SEEDING MACHINE WITH SEED DELIVERY SYSTEM

摘要

A seed delivery system for use in a seeding or planting machine that removes the seed from a seed meter by capturing the seed therefrom. The delivery system then moves the seed down to a lower discharge point and accelerates the seed horizontally rearward to a speed approximately equal to the forward travel speed of the seeding machine such that the seed, when discharged has a low or zero horizontal velocity relative to the ground. Rolling of the seed in the trench is thus reduced. Furthermore, as the seed only has a short drop from the outlet to the bottom of the seed trench, the seed has little vertical speed to induce bounce. The delivery system uses a brush belt to capture, move and accelerate the seed. By capturing the seed and moving it from the meter to the discharge, the seed is held in place relative to other seeds and the planter row unit. As a result, the seeds are isolated from row unit dynamics thereby maintaining seed spacing.

主权项

1. A seeding machine for a row unit having a seed meter with a plurality of apertures through which an air pressure differential is applied to retain seed thereon, the seed meter movable to convey seed from a seed reservoir, the seeding machine comprising:
a seed delivery apparatus including
an elongated housing having a first opening through which seed is received into the seed delivery apparatus, a second opening through which seed exits the seed delivery apparatus, and an elongated interior chamber along which seed is conveyed from the first opening to the second opening;a first pulley,a second pulley,an endless member driven by the first pulley and/or the second pulley, the endless member movable within the elongated interior chamber of the housing to receive seed from the first opening and convey seed to the second opening; and a loading surface stationary relative to the housing and positioned to contact and guide seed toward the endless member.