Abstract: A hydraulic circuit having a boost pump in series with a primary (tractor) hydraulic source provides additional fluid power to operate an aircart fan in an air seeding system for which a tractor hydraulic system does not have enough fluid power capacity. The boost pump raises the pressure of the flow delivered to the fan motor up from that pressure delivered from the tractor to a higher pressure. Tractor pressure is supplied to the boost pump inlet, the boost pump is driven by ground engaging wheels of the aircart, and the resulting flow to the aircart fan motor is increased in pressure by the boost pump.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an aircart having a fan cooperable with an air seeder system to distribute material to the ground utilizes two or more fluid power sources combined in parallel. Total fluid capacity is increased so that one source may have reserve capacity for serving other loads. Flow controls for the system are set so that one source maintains at least a minimum flow to a load when the flow provided by the other source diminishes. Specifically, an aircart fan is operated by fluid power combined from a tractor source and a ground driven pump source with controls being provided to control the fin speed and proportions of flow from each source. The ground driven source (boost pump) boosts available fluid power volume to meet demands of the aircart fan. The boost pump is located near the aircart fan and connected with short lines to minimize power loss in the lines.

Abstract: A multi-compartment tank structure for an agricultural air cart is formed in a modular configuration with two, three or more containers operable to carry different supplies of materials to the field. Each container is formed with an interlocking mating wall structure having a pair of spaced apart geodesic-like lobes separated by a curved key portion recessed with respect to the lobes. One container having a convex mating wall configuration interfits with another container having a complementary concave mating wall structure. In the three or more compartment configuration, the interior container is provided with both convex and concave opposing mating walls to cooperate with the adjacent containers. The lobes are formed from a number of planar surface segments to create the geodesic-like appearance.

Abstract: An air seeder is provided with a control system for controlling the velocity of air flowing though the product delivery tubes between the product storage tanks and the planting mechanism for delivering the product into the ground. A multiple tank air seeder would be provided with a bank of product delivery tubes for each product storage tank with an air damper mechanism incorporated into each respective bank of product delivery tubes. An electric actuator is mounted on the air cart to connect to each respective air damper mechanism and effect the movement thereof between a fully closed and a fully opened position and, thereby restrict the movement of air through the product delivery tubes. The control mechanism includes a control panel from which the electric actuators for the air damper mechanisms and an electric actuator for controlling the rotational speed of the fan creating the flow of air through the product delivery tubes can be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic lift mechanism for a manifold in a pneumatic delivery system of an agricultural air cart for seed and fertilizer delivery. The unitary manifold is composed of a plurality of pneumatic passages and mixing valves for conducting metered product from to delivery tubes in a delivery tool. The lift mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder for rotating a pivotal support rod and pivotal linkages connected to the manifold to lower and disengage the manifold from the meters and to position it to one side of the cart in a service position exposing the under carriage for access. A guide is provided to cooperate with the cylinder and pivotal linkages to guide substantially vertical movement of the manifold for disengaging and engaging the meters for sealing contact. The lift mechanism further includes a lock for maintaining the manifold in sealing contact in an operational position under tension once the actuating cylinder is depressurized.