A manifold system for balancing particle delivery from multiple discharge outlets includes a diverter subassembly movably mounted in a manifold for balancing discharge from the outlets. The manifold system is disclosed in an agricultural air seeder application, with the particles comprising tubes and the discharge outlets being connected to ground-engaging tools for depositing seeds in space, subsurface locations in a crop field. Automated and manually-adjustable embodiments are disclosed.

A sowing element for precision pneumatic seed drills. The sowing element includes a selector disc for isolating the seed, the selector disc being rotatable about an axis (X), and a conduit for transporting the seed with an initial portion which is proximal to a position for removing the seed from the selector disc and an intermediate portion which extends in continuation of the initial portion. The conduit, at least in the initial portion and in the intermediate portion, is substantially rectilinear and substantially coaxial and has an axis (Y) which is located inside a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the sowing ground and parallel with the sowing advance direction.

An air seeder includes a header including an inlet connected to a first hose through which a mixture of air and particulate matter enters the header. The header also includes a plurality of exit ports through which the mixture of air and particulate matter exit the header. Additionally, the air seeder includes a valve associated with each one of the plurality of exit ports. The valve opens and closes to regulate the flow of the mixture of air and particulate matter out of an associated exit port while also regulating a flow of purging air through the associated exit port.

A pneumatic distribution system for use with agricultural equipment, such as air drills and air carts, includes hoses which may be held at a manifold connection having articulated control. The manifold connection may hold multiple couplers for hoses, and each of the couplers may be configured to allow substantial rotation in a first plane perpendicular to the ground. In addition, the manifold connection may be configured to allow substantial rotation in a second plane parallel to the ground. As a result, the manifold connection may be held proximal to a mechanical hitching point between agricultural equipment. This, in turn, may allow elimination of excess hose lengths and greater ease of handling when the agricultural equipment is separated and the hoses are disconnected.

A seed metering system, for use on a row crop planter, selects individual seeds from a seed reservoir and dispenses the seeds singularly at a controlled rate. A direct drive seed metering system includes a seed disc having a plurality of suction apertures with a recessed pocket adjacent to an aperture. The recessed pockets act to agitate seeds in the seed reservoir and to direct seed flow towards the apertures. A seed path relief system allows the placement of the seeds such that they are released from an outer edge of the seed disc. An adjustable seed singulator is mounted adjacent to the face of the seed disc where inner and outer blades are adjusted radially to compensate for the singulation of various seed sizes and shapes. The seed disc is driven via engagement of an internal gear with the external gear of an independent drive motor.

An air seeder distribution apparatus has a manifold and a plurality of delivery conduit connected to ports of the manifold. A supply conduit carries a product air stream and is connected the manifold interior. A port valve when open connects a delivery conduit to the manifold interior through the port and disconnects same when closed. A purging conduit connects the supply conduit, at a clean air location configured to receive from the supply conduit a clean air stream with no agricultural products entrained therein, to the delivery conduit such that the clean air stream has an open path from the supply conduit to the delivery conduit. When the port valve is open the clean air stream flows through the purging conduit at a low first flow rate, and when the port valve is closed the clean air stream flows through the purging conduit at a second significantly greater flow rate.

A wear extender is presented for use with planters, air seeders and drills that utilize the engagement of a flexible wheel with a disc to scrape mud from the side of the disc. The wear extender is formed of an ultra-high molecular weight plastic that is compression molded. The wear extender is generally cylindrical in shape and when installed covers the interior edge of the tire. Installation of the wear extender extends the life of the tire and reduces the need to replace the tire. In addition, due to the more-rigid nature of the wear extender as compared to the more-flexible nature of the tire, the wear extender does a better job of scraping mud than the tire. As such, use of the wear extender reduces the number amount of downtime that occurs due to poor scraping and reduces the amount and cost of maintenance due to tire wear.

An agricultural air seeding system, comprising: an agricultural planting implement including at least one section at least one secondary header removably attached to the at least one section, at least one attachment bar attached to the at least one section, and a plurality of application tools removably attached to the at least one attachment bar and fluidly coupled to the at least one secondary header; an agricultural air cart coupled to the agricultural planting implement; and a pneumatic distribution system fluidly coupled to the agricultural planting implement and the agricultural air cart, the pneumatic distribution system including a plurality of conduits capable of transporting agricultural product, at least one of the plurality of conduits including at least one flow obstruction such that a substantially equal air pressure is delivered to the plurality of application tools.

A seed metering system, for use on a row crop planter, selects individual seeds from a seed reservoir and dispenses the seeds singularly at a controlled rate. A direct drive seed metering system includes a seed disc having a plurality of suction apertures with a recessed pocket adjacent to an aperture. The recessed pockets act to agitate seeds in the seed reservoir and to direct seed flow towards the apertures. A seed path relief system provides for allowing the placement of the seeds such that they are released from an outer edge of the seed disc. An adjustable seed singulator is mounted adjacent to the face of the seed disc where inner and outer blades are adjusted radially to compensate for the singulation of various seed sizes and shapes. The seed disc is driven via engagement of an internal gear with the external gear of an independent drive motor.