A spreader for spreading a material including at least one pair of rotating discs having a plurality of generally radially oriented blades attached thereon for disbursing the material in a pre-selected pattern. The discs are rotatably positioned below an end of a funnel unit to receive material passing through the funnel units. The material, as it passes through the funnel units, is directed to a predetermined impact region on each of the rotating discs by a corresponding pair of deflecting vanes integrally fit and movably attached within each funnel of the pair of funnel units. Each deflecting vane is selectably movable by a corresponding actuator from a first position to a second position while the spreader is operating.

An apparatus applies product and includes a pivotal platform solely supported through bushings formed of compressible material. The ground speed can be locked by stepping on a step pivoting a composite block to engage with an engagement of the transmission proportioner arm. A gate is opened utilizing a control lever pivotally mounted to a pivotably mounted control block to either engage or avoid a tang of an adjustment guide. A drive belt system includes a variator having first and second sheaves having variable effective diameters when their pivot pin is moved by pivoting a lever. A spray tip sprays a fan style spray at a small acute angle to the application area. A flip shield is pivoted about an axis parallel to the movement direction and includes a linear straight portion parallel to the axis in a redirection position.

In one embodiment, a method includes metering agricultural product to a first header of an agricultural implement via a first meter module of a metering subassembly, receiving, at a processor, a first signal indicative of a first amount of agricultural material at the first header, and determining, via the processor, a first time relative to activation of the first meter module when the first amount reaches a target amount of agricultural product based at least in part on the first signal.

In accordance with one or more embodiments herein, an agricultural machine (100) comprising sensors is provided. The agricultural machine (100) comprises a number of sensor programming devices (110), each comprising a unique set of sensor programming instructions, and is arranged to comprise one single corresponding sensor device (120) for each of the sensor programming devices (110). Each sensor programming device (110) is mounted in a programming position (115) adjacent a sensor position (125) for the corresponding sensor device (120), and each sensor device (120) is arranged to be mounted in the sensor position (125) and automatically receive the sensor programming instructions from the corresponding sensor programming device (110). This ensures that if a sensor device (120) is moved from one sensor position (125) to another sensor position (125), it automatically receives a different set of programming instructions.

A seed metering and discharge system that generates and discharges a continuous stream of seed for downstream processing. A variable position gate is disposed at an output end of a bottom hopper of the system. During a measurement period, a commanded position of the variable position gate is adjusted in proportion to mass measurement signals received from load cells mounted to the bottom hopper. A top hopper refills the bottom hopper during a refill period when the variable position gate is commanded into a fixed position. The system regulates the continuous stream of seed, measured in real-time, so that the actual seed flow rate at the output end closely matches a target seed flow rate. The system operates iteratively between the measurement and refill periods during continuous discharge cycles.

An apparatus 100 is described for precision volumetric metering and distribution of solid inputs used in agriculture, the apparatus being coupled to sowing devices and comprising a frame 1 with a through-hole 12 through which an axle 3 radially locked to a turbine 4 extends, the axle 3 driving the metering turbine 4; an opening 21 in the floor of the frame leads the agricultural input 31 to the output nozzle 13. The geometry of the turbine 4 comprises cutouts of various shapes which form chambers 5 for distributing the agricultural input 31 uniformly. A labyrinth 25 is formed by the frame 1, the inner grater 6 and the turbine 4. The structural geometry of the turbine 4 only allows metering of the input 31 while the turbine is rotating, while the agricultural input 31 is retained inside and on the turbine 4 when the turbine does not rotate.

A material spreader which is suspended beneath an airborne helicopter and which includes a container for flowable materials such as seeds, fertilizers or chemicals. The container has a discharge opening formed in its lower end which has a vertically movable valve positioned therein. The valve is controlled by the pilot of the helicopter from within the cockpit of the helicopter so that the application rate of the material may be varied without the necessity of landing the helicopter.

An animal feeder has a hopper body adjustably mounted on a mounting base for directing feed material in a selected direction. The mounting base includes a pair of ground support elements pivotally mounted on a lateral support plate with a pair of pivot bolts, and further including a locking bolt that enables the lateral support plate to be pivotally adjusted with respect to the pair of ground support elements. The hopper body is rotatably mounted on the lateral support plate via a center bolt. A feed dispensing mechanism discharges the feed material through a feed discharge aperture, in a direction that is adjusted via the positioning of the adjustment base.

A cylinder head comprising a cavity for receiving a pre-chamber gas valve, wherein an opening extending substantially or completely around the pre-chamber gas valve forms an annular passage with a wall of the cavity, that surrounds the pre-chamber gas valve, wherein the annular passage is connected to at least one gas feed passage for supplying the pre-chamber gas valve with combustion gas, wherein the annular passage with at least one inclined gas passage is connected with the lower cavity of the pre-chamber gas valve.

The invention relates to a disc spreader comprising a frame consisting of a base frame (11) and an auxiliary frame (21), wherein a container (61) is secured to the base frame (11) and a spreader disc (22) is secured under the container (61) on the auxiliary frame (21), wherein, according to the invention, a dosing unit (12), preferably having a cellular wheel sluice (18), is arranged on the base frame (11) under the container (61), said dosing unit having an outlet (14) at the bottom for a collection hopper (23), wherein the collection hopper (23) is secured to this outlet (14) of the dosing unit (12) and the auxiliary frame (21) is secured on the base frame (11) by means of a quick-closure (15, 25). In this way, it is possible to provide a distributer (32, 32a) which can be connected to the outlet (14) of the dosing unit (12) after removal of the auxiliary frame (21) and the collection hopper (23), such that the disc spreader can be converted into a seeder.