subframe, and a air of pivot arms. The closing wheel subframe pivots relative to the subframe of the row unit.

Abstract: Systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants of agricultural fields include a seed firmer having a base support to be positioned in operation in proximity to a trench for planting seed in the trench and a lower member integrated with the base support or coupled to the base support. The lower member includes a non-planar ground contacting lower surface to adjust an orientation of the seed to a desired seed orientation within the trench and to position the seed within the trench at a desired depth.

Abstract: A sowing coulter arrangement comprises a suspension device for mounting the sowing coulter arrangement on a machine frame; a coulter frame connected to the suspension device for mounting components of the sowing coulter arrangement thereon; and a coulter disk. The arrangement further comprises a furrow closer pivotally mounted on the coulter frame; a metering device for dispensing the material to be distributed; a seed tube for transporting the material to be distributed from the metering device to a seed furrow; and a catching element for catching the material disposed downstream of the outlet of the seed tube. The metering device, the seed tube, and the catching element form a unit and are mounted on a carrier that is pivotably affixed to the coulter frame, whereby an arrangement of an outlet of a seed tube in relation to a catching element is at all times kept largely constant.

Abstract: A seed bounce flap for an agricultural seeder is provided for preventing bouncing of seeds in a furrow created by a furrow opener assembly with a seed channel defined by a rearwardly angled seed tube and seed boot. The seed bounce flap has a first mounting portion attached to an upper wall of the seed boot and a second flexible portion extending generally downwardly from the first portion. The second portion of the seed bounce flap is angled relative to the first portion so that the second portion is more vertical than the first portion. The seed bounce flap is flexible in a fore-and-aft direction and has tapering right and left sides that converge toward each other at a lower end of the seed bounce flap to conform to the shape of the furrow. The seed bounce flap can be made of an injection molded plastic material.

Abstract: The excavations of side vertical walls for building and underpasses must be shored so that the excavations adjacent to the neighboring properties do not cave in during the constructions. A Soil Nailing system has been used for stabilization of excavations and natural slopes for the last few decades in India and Abroad. Soil Nailing Technique used steel anchor rods inserted directly into the soil mass as a driven nails and when Nails are placed in pre-drilled holes to form grouted nails. In both the cases, it restrained load and the side deformations. In the present study, an innovative technique of ‘Soil Nailing’ has been developed for stepwise vertical de-stabilization and stabilization of compacted collapsible sandy soil for the construction of railway underpasses in live railway loading conditions.

Abstract: An agricultural material applicator is disclosed herein. The applicator uses a coulter, a knife, and a dual sealer assembly to provide agricultural material such as liquid manure to the soil. Weight of the agricultural material applicator is supported by the sealer assembly to eliminate the need for additional gauge wheels. The sealer assembly is two sealers provided with independent suspension to allow one sealer to move out of the way of an obstruction, while the other sealer continues to operate.

Abstract: A planter row unit is disclosed having an active downforce control system for the closing wheels. This separate control of the downforce pressure for the closing wheels is provided from the row unit downforce control. A single operator input is used to set a desired downforce for all row units. The control system then operates to produce the desired downforce. Alternatively, the control system may display a downforce load to the operator who then manually makes adjustments as desired.

Abstract: A closing tool to be attached to a plough frame to engage a soil layer, the tool includes an attachment stem via which the closing tool is attached to the plough frame. Secured to the lower portion of the stem are wear resistant members.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for removing and treating contaminated materials on a bottom of a body of water and introducing growth packets to revitalize the treated bottom of the body of water. The structure may comprise a vessel with an open face. The vessel may be lowered down to the bottom of the body of water with the face facing down. As a result, the vessel and the bottom form an isolated space. The structure may comprise at least one agitating device(s) for stirring up the materials inside the vessel so as to form a mixture containing the sediment materials which in turn contain the contaminants. Multiple at least one pipe(s) may be coupled to the vessel for transporting the mixture out of the vessel for processing (filtering, treating with chemicals, etc.) so as to neutralize or eliminate the contaminants in the mixture. Then, the treated mixture can be returned to the inside of the vessel via the at least one pipe(s).

Abstract: A method for controlling a seeding apparatus including sensing a ground force acting on a furrow opener of the seeding apparatus and providing a ground force sensor signal in dependence upon the ground force acting on the furrow opener. The method further includes providing an actuator to apply a bias force to a packer wheel of the seeding apparatus. The method also includes providing a control device operative to receive the ground force sensor signal and an input from an operator and to adjust the bias force that the actuator applies to the packer wheel in dependence on at least one of the ground force sensor signal and the input from the operator.

Abstract: A furrow closer apparatus has a bracket extending down from an upper forward portion of an implement shank. Right and left spring arms with soil moving elements at lower ends thereof are attached at top ends thereof to right and left coil springs connected by a cross member. A spring tube extends through the coil springs and through the bracket aperture to attach the spring arms such that a spring arm extends rearward and downward on each side of a shank location. Clips are attached to the spring tube on each side of the bracket aperture and define clip apertures. The cross member extends through the clip apertures, and the clip apertures are larger than the cross member such that the cross member is movable in the clip apertures. Rotatable discs with a twine wrap inhibiting ring can provide the soil moving elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a direct seeder. A fertilizer receptacle and a seed receptacle integrally formed with each other in the conventional art are separated from each other. A single fertilizer receptacle and a single seed receptacle are used in place of a plurality of fertilizer receptacles and a plurality of seed receptacles according to the conventional art. The fertilizer receptacle and seed receptacle are installed to be positioned so low that fertilizer and seeds can be easily poured into the fertilizer receptacle and seed receptacle. A screw conveyor for removing the traces of tractor wheels is installed on the direct seeder.

Abstract: An anhydrous ammonia knife including a shank attached to an implement tool bar, a knife segment attached to the forward edge of the shank, and an ammonia delivery tube disposed between the forward edge of the shank and the leading edge of the knife segment. The knife selectively penetrates the soil to a predetermined depth and the tube discharge end is disposed in fluid communication with the soil. Ammonia is discharged into the soil at a position immediately behind the leading edge of the knife segment as the furrow is first opened. This positioning minimizes the amount of ammonia vapor lost to the atmosphere since the ammonia is quickly entrapped in the soil.

Abstract: A seed covering apparatus for covering seeds with soil after an agricultural seed planter places the seeds within an open seed trench and before the planter closes the seed trench. The apparatus includes a disk with a center guide hole and a sealed bearing attached within the guide hole. An adjustable mounting assembly fixes the sealed bearing to the planter so that the disk can rotate about the bearing along one side of the seed trench. The mounting assembly orients the disk at an acute angle to the seed trench so that rotation of the disk along the side of the trench transfers soil from the side into the bottom of the seed trench. The transferred soil completely covers the seeds within the trench prior to closure of the trench by the planter.