A sectional control device (12) controls the flow of particulate material from a meter (28) assembly to a primary manifold (24) of an air seeding system. The sectional control device (12) includes a plate assembly (56) having particulate openings (36A, 36C, 36) extending between the meter (28) assembly and the primary manifold (24) and a shut-off mechanism configured to control the flow of the particulate material through the particulate openings (36A, 36C, 36). The shut-off mechanism includes a gate (44A, 44) configured to slide between an open position, where particulate material can flow through the particulate opening (36, 38), and a closed position, where particulate material is prevented from flowing through the particulate opening (36, 38). The shut-off mechanism also includes an actuator (40A, 40) configured to drive the gate (44A, 44) between the open position and the closed position. A sectional control device (12) controls the flow of particulate material from a meter (28) assembly to a primary manifold (24) of an air seeding system. The sectional control device (12) includes a plate assembly (56) having particulate openings (36A, 36C, 36) extending between the meter (28) assembly and the primary manifold (24) and a shut-off mechanism configured to control the flow of the particulate material through the particulate openings (36A, 36C, 36). The shut-off mechanism includes a gate (44A, 44) configured to slide between an open position, where particulate material can flow through the particulate opening (36, 38), and a closed position, where particulate material is prevented from flowing through the particulate opening (36, 38). The shut-off mechanism also includes an actuator (40A, 40) configured to drive the gate (44A, 44) between the open position and the closed position.

A method, system and an apparatus minimize over-seeding and disruption of previously placed seed in an overlap area, when applying an agricultural product to a field with an agricultural product delivery arrangement having row units, by dispensing a predetermined first product amount equal to one hundred percent of a desired application to the field in a first pass through the entire field including the overlap area, and then dispensing a second product amount in a subsequent pass through the overlap area without raising row units out of the soil during the subsequent pass. The second product amount is determined as a function of a percentage the predetermined first product amount applied to the overlap area during the first pass that is disturbed by operative engagement of the row units with the soil during the subsequent pass over the overlap area.

An agricultural seeder has furrow opener assemblies spaced along a width of the implement frame. Each furrow opener assembly has an opener arm pivotally attached to the implement frame, and a furrow opener attached to the opener arm. A product delivery system delivers agricultural products to the furrow opener assemblies, and a product control controls the product delivery system such that agricultural products are delivered only to active furrow opener assemblies. A bias force system is operative, when activated in a transport mode, to exert an upward bias force on the active and idle furrow opener assemblies, and operative, when activated in an operating mode, to exert a downward bias force on the active furrow opener assemblies, and to exert substantially no force on the idle furrow opener assemblies.

An agricultural implement system that includes a first toolbar section, a first row unit coupled to the first toolbar section, a second toolbar section, a second row unit coupled to the second toolbar section, and a row unit position control system. The system includes a sensor that detects an angle of the second toolbar section with respect to the first toolbar section. A controller couples to the sensor. The controller raises the first row unit and/or the second row unit in response to the angle to block contact of the first row unit and/or the second row unit with the ground.

A purging system is provided for a multiple variety seed meter of a multi-variety planter. The purging system includes seed return valves that may be arranged for receiving seed that was removed from the seed meter. The seed return valves return the removed seed into corresponding appropriate seed storage compartments to allow a new seed variety to be delivered to the seed meter while reducing seed variety mixing in the seed meter. A pipe with a purge passage may extend from the seed meter to a purging hose that delivers the removed seed to the seed return valve(s). Each seed return valve may be a vacuum-actuated piston airlock valve assembly with a valve plunger that reciprocates to define seed collecting and releasing states of the valve.

A purging system for a multiple variety seed meter of a multi-variety planter includes seed return valves that may be arranged for receiving seed that was removed from the seed meter. The seed return valves return the removed seed into corresponding appropriate seed storage compartments to allow a new seed variety to be delivered to the seed meter while reducing seed variety mixing in the seed meter. A pipe with a purge passage may extend from the seed meter to a purging hose that delivers the removed seed to the seed return valve(s). Each seed return valve may be a vacuum-actuated piston airlock valve assembly with a valve plunger that reciprocates to define seed collecting and releasing states of the valve.

A sectional control device controls the flow of particulate material from a meter assembly to a primary manifold of an air seeding system. The sectional control device includes a plate assembly having particulate openings extending between the meter assembly and the primary manifold and a shut-off mechanism configured to control the flow of the particulate material through the particulate openings. The shut-off mechanism includes a gate configured to slide between an open position, where particulate material can flow through the particulate opening, and a closed position, where particulate material is prevented from flowing through the particulate opening. The shut-off mechanism also includes an actuator configured to drive the gate between the open position and the closed position.

A multiple variety seed meter is provided for multi-variety row crop planting. The seed meter includes a segmented feed pipe system that may include a feed pipe with multiple passages that can be rotated to present one of multiple variety openings toward a seed pool in the seed meter to deliver a specific seed variety into the seed meter. The feed pipe may be an inner selector pipe concentrically nested for rotation in an outer sleeve that extends into the seed meter.

A multiple variety seed meter for multi-variety row crop planting incorporates a segmented feed pipe system that may include a feed pipe with multiple passages that can be rotated to present one of multiple variety openings toward a seed pool in the seed meter to deliver a specific seed variety into the seed meter. The feed pipe may be an inner selector pipe concentrically nested for rotation in an outer sleeve that extends into the seed meter.

An air distribution apparatus including a manifold body having ports with a delivery conduit connected to each port. A port valve is configured to communicate an interior of the manifold body with the delivery conduit associated with each port. A supply conduit is connected at an output end thereof to the interior of the manifold body and connected at an input end thereof to receive a product air stream with entrained agricultural products. An exhaust orifice is defined in the supply conduit and an exhaust valve configured to control a flow of pressurized air from an interior of the supply conduit through the exhaust orifice. The port valve and exhaust valve are controlled to operate oppositely to each other between their open and closed positions. The port and exhaust valves are also adjustable to intermediate positions between the open and closed positions.