Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02548837 2006-05-29
Seed Hopper and Routing Structure for Varying
Material Delivery to Row Units
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to agricultural seeding implements
and, more specifically, to structure for dispensing different types of seed
and the like
to planter or seeding row units.
Background of the Invention
Numerous seeding implements are available for delivering seed from one or
more central hoppers to individual row units. The individual row units may
include a
small hopper for automatic seed on demand refilling. When planting seed,
certain
agronomic benefits are available by changing seed varieties for a given row.
For
example, when planting seed corn the ability to easily select and change the
pattern
of rows for the male and female varieties can be highly advantageous. Many
currently available bulk seed hopper systems are not readily compatible with
planting
practices utilizing two or more different seed hybrids.
Variety selection for the rows of a seeding implement is also advantageous
for operations utilizing genetically modified seed. Planting of a refuge seed
is often
required when planting the genetically modified seed. A percentage of non-
transgenic seed is typically planted with an insect transgenic seed to delay
onset of
resistance development. Regulatory agencies such as the USDA and EPA prefer
the refuge crop be planted with a non-transgenic crop as a block separate and
apart
from the recombinant crops. Operators are required to purchase the regulatory
amount of non-recombinant seed required for refuge along with any recombinant
seed purchase. The percentage of refuge crop planted can vary from a small
amount up to 20% or more of the total crop, depending on the type of crop
plant
subject to regulatory requirements and the amount of insect pressure expected
for a
particular geographic location. Although refuge for insect resistant hybrids
can be
planted adjacent the resistant crop or even in an adjacent field,
effectiveness of the
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CA 02548837 2006-05-29
refuge increases if the refuge is planted in strips in the same field as the
insect
resistant variety.
In some fields, it may be desirable to vary the row location and/or
percentage of refuge crop or other variety planted from one area to another.
When a
circle irrigated field is planted, for example, varying seed varieties can
improve
drought resistance for non-irrigated regions. Also, ability to change seed
varieties
within a field to improve pest or mold resistance can be highly advantageous.
Changing varieties on the go or with little downtime has been difficult or
impossible
with many currently available seeding implements such as those with seed on
demand delivery systems. As map-based farming practices become increasingly
popular, the need for improved variety control for such delivery systems
becomes
more evident.
If the crop harvested from the genetically modified seed is to be separated
from the crop harvested from the refuge seed, a different row pattern may need
to be
employed to accommodate harvester header configuration than if the crops are
not
to be segregated at harvest. Some farmers leave one unplanted row of crop
approximately every sixty feet or other desired spacing to act as a row marker
for
spraying. The set-up of the planter or seeding implement for proper variety
control,
refuge percentage control, row spacing, marker row spacing and/or male-female
seed row configuration can be very time-consuming. To achieve various row
patterns, delivery lines to certain row units must be blocked or rerouted.
Placement
of hoppers for conveniently loading two or more materials while maintaining
acceptable load distribution on the seeding implement with fully loaded
hoppers is
also a continuing source of difficulty. Loading of some of the seed varieties
by hand
from bags while bulk loading other varieties is not uncommon. Therefore,
convenient access must be provided for both bulk filling and manual filling.
It is also
desirable to maximize use of individual hopper capacity to lessen the number
of
hopper reloading operations required.
Summary of the Invention
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It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved seed
hopper and routing structure for a seeding implement. It is another object to
provide
such a structure which overcomes most or all of the aforementioned problems.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide hopper and routing
structure for a seeding implement providing advantages of bulk seed hoppers
with
versatility of planting two or more seed hybrids. It is another object to
provide such
structure which facilitates rerouting or blocking of material delivery to row
units to
most efficiently utilize hopper capacity, optimize control of seed variety,
refuge
percentage and location, and row spacing for different seeding materials and
field
conditions. It is another object to provide such a structure wherein seed
varieties
and seed routing can be changed quickly or, if desired, on the go.
It is still another object to provide hopper structure accommodating up to
three different seeding materials and having better access and weight
distribution
characteristics than many previously available hopper structures. It is
another object
to provide hose structure for use with the hopper structure to facilitate
changes in
seed hose routing and optimize use of hopper capacity.
A seeding implement includes a transversely extending main frame with left
and right main hoppers offset laterally from each other on opposite sides of
the
centerline of the machine to provide an operator access area between the
hoppers.
A third hopper is located forwardly of and between the two main hoppers and
has a
capacity less than that of each of the main hoppers. The third hopper is
conveniently
located adjacent the forward end of the operator accesses area and is ideal
for
refuge or male seed, or the like. The hoppers are sized to maximize
productivity and
are particularly useful for planting male-female seed corn or providing a
desired
pattern of refuge crop. For example, a 20-30-50% tank capacity or similar
combination fits seed corn planting requirements since most popular seed corn
planting configurations are 20% male rows and 80% female rows. In addition,
the
system also matches typical refuge planting requirements of 20%.
In an embodiment of the invention, first and second hoppers, each hopper
containing material to be delivered to the soil, communicate with downstream
conduit
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structure extending towards the distributing unit and with a source of air
upstream of
the hoppers. Valve structure selects one or the other of the first and second
hoppers
for delivery of the material. In one configuration, a directional control air
valve is
connected upstream of the first and second hoppers and is controlled to
deliver
material pickup air to a nozzle in the selected one of the hoppers. In a
second
configuration, the valve structure includes an air and seed valve connected to
the
conduit structure downstream of the first and second hoppers to allow material
from
the selected hopper to flow while blocking material from the non-selected
hopper. A
third configuration includes selectively blockable nozzle structure located in
the first
and second hoppers, the nozzle structure facilitating pickup of material from
the
hoppers when unblocked and preventing pickup of material when blocked. A
simple
clip may be placed over the nozzle for blocking flow.
Easily changeable hose routing structure optimizes hose routing and
provides desired row patterns and selectable hopper and row blocking. In an
embodiment shown, a connector includes a selectively attachable cap preventing
material flow through one or more of the conduits. The connectors comprises
first
and second mating portions for easy interchangeability. A cap is connectible
in
series between the portions to block material when flow from a particular
hopper or
to a particular row is to be discontinued. For dividing flow from one conduit
or
combining flow from two conduits into one, a Y-shaped connector is provided
having
first and second branches, each connectible to a selected one of the conduits.
Cap
structure is connectible in series between a branch and the associated conduit
for
selectively blocking flow when necessary for the desired row pattern.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the description below
taken in
view of the drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a seeding implement with seed hopper and
routing structure.
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Fig. 2 is a top view of the hopper structure and access structure for the
implement of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of a hose coupler and associated hose cap shown in a
disassembled condition.
Fig. 4 is a view of the hose coupler of Fig. 3 shown without the cap and
connected for transferring seed or other material.
Fig. 5 is a view of the hose coupler of Fig. 3 with the cap connected to block
material flow.
Fig. 6 is a view of a Y-connector with one of the branches of the Y capped to
prevent material flow and the remaining branch connected for transferring
material.
Fig. 7 is a view of a system for selectively delivering one of two materials
to
a row and including an upstream selection valve system.
Fig. 8 is a view of a system similar to that of Fig. 7 but showing a
downstream selection valve system.
Fig. 9 is a view of a serial delivery system for selectively delivering
material
from one of two hoppers to a row.
Fig. 10 is a view similar to that of Fig. 9 but showing the system delivering
material from the other of the hoppers.
Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of the seeding implement showing
seed hopper connections and routing structure for a row configuration wherein
material from a central tank is directed to rows spaced across the width of
the
machine.
Fig. 12 is a schematic representation similar to that of Fig. 11 but showing a
routing structure for banding the material from the central tank.
Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of another routing structure wherein
one of the hoppers is blocked from delivery of material.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring now to Fig. 1, therein is shown a seeding implement 40 including a
CA 02548837 2006-05-29
transversely extending main frame 42 supported for forward movement over the
ground by lift wheel assemblies 44. A hitch 46 projects forwardly from the
main
frame 42 generally along a fore-and-aft machine centerline and includes a
hitch
connection 48 adapted for connection to a tractor or other towing vehicle (not
shown). The frame 42 supports a plurality of transversely spaced row units or
tools
50 connected through conduit structure 52 hopper structure 54 supported
adjacent
the hitch 46. One or more materials such as seed is delivered through the
conduit
structure 52 from the hopper structure 54 to the row units 50 for delivery to
the soil.
The row units 50 include meter housings or mini-hoppers 60 for receiving seed
from
the conduit structure 52. A seed on demand or similar system may be used to
maintain the desired level of seed in the housings or hoppers 60.
The hopper structure 54 includes left and right hoppers 62 and 64 offset
laterally from each other on opposite sides of the machine centerline and a
central
hopper 66 located between and forwardly of the left and right hoppers 62 and
64
over the hitch 46. An operator accesses area 70 is defined between hoppers 62
and
64 rearwardly adjacent the hopper 66. As shown, the central hopper 66
typically
serves as a refuge or male seed hopper and has a capacity substantially less
than
the capacity of the hoppers 62 and 64. The percentage of total system hopper
capacity of the hopper 66 is equal to or approximates the percentage of refuge
or
male seed planted in a seeding operation. For example, for planting a 20%
refuge or
male seed, the ideal capacity of the hopper 66 will be approximately 20% of
the total
hopper system capacity.
The conduit structure 52 communicates with the hopper structure 54 and
includes individual conduit sections 72 and 74 selectively attachable to
interconnect
the hoppers 62, 64 and 66 to predetermined row units 50 for the desired
delivery
pattern. As best seen in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, each conduit section 72 includes a
male
portion 82 of a bayonet connection, and the section 74 includes a female
portion 84
for receiving the portion 82. Identical bayonet portions 82 and 84 may be used
for a
number or all of the sections 72 and 74 to provide interchangeable connections
for a
large variety of possible combinations of hose routing connections.
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A conduit blocking cap 90 includes a male bayonet portion 92 for receipt by
the portion 84 on the section 74. An opposite female bayonet portion 94
receives
the male portion 82 of the conduit section 72. When connected as shown in Fig.
5,
the cap 90 seals and block flow through the connector ends of both the
sections 72
and 74 and provides mutual support of the ends. Alternatively, the cap 90 may
be
used to block one of the sections 72 and 74 with the remaining section
removed,
rerouted or stored in a different location.
Further conduit routing flexibility is provided with a Y-connector or multi-
connector 100 having a first end 102 connected to one of the conduit sections,
such
as section 72 as shown in Fig. 6. A plurality of divergent branches 104 and
106
having female bayonet connection ends 108 and 110, respectively, adapted for
receiving male bayonet connecting ends 112 of conduit sections 72'. If
blocking of
one of the branches is necessary for the desired hose routing arrangement, the
cap
90 can be connected as shown on the branch 104 in Fig. 6. If a corresponding
section 72' is available and unused adjacent the Y-connector 100, that section
can
be supported and the connecting end 112 sealed by inserting the end into the
female
end of the cap 90.
Referring to Figs. 7 - 10, examples of systems for delivery of material from
first and second hoppers 162 and 164 are shown. The hoppers 162 and 164 can
contain two different types of material such as, for example, genetically
modified
seed and refuge seed, or female and male seed corn. Downstream conduit
structure
72 is shown extending from the hoppers 162 and 164 towards the distributing
units.
Upstream conduit structure 172 and 174 (Figs. 7 and 8) is connected to a
source of
air and to the first and second hoppers 162 and 164. Valve structure 178 or
178'
selects one of the first and second hoppers for delivery of the material to
the soil.
As shown in Fig. 7, the valve structure 178 is located upstream of the
hoppers and includes an air inlet 180 and air outlets 182 and 184 connected to
the
conduit section 172 and 174, respectively, which in turn are connected to
material
pick-up nozzles 192 and 194. The valve structure 178 is switchable to direct
air
either to the conduit section 172 or 174. When air is directed to the conduit
section
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172, air supply to the section 174 is cut off, and a venturi effect created at
the nozzle
192 causes material from the hopper 162 to be picked up by the nozzle and
directed
to a Y-connector 100 communicating with the conduit structure 72. Switching
the
valve 178 causes air to be shut off from the section 172 delivered through the
conduit section 174 to the nozzle 194 so that material from the hopper 164 is
delivered to the conduit structure 72. A remote or automatic switching control
200 is
connected to the valve structure 178 to provide remote operation of the valve.
The
control 200 can be a map-based switching control to provide automatic
operation
based on field location and desired material delivery to the soil. The control
200 can,
for example, automatically vary seed varieties based on location to improve
drought
resistance for dry regions of a field, or change seed varieties within the
field to
improve pest or mold resistance where necessary.
A second embodiment shown in Fig. 8 includes air and seed valve structure
178' connected downstream of the first and second hoppers 162 and 164. Air
supply
sections 172 and 174 are connected to the inlets of the nozzles 192 and 194.
When
the valve structure 178' is switched to open the outlet of the nozzle 192 to
the
conduit structure 72, material is picked up in the hopper 162 and delivered to
the row
while material from the hopper 164 is blocked. Switching the structure 178'
opens
the outlet of the nozzle 194 to the conduit structure 72 to pick up material
from
hopper 164 and blocks material from the hopper 162. The automatic switching
control 200 can be connected to the valve structure 178' to provide remote
operation
of the valve similar to that described above for the valve structure 178.
In a further embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the valve structure
includes selectively blockable and unblockable nozzle structures 192' and 194'
located in the first and second hoppers 162 and 164 and connected in series
between an air supply section 174' and the delivery conduit structure 72. A
snap-on
cap 210 can be clipped or unclipped from a selected nozzle structure. The
nozzle
structures facilitate pickup of material from a hopper when upcapped (see 192'
of
Fig. 9 and 194' of Fig. 10) and prevent pickup of material when capped (see
194' of
Fig. 9 and 192' of Fig. 10). The series connection provides simplified hose
routing.
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Automatic capping and uncapping can also be provided through slide or rotating
valve structure located in the hopper connected to the control 200 to provide
remote
selection or to remotely control the selection operation based on a map.
The operator access area 70 (Figs. 1 and 2) includes a platform 270
providing convenient access to the central hopper 66. Often, refuge crop or
male
seed corn is loaded by hand from bags, and the access area 70 facilitates the
loading process. Steps 272 with hand rails 274 extend rearwardly from the
platform
270 to the rear of the implement 40.
Examples of various row patterns for a 36 row machine utilizing the above-
described hopper and routing structure are shown in Figs. 11 - 13. Fig. 11 is
an
example of providing a single row (rows 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, 31 and 36) of
material
such as refuge seed or male seed corn from the hopper 66 between multiple rows
(2-5, 7-10, 12-15, 17-20, 22-25, 27-30, and 32-35) of other seed from the
hoppers 62
and 64. Fig. 12 provides an example of banding eight rows of refuge or other
seed
in central rows 15-22 while providing a different variety of seed from the
hopper 62
for rows 1-14, and yet another variety from the hopper 64 for the rows 23-36.
An
example of a routing arrangement wherein material from the male or refuge seed
hopper 66 is not required for an area of the field being planted is shown in
Fig. 13.
The hopper and conduit structure and remote or automatic map based control
utilizing the valve or capping structure and controller 200 described above or
a
similar automatic arrangement helps optimize hose routing and conveniently
provides desired row patterns and selectable hopper and row blocking, on-the-
go if
desired.
Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that
various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention
as defined in the accompanying claims.
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