An apparatus and method of applying liquid product to a crop growing in a field. A plurality of drop assemblies are laterally spaced along the boom structure, each of the plurality of drop assemblies include a boom mounting bracket which supports a vertical support member and a spray assembly disposed at a lower end of the vertical support member, the boom mounting bracket having a first pivot axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the boom structure. The drop assemblies are movable from a working position to a transport position. In the transport position the vertical support member is pivoted about the first axis such that the vertical support member is oriented toward the boom structure. In the working position the vertical support is oriented substantially perpendicular to the boom structure.

An agricultural system can include a boom assembly supporting one or more nozzle assemblies there along. A boom adjustment system can be operably coupled with the boom assembly. A sensing system can be configured to capture data indicative of one or more application variables. A computing system can be communicatively coupled to the boom adjustment system and the sensing system. The computing system can be configured to receive, from the sensing system, the data associated with the one or more application variables, calculate a spray quality index based on the data associated with the one or more application variables, and generate an output to change a position of the boom assembly through the boom adjustment system based at least in part on the calculated spray quality index deviating from a defined range.

A method for an agricultural application operation is provided herein. The method includes receiving a target application condition for an agricultural product to be exhausted from a nozzle assembly through an input device. The method also includes receiving an agricultural product flow condition and data related to boom movement from a sensing system. In addition, the method includes receiving a first duty cycle from a computing system. The method further includes determining a detected application condition based on the agricultural product flow condition, the data related to boom movement, and the first duty cycle with the computing system. Lastly, the method includes generating a duty cycle command based on a comparison of the target application condition to the detected application condition with the computing system.

An agricultural system can include a product application system including one or more nozzle assemblies. A sensing system can include at least one flow sensor operably coupled with the product application system and configured to capture data indicative of a flow condition within the product application system. A computing system is communicatively coupled to the product application system and the sensing system. The computing system can be configured to calculate a spray quality index based on data from the sensing system, detect a pressure drop within the product application system based on the data indicative of a flow condition within the product application system, and generate an output based on the spray quality index and/or the detection of one or more pressure drops in the product application system.

An agricultural system can include a first nozzle assembly positioned along a boom assembly and configured to selectively dispense an agricultural product therefrom. An airflow detection system can be configured to capture data indicative of one or more airflow sources. A computing system can be communicatively coupled to the first nozzle assembly and the airflow detection system. The computing system can be configured to receive, from the airflow detection system, the data associated with the one or more airflow sources and generate a first nozzle vector for the first nozzle assembly based at least in part on the data from the airflow detection system.

A method to reduce bag rupture in a spray dispensed from a nozzle involves detecting one or more bags rupturing from an initial spray pattern of the spray dispensed from the nozzle, the one or more bags comprising a thin membraned semi-spherical protrusion extending from the spray, where the initial spray pattern is a region of the spray initially exiting the nozzle that forms a continuous sheet-like portion. The spray includes an agricultural spray including water, at least one polymer, and at least one perforation-aid type adjuvant. The agricultural spray exhibits fewer fine droplets exhibiting a diameter less than about 150 μm formed via the bag rupture approach to droplet formation.

An agricultural implement arrangement includes a container of seed having an ID tag associated therewith; an implement for applying a product to a geographic area; an electrical reader configured for reading the ID tag and providing an output signal; and an electrical processing circuit coupled with the reader and the implement. The ID tag has data representing at least one attribute associated with the seed. The electrical processing circuit receives the output signal and controls the implement, dependent upon the output signal.

Described herein are implements and application units for placement of fluid applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, an application unit includes a frame to be positioned in operation between two rows of plants and a plurality of flexible members coupled to the frame in operation such that the plurality of flexible members guide a lateral position of the frame to be approximately equidistant from the two rows of plants based upon whether at least one flexible member of the plurality of flexible members contacts one or more plants of the two rows of plants. The plurality of flexible members include a plurality of fluid outlets for spraying crop input in close proximity to the rows of plants.

An agricultural sprayer includes at least one nozzle configure to receive a fluid and direct atomized fluid to an agricultural surface in a dispersal area. A radio-frequency (RF) transmitter is disposed to generate an RF signal that passes through the dispersal area. The RF signal is detectably changed when interacting with droplets of the atomized fluid. A first RF receiver is disposed to receive the RF signal after the RF signal passes through the dispersal area and provides an output indicative of the RF signal. A controller is coupled to the first RF receiver and is configured to detect plugging of the at least one nozzle based on the output of the first RF receiver.

An autonomous spraying platform is provided. The autonomous spraying platform has a main frame platform supported by a first and a second wheel in tandem. Supported by the main frame platform and extended perpendicular thereto are extended booms having multiple movable and/or telescoping arms which touch the ground on each side by small wheels for balance and sensing of the ground. Liquids, foams or powders, which may carry pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers or other pro-growth ingredients, may be dispensed across the bottom edge of the extended booms. The main frame platform may be controlled locally by sensors utilizing GPS (or other positioning technology) or remotely by a computer or even alive operator. The device may allow for real-time precise delivery of pro-growth materials to plants.