An agricultural implement includes a chassis and a shank carried by the chassis. The shank includes: a shank body configured to penetrate a soil top surface; a sensor attached to an outer surface of the shank body and defining a probing area; and a sensor shield carried by the shank body in front of the sensor, the sensor shield being configured to deflect oncoming soil flow away from the sensor without substantially disrupting soil flow into the probing area.

An agricultural implement includes a chassis and a shank carried by the chassis. The shank includes: a shank body configured to penetrate a soil top surface; a sensor attached to an outer surface of the shank body and defining a probing area; and a sensor shield carried by the shank body in front of the sensor, the sensor shield being configured to deflect oncoming soil flow away from the sensor without substantially disrupting soil flow into the probing area.

A ripper device includes a first cylinder, a shank, and an arm. The first cylinder includes a tube and a rod, and is disposed to extend and retract in the forward and backward direction in a plan view of the ripper device. The shank is disposed aligned with the first cylinder in the forward and backward direction in the plan view. The arm supports the shank and overlaps the tube of the first cylinder in the plan view.

The field cultivating sweep includes a body with wings extending from a center line in opposite directions, and a conditioning element extending downwardly from the wing body. The conditioning element may be a blade extending vertically downwardly along the center line of the body and having a leading edge sloped rearedly from front to back. In alternative embodiments, the conditioning element may have a triangular or rectangular shape or may be in the form of a fluted coulter. The conditioning element acts to till the ground vertically and break up compacted soil as the sweep is drawn along the ground.

The field cultivating sweep includes a body with wings extending from a center line in opposite directions, and a conditioning element extending downwardly from the wing body. The conditioning element may be a blade extending vertically downwardly along the center line of the body and having a leading edge sloped rearedly from front to back. In alternative embodiments, the conditioning element may have a triangular or rectangular shape or may be in the form of a fluted coulter. The conditioning element acts to till the ground vertically and break up compacted soil as the sweep is drawn along the ground.

Systems, methods and apparatus for controlling the downforce applied to a row unit of an agricultural implement having multiple row units. A downpressure control device in fluid communication with a down chamber of the least one actuator maintains as a selected downpressure, any one of a continuous range of pressures in the downpressure chamber. A lift pressure control device in fluid communication with a lift chamber of the at least one actuator for controlling pressure in the lift chamber maintains as a selected lift pressure, any one of a continuous range of pressures in the lift chamber.

Systems, methods and apparatus for controlling the downforce applied to a row unit of an agricultural implement having multiple row units. A downpressure control device in fluid communication with a down chamber of the least one actuator maintains as a selected downpressure, any one of a continuous range of pressures in the downpressure chamber. A lift pressure control device in fluid communication with a lift chamber of the at least one actuator for controlling pressure in the lift chamber maintains as a selected lift pressure, any one of a continuous range of pressures in the lift chamber.

There is provided soil loosening and furrower assemblies and a bed renovator therefor. The soil loosening assembly comprises a blade assembly and wherein the blade assembly is horizontally pitched such that, when drawn beneath a soil surface at a fixed depth, the horizontally pitched blade assembly severs rootstock at the level of the blade assembly while retaining the rootstock substantially in place and loosens soil above the level of the blade assembly without substantial soil inversion. The furrower assembly comprises side plates extending rearwardly from a forward prow edge, wherein the side plates are approximately 25-45? with respect to the horizontal axis; and bottom edges of the side plates are approximately 20-40? with respect to a direction-of-travel axis.

There is provided soil loosening and furrower assemblies and a bed renovator therefor. The soil loosening assembly comprises a blade assembly and wherein the blade assembly is horizontally pitched such that, when drawn beneath a soil surface at a fixed depth, the horizontally pitched blade assembly severs rootstock at the level of the blade assembly while retaining the rootstock substantially in place and loosens soil above the level of the blade assembly without substantial soil inversion. The furrower assembly comprises side plates extending rearwardly from a forward prow edge, wherein the side plates are approximately 25-45? with respect to the horizontal axis; and bottom edges of the side plates are approximately 20-40? with respect to a direction-of-travel axis.

A subsoil tool for ameliorating soil compaction having a shank attached to a toolbar of a tractor, wings on forward wing links pivotally engaged to the shank, and following wings on a wing rod pivotally engaged with the forward wing link. The forward wing links are positioned near the bottom of the shank in front of the rear of the shank. The wing rod is positioned behind the shank. A drive box having a hydraulic cylinder is engaged to the toolbar and pivotally engaged with the wing rod. In use, a portion of the subsoil tool may be inserted below a surface of the soil, the height of the subsoil tool may be adjusted, the subsoil tool may be rotated, and the hydraulic cylinder may be cycled to move the forward wings and following wings.