A data processor determines whether a draft force on the implement is unbalanced based on an error between the observed implement angle and a target implement heading exceeding a threshold deviation. The data processor is adapted to generate a control signal to compensate for the imbalance in the draft force by adjusting the first lateral position via the first actuator, or by adjusting the second lateral position via the second actuator, the first actuator and the second actuator being positioned on opposite lateral sides of the implement.

A laterally movable carrier is associated with a row frame. The carrier is connected to a frame member, an opener, a first outlet and a second outlet to allow for dynamically variable adjustment of the lateral separation between a first row of planted seed and a second row of planted seed, where the first row of seed is adjacent to the second row of seed.

A carrier adjustment assembly for coupling to a frame member of an implement includes a laterally adjustable carrier configured to be coupled to an opener and a first outlet providing at least one nutrient. The assembly further includes a plurality of lateral spacers positioned adjacent to the carrier to laterally adjust the carrier and provide a plurality of adjustment positions. The carrier adjustment assembly facilitates lateral adjustment of the carrier by removal of at least one captively held lateral spacer that sets the lateral adjustment of the carrier, a lateral adjustment of the first outlet, and an adjustment of a lateral separation between a seed row provided by a second outlet and a nutrient row provided by the first outlet.

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.

A method of calibrating individual exit lines of an agricultural ammonia applicator having a delivery path that extends through a manifold and multiple exit lines includes installing a fixed flow restricting orifice upstream of a variable flow restricting orifice and measuring the pressure upstream of the fixed flow restricting orifice. Beginning with the variable flow restricting orifice in an unrestricting flow condition, the pressure downstream of the variable flow restricting orifice is repeatedly measured and compared with the measured upstream pressure. The variable flow restricting orifice is incrementally closed after each comparison so long as the measured pressure downstream of the variable flow restricting orifice and the pressure upstream of the fixed flow restricting orifice remain substantially the same. The variable orifice maximum flow setting is recorded when the measured pressure downstream of the variable flow restricting orifice drops below the pressure upstream of the fixed flow restricting orifice.

A system, an apparatus and a method for uniformly applying UAN fertilizing liquid to soil on farmland for the purpose of increasing crop yields. The system has an UAN sprayer distribution rail applicator apparatus which may be pulled behind a tow vehicle or pushed by a sprayer or fertilizer applicator. The atmospheric tank contains UAN fertilizing liquid which passes from a pump, through a safety shut-off valve, and through a turbine style flow meter. A safety bypass line is provided upstream of the flow meter to relieve unsafe hydraulic pressure back through a pressure-sensitive valve in the event that multiple control valves close simultaneously. Flow through this bypass line also provides mixing of the UAN fertilizing liquid during cold weather. Upon exiting the flow meter, the UAN fluid enters the center of a distribution rail assembly. Spray nozzles with individual automatic shut-off valves are spaced across the distribution rail assembly.

An ammonia applicator system includes has adjustable orifices with openings having variable sizes that can be changed remotely, without having to disassemble exit lines from a distribution manifold. In this way, the restriction of the exit lines and, thus, line flow rate can be adjusted remotely and/or automatically, even during ammonia application use. Each adjustable orifice may include a valve and an actuator that controls the valve for changing the size of the opening of the adjustable orifice. The actuator may be a rotary actuator, such as a stepper motor, and the valve may include an adjustment knob and a screw that can rotate to allow a needle to advance or regress through an opening of a valve body of the valve.

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.

Fertilizer is applied between the rows of growing plants or to the bases of growing plants in adjacent rows. A dirt moving member then moves dirt and any applied fertilizer from between the rows onto the bases of the growing plants in the adjacent rows. The dirt acts to seal the fertilizer and to significantly reduce fertilizer losses.

A method of calibrating individual exit lines of an agricultural ammonia applicator having a delivery path that extends through a manifold and multiple exit lines includes installing a fixed flow restricting orifice upstream of a variable flow restricting orifice and measuring the pressure upstream of the fixed flow restricting orifice. Beginning with the variable flow restricting orifice in an unrestricting flow condition, the pressure downstream of the variable flow restricting orifice is repeatedly measured and compared with the measured upstream pressure. The variable flow restricting orifice is incrementally closed after each comparison so long as the measured pressure downstream of the variable flow restricting orifice and the pressure upstream of the fixed flow restricting orifice remain substantially the same. The variable orifice maximum flow setting is recorded when the measured pressure downstream of the variable flow restricting orifice drops below the pressure upstream of the fixed flow restricting orifice.