Seed distribution system for planters and drills

An apparatus for distributing particulate material from a central hopper to at least one receiving unit, said apparatus comprising:

• a column structure defining an air column within said central hopper, said column structure comprising upper end and a lower end;
• a plurality of discharge outlets located intermediate said upper end and said lower end;
• an air supply for supplying air in a first direction to said column structure, said air supply being capable of buoying said particulate material such that said particulate material may be distributed through at least one of said plurality of discharge outlets;
• and
• wherein each of said plurality of discharge outlets comprise a distribution tube coupled to said column structure for conveying said particulate material from said air column in a second direction which is generally transverse to said first direction.

A seed distribution system for distributing seed from a central hopper to a plurality of seed bins, said system comprising:

• a tubular member extending within said central hopper and including a lower end associated with a lower portion of said central hopper,
• a plurality of distribution tubes in fluid communication with an inner portion of said tubular member through a plurality of discharge outlets,
• a regulating chamber located adjacent to said lower end of said tubular member and including a support plate for supporting seed to be discharged from said central hopper, said support plate defining an aperture, and
• an air supply for supplying air to said central hopper through said aperture whereby an air column passing into said tubular member is formed, said air column entraining said seed supported on said support plate and causing said seed to be buoyed up into said tubular member for discharge through said discharge outlets.

A seed distribution system for distributing seed from a central hopper to a plurality of seed bins on seed metering units for use with a planter, said system comprising a plurality of seed distribution units mounted to a lower portion of said central hopper, each said seed distribution unit including:

• a tubular member defining a longitudinal axis extending in a substantially vertical direction within said central hopper and including an enlarged lower end located adjacent to said lower portion of said central hopper,
• a plurality of distribution tubes in fluid communication with an inner portion of said tubular member through a plurality of discharge outlets formed through said tubular member adjacent to said enlarged lower end,
• a regulating chamber surrounding said enlarged lower end of said tubular member, said regulating chamber including a cylindrical chamber wall substantially concentric with said longitudinal axis and a cylindrical adjustment member surrounding said chamber wall in telescoping relationship,
• a support plate attached to said adjustment member for supporting seed below said enlarged lower end of said tubular member, said support plate defining an aperture substantially concentric with said longitudinal axis,
• first and second cooperating means on said chamber wall and said adjustment member, respectively, said first and second cooperating means being operative to cause said support plate to move toward and away from said tubular member in response to rotation of said adjustment member about said longitudinal axis, and
• an air supply including a plenum chamber formed in said adjustment member below said support plate for supplying air to said central hopper through said aperture whereby an air column passing into said tubular member is formed, said air column entraining said seed supported on said support plate and causing said seed to be buoyed up into said tubular member for discharge through said discharge outlets.