A metering system for distributing particulate material includes a meter housing containing a metering wheel. An inlet and/or outlet of the meter housing provides a projection extending into the opening of the inlet and/or outlet so that the flow of particulate material is optimized. This can provide even distribution of such material, including at low rotating speeds such as 5 RPM, while using a polyurethane metering wheel with straight vanes. In one aspect, projections extending into the inlet on opposing sides can substantially form an hourglass shape, and the outlet can comprise a substantially diagonal shape, analogous to a parallelogram, instead of more traditional rounded/rectangular shapes.

An autonomous ground maintenance system comprising a vehicle comprising a chassis supported upon a ground surface by ground support members, a container supported by the chassis, the container defining a discharge outlet operable to disperse treating material held within the container to a target area of the ground surface, a gate adapted to selectively open and close the discharge outlet, a sensor adapted to identify the target area, and an electronic controller supported by the chassis, the controller being in communication with the sensor and the gate. The controller is adapted to position the chassis at a location proximate the target area such that the discharge outlet is capable of delivering the treating material to the target area and energize the gate to open the discharge outlet.

A generator unit to be attached to a traveling vehicle that has a prime mover and a PTO shaft to transmit power from the prime mover, includes: a generator; an input shaft having: a first connector portion configured to be connected to the PTO shaft; and a second connector portion configured to be connected to a working device to be connected to the traveling vehicle; a transmitter mechanism to transmit, to the generator, power supplied from the PTO shaft, the power being inputted from the first connector portion to the input shaft; and an attachment frame having: an attachment portion to which the generator, the input shaft, and the transmitter mechanism are attached; and a mounting portion configured to be mounted to the traveling vehicle.

A spreader for broadcasting granular or particulate material over a surface includes a dual rotor configuration, a material deflection system, and a portable electronic device holder. The material deflection system includes components for deflecting material broadcasted by each of the rotors. The spreader includes a walking speed indicator to inform the user whether the current speed is too fast, too slow, or within an acceptable reference range.

The invention provides a pneumatic conveying system having a series of supply lines with at least portions of the lines being wear resistant to extend the useful lifespan of an agricultural product delivery applicator. The wear resistant supply line(s) may be made from a hard material and have a curve(s) defined by angled or mitered segments that are welded or otherwise joined to collectively provide the curve(s) The wear resistant supply lines may be at least partially reinforced by way of, for example, welded or other build up wear resistant material(s) at high wear zones of the supply lines.

A gardening material dispensing apparatus configured for dispensing gardening material. The gardening material dispensing apparatus includes a convertible container assembly configured to contain a supply of the gardening material, a dispensing conduit configured to flow the gardening material from the container assembly continually based on gravity to a selected area, and at least one material agitator assembly operably coupled to the dispensing conduit and configured to controlled quantities of the gardening material by controlling a speed of rotation of an agitator impeller.

The dispensing conduit dispenses a precise amount of the gardening material continuously onto the selected area.

An agricultural product delivery applicator for delivering particulate product to a field and including a pneumatic conveying system. The pneumatic conveying system includes an airflow source to provide an airflow, first and second delivery lines operably connected to the airflow source and to a supply compartment. Each delivery line includes a respective supply line and a respective plurality of distribution lines. The pneumatic conveying system further includes first and second distributors coupling the respective supply line with the respective plurality of distribution lines, a first mounting plate coupled to the first distributor and having a first identifier, a second mounting plate coupled to the second distributor and having a second identifier, a first motor having a relation with the first identifier, and a second motor having a relation to the second identifier.

Various embodiments of an apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products described herein are directed to an agricultural observation and treatment system and method of operation. The system uses a pump in combination with a fluid regulator to obtain and disperse fluid from the fluid tanks. The fluid regulator includes a fluid input port, a fluid output port and a fluid control valve. A first tube fluidly coupled from the fluid pump to the fluid input port. The system includes a moveable treatment head having one or more spraying tips, including a first spraying tip. A second tube is fluidly coupled from the fluid output port to the moveable treatment head. A system includes a controller configured to provide to the fluid regulator to open and close the fluid control valve to release an amount of the first fluid.

An aircraft includes at least one sensor, an altitude actuator, a memory device, and an electronic controller. The at least one sensor is configured to detect altitude of the aircraft, current position of the aircraft and speed of the aircraft. The altitude actuator is configured to change the altitude of the aircraft. The memory device is configured to store predetermined terrain data of an area. The electronic controller is configured to estimate a future position of the aircraft based on a detected current position of the aircraft and a detected speed of the aircraft. The electronic controller is further configured to control the altitude actuator based on the future position, a detected altitude of the aircraft and the predetermined terrain data.

A portable granular material spreader including an enclosure adapted to dispense granular material through an outlet, and a pressurized air source. A chamber has first, second, and third passageways, and containing a distributor therein, the first passageway in fluid communication with the outlet to receive the granular material by virtue of gravity from the outlet with the distributor controlling a flow rate of the granular material in the chamber, the second passageway in fluid communication with the pressurized air source, and the third passageway for discharging the granular material entrained in pressurized air from the pressurized air source. A conduit being in fluid communication with the second passageway and the enclosure, the conduit end being sufficiently distal from the outlet to not result in aerating the granular material proximate the outlet while preventing a reverse flow of the granular material at the outlet during operation of the spreader.