Patent ID: 7775167
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: A01C

Abstract:
1. A planter for planting multiple rows of seeds in a field, the planter comprising: multiple planting units, each planting unit structured and operable for planting a row of seeds at a planting rate in a field; wherein at least one of the planting units includes a seed metering system operable to adjust a planting rate of the at least one of the planting units during planting; and wherein at least one of the planting units is moveable relative to an adjacent planting unit, the planter being operable to move said at least one of the planting units relative to said adjacent planting unit during planting to change a spacing between said at least one of the planting units and said adjacent planting unit and to thereby change a spacing between rows of seeds planted by said at least one of the planting units and said adjacent planting unit across the field; whereby the planter can control a seed population planted in the field by adjusting the planting rate of at least one of the planting units during planting and/or by changing the spacing between adjacent planting units during planting.