Intermediate tanks for frame weight distribution

A system for distributing commodity for an agricultural machine comprising:

• a frame extending laterally across a first side and a second side;
• a product storage system including:
• (i) at least one central commodity tank configured to store commodity usable in an operation of the agricultural machine;
• (ii) a first intermediate tank positioned on the first side of the frame and configured to receive commodity from the at least one central commodity tank;
• and (iii) a second intermediate tank positioned on the second side of the frame and configured to receive commodity from the at least one central commodity tank;
• a manifold coupled to the at least one central commodity tank, wherein the manifold is movable between at least two positions to control a volume of commodity distributed to the first intermediate tank and the second intermediate tank;
• a first group of row units configured to receive commodity from the first intermediate tank and to distribute the commodity to terrain traversed by the agricultural machine;
• a second group of row units configured to receive commodity from the second intermediate tank and to distribute the commodity to the terrain traversed by the agricultural machine;
• a first sensor configured to measure the volume of commodity in the first intermediate tank;
• and
• a second sensor configured to measure the volume of commodity in the second intermediate tank;
• a controller operatively coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor and configured to receive signals therefrom indicative of the volume of commodity in the first intermediate tank and the volume of commodity in the second intermediate tank, respectively;
• wherein the controller is configured to compare the measured volume of commodity in the first intermediate tank and the second intermediate tank to predetermined volume maximums for the first intermediate tank and the second intermediate tank, respectively;
• and
• wherein if the measured volume of commodity in the first intermediate tank or the second intermediate tank is below the predetermined volume maximum, the controller is configured to move the manifold to cause distribution of additional commodity to the first intermediate tank or the second intermediate tank, respectively.

A method of distributing commodity for an agricultural machine comprising:

• distributing commodity from at least one central commodity tank to a first intermediate tank positioned on a first side of a frame;
• distributing commodity from the at least one central commodity tank to a second intermediate tank positioned on a second side of the frame;
• distributing commodity from the first intermediate tank to a first group of row units coupled to the frame, which distribute the commodity to terrain being traversed by the agricultural machine;
• distributing commodity from the second intermediate tank to a second group of row units coupled to the frame, which distribute the commodity to the terrain being traversed by the agricultural machine;
• adjusting a manifold coupled to the at least one central commodity tank to stop distribution of commodity to the first intermediate tank and the second intermediate tank;
• and
• re-adjusting the manifold in response to characteristics of the terrain to be traversed by the agricultural machine to distribute additional commodity to at least one of the first intermediate tank and the second intermediate tank.