A pneumatic distribution system for an agricultural machine includes an air source having an outlet, an assembly configured to receive agricultural material from a material source, and a plurality of conduits. Each conduit is configured to receive an air stream from the outlet for conveying a portion of the agricultural material to at least one device associated with the agricultural machine. A first one of conduits corresponds to a first distribution line and is positioned such that the first conduit receives a first air stream from a first area of the outlet, a second one of the conduits corresponds to a second distribution line and is positioned such that the second conduit receives a second air stream from a second area of the outlet having a lower air pressure than the first area, and the first distribution line has a higher pressure drop than the second distribution line.

A pneumatic distribution system for an agricultural machine includes an air source having an outlet, an assembly configured to receive agricultural material from a material source, and a plurality of conduits. Each conduit is configured to receive an air stream from the outlet for conveying a portion of the agricultural material to at least one device associated with the agricultural machine. A first one of conduits corresponds to a first distribution line and is positioned such that the first conduit receives a first air stream from a first area of the outlet, a second one of the conduits corresponds to a second distribution line and is positioned such that the second conduit receives a second air stream from a second area of the outlet having a lower air pressure than the first area, and the first distribution line has a higher pressure drop than the second distribution line.

A self-propelled air boom spreader has a container mounted on a frame, the container having a product hopper and a noise-reducing fan assembly compartment therein with a fan assembly including at least a fan and a motor for operating the fan mounted in the noise-reducing fan assembly compartment within the container. The spreader has a product distribution system for receiving product from the hopper and an air system, including the fan assembly, for receiving product from the distribution system and distributing the product to the environment. Situating the fan assembly in the container provides a quieter operating spreader and distributes the center of gravity of the spreader forward to reduce overloading of the rear axle, to avoid overbalancing the spreader at the rear axle and to reduce undesirable torque of the frame at the rear.

A self-propelled air boom spreader has a container mounted on a frame, the container having a product hopper and a noise-reducing fan assembly compartment therein with a fan assembly including at least a fan and a motor for operating the fan mounted in the noise-reducing fan assembly compartment within the container. The spreader has a product distribution system for receiving product from the hopper and an air system, including the fan assembly, for receiving product from the distribution system and distributing the product to the environment. Situating the fan assembly in the container provides a quieter operating spreader and distributes the center of gravity of the spreader forward to reduce overloading of the rear axle, to avoid overbalancing the spreader at the rear axle and to reduce undesirable torque of the frame at the rear.

A pressure gradient or differential in a product distribution line for conveying granular particulate material, including at least one of a seed or a fertilizer, in an air flow to an agricultural field consistently decreases as air speed and velocity in the product distribution line decreases until a critical air speed is reached. Below the critical air speed, the particulate material is susceptible to falling out of the air flow to potentially cause a blockage in the system. A control system efficiently determines an optimum operating velocity for an air flow that is above the critical air speed yet below a maximum air speed associated with inefficient operation. The control system retains the air flow setting in a data structure for later retrieval.

A flow control system for controlling flow of materials such as seeds or fertilizer as the materials are fed into a manifold and meter unit of an air seeder. The flow control system generally includes a flow controller which is connected between a volume of materials, such as a tank, and a manifold of an air seeder. The flow controller is adapted to control flow of the materials into the manifold to be metered by a meter unit. The flow controller includes a plurality of movable gates; with each gate being adapted to selectively open or close a corresponding opening in the flow controller. The gates may be manually adjusted, such as by a handle, or may be automatically adjusted, such as by actuators. By selectively opening or closing various gates, the volume and speed of flow of materials into the manifold may be easily and efficiently adjusted.

A flow control system for controlling flow of materials such as seeds or fertilizer as the materials are fed into a manifold and meter unit of an air seeder. The flow control system generally includes a flow controller which is connected between a volume of materials, such as a tank, and a manifold of an air seeder. The flow controller is adapted to control flow of the materials into the manifold to be metered by a meter unit. The flow controller includes a plurality of movable gates; with each gate being adapted to selectively open or close a corresponding opening in the flow controller. The gates may be manually adjusted, such as by a handle, or may be automatically adjusted, such as by actuators. By selectively opening or closing various gates, the volume and speed of flow of materials into the manifold may be easily and efficiently adjusted.

An agricultural application implement for delivering particulate product to a field. The implement includes a frame, a bin to hold product, a pneumatic conveying system fixed to the frame, a metering system operably connected between the supply compartment and the pneumatic conveying system, and a bin lift system. The pneumatic conveying system includes an airflow source to provide an airflow, and a delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the bin. The delivery line includes a plurality of outlets. The metering system meters product with the airflow to result in a mixed flow of airflow and product for the delivery line. The bin lift system includes hydraulic cylinders coupling the bin to the frame, and a bin lift controller to control the hydraulic cylinders to raise or lower the bin.

An agricultural application implement for delivering particulate product to a field. The implement includes a frame, a bin to hold product, a pneumatic conveying system fixed to the frame, a metering system operably connected between the supply compartment and the pneumatic conveying system, and a bin lift system. The pneumatic conveying system includes an airflow source to provide an airflow, and a delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the bin. The delivery line includes a plurality of outlets. The metering system meters product with the airflow to result in a mixed flow of airflow and product for the delivery line. The bin lift system includes hydraulic cylinders coupling the bin to the frame, and a bin lift controller to control the hydraulic cylinders to raise or lower the bin.

An agricultural product delivery applicator for delivering particulate product to a field. The applicator includes a supply compartment to hold the product, a pneumatic conveying system, a metering system, and a controller. The pneumatic conveying system includes first delivery line operably connected to an airflow source and to the supply compartment, and a second delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the supply compartment. The metering system includes a first metering device associated with the first delivery line and a second metering device associate with the second delivery line. The controller controls the air flow source, the first metering device to meter product to result in a first mixed flow of airflow and product for the first delivery line, and the second metering device to meter product with the airflow to result in a second mixed flow of airflow and product for the second delivery line.