A steam weed killing apparatus with a multi-spiked attachment for delivering steam beneath the ground is provided. The multi-spiked attachment provides an arrangement of spikes to encircle the weed for heat treatment of the weed's roots. Each spike comprises an elongated hollow tube terminating at a removable tip for penetrating the ground. The elongated hollow tube has ventilation holes allowing the steam to escape. When the steam generator is operated, pressured steam is delivered to the attachment. Steam travels down the elongated hollow tube of the spike and exits at the ventilation holes to heat the roots. The tip of the spike may be removed to assist in the removal of dirt clogs within the elongated tube.

A steam weed killing apparatus with a multi-spiked attachment for delivering steam beneath the ground is provided. The multi-spiked attachment provides an arrangement of spikes to encircle the weed for heat treatment of the weed's roots. Each spike comprises an elongated hollow tube terminating at a removable tip for penetrating the ground. The elongated hollow tube has ventilation holes allowing the steam to escape. When the steam generator is operated, pressured steam is delivered to the attachment. Steam travels down the elongated hollow tube of the spike and exits at the ventilation holes to heat the roots. The tip of the spike may be removed to assist in the removal of dirt clogs within the elongated tube.

A weed removing tool includes a tool body and a cover body arranged on an air outlet on the tool body. The cover body is provided with a support frame forming a heat dissipation gap between an opening and an object to be processed during operation. Such a structure prevents the problem that the entire heating object is over-heated to damages because the cover body is coated over the heating object and is not timely removed. In addition, with such a structure, during heating, the force applied by the hands may be reduced by means of the support frame.

A weed removing tool includes a tool body and a cover body arranged on an air outlet on the tool body. The cover body is provided with a support frame forming a heat dissipation gap between an opening and an object to be processed during operation. Such a structure prevents the problem that the entire heating object is over-heated to damages because the cover body is coated over the heating object and is not timely removed. In addition, with such a structure, during heating, the force applied by the hands may be reduced by means of the support frame.

Apparatuses and techniques for subterranean placement or positioning of one or more items are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus is configured to form a hole in the ground and subsequently provide a pathway for positioning one or more items in the hole. In one form, the items that may subterraneously placed or positioned using the apparatus may include agricultural products such as seeds or delivery vehicles that include one or more fertilizers or pesticides or combinations of these materials.

An automated outdoor modular vertical plant cultivation system forming a vertical structure is provided. The system includes a plurality of shelves, each shelf having a web and flanges; two posts, each post having a web and flanges. Each shelf of the plurality of shelves is mounted between the two posts with incremental spacing between each adjacent shelf along a vertical length of the two posts. The web of each shelf includes a plurality of openings for retaining planter vessels. The flanges of each shelf retain an embedded structural member. The system includes a fluid circulatory system including shelf irrigation piping extending longitudinally above the web of each shelf; and power or power and data and fluid members for the system distributed from vertical risers located in proximity to the web of the posts, wherein the flanges of the shelves have provisions to retain the fluid circulatory system.

The invention relates to a device for treating soil with electromagnetic radiation, comprising: a magnetron antenna (9) for generating microwave radiation with a relatively high frequency; a wave guide (16) connected to the output of the magnetron antenna (9); downward directed tubular members (18, 19) connected to the wave guide (16); a manifold (17) arranged between the two tubular members (18, 19) and the wave guide (16); a tuner unit (26) arranged on the wave guide (16); and cooling means (22, 22′, 22″) for cooling the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the soil. The invention also relates to a cable (24) provided with a single high-voltage cable and one or more low-voltage cables and/or a number of optical cables which are arranged in a shared cable. The invention finally relates to a method for disinfecting soil, wherein a magnetron (9) placed on a vehicle is moved over the soil, wherein the radiation reflected by the soil is minimized by tuning the wave guide (16) connected to the magnetron (9), and wherein the minimized reflected radiation is absorbed by a water load which is connected to one or two water tanks (22′, 22″) which are placed on the vehicle and which hold the temperature of the water within predetermined limits.

A fluid spray apparatus includes an inlet and first and second outlets. A first actuator may communicate the inlet with at least one of the outlets. A second actuator also may communicate the inlet with at least one of the outlets. A passage network of the fluid spray apparatus communicates the first and second actuators with the first and second outlets. A diverter structure is disposed in the passage network. The diverter structure includes a first diverter structure arrangement. In the first diverter structure arrangement, the first actuator communicates the inlet with the first outlet and the second actuator communicates the inlet with the second outlet. The diverter structure also includes a second diverter structure arrangement. In the second diverter structure arrangement, the first actuator communicates the inlet with the second outlet and the second actuator communicates the inlet with the first outlet.

Various apparatus and procedures for agricultural operations are provided. In particular, in one embodiment, methods for determining the precise location of each seed planted and using the seed planting location data to improve post-planting operations are provided. In another embodiment, apparatus and methods for determining the location of wet zones in an agricultural field and using the wet zone location data to plan an optimal path through the field to avoid wet areas are provided. In another embodiment, methods for tendering seed and chemical inputs for an agricultural operation are provided. In another embodiment, dynamic path planning methods of an autonomous agricultural vehicle are provided. In another embodiment, methods of planting end rows in an agricultural field are provided. In another embodiment, methods for planting multiple seed varieties in an agricultural field are provided.

Various apparatus and procedures for agricultural operations are provided. In particular, in one embodiment, methods for determining the precise location of each seed planted and using the seed planting location data to improve post-planting operations are provided. In another embodiment, apparatus and methods for determining the location of wet zones in an agricultural field and using the wet zone location data to plan an optimal path through the field to avoid wet areas are provided. In another embodiment, methods for tendering seed and chemical inputs for an agricultural operation are provided. In another embodiment, dynamic path planning methods of an autonomous agricultural vehicle are provided. In another embodiment, methods of planting end rows in an agricultural field are provided. In another embodiment, methods for planting multiple seed varieties in an agricultural field are provided.