Abstract: A volumetric meter for seed or fertilizer having a plurality of roller segments driven by a common drive shaft is provided with clutch mechanisms radially between each roller segment and the drive shaft to enable the roller segments to be individually shut-off to provide section or swath control to the machine.

Abstract: A volumetric meter for seed or fertilizer having a plurality of roller segments driven by a common drive shaft is provided with clutch mechanisms radially between each roller segment and the drive shaft to enable the roller segments to be individually shut-off to provide section or swath control to the machine.

Abstract: An air cart for use in an agricultural seeder includes a frame; a material tank carried by the frame; an arm pivotally coupled with the frame; a conveyor coupled with the arm for conveying material to the tank; and a hydraulic positioning system coupled with the conveyor for automatically moving the conveyor to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined positions.

Abstract: A pneumatic agricultural particulate material delivery system for delivering agricultural particulate material to a growing medium is disclosed. The delivery system includes a particulate material supply chamber, a furrow opening device configured to create a furrow in the growing medium, a plurality of tubes providing an interior passage extending from the particulate material supply chamber to an outlet proximate the furrow opening device and a pneumatic pressure source pneumatically coupled to the interior passage to supply pressurized air to the interior passage to move material within the interior passage. The plurality of tubes includes an end-most material delivery tube providing the outlet. The end-most material delivery tube includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough in communication with the interior passage. In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of openings are louvered so as to extend at a downward angle towards the outlet.

Abstract: A pneumatic agricultural particulate material delivery system for delivering agricultural particulate material to a growing medium is disclosed. The delivery system includes a particulate material supply chamber, a furrow opening device configured to create a furrow in the growing medium, a plurality of tubes providing an interior passage extending from the particulate material supply chamber to an outlet proximate the furrow opening device and a pneumatic pressure source pneumatically coupled to the interior passage to supply pressurized air to the interior passage to move material within the interior passage. The plurality of tubes includes an end-most material delivery tube providing the outlet. The end-most material delivery tube includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough in communication with the interior passage. In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of openings are louvered so as to extend at a downward angle towards the outlet.

Abstract: A pneumatic agricultural particulate material delivery system for delivering agricultural particulate material to a growing medium is disclosed. The delivery system includes a particulate material supply chamber, a furrow opening device configured to create a furrow in the growing medium, a plurality of tubes providing an interior passage extending from the particulate material supply chamber to an outlet proximate the furrow opening device and a pneumatic pressure source pneumatically coupled to the interior passage to supply pressurized air to the interior passage to move material within the interior passage. The plurality of tubes includes an end-most material delivery tube providing the outlet. The end-most material delivery tube includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough in communication with the interior passage. In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of openings are louvered so as to extend at a downward angle towards the outlet.

Abstract: An agricultural material metering system includes a metering member, a hydraulically driven actuator, a pump, a rotatable ground driven member, a variable drive control and an actuator coupled to the variable drive control. The metering member is configured to meter agricultural material upon being driven. The hydraulically driven actuator is coupled to the metering member to drive the metering member. The variable drive control is coupled between an inlet of the pump and the metering member and is configured for actuation between a first position in which the hydraulically driven actuator drives the metering member at a first rate and a second position in which the hydraulically driven actuator drives the metering member at a second rate. The rotatable ground driven member is coupled to the pump and drives the pump when rotating. The pump is coupled to the hydraulically driven actuator and displaces fluid upon being driven to drive the hydraulically driven actuator.

Abstract: A guide structure is provided for guiding the flow of particulate matter from a source to a distribution manifold. The guide structure includes a generally tubular elbow defining a flow path for the particulate matter. First and second veins are positioned within the elbow so as to lie in the flow path in the particulate matter. A flow tube is positioned between the output of the elbow and the distribution manifold. A forcing cone is positioned within the flow tube adjacent the output thereof to reduce the inner diameter of the flow tube and to increase the velocity of the flow of particulate matter therethrough.

Abstract: A pneumatic seed delivery system is provided, including a bin with a plenum at the bottom separated from the bin by a membrane to permit the upward flow of air from the plenum into the bin, and a tube extending through a side wall of the bin to provide fluid communication from an outer surface of the bin to an inner surface of the bin. One end of the tube is disposed inside the bin and adjacent to the screen, and a second open end of the first seed distribution tube is disposed outside the bin. In this manner, seed in the bin can be propelled up the tube by forcing air into the plenum, passing the air through the membrane and through seed located between the membrane and the first open end of the tube. This seed will then move up the tube and be carried to a remote location for use.