CROP INPUT VARIETY SELECTION SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS

• US 20160135363A1
• Filed: 06/23/2014
• Published: 05/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Precision Planting LLC (AGCO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Precision Planting LLC (AGCO Corporation)
• Inventors: Sauder, Derek, Koch, Dale, Plattner, Troy
• Granted Patent: US 10,470,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/006 Hoppers
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 19/02 by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 21/005 Following a specific plan, e.g. pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/046 with perforated seeding discs
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/081 Seeders depositing seeds in rows using pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/082 Ducts, distribution pipes or details thereof for pneumatic seeders
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/102 Regulating or controlling the seed rate
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/128 Cell discs
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/163 Gravity distributors
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/18 Machines for depositing quantities of seed at intervals
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/206 Seed pipes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/07 providing data for correcting measured positioning data, e.g. DGPS [differential GPS] or ionosphere corrections

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.

Claims

1. An agricultural seed planter, comprising:

a row unit configured to open a planting trench;

a first seed meter disposed to plant seeds in said trench; and

a second seed meter disposed to plant seeds in said trench.

2. The agricultural seed planter of claim 1, further including:

a seed conveyance device, wherein said first seed meter is disposed to deposit seeds into said seed conveyance device, wherein said second seed meter is disposed to deposit seeds into said seed conveyance device, and wherein said seed conveyance device is disposed to deposit seeds into said trench.

3. The agricultural seed planter of claim 2, wherein said seed conveyance device comprises a seed tube, wherein seeds fall by gravity through said seed tube into said trench.

4. The agricultural seed planter of claim 2, wherein said seed conveyance device comprises a seed conveyor, wherein said seed conveyor is driven by a motor, wherein said seed conveyor has an upper end and a lower end, wherein said seed conveyor conveys seed from said upper end to said lower end, wherein seed released from said lower end falls into said trench by gravity.

5. The agricultural seed planter of claim 2, wherein said seed conveyance device comprises a seed tube, wherein said seed tube comprises a first seed channel and a second seed channel, wherein said first seed meter deposits seed into said first seed channel, and wherein said second seed meter deposits seed into said second seed channel.

6. The agricultural seed planter of claim 1, further including:

a first seed tube, wherein said first seed meter is disposed to deposit seeds into said first seed tube; and

a second seed tube, wherein said second seed meter is disposed to deposit seeds into said second seed tube, wherein said first seed tube and said second seed tube are disposed to deposit seeds into said trench.

7. The agricultural seed planter of claim 1, further including:

a first bulk seed hopper mounted separately from said row unit, said first bulk seed hopper in seed communication with said first seed meter; and

a second bulk seed hopper mounted separately from said row unit, said second bulk seed hopper in seed communication with said second seed meter.

8. The agricultural seed planter of claim 1, further including:

a first seed disc disposed within said first seed meter, said first seed disc configured to release seeds from said first seed meter; and

a second seed disc disposed within said first seed meter, said second seed disc configured to release seeds from said second seed meter, wherein said first seed disc and said second seed disc are disposed to release seeds along a common vertical plane, wherein said vertical plane intersects said trench.

9. The agricultural seed planter of claim 2, further including:

a first seed disc disposed within said first seed meter, said first seed disc configured to release seeds from said first seed meter; and

a second seed disc disposed within said first seed meter, said second seed disc configured to release seeds from said second seed meter, wherein said first seed disc and said second seed disc are disposed to release seeds along a common vertical plane, wherein said vertical plane intersects an upper opening in said seed conveyance device.

10. The agricultural seed planter of claim 1, further including:

a first electric drive operably coupled to said first seed meter, said first electric drive configured to selectively drive a seed disc of said first seed meter at one of a plurality of rotational speeds;

a second electric drive operably coupled to said second seed meter, said second electric drive configured to selectively drive a seed disc of said second seed meter at one of a plurality of rotational speeds; and

a controller in data communication with said first electric drive and said second electric drive, said controller alternately commanding said first electric drive and said second electric drive to operate.

11. The agricultural seed planter of claim 10, further including:

a global positioning system in data communication with said controller, said global positioning system reporting a current geo-referenced location of the planter to said controller; and

a memory in data communication with said controller, wherein said memory contains a seed variety map, wherein said seed variety map associates a plurality of geo-referenced locations with a first seed variety, wherein said seed variety map associates a plurality of geo-referenced locations with a second seed variety, wherein said memory contains an association between said first electric drive and said first seed variety, wherein said memory contains an association between said second electric drive and said second seed variety, wherein said controller commands only said first electric drive to operate when said current geo-referenced location is associated with said first seed variety.

12. The agricultural seed planter of claim 11, wherein said controller determines an estimated time to a variety boundary in said seed variety map, wherein said memory contains a predetermined delay required to stop said first meter from planting, and wherein said controller commands said first electric drive to stop operating when said estimated time is equal to said predetermined delay.

13. An agricultural seed planter, comprising:

a row unit configured to open a planting trench;

a first seed meter mounted to said row unit;

a second seed meter mounted to said row unit; and

a seed conveyance device mounted to said row unit, wherein said first seed meter is disposed to deposit seeds into said seed conveyance device, wherein said second seed meter is disposed to deposit seeds into said seed conveyance device.

14. The agricultural seed planter of claim 13, wherein said seed conveyance device is disposed to release seeds into said trench.

15. The agricultural seed planter of claim 14, wherein said seed conveyance device comprises a seed tube, wherein seeds fall by gravity through said seed tube into said trench.

16. The agricultural seed planter of claim 14, wherein said seed conveyance device comprises a seed conveyor, wherein said seed conveyor is driven by a motor, wherein said seed conveyor has an upper end and a lower end, wherein said seed conveyor conveys seed from said upper end to said lower end, wherein seed released from said lower end falls into said trench by gravity.

17. The agricultural seed planter of claim 14, wherein said seed conveyance device comprises a seed tube, wherein said seed tube comprises a first seed channel and a second seed channel, wherein said first seed meter deposits seed into said first seed channel, and wherein said second seed meter deposits seed into said second seed channel.

18. The agricultural seed planter of claim 14, wherein said seed conveyance device comprises a first seed tube and a second seed tube, wherein said first seed meter is disposed to deposit seeds into said first seed tube, and wherein said second seed meter is disposed to deposit seeds into said second seed tube, wherein said first seed tube and said second seed tube are disposed to deposit seeds into said trench.

19. The agricultural seed planter of claim 13, further including:

a first bulk seed hopper mounted separately from said row unit, said first bulk seed hopper in seed communication with said first seed meter; and

a second bulk seed hopper mounted separately from said row unit, said second bulk seed hopper in seed communication with said second seed meter.

20. The agricultural seed planter of claim 13, further including:

a first seed disc disposed within said first seed meter, said first seed disc configured to release seeds from said first seed meter; and

a second seed disc disposed within said first seed meter, said second seed disc configured to release seeds from said second seed meter, wherein said first seed disc and said second seed disc are disposed to release seeds along a common vertical plane, wherein said vertical plane intersects said trench.

21. The agricultural seed planter of claim 14, further including:

a first seed disc disposed within said first seed meter, said first seed disc configured to release seeds from said first seed meter; and

a second seed disc disposed within said first seed meter, said second seed disc configured to release seeds from said second seed meter, wherein said first seed disc and said second seed disc are disposed to release seeds along a common vertical plane, wherein said vertical plane intersects an upper opening in said seed tube.

22. The agricultural seed planter of claim 13, further including:

a first electric drive operably coupled to said first seed meter, said first electric drive configured to selectively drive a seed disc of said first seed meter at one of a plurality of rotational speeds;

a second electric drive operably coupled to said second seed meter, said second electric drive configured to selectively drive a seed disc of said second seed meter at one of a plurality of rotational speeds; and

a controller in data communication with said first electric drive and said second electric drive, said controller alternately commanding said first electric drive and said second electric drive to operate.

23. The agricultural seed planter of claim 22, further including:

a global positioning system in data communication with said controller, said global positioning system reporting a current geo-referenced location of the planter to said controller; and

a memory in data communication with said controller, wherein said memory contains a seed variety map, wherein said seed variety map associates a plurality of geo-referenced locations with a first seed variety, wherein said seed variety map associates a plurality of geo-referenced locations with a second seed variety, wherein said memory contains an association between said first electric drive and said first seed variety, wherein said memory contains an association between said second electric drive and said second seed variety, wherein said controller commands only said first electric drive to operate when said current geo-referenced location is associated with said first seed variety.

24. The agricultural seed planter of claim 23, wherein said controller determines an estimated time to a variety boundary in said seed variety map, wherein said memory contains a predetermined delay required to stop said first meter from planting, and wherein said controller commands said first electric drive to stop operating when said estimated time is equal to said predetermined delay.