Abstract: An agricultural implement is provided with a forward folding tool bar that is pivotally mounted on the draw bar for rotation about a transverse pivot axis as part of the folding and unfolding of the tool bar. The tool bar is provided with a tower apparatus having a passageway therethrough for alignment with pivot linkages for providing a floating movement of the pivotally mounted wing members with the wing fold actuators forming a rigid link in the pivot linkages. An unfold finger is mounted on the draw bar where the tower mechanism would be positioned upon the rotation of the tool bar into an intermediate transport position such that the unfold finger is positionable within the passageway through the tower apparatus. The unfold finger is spring-biased and incorporates lost movement slots to allow the unfold finger to yield when the passageway is blocked as the tower apparatus is moved over the unfold finger.

Abstract: A regulator for a nurse inductor mechanism on an agricultural seeding implement controls the rate of entrainment of seeds into the stream of air directed into the nurse inductor mechanism. The regulator includes a pivoted gate mounted at the discharge opening of the seed reservoir of the nurse induction unit to control the flow of seed particles into a pile for engagement with the stream of air directed thereto. An actuation lever, positioned externally of the nurse inductor housing so as to not interfere with the sealed relationship between the divider walls of the distribution apparatus and the housing, is selectively manipulable to move the pivoted gate between closed and opened positions. Once the pivoted gate is moved into the closed position, the flow of seed particles into the distribution apparatus is halted, but the fall flow of air can still move through the distribution apparatus and seed distribution tubes to effect a clean-out of the nurse induction unit.

Abstract: An air seeder for planting agricultural crops includes: a storage tank for containing particles to be dispensed; a metering mechanism for transferring particles from the storage tank; an air distribution system for receiving particles from the metering mechanism, the air distribution system comprising a bank of tubes for transporting particles in a flow of air having a flow rate, and a damper mechanism at the bank of tubes for selective control of the flow rate within the bank of tubes; an air flow source for providing a flow of air to the bank of tubes; a particle velocity sensor located at each tube for providing a sensor output signal corresponding to a measured particle velocity; and a control mechanism operably connected to the sensors and to the damper mechanism for selective adjustment of the flow rate in the bank of tubes, the control mechanism being adapted to receive the sensor output signals, normalize the values corresponding to the sensor output signals, and display the normalized values.

Abstract: A new and useful meter roller assembly is provided for an agricultural implement for metering material delivery between a meter box and a series of material runs leading to a series of material distributors, the assembly comprising a shaft for mounting for rotation in the box; a series of roller sections for mounting on the shaft, extending across the runs, the roller sections chosen from the group consisting of blank sections or metering sections; and wherein the series of roller sections includes at least one metering sections corresponding to one the run, for securing to the shaft for rotation therewith and comprising at least one fluted segment and at least one blank segment.

Abstract: A seed treating device is mounted on a seeding implement to treat untreated seeds carried by the implement with inoculants or other treating material before the seeds are planted into the ground. The implement conveys seeds in a flow of air carried by conduits to entrain the seeds within the air flow. The seed treating unit is placed on the implement remote from the storage tank for the seeds to receive airborne seeds from an inlet tube, treat the seeds with a coating material, and discharge the seeds through an outlet tube to planting mechanisms. The seed treating unit includes a conical mixing chamber to induce the air/seed flow into a whirling motion where the coating material is introduced for an even coating of the individual seed particles. The inlet line is oriented generally tangential to the circular mixing chamber, while the outlet line is generally perpendicular to the inlet line and is centrally connected to the main axis of the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An in-line seed treating unit is provided for an air seeding implement to coat seeds carried by a flow of air through a product distribution line before being planted into the ground. The in-line seed treating unit includes a cylindrical housing having input and outlet ends located at opposing axial ends of the cylindrical housing to provide a generally linear overall flow path for the seed entrained air flow through the product distribution line. A baffle formed as a spiral flighting with an open center portion is disposed within the cylindrical housing to induce the air flow and entrained seeds in a spiral flow path along the housing axis and, thereby pushing the entrained seeds outwardly toward the inner wall of the housing. The seed treatment material is injected through an injection port located a distance less than one flighting pitch of the baffle from the beginning of the flighting so that the seed treatment material is dispersed within the air flow to coat the entrained seeds.

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 agricultural planter is provided with hydraulically operated devices to effect the folding and unfolding of the planter support structure between operative and transport configurations. The planter includes a laterally extending tool bar that is pivoted about a transverse axis to forwardly roll the tool bar between a lowered field operating position and a raised transport position. The transverse pivot axis is located such that the first component of the pivotal movement of the tool bar from the field operating position is generally vertical, while a second component of the pivotal movement of the tool bar approaching the transport position is generally horizontal and forwardly of the first component. The headland position corresponds to a position in which the tool bar is raised sufficiently to move the planting units mounted thereon out of the ground to facilitate the turning of the implement at the end of the field.

Abstract: An agricultural planter is provided with wing members that fold forwardly from a laterally extending operating position to a compact transport position. The wing members are supported on wheel assemblies when in both the operating and transport positions. A transport lock mechanism is operable to secure the forwardly folded wing assemblies in the transport position against the draw bar. A latch tower having vertically oriented latch retainer bars permit the wing members to move vertically relative to the draw bar without disengaging the transport lock to allow the wing member wheel assemblies to follow ground undulations in the transport position. A wheel lock is also provided to convert the wheel assemblies between a forwardly fixed position used when the wing members are in the operating position and a castering position that enables the wing members to move into the transport position.

Abstract: A connection circuit for connecting a first and an active hydraulic circuit. The first circuit is a fan or motor on an air cart which uses a fixed amount of volume. The active circuit is for applying a down pressure on a pulled, ground--working implement. The connection circuit also has a valve for switching the flow to the active circuit from the first circuit to the tractor hydraulics. In an alternative embodiment, there is an orifice and check valve or pressure relief valve for preventing the active circuit from withdrawing an excess amount of hydraulic flow from the first circuit.

Abstract: Down-force control is provided by a top-link, which presses down the rear end of a tool-bar carrying multiple rows of seeder tools. The height of the tool bar is set front and rear during operation. The top-link includes a hydraulic ram. The ram is supplied with pressure from a pressure-reducing-relieving valve, whereby the downward-force on the rear of the tool-bar remains constant during operation. The tool bar has side wings which are pressed down by a pressure that is regulated by the same valve. The system allows the seeder to maintain constant implantation depth, even over uneven ground.

Abstract: An agricultural implement provides improvements in ground-working implements having both a lowered ground-working mode and a raised transport mode wherein structure is provided to offset the effects of the moment forces created in the working mode. A fluid circuit is connected to a fluid actuator for controlling forces exerted thereby between a hitch member and the implement main frame and it is operable in a working mode to exert a resilient biasing force on the hitch member thus enabling pivotal floating motion of the hitch member while simultaneously countering force moments applied to the main frame by the ground-working tool. This system is also operable in a transport mode wherein the actuator exerts sufficient force between the hitch member and the forward end of the main frame as to assist in lifting and maintaining the implement in a raised transport mode.

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: A low-splash auger system is provided wherein an auger is housed within a housing. A portion of the auger extends out of an end of the housing for insertion into a hopper. The end of the housing is slanted for minimizing product from splashing upward when the auger is in use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spreader for use on a delivery tube of a seeding tool. The spreader is mounted for adjustable positioning in the product stream providing a selectable width of product scatter. The invention preferably includes a tapered deflecting surface with a convex laterally angled surfaces for achieving an even scatter pattern, especially over the varying scatter widths. The deflecting surface is pivoted or advanced into the product stream to change the breadth of surface struck by the product as a result causing different scatter patterns. In a preferred embodiment the spreader includes a channel for mounting onto the delivery tube with a pivot pin pivotally securing it adjacent the outlet and selectively adjustable securing points for angular adjustment. The spreading deflecting surface is separated from the outlet in the direction of product stream so that deflected product is not shielded by the delivery tube.

Abstract: A system for opening and closing ground has a coulter blade for cutting and opening the ground at a first angle to create an angled furrow, and a closing wheel for following the coulter blade for closing the ground. The closing wheel is inclined relative to the ground and engages the ground at a second different angle. The closing wheel is adjustable in height relative to the coulter blade at a plurality of heights. In use, in all adjustable positions the angles and the relative position of the coulter blade and the closing wheel are maintained such that the closing wheel engages the ground substantially in the line of travel of the coulter and closes the furrow cut by the latter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sprayer boom lock valve for automating the setup sequence for sprayer operation from the transport position. The lock valve comprises a lever, spring biased toward a valve closing pin, and a cam secured on the secondary boom of the sprayer boom. When the secondary boom is rotated to release wheel locks in the setup sequence, the cam releases the lever which acts on the valve closing pin to close the valve and prevent any further rotation of the secondary boom. The valve is opened again by a linkage which is pulled tight when the sprayer wings are opened, retracting the lever and opening the valve. The hydraulic drive line is then reestablished to complete rotation of the secondary booms.

Abstract: A floating hitch for an agricultural implement has a hydraulic ram arranged for locking the implement in a raised position relative to the hitch, for transport. For transport, the ram extends into abutment with a point on the implement, and retracts out of the abutment for operation. A floating link guides the end of the ram, and the arc of movement of the floating link is such that the link lies normal to the ram axis at the point of abutment contact.

Abstract: Many openers are mounted on the lateral tool-bar of a farm implement. For crop and fertilizer change, different spacings along the tool-bar are required for the openers. Multi-position tool-mounting structures are provided, for each opener as required. Each has a pivoting arm, which may be locked in one of several positions. The locked-in position of each arm may be changed manually, and independently of the other tools, upon manually releasing a biassed locking pin. Adjustment to cater to the next application is light, quick, simple, and accurate.

Abstract: The implement has a folding tool-bar, with a main section and wings. Hydraulic rams press the wings downwards relative to the main section during operation. Another ram presses the main-section downwards, reacting the force against a relatively weighty component, such as a air-cart. During non-operation, a carriage wheel is lowered, which raises the main section of the tool-bar off the ground. The wings also are raised clear of the ground. A sensor detects the position of the carriage wheel, and blocks movement of the wings downwards when the carriage wheel is lowered.