The current invention discloses several methodologies that mitigate shock loading and propensity to resonance in agricultural spray boom structures. These include a near planar linkage for decoupling the boom assembly from the vehicle. This serves to permit further aspects of the invention to: Use the combined mass of the booms and center section as the tuned mass of a tuned mass damper: Act as an enabling part of a boom compliant suspension system to mitigate shock loadings otherwise imposed on the boom system, and: Act as an enabling part of an active boom height and roll control systems to permit the accurate navigation of the boom over undulating terrain. Further aspects include the incorporation of tuned mass dampers in the boom structure and components; and the use of the mass and operation of the boom outboard breakaway sections as tuned mass dampers.

A breakaway joint for a boom arm assembly includes a first boom segment defining a pivot axis at a first end, a second boom segment pivotally coupled to the first boom segment at the pivot axis, a bracket coupled to the first boom segment, a leaf spring coupled to the bracket between the first boom segment and the second boom segment, and a cam coupled to the second boom segment and positioned adjacent to the leaf spring. The first boom segment and the second boom segment are pivotally aligned in a neutral position. In the neutral position, the leaf spring contacts the cam at a first contact force, and in any position other than the neutral position, the leaf spring contacts the cam at a contact force greater than the first contact force.

A liquid applicator implement includes a boom vertically adjustable with respect to a vehicle. The boom supports a plurality of drop assemblies laterally spaced along the boom in communication with a liquid product source. A height sensor assembly is attached to at least one of the drop assemblies and generates height signals indicative of a distance between the drop assembly and a ground surface as the vehicle advances in a direction of travel. A controller is responsive to the generated height signals to actuate a boom height adjustment mechanism to adjust the height of the boom. In some embodiments, a breakaway sensor is used to determine whether at least one drop assembly has broken away from its normal substantially vertical operating orientation. In some embodiments, data processing and/or boom height control is determined upon detection of a breakaway event.

A spray boom includes a body having a length defined a first end and a second end thereof. The body is formed by a plurality of layers of composite material adapted to be molded together to form an inner surface and an outer surface. A hollow cavity is defined in the body internally of the inner surface, and a channel is formed in the body between the inner surface and the outer surface. The channel extends along the length and is defined between the first end and the second end.

An electromagnetic breakaway system having a boom assembly, including a frame including a first portion and a second portion hingably coupled to the first portion; and a hinge assembly hingably coupling the first and second portions, the hinge assembly includes first and second electromagnets coupled respectively to the first and second portions, the first and second electromagnets comprising a same charge polarity when the first and second portions form an angle within a first pivot range, the first and second electromagnets comprising a different charge polarity when the first and second portions form an angle within a second pivot range.

A break-away apparatus for a boom arm (11) is positioned at a joint between a main boom portion (14) and a boom tip (12) to allow the boom tip to assume a neutral position and forward, rearward, and upward positions. First and second plates (30, 28) are disposed at the joint and a hinge assembly (22) is positioned between the first and second plates (30, 28). The hinge assembly (22) includes a first ball joint (38); a first hinge pin (34); and a second hinge pin (36). The first and second plates (30, 28) are in a first position when the boom tip (12) assumes the neutral position, and the first and second plates (30, 28) are movable with respect to each other about the first hinge axis (25a), the second hinge axis (25b), and a pivot point defined by the first ball joint (38). A first spring (50) assists a return of the first and second plates (30, 28) to the first position.

A boom assembly, including a frame comprising a first portion and a second portion hingeably coupled to the first portion; and a hinge assembly hingeably coupling the first and second portions, the hinge assembly including first and second electromagnets coupled respectively to the first and second portions; a first switch membrane coupled to the second portion and configured to control an energy state of the first and second electromagnets.

A breakaway adapter system is provided that allows the same breakaway joints and breakaway boom segments to be used with either front-mounted or rear-mounted booms. The adapter system may have a multi-piece construction with a secondary boom segment end cap that can be reconfigured to receive either a left-side hinged or right-side hinged adapter hinge bracket or hinge plate. This allows a main boom body to be reversed for switching between front-mounted and rear-mounted configurations by rotating the main boom body 180-degrees while retaining breakaway joints and breakaway boom segments in rearward deflecting positions.

A variable width agricultural applicator is provided. The variable width agricultural applicator is attachable to a boom to apply a liquid to a crop in rows. The variable width agricultural sprayer includes a drop tube and a splitter downstream of the drop tube. The splitter is fluidly connected to the drop tube. A pair of flexible delivery tubes is fluidly connected to the splitter. Each one of the pair of flexible delivery tubes has a predetermined bend.

The current invention discloses several methodologies that mitigate shock loading and propensity to resonance in agricultural spray boom structures. These include a near planar linkage for decoupling the boom assembly from the vehicle. This serves to permit further aspects of the invention to: Use the combined mass of the booms and center section as the tuned mass of a tuned mass damper: Act as an enabling part of a boom compliant suspension system to mitigate shock loadings otherwise imposed on the boom system, and: Act as an enabling part of an active boom height and roll control systems to permit the accurate navigation of the boom over undulating terrain. Further aspects include the incorporation of tuned mass dampers in the boom structure and components; and the use of the mass and operation of the boom outboard breakaway sections as tuned mass dampers.