A01C7/20

Precision agricultural seed delivery system

An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed transport mechanism configured to transport a seed along a transport route, a seed sensor configured to sense presence of the seed at a first location along the transport route, and a motor configured to drive movement of the seed transport mechanism to transport the seed from the first location to a second location in which the seed is released from the seed transport mechanism. A processing system is configured to track a position of the seed along the transport route based on an indication of the sensed presence of the seed at the first location and detected movement of the seed transport mechanism, and generate a motor operating parameter based on the tracked position of the seed and a target parameter for releasing the seed. The motor of the seeding system is operated based on the motor operating parameter.

Precision agricultural seed delivery system

An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed transport mechanism configured to transport a seed along a transport route, a seed sensor configured to sense presence of the seed at a first location along the transport route, and a motor configured to drive movement of the seed transport mechanism to transport the seed from the first location to a second location in which the seed is released from the seed transport mechanism. A processing system is configured to track a position of the seed along the transport route based on an indication of the sensed presence of the seed at the first location and detected movement of the seed transport mechanism, and generate a motor operating parameter based on the tracked position of the seed and a target parameter for releasing the seed. The motor of the seeding system is operated based on the motor operating parameter.

Seed planter with positionable tank
11602097 · 2023-03-14 · ·

A seed planter assembly for planting seeds in rows throughout a field includes at least one tank for storing the seeds and a seed hose in communication with the at least one tank for delivering the seeds to the field. The seed planter assembly also includes a support frame for supporting the at least one tank and the seed hose, and a linkage assembly (e.g., including a four-bar linkage) coupled with the support frame and the at least one tank. The linkage assembly is configured for lifting the at least one tank from a first orientation proximate to a support surface to a second orientation spaced farther apart from the support surface. The seed planter assembly can also include an actuator (e.g., a hydraulic actuator) connected between the support frame and the linkage assembly for moving the at least one tank between the first orientation and the second orientation.

SINGULATING METER
20230073423 · 2023-03-09 ·

A singulating meter includes a seed disc with seed apertures rotates in a vertical plane through a seed reservoir. A horizontal seed tube has an inlet adjacent to the top of the seed disc and the seed apertures move along a seed aperture path toward the inlet. Pressurized air flows into the tube inlet, and through each seed aperture as it rotates upward out of the seed reservoir pushing a seed into each seed aperture which seed then moves along the seed aperture path through about 180 degrees of rotation to a release position at the top of the path where the seed is carried horizontally into the seed tube. An ejector pushes debris out of the seed apertures into the seed tube. An alignment guide moves the singulator element of the meter into the operating position where same is magnetically secured.

Tillage implement with vision sensors

A control system for a tillage implement broadly includes front and rear sensors, a leveling assembly, and a controller. The front sensor is positioned on a front of a central section, wherein the front sensor is configured to obtain height information indicative of a height of the front of the central section above a ground. The rear sensor is positioned on a rear of the central section, wherein the rear sensor is configured to obtain height information indicative of a height of the rear of the central section above the ground. The leveling assembly is configured to adjust a front to rear orientation of the central section. The controller is configured to receive the height information from the front sensor and the height information from the rear sensor, and to provide instructions to the leveling assembly to adjust the front to rear orientation of the central section based on the received height information.

Smart sensor system for agricultural implements

An agricultural planting or seeding implement having a ground engaging tool that forms an opening along an axis in the soil, a sensor disposed aft of the ground engaging tool, and a row unit disposed aft of both the ground engaging tool and the sensor relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural planting or seeding implement. The sensor engages with the ground at a depth within the opening and generates a signal indicative of a soil property of the ground.

Mounting assembly for a product distribution system of an air cart
11622497 · 2023-04-11 · ·

A product distribution system mounting assembly includes a first member configured to rigidly couple to a frame of an agricultural apparatus and a second member configured to rigidly couple to a plurality of tubular components of a product distribution system of the agricultural apparatus. The first member and the second member are configured to engage with one another to form a sliding interface that enables the plurality of tubular components to move along a vertical axis relative to the frame as the agricultural apparatus moves in a direction of travel through a field.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING EXISTING SOWING EQUIPMENT

The present invention relates to a system for modifying existing sowing equipment comprising a plant propagation materials (K) reservoir, a separation device for singulating plant propagation materials (K), and an outlet for directing the singulated plant propagation materials (K) to the soil, comprising an application assembly (30) configured to be attachable to the outlet or the singulation device, for selectively applying an aliquot of a dressing composition to the separated plant propagation materials (K) wherein the application device (30) further comprises: i. a power supply connector, ii. a reservoir (18) for the fluidized dressing composition, all attachable to the sowing equipment; ill. a sensor array comprising at least one sensor (32, 33) for measuring the trajectory of the plant propagation materials while falling, iv. a controller (35) for calculating the trajectory from the data received from the sensor array; and for coordinating and applying the dressing composition; and v. an outlet device for dispensing an aliquot of the dressing composition selectively onto the plant propagation materials during free-falling.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING EXISTING SOWING EQUIPMENT

The present invention relates to a system for modifying existing sowing equipment comprising a plant propagation materials (K) reservoir, a separation device for singulating plant propagation materials (K), and an outlet for directing the singulated plant propagation materials (K) to the soil, comprising an application assembly (30) configured to be attachable to the outlet or the singulation device, for selectively applying an aliquot of a dressing composition to the separated plant propagation materials (K) wherein the application device (30) further comprises: i. a power supply connector, ii. a reservoir (18) for the fluidized dressing composition, all attachable to the sowing equipment; ill. a sensor array comprising at least one sensor (32, 33) for measuring the trajectory of the plant propagation materials while falling, iv. a controller (35) for calculating the trajectory from the data received from the sensor array; and for coordinating and applying the dressing composition; and v. an outlet device for dispensing an aliquot of the dressing composition selectively onto the plant propagation materials during free-falling.

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PLANTER WEIGHT TRANSFER SYSTEMS
20230108066 · 2023-04-06 ·

A control system for managing weight transfer along sections of a tractor drawn tool bar for use in row planting systems is provided. The planter weight transfer system comprises first and second assemblies secured to each other and to a row planter tool bar by a set of fasteners. Additionally, the bolt-on brackets are joined at the top by an actuator which applies a force on the brackets. An improved PID-based WTS control system provides improved and balanced operation of agricultural machinery planting multiple rows with a multiple row planter units attached along a set of tool bars, wherein the wing sections and the center section of the tool bar complex are maintained in relative position by operation of the WTS and control system.