SEED VALVE AND PLANTING METHOD FOR MULTIPLE SEED TYPES

摘要

Various planting machines and planting methods are described. A planting method may include filling a seed pool with first-type seed, metering the first-type seed from the seed pool with a metering member, and then evacuating the first-type seed from the seed pool. The method may further include filling the seed pool with second-type seed, metering the second-type seed with the metering member, evacuating the second-type seed from the seed pool, and then refilling the seed pool with the first-type seed. First-type and second-type seed may be evacuated to separate temporary storage chambers, and the seed pool may be filled from the temporary storage chambers, as well as from bulk storage containers. A seed valve of a planting machine may include temporary seed storage chambers for different seed types. The seed valve may fill and evacuate a seed pool through rotation of various valve members and selective application of a vacuum.

主权项

1. A method of operating a planting machine, the planting machine having a seed meter with a housing forming an interior space for a seed pool and a metering member, the metering member being operable to meter seed from the seed pool and deliver metered seed for discharge from the housing, the method comprising:
filling the seed pool with first-type seed; operating the metering member to meter the first-type seed from the seed pool; evacuating, at least in part, the first-type seed from the seed pool into a first-type temporary storage chamber; filling the seed pool with second-type seed; operating the metering member to meter the second-type seed from the seed pool; evacuating, at least in part, the second-type seed from the seed pool into a second-type temporary storage chamber; refilling the seed pool with the first-type seed drawn from, at least in part, the first-type temporary storage chamber; operating the metering member to meter the first-type seed from the seed pool; and while operating the metering member to meter the first-type seed after refilling the seed pool with the first-type seed, replenishing the seed pool with first-type seed drawn from a bulk storage container of first-type seed, the bulk storage container being separate from the first-type temporary storage chamber.