A soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) model of an operating volume for a cable-suspended robotic system, where the operating volume is defined, at least in part, by a plurality of cable support structures. Identifying a cable positioned device suspended from a plurality of cables and an object that obstructs a path of the cable positioned device within the operating volume within the 3D model. Locating the cable positioned device relative to the object using the 3D model. Controlling one or more cable motors to navigate the cable positioned device within the operating volume.

An apparatus, for distributing granular material stored in a container having an outlet, includes a housing comprising a bracket mountable to the container and a vane hingedly connected to a side of said central bracket. The housing has means for fixably positioning the vane relative to the bracket to adjust an angle of the vane relative to the bracket. The central bracket is configured to support a power source having a driving shaft extending along an axis aligned with the bracket, a spreader plate coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith, and a return spring around the shaft and between the spreader plate and the power source. When ON, the power source drives the shaft causing the spreader plate to rotate and translate along the shaft axis between a closed and open position. When the power source is OFF, the return spring biases the spreader plate in the closed position.

A carrier mountable to a vehicle for carrying a conventional broadcast spreader features a mounting bar for coupling to the vehicle in a mounted condition and a holder arranged at an end of the mounting bar for supporting the spreader. The holder has a first portion which is in fixed relation to the mounting bar and a second portion which is pivotally coupled to the first portion so as to be movable from a storage position to a lowered position where a front end of the second portion is arranged at the ground. The holder includes a first receptacle for receiving a lower portion of the spreader and a pair of channels, one of which is supported on the second portion so as to be movable therewith and another one which is supported in fixed position on the first portion, which collectively form an enclosure for receiving the leg of the spreader in the storage position.

An aerial seeding system that may be installed in an aircraft in a modular form with minimal modification to the existing aircraft configuration, and, in particular, without any structural modifications that would adversely impact the integrity of the aircraft structure or its overall air worthiness. Exemplary embodiments include an active and controllable seed distribution mechanism to ensure continuously controllable and even distribution of seeds. Basic system components include a modular seed hopper, a seed broadcasting head and a hydraulic system driven by a pump connected to an aircraft accessory drive.

An aerial vehicle with adjustable vertical lift and methods of using thereof for agricultural and/or pest control applications, such as on farms, golf courses, parks, and/or along roadways, power lines, etc. is provided by the present disclosure. The aerial vehicle with reduced drift for field treatment comprises a main body; a propulsion system for providing vertical rotor lift and thrust for the aerial vehicle; at least one pair of wings connected to the main body for providing lift using the thrust provided by the propulsion system; a targeting system for providing instructions required for field treatment; a treatment system receiving the instructions to perform the field treatment; and a navigation system controlling the propulsion system to provide the vertical rotor lift and the thrust; wherein the targeting system receives the instructions from the targeting system to control drift created by the aerial vehicle as required by the treatment system.

The present invention provides a granular agrochemical composition capable of reducing the risk of occurrence of chemical injury and capable of saving the labor, and a method for spraying the granular agrochemical composition. The granular agrochemical composition containing an agrochemical active component is used being mixed with rice seeds and sprayed upon sowing, and the composition having a short diameter of 50 to 320% of the width of the rice seeds, a long diameter of 50 to 230% of the length of the rice seeds, and a specific gravity of 1 to 4 g/cm.sup.3. The method and the like for spraying the granular agrochemical composition, including: a mixing step of mixing the granular agrochemical composition with rice seeds; and a spraying step of spraying the mixture obtained in the mixing step.

A soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.

An illustrative embodiment of a dual applicator machine having a dual applicator system may be configured through adding a dry product delivery system to an existing agricultural sprayer having a liquid product delivery system. The dual applicator machine may include a liquid product delivery system and a dry product delivery system that allow each separate system to perform either individually and independently or simultaneously. An illustrative embodiment of a dual applicator machine may be configured as a high-clearance agricultural sprayer having a frame, a cab, and a boom positioned in front of the cab. The dual applicator machine may be configured with liquid product tank(s) and powered by wheels attached to the frame via wheel mounting beams. The dual applicator machine may also include a dry product tank and a dry product meter system in fluid communication with both the dry product tank and a dry product delivery tube.

The invention relates to a disc spreader comprising a frame consisting of a base frame (11) and an auxiliary frame (21), wherein a container (61) is secured to the base frame (11) and a spreader disc (22) is secured under the container (61) on the auxiliary frame (21), wherein, according to the invention, a dosing unit (12), preferably having a cellular wheel sluice (18), is arranged on the base frame (11) under the container (61), said dosing unit having an outlet (14) at the bottom for a collection hopper (23), wherein the collection hopper (23) is secured to this outlet (14) of the dosing unit (12) and the auxiliary frame (21) is secured on the base frame (11) by means of a quick-closure (15, 25). In this way, it is possible to provide a distributer (32, 32a) which can be connected to the outlet (14) of the dosing unit (12) after removal of the auxiliary frame (21) and the collection hopper (23), such that the disc spreader can be converted into a seeder.