A system for distributing commodity across an agricultural machine includes a product storage system, including a central commodity tank and a plurality of intermediate commodity tanks positioned at various locations laterally across a frame. The system includes a movable manifold coupled to the one central commodity tank, and the manifold is adjustable by a controller to control volume of commodity distributed to the intermediate commodity tanks. Each intermediate commodity tank distributes commodity to a separate plurality of row units, which distribute commodity to the soil. Operatively coupled to the controller are one or more sensors, which measure product characteristics, such as volume of commodity in the intermediate tanks, and operational characteristics, such as downforce of the row units. The controller is configured to adjust the manifold to control distribution of commodity across the intermediate tanks based on measured values from the sensors and desired values stored in the controller.

An agricultural implement and a metering apparatus for the agricultural implement to deliver a material to a material depositing apparatus. The metering apparatus includes metering roller, an integrated motor operatively connected to the metering roller, and a motor drive operatively connected to the integrated motor. A controller is operatively connected to the integrated motor and to the motor drive wherein the controller transmits a drive signal to drive the integrated motor and receives a status signal from the integrated motor. The drive signals drives the motor, which includes the roller coupled to a motor spindle, at a variable rate of speed to reduce pulsing. In one embodiment, the agricultural implement is an air cart.

A control apparatus for a broadcast spreader includes a gate adjustment dial mounted on, and generally coaxial with, a handle portion of a handle assembly of the spreader. Rotation of the gate adjustment dial in a first direction causes an increase in a current maximum discharge rate of the spreader and rotation of the gate adjustment dial in a second direction causes a decrease in the current maximum discharge rate of the spreader.

A planting system for a combine in embodiments of the present invention may have one or more of the following elements: (a) a soil opening system having one or more soil openers operably connected to one or more mounting arms operably attached to the combine, (b) a seed handling system having one or more seed dispensers with one or more seed tubes operably connected to the one or more seed dispensers and a seed reservoir adapted for housing cover crop seed, and (c) a control system having one or more actuators operably connected to one or more controllers, wherein at least one of the sets of soil openers and sets of seed dispensers is operably attached to a header of the combine.

A spreader device includes a container to contain spread substance, a first spreader portion having a first rotor to spray the spread substance contained in the container, a second spreader portion having a second rotor to spray the spread substance contained in the container, a first driver source to drive the first rotor, a first shaft to transmit a driving force outputted from the first driver source, a second shaft to transmit a driving force outputted from a second driver source different from the first driver source, and a selection transmitter portion to selectively transmit the driving force form the first shaft and the driving force from the second shaft to the first rotor or the second rotor.

Disclosed is a plant protection and management system for a center pivot and linear irrigation system. In the plant protection and management system, the movable platform is configured to provide at least one of an application unit, a seeding-fertilizer spreader unit or a monitoring unit. The application unit is configured to spray agriculture chemicals or fertilizers on crops. The seeding-fertilizer spreader unit is configured to sow seeds of crops. Further, the monitoring unit is configured to monitor crops and collect status data of the crops or status data of environment. According to different requirements on agricultural production, at least one of the application unit, the sowing unit or the monitoring unit can be selectively arranged on the movable platform so as to meet various requirements on plant protections and managements in the process of agricultural production.

An apparatus for biological control of agricultural pests and for reducing damage to crops. The apparatus includes a container for holding biological organisms or material. The container also includes first and second ends and an opening formed at the first end for receiving the biological organisms. The apparatus has a dispensing port disposed at the second end for dispensing the biological organisms over a target location. The apparatus further includes an auger, driven by a motor and having a plurality of spiral like wire brushes, said auger mounted to and driven by a first motor; a spreader motor mount having a motor mount holding area for holding a second motor, the spreader motor mount having a motor mount connection area for connecting to the second end; and a spreader agitating device used for spreading the biological organisms or material over the target location.

A spreader includes a frame having wheels mounted on an axle. A gear assembly on the axle is coupled with a shaft. A hopper is mounted on the frame and holds particulate that empties through an opening within the bottom wall. An impeller is mounted on the shaft and receives the particulate emptied from the hopper. A controlled-release assembly is mounted about the shaft and includes a drive housing secured to the hopper. The drive housing has a funnel opening to dispense the particulate therethrough. A transfer wheel within the drive housing is rotatably coupled to the shaft. When the shaft is rotating, the transfer wheel rotates whereby the particulate is delivered to the funnel. When the shaft is stationary, the transfer wheel is stationary whereby particulate is not delivered to the funnel.

A carrier mountable to a vehicle for carrying a conventional broadcast spreader features a mounting bar for coupling to the vehicle in a mounted condition and a holder arranged at an end of the mounting bar for supporting the spreader. The holder has a first portion which is in fixed relation to the mounting bar and a second portion which is pivotally coupled to the first portion so as to be movable from a storage position to a lowered position where a front end of the second portion is arranged at the ground. The holder includes a first receptacle for receiving a lower portion of the spreader and a pair of channels, one of which is supported on the second portion so as to be movable therewith and another one which is supported in fixed position on the first portion, which collectively form an enclosure for receiving the leg of the spreader in the storage position.

Methods and systems are presented for making good use of recently obtained biometric data, for configuring propagule capsules (e.g. containing seeds or spores with growth media and other helpful materials) for deployment via drones so that each has an improved chance of survival, and for configuring drones or piloted craft for safe fleet deployment in remote locations.