United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

Corey M Kichler

Ted Stanley Kornecki

The active coulter system includes a pivotable support structure that vertically adjusts the position of an active coulter component to compensate for changes in the contour of a target field. In the preferred embodiment, a proximity sensor and an associated controller are in electronic communication with a linear actuator assembly. Based on data from the proximity sensor, the controller sends electronic instructions to the linear actuator assembly to automatically move the active coulter component vertically. The system also optionally includes a torque/speed sensor that can operate independently to control the torque and/or power supplied to the active coulter component, or the sensor can interface with the controller and anticipate changes in power needs and increase/decrease power before the operation of the active coulter component is affected.

Modular device for cutting cover crop residue

The transplanter is designed to harness power from a walk-behind tractor to help small farmers transplant (among other things) seedling vegetables. As a farmer guides the walk-behind tractor, a movable feeder tube assembly comprising a plurality of feeder tubes moves latterly back and forth. When a feeder tube aligns with a pivotable transfer tube, a seedling in the feeder tube is deposited in the transfer tube so that the seedling descends down the transfer tube into a furrow for planting. The transfer tube then pivots so that a kicker panel on the bottom of the transfer tube pushes the seedling rearwardly and thereby helps to enable the seedling to remain vertical.

Growing community of inventors

Auburn, AL, United States of America

Corey M Kichler