Method of retrofitting a pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system and an improved pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system

Abstract

A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system wherein seed from the auxiliary hopper enters the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter. And a retrofit kit for existing on-demand seed delivery systems, and method of retrofitting such existing pneumatic on-demand seed delivery systems, so as to provide an auxiliary hopper that communicates seed to the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system for a seed meter of an agricultural planter, the seed meter having a central horizontal axis extending forwardly to rearwardly, wherein forwardly is in a direction toward a normally forward direction of travel of the planter and rearwardly is in a direction away from the normally forward direction of travel of the planter, the seed meter operably driven by a flexible shaft, the system comprising:
 a planter main frame supporting a plurality of row units, wherein the seed meter and an auxiliary hopper are supported by one of said row units; 
 a main hopper for holding a bulk supply of seed, said main hopper supported by said planter main frame; 
 ansaid auxiliary hopper disposed to communicate seeds through an opening in the seed meter, said opening beginning rearwardly of a central vertical axis of the seed meter and extending arcuately rearwardly toward the central horizontal axis of the seed meter; 
 a blower, whereby said blower pneumatically transfers seed from said main hopper to said auxiliary hopper; 
 wherein said auxiliary hopper includes a vent by which seed entering said auxiliary hopper is regulated; and 
 a liner sized to be received within an interior back side of a housing of the seed meter, said liner having an opening mating with said opening in said auxiliary hopper. 
 
     
     
       2. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 1  wherein said auxiliary hopper includes a vent by which seed entering said auxiliary hopper is regulated. 
     
     
       3. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a liner sized to be received within an interior back side of a housing of the seed meter, said liner having an opening mating with said opening in said auxiliary hopper. 
 
     
     
       4. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 3  further comprising:
 replacement brushes mountable to said liner. 
 
     
     
       5. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 4  further comprising:
 an offset seed disk. 
 
     
     
       6. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 5 , wherein said replacement brushes cooperate with said offset seed disk. 
     
     
       7. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 1  further including an inlet pipe through which seeds are pneumatically communicated to said auxiliary hopper, said inlet pipe having a vent by which seed entering said auxiliary hopper is regulated. 
     
     
       8. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 7  further comprising: A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system for a seed meter of an agricultural planter, the seed meter having a central horizontal axis extending forwardly to rearwardly, wherein forwardly is in a direction toward a normally forward direction of travel of the planter and rearwardly is in a direction away from the normally forward direction of travel of the planter, the seed meter operably driven by a flexible shaft, the system comprising:
 a planter main frame supporting a plurality of row units, wherein the seed meter and an auxiliary hopper are supported by one of said row units; 
 a main hopper for holding a bulk supply of seed, said main hopper supported by said planter main frame; 
 said auxiliary hopper disposed to communicate seeds through an opening in the seed meter, said opening beginning rearwardly of a central vertical axis of the seed meter and extending arcuately rearwardly toward the central horizontal axis of the seed meter; 
 a blower, whereby said blower pneumatically transfers seed from said main hopper to said auxiliary hopper; 
 an inlet pipe through which seeds are pneumatically communicated to said auxiliary hopper, said inlet pipe having a vent by which seed entering said auxiliary hopper is regulated; and 
 a liner sized to be received within an interior back side of a housing of the seed meter, said liner having an opening mating with said opening in said auxiliary hopper. 
 
     
     
       9. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 8  further comprising:
 replacement brushes mountable to said liner. 
 
     
     
       10. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 9  further comprising:
 an offset seed disk. 
 
     
     
       11. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein said replacement brushes cooperate with said offset seed disk. 
     
     
       12. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a seed supply hose and an air pump for pneumatically conveying said seeds from a main seed hopper to said auxiliary hopper. 
 
     
     
       13. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 1  further comprising: A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system for a seed meter of an agricultural planter, the seed meter having a central horizontal axis extending forwardly to rearwardly, wherein forwardly is in a direction toward a normally forward direction of travel of the planter and rearwardly is in a direction away from the normally forward direction of travel of the planter, the seed meter operably driven by a flexible shaft, the system comprising:
 a planter main frame supporting a plurality of row units, wherein the seed meter and an auxiliary hopper are supported by one of said row units; 
 a main hopper for holding a bulk supply of seed, said main hopper supported by said planter main frame; 
 said auxiliary hopper disposed to communicate seeds through an opening in the seed meter, said opening beginning rearwardly of a central vertical axis of the seed meter and extending arcuately rearwardly toward the central horizontal axis of the seed meter; 
 a blower, whereby said blower pneumatically transfers seed from said main hopper to said auxiliary hopper; 
 a liner sized to be received within an interior back side of a housing of the seed meter, said liner having an opening mating with said opening in said auxiliary hopper. 
 
     
     
       14. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 13  further comprising:
 replacement brushes mountable to said liner. 
 
     
     
       15. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 14  further comprising:
 an offset seed disk. 
 
     
     
       16. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein said replacement brushes cooperate with said offset seed disk. 
     
     
       17. A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system for a seed meter of an agricultural planter, the seed meter having a central horizontal axis extending forwardly to rearwardly, wherein forwardly is in a direction toward a normally forward direction of travel of the planter and rearwardly is in a direction away from the normally forward direction of travel of the planter, the seed meter operably driven by a flexible shaft, the system comprising:
 a planter main frame supporting a plurality of row units, wherein the seed meter and an auxiliary hopper are supported by one of said row units;   a main hopper for holding a bulk supply of seed, said main hopper supported by said planter main frame;   said auxiliary hopper disposed to communicate seeds through an opening in the seed meter, said opening beginning rearwardly of a central vertical axis of the seed meter and extending arcuately rearwardly toward the central horizontal axis of the seed meter;   a blower, whereby said blower pneumatically transfers seed from said main hopper to said auxiliary hopper;   an air passage in a housing of the seed meter; and   a conduit through which air and seed are communicated to the auxiliary hopper, the conduit having a conduit vent through which at least some of the communicated air escapes the conduit, wherein said escaped air enters an interior of said housing via said air passage.   
     
     
       18. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17, wherein said escaped air travels from said conduit vent to said air passage which is at least partially enclosed. 
     
     
       19. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 18, further including:
 a vent cover which at least partially encloses said air passage.   
     
     
       20. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17, further including:
 a vent cover directing said escaped air from said conduit vent to said air passage.   
     
     
       21. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17, wherein said conduit vent comprises a plurality of openings in said conduit. 
     
     
       22. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17, wherein said air passage comprises an opening in said housing, and further including:
 a seed disk; and   a seed reservoir, said seed reservoir disposed within the seed meter to a first side of said seed disk, wherein said air passage is disposed to said first side of said seed disk.   
     
     
       23. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 18, wherein said conduit comprises a pipe. 
     
     
       24. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 18, wherein said conduit vent comprises a plurality of openings in said conduit. 
     
     
       25. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 23, wherein said conduit vent comprises a plurality of openings in said pipe. 
     
     
       26. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17, wherein seed does not enter said seed meter via said air passage. 
     
     
       27. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17, whereby the seed meter is in pneumatic communication with said main hopper via said air passage, and wherein seed does not enter said seed meter via said air passage. 
     
     
       28. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 18, whereby the seed meter is in pneumatic communication with said blower. 
     
     
       29. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 25, whereby the seed meter is in pneumatic communication with said blower. 
     
     
       30. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17, wherein the flexible shaft is driven by a hex shaft.