Seed gate assembly for an agricultural product distribution system
AssigneeCNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
InventorsMartin J. Roberge, Darwin L. Zacharias
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One embodiment describes a seed gate assembly disposed between a seed storage tank and a seed meter. The seed gate assembly includes a gate barrier that controls seed flow from the seed storage tank into the seed meter by moving to an open position that enables seed flow from the storage tank into the seed meter and by moving to a closed position that blocks seed flow from the storage tank into the seed meter; and a first seed agitator extending substantially perpendicularly from a surface of the gate barrier, in which the first seed agitator extends into the seed storage tank as the gate barrier moves toward the closed position to dislodge clumped seeds in the seed storage tank.
Claims16
A planting system comprising:
- a seed storage tank configured to store seeds before distribution to one or more ground engaging opener assemblies of an agricultural implement;
- a seed meter comprising one or more meter rollers configured to control seed distribution from the seed meter to the one or more ground engaging opener assemblies of the agricultural implement;
- and
- a seed gate assembly disposed between the seed storage tank and the seed meter, wherein the seed gate assembly comprises:
- a gate barrier configured to control seed flow from the seed storage tank into the seed meter by moving to an open position that enables seed flow from the seed storage tank into the seed meter and by moving to a closed position that blocks seed flow from the seed storage tank into the seed meter;
- and
- a first seed agitator extending substantially perpendicularly from a surface of the gate barrier, wherein the first seed agitator is configured to extend into the seed storage tank as the gate barrier moves toward the closed position to dislodge clumped seeds in the seed storage tank.
A seed gate assembly configured to be disposed between a seed storage tank and a seed meter, wherein the seed gate assembly comprises:
- a gate barrier configured to control seed flow from the seed storage tank into the seed meter by moving to an open position that enables seed flow from the storage tank into the seed meter and by moving to a closed position that blocks seed flow from the storage tank into the seed meter;
- and
- a lever configured to move the gate barrier between the open position and the closed position, wherein the lever comprises:
- a gate connector coupled to the gate barrier;
- a handle configured to enable actuation of the lever;
- and
- a linkage coupled between the gate connector and the handle, wherein the linkage is configured to self-lock the seed gate assembly while the gate barrier is in the closed position by rotating to an over-center position relative to the gate connector and the handle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.