Seed spreading device for use with combine harvesting equipment
A seed spreading device for use with a combine harvester that has a residue distribution system which has a hopper enclosure, metering device, motor, and a guide tube with an end in communication with a residue distribution system. A metering device has a first opening and second opening with a delivery feeder disposed between the openings. Seeds in the hopper enclosure enter the first opening of the metering device through an aperture in the hopper enclosure. A motor is operatively connected to the delivery feeder which moves seeds from the first opening to the second opening of the metering device into a guide tube disposed proximate thereto. The guide tube delivers seed from the metering device into the residue distribution system of the combine harvester to be deposited during a harvesting process.
1 . A seed spreading device for use with a combine harvester comprising
a residue distribution system, comprising:
a hopper enclosure comprising a first aperture;
a metering device comprising a delivery feeder disposed between a first opening and second opening, wherein the first opening is affixed in communication with the first aperture to accept material from the hopper;
a guide tube comprising a first end disposed proximate to the second opening of the metering device and a second end disposed in communication with the residue distribution system of the combine harvester, wherein a passage for material from the hopper is defined through the metering device and the guide tube;
a collector affixed to the first end of the guide tube, wherein a portion of the collector is disposed below the second opening of the metering device to funnel material from the metering device into the guide tube and wherein the collector is one of
(i) flexible and press-fit to an end of the metering device or
(ii) unconnected to the metering device but positioned to receive material falling from the second opening,
such that the collector can allow friction, vibration, and movement between the guide tube and the metering device;
a control gate disposed below the second opening of the metering device between the second opening and the first end of the guide tube, wherein the control gate is configured to be selectively positionable in one of
a closed position in which the control gate blocks flow from the metering device to the guide tube,
a fully open position in which the control gate allows material to flow from the metering device to the guide tube, and
one or more partially open positions in which the control gate allows material to flow from the metering device to the guide tube at a regulated flow rate; and
a motor configured to operate the delivery feeder of the metering device and move a portion of the material from the hopper to the guide tube and wherein the guide tube is configured to deliver the material into the residue distribution system so that the material moved through the guide tube is broadcast by the residue distribution system.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the motor comprises a hydraulic drive motor.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the motor is operatively connected to a hydraulic system in the combine harvester.
4 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the motor is operatively connected to the delivery feeder through a clutch configured to selectively operate the delivery feeder.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the motor is connected to the clutch through a first set of transmission linkages and the clutch is connected to the delivery feeder through a second set of transmission linkages.
6 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the clutch is in communication with a header height sensor to selectively operate the delivery feeder based on data from the header height sensor.
7 . The device of claim 4 , further comprising a GPS system in operative communication with the clutch, wherein the GPS system is configured to record data based on motion of the combine harvester selectively based on operation of the delivery feeder.
8 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the clutch is in operative communication with a GPS system configured to selectively operate the clutch based on data regarding the motion of the combine harvester.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the motor comprises an electric drive motor.
10 . The device of claim 9 , further including a controller which is connected to the motor to operate the motor and, thereby, the delivery feeder.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to selectively vary the speed of the motor and the rate of operation of the delivery feeder.
12 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a GPS system in operative communication with the motor, wherein the GPS system is configured to record data regarding motion of the combine harvester selectively based on operation of the delivery feeder.
13 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the motor is in operative communication with a GPS system configured to selectively operate the motor based on data regarding the motion of the combine harvester.
14 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the motor is connected to the delivery feeder through transmission linkages.
15 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a GPS system in operative communication with the control gate, wherein the GPS system is configured to record data regarding motion of the combine harvester selectively based on the position of the control gate.
16 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the control gate is in operative communication with a GPS system configured to selectively move the control gate between the open position and closed position based on data regarding the motion of the combine harvester.