An earth cutting apparatus comprising a plurality of articulated elements including at least a first element having a mounting structure thereon and an adjacent second element hingedly connected to the first element. An earth cutting member is provided including a proximal end which is pivotally mounted to the mounting structure of the first element and an earth cutting end. The earth cutting member is slidably connected to the adjacent second element and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, such that hinged movement of the adjacent second element relative to the first element causes the earth cutting member to slidably extend from the adjacent second element to the extended position for operatively cutting earth. Hinged movement of the adjacent second element in an opposite direction causes the earth cutting member to slidably retract to the retracted position.

An earth cutting apparatus comprising a plurality of articulated elements including at least a first element having a mounting structure thereon and an adjacent second element hingedly connected to the first element. An earth cutting member is provided including a proximal end which is pivotally mounted to the mounting structure of the first element and an earth cutting end. The earth cutting member is slidably connected to the adjacent second element and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, such that hinged movement of the adjacent second element relative to the first element causes the earth cutting member to slidably extend from the adjacent second element to the extended position for operatively cutting earth. Hinged movement of the adjacent second element in an opposite direction causes the earth cutting member to slidably retract to the retracted position.

Various embodiments detect and manage target vegetation in vegetation areas, including crop beds, between crop beds, and turfgrasses. In one embodiment, a machine learning model is trained to detect target vegetation in captured images. An information processing system is programmed utilizing the machine learning model. One or more images of a particular area are captured, and target vegetation is detected within the one or more images. A position of the detected target vegetation is determined within the one or more images. An applicator disposed on an agrochemical applicator system that is mapped to the position of the detected target vegetation within the one or more images is determined. The applicator is activated based on a current speed of a vehicle coupled to the agrochemical applicator system, and further based on configuration data associated with the applicator. Activating the applicator selectively applies an agrochemical to the detected target vegetation.

An autonomous soil sampling device. The device including a vehicle for generally autonomously navigating a given area for sampling and adapted with systems to generally avoid obstacles during maneuvering. The device including a soil sampling system designed for placement on a platform of the vehicle and including an extraction arm having a probe and auger to probe into the soil for extracting a quantity of soil. The extraction arm rotationally received on a housing and movable to an inverted position for depositing the quantity of extracted soil into a packaging assembly for collection, labeling, and storage of the individual samples.

A scarifier assembly for connection to a vehicle, including right and left housing assemblies, each of which includes a first and second pivots. The scarifier assembly has a pivotal arm assembly having a rear cross member with a forward extending right end connected to the first pivot of the right housing assembly and a forward extending left end connected to the first pivot of the left housing assembly. A plurality of elongate teeth are removably connected to a plurality of flanges that are connected to the rear cross member. A right lift actuator is pivotally connected to the second pivot of the right housing assembly and pivotally connected to the forward extending right end of the pivotal arm assembly, and a left lift actuator is pivotally connected to the second pivot of the left housing assembly and pivotally connected to the forward extending left end of the pivotal arm assembly.

A scarifier assembly for connection to a vehicle, including right and left housing assemblies, each of which includes a first and second pivots. The scarifier assembly has a pivotal arm assembly having a rear cross member with a forward extending right end connected to the first pivot of the right housing assembly and a forward extending left end connected to the first pivot of the left housing assembly. A plurality of elongate teeth are removably connected to a plurality of flanges that are connected to the rear cross member. A right lift actuator is pivotally connected to the second pivot of the right housing assembly and pivotally connected to the forward extending right end of the pivotal arm assembly, and a left lift actuator is pivotally connected to the second pivot of the left housing assembly and pivotally connected to the forward extending left end of the pivotal arm assembly.

In one aspect, a system for monitoring soil composition within a field may include a non-rotating ground-engaging tool configured to be pulled through soil within the field in a manner that performs an agricultural operation on the field. The non-rotating ground-engaging tool may, in turn, define a cavity therein, with the cavity including an opening. Furthermore, the system may include a sensor positioned within the cavity, with the sensor configured emit an output signal through the opening for reflection off of the soil within the field. The sensor may also be configured to detect the reflected output signal as a return signal, with a parameter of the return signal being indicative of a soil composition of the soil within the field.

A steam shank rotor assembly having rigid teeth connected to a hollow shaft via teeth mounts which collectively allow steam to circulate from the hollow shaft to the nozzles located near the working end of the teeth, and then into the soil. This invention provides an agricultural apparatus that simultaneously tills and disinfects soil with the use of steam.

In an embodiment, an integrated sensor system with modular sensors and wireless connectivity components for monitoring properties of field soil is described. In an embodiment, an integrated sensor system comprises one or more sensors that are configured to determine one or more measures of at least one property of soil. The integrated sensor system also includes one or more processing units that are configured to receive, from the sensors, the measures of at least one property of soil and calculate soil property data based on the measures. The system further includes a transmitter that is configured to receive the soil property data from the processing units, establish a communications connection with at least one computer device, and automatically transmit the soil property data to the at least one computer device via the communications connection. In an embodiment, the communications connection is a wireless connection established between the transmitter and a smart hub or a LoRA-enabled device. In an embodiment, the computer sensors, the processors, and the transmitter are installed inside a portable probe.

In one aspect, a system for monitoring operational parameters associated with a tillage implement may include a first sensor configured to detect data indicative of a first distance between an implement frame forward of a ground engaging tool and a soil surface prior to engagement of the soil by the tool. The system may also include a second sensor configured to detect data indicative of a second distance between the frame aft of the tool and the sod surface following engagement of the soil by the tool. A controller of the system may be configured to determine a soil density change caused by engagement of the soil by the tool based on the first and second distances. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to determine a penetration depth of the tool based at least in part on the determined change in the soil density.