With the use of low cost microphones mounted near each nozzle, sound signatures of the nozzles may be captured and compared to a baseline calibration measurement corresponding to a substantially new nozzle to determine if the nozzle is worn out. Sound signatures may be periodically captured and compared to the baseline calibration measurement to provide a continuous indicator of wear out for each nozzle. The invention has the advantage of being relatively low cost with ceramic microphones, for example, and with little or no moving parts required.

A spray system includes nozzles spaced along a distribution line. Each nozzle actuates the position of one or more internal valves based on a spray command received from a system control module. Sensors generate position information regarding the actuation of the valves. The actual valve positions are compared to expected valve positions to determine a deviation between the two. The deviation can be compared to a threshold to determine a status of that nozzle. A normal nozzle status can be generated based on the deviation being less than the threshold. An abnormal nozzle status can be generated based on the deviation being equal to or exceeding the threshold.

A spray vehicle includes at least one boom, a plurality of spray units, at least one first actuator, at least one second actuator, a plurality of sensors, and a processing unit. The spray units are configured to spray pollen or a liquid chemical. The at least one first actuator is configured to move the at least one boom. The at least one second actuator is configured to control the spray units. At least one sensor is configured to measure a speed of the vehicle relative to the ground. At least one sensor is configured to measure an air movement direction relative to the vehicle. At least one sensor is configured to measure an air movement speed relative to the vehicle. The processing unit is configured to determine an air movement direction relative to the ground and determine an air movement speed relative to the ground.

A method of automatically selecting a nozzle set from a plurality of nozzle sets on an agricultural spraying machine is provided. The method includes receiving an application rate setpoint, and for each nozzle set an upper pressure limit, a lower pressure limit, a nozzle reference flow, and a nozzle reference pressure. A speed range is calculated for each nozzle set, wherein each speed range comprises a lower speed limit and an upper speed limit. One of the nozzle sets is selected based upon a sensed forward speed and the calculated speed ranges.

A system for dispensing liquid agricultural products with seed includes an agricultural product supply system configured to dispense agricultural products. The system includes a seed tube for introducing seed. A tube-mounted nozzle is positioned on the seed tube for introducing liquid agricultural product into the seed tube. A gaseous fluid line is in fluid connection to a source of gaseous fluid. A gaseous fluid bubble generation assembly is in fluid communication with the gaseous fluid line. The gaseous fluid bubble generation assembly is configured to generate bubbles. The gaseous fluid bubble generation assembly is arranged and constructed so that when the gaseous fluid from the gaseous fluid line is passed therethrough bubbles are generated and agglomerated when the gaseous fluid encounters the liquid agricultural product within the seed tube.

A method for the application of agricultural fluid to a field includes determining a location of each of a plurality of nozzles of an agricultural spraying machine. A flow rate for each of the nozzles is determined based on each respective nozzle's location in the field. A field map is used to determine a crop requirement and application restriction associated with a nozzle's location. The field map contains indications of crop requirements and application restrictions. The flow rate for a nozzle is determined by comparing the nozzle's location to the field map. A flow rate signal is transmitted to each of the nozzles based on its determined flow rate.

Various embodiments of an apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products described herein are directed to an agricultural observation and treatment system and method of operation. The agricultural treatment system determines a vehicle pose of a vehicle as the vehicle moves along a path. The system identifies a first target agricultural object for treatment. Based on the determined vehicle pose, the system positions a treatment head of a first treatment unit such that a first projectile fluid may be emitted by the first treatment unit at the identified first target agricultural object. The system then causes an emitter to emit a fluid from the treatment head at the first target agricultural object.

A liquid distribution system for a crop sprayer includes a product tank configured to contain a liquid, a pump, and nozzles carried by a boom. The product tank has a fluid inlet, and at least one water quality sensor is configured to detect a water quality property of liquid entering the product tank through the fluid inlet. Methods of operating a crop sprayer include measuring a first water quality property of fresh water entering a product tank, measuring a second water quality property of rinsate formed from the fresh water within the product tank, removing the rinsate from the product tank, and if a difference between the second water quality property and the first water quality property is greater than a preselected threshold, forming a second rinsate in the product tank.

A fertigation apparatus that can be installed on a water supply line of an irrigation system. The fertigation apparatus includes a body that has an open top, an inlet near the open top, and an outlet near a bottom of the body, a cap configured to close the open top, and a mesh basket encased within the body, the mesh basket can receive one or more tablets of fertilizer and pest or weed control. A diverter can selectively switch the water between the direct water supply line or through the apparatus.

The invention relates to an active substance supply system for an agricultural sprayer, having a main liquid circuit which comprises a reservoir for a main liquid and permits circulation of the main liquid, where the main liquid circuit comprises one or more distribution sections which are each configured to distribute to several dispensing elements a spray liquid to be dispensed, and a feed system which is connected to the main liquid circuit and in which the main liquid is mixed with at least one separately supplied active substance to form a liquid active substance mixture, where the active substance supply system is configured to introduce the active substance mixture into the one or more distribution sections at several places.