An agricultural implement includes a frame carrying a toolbar, and row units coupled to the toolbar. Each row unit includes a tool support and a rotating support coupled to the tool support and configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. Ground-engaging tools are carried by the rotating support and extending outward from the axis of rotation. Rotation of the rotating support about the axis of rotation moves the ground-engaging tools around the rotating support to change which of the ground-engaging tools interacts with the ground. A method of adjusting the agricultural implement includes disengaging the row units from a ground surface, rotating at least one rotating support about a corresponding axis of rotation to move the ground-engaging tools around the rotating support, and re-engaging the row units with the ground surface.

System for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit (10) of an agricultural planter. The row unit (10) includes a trench depth adjustment assembly (90R) configured to modify the trench depth. The trench depth adjustment assembly (90R) includes a depth adjustment body (3044) pivotally connected via a pivot (92) to a frame member (14) of the row unit (10). An electric motor (3030) is operable to cause rotation of a shaft (3034) operably coupled with the depth adjustment body (3044), whereby rotation of the shaft (3034) causes the depth adjustment body (3044) to pivotally move about the pivot (92) thereby changing a position of contact of the depth adjustment body (3044) with a gauge wheel arm (54), thus changing the amount of upward travel of the gauge wheel (50) with respect to a trench opening disc (62) and thus the depth of the trench.

Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

A calibration block provides a deck with a slot for receiving a first plate for supporting a distal end of the planter unit when setting its gauge wheels, whereby the first plate is flush with the deck at a predefine distance from the soil. The calibration block also provides a gauge block and associated second plate for increasing the predefined distance.

A sowing coulter for direct and/or mulch sowing includes a coulter body, a tear-open chisel fastened by a fastening device, and coulter blades laterally projecting from the tear-open chisel and provided with front cutting edges, which are arranged in order to create a sowing furrow in the ground. In order to change the penetration depth of the sowing coulter into the ground, the coulter blades are adjustable about a horizontal axis that extends transversely to the direction of travel, and that is fixable in different positions by way of an adjustment device arranged between the tear-open chisel and the coulter body.

Seed sowing apparatus comprising: a frame defining a leading part supporting a soil opening stage and a trailing part supporting a soil closing stage trailing the soil opening stage, wherein the soil opening stage comprises a plurality of laterally spaced seeding units, each seeding unit comprising a soil opening member associated with a respective seed delivery outlet connected to a seed source, wherein each seeding unit is configured to form a respective seeded trench in the ground when the apparatus is in use driven through soil in a forward direction of travel; wherein the soil closing stage comprises a plurality of laterally spaced soil deflection members each associated with a respective one of the seeding units, each soil deflection member being spaced laterally from the soil opening member of its respective seeding unit and configured to deflect soil toward the seeded trench formed by the seeding unit.

An agricultural planting system for controlling the depth of an opener device comprising: an agricultural planter; an opener device mounted on the agricultural planter for engaging the ground of a field; a gauge wheel mounted on the agricultural planter for rotating on the ground of the field; a GPS device coupled to the agricultural planter, the GPS device configured to determine a location of the agricultural planter in the field; and a controller in electrical communication with the agricultural planter and the GPS device, the controller having predetermined settings associated with a map of the field, the controller being configured to select a relative elevation of the opener device and the gauge wheel based at least in part on the location determined by the GPS device, and produce, based on the location, a signal for adjusting the depth of engagement into the ground of the opener device.

An agricultural implement system includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.

Work machines, fertilizer opener assemblies for work machines, and methods of operating work machines are disclosed herein. A work machine includes a chassis, a frame, and a fertilizer opener assembly. The frame is coupled to the chassis for movement relative thereto. The fertilizer opener assembly is coupled to the frame to selectively form trenches in the soil for the deposition of fertilizer. The fertilizer opener assembly includes an actuator that is extendable and retractable to vary a length of the actuator and a cutting implement coupled to the actuator. Operation of the actuator drives movement of the cutting implement between a cutting position, in which the cutting implement makes contact with the soil to form trenches therein, and a transport position, in which the cutting implement is raised above the soil.

An agricultural machine includes a main frame, an adjustable frame coupled to the main frame and, a row unit which includes a linking arm coupled to the adjustable frame, and an actuator coupled to the main frame and the adjustable frame. The agricultural machine also includes a controller configured to command the actuator to move to various positions based on signals received from one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to measure one more indicators associated with an actual height of the row unit relative to ground.