In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided an includes a frame, a first opener disc configured to open a seed trench, and a second opener disc configured to open a second trench different than the seed trench. The second opener disc is rotatable relative to the frame and is vertically moveable relative to the frame. In one aspect, an opener assembly is provided and includes a bracket, an opener disc coupled to the bracket and rotatable relative to the bracket and vertically moveable relative to the bracket, and a biasing member coupled to and between the bracket and the opener disc. The biasing member biases the opener disc vertically downward. In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided and includes an applicator support member made of a resilient material to allow movement of the applicator support member and inhibit deformation of the applicator support member.

In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided an includes a frame, a first opener disc configured to open a seed trench, and a second opener disc configured to open a second trench different than the seed trench. The second opener disc is rotatable relative to the frame and is vertically moveable relative to the frame. In one aspect, an opener assembly is provided and includes a bracket, an opener disc coupled to the bracket and rotatable relative to the bracket and vertically moveable relative to the bracket, and a biasing member coupled to and between the bracket and the opener disc. The biasing member biases the opener disc vertically downward. In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided and includes an applicator support member made of a resilient material to allow movement of the applicator support member and inhibit deformation of the applicator support member.

A system and method that automatically monitors product use, such as the type and amount of agricultural and/or horticultural product stored in and dispensed from a cartridge over time and/or by geographic location. Monitored data are stored in memory such as a tag on the cartridge and may be transmitted to a server for storage, aggregation, and analysis. The cartridge may be authenticated before being authorized for use for the benefit of a current user in dispensing the product. The cartridge may be refilled after confirmation of authorization codes on the cartridge and refilling equipment tags. The cartridge may be calibrated automatically based on the bulk density or other parameter of the product in the cartridge. Data may be aggregated from a plurality of cartridges automatically. As-applied data from individual cartridges may be used to verify, independent of operator input, treated area coverage and product application rate.

Device for shaping the profile of a furrow, sensing soil properties and dosing fluids in the soil of an agricultural field, includes a body comprising an upper portion and lower portion defining a right lateral face and a left lateral face that are laterally opposite, a front face and a rear face that are longitudinally opposite, and an upper face and lower face that are vertically opposite, wherein the laterally opposite faces at the lower portion of the body are angled relative to a vertical direction forming a V-shaped profile cross section for V-shaping furrows; damping and biasing means linked to the upper face of the body; a fluid dosing conduit including an inlet and an outlet, and being longitudinally arranged within the body; sensing means on a face of the body for measuring soil properties; and a sensing unit for commanding the sensing means and receiving information thereof.

Device for shaping the profile of a furrow, sensing soil properties and dosing fluids in the soil of an agricultural field, includes a body comprising an upper portion and lower portion defining a right lateral face and a left lateral face that are laterally opposite, a front face and a rear face that are longitudinally opposite, and an upper face and lower face that are vertically opposite, wherein the laterally opposite faces at the lower portion of the body are angled relative to a vertical direction forming a V-shaped profile cross section for V-shaping furrows; damping and biasing means linked to the upper face of the body; a fluid dosing conduit including an inlet and an outlet, and being longitudinally arranged within the body; sensing means on a face of the body for measuring soil properties; and a sensing unit for commanding the sensing means and receiving information thereof.

An agricultural machine may include a first plurality of sensors configured to measure characteristics of product stored on the machine for use during the machine's operation. The machine may also include a second plurality of sensors configured to measure characteristics associated with operation of the machine, in particular, in the form of feedback from ground engaging mechanisms of the machine, such as row units and wheel assemblies coupled to a frame of the machine. Based on the measured characteristics of the stored product and the measured characteristics associated with the machine's operation, a controller may adjust actuators coupled between adjacent sections of the frame to transfer weight of the stored product between certain sections of the frame, which in turn optimizes the machine's operational characteristics.

An agricultural machine may include a first plurality of sensors configured to measure characteristics of product stored on the machine for use during the machine's operation. The machine may also include a second plurality of sensors configured to measure characteristics associated with operation of the machine, in particular, in the form of feedback from ground engaging mechanisms of the machine, such as row units and wheel assemblies coupled to a frame of the machine. Based on the measured characteristics of the stored product and the measured characteristics associated with the machine's operation, a controller may adjust actuators coupled between adjacent sections of the frame to transfer weight of the stored product between certain sections of the frame, which in turn optimizes the machine's operational characteristics.

An agricultural machine includes a source of a substance to be applied to an agricultural field and a substance outlet through which the substance is configured to pass to be applied to the field. The agricultural machine further includes a controllable piezo-actuated valve and a control signal generator configured to generate a valve control signal. The piezo-actuated valve includes a valve inlet configured to be in fluidic communication with the source of substance to be applied to the field and a valve outlet through which the substance to be applied to the field passes to move through the piezo-actuated valve. The piezo-actuated valve further includes a piezo element configured to move in response to the valve control signal and a flexure, coupled to the piezo element, and configured to amplify the movement of the piezo element to provide a valve driving movement.

In one aspect, an agricultural row unit is provided an includes a frame, an opener disc rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to open a seed trench, and an applicator assembly coupled to the frame and configured to apply a liquid. The applicator assembly including a housing and a valve coupled to the housing and configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid source. The valve is electronically powered to move to an open condition, in which fluid is configured to pass through and emit from the valve, and electronically powered to move to a closed condition, in which fluid is inhibited from passing through and emitting from the valve. The agricultural row unit also includes a closing wheel coupled to the frame and configured to close the seed trench.

In one aspect, an agricultural row unit is provided an includes a frame, an opener disc rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to open a seed trench, and an applicator assembly coupled to the frame and configured to apply a liquid. The applicator assembly including a housing and a valve coupled to the housing and configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid source. The valve is electronically powered to move to an open condition, in which fluid is configured to pass through and emit from the valve, and electronically powered to move to a closed condition, in which fluid is inhibited from passing through and emitting from the valve. The agricultural row unit also includes a closing wheel coupled to the frame and configured to close the seed trench.