FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to agricultural implements for seeding. In more detail, embodiments of the present invention are directed to agricultural implements that include seed bins and seed metering devices for dispensing seed and other agricultural products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain agricultural implements, such as seed drills are configured to dispense agricultural products (e.g., seed and/or treatment) into or onto the ground. Commonly, a seed drill will include one or more bins that hold agricultural product. As the seed drill is pulled through a field by a tractor or other prime mover, agricultural product can be dispensed from the bins via a plurality of metering devices associated with the bins.

Unfortunately, previously-used metering devices were often difficult to modify/adjust for use with different agricultural products. For instance, most previously-used metering devices were only configured for use with a single type of agricultural product, e.g., for use with a specific type of seed or treatment. Thus, if an operator wished to initially plant a specific type of seed into or onto the ground, the operator would initially use a plurality of metering devices of a first type to dispense the specific type of seed into or onto the ground. If the operator subsequently wished to apply a specific type of treatment into or onto the ground, the operator would be required to complete the difficult and time-consuming task of changing out each of the metering devices of the first type with a plurality of metering devices of a second type (i.e., metering devices configured to dispense the specific type of treatment).

In addition, previously-used metering devices were difficult and time-consuming to repair, clean, and otherwise maintain. Specifically, it has been generally difficult to access the interior space of previously-used metering devices. As such, maintenance and clean-outs of such metering devices (which required access to the interior spaces of the metering devices) necessitated the complete removal of the metering devices from the bins. In addition, if an operator wished to calibrate the metering devices, the calibration process would involve the difficult and time-consuming process of removing the individual metering devices from the bins, and then individually measuring and adjusting specifications and/or characteristics (e.g., dispensing rate) of each metering device.

Finally, it has been problematic for many previously-used bins to efficiently and completely distribute all of the agricultural product held within the bins to the associated seed meters for depositing into or onto the ground. Such previously-used bins would often have interior portions that would unwantedly trap or otherwise hold agricultural product within the bins. Such trapped agricultural product would have to be removed (or cleaned-out) from the bins by hand, which is a difficult and time-consuming process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a metering device for dispensing agricultural product from a bin. The metering device comprises a housing enclosing an interior space, and a metering assembly removably received within the interior space of the housing. The metering assembly is configured to convey agricultural product through the metering device. The metering assembly comprises a rotatable sub-shaft, a first metering wheel positioned on the sub-shaft and configured to rotate with the sub-shaft, a second metering wheel positioned on the sub-shaft and configured to rotate with the sub-shaft, and a dividing element positioned on the sub-shaft between the first metering wheel and the second metering wheel.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an implement for dispensing agricultural product. The implement comprises a bin for holding the agricultural product, and a plurality of metering devices secured to a bottom of the bin. The metering devices are configured to dispense agricultural product from the bin into or onto the ground. Each of the metering devices includes a housing enclosing an interior space, and a metering assembly removably received within the interior space of the housing. The metering assembly is configured to convey agricultural product through the metering device. The metering assembly comprises a rotatable sub-shaft, a first metering wheel positioned on the sub-shaft and configured to rotate with the sub-shaft, a second metering wheel positioned on the sub-shaft and configured to rotate with the sub-shaft, and a dividing element positioned on the sub-shaft between the first metering wheel and the second metering wheel. The implement further includes a driveshaft extending through each of the metering devices.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of dispensing agricultural product from an implement. The method comprises a number of steps. One step includes inserting a metering assembly within a housing of a metering device. The metering assembly divides an interior space of the housing into a first product space and a second product space. An additional step includes providing a first type of agricultural product from a bin of the implement to the metering device and conveying the first type of agricultural product through the first product space of the metering device. An additional step includes providing a second type of agricultural product from the bin of the implement to the metering device and conveying the second type of agricultural product through the second product space of the metering device. A further step includes removing, by hand, the metering assembly from the housing of the metering device.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

