Seeder apparatus for dispensing seed with or without top dressing

Seeder apparatus adapted to move across the around in a longitudinal direction for dispensing seed comprising, in combination:

• a frame having a discharge end portion;
• means for movably supporting the frame upon the ground;
• a seed hopper;
• hopper mounting means for mounting the seed hopper to the frame;
• conveyor means mounted to the frame for moving seed from the seed hopper and discharging the seed at the frame discharge end portion;
• a brush mounted to the frame adjacent to the frame discharge end portion for rotatably coacting with the conveyor means to propel seeds on the conveyor means downwardly to the ground;
• and control means for metering the amount of seed moved by the conveyor means to the brush;
• wherein the seed hopper includes a transverse end wall having a lower end vertically spaced from the conveyor means and the control means includes a transverse metering gate adjacent to the end wall that is movable between a closed position extending perpendicular to the conveyor means to block the movement of seeds by the conveyor means from the seed hopper to the brush and a metered opened position to selectively limit the rate of discharge of seeds from the seed hopper.

Seeder apparatus adapted to move across the ground in a longitudinal direction for dispensing seed comprising, in combination:

• a frame having a discharge end portion;
• means for movably supporting the frame upon the ground;
• a seed hopper;
• hopper mounting means for mounting the seed hopper to the frame;
• conveyor means mounted to the frame for moving seed from the seed hopper and discharging the seed at the frame discharge end portion;
• a brush mounted to the frame adjacent to the frame discharge end portion for rotatably coacting with the conveyor means to propel seeds on the conveyor means downwardly to the ground;
• control means for metering the amount of seed moved by the conveyor means to the brush;
• and a shield and a shield assembly mounted to the frame to extend longitudinally opposite the brush from the control means to shield the trajectory of seeds that are being propelled downwardly by the coaction of the brush and conveyor means.

Seeder apparatus adapted to move across the around in a longitudinal direction for dispensing seed comprising, in combination:

• a frame having a discharge end portion;
• means for movably supporting the frame upon the ground;
• a seed hopper;
• hopper mounting means for mounting the seed hopper to the frame;
• conveyor means mounted to the frame for moving seed from the seed hopper and discharging the seed at the frame discharge end portion;
• a brush mounted to the frame adjacent to the frame discharge end portion for rotatably coacting with the conveyor means to propel seeds on the conveyor means downwardly to the around;
• and control means for metering the amount of seed moved by the conveyor means to the brush;
• wherein the hopper mounting means comprises a top dresser having a top dresser hopper for dispensing top dressing material to the conveyor means for conveyance to the brush, with the top dresser hopper including a discharge end wall having a lower end vertically above the conveyor means and a movable top dresser metering gate adjacent to the discharge end wall for metering the amount of top dressing material moved from the top dresser hopper to the brush.

Seeder apparatus adapted to move across the ground in a longitudinal direction for dispensing seed, comprising a frame having a discharge end portion, means for movably supporting the frame upon the ground, a top dresser mounted to the frame, the top dresser including a top dresser hopper for containing top dressing material, the top dresser hopper including a hopper interior and a discharge end wall having a lower end, conveyor means for conveying material from within the top dresser hopper, beneath the discharge wall lower end and to the frame discharge end portion for the material thereon being discharged to the ground, the conveyor means being spaced below the discharge wall lower end to provide an opening therebetween, and a movable top dresser metering gate for metering the amount of material passing from within the top dresser hopper to be conveyed by the conveyor means beneath the discharge wall lower end, the top dresser metering gate being movable relative to the conveyor means between a position closing said opening and an open position to provide a selected gap between the metering gate and the conveyor means, and a seeder attachment mounted to the top dresser for selectively dispensing seed for conveyance by the conveyor means to the frame discharge end portion, the seeder attachment including a seed hopper for containing seed and distributor means for controlling the amount of seed being dispensed for conveyance by the conveyor means.

Apparatus adapted to move across the ground in a longitudinal direction for dispensing seeds, top dressing and similar type materials comprising, in combination:

• a frame having a discharge end portion;
• means for movably supporting the frame upon the ground;
• a hopper mounted to the frame for containing material to be dispensed;
• and conveyor means mounted to the frame for moving material from the hopper and discharging the moved material at the discharge end portion, with the hopper having a hopper interior and a discharge end wall having a lower edge vertically above the conveyor means to provide a discharge opening and metering means movable between a closed position for closing the discharge opening and an open position for controlling the amount of material moving from the hopper interior beneath the discharge end wall lower edge and to the frame discharge end portion to be dispensed to the ground, with the metering means including a first gate member movable between the metering means positions and, in the metering means closed position, abutting against the conveyor means and extending vertically perpendicular to the conveyor means, wherein the discharge end wall extends relative to the horizontal at an angle substantially less than 90 degrees and the metering means includes a second metering gate member mounting the first gate member and extending thereabove at substantially the same angle as the discharge end wall in abutting relationship to the discharge end wall when the metering means is in its closed position.