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.

The invention provides a control system configured to start/stop metering of particulate material, upon command from a user, or according to a prescription map, with calculated sequencing and delays for starting/stopping boom sections, in order to achieve a substantially uniform distribution of material along a target line. In one aspect, following a command to stop metering, programming of when meters (corresponding to booms sections) turn off is updated to follow a delayed order according to multiple parameters, including ground speed of the machine, and flow of material, as determined by type of material, fan speed, tube diameter and tube length. The control system can dynamically account for such parameters to determine timing for when boom sections are selectively enabled/disabled to achieve the substantially uniform distribution.

A dry-particulate monitoring system for a machine that distributes dry-particulate to the ground by metering product into a flowing airstream. The airstream is diverted into several tubes mounted on booms covering some horizontal distance. At the end of each tube is a deflector designed to direct the flow of material to a desired location with a particular coverage. An acoustic-based sensor of the preferred embodiment is placed on each deflector to detect material flowing through each tube or pipe or against the deflector. The information that is gathered from the sensors is sent to the dry-particulate spreader operator, who is able to view the real time operation of the dry-particulate flow. The system may be capable of detecting presence or absence of flow (i.e., blockage), or may detect variance of flow in individual pipes over time, or variances of flow between different pipes.

A dry-particulate monitoring system for a machine that distributes dry-particulate to the ground by metering product into a flowing airstream. The airstream is diverted into several tubes mounted on booms covering some horizontal distance. At the end of each tube is a deflector designed to direct the flow of material to a desired location with a particular coverage. An acoustic-based sensor of the preferred embodiment is placed on each deflector to detect material flowing through each tube or pipe or against the deflector. The information that is gathered from the sensors is sent to the dry-particulate spreader operator, who is able to view the real time operation of the dry-particulate flow. The system may be capable of detecting presence or absence of flow (i.e., blockage), or may detect variance of flow in individual pipes over time, or variances of flow between different pipes.

The invention provides a pneumatic conveying system for an agricultural product applicator, which system comprises multiple fans configured to serve separate boom sections of the applicator to more efficiently conduct airflow with respect to each section. In aspects of the invention, multiple centrifugal fans of the same or similar size can be used, or multiple centrifugal fans of various sizes can be used, such as one or more larger fans and one or more smaller fans. Exemplar aspects could include three small or medium sized centrifugal fans, four small or medium sized centrifugal fans, and five small or medium sized centrifugal fans, thereby allowing the system to raise outlet air pressure at an elevated flow. Another aspect of the invention could include configuring one fan to supercharge another fan, in series, also allowing the system to raise outlet air pressure at an elevated flow.

The invention provides a pneumatic conveying system for an agricultural product applicator, which system comprises multiple fans configured to serve separate boom sections of the applicator to more efficiently conduct airflow with respect to each section. In aspects of the invention, multiple centrifugal fans of the same or similar size can be used, or multiple centrifugal fans of various sizes can be used, such as one or more larger fans and one or more smaller fans. Exemplar aspects could include three small or medium sized centrifugal fans, four small or medium sized centrifugal fans, and five small or medium sized centrifugal fans, thereby allowing the system to raise outlet air pressure at an elevated flow. Another aspect of the invention could include configuring one fan to supercharge another fan, in series, also allowing the system to raise outlet air pressure at an elevated flow.

A motor creep control system includes at least one motor and a manifold fluidically coupled to the at least one motor and configured to control flow of a fluid through the at least one motor. The manifold includes an input port, an output port, at least one fluid control valve to control the at least one motor, and a motor creep control valve. A first state of the motor creep control directs the fluid from the input port, through the at least one fluid control and motor, and to the at least one output port. Meanwhile, a second state of the motor creep control in conjunction with the at least one fluid control valve being deactivated directs the fluid from the input port that leaks past the deactivated at least one fluid control valve to the at least one output port, while bypassing the at least one motor.

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 distribution device, in particular a sowing machine, for distributing a good, with at least one storage container and at least one discharge apparatus. The storage container is connected to the discharge apparatus by at least one outlet channel such that the good arranged in the storage container can be transferred to the discharge apparatus such that the good can be distributed by the discharge apparatus. The distribution device has a first and a second part. The first and the second parts can be moved in relation to each other such that the outlet channel can be at least partially exposed.