Patent ID: 8695396
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: A01C,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of calibrating a meter in an agricultural seeder type of a distribution apparatus, the apparatus having a frame supported at least in part on wheels for movement over a soil surface, a tank for holding a product to be distributed, a meter at a lower end of the tank for controlling a rate of discharge of product from the tank, a distribution system receiving product from the meter, and distributing the product to a furrow opener where the product is placed into the soil, the method comprising: setting the meter to a nominal calibration setting for the product in the tank; operating the apparatus over an area at the nominal calibration setting, and distributing product to the soil; capturing the number of revolutions of the meter while operating the apparatus; determining the change in the quantity of product in the tank during the operation of the apparatus over the area; using the change in the quantity of product in the tank and the number of meter revolutions, calculating a meter flow quantity per revolution of the meter; and setting the meter to a desired calibration setting based on the calculated meter flow quantity per revolution of the meter.