Patent ID: 6863006
Filing Date: 2005-03-08
Classification: A01C,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A drive mechanism for an agricultural planter having a frame adapted for movement across the ground at a desired rate of travel, individual row units supported on the frame and being provided with a hopper apparatus having containers for holding a supply of product to be distributed to the ground, a product supply apparatus associated with each said container for delivering the product to the ground in a desired manner, comprising: a hydraulic motor coupled with the product supply apparatus for each respective kind of product to drive the operation of said product supply apparatus such that the rate of application of the respective products to the ground can be selectively varied; and a controller operatively associated with said hydraulic motors to control the rate of rotation of said hydraulic motors, and thereby control the rate of application of the corresponding said product to the ground, in response to a parameter inputted into said controller representative of the desired rate of application of said product and in response to a signal from a speed sensor indicating the actual rate of travel of said planter over the ground, wherein the controller operatively regulates a manifold controlling a flow of hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic motors, the manifold also controlling a flow of hydraulic fluid to move a field marker to mark the ground.