A planting system includes a seed flow controller coupled to a hopper and a spreader. The seed flow controller, hopper, and spreader are transported by an unmanned aerial vehicle to spread the seeds over a geography. The seed flow controller includes several rollers having apposed outer surfaces. The rollers also include fins that extend about respective roller axes such that the fins cross at discrete contact points as the rollers rotate. The interfacing rollers break up clumps of seed material stored in the hopper and controllably convey the seed material from the hopper to the spreader. The spreader has a spinning spreader plate that flings the seed material laterally outward to spread the seed material over the ground.

A planting system includes a seed flow controller coupled to a hopper and a spreader. The seed flow controller, hopper, and spreader are transported by an unmanned aerial vehicle to spread the seeds over a geography. The seed flow controller includes several rollers having apposed outer surfaces. The rollers also include fins that extend about respective roller axes such that the fins cross at discrete contact points as the rollers rotate. The interfacing rollers break up clumps of seed material stored in the hopper and controllably convey the seed material from the hopper to the spreader. The spreader has a spinning spreader plate that flings the seed material laterally outward to spread the seed material over the ground.

A method and system for producing a plant-based image includes receiving a source image; screening the source image into a set of picture elements; and producing raster data indicating at least a type or density of seeds or plants to plant for each picture element.

A method and system for producing a plant-based image includes receiving a source image; screening the source image into a set of picture elements; and producing raster data indicating at least a type or density of seeds or plants to plant for each picture element.

Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit of an agricultural planter. The row unit includes a trench depth adjustment assembly configured to modify the furrow depth. In one embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a gear box having one or more gears which engage with a gear rack. The gear box may be pivotally connected to a depth adjustment body supporting a rocker that adjusts upward travel of gauge wheel arms. In another embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a depth adjustment arm having a screw receiver that cooperates with a driven screw that adjusts the position of the depth adjustment arm acting on the gauge wheels to adjust trench depth.

An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.

An agricultural implement includes a number of row units. The row units include one or more seed meters for receiving, singulating, and dispensing seed to the ground such that preferred spacing of subsequent seed is attained. Seed delivery systems are included to aid in transporting the seed from the seed meter to the ground in a controlled manner to mitigate skips and to aid in controlling the spacing of the seeds, which can be based upon the ground speed of the implement as it moves through the field. The seed delivery systems can control the transport of the seed to a furrow in the field such that the seed can experience zero or near zero relative velocity so that the seed will have little to no movement once positioned in the furrow.

An agricultural implement includes a number of row units. The row units include one or more seed meters for receiving, singulating, and dispensing seed to the ground such that preferred spacing of subsequent seed is attained. Seed delivery systems are included to aid in transporting the seed from the seed meter to the ground in a controlled manner to mitigate skips and to aid in controlling the spacing of the seeds, which can be based upon the ground speed of the implement as it moves through the field. The seed delivery systems can control the transport of the seed to a furrow in the field such that the seed can experience zero or near zero relative velocity so that the seed will have little to no movement once positioned in the furrow.

A brush arrangement of an apparatus includes a brush connected to a brush support. The brush support can be or include at least one four-bar linkage, trails the outlets of the seed metering device. The brush sweeps fine loose material over seeds placed on the soil surface allowing rocks to be left in place in/on the soil while the deposited seeds are lightly covered with soil by the brush. The brush arrangement can be coupled with soil manipulation apparatus, e.g., including a tool/tine support, onto which one or more soil engaging tools mount(s). The soil engaging tool may include or be at least one knifepoint, sweep, disc, blade, or other tillage equipment to engage into the soil and loosen compacted or crusted soil ahead of depositing the seeds. Brush breakout can be accommodated by a breakout coupler and optional adjustable breakout force.

A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a particle metering and singulation unit configured to meter a plurality of particles from a particle storage area and a particle belt disposed a selected distance apart from the particle metering and singulation unit. The particle belt is configured to receive the plurality of particles from the particle metering and singulation unit. The selected distance between the particle metering and singulation unit and the particle belt enables the plurality of particles to accelerate under an influence of gravity to a particle speed at the particle belt within a target percentage of a belt speed of the particle belt.