An agricultural applicator machine has a frame and at least one horizontally extending boom assembly. The boom assembly pivots to a folded position in which it is secured in a boom-cradle mechanism. The boom-cradle mechanism includes a crossmember and a boom rest at an outer end of the crossmember, the boom rest having a rigid inboard boom stop, a rigid outboard boom stop, and a saddle portion. The inboard boom stop extends from the saddle portion in an out-of-phase configuration relative the outboard boom stop. The boom-cradle mechanism has a locking assembly having an actuator assembly configured to rotate the crossmember, and thus the cradle boom rest. The actuator assembly connects to the crossmember through a linkage assembly. The actuator assembly causes the crossmember to rotate causing the boom rest to move between an open position and a locked position.

A breakaway hinge assembly includes a first bracket coupled to a boom section, a second bracket coupled to a breakaway boom section, and a damper system. The damper system includes a first damper assembly coupled to a stop bracket of the first bracket and a second damper assembly coupled to an upper bracket arm of the first bracket. Each damper assembly includes a housing, at least one rubber element disposed within the housing, a plunger having a first end in contact with the at least one rubber element, and a stop coupled to a second end of the plunger. The first and second brackets are pivotably coupled to each other so that the breakaway boom section pivots between a first position and a second position. The damper system is configured to prevent over-pivoting and reduce impact load of the breakaway boom section when pivoting to the first and second positions.

A boom for an agricultural machine includes a first, second and third boom sections. The first boom section is connectable to a vehicle, and can support fluid delivery components. The second boom section operably connected to and is foldable with respect to the first boom section about a fold axis. The second boom section is further coupled to move with respect to the first boom other than about the fold axis from an extended position in response to an external force, and to return to the first extended position upon removal of the external force. The third boom section is operably connected to the second boom and having at least in an extended position. The third boom section is operably connected to move with respect to the second boom in response to a second external force, and operably connected to return to the extended position upon removal of the second external force.

A break-away apparatus for a boom arm (11) is positioned at a joint between a main boom portion (14) and a boom tip (12) to allow the boom tip to assume a neutral position and forward, rearward, and upward positions. First and second plates (30, 28) are disposed at the joint and a hinge assembly (22) is positioned between the first and second plates (30, 28). The hinge assembly (22) includes a first ball joint (38); a first hinge pin (34); and a second hinge pin (36). The first and second plates (30, 28) are in a first position when the boom tip (12) assumes the neutral position, and the first and second plates (30, 28) are movable with respect to each other about the first hinge axis (25a), the second hinge axis (25b), and a pivot point defined by the first ball joint (38). A first spring (50) assists a return of the first and second plates (30, 28) to the first position.

An improved agricultural spray boom having a primary section, a secondary section and a break away section is provided. The primary section has a top extrusion having a web and two tubes, each tube having a heat sink and a wing. No welds are located above the centerline of the tubes where stress would be the greatest. The secondary section is pivotally attached to the primary section. Weight of the second section and break away section cause a twisting force to be applied to the primary section. The primary section has specially oriented side braces which act in compression to resist the twisting force. The primary section further has a steel connector connected to the underside of the extrusions (and not welded to top of extrusions). The secondary section also has a top extrusion with a web and two tubes.

An apparatus and method of applying liquid product to a crop growing in a field. A plurality of drop assemblies are laterally spaced along the boom structure, each of the plurality of drop assemblies include a boom mounting bracket which supports a vertical support member and a spray assembly disposed at a lower end of the vertical support member, the boom mounting bracket having a first pivot axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the boom structure. The drop assemblies are movable from a working position to a transport position. In the transport position the vertical support member is pivoted about the first axis such that the vertical support member is oriented toward the boom structure. In the working position the vertical support is oriented substantially perpendicular to the boom structure.

An autonomous spraying platform is provided. The autonomous spraying platform has a main frame platform supported by a first and a second wheel in tandem. Supported by the main frame platform and extended perpendicular thereto are extended booms having multiple movable and/or telescoping arms which touch the ground on each side by small wheels for balance and sensing of the ground. Liquids, foams or powders, which may carry pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers or other pro-growth ingredients, may be dispensed across the bottom edge of the extended booms. The main frame platform may be controlled locally by sensors utilizing GPS (or other positioning technology) or remotely by a computer or even alive operator. The device may allow for real-time precise delivery of pro-growth materials to plants.

A sprayer boom breakaway joint with a staged release and forced lift system is implemented with an agricultural sprayer. The system provides positive locking to restrain a breakaway joint against movement from a neutral position until an impact with a breakaway boom segment provides sufficient force to overcome the neutral holding force. Once released from the neutral position, the breakaway boom segment may at least initially experience a lesser holding force that biases the breakaway boom segment toward the neutral position and the breakaway boom segment may move along a path that has an upward movement component in addition to a rearward movement component.

A sprayer boom breakaway joint with a staged release and forced lift system is implemented with an agricultural sprayer. The system provides positive locking to restrain a breakaway joint against movement from a neutral position until an impact with a breakaway boom segment provides sufficient force to overcome the neutral holding force. Once released from the neutral position, the breakaway boom segment may at least initially experience a lesser holding force that biases the breakaway boom segment toward the neutral position and the breakaway boom segment may move along a path that has an upward movement component in addition to a rearward movement component.

A variable width agricultural applicator is provided. The variable width agricultural applicator is attachable to a boom to apply a liquid to a crop in rows. The variable width agricultural sprayer includes a drop tube and a splitter downstream of the drop tube. The splitter is fluidly connected to the drop tube. A pair of flexible delivery tubes is fluidly connected to the splitter. Each one of the pair of flexible delivery tubes has a predetermined bend.