Abstract: A seed singulator system for a seed planter may comprise a seed container including a housing defining an interior to hold seed. A seed pickup assembly may be configured to pick up seeds individually from the interior, and the pickup assembly defines a plurality of seed-retaining holes configured to hold seed when a vacuum is applied to the holes. A seed discharging assembly may be configured to discharge seed in a singular manner from the seed container. The seed discharge assembly may comprise a seed receiver structure configured to receive seeds from the seed pickup assembly, and may define a seed-receiving passage having an entry opening for a seed to pass through, with the seed-retaining holes being alignable with the entry opening. A seed ejecting structure may be configured to eject seeds one at a time from the seed pickup assembly into the entry opening of the seed receiver structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hopper for a seed metering system that has a series of individualized and independently controlled metering units. The hopper has a plurality of discharge openings that can be selectively opened and closed to expose an opening to a respective one of the plurality of metering units. Each seed metering unit is selectively driven by a common drive member, such as a drive shaft. When a seed metering unit is engaged with the drive member, the unit will meter granular material. On the other hand, when the seed metering unit is not engaged with the drive member, the metering unit will not meter granular material. Hence, the present invention provides a seed metering apparatus that provides effective sectional control.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hopper for a seed metering system that has a series of individualized and independently controlled metering units. The hopper has a plurality of discharge openings that can be selectively opened and closed to expose an opening to a respective one of the plurality of metering units. Each seed metering unit is selectively driven by a common drive member, such as a drive shaft. When a seed metering unit is engaged with the drive member, the unit will meter granular material. On the other hand, when the seed metering unit is not engaged with the drive member, the metering unit will not meter granular material. Hence, the present invention provides a seed metering apparatus that provides effective sectional control.

Abstract: A seed meter for a seeding machine has a housing and a seed metering member rotationally mounted to the housing. The metering member has a sidewall with a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface with the inner surface of the sidewall having an outwardly flared rim portion extending both radially outward and axially to an outer edge. The rim portion has a plurality of apertures extending through the sidewall. The metering member is oriented at an angle to the vertical such that an upper portion of the metering member extends beyond a lower portion of the metering member. This orientation allows a seed delivery system to extend into the interior of the metering member and cooperate with the overhanging inside thereof to remove seed therefrom.

Abstract: A metering member for a seed meter having a with a sidewall formed with an radially outward and axially flared rim portion is provided. A plurality of apertures extend though the rim portion to which seed is adhered. The metering member is oriented at an angle to the vertical such that an upper portion of the metering member extends beyond a lower portion of the metering member. This orientation allows a seed delivery system to extend into the interior of the metering member and cooperate with the overhanging metering member to remove seed therefrom.

Abstract: A seed metering apparatus includes a seed container with a feed opening in a bottom thereof. A feed shaft is rotatably mounted across the feed opening. A feed disc is mounted to the shaft and disc recesses are spaced along a periphery thereof An upright shield plate extends across the feed opening adjacent to the shaft and defines a disc slot having a width corresponding to a thickness of the disc. An output portion of the feed disc extends through the disc slot forward of a front face of the shield plate. The feed shaft, feed disc, and shield plate are configured such that the shield plate seals the feed opening, and such that an intake portion of the feed disc is in the feed opening exposed to seeds. Rotation of the feed shaft carries seeds out of the seed container in the disc recesses and into a seed receiver.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seed metering assembly comprised of a set of stand-alone modular seed metering units. Each seed metering unit is selectively driven by a common drive member, such as a drive shaft. When a seed metering unit is engaged with the drive member, the unit will meter granular material. On the other hand, when the seed metering unit is not engaged with the drive member, the metering unit will not meter granular material. Hence, the present invention provides a seed metering apparatus in which the number of seed metering units can be scaled to match the number of distribution headers of a seeding implement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hopper for a seed metering system that has a series of individualized and independently controlled metering units. The hopper has a plurality of discharge openings that can be selectively opened and closed to expose an opening to a respective one of the plurality of metering units. Each seed metering unit is selectively driven by a common drive member, such as a drive shaft. When a seed metering unit is engaged with the drive member, the unit will meter granular material. On the other hand, when the seed metering unit is not engaged with the drive member, the metering unit will not meter granular material. Hence, the present invention provides a seed metering apparatus that provides effective sectional control.

Abstract: A seed meter for an agricultural seed planter, wherein the seed meter includes a rotating distributing seed disk defining a plurality of radially spaced apertures. The seed disk or drum is operatively connected to a vacuum source for creating a pressure differential between the exterior and the interior of the seed disk so as to pick up seeds for dispensing. Secured to the exterior surface of the seed disk are a plurality of arm members, which include an end portion defining an aperture that is positioned over a corresponding aperture formed about the periphery of the seed disk. As the drum is rotated through a supply of seeds, individual seeds are urged onto the apertures of the arm members and corresponding seed disk apertures, and held in place by the vacuum.

Abstract: An assembly for selectively supplying particulate material to an air seeder, an agricultural implement able to selectively supply and dispense particulate material into the ground and a method of selectively dispensing particulate material into the ground are provided. The assembly has at least one supply receptacle for receiving particulate material from a source and a metering roller for supplying the material to an air seeder. The assembly is operative to selectively supply the material to the air seeder and prevent the material from being supplied to the air seeder. The implement can use the assembly to selectively supply particulate material to ground engaging openers where the particulate material will be dispensed into the ground. Particulate material can be selectively supplied to the implement when it is desired to have the particulate material dispensed into the ground and then prevented from being supplied to the implement when it is not desirable.

Abstract: A volumetric metering system for a seeding machine is provided with a plurality of movable inserts each insert defining a ledge over which the seed falls to the meter outlet. The inserts are selectively movable between an open position in which seed is allowed to flow over the ledge and a closed position in which the inserts close the product flow to the outlet. By locating the product shut-off after the meter but before product enters the distribution system, there will only be a short delay in stoppage of product flow once the shut-off is closed.

Abstract: A volumetric meter for seed or fertilizer having a plurality of roller segments driven by a common drive shaft is provided with clutch mechanisms radially between each roller segment and the drive shaft to enable the roller segments to be individually shut-off to provide section or swath control to the machine.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for metering a granular product is presented having a unitary meter roller comprising a plurality of meter roller sections, where each meter roller section has a plurality of radially extending ridges defining product receiving valleys having a volume such that each meter roller section dispenses a specific volume of the granular product per rotation of the unitary meter roller, whereby at least one meter roller section of the unitary meter roller has product receiving valleys of a different volume than the other meter roller sections of the unitary meter roller for reducing or increasing the overall volume of the granular product dispensed per rotation of the uniform meter roller.

Abstract: An assembly for selectively supplying particulate material to an air seeder, an agricultural implement able to selectively supply and dispense particulate material into the ground and a method of selectively dispensing particulate material into the ground are provided. The assembly has at least one supply receptacle for receiving particulate material from a source and a metering roller for supplying the material to an air seeder. The assembly is operative to selectively supply the material to the air seeder and prevent the material from being supplied to the air seeder. The implement can use the assembly to selectively supply particulate material to ground engaging openers where the particulate material will be dispensed into the ground. Particulate material can be selectively supplied to the implement when it is desired to have the particulate material dispensed into the ground and then prevented from being supplied to the implement when it is not desirable.

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 seed meter comprises a plastic casing defining a volumetric compartment and a singling compartment. The casing has three basic parts including the singling side, the volumetric side and the center portion. The basic parts are held together by integrally molded fastening assemblies. A slidable gate is mounted to two channels in the center portion for selectively directing seed into one of the two compartments. A metering drum having a volumetric section located in the volumetric compartment and a singling section located in the singling compartment is rotationally mounted to the casing. The metering drum is also plastic with each section comprising two identical pieces that can be mounted around a drive shaft.

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: The seed planter includes a rotary drum (28) having a series of equally spaced seed cups (51) mounted on the inner surface of the cylindrical peripheral wall (32), and a seed meter (69) mounted over the arcuate path of the seed cups, in close spaced relationship over the large upper openings (54) of the seed cups to receive the seeds.

Abstract: A seeder (20) includes a seed hopper (22) that feeds seed by gravity to a seed dispenser (24). The seed feed wheels (38) of the seeder are mounted in a seed metering tube (30) so that rotation of the seed feed wheels meters the output of the seeds. The seed feed wheels can be formed in segments (50 and 60) so that by matching different segments, different sizes of seed receiving detents can be used for dispensing the seeds. An adjustment bracket (72) shifts the seed feed wheels so that different sizes of detents can register with the openings of the seed metering tube (30), thereby achieving the desired matching of sizes of detents with the sizes of the seeds.

Abstract: A highly efficient seed planting system and method for farmers with small acreages that allows quick changes in equipment to effect quick changes in planted seed patterns. The system includes a seed selector, a seed distributor, a planting member, a transport apparatus and a timing drive mechanism. Efficiency is provided by a number of features including easily changeable seed carrying drums each having different predetermined first seed patterns for different seeds that produce scaled second predetermined patterns in the ground, an easily changeable seed distribution arrangement, an easily changeable and variable seed supply, a simple vacuum/pressure producer, and a timing drive apparatus that synchronizes movement of the drums with the transport apparatus and allows easy changing of the seed spacing in each row.

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: A meter roller is provided with a blank section for enabling an air seeder to achieve a substantially uniform seed rate throughout the width of the tillage. The fluted meter roller has a series of ridges spaced around its periphery, between which are located product receiving valleys. The blank section conforms to the fluted cross-section of the meter roller by projecting into the product receiving valleys of the meter roller. When a series of meter rollers is driven by a common shaft, the output of an individual meter roller may be modified by adjusting the number or size of blank sections attached to the meter roller.

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.

Abstract: The seed metering method and apparatus utilizes a bank of individual metering discs within a pressurized singulating chamber wherein the seed cups around the peripheral edge of each disc are communicated with an air exhaust port through internal passages in the discs, thus, causing the seeds to cling to the seed cups as the discs rotate upwardly through the collection of seeds from the pressurized tank. As the seeds reach the far side of their circular path of travel on the discs, the access of the seed cups to the exhaust ports is terminated, allowing the seeds to release from the discs and drop into strategically located venturies associated with powerful conveying air streams. The venturies have the effect of sucking the released seeds instantly into the air streams so that the regular seed spacing established by the metering discs is maintained as the seeds enter the air transferring portion of the system.

Abstract: An attachment for pneumatic seed planters in which a multiple of rows are planted simultaneously during a single pass of the planter. The attachment enables selected rows to be shut off by preventing seeds from being discharged in a particular row or rows such as when planting in overlapping rows which occurs when making a final pass when planting at the edge of a field. The attachment in one embodiment includes a plurality of manually positioned release wheels and in another embodiment includes a plurality of solenoid positioned release wheels which release the pneumatic pressure associated with a pressurized drum having holes aligned with the number of rows the planter will plant to selectively prevent seed from being discharged into selected tubes which lead to the planting shoes.