Abstract: A meter module (200A, 200B, 200) for metering a product in communication with the meter module (200A, 200B, 200). The meter module (200A, 200B, 200) includes a meter housing portion (203) and a lower chamber portion (205), the meter housing portion (203) having a top opening (204) through which the product enters the meter housing portion (203). A metering mechanism is disposed in the meter housing portion (203) and is driven by an electric motor (216). As the metering mechanism is driven, the metering mechanism meters the product into the lower chamber portion (205), the metered product exits the lower chamber portion (205) through a bottom opening (158, 208) in the lower chamber portion (205). The lower chamber portion (205) may include a flow sensor and/or internal structure (260) to capture and weigh the metered product before exiting through the bottom opening (158, 208).

Abstract: In one embodiment a first light plane is generated across the passageway by a first LED emitter array. A corresponding photodiode receiver array detects particles passing through a first number of light channels comprising the first light plane. In a second embodiment a second light plane is generated across the passageway at 90 degrees from the first light plane and longitudinally offset from the first light plane by a second LED emitter array. A corresponding photodiode receiver array detects particles passing through a second number of light channels comprising the second light plane. The second light plane is capable of identifying particles in a third dimension that may go undetected when passing through the first light plane. The raw output signals generated by respective photodiodes is normalized, analyzed and characterized to differentiate between particles passing through light planes as individual particles or groups of overlapping particles to be separately counted.

Abstract: In one embodiment a first light plane is generated across the passageway by a first LED emitter array. A corresponding photodiode receiver array detects particles passing through a first number of light channels comprising the first light plane. In a second embodiment a second light plane is generated across the passageway at 90 degrees from the first light plane and longitudinally offset from the first light plane by a second LED emitter array. A corresponding photodiode receiver array detects particles passing through a second number of light channels comprising the second light plane. The second light plane is capable of identifying particles in a third dimension that may go undetected when passing through the first light plane. The raw output signals generated by respective photodiodes is normalized, analyzed and characterized to differentiate between particles passing through light planes as individual particles or groups of overlapping particles to be separately counted.

Abstract: A sprayer system comprising: a first liquid line; a second liquid line; a liquid storage tank, which is in fluid communication with the first liquid line; an apparatus, which is in fluid communication with the second liquid line; at least one auxiliary tank in fluid communication with the apparatus; wherein the liquid storage tank is in fluid communication with the apparatus; and wherein the first liquid line and the second liquid line are in fluid communication with at least one row. The sprayer system can be used to apply one chemical to an entire field and selectively apply an additional chemical to individual locations in the field.

Abstract: An air cart having a modular metering system. The modular metering system includes a plurality of meter modules disposed laterally adjacent to one another in a metering bank. Each of the meter modules is independently removable from the metering bank. Each meter module includes a metering mechanism rotatable about a longitudinal axis disposed generally parallel with a forward direction of travel of the air cart. The metering mechanism is in communication with a supply of product held within a tank. As the metering mechanisms rotates about its longitudinal axis, the product is metered by the metering mechanism into an air tube associated with each of the plurality of meter modules. An air stream provided by at least one fan carries the metered product through the air tubes.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a metering system having a plurality of meter modules. Each of the meter modules includes an auger in communication with a product, the auger is driven by an electric motor. The method includes loading the auger with the product, discharging a metered quantity of the product from the auger by actuating the electric motor to drive the auger at a predetermined rotational speed for a predetermined number of auger revolutions. The discharged metered quantity of the product is captured with the capture structure. A load cell generates a signal magnitude correlating a known mass to obtain a derived mass value. A controller calculates a mass per auger revolution (MPR) value. The MPR values of each of the plurality of meter modules is summed and stored in memory. A derived application rate is calculated and compared to the derived application rate.

Abstract: A metering bank for an air cart. The metering bank includes metering bank frame and a plurality of meter modules disposed laterally adjacent to one another in the metering bank frame. Each of the plurality of meter modules is independently removable from the metering bank in a direction generally parallel with the forward direction of travel of the air cart. Each of the plurality of meter module includes a metering mechanism.

Abstract: A meter module for metering a product in communication with the meter module. The meter module includes a meter housing portion and a lower chamber portion, the meter housing portion having a top opening through which the product enters the meter housing portion. A metering mechanism is disposed in the meter housing portion and is rotatably driven by an electric motor about a longitudinal axis. As the metering mechanism rotates about the longitudinal axis, the metering mechanism meters the product into the lower chamber portion, the metered product exits the lower chamber portion through a bottom opening in the lower chamber portion. The lower chamber portion may include a flow sensor and/or internal structure to capture and weigh the metered product before exiting through the bottom.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic system comprises a display device to display data and processing logic coupled to the display device. The processing logic is configured to determine a duty cycle of at least one sensor for sensing flow of a product or particle through a product or particle line of an agricultural implement and to determine an amount of product or particles flowing through a line of the agricultural implement based on the duty cycle of the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A seed tab for a planter has an elongate body configured for attachment to a seed boot of a seed meter. The elongate body has a curved surface defining a first arc having an axis of curvature in a first direction. The curved surface exhibits a concave cross-section defining a second arc having an axis of curvature in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. The elongate body has a first portion having an approximately constant width adjacent the first end. The elongate body has a second portion having a tapered width adjacent the second end. A maximum width of the second portion is greater than the constant width of the first portion. Seeding machines are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a processing system (300) comprises memory (314) to store sensor data and processing logic (316) is coupled to the memory. The processing logic is configured to obtain sensor data from at least one sensor (150, 500) for sensing flow of a product through a product line (122) of an agricultural implement (100) and to determine a relative product speed for product flowing through the product line with respect to other product lines of the agricultural implement based on the sensor data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic system comprises a display device to display data and processing logic coupled to the display device. The processing logic is configured to determine a duty cycle of at least one sensor for sensing flow of a product or particle through a product or particle line of an agricultural implement and to determine an amount of product or particles flowing through a line of the agricultural implement based on the duty cycle of the at least one sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an air seeder tower includes a valve with an actuator, and a closed loop feedback control with a sensor to control actuation of the valve to control air flow out of the air seeder vent tower.

Abstract: In one embodiment a first light plane is generated across the passageway by a first LED emitter array. A corresponding photodiode receiver array detects particles passing through a first number of light channels comprising the first light plane. In a second embodiment a second light plane is generated across the passageway at 90 degrees from the first light plane and longitudinally offset from the first light plane by a second LED emitter array. A corresponding photodiode receiver array detects particles passing through a second number of light channels comprising the second light plane. The second light plane is capable of identifying particles in a third dimension that may go undetected when passing through the first light plane. The raw output signals generated by respective photodiodes is normalized, analyzed and characterized to differentiate between particles passing through light planes as individual particles or groups of overlapping particles to be separately counted.

Abstract: A load sensing bracket for a disk opener assembly of an agricultural implement. The load sensing bracket includes a body having a cantilevered arm, the body is configured to engage with and secure to a portion of a depth setting arm of a disc opening assembly. The cantilevered arm has an upper end with an extending projection that is receivable in any one of plurality of notches of a fan shaped member thereby setting a position of the depth setting arm relative to the fan shaped member which sets a position of the gauge wheel relative to the disk. A sensor is disposed on the cantilevered arm generating a signal relating to strain in the cantilevered arm which corresponds to a down pressure on the gauge wheel.

Abstract: A load sensing bracket for a disk opener assembly of an agricultural implement. The load sensing bracket includes a body having a cantilevered arm, the body is configured to engage with and secure to a portion of a depth setting arm of a disc opening assembly. The cantilevered arm has an upper end with an extending projection that is receivable in any one of plurality of notches of a fan shaped member thereby setting a position of the depth setting arm relative to the fan shaped member which sets a position of the gauge wheel relative to the disk. A sensor is disposed on the cantilevered arm generating a signal relating to strain in the cantilevered arm which corresponds to a down pressure on the gauge wheel.

Abstract: A method to prevent drift in an agricultural implement. Drift is when one side of an agricultural implement is further behind or further ahead of the other side of the agricultural implement in a direction of travel. Drift can be controlled by increasing a downforce on the side that is further ahead, decreasing force on the side that is further behind, or a combination of both. The force can be a moment of force.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an air seeder tower includes a valve with an actuator, and a closed loop feedback control with a sensor to control actuation of the valve to control air flow out of the air seeder vent tower.

Abstract: A seed singulator for use with a vacuum disk having a seed face and a shoulder. The seed singulator has a first member and a second member supported by biasing members. The first member has upper lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly less than the outside radius of a row of apertures on a seed plane of the vacuum disk. The seed member has lower lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly greater than the inside radius than the row of apradius. The biasing members permit the lobes to move with the seed plane and the shoulder as the vacuum disk rotates thereby maintaining their position with respect to the apertures.

Abstract: A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system wherein seed from the auxiliary hopper enters the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter. And a retrofit kit for existing on-demand seed delivery systems, and method of retrofitting such existing pneumatic on-demand seed delivery systems, so as to provide an auxiliary hopper that communicates seed to the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter.