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US 9,237,687 B2Granted
Crop input variety selection systems, methods, and apparatus
AssigneePrecision Planting LLC
InventorsDerek Sauder, Dale Koch, Troy Plattner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for selecting an agricultural input. First and second seed meters selectively meter seed from first and second sources, respectively, into a common planting trench. In some embodiments the seed meters are selectively operated by electric motors controlled with reference to a seed type prescription. In some embodiments the first and second seed meters deposit seeds along a common plane.
Claims10
A row unit for an agricultural seed planter, comprising:
- a first seed meter having a first seed meter disc rotating around a first seed meter axis of rotation;
- and
- a second seed meter having a second seed meter disc rotating around a second seed meter axis of rotation;
- wherein said row unit is moved in a row unit direction of travel;
- wherein a first seed metered by said first seed meter disc exits said first seed meter at a position ahead of said first seed meter axis of rotation in said row unit direction of travel;
- wherein a second seed metered by said second seed meter disc exits said second seed meter at a position behind said second seed meter axis of rotation in said row unit direction of travel;
- and
- wherein said first seed meter axis of rotation and said second seed meter axis of rotation are oriented perpendicularly to said row unit direction of travel, and wherein said first seed meter disc rotates clockwise around said first seed meter axis of rotation and said second seed meter disc rotates counterclockwise around said second seed meter axis of rotation.
5 more elements
A seed variety selection system for a row unit for an agricultural seed planter, comprising:
- a first seed meter controllable to initiate metering and cease metering a first seed using a first electric motor;
- a second seed meter controllable to initiate metering and cease metering a second seed using a second electric motor;
- and
- a seed conveyance device directly receiving at least one of said first seed from said first seed meter and said second seed from said second seed meter and directing said first seed and said second seed to a seed release location;
- wherein said first electric motor and said second electric motor are independently controllable.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.