Abstract: An agricultural implement for mounting on a U-shaped foundation frame supported on wheels for travel over a ground surface where the foundation frame includes first and second laterally spaced mounting beams fixed to and extending from a base. The implement is configured to perform an agricultural operation, to rest on the ground surface when in an idle position, and to attach to the foundation frame when in an operating position. The implement comprises a rigid implement portion configured to be attached to the first and second mounting beams at first and second beam locations remote from the base such that the first and second mounting beams are prevented from moving laterally with respect to each other.

Abstract: An agricultural seeder has furrow opener assemblies spaced along a width of the implement frame. Each furrow opener assembly has an opener arm pivotally attached to the implement frame, and a furrow opener attached to the opener arm. A product delivery system delivers agricultural products to the furrow opener assemblies, and a product control controls the product delivery system such that agricultural products are delivered only to active furrow opener assemblies. A bias force system is operative, when activated in a transport mode, to exert an upward bias force on the active and idle furrow opener assemblies, and operative, when activated in an operating mode, to exert a downward bias force on the active furrow opener assemblies, and to exert substantially no force on the idle furrow opener assemblies.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for mounting on a U-shaped foundation frame supported on wheels for travel over a ground surface where the foundation frame includes first and second laterally spaced mounting beams fixed to and extending from a base. The implement is configured to perform an agricultural operation, to rest on the ground surface when in an idle position, and to attach to the foundation frame when in an operating position. The implement comprises a rigid implement portion configured to be attached to the first and second mounting beams at first and second beam locations remote from the base such that the first and second mounting beams are prevented from moving laterally with respect to each other.

Abstract: An implement operating apparatus has a U-shaped drive frame supported on drive wheels, each pivotally mounted about a vertical wheel pivot axis. A steering control selectively pivots each drive wheel. A power source is connected through a drive control to rotate the drive wheels in either direction. First and second implements are configured to perform implement operations and to rest on the ground and when the drive frame is maneuvered to an implement loading position with respect to each implement, the implement is connectable to the drive frame and movable to an operating position supported by the drive frame. When the implement is in the operating position, the steering and drive controls are operative to move and steer the drive frame and implement along a first travel path or a second travel path oriented generally perpendicular to the first travel path.

Abstract: A agricultural product transport apparatus has a plurality of containers mounted on a vehicle. A gate on each container controls flows out to a conveyor system that receives product from each container and transfers same to a conveyor discharge located beside the operator's station. The horizontal distance between a front end of the container vehicle and the conveyor discharge is less than the horizontal distance between a rear side of the furrow opener implement and a front fill opening on the product cart, such that the container vehicle can be driven forward behind the air seeder and the conveyor discharge positioned to discharge into the front tank fill opening while the front end of the container vehicle is rearward of the rear side of the implement. A weighing system connected to a controller allows an operator to control and management of product flow from storage to the field.

Abstract: A conveyor capacity control system includes a conveyor operative to receive granular material at a conveyor intake thereof and convey same to a conveyor discharge with a conveying device at a conveyor flow rate up to a maximum conveyor flow rate, and a granular material container with a container discharge opening oriented to discharge granular material from the granular material container into the conveyor intake, and a discharge gate movable to control a size of the container discharge opening. A flow rate control processor is operative to determine the maximum conveyor flow rate and detect when a discharge flow rate of granular material from the container discharge opening into the conveyor intake is greater than or less than the maximum conveyor flow rate, and increase or decrease the discharge flow rate to substantially coincide with the maximum conveyor flow rate. A hoist control is also provided for a truck box.

Abstract: A manifold apparatus for an air seeder includes a manifold housing defining a output ports equally spaced around a perimeter thereof. An input port is defined in a bottom side of the manifold housing, and an input conduit extends downward therefrom. A distributor component is formed by a bottom side of a top plate of the manifold housing above the input port and directs product granules moving upward in an air stream in the manifold interior outward toward the perimeter of the manifold housing. A relative lateral position of the distributor component with respect to the input port is adjustable, and interference members extend an adjustable distance into the input conduit and/or manifold interior to contact the particles and change their flow path. The variables are manipulated to achieve positions where a rate of product flow through each output port is within a selected range.

Abstract: An agricultural seeder has furrow opener assemblies spaced along a width of the implement frame. Each furrow opener assembly has an opener arm pivotally attached to the implement frame, and a furrow opener attached to the opener arm. A product delivery system delivers agricultural products to the furrow opener assemblies, and a product control controls the product delivery system such that agricultural products are delivered only to active furrow opener assemblies. A bias force system is operative, when activated in a transport mode, to exert an upward bias force on the active and idle furrow opener assemblies, and operative, when activated in an operating mode, to exert a downward bias force on the active furrow opener assemblies, and to exert substantially no force on the idle furrow opener assemblies.

Abstract: A residue clearing apparatus for a seeding implement includes a plurality of ground driven residue wheel pairs, each movably and rotatably mounted to the seeding implement with right and left residue wheels on corresponding right and left sides of one of the shanks such that each residue wheel pair moves vertically independent of the shanks. Residue contact members connected to each residue wheel engage the ground surface adjacent to one of the shanks to rotate the residue wheel. Outer ends of the residue contact members pass forward of the shank above the furrow opener. A raising system operative to raise the residue wheel pairs to a wheel transport position.

Abstract: A granular material handling apparatus has a metering assembly comprises a metering module removably mounted in an opening in a hopper. The metering module comprises a meter roller and a front metering member with a metering edge parallel to and at a fixed metering gap distance from the meter roller. A removable flow structure receives granular material flowing over the metering edge and directs same into a distribution assembly mounted under the material metering assembly and comprising venturi devices spaced along the hopper under the metering module and an air supply conduit. Each venturi device is connected to the air supply conduit and is adapted at an output end thereof for connection to a distribution conduit, and defines a product input opening. The flow structure is operative to direct the received granular material substantially equally into each of the product input openings.

Abstract: A granular material handling apparatus has a metering assembly comprises a metering module removably mounted in an opening in a hopper. The metering module comprises a meter roller and a front metering member with a metering edge parallel to and at a fixed metering gap distance from the meter roller. A removable flow structure receives granular material flowing over the metering edge and directs same into a distribution assembly mounted under the material metering assembly and comprising venturi devices spaced along the hopper under the metering module and an air supply conduit. Each venturi device is connected to the air supply conduit and is adapted at an output end thereof for connection to a distribution conduit, and defines a product input opening. The flow structure is operative to direct the received granular material substantially equally into each of the product input openings.

Abstract: A biasing apparatus attaches to an agricultural implement comprising an implement frame mounted on front and rear wheels for travel in an operating travel direction, and a floating hitch assembly pivotally attached to the implement frame. The apparatus includes a tether attached to a rearward frame member of the implement frame, and attached to the floating hitch assembly forward of the hitch pivot axis such that the tether extends under a forward frame member of the implement frame and under the hitch pivot axis. A bias element exerts a main bias force on the tether to put the tether in tension drawing the floating hitch assembly toward the rearward frame member such that a downward bias force is exerted on the floating hitch assembly and a downward bias force is exerted on the rear frame member, and such that an upward bias force is exerted at the hitch pivot axis.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for mounting on a U-shaped foundation frame supported on wheels for travel over a ground surface where the foundation frame includes first and second laterally spaced mounting beams fixed to and extending from a base. The implement is configured to perform an agricultural operation, to rest on the ground surface when in an idle position, and to attach to the foundation frame when in an operating position. The implement comprises a rigid implement portion configured to be attached to the first and second mounting beams at first and second beam locations remote from the base such that the first and second mounting beams are prevented from moving laterally with respect to each other.

Abstract: A delay period timing system for a seeding implement with a feed control. A distribution network conveys products to the furrow openers, and a feeding mechanism controls flow of products into the distribution network. A flow sensor downstream from the feeding mechanism detects when products are flowing at a sensing location, and a timer measures a delay period between the time the feeding mechanism starts or stops flow and when the flow sensor starts or stops detecting flow. The delay period is adjusted to account for the location of the flow sensor. A method of determining the delay period includes determining the length of the distribution network and determining the speed of flow of the products. The system can be used on seeding implement with or without sectional control.

Abstract: A diagonal brace apparatus for an implement frame includes a bias element connected to a front location on a front portion of the implement frame and connected to a rear location on a rear portion of the implement frame laterally offset from the front location. The bias element is operative to exert a bias force resisting rearward movement of an outer end of the implement frame with respect to an inner end of the implement frame. Conveniently the bias element is provided by a hydraulic cylinder which exerts a bias force and can extend to allow the frame to flex to reduce shock loading on the implement when excessive forces are exerted on the frame.

Abstract: A manifold apparatus for an air seeder includes a manifold housing defining a output ports equally spaced around a perimeter thereof. An input port is defined in a bottom side of the manifold housing, and an input conduit extends downward therefrom. A distributor component is formed by a bottom side of a top plate of the manifold housing above the input port and directs product granules moving upward in an air stream in the manifold interior outward toward the perimeter of the manifold housing. A relative lateral position of the distributor component with respect to the input port is adjustable, and interference members extend an adjustable distance into the input conduit and/or manifold interior to contact the particles and change their flow path. The variables are manipulated to achieve positions where a rate of product flow through each output port is within a selected range.

Abstract: An air seeder distribution apparatus has seed and fertilizer tanks, and a like plurality of metering devices mounted on each product tank. A manifold set comprises a like plurality of product manifolds and each manifold is separately fed from one metering device on each of the seed and fertilizer tanks. A control selectively starts and stops rotation of the feed roller of each metering device to feed product from either tank, or both tanks to the connected manifold. The weight of each tank can be displayed on a weight indicator. Balancing of the pressure in each supply conduit can be provided. A remote opener exerts downward force on the tank lid to maintain interior pressure.

Abstract: A conveyor capacity control system includes a conveyor operative to receive granular material at a conveyor intake thereof and convey same to a conveyor discharge with a conveying device at a conveyor flow rate up to a maximum conveyor flow rate, and a granular material container with a container discharge opening oriented to discharge granular material from the granular material container into the conveyor intake, and a discharge gate movable to control a size of the container discharge opening. A flow rate control processor is operative to determine the maximum conveyor flow rate and detect when a discharge flow rate of granular material from the container discharge opening into the conveyor intake is greater than or less than the maximum conveyor flow rate, and increase or decrease the discharge flow rate to substantially coincide with the maximum conveyor flow rate. A hoist control is also provided for a truck box.

Abstract: A agricultural product transport apparatus has a plurality of containers mounted on a vehicle. A gate on each container controls flows out to a conveyor system that receives product from each container and transfers same to a conveyor discharge located beside the operator's station. The horizontal distance between a front end of the container vehicle and the conveyor discharge is less than the horizontal distance between a rear side of the furrow opener implement and a front fill opening on the product cart, such that the container vehicle can be driven forward behind the air seeder and the conveyor discharge positioned to discharge into the front tank fill opening while the front end of the container vehicle is rearward of the rear side of the implement. A weighing system connected to a controller allows an operator to control and management of product flow from storage to the field.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus has a pivot frame pivotally mounted to a lower portion thereof and an actuator that pivot the pivot frame from a rear frame transport position to a forward frame operating position. A feed conveyor has a rear discharge end movably attached to an upper frame portion of the pivot frame such that the rear discharge end of the feed conveyor is above the main conveyor. The feed discharge is above the main intake and the feed conveyor extends away from the main intake and the front intake end of the feed conveyor is movable laterally when the pivot frame and feed conveyor are in the operating position, and the feed conveyor is above the main conveyor when the pivot frame and feed conveyor are in the transport position. A hopper on the feed conveyor intake has flexible panels that fold down when in the transport position.