A planting device may include a platform having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture. Either a projection that extends from the bottom surface or a planting tube that extends from the top surface may be configured couple to the aperture. The projection and the planting tube may be interchangeable. The planting device may further include a handle extending from the top surface.

A device for agricultural management includes a processing unit to determine at least one geographical location of an agricultural land area, the determination comprising utilization of a GPS unit. Agricultural data is provided from an input unit to the processing unit. The processing unit determines agricultural management data, the determination comprising utilization of the at least one geographical location and the agricultural data. An output unit outputs agricultural management information to a user of the device on the basis of the agricultural management data.

A self-propelled seeding vehicle includes a seed sorting and placement unit controlled by an on-board control system. The control system further controls a motive power unit operable to cause the vehicle to controllably traverse an area of ground to be seeded. The control system is further operable to control the sequential depositing of seeds independently of the speed of traversal of the ground by the vehicle.

A multiple use toolbar attachment for an agricultural implement to tiller to enhance seed planting and row making. The toolbar converts the agricultural implement between a tilling implement and a planting implement in “one-step” by rotation of the toolbar about a longitudinal axis. A plurality of implement mounting brackets are disposed in a spaced apart relation along the longitudinal length of the tool bar. A forward mounting bracket is adapted to receive a first implement and an aft mounting bracket is adapted to receive a second implement. Rotation of the toolbar selectively positions one of the first implement or the second implement to treat the ground surface. The multiple use toolbar may be coupled to another implement, such as a tiller, for tandem operation with the another implement.

Each one of the secondary converters has a corresponding transformer having a primary winding associated with a primary alternating current (AC) signal and a secondary winding associated with a secondary alternating current (AC) signal. A secondary controller provides secondary control signals to the secondary semiconductor switches of the secondary converters with one or more time-synchronized, target phase offsets with respect to an observed phase of the alternating current signal (e.g., primary alternating current signal or the secondary alternating current signal) to provide the target phase offset (or targeted phase offsets) commensurate with or sufficient to support a required electrical energy transfer from the primary controller to the corresponding secondary controller (or secondary controllers).

A planter implement (12) includes one or more row units (10) equipped with a furrowing assembly (22), a seed/fertilizer assembly (24), and a furrow-closing assembly (26). The unit (10) is equipped with a pair of right- and left-hand crimper wheels (30) respectively mounted on opposite sides of the furrowing assembly (22). Each crimper wheel (30) has a pair of support rims (52, 54) with a series of elongated bar elements (56) extending between and secured to the rims (52, 54). The bar elements (56) extend beyond the outer periphery of the rims (52, 54) in order to crimp surface crops as the row units (10) pass over a field; the bar elements (56) are oriented to direct material outwardly from each wheel (30) in order to prevent clogging thereof. The crimper wheels (30) are adjustably mounted on the row units (10) and serve as gauge wheels for the units (10).

Coir plugs have spherical plugs of coir pith having a diameter in the range of 1 to 3 inches having a seam between two halves of the plug, and indentations in a surface of the plugs, configured to receive a seed. A method of producing coir plugs includes at least one compressing of coir material using opposed half ball cup cylinders to produce spherical plugs having a diameter in the range of 1 to 3 inches and a seam between the two halves, and forming an indentation in a surface of the spherical plugs.

A hydraulic spray nozzle, a hydroseeding system and a method of dispersing bulk material with a hydraulic spray nozzle. The hydraulic spray nozzle may further include one or more of an inlet, a diffuser cone, an expansion chamber, one or more interior surface vanes, a converging nozzle and an outlet that fluidly cooperate with one another in order to increase the dispersal distance of the bulk material as it exits the hydraulic spray nozzle. In one form, the hydraulic spray nozzle is incorporated into a hydroseeding system or other bulk material dispersing system in order to apply seeds, mulch, fertilizer or related bulk materials over large swaths of land.

A method and pneumatic spreading machine control/regulate a metering element. A transfer chamber downstream of the metering element transfers metered material to a conveying line for spreading. A blower charges the conveying line with an air stream. Spreading elements are downstream of the conveying line. Calibration includes actuating metering elements, charged with a particular type and of material, over a predetermined test duration with a predetermined operating parameter. A mass of material metered during calibration is gravimetrically detected downstream of the metering element and upstream of the transfer chamber or in the transfer chamber, following which the material is transferred to the conveying line and dispensed. A functional relationship between the operating parameter of the dosing element and the actual mass flow of material for spreading, metered by means of the metering element, is calculated. The metering element is controlled/regulated to a setpoint depending on the functional relationship.

In one embodiment, a hydroseeder has an integrated bale grinder. The hydroseeder includes a tank, an agitator, a plurality of grinding flights, and a basket. The tank includes an opening and is configured to hold a material slurry. The agitator is positioned below the opening and is configured to agitate the material slurry. The plurality of grinding flights extends from the agitator and is configured to grind a material bale as it is introduced into the tank. The basket extends from the opening of the tank and is configured to direct the material bale toward the plurality of grinding flights.