2216results about "Agricultural machines" patented technology

A crop harvesting header includes a center portion mounted on two spring arms and two separate wings pivotally connected to the center portion. The wings are connected to the center portion by interconnecting linkages which transfer weight from the wings to the spring arms each including a balance beam arranged to balance the lifting force from the spring arm with the downward forces from the center portion and wing such that the downward force on a skid plate of each portion on the ground varies automatically as the total downward force is varied. The balance beams apply force to the linkages by a compression member to reduce forces. The movement caused by floating of the header and the change of angle of the header are compensated at the balance beam to ensure that the force to the wings is reduced as the requirement caused by changes in geometry reduces.

A transport system for a crop header includes a first and a second wheel arrangement on the header frame adjacent a respective ends for acting as a stabilizer when the header is in the operating position and movable to a transport position for transporting the header when removed from the vehicle in a transport direction generally longitudinal of the header frame and at a right angle to the working direction with each being mounted on the header frame for rotation of a rolling direction of the first wheel arrangement between the working position and the transport position, in which the rolling direction is along the transport direction. Each of the wheel arrangements includes two parallel wheels coupled together. The wheel arrangement at the rear end includes a second wheel which is mounted on a swing arm so as to be moved to a position adjacent the cutter bar so that the header is stably supported on the first wheel arrangement, the first wheel of the second wheel arrangement and the second wheel of the second wheel arrangement. The first and second wheels of the second wheel arrangement include coupling members for connection together to operate as a common wheel arrangement in the operating position. The swing arm includes a tower which attaches to the cutter bar and can fold down on to the swing arm in the field position.

A modular landscaper uses oversized wheels to generate torque for turning one or more of several interchangeable modular landscape maintenance attachments. The landscaper provides a handle configured in relationship to the landscaper frame to allow an adult to normally walk behind the landscaper while applying a forward force by pushing on the handle that results in the wheels of the landscaper rolling along a landscape maintenance surface and generating torque that is transferred through a drive train to the one or more attached landscaping maintenance attachments. A drive train uses the rotational energy of the wheels to increase the operator pushing force to operate the maintenance attachment. Interchangeable attachments facilitate using the landscaper for a wide variety of landscaping maintenance tasks.

An apparatus for preparing soil for the placement therein of at least one of seed and fertilizer. A frame is provided with there being first structure on the frame for penetrating the soil to create an opening for at least one of seed and fertilizer as the frame is advanced in a travel direction. A second structure is provided on the frame at least partially downstream of the first structure for at least one of a) stripping soil clods from the first structure and b) loosening soil downstream of the first structure.

A high clearance vehicle includes a walking beam frame and an independent suspension. The frame consists of a main frame, A-shaped frames, a main truss, leg braces, and an axle. Pins which are used to join each A-shaped frame and leg braces to the main truss act as pivot points, as does the pin that attaches the axle to the main frame. Each leg brace may connect to each A-shaped frame by an elastic member to provide the independent suspension. Legs are at each corner of the frame. At the bottom of each leg is a wheel hub mount with a wheel drive assembly operably connected to a wheel for propelling the vehicle. At the top of the front legs are tapered kingpins which carry segmented thrust washers having a knob and receiving portion. A boom having extension arms and spray nozzles may also be attached. The walking beam frame may include a crab steering device which shifts the rear axle off-center so that the vehicle dog legs. A hinge stacked assembly includes a self-cleaning screen, a condenser, oil cooler, and a radiator. Angled hinges allow a door to be opened away from the vehicle and the rear tire so that the stacked assembly is easily accessible to maintenance. A knee action suspension may also provide independent suspension to the vehicle. The boom may have upper and lower lift arms. An elastic member may be provided for supporting the lower lift arm.

An agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame, a linkage pivotably coupled to the attachment frame, and a row unit frame having a leading end pivotably coupled to the linkage to permit vertical pivoting movement of the row unit frame relative to the attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to the attachment frame and the linkage, for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil, includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for advancing the ram in a direction that pivots the linkage and the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil. An accumulator positioned adjacent to the hydraulic cylinder has a fluid chamber containing a diaphragm, with the portion of the chamber on one side of the diaphragm being connected to the hydraulic-fluid cavity in the hydraulic cylinder, and the portion of the chamber on the other side of the diaphragm containing a pressurized gas.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling pathogen growth on live plants and mushrooms using UV-C light and an apparatus for use in the method. Also provided are methods for removing surplus leaves and methods for destroying aerial plant parts prior to harvest of underground roots, tubers or bulbs.

A control system for the drive of a power take-off mechanism on an agricultural tractor that records machine-specific values of the implement attached to the tractor. The drive train between the tractor engine and the power take-off includes a CVT transmission. The control device is connected with a processor via a signal lead for receiving its output signals. The control device is connected for the formation of output signals via input leads with switches, controls, sensors, and actuators for the tractor to read the machine specific parameters of the attached implement.

An agricultural planting system and method comprising a soil sampling and analysis means, wherein soil samples are taken and analyzed in real-time during a planting operation (or, optionally, via a separate, prior operation) to determine the conditions and nutrient content of the soil, and a planting system, wherein the planting system is capable of planting seeds in any arbitrary position on an X-Y plane directly beneath the planting system, whereby the data gathered from the analyzed soil samples is used to determine the optimal placement of seeds or plants in a field in order to take advantage of the soil conditions present and to optimize crop yield.

An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit, a press wheel cylinder configured to vary contact force between a press wheel and a soil surface, a closing disk cylinder configured to vary contact force between a closing disk and the soil surface, a residue manager cylinder configured to vary contact force between a residue manager and the soil surface, or a combination thereof. The agricultural implement system also includes an electronic control unit configured to automatically regulate a pressure within the cylinders, and a manual backup system configured to facilitate manual pressure adjustment of the cylinders.

A control system for an engineless, motor-driven lawnmower vehicle includes electric motors and controllers. At least one of the electric motors is an electric drive motor connected to a drive wheel of the lawnmower vehicle to enable transmission of motive power. At least one other electric motor is a mower-related electric motor connected to a lawnmower rotary tool to enable transmission of motive power. At least one of the controllers is a drive wheel controller which includes a drive wheel driver and which controls operation of the electric drive motor in response to a signal from at least one operator sensor for detecting an operation amount of at least one operator. At least one controller controls to activate or stop the mower-related electric motor. At least one controller is connected to the drive wheel controller and transmits a control signal thereto in response to a signal from the operator sensor.

An arrangement for controlling the height above or depth below an irregular surface of a body moving over or below the surface includes a rotation sensor coupled to a controller responsive to an angular deflection signal output by the rotation sensor. The rotation sensor and controller are mounted to a vehicle moving over the surface such as an agricultural vehicle traversing a field. A semi-rigid, flexible arm has a first end coupled to the rotation sensor with a ground engaging member attached to a second opposed end of the arm. In one embodiment, the flexible arm includes an elongated coil spring attached to a rigid shaft and the ground engaging member is a spherical ball attached to the shaft's distal end. The coil spring is pre-loaded to a selected bending or flexure force and permits the ground engaging member to impact obstructions in the field without damage to the rotation sensor. The coil spring also prevents damage to the rotation sensor when the vehicle is reversed in direction. The flexible arm may be urged downwardly to ensure that the ground engaging member contacts the soil and upward and downward rotation stops may be provided to limit rotation of the rotation sensor and flexible arm combination. When a plurality of rotation sensors and flexible arms are employed such as along the length of a combine header, each rotation sensor may be individually calibrated by rotating the sensor relative to the head unit to which it is mounted to permit all sensors to uniformly measure the height above or depth below the soil surface.

An NH₃ applicator implement is equipped with a hitch arrangement for automatically effecting a connection with a tongue of an NH₃ nurse tank wagon. A quick-connect coupler assembly is provided for connecting the transfer hose of the nurse tank wagon to the supply hose of the implement. The quick-connect coupler assembly includes a first coupler section mounted to the applicator implement for powered, guided movement into engagement with a second coupler section mounted to the tongue of the nurse tank wagon. An electro-hydraulic control system including relay logic is used to first lock the fully coupled coupler sections together and then to engage the flow of NH₃ by remote actuation of a main on/off valve located at the nurse tank.

This disclosure is directed to the field of agricultural machinery and relates to implements generally used in combination with a multi-row soil trench closing mechanism. Specifically, the disclosure relates to row treating units adapted to be attached to and following a multi-row planter and incorporating a combination of tools that includes a seed trench closing wheel assembly and a firming/packing wheel assembly. The deployment of and down force exerted by the packing wheel is independently adjustable and controlled using pneumatic air bag operators and the soil penetration of the trench closing wheels is limited.

A control system controls steering of an implement which is coupled to an agricultural utility vehicle. The control system includes a control unit, a sensor, a hydraulic system on the utility vehicle, an electronically actuatable hydraulic valve, a hydraulic actuator on the implement and a steerable wheel on the implement. A status variable of the utility vehicle or of the implement can be detected with the sensor and transmitted to the control unit. A current operating state of the utility vehicle and/or of the implement is determined by the control unit. The hydraulic valve is connected to the hydraulic system and to the actuator. The hydraulic valve can be actuated as a function of the current operating state of the utility vehicle and/or of the implement in order to block the steering of the wheel with the actuator.

A furrow opener apparatus includes a parallel link trailing arm having a rear link that is maintained substantially horizontal as the arm moves up and down. Front and rear furrow openers are attached to the rear link. A packer wheel arm is attached to the rear link and extends rearward and downward from the rear link, and a packer wheel is mounted to the packer wheel arm and aligned with one of the furrow openers. A bias device exerts a downward bias force on the trailing arm, furrow openers, and packer wheel. The furrow openers, the packer wheel, and the rear link are maintained in rigid orientation with respect to each other when in a working mode, and a vertical operating position of at least one of the furrow openers with respect to the packer wheel is adjustable to vary a depth of the furrow.

A tow bar for connecting and controlling two autonomous vehicles with respect to one another. The tow bar including a plurality of sections with at least one sensor, mounted or coupled onto each, for measuring and determining the orientation of one autonomous vehicle in relation to the other autonomous vehicle. A signal may be transmitted to either or to both of the autonomous vehicles to control propulsion and/or steering and/or braking of the vehicles when an adjustment is required to maintain stability of the tandem vehicles.

A system usable for dredging may include a suction bypass system for automatically maintaining a sufficiently high, liquid flow velocity. Preferably, a flow sensor monitors flow velocity and when the monitor flow decreases to an extent that plugging may occur, a liquid bypass valve is opened and an intake line valve is closed until the flow velocity increases whereupon the valves are returned to their original positions. An automatic level cut removes a relatively constant layer of material from a contoured bottom. The illustrated automatic level cut process comprises adjusting the force with which the suction head engages the bottom, moving the suction head in a direction opposite to the direction of the swing of the boom to keep the suction head pointing straight ahead, and maintaining the suction head to stay substantially level with the bottom even though the angle of the boom increases to the surface of the water body. A leveling device comprising a parallelogram linkage may be used to maintain the suction head substantially level with the bottom. A predetermined amount of load force may be applied by the head against the bottom. Herein, a winch and cable and the controller are operated to lift some of the head weight until the desired predetermined head force is applied to the bottom. A walking system moves the pipe intake for taking a sideways cut without the use of a spud pole, anchors and anchor lines. Large blade members or feet travels in an endless path with the feet entering the bottom while vertically disposed and remained disposed vertically while entering and leaving the bottom so as not to dig or stir the bottom that will cause large liquid turbidity. A low turbidity head cleaning system prevents the head from being plugged and debris or sticky material. Preferably, a rotatable cone-shaped head is provided with spaced rings and bars that define sized openings that limit the size of debris entering into the intake. A fixed comb removes material stuck on the rotating head. A shroud has an open bottom side thereby preventing bottom material from escaping and increasing with turbidity. A suction head articulation system keeps the head pointed in the forward direction of dredge advancement to create a smooth finish grade.

A drive assembly driven by a drive unit locks one or several operating units (6) of an agricultural implement (1) or of a self-propelled implement. The operating unit (6) can be locked when switching off the drive unit or upon reaction of an overload coupling (4). The drive assembly (3) has an overload coupling (4) connected to the drive unit and driven by the drive unit in one driving direction of rotation. The overload coupling (4) is also connected to the operating unit (6). The drive assembly (3) further has a brake unit (5) connected to the overload coupling (4). The brake unit (5) is intended to be arranged in the driveline between the overload coupling (4) and the operating unit (6). Actuating mechanism (10) actuates the brake unit (5) when the operating unit is running so that the operating unit is braked and locked. Thereafter, the overload coupling is disconnected.

An autonomously robotic machine for performing one or more agricultural operations. The machine includes a frame having a length and an adjustable width. A plurality of ground-engaging mechanisms are coupled to the frame for propelling the machine in a direction of travel. The machine includes a controller, a power-generating device, and a generator. The controller controls the machine, and the generator receives mechanical power from the power-generating device and produces electrical power. A docking assembly is coupled to the frame. The docking assembly includes a power unit and at least one coupler for coupling to any one of a plurality of agricultural implements.

The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.

An articulating and locking mechanism of agricultural implement chassis is disclosed, intended for disc harrows and other implements with great working width, which are characterized by articulation to reduce the total width so as to facilitate transportation and storage, constituted of a main structure or chassis (1), central disc gang chassis (2), lateral and articulating disc gang chassis (3), with arrangements of vertical plates or extensions (4 and 5) welded and joined by shafts (6) for articulation by means of hydraulic cylinders (7), equipped with locking mechanism made up of hydraulic cylinders (8), locking and unlocking actuators (9, 9A), locks (12, 12A), coupling shafts (13, 13A) inserted in sleeves (14, 14A) and joined to the vertical closure plates (15) of the inner ends of the articulating chassis (3). Locking flanges (17) welded to the central chassis (2) form a quick closing action with the locks (12, 12A) providing rigidity in the locking between said rigid and articulating chassis during the implement's field operation.

A disc opener system for attachment to an agricultural vehicle for opening a seed trench. The system includes a main arm, a disc opener mounted to the main arm, a gauge wheel mounted about a pivot axis to the main arm, a gauge wheel mounted for rotation on the gauge arm, and a depth adjustment assembly for adjusting and positively locking a position of the gauge wheel relative to disc opener. The depth adjustment assembly includes an adjustment link mounted to the main arm, an adjustment coupling attached to the gauge arm, a handle pivotably attached to the adjustment coupling and a clip attached to the adjustment coupling. The clip locks the handle in a position where it mates the adjustment link and adjustment coupling to fix the position of the gauge wheel relative to the disc opener.

An agricultural machine comprises a body and a drawbar, which drawbar is connected to the body using a first articulation with a substantially vertical axis and allows the agricultural machine to be moved along during work and during transport, the body resting on the ground during work using wheels which are each connected to the body via at least one connecting element, the body comprising a central unit and a working unit, which working unit is arranged transversely to the direction of forward travel during work and is arranged substantially parallel to the direction of forward travel during transport. It is notable in that the working unit is connected to the central unit using a second articulation with a substantially vertical axis so that the working unit can be brought into a work position or into a transport position with respect to said central unit, and wherein the singular or plural connecting element allows (allow) the corresponding wheel(s) to be moved away from or closer to a vertical mid-plane of the body, the wheels being used during work and during transport.

A system for propelling a combine over the ground and driving other components of the combine includes an engine driving a transmission via a hydrostatic drive system. A microprocessor stores a work table and a road table for controlling engine speed. A gear selector operates a switch to select one of the tables and a throttle control operates switches to select a speed value from the selected table. When working a field, the work table is selected so that the engine runs at speeds in a range suitable for driving the other components. For transport of the combine the road table is selected so that the engine may run at a speed higher than speeds suitable for driving the other components. For a given setting of the throttle control, the engine is controlled to run at either a first or second speed depending on the setting of the gear select lever.

Apparatus and a method for automatically recognizing a header connected to a harvesting machine and setting operating and/or adjustment parameters of a spreader of the machine for use with the header. The apparatus includes a memory containing information representative of predetermined spreader settings for at least one header connectable to the harvesting machine, such as a grain header and a corn or maize header. A detector element is operable for automatically identifying a header connected to the machine and outputting a signal or information representative thereof, to a controller automatically operable for using that information for retrieving the stored information representative of the predetermined spreader settings for that header. Input commands and/or information, for instance, relating to crop type, and/or crop and environmental conditions, can also be inputted using either an onboard or remote input device. The controller then responsively controls a crop residue spreader connected to the machine as a function of the retrieved information and any inputted commands or information, if within predetermined permissible ranges.

A sensor for detecting the height above the soil of harvesting machinery such as a combine header includes an elongated, curved, flexible arm attached at one end to a rotation sensor mounted to the harvester. The sensor arm is concave in an upward direction and includes and outer sheath such as of plastic and an inner metal rod for increased strength to resist breakage such as during turns and when traversing irregular terrain. The arm is positioned forward of, or immediately adjacent to, the lowest part of the harvester which includes a cutter assembly for cutting and separating the crop. As the harvester encounters upraised portions of the soil, the arm's point of contact with the soil moves forward along the arm to provide an increasingly early warning of upraised soil to facilitate early height adjustment and the avoidance of soil contact and possible damage to the harvester.

A combination is described of a tractor (10) and an implement (12) which is pulled by the tractor (10), by means of a draw bar (14) coupled to the tractor (10) so as to be pivotable about the vertical axis, is supported on the ground by wheels (28) and comprises a cultivating element (30) for cultivating a field (64). A control device (36) is used to activate a first actuator (40) with which the position of the draw bar (14) in relation to the implement (16) can be changed. The control device (36) activates the first actuator (40) in such a manner that the latter adjusts the draw bar (14) with the effect of moving the implement (16) towards an outside of a curve.

A drive arrangement for the drive of an agricultural implement is provided that includes a drive engine that can be brought into a drive connection over a separable power take-off shaft clutch with a power take-off shaft output. A drive line of the operating implement is connected with the power take-off shaft output, with an overload clutch, and a control arrangement. The control arrangement is connected to a sensor arranged for the detection of the torque at the power take-off shaft output and, in normal operation, permits an actuator to disengage the power take-off shaft clutch as soon as the torque detected by the sensor reaches or exceeds a first threshold value, that corresponds to a torque that is smaller than the cut-off torque of the overload clutch. Immediately following, the control arrangement orders the actuator to engage the power take-off shaft clutch and when the power take-off shaft clutch is disengaged permits a torque at the power take-off shaft output that is greater than the cut-off torque of the overload clutch.

A kit of components for use in assembling different agricultural implements includes (1) multiple linkages each of which includes a pair of parallel arms mounted for vertical pivoting movement at a first end of the linkage, and adapted to be coupled to a tool-support arm at the second end of the linkage, the multiple linkages having different sizes, (2) multiple coupling elements for coupling said linkages to a toolbar to be attached to a tractor, (3) multiple tool-support arms adapted to be connected to the second ends of the linkages, and (4) multiple tools adapted to be mounted on the tool-support arms.