Abstract: A method for calibrating a seed meter. The method comprises a step of providing the seed meter and a calibration disc. The seed meter comprises a motor with a driveshaft, and the driveshaft is configured to be positioned by the motor in an uncorrected home position. An additional step includes engaging the calibration disc with the seed meter, with the calibration disc including a plurality of indicia on a surface of the calibration disc. A further step includes identifying a corrected home position for the driveshaft, with such identifying step including determining, via the calibration disc's indicia, an angular offset between the uncorrected home position and the corrected home position of the driveshaft.

Abstract: A seed meter for dispensing seed. The seed meter comprises a housing at least partially enclosing an interior space. The housing includes a top surface defining a seed inlet, and further includes a seed outlet. The seed meter additionally includes a metering wheel positioned within the interior space of the housing. The metering wheel is configured to carry seed through the housing when rotating in a first direction or in a second direction. The seed meter further includes a pair of retractable seed guards positioned within the interior space of the housing. The seed guards are each configured to be selectively configured in an operating configuration and in a retracted configuration. In the operating configuration the seed guards are configured to prevent excess seed from passing through the seed meter, and in the retracted configuration the seed guards are configured to permit large obstacles to pass through the seed meter.

Abstract: A seed meter for dispensing seed. The seed meter comprises a housing at least partially enclosing an interior space. The housing includes a top surface defining a seed inlet, and further includes a seed outlet. The seed meter additionally includes a metering wheel positioned within the interior space of the housing. The metering wheel is configured to carry seed through the housing when rotating in a first direction or in a second direction. The seed meter further includes a pair of retractable seed guards positioned within the interior space of the housing. The seed guards are each configured to be selectively configured in an operating configuration and in a retracted configuration. In the operating configuration the seed guards are configured to prevent excess seed from passing through the seed meter, and in the retracted configuration the seed guards are configured to permit large obstacles to pass through the seed meter.

Abstract: A seed meter for dispensing seed. The seed meter comprises a housing at least partially enclosing an interior space. The housing includes a top surface defining a seed inlet, and further includes a seed outlet. The seed meter additionally includes a metering wheel positioned within the interior space of the housing. The metering wheel is configured to carry seed through the housing when rotating in a first direction or in a second direction. The seed meter further includes a pair of retractable seed guards positioned within the interior space of the housing. The seed guards are each configured to be selectively configured in an operating configuration and in a retracted configuration. In the operating configuration the seed guards are configured to prevent excess seed from passing through the seed meter, and in the retracted configuration the seed guards are configured to permit large obstacles to pass through the seed meter.

Abstract: A seed metering device for agricultural seeders has a meter housing, a seed disk covering an open side of the meter housing, and a brush assembly mounted within the meter housing and contacting the seed disk. The meter housing has a seed delivery opening for delivering a supply of seed into a seed pool area, an air inlet provided above the seed pool area for receiving a supply of positive pressure air into the meter housing, and a seed exit area where seed can be dropped into a seed tube. The seed disk has seed pockets spaced around its outer circumference that pass through the seed pool and pick up individual seeds as the seed disk rotates. The device includes several features that help singulate and drop seeds in a way that provides a desired number of seeds per acre and a uniform spacing between the seeds in the furrow.

Abstract: To produce, monitor, and control a flow of air for a seed conveying system and a seed metering system, an air-assisted planting system includes an air handling system having a single air source and an air controller for maintaining a generally constant air pressure to the metering system. The air controller includes a plurality of sensors associated with and operable to monitor an air pressure through the metering system. Based on a sensed air pressure, a microprocessor of the air controller instructs the air handling system to selectively divert the flow of air to the metering system on an as-needed basis to maintain the generally constant air pressure.

Abstract: To produce, monitor, and control a flow of air for a seed conveying system and a seed metering system, an air-assisted planting system includes an air handling system having a single air source and an air controller for maintaining a generally constant air pressure to the metering system. The air controller includes a plurality of sensors associated with and operable to monitor an air pressure through the metering system. Based on a sensed air pressure, a microprocessor of the air controller instructs the air handling system to selectively divert the flow of air to the metering system on an as-needed basis to maintain the generally constant air pressure.

Abstract: A seed metering device for agricultural seeders has a meter housing, a seed disk covering an open side of the meter housing, and a brush assembly mounted within the meter housing and contacting the seed disk. The meter housing has a seed delivery opening for delivering a supply of seed into a seed pool area, an air inlet provided above the seed pool area for receiving a supply of positive pressure air into the meter housing, and a seed exit area where seed can be dropped into a seed tube. The seed disk has seed pockets spaced around its outer circumference that pass through the seed pool and pick up individual seeds as the seed disk rotates. The device includes several features that help singulate and drop seeds in a way that provides a desired number of seeds per acre and a uniform spacing between the seeds in the furrow.

Abstract: A seed tube for an agricultural planter has a top entrance, a bottom exit, front and rear walls, and sidewalls. A lower seed tube locator fits around the main body of the seed tube as a separate component and provides a lower attachment point for the seed tube. The front wall of the seed tube is free of substantial molded structures that would tend to create a sink or warp the interior surface of the front wall during molding. A sensor is mounted to the seed tube to face an exterior surface of the front wall. Light is transmitted and received by the sensor through the front wall to detect seeds passing through the seed tube. The interior surface of the front wall is smooth, uninterrupted and sink-free to avoid any obstructions that might alter the trajectory of the falling seeds, thereby increasing the seed spacing accuracy of the planter.

Abstract: A seed tube for an agricultural planter has a top entrance, a bottom exit, front and rear walls, and sidewalls. A lower seed tube locator fits around the main body of the seed tube as a separate component and provides a lower attachment point for the seed tube. The front wall of the seed tube is free of substantial molded structures that would tend to create a sink or warp the interior surface of the front wall during molding. A sensor is mounted to the seed tube to face an exterior surface of the front wall. Light is transmitted and received by the sensor through the front wall to detect seeds passing through the seed tube. The interior surface of the front wall is smooth, uninterrupted and sink-free to avoid any obstructions that might alter the trajectory of the falling seeds, thereby increasing the seed spacing accuracy of the planter.

Abstract: Seeding apparatus has an opener mounted on the main frame in such a manner that the driven sprocket of a seed metering device on the opener moves slightly toward and away from the axis of the drive sprocket on the main frame as the opener moves up and down relative to the frame during changes in ground contour. To prevent the driving tight stretch of the drive chain between the drive sprocket and driven sprocket from undergoing significant length change during such movement of the opener relative to the frame, the tight stretch is trained around intermediate guide structure in such a manner that the different portions of the tight stretch thus defined all stay substantially constant in length at all times. An arrangement for use with a parallel linkage mounting of the opener has guides on the main frame and the opener that keep the chain portion spanning the frame and opener substantially parallel to the links of the linkage and of substantially the same length as such links.

Abstract: Seeding apparatus has an opener mounted on the main frame in such a manner that the driven sprocket of a seed metering device on the opener moves slightly toward and away from the axis of the drive sprocket on the main frame as the opener moves up and down relative to the frame during changes in ground contour. To prevent the driving tight stretch of the drive chain between the drive sprocket and driven sprocket from undergoing significant length change during such movement of the opener relative to the frame, the tight stretch is trained around intermediate guide structure in such a manner that the different portions of the tight stretch thus defined all stay substantially constant in length at all times. An arrangement for use with a parallel linkage mounting of the opener has guides on the main frame and the opener that keep the chain portion spanning the frame and opener substantially parallel to the links of the linkage and of substantially the same length as such links.