Abstract: Seeds are punch planted by an apparatus comprising a disk equipped with a plurality of punches rotatably mounted on a frame. The punch disk is eccentrically driven to insure that the punches are perpendicular to the soil surface at all times. A seed disk is rotatably mounted on the frame and communicates with a seed hopper to singulate seeds to the punches.

Abstract: A seeding device which comprises an attachment that can be placed onto existing tillage implements such as field cultivators and utilizes an air distribution system which permits the transfer of a metered amount of seed into individual air carrying lines, wherein each of said lines deposits seeds immediately behind each shovel or furrow opener on the tillage implement to provide an accurate, and large scale seeding device.

Abstract: A circular seed plate for use with a tilted, cylindrically shaped hopper includes a plurality of cells formed in, and spaced around, the circumference of the plate. Each seed cell includes an end surface which extends radially inwardly from the outer diameter in a direction toward the center of the plate, a trailing shelf surface which extends forwardly in the direction of rotation of the plate from the radially innermost end of the end surface, and a leading shelf surface which extends forwardly from the trailing shelf surface also in the direction of rotation of the plate. Ideally each leading shelf surface is substantially longer than its corresponding trailing shelf surface. The edge defined by the intersection of each leading shelf surface and the upper face of the seed plate is beveled along substantially the entire length of the leading shelf surface.

Abstract: In a seeder for singulating wet seeds, a seed capture nozzle dips into a reservoir of seeds suspended in water, and captures a seed on the nozzle by means of suction applied to a suction tube. The nozzle then moves from the seed reservoir to a release location, and releases the seed by application of a pulse of water to a pressure tube. The suction tube and pressure tube meet at a junction in a conduit in the movable capture head. The suction is applied continuously to the pressure tube, and release of the seed is achieved by applying at the pressure tube a pulse of water under pressure sufficient to overcome the applied suction. In a preferred form a seed reservoir may include an inlet bore in the base of a well for supplying an upwardly directed jet of water in the seed suspension for carrying a stream of seeds upwardly toward the surface of the water. This produces a fountain of seeds at the surface and the nozzle captures a seed from a concentration of seeds at the tip of the fountain.

Abstract: A sugar cane planter has a series of cane carrier elements which are moved through a supply of randomly oriented cane billets to select billets and deliver them to a soil furrow. The cane carrier elements move in a circular path and are maintained horizontal throughout said movement by attitude control means thereby providing sufficient time for reliable pick-up, doffing of excess billets, and billet alignment. A supply of billets to the selection mechanism is maintained from a trailed cane bin having a cane elevator. Fungicide is sprayed on the billets carried by the elevator.

Abstract: A machine (FIG. 1) for dispensing seed and fertilizers, which is equipped with two hoppers one for the seed, and the other for the fertilizer. The materials flowing from outlet apertures of the hoppers while the machine is in operation are introduced into the soil in controlled amounts through proportioning means, chutes and tubes which discharge into hoes. The proportioning means have a plurality of feed wheels disposed on shafts and are driven by a ground-dependent power source.

Abstract: Mechanism for dispensing seed or fertilizer for agricultural row crop implements such as seed drills and precision planters. A resilient rotatable roller cooperates with a flat vertical glass dispensing plate to dispense seed or fertilizer from a hopper through a nip between the plate and the roller. A slightly raised narrow slow rate band on the roller cooperates sealingly with a pair of removable confinement flanges so that small seeds such as kale can be confined to the slow rate band and dispensed much more slowly than if the whole width of the roller were used.

Abstract: A mechanism for dispensing seed or fertilizer, etc., for agricultural row crop implements such as seed drills and precision planters, comprises a resilient rotatable roller which cooperates with a flat vertical glass dispensing plate to dispense seed or fertilizer from a hopper through a nip between the plate and the roller. The roller is of unfoamed polyurethane formed with a honeycomb of axially extending recesses defining a relatively thin outer deflection band of the roller. The recesses give the roller the uniform and high degree of flexibility needed to accommodate a wide range of seed sizes while retaining the durability, consistency of physical characteristics and suitability for precision moulding, of unfoamed polyurethane.

Abstract: A transmission and drive assembly for a planter that can be transversely positioned on and selectively clamped on the planter frame at desired locations out of interfering relationship with the planting units. The transmission is at the end of the frame outside of the outermost planter unit but may be easily repositioned on the frame as is necessary. A ground wheel assembly is secured to so as to optionally extend to the front or rear of the frame. It may also be adjusted transversely to accommodate adjustments in the row spacings. The dual assembly includes a countershaft journaled on both the transmission and the wheel assembly bracket and driven by the ground wheel through ratchet assemblies. The transmission is also securable to the frame to extend either to the front or the rear thereof. A crossover drive assembly is provided for transferring drive from the front to the rear of the frame when the transmission is mounted to extend to the front of the frame.

Abstract: A resilient air cut-off pad 52 for an air planter is provided with an area of gradually decreasing thickness in the form of a seed discharge ramp 66 which has a rounded bottom 68 aligned with the circular path of the circumferentially spaced seed pockets 47 on the seed singulating disk 33. The seeds in the pockets 47 are relieved of pressure from the resilient pad 52 by their registration with the ramp 66 as they approach the trailing edge 54 of the pad 52. This insures that the seeds drop by gravity at uniform spacing without resilient thrust being imparted thereto by the trailing edge.

Abstract: A hopper and feed wheel assembly for a fertilizer or pesticide spreader is described. This assembly includes an open topped storage bin or hopper having a concave or "V"-shaped bottom with a flat center plat being disposed along the center or lower most point of the base, the center plate being movable according to calibrated settings to provide a gate opening for discharge of fertilizer or pesticide.

Abstract: A lawn combine is provided which has a frame including a plurality of rotatable wheels supporting and coupled to the frame and a drive-actuated rotatable aerator movably mounted on the frame for movement between a lower operative position, in which it is disposed for engagement with a lawn surface and an upper raised, inoperative position, in which it is disposed for non-engagement with the lawn surface. Drive-actuated feeding devices are mounted on the frame for feeding materials in prescribed dosages to the lawn surface in an area generally beneath the frame and a drive assembly is mounted on the frame for propelling at least one of the wheels of the frame and for actuating the aerator and the feeding devices.

Abstract: A potato seed platner in which seeds are loaded into cups on an endless conveyor from a hopper of a seed receptacle. The conveyor is driven on upper and lower sprockets and arranged on the receptacle with the cups in two parallel rows in staggered constant relationship and moving upwardly through the hopper for seed loading. The cups pass around the upper sprocket, invert and enter a contoured tube thereat and descend in an attached dicharge tube to a furrow. The cup bottoms are inclined transversely and support the seeds in their descent against the wall of the discharge tube. At the bottom the seeds are discharged from the planter and guided by the transversely inclined cup bottoms are deposited one by one alternately from one row and then the other in the furrow with precision heretofore unachieved. The planter further comprises a wheeled frame and one or more, attached, laterally extending, flexible frames upon which the receptacle is supported.

Abstract: A planting machine for potatoes or similar crop comprising a device for feeding the potatoes to the planting foot being formed by a conveyor belt having above it two conical discs with a flat outer rim rotating in opposite senses and located side by side, wherein at the side of the conveyor belt conveying members are movable in opposite direction and extend by their pick-up ends beneath the discs, being provided pick-up members causing the potatoes on the flat rim portion to slide off the disc onto the conveying members, the circumferential speed of the discs exceeding the speed of the conveying members.

Abstract: A seed dispensing device comprising a housing in which is rotatably mounted a wheel member having a plurality of spokes each carrying a seed cup. The cups pick up seeds from a reservoir on rotation of the wheel member and under the combined action of centrifugal and gravitational forces discharge the seeds to an outlet chute. Opposed brushes are provided in the housing between which the cups pass to sweep excess seeds from the cups and to aid retention of a single seed in each cup to the discharge point. A rotatable cleaning brush element having tangential bristles is mounted in the housing to clean cups prior to the cups entering the mass of seeds in the reservoir. Further brushes and excess seed catching gutters may be provided to assist the reliability of solely a single seed being discharged at predetermined intervals. A power-operated ejector may be arranged to discharge foreign matter or broken seeds and so on from the reservoir.

Abstract: An automatic seeder for planting tiny seeds at a consistent depth and at evenly spaced intervals, utilizing a vehicle carrying a novel seed dispersing means operationally disposed a short, preascertained distance above a seed bed. A ground sensing arrangement is utilized, which automatically brings about necessary adjustment of the support arrangement for the seed dispersing means on an as-needed basis, in order that the seed dispersing means will be maintained by servo means at a proper, preascertained distance above the ground. A preferred embodiment of this invention involves furrow-creating means located forward of, and aligned with, the seed dispersing means, which furrow-creating means is arranged to create furrows of a consistent, desired depth, into which the seeds from the seed dispersing means are inserted at precisely controlled intervals.

Abstract: A planting apparatus is shown having a drive wheel for turning a drive belt connected to an axis extending through a hopper. Inside the hopper, a pickup wheel having individual spokes extending radially outward is rotated by the axis. Each spoke there has an indentation just large enough to receive a seed therein upon rotation through to the bottom of the hopper having seed therein. Upon further rotation, the seed is carried by the spoke to the top of the hopper before being dropped into a funnel shaped flue. A spring loaded tapping mechanism strikes the spokes to insure that the seeds will drop from the spokes into the flue. The individual spokes may be removed for varying the space therebetween, or replaced by other spokes having different sized holes therein for the planting of different sized seeds. The seeds drop through the flue and are delivered to a furrow made by a planting foot and covered by a planter wheel.

Abstract: A towable seed drilling unit of the kind having a hopper-fed seed chamber whose base is constituted by a proportion of the lower run of an endless belt driven by a belt drive roller in a direction contrary to towing direction from a ground-contacting wheel and having regularly spaced holes therein for the containment of single seeds, a seed-repelling roller for agitating seed in the said chamber and a masking plate below the belt permitting release of seeds on a passage of holes therebeyond into a furrow formed ahead of temporarily unmasked holes by a coulter beneath the seed chamber and closed by a furrow closing member, wherein forward and rearward wheels supporting the unit are carried by arms pivotal about substantially horizontal axes and means are provided for adjusting the attitude of the arms relative to the remainder of the unit and thus the penetration depth of the coulter, and wherein a parallel linkage is provided by means of which the unit can be attached to a towing vehicle, said linkage being r

Abstract: An implement has a forward structure that supports a fluid distribution system including soil penetrating tools, such as hoe bodies of freely rotatable tine groups through which fluid is ditributed across a broad path. The supporting structure is connectable to a three point tractor hitch and linked to a cultivator frame by a forward parallelogram linkage. The cultivator frame supports a row of driven soilworking rotors and to the rear of the rotors, a wheeled seeder device is mounted on a parallelogram structure so that it can move vertically independently of the supportng structure or cultivator frame. A further, rear parallelogram structure interconnects the rear of the first mentioned parallelogram structure to supporting ground wheels and a hydraulic cylinder is positioned above the rear structure to lift the seeder for transport. A stop is associated with the parallelogram structures to limit their relative movements.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing into a prepared field surface a plurality of seedling bodies each of which includes a small plant that is growing in a root supporting medium. A conveyor onto which the seedling bodies are placed and a mechanism for receiving the seedling bodies in sequence from the conveyor for transporting them to a trench in the field surface. The transporting device includes two pivotable jaws and strategically located cams for opening and closing the jaws to receive the plant from the conveyor and them to deposit the plant into the trench at the correct location and position. A drive mechanism for the conveyor so that the plants are delivered to the transporting means at the proper time and position.

Abstract: A garden tool which serves as an ordinary hand operated plow but can be converted to a seed planter and fertilizer or to a wheelbarrow. The seed planter attachment has a plow point for opening a furrow, a seed and fertilizer dispenser and a device for covering the furrow. The moving parts of the planter are driven by a drag wheel and belt arrangement which also serves to pack down the loose dirt over the planted seeds.

Abstract: A grain drill has the planter disc pivot arms pivoted to a bracket. The bracket pivots are above or below a slotted bar whereby the planter discs may be adjusted longitudinally of the frame. The pivot arms may be raised or lowered by reversing the brackets.The seeder housings are clamped along a longitudinal slot in the bottom of the seed box so the housing may be adjusted to the position of the planter disc. The seeder discs are clamped to a square shaft so they can be adjusted to the position of the housing.

Abstract: A rotating disc has perforated seed pockets which pick up individual kernels of seed from a cavity of a planter housing. Bulk seed flows by gravity from a hopper to the cavity which is pressurized by a blower. As the disc rotates through the cavity, air flowing through the perforated pockets will move the seeds into the pockets and hold them there as the disc rotates to bring the seed carrying pockets into axially confronting relation with a flat sealing surface. The flat sealing surface holds the seed in the pockets as the disc rotates further to a position wherein the pockets are exposed to an open bottom area of the housing at which point the seeds are free to fall by gravity into the soil.

Abstract: Apparatus for punch planting of seeds comprising a slotted-rimmed wheel rotatably mounted on a frame with an axis of rotation passing through the center of a gear fixed to the frame. The wheel is equipped with a plurality of drive gears which communicate with and rotate around the fixed gear. On each drive gear is pivotally mounted a magnetic-tipped punch. The rotation of the wheel causes the punches to move in and out of the slots in the wheel. The action of the punch produces a small hole in the soil and embeds a coated seed therein.

Abstract: A rotating disc has perforated seed pockets which pick up individual kernels of seed from an air pressurized cavity of a planter housing. Air flowing through the perforated pockets creates a pressure differential which moves a kernel into each pocket as the pocket moves on a circular path upwardly through the cavity. The pocket then moves into axially confronting relation with a flat sealing surface. The flat sealing surface holds the seed in the pocket as the disc rotates further to bring the pocket to the lower part of the housing where the seed falls by gravity into the soil. Each of the circumferentially spaced pockets has an opening in its bottom which is large enough to permit air flow therethrough but smaller than the seed kernels to be planted. The pockets are clam shell shaped with the more gentle slope on the side of the pocket toward the direction of rotation of the disc during planting.

Abstract: A planter for planting disk-shaped environmental seed cells which are formed of low-density readily-crumbled, compressed pulverulent material. The planter apparatus comprises a planter chassis supported from a tool bar of a tractor and pivotally supported thereon and resiliently urged at each end into contact with the ground. The planter comprises means for separating seed disks in the hopper and transferring seed cells therefrom in a file along a pair of inclined rollers driven in the same direction to dispense the seed disks individually through a chute into a furrow formed by a furrow shoe. The row of seeds is then compacted by a packing wheel which is also resiliently urged into ground-engaging contact from the support bar and serves to drive the separating and conveying rollers on the planter.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering and transporting particulate material, particularly seeds, in which suction is continuously applied to holes in a surface of a drum to enable the particles to be picked up by the drum, an air pressure device being provided to produce an air stream for entraining and accelerating the particles along a transport passage away from the drum surface.

Abstract: An improved seed planter having a seed conveyor which, in combination with a means for placing seeds on the seed conveyor as they are dispensed from a seed hopper, transports the seeds from the seed hopper to a seed release point in close proximity to the desired seed planting site in the tilled soil.

Abstract: A seed pickup mechanism for a vacuum wheel type seed planter including provision for arranging the seeds into a relatively thin stable seedbed which is suitably carried through a seed pickup chamber at a spaced distance below the vacuum wheel. The stable seedbed is converted into an unstable or fluidal state as it passes through the seed pickup chamber by an upwardly directed blast of air which is effective to expand the seedbed or slightly lift and separate the seeds thus the seeds are raised upwardly to facilitate engagement thereof with the vacuum wheel.

Abstract: A cultivator or harrow has two groups of tined soil working members in a row that are driven to rotate about upwardly extending shafts. Each group is located on an opposite side of a frame portion center from the other. Between each soil working member, a driving shaft is positioned and pinion gears housed in the frame portion to turn all the shafts of one group in the same direction, but opposite to that of the driving shafts and the other group. The driving shafts can be fitted with additional soil working members and those soil working members on upwardly extending shafts can be replaced with smaller supports so that adjacent soil working members rotate in opposite directions. Alternatively, the smaller supports can be fitted with extension structures and two groups of soil working members are again formed. A dispensing mechanism can be mounted on the frame portion to deliver material between a rear supporting roller and the tines.

Abstract: An improved seed planter; improvements in planting devices adapted to plant individual seeds one by one, at spaced intervals in a prepared furrow; improved mechanism for individually receiving seeds one by one each in a moving receptacle, retaining each seed in its receptacle as it is moved to planting position and then ejecting the seeds from the receptacles one by one in timed and spaced sequence; improved seed feeding apparatus for continuously receiving seeds for planting from a source (i.e. a hopper), arranging them individually in sequence and feeding them in sequence to individual receptacles of a planting device; an improved seed planter module incorporating a furrow cutter, seed storing, feeding and planting apparatus, furrow closing apparatus and furrow tamping apparatus.

Abstract: A planter apparatus for attachment to a tractor or other draft vehicle and having a pair of vertically disposed interconnected pivoting frames. Front and rear ground engaging wheels are mounted along the longitudinal axis of the lower frame, and a pair of transversely disposed discs are mounted therebetween along the axis and for forming an incision in the ground. A chain and belt drive from the front wheel actuates a rotating seed discharge mechanism in a housing mounted over the rear portion of the discs whereby seed is discharged into the incision. The rear wheel compacts the soil over the incision with the seed therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating and/or counting individual ones of a plurality of substantially similarly shaped particles, elements, grains, or the like, such as grains of seed, pills, etc., and including a hollow rotating drum, constructed to have plural, inwardly tapering indentations, terminating in a bore open to the interior of the drum and having at the bottom of the indentation dimensions smaller than the particles so that the particles cannot traverse the bore, the indentations being wider than the particles at the surface of the drum, the indentation dimensioned to hold at least one particle each. A nozzle directs an air jet towards the drum at direction and position so that the air strikes along the leading wall portion of the closest indentation as the drum rotates. Particles are fed towards the drum, so that at least one particle is in each indentation as it passes the jet.