Optimizing product flow in a drop chute by controlling the shape and position of vortices present in the system

An air cart having a pneumatic source for supplying a flow of air entrained agricultural product downstream in a product conveyance tube from a product hopper to be applied by a utilization implement to an agricultural field, including:

• a metering device for supplying product from the hopper to the product conveyance tube;
• and
• an elongated drop chute of a variable generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration having a front wall, a rear wall, an upstream sidewall and a downstream sidewall extending downwardly from the metering device to the product conveyance tube;
• the rear wall and upstream sidewall remaining essentially flat from the metering device to the product conveyance tube;
• the downstream sidewall having an inward sloping region reducing the drop chute width beginning closely adjacent the metering device and continuing down about one-third the way from the metering device to the conveyance tube;
• and
• an abrupt corner causing an increase in drop chute width near the product conveyance tube followed by a curved region creating a gradual further increase in width formed by an arcuate region extending downwardly and terminating adjacent to the product conveyance tube.