A method for adjusting operating parameters of an agricultural implement during a product-dispensing operation may include monitoring a location of the agricultural implement while performing a product-dispensing pass across a field. The method may further include determining that the agricultural implement will encounter an operating parameter boundary prescribing a change in an operating parameter of the agricultural implement. Moreover, the method may include determining a transition boundary along the product-dispensing pass based at least in part on a propagation delay for the prescribed change, where the agricultural implement will cross the transition boundary before the operating parameter boundary. Additionally, the method may include initiating the change in the operating parameter when the agricultural implement reaches the transition boundary such that the prescribed change in the operating parameter is complete when the agricultural implement reaches the operating parameter boundary.

In one embodiment, an electronic system comprises a display device to display data and processing logic coupled to the display device. The processing logic is configured to determine a duty cycle of at least one sensor for sensing flow of a product or particle through a product or particle line of an agricultural implement and to determine an amount of product or particles flowing through a line of the agricultural implement based on the duty cycle of the at least one sensor.

A seed orientation apparatus and system has a seed transfer tube that receives randomly oriented seeds from an agricultural row planter seed meter and moves seeds from a seed collector to a curved pathway in a seed orientation coil assembly. The seed orientation coil assembly uses some combination of aerodynamics, centrifugal force, and path geometry to align the seed. The aligned seed is stabilized and entrained in an air stream and is subsequently discharged into a wedge-shaped furrow, detrained from the air stream, and wedged in the furrow before being covered by a closing wheel, thereby planting the aligned seed into the soil while achieving tip-down seed orientation with the germ facing an adjacent row. The seed orientation apparatus and system may be retrofitted onto existing planter row units. A method of planting is also described.

In one embodiment, an air seeder tower includes a valve with an actuator, and a closed loop feedback control with a sensor to control actuation of the valve to control air flow out of the air seeder vent tower.

An assembly to distribute flowable particulate material, the assembly including: a conduit to which the material is delivered and to which an airstream is supplied to move the material along the conduit to a delivery downstream destination; material delivery means connected to the conduit for delivery of material to the downstream destination; control means operatively associated with the material delivery means to selectively deliver a pre-determined rate of the material to a separator to engage the airstream to concentrate the material in a portion of the airstream, the separator being positioned within the conduit upstream of the material delivery means; air distribution means in constant fluid communication with the separator and the material delivery means to control airflow to the material delivery means.

The present invention provides a plenum configured to evenly separate and distribute airflow generated by a fan into distribution lines of an agricultural machine. The plenum can utilize angled vanes symmetrically or asymmetrically arranged to form plenum chambers to provide a balanced airflow which contributes to maximizing fan efficiency, including power consumption and performance (airflow and static pressure). Accordingly, the plenum can be configured to separate the airflow and minimize imbalance between the lines during sectional control. The plenum height can be maintained for increased manufacturability and to prevent additional expansion. The plenum length can be configured within allowable space constraints of the machine yet allow airflow to develop upon separation into the lines. Vanes throughout the span of the plenum initially divide the airflow from the fan and maintain separation until the outlets.

An inductor apparatus includes an inductor assembly mounted under a seed container such that seeds flow into a reservoir. An air conduit carrying pressurized air extends along the reservoir. Seed channels extend from an inlet located above a pickup air opening in the air conduit to an outlet, and a bypass channel extends downward from each seed channel through an upper wall of the air conduit. A pickup air stream flowing out the pickup air opening forms a seed air stream entrained with seeds flowing into each seed channel inlet and a bypass air stream flows from the air conduit through each bypass channel into each seed channel and the combined seed and bypass air streams flow out the seed channel outlets. The seed channel outlets can be arranged along each side of the inductor assembly, and the rate of flow of the bypass air stream can be adjusted.

The invention relates to a distribution device (10) for granular material, in particular seed, having: a distributor housing (24) which has a material inlet opening (16) for the granular material; at least one conveying air duct (26a, 26b), situated in the distributor housing (24), for a material-free conveying air flow, the conveying air duct (26a, 26b) being connected within the distributor housing (24) to a grain-holding region (30, 30a, 30b) within which the granular material entering the distributor housing (24) via the material inlet opening (16) can be introduced into the material-free conveying air flow; one or more material flow lines (18a, 18b, 32, 32a, 32b), which adjoin the grain-holding region (30, 30a, 30b), for the conveying air flow laden with granular material; and at least one additional air duct (34), which is situated in the distributor housing (24), for a material-free additional air flow, which can be introduced into the one or more material flow lines (18a, 18b, 32, 32a, 32b) via at least one additional air inlet (38a, 38b).

An implement for working an agricultural field includes a frame and a plurality of row units carried by the frame. Each row unit includes a subframe trailing the frame and connected to the frame by an upper link and a lower link, at least two different ground-engaging tools carried by the subframe, and at least one pneumatic actuator configured to change a length of the upper link or the lower link to keep the ground-engaging tools in contact with ground. A method includes pulling the implement through the agricultural field, maintaining a selected pressure in the pneumatic actuator, and maintaining the ground-engaging tools in contact with the agricultural field.

The invention is directed broadly to an entrainment unit for distributing seed, comprising: a seed chamber for seed in bulk; a mixing chamber for mixing seed and air, the mixing chamber having an outlet for discharging entrained seeds; and an air supply unit for: (a) supplying a first air flow to the seed chamber and entraining and transporting seed to the mixing chamber, and (b) supplying a second air flow to the mixing chamber for forming a combined air flow that entrains the seed and transports the seed through the discharge outlet.