Hopper for a seed metering assembly
AssigneeCNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
InventorTerrance A. Friggstad
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a hopper for a seed metering system that has a series of individualized and independently controlled metering units. The hopper has a plurality of discharge openings that can be selectively opened and closed to expose an opening to a respective one of the plurality of metering units. Each seed metering unit is selectively driven by a common drive member, such as a drive shaft. When a seed metering unit is engaged with the drive member, the unit will meter granular material. On the other hand, when the seed metering unit is not engaged with the drive member, the metering unit will not meter granular material. Hence, the present invention provides a seed metering apparatus that provides effective sectional control.
Claims2
A hopper for a seed metering assembly of a farm implement, comprising:
- an upper portion defining an interior volume and having an open upper end for receiving granular material;
- and
- a lower portion having a lower panel, the lower panel having a plurality of openings that can be selectively opened and closed to expose a seed metering unit to the interior volume;
- wherein a plurality of drive arrangements, each drive arrangement operatively connecting a corresponding one of a plurality of modular seed metering units to a drive shaft with the corresponding one of the plurality of modular seed metering units in the engaged condition and isolating the corresponding one of the plurality of modular seed metering units from the drive shaft with the corresponding one of the plurality of modular seed metering units in the disengaged condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.