Patent classifications
A01C23/022
Systems and methods for handling fluid for application to agricultural fields
A system for handling a fluid includes a container for separating the fluid into a liquid and a vapor such that at least a portion of the vapor is disposed above the liquid. The system also includes at least one valve for releasing the vapor from the container, at least one sensor to detect a level of the liquid in the container, and a controller in communicatively coupled to the at least one valve and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to control the at least one valve to release the vapor such that the liquid level is maintained at or above a desired liquid level. The controller is configured to determine diagnostic data based at least in part on signals received from the least one valve and the at least one sensor.
SLURRY APPLICATOR WITH INDEPENDENT OPENING AND CLOSING UNITS
A first biasing element is positioned between an opening unit and a first frame for urging the opening unit downward. A lateral pivot combines the first biasing element to the first frame to allow for lateral movement in a horizontal plane of the opening unit. A first resilient device is positioned between the closing unit and the first frame to allow for lateral movement about a vertical axis of the closing unit and to urge the closing unit back to a neutral position. A second resilient device is positioned between the closing unit and the first frame to allow for vertical movement about a horizontal axis and to urge the closing unit back to a neutral position.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LIQUID NUTRIENTS BETWEEN PARALLEL ROWS OF STANDING CROPS
Liquid nutrients are continuously applied to a first group of rows of standing crops by pulling a drag hose from a reel located at one end of a field and between two crop rows with a boom having one end pivotally connected to an applicator and a tractor. The boom provides a liquid supply line from the drag hose to the center or one end of the applicator. At the opposite end of the field, the tractor and applicator turn 180° while the boom pivots to project from one end of the applicator to the drag hose. The tractor returns down adjacent rows back to the first end of the field with the boom projecting to the drag hose while the reel simultaneously retracts the hose between the two crop rows. The reel is moved axially to a third group of rows, and the steps are repeated.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HANDLING FLUID FOR APPLICATION TO AGRICULTURAL FIELDS
A method for handling a fluid includes separating the fluid into a liquid and a vapor within a container such that at least a portion of the vapor is disposed above the liquid, detecting a level of the liquid in the container, and actuating at least one valve to exhaust the vapor from the container to maintain the level of the liquid at or above a desired level. The at least one valve is communicatively coupled to a controller. The method further includes sending a signal from the at least one valve to the controller, and determining diagnostic data based at least in part on the signal.
Insertion apparatus for multilayer fertilization
Apparatus for inserting a solid manure storage into a soil layer, the apparatus including sets of first and second discharge openings which are spaced vertically from each other. The apparatus also includes a distributor and first and second sets of exit openings for distributing the solid manure storage from the distributor into the first and second discharge openings via first and second connecting lines.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HANDLING FLUID FOR APPLICATION TO AGRICULTURAL FIELDS
A fluid dispensing apparatus includes a container defining an interior space for holding a fluid. The container is configured to separate the fluid into a liquid and a vapor such that at least a portion of the vapor is disposed above the liquid. The container includes a sidewall and a top wall connected to the sidewall. A fluid inlet and a fluid outlet are disposed in the sidewall. A plurality of vapor valves are releasably connected to the top wall. The top wall includes a plurality of recesses and a plurality of passageways connecting the plurality of recesses to at least one outlet in the top wall. Each of the plurality of vapor valves is disposed within one of the plurality of recesses, and the plurality of vapor valves is configured to regulate the flow of fluid through the plurality of passageways and exhaust vapor disposed above the liquid.
Slurry applicator with independent opening and closing units
A first biasing element is positioned between an opening unit and a first frame for urging the opening unit downward. A lateral pivot combines the first biasing element to the first frame to allow for lateral movement in a horizontal plane of the opening unit. A first resilient device is positioned between the closing unit and the first frame to allow for lateral movement about a vertical axis of the closing unit and to urge the closing unit back to a neutral position. A second resilient device is positioned between the closing unit and the first frame to allow for vertical movement about a horizontal axis and to urge the closing unit back to a neutral position.
Method and apparatus for applying liquid nutrients between parallel rows of standing crops
Liquid nutrients are applied to a first group of rows of standing crops by pulling a drag hose from a reel located at one end of a field and between two crop rows with the drag hose connected to an applicator pulled by a tractor or track units. The hose provides a liquid supply to the applicator. At the opposite end of the field, the applicator is turned 180°, and in one embodiment, a boom pivots to project from one end of the applicator to the drag hose. The applicator returns down adjacent crop rows back to the first end of the field with the applicator connected to the drag hose while the reel simultaneously retracts the drag hose between the two crop rows. The reel is moved axially to a third group of crop rows along with the applicator, and the steps are repeated.
Rotary slurry injector
The applicator embodiments for applying liquid livestock waste in the form of a slurry beneath the soil surface. Some embodiments include a leading swivel-mounted, spring-cushioned, conical-shaped wavy coulter blade angularly offset from the direction of travel which displaces the soil laterally in forming a furrow adapted to receive slurry. The coulter may be trailed by a single or a pair of optionally spring-cushioned rotary closing blade(s) that are to close the furrow containing the deposited liquid. One or more rotary closing blade(s) is optionally spring loaded to follow the soil contour. Some alternative embodiments utilize a rotary covering blade pivot assembly that is positioned lower and more forward, a larger spring for more blade depth, and/or a single or a pair of rotary covering blades for a scooping movement of the soil and results in more soil to cover the deposited liquid. In various embodiments, a number of injector units are mounted in a side-by-side relation in a spaced manner and springs maintain individual assembly alignment when blades are not engaged in the soil.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HANDLING FLUID FOR APPLICATION TO AGRICULTURAL FIELDS
A system for handling a fluid includes a container for separating the fluid into a liquid and a vapor such that at least a portion of the vapor is disposed above the liquid. The system also includes at least one valve for releasing the vapor from the container, at least one sensor to detect a level of the liquid in the container, and a controller in communicatively coupled to the at least one valve and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to control the at least one valve to release the vapor such that the liquid level is maintained at or above a desired liquid level. The controller is configured to determine diagnostic data based at least in part on signals received from the least one valve and the at least one sensor.