The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for remote sensing with data analytics. The methods and apparatus have many applications including monitoring the quality of grain during storage and/or transport. The present disclosure describes a way to collect temperature and other environmental data to describe and predict quality of stored grains, current and future, based on a myriad factors including fumigation, external temperature and humidity, in storage grain temperature and humidity.

A grain spreading device for evenly distribute grain as it is poured into a storage bin. The grain spreading device generally includes a flow-control ring (e.g., an evenflow ring) adapted to be positioned below a grain bin opening, the flow-control ring comprising an upper opening and a bottom, and a cone movably suspended below the flow-control ring by a plurality of springs to create a variable opening between the cone and the bottom of the flow-control ring, the plurality of springs creating a restoring force, wherein the variable opening increases in size when a weight of grain on the cone moves the cone away from the bottom of the flow-control ring against the restoring force of the plurality of springs.

A bin slide assembly controls the amount of particulate material that is transferred from an agricultural bin, such as a feed bin, to a feed line for delivery for some end use. To allow the control to be automated or otherwise electronically operated, electronic motors can operate one or more slides that selectively block an outlet of the feed bin. The electronic control provides for a more precise operation of the bin slide to control the amount of material. In addition, the use of the electric motor provides a more convenient and easier to operate system. The slides are connected to screws, such as acme screws, which are activated by operation of the electric motor to rotate the screw, which translates the slide between open and closed configurations.

A system and method for managing of a particulate bulk good that includes a set of wireless sensor nodes, wherein each wireless sensor node comprises a set of environmental sensors configured to collect condition data of the particulate bulk good proximal to the wireless sensor node; an analysis engine that is configured to generate a particulate state analysis from the condition data; and a task manager that is configured to act on the particulate state analysis.

A system and method for managing of a particulate bulk good that includes a set of wireless sensor nodes, wherein each wireless sensor node comprises a set of environmental sensors configured to collect condition data of the particulate bulk good proximal to the wireless sensor node; an analysis engine that is configured to generate a particulate state analysis from the condition data; and a task manager that is configured to act on the particulate state analysis.

A method for assisting a compaction-appropriate distribution of harvested material in a flat silo includes providing a silo vehicle having a control unit, ascertaining a dry-substance density to be achieved via the control unit, determining a maximally producible compaction pressure via the control unit, ascertaining a maximally permissible layer thickness via the control unit for the implementation of a distribution-and-compaction process, determining a layer thickness currently being applied during the implementation of the distribution-and-compaction process in a location-specific manner via a GPS receiver, comparing the maximally permissible layer thickness and the layer thickness currently being applied in the location-specific manner via the control unit in order to ascertain a target layer thickness, and driving a regulating device of a distribution tool provided on the silo vehicle to assimilate the layer thickness currently being applied to the target layer thickness via the control unit in an automated manner.

A method for compacting silage in a silo includes controlling a compacting vehicle via an electronic control device, passing over the silage deposited in the silo with the compacting vehicle, exerting a compacting action along a compacting path via the compacting vehicle, and varying the compacting action of the compacting vehicle in a location-dependent manner along the compacting path by the action of the control device.

A method for silaging harvested crops includes distributing and compacting silage consisting of shredded foliage plants in a silo. The silo is then sealed and then fermented in the silo. At least one part of the silage is flushed with an inert gas after an aerobic phase of the fermentation is detected with a first sensor. The inert gas may also be introduced into the silage if a penetration of atmospheric oxygen is detected in the silage with a second sensor.

In one embodiment, a system comprising an impervious bin skirt, the bin skirt comprising at least one section, a top portion of a first section of the bin skirt to couple to a side wall of the bin to shield a portion of a base of the bin from moisture penetration.

A safety door latch system is presented for a grain bin having a door frame. An inner door is connected to the door frame that is configured to move between an open position and a closed position. An outer door is connected to the door frame and is configured to move between an open position and a closed position. A safety mechanism is connected to the door frame and is configured to move between an open position and a closed position. When the inner door frame is moved to a closed position, a portion of the inner door engages the safety mechanism thereby causing the safety mechanism to move to the closed position. When the safety mechanism is in the closed position, the outer door may be latched to the safety mechanism. When the safety mechanism is in the open position, the outer door cannot latch to the safety mechanism.