A seeding machine for a row unit, in which the row unit has a seed disk rotatable about a first axis to convey seed from a seed reservoir, includes a seed delivery apparatus. The seed delivery apparatus includes an elongated housing having a first opening through which seed is received, a second opening through which seed exits, and an elongated interior chamber. The seed delivery apparatus further includes a first pulley, a second pulley, and an endless member driven by the first pulley and/or the second pulley. The endless member is movable within the elongated interior chamber to receive seed from the first opening and convey seed to the second opening. A seed diverter is movable with respect to the endless member and pivotable about a second axis non-coincident with the first axis. The seed diverter is positioned to contact and guide seed into the seed delivery apparatus.

Modular meter units for distributing particulate material from an applicator can be configured to combine with each other without the use of tools to provide specific meter assembly lengths based on desired flow rates. In one aspect, modular meter unit housings with interlocking features can provide build options for assembling different sized meter assemblies. The modular meter unit housings can allow stacking and connecting multiple adjacent meter units to make a meter assembly of a particular length/volume/flow rate. Each meter unit housing can have a longitudinal bore that opens through opposing end walls and define a cylindrical cavity or chamber that can receive a cylindrical/tubular sleeve or liner. Matching openings on opposite top/bottom walls of the modular meter unit housing can align with openings of the liner to define an inlet and outlet for the meter unit.

A bearing end cap for a modular meter assembly for distributing particulate material from an applicator can include recesses that accommodate locking tabs or fingers of modular meter unit housings and protrusions that lock a meter tube against rotation. In one aspect, a bearing end cap can be provided with a particular construction that cooperates with modular meter unit housings. The bearing end cap can have vertical and horizontal symmetry and cutouts near its corners. These cutouts can provide clearances to accommodate the locking tabs or fingers of modular meter unit housing end walls. Back walls of the bearing end caps can have protrusions that extend into end cutouts of a tube which defines an interior perimeter of the meter assembly.

A tubular sleeve for a modular meter system for distributing particulate material from an applicator can be inserted through a meter assembly that is built from modular meter unit housings to define the boundary wall of a meter cavity and provide internal structural support for the meter assembly. The tube can be provided with inlet and outlet openings that can be inserted through modular meter housings to form an overall meter assembly of a particular length and therefore volume/flow rate. In one aspect, a tube or tubular sleeve can be inserted into a stack of connected meter units while assembling a modular meter assembly. A circumferential sidewall of the tube can have pairs of oppositely positioned openings that provide inlets and outlets for a meter assembly.

A metering unit for granular material, such as seed or fertilizer, is arranged to convey the granular material in adjustable quantities, where the metering unit includes a metering housing and a drivable metering wheel rotatably supported in the metering housing, where, for rotatably supporting the metering wheel, the metering unit includes a bearing housing and a metering cover which is movable to various positions. For reliably securing the bearing housing in position, the metering cover includes a nose-piece-like extension and the extension defines an abutment for the bearing housing.

A seed meter for dispensing seed. The seed meter comprises a housing at least partially enclosing an interior space. The housing includes a top surface defining a seed inlet, and further includes a seed outlet. The seed meter additionally includes a metering wheel positioned within the interior space of the housing. The metering wheel is configured to carry seed through the housing when rotating in a first direction or in a second direction. The seed meter further includes a pair of retractable seed guards positioned within the interior space of the housing. The seed guards are each configured to be selectively configured in an operating configuration and in a retracted configuration. In the operating configuration the seed guards are configured to prevent excess seed from passing through the seed meter, and in the retracted configuration the seed guards are configured to permit large obstacles to pass through the seed meter.

A seed meter for dispensing seed. The seed meter comprises a housing at least partially enclosing an interior space. The housing includes a top surface defining a seed inlet, and further includes a seed outlet. The seed meter additionally includes a metering wheel positioned within the interior space of the housing. The metering wheel is configured to carry seed through the housing when rotating in a first direction or in a second direction. The seed meter further includes a pair of retractable seed guards positioned within the interior space of the housing. The seed guards are each configured to be selectively configured in an operating configuration and in a retracted configuration. In the operating configuration the seed guards are configured to prevent excess seed from passing through the seed meter, and in the retracted configuration the seed guards are configured to permit large obstacles to pass through the seed meter.

A meter roller for an agricultural metering system includes multiple flutes and corresponding recesses. The flutes and the corresponding recesses are configured to meter flowable particulate material from a storage tank to a material distribution system via rotation of the meter roller. The meter roller also includes multiple air passages formed within a body of the meter roller. Each air passage is fluidly coupled to a central cavity of the meter roller and extends to a base of a respective recess, and the air passage is configured to flow air from the central cavity into the respective recess.

A variable rate air metering system is provided. The system includes seed meter cartridges, each having a housing, a meter wheel, and a variable speed electric motor operatively connected to the seed meter cartridge. The seed meter cartridges provide flowable material to distribution manifolds, which are configured to distribute flowable material to multiple row outputs for deposition into a field. A control system is configured to control operation of the distribution manifolds for enabling/disabling dispersement of flowable material to row units. The control system is also configured to adjust the dispersement rate of flowable material by the seed meter cartridges in association with the opening/disabling the dispersement of flowable material to row outputs.

Sowing element for precision agricultural seeders comprising a device for selecting the seed, of the type which is formed of a perforated disc having opposing faces that are subject to a pressure differential and a pressurisation device associated with the disc for applying the pressure differential to the faces of the disc, the pressurisation device including a pressurisation bell combined with the disc so as to pneumatically couple thereto in order to guarantee said pressure differential, wherein the bell is rotatably idle with respect to the disc.