Abstract: A system and method for on-planter seed treatments is disclosed. The planter includes a seed meter, a seed drop tube, a seed, a seed-applied substance receptacle, and a seed-applied substance applicator having a discharge path. A seed-applied substance is loaded in the seed-applied substance receptacle. The seed-applied substance is supplied to the seed-applied substance applicator. The seed-applied substance is discharged from the seed-applied substance applicator into the discharge path during planting. The seed from the seed drop tube is combined with the seed-applied substance from the seed-applied substance applicator within the discharge path for prescriptively treating the seed with the seed applied substance. The seed having on it the seed applied substance is then planted.

Abstract: An agricultural seeder (10) for research plots includes a front gang (21) of planting units (22) and a rear gang (23) of planting units (24) spaced a distance behind the front gang. Metering systems (14) are provided for metering seed to the planting units (22, 24) of the front and rear gangs (21, 23). A tripping system (27) is used to start and stop the seed metering systems (14) and to change seed between plots while planting. A programmable logic controller (28) is programmed with the distance between the front and rear gangs (21, 23) and is used to delay the tripping of the metering system (26) for the rear gang (23) relative to the metering system (25) for the front gang (21) until the seeder (10) has traveled the distance (L) between the front and rear gangs (21, 23). The delayed tripping for the rear gang (23) keeps the planted rows and alleyways created by the front gang planting units (22) laterally aligned with those created by the rear gang planting units (24).

Abstract: An agricultural planter has a plurality of planter row units spaced across a width of the planter, and release mechanisms for releasing seeds or plants into the ground from each row unit. A positioning system determines a location of the planter in a field, and a controller uses the location information to cause the release mechanism to release seeds or plants at predetermined tripping points in the field. The release mechanisms of all of the planter row units are moved simultaneously as the planter reaches each tripping point location in the field. This allows the seeds or plants from all of the row units to be released in a synchronized manner and aligned in a lateral direction relative to a direction of travel of the planter while planting. In one embodiment, the release mechanisms are positioned near lower ends of seed delivery tubes that receive seeds from seed metering mechanisms.

Abstract: An agricultural planter has a carousel-type distribution unit for handling and planting plants. The distribution unit has a rotatably driven carousel containing a plurality of cups adapted to hold plants. The cups are operable to release plants into a conveyance channel for guiding the plants into a hollow plowshare. An ejector foot expels the plants from the hollow plowshare into a soil furrow. A drive mechanism drives the distribution unit to rotate the carousel, release plants into the conveyance channel, and expel plants from the hollow plowshare. The drive mechanism in one embodiment includes a ratcheting arm connected to a drive shaft that drives the distribution unit, and a linear actuator connected to the ratcheting arm. A positioning system determines a location of the planter in a field, and a controller activates the linear actuator to rotate the ratcheting arm when the planter reaches a tripping position in the field.

Abstract: A seed research plot planter includes a rotating seed plate for picking up and transporting seeds from a seed chamber to a release point, and a sensor that detects the rotational position of the seed plate. A distance measuring device measures a distance traveled by the planter. A controller uses a first signal from the sensor and a second signal from the distance measuring device to control a sequence of operations of the planter based on the rotational position of the seed plate and the location of the planter within the field. A field layout system is provided for creating a plot field layout having a desired number of ranges, a desired number of planter passes, and desired parameters for each plot within the field. The field layout system allows different plot lengths and seed populations to be input for individual plots within the same planter pass through the field.

Abstract: A seed research plot planter includes a rotating seed plate for picking up and transporting seeds from a seed chamber to a release point, and a sensor that detects the rotational position of the seed plate. A distance measuring device measures a distance traveled by the planter. A controller uses a first signal from the sensor and a second signal from the distance measuring device to control a sequence of operations of the planter based on the rotational position of the seed plate and the location of the planter within the field. A field layout system is provided for creating a plot field layout having a desired number of ranges, a desired number of planter passes, and desired parameters for each plot within the field. The field layout system allows different plot lengths and seed populations to be input for individual plots within the same planter pass through the field.

Abstract: A seed research plot planter includes a rotating seed plate for picking up and transporting seeds from a seed chamber to a release point, and a sensor that detects the rotational position of the seed plate. A distance measuring device measures a distance traveled by the planter. A controller uses a first signal from the sensor and a second signal from the distance measuring device to control a sequence of operations of the planter based on the rotational position of the seed plate and the location of the planter within the field. A field layout system is provided for creating a plot field layout having a desired number of ranges, a desired number of planter passes, and desired parameters for each plot within the field. The field layout system allows different plot lengths and seed populations to be input for individual plots within the same planter pass through the field.

Abstract: An automated seed packet handling machine is provided for use on research plot seed planters. The seed packet handling machine includes a tray for holding a box containing seed packets. A first actuator has suction cups for lifting a single seed packet out of the box and moving the seed packet to a cutter mechanism for cutting off a top portion of the seed packet. A second actuator has suction cups for holding the seed packet after the top portion has been cut off, and for flipping the seed packet upside down to dump seeds from the packet into a seed chute. A computer controller controls the sequence of operations of the first actuator, the cutter mechanism, and the second actuator. An RFID reader is provided to read RFID tags on the seed packets to keep track of where each seed packet is planted in the research field.

Abstract: A seed research plot planter includes a rotating seed plate for picking up and transporting seeds from a seed chamber to a release point, and a sensor that detects the rotational position of the seed plate. A distance measuring device measures a distance traveled by the planter. A controller uses a first signal from the sensor and a second signal from the distance measuring device to control a sequence of operations of the planter based on the rotational position of the seed plate and the location of the planter within the field. A field layout system is provided for creating a plot field layout having a desired number of ranges, a desired number of planter passes, and desired parameters for each plot within the field. The field layout system allows different plot lengths and seed populations to be input for individual plots within the same planter pass through the field.

Abstract: A seed research plot planter includes a rotating seed plate for picking up and transporting seeds from a seed chamber to a release point, and a sensor that detects the rotational position of the seed plate. A distance measuring device measures a distance traveled by the planter. A controller uses a first signal from the sensor and a second signal from the distance measuring device to control a sequence of operations of the planter based on the rotational position of the seed plate and the location of the planter within the field. A field layout system is provided for creating a plot field layout having a desired number of ranges, a desired number of planter passes, and desired parameters for each plot within the field. The field layout system allows different plot lengths and seed populations to be input for individual plots within the same planter pass through the field.

Abstract: A vacuum seed planter uses a single seed plate for planting multiple plots of seeds. The seed plate rotates through a seed chamber and uses vacuum pressure to pick up seeds to be planted, the seed chamber having an inlet passage for receiving seeds. A singulator dislodges excess seeds from the seed plate, and the excess seeds fall into an excess-seed compartment adjacent the seed chamber, the compartment having an outlet passage for evacuation of the excess seeds. A valve is movable between an operating position, in which the inlet passage communicates with a supply of seed and the outlet passage communicates with a vacuum source for evacuating excess seeds, and an evacuation position, in which the vacuum source is in communication with the inlet passage for evacuating the seeds in the seed chamber. Vacuum pressure on the seed plate can be maintained during evacuation of the seed chamber and excess-seed compartment.

Abstract: A vacuum seed planter uses a single seed plate for planting multiple plots of seeds. The seed plate rotates through a seed chamber and uses vacuum pressure to pick up seeds to be planted, the seed chamber having an inlet passage for receiving seeds. A singulator dislodges excess seeds from the seed plate, and the excess seeds fall into an excess-seed compartment adjacent the seed chamber, the compartment having an outlet passage for evacuation of the excess seeds. A valve is movable between an operating position, in which the inlet passage communicates with a supply of seed and the outlet passage communicates with a vacuum source for evacuating excess seeds, and an evacuation position, in which the vacuum source is in communication with the inlet passage for evacuating the seeds in the seed chamber. Vacuum pressure on the seed plate can be maintained during evacuation of the seed chamber and excess-seed compartment.