Abstract: A method of operating a planter where plot characteristics are input into a controller that is associated with a planter. A distance measuring device associated with the controller senses ground speed and distance traveled and transmits the sensed information to the controller. The controller then automatically adjusts the rotational speed of a seed plate of a row planter mounted to the planter based upon the sensed information to achieve the input plot characteristics.

Abstract: A system for planting seeds having a metering system positioned before a belt lowering system that has a sensor to detect the position of a seed on the belt lowering system. The rotational speed of the metering system and the belt lowering system are determined by the speed and location of a planter and the position of the seed on the belt lowering system to correct seed positioning with relation to a pre-mapped or selected field starting location.

Abstract: A system for planting seeds having a metering system positioned before a belt lowering system that has a sensor to detect the position of a seed on the belt lowering system. The rotational speed of the metering system and the belt lowering system are determined by the speed and location of a planter and the position of the seed on the belt lowering system to correct seed positioning with relation to a pre-mapped or selected field starting location.

Abstract: A method of operating a planter where plot characteristics are input into a controller that is associated with a planter. A distance measuring device associated with the controller senses ground speed and distance traveled and transmits the sensed information to the controller. The controller then automatically adjusts the rotational speed of a seed plate of a row planter mounted to the planter based upon the sensed information to achieve the input plot characteristics.

Abstract: A system for planting seeds having a metering system positioned before a belt lowering system that has a sensor to detect the position of a seed on the belt lowering system. The rotational speed of the metering system and the belt lowering system are determined by the speed and location of a planter and the position of the seed on the belt lowering system to correct seed positioning with relation to a pre-mapped or selected field starting location.

Abstract: A method of operating a planter where plot characteristics are input into a controller that is associated with a planter. A distance measuring device associated with the controller senses ground speed and distance traveled and transmits the sensed information to the controller. The controller then automatically adjusts the rotational speed of a seed plate of a row planter mounted to the planter based upon the sensed information to achieve the input plot characteristics.

Abstract: A wheel mounted grain harvester includes a harvesting head for depositing grain in a grain handling assembly comprised of a plurality of grain moving parts. Control means are located on the harvester for selectively interrupting grain flow along the grain moving parts causing harvested grain from a new separate row segment to temporarily accumulate. Means are provided for transporting the harvested grain from separate row segments into separate collection bins permit the separate evaluation of the harvested grain in each row segment. Means are provided for moving the harvester along the row at a constant rate of speed to avoid the necessity of stopping the harvester between row segments to effect the separate evaluation of the harvested grain. The selective interruption by the control means is accomplished by either interrupting at least one of the grain moving parts or by selectively closing a movable blocking wall mounted on the harvester.

Abstract: A seed meter for planting seeds includes a seed plate rotatably mounted within a housing. A rotary seed chamber (RSC) is mounted in the housing adjacent the seed plate and movable between first and second positions, to permit the seed plate to singularly select individual seeds from the RSC while in a first position, and to dump seed therefrom as well as blocking seeds from entering the seed plate while in a second position. A seed intake compartment having an inlet end, and a discharge end is located adjacent the RSC. A valve is located in the intake compartment to intermittently prevent seed from flowing from the inlet end to the discharge end. A power means actuates both the RSC and the valve. A wing plate on the rotary seed chamber opens and closes the discharge end as the rotary seed chamber is in its first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: A wheel mounted grain harvester includes a harvesting head for depositing grain in a grain handling assembly comprised of a plurality of grain moving parts. Control means are located on the harvester for selectively interrupting grain flow along the grain moving parts causing harvested grain from a new separate row segment to temporarily accumulate. Means are provided for transporting the harvested grain from separate row segments into separate collection bins permit the separate evaluation of the harvested grain in each row segment. Means are provided for moving the harvester along the row at a constant rate of speed to avoid the necessity of stopping the harvester between row segments to effect the separate evaluation of the harvested grain. The selective interruption by the control means is accomplished by either interrupting at least one of the grain moving parts or by selectively closing a movable blocking wall mounted on the harvester.

Abstract: A seed meter for planting seeds includes a seed plate rotatably mounted within a housing. A rotary seed chamber (RSC) is mounted in the housing adjacent the seed plate and movable between first and second positions, to permit the seed plate to singularly select individual seeds from the RSC while in a first position, and to dump seed therefrom as well as blocking seeds from entering the seed plate while in a second position. A seed intake compartment having an inlet end, and a discharge end is located adjacent the RSC. A valve is located in the intake compartment to intermittently prevent seed from flowing from the inlet end to the discharge end. A power means actuates both the RSC and the valve. A wing plate on the rotary seed chamber opens and closes the discharge end as the rotary seed chamber is in its first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: A wheel mounted grain harvester includes a harvesting head for depositing grain in a grain handling assembly comprised of a plurality of grain moving parts. Control means are located on the harvester for selectively interrupting grain flow along the grain moving parts causing harvested grain from a new separate row segment to temporarily accumulate. Means are provided for transporting the harvested grain from separate row segments into separate collection bins permit the separate evaluation of the harvested grain in each row segment. Means are provided for moving the harvester along the row at a constant rate of speed to avoid the necessity of stopping the harvester between row segments to effect the separate evaluation of the harvested grain. The selective interruption by the control means is accomplished by either interrupting at least one of the grain moving parts or by selectively closing a movable blocking wall mounted on the harvester.

Abstract: A seed meter for planting seeds includes a seed plate rotatably mounted within a housing. A rotary seed chamber (RSC) is mounted in the housing adjacent the seed plate and movable between first and second positions, to permit the seed plate to singularly select individual seeds from the RSC while in a first position, and to dump seed therefrom as well as blocking seeds from entering the seed plate while in a second position. A seed intake compartment having an inlet end, and a discharge end is located adjacent the RSC. A valve is located in the intake compartment to intermittently prevent seed from flowing from the inlet end to the discharge end. A power means actuates both the RSC and the valve. A wing plate on the rotary seed chamber opens and closes the discharge end as the rotary seed chamber is in its first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: A wheel mounted grain harvester includes a harvesting head for depositing grain in a grain handling assembly comprised of a plurality of grain moving parts. Control means are located on the harvester for selectively interrupting grain flow along the grain moving parts causing harvested grain from a new separate row segment to temporarily accumulate. Means are provided for transporting the harvested grain from separate row segments into separate collection bins permit the separate evaluation of the harvested grain in each row segment. Means are provided for moving the harvester along the row at a constant rate of speed to avoid the necessity of stopping the harvester between row segments to effect the separate evaluation of the harvested grain. The selective interruption by the control means is accomplished by either interrupting at least one of the grain moving parts or by selectively closing a movable blocking wall mounted on the harvester.

Abstract: The method for presenting grain for NIR spectography examination includes causing the grain to move downward across a sloping presentation surface; associating the optics of an NIR spectography apparatus with the presentation surface to permit light from the optics to be projected into the curtain of grain at a substantial right angle with respect to the direction of flow of the curtain of grain over the presentation surface. An apparatus for presenting grain for NIR spectography examination includes the structure for practicing the aforementioned method.

Abstract: A seed meter for planting seeds includes a seed plate rotatably mounted within a housing. A rotary seed chamber (RSC) is mounted in the housing adjacent the seed plate and movable between first and second positions, to permit the seed plate to singularly select individual seeds from the RSC while in a first position, and to dump seed therefrom as well as blocking seeds from entering the seed plate while in a second position. A seed intake compartment having an inlet end, and a discharge end is located adjacent the RSC. A valve is located in the intake compartment to intermittently prevent seed from flowing from the inlet end to the discharge end. A power means actuates both the RSC and the valve. A wing plate on the rotary seed chamber opens and closes the discharge end as the rotary seed chamber is in its first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: A method of planting field seeds in rows with different varieties of seeds involves determining the variety of the seeds to be planted; placing the seeds for rows of predetermined length in different groups in elongated cell pack strips for each variety, with each cell pack strip including individual cells with individual seeds. A plurality of subgroups of cell pack strips are selected sequentially from the groups of cell pack strips in chronological order that they are to be planted in a single row in a field. The subgroups are then placed in magazines to maintain the order of the subgroups for the subsequent planting. The locations in a field are determined where the varieties are to be planted. The magazines are mounted on a field row planter with the magazines being associated with rows in the field to which the respective magazines correspond. The planter is moved longitudinally through the field.

Abstract: The method for presenting grain for NIR spectography examination includes causing the grain to move downward across a sloping presentation surface; associating the optics of an NIR spectography apparatus with the presentation surface to permit light from the optics to be projected into the curtain of grain at a substantial right angle with respect to the direction of flow of the curtain of grain over the presentation surface. An apparatus for presenting grain for NIR spectography examination includes the structure for practicing the aforementioned method.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently removing grain from a grain storage device, which uses a plurality of augers. An unloading auger is used to begin removal of grain from a grain storage device. As the amount of grain decreases, a proximity sensor sends an activation signal to a cross auger that rests horizontally on the bottom of the grain storage device. The cross auger will pull the remaining grain to the entry point of an unloading auger. The unloading auger then removes the grain from the grain storage device.

Abstract: A seed package handling system for a test plot combine. A seed packaging assembly in the combine packages the seeds and deposits the packages onto a conveyor, which transports the packages to a first hopper. After the first hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the first hopper is raised on an elevator and then tilted so as to dump the seed packages into a larger second hopper. After the second hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the second hopper is tilted to discharge the seed packages into a wagon separate from the combine, which transports the seed packages to a processing facility. The movement of the conveyor and first hopper is controlled by a PLC.

Abstract: A seed package handling system is provided for a test plot combine. A seed packaging assembly in the combine packages the seeds and deposits the packages onto a conveyor, which transports the packages to a first hopper. After the first hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the first hopper is raised on an elevator and then tilted so as to dump the seed packages into a larger second hopper. After the second hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the second hopper is tilted to discharge the seed packages into a wagon separate from the combine, which transports the seed packages to a processing facility. The movement of the conveyor and first hopper is controlled by a PLC.