A system and method for sensing an edge of a region includes at least one distance sensor configured to detect a plurality of distances of objects along a plurality of adjacent scan lines. A controller is in communication with the at least one distance sensor and is configured to determine a location of an edge of a region within the plurality of adjacent scan lines. The controller includes a comparator module configured to compare values corresponding to the detected plurality of distances, and an identification module configured to identify the location of the edge of the region according to the compared values. In one example, the values corresponding to the detected plurality of distances include couplets of standard deviations that are analyzed and selected to identify the location of the edge.

A method of real-time plant selection and removal from a plant field including capturing a first image of a first section of the plant field, segmenting the first image into regions indicative of individual plants within the first section, selecting the optimal plants for retention from the first image based on the first image and the previously thinned plant field sections, sending instructions to the plant removal mechanism for removal of the plants corresponding to the unselected regions of the first image from the second section before the machine passes the unselected regions, and repeating the aforementioned steps for a second section of the plant field adjacent the first section in the direction of machine travel.

A method of real-time plant selection and removal from a plant field including capturing a first image of a first section of the plant field, segmenting the first image into regions indicative of individual plants within the first section, selecting the optimal plants for retention from the first image based on the first image and the previously thinned plant field sections, sending instructions to the plant removal mechanism for removal of the plants corresponding to the unselected regions of the first image from the second section before the machine passes the unselected regions, and repeating the aforementioned steps for a second section of the plant field adjacent the first section in the direction of machine travel.

A riding lawn care vehicle (10, 310) may include a frame (30, 330), an engine (340, 40), a steering assembly, a support platform (20, 30, 320) and a front platform (348, 48). At least a pair of drive wheels may be operably coupled to the frame (30, 330). The engine (340, 40) is operably coupled to the frame (30, 330) via an engine platform (342, 42). The engine (340, 40) is disposed substantially between the drive wheels to selectively provide drive power to the drive wheels via respective hydraulic pumps (346, 46). The steering assembly includes control levers (50) operably coupled to respective ones of the drive wheels via the respective hydraulic pumps (346, 46). The steering assembly enables steering of the riding lawn care vehicle (10, 310) based on drive speed control of the drive wheels responsive to positioning of the control levers (50). The support platform (20, 30, 320) is operably coupled to the frame (30, 330) at a rear portion of the riding lawn care vehicle (10, 310) to support a standing operator. The front platform (348, 48) is operably coupled to the frame (30, 330) forward of the engine platform (342, 42). The front platform (348, 48) supports the hydraulic pumps (346, 46).

A riding lawn care vehicle (10, 310) may include a frame (30, 330), an engine (340, 40), a steering assembly, a support platform (20, 30, 320) and a front platform (348, 48). At least a pair of drive wheels may be operably coupled to the frame (30, 330). The engine (340, 40) is operably coupled to the frame (30, 330) via an engine platform (342, 42). The engine (340, 40) is disposed substantially between the drive wheels to selectively provide drive power to the drive wheels via respective hydraulic pumps (346, 46). The steering assembly includes control levers (50) operably coupled to respective ones of the drive wheels via the respective hydraulic pumps (346, 46). The steering assembly enables steering of the riding lawn care vehicle (10, 310) based on drive speed control of the drive wheels responsive to positioning of the control levers (50). The support platform (20, 30, 320) is operably coupled to the frame (30, 330) at a rear portion of the riding lawn care vehicle (10, 310) to support a standing operator. The front platform (348, 48) is operably coupled to the frame (30, 330) forward of the engine platform (342, 42). The front platform (348, 48) supports the hydraulic pumps (346, 46).

A mower utility container accessory designed to quickly and easily attach to a common walk behind lawnmower. The utility container may include a tub unit attached to a mounting frame with a hinged dumping capability. The utility container can be used to carry lawn and garden tools, and materials, or can be used to haul items around the yard or to the curb. When detached from the lawnmower the utility container can be stored standing on the front edge for small footprint area. The method of attachment to the lawnmower is at the folding handle wing nut or knob bolt that is common on many walk-behind lawnmowers or clamped to the handle upright arms. The front of the utility container accessory simply rests on the blade deck of the lawnmower. This allows the attachment and removal to be accomplished without tools.

The present disclosure relates to a steering system for an agricultural machine. The steering system includes a first and second wheel assembly. Each wheel assembly includes an axle assembly including an axle, wheels rotatably connected to the axle, and a double-action hydraulic cylinder. In some embodiments, the double-action hydraulic cylinder is configured to pivot the wheels in either direction to indicate a direction of turn. In some embodiments, the double-action hydraulic cylinder of the first wheel assembly is hydraulically linked in its operation to an operation of the double-action hydraulic cylinder of the second wheel assembly.

Subfield moisture model improvement in generating overland flow modeling using shallow water calculations and kinematic wave calculations is disclosed. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented data processing method comprises: receiving precipitation data and infiltration data for an agricultural field; obtaining surface water depth data, surface water velocity data, and surface water discharge data for the same agricultural field; determining subfield geometry data for the agricultural field; executing a plurality of water calculations and wave calculations using the subfield geometry data to generate an overland flow model that includes moisture levels for the agricultural field; based on, at least in part, the overland flow model, generating and causing displaying a visual graphical image of the agricultural field comprising a plurality of color pixels having color values corresponding to the moisture levels determined for the agricultural field. Output of the overland flow model is provided to control computers of seeders, planters, fertilizer spreaders, harvesters, or combines to control seeding, planting, fertilizing or irrigation activities in the field.

Subfield moisture model improvement in generating overland flow modeling using shallow water calculations and kinematic wave calculations is disclosed. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented data processing method comprises: receiving precipitation data and infiltration data for an agricultural field; obtaining surface water depth data, surface water velocity data, and surface water discharge data for the same agricultural field; determining subfield geometry data for the agricultural field; executing a plurality of water calculations and wave calculations using the subfield geometry data to generate an overland flow model that includes moisture levels for the agricultural field; based on, at least in part, the overland flow model, generating and causing displaying a visual graphical image of the agricultural field comprising a plurality of color pixels having color values corresponding to the moisture levels determined for the agricultural field. Output of the overland flow model is provided to control computers of seeders, planters, fertilizer spreaders, harvesters, or combines to control seeding, planting, fertilizing or irrigation activities in the field.

An implement for clipping weeds in a field, where the weeds are standing taller than the crop. The implement comprises a plurality of rotatable blades on a frame, with variable height adjustment means to elevate the frame and position the blades above the crop but at a level sufficient to clip the upper portions of the weeds, The blades are powered by PTO-driven shaft segments, the segments connected by U-joints, wherein the implement further comprises alignment means for aligning the U-joints so that the frame can be folded for transport without damaging the shafts or U-joints.