# US 10,499,557 B2 · Seed variety changer for a planter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,499,557 B2 - Document ID: US10499557B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/700,815 - Filed: 2017-09-11 - Published: 2017-12-28 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2010-01-18 - Assignees: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. - Applicants: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. - Inventors: James E. Straeter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499557B2 ## CPC - A01C 7/127: {Cell rollers, wheels, discs or belts} - A01C 7/081: {Seeders depositing seeds in rows using pneumatic means} - A01C 7/082: {Ducts, distribution pipes or details thereof for pneumatic seeders} - A01C 7/10: Devices for adjusting the seed-box {; Regulation of machines for depositing quantities at intervals} - A01C 7/12: Seeders with feeding wheels - A01C 7/121: {for sowing seeds of different sizes} - A01C 7/16: Seeders with other distributing devices, e.g. brushes, discs, screws or slides - A01C 7/20: Parts of seeders for conducting and depositing seed - A01C 21/005: {Following a specific plan, e.g. pattern} - A01C: PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING (parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, in general A01B51/00 - A01B75/00) ## Abstract A planting system and method for planting multiple seed varieties includes a planter having a plurality of tanks and a plurality of row units. A plurality of seed meters are included in of the plurality of the row units. The seed meters are aligned in a non-horizontal configuration within each row unit, and one of the plurality of meters is operated at a time to plant a seed variety associated with the meter being operated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A planting system for planting multiple seed varieties, comprising: a planter having a plurality of row units; a plurality of seed meters at each of the plurality of row units; said plurality of seed meters substantially in line with one another in a fore and aft manner corresponding in a direction of travel of the planter and having the same vertical height, and wherein each meter configured to plant one of multiple seed varieties in a field; wherein the fore and aft in line manner of the seed meters being non-horizontal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a common seed delivery apparatus, wherein the common seed delivery apparatus configured to receive seed metered from any of the plurality of seed meters of a row unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the common seed delivery apparatus comprises a belt. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller to selectively operate at least one of the plurality of seed meters to plant a seed variety associated with said seed meter being operated. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the controller selectively actuates and deactivates the plurality of seed meters to change from a first variety of seed being planted to a second variety of seed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, further comprising a mapping system operatively connected to the controller to selectively operate the plurality of seed meters to change the variety of seed planted. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the mapping system comprises a global positioning system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a single belt associated with the plurality of seed meters such that the belt receives seed from each of the plurality of seed meters and transports the seed to a furrow. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein said single belt including a plurality of flights and including a portion that extends below the plurality of seed meters. ### Claim 10 A row unit of an agricultural planter having a plurality of row units, said row unit capable of changing a seed variety planted at the row unit, the row unit comprising: a plurality of seed meters positioned on the row unit of the agricultural planter; wherein said plurality of seed meters positioned substantially in line and forward and aft of one another and at a same vertical position on the row unit relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural planter; and wherein the fore and aft in line manner of the seed meters being non-horizontal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The row unit of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of seed meters includes a rotational axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The row unit of claim 11, wherein the rotational axis of each seed meter is substantially aligned in a vertical height relative to a furrow. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The row unit of claim 10, wherein said seed variety is released from seed release points of the plurality of seed meters along a common plane. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The row unit of claim 10, further comprising a single belt associated with the plurality of seed meters such that the single belt receives seed from each of the plurality of seed meters and transports the seed to a furrow. ### Claim 15 A method of planting multiple seed varieties at each row unit of a planter having a plurality of row units, said method comprising: providing a plurality of seed meters at each of the plurality of row units, said plurality of seed meters positioned substantially in line and forward and aft of one another in a non-horizontal manner and at a same vertical position on the row unit relative to a direction of travel of the planter; selectively activating one of the plurality of seed meters to meter and plant a first variety of seed; and selectively deactivating a first seed meter and activating one of the other plurality of seed meters to meter and plant a second variety of seed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising determining the location of the planter in a field. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising continuously changing the seed meter being activated at a row unit to plant a variety of seed based upon the location of the planter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the location of the planter is determined using a global positioning system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising directing seed metered by each of the plurality of seed meters with a common seed delivery device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the common seed delivery device comprises a belt positioned at least partially below the plurality of seed meters.