Map based seed vacuum control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9585303-B2
Application number	US-201414327844-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 10, 2014
Priority date	Jul 10, 2014
Publication date	Mar 7, 2017
Grant date	Mar 7, 2017

Abstract

A method including adjusting a changeable component of a seed planting machine when switching from a first variety of seed to a second variety of seed during planting, wherein the adjusting is based on a location of the planting machine.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
planting a first variety of seed in a first location of a field of land using a planting machine, the planting machine comprising a component, the component having a first setting configured to improve a first performance of the planting machine when planting the first variety of seed, wherein the first performance is gauged relative to the planting machine planting the first variety of seed using other settings of the component;
sensing that the planting machine will reach or has reached a second location of the field, different than the first location, wherein a second variety of seed, different than the first variety of seed, is to be planted in the second location;
responsive to sensing, automatically adjusting the component of the planting machine to a second setting, the second setting configured to improve a second performance of the planting machine while planting the second variety of seed, wherein the second performance is gauged relative to the planting machine planting the second variety of seed using other settings of the component; and
planting the second variety of seed in the second location of the field using the component at the second setting.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises a double eliminator to prevent multiple seeds from being planted during a given planting operation at a particular location, and wherein automatically adjusting comprises changing the setting of the double eliminator to a second setting.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises a vacuum seed meter, and wherein automatically adjusting comprises changing a level of vacuum applied to the vacuum seed meter.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises a double eliminator to prevent multiple seeds from being planted during a given planting operation at a particular location, and a vacuum seed meter, and wherein automatically adjusting comprises:
changing the double eliminator to a second setting; and
changing a level of vacuum applied to the vacuum seed meter to a second setting.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein automatically adjusting is commanded by a computer which stores double eliminator settings in map data that includes a first setting for the first location and a second setting for the second location, wherein the computer commands automatically adjusting the double eliminator to the second setting upon the sensing, wherein automatically adjusting is further commanded by a computer which stores vacuum settings in map data that includes a third setting for the first location and a fourth setting for the second location, and wherein the computer commands automatically adjusting the vacuum seed meter to the fourth setting upon the sensing.

6. A method comprising:
planting a first variety of seed in a first location of a field of land using a planting machine, the planting machine comprising a component, the component having a first setting configured to improve a first performance of the planting machine when planting the first variety of seed, wherein the first performance is gauged relative to the planting machine planting the first variety of seed using other settings of the component;
sensing that the planting machine will reach or has reached a second location of the field, different than the first location, wherein a second variety of seed, different than the first variety of seed, is to be planted in the second location;
responsive to sensing, automatically adjusting the component of the planting machine to a second setting, the second setting configured to improve a second performance of the planting machine while planting the second variety of seed, wherein the second performance is gauged relative to the planting machine planting the second variety of seed using other settings of the component; and
planting the second variety of seed in the second location of the field using the component at the second setting; and
wherein the component comprises a double eliminator to prevent multiple seeds from being planted during a given planting operation at a particular location, and wherein automatically adjusting comprises changing the setting of the double eliminator to a second setting.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein automatically adjusting is commanded by a computer which stores double eliminator settings in map data that includes a first setting for the first location and a second setting for the second location, and wherein the computer commands automatically adjusting the double eliminator to the second setting upon the sensing.

8. A method comprising:
planting a first variety of seed in a first location of a field of land using a planting machine, the planting machine comprising a component, the component having a first setting configured to improve a first performance of the planting machine when planting the first variety of seed, wherein the first performance is gauged relative to the planting machine planting the first variety of seed using other settings of the component;
sensing that the planting machine will reach or has reached a second location of the field, different than the first location, wherein a second variety of seed, different than the first variety of seed, is to be planted in the second location;
responsive to sensing, automatically adjusting the component of the planting machine to a second setting, the second setting configured to improve a second performance of the planting machine while planting the second variety of seed, wherein the second performance is gauged relative to the planting machine planting the second variety of seed using other settings of the component; and
planting the second variety of seed in the second location of the field using the component at the second setting; and
wherein the component comprises a vacuum seed meter, and wherein automatically adjusting comprises changing a level of vacuum applied to the vacuum seed meter.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein automatically adjusting is commanded by a computer which stores vacuum settings in map data that includes a first setting for the first location and a second setting for the second location, and wherein the computer commands automatically adjusting the vacuum seed meter to the second setting upon the sensing.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Rylander Dave J

Classifications

• A01C21/005 Primary

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

• A01C7/10 Primary

  Devices for adjusting the seed-box {; Regulation of machines for depositing quantities at intervals} · CPC title

• A01B79/005

  Precision agriculture · CPC title

• A01C7/20

  Parts of seeders for conducting and depositing seed · CPC title

• A01C7/0443

  Seed singulators · CPC title