Patent classifications
A01C7/081
METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR USING SENSORS TO DETERMINE RELATIVE SEED OR PARTICLE SPEED
In one embodiment, a processing system (300) comprises memory (314) to store sensor data and processing logic (316) is coupled to the memory. The processing logic is configured to obtain sensor data from at least one sensor (150, 500) for sensing flow of a product through a product line (122) of an agricultural implement (100) and to determine a relative product speed for product flowing through the product line with respect to other product lines of the agricultural implement based on the sensor data.
System and method for spraying fluid onto seeds dispensed from a planter
In one aspect, a system for spraying a fluid onto or near seeds may include a planter having a seed meter configured to dispense seeds from a hopper, a seed tube extending from the seed meter toward a furrow, and a rotationally-driven belt positioned within the seed tube. The belt may be configured for conveying the seeds from the seed meter through the seed tube to the furrow. The planter also includes a sprayer assembly having a nozzle configured to spray a fluid on or near the seeds dispensed from the seed meter. The system may further include a controller configured to determine a current speed of the belt relative to the seed tube and control the sprayer assembly based on the current speed of the belt such that the nozzle sprays the fluid at least one of onto or near each of the seeds.
AGRICULTURAL TOOL UNIT FOR RAPID CONVERSION OF A COMBINATION SEED DRILL HAVING A TRAILED OR FINE-GRAIN SEED DISPENSER TO AN ON-DEMAND SUPPLY SYSTEM AND VICE VERSA
Agricultural implement assembly, for the rapid transformation of a seed drill with a drilling or dragging dosing device, volumetric supplier to an on-demand supplier and vice versa, including at least one hopper containing a granular input, such as grains, seeds or granules of agrochemicals, and a delivery device arranged under the hopper. This device has a structure consisting of two physically delimited areas. A seed box is formed by side walls that delimit its width, a bottom wall, a rear wall with the air inlet from the fan, and a front partition that has at least the passage of the seed to the area where the dragging rotor is eventually located for the case of drilling work, or to the area where the containment slope is located for the case of on-demand supply.
Seed variety changer for a planter
A planting system and method for planting multiple seed varieties includes a planter having a plurality of tanks and a plurality of row units. A plurality of seed meters are included in of the plurality of the row units. The seed meters are selectively operated at a time to plant a seed variety associated with the meter being operated. The determination of the seed meter used is based, in part, upon the location of the planter in the field. A cleanout system removes any unplanted seed before a different variety of seed is to be planted based upon an updated location.
Modular toolbar with internal vacuum
A planting implement including a first hollow support frame member having a first end and a first end plate connected to the first end. The first end plate has a first hole disposed therein. The planting implement also includes a second hollow support frame member configured for coupling to the first hollow support frame member. The second hollow support frame member has a second end and a second end plate connected to the second end. The second end plate has a second hole disposed therein. The planting implement further includes at least one spacer and at least one seal having an aperture. The at least one seal is configured to seal a connection between the first hollow support frame member and the second hollow support frame member such that a pneumatic pathway is established between the first hollow support frame member and the second hollow support frame member.
Agricultural tool unit for rapid conversion of a combination seed drill having a trailed or fine-grain seed dispenser to an on-demand supply system and vice versa
The invention relates to an agricultural tool unit for the rapid conversion of a seed drill having a trailed or fine-grain seed dispenser with volumetric supply to an on-demand supply system and vice versa, which includes at least one hopper containing a granular feed material, such as grains, seeds or agrochemical granules, and a delivery device arranged under the hopper. This device has a structure that consists of two physically defined areas. One of the areas, hereinafter referred to as the “seed box”, has a direct connection to the hopper, receiving the granular material from same, generally gravity-fed, and another area, hereinafter referred to as the “air box”, which has a connection to an air source such as a fan or similar. The seed box is formed by side walls that define its width, a lower bottom wall, a rear wall with the air inlet from the fan, and a front wall that comprises at least the passage for the seed leading to the area where the trailing rotor is located for fine-grain work, or to the area where the retaining slope is located for on-demand supply.
Selectable meter or inductor feed for seeds
An agricultural product distribution apparatus includes a primary product container mounted on a product cart and a secondary product container. A metering device and a primary inductor assembly are mounted to the primary product container and a control system controls dispensing of products from the primary product container either through the metering device directly to furrow openers, or through the inductor assembly to the secondary product container and then through a secondary inductor assembly to downstream singulating meters. The secondary product container can be mounted on the implement frame or the product cart. A plurality of primary product containers can be mounted on the product cart each with a metering device and primary inductor assembly such that each tank can dispense through either of the corresponding metering devices or primary inductor assemblies.
AIR DISTRIBUTOR DIVERTER VALVE
An exemplary diverter valve generally includes a shell, a pipe, and a handle. The shell includes a body extending in a longitudinal direction, a shell inlet port, a shell outlet port, and a positioning slot formed in the body. The pipe is seated in the body for sliding movement in the longitudinal direction, and includes a first passage and a second passage. The handle is connected to the pipe through the positioning slot, and is operable to move the pipe relative to the shell between a first position in which the shell inlet port is connected with the shell outlet port via the first passage, and a second position in which the second passage is connected with the shell inlet port and the shell outlet port is disconnected from the second passage.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A MATERIAL METERING SYSTEM OF AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
A method for controlling a material flow rate from a metering system of an agricultural system includes receiving at a controller, a weight of a material in a storage tank. The method also includes receiving, at the controller, a volume of the material in the storage tank. The method also includes determining, via the controller, a density of the material in the storage tank using the weight of the material in the storage tank and the volume of the material in the storage tank. The method further includes determining, via the controller, a calibration of the metering system based on the density of the material in the storage tank.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A ROW CLEANING DEVICE OF A SEED-PLANTING IMPLEMENT
A system for controlling the operation of a row cleaning device of a seed-planting implement may include a row cleaning device, at least one row sensor, and a controller. The row cleaning device may move field materials away from a travel path of a component of a seed-planting implement, where the component is positioned aft of the row cleaning device along a direction of travel of the seed-planting implement. The at least one row sensor may generate data indicative of a composition of the field materials moved by the row cleaning device. The controller may be configured to receive the data from the at least one row sensor as the seed planting implement moves across the field, and to monitor the composition of the field materials moved by the row cleaning device based at least in part on the data received from the at least one row sensor.