Seed distribution system and method for a seeding implement

In a seeding implement having at least one furrow opener and an upright main hopper for containing a mass of seeds, an air distribution system for conveying the seeds from the hopper to the opener comprising:

• a seed tube having a first end opening toward the mass of seeds, and a second end for delivering seeds to one of the furrow openers;
• an air supply outlet located adjacent the first end;
• and
• means directing air from the air supply outlet into contact with the seed mass in a first direction to form an area of air and seeds in the seed mass, and means supporting the first end of the seed tube adjacent the area of air and seeds for exhausting the directed air, in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction, from contact with the seed mass to thereby cause seeds from the area of air and seeds to be swept into the seed tube.

In a seeding implement having at least one furrow opener and an upright main hopper for containing a seed mass, a method of conveying the seeds from the hopper to the opener comprising:

• providing a seed tube with an input end and an output end, and projecting the input end into the hopper;
• directing air flow into an area of the seed mass;
• substantially reversing the direction of air flow within the seed mass while the air flow is in contact with the seed mass in the hopper;
• pneumatically capturing seeds in the input end of the tube utilizing the changed direction air flow;
• propelling the captured seeds through the tube towards the output end;
• providing a secondary hopper of capacity substantially less than the capacity of the main hopper adjacent said at least one furrow opener;
• and
• feeding the secondary hopper with seeds propelled through the seed tube.

In an agricultural implement having an upright main hopper for containing a mass of material such as seeds, a method of conveying the material from the hopper to a location remote from the hopper, comprising:

• directing a flow of air into an area of the mass in a first direction;
• generally reversing the flow of air within the mass while the air is in contact with the material;
• supporting a conveying tube with an input end adjacent the area;
• and
• directing material from the mass into the input end of the conveying tube utilizing the reversed flow of air.

In a seeding implement having at least one furrow opener and an upright main hopper for containing a mass of seeds, an air distribution system for conveying the seeds from the hopper to the opener comprising:

• a seed tube having a first end for receiving seeds, and a second end for delivering the seeds to the furrow opener;
• an air supply outlet;
• means directing air from the air supply outlet into the seed mass to form an area of air and seeds in the seed mass;
• means for preventing slugging of the seed tube including means supporting the first end of the seed tube adjacent the air supply outlet for restricting flow of seeds into the first end of the seed tube;
• and wherein the means for supporting the first end of the seed tube adjacent the air supply outlet includes means for recessing the first end of the seed tube within the air supply outlet.