A seed metering apparatus includes a seed hopper; a seed cup operatively connected to the seed hopper via an opening; and a valve mechanism, operatively connected between the seed hopper and the seed cup, configured to control a flow of seed from the seed hopper to the seed cup.

Disclosed is a plant protection and management system for a center pivot and linear irrigation system. In the plant protection and management system, the movable platform is configured to provide at least one of an application unit, a seeding-fertilizer spreader unit or a monitoring unit. The application unit is configured to spray agriculture chemicals or fertilizers on crops. The seeding-fertilizer spreader unit is configured to sow seeds of crops. Further, the monitoring unit is configured to monitor crops and collect status data of the crops or status data of environment. According to different requirements on agricultural production, at least one of the application unit, the sowing unit or the monitoring unit can be selectively arranged on the movable platform so as to meet various requirements on plant protections and managements in the process of agricultural production.

A seed delivery apparatus having a seed meter configured to entrain seeds on a seed disc and to release said entrained seeds at a seed release location; a seed conveyor having an upper end disposed to receive released seeds from said seed meter and a lower end through which the released seeds are discharged proximate a soil surface; and a loading wheel rotatably disposed at said upper end of said seed conveyor to introduce the released seeds from said seed meter into said seed conveyor, wherein said loading wheel has a plurality of radial fingers with each of said radial fingers having a sinusoidal configuration.

A seed delivery apparatus having a seed meter configured to entrain seeds on a seed disc and to release said entrained seeds at a seed release location; a seed conveyor having an upper end disposed to receive released seeds from said seed meter and a lower end through which the released seeds are discharged proximate a soil surface; and a loading wheel rotatably disposed at said upper end of said seed conveyor to introduce the released seeds from said seed meter into said seed conveyor, wherein said loading wheel has a plurality of radial fingers with each of said radial fingers having a sinusoidal configuration.

Seed meter for planting different seed varieties including back cover, disk and front cover. Back cover includes seed separation device providing first seed pool area and second seed pool area with help of the back cover. First seed pool area receives first type seeds, and second seed pool area receives second type seeds from first seed chamber and second seed chamber, respectively of a seed hopper. Disk includes at least two rows of apertures disposed in alignment with first seed pool area and second seed pool area. Disk rotates with vacuum pressure and entrains the first type seeds and the second type seeds over the apertures until apertures rotate past an area where vacuum pressure is cut off from the apertures. First type seeds and second type seeds free-fall from the disk through a discharge chute in the back cover into a seed tube for depositing into a seed furrow.

An improved modulated particulate metering system is provided. The system includes a plurality of particulate storage areas, each having a separate type of particulate. The system can include varied configurations of a plurality of cartridges in communication with one of the particulate storage containers. The system can further include varied configurations of a plurality of gearboxes operably connected to the cartridges. The gearboxes can be adapted to be inverted and operably controlled by one or more drive shafts. The system can still further include varied configurations of a plurality of particulate accelerators in fluid communication with an air flow path having one inlet. The system permits a user to efficiently alternate between desired configurations based on the needs of the application.

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 row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter assembly having a metering member with a seed side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the seed side. The metering member is operable to selectively move seeds from the seed reservoir. A pump provides a pressure differential between the seed side and the non-seed side for adhering the seeds to the metering member. A conveyor has an inlet for receiving the seeds and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine. The conveyor includes a belt movable from the inlet to the outlet. A pneumatic seed displacer includes a nozzle disposed adjacent the metering member for concentrating air. The nozzle is configured to eject the air towards the metering member for directing the seeds from the metering member to the conveyor.

A system for monitoring wear on ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement includes a ground engaging tool supported relative to a frame of the agricultural implement, the ground engaging tool configured to rotate with engagement of the ground during operation of the agricultural implement, a non-contact sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of wear on the ground engaging tool, and a controller communicatively coupled to the non-contact sensor. The controller is configured to determine a status of the wear on the ground engaging tool based on sensor data received from the non-contact sensor.