An improved particulate metering system is provided. The system includes a flow path having an inlet in communication with an intake and an outlet in communication with a discharge. The flow path receives a first input and a plurality of inputs, each of the plurality of inputs having a separate origin. A mixing area within the flow path comprises a confluence of the first input and one or more of the plurality of inputs. One or more metering controls are in operable communication with the first input and the plurality of inputs for controlling a blend of the plurality of inputs at the confluence.

A spreader for spreading particulate material has a plurality of outlets transversely spaced-apart in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the spreader. The outlets are configured to receive the material from a metering device and to dispense an amount of the material to mid-rows between crop rows on a field such that the plurality of outlets dispenses half the amount of material to an outermost mid-row compared to the amount of material dispensed to the other mid-rows. Also, the metering device may have two metering elements, which may be controlled to meter the material to only one side of the spreader. A centrally located outlet situated on a driving line of the spreader may receive material from both metering elements so that the centrally located nozzle can dispense the material whenever one or the other side of the spreader is not dispensing material.

A spreader for spreading particulate material has a plurality of outlets transversely spaced-apart in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the spreader. The outlets are configured to receive the material from a metering device and to dispense an amount of the material to mid-rows between crop rows on a field such that the plurality of outlets dispenses half the amount of material to an outermost mid-row compared to the amount of material dispensed to the other mid-rows. Also, the metering device may have two metering elements, which may be controlled to meter the material to only one side of the spreader. A centrally located outlet situated on a driving line of the spreader may receive material from both metering elements so that the centrally located nozzle can dispense the material whenever one or the other side of the spreader is not dispensing material.

The present invention is directed to an applicator having an agricultural product conveying system which transfers particulate material from one or more source containers to application equipment on demand, and meters the material at the application equipment. The conveying system includes an inline metering system including a number of metering devices associated with each compartment of a particulate material tank on the applicator to meter the particulate material disposed within each compartment. The individual metering devices include gates to initially enable the particulate material from a compartment to enter the metering device, and a rotary metering shaft to meter the flow of the particulate material into the conduits while limiting the passage of pressurized air through the metering device and into the compartment. The individual metering devices also include individual motors to control the operation of the metering devices independently from one another that can allow with sectional control and turning compensation.

The present invention is directed to an applicator having an agricultural product mechanical and/or pneumatic conveying system which transfers particulate material from one or more source containers to application equipment on demand, and meters the material at the application equipment. The conveying system includes a static distributor interconnecting the supply lines of the conveying system with the distribution lines connected to the individual nozzles. The static distributor includes internal structures that effectively divert the incoming particulate material evenly across the interior of the static distributor such that the particulate material is evenly distributed into each of the distribution lines. The static distributor accomplishes this without the need for any moving parts or control systems/devices. In addition, damage done to the particulate material flowing through the distributor is not high, and the operation of the distributor creates a lower pressure drop across the distributor than prior art vertical distributors.

A nutrient distributor in accordance with the present disclosure includes a vehicle with a frame, a prime mover, and a distribution system. The distribution system conveys dry nutrients to rowed crops.

An aerification system for controlling moisture content and gas exchange below a surface of one or more plant growing areas includes at least first and second sub-systems installed below the surface of the one or more plant growing areas. The first and second sub-systems each having a water permeable layer overlying a respective water impermeable layer, where the water impermeable layer defines a respective boundary of each of the first and second sub-systems. The system also includes at least one conduit connecting the water permeable layer of the first sub-system to the water permeable layer of the second sub-system, and at least one pumping system for pumping water therebetween. The pumping system is configured to alternate between pumping water to the first sub-system and the second sub-system in order to periodically raise and lower a water level in the water permeable layer of each of the first and second sub-systems.

An aerification system for controlling moisture content and gas exchange below a surface of one or more plant growing areas includes at least first and second sub-systems installed below the surface of the one or more plant growing areas. The first and second sub-systems each having a water permeable layer overlying a respective water impermeable layer, where the water impermeable layer defines a respective boundary of each of the first and second sub-systems. The system also includes at least one conduit connecting the water permeable layer of the first sub-system to the water permeable layer of the second sub-system, and at least one pumping system for pumping water therebetween. The pumping system is configured to alternate between pumping water to the first sub-system and the second sub-system in order to periodically raise and lower a water level in the water permeable layer of each of the first and second sub-systems.

An agricultural implement has a product supply chamber, and a pair of transversely extending product delivering booms, each with a plurality of conduits of varying lengths terminating in product distributing nozzles. A fan supplies air to a mixing chamber which also receives product from the supply chamber providing an air entrained flow of product to each conduit. A controller monitors product delivery and controls implement operation. Each conduit has a pressure tap near the nozzle for providing the controller with a pressure differential indication. The controller initiates a corrective action modifying the operation of the delivery system when a predetermined pressure differential threshold is exceeded. The corrective action may include an increased air flow volume, an additional burst of higher pressure air into the conduit, a temporary increase in air flow from the air flow source, or a reduction in the rate of product flow from the supply chamber.

An agricultural implement has a product supply chamber, and a pair of transversely extending product delivering booms, each with a plurality of conduits of varying lengths terminating in product distributing nozzles. A fan supplies air to a mixing chamber which also receives product from the supply chamber providing an air entrained flow of product to each conduit. A controller monitors product delivery and controls implement operation. Each conduit has a pressure tap near the nozzle for providing the controller with a pressure differential indication. The controller initiates a corrective action modifying the operation of the delivery system when a predetermined pressure differential threshold is exceeded. The corrective action may include an increased air flow volume, an additional burst of higher pressure air into the conduit, a temporary increase in air flow from the air flow source, or a reduction in the rate of product flow from the supply chamber.