An agricultural implement for distributing fertilizer to a plurality of rows includes a fertilizer container, a plurality of fertilizer metering units, and a plurality of motors. The fertilizer containers are used for storing the fertilizer prior to the fertilizer being distributed to the soil. The plurality of fertilizer metering units each include a housing and a metering device positioned in the housing. The housing has an inlet configured to receive fertilizer from the fertilizer container and an outlet. The plurality of motors are each drivingly coupled to and configured to rotate at least one metering device to distribute fertilizer to a row of the plurality of rows.

An autonomous vehicle platform and system for selectively performing an in-season management task in an agricultural field while self-navigating between rows of planted crops, the autonomous vehicle platform having a vehicle base with a width so dimensioned as to be insertable through the space between two rows of planted crops, the vehicle base having an in-season task management structure configured to perform various tasks, including selectively applying fertilizer, mapping growth zones and seeding cover crop within an agricultural field.

A method may include collecting a sample of soil via a soil collection unit. Additionally, the method may include mixing the soil with a liquid to form a colorless solution. Further, the method may include dividing the colorless solution into one or more sub-samples and adding a specific reagent to each sub-sample. Additionally, the method may include analyzing each sub-sample to determine a nutrient value via a soil analysis unit in real-time.

An electric-shock soil treatment apparatus and method for treating soil. The electric shock soil treatment apparatus can be an attachment that can either be easily retrofitted or designed into existing and new agricultural equipment. The system can provide a sustainable solution for stabilizing nitrogen fertilizers. The electric shock soil treatment system also provides other effective alternative solutions that would benefit from reduced soil microbial activity or from additional weed control.

An agricultural implement wear monitoring system that monitors a first component of an agricultural implement. A sensor detects and emits a signal indicative of a first geometric dimension of the first component and/or a second geometric dimension of the first component relative to a second component. A controller couples to the sensor. The controller monitors the first geometric dimension and/or the second geometric dimension, and in response to a detected change in the first geometric dimension and/or the second geometric dimension determines a remaining service life of the first component.

A soil conditioner spreader and an operation method thereof are provided. The soil conditioner spreader includes a spreader body, a ridger, a solid tank, two spiral drills, a rotary tillage wheel and a mulching device, where the spreader body is provided with a hopper in a front part. The hopper stores a conditioner. The solid tank is arranged above the spiral drills. The spreader body is connected to the solid tank through a feeding track. The ridger, the spiral rills, the rotary tillage wheel and the mulching device are successively arranged at the bottom of the spreader body from the rear to the front. The ridger ridges first, and then the spiral drills perform deep plowing, rotary tillage and scarification and apply the conditioner to a ridge. The rotary tillage wheel performs rotary tillage, and a nozzle sprays a nutrient solution or an herbicide/insecticide. Finally, the mulching device mulches.

A single disk fertilizer opener assembly for opening a trench in soil includes a frame support and a cutting disk for forming the trench. The cutting disk is coupled to an axle and rotates about the axle as the assembly moves in a working direction. The assembly also includes a first arm pivotally coupled to the frame support and the axle, and a second arm pivotally coupled to the frame support at a location spaced from the first arm. A bracket is coupled to the axle and the second arm, and a scraper is coupled to the bracket and disposed substantially perpendicularly to the working direction.

In one embodiment, an autonomous vehicle includes a controller and a control interface disposed in an enclosure on the side of the autonomous vehicle. The control interface includes a display communicatively coupled to the controller. The display is used to at least setup or control operation of an implement attached to the autonomous vehicle, setup or control operation of the autonomous vehicle, or both.

A control system is disclosed for a material application system. A sensor may be disposed and configured to monitor one or more of a material level and a material flow for the material application system. A signal may be received from the sensor corresponding to the material level or flow. A reference quantity of material contained by the material application system, an expected application rate for the material, and an indicator of current application duration may be determined. An estimated application rate may be determined based upon one or more of the indicator of current application duration, the reference quantity of material, and the signal. The estimated and expected application rates may be compared and the expected application rate updated based upon the comparison. A remaining interval for application without a replenishment of the container may be determined and indicated to an operator.

A pressure gradient or differential in a product distribution line for conveying granular particulate material, including at least one of seed or fertilizer, in an air flow to an agricultural field consistently decreases as air speed and velocity in the product distribution line decreases until a critical air speed is reached. Below the critical air speed, the particulate material is susceptible to falling out of the air flow to cause a blockage in the system. A control system efficiently determines an optimum operating velocity for an air flow that is above the critical air speed yet below a maximum air speed associated with inefficient operation.