Multi-purpose seeding machine

In a vacuum seed singulating machine of the type having a rotary, cylindrical drum and a seed reservoir adjacent said drum, said drum having at least one row of apertures for capturing seed by suction and releasing such seed when the suction is broken, the improvement comprising:

• a static manifold member defining a negative pressure zone for communicating a vacuum to said drum and a second zone for communicating air of at least ambient pressure to said drum, the vacuum zone being more extensive than the second zone, said vacuum and second zones defining a circular shape which lies within the cross-sectional shape of said drum;
• said drum having a series of ducts aligned to communicate the vacuum zone and the second zone with apertures in said row of apertures and to retain the drum against said manifold member;
• means to center and rotate said drum relative to said manifold member;
• and
• means for providing a vacuum to said vacuum zone and at least ambient air pressure to said second zone, the vacuum being sufficient to retain said drum in engagement with said manifold member, whereby the drum will be retained on said manifold member by vacuum while the machine is operating and easily removed and replaced when the machine is not operating.