A converging row unit for planting seed potatoes includes a plurality of linear arrays of seed cups, each array disposed upon a flexible endless belt and having an upwardly moveable portion and a downwardly moveable portion. The upwardly moveable portion passes through a seed pick region wherein each seed cup can draw a seed, while the downwardly moveable portion progresses to a point of discharge of the seed. The upwardly movable portion is characterized by the linear arrays being laterally spaced apart from each other. The downwardly moveable portion is characterized by the seed cups of the plurality of linear arrays being alternately interleaved together in a single converged linear array extending to the point of discharge.

A converging row unit for planting seed potatoes includes a plurality of linear arrays of seed cups, each array disposed upon a flexible endless belt and having an upwardly moveable portion and a downwardly moveable portion. The upwardly moveable portion passes through a seed pick region wherein each seed cup can draw a seed, while the downwardly moveable portion progresses to a point of discharge of the seed. The upwardly movable portion is characterized by the linear arrays being laterally spaced apart from each other. The downwardly moveable portion is characterized by the seed cups of the plurality of linear arrays being alternately interleaved together in a single converged linear array extending to the point of discharge.

A device is provided for separating planting material, the device comprising a hopper forming a storage space, and at least one conveyor device configured for placing a row of the planting material. The conveyor device comprises at least one carrier element rotating in operation in a direction of rotation and about a deflection axis, and a plurality of conveying elements arranged on the carrier element, which, in operation, each run through the storage space for receiving a planting material component being in a first position relative to the carrier element, and through a dispensing area for dispensing the planting material component. At least a first one of the conveying elements, particularly at least half of the conveying elements, is mounted so as to be movable relative to the carrier element from the first position into a second position at least proportionally parallel to the deflection axis.

A device is provided for separating planting material, the device comprising a hopper forming a storage space, and at least one conveyor device configured for placing a row of the planting material. The conveyor device comprises at least one carrier element rotating in operation in a direction of rotation and about a deflection axis, and a plurality of conveying elements arranged on the carrier element, which, in operation, each run through the storage space for receiving a planting material component being in a first position relative to the carrier element, and through a dispensing area for dispensing the planting material component. At least a first one of the conveying elements, particularly at least half of the conveying elements, is mounted so as to be movable relative to the carrier element from the first position into a second position at least proportionally parallel to the deflection axis.

A converging row unit for planting seed potatoes includes a plurality of linear arrays of seed cups, each array disposed upon a flexible endless belt and having an upwardly moveable portion and a downwardly moveable portion. The upwardly moveable portion passes through a seed pick region wherein each seed cup can draw a seed, while the downwardly moveable portion progresses to a point of discharge of the seed. The upwardly movable portion is characterized by the linear arrays being laterally spaced apart from each other. The downwardly moveable portion is characterized by the seed cups of the plurality of linear arrays being alternately interleaved together in a single converged linear array extending to the point of discharge.

A converging row unit for planting seed potatoes includes a plurality of linear arrays of seed cups, each array disposed upon a flexible endless belt and having an upwardly moveable portion and a downwardly moveable portion. The upwardly moveable portion passes through a seed pick region wherein each seed cup can draw a seed, while the downwardly moveable portion progresses to a point of discharge of the seed. The upwardly movable portion is characterized by the linear arrays being laterally spaced apart from each other. The downwardly moveable portion is characterized by the seed cups of the plurality of linear arrays being alternately interleaved together in a single converged linear array extending to the point of discharge.

A converging row unit for planting seed potatoes includes a plurality of linear arrays of seed cups, each array disposed upon a flexible endless belt and having an upwardly moveable portion and a downwardly moveable portion. The upwardly moveable portion passes through a seed pick region wherein each seed cup can draw a seed, while the downwardly moveable portion progresses to a point of discharge of the seed. The linear arrays are laterally spaced apart from each other in the upwardly moveable portion, and converge together in the downwardly moveable portion, toward to the point of discharge.

A potato seed planting apparatus has: a frame configured to be advanced over a subjacent field into which potato seed is planted; at least one container on the frame for a supply of potato seed; and a plurality of laterally spaced planting units on the frame. Each of the planting units is configured to cause potato seed from the at least one container to be discharged to the subjacent field at controlled time intervals as the potato seed planting apparatus is advanced in a travel path. First and second of the planting units are configured so that the discharge time intervals for potato seeds from the first planting unit are different than the discharge time intervals for potato seeds from the second planting unit with the potato seed planting apparatus advanced at a first speed in the travel path.

A potato seed planting apparatus has: a frame configured to be advanced over a subjacent field into which potato seed is planted; at least one container on the frame for a supply of potato seed; and a plurality of laterally spaced planting units on the frame. Each of the planting units is configured to cause potato seed from the at least one container to be discharged to the subjacent field at controlled time intervals as the potato seed planting apparatus is advanced in a travel path. First and second of the planting units are configured so that the discharge time intervals for potato seeds from the first planting unit are different than the discharge time intervals for potato seeds from the second planting unit with the potato seed planting apparatus advanced at a first speed in the travel path.

In one aspect there is provided a planting unit for singulating a plurality of seeds, said planting unit comprising a seed holder, a seed discharge, at least one drive unit and a seed singulator. The seed singulator further comprises a seed singulating ledge and an excess seed ejector to eject any excess seeds from the seed singulating ledge onto the seed holder.