GB151800A - Improvements in and relating to air and gravity feeding devices for drills and othersowing implements - Google Patents

Abstract

151,800. McBride, T. J. Aug. 23, 1919. Seed and like distributors.-In pneumatic apparatus for sowing seeds &c., comprising a hopper having outlets leading to coulters or other sowing appliances and an air-blast for each outlet, moving surfaces are provided for carrying the seeds &c. into position for being discharged by the air-blasts through the outlets. In the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3, an air-pipe 3 parallel with the hopper is connected by a flexible tube 6 to a blower 4 driven from the main shaft 2. The air-blast nozzles 11 are curved as shown so as to direct the air across the bottom of the hopper towards the outlets 9. The seeds are delivered in front of the nozzles by a serrated slide-bar 12 reciprocated by means of a cam and a lever which is adjustable in length to vary the movement. Hinged hoods 14 are mounted over the nozzles and are separately or simultaneously adjustable to regulate the quantity of seeds delivered by the bar 12. The distance between the nozzles and outlets is regulated by moving the air-pipe 3 by means of a lever provided with a dial indicating the quantity of seeds sown. In the extreme position, side plates on the nozzles close the outlets. The pipe 3 may be connected to the lever for raising and lowering the coulters so that the outlets may be closed when the coulters are raised. It may be supported by arms moving in guides and surrounded by springs. In the modification shown in Fig. 7, the air-pipe 3 is mounted inside the hopper and is rocked to regulate the distance between the nozzles and outlets. The seeds are delivered in front of the nozzles by disked disks 37 rotated or oscillated by gearing or mechanism driven from the main shaft. Projections may be provided on the disks 37 to stir the seeds &c. Adjustable slotted plates 43 regulate the supply to the disks 37. In either form of machine, cut-off slides and driving- clutches may be operated in unison with the lowering and raising of the coulters.