Row unit for a seeding machine with pneumatic seed loading

A row unit for a seeding machine, the row unit comprising:

• a seed reservoir;
• a seed meter including a metering member having a seed side facing the seed reservoir, a non-seed side opposite the seed side, and a plurality of apertures extending from the seed side to the non-seed side, the seed meter operable by pressure differential between the non-seed side and the seed side to adhere seeds to the seed side and move seeds from the seed reservoir;
• a venturi with a throat disposed adjacent the metering member, the throat presenting an opening directed toward the seed side and the plurality of apertures, the opening configured to receive a seed adhered to one aperture of the plurality of apertures;
• and
• a source of air at greater than atmospheric pressure, the source configured to generate an air flow from the non-seed side through the one aperture toward the opening, such that the seed is directed away from the metering member and into the opening.

A method for displacing seeds from a metering member in a seeding machine, the seeding machine having a seed reservoir, a seed meter assembly including the metering member having a seed side facing the seed reservoir, a non-seed side opposite the seed side, and a plurality of apertures extending from the seed side to the non-seed side, the metering member operable to selectively transport seeds from the seed reservoir, the method comprising:

• generating a pressure differential across at least some of the plurality of apertures for adhering seeds to the metering member;
• directing air through a venturi having a throat and an opening adjacent the seed side of the metering member for receiving seeds from the metering member;
• and
• directing air from the non-seed side through one aperture of the plurality of apertures to transfer a seed away from the metering member and into the opening.