Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for agricultural planting including selecting and varying agricultural input types during an in-field operation. In one embodiment, a method calculates a partial addition of seed to a seed pool during planting to minimize or eliminate seeds in the seed pool (520) as a boundary is crossed.

A system and method that automatically monitors product use, such as the type and amount of agricultural and/or horticultural product stored in and dispensed from a cartridge over time and/or by geographic location. Monitored data are stored in memory such as a tag on the cartridge and may be transmitted to a server for storage, aggregation, and analysis. The cartridge may be authenticated before being authorized for use for the benefit of a current user in dispensing the product. The cartridge may be refilled after confirmation of authorization codes on the cartridge and refilling equipment tags. The cartridge may be calibrated automatically based on the bulk density or other parameter of the product in the cartridge. Data may be aggregated from a plurality of cartridges automatically. As-applied data from individual cartridges may be used to verify, independent of operator input, treated area coverage and product application rate.

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.

A portable fluid tank apparatus for removably mounting on supports for a bulk seed container of a seed cart may include a pedestal configured for resting on the container supports of a seed cart in a seed box support position, a tank housing located on a portion of the pedestal and defining a tank chamber configured to hold a liquid, and an accessory housing located on another portion of the pedestal and defining an accessory compartment configured to hold at least one accessory. The accessory housing may include a base portion mounted on the pedestal and defining an opening for accessing the accessory compartment, and a lid portion mounted on the base portion and being movable with respect to the base portion between a closed position restricting access to the accessory compartment through the opening and an open position permitting access to the accessory compartment through the opening.

A mini-hopper for an agricultural row unit that has a fill tube supplying material to a hopper. A backflow preventer is disposed in the fill tube or in a line to the inlet to prevent flow of material from the mini-hopper through the fill tube when the mini-hopper is in a transport position.

A planter includes a seed a delivery system for delivering seed from one or more hoppers to one or more row units of the planter. The seed delivery system includes a number of seed entrainers. The seed entrainers receive seed from the one or more hoppers. The seed is combined with a fluid, such as air, which moves the seed through the seed entrainer and towards one or more row units of the planter. The entrainer includes one or more outlets, with the outlets corresponding to different row units, and the outlets can be varied based upon the need of seed delivery for the planter.

A material spreader that permits selective liquid treatment of particulate material from the same spreader bed. The spreader bed is comprised of a hopper, a plurality of chain belts, a liquid treatment system, and a mixing and drying assembly which delivers the treated particulate material to the spreaders. The chain belts can drive in a forward direction for liquid treating or an aft direction for no liquid treating. Selective bypass permits non-treated particulate material to be spread without contamination from the liquid treatment.

A sampling system and method are used for extracting a sample of dry product from a receptacle. An extraction tube having a perforated portion is disposed in a product storage volume of the receptacle. A pressurized air source is connected to a first end of the extraction tube. A sample collection device is located outside of the receptacle and serves to separate the sample from an airflow driven by the pressurized air source. An inlet of the sample collection device is connected to a second end of the extraction tube. A sample outlet is adapted to dispense the sample, and an air outlet is provided for venting pressurized air.

The present invention provides a variable rate precision fertilizer applicator, comprising a connecting plate, a fertilizer bin and a fertilization mechanism. A plurality of connecting belts are fixed on the connecting plate; the connecting plate is connected with a fertilization unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) through the connecting belts; a connecting column is fixed on a bottom surface of the connecting plate, and the connecting plate is fixedly connected with the fertilizer bin through the connecting column; a storage bin is separated into a solid bin and a liquid bin through a partition plate; a release bin is arranged on one side of the storage bin; the spiral feeding cylinder is installed in the solid bin; a liquid pump is installed in the liquid bin; the discharge port is installed in the release bin; the fertilization mechanism is installed at the bottom side of the fertilizer bin.

An agricultural application implement for delivering particulate product to a field. The implement includes a frame, a bin to hold product, a pneumatic conveying system fixed to the frame, a metering system operably connected between the supply compartment and the pneumatic conveying system, and a bin lift system. The pneumatic conveying system includes an airflow source to provide an airflow, and a delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the bin. The delivery line includes a plurality of outlets. The metering system meters product with the airflow to result in a mixed flow of airflow and product for the delivery line. The bin lift system includes hydraulic cylinders coupling the bin to the frame, and a bin lift controller to control the hydraulic cylinders to raise or lower the bin.