Abstract: A seed-delivery device (126) includes a seed meter (128) having a metering disc (202) configured to receive seeds, a seed tube (130) coupled to the seed meter and having a helical channel (304) formed in a wall thereof, an insert (302) within the seed tube, and a drive mechanism (132) configured to rotate the insert. A row unit (100) and method of planting with such seed-delivery device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system that is able to vary a depth of a row cleaner by adjusting a downforce applied to the row cleaner to promote planting at a desired seed depth and soil moisture.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit (10) having a frame (16); an opening unit (18) connected to the frame (16) for opening a trench as the row unit (10) moves in a direction of travel; a positive pressure seed meter (13) disposed on the row unit (10); a conduit (14) connected to an outlet of the positive pressure seed meter (13); and a seed orientation device (30) in fluid communication with the conduit (14).

Abstract: A method of maintaining seed spacing including: forming a trench (899); depositing a foam (889) into the trench; and depositing seed (879) from a seed tube (28) or seed conveyor (200) into the foam in the trench, wherein the foam prevents movement of the seed in the trench so that the seed maintains spacing between seeds.

Abstract: A seed boot (700) having a leading edge (701): a channel (702) for transporting seed opposite the leading edge (701), wherein the channel (702) has a first end (703) and a second end (704), and further comprising a channel exit (705) at the second end (704): a wedge (707) for forming a trench disposed at a bottom of the seed boot (700)), wherein the wedge (707) extends from the leading edge (701) and terminates before the channel exit (705).

Abstract: A seeding system having a seed meter: a conduit for receiving seeds released from the seed meter at a first end of the conduit; a gas source connected to the conduit proximate the first end for accelerating seed in the gas; and a seed orientation coil assembly connected to the second end to receive the accelerated seed.

Abstract: An agricultural toolbar having: a frame; a wheel mounted to the frame and disposed to be on one side of a trench opened by a furrow opening assembly, wherein the wheel has a channel disposed from the outer circumference and radially inward toward the center of the wheel and disposed to at least partially accept a fluid injector at least partially within the channel; and wherein the fluid injector is disposed behind the wheel.

Abstract: A method of depositing oriented seeds into a trench including forming a trench (299); depositing a foam (289) into the trench (299); and depositing seed (279) from a seed orientation device (270) into the foam (289) in the trench (299). Also, an agricultural row unit (200) having: a frame (204); an opening unit (260) connected to the frame (204) for opening a trench (299) as the row unit (200) moves in a direction of travel: a foam delivery tube (281) for delivering foam (289) into the trench (299) opened by the opening unit (260); and a seed orientation device (270) disposed rearward from the foam delivery tube (281) for delivering oriented seeds (279) in the foam (289) delivered by the foam delivery tube (281).

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a furrow opener and a furrow closing system and a controller that performs closed loop control of the furrow closing system.

Abstract: A seed meter and seed delivery apparatus for delivering seed to a furrow in which the seed delivery apparatus orients the seeds.

Abstract: A seeding system having a seed meter (13) having a seed disc (120) and a plurality of apertures (122) disposed around the seed disc (120) creating a seed path (123); a seed accelerator having a wheel (911) and a wall (912), wherein the wall (912) is disposed over the seed path to entrain seeds, and the wall (912) and wheel (911) are configured to cooperate to accelerate seed; a conduit (610) for receiving seeds accelerated from the seed accelerator at a first end of the conduit, and the conduit having a second end opposite the first end; a seed orientation coil assembly (130) connected to the second end to receive the accelerated seed.

Abstract: A seeding system having a seed meter (13) having a seed disc (120); a pair of acceleration wheels (910, 920) disposed proximate to the seed disc (120) and positioned to receive seed released from the seed disc (120) and configured to accelerate the seed; a conduit (610) for receiving seeds accelerated from the pair of acceleration wheels (910, 920) at a first end of the conduit (610), and the conduit (610) having a second end opposite the first end; a seed orientation coil assembly (40) connected to the second end to receive the accelerated seed.

Abstract: A method of planting with a row unit (100, 200) includes forming a seed trench (128) in soil with the row unit (200), dispensing a seed from an outlet of a seed-delivery mechanism (202) carried by the row unit (100, 200), penetrating a wall of the seed trench (128) with a covering device (206, 302) to cover the seed with soil, and closing the seed trench (128) with a seed-trench closing assembly (118). A row unit (100, 200) for planting seeds includes a frame (102) configured to be coupled to a toolbar (104), a seed-trench opening assembly (116) carried by the frame (102) and configured to form a seed trench (128), a seed-delivery mechanism (112, 202) carried by the frame (102) and configured to deliver seeds to the seed trench (128), a covering device (206, 302) carried by the frame (102) and configured to penetrate a wall of the seed trench (128) and cover the seeds with soil, and a seed-trench closing assembly (118) carried by the frame and configured to close the seed trench.

Abstract: A trench opener having a row unit comprising a frame and a shank; a disc rotatingly attached to the frame, wherein the disc has an angle ? from vertical greater than zero degrees to 10 degrees; a wedge attached to the shank, the wedge having a disc facing side that is parallel with the disc, a second side opposite the disc facing side, wherein the second side is perpendicular to a ground surface, and a leading edge.

Abstract: A row planting unit closing system including a first stage closing unit adapted to be attached to a row planting unit and including: a first stage frame; and a set of at least one row closing wheel having a closing angle orientation non-perpendicular relative to the ground; and wherein the first stage frame is attached at a first end to the row planting unit, the first stage frame comprising a linkage mechanism for setting a toe in angle orientation of the set of at least one row closing wheel relative to the first stage frame.

Abstract: Systems, implements, and methods for seed orientation during planting operations of agricultural plants include a system for seed orientation having a vision system positioned in proximity to a seed disk. The vision system determines seed orientation data for seed on the seed disk. A seed belt receives seed from the seed disk and the seed belt adjusts an orientation of the seed from the seed disk to a desired seed orientation within a furrow during planting.

Abstract: A seed delivery apparatus and methods in which a seed conveyor delivers seed from a metering device to a furrow in a controlled manner to maintain seed placement accuracy within the furrow.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit (10) of an agricultural planter. The row unit (10) includes a trench depth adjustment assembly (90) configured to modify the trench depth. The trench depth adjustment assembly (90) includes a depth adjustment body (94) pivotally connected via a pivot (92) to a frame member (14) of the row unit (10). An electric motor (3030) is operable to cause rotation of a shaft (3034) operably coupled with the depth adjustment body (94), whereby rotation of the shaft (3034) causes the depth adjustment body (94) to pivotally move about the pivot (92) thereby changing a position of contact of the depth adjustment body (94) with a gauge wheel arm (54), thus changing the amount of upward travel of the gauge wheel (52) with respect to a trench opening disc (62) and thus the depth of the trench.

Abstract: A row unit (10) of an agricultural planter with an apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by the row unit (10). The row unit (10) includes a trench depth adjustment assembly (90T) configured to modify the trench depth. The trench depth adjustment assembly (90T) includes a depth adjustment body (5044) pivotally connected via a pivot to a frame member (14) of the row unit (10). An electric motor (5030) is operable to cause rotation of a shaft (5038) operably coupled with the depth adjustment body (5044), whereby rotation of the shaft (5038) causes the depth adjustment body (5044) to pivotally move about the pivot (92) thereby changing a position of contact of the depth adjustment body (5044) with a gauge wheel arm (54), thus changing the amount of upward ravel of the gauge wheel (52) with respect to a trench opening disc (62) and thus the depth of the trench.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit includes a knife disposed ahead of a wheel for delivering material to soil adjacent to a trench. In one example, an agricultural toolbar includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame, and a knife disposed ahead of the wheel and comprising a material delivery conduit disposed on, through, or adjacent the knife.