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: A device for planting seeds in a uniform, staggered, diamond-shaped manner promotes thicker faster spreading canopies that help keep the soil bed cool, moist and better protected from erosion, improved weed control, and improved yield.

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: 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 seeding machine having a main seed hopper is in communication with a planting unit by a flexible tube. The planting unit has a horizontal working position and a vertical transport position. The main hopper supplies seed by gravity to the planting unit through the flexible tube. The planting unit is provided with a vacuum seed meter. The seed meter has a seed disc with a vacuum side and a working seed puddle side. An isolator brush, arranged in a chordal manner on the seed puddle side of the seed disc, defines the discharge area of the seed meter. A first brush intersecting the isolator brush extends downwardly and radially inward along the seed disc. The first brush, together with the isolator brush, defines boundaries of a transport seed puddle when the planting unit is pivoted into its vertical transport position. A second brush extends downwardly and radially inward along the seed disc.

Abstract: An agricultural seed meter is disclosed including a seed selection mechanism in the form of a belt or a drum having pockets and moving through a seed reservoir area for loading seeds into the pocket. A cut-off brush is movable between a singulating position and a volume metering position so that the meter may be used either as a singulating meter or for volume metering without changing, deleting parts or adding parts. In either mode, seed release is accurate and repeatable through the use of a retainer brush for holding the seeds in their associated pocket until the pocket, in a downward, curving path, passed beyond the end of the retainer brush, thereby releasing the seeds into a discharge conduit.

Abstract: A seeding machine having a main seed hopper is in communication with a planting unit by a flexible tube. The planting unit has a horizontal working position and a vertical transport position. The main hopper supplies seed by gravity to the planting unit through the flexible tube. The planting unit is provided with a vacuum seed meter. The seed meter has a seed disc with a vacuum side and a working seed puddle side. An isolator brush, arranged in a chordal manner on the seed puddle side of the seed disc, defines the discharge area of the seed meter. A first brush intersecting the isolator brush extends downwardly and radially inward along the seed disc. The first brush, together with the isolator brush, defines boundaries of a transport seed puddle when the planting unit is pivoted into its vertical transport position. A second brush extends downwardly and radially inward along the seed disc.

Abstract: An agricultural seed meter is disclosed including a seed selection mechanism in the form of a belt or a drum having pockets and moving through a seed reservoir area for loading seeds into the pocket. A cut-off brush is movable between a singulating position and a volume metering position so that the meter may be used either as a singulating meter or for volume metering without changing, deleting parts or adding parts. In either mode, seed release is accurate and repeatable through the use of a retainer brush for holding the seeds in their associated pocket until the pocket, in a downward, curving path, passed beyond the end of the retainer brush, thereby releasing the seeds into a discharge conduit.

Abstract: A seed planter performance monitor is disclosed herein. The monitor is used with a planting system including a planter coupled to the tractor. The target rate at which the planter deposits seeds into the soil being planted is controlled with a control signal, and the actual rate at which seeds are planted is monitored with an infrared seed sensor supported by the planter at the location where seeds exit the planter. The planter and tractor both include data busses, and the signal from the seed sensor is transmitted to a controller on the tractor via the busses. The controller applies an appropriate signal to an electronic display in the cab of the tractor to produce an image thereon which an operator can view to determine the actual rate at which seeds are planted.

Abstract: A seed metering mechanism including a seed singulator assembly for reducing the likelihood of or eliminating double or excess seeds being carried by a seed disc of the seed metering mechanism to a discharge area of the seed metering mechanism for deposit to the ground. The singulator assembly is disposed downstream of a seed chamber and upstream of the seed discharge area of a seed metering mechanism. The seed singulator of the present invention includes a seed engaging member arranged on opposite sides of the path of travel of a circular array of openings on a seed disc of the seed metering mechanism. The spacings between the seed engaging members being such that only a single seed carried in each opening is permitted to pass therebetween.

Abstract: A seed agitating assembly for a seed metering mechanism including a housing with a seed reservoir area wherein a mass of seeds are held and a rotatable seed disc internally carried by the housing. The seed disc is provide with a circular array of holes or throughopenings for captively transferring seeds from the seed reservoir to a seed discharge area on the seed metering mechanism. The seed discharge area is typically arranged in spaced relation from the seed reservoir. A rotary drive shaft extends endwise through the housing for imparting rotational movements to the seed disc. According to the present invention, a seed agitator assembly is provided for stirring or agitating the seeds in the seed reservoir. The seed agitating assembly includes a generally circular or plate-like member that is operably coupled to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A meter brush is provided for cutting off product flow of unmetered product between a product tank and an associated metering system for an air seeder. The meter brush has a plurality of bristles extending between an inner wall of a meter casing and a meter to prevent product from passing while allowing air to flow through.