Abstract: The spreader comprises at least one caster group (10) including at least two cylindrical rollers (11, 13) which are externally tangent to one another and define between them a spout (15, 16) for projecting the sheet of granular products flowing from a hopper (1). After being speeded-up and forcibly projected between the two rollers (11, 13), the projected sheet is taken-up a distribution device, with horizontal" (15) or vertical deflector, or with clusters of distribution tubes. Each caster group may comprises injection means, with at least two rollers which are externally tangent to one another to increase the flow of projected products.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for calibrating a regulated flow spraying apparatus of the type including a source of spraying fluid under pressure, and spray nozzles, the flow rate of the spray nozzles being regulated by varying the pressure of the liquid delivered thereto, the regulation being controlled as a function of at least one external parameter and a calibration parameter. Fluid from the source is conveyed to a calibration circuit comprising a flow rate sensor and at least one calibration nozzle. The flow rate and the pressure of the fluid are measured in the claibration circuit. The calibration parameter is calculated from the measured values of the flow rate and pressure.

Abstract: A planting assembly is disclosed which comprises a tubular support arm for carrying a plowshare and for conveying seeds pneumatically. The front end of the support arm is pivotally mounted about a horizontal pivot pin perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the assembly. A spring acts in a vertical plane to exert a substantially constant force against the plowshare to drive it into the ground. The pivotal mounting of the support arm comprises a spring-loaded open-ended yoke for permitting rocking of the support arm in a horizontal plane when the horizontal couple exerted against the support arm exceeds a predetermined value. The front end of the tubular support arm is connected to a supply of air entrained seeds and the rear end to a cyclone separator separating the seeds which proceed through a conduit to the furrow cut by the plowshare, the main stream of entraining air being exhausted to the atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction-type distributor for a single-seed seeder with a rotary apertured disk. The distributor 2 includes an aperture disk 5 rotating in a casing 4 and two adjoining selector plates 16 and 17 pivoted at 13 from the casing and provided with alternate projections 26 and 31 spaced on their edges extending around the path of apertures 6 on disk 5 so as to straddle said path, the relative angular position of the two plates being adjusted by means of a single lever 14 provided with cams 20 and 21 and pivoted at 15 on casing 4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a seeding machine of the pneumatic ejection type. The seeding machine includes an apertured distributor disk 2 which rotates past a suction chamber 3 terminating in an end wall 4, and an ejector venturi 1 is juxtaposed to the side of disk 2 opposite to chamber 3, neck 7 of said venturi being located in line with the end of said chamber and having an inlet port 8 which straddles the path of travel 5 of the suction apertures in disk 2. The machine has an application to the sowing of light seeds such as vegetable seeds.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for distributing pulverulent or particulate materials to a plurality of dispensing points, e.g., for sowing seeds or spreading fertilizer. A supply conduit carrying a main stream of material, for example, entrained in air, arrives at the center of a distributor head with a circular periphery. A deflector or distributor cone or a revolving nozzle distributes the material to a plurality of inlet ends of discharge hoses. Pairs of discharge hoses with their inlet ends located diametrically opposite each other are combined for supplying each dispensing point with a constant uniform flow rate irrespective of the inclination of the distributor head when operating on rough terrain.

Abstract: A high capacity pneumatic spreader including a frame carried by wheels and a hopper carried by the frame with the hopper having an elevational profile defined in part by a pair of opposite lateral sides and at least one spreader bar carried by the frame, the spreader bar being movable between a first generally horizontal position projecting laterally from the frame beyond one of the sides and a second generally vertical position between the lateral sides, an end of the spreader bar adjacent the hopper being connected by a horizontal pivot to an arm which is in turn connected by a vertical pivot to the frame, and the vertical pivot being disposed between the hopper sides whereby the spreader bar can be disposed generally vertically and within the profile of the hopper between the sides thereof.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pneumatically spreading a particulate substance for treating the ground. The particulate substance is blown from a hopper through tubes to distribution points. A nozzle is received on the outlet end of each tube. The flow is divided in the nozzle into several parts which are concentrated in inverted chutelike of different lengths and then sprayed towards the ground, perpendicular thereto in the central zone and progressively more obliquely towards the marginal zones. The central zones are covered with a uniform amount of particulate substance which decreases in the marginal zones stepwise or uniformly. The marginal zones of consecutive adjacent passes overlap each other. Various ways of decreasing the distribution of the particulate substance in the marginal zones are described.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed herein in which particulate material, e.g., seeds, is transferred from a main hopper to an auxiliary storage bin (which may be combined with a dispensing unit) through a hermetic conduit having a rising portion. An air stream produced by a source of compressed air entrains the particulate materiel. A partial vacuum is created in the conduit and dissipates as the auxiliary storage bin fills, reaching or surpassing zero when the auxiliary storage bin is full. The particulate material is introduced into the conduit at the same location as the partial vacuum therein. In a preferred embodiment the particulate material may be drawn out of the main hopper through an outlet chute connected proximate to the construction of a venturi which is connected between the source of compressed air and the conduit.

Abstract: A regulating dispenser comprises a hopper and a movable surface for withdrawing material from the bottom of the hopper to the outside thereof. The movable surface is constituted by at least one area arranged so that the regulating dispenser does not deliver over the whole of its width. A movable delivery regulating valve and a scraper independant of the valve and bearing on the movable withdrawing surface are provided. The scraper is fast to the fixed wall of the hopper and bears elastically on the movable surface so as to ensure sealing in said at least one area from which the dispenser does not deliver.

Abstract: A one-by-one pneumatic seeder with a seed dislodging member. A rotary seed dispenser disc defining a wall of a seed hopper has a perforate annular zone with an array of equidistant holes concentric with the axis of rotation of the dispenser disc. The annular zone rotates relative to the dislodging member which is disposed juxtaposed to the dispenser disc and gradually approaches, though never crossing the circle defined by the centers of the holes in the annular zone. A part circular suction chamber is disposed on the side of the dispenser disc opposite the dislodging member, the forward end of the suction chamber relative to the direction of rotation of the dispenser disc substantially coinciding with the portion of the dislodging member closest to the circle of hole centers. The seeds are thus gradually rocked by the dislodging member and loosened before arriving at the forward end of the suction chamber where they are released eventually by the cutting off of suction.