Abstract: An agricultural planter has a chassis with a tool bar and at least one row unit. Each row unit is carried by the tool bar and has a fluid actuator and a linkage assembly connecting it to the tool bar. The linkage assembly and fluid actuator allows the row unit to be raised and lowered. A control module is operable to individually raise and lower each row unit on the agricultural planter using the fluid actuator in response to either a manual input, an automatically determined requirement or condition of the at least one row unit, or an automatically determined operating condition of the agricultural planter. The control module is further operable to prevent the raising or lowering of an individual row unit on the agricultural planter based on either a configuration of the agricultural planter or the potential occurrence of an undesirable weight or drag distribution.

Abstract: A stack-fold implement having a central bulk fill hopper assembly is provided. The bulk fill hopper assembly is mounted to the center frame section of the stack-fold implement and does not affect the narrowness of the stack-fold implement when it's in a stacked, transport position. The hopper assembly includes a pair of bulk fill hoppers or tanks supported by cradle that is in turn supported by a pair of wheels. The cradle is removably coupled to the center frame section by a plurality of rigid frame members. A retractable ladder may be stowed beneath the hopper assembly.

Abstract: A stack-fold implement having a central bulk fill hopper assembly is provided. The bulk fill hopper assembly is mounted to the center frame section of the stack-fold implement and does not affect the narrowness of the stack-fold implement when it's in a stacked, transport position. The hopper assembly includes a pair of bulk fill hoppers or tanks supported by cradle that is in turn supported by a pair of wheels. The cradle is removably coupled to the center frame section by a plurality of rigid frame members.

Abstract: A planting unit for depositing fertilizer and seed in a single pass, double shoot manner includes a rotating disc that cuts a furrow in a planting surface and a trailing seed boot, having a cutting edge, that cuts a vertically and horizontally offset trench in the furrow to form a seed bed in the planting surface. The disc has a mounting frame for mounting the disc to a linkage assembly that is, in turn, coupled to a toolbar mount. The seed boot is also attached to the mounting frame. This common attachment provides a relatively short and compact device without sacrificing fertilizer and seed stratification.

Abstract: A bulk seed handler and dispenser is provided for transporting bulk seed containers and for dispensing the seed within the containers into planting equipment. The bulk seed handler and dispenser is comprised of a trailer having a plurality of bulk seed containers mounted thereon, each of which is in communication with individual hoppers located therebelow. A horizontally disposed conveyor auger is in communication with each of the hoppers and is adapted to convey the seed from the hoppers to a transition box located at the forward end of the conveyor auger. A seed discharge auger has its lower end in communication with the transition box and extends upwardly and laterally therefrom. A discharge tube is connected to the upper end of the seed discharge auger which is maneuvered for placement adjacent planter unit hoppers.

Abstract: A bulk seed handler and dispenser is provided for transporting bulk seed containers and for dispensing the seed within the containers into planting equipment. The bulk seed handler and dispenser is comprised of a trailer having a plurality of bulk seed containers mounted thereon, each of which is in communication with individual hoppers located therebelow. A discharge auger conveyor is in selective communication with each of the hoppers and is adapted to convey the seed from the hoppers through a discharge tube which is maneuvered for placement adjacent planter unit hoppers.

Abstract: A twin row planter (10) includes planting units (20a-26b) arranged in pairs (20-26). Each pair (20-26) is configured and positioned for planting two rows (78,80) of seeds less than about ten inches apart to produce two rows of crops in order to increase the yield of the plot. With this spacing, the rows (78,80) in each pair are close enough to simulate a single row enabling the use of a conventional cultivator, sprayer or harvesting machine.

Abstract: A pneumatic seed planter utilizing air pressure to dispense the seeds in a central hopper to a plurality of laterally spaced seed planting assemblies. Mounted on the planter is a system for dispensing granular chemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides from a separate hopper to the rows planted by the planting assemblies. The system uses air pressure from the planter (rather than a mechanical drive) to convey the granular material out of the separate hopper to the planting assemblies. Air is directed upwardly through an opening in the bottom of the chemical hopper and into a material conveyor tube spaced from the opening. The granular chemical is drawn through the space and into the conveyor tube by the air stream. A plurality of delivery tubes is connected to the conveyor tube for directing the chemical to the respective plurality of planting assemblies.