In one aspect, a crop input applicator is provided. In one aspect, the applicator comprises a valve (e.g., voice coil valve) disposed to deposit liquid on or near a seed furrow and/or on or near a seed. In one aspect, the applicator includes one or more seed sensors disposed to detect passage of seeds.

A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based control system is provided for positioning a working component relative to a work surface. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are mounted on the working component and provide positioning signals to a control compute engine. A method of positioning a working component relative to a work surface using GNSS-based positioning signals is also disclosed.

Various embodiments of a system for automatically sensing and spraying plants and/or plant precursors as they are planted or otherwise distributed on and/or within the ground is disclosed.

A storage tank sump arrangement for an agricultural implement. One agricultural implement includes row units configured to deliver flowable agricultural product to a field. The agricultural implement also includes a storage tank configured to hold the flowable agricultural product. The storage tank includes a first sump and a second sump. Further, the first sump is positioned adjacent to a front portion of the storage tank relative to a direction of travel and the second sump is positioned adjacent to a rear portion of the storage tank relative to the direction of travel. The agricultural implement includes a pump in fluid communication with the first sump and the second sump. The pump is configured to pump the flowable agricultural product from the storage tank to the row units.

The present invention provides an improved mechanism for centering implements in agricultural fields by providing a laser guidance system with a laser attached to the implement. The laser may operate to emit a beam in order to produce a spot or beam onto the field which an equipment operator may visually target to improve steering of the implement. The laser may be centered on the implement, and the beam produced by the laser may be directed forward within a steering range of the implement and within a field of view of the equipment operator.

A fertilization system may include a flow diverter to divert a portion of water from a ground irrigation system through a tank containing fertilizer and back into the ground irrigation system by creating a high pressure region up stream of the flow diverter and a low pressure region down stream of the flow diverter to provide hydraulic operation of the fertilization system.

A self-propelled agricultural product application implement such as high clearance sprayer and/or spreader is provided that includes a product container that is sectioned. Emptying of the container sections is controlled to approximate a target front-to-back weight distribution of the implement for a substantially long period of time during a product application session. An outlet system having multiple variable outlet arrangements is arranged between the product container and an application arrangement such as a spray boom or a rotary broadcaster. The variable outlet arrangements are configured to allow the container sections to sequentially empty to maintain ballast provided by the store product at relatively later portions of the implement for a relatively longer period of time during the product application session.

An open-loop or closed-loop control system for an agricultural utility vehicle includes a distributor linkage for dispensing fertilizer, plant protection agent, or seed, and has a center part and two lateral extension arms connected by joints to the center part with a plurality of linkage sections (4) which can be folded relative to one another in a transport position and folded out relative to each other in a working position. The control system also has at least one sensor and a data processing unit configured such that signals of the sensor are processed so as to generate a control signal for the hydraulic device, and the hydraulic device can be controlled in order to set damping of vibrations occurring on the distributor linkage in a direction of travel.

An infeed chute for a material application machine includes a riser and a water spreading unit. The riser includes a sidewall and defines an infeed opening extending through the riser. The riser is configured to be coupled to an opening of a tank of a material application machine such that application material passed through the infeed opening of the riser enters the tank of the material application machine. The sidewall includes a water inlet formed therein. The water spreading unit is coupled to the water inlet and is configured to direct water laterally across the infeed chute.

A vegetative health mapping system which creates two- or three-dimensional maps and associates moisture content, soil density, ambient light, surface temperature, and/or additional indications of vegetative health with the map. Moisture content is inferred using radar return signals of near-field and/or far-field radar. By tuning various parameters of the one or more radar (e.g. frequency, focus, power), additional data may be associated with the map from subterranean features (such as rocks, soil density, sprinklers, etc.). Additional sensors (camera(s), lidar, IMU, GPS, etc.) may be fused with radar returns to generate maps having associated moisture content, surface temperature, ambient light levels, additional indications of vegetative health (as may be determined by machine learned algorithms), etc. Such vegetative health maps may be provided to a user who, in turn, may indicate additional areas for the vegetative health device to scan or otherwise used to recommend and/or perform treatments.