Patent classifications
A01C7/107
Seeding control system and method
A method of maintaining a desired seed population rate during periods of acceleration of the agricultural planter. In one method, if the horizontal acceleration of the planter is greater than a predefined upper threshold, the seed disc is driven at a rotational speed to maintain the desired seed population rate based on a highest stable ground speed. In another method, if the horizontal acceleration is less than a predefined lower acceleration threshold, the seed disc is driven at a rotational speed to maintain the desired seed population rate based on a lowest stable ground speed. In another method, if the horizontal acceleration is less than the predefined upper acceleration threshold and is greater than the predefined lower acceleration threshold, the seed disc is driven at a rotational speed to maintain the desired seed population rate based on an a preferred planter ground speed input.
Fertilizer meter with motor control and method thereof
An agricultural implement for distributing fertilizer to a plurality of rows includes a fertilizer container, a plurality of fertilizer metering units, and a plurality of motors. The fertilizer containers are used for storing the fertilizer prior to the fertilizer being distributed to the soil. The plurality of fertilizer metering units each include a housing and a metering device positioned in the housing. The housing has an inlet configured to receive fertilizer from the fertilizer container and an outlet. The plurality of motors are each drivingly coupled to and configured to rotate at least one metering device to distribute fertilizer to a row of the plurality of rows.
Methods and related systems for automatically calibrating seed meters
In one aspect, a calibration method for a seed meter may include controlling an operation of a singulator to apply an initial aggressiveness setting for the singulator. The method may further include controlling the seed meter to rotate a seed transport member of the seed meter relative to a seed chamber of the seed meter containing a plurality of seeds. The method may additionally include performing a calibration cycle, which may include monitoring a first parameter indicative of a number of occurrences of seed multiples as the seed transport member rotates, iteratively adjusting the aggressiveness setting from the initial aggressiveness setting as the first parameter is being monitored, and when the first parameter crosses a first threshold, recording the associated aggressiveness setting as a minimum aggressiveness setting for the singulator.
PRECISION AGRICULTURAL SEED DELIVERY SYSTEM
An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed transport mechanism configured to transport a seed along a transport route, a seed sensor configured to sense presence of the seed at a first location along the transport route, and a motor configured to drive movement of the seed transport mechanism to transport the seed from the first location to a second location in which the seed is released from the seed transport mechanism. A processing system is configured to track a position of the seed along the transport route based on an indication of the sensed presence of the seed at the first location and detected movement of the seed transport mechanism, and generate a motor operating parameter based on the tracked position of the seed and a target parameter for releasing the seed. The motor of the seeding system is operated based on the motor operating parameter.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TESTING AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS
A system (100) for testing an agricultural implement includes a frame (106) configured to receive a device (104) to be tested. The frame carries a filter (108), a pump (112), a pressure relief valve (116) in fluid communication with the pump outlet, a frame output tube (122) to deliver the flow of fluid from the pump outlet to the device to be tested, a frame return tube (124) to receive the flow of fluid from the device to be tested, and a recycle flow outlet (128). A method of testing includes connecting a device to the frame output tube and the frame return tube, pumping a fluid from the frame output tube to the frame return tube through the device, and measuring a flow rate of the fluid through the device.
CALIBRATION DEVICE FOR VOLUMETRIC METERS
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for calibrating a first meter of an air cart include determining a calibration factor using a second meter. The second meter may be located with the air cart or remotely from the air cart. An amount of material dispensed from the second meter is used to determine the calibration factor. A number of cycles of operation of the second meter may also be used to determine the calibration factor. The calibration factor may be provided via a wired or wireless connection to a controller operable to control operation of the first meter.
Device for metering a granular or grainy material in a distributor machine and distributer machine
The invention relates to a device for metering a granular or grainy material in a distributor machine, comprising a housing; an inlet opening which is formed on the housing and through which a granular or grainy material can be introduced in the housing for metering; an outlet opening which is formed on the housing and through which the granular or grainy material can be discharged out of the housing after metering; a metering space which is formed in the housing in such a way that granular or grainy material in the housing can be moved from the inlet opening via the metering space to the outlet opening; a metering wheel which is arranged in the metering space on a drive shaft, and which is configured to meter the granular or grainy material supplied via the inlet opening; a mounting opening which is formed on the housing and via which the metering wheel can be exchangeably mounted in the metering space; and a mounting component which is detachably arranged in the mounting opening in a mounted position, and this in turn is arranged at least partially welded onto the housing, wherein the mounting component has a receiving unit for detachably receiving the metering wheel, in such a way that the metering wheel received on the receiving unit is mounted on the drive shaft when arranging the mounting component in the mounted position, and in such a way that, when detaching the mounting component from the mounted position, the metering wheel is forcibly detached from the drive shaft (6), such that the metering wheel can be removed from the metering space in this way and can be detached from the housing together with the mounting component. A distributor machine is also provided for distributing a granular or grainy material, such as seeds, fertiliser or grit.
Precision agricultural seed delivery system
An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed transport mechanism configured to transport a seed along a transport route, a seed sensor configured to sense presence of the seed at a first location along the transport route, and a motor configured to drive movement of the seed transport mechanism to transport the seed from the first location to a second location in which the seed is released from the seed transport mechanism. A processing system is configured to track a position of the seed along the transport route based on an indication of the sensed presence of the seed at the first location and detected movement of the seed transport mechanism, and generate a motor operating parameter based on the tracked position of the seed and a target parameter for releasing the seed. The motor of the seeding system is operated based on the motor operating parameter.
Methods and related systems for automatically calibrating seed meters
In one aspect, a calibration method for a seed meter may include controlling an air pressure source to apply an initial air pressure to a seed transport member of the seed meter defining a plurality of seed cells. The method may further include controlling the seed meter to rotate the seed transport member relative to a seed chamber of the seed meter containing a plurality of seeds. The method may additionally include performing a calibration cycle for the seed meter, which may include monitoring a first parameter indicative of a number of empty seed cells as the seed transport member rotates, iteratively adjusting the air pressure from the initial air pressure as the first parameter is being monitored, and when the first parameter crosses a first threshold, recording the associated air pressure as a minimum air pressure for the seed meter.
System and method for calibrating an agricultural product metering system
A system for calibrating an agricultural product metering system is provided including a calibration unit configured to be mounted to the agricultural product metering system. The calibration unit includes a load cell configured to measure a calibration weight of product exiting the agricultural product metering system, and the calibration unit is configured to output signals indicative of the calibration weight of the product. The calibration system also includes a controller configured to receive the signals and to calculate a product flow rate based on the calibration weight.