Distribution manifold for air seeder

• US 6,283,679 B1
• Filed: 11/02/2000
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Snipes, Terry Lee, Wisor, Donald Raymond, Gregor, David Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIDLEY, RICHARD W L
• Application Number:
  US09/705,011
• Time in Patent Office: 306 Days
• Field of Search: 406/26, 406/123, 406/118, 406/120, 406/119, 406/129, 406/128, 406/182, 137/595, 111/178, 111/177, 111/181, 111/182, 111/179, 111/180, 111/175
• US Class Current: 406/26
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/081 Seeders depositing seeds in rows using pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/125 with bottom delivery of the seeds
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/00 Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87161 With common valve operator

Abstract

A seed cart for an air seeder is provided with pneumatic distribution system having a primary air distribution manifold. The primary air distribution manifold is provided with a top rank of venturis and a bottom rank of venturis for receiving an air stream from a blower which is divided into a top rank air stream and a bottom rank air stream. A selector valve is located above the top rank of venturis immediately below a product meter. The selector valve selectively directs metered product to either the top rank of venturis or the bottom rank of venturis. In a first position the selector valve directs metered product to the top rank of venturis in its second position the selector valve directs metered product to the bottom rank of venturis. Each selector valve is also provided with first and second air valves. In the selector valve'"'"'s first position, the first air valve is open and directs air tapped from the top rank air stream to the product tank feeding product to the top rank of venturis. The second air valve is closed as it taps air from the bottom rank air stream. Similarly if the selector valve is in its second position, the first air valve is closed and the second air valve opened so that bottom rank air is directed to the product tank feeding product to the bottom rank of venturis.

Claims

1. A seed cart for an air seeder, the seed cart comprising:

a frame;

rotatable wheels mounted to the frame;

a first product tank mounted to the frame for holding a first product;

a second product tank mounted to the frame for holding a second product;

a first product meter associated with the first product tank for metering the first product;

a second product meter associated with the second product tank for metering the second product;

a first primary air distribution manifold associated with the first product meter and having a top rank of venturis and a bottom rank of venturis, a first selector valve is positioned between the first product meter and the top rank of venturis, the first selector valve having a first position for directing the first product received from the first product meter to the top rank of venturis and a second position for directing the first product received from the first product meter to the bottom rank of venturis;

a second primary air distribution manifold associated with the second product meter and having a top rank of venturis and a bottom rank of venturis, a second selector valve is positioned between the second product meter and the top rank of venturis, the second selector valve having a first position for directing the second product received from the second product meter to the top rank of venturis and a second position for directing the second product received from the second product meter to the bottom rank of venturis; and

a blower is mounted to the frame and directs an air stream to the first and second primary air distribution manifolds through a series of top rank tubes and bottom rank tubes.

2. A seed cart as defined by claim 1 wherein the selector valve has longitudinally extending convex valve members.

3. A seed cart as defined by claim 2 wherein the selector valve is provided with two transversely extending rods between which the convex valve members extend.

4. A seed cart as defined by claim 3 where the selector valve is provided with two handholds for selectively shifting the selector valve.

5. A seed cart as defined by claim 4 wherein a lockout locks the selector valve in either its first position or its second position.