An access ladder includes an upper ladder portion having an upper step. A lower ladder portion is pivotally connected to a lower end of the upper ladder portion for movement around an axis that is parallel to the upper step. The lower ladder portion has a lower step having an orientation with respect to the upper step that is maintained when the lower ladder portion is pivoted with respect to the upper ladder portion.

A method of operating a fluid sprayer includes dispersing a first fluid selected from a group consisting of larvicide, adulticide, and a barrier repellant from the fluid sprayer with a first nozzle assembly at a first volumetric flow rate, replacing the first nozzle assembly with a second nozzle assembly, and dispersing a second fluid selected from the group from the fluid sprayer with the second nozzle assembly at a second volumetric flow rate different than the first volumetric flow rate.

An agricultural machine includes a source of a substance to be applied to an agricultural field and a substance outlet through which the substance is configured to pass to be applied to the field. The agricultural machine further includes a controllable piezo-actuated valve and a control signal generator configured to generate a valve control signal. The piezo-actuated valve includes a valve inlet configured to be in fluidic communication with the source of substance to be applied to the field and a valve outlet through which the substance to be applied to the field passes to move through the piezo-actuated valve. The piezo-actuated valve further includes a piezo element configured to move in response to the valve control signal and a flexure, coupled to the piezo element, and configured to amplify the movement of the piezo element to provide a valve driving movement.

A wheel-mounting assembly for a utility vehicle includes a chassis and a wheel support assembly mounted to respective outboard ends of first and second telescopic axle assemblies. The first and second telescopic axle assemblies are laterally spaced from one another and are each secured to the chassis. The first and second telescopic axle assemblies each include a respective actuator arranged to control extension and retraction thereof for steering and track-width control.

A seeding device for depositing seeds in a soil material, comprising: (i) a frame detachably mounted to a support structure of a moveable gantry, (ii) a plurality of discs rotatably mounted about a shaft of the frame and configured to be vertically lowered into the soil at a predefined depth relative to the ground plane, and, (iii) a seed deposition system mounted to the frame configured to dispense seeds into a plurality of seeding tubes. Each seeding tube is aligned with, and disposed downstream from, a respective one of the plurality of discs such that as the frame traverses over the soil by displacement of flue moveable gantry, grooves are produced in the soil by the plurality of discs, and seeds are deposited into each groove by the seeding tubes of the seed deposition system.

A wheel-mounting assembly for an agricultural utility vehicle includes a chassis and a telescopic axle arrangement fixed to the chassis. The telescopic axle arrangement includes an inner axle telescopically received in an outer axle, which is fixed to the chassis. A wheel-support assembly is mounted to an outboard end of the inner axle. A steering-control actuator is connected between the inner axle and the wheel-support assembly. The steering-control actuator is connected to the inner axle through an opening provided in the outer axle, which allows the steering-control actuator to translate together with the inner axle when track width is adjusted.

A robotic sensor and manipulation platform for farming is disclosed, having a robotic base and one or more exchangeable robotic sensing and manipulation tips deployable from the robotic base to commanded positions in a plant growth area. The robotic sensing and manipulation tips having a plurality of sensors adapted to detect and monitor plant health and growth conditions, and a computer-based control system configured analyze sensor data and provide analyzed results to the farmer or producer.

An agricultural machine includes a frame, a ground-engaging element, a suspension system that movably supports the frame relative to the ground-engaging element, wherein the suspension system is configured to apply, for a given displacement of the frame relative to the ground-engaging element, a force based on a force-to-displacement relationship. A control system is configured to receive an input indicative of an operational state of the agricultural machine during operation on a terrain, and automatically control the suspension system to adjust the force-to-displacement relationship of the suspension system based on the operational state.

A sprayer boom support for an agricultural sprayer including two articulated arms that are coupled in an articulated manner on both sides of the sprayer, wherein each articulated arm is comprised of bar sections that are formed in a composite material consisting of a reinforcing agent chosen from carbon fibre, fibreglass, aramid fibre, boron fibre or a combination thereof, and a matrix of epoxy, vinyl ester, phenolic or polyester resin, the bar sections having a tube geometry with a substantially rectangular cross section with rounded vertices and arched sides, the length of two of its equal sides being constant along the bar section.

A dispenser assembly for a mower that selectively dispenses liquid or particulates onto the ground is provided. The dispenser has a hopper with an inner receptacle, an attachment to the mower, and a particulate outlet at the bottom of the receptacle. The dispenser also has a tank that removably nests within the receptacle and a particulate distributor in communication with the outlet. The particulate distributor has an agitator within the receptacle near the outlet, the agitator directing particulates toward the outlet, and a spreader that distributes the particulates from the outlet onto the ground surface. The dispenser also has a fluid distributor carried by the mower that has a fluid passage releasably connected to the fluid outlet of the tank and a fluid manifold connected to the fluid passage. Fluid is pumped through the fluid passage to a fluid manifold, which distributes the fluid onto the ground.