The invention relates to a metering device (5) for granular material, in particular seeds and/or fertilizer, where the metering device (5) comprises a metering housing (9) having at least one inlet (8) and at least one outlet (11) for the granular material and two side walls (10) that are arranged spaced from one another, where a metering wheel (13) with end faces (13a) each pointing toward the side walls (10) is arranged between, firstly, the inlet (8) and, secondly, the outlet (11), and between the side walls (10), that are arranged spaced from one another, on a shaft and is connectable in a force-fit manner to the latter and can be driven to rotate by the shaft in a metering direction (D), where the metering wheel (13) is associated with blocking means (14) which are configured to block the metering wheel (13) against the transport of granular material in a direction opposite to the metering direction (D) from the inlet (8) to the outlet (11) and/or in the metering direction (D) from the outlet (11) to the inlet (8), and a plain wheel (15) is arranged at each end face (13a) of the metering wheel (13) and extends between the end face (13a) and the side wall (10) in an unfastened manner on the shaft, where a sealing element (16) is arranged on both sides between the respective end face (13a) of the metering wheel (13) and a side surface (15a) of the respective plain wheel (15) pointing toward this end face (13a).

A seed delivery system for use in a seeding or planting machine that removes the seed from a seed meter by capturing the seed therefrom. The delivery system then moves the seed down to a lower discharge point and accelerates the seed horizontally rearward to a speed approximately equal to the forward travel speed of the seeding machine such that the seed, when discharged has a low or zero horizontal velocity relative to the ground. Rolling of the seed in the trench is thus reduced. Furthermore, as the seed only has a short drop from the outlet to the bottom of the seed trench, the seed has little vertical speed to induce bounce. The delivery system uses a brush belt to capture, move and accelerate the seed. By capturing the seed and moving it from the meter to the discharge, the seed is held in place relative to other seeds and the planter row unit. As a result, the seeds are isolated from row unit dynamics thereby maintaining seed spacing.

A seed delivery system for use in a seeding or planting machine that removes the seed from a seed meter by capturing the seed therefrom. The delivery system then moves the seed down to a lower discharge point and accelerates the seed horizontally rearward to a speed approximately equal to the forward travel speed of the seeding machine such that the seed, when discharged has a low or zero horizontal velocity relative to the ground. Rolling of the seed in the trench is thus reduced. Furthermore, as the seed only has a short drop from the outlet to the bottom of the seed trench, the seed has little vertical speed to induce bounce. The delivery system uses a brush belt to capture, move and accelerate the seed. By capturing the seed and moving it from the meter to the discharge, the seed is held in place relative to other seeds and the planter row unit. As a result, the seeds are isolated from row unit dynamics thereby maintaining seed spacing.

A seed delivery system for use in a seeding or planting machine that removes the seed from a seed meter by capturing the seed therefrom. The delivery system then moves the seed down to a lower discharge point and accelerates the seed horizontally rearward to a speed approximately equal to the forward travel speed of the seeding machine such that the seed, when discharged has a low or zero horizontal velocity relative to the ground. Rolling of the seed in the trench is thus reduced. Furthermore, as the seed only has a short drop from the outlet to the bottom of the seed trench, the seed has little vertical speed to induce bounce. The delivery system uses a brush belt to capture, move and accelerate the seed. By capturing the seed and moving it from the meter to the discharge, the seed is held in place relative to other seeds and the planter row unit. As a result, the seeds are isolated from row unit dynamics thereby maintaining seed spacing.

A product distribution device shown as an agricultural air seeder in which product distribution can be selective stopped and started in sections of the machine width. The functioning of the section control system is monitored by sensors that directly detect the control member position as opposed to sensing the commanded position of the control member. Likewise, in generating a map of the area covered, the actual detected position of the control member is used instead of the commanded position of the control member. An operator is notified of inconsistencies between the commended position of the control member and the sensed position.

A metering device for granular material, such as seed or fertilizer, is arranged to deliver the granular material in adjustable quantities, where the metering device includes a metering housing, a drivable metering wheel arranged in the metering housing, and a movable shut-off valve, where the metering housing includes a metering cover that can be moved to different positions and a lock that is associated with the metering cover. The position of the shut-off valve can prevent the lock from being actuated so that the metering cover cannot be opened.

A spreader device includes a hopper axially mounted above a generally circular hollow tube, the generally circular hollow tube forming a semi-circular hopper floor of an interior area formed by the hopper, and a drive motor assembly attached to the hopper and operable to rotate the generally circular hollow tube within at least a portion of the interior area formed by the hopper.

An endless seed delivery belt includes an inner surface, and an undulating outer surface. The undulating outer surface defines a plurality of alternating, and regularly-spaced peaks and troughs where each peak corresponds to a flight and each space between adjacent peaks defines a cavity that is generally sized and shaped to accommodate one seed. In some implementations, the endless seed delivery belt has a seed ejector between each pair of adjacent flights.

A seed meter disk includes a body defining a plane of rotation, a seed-side, and a lower-pressure-side. A circumferential array of seed openings are provided on the seed-side of the seed meter disk for seed adherence. A circumferential array of kick-out pockets are provided on the lower-pressure-side of the seed meter disk. A circumferential array of recessed seed agitator pockets may be provided for seed mixing and agitation. A circumferential array of raised agitator pegs or features may be provided for seed mixing and agitation. A kick-out wheel assembly includes a kick-out wheel rotatably held by a kick-out wheel arm. The kick-out wheel has at least one protrusion portion including a plurality of kick-out protrusions each of which is configured to mate with and enter one of the kick-out pockets to facilitate dislodgement of a seed or other particle from within a seed opening.

An agricultural planter has a plurality of planter row units spaced across a width of the planter, and release mechanisms for releasing seeds or plants into the ground from each row unit. A positioning system determines a location of the planter in a field, and a controller uses the location information to cause the release mechanism to release seeds or plants at predetermined tripping points in the field. The release mechanisms of all of the planter row units are moved simultaneously as the planter reaches each tripping point location in the field. This allows the seeds or plants from all of the row units to be released in a synchronized manner and aligned in a lateral direction relative to a direction of travel of the planter while planting. In one embodiment, the release mechanisms are positioned near lower ends of seed delivery tubes that receive seeds from seed metering mechanisms.