Multiple agricultural product application method and systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10225977-B2
Application number	US-201715452362-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 7, 2017
Priority date	Sep 5, 2013
Publication date	Mar 12, 2019
Grant date	Mar 12, 2019

Abstract

A method and system for planting one of a plurality of seed types, hybrids and/or varieties includes a planter and a plurality of row units. The row units include dynamic metering systems, which can include multiple seed meters at a particular row unit. The metering systems including more than one seed meters are configured such that the seed meters will plant a different seed types or varieties. The operation of one or more of the seed meters at a time will provide for the planting of a particular seed variety. When the invention provides for on-the-go changing of a seed being planted by changing the operation of one or more of the seed meters at each of the row units and provides for almost infinite variation among the row units for planting particular seed varieties or not planting at all.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A row unit for use with an agricultural implement, comprising:
a plurality of seed meters each including a seed exit, each of said plurality of seed meters configured to receive a separate seed variety;
a seed to ground system for directing seed from the meters to the ground;
an electric drive motor operatively attached to each respective seed meter such that the electric drive motor for each seed meter moves with the seed meter to selectively align of said seed meters with a seed to ground system.

2. The row unit of claim 1 , further comprising a dynamic system operatively attached to the plurality of seed meters to move the seed meters such that at least one of the seed meters is substantially aligned with the seed to ground system.

3. The row unit of claim 2 , wherein the dynamic system comprises an actuator and an intelligent control.

4. The row unit of claim 3 , wherein the intelligent control comprises a location device and is configured to operate the actuator to align one of said plurality of seed meters substantially in line with the seed to ground system according to the location of the agricultural implement in a field.

5. The row unit of claim 4 , wherein the seed to ground system comprises at least one endless member.

6. The row unit of claim 5 , wherein the at least one endless member comprises a belt.

7. A system for dynamically changing the application of a plurality of agricultural products to a field, comprising:
a plurality of seed meters positioned at a common row unit, each of the plurality of seed meters being driven by a dedicated electric motor associated with a respective seed meter;
wherein each of the plurality of agricultural products is in communication with one of the plurality of seed meters; and
a common seed to ground system, wherein at least one of the plurality of seed meters is selectively aligned with the common seed to ground system at a time to selectively distribute one of the plurality of agricultural products;
wherein each of said plurality of seed meters are capable of moving relative to the common seed to ground system and said dedicated electric motors moving therewith.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the common seed to ground system comprises an endless member.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of seed meters comprises a vacuum meter.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the alignment of the at least one of the plurality of seed meters with the common seed to ground system to selectively distribute the one of the plurality of agricultural products is based on the location of the system in a field.

Assignees

• Kinze Mfg Inc

Inventors

• Kinzenbaw Jon
• Rolffs Merlan J
• Wilhelmi Matthew J
• Hahn Dustan
• Becker Derrick

Classifications

• A01C7/044

  Pneumatic seed wheels · CPC title

• A01C19/02

  by a motor · CPC title

• A01C7/046

  with perforated seeding discs · CPC title

• A01C7/102

  Regulating or controlling the seed rate · CPC title

• A01C21/005 Primary

  Following a specific plan, e.g. pattern · CPC title