CA1110117A - Seeding device with air distribution system - Google Patents
Seeding device with air distribution systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1110117A CA1110117A CA324,599A CA324599A CA1110117A CA 1110117 A CA1110117 A CA 1110117A CA 324599 A CA324599 A CA 324599A CA 1110117 A CA1110117 A CA 1110117A
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- Prior art keywords
- inlet
- outlet
- seed
- chamber
- tank
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A seeding device which comprises an attachment that can be placed onto existing tillage implements such as field cultivators and utilizes an air distribution system which permits the transfer of a metered amount of seed into individual air carrying lines, wherein each of said lines deposits seeds immediately behind each shovel or furrow opener on the tillage implement to provide an accurate, and large scale seeding device.
A seeding device which comprises an attachment that can be placed onto existing tillage implements such as field cultivators and utilizes an air distribution system which permits the transfer of a metered amount of seed into individual air carrying lines, wherein each of said lines deposits seeds immediately behind each shovel or furrow opener on the tillage implement to provide an accurate, and large scale seeding device.
Description
'7 The present invention relates to seeding devices that can be attached to tillage implements and which utilize air con-veying for distribution of the seed to furro~ openers.
In the prior art various seeding clevices which mount onto tillage implements have been advanced. For example, United States Patent No. 2,199,755 issued May 7, 1940 to W. R. Pyron shows a seeder attachment for disc harrows, and United States Patent No. 3,811,387 illustrates the use of seed tubes relative to shovel type furrow openers.
U.S. Patent No. 2,812,732 shows a central hopper and a single impeller fan for distributing seed to individual seed tubes mounted behind each shovel on the cultivator.
Pneumatic seed coveying also has been known. There are a large number of corn planter type devices which lit individual seeds through a vacuum arrangement, and British Patent ~o.
871,261 shows a type of pneumatic spreader for inorganic fertili~erO
United States Patent No. 3,631,825 shows an all pneumatic seed conveying and distributing system with central metering and division of the seeds into individual streams.
~.S. Patent No. 383,22~ shows a central hopper arrange-ment in a drill plow using gravity type feed without pneumatic conveying. Ano-ther type of seed machine using an auger lateral conveyer is shown in United States Patent No. 534,750.
In modern day farming tillage implements such as field cultivators are commonly 30 feet wide and more, and generally include a center main section and folding wings or outer sections that fold up for transport. It is desirable from a cost stand-point to adapt such devices (which may be substantially wider than 30 feet) for seeding. One of the problems in such adaption is to ~et accurate metering and uniform distribution of the seed to each of the individual furrow openers or shovels that are mounted on the cultivator r and at the same time having -the seeding units adaptable fo~ easy moun~ing onto and removal from such implemen-t to permit multiple use including its primary purpose o~
tilling or cultivating.
A pneumatic seeding device is disclosed which comprises a plurality of hoppers mounted on a field cultivator. Each of the hoppers includes means for metering seed and dividing the seeds after metering into individual seed cups. The cups form the means for di~iding the flow of seed from the metering device.
A pneumatic conveying system is connected to each o~ the seed CllpS.
The pneumatic conveying system provides a flow of low pressuxe air lnto a transfer chamber where the seed is entrained in an air stream. The seeds are conveyed through tubes to individual Eurrow openers. :
The furrow openers are the shovels (chisel points3 of :~
the conventional field cultivator assem~ly, and because of the use of pneumatic conveying the widkh of the unit is not limited to width which can be fed through gravity.
Additionally, inorganic fertilizer from separate hoppers can be metered into the same CllpS as the seed and conveyed in the sarne fluid stream as the seed to each oE -the individual furrow openers. ~.
In the form shown, the seed cups are mounted below meter-ing rollers and made so that they can be easily mounted onto the seed hoppexs, and detached therefrom for cleaning. The seed cups are open at the top so that if plugging occurs there is a visual indication of spilling seed at the ~op of the cup. The fluid-seed transfer chamber that is in the seed CUpS through which air flows is designed specificall~ to create reliable transfer of the seed and inorganic fertilizer pellets into the indivîdual hoses leading to each of the respective furrow openers. Swi:rling and turbulance is minimized in that swirling and turbulance tend to cause the seed to be suspended within the seed cups and to plug the cup.
Additionally, the seed cups divide the ~low of inorganic fertilizer which is also provided from metering rolls. The fertil-izer drops into the open top portion of the seed cups for transfer to the ~urrow openers.
Fluid under pressure is provided through a simple paddle type centri~ugal fan that can be operated ~rom the power take-off of the tractor which tows the seeder. A frame member of the seeder attachment itself is utilized as a plenum chamber to dis-tribute the fluid under low pressure into individual hoses or passageways leading to each of the seed cups, Eor providing the air at suffi-cient volume and at low pressure to prevent irregularities in the Elow of air.
The meteriny devices for the seed hopper and the fertil-izer hoppers are pairs of rollers which extend along each hopper section and are power dri~en and can be varied in speed to meter properly.
As shown the metering devices are operated through a
In the prior art various seeding clevices which mount onto tillage implements have been advanced. For example, United States Patent No. 2,199,755 issued May 7, 1940 to W. R. Pyron shows a seeder attachment for disc harrows, and United States Patent No. 3,811,387 illustrates the use of seed tubes relative to shovel type furrow openers.
U.S. Patent No. 2,812,732 shows a central hopper and a single impeller fan for distributing seed to individual seed tubes mounted behind each shovel on the cultivator.
Pneumatic seed coveying also has been known. There are a large number of corn planter type devices which lit individual seeds through a vacuum arrangement, and British Patent ~o.
871,261 shows a type of pneumatic spreader for inorganic fertili~erO
United States Patent No. 3,631,825 shows an all pneumatic seed conveying and distributing system with central metering and division of the seeds into individual streams.
~.S. Patent No. 383,22~ shows a central hopper arrange-ment in a drill plow using gravity type feed without pneumatic conveying. Ano-ther type of seed machine using an auger lateral conveyer is shown in United States Patent No. 534,750.
In modern day farming tillage implements such as field cultivators are commonly 30 feet wide and more, and generally include a center main section and folding wings or outer sections that fold up for transport. It is desirable from a cost stand-point to adapt such devices (which may be substantially wider than 30 feet) for seeding. One of the problems in such adaption is to ~et accurate metering and uniform distribution of the seed to each of the individual furrow openers or shovels that are mounted on the cultivator r and at the same time having -the seeding units adaptable fo~ easy moun~ing onto and removal from such implemen-t to permit multiple use including its primary purpose o~
tilling or cultivating.
A pneumatic seeding device is disclosed which comprises a plurality of hoppers mounted on a field cultivator. Each of the hoppers includes means for metering seed and dividing the seeds after metering into individual seed cups. The cups form the means for di~iding the flow of seed from the metering device.
A pneumatic conveying system is connected to each o~ the seed CllpS.
The pneumatic conveying system provides a flow of low pressuxe air lnto a transfer chamber where the seed is entrained in an air stream. The seeds are conveyed through tubes to individual Eurrow openers. :
The furrow openers are the shovels (chisel points3 of :~
the conventional field cultivator assem~ly, and because of the use of pneumatic conveying the widkh of the unit is not limited to width which can be fed through gravity.
Additionally, inorganic fertilizer from separate hoppers can be metered into the same CllpS as the seed and conveyed in the sarne fluid stream as the seed to each oE -the individual furrow openers. ~.
In the form shown, the seed cups are mounted below meter-ing rollers and made so that they can be easily mounted onto the seed hoppexs, and detached therefrom for cleaning. The seed cups are open at the top so that if plugging occurs there is a visual indication of spilling seed at the ~op of the cup. The fluid-seed transfer chamber that is in the seed CUpS through which air flows is designed specificall~ to create reliable transfer of the seed and inorganic fertilizer pellets into the indivîdual hoses leading to each of the respective furrow openers. Swi:rling and turbulance is minimized in that swirling and turbulance tend to cause the seed to be suspended within the seed cups and to plug the cup.
Additionally, the seed cups divide the ~low of inorganic fertilizer which is also provided from metering rolls. The fertil-izer drops into the open top portion of the seed cups for transfer to the ~urrow openers.
Fluid under pressure is provided through a simple paddle type centri~ugal fan that can be operated ~rom the power take-off of the tractor which tows the seeder. A frame member of the seeder attachment itself is utilized as a plenum chamber to dis-tribute the fluid under low pressure into individual hoses or passageways leading to each of the seed cups, Eor providing the air at suffi-cient volume and at low pressure to prevent irregularities in the Elow of air.
The meteriny devices for the seed hopper and the fertil-izer hoppers are pairs of rollers which extend along each hopper section and are power dri~en and can be varied in speed to meter properly.
As shown the metering devices are operated through a
2~ variable speed hydraulic motor which can also be ~owered from the tractor towing the seeding device. The metering rollers can be provided with ground drive which would vary the feeding rate in accordance with the speed of movement over the ground of the seed- ;
ing device. The rollers are made of elastomeric material (relative-ly soft) which does not crack or crush the seeds. The rollers are in contact or closely adjacent and the seeds are metered by com-pressing the rollers slightly as the seeds move through the rollers.
- The soft rollers are close enough to each other to prevent seeds from shaking through`when the unit is not belng used. The surfaces 30 o-~ the rollers provide enough friction to feed the seed through in a positive manner and a-t a proper rate.
The device provides for even feeding to each of the
ing device. The rollers are made of elastomeric material (relative-ly soft) which does not crack or crush the seeds. The rollers are in contact or closely adjacent and the seeds are metered by com-pressing the rollers slightly as the seeds move through the rollers.
- The soft rollers are close enough to each other to prevent seeds from shaking through`when the unit is not belng used. The surfaces 30 o-~ the rollers provide enough friction to feed the seed through in a positive manner and a-t a proper rate.
The device provides for even feeding to each of the
-3-furrow o~eners even for extremely wide units. The hoppers are centrally moun-ted and the conveying tubes or hoses are extended laterally.
One advantage of using a field cu:Ltivator is that the frame, which comprises a tool bar -type -frame, generally has sub stantial ground clearance and thus does not plug easily, and can go through areas where minimum tillage is desired.
The individual seed and fertilizer hoppers for each of the cultivator sections are mounted on the main or center sec-tion of the cultivator and plastic flexible hoses or tubes lead to each of the individual seed or furrow openers. The "wings" can thus be pivoted up for transport in the same manner as the field cultivator.
Without the seeder attachment, the hoppers and tubes permit attach-ment or removal of the seeder with relative ease.
Additionally, if desired, gage wheels that can be ad-justed for controlling the depth of the individual furrow openers and to provide a type of press wheel for covering action is also shown in the present application.
In a second form of the invention a single tank is used 20 with an adjustable interior divider. The singLe tank eliminates possible problems with water dripping into the seed cups. Also, the second form includes means for easily cleaning the fertilizer screen as well as permitting the seed cups to be removed easily for cleaning.
In the Drawings-Figure 1 is a schematic rear view of a field cultivator having a seeder attachment made according to the present invention installed thereon showing schematically the arrangement of the furrow openers and frame sections;
Figure 2 is a part schematic side view of the seeder at-tachment of the present invention shown insta:Lled c,n a schematic-~$~
ally shown field cultivator assembly, with a fan lllustrated in position rotated 90 from its normal position for illustrative purposes;
Figure 3 is a side view of the lower portions of the seeder attachment of Figure 2 as viewed from an opposi-te side from Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view illus~ratin~ a typical metering device and seed cup used w:Lth the device of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a vi.e~ taken as on line 5--5 in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view of a frame member showing plenum chamber action for the Ean;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of typical seed cup in a pneumatic seeding device of -the present invention;
Figure 8 is a side view of an op-tional gage and press wheel used with the furrow opener shank assemblies;
Figure 9 is a rear view o:E the device of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a seed and fertilizer tank made according to a second form of the invention showing the metering rollers for seed and fertilizer in relation to seed cups;
Figure 11 is a fragmentary ~ront elevational view oE
the d.evice of Figure 10 with parts broken away; and Figure 12 is a side sectional view of the seed tank of igure 10 showing an adjustable partition utilized in the second form of the invention.
Referring to Figure 1, a typical field cultiva-tor assembly illustrated generally at 10 is used for providing furrow openers for the seeding device attachment which is illus-trated generally at lI. The field cultivator assembly as shown comprises a frame assembly 12~ which is an asse~ly of three indi-viduaI ~rame sections including a center main section 13 mounted on suitable depth controllable support wheels 14 in a no:rmal -5- :
manner of field cultivators o~ this type, and outer end or wing sections 15 and 16~ at the opposite ends of the frame respectively.
Schematically shown is a pivot 15A for pivotally mount-ing the wing section 15 to the main section 13, and a second pivot 16A for mounting the wing section 16 t:o the main frame section 13. These pivots are shown only schematically because of the well known use of wing sections on fielcL cultivators, and are shown to illustrate that ;n a normal manner the wing sections of the field cultivator assembly 10 can be folded upwardly as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 for road transport. The unit may be moved to transport position without making structuxal modifica-tions to the seeder assembly, as will be explained.
The ~ield cultivator frame is constructed in a normal manner comprising a plurality o horizon-tal frame members which mount individual field cultivator shank assemblles 20. These shank assem~lies 20 can be of any desired type, for example the spring loaded assembly shown in my own United States Patent No.
3,782,481. The frame sections 13, 15 and 16 include fore and aft extending frame members 21 as shown in Figure 2, and cross tool 20 bar frame members 22 on which shank assemblies 20 (which are `
furrow opener assemblies for seeding) are mounted.
The shank or furrow opener assemblies 20 are evenly spaced across the machine as shown. The individual spacing can be the desired spacing for seeding in existing conditions. The assemblies 20 have chisel point shovels which engage the ground which is ind~cated at 23. The support wheel assemblies 14 are mounted to a torque tube illustrated generally at 24 which can be used for raising and lowering the cultivator furrow opener assemblies 20 into and out of the ground 23. I'his also is done 30 in a conventional manner through the use of hydraulic cylinders.
For example, a typical field cultivator that finds wide use is one that has been manufactured by Wil Rich Corporation, .
Wahpe-ton, North Dakota, and which is shown in its brochure entitled "Wil-Rich Field Cultivators" No. FS116.
The seeder attachment illustrated generally at 11 comprises three sets of tandem tanks. These sets of tanks are indicated generally at 25 for the wing section 15, 26 for the wing sec-tion 16, and 27 for the center section 13. These tanks are mounted onto a common frame 28 which has upright supports 29 that attach in a suitable manner to the cultivator frame members as shown schematically in Figure 2.
Each of the tandem tank sections 25, 26 and 27 comprise a first front fertilizer tank 25A, 26A and 27A as shown typically in Figure 2, the side view of the tank section 25 is illustrated.
The seed tanks are shown at 25B, 26B and 27B. Each set oE tandem tanks includes a seed tank and fertilizer tank.
The tanks have suitable hinged covers. The common frame 28 securel~ mounts the unit on the center frame section 13 of the field cultivator.
The field cultivator further includes a tubular frame assembly indicated at 33 at the forward end which i5 adapted to be attached to a suitable prime mover such as a tractor (not shown) which is used for pulling the unit over the ground and also for powering the various components.
It should be noted that the frame upriyhts 29 at the forward ends of the seeder attachment 11 are mounted onto a large square tube 34. Thé square tubular cross frame member 34 is sealed at l*s ends to form a hollow interior chamber 35 as perhaps hest indicated in Fi~ure 6~ The chamber 35 extends across the width of the seeder attachment and has an inlet opening 36 at the forward side thereof. A suitable conduit 37 is connec-ted to this opening 36~ The conduit 37 leads f;rom the outlet 38 of a suitable reIatively low pressure, high volume _7 '7 paddle fan 39. The paddle fan 39 shown in Figure 2 is rotated 90 from its normal operation position. In other words, the paddle fan which includes a fan member 40 and a drive sha~t 41 is normally positioned so that the axis of drive sha~t ~1 extends in fore and aft direction. The drive shaft 41 is powered by the power take-off oE the prime mover utilized with the unit.
Each of the tank sections as shown has front and rear walls which taper together toward the lower portions of the respective tanks. For example shown in Figure ~, each of the seed tanks 25A, 26~ and 27A has a rear wall 42, and a generally vertical forward wall 43 defining the compartment in which seed indicated ~enerally at 44 is contained~ The wall 43 has a lip 43A
which exten~s across each of the tank sections. In the interior of the tanks at lower portion of the wall ~3 there is a diverter wall 45 and another diverter wall portion 46 is attached to the wall 42 and forms a continuation of the plane of the sloping wall portion 41. The lower end of wall 42 terminates in a yenerally vertical portion 42A, and this portion 42A is spaced from and cooperates with the lower portion of the wall 43 to define a 20 chamber in which a pair of transversely extending soft rubber rollers indicated generally at 47 and 48 are mounted.
As shown, these rollers 47 and 48 have soft elastomeric outer portions 47A and 48A respectively and as will be explained they touch or are very closely spaced along their tangent lines indicated a~ 49. The rollers are powered and coun~er rotate in directions as indicated by the arrows in Figure 4. The rollers 47 and 48 have center sha~ts~ The shaft for roller 47 is driven with a hydraulic motor indicated at 52 in Figure 3.
The motor 52 is controlled through a suitable valve 52A
30 controlling fluid under pres~ure ~rom a pump 52B which in turn is powered from the prime mover or tractor~
: ~ .
',~
~ otor 52 dri.~es. a sprocket and chain indic~ted generallyat 53 which drives a large sprocket 54 that is mounted directly to the shaft of th.e roller 47. A-t the opposite end of the tank assembly from sprocket 54 a pair of gears 55 are utilized for driving from roller 47 to the other roller 48 to rotate the rollers in counterrotating directions.
The valve 52A may be a variable output, or a separate variable ~alve can be utilized to control the speed of the motor 52 in a known manner and thus control the spped of rotation of the rollers 47 and 48, which in turn will control the ra-te of dispensing of the seed 44 ~hrough the rollers.
~ t should be noted that the ind.ividual rollers 47 and 48 Eor each of the seed tanks are independently mounted in each of the tanks and have shafts which extend outwardly from the tank~ Between each of the tank sections a suitable flexible coupling or engagable drive member can be mounted on the shafts for the aligning rollers. Couplings would be used between the rollers in tanks 25 and 27 for example and between tanks 27 and 26 as well so that a drive hydraulic motor at one end of the tank will drive all dispensing rollers 47 and 48 through gears 55. Separate rollers are mounted i.n each of the seed di.spensing tanks~ As the rollers rotate seeds are expelled from between the rollers and are metered by the relative speed of rotation of th.~ rollers.
Also as shown in Figure 2, each of the fertilizer tanks is made up of front and rear walls/ as well as end walls, as in the case with the seed tanksO As shown the forward wall 56 of the fertilizer tank is inclined and has a lower portion 56 that extends vertically. The rear wall 57 is a vertical wall, and it can also be seen in Figure 2 that spacer blocks 60 may be util.ized between the seed and fertilizer tanks of e~ch. of the tank sections 25, 26 and 27 to hold them as an assembly~ The frame ~ ~.
_9_ .
'7 members previously described also hold the tanks in an assembly.
The fertilizer tank on each of -the tank sets 25, 26 and 27 is identically constructed, and the interior of the front wall 56 of each of these tanks has an extension guide plate 62 and the rear wall 57 has a guide plate 63 attached thereto as well.
These plates define an opening between their lower ends, and it can be seen that the wall portion 56A and the lower portion of the rear wall 57 form a chamber in which a pair of fertilizer metering rollers 64,65 are mounted. These rollers are rotatably -mounted on the end walls of each of the -tanks in a suitable manner and are driven through the use of a hydraulic motor 66 (see Figure 3) operating through a ~alve 67 from the pump 52B. The motor 67 is variable in speed through the use o e the valve 67, and drives a sprocket which drives a chain 68 which in turn drives a sprocket 69 that rotates the center shaft :Eor roller 65.
~ set of gears 55 is also utilized on the shafts 65A
and 6~ of the rollers so that both rollers are dri~en through :
the gears at the opposite end of the tank assembly from the 20 hydraulic motor~ The shafts are coupled with suitable couplings `
between tank sections.
The fertilizer dispensing rollers include soft covering 6~B and 65B o~ elastomeric material and are substantially ~ :
identical in construction to the seed metering rollers 47 and ~8. :
The rollers rotate as shown by the arrows on the rollers and :
dispense peIlets of fertilizer indicated at 71. The pellets pass through`an opening defined by the gui~e members 62 and 63 which are tape~ed a desired amount onto the rollers and then are dispersed into a guide trough 72 which extends across the lateral ~.
w.idth of each tank section. Thus a conkinuous guide trough is used. A screen 72~ is used to prevent large lumps of fertilizer from dropping through`tIIe chute~ The fertilizer from the trough 72 ~ill drop into individual cups, whicll will be explained la-ter.
-la-The guide troughs 72 are held on each respective tank section with a desired number of su~table small clips 73 that each fit over a lip 57A at the lower end of the wall 57. A spring clip 74 on the troughs is shaped to fit over a rib 75 that extends longitudinally along the lower portion 56A of the front wall oE
the fertilizer tanks so that the troughs 72 can be removably clipped in place on their respective tanks.
The rollers 64 and 65 (and rollers 47 and 48~ are self-contained within each of the tanks and mounted in bearings on the end walls of the respective tanks 25A, 26~, and 27A (or 25B, 26B and 27B for seed metering rollers). As stated, between the tanks 25 and 27 and 26 and 27 suitable interlocking coupling members between the respective roller shafts are u-tilized. These couplings can be flexlble couplers, or jaw type couplers that are used in a known manner so that the hydraulic motors on one end of the tank assembly will drive all of -the rollers in all o the respective seed and fertilizer tanks through the gear sets 55 at the opposite end~ Both rollers in each of the tanks are power driven~
The rollers 64 and 65 are used for metering fertilizer through the rollers at a desired rate depending on the speed of rotation of the hydraulic motor 66 which can be adjustable in a known manner through a suitable valve 67 or by other flow control means (these rollers could be connected to a ground drive as well) and the metered fertilizer is fed out along the entire length of the rollers. The rollers are continuous inside each of the tanks and the trough 72 ~s also continuous across the width of each fertilizer tank and are immediately below the rollers.
Likewise, the rollers 47 and 48 act as metering rollers for seed 44 coming throu~h the opening between the guide plates 45 and 46~ The opening between thes~ plates is indica-ted at 46A~
i5 continuous across the width oE the respective seed tank 25s, -1],~
l'7 26B and 27B, and the seed then i5 discharged in a line continuously across these rollers. The seed is divided into individual portions for each furrow opener by having a plurality o-f side by side seed CUp5 indicated generally at 80 positioned below the rollers.
Each of the seed cups 80 includes a chamber in which seed and fertilizer are cornbined with an air stream Eor distribution to the individual furrow openers.
The seed CUp5 are shown in detail Figures 4, 5 and 7, perhaps best. It can be seen that the seed cups 80 include side walls 81 which are spaced laterally apart, and which are cut at an angle adjacent the forward ends along edges indicated at 82, and each of the walls 81 has an ear 83 positioned adjacent the forward end, and along the top edge of the walls. The side walls of the seed cups are joined together by a first forward wall 35 and a rear wall 86, which is also tapered.
The trimmed edyes 82 and the upper edge of wall 85 define an opening indicatea at 87 that is positioned ahead of the wall 43, and it can be seen that when the cups are in position on the respective grain tanks, the bars or clips 83 are mounted on the flange 43A and are supported relative to the wall 43. The opening 87 is below the outlet opening from the Eertilizer trough 72.
The side walls 81 of adjacent seed CUp5 are positionecl contiguous to each other at the upper ends where the ears 83 are found. The walls 81 of each cup then taper together and downwardly as shown in Figure 5. The forward wall 85 has a substantially vertical lower portion 85 in which an orifice indicated at 92 is deined. The rear wall 86 of each CUp iS
paralleI to and spaced rearwardly from the lower wall portlon 85A. The lower en~s of the side wall portions 81 join the paxt circular lower ends o wall portions 85A and 86A to form a part cylindrical chamber 90, into which seed and fertilizer will drop '7 as indicated in Figure 4 after it ha~ been metered through therespective rollers.
A tubular neck portion 91 is :Eixed to the outer side of the lower wall portion 85A and is concentric with the orifice 92. The orifice 92 is of smaller diameter than the interior diameter of the tubular neck 91. An outlet neck 93 is fixed to ~ :
the e~terior of portion 86A. It can be seen that an ou-tlet opening 93A throllgh the wall portion 86~ leading to the tube 93 is substantially the same diameter as the interior of the tube.
Opening 93A is larger in diameter than the inlet orifice 920 The ' lower wall of the'chamber 90 is part cylindrical as previously ~'..;.
explained but is slightly larger in diameter than the interior ~ ' of the tube 93. As shown ~t ls approximately the same as the outside diameter of the ~ube g3. The axis of orifice 92 and the axis of opening 93A coincide.
The ears 83, 83 it over the lip 43A (the lip or flange 43~ fits into the slot beIow the ears) and a spring clip 95 is attached to the rear wall 86 and extends upwardly~ The'clip 95 . ' has a receptacle portion g5A that fits over a rib 96 formed in `..:
20 the rear wall portion 42~, the rib 96 extends longitudinally ~ ' :
along wall portion 42A 50 that the clips 95 oF each seed cup ~,:
may be pos;tioned any place along the wall~ The seed cups . -~
there~ore can be placed very close together and no seed will drop between the adiacent walls 81 of two side by side seed cups.
The plenum chamber 35 a.s s~own in Figure 6 has. a plurality of individual sections of hose or plastic tu~ing 97 connected thereto and fitti~ng over su~,table outlet ~u~es' th.at are welded to open~ngs ;~n the'tube 34. The plastic tubes: 97 in .~. ' turn are connected ind~vidually to the tubes ~1 o~ each of the 30 seed cups. The outlet tube 93'from the seed cup is connected:, to a semi-rigid plasti.c hose or tube 98, and each cf the tubes 9~ in turn then leads to one of the ~ndividual furrow opener ~.
-13~
: - .
.
.. .. . ..
'7 assemblies 20~ Thus~ there is one seed cup f~r each of the furrow openers, one of the tubes 97 for each of the ~urrow openers, and one o~ the tubes 98 for each of the furrow openers 20. There is also one of the chutes 72 for each o~ the tank sections.
Typically the tube 98 will lead to a ~urrow opener such as that shown in Figure 2~ The furrow opener in this case again ~s a spr~ng loaded shank havlng a mounting bracket 100, and a spring shank and shank holder 101 are pivotally mounted thereto as at lOlA and heId in ~orking position with a suitable tension spring 102. Such shanks are described, as previously -stated in my United States Patent No. 3,782,481. At the lower end of each of the spring shanks 101 khere is a shovel member 102 bolted to the shank in the usual manner (see also Figure 8)~
Chisel point or sweep shovels may be used for the types of furrow openers used in seeding~ Usually there are two bolts which attach the shoveIs to the shank. In the upper one of the bolts an angle iron clip 103 ~s bolted in place, and this clip carries a metal tube portion 104 extend~ng through and fixed to the clip.
The plastic tube portion g8 then is pushed into the metal tube 104 and the air and seed which is being ejected in a manner that will be explained is sent out through the lower end oE the tube 104. The tube 104 is bent in its midportion so that the axis of the tube inclines toward the back side of the lower end of the shovel 102.
The shoveI or chisel point 102 goes below the surface of the ground 23 creating a furrow indicated at 23A in Figure 8, and the seed is shot right down into the bottom of the furrow immediately beh.ind the shovel 102 because of the bent tube 104 that directs the seed down into this area. Dirt will fall in and coVer the seed sufficiently so that it can germinate~ If desired, a gauge-pr ss wheel ma~ be used to pack dixt over -the seed, or a .. . ~ ~.
-14- ~
'.~ :
- . . ' ' spring tooth harrow or other covering device could be pulled behind the field cultivator unit that is used Eor seeding.
~ eferring again to the showing of the seed cups in Figure 4 and speci~ically chamber 90, the air flow is indicated in the arrows through the tube 97 and this air is normally about 1-2 psi, with an ade~uate volume to maintain -this pressure throughout the length of the tubes down to the individual shovelsO
The orifice 92 forms an opening approximately 11/3 inches in diameter. The air enters chamber 90 through the ori-~ice 92. The space between the inner surfaces of the walls 85Aand 86A which define the front and rear surfaces of the chamber 90 forms a throat portion and is approximately 9/16 inch, and should not exceed 5/8 inch in order to avoid excessive turbulence.
Yet, the spacing o~ the surfaces carrying orifice 92 and the outlet opening 93~ has to be large enough for the seed and ferti-lizer to fall between the surfaces without any substantial tend-ency to plug as it passes into the throat of the chamber. The airstream coming through the orifice 92 éxpands slightly without substantial turbulence and because of the relatively short dis-tance between the ori~ice 92 and the larger outlet opening 93Athere is little tendency for the a:ir to start to swirl or become turbulent.
The airstream more or less expands slightly to the size of, or slightly smaller diameter than the outlet opening 93~, as it passes through the throat of chamber 90. At the same t~me the airstream creates a vacuum ~aspiration action) near the upper por-tions of the chamber 90 tending to urge the seed and fertilizer to be carried into the fluid stream and out through the opening 93A. Gravity also urges the Eertilizer and seed downwardly into the throat. The use of a larger outlet opening which permits the fluid stream to expand without turbu-lence tends to pre~ent swirling which would provlde pockets of -15- i 3~ '7 dead air in which seed and fertilizer coulcl be immobilized and accumulate causing plugging of the seed cups.
It should be noted that the angle of wall 85 on which the fertilizer drops is se~ected to cause the fertilizer sliding off the wall to project toward the opening 93Ao A continuation of the plane of wall 85 intersects the plane of opening 93A~
The natural trajectory of fertilizer coming down the interior of the wall 85 is directly into the opening 9 3A~ The airstream passing through the orifice 92 adds an impetus to this natural mo~ement to pick up the fertilizer pellets.
The seed which is of lower specific gravity clrops straight clown, and as the seed enters the airstream it is carried in suspension into the opening 93~ and thus into the connected 98 and to the respective furrow opener.
A suitable screen indicated at 72~ is utilized inside the fertilizer trough 72 to prevent large clumps of fertilizer from dropping down into the seed cups 80 and causing plugging problems in the chamber 90. The fertilizer used presently is pelleted but occasionally the pellets will clump together~ The rubber rollers usually break up the clumps. The screen 72A will suspend clumps which ~et through -the rollers.
It should be noted that very large chunks cannot pass thraugh the rollers in any eventr so the screen 72A serves as a filter to make sure that larger chunks are not dropped through.
The screen may be emptied periodical1y.
Because the airflow and pressure through the chamber 90 is reIatively constant due to the accumulator 32 and the provi-sion of an adequate volume of air at a low pressure from the blade type fan, there is no irregularities in feeding through the nozzle area, and the seed and fertilizer are carried at a uniform rate as de.termined by the metering rollers~
It should also be noted that if desirecl the metering .
rollers can be supported on center bearings in each tank section.The center roller would be mounted reIative to the tank walls if desired.
The tank assem~ly for seed and fertilizer is mounted on the center section of a folding wing field cultivator assembly, and the only portions or parts from the seeding attachment that go onto the wlngs (i~ no gauge wheels are shown) are the hoses 98 and the individual clips 103 and tubes 104 which attach to each of the furrow openers~ Seeding and cultivatins can be done in one trip, promoting fueI conservation and minimum tillage as practices. Low investment is required by the need to provide only the tanks, the metering mechanisms and the hoses for obtaining a -~
large seeding apparatus. '~
In F~gures 8 and 9, a t~pe of gauge wheel that can beused with thé individual spring loaded cultivator shan]cs that is shown. The schematic showing illustrates a typical spring shank ! 101 that is utilized. A "U" shaped bracket 114 is mounted in ~ , the midportion of the'shank. The U shaped bracket 114 pivotally mounts an arm 115, ~hich'is pivotally mounted as at 116 to the bracket. The lower end of the arm 115 is laterally offset, as shown in F~gure 9, and carries a wheel spindle 117 that ro- ' ~
tatably mounts a suitable'wheeI 118. The wheel 118 may control ~ , the depth'of penetration of the shovel 102 into the ground and at the same time it will pack dirt in around the furrow that is ~, created by the'shovel~ The wheel has a semi-pneumatic -tire and it is of reIatively wide width to insure that it spans the furrow created. , ~ ,, A stop screw 120 is threadably mounted Into a sleeve 121 at the upper end of the arm 115, and this screw bears against '~
the'rear and upper surface of the shank 101 to provide a stop ~or the wheeI 118 to ~old It in a desired position as it move~ along ,~
the top ~urface'of the ground. ~, -17~ "
~,'~''' ' When the cultivator frames are raised (lifted out of the ground), the wheel 118 can merely drop down so arm 115 rests against the shank~
This gauge-packing wheel can be used if desired for added precision in controlling the depths of seeding and also for additional packing of dirt o~er the seed.
One of the features of the present device is that the opening 87 at the top of the seed cups (where fertilizer drops in) is forward facing and is visible to an operator on the trac-tor towing the unit. The tractor would be at the left hand sideof the sheet~ The fan assembly, as stated is shown only schema- ;
tically, and it is in normal position located so that it does not interfere with visibility of any large number of openings 87 of the seed cups. Xf pluyging does occur in chamber 90 the ferti-lizer and seed will build up and will start to spill out the openin~s 87 where it can immediatel~ be seen by the operator of the tractor~
The troughs 72 can also easily be removed if the screens 72~ plug up~ Li~kewise/ the individual seed cups are easily remo~ed by usin~ the spring clips 95 and just releasing them from the respective tanks, cleaning them out and then put- ;
tiny them back into p~ace. The tubes 97 and 98 do not have to be'disconnected for thi's cleaning operakion~
In the second form of the invention shown in Figures 10-12, the'tank for holding seed and fertilizer is modified in construction, as are the feed rollers, and also, the seed mount-ing for the cups is slightly modified. As in the previous form of the invention, one tank section assembly is utilized for each te~n foot width'of cultivator. The tanks are mounted on the center assem~ly of the cultivator as shown before~ The air supply, plenum chamber r and discharge tubes leading to each oE the indi- -' ~idu~l cu}tivator shbvels are the same as those previously dis--lB-closed. Referring to Fi.gures 10, 11 and 12, a seeder tank assem~
bly illustrated generally at 140 is supported on a frame member 141, that comprises an upright member used for supportiny the frame in the usual manner, and attaches to a cultivakor frame in-dicated at 142. The cross tube 143 forms the plenum chamber as pre~iously indicated. , The tank assembly 144 in this instance comprises a single tank housing seed and fertilizer. The tank assembly in-cludes an upper tank section indicated generally at 145 and a lower roller-feeder assembly or feed control unit 150. ~. '' The'upper tank section has a rearward wall 146 that extends across the'lateral width'of the tank, and a forward ~all .
147. Th.e walls 146 and 147 have upper edges that define an :
.: .
opening 148~ A suitable rain tight cover member 148A can be ::
placed oVer this opening 148 to keep the mois~ure rom the inter- '.:. ' ior of th.e tan]c~ The front and rear walls 146 and 147 are con- ,,' nected together with'end walls in the usual manner to enclose the ' ' tank. One end wall is indicated at 149. , ~
Adjacent the lower ends of the walls 146 and 147, there ;; . '.
are flanges 146A and 147A, respectively, that are used for at- ~
taching the lower feed control unit 150 to the upper tank section . . , 145~ The'feed control unit comprises end plates 151 connected to~ether with'a rear wall 152 and a forward wall 153. The rear wall 152 has a flange'152A which mates with flange 1~6A and is ::
fastenea th.ereto with'suitable bolts or screws, and the forward wall 153 has a flange:'153A which mates with the flange 147A and :.. ,.:' is removably attached thereto.;.Tt shoula be noted that the lower ~eed control unik can be replaced or removed for repair without '~
changin~ th.e' upper tank assembl~ 144~ Also, the lower fe~ed con~
.
trol un~t may~be a common ~nterchangeable unit used with a number ~.
of di~ferent uppex tank assemblies. ;, : The lower feed control unit includes means for mountiny 9~
.
:: : ~ ` ' ': ' - ' ' ;
the metering rolls for Eeed and fertilizer in the manner previously described. As shown, the rear wall 152 has a ~enerally vertical lower section 152B which extends downwardly and a generally hori-zontal flange 152C is formed at the lower end thereof. Wall 152 is attached to and mounted between the end plates 151 in a normal manner.
A vertical partition wall 155 is mounked between the end plates 151~ This partition wall 155 is mounted directly be-lo~ an adjustable partition wall 156 that is at-tached to the end ~alls forming the upper tank section 145. The partition wall 156 forms a partition between a seed hopper or compartment indicated generally at 157 and a fertilizer hopper or compartment indicated at 158. Wall 156 has end flanges 156A that are bolted in place to the end walls 149. There are two flanges 156~ one on each end oE
the wall 156. The wall 156 can be tilted about i~s lowermost mounting screw of bolt 156B to a dotted line position as shown to change the volume of the fertilizer compartment 158 and the seed compartment 157. ~he position of wall 156 can be modified to suit existing conditions wlthout altering the structure of the tank itseIf, so that more seed can be carried than fertilizer and the ratio between seed and fertilizer can be changed when different rates o~ application of one reIative to the other are desired.
Removing the screws from the flanges 156A and tilting the wall 156 to a desired position and then replacing ~he screws 150 in the flange 156A to a new set of holes that may be provided in each of -the end walls for thè tank i5 all that is required to change the s~ze of -the compartments.
ImmediateIy below wall 156, there is an inverted V
shaped member 161 which prov~des a shieId over the upper edge of wall 155~ When the lower feed control unit 150 is in place, the wall 155 forms a continuation of the p~rtition or divider between the seed and fertilizer compartments of -the upper tank.
.
At the lower end of wall 155 there are a pair of con-verging wall sections 162 supported on the wall 155 and wall 152 that guide grain or seed from ~ompartment 157 through an opening between the wall sections to a pair of reed rollers indicated generally at 163 which are moun~ed in the side plat~s 151~151 schematically shown at 163A in Figure 11. The feed rollers are driven in a desired manner. These rolls can be ground driven through a chain and sprocket assembly, or can be driven with a ~' hydraulic motor as in the'first form of the invention.
The rollers 163 are covered with suita~le elastomeric ma,terial and they touc'h at their tangent lines and when rotated the rollers meter seed from compartment 157~ On the fertilizer compartment si.de of the wall l5i, there are a pair of converging walls 164 wh~ch are spaced apart to form an opening above a pair of fertil~zer metering rollers 165, which in turn are also mounted in bearings on the side plates 151,151 and which are powered to meter fertilizer out through the rolls. The rolls 165 are con-structed ~s pre~iously expla~ned and have ela~tomeric outer por~
-tions. ~'~
In the metering of the fertilizer, the fertilizer will drop do~wardly from the rolls as shown onto a relatively rigid mesh screen indicaked generally at 166 which is mounted onto a ,~
wall 167 forming guide pans ~or the fertilizer. The wall 167 extends all the'way between the side plates 151,151 and i5 mounted onto a rod 168 at its upper end. It is held in the position as shown in soli:d lines in ~igure 10 through the use o~ a pair of pins 169, which'can be latched into the side plates 151 and then pulled out to permit the lower end oE wall 167 -to swing downwardly ' ,~, against stop ins indicated at 170, as shown in dotted lines.
The screen 166 can be cleaned of any lumps, and the wall provides a shield to prevent rain ~rom falling into the seed cups which ' ' ' are positioned helo~ the'wall 167.
, -21- ' :. : . . --In this form of the invention, the individual seed cups indicated generally at 175 are constructed in the same manner as in the first form of the invention insofar as the interior construction is concerned, including a forward wall which has an incline down along which the fertilizer will slide as shown, an interior inlet orifice leading to the lower chamber in the seed cup, and the output nozzle which is larger than ~e inlet orifice.
The seed cups 175 are each connected through a separate tube 176 to an outlet connection 177 on the plenum chamber 143. The tube 176 is connected to an inlet 178 that leads through the inlet ori-fice to the interior chamber in which the stream of fertilizer and seed ~which is metered by and drops down rom the rollers 163~ ' are carried to an outlet nozzle 179 and through suitable tubes 180 to the respective furrow openers. ,~
The upper portions of the seed cups 175 are constructed somewhat differently from the first form of the in~ention, and at the rear of the seed cups, suitable notches 175A are provided in the side walls 175B. The notices fit onto the flange 152C. The 'seed cups are thus heId on this flange 152C through the lnter- , lockin~ function of the'notch and ~lange. The forward ends of the seed cups 175 are held in position with a pair of tension springs 181 that attach to the respective side plates 151,151.
One such'spring is shown ~n ~lgure 11~ The springs 181 connect to opposite ends of a cross bar 182 that engages the inclined , '~
forward walls 175C o~ all or the seed cups in each lower unit.
The bar 182 contacts all of the'seed cups in the unit~ The sprin~s 181 keep the bar up tight against the seed cups and the side ~alls of the seed cups engage a suitable stop rod 183 that extends between the side'plates 151 ~ It can be seen that the upper opening 184 of the seed cups 175 is vis;ble from an operators platform in the same manner as in the pxevious form of the invention, and thus plugging would ' ' , , .
'7 cause a visual indication by spilla~le from the openings 184~ In this manner the operator can determine when plugging occurs.
If a seed cup 175 plugs, it can be removed from the assembly by pulling it out so notches 175A clear flange 153C.
The bar 182 will move as springs 181 expand until the notch clears the flange. Then the seed cup can be tilted downwardly and out of its position without disturbing the other seed cups.
This makes the device not only very secure through the use of the springs 181, but also easily removed for cleaning.
Thus, in the second form of the invention a standard lower feed control unit can be utilized with different size upper tanks if desired, and the compartments in the upper tank can be ~ .
varied as to the ratio between fertilizer and seed which is stored.
The roller assemblies 163 and 165 retain the seed and fertilizer in the tankr~, and prevent it from escaping.
If something should happen to the rollers, if they need to be replaced, or if they have to be adjusted in any manner, .~ :
the entire lower unit can be removed by taking out the bolts :
which connect the flanges 152A and 153A to the flanges 146A and 147A. :
Further, the entire assembly of seed cups is shielded from rain and the like so there i5 no problem with water standing in the lowe.r portion of the seed cups causing delays in getting . . .
started.
The feed rollers can be driven, as stated previously, - ~ -by a suitable ground dr~ve driving from one of the gauge wheels or other ground engaging wheels of the seeder unit or the field cultivator. Further, when the pan or wall 167 is swung down to its position against the sto~ member 170 by pulling out the pins 169, it provides a complete shield against any rain coming in through the opentngs 184 of the seed cups.
The fan used for air pressure is th.e same as in the -23~
first form of the in~ention~ If desired, the vacuum side of the fan can be used as a source of vacuum to clean out the tanks and lower feed control unit~ A barrel can be mounted on the cultivator frame as a collector plenum or tank, and one hose connected to the vacuum side of the fan. A second hose lead~ng from the tank is used for the actual cleaning~ ~ :
The semi-rigid plastic hoses 98 are forced into the respective tubes 104 sufficiently far so that the hoses 98 are frictionally gripped at the bend portions of tubes 104 and are retalned without clips or the like. The seed is directed by tubes 104 into the moist earth ;mmediately behind the respect.ive furrow openers. `
-24- :
.. . . ~ , . . .
.. . . .
One advantage of using a field cu:Ltivator is that the frame, which comprises a tool bar -type -frame, generally has sub stantial ground clearance and thus does not plug easily, and can go through areas where minimum tillage is desired.
The individual seed and fertilizer hoppers for each of the cultivator sections are mounted on the main or center sec-tion of the cultivator and plastic flexible hoses or tubes lead to each of the individual seed or furrow openers. The "wings" can thus be pivoted up for transport in the same manner as the field cultivator.
Without the seeder attachment, the hoppers and tubes permit attach-ment or removal of the seeder with relative ease.
Additionally, if desired, gage wheels that can be ad-justed for controlling the depth of the individual furrow openers and to provide a type of press wheel for covering action is also shown in the present application.
In a second form of the invention a single tank is used 20 with an adjustable interior divider. The singLe tank eliminates possible problems with water dripping into the seed cups. Also, the second form includes means for easily cleaning the fertilizer screen as well as permitting the seed cups to be removed easily for cleaning.
In the Drawings-Figure 1 is a schematic rear view of a field cultivator having a seeder attachment made according to the present invention installed thereon showing schematically the arrangement of the furrow openers and frame sections;
Figure 2 is a part schematic side view of the seeder at-tachment of the present invention shown insta:Lled c,n a schematic-~$~
ally shown field cultivator assembly, with a fan lllustrated in position rotated 90 from its normal position for illustrative purposes;
Figure 3 is a side view of the lower portions of the seeder attachment of Figure 2 as viewed from an opposi-te side from Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view illus~ratin~ a typical metering device and seed cup used w:Lth the device of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a vi.e~ taken as on line 5--5 in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view of a frame member showing plenum chamber action for the Ean;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of typical seed cup in a pneumatic seeding device of -the present invention;
Figure 8 is a side view of an op-tional gage and press wheel used with the furrow opener shank assemblies;
Figure 9 is a rear view o:E the device of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a seed and fertilizer tank made according to a second form of the invention showing the metering rollers for seed and fertilizer in relation to seed cups;
Figure 11 is a fragmentary ~ront elevational view oE
the d.evice of Figure 10 with parts broken away; and Figure 12 is a side sectional view of the seed tank of igure 10 showing an adjustable partition utilized in the second form of the invention.
Referring to Figure 1, a typical field cultiva-tor assembly illustrated generally at 10 is used for providing furrow openers for the seeding device attachment which is illus-trated generally at lI. The field cultivator assembly as shown comprises a frame assembly 12~ which is an asse~ly of three indi-viduaI ~rame sections including a center main section 13 mounted on suitable depth controllable support wheels 14 in a no:rmal -5- :
manner of field cultivators o~ this type, and outer end or wing sections 15 and 16~ at the opposite ends of the frame respectively.
Schematically shown is a pivot 15A for pivotally mount-ing the wing section 15 to the main section 13, and a second pivot 16A for mounting the wing section 16 t:o the main frame section 13. These pivots are shown only schematically because of the well known use of wing sections on fielcL cultivators, and are shown to illustrate that ;n a normal manner the wing sections of the field cultivator assembly 10 can be folded upwardly as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 for road transport. The unit may be moved to transport position without making structuxal modifica-tions to the seeder assembly, as will be explained.
The ~ield cultivator frame is constructed in a normal manner comprising a plurality o horizon-tal frame members which mount individual field cultivator shank assemblles 20. These shank assem~lies 20 can be of any desired type, for example the spring loaded assembly shown in my own United States Patent No.
3,782,481. The frame sections 13, 15 and 16 include fore and aft extending frame members 21 as shown in Figure 2, and cross tool 20 bar frame members 22 on which shank assemblies 20 (which are `
furrow opener assemblies for seeding) are mounted.
The shank or furrow opener assemblies 20 are evenly spaced across the machine as shown. The individual spacing can be the desired spacing for seeding in existing conditions. The assemblies 20 have chisel point shovels which engage the ground which is ind~cated at 23. The support wheel assemblies 14 are mounted to a torque tube illustrated generally at 24 which can be used for raising and lowering the cultivator furrow opener assemblies 20 into and out of the ground 23. I'his also is done 30 in a conventional manner through the use of hydraulic cylinders.
For example, a typical field cultivator that finds wide use is one that has been manufactured by Wil Rich Corporation, .
Wahpe-ton, North Dakota, and which is shown in its brochure entitled "Wil-Rich Field Cultivators" No. FS116.
The seeder attachment illustrated generally at 11 comprises three sets of tandem tanks. These sets of tanks are indicated generally at 25 for the wing section 15, 26 for the wing sec-tion 16, and 27 for the center section 13. These tanks are mounted onto a common frame 28 which has upright supports 29 that attach in a suitable manner to the cultivator frame members as shown schematically in Figure 2.
Each of the tandem tank sections 25, 26 and 27 comprise a first front fertilizer tank 25A, 26A and 27A as shown typically in Figure 2, the side view of the tank section 25 is illustrated.
The seed tanks are shown at 25B, 26B and 27B. Each set oE tandem tanks includes a seed tank and fertilizer tank.
The tanks have suitable hinged covers. The common frame 28 securel~ mounts the unit on the center frame section 13 of the field cultivator.
The field cultivator further includes a tubular frame assembly indicated at 33 at the forward end which i5 adapted to be attached to a suitable prime mover such as a tractor (not shown) which is used for pulling the unit over the ground and also for powering the various components.
It should be noted that the frame upriyhts 29 at the forward ends of the seeder attachment 11 are mounted onto a large square tube 34. Thé square tubular cross frame member 34 is sealed at l*s ends to form a hollow interior chamber 35 as perhaps hest indicated in Fi~ure 6~ The chamber 35 extends across the width of the seeder attachment and has an inlet opening 36 at the forward side thereof. A suitable conduit 37 is connec-ted to this opening 36~ The conduit 37 leads f;rom the outlet 38 of a suitable reIatively low pressure, high volume _7 '7 paddle fan 39. The paddle fan 39 shown in Figure 2 is rotated 90 from its normal operation position. In other words, the paddle fan which includes a fan member 40 and a drive sha~t 41 is normally positioned so that the axis of drive sha~t ~1 extends in fore and aft direction. The drive shaft 41 is powered by the power take-off oE the prime mover utilized with the unit.
Each of the tank sections as shown has front and rear walls which taper together toward the lower portions of the respective tanks. For example shown in Figure ~, each of the seed tanks 25A, 26~ and 27A has a rear wall 42, and a generally vertical forward wall 43 defining the compartment in which seed indicated ~enerally at 44 is contained~ The wall 43 has a lip 43A
which exten~s across each of the tank sections. In the interior of the tanks at lower portion of the wall ~3 there is a diverter wall 45 and another diverter wall portion 46 is attached to the wall 42 and forms a continuation of the plane of the sloping wall portion 41. The lower end of wall 42 terminates in a yenerally vertical portion 42A, and this portion 42A is spaced from and cooperates with the lower portion of the wall 43 to define a 20 chamber in which a pair of transversely extending soft rubber rollers indicated generally at 47 and 48 are mounted.
As shown, these rollers 47 and 48 have soft elastomeric outer portions 47A and 48A respectively and as will be explained they touch or are very closely spaced along their tangent lines indicated a~ 49. The rollers are powered and coun~er rotate in directions as indicated by the arrows in Figure 4. The rollers 47 and 48 have center sha~ts~ The shaft for roller 47 is driven with a hydraulic motor indicated at 52 in Figure 3.
The motor 52 is controlled through a suitable valve 52A
30 controlling fluid under pres~ure ~rom a pump 52B which in turn is powered from the prime mover or tractor~
: ~ .
',~
~ otor 52 dri.~es. a sprocket and chain indic~ted generallyat 53 which drives a large sprocket 54 that is mounted directly to the shaft of th.e roller 47. A-t the opposite end of the tank assembly from sprocket 54 a pair of gears 55 are utilized for driving from roller 47 to the other roller 48 to rotate the rollers in counterrotating directions.
The valve 52A may be a variable output, or a separate variable ~alve can be utilized to control the speed of the motor 52 in a known manner and thus control the spped of rotation of the rollers 47 and 48, which in turn will control the ra-te of dispensing of the seed 44 ~hrough the rollers.
~ t should be noted that the ind.ividual rollers 47 and 48 Eor each of the seed tanks are independently mounted in each of the tanks and have shafts which extend outwardly from the tank~ Between each of the tank sections a suitable flexible coupling or engagable drive member can be mounted on the shafts for the aligning rollers. Couplings would be used between the rollers in tanks 25 and 27 for example and between tanks 27 and 26 as well so that a drive hydraulic motor at one end of the tank will drive all dispensing rollers 47 and 48 through gears 55. Separate rollers are mounted i.n each of the seed di.spensing tanks~ As the rollers rotate seeds are expelled from between the rollers and are metered by the relative speed of rotation of th.~ rollers.
Also as shown in Figure 2, each of the fertilizer tanks is made up of front and rear walls/ as well as end walls, as in the case with the seed tanksO As shown the forward wall 56 of the fertilizer tank is inclined and has a lower portion 56 that extends vertically. The rear wall 57 is a vertical wall, and it can also be seen in Figure 2 that spacer blocks 60 may be util.ized between the seed and fertilizer tanks of e~ch. of the tank sections 25, 26 and 27 to hold them as an assembly~ The frame ~ ~.
_9_ .
'7 members previously described also hold the tanks in an assembly.
The fertilizer tank on each of -the tank sets 25, 26 and 27 is identically constructed, and the interior of the front wall 56 of each of these tanks has an extension guide plate 62 and the rear wall 57 has a guide plate 63 attached thereto as well.
These plates define an opening between their lower ends, and it can be seen that the wall portion 56A and the lower portion of the rear wall 57 form a chamber in which a pair of fertilizer metering rollers 64,65 are mounted. These rollers are rotatably -mounted on the end walls of each of the -tanks in a suitable manner and are driven through the use of a hydraulic motor 66 (see Figure 3) operating through a ~alve 67 from the pump 52B. The motor 67 is variable in speed through the use o e the valve 67, and drives a sprocket which drives a chain 68 which in turn drives a sprocket 69 that rotates the center shaft :Eor roller 65.
~ set of gears 55 is also utilized on the shafts 65A
and 6~ of the rollers so that both rollers are dri~en through :
the gears at the opposite end of the tank assembly from the 20 hydraulic motor~ The shafts are coupled with suitable couplings `
between tank sections.
The fertilizer dispensing rollers include soft covering 6~B and 65B o~ elastomeric material and are substantially ~ :
identical in construction to the seed metering rollers 47 and ~8. :
The rollers rotate as shown by the arrows on the rollers and :
dispense peIlets of fertilizer indicated at 71. The pellets pass through`an opening defined by the gui~e members 62 and 63 which are tape~ed a desired amount onto the rollers and then are dispersed into a guide trough 72 which extends across the lateral ~.
w.idth of each tank section. Thus a conkinuous guide trough is used. A screen 72~ is used to prevent large lumps of fertilizer from dropping through`tIIe chute~ The fertilizer from the trough 72 ~ill drop into individual cups, whicll will be explained la-ter.
-la-The guide troughs 72 are held on each respective tank section with a desired number of su~table small clips 73 that each fit over a lip 57A at the lower end of the wall 57. A spring clip 74 on the troughs is shaped to fit over a rib 75 that extends longitudinally along the lower portion 56A of the front wall oE
the fertilizer tanks so that the troughs 72 can be removably clipped in place on their respective tanks.
The rollers 64 and 65 (and rollers 47 and 48~ are self-contained within each of the tanks and mounted in bearings on the end walls of the respective tanks 25A, 26~, and 27A (or 25B, 26B and 27B for seed metering rollers). As stated, between the tanks 25 and 27 and 26 and 27 suitable interlocking coupling members between the respective roller shafts are u-tilized. These couplings can be flexlble couplers, or jaw type couplers that are used in a known manner so that the hydraulic motors on one end of the tank assembly will drive all of -the rollers in all o the respective seed and fertilizer tanks through the gear sets 55 at the opposite end~ Both rollers in each of the tanks are power driven~
The rollers 64 and 65 are used for metering fertilizer through the rollers at a desired rate depending on the speed of rotation of the hydraulic motor 66 which can be adjustable in a known manner through a suitable valve 67 or by other flow control means (these rollers could be connected to a ground drive as well) and the metered fertilizer is fed out along the entire length of the rollers. The rollers are continuous inside each of the tanks and the trough 72 ~s also continuous across the width of each fertilizer tank and are immediately below the rollers.
Likewise, the rollers 47 and 48 act as metering rollers for seed 44 coming throu~h the opening between the guide plates 45 and 46~ The opening between thes~ plates is indica-ted at 46A~
i5 continuous across the width oE the respective seed tank 25s, -1],~
l'7 26B and 27B, and the seed then i5 discharged in a line continuously across these rollers. The seed is divided into individual portions for each furrow opener by having a plurality o-f side by side seed CUp5 indicated generally at 80 positioned below the rollers.
Each of the seed cups 80 includes a chamber in which seed and fertilizer are cornbined with an air stream Eor distribution to the individual furrow openers.
The seed CUp5 are shown in detail Figures 4, 5 and 7, perhaps best. It can be seen that the seed cups 80 include side walls 81 which are spaced laterally apart, and which are cut at an angle adjacent the forward ends along edges indicated at 82, and each of the walls 81 has an ear 83 positioned adjacent the forward end, and along the top edge of the walls. The side walls of the seed cups are joined together by a first forward wall 35 and a rear wall 86, which is also tapered.
The trimmed edyes 82 and the upper edge of wall 85 define an opening indicatea at 87 that is positioned ahead of the wall 43, and it can be seen that when the cups are in position on the respective grain tanks, the bars or clips 83 are mounted on the flange 43A and are supported relative to the wall 43. The opening 87 is below the outlet opening from the Eertilizer trough 72.
The side walls 81 of adjacent seed CUp5 are positionecl contiguous to each other at the upper ends where the ears 83 are found. The walls 81 of each cup then taper together and downwardly as shown in Figure 5. The forward wall 85 has a substantially vertical lower portion 85 in which an orifice indicated at 92 is deined. The rear wall 86 of each CUp iS
paralleI to and spaced rearwardly from the lower wall portlon 85A. The lower en~s of the side wall portions 81 join the paxt circular lower ends o wall portions 85A and 86A to form a part cylindrical chamber 90, into which seed and fertilizer will drop '7 as indicated in Figure 4 after it ha~ been metered through therespective rollers.
A tubular neck portion 91 is :Eixed to the outer side of the lower wall portion 85A and is concentric with the orifice 92. The orifice 92 is of smaller diameter than the interior diameter of the tubular neck 91. An outlet neck 93 is fixed to ~ :
the e~terior of portion 86A. It can be seen that an ou-tlet opening 93A throllgh the wall portion 86~ leading to the tube 93 is substantially the same diameter as the interior of the tube.
Opening 93A is larger in diameter than the inlet orifice 920 The ' lower wall of the'chamber 90 is part cylindrical as previously ~'..;.
explained but is slightly larger in diameter than the interior ~ ' of the tube 93. As shown ~t ls approximately the same as the outside diameter of the ~ube g3. The axis of orifice 92 and the axis of opening 93A coincide.
The ears 83, 83 it over the lip 43A (the lip or flange 43~ fits into the slot beIow the ears) and a spring clip 95 is attached to the rear wall 86 and extends upwardly~ The'clip 95 . ' has a receptacle portion g5A that fits over a rib 96 formed in `..:
20 the rear wall portion 42~, the rib 96 extends longitudinally ~ ' :
along wall portion 42A 50 that the clips 95 oF each seed cup ~,:
may be pos;tioned any place along the wall~ The seed cups . -~
there~ore can be placed very close together and no seed will drop between the adiacent walls 81 of two side by side seed cups.
The plenum chamber 35 a.s s~own in Figure 6 has. a plurality of individual sections of hose or plastic tu~ing 97 connected thereto and fitti~ng over su~,table outlet ~u~es' th.at are welded to open~ngs ;~n the'tube 34. The plastic tubes: 97 in .~. ' turn are connected ind~vidually to the tubes ~1 o~ each of the 30 seed cups. The outlet tube 93'from the seed cup is connected:, to a semi-rigid plasti.c hose or tube 98, and each cf the tubes 9~ in turn then leads to one of the ~ndividual furrow opener ~.
-13~
: - .
.
.. .. . ..
'7 assemblies 20~ Thus~ there is one seed cup f~r each of the furrow openers, one of the tubes 97 for each of the ~urrow openers, and one o~ the tubes 98 for each of the furrow openers 20. There is also one of the chutes 72 for each o~ the tank sections.
Typically the tube 98 will lead to a ~urrow opener such as that shown in Figure 2~ The furrow opener in this case again ~s a spr~ng loaded shank havlng a mounting bracket 100, and a spring shank and shank holder 101 are pivotally mounted thereto as at lOlA and heId in ~orking position with a suitable tension spring 102. Such shanks are described, as previously -stated in my United States Patent No. 3,782,481. At the lower end of each of the spring shanks 101 khere is a shovel member 102 bolted to the shank in the usual manner (see also Figure 8)~
Chisel point or sweep shovels may be used for the types of furrow openers used in seeding~ Usually there are two bolts which attach the shoveIs to the shank. In the upper one of the bolts an angle iron clip 103 ~s bolted in place, and this clip carries a metal tube portion 104 extend~ng through and fixed to the clip.
The plastic tube portion g8 then is pushed into the metal tube 104 and the air and seed which is being ejected in a manner that will be explained is sent out through the lower end oE the tube 104. The tube 104 is bent in its midportion so that the axis of the tube inclines toward the back side of the lower end of the shovel 102.
The shoveI or chisel point 102 goes below the surface of the ground 23 creating a furrow indicated at 23A in Figure 8, and the seed is shot right down into the bottom of the furrow immediately beh.ind the shovel 102 because of the bent tube 104 that directs the seed down into this area. Dirt will fall in and coVer the seed sufficiently so that it can germinate~ If desired, a gauge-pr ss wheel ma~ be used to pack dixt over -the seed, or a .. . ~ ~.
-14- ~
'.~ :
- . . ' ' spring tooth harrow or other covering device could be pulled behind the field cultivator unit that is used Eor seeding.
~ eferring again to the showing of the seed cups in Figure 4 and speci~ically chamber 90, the air flow is indicated in the arrows through the tube 97 and this air is normally about 1-2 psi, with an ade~uate volume to maintain -this pressure throughout the length of the tubes down to the individual shovelsO
The orifice 92 forms an opening approximately 11/3 inches in diameter. The air enters chamber 90 through the ori-~ice 92. The space between the inner surfaces of the walls 85Aand 86A which define the front and rear surfaces of the chamber 90 forms a throat portion and is approximately 9/16 inch, and should not exceed 5/8 inch in order to avoid excessive turbulence.
Yet, the spacing o~ the surfaces carrying orifice 92 and the outlet opening 93~ has to be large enough for the seed and ferti-lizer to fall between the surfaces without any substantial tend-ency to plug as it passes into the throat of the chamber. The airstream coming through the orifice 92 éxpands slightly without substantial turbulence and because of the relatively short dis-tance between the ori~ice 92 and the larger outlet opening 93Athere is little tendency for the a:ir to start to swirl or become turbulent.
The airstream more or less expands slightly to the size of, or slightly smaller diameter than the outlet opening 93~, as it passes through the throat of chamber 90. At the same t~me the airstream creates a vacuum ~aspiration action) near the upper por-tions of the chamber 90 tending to urge the seed and fertilizer to be carried into the fluid stream and out through the opening 93A. Gravity also urges the Eertilizer and seed downwardly into the throat. The use of a larger outlet opening which permits the fluid stream to expand without turbu-lence tends to pre~ent swirling which would provlde pockets of -15- i 3~ '7 dead air in which seed and fertilizer coulcl be immobilized and accumulate causing plugging of the seed cups.
It should be noted that the angle of wall 85 on which the fertilizer drops is se~ected to cause the fertilizer sliding off the wall to project toward the opening 93Ao A continuation of the plane of wall 85 intersects the plane of opening 93A~
The natural trajectory of fertilizer coming down the interior of the wall 85 is directly into the opening 9 3A~ The airstream passing through the orifice 92 adds an impetus to this natural mo~ement to pick up the fertilizer pellets.
The seed which is of lower specific gravity clrops straight clown, and as the seed enters the airstream it is carried in suspension into the opening 93~ and thus into the connected 98 and to the respective furrow opener.
A suitable screen indicated at 72~ is utilized inside the fertilizer trough 72 to prevent large clumps of fertilizer from dropping down into the seed cups 80 and causing plugging problems in the chamber 90. The fertilizer used presently is pelleted but occasionally the pellets will clump together~ The rubber rollers usually break up the clumps. The screen 72A will suspend clumps which ~et through -the rollers.
It should be noted that very large chunks cannot pass thraugh the rollers in any eventr so the screen 72A serves as a filter to make sure that larger chunks are not dropped through.
The screen may be emptied periodical1y.
Because the airflow and pressure through the chamber 90 is reIatively constant due to the accumulator 32 and the provi-sion of an adequate volume of air at a low pressure from the blade type fan, there is no irregularities in feeding through the nozzle area, and the seed and fertilizer are carried at a uniform rate as de.termined by the metering rollers~
It should also be noted that if desirecl the metering .
rollers can be supported on center bearings in each tank section.The center roller would be mounted reIative to the tank walls if desired.
The tank assem~ly for seed and fertilizer is mounted on the center section of a folding wing field cultivator assembly, and the only portions or parts from the seeding attachment that go onto the wlngs (i~ no gauge wheels are shown) are the hoses 98 and the individual clips 103 and tubes 104 which attach to each of the furrow openers~ Seeding and cultivatins can be done in one trip, promoting fueI conservation and minimum tillage as practices. Low investment is required by the need to provide only the tanks, the metering mechanisms and the hoses for obtaining a -~
large seeding apparatus. '~
In F~gures 8 and 9, a t~pe of gauge wheel that can beused with thé individual spring loaded cultivator shan]cs that is shown. The schematic showing illustrates a typical spring shank ! 101 that is utilized. A "U" shaped bracket 114 is mounted in ~ , the midportion of the'shank. The U shaped bracket 114 pivotally mounts an arm 115, ~hich'is pivotally mounted as at 116 to the bracket. The lower end of the arm 115 is laterally offset, as shown in F~gure 9, and carries a wheel spindle 117 that ro- ' ~
tatably mounts a suitable'wheeI 118. The wheel 118 may control ~ , the depth'of penetration of the shovel 102 into the ground and at the same time it will pack dirt in around the furrow that is ~, created by the'shovel~ The wheel has a semi-pneumatic -tire and it is of reIatively wide width to insure that it spans the furrow created. , ~ ,, A stop screw 120 is threadably mounted Into a sleeve 121 at the upper end of the arm 115, and this screw bears against '~
the'rear and upper surface of the shank 101 to provide a stop ~or the wheeI 118 to ~old It in a desired position as it move~ along ,~
the top ~urface'of the ground. ~, -17~ "
~,'~''' ' When the cultivator frames are raised (lifted out of the ground), the wheel 118 can merely drop down so arm 115 rests against the shank~
This gauge-packing wheel can be used if desired for added precision in controlling the depths of seeding and also for additional packing of dirt o~er the seed.
One of the features of the present device is that the opening 87 at the top of the seed cups (where fertilizer drops in) is forward facing and is visible to an operator on the trac-tor towing the unit. The tractor would be at the left hand sideof the sheet~ The fan assembly, as stated is shown only schema- ;
tically, and it is in normal position located so that it does not interfere with visibility of any large number of openings 87 of the seed cups. Xf pluyging does occur in chamber 90 the ferti-lizer and seed will build up and will start to spill out the openin~s 87 where it can immediatel~ be seen by the operator of the tractor~
The troughs 72 can also easily be removed if the screens 72~ plug up~ Li~kewise/ the individual seed cups are easily remo~ed by usin~ the spring clips 95 and just releasing them from the respective tanks, cleaning them out and then put- ;
tiny them back into p~ace. The tubes 97 and 98 do not have to be'disconnected for thi's cleaning operakion~
In the second form of the invention shown in Figures 10-12, the'tank for holding seed and fertilizer is modified in construction, as are the feed rollers, and also, the seed mount-ing for the cups is slightly modified. As in the previous form of the invention, one tank section assembly is utilized for each te~n foot width'of cultivator. The tanks are mounted on the center assem~ly of the cultivator as shown before~ The air supply, plenum chamber r and discharge tubes leading to each oE the indi- -' ~idu~l cu}tivator shbvels are the same as those previously dis--lB-closed. Referring to Fi.gures 10, 11 and 12, a seeder tank assem~
bly illustrated generally at 140 is supported on a frame member 141, that comprises an upright member used for supportiny the frame in the usual manner, and attaches to a cultivakor frame in-dicated at 142. The cross tube 143 forms the plenum chamber as pre~iously indicated. , The tank assembly 144 in this instance comprises a single tank housing seed and fertilizer. The tank assembly in-cludes an upper tank section indicated generally at 145 and a lower roller-feeder assembly or feed control unit 150. ~. '' The'upper tank section has a rearward wall 146 that extends across the'lateral width'of the tank, and a forward ~all .
147. Th.e walls 146 and 147 have upper edges that define an :
.: .
opening 148~ A suitable rain tight cover member 148A can be ::
placed oVer this opening 148 to keep the mois~ure rom the inter- '.:. ' ior of th.e tan]c~ The front and rear walls 146 and 147 are con- ,,' nected together with'end walls in the usual manner to enclose the ' ' tank. One end wall is indicated at 149. , ~
Adjacent the lower ends of the walls 146 and 147, there ;; . '.
are flanges 146A and 147A, respectively, that are used for at- ~
taching the lower feed control unit 150 to the upper tank section . . , 145~ The'feed control unit comprises end plates 151 connected to~ether with'a rear wall 152 and a forward wall 153. The rear wall 152 has a flange'152A which mates with flange 1~6A and is ::
fastenea th.ereto with'suitable bolts or screws, and the forward wall 153 has a flange:'153A which mates with the flange 147A and :.. ,.:' is removably attached thereto.;.Tt shoula be noted that the lower ~eed control unik can be replaced or removed for repair without '~
changin~ th.e' upper tank assembl~ 144~ Also, the lower fe~ed con~
.
trol un~t may~be a common ~nterchangeable unit used with a number ~.
of di~ferent uppex tank assemblies. ;, : The lower feed control unit includes means for mountiny 9~
.
:: : ~ ` ' ': ' - ' ' ;
the metering rolls for Eeed and fertilizer in the manner previously described. As shown, the rear wall 152 has a ~enerally vertical lower section 152B which extends downwardly and a generally hori-zontal flange 152C is formed at the lower end thereof. Wall 152 is attached to and mounted between the end plates 151 in a normal manner.
A vertical partition wall 155 is mounked between the end plates 151~ This partition wall 155 is mounted directly be-lo~ an adjustable partition wall 156 that is at-tached to the end ~alls forming the upper tank section 145. The partition wall 156 forms a partition between a seed hopper or compartment indicated generally at 157 and a fertilizer hopper or compartment indicated at 158. Wall 156 has end flanges 156A that are bolted in place to the end walls 149. There are two flanges 156~ one on each end oE
the wall 156. The wall 156 can be tilted about i~s lowermost mounting screw of bolt 156B to a dotted line position as shown to change the volume of the fertilizer compartment 158 and the seed compartment 157. ~he position of wall 156 can be modified to suit existing conditions wlthout altering the structure of the tank itseIf, so that more seed can be carried than fertilizer and the ratio between seed and fertilizer can be changed when different rates o~ application of one reIative to the other are desired.
Removing the screws from the flanges 156A and tilting the wall 156 to a desired position and then replacing ~he screws 150 in the flange 156A to a new set of holes that may be provided in each of -the end walls for thè tank i5 all that is required to change the s~ze of -the compartments.
ImmediateIy below wall 156, there is an inverted V
shaped member 161 which prov~des a shieId over the upper edge of wall 155~ When the lower feed control unit 150 is in place, the wall 155 forms a continuation of the p~rtition or divider between the seed and fertilizer compartments of -the upper tank.
.
At the lower end of wall 155 there are a pair of con-verging wall sections 162 supported on the wall 155 and wall 152 that guide grain or seed from ~ompartment 157 through an opening between the wall sections to a pair of reed rollers indicated generally at 163 which are moun~ed in the side plat~s 151~151 schematically shown at 163A in Figure 11. The feed rollers are driven in a desired manner. These rolls can be ground driven through a chain and sprocket assembly, or can be driven with a ~' hydraulic motor as in the'first form of the invention.
The rollers 163 are covered with suita~le elastomeric ma,terial and they touc'h at their tangent lines and when rotated the rollers meter seed from compartment 157~ On the fertilizer compartment si.de of the wall l5i, there are a pair of converging walls 164 wh~ch are spaced apart to form an opening above a pair of fertil~zer metering rollers 165, which in turn are also mounted in bearings on the side plates 151,151 and which are powered to meter fertilizer out through the rolls. The rolls 165 are con-structed ~s pre~iously expla~ned and have ela~tomeric outer por~
-tions. ~'~
In the metering of the fertilizer, the fertilizer will drop do~wardly from the rolls as shown onto a relatively rigid mesh screen indicaked generally at 166 which is mounted onto a ,~
wall 167 forming guide pans ~or the fertilizer. The wall 167 extends all the'way between the side plates 151,151 and i5 mounted onto a rod 168 at its upper end. It is held in the position as shown in soli:d lines in ~igure 10 through the use o~ a pair of pins 169, which'can be latched into the side plates 151 and then pulled out to permit the lower end oE wall 167 -to swing downwardly ' ,~, against stop ins indicated at 170, as shown in dotted lines.
The screen 166 can be cleaned of any lumps, and the wall provides a shield to prevent rain ~rom falling into the seed cups which ' ' ' are positioned helo~ the'wall 167.
, -21- ' :. : . . --In this form of the invention, the individual seed cups indicated generally at 175 are constructed in the same manner as in the first form of the invention insofar as the interior construction is concerned, including a forward wall which has an incline down along which the fertilizer will slide as shown, an interior inlet orifice leading to the lower chamber in the seed cup, and the output nozzle which is larger than ~e inlet orifice.
The seed cups 175 are each connected through a separate tube 176 to an outlet connection 177 on the plenum chamber 143. The tube 176 is connected to an inlet 178 that leads through the inlet ori-fice to the interior chamber in which the stream of fertilizer and seed ~which is metered by and drops down rom the rollers 163~ ' are carried to an outlet nozzle 179 and through suitable tubes 180 to the respective furrow openers. ,~
The upper portions of the seed cups 175 are constructed somewhat differently from the first form of the in~ention, and at the rear of the seed cups, suitable notches 175A are provided in the side walls 175B. The notices fit onto the flange 152C. The 'seed cups are thus heId on this flange 152C through the lnter- , lockin~ function of the'notch and ~lange. The forward ends of the seed cups 175 are held in position with a pair of tension springs 181 that attach to the respective side plates 151,151.
One such'spring is shown ~n ~lgure 11~ The springs 181 connect to opposite ends of a cross bar 182 that engages the inclined , '~
forward walls 175C o~ all or the seed cups in each lower unit.
The bar 182 contacts all of the'seed cups in the unit~ The sprin~s 181 keep the bar up tight against the seed cups and the side ~alls of the seed cups engage a suitable stop rod 183 that extends between the side'plates 151 ~ It can be seen that the upper opening 184 of the seed cups 175 is vis;ble from an operators platform in the same manner as in the pxevious form of the invention, and thus plugging would ' ' , , .
'7 cause a visual indication by spilla~le from the openings 184~ In this manner the operator can determine when plugging occurs.
If a seed cup 175 plugs, it can be removed from the assembly by pulling it out so notches 175A clear flange 153C.
The bar 182 will move as springs 181 expand until the notch clears the flange. Then the seed cup can be tilted downwardly and out of its position without disturbing the other seed cups.
This makes the device not only very secure through the use of the springs 181, but also easily removed for cleaning.
Thus, in the second form of the invention a standard lower feed control unit can be utilized with different size upper tanks if desired, and the compartments in the upper tank can be ~ .
varied as to the ratio between fertilizer and seed which is stored.
The roller assemblies 163 and 165 retain the seed and fertilizer in the tankr~, and prevent it from escaping.
If something should happen to the rollers, if they need to be replaced, or if they have to be adjusted in any manner, .~ :
the entire lower unit can be removed by taking out the bolts :
which connect the flanges 152A and 153A to the flanges 146A and 147A. :
Further, the entire assembly of seed cups is shielded from rain and the like so there i5 no problem with water standing in the lowe.r portion of the seed cups causing delays in getting . . .
started.
The feed rollers can be driven, as stated previously, - ~ -by a suitable ground dr~ve driving from one of the gauge wheels or other ground engaging wheels of the seeder unit or the field cultivator. Further, when the pan or wall 167 is swung down to its position against the sto~ member 170 by pulling out the pins 169, it provides a complete shield against any rain coming in through the opentngs 184 of the seed cups.
The fan used for air pressure is th.e same as in the -23~
first form of the in~ention~ If desired, the vacuum side of the fan can be used as a source of vacuum to clean out the tanks and lower feed control unit~ A barrel can be mounted on the cultivator frame as a collector plenum or tank, and one hose connected to the vacuum side of the fan. A second hose lead~ng from the tank is used for the actual cleaning~ ~ :
The semi-rigid plastic hoses 98 are forced into the respective tubes 104 sufficiently far so that the hoses 98 are frictionally gripped at the bend portions of tubes 104 and are retalned without clips or the like. The seed is directed by tubes 104 into the moist earth ;mmediately behind the respect.ive furrow openers. `
-24- :
.. . . ~ , . . .
.. . . .
Claims (10)
1. A pneumatic seeder attachment for an agricultural implement having furrow opener assemblies mounted on said imple-ment, said attachment including a storage tank having a length, metering means along the length of the storage tank for meter-ing discrete particles from the. bottom of said storage tank to form a band of metered material substantially continuously along the length of the storage tank, a plurality of individual cups positioned below said metering means to receive material being dispensed, said cups each defining a chamber adjacent the bottom of each of said cups, said chambers each having an inlet orifice having an axis leading from a source of fluid under low pressure, and an outlet opening substantially directly axially aligned with said inlet orifice, means to supply fluid under low pressure to each of said inlet orifices, said fluid flowing from the respective inlet orifice to the associated outlet opening, said cups having side walls with upper side edges extending transverse to the length of said storage tank and transverse to the band of metered material, the upper side edges of the side walls of adjacent cups being substantially contiguous to form the sole means for dividing the band of material dispensed by the metering means into individual por-tions, said discrete particles. divided by the upper side edge dropping into the respective chambers, whereby fluid passing from each inlet to the respective outlet intercepts particles dropping into such chamber and carries the particles through said outlet and conduit means extending from each outlet to a respective one of the individual furrow openers to carry particles to position adjacent the individual furrow openers.
2. The combination as specified in Claim 1 and conduit means connected from said source of fluid under pres-sure to said inlet orifice, and wherein said chamber comprises a substantially vertical wall at the inlet side, said inlet orifice comprising an orifice of smaller diameter than the diameter of said conduit, and of smaller diameter than the out-let opening.
3. A pneumatic seeder attachment for an agricultural implement, said attachment including a storage tank having a lateral width transverse to the normal direction of movement and a continuous opening extending across the storage tank at the bottom thereof, at least one metering roll positioned in the opening of the tank for metering and dispensing material from the bottom of said tank in a band extending along the entire length of the opening, individual cup means removably positioned below said metering roll to receive said material being dispensed, said cup means having side walls and being positioned side by side so the upper edges of the side walls are substantially contiguous, a chamber adjacent the bottom of each of said individual cup means, said chamber having a lower wall preventing material from falling through the chamber, an inlet leading from a source of fluid under low pressure, and an outlet aligned with said inlet whereby fluid will pass through said chamber from said inlet to said outlet, said cup means being positioned below the storage tank so that material dis-pensed by the metering roll will drop under gravity from the metering roll through the opening into said chambers to be carried by the fluid stream passing from said inlet to said outlet, said upper edges of said side walls of said cup means forming means dividing the material dispensed by the metering roll into individual portions into the chambers of the cup means after the tank for metering and dispensing material from the bottom of said tank along the entire length of the opening, individual cup means removably positioned below said metering roll to receive said material being dispensed, said cup means having side walls and being positioned side by side so the upper edges of the side walls form the sole means to divide said material into individual portions for each cup means, a chamber adjacent the bottom of each of said individual cup means, said chamber having a lower wall preventing material from falling through the chamber, an inlet leading from a source of fluid under low pressure, and an outlet substantially direct-ly axially aligned with said inlet whereby fluid will pass through said chamber from said inlet to said outlet in generally horizontal direction, said cup means being positioned below the storage tank so that material will drop under gravity from the metering rolls into said chambers to be carried by the fluid stream passing from said inlet to said outlet, and means between said outlet and a remote location to fluidly convey material dropping into said chamber to a desired position.
4. The combination as specified in Claim 3 wherein said chamber comprises a substantially vertical wall adjacent the inlet, said lower wall being part cylindrical, said inlet comprising a sharp edged orifice leading to said chamber, and said outlet comprising a port means of greater diameter than said inlet and substantially the same radius as and having its lower edge adjacent the part cylindrical lower wall.
5. The combination as specified in Claim 3 wherein said side walls of said cup means are generally perpendicular to the axis of said metering roll, said side walls of adjacent cup means being contiguous at the upper edges of the side walls, lower portions of said side walls of each cup means tapering toward each other in direction toward the respective chamber.
6. The combination as specified in Claim 4 wherein said outlet is defined on a substantially vertical wall gener-ally parallel to said first mentioned wall adjacent said inlet, tube means carrying fluid under pressure to said inlet, said outlet port means being substantially of the same diameter as the interior diameter of the tube means carrying fluid to said inlet, and said sharp edged orifice being substantially smaller than the inside diameter of the tube carrying fluid to said inlet.
7. The combination as specified in Claim 3 wherein said attachment comprises a frame, a tank assembly mounted onto said frame, said frame having one tubular frame member extending generally parallel to the axis of the metering roll and spanning substantially the width of said tank assembly, said tubular frame member being closed to form a plenum chamber having an inlet from a source of fluid under low pressure and a plurality of outlets, each outlet leading to a separate one of said cup means.
8. The seeder attachment of Claim 3 in combination with an agricultural implement having a plurality of furrow opener assemblies, said implement having a frame, said furrow opener assemblies each comprising a spring shank attached to said frame and a furrow opener at the lower end of the shank which opens a narrow furrow into which the conduit means discharges particles, and a depth control furrow covering wheel mounted on each shank, each wheel being of width to span the furrow made by its respective furrow opener to cover particles deposited in the furrow by said conduit means.
9. The combination of Claim 8 wherein said wheels are mounted onto an arm, means to pivotally mount each arm to its respective shank, and adjustable stop means operable be-tween the shank and the arm to limit the upward pivoting of each of the wheels.
10. The attachment of Claim 3 in combination with an agricultural implement such as a field cultivator having a plurality of shovels forming furrow openers thereon, said field cultivator having a frame comprising a center section and outer wing sections-pivotally mounted to said center sec-tion, said attachment further comprising a seeder attachment frame, a plurality of tanks mounted on said seeder attachment frame, said seeder attachment frame being mounted on the center section of said cultivator frame, said tanks being formed into tank sections including a fertilizer section and a seed storage section, said fertilizer section having a pair of first rollers adjacent the bottom thereof for metering fertilizer through said first rollers, trough means for guiding fertilizer being metered by said first rollers, each tank also having a pair of second rollers on the bottom thereof for metering seed from the respective tank, said cup means being positioned to receive fertilizer metered by said first pair of rollers and seed metered by said second rollers, the lower walls of said chamber being part cylindrical, said chambers further each being defined by front and rear generally vertical walls joining said part cylindrical lower wall,the inlet being a substantially circular sharp edged orifice defined in said front wall, said fluid outlet being defined in the rear wall and being circular and substan-tially co-axial with and the same radius as the part cylindrical lower wall, said fluid outlet being substantially larger than said fluid inlet, the means between the fluid outlet and a remote location comprising conduit means connected to each of said fluid outlets and leading to an individual one of said furrow openers of the field cultivator.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA385,643A CA1132854A (en) | 1978-04-03 | 1981-09-10 | Seeding device with air distribution system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US89298578A | 1978-04-03 | 1978-04-03 | |
| US892,985 | 1978-04-03 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1110117A true CA1110117A (en) | 1981-10-06 |
Family
ID=25400833
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA324,599A Expired CA1110117A (en) | 1978-04-03 | 1979-04-02 | Seeding device with air distribution system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU530551B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1110117A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5906166A (en) * | 1995-10-18 | 1999-05-25 | Wagner; Philip Gus | Seeding assembly including seed boot and boot mounted, resiliently biased packer wheel |
| US10368477B2 (en) | 2011-09-27 | 2019-08-06 | Precision Planting Llc | Seed delivery apparatus, systems, and methods |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2605833B1 (en) * | 1986-11-05 | 1990-04-20 | Nodet Gougis | GRANULAR PRODUCT SPREADER BY FORCED SPRAY |
| WO2000032024A1 (en) * | 1998-11-27 | 2000-06-08 | Taege Technology Limited | Metering device for particulate material |
-
1979
- 1979-04-02 CA CA324,599A patent/CA1110117A/en not_active Expired
- 1979-04-03 AU AU45755/79A patent/AU530551B2/en not_active Ceased
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5906166A (en) * | 1995-10-18 | 1999-05-25 | Wagner; Philip Gus | Seeding assembly including seed boot and boot mounted, resiliently biased packer wheel |
| US10368477B2 (en) | 2011-09-27 | 2019-08-06 | Precision Planting Llc | Seed delivery apparatus, systems, and methods |
| US11013163B2 (en) | 2011-09-27 | 2021-05-25 | Precision Planting Llc | Seed delivery apparatus, systems, and methods |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU4575579A (en) | 1979-10-11 |
| AU530551B2 (en) | 1983-07-21 |
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