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:
 an 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.   
     
     
       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 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 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 plurality of 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; and   a blower, whereby said blower pneumatically transfers seed from said main hopper to said auxiliary hopper.    
     
     
       18. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17 wherein said auxiliary hopper includes a vent by which seed entering said auxiliary hopper is regulated.  
     
     
       19. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17 further comprising:
 replacement brushes.    
     
     
       20. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 19 further comprising:
 an offset seed disk.    
     
     
       21. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 20, wherein said replacement brushes cooperate with said offset seed disk.  
     
     
       22. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17, further including an inlet pipe in communication with said blower through which the seed is pneumatically transferred to said auxiliary hopper, said inlet pipe having a vent by which the seed entering said auxiliary hopper is regulated.  
     
     
       23. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17, further including:
 an air passage in the seed meter, said air passage in pneumatic communication with said main hopper, wherein air from said main hopper enters the seed meter via said air passage.    
     
     
       24. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 23, wherein an air-seed mixture travels from said main hopper to said opening in the seed meter, wherein a portion of air separates from said air-seed mixture upstream of said opening, and wherein said portion of air enters said air passage.  
     
     
       25. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 24, wherein seed does not enter said air passage.  
     
     
       26. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 24, further including:
 an interior volume, whereby said portion of air from said air-seed mixture travels to said air passage via said interior volume, wherein said interior volume is at least partially enclosed.    
     
     
       27. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 26, wherein said interior volume is at least partially enclosed by a cover.  
     
     
       28. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 23, further including:
 a conduit directing air from said main hopper into said auxiliary hopper, and   said air passage allowing air from said conduit but not seed to enter the seed meter.    
     
     
       29. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 28, wherein said air passage comprises a plurality of apertures.  
     
     
       30. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 28, further including:
 a path between said conduit and the seed meter, wherein air travels from said conduit into the seed meter along said path.    
     
     
       31. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 30, further including:
 a cover at least partially enclosing said path.