Abstract: An air seeder distribution apparatus has seed and fertilizer tanks, and a like plurality of metering devices mounted on each product tank. A manifold set comprises a like plurality of product manifolds and each manifold is separately fed from one metering device on each of the seed and fertilizer tanks. A control selectively starts and stops rotation of the feed roller of each metering device to feed product from either tank, or both tanks to the connected manifold. The weight of each tank can be displayed on a weight indicator. Balancing of the pressure in each supply conduit can be provided. A remote opener exerts downward force on the tank lid to maintain interior pressure.

Abstract: A seed feeding apparatus includes a feed assembly with a V-shaped groove with at least one moving wall and a pocket formed by the walls of the groove and a pocket plate configured to substantially conform to the groove. The pocket plate is located such that the moving wall moves upward at the pocket. Seeds are received and form a pile in the pocket. As the moving wall moves, seeds fall from the pile to the bottom of the groove with sides of the seeds bearing against the walls of the groove such that the seeds are aligned in single file along the bottom of the groove and move upward over the upper edge of the groove and then fall out of the groove one at a time at a constant rate into a furrow.

Abstract: An air seeder distribution apparatus has seed and fertilizer tanks, and a like plurality of metering devices mounted on each product tank. A manifold set comprises a like plurality of product manifolds and each manifold is separately fed from one metering device on each of the seed and fertilizer tanks. A control selectively starts and stops rotation of the feed roller of each metering device to feed product from either tank, or both tanks to the connected manifold. The weight of each tank can be displayed on a weight indicator. Balancing of the pressure in each supply conduit can be provided. A remote opener exerts downward force on the tank lid to maintain interior pressure.

Abstract: A seed metering apparatus includes a seed container with a feed opening in a bottom thereof. A feed shaft is rotatably mounted across the feed opening. A feed disc is mounted to the shaft and disc recesses are spaced along a periphery thereof An upright shield plate extends across the feed opening adjacent to the shaft and defines a disc slot having a width corresponding to a thickness of the disc. An output portion of the feed disc extends through the disc slot forward of a front face of the shield plate. The feed shaft, feed disc, and shield plate are configured such that the shield plate seals the feed opening, and such that an intake portion of the feed disc is in the feed opening exposed to seeds. Rotation of the feed shaft carries seeds out of the seed container in the disc recesses and into a seed receiver.

Abstract: A system for correcting skewing in an agricultural implement where the implement includes a plurality of ground engaging tools laterally spaced across a width of the implement and operative to selectively engage the ground to perform a desired operation on a field surface has a skew detecting device operative to sense when the implement is travelling in a skewed orientation and send a correction signal indicating the skewed orientation to a correction mechanism. A drag force is exerted on the ground engaging tools by engagement with the ground when performing the desired operation on the field surface, and the correction mechanism is operative to change the drag forces exerted on at least some ground engaging tools on one side of the implement to correct the skewed orientation.

Abstract: A method for applying agricultural products on a field with an implement guided by an external guidance system, wherein the implement comprises a plurality of sections that can be turned on to apply the products or turned off to stop applying the products, includes mapping the field to determine an implement travel path; determining overlap areas in the field where a section of the implement on a later pass will travel over a portion of an earlier pass of the implement; moving the implement along the implement travel path with sections turned on as required to apply the products on the field outside the overlap areas; and for at least one overlap area, during the earlier pass turning sections of the implement that are completely in the overlap area off, and during the later pass turning sections of the implement that are in the overlap area on.

Abstract: A system for correcting skewing in an agricultural implement where the implement includes a plurality of ground engaging tools laterally spaced across a width of the implement and operative to selectively engage the ground to perform a desired operation on a field surface has a skew detecting device operative to sense when the implement is travelling in a skewed orientation and send a correction signal indicating the skewed orientation to a correction mechanism. A drag force is exerted on the ground engaging tools by engagement with the ground when performing the desired operation on the field surface, and the correction mechanism is operative to change the drag forces exerted on at least some ground engaging tools on one side of the implement to correct the skewed orientation.

Abstract: A system for correcting skewing in an agricultural implement where the implement includes a plurality of ground engaging tools laterally spaced across a width of the implement and operative to selectively engage the ground to perform a desired operation on a field surface has a skew detecting device operative to sense when the implement is travelling in a skewed orientation and send a correction signal indicating the skewed orientation to a correction mechanism. A drag force is exerted on the ground engaging tools by engagement with the ground when performing the desired operation on the field surface, and the correction mechanism is operative to change the drag forces exerted on at least some ground engaging tools on one side of the implement to correct the skewed orientation.

Abstract: A seed metering apparatus includes a seed container with a feed opening in a bottom thereof. A feed shaft is rotatably mounted across the feed opening. A feed disc is mounted to the shaft and disc recesses are spaced along a periphery thereof An upright shield plate extends across the feed opening adjacent to the shaft and defines a disc slot having a width corresponding to a thickness of the disc. An output portion of the feed disc extends through the disc slot forward of a front face of the shield plate. The feed shaft, feed disc, and shield plate are configured such that the shield plate seals the feed opening, and such that an intake portion of the feed disc is in the feed opening exposed to seeds. Rotation of the feed shaft carries seeds out of the seed container in the disc recesses and into a seed receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for mapping resistance of soil to a ground engaging tool passing through the soil includes a sensor mechanism operative to measure a resistance force exerted on the ground engaging tool by the soil, and an external guidance system operative to determine a location of the ground engaging tool. A microprocessor receives information from the sensor and external guidance system and plots the force against the location of the ground engaging tool as the ground engaging tool moves along the ground to form a map showing hardness of the soil as indicated by a varying value of the force.

Abstract: An air seeder distribution apparatus has seed and fertilizer tanks, and a like plurality of metering devices mounted on each product tank. A manifold set comprises a like plurality of product manifolds and each manifold is separately fed from one metering device on each of the seed and fertilizer tanks. A control selectively starts and stops rotation of the feed roller of each metering device to feed product from either tank, or both tanks to the connected manifold. The weight of each tank can be displayed on a weight indicator. Balancing of the pressure in each supply conduit can be provided. A remote opener exerts downward force on the tank lid to maintain interior pressure.

Abstract: A system for correcting skewing in an agricultural implement where the implement includes a plurality of ground engaging tools laterally spaced across a width of the implement and operative to selectively engage the ground to perform a desired operation on a field surface has a skew detecting device operative to sense when the implement is travelling in a skewed orientation and send a correction signal indicating the skewed orientation to a correction mechanism. A drag force is exerted on the ground engaging tools by engagement with the ground when performing the desired operation on the field surface, and the correction mechanism is operative to change the drag forces exerted on at least some ground engaging tools on one side of the implement to correct the skewed orientation.

Abstract: A chamber apparatus for reducing the speed of particles carried in a pneumatic conveyor conduit includes a chamber with an inlet port in the chamber, the inlet port adapted for attachment to the pneumatic conveyor conduit, and an outlet port in a lower portion of the chamber. A plurality of flexible bristles is secured at ends thereof to a wall of the chamber and extend into the chamber such that particles carried in an air stream entering the inlet port contact the bristles. The chamber is configured such that particles falling inside the chamber move out of the chamber through the outlet port.

Abstract: A chamber apparatus for reducing the speed of particles carried in a pneumatic conveyor conduit includes a chamber with an inlet port in the chamber, the inlet port adapted for attachment to the pneumatic conveyor conduit, and an outlet port in a lower portion of the chamber. A plurality of flexible bristles is secured at ends thereof to a wall of the chamber and extend into the chamber such that particles carried in an air stream entering the inlet port contact the bristles. The chamber is configured such that particles falling inside the chamber move out of the chamber through the outlet port.

Abstract: A pivot mechanism for pivotally attaching two members about a pivot axis comprises a first member defining a first pivot hole, and having first and second bearing surfaces oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis. A second member defines a second pivot hole aligned with the first pivot hole, and a pivot plate defines a plate pivot hole aligned with the first and second pivot holes such that inner surfaces of the second member and pivot plate are parallel to the bearing surfaces. Wear pads are located between the inner and bearing surfaces. A pivot pin extends through the pivot holes. The pivot plate and second member are squeezed against the wear pads, and the second member and the pivot plate rotate together with respect to the first member. A residue deflector deflects residue clumps falling off a front seeder leg away from the path of a rear seeder leg.

Abstract: For connection to a hydraulic power supply of a tractor, wherein the tractor comprises a plurality of hydraulic supply circuits, and wherein each hydraulic supply circuit comprises a pair of quick couplers for connecting the hydraulic supply circuit to a hydraulic device, a hydraulic motor apparatus comprises a first pair of hydraulic lines adapted for connection to the quick couplers of a first hydraulic supply circuit; a second pair of hydraulic lines adapted for connection to the quick couplers of a second hydraulic supply circuit; and a hydraulic motor connected to both the first and second pairs of hydraulic lines such that fluid can flow from both the first and second hydraulic supply circuits through the hydraulic motor to drive the hydraulic motor.

Abstract: For connection to a hydraulic power supply of a tractor, wherein the tractor comprises a plurality of hydraulic supply circuits, and wherein each hydraulic supply circuit comprises a pair of quick couplers for connecting the hydraulic supply circuit to a hydraulic device, a hydraulic motor apparatus comprises a first pair of hydraulic lines adapted for connection to the quick couplers of a first hydraulic supply circuit; a second pair of hydraulic lines adapted for connection to the quick couplers of a second hydraulic supply circuit; and a hydraulic motor connected to both the first and second pairs of hydraulic lines such that fluid can flow from both the first and second hydraulic supply circuits through the hydraulic motor to drive the hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A pivot mechanism for pivotally attaching two members about a pivot axis comprises a first member defining a first pivot hole, and having first and second bearing surfaces oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis. A second member defines a second pivot hole aligned with the first pivot hole, and a pivot plate defines a plate pivot hole aligned with the first and second pivot holes such that inner surfaces of the second member and pivot plate are parallel to the bearing surfaces. Wear pads are located between the inner and bearing surfaces. A pivot pin extends through the pivot holes. The pivot plate and second member are squeezed against the wear pads, and the second member and the pivot plate rotate together with respect to the first member. A residue deflector deflects residue clumps falling off a front seeder leg away from the path of a rear seeder leg.

Abstract: A floating harvesting header apparatus comprises a float pan pivotally attached at a front end thereof to the header at a front attachment location in proximity to the crop intake. The float pan extends rearward under the header and a pan actuator is attached to the float pan to selectively move the float pan up and down and maintain the float pan in a selected vertical position relative to the header such that the header can slide along the ground on the float pan. The header can float up and down independently with only a portion of the header's weight carried on the float pan. The float pan curves down from the front and then curves upward towards the rear such that when the rear end of the float pan is raised the crop intake moves lower and the contact area between the float pan and the ground moves toward the crop intake.

Abstract: A field marker attachable to an outer end of an agricultural implement comprises an arm pivotally attachable to the implement extending perpendicular to the travel direction. A marking device is attached at a distal end of the arm. An extendable hydraulic cylinder is attached to the arm and implement and moves in one direction to a stopped position where the arm is in the operating position. An active hydraulic source supplies hydraulic fluid at an operating pressure such that the cylinder remains at the stopped position until a rearward force on the arm causes the pressure in the cylinder to exceed the operating pressure and the arm moves rearward. Where the marking device scores the field, a wheel can be mounted on the arm such that its axis of rotation is removed from the center of the wheel so that the scoring device moves up and down scoring an intermittent line.