Abstract: A product distribution system for an air seeder includes a plurality of furrow openers and a plurality of product distributors mounted on an implement frame. Each product distributor comprises a seed container and a plurality of seed delivery conduits extending radially outward from the seed container A seed meter apparatus is connected to receive the seed product from the seed container and operative to meter seeds of the seed product into each of the seed delivery conduits. A seed product dispenser is operative to convey a seed product from a seed product tank into each seed container, and is operative to maintain a level of the seed product in each seed container above a selected level. The product distributors are spaced across the width of the implement frame.

Abstract: A system and method for storing potential energy for a material handler. The system and method involves actuating a machine element using hydraulic cylinders; measuring a position of the machine element; controlling the hydraulic cylinders with a hydraulic circuit by an electronic control unit; determining a maximum target pressure for at least one gas actuator coupled to the machine element; calculating a target pressure for the at least one gas actuator at the position; measuring a gas pressure measurement from the at least one gas actuator; comparing the target pressure to the gas pressure measurement; and adjusting a hydraulic adjustment valve to increase or decrease an amount of hydraulic fluid within a hydraulic chamber of an accumulator thereby changing a gas pressure within the at least one gas actuator to correspond to the target pressure.

Abstract: A singulating meter includes a seed disc with seed apertures rotates in a vertical plane through a seed reservoir. A horizontal seed tube has an inlet adjacent to the top of the seed disc and the seed apertures move along a seed aperture path toward the inlet. Pressurized air flows into the tube inlet, and through each seed aperture as it rotates upward out of the seed reservoir pushing a seed into each seed aperture which seed then moves along the seed aperture path through about 180 degrees of rotation to a release position at the top of the path where the seed is carried horizontally into the seed tube. An ejector pushes debris out of the seed apertures into the seed tube. An alignment guide moves the singulator element of the meter into the operating position where same is magnetically secured.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for carrying and weighing a load includes a mobile frame supported by a plurality of wheels. At least one container is supported on the mobile frame for carrying a load. A plurality of sensor assemblies are coupled between the frame and the container, the sensor assemblies resistive to a weight force exerted by the container towards the frame in a generally vertical sensing direction for sensing a weight of the load, and the sensor assemblies non-resistive to error forces exerted generally orthogonally to the sensing direction for filtering out the error forces from the sensed weight. A stabilizing assembly is coupled between the container and the frame, the stabilizing assembly freely accommodating transfer of the force exerted by the container towards the frame in the sensing direction, and simultaneously inhibiting shifting of the container relative to the frame in one or more shifting directions perpendicular to the sensing direction.

Abstract: An agricultural product distribution apparatus includes a primary product container mounted on a product cart and a secondary product container. A metering device and a primary inductor assembly are mounted to the primary product container and a control system controls dispensing of products from the primary product container either through the metering device directly to furrow openers, or through the inductor assembly to the secondary product container and then through a secondary inductor assembly to downstream singulating meters. The secondary product container can be mounted on the implement frame or the product cart. A plurality of primary product containers can be mounted on the product cart each with a metering device and primary inductor assembly such that each tank can dispense through either of the corresponding metering devices or primary inductor assemblies.

Abstract: A seeding system for seeding large and small seeds includes a plurality of dispensing apparatuses mounted on an implement frame each comprising a first furrow opener mounted and a second furrow opener spaced laterally from the first furrow opener. A singulating meter is operative to dispense the large and small seeds through a meter discharge. A first seed conduit is connected to the first furrow opener and the meter discharge, and a second seed conduit is connected to the second furrow opener and the meter discharge. A selector is operative in a large seed mode to maintain the connection of the first seed conduit to the meter discharge while disconnecting the second seed conduit, and the selector is operative in a small seed mode to maintain the connection of the first seed conduit to the meter discharge while connecting the second seed conduit to the meter discharge.

Abstract: An inductor apparatus includes an inductor assembly mounted under a seed container such that seeds flow into a reservoir. An air conduit carrying pressurized air extends along the reservoir. Seed channels extend from an inlet located above a pickup air opening in the air conduit to an outlet, and a bypass channel extends downward from each seed channel through an upper wall of the air conduit. A pickup air stream flowing out the pickup air opening forms a seed air stream entrained with seeds flowing into each seed channel inlet and a bypass air stream flows from the air conduit through each bypass channel into each seed channel and the combined seed and bypass air streams flow out the seed channel outlets. The seed channel outlets can be arranged along each side of the inductor assembly, and the rate of flow of the bypass air stream can be adjusted.

Abstract: A seed supply system includes a singulating meter with a seed reservoir pressurized to a meter pressure that is in a desired pressure range. A seed supply air stream carries seeds dispensed from a nurse tank to an air release assembly located above the singulating meter. As seeds are metered from the seed reservoir at a rate less than the rate seeds are dispensed from the nurse tank seeds accumulate in the air release assembly. The pressure of the seed supply air stream at the top of the seed column fluctuates and a barrier is operative to resist air flow between the air release assembly and the seed reservoir sufficiently to maintain the meter pressure in the desired meter pressure range. The barrier can be provided for example by an airlock or a column of seed in a drop tube between the air release assembly and the seed reservoir.

Abstract: A bale processor has a towed body that includes one or two hay bale shredders in the form of a flail drum. The bale processor is self-loading such that bales may be loaded in the processing tubs by a set of rear mounted arms and various conveyor chains. The processor also includes a grain tank, a grain metering system, and a grain cracker, all mounted in series. The grain cracker may have a choice of outputs, including back to the grain tank. The cracked grain is fed into the tub to be mixed with other feed materials, such as shredded straw, and is then discharged to the opposite side of the unit. There may be a feed chopper mounted downstream of the tub, such that the feed chopper receives both the grain material and the shredded hay feed. The feed chopper and the grain cracker operate independently, and may have different setting of size, speed, and weight or volume per minute or per unit of distance travelled. The output may have a curtain assembly to facilitate deposit in windrows.

Abstract: A towed vehicle hitch tongue includes movably connected front and rear tongue members, and a fully exposed master cylinder connected at opposite ends thereof to the tongue members such that a rearward force urging the front tongue member toward the rear tongue member forces pressurized braking fluid out of a port thereof into a braking circuit configured to exert a braking force. The braking circuit prevents braking until the rearward force warrants braking, provides dampening of the brake action, allows the towed vehicle to reverse, and can provide emergency stopping and dampening of movement of the hitch tongue. Instead of using movable front and rear tongue members, sensors can detect what the towed vehicle is doing, and apply appropriate braking force in response.

Abstract: An apparatus for draining a container comprises a vessel with a top opening configured such that the container in an upright orientation can pass downward into the vessel through the top opening. A knife assembly mounted under the top opening has a pointed upper end with right and left blades sloping downward and laterally away from the pointed upper end. The pointed upper end and the blades are configured to cut a flap in a floor of the container when the container is lowered through the top opening and pushed downward against the knife assembly. A push member pushes the flap upward from its remaining attachment along one side thereof as the container is pushed downward. The vessel can be mounted on a stand and include vertical exterior grooves configured to engage corresponding vertical stand members to prevent rotation of the vessel with respect to the stand during use.

Abstract: A mower apparatus has a tool bar mounted on wheels has a center section and right and left wing sections pivotally attached to the center section. When the tool bar is in an operating position the wing sections extend laterally from the center section perpendicular to the operating travel direction, and in a transport position the wing sections extend rearward or forward from the center section. A plurality of mowing units is attached to the tool bar such that when the tool bar is in the operating position each mowing unit extends rearward from the tool bar, and when the tool bar is in the transport position each mowing unit extends upward from the tool bar.

Abstract: An implement for preparing a seed bed has a front row of vertical discs, followed by three rows of shanks, followed by harrows and then rolling baskets. A hydraulic cylinder is mounted between each shank and the implement frame and exerts a constant selected trip bias force on the shanks that is adjustable up to 1300 pounds. The implement frame is configured such that a total weight on the wheels when the ground engaging tools are in the raised transport position is greater than about 850 pounds per foot of width of the implement frame. The implement is towed at speeds of at least seven miles per hour with the shanks penetrating the soil to a depth of three inches or more. Residue is cut and buried and the field surface left firm and smooth.

Abstract: An air distribution apparatus including a manifold body having ports with a delivery conduit connected to each port. A port valve is configured to communicate an interior of the manifold body with the delivery conduit associated with each port. A supply conduit is connected at an output end thereof to the interior of the manifold body and connected at an input end thereof to receive a product air stream with entrained agricultural products. An exhaust orifice is defined in the supply conduit and an exhaust valve configured to control a flow of pressurized air from an interior of the supply conduit through the exhaust orifice. The port valve and exhaust valve are controlled to operate oppositely to each other between their open and closed positions. The port and exhaust valves are also adjustable to intermediate positions between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A seeding apparatus has a frame and a plurality of furrow openers spaced laterally along the implement frame. A like plurality of singulating meters is provided, each mounted on the frame close to a corresponding furrow opener, and seed tubes are configured to receive singulated seeds from a corresponding singulating meter and deposit the seeds in the furrow created by the corresponding furrow opener. A pressurized air stream conveys seeds through each seed tube and a seed supply supplies seeds to each singulating meter. A meter control operates each singulating meter to provide a variable seeding rate that is independent of the seeding rates of the other singulating meters. A seed catching member follows each furrow opener and catches the seeds exiting the seed tubes to maintain a consistent seed spacing in the furrow.

Abstract: A parallel arm furrow opener assembly defines upper and lower front pivot axes and upper and lower rear pivot axes oriented horizontally and perpendicular to a travel direction. A furrow opener and a packer wheel are attached to a rear link of the assembly. In operation the furrow opener and the packer wheel are in fixed positions with respect to the rear link member, and a bias element is operative to exert a downward bias force on the furrow opener assembly. A front pivot line connecting the upper and lower front pivot axes is parallel to a rear pivot line connecting the upper and lower rear pivot axes, and the front and rear pivot lines are oriented at a pivot angle with respect to a vertical orientation, and the pivot angle is adjustable to vary a furrow depth of the furrow.

Abstract: A harrow implement comprises a tool bar and harrow sections extending rearward therefrom. Each of a plurality of hydraulic cylinders is connected between the tool bar and a corresponding harrow section. A hydraulic control is operative to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid such that the hydraulic cylinders exert a substantially constant selected bias force on the harrow sections. The hydraulic control is operative to direct pressurized hydraulic fluid into a first port on each hydraulic cylinder to exert a downward bias force on the plurality of harrow sections, and operative to direct pressurized hydraulic fluid into a second port on each hydraulic cylinder to exert an upward bias force on the plurality of harrow sections. The hydraulic cylinder can be configured to raise the harrow sections to an idle position above the ground, and to a transport position extending up from the tool bar.

Abstract: A parallel arm furrow opener assembly defines upper and lower front pivot axes and upper and lower rear pivot axes oriented horizontally and perpendicular to a travel direction. A furrow opener and a packer wheel are attached to a rear link of the assembly. In operation the furrow opener and the packer wheel are in fixed positions with respect to the rear link member, and a bias element is operative to exert a downward bias force on the furrow opener assembly. A front pivot line connecting the upper and lower front pivot axes is parallel to a rear pivot line connecting the upper and lower rear pivot axes, and the front and rear pivot lines are oriented at a pivot angle with respect to a vertical orientation, and the pivot angle is adjustable to vary a furrow depth of the furrow.

Abstract: A towed vehicle hitch tongue includes movably connected front and rear tongue members, and a fully exposed master cylinder connected at opposite ends thereof to the tongue members such that a rearward force urging the front tongue member toward the rear tongue member forces pressurized braking fluid out of a port thereof into a braking circuit configured to exert a braking force. The braking circuit prevents braking until the rearward force warrants braking, provides dampening of the brake action, allows the towed vehicle to reverse, and can provide emergency stopping and dampening of movement of the hitch tongue. Instead of using movable front and rear tongue members, sensors can detect what the towed vehicle is doing, and apply appropriate braking force in response.

Abstract: An air seeder distribution apparatus has a manifold and a plurality of delivery conduit connected to ports of the manifold. A supply conduit carries a product air stream and is connected the manifold interior. A port valve when open connects a delivery conduit to the manifold interior through the port and disconnects same when closed. A purging conduit connects the supply conduit, at a clean air location configured to receive from the supply conduit a clean air stream with no agricultural products entrained therein, to the delivery conduit such that the clean air stream has an open path from the supply conduit to the delivery conduit. When the port valve is open the clean air stream flows through the purging conduit at a low first flow rate, and when the port valve is closed the clean air stream flows through the purging conduit at a second significantly greater flow rate.