A method and arrangement for operating an agricultural distribution vehicle with a tank for a liquid to be applied, a boom with spray nozzles attached thereto for distributing the liquid on a surface and a chassis supported on the ground which is movable in a forward direction over the surface. The method includes refilling the contents of the tank via an aerial vehicle.

A system for dispensing agricultural products includes at least one source of agricultural product; at least one agricultural product tube, a seed sensing device, a metering system, and a sensor assembly. At least one agricultural product tube is connected to the source of agricultural product. The seed sensing device is configured to control the delivery of the agricultural product. The metering system is coupled to at least one agricultural product tube and to the seed sensing device and is configured to synchronize the placement of agricultural product relative to the placement of seed. A sensor assembly includes a signal conditioning circuit. The signal conditioning circuit is configured to provide an output signal representing an indication of the presence of the agricultural product. At least one seed for use in determining the synchronized placement of seed and the agricultural product in correct proximity with one another in a seed furrow.

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.

By injecting a chemical fluid and a carrier fluid directly at each nozzle, and by then mixing the fluids at each nozzle to produce a mixed fluid, an improved spray system may be provided which does not contaminate the tank or distribution system with chemical fluid and which allows improved spraying with minimal delay. Accordingly, a system is provided on a field sprayer for independently controlling the flow rate of concentrated chemical fluid to individual spray nozzles using a high pressure chemical distribution rail or loop routed to each nozzle and solenoid injection valves to control the flow of chemical fluid to each nozzle independently.

The inventive subject matter provides a method for the incorporation of colored photoluminescent materials to be sprayed on to plants and soils. The incorporation of colored photoluminescent materials assists the spray operator through the use of black lights allowing for more precise low light or nighttime spray and seeding operations. More specifically, this invention relates to a colored photoluminescent adjuvant to be applied to targeted crops, plants and seeds to assist in the low light or nighttime application of bioactive agents, such as chemicals and pesticides. The colored photoluminescent adjuvant can be applied as a solution or a foam.

An innovative spraying system, comprising features such as a weather station that senses environmental factors that may affect spraying operations, a system for creating and distributing droplets of a uniform and appropriate size, a flow management system that would allow the sprayer to control nozzle rate and direction individually, a high-rate flow system capable of filling the sprayer at rates of up to at least 400 gallons per minute, a modular chemical cartridge system, in which various chemicals are stored in pre-loaded, easy to install cartridges, a direct injection system, mixing chemicals and water as needed, optionally based on sensed changing conditions, electrostatic application of chemical to optimize the amount of chemical applied to plant matter.

An agricultural implement for applying an active ingredient to a geographic area includes a chassis, and at least one active ingredient tank. Each active ingredient tank is removably positioned on and carried by the chassis. Each active ingredient tank contains an active ingredient therein which is to be applied to the geographic area. Each active ingredient tank has an identification (ID) tag representing data associated with the active ingredient. An electrical reader carried by the chassis is configured for reading the ID tag and providing an output signal. An electrical processing circuit is coupled with the reader and receives the output signal.

A system for dispensing agricultural products includes: a master controller, sets of agricultural product containers, meter devices, and secondary controllers. The meter devices are operatively connected to the product containers and configured to dispense products from the containers to rows in a field wherein each of the sets of containers is associated with a respective row in the field. The secondary controllers actuate the meter devices. Each secondary controller receives command data from the master controller and controls the meter devices for dispensing in response to the command data. Agricultural product from each product container is dispensed in accordance with operator defined instructions to the master controller. The instructions are capable of being provided to the master controller during the planting allowing the dispensing of individual containers to be controlled. In one embodiment the invention is a process for dispensing agricultural products at low application rates utilizing precision placement equipment.

Methods and apparatus for adjusting a delivery, distribution, emission, or spray of an adaptable material are disclosed. The adaptable material is contacted by a compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid. The contact provides a motive force to move the adaptable material to or from an outlet of a spray fixture. The spray fixture is adjustable to emit various forms of drops, mists, extrusions, emulsions, or fibers. The adjusting is based on characteristics of a feedstock material, the adaptable material, the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, or combinations thereof.

A closed concentrated dry chemical dispersion system including a closed ingredient container having a volume of dry ingredient therein. The system provides a fluid container and a mixing chamber in which the dry ingredient and fluid can be mixed to form a formulation for delivery to a device such as agrochemical dispensing equipment. The system minimizes worker exposure to the chemicals and enables lower packaging and transportation costs.