A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a particle belt configured to be disposed apart from a particle metering and singulation unit and a particle acceleration system configured to apply a force to a particle to accelerate the particle from the particle metering and singulation unit and to guide the particle toward the particle belt. The particle belt is configured to receive the particle accelerated from the particle metering and singulation unit, and the particle acceleration system is configured to apply the force to the particle to accelerate the particle from the particle metering and singulation unit to the particle belt, such that a particle speed of the particle reaches a target particle speed, is within a target percentage of a belt speed of the particle belt, or both, as the particle reaches the particle belt.

A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a particle belt configured to be disposed apart from a particle metering and singulation unit and a particle acceleration system configured to apply a force to a particle to accelerate the particle from the particle metering and singulation unit and to guide the particle toward the particle belt. The particle belt is configured to receive the particle accelerated from the particle metering and singulation unit, and the particle acceleration system is configured to apply the force to the particle to accelerate the particle from the particle metering and singulation unit to the particle belt, such that a particle speed of the particle reaches a target particle speed, is within a target percentage of a belt speed of the particle belt, or both, as the particle reaches the particle belt.

A seed meter for an agricultural planter in which the seed disc is rotatably mounted within a seed meter housing. As the seed disc rotates, the apertures in the disc rotate along a seed aperture path through a horizontally adjacent seed pool area. The seed disc includes cavities disposed along the seed aperture path to agitate the seeds in the seed pool area. A singulator having multiple co-planar singulator surfaces is biased against the seed side surface of the seed disc.

A seed meter for an agricultural planter in which the seed disc is rotatably mounted within a seed meter housing. As the seed disc rotates, the apertures in the disc rotate along a seed aperture path through a horizontally adjacent seed pool area. The seed disc includes cavities disposed along the seed aperture path to agitate the seeds in the seed pool area. A singulator having multiple co-planar singulator surfaces is biased against the seed side surface of the seed disc.

A method for single-grain application of seed by means of an agricultural sowing unit with at least one sowing element (200), which has a metering device (210) and a single grain-laying device (220), for the single-grain depositing of the seed along or within a seed furrow (310) arranged in the soil (300). A single grain (320) of seed is deposited along or within the seed furrow (310), adjacent to individual grains (320) of seed at a distance (l.sub.1) that can be selected or adjusted as required. A selectable or predetermined number (x) of seed capsules (100) is assigned to each single grain (320) of seed, whereby the seed capsules (100) are placed adjacent to the assigned single grain (320) along or within the seed furrow (310), and the active or stimulating substances (140) contained in the seed capsules (100) are released to support the associated single grain (320).

A method for single-grain application of seed by means of an agricultural sowing unit with at least one sowing element (200), which has a metering device (210) and a single grain-laying device (220), for the single-grain depositing of the seed along or within a seed furrow (310) arranged in the soil (300). A single grain (320) of seed is deposited along or within the seed furrow (310), adjacent to individual grains (320) of seed at a distance (l.sub.1) that can be selected or adjusted as required. A selectable or predetermined number (x) of seed capsules (100) is assigned to each single grain (320) of seed, whereby the seed capsules (100) are placed adjacent to the assigned single grain (320) along or within the seed furrow (310), and the active or stimulating substances (140) contained in the seed capsules (100) are released to support the associated single grain (320).

A mini-hopper for an agricultural row unit that has a fill tube supplying material to a hopper. A backflow preventer is disposed in the fill tube or in a line to the inlet to prevent flow of material from the mini-hopper through the fill tube when the mini-hopper is in a transport position.

A seed planter meter that orients plant seed and a delivery mechanism which can transport the seed to the soil while maintaining the seed's orientation during transport to the soil and encapsulation in the soil.

A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a particle belt housing having a particle engagement aperture configured to receive a particle and a particle exit aperture configured to expel the particle toward a trench in soil. The particle delivery system includes a particle belt having a particle engagement section configured to receive the particle via the particle engagement aperture and a particle exit section configured to expel the particle via the particle exit aperture. The particle exit section is positioned adjacent to the particle exit aperture, the particle belt extends generally parallel to the trench at the particle exit section, the particle engagement section is positioned adjacent to the particle engagement aperture, and the particle belt at the particle engagement section extends at an angle between zero degrees and ninety degrees relative to the particle belt at the particle exit section.

A planting unit for a seeding machine having a frame member and a seed meter mounted thereto. The seed meter has a housing and a metering member rotatably mounted therein. The metering member has a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface with a rim portion of the sidewall adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a trough at a bottom portion of the metering member to hold a seed pool. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member and moves seed to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine.