Abstract: A pneumatic distribution system for pneumatically distributing material in an agricultural vehicle is described. In one example, the pneumatic distribution system comprises an air source having an outlet with different air pressures defining a pressure gradient across the outlet, and a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive air from the outlet for a plurality of distribution streams, comprising at least a first distribution stream with a first pressure loss value and a second distribution stream with a second pressure loss value that is greater than the first pressure loss value. The inlet ports for the first and second distribution streams are located relative to the pressure gradient such that the second distribution stream receives a higher air pressure than the first distribution stream.

Abstract: A closure assembly is disclosed for a work machine having a supply tank with a tank opening. The closure assembly has a lid and lift, actuator and latch mechanisms. When the closure assembly is attached to the tank, the lift mechanism is configured to support the lid off of the tank opening. The actuator mechanism mounts to the lid to move the lid with respect to the tank opening between first and second positions in which in the first position the lid overlies the tank opening and in the second position the lid is substantially clear of the tank opening. The latch mechanism may be moved into a latched orientation in which when the lid is in the first position the latch mechanism latches the lid into engagement with the tank opening.

Abstract: A closure arrangement for a tank includes a tank lid and an opening flange. The opening flange has first and second tank flange lips spaced by an offset distance. The tank flange lips extend toward one side of the tank. The tank has a lid flange with first and second lid lips spaced by an offset distance corresponding to the offset distance. The lid lips extend, at least in part, toward a second side of the tank. The lid lips include first and second walls arranged at a tank interior side of the respective first and second tank flange lips in an offset direction. When the tank lid is closed over the tank opening, one or more seals engage the tank flange lips from the tank interior side and engage the lid lip walls of the lid flange from an exterior side of the tank in the offset direction.

Abstract: A hopper configuration comprises a hopper tray configured to receive a material from a source. The hopper configuration also comprises a conveyance mechanism configured to transport the received material from the hopper tray. The hopper configuration also comprises a first bar pivotably coupled to the hopper tray at a first point and also pivotably coupled to the conveyance mechanism at a second connection point. The hopper configuration further comprises a second bar pivotably coupled to the hopper tray at a third connection point and also pivotably coupled to the conveyance mechanism at a fourth connection point. Each of the connection points comprises a pivot point that substantially limits movement of the first and second bar to movement in a rotational direction.

Abstract: A commodity tank for a product distribution machine has a hollow body enclosing an interior space with an upper fill opening through which product can flow into the interior space. For convenience of the operator, a lower fill opening is also provided though which product can flow into the interior space. The lower fill opening is located at a lower height relative to the upper fill opening. The provision of the lower fill opening enables the operator to choose between either bulk filling the tank using the cart conveyor through the upper opening or manually filling the tank through the lower opening.

Abstract: A product cart has a frame and one or more tanks forming compartments each having an opening at the upper end for receiving product. The cart includes a conveyor support having a swing arm with a first end pivotally mounted to the frame for motion generally horizontally between storage and use positions, a shift assembly mounted to a second end of the swing arm, and a mounting bracket assembly coupled to the shift assembly. Finally a conveyor is coupled to the mounting bracket assembly. The swing arm is constructed as a parallel linkage having first and second links which form a four-bar parallel linkage with the frame and with the shift assembly to maintain the shift assembly in a fixed orientation relative to the frame as the swing arm is moved. The shift assembly is operable to move the mounting bracket assembly between lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: An implement, adapted to be towed by a vehicle, has a frame and a plurality of ground engaging tools carried by the frame. Support wheel assemblies carried by the frame are moveable relative the frame to raise and lower the frame between working and non-working positions in which in the working position, the tools engage the ground, and in the non-working position, the tools do not engage the ground. Each wheel assembly is mounted for rotation about a respective wheel steering axis. Coulters are also mounted to the frame and are engagable with the ground only in the working position of the frame. Each coulter is mounted to the frame for rotation about a respective coulter steering axis. Finally, a steering mechanism is operable to turn the wheel assemblies and the coulters each about their respective steering axes to steer the implement.

Abstract: An implement, adapted to be towed by a vehicle, has a frame and a plurality of ground engaging tools carried by the frame. Support wheel assemblies carried by the frame are moveable relative the frame to raise and lower the frame between working and non-working positions in which in the working position, the tools engage the ground, and in the non-working position, the tools do not engage the ground. Each wheel assembly is mounted for rotation about a respective wheel steering axis. Coulters are also mounted to the frame and are engagable with the ground only in the working position of the frame. Each coulter is mounted to the frame for rotation about a respective coulter steering axis. Finally, a steering mechanism is operable to turn the wheel assemblies and the coulters each about their respective steering axes to steer the implement.

Abstract: A product cart has a frame and one or more tanks forming compartments each having an opening at the upper end for receiving product. The cart includes a conveyor support having a swing arm with a first end pivotally mounted to the frame for motion generally horizontally between storage and use positions, a shift assembly mounted to a second end of the swing arm, and a mounting bracket assembly coupled to the shift assembly. Finally a conveyor is coupled to the mounting bracket assembly. The swing arm is constructed as a parallel linkage having first and second links which form a four-bar parallel linkage with the frame and with the shift assembly to maintain the shift assembly in a fixed orientation relative to the frame as the swing arm is moved. The shift assembly is operable to move the mounting bracket assembly between lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: A product cart has a frame and one or more tanks forming compartments each having an opening at the upper end for receiving product. The cart includes a conveyor support having a swing arm with a first end pivotally mounted to the frame for motion generally horizontally between storage and use positions, a shift assembly mounted to a second end of the swing arm, and a mounting bracket assembly coupled to the shift assembly. Finally a conveyor is coupled to the mounting bracket assembly. The swing arm is constructed as a parallel linkage having first and second links which form a four-bar parallel linkage with the frame and with the shift assembly to maintain the shift assembly in a fixed orientation relative to the frame as the swing arm is moved. The shift assembly is operable to move the mounting bracket assembly between lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: A volumetric metering system for a seeding machine is provided with movable gates disposed downstream from the meter roller but before the product enters a distribution system to selectively stop the flow of product through sections of the metering system. By placing the shut-off gate after the meter but before product enters the distribution system, there will not be a delay in stoppage of product flow while the meter empties of product. Furthermore, by locating the gate before the distribution system, the metered product is not mixed with the air stream or with additional products, causing a need for product redirection into a pressurized tank or separation of multiple products.

Abstract: A hinge assembly with two pivot axes is provided for a folding frame. One pivot axis, a working pivot axis, allows the outer wing frame to rotate while in operation to follow the ground contours by rotating relative to the adjacent frame section without creating any interference between adjacent tools mounted to the frame sections. The second pivot axis is a folding pivot axis above the frame and about which the outer wing frame rotates to fold the outer wing into the transport position. This hinge assembly when used on a five section implement frame allows the outer wing frame to both follow the ground contour and to fold into an acceptable transport position.

Abstract: A volumetric metering system for a seeding machine is provided with movable gates disposed downstream from the meter roller but before the product enters a distribution system to selectively stop the flow of product through sections of the metering system. By placing the shut-off gate after the meter but before product enters the distribution system, there will not be a delay in stoppage of product flow while the meter empties of product. Furthermore, by locating the gate before the distribution system, the metered product is not mixed with the air stream or with additional products, causing a need for product redirection into a pressurized tank or separation of multiple products.