A system for sowing seeds in cells of a germination tray or other container and related methods of operation. The system may include a conveyor configured to move the germination tray in a conveying direction, a seed storage container configured to hold a plurality of seeds, a seed sowing machine, and a seed diverting mechanism. The seed sowing machine may be configured to transfer the seeds from the seed storage container along at least one seed transport path and into respective cells of the germination tray as the conveyor moves the germination tray in the conveying direction. The seed diverting mechanism may be configured to selectively divert seeds from the at least one seed transport path such that the diverted seeds are not deposited in cells of the germination tray during operation.

Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit of an agricultural planter. The row unit includes a trench depth adjustment assembly configured to modify the furrow depth. In one embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a gear box having one or more gears which engage with a gear rack. The gear box may be pivotally connected to a depth adjustment body supporting a rocker that adjusts upward travel of gauge wheel arms. In another embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a depth adjustment arm having a screw receiver that cooperates with a driven screw that adjusts the position of the depth adjustment arm acting on the gauge wheels to adjust trench depth.

Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit of an agricultural planter. The row unit includes a trench depth adjustment assembly configured to modify the furrow depth. A first depth adjustment sub-assembly is configured to select one of a plurality of pre-selected furrow depths. A second adjustment sub-assembly is configured to modify at least one of a plurality of the pre-selected furrow depths.

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.

When performing a seed planting operation, a variety change distance may be calculated that corresponds to the distance from a variety zone boundary of a prescription map that a row unit of a planter must be located prior to initiating a variety change procedure for switching seed types. Once the row unit reaches a variety change boundary spaced apart from the variety zone boundary by the calculated variety change distance, a system controller may initiate the variety change procedure to allow the seed type being planted to be efficiently and effectively switched as the planter makes a planting pass across the field.

A method and system for planting one of a plurality of seed types, hybrids and/or varieties is presented. A planter is provided with a plurality of row units. The row units include substantially static metering systems, which can include multiple seed meters at a particular row unit. The metering systems including more than one seed meters are configured such that the seed meters will plant a different seed types or varieties. The operation of one or more of the seed meters at a time will provide for the planting of a particular seed variety. When the invention provides for on-the-go changing of a seed being planted by changing the operation of one or more of the seed meters at each of the row units and provides for almost infinite variation among the row units for planting particular seed varieties or not planting at all.

A work vehicle includes a delivery system with a run. The run includes an upstream flow structure having an inlet that is configured to receive metered commodity and a suction generator structure with a flow passage that is in fluid communication with the inlet. The flow passage includes a venturi profile with a restricting section and an expanding section. Furthermore, the run includes a downstream flow structure configured to receive the metered commodity via the flow passage and an airstream that conveys the metered commodity in a downstream direction through the downstream flow structure. A compressed air source is configured to provide pressurized air through the flow passage to create suction to suck the metered commodity away from the metering system and toward the downstream flow structure.

A seed meter for an agricultural planter having a seed disc rotating in a direction of travel. The seed disc includes a seed side surface and a vacuum side and a plurality of seed apertures. A plurality of guide cavities are disposed on the vacuum side adjacent to the seed apertures. The seed meter includes a seed ejector assembly having a lever arm supporting an ejector wheel and a guide wheel. The lever arm is biased toward the vacuum side of the seed disc such that the ejector wheel engages the see apertures and the guide wheel engages the guide cavities as the seed disc rotates.

RADIAL SUCTION-TYPE SEED METERING APPARATUS, comprising a seed metering apparatus for the distribution of farming seeds, coupled to agriculture machines named planters. The mentioned seed metering apparatus is activated by an electric motor and/or any other mechanical or hydraulic system that rotates the seed distribution disc carrying the seeds located in the inner part of the seed reservoir with the aid of a central turbine, where the air suction is carried out through ducts between the turbine and the seed meter, generating a negative pressure in the meter inner part. The seeds are stored in the radial disc outer part holes for seed distribution and, by getting to the exact point perpendicularly to the soil, the vacuum generated is interrupted by the turbine through the elastic pulley located inside the disc, so that the seeds are released due to gravity force through a duct that drives the seeds to the holes by the double disc of furrow opener discs. Finally, the holes are sealed through closing and gauge wheels for the perfect seed germination.

A method including adjusting a changeable component of a seed planting machine when switching from a first variety of seed to a second variety of seed during planting, wherein the adjusting is based on a location of the planting machine.