Abstract: A seeding machine row unit having a seed meter with an endless belt as a seed transport member. A pressure differential holds the seed onto the belt. The belt allows greater freedom in determining the location of the seed pick-up region and the seed release or removal region beyond the constraints of a fixed diameter seed disk. The row unit further includes a delivery system using a brush belt to move metered seed from the meter to the ground.

Abstract: A sectional control apparatus and method prompts the operator of an implement when the implement, or portion thereof, is traversing over land that has already been seeded and/or disturbed. The apparatus includes a GPS or GNSS receiver that communicates with a GPS or GNSS system and a controller that maps movement of the implement so that real-time positional data for the implement can be compared to the movement map. When the position of the implement, or portion thereof, is detected as moving over previously seeded and/or disturbed land, the controller activates an alert mechanism in the operator cab of the implement to notify the operator that sectional control, i.e., shutting down metering of product or raising the tool bar, needs to be implemented.

Abstract: A seeding machine row unit having a seed meter with an endless belt as a seed transport member. A pressure differential holds the seed onto the belt. The belt allows greater freedom in determining the location of the seed pick-up region and the seed release or removal region beyond the constraints of a fixed diameter seed disk. The row unit further includes a delivery system using a brush belt to move metered seed from the meter to the ground.

Abstract: A planting unit for a seeding machine having a seed meter with a metering member that moves seed sequentially along a first path to a release position at which the seed is moving in a first direction and a delivery system adapted to take seed from the metering member at the release position and control movement of the seed from the seed meter to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine. The delivery system, at the release position, moves seed in a second direction along a second path.

Abstract: A planting unit for a seeding machine having a seed meter with a metering member. The metering member has a sidewall with inner and outer surfaces and apertures extending through the sidewall. The metering member is adapted to adhere seed to the apertures to sequentially move seed to a release position at which the inner surface of the sidewall is facing downward such the seed is hanging beneath the sidewall. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member at the release portion and controls movement, of seed from the seed meter to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine.

Abstract: A seed delivery apparatus has a moving member that captures and entraps the seed from the seed meter and physically moves the seed from the meter to the lower outlet opening. In so doing, the seed engages and travels along an interior surface of the seed delivery apparatus. A seed sensor is mounted on the housing wall such that the seed passes directly in front of the sensor. The sensor has both the light emitting devices and the photo-sensitive elements on the same wall of the delivery apparatus, or on two opposed walls. The moving member prevents ambient light, dust and dirt from entering the housing and impacting the sensor output signal.

Abstract: A garden seeder having a seed bin; a seed wheel having a plurality of circumferentially attached seed dispensing cups; a first axle mounting the seed wheel within the seed bin for orbital movements of the seed cups through scooping and dispensing positions; a ground wheel; a second axle mounting the ground wheel upon the seed bin; a Geneva drive connecting the seed wheel to the ground wheel for translating rotation of the ground wheel to intermittent orbital motions of the seed dispensing cups through the seed scooping and seed dispensing positions; and a handle connected operatively to the seed bin.

Abstract: A seed belt cup planter includes seed-intercepting indexing pocket structure facing an adjacent cup on the downward run of the belt towards a furrow for orienting the seed released from the adjacent cup relative to the furrow. In one embodiment, the indexing pocket structure is located on the underside of the cups and receives and orients a cylindrically shaped seed such as a short sugar cane billet. The seed pickup side of the cup is shaped to efficiently receive cylindrical seeds as well as round and oval seeds of differing sizes from a seed puddle. A divider located in the seed hopper between adjacent columns of cups helps channel the seed to the cups and limits pressure on the seed puddle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combine agricultural machine (1) comprising a planting device (3), in particular a potato planting device, provided with at least one storage container (10), an extraction device associated thereto, a setting plow (7) and an downstream mounted end damming device (4). A loosening tool (2) for preparing a seedbed is arranged upstream of the planting device (3) in a travelling direction and one or several wheels (18) for disintegrating soil and supporting the machine are mounted upstream of said loosening tool (2) in said travelling direction. The invention also relates to a method for mechanically planting seeds comprising a stage for preparing the seedbed, a sowing stage and a final damming stage which are simultaneously carried out by means of tools mounted on the agricultural machine (1).

Abstract: A seed meter is provided having an endless belt as a seed transport member together with a pressure differential to hold the seed onto the belt. The use of an endless belt as the seed transport member enables the spatial orientation of the seed transport member to vary from location to location along the path of the belt where different seed meter functions are performed. The belt allows greater freedom in determining the location of the seed pick-up region and the seed release or removal region beyond the constraints of a fixed diameter seed disk. The belt further allows for a narrow envelope seed meter which can cross-feed seed into a substantially vertically oriented delivery device.

Abstract: A seed belt cup planter includes seed-intercepting indexing pocket structure facing an adjacent cup on the downward run of the belt towards a furrow for orienting the seed released from the adjacent cup relative to the furrow. In one embodiment, the indexing pocket structure is located on the underside of the cups and receives and orients a cylindrically shaped seed such as a short sugar cane billet. The seed pickup side of the cup is shaped to efficiently receive cylindrical seeds as well as round and oval seeds of differing sizes from a seed puddle. A divider located in the seed hopper between adjacent columns of cups helps channel the seed to the cups and limits pressure on the seed puddle.

Abstract: A seed belt for an agricultural planter wherein the seed belt includes a continuous belt with a plurality of substantially equally spaced flights. Each of the flights having a concave portion at a distal end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlled delivery of seeds between the seed meter of an agricultural planter to an open seed furrow. Seeds are received individually and in a sequence from a seed meter into a housing. The seeds are conveyed in sequence through the housing by a conveyor at a controlled speed to a location proximate the open furrow, then gently released into the open furrow as the agricultural planter moves forward. The controlled delivery of the seed to the furrow ensures more accurate seed placement within the furrow at the desired seed spacing, thereby improving crop yield potential.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlled delivery of seeds between the seed meter of an agricultural planter to an open seed furrow. Seeds are received individually and in a sequence from a seed meter into a housing. The seeds are conveyed in sequence through the housing by a conveyor at a controlled speed to a location proximate the open furrow, then gently released into the open furrow as the agricultural planter moves forward. The controlled delivery of the seed to the furrow ensures more accurate seed placement within the furrow at the desired seed spacing, thereby improving crop yield potential.

Abstract: A seed metering device and method for disbursing agricultural seed and the like singularly and accurately comprising sprocket wheels, a seed conveyor device, a housing. A seed conveyor device interlocks with and surrounds sprocket wheels and rotates similarly to the sprocket wheels when rotated by a power source. Seeds are singulated and carried through a closed area formed by the walls of the housing by the seed conveyor device from a seed containment area to a seed release area. The metering device can accommodate a variety of seed types, sizes, and shapes, and will operate at a variety of speeds for different speed disbursement rates.

Abstract: An equidistant planting system for accurately placing seeds in a furrow thereby providing increased crop yields. The inventive device includes a seed singulator device, a delivery tube extending from the singulator device, and a placement device connected to the delivery tube for dispersing the seed uniformly within the furrow. The placement device comprises a ring member, an opening within the lower portion of the ring member, a disk member rotatably positioned within the ring member, a mechanical drive for rotating the disk member, a cover attached to the ring member, a plurality of inner members attached to the disk member, and a corresponding plurality of guide members attached to the disk member adjacent the corresponding inner members.

Abstract: An seed metering device and method for disbursing agricultural seed and the like singularly and accurately comprising sprocket wheels, a seed conveyor device, a housing. A seed conveyor device interlocks with and surrounds sprocket wheels and rotates similarly to the sprocket wheels when rotated by a power source. Seeds are singulated and carried through a closed area formed by the walls of the housing by the seed conveyor device from a seed containment area to a seed release area. The metering device can accommodate a variety of seed types, sizes, and shapes, and will operate at a variety of speeds for different speed disbursement rates.

Abstract: A product disconnect is provided for cutting off product flow between a product tank and an associated metering system. The product is instead directed to a product cleanout where an operator can empty the product tank without sending product through the metering system. The product disconnect may consist of one or more rotary cutoff valves which are selectively movable between an open position allowing product to flow into metering system and a closed position where product is instead directed to a product cleanout.