Patent classifications
A01B17/00
Agricultural row unit for field cultivation
An agricultural row unit assembly includes a prefracture coulter positioned along a center axis of the row unit assembly and a seedbed cultivator positioned along the center axis of the row unit assembly at a location aft of the prefracture coulter. The row unit assembly also includes a rolling cultivator positioned aft of both the prefracture coulter and the seedbed cultivator, the rolling cultivator rotating about a shaft, the shaft extending between first and second ends. Additionally, the row unit assembly includes first and second gauge wheels, with the first gauge wheel being coupled to the first end of the shaft and the second gauge wheel being coupled to the second end of the shaft.
GROUND ENGAGEMENT TOOL WITH OFFSET ADJUSTMENT
A ground engagement tool, such as a universal coulter, with an integrated offset to facilitate multiple mounting configurations. In some embodiments, the ground engagement tool includes a polygonal shank, defining, for example, an octagonal or hexagonal cross-section. The polygonal shank enables rotational offset to be secured in discrete rotational orientations. A lower bracket is mounted to a spindle, providing an angular displacement range for angular deflection of the ground engagement tool. The spindle includes a key structure that complements the angular orientations of the polygonal shank so that the lower bracket can be compensated for the rotational offset. A rotational indexing plate enables selection of one of a plurality of angular displacement ranges. Retention rods may be implemented for setting a depth of the tool. A dirt deflector may also be provided, dimensioned to prevent spewing dirt from landing on adjacent plant rows and to prevent fouling in muddy conditions.
GROUND ENGAGEMENT TOOL WITH OFFSET ADJUSTMENT
A ground engagement tool, such as a universal coulter, with an integrated offset to facilitate multiple mounting configurations. In some embodiments, the ground engagement tool includes a polygonal shank, defining, for example, an octagonal or hexagonal cross-section. The polygonal shank enables rotational offset to be secured in discrete rotational orientations. A lower bracket is mounted to a spindle, providing an angular displacement range for angular deflection of the ground engagement tool. The spindle includes a key structure that complements the angular orientations of the polygonal shank so that the lower bracket can be compensated for the rotational offset. A rotational indexing plate enables selection of one of a plurality of angular displacement ranges. Retention rods may be implemented for setting a depth of the tool. A dirt deflector may also be provided, dimensioned to prevent spewing dirt from landing on adjacent plant rows and to prevent fouling in muddy conditions.
Non-clogging coulter assembly
An improved coulter assembly (10) includes a rotatable coulter blade (12) and a supporting assembly (14) having a parallel linkage arm assembly (34) and an active piston and cylinder assembly (58). The assembly (14) serves to maintain the blade (12) at a depth of at least about four inches, in order to prevent clogging of the assembly (10) during use. Another coulter assembly (110) includes a knife adjustment assembly (122) allowing selective vertical and angular adjustment of the knife (116) relative to the coulter blade (112).
Rotary Slurry Injector
Applicator embodiments are provided for applying liquid livestock waste in the form of a slurry beneath the soil surface. Some embodiments include a leading swivel-mounted, spring-cushioned, conical-shaped wavy coulter blade angularly offset from the direction of travel which displaces the soil laterally in forming a furrow adapted to receive slurry. The coulter may be trailed by a single or a pair of optionally spring-cushioned rotary closing blade(s) that are to close the furrow containing the deposited liquid. One or more rotary closing blade(s) is optionally spring loaded to follow the soil contour. Some alternative embodiments utilize a rotary covering blade pivot assembly that is positioned lower and more forward, a larger spring for more blade depth, and/or a single or a pair of rotary covering blades for a scooping movement of the soil and results in more soil to cover the deposited liquid. In various embodiments, a number of injector units are mounted in a side-by-side relation in a spaced manner and springs maintain individual assembly alignment when blades are not engaged in the soil.
Earth conditioning apparatus, systems and methods
Provided is an earth conditioning system/apparatus which removes/break-ups rock in the ground and has a front drawbar, a ground engaging tool arrangement and a rear rotary device (drum). A ground engaging tool arrangement includes a frame supporting ground engaging tools each mounted at a pivot. Actuators raise/lower the ground engaging tool(s) for desired depth control of the ground engaging tools. The rotary device slotted or ribbed drum acts as a crushing drum rolled over earth that has been broken up by the ground engaging tools. Actuators, provide height adjustment of the ground engaging tools relative to the ground engaging tool support frame and by adjusting the height from the ground of the ground engaging tool arrangement by operating the at least one adjuster acting between the rotary device and the ground engaging tool arrangement.
Residue monitoring and residue-based control
A computer-implemented method and a control system are described for controlling operations involving residue. The method and system include analyzing residue on an agricultural field. A first image is captured with an image sensor of an area of the field that is ahead of or behind the implement. The first image is analyzed to determine an indicator of residue coverage on the field. A subsequent operation on the field is executed, one or more aspects of which are controlled based upon the determined indicator of residue coverage.
Removably mounted plow for elongated tubular materials
A system for installation of continuous elongated tubular material in the ground involves: an agricultural tractor having a rear three-point tractor hitch, a rear drawbar and rotatable elastomeric ground-engaging interfaces; a plow mount comprising a front three-point mount hitch for connection to the rear three-point tractor hitch and a clamping connector for connection to the drawbar; and, a plow comprising a depth-adjustable blade, the plow mountable on the plow mount.