An automatic detection and recovery device for residual agricultural mulch film, and a method of using said device, comprising a quadcopter, a wheeled robot (9), and a host computer (8); the quadcopter is provided with a controller (1), a near infrared water content analyzer, and a WiFi module that are used to measure water content in soil and communicate with the host computer; the wheeled robot (9) comprises a water sprinkling device (2), a soil grabbing device (3), a sifting device (4), a delivery device (5), a recognition device (6), and a sorting device (7).

Implementations set forth herein relate to using fiducial markings on one or more localized portions of an agricultural apparatus in order to generate local and regional data that can be correlated for planning and executing agricultural maintenance. An array of fiducial markings can be disposed onto plastic mulch that surrounds individual crops, in order that each fiducial marking of the array can operate as a signature for each individual crop. Crop data, such as health and yield, corresponding to a particular crop can then be stored in association with a corresponding fiducial marking, thereby allowing the certain data for the particular crop to be tracked and analyzed. Furthermore, autonomous agricultural devices can rely on the crop data, over other sources of data, such as GPS satellites, thereby allowing the autonomous agricultural devices to be more reliable.

Implementations set forth herein relate to using fiducial markings on one or more localized portions of an agricultural apparatus in order to generate local and regional data that can be correlated for planning and executing agricultural maintenance. An array of fiducial markings can be disposed onto plastic mulch that surrounds individual crops, in order that each fiducial marking of the array can operate as a signature for each individual crop. Crop data, such as health and yield, corresponding to a particular crop can then be stored in association with a corresponding fiducial marking, thereby allowing the certain data for the particular crop to be tracked and analyzed. Furthermore, autonomous agricultural devices can rely on the crop data, over other sources of data, such as GPS satellites, thereby allowing the autonomous agricultural devices to be more reliable.

A weight system for a landfill tarpaulin. A pair of parallel chains are retained within a pair of sleeves in the tarp. A plurality of parallel wire lines traverse the tarpaulin. A plurality of elongated coupler bodies are provided with each coupler body having a first end terminating in an eyelet, a second, opposed end terminating in a hollow recess, and an attached threaded protrusion to the underside of the body. A chain fastener passes through one eyelet, passes through one of the links of the chain, and passes through the sleeve of the tarp. A tarp fastener passes through a washer, passes through the tarp, passes through an optional washer, and is threadably connected to the elongated coupler body. Each end of the wire lines is received and held in place by the hollow recess.

An apparatus for making holes in plastic along a ridge row has a frame with wheels spanning a ridge row, a furrow reference wheel centered in the frame adapted to roll on soil surface between two raised ridge rows, a first vertically translatable mechanism positioned at a distance to a first side of the furrow reference wheel to be directly over the ridge row adjacent the furrow reference wheel, the vertically translatable mechanism having a first electrically-heated hole punch element at a lower extremity, and a control system having a power supply, sensors and actuators for managing operation of the apparatus. As the apparatus is towed, the furrow reference wheel triggers signals to the control system to activate the vertically translatable mechanism at repeated intervals to descend and make holes in the plastic covering on the raised ridge row.

The present invention provides a ground engaging film roller 30.2 having a generally horizontal axis of rotation and an outer circumference for engaging ground, the roller having opposed outer ends 30.21 of a larger circumference than the circumference of portions 30.22 located between the opposed ends.

The present invention also provides a film deployment system having a ground engaging film roller as described above, which is rotationally mounted to a frame 30.1, the ground engaging film roller 30.2 receiving film from above and to a front location of the roller, and passing between a film locating roller 30.3 and the ground engaging roller 30.2, the ground engaging roller 30.2 shaping the ground it engages by forming a channel in ground at the opposed ends 30.21 of the roller 30.2 for the film to be located as it leaves engagement with the ground engaging roller 30.2.

The present invention also provides an agricultural or horticultural implement 10, 30 for performing an agricultural or horticultural process, the implement 10, 30 including whipper arrangement 50 at a location forward of where the process will be performed.

The agricultural or horticultural implement 10, 30 can be such that to the rear of where the process is performed there can located film deployment system 30 as described above.

A sub-surface membrane deposition device including a movable frame, at least one chisel attached to the frame, hydraulics to raise and lower the at least one chisel from the frame, and a membrane deployable to a sub-surface level by the at least one chisel as the movable frame is moved. Also provided is a method of deposing a membrane to a sub-surface level that includes providing a movable frame, at least one chisel attached to the frame, hydraulics to raise and lower the at least one chisel from the frame, and a membrane. The method including lowering the at least one chisel with the hydraulics to the sub-surface level, moving the frame and at least one chisel forward, and deploying the membrane to the sub-surface level with the at least one chisel.

A roller apparatus (102) is provided including roller means (104), drive means (110) for driving rotation of the roller means in use, and an electrical power source for providing electrical power to the drive means in use. The electrical power source is provided by one or more batteries (112) located internally of the roller means.

A covering soil mulching apparatus according to an embodiment includes a soil scattering part at the rear end of the agricultural machine and including a scattering part frame and a scattering unit provided on a lower end side of the scattering part frame and scattering soil on a floor, a mulching film laying part including a laying part frame connected to a rear end side of the soil scattering part and a mulching film holding part having a mulching film wound around the mulching film holding part and spreading the mulching film on the floor, an oscillating plate above the mulching film holding part and guiding the scattered soil to be transported to a rear side and laid on an upper surface of the mulching film, and a soil oscillating part including oscillator for oscillating the oscillating plate to prevent formation of a soil wall on the oscillating plate.

A system and a method for a grass maintenance comprising an autonomous vehicle (100) arranged to operate autonomously to manipulate a grass surface, wherein the vehicle (100) includes one or more environmental sensors (208) arranged to detect environmental conditions associated with the grass surface; and one or more grass manipulation modules (210) arranged to manipulate the grass surface.