Abstract: A seed meter for planting seeds includes a seed plate rotatably mounted within a housing. A rotary seed chamber (RSC) is mounted in the housing adjacent the seed plate and movable between first and second positions, to permit the seed plate to singularly select individual seeds from the RSC while in a first position, and to dump seed therefrom as well as blocking seeds from entering the seed plate while in a second position. A seed intake compartment having an inlet end, and a discharge end is located adjacent the RSC. A valve is located in the intake compartment to intermittently prevent seed from flowing from the inlet end to the discharge end. A power means actuates both the RSC and the valve. A wing plate on the rotary seed chamber opens and closes the discharge end as the rotary seed chamber is in its first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: A GPS system to provide planter tripping for crop research plots provides the longitude and latitude of the first trip location and provide a continuous flow of location information. A control computer calculates the next tripping location and provides a signal to the planter at that location and each subsequent tripping location in the field grid. A GPS receiver mounted on the planter provides location information. When the first plot is manually tripped the computer will use vector information to determine the next tripping location. The computer has a program that allows entry of planted length and alley width so the system can calculate the next plot location from the original planter trip. Additional parameters entered in the program include the number of trips needed to pass across the field and the number of passes that would be needed to complete the planting grid.

Abstract: A method of planting field seeds in rows with different varieties of seeds involves determining the variety of the seeds to be planted; placing the seeds for rows of predetermined length in different groups in elongated cell pack strips for each variety, with each cell pack strip including individual cells with individual seeds. A plurality of subgroups of cell pack strips are selected sequentially from the groups of cell pack strips in chronological order that they are to be planted in a single row in a field. The subgroups are then placed in magazines to maintain the order of the subgroups for the subsequent planting. The locations in a field are determined where the varieties are to be planted. The magazines are mounted on a field row planter with the magazines being associated with rows in the field to which the respective magazines correspond. The planter is moved longitudinally through the field.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently removing grain from a grain storage device, which uses a plurality of augers. An unloading auger is used to begin removal of grain from a grain storage device. As the amount of grain decreases, a proximity sensor sends an activation signal to a cross auger that rests horizontally on the bottom of the grain storage device. The cross auger will pull the remaining grain to the entry point of an unloading auger. The unloading auger then removes the grain from the grain storage device.

Abstract: A seed package handling system for a test plot combine. A seed packaging assembly in the combine packages the seeds and deposits the packages onto a conveyor, which transports the packages to a first hopper. After the first hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the first hopper is raised on an elevator and then tilted so as to dump the seed packages into a larger second hopper. After the second hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the second hopper is tilted to discharge the seed packages into a wagon separate from the combine, which transports the seed packages to a processing facility. The movement of the conveyor and first hopper is controlled by a PLC.

Abstract: A seed package handling system is provided for a test plot combine. A seed packaging assembly in the combine packages the seeds and deposits the packages onto a conveyor, which transports the packages to a first hopper. After the first hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the first hopper is raised on an elevator and then tilted so as to dump the seed packages into a larger second hopper. After the second hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the second hopper is tilted to discharge the seed packages into a wagon separate from the combine, which transports the seed packages to a processing facility. The movement of the conveyor and first hopper is controlled by a PLC.

Abstract: A combine gathering belt assembly has a pair of continuous sprocket chains each supported on rotatable sprockets at their opposite ends, and having spaced parallel inner traveling chain portions. A plurality of flexible spaced belt segments are secured to the sprocket chains. The belt segments on one chain are staggered with respect to the belt segments on the other chain. Each belt segment has a base end adjacent the chain to which it is attached, and an outer end extending forwardly while between the spaced parallel inner traveling chain portions. The belt segments are of such size and spacing that an outer end of a belt segment on one chain closes on a base end of a belt segment on the opposite chain while in the spaced parallel inner traveling chain portions. The closed belt segments then open up as they move around the rotatable sprockets on one discharge end of chains to release plant segments that may be bound by opposite belt segments while moving through the spaced parallel inner chain portions.

Abstract: The seed packaging machine of this invention is mounted on a conventional plot combine. The harvested seed is blown to a receiving compartment where the seed is weighed and tested for moisture. A bag roll comprising a plurality of bag portions is fed through power rolls to a seed deposit station. A blower blows open the endmost bag and the seed is deposited in the bag portion. A sealing pressure bar is pivoted toward a thermal bar with the top of the bag portion therebetween to seal the bag. The bag is then released to drop into a storage bin. Bar codes are imposed on the bags and are scanned as they approach the deposit station. A computer is connected to all operating components to coordinate the sequential operation thereof. The range and row numbers of the harvested field are imposed on the computer memory, and the computer associates each bag containing harvested seed with the range and row from which the seed was harvested. The bags are perforated to facilitate subsequent drying of the seed.

Abstract: A folding tool bar apparatus for a farm implement or the like having a horizontally disposed main frame and a pair of wing sections pivotally attached at each end thereof to the main frame. Gauge wheels are attached to each of the wing sections for spacing a wing section a predetermined distance from the ground when the wing section is in use. A rigid link member is pivotally attached to each of the wing sections. Hydraulic cylinders are pivotally attached to the main frame and to the link members. These hydraulic cylinders have a first elongated position which permit the wing members to be in a substantially horizontally extended working position and a second shortened position for causing the wing members to be in a substantially folded transport position.