Abstract:
A particulate distribution apparatus for receiving seed or other particulate from a pneumatic source and temporarily storing the seed for subsequent use by a metering device where the particulate is characterized by a particulate size, the apparatus comprising a housing including walls that form a cavity, a hopper inlet linkable to the duct outlet and a hopper outlet linkable to the metering device inlet, at least one of the housing walls forming vent apertures that are generally smaller than the particulate size.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not applicable.  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable.  
         FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention is related generally to agricultural implements and more specifically to an improved apparatus for transferring particulate material from a principal storage site to individual material metering hoppers mounted on planters or the like.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    In the past, distribution of seed (or other particulate material such as fertilizer) for use in a variety of agricultural operations has been facilitated via a planter apparatus including a wheel supported carrier frame having a hitch for linking to a tractor or other prime mover, an implement bar mounted to the frame perpendicular to the transport direction and a plurality of row units mounted to and essentially equi-spaced along the length of the implement bar. Among other components, each row unit typically includes some type of seed bin that opens downwardly into a metering device and some type of soil agitator (e.g., a coulter or knife member) juxtaposed on the transport side (i.e., in the direction of prime mover movement) of the dispenser. During transport through a field the agitator is forced through soil there below and forms a seed trench. As its label implies, the metering device dispenses a pre-selected quantity of seed downward and behind the agitator into the trench.  
           [0005]    The individual seed bins generally have limited storage capacity. For instance, many row unit seed bins are limited to between one and three bushel volumes. For this reason, these types of planter assemblies required frequent bin refilling. Unfortunately, seed filling stations (e.g., typically a barn or other storage unit) are typically stationary and therefore filling exercises often required a trip out of the fields back to a station and then a trip back to the fields to continue the seeding process. These filling trips increased the overall time required to plant fields. In addition to the round trip time required to refill bins, the refilling process itself was tedious as each separate row unit bin had to be filled during each filling exercise.  
           [0006]    In an effort to reduce the number of seed refilling exercises required to seed a field, the industry has developed systems including one or more large seed reservoir hoppers mounted to the carrier frame that are transported along with the row units. A seed distribution system in which seed is conveyed from an equipment-mounted main hopper is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,473 (hereinafter “the &#39;473 patent”) which issued on Nov. 10, 1992 and which is assigned to Deere and Company. The &#39;473 patent utilizes a single main hopper which dispenses seed to a plurality of individual mini-hoppers. Each mini-hopper forms an outlet opening at a bottom end which is linked to and supplies seed to an individual row unit. The seed is fed from the main hopper into each mini-hopper by entraining the seed in an air stream contained in separate, individual seed transfer hoses that are connected between the main tank and each of the individual mini-hoppers.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,706 (hereinafter “the &#39;706 patent”) which issued on Jan. 10, 1995 and is assigned to Agco Corporation, describes another seed transporting system which also utilizes a central storage hopper for supplying a plurality of smaller satellite hoppers via a plurality of individual hoses or tubes running from the central hopper to each of the individual row units.  
           [0008]    Most seed delivery assemblies that include a main and several mini-hoppers rely on assembly configuration to regulate seed delivery to the mini-hoppers. To this end, when seed accumulates in a mini-hopper, eventually the seed blocks the delivery duct outlet and hence seed and air flow there through. Eventually the metering device distributes seed from the mini-hopper, the duct outlet becomes unblocked and seed transport to the mini-hopper begins again.  
           [0009]    One important requirement of any seed delivery assembly that includes a central or main hopper and a plurality of mini-hoppers is that the system be designed so that at least a minimum volume of seed is present in each mini-hopper at all times. Hereinafter the required seed volume will be referred to as a “required volume”. Where less than the required volume occurs in a mini-hopper, it is possible that the row unit corresponding to the mini-hopper may empty the mini-hopper prior to delivery of additional seed to the mini-hopper. Where a mini-hopper is emptied, planting by the corresponding row unit is discontinuous and total field yield is reduced.  
           [0010]    One problem with pneumatic seed delivery systems has been that seeds deposited within the mini-hoppers impede and eventually essentially block air flow (and hence seed delivery) to the mini-hoppers prior to the required volume accumulating in the mini-hoppers. For instance, in some cases it has been observed that even a few layers of seed accumulated at the bottom opening of a mini-hopper will essentially block air flow there through. In these cases, as indicated above, planting is discontinuous.  
           [0011]    One other problem with pneumatic seed delivery systems that blow seed to mini-hoppers has been that the duct outlet that feeds seed to the mini-hoppers is typically directly above a corresponding metering device and therefore forced air and entrained seed blown into the mini-hopper, in some cases, may adversely affect operation of the metering devices.  
           [0012]    Therefore, a need exists for a mini-hopper that maintains a seed volume that is at least as great as the required volume and which blocks the air-seed stream from being directed at the metering devices.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    It has been recognized that a vent can be placed in each of the mini-hoppers that, if placed correctly, will result in at least the required volume of seed within each mini-hopper at all times. Generally, the vent is provided at least in part proximate a top end of the mini-hopper so that as seed blown into the mini-hopper accumulates near the bottom of the mini-hopper under the force of gravity, the vent remains unobstructed and additional seed can be delivered to the mini-hopper. Eventually the vent becomes blocked at which time air and seed flow to the mini-hopper is essentially blocked until the metering device disperses some of the seed from the underside of the mini-hopper. Again, when the vent becomes partially unblocked, seed delivery recommences. By placing the vent vertically high enough within the mini-hopper the required volume is essentially guaranteed.  
           [0014]    In addition, by designing the mini-hopper so that the seed accumulates and forms a seed head corresponding to the required volume between the duct outlet and the metering device, the seed head blocks direct air and seed flow to the metering device and hence blocks the flow from adversely affecting metering device operation.  
           [0015]    Consistent with the above discussion, the present invention includes an apparatus for use with a pneumatic particulate transport assembly, the assembly including a transport duct having a duct outlet and a particulate metering device having a meter inlet, the apparatus for receiving particulate from the transport duct and temporarily storing the particulate for use by the metering device where the particulate is characterized by a particulate size, the apparatus comprising a housing including walls that form a cavity, a hopper inlet linkable to the duct outlet and a hopper outlet linkable to the metering device inlet, at least one of the housing walls forming vent apertures that are generally smaller than the particulate size.  
           [0016]    In at least some embodiments the housing forms the housing inlet in a top wall and the housing forms a downwardly opening housing outlet. More specifically, the housing may include a generally vertical side wall that traverses the distance between the top wall and the housing outlet and the side wall may form the vent apertures. Even more specifically, the side wall may form the vent apertures proximate the top wall.  
           [0017]    In some embodiments the side wall may form the vent apertures throughout the side walls entire area between the top and bottom walls. Here, the apparatus may further include a cover member mounted to the housing, the cover member extending to a side of the side wall opposite the cavity, including a cover wall that is spaced apart from the side wall, substantially enclosing the side wall and forming at least one exhaust outlet.  
           [0018]    In some embodiments the exhaust outlet opens proximate the housing outlet and it may open downward. In some embodiments the cover wall is substantially parallel to the side wall.  
           [0019]    The housing may form a vent opening and the side wall may comprise a screen member received within the vent opening. The screen member may be removable from the vent opening. Here, the housing may form a slot for receiving the screen member within the vent opening. More specifically, the screen member may be characterized by a screen thickness dimension, the housing may include first and second facing lateral walls on opposite sides of the vent opening and the slot may include first and second facing parallel rib member pairs on the first and second walls, respectively, the first and second pairs defining the vent opening there between where each pair defines a dimension there between that is similar to the screen thickness dimension.  
           [0020]    Some embodiments further include a cover member mounted to the housing, the cover member extending to a side of the rib member pairs opposite the cavity, including a cover wall that is spaced apart from the rib member pairs, substantially enclosing the rib member pairs and forming at least one exhaust outlet.  
           [0021]    The invention also includes an apparatus for use with a pneumatic particulate transport assembly, the assembly including a transport duct having a duct outlet and a particulate metering device having a meter inlet, the apparatus for receiving particulate from the transport duct and temporarily storing the particulate for use by the metering device where the particulate is characterized by a particulate size, the apparatus comprising a housing including at least one side wall that defines a cavity, the housing forming a housing inlet proximate a top end of the housing and a housing outlet proximate a bottom end of the housing, the housing including at least one vent wall forming a plurality of vent apertures proximate the top end of the housing where the vent apertures are generally smaller than the particulate size and a cover member mounted to the housing, the cover member extending to a side of the vent wall opposite the cavity, including a cover wall that is spaced apart from the vent wall, substantially enclosing the vent wall and forming at least one exhaust outlet.  
           [0022]    Moreover, the invention includes an assembly for pneumatically transporting particulate from a main hopper to a metering device where the main hopper includes a particulate outlet and the metering device includes a meter inlet, the assembly comprising an air source operably linked to the hopper outlet to entrain particulate at the hopper outlet in an air stream, a transport duct having a duct inlet and a duct outlet, the duct inlet operably linked down stream of the hopper outlet to receive the particulate entrained air stream from the source and a housing including walls that form a cavity, a hopper inlet linked to the duct outlet and a hopper outlet linked to the metering device inlet, at least one of the housing walls forming a vent configured to trap particulate while allowing air to pass there through.  
           [0023]    These and other objects, advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention and reference is made therefore, to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 is a is perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a planter apparatus constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the carrier frame of illustrated in FIG. 1;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the carrier frame illustrated in FIG. 1;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mainframe assembly used with the configuration of FIG. 1;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an extended operating position;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a transport position;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an intermediate position with an implement between the operating and the transport positions;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 with storage units attached and in the transport position;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 with storage units in the transport position;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 10 is a schematic illustrating a delivery system according to the present invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of several of the components that comprise a row unit including a mini-hopper;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the mini-hopper of FIG. 11 where internal hopper surfaces are illustrated in phantom;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 13 is a partial exploded view of the mini-hopper of FIGS. 11 and 12 in an inverted position;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 14, albeit with a perforate wall installed in the mini-hopper;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  15 - 15  of FIG. 12 showing a partially filled mini-hopper; and  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15, albeit showing a filled mini-hopper. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in the context of an agricultural assembly  10  which includes a carrier frame assembly  12 , a main frame assembly  69  and a planter assembly  15 . As its label implies, carrier frame assembly  12  includes components configured to facilitate transport or carrying of other assembly  10  components. Similarly, as their labels imply, main frame assembly  69  includes components configured to generally support any of several different implement assemblies while planter assembly  15 , includes components used to plant seeds. Main frame assembly  69  is mounted to carrier frame assembly  12  and planter assembly  15  is mounted to main frame assembly  69 .  
         [0041]    Referring still to FIGS. 1 through 4 and also to FIG. 5 (and generally to other Figures in the specification), the exemplary planter assembly  15  includes an implement bar  16 , row units  17 , support wheels  35 ,  36 , wheel support members  37 , extendable markers  42 ,  43  and a plurality of seed delivery ducts or hoses that are bundled into two delivery sheaths  77  and  79 . Implement bar  16  is typically a rigid steel rectilinear bar having dimensions within the six by six to ten by ten range and extends along the length of implement assembly  15 . Bar  16  is generally mounted to main frame assembly  69  in a manner described below.  
         [0042]    Wheels  35  and  36  are mounted via wheel support members  37  at opposite ends of bar  16  and are generally positionable in two positions with respect to the ground (not illustrated). First, as illustrated in the figures, wheels  35  and  36  and/or the entire implement assembly  15  may be manipulated via hydraulic cylinders or the like such that wheels  35  and  36  are in an upright position where the wheels  35  and  36  clear the ground below. Second, wheels  35  and  36  or the entire implement assembly  15  may be manipulated such that wheels  35  and  36  contact the ground below and support the ends of the implement assembly there above with implement components either above the ground or, depending on implement type, perhaps partially engaging the ground.  
         [0043]    Markers  42  and  43 , like wheels  35  and  36 , are mounted at opposite ends of bar  16  and generally extend from bar  16  to a front side (see FIGS. 1, 5, etc) of the implement assembly. Operation of markers  42  and  43  is well known in the art and therefore will not be explained here in detail. Suffice it to say markers  42  and  43  may assume either a stored position (see FIG. 5) where the markers are generally retracted or an extended and operating position (not illustrated) where the markers  42  and  43  are unfolded and extend at least in part in the direction away from units  17  and toward a tractor (not illustrated) that may be attached to assembly  10 . Row units  17  and delivery sheaths  77  and  79  are described in more detail below.  
         [0044]    Referring now to FIG. 4, the main frame assembly  69  includes, among other components, a main frame bar member  14 , a roller assembly  44 , a latching assembly  45  and a pivot plate  28 . Pivot plate  28  is mounted to an undersurface of bar member  14  about one-fourth the length of bar member  14  from a first end thereof and forms a downwardly opening pivot receiving aperture (not observable in the Figs.) for receiving a carrier frame assembly pivot pin (see  34  in FIG. 2) which is described in more detail below. Latch assembly  45  cooperates with other system latching components (e.g., see two instances of latch  46  in FIG. 2) mounted on the carrier frame assembly  12  to lock the main frame assembly  69  and attached implement assembly  15  in either a transport position (see FIGS. 6, 8 and  9 ) or an operating position (see FIGS. 1 and 5). Precise configuration and operation of assembly  45  is not explained here in the interest of simplifying this explanation.  
         [0045]    Roller assembly  44  is mounted to bar member  14  at a point about one-fourth the length of bar  14  from a second bar  14  end (not numbered) and includes at least one roller mounted for rotation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of bar member  14  and that is formed so as to be supportable on a track runner (e.g.,  38  in FIG. 2) formed by a carrier frame platform (see platform  24  in FIGS. 2 and 3) that is explained in greater detail below. Thus, plate  28  and assembly  14  are, in the present example, essentially equi-spaced along the length of bar  14 . Positioning of plate  28  and wheel assembly  44  is important to ensure proper balancing of the attached implement assembly  15  and is generally a function of how best to balance assembly  15  about a carrier assembly axis  210  (see FIG. 2).  
         [0046]    Although not illustrated, assembly  10  further includes first and second lift cylinders and corresponding first and second pivoting brackets  124 ,  126  (see FIGS. 1 and 9) that are constructed so that opposite ends of each bracket  124 ,  126  are pivotally securable to the main frame bar member  14  and the implement bar  16 . The first and second lift cylinders each includes a rod end and a base end and opposite ends are linked to the mainframe bar member  14  and the implement bar  16  such that, when the cylinders are retracted, the implement bar  16  and linked components are lowered into a functional and ground engaging position (illustrated in FIG. 1) and, when the cylinders are extended, implement bar  16  is raised into a transport and ground clearance position illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. When in the functional position, various components of each row unit  17  engage or at least interact with the ground there below in a manner to be described in more detail below.  
         [0047]    Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 8, exemplary assembly  10  includes sixteen row units  17  equi-spaced along the length of bar  16 . As well known in the art each unit  17  includes some type of aligning structure  51 , a mini-hopper  52  (described in more detail below), some type of soil agitator  56  (e.g., a coulter or spade of some type) and a seed metering device  54 . The alignment structure  51  is provided for legacy planter assembly reasons. More specifically, early planter assemblies included a separate relatively large hopper mounted on top of each row unit instead of a mini-hopper  52  for delivering seed to a metering device there below. The large hoppers were removable and replaceable. To this end, although not illustrated, for each large hopper, the planter implement bar was fitted with a hopper receiving assembly that would properly align the hopper with the metering device there below and that would secure the hopper in place. Similarly, the underside of the hopper was configured to cooperate with the hopper receiving assembly to align and lock the hopper in a desired position.  
         [0048]    For various reasons (e.g., reduce filling time, reduce component costs, etc.), the large hoppers have been replaced by the smaller mini-hoppers. Nevertheless, to allow the mini-hoppers to be retrofitted to existing planter assemblies, the mini-hoppers have been fitted with support structures  51  that are designed to have undersides that are similar to the undersides of the large legacy hoppers. It should be appreciated that the aligning structures  51  are not directly related to novelty of the present invention and that the invention could be practiced without a legacy type aligning structure.  
         [0049]    As indicated above, the aligning structures  51  secure corresponding mini-hoppers  52  above associated metering devices  54  (see FIG. 11). In addition, a separate agitator  56  is mounted to the metering devices such that the agitator is directly in front of a lower end of a corresponding metering device  54  when the assembly  10  is pulled through a field. As assembly  10  is pulled through a field, agitators  56  each form a trench into which a corresponding metering device  54  deposits seeds.  
         [0050]    Referring to FIG. 8, support wheels  31  are separated and form spaces  140 ,  142 ,  144 , etc., that, as assembly  10  is pulled through a field, travel along paths that are between crop rows being formed. Referring also to FIG. 1, row units  17  are positioned on bar  16  such that units directly behind a dimension D 1  formed by the wheels  31  form rows between the wheels. For instance, one row unit  17  may be mounted to bar  16  so that a resulting row is formed within the space defined by the paths formed by the left two wheels as illustrated, another row unit  17  may be mounted to bar  16  so that a resulting row is formed within the space defined by the paths formed by the right two wheels as illustrated and perhaps two row units may be mounted to form two rows in the space between paths defined by the center wheels.  
         [0051]    Referring now FIGS. 8 and 9, in addition to the components described above, assembly  10  further includes two main hoppers  40   a  and  40   b  secured to main frame bar  14  that feed seed to a delivery system that pneumatically delivers seed to the mini-hoppers  52 . To this end, referring also to FIG. 10, a simplified and exemplary pneumatic delivery system includes, among other things, a fan or blower of some type  60 , a seed/air mixer  83   a ,  83   b  for each main hopper  40   a ,  40   b , respectively, and the delivery hoses that are bundled inside delivery sheaths  77  and  79  (see also FIG. 1). There are sixteen separate delivery ducts or hoses, a separate hose for each of the row units  17 . The hoses will be referred to collectively and/or individually via reference numeral  76  hereinafter.  
         [0052]    The delivery system components corresponding to each main hopper  40   a  are similar and operate in a similar fashion and therefore, in the interest of simplifying this explanation, only the components corresponding to main hopper  40   a  will be described here. Here, it should suffice to say that each of hoppers  40   a  and  40   b  and corresponding components feed eight separate mini-hoppers. As illustrated in FIG. 9, main hopper  40   a  would likely feed the eight leftmost mini-hoppers while main hopper  40   b  would likely feed the eight right most mini-hoppers. Hoses linked to main hoppers  40   a  and  40   b  are bundled within sheaths  77  and  79 , respectively. In FIG. 10, similar components corresponding to the two main hoppers  40   a  and  40   b  are identified via similar numbers followed by lower case letters “a” and “b”, respectively.  
         [0053]    As best illustrated in FIG. 10, mixer  83   a  generally receives both air and seed, entrains the seed within the air and directs the entrained seed-air flow through hoses  76  to eight separate mini-hoppers  52 . In the exemplary mixer  83   a  it will be assumed that mixer  83   a  divides received forced air into eight separate air flows, directs those air flows proximate outlets in the bottom of the hopper  40   a  such that the air flows entrain seed therein and then directs the entrained seed to eight separate mini-hoppers  52   a  through hoses  76   a . To this end, mixer  83   a  includes a single forced air inlet  80   a , eight seed inlets  82   a  and eight air-seed outlets  84 . Fan  60  provides forced air at inlet  80   a  which mixer  83   a  divides into eight separate air flows. Each seed inlet  82   a  provides seed to a corresponding air flow causing the seed to be entrained and each outlet  84   a  is linked to a separate hose  76   a  and corresponding mini-hopper  52   a . Other mixer and hose configurations are contemplated.  
         [0054]    While fan  60  could be mounted to either the main frame bar  14  or implement bar  16 , here it will be assumed that, like main hoppers  40   a  and  40   b , fan  60  is mounted to main frame bar  14  thereby reducing the weight supported by bar  16 .  
         [0055]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2,  3  and  5 , carrier frame assembly  12  generally includes a cross bar  13 , two wheel assemblies  30 , a draw bar assembly  18  and platform  24 . Each wheel assembly  30  includes an axle support member  32  and a pair of support wheels  31  mounted on opposite sides of a corresponding support member  32 . As best seen in FIG. 8, the support wheels  31  define support dimension D 1 . Dimension D 1  is wide enough that the entire planter assembly  10  is laterally stable but should be limited to a size that is accommodated by a typical roadway. For instance, dimension D 1  may be between 10 and 15 feet.  
         [0056]    Cross bar  13  is a steel elongated bar. A separate one of wheel assemblies  30  is mounted at each one of the cross bar  13  ends and extends downward there from so that assemblies  30  support cross bar  13  above ground. A pivot pin  34  is provided that extends upwardly from a top surface of bar  13 . Pin  34  is formed about a vertical axis  11  and is formed so as to be receivable by the downwardly facing opening formed by pivot plate  28  (see FIG. 4) for rotation thereabout.  
         [0057]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, draw bar assembly  18  is a two stage tongue assembly. Assembly  18  is described in great detail in the Planter Hitch Apparatus patent application referenced above and which has been incorporated herein by reference and therefore apparatus  18  will not again be described here in detail. Suffice it to say at this time that, among other components, assembly  18  includes a first tongue member  25  having first and second ends  150  and  151  and forming a first passageway (not illustrated). As best seen in FIG. 3, first tongue member  25  is secured at its first end  150  to a central point of cross bar  13  via welding or some other suitable securing process. In addition, assembly  18  further includes second and third tongue members  19  and  20 , respectively, and includes two tongue cylinders (only one shown at  50 , the second tongue cylinder internally disposed within the tongue assembly). Second member  19  is receivable within first tongue member  25  and first tongue member  20  is receivable within second tongue member in a telescoping manner such that, when retracted, distal ends  171 ,  161 ,and  151  of members  20 ,  19  and  25 , respectively, are adjacent each other. Members  19  and  25  are driven by cylinder  50  and the internally mounted cylinder between the retracted and operating configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 and the extended and transport configuration illustrated in FIG. 9. A hitch member  26  is mounted to the distal end  171  of tongue member  20  for linking assembly  10  to a prime mover like a tractor.  
         [0058]    Referring to FIGS. 2, 3,  8 , platform  24  is essentially a rigid flat bed member that is secured to a top surface of cross bar  13  and approximately half of first tongue member  25  proximate cross bar  13 . Referring also to FIGS. 11 and 12, additional support bars  62  may also be provided to support platform  24 . Among other features, platform  24  forms a track runner  38  on a top surface which is reinforced on a platform undersurface (see FIG. 3) via supporting tracks  23  and  22  or in any other manner known in the art. Pivot pin  34  extends through an opening in platform  24 . Referring also to FIG. 4, track runner  38  forms an arc about pivot pin  34  having a radius dimension that is identical to the space dimension between pivot plate  28  and roller assembly  44  on bar  14 . Runner  38  is dimensioned so as to securely support the roller of assembly  44  in any position along the runner and thereby provide support to main frame bar  14  there above.  
         [0059]    Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 4, transport and operating implement locking brackets or latches  46  are also provided on the top surface of platform  24 . A transport bracket  46  is generally spaced from pivot pin  34  along a line parallel to the length of first tongue member  25  while an operating bracket  46  is generally spaced from pin  34  on the side of first tongue member  25  opposite pin  34 . Each bracket  34  is formed so as to securely receive and lock to latch assembly  45  to lock the main frame assembly  69  and other components secured thereto to platform  24  in either the transport or operating positions.  
         [0060]    Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2,  4  and  8 , with carrier frame assembly  12  assembled and implement assembly  15  secured to the main frame assembly  69  as described above, the main frame bar  14  is positioned such that pin  34  is received in the opening formed by plate  28  and with the assembly  44  roller supported on runner  38 . Gravity maintains main frame assembly  69  on runner  38  and some type of collar (not illustrated) on pin  34  may be provided to further ensure that assembly  69  remain secured. With wheels  35  and  36  and/or the implement assembly manipulated so that the wheels  35 ,  36  are off the ground, the entire main frame bar  14  and components attached thereto are moveable between the transport position illustrated in FIG. 9 to the operating position illustrated in FIG. 1 and to any intermediate position there between (see FIG. 7) by simply rotating main frame bar  14  about pivot pin  34 .  
         [0061]    As indicated above, when in either the transport or operating positions, latch assembly  45  and one of brackets  46  cooperate to lock main frame bar  14  to carrier assembly  12  to eliminate relative movement during transport. Any means for rotating bar  14  about pin  34  may be employed. Similarly, any means for operating latch assembly  45  and for raising and lowering the implement assembly and/or the lateral support wheels  35 ,  36  may be employed.  
         [0062]    Referring again to FIG. 1 where the assembly is shown in the operating position, consistent with reducing the number of required headland passes needed to perform an agricultural task for an entire field, the cross bar assembly  18  is relatively short. Referring also to FIGS. 7 and 9, however, it can be seen that, in order to accommodate a long implement configuration in the transport position, the tongue assembly has to be extended.  
         [0063]    The mini-hoppers  52   a  and  52   b  all have similar configurations and operate similarly and therefore, in the interest of simplifying this explanation, only a single mini-hopper  52   a  will be described here in detail. Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 10 through  16 , mini-hopper  52   a  includes a housing  90  that has top and bottom ends  91  and  92 , respectively and a plurality of walls that together define a seed receiving/storage cavity  94  (see FIG. 14 for best view of cavity  94 ). Cavity  94  is generally defined by a top wall  96 , and four side walls  98 ,  102 ,  104  and  106  where the bottom end  92  is generally open. While walls  98 ,  102   104  and  106  may have various dimensions, in at least one embodiment the side walls have a height dimension H (see FIG. 11) between ends  91  and  92  that substantially corresponds to a seed depth that will completely block the force of the seed and air being deposited in cavity  94  from being conveyed to metering device  54  therebelow. For instance, height H may be one to five inches or more or, where a duct  119  therebelow accumulates seeds that contribute to a seed head, may even be less. Side wall  106  forms a large number of relatively small apertures collectively identified by numeral  112  where apertures  112  are generally dimensionally smaller than the typical dimension of seed to be delivered to the mini-hoppers (i.e., the seed generally cannot pass through apertures  112 ). In this regard wall  106  may comprise a perforated metal sheet or plastic member or a screen of some type.  
         [0064]    In the illustrated embodiment wall member  106  is removable. To this end, first and second rib pairs  108  and  109 , respectively, are formed in opposing walls  104  and  102  that define a member receiving space therebetween that is dimensioned to receive wall member  106 . Each pair  108  and  109  includes two parallel ribs that extend toward the opposing wall.  
         [0065]    For instance, pair  108  includes parallel ribs  111  and  112  that extend toward wall  102 . The ribs run along the entire height of each wall  104  and  102  from the top end  91  to the bottom end  92 . A similar rib pair  113  is provided on the inside surface of top housing wall  96  that connects the top ends of rib pairs  108  and  109  and that receives a top end  115  of wall member  106 . Thus, as configured and as illustrated in FIG. 13, wall member  106  can be installed and removed from housing  90  by sliding member  106  between pairs  108  and  109  and in and out of open bottom end  92  when mini-hopper  52   a  is removed from structure  51 . This removable feature is important as, depending on seed or particle size, wall member  106  may have to be replaced to provide larger or smaller apertures  112 .  
         [0066]    Referring still to FIGS. 10 through 16, a supply hose  76   a  opens downwardly through inlet  117  in top wall  96  into cavity  94 . In at least one embodiment the combined cross-sectional area of apertures  112  is greater than the cross-sectional area of inlet  117  so that wall  106  minimally impedes air flow through the connected supply hose and into cavity  94 .  
         [0067]    When structure  51 , mini-hopper  52   a  and metering device  54  are secured together to form a functional assembly, a duct member  119  is aligned directly under cavity  94  and, in the illustrated embodiment, includes an outer wall  131  having an upper lip or edge  171  (see FIG. 15) that is aligned directly under wall member  106 . In this manner the upper edge of wall  131  maintains wall member  106  in its operating position by prohibiting downward movement. Duct member  119  opens at a lower end (not illustrated) into metering device  54  to provide seed from mini-hopper  52   a  thereto.  
         [0068]    In addition to the structure above, mini-hopper  52   a  also includes a cover member  133  mounted to housing  90  and that extends to the side of wall  106  and rib pairs  108  and  109  opposite cavity  94 . Cover member  133  includes a cover wall  135  that is essentially parallel to wall  106  and is spaced apart from wall  106 . The top and side edges of cover member  133  are integrally formed with and sealed against top wall  96  and side housing walls  104  and  102  while the bottom end of member  133  is open thereby forming an exhaust outlet  137  (see FIG. 14).  
         [0069]    Thus, referring to FIG. 11, cover member  133  completely seals and encloses perforated wall  106  from above but provides a downwardly opening exhaust outlet below wall  106 . This design minimizes the possibility of moisture (e.g., rain) entering mini-hopper  52   a  from above which can destroy seed therein. Because duct wall  131  that leads from cavity  94  to the metering device is aligned with wall  106 , exhaust outlet  137  opens to the ambient.  
         [0070]    In operation, referring to FIG. 15, prior to mini-hopper  52   a  being filled (see seed accumulation line  149  in FIG. 15) with seed entrained air being provided to cavity  94  via inlet  117  along the path identified by numeral  161 , at a rate faster than the rate at which metering device  54  is removing seed from cavity  94 , delivered seed  163  accumulates in cavity  94  and air from the flow exists cavity  94  via apertures  112  and exhaust outlet  137  along the path identified by numeral  165 .  
         [0071]    Referring to FIG. 16, eventually, seeds accumulated in cavity  94  fill up cavity  94  (see seed level  149  in FIG. 16) and all of apertures  112  become blocked. Once all apertures  112  are blocked, seed delivery via hose  76   a  to the mini-hopper  52   a  ceases. Metering device  54  continually distributes seed and thus removes seed through the force of gravity from cavity  94  above. When sufficient seed has been distributed, the seed level within cavity  94  drops until at least the apertures  112  at the top end (see  115  in FIG. 13) of wall member  106  are unblocked. At that time seed delivery to mini-hopper  52   a  again commences and continues until all apertures  112  are again blocked. This re-filling process continues over and over again until either main hoppers  40  are empty or the planter assembly is deactivated.  
         [0072]    While the drawings, specific examples and particular formations described above teach exemplary embodiments of the present invention, they only serve the purpose of illustration and the materials and configurations shown and described may differ depending on the chosen performance characteristics and physical characteristics of the planter equipment. For example, referring to FIG. 14, while wall member  106  is illustrated as being removable and replaceable, in some embodiments wall  106  may be integrally formed with the other housing walls so that member  106  would not be removable. In addition, while wall member  106  is illustrated as being completely perforated, other embodiments are contemplated including one where the apertures  112  would only be provided at the top end  115  and less or perhaps no apertures  112  will be provided at the opposite lower end of wall member  106 . In this case, the mini-hopper  52  would operate in a manner similar to the manner described above. Moreover, while not ideal, an embodiment is contemplated that would not include a cover member  133  so that perforated wall member  106  would be open to the ambient. Furthermore, apertures  106  may be provided in any of the housing walls including each of side walls  98 ,  102  and  104  as well as top wall  96 . In any of these cases, the embodiment may or may not include a cover member  133 . Moreover, it is further contemplated that the apertures  106  may be provided in more than one of the housing walls.  
         [0073]    To apprise the public of the scope of this invention, the following claims are made: