An agricultural implement includes at least one row unit having a plurality of support members, each of which is pivotably coupled to an attachment frame or another of the support members to permit vertical pivoting vertical movement of the support members, and a plurality of soil-engaging tools, each of which is coupled to at least one of the support members. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders are coupled to the support members for urging the support members downwardly toward the soil. A plurality of controllable pressure control valves are coupled to the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the cylinders. A plurality of sensors produce electrical signals corresponding to predetermined conditions, and a controller is coupled to the sensor and the controllable pressure control valves. The controller receives the electrical signals from the sensors and produces control signals for controlling the pressure control valves.

A planting unit includes a seed meter for singulating and dispensing seed. Opening wheels or discs are included to create an opening in the field, such as a furrow. The unit includes one or more continuous tracks for supporting the row unit as it moves through the field. The tracks can be positioned on opposite sides. The tracks reduce compaction around the created furrow and provide better control of seed depth placement. One or more motors are included to operate the tracks to move the planting unit through a field for planting.

A soil beating apparatus comprising: (i) a frame configured to he detachably mounted to a support structure of a moveable gantry., (ii) an exhaust hood disposed in combination with the frame and having a shield directing heat downwardly toward a soil material to be heat treated, (iii) a plurality of plates each an end portion projecting downwardly from the exhaust hood toward the soil material and configured to be lowered into the soil material by the frame at a predefined depth relative to the ground plane of the soil material, and (iv) a burner disposed in combination with the exhaust hood and in fluid communication with a first supply of fuel and oxidizer, the burner configured to combust the first supply of fuel and oxidizer to beat each of the plates. The plurality of plates are oriented along a direction of motion of the moveable gantry to transfer heat into the soil material at the predefined depth to thermally heat-treat the soil material.

The multifunctional agricultural machine includes a vehicle body with a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted thereon. At least one sensor is mounted on a front end of the vehicle body for measuring at least one soil condition. At least one soil excavation unit is mounted on the vehicle body for digging a hole in the soil. A seed tank is in communication with the at least one soil excavation unit for delivering a selectable number of seeds thereto. The at least one soil excavation unit is configured to drop the selectable number of seeds into the hole in the soil. A water tank is in fluid communication with the at least one soil excavation unit for delivering a selectable volume of water thereto. The at least one soil excavation unit is further configured to dispense the selectable volume of water in the hole in the soil.

A brush arrangement of an apparatus includes a brush connected to a brush support. The brush support can be or include at least one four-bar linkage, trails the outlets of the seed metering device. The brush sweeps fine loose material over seeds placed on the soil surface allowing rocks to be left in place in/on the soil while the deposited seeds are lightly covered with soil by the brush. The brush arrangement can be coupled with soil manipulation apparatus, e.g., including a tool/tine support, onto which one or more soil engaging tools mount(s). The soil engaging tool may include or be at least one knifepoint, sweep, disc, blade, or other tillage equipment to engage into the soil and loosen compacted or crusted soil ahead of depositing the seeds. Brush breakout can be accommodated by a breakout coupler and optional adjustable breakout force.

A row unit closing wheel assembly includes a closing wheel, a closing wheel arm, and a closing wheel shaft having a first end and a second end. The closing wheel is coupled to the first end and the closing wheel arm is coupled to the second end via a pivot joint. The row unit closing wheel assembly also includes an adjustable wedge assembly including a wedge coupled to the pivot joint. The adjustable wedge assembly is configured to adjust an angle of the closing wheel shaft relative to the closing wheel arm along a horizontal plane via movement of the closing wheel shaft about the pivot joint. The horizontal plane is orthogonal to a rotational axis of the pivot joint.

A row unit closing wheel assembly includes a closing wheel, a closing wheel arm, and a closing wheel shaft having a first end and a second end. The closing wheel is coupled to the first end and the closing wheel arm is coupled to the second end via a pivot joint. The row unit closing wheel assembly includes an adjustable mechanical assembly disposed at the pivot joint. The adjustable mechanical assembly is configured to adjust an angle of the closing wheel shaft relative to the closing wheel arm along a horizontal plane via movement of the closing wheel shaft about the pivot joint, the horizontal plane being orthogonal to a rotational axis of the pivot joint. The adjustable mechanical assembly includes interlocking teeth and is configured to utilize the interlocking teeth to adjust the angle.

A row unit closing wheel assembly includes a closing wheel, a closing wheel arm, and a closing wheel shaft having a first end and a second end. The closing wheel is coupled to the first end and the closing wheel arm is coupled to the second end via a pivot joint. The row unit closing wheel assembly includes an adjustable mechanical linkage assembly coupled both to the closing wheel shaft and to the closing wheel arm. The adjustable mechanical linkage is configured to adjust an angle of the closing wheel shaft relative to the closing wheel arm along a horizontal plane via movement of the closing wheel shaft about the pivot joint. The horizontal plane is orthogonal to a rotational axis of the pivot joint.

An agricultural row unit includes a soil-engaging tool supported from a pivot arm. A sensor generates an output signal relating to an orientation of the pivot arm relative to a frame member. An actuator is configured to applying a down pressure on the soil-engaging tool. A control system in signal communication with the sensor is responsive to the generated output signal to effect a change in applied down pressure on the soil-engaging tool by the actuator. The soil-engaging tool may be a closing wheel or a flap. One or more additional sensors may be provided on gauge wheel arms of the row unit with the control system being responsive to output signals of the additional sensors to effect the change in applied down pressure on the soil-engaging tool by the actuator.

Seed sowing apparatus comprising: a frame defining a leading part supporting a soil opening stage and a trailing part supporting a soil closing stage trailing the soil opening stage, wherein the soil opening stage comprises a plurality of laterally spaced seeding units, each seeding unit comprising a soil opening member associated with a respective seed delivery outlet connected to a seed source, wherein each seeding unit is configured to form a respective seeded trench in the ground when the apparatus is in use driven through soil in a forward direction of travel; wherein the soil closing stage comprises a plurality of laterally spaced soil deflection members each associated with a respective one of the seeding units, each soil deflection member being spaced laterally from the soil opening member of its respective seeding unit and configured to deflect soil toward the seeded trench formed by the seeding unit.