A planter assembly for removing an existing stand with a resweep attachment and planting new seed with a planter row unit. A cultivator sweep is mounted to a planter assembly upheld of a planter row unit via an attachment stem. The attachment stem may laterally position the sweep to destroy the previous crop and may position the sweep to align with the seed tube. Prescriptive downforce/upforce control over individual planter row units allows an operator to selectively manage individual rows for replanting to optimize operational efficiency and maximize crop production yield potential.

A universal row clearing bracket including a mounting bracket configured to engage a toolbar of a tractor, wherein the mounting bracket may have a yoke engaged therewith. The yoke may connect to a first and second pivoting arm. One end of the pivoting arms configured to engage the yoke such that the yoke prevents the pivoting arms from moving with respect to the receiver past a certain point in at least one direction. The opposite end of the pivoting arms connecting to an interchangeable shoe, the interchangeable shoe configured to pivotally engage at least one engaging wheel and be replaced for other shoes to support different size engaging wheels.

An agricultural implement includes at least one row unit having a plurality of support members, each of which is pivotably coupled to an attachment frame or another of the support members to permit vertical pivoting vertical movement of the support members, and a plurality of soil-engaging tools, each of which is coupled to at least one of the support members. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders are coupled to the support members for urging the support members downwardly toward the soil. A plurality of controllable pressure control valves are coupled to the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the cylinders. A plurality of sensors produce electrical signals corresponding to predetermined conditions, and a controller is coupled to the sensor and the controllable pressure control valves. The controller receives the electrical signals from the sensors and produces control signals for controlling the pressure control valves.

An agricultural trench depth sensing system and method includes a light source (2002), a receiver (2003) and a sensor (2004). The light source directs light downwardly toward a trench previously opened in a soil surface. The receiver is disposed at an angle relative to the light source to receive reflected light. A sensor connected to the receiver senses a pattern of the reflected light. A monitoring system in communication with the sensor, generates a data frame containing triangulated line coordinates and intensity values of the reflected light indicative of a measured depth of the trench. The generated data frame may be associated with GPS coordinates for generating spatial maps and may be used to control operating parameters. The generated data frames may also identify relative soil moisture versus trench depth, or presence of dry topsoil or residue in the trench, or to identify seeds, seed spacing and seed depth.

An agricultural implement includes at least one row unit having a plurality of support members, each of which is pivotably coupled to an attachment frame or another of the support members to permit vertical pivoting vertical movement of the support members, and a plurality of soil-engaging tools, each of which is coupled to at least one of the support members. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders are coupled to the support members for urging the support members downwardly toward the soil. A plurality of controllable pressure control valves are coupled to the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the cylinders. A plurality of sensors produce electrical signals corresponding to predetermined conditions, and a controller is coupled to the sensor and the controllable pressure control valves. The controller receives the electrical signals from the sensors and produces control signals for controlling the pressure control valves.

A seeding implement has an implement frame with a lateral frame member. Spoked wheels rotate about a wheel axis that is fixed with respect to the implement frame. Shanks are mounted to the lateral frame member such that each shank is movable with respect to the frame. Each spoked wheel rotates about the wheel axis in a plane that is vertical, aligned with, and forward of, a front face of a corresponding shank, and ends of spokes pass adjacent to a front face of the shank. A spoke clearance distance between the ends of the spokes and the front face of the corresponding shank remains within a trash clearing range as the shank moves with respect to the implement frame from a first operating position to a second operating position that is below the first operating position.

Systems, methods and apparatus for imaging and characterizing a soil surface and a trench in the soil surface formed by an agricultural implement. The sensors are disposed on the agricultural implement in data communication with a processor to generate the soil surface and trench images which may be displayed to the operator. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more time of flight cameras for determining a depth of the trench and other characteristics of the surrounding soil surface and the trench, including detection of seeds, soil or other debris in the trench and moisture lines within the trench. The system may control operating parameters of the implement based on the generated images.

A multiple use toolbar attachment for an agricultural implement to tiller to enhance seed planting and row making. The toolbar converts the agricultural implement between a tilling implement and a planting implement in “one-step” by rotation of the toolbar about a longitudinal axis. A plurality of implement mounting brackets are disposed in a spaced apart relation along the longitudinal length of the tool bar. A forward mounting bracket is adapted to receive a first implement and an aft mounting bracket is adapted to receive a second implement. Rotation of the toolbar selectively positions one of the first implement or the second implement to treat the ground surface. The multiple use toolbar may be coupled to another implement, such as a tiller, for tandem operation with the another implement.

Apparatus and methods for detecting and remediating clogged gauge wheels, closing wheels, and seed tubes of an agricultural planter.

A planter implement (12) includes one or more row units (10) equipped with a furrowing assembly (22), a seed/fertilizer assembly (24), and a furrow-closing assembly (26). The unit (10) is equipped with a pair of right- and left-hand crimper wheels (30) respectively mounted on opposite sides of the furrowing assembly (22). Each crimper wheel (30) has a pair of support rims (52, 54) with a series of elongated bar elements (56) extending between and secured to the rims (52, 54). The bar elements (56) extend beyond the outer periphery of the rims (52, 54) in order to crimp surface crops as the row units (10) pass over a field; the bar elements (56) are oriented to direct material outwardly from each wheel (30) in order to prevent clogging thereof. The crimper wheels (30) are adjustably mounted on the row units (10) and serve as gauge wheels for the units (10).