Abstract: A seeding machine includes at least one seed metering system. Each seed metering system includes a housing, a seed disk and a seed singulator. The seed disk is disposed within the housing. The seed disk includes a rotational axis and a plurality of seed cells angularly spaced at a common radius about the rotational axis. The seed cells define a generally circular travel path. A seed singulator includes a bracket, a first resilient seed deflector and a second resilient seed deflector. The first resilient seed deflector is coupled with the bracket and deflectable relative to the bracket upon engaging a seed in one of the seed cells. The second resilient seed deflector is coupled with the bracket and deflectable relative to the bracket upon engaging a seed in one of the seed cells.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for setting the position of a singulator in a seed meter. The singulator comprises an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot adjacent a seed disk. A shaft with an eccentric connection to a radially outward portion of the arm has a lever pivotally connected on it. The lever has a cam mechanism to displace an actuating sleeve into a resilient sleeve to lock the shaft in a given position when the lever is extending in the direction of the axis of rotation of the shaft. When the lever is moved to a right angle orientation the shaft is free to pivot and thus set the position of the arm.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for setting the position of a singulator in a seed meter. The singulator comprises an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot adjacent a seed disk. A shaft with an eccentric connection to a radially outward portion of the arm has a lever pivotally connected on it. The lever has a cam mechanism to displace an actuating sleeve into a resilient sleeve to lock the shaft in a given position when the lever is extending in the direction of the axis of rotation of the shaft. When the lever is moved to a right angle orientation the shaft is free to pivot and thus set the position of the arm.

Abstract: A hub assembly for a seed disk has a conical surface that mates with a cylindrical edge on a hub portion of a seed disk to establish the concentricity of the two components. A pair of paddles on the hub are received in, and inter-fit with corresponding recesses on the seed disk to provide torque transmission. A retention element holds the two components together.

Abstract: A seeding machine includes at least one seed metering system. Each seed metering system includes a housing, a seed disk and a seed singulator. The seed disk is disposed within the housing. The seed disk includes a rotational axis and a plurality of seed cells angularly spaced at a common radius about the rotational axis. The seed cells define a generally circular travel path. A seed singulator includes a bracket, a first resilient seed deflector and a second resilient seed deflector. The first resilient seed deflector is coupled with the bracket and deflectable relative to the bracket upon engaging a seed in one of the seed cells. The second resilient seed deflector is coupled with the bracket and deflectable relative to the bracket upon engaging a seed in one of the seed cells.

Abstract: A gearbox is drivingly coupled to a seed meter by a drive element. The drive element comprises a drive shaft on which is mounted a multifaceted sleeve. The multifaceted sleeve is pinned to the drive shaft by a cotter pin. The cotter pin provides torque protection by defining a torque transmission limit. The multifaceted sleeve is driven by a gearbox output. The gearbox output is provided with a hexagonal opening into which the hexagonal sleeve is received. The drive shaft is provided with a drive coupling. The drive coupling comprises an annular axially extending bore having aligned transversely extending apertures passing therethrough. The drive coupling is coupled to the spindle of the seed meter. The spindle is received in the bore. A readily releasable pin extends between the drive shaft and spindle.

Abstract: A flexible rotatable drive shaft is provided with a first male coupling that is received in a second female coupling located on a gearbox. The male coupling has two circumferential grooves that define a first fully engaged position and a second intermediate engaged position. In both engaged positions the male coupler is mounted to the gearbox, however only in the fully engaged position is the flexible rotatable drive shaft in a driving relationship with the gearbox. The female coupler is provided with a latch pin for selectively engaging the first and second circumferential grooves. The latch pin is provided with a circumferential surface for engaging the grooves and latching the flexible rotatable drive shaft to the gearbox and a recessed section for unlatching the flexible rotatable drive shaft from the gearbox.

Abstract: A flexible rotatable drive shaft is used to drive a seed meter of a seeding machine. The seeding machine is provided with a seed meter gearbox. The seed meter gearbox has a flexible rotatable drive shaft receiving portion and a gear receiving portion. The gearbox output is drivingly coupled to the seed meter for driving the seed meter. The flexible rotatable drive shaft receiving portion extends outwardly from the gear receiving portion for receiving the drive ferrule of the flexible rotatable drive shaft. The gearbox restrain extends outwardly from the seeding machine and engages the flexible rotatable drive shaft receiving portion. The gearbox restrain comprises two legs that are parallel to the gearbox drive axis. The flexible rotatable drive shaft receiving portion is sandwiched between the two legs to prevent rotation of the gearbox.

Abstract: A flexible rotatable drive shaft is used to drive a seed meter of a seeding machine. The seeding machine is provided with a seed meter gearbox. The seed meter gearbox has a flexible rotatable drive shaft receiving portion and a gear receiving portion. The gearbox output is drivingly coupled to the seed meter for driving the seed meter. The flexible rotatable drive shaft receiving portion extends outwardly from the gear receiving portion for receiving the drive ferrule of the flexible rotatable drive shaft. The gearbox restrain extends outwardly from the seeding machine and engages the flexible rotatable drive shaft receiving portion. The gearbox restrain comprises two legs that are parallel to the gearbox drive axis. The flexible rotatable drive shaft receiving portion is sandwiched between the two legs to prevent rotation of the gearbox.

Abstract: A flexible rotatable drive shaft is provided with a first male coupling that is received in a second female coupling located on a gearbox. The male coupling has two circumferential grooves that define a first fully engaged position and a second intermediate engaged position. In both engaged positions the male coupler is mounted to the gearbox, however only in the fully engaged position is the flexible rotatable drive shaft in a driving relationship with the gearbox . The female coupler is provided with a latch pin for selectively engaging the first and second circumferential grooves. The latch pin is provided with a circumferential surface for engaging the grooves and latching the flexible rotatable drive shaft to the gearbox and a recessed section for unlatching the flexible rotatable drive shaft from the gearbox.

Abstract: A gearbox is drivingly coupled to a seed meter by a drive element. The drive element comprises a drive shaft on which is mounted a multifaceted sleeve. The multifaceted sleeve is pinned to the drive shaft by a coffer pin. The cotter pin provides torque protection by defining a torque transmission limit. The multifaceted sleeve is driven by a gearbox output. The gearbox output is provided with a hexagonal opening into which the hexagonal sleeve is received. The drive shaft is provided with a drive coupling. The drive coupling comprises an annular axially extending bore having aligned transversely extending apertures passing therethrough. The drive coupling is coupled to the spindle of the seed meter. The spindle is received in the bore. A readily releasable pin extends between the drive shaft and spindle.