Seed delivery apparatus, systems, and methods

A seed delivery apparatus to deliver seed to a planting surface, comprising:

• a seed meter configured to entrain and release the seed from a seed disc at a seed release location;
• a seed conveyor disposed to receive the seed after the seed is released from said seed disc at an upper end of said seed conveyor, said seed conveyor including a belt disposed over an upper pulley and a lower pulley, said belt configured to convey the seed from said upper end to a lower end of said seed conveyor and release the seed with a rearward velocity relative to said seed conveyor;
• a first loading wheel disposed adjacent to said seed release location, said first loading wheel being driven for rotation, wherein said first loading wheel is disposed to urge the seed toward said belt;
• wherein said upper pulley has an upper pulley axis through a center of said upper pulley, said upper pulley axis being horizontal;
• and
• wherein the seed enters into said seed conveyor below said upper pulley axis.