An anhydrous ammonia trailer hitch incorporating a base; a vehicle mounting receiver hitch fixedly attached to and extending forwardly from the base; a bolt mounted to the base, the bolt being adapted for moving between latching and releasing positions; a release plate having a first eye fitted for receiving the bolt, the bolt extending into the eye upon movement to the latching position; a remotely actuatable linear motion actuator connected operatively to the bolt for moving the bolt between the latching and releasing position; a tongue mount fixedly attached to the release plate; and at least a first safety chain mount fixedly attached to the release plate.

A fertilizer knife for applying fertilizer to soil. The fertilizer knife includes a knife body having a primary chamber through a rearward end thereof. Fins diverge laterally outwardly from a tip at a lower forward end of the knife body and curve upwardly from the lower forward end, terminating above a discharge end of the primary chamber. Liquid from a liquid source is communicated to the primary chamber and is discharged from the discharge end into the furrow formed by the fertilizer knife. In another embodiment, a secondary passage through the knife body communicates gas from a gas supply into a gap surrounding a supply tube disposed within the primary chamber. In another embodiment flow controllers disposed on the knife regulate liquid into the primary chamber and gas into the secondary passage.

A sensor system for monitoring vapor concentrations associated with an agricultural implement is disclosed. The sensor system comprises a first sensor coupled to a support structure that is configured to sense a concentration of at least one component of a vapor sample associated with dispensed ammonia that is emitted from the soil. A controller is communicatively coupled to the first sensor, and is configured to receive and process output signals generated by the first sensor to determine an amount of the concentration of the at least one component that is loss during emission.

A method for treating plants comprises estimating a growth state or maturity state of a plant based on a planting date, a current date and the crop type of the plant. A root zone estimator or data processor estimating a size, diameter or radius of a root zone of the plant based on the determined growth state or maturity state. The data processor adjusts a lateral offset of a distribution pattern of a crop input or nutrient from at least one nutrient knife based on the size, diameter or radius of the root zone and safety zone about the root zone, where the at least one nutrient knife tracks a path outside of or bounded by the root zone.

An autonomous vehicle platform system and method configured to perform various in-season management tasks, including selectively applying fertilizer, mapping growth zones and seeding cover crop within an agricultural field, while self-navigating between rows of planted crops and beneath the canopy of the planted crops on the uneven terrain of an agricultural field, allowing for an ideal in-season application of fertilizer to occur once the planted crop is well established and growing rapidly, in an effort to limit the loss of fertilizer.

Systems and methods for suppressing vaporization of a volatile fluid dispensed from a pressure vessel are provided. The system includes an evaporator coupled in thermal communication with a first flow of volatile fluid from the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with a second flow of volatile fluid from the pressure vessel. The evaporator includes at least one channel therein for channeling the second flow of volatile fluid therethrough. In addition, the system includes a compressor coupled in fluid communication with and downstream from the at least one channel. Moreover, the system includes a return line coupled in fluid communication with an outlet of the compressor. The compressor is configured to compress the second flow of volatile fluid and channel the compressed second flow of volatile fluid to the pressure vessel via the return line.

A fertilizer row unit including a toolbar coupling, first and second suspension members, a pressure applying device, a tensioned wheel assembly, a knife assembly and a depth control system. The first suspension member has a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling. The second suspension member is generally parallel to the first suspension member. The pressure applying device is coupled to the first or second suspension member. The tensioned wheel assembly has at least one wheel. The knife assembly is pivotally coupled to both the first and second suspension members. The depth control system is coupled to the knife assembly for controlling the depth of penetration of the knife into the soil. The depth control system includes a sensor that provides a measured depth signal representative of a depth of the knife. The depth control system controls the pressure applying device dependent upon the measured depth signal.

The monitor system for an anhydrous ammonia fertilizer injection system includes a manifold with a plurality of discharge lines connected to soil engaging knives. A temperature sensor is mounted in each discharge line. The temperature of fertilizer in each discharge line is measures and transmitted to a microprocessor in a console. The temperature in a discharge line is compared with the average temperature in the other discharge lines. This comparison is made for each discharge line connected to a manifold to determine the temperature variations. The variations are compared to a temperature variation number provided by the operator. If an excessive variation occurs a warning is provided. A console screen graph shows which discharge line needs inspection.

A first rear member is spaced apart from the front member and positioned generally parallel to the front member. A first pair of first pivotable arms are generally parallel to each other. The first pair of first pivotable arms are rotatably connected to the front member at two front pivot points. The first pair of first pivotable arms are rotatably connected to the rear member at two rear pivot points. At least one first opener (e.g., nutrient knife or projecting, ground-engaging member) extends downward from or with respect to the first rear member.

A row frame is coupled to the rear member. A first opener is configured to open the soil; the first opener is supported by or from a first support extending downward from the frame member. A first outlet is configured to dispense or apply a nutrient strip. A laterally movable carrier is associated with the row frame. The carrier supports the first opener and the first outlet. A second outlet can dispense or plant seed, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet have a lateral separation that is dynamically adjustable during the simultaneous application of seed and the nutrient strip.