Abstract: A purging system for a multiple variety seed meter of a multi-variety planter includes seed return valves that may be arranged for receiving seed that was removed from the seed meter. The seed return valves return the removed seed into corresponding appropriate seed storage compartments to allow a new seed variety to be delivered to the seed meter while reducing seed variety mixing in the seed meter. A pipe with a purge passage may extend from the seed meter to a purging hose that delivers the removed seed to the seed return valve(s). Each seed return valve may be a vacuum-actuated piston airlock valve assembly with a valve plunger that reciprocates to define seed collecting and releasing states of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a twin-row planter with tandem driven seed meters at a pair of row units at each row segment of a twin-row planter. A tandem drive system drives the seed meters in a tandem manner, which may include a single transmission assembly simultaneously rotating a pair of seed discs in the pair of seed meters at each row segment. An indexing system allows for quickly changing an amount of relative rotational or angular indexing of seed disks inside of the pair of seed meters at the pair of row units of each row segment to adjust longitudinal spacing between delivery locations of seeds from the seed disks at planted row segments of a planted twin-row. Adjustments can be made at disk hubs, between shaft segments linking the seed disks, or with multiple sets of mounting holds on the seed disks.

Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a first seed meter having a first metering member for singulating seeds and a second seed meter having a second metering member for singulating seeds. A motor is operably coupled to the first and second seed meters to selectively drive the first seed meter or the second seed meter.

Abstract: Agricultural seed planting systems are provided. In some aspects, the system includes a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.

Abstract: An agricultural device includes a number of row units that each includes a seed furrow opener that creates a furrow in the soil for seed placement. Each row unit is mounted to a toolbar of the device by way of a four-bar linkage which allows each row unit to move vertically to adjust to the contour of the soil independently of the other row units on the same toolbar. The four-bar linkages include one or more springs which work to transfer weight from the toolbar to the row unit. An actuator varies the tension in the spring thereby adjusting the down or up force applied to the row unit.

Abstract: Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow are provided. In some aspects, an agricultural device is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an agricultural system having a flow path configured to distribute agricultural product from a product storage tank to a row unit across a field via an air flow. The flow path includes an inlet configured to receive the agricultural product, an outlet configured to output the agricultural product, a body extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a first pressure tap and a second pressure tap each extending into the body. The agricultural system also includes a first pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the first pressure tap and configured to output a first signal indicative of a first static pressure of the air flow proximate to the first pressure tap, and a second pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the second pressure tap and configured to output a second signal indicative of a second static pressure of the air flow proximate to the second pressure tap.

Abstract: A vacuum seeder for dispersing seeds at regular intervals into a seeding mechanism includes a pipe having first and second ends, at least one circumferential row of apertures therethrough, the pipe being rotatably mounted to a frame that moves along the ground. A vacuum mechanism is fixed with the second end of the pipe to produce a negative pressure within the pipe. A drive motor is fixed with the frame and coupled with the pipe for driving the pipe in a first rotational direction. A reservoir is fixed with the frame and holds the seeds positioned adjacent an upwardly-moving side of the pipe. At least one seed removal mechanism, such as a seed scraper, is fixed with the frame and positioned adjacent a downward side of the pipe to divert the seeds away from the pipe and into at least one seed receiver for delivery to the seeding mechanism.

Abstract: A seeding apparatus comprising: (a seed distribution metering means including a rotating d drum with apertures on its periphery and a vacuum generator for generating a suction pressure inside the drum so that seeds are attracted to the apertures; (b) feeding system including a hopper, gravitational acceleration chamber, velocity controlling elements such as a flap and continuous belts for feeding seeds at a required amount and speed to the drum; (c) release mechanisms including an air-jet for releasing metered seeds from the drum along a selected trajectory while unselected seeds follow another trajectory, delivery device including an adjustable flow venturi and electronic sensor for controlling delivery of metered seeds.

Abstract: An agricultural seed planter and seed meter therefore, wherein the seed meter includes a rotary vacuum drum disposed within a stationary housing to entrain individual seeds on an annular circumferential periphery of the drum. As the entrained seeds rotate with the drum the seeds are singulated before being released from said vacuum drum. The seed metering and dispensing device is adapted to be mounted below the seed hopper to discharge the seeds into a seed tube as is conventional, or alternatively the seed metering and dispensing device is preferably adapted for mounting just above the soil surface and between the furrow opening assembly and furrow closing wheel assembly of a conventional agricultural planter such that the seeds are deposited directly into the seed furrow.

Abstract: An agricultural seed planter and seed meter therefore, wherein the seed meter includes a rotary vacuum drum disposed within a stationary housing to entrain individual seeds on an annular circumferential periphery of the drum. As the entrained seeds rotate with the drum the seeds are singulated before being released from said vacuum drum. The seed metering and dispensing device is adapted to be mounted below the seed hopper to discharge the seeds into a seed tube as is conventional, or alternatively the seed metering and dispensing device is preferably adapted for mounting just above the soil surface and between the furrow opening assembly and furrow closing wheel assembly of a conventional agricultural planter such that the seeds are deposited directly into the seed furrow.

Abstract: An agricultural seed planter and seed meter therefore, wherein the seed meter includes a rotary vacuum drum disposed within a stationary housing to entrain individual seeds on an annular circumferential periphery of the drum. As the entrained seeds rotate with the drum the seeds are singulated before being released from said vacuum drum. The seed metering and dispensing device is adapted to be mounted below the seed hopper to discharge the seeds into a seed tube as is conventional, or alternatively the seed metering and dispensing device is preferably adapted for mounting just above the soil surface and between the furrow opening assembly and furrow closing wheel assembly of a conventional agricultural planter such that the seeds are deposited directly into the seed furrow.

Abstract: An external shutoff element for a multiple row pneumatic seed planter having a transverse frame, a plurality of seed planting elements thereon, a hollow rotary seed selector drum with a plurality of spaced apart rows of seed retaining perforations which correspond to the planting elements, an airblower forcing air outwardly from within the drum thereby suspending individual seeds in a depression associated with each perforation so long as the perforation is not blocked, a discharge portion for dislodging the seeds from the perforations and delivering them to the respective planting elements, the improvement comprising a shutoff element movably mounted on the frame above the discharge portion for selectively engaging the outside of the drum to cover a group of rows of perforations so that the usual radial pneumatic bias generated by the airblower ceases to hold the seeds in the covered rows of perforations and they fall before the discharge portion can deliver them for planting.