US 5,632,212 A · Dual-speed clutch for agricultural planter

Abstract

A mechanical clutch for use in metering seeds in an agricultural planter unit allows for selecting the input drive from either a primary drive source operating at a first RPM or a secondary drive source operating at a second, reduced RPM for dispensing seed at two different speeds. A third mode of operation of the clutch may also be selected wherein the seed metering mechanism is disconnected from the two drive sources. This arrangement allows a ground driven implement such as a planter to either (1) plant at a first predetermined population per acre; (2) plant at a second, lower population per acre; or (3) not plant at all. The clutch is driven by a ground engaging wheel and drive wheel combination, with the two seed dispensing speeds as well as the planter by-pass mode on-the-go selectable by an operator via a suitable electrical switch and solenoid combination.

Claims18

Dependent claims

For use in an agricultural planter having a plurality of row units each having a seed meter, apparatus for changing a rate at which the meters are driven, said apparatus comprising:

a drive source;
an output drive coupled to the meters;
first drive means for selectively coupling said drive source to said output drive for driving the meters at a first, higher speed;
second drive means for selectively coupling said drive source to said output drive for driving said meters at a second, lower speed;
disconnect means for selectively uncoupling said first and second drive means from said output drive;
and
control means coupled to said first and second drives and to said disconnect means and responsive to an operator input for selectively (1) uncoupling said second drive means from said output drive for driving the seed meters at said first speed, (2) uncoupling said first drive means from said output drive for driving the seed meters at said second speed, or (3) actuating said disconnect means for uncoupling said first and second drive means from said output drive and preventing discharge of the seeds by the seed meters.

4 more elements

For use in an agricultural planter wherein an input shaft is coupled to a drive wheel for rotationally displacing said input shaft and wherein a rotating output shaft is coupled to a seed meter for discharging seeds from a hopper, a clutch mechanism comprising:

a rotating input assembly coupled to said input shaft and a rotating output assembly coupled to said output shaft;
an intermediate assembly coupling said input and output assemblies for rotating said output shaft at the same RPM as said input shaft and driving the seed meter at a first, higher speed;
first means coupled to said input assembly and to said output shaft for preventing rotation of said input assembly and for coupling said output shaft to the drive wheel for rotating said output shaft at a second, lower RPM and driving the seed meter at a second, lower speed;
and
second means coupled to said input and output assemblies for preventing rotation of said assemblies and terminating rotation of said output shaft and the discharge of seeds by the seed meter.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual-speed clutch for agricultural planter

Life of this patent

Dual-speed clutch for agricultural planter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18