Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100017075 | Guiding Agricultural Implements - A system and method of guiding a vehicle moving an implement along crop rows in a field includes using an external guidance apparatus to receive external vehicle location signals and guide the vehicle along a desired vehicle path in response to the vehicle location signals. The position of a guide crop row location relative to the implement is also sensed and linked to the external guidance apparatus such that the external guidance apparatus is operative to laterally adjust the desired vehicle path to maintain the implement substantially on a desired implement path relative to the crop rows. The vehicle path can be directly controlled with respect to the crop rows, or row location information can be linked to the external guidance apparatus through a field guidance apparatus that is operative to shift the implement laterally relative to the vehicle. | 01-21-2010 |
20100107945 | Chamber for slowing particles flowing in a pneumatic conveyor conduit - A chamber apparatus for reducing the speed of particles carried in a pneumatic conveyor conduit includes a chamber with an inlet port in the chamber, the inlet port adapted for attachment to the pneumatic conveyor conduit, and an outlet port in a lower portion of the chamber. A plurality of flexible bristles is secured at ends thereof to a wall of the chamber and extend into the chamber such that particles carried in an air stream entering the inlet port contact the bristles. The chamber is configured such that particles falling inside the chamber move out of the chamber through the outlet port. | 05-06-2010 |
20110048749 | Biased Diagonal Implement Brace - A diagonal brace apparatus for an implement frame includes a bias element connected to a front location on a front portion of the implement frame and connected to a rear location on a rear portion of the implement frame laterally offset from the front location. The bias element is operative to exert a bias force resisting rearward movement of an outer end of the implement frame with respect to an inner end of the implement frame. Conveniently the bias element is provided by a hydraulic cylinder which exerts a bias force and can extend to allow the frame to flex to reduce shock loading on the implement when excessive forces are exerted on the frame. | 03-03-2011 |
20120103238 | Air seeder tank and distribution apparatus - An air seeder distribution apparatus has seed and fertilizer tanks, and a like plurality of metering devices mounted on each product tank. A manifold set comprises a like plurality of product manifolds and each manifold is separately fed from one metering device on each of the seed and fertilizer tanks. A control selectively starts and stops rotation of the feed roller of each metering device to feed product from either tank, or both tanks to the connected manifold. The weight of each tank can be displayed on a weight indicator. Balancing of the pressure in each supply conduit can be provided. A remote opener exerts downward force on the tank lid to maintain interior pressure. | 05-03-2012 |
20120279430 | Seed metering apparatus for a seeder - 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. | 11-08-2012 |
20130245898 | AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT SKEW DETECTION AND CORRECTION - A system for correcting skewing in an agricultural implement where the implement includes a plurality of ground engaging tools laterally spaced across a width of the implement and operative to selectively engage the ground to perform a desired operation on a field surface has a skew detecting device operative to sense when the implement is travelling in a skewed orientation and send a correction signal indicating the skewed orientation to a correction mechanism. A drag force is exerted on the ground engaging tools by engagement with the ground when performing the desired operation on the field surface, and the correction mechanism is operative to change the drag forces exerted on at least some ground engaging tools on one side of the implement to correct the skewed orientation. | 09-19-2013 |
20140216315 | AIR SEEDER TANK AND DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS - An air seeder distribution apparatus has seed and fertilizer tanks, and a like plurality of metering devices mounted on each product tank. A manifold set comprises a like plurality of product manifolds and each manifold is separately fed from one metering device on each of the seed and fertilizer tanks. A control selectively starts and stops rotation of the feed roller of each metering device to feed product from either tank, or both tanks to the connected manifold. The weight of each tank can be displayed on a weight indicator. Balancing of the pressure in each supply conduit can be provided. A remote opener exerts downward force on the tank lid to maintain interior pressure. | 08-07-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090078178 | AIR SEEDER/FERTILIZER APPARATUS HAVING METERING MEANS AND DISTRIBUTION MANIFOLD WITH SELECTIVELY OPENABLE PORTS - An seeding apparatus having a distribution manifold with selectively openable outlet ports thereon, to permit or stop delivery of seed or fertilizer to selected soil engaging means on the apparatus. A metering means, responsive to both the number of selected open ports and the speed of the apparatus over the ground, is provided to regulate supply of seed/fertilizer to the distribution manifold. The distribution manifold has a plurality of outlet ports spaced about a periphery of such manifold, each outlet port having a valve means to allow opening and closing of individual outlet ports. Soil engaging means on such apparatus are individually raisable from an lowered operative position to a raised inoperative position, and when moved to such inoperative position, valve means associated with an outlet port for providing seed and/or fertilizer to such soil engaging member are closed to prevent supply to the associated soil engaging member. | 03-26-2009 |
20090079624 | SECTIONAL METER SHUT-OFF AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT HAVING SECTIONAL METER SHUT-OFF - A sectional meter shut-off apparatus for use in preventing material such as seed or fertilizer from reaching a metering device, for the purpose of preventing double seeding or double fertilizing. The sectional meter shut-off apparatus comprises a plurality of gates capable of opening or closing access to a metering roller. The plurality of gates can be controlled through electric actuators, hydraulic cylinders or a shaft. These gates can individually be controlled through an electric switch connected to the cab of the vehicle and operated by the driver, or automatically controlled by a GPS/GNSS system capable of determining which areas of the field have been previously seeded or fertilized. Additionally, an agricultural implement is further provided, comprising a dual material dispensing apparatus, which incorporates a meter shut-off device, and hydraulic rams to raise ground-engaging soil openers when passing over soil that has been previously seeded/fertilized. | 03-26-2009 |
20090101371 | GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT - The invention provides a guidance system for guiding a towed agricultural implement such as seeders, planters, sprayers and the like, along a preferred path between rows of growing crop or standing stubble by sensing the rows of growing crop or standing stubble with a uniquely designed paddle-like sensor means which does not engage the ground. | 04-23-2009 |
20090271136 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING SEEDERS - A calibration device for calibrating a metering system that dispenses a product to a seeder towed by a farm vehicle is provided for obtaining and maintaining a desired rate of delivery of the product from the seeder. The calibration device comprises a first console port positioned at or near the farm vehicle and a second console port at or near the metering system, each operative to receive at least one a calibration console for calibrating the rate of product delivery and adjust the metering system accordingly. | 10-29-2009 |
20110179984 | METERING ASSEMBLY FOR AN AIR SEEDER - A metering assembly is provided for use with an air seeding system for delivering one or more particulate materials to an air seeding apparatus, the air seeding system comprising a product tank, configured to hold a particulate material and having an outlet, the metering assembly comprising at least one metering device, the metering device having a housing, an inlet positioned in the housing to receive particulate material from the outlet of the product tank, a first loading zone and a second loading zone, and a flow controller provided beneath the inlet and operative to route particulate material that has entered the metering device through the inlet in a first direction towards the first loading zone and in a second direction towards the second loading zone. | 07-28-2011 |
20120132116 | GROUND OPENER ASSEMBLY WITH GUIDING TRACK FOR DEPTH CONTROL - A ground opener assembly mountable to a frame is provided, comprising a guiding member having a track mountable to the frame; a first trailing arm having a front end and a rear end, the front end of the first trailing arm operably associated with the guiding member so that the first trailing arm can travel along the track; a second trailing arm having a front end and a rear end, the front end of the second trailing arm pivotally attached to the frame; a rear link having a proximal end and a distal end, the rear end of the first trailing arm fixedly attached to the proximal end of the rear link and the rear end of the second trailing arm pivotally attached to the proximal end; at least one dispensing implement and a ground compressing member mounted to the rear link; and a bias device operative to exert a downward bias force on the rear link, the at least one ground opening tool and the ground compressing member. | 05-31-2012 |
20120209425 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING SEEDERS - A calibration device for calibrating a metering system that dispenses a product to a seeder towed by a farm vehicle is provided for obtaining and maintaining a desired rate of delivery of the product from the seeder. The calibration device comprises a first console port positioned at or near the farm vehicle and a second console port at or near the metering system, each operative to receive at least one a calibration console for calibrating the rate of product delivery and adjust the metering system accordingly. | 08-16-2012 |