Patent Publication Number: US-2019183038-A1

Title: System for controlling product treatment flow through distribution lines

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a system for controlling product treatment flow through distribution lines. 
     Generally, seeding implements are towed behind a tractor or other work vehicle and deliver agricultural products (e.g., seed, fertilizer, other particulate material, etc.) to a field. Seeding implements may also be coupled to a product storage tank configured to store the agricultural products and/or treatment chemicals for the agricultural products. Further, the agricultural products and treatment chemicals may be stored separately and combined in lines from the product storage tank to the seeding implement. For example, primary lines may flow the agricultural products to the seeding implement, and treatment lines may flow treatment chemicals to the primary lines. Present primary lines do not enable different flow rates of treatment chemicals through different primary lines. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     In one embodiment, a treatment system includes multiple treatment lines configured to flow treatment chemicals from a treatment chemical supply to multiple distribution lines that transport agricultural product to row units of an implement. The treatment system also includes at least one a pump fluidly coupled to the multiple treatment lines. In addition, at least one pump drives the treatment chemicals to flow from the treatment chemical supply to the multiple distribution lines through the multiple treatment lines. Moreover, the treatment system includes multiple valves, wherein each of the multiple valves is fluidly coupled to at least one of the multiple treatment lines. Further, each of the multiple valves controls the flow of the treatment chemicals through the at least one of the multiple treatment lines. 
     In another embodiment, a treatment system includes multiple treatment lines that flow treatment chemicals from a treatment chemical supply to multiple distribution lines that transport agricultural product to row units of an implement. In addition, the treatment system includes multiple pumps, and each of the multiple pumps is fluidly coupled to at least one of the multiple treatment lines. Further, each of the multiple pumps drives the treatment chemicals from the treatment chemical supply to at least one respective distribution line of the multiple distribution lines through at least one of the multiple treatment lines. Moreover, the treatment system includes multiple motors, and each motor drives a respective pump of the multiple pumps. The treatment system also include a controller communicatively coupled to the multiple motors, and the controller is configured to independently control the multiple motors to control the flow of the treatment chemicals through the multiple treatment lines. 
     In another embodiment, a treatment system includes multiple treatment lines that flow treatment chemicals from a treatment chemical supply to multiple distribution lines that transport agricultural product to row units of an implement. In addition, the treatment system includes multiple pumps, and each of the multiple pumps is fluidly coupled to at least one of the multiple treatment lines. Further, each of the multiple pumps drives the treatment chemicals from the treatment chemical supply to at least one respective distribution line of the multiple distribution lines through the at least one of the multiple treatment lines. In addition, the treatment system includes multiple clutches, and each of the multiple clutches is coupled to a respective pump of the multiple pumps, and each of the multiple clutches is configured to control an output of the respective pump. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of an agricultural implement coupled to an air cart having a metering system; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the agricultural implement and the air cart of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a treatment system  25  that may be utilized with the air cart of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a treatment system  25  that may be utilized with the air cart of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a treatment system  25  that may be utilized with the air cart of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a treatment system  25  that may be utilized with the air cart of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments. 
     Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a system for controlling flow of agricultural product treatment (e.g., pesticides, fertilizers, growth agents, etc.) through distribution lines. In particular, certain disclosed embodiments include an air cart coupled to an agricultural implement (e.g., a seeding implement). The air cart includes one or more product storage tanks. The air cart also includes a metering system configured to meter (e.g., regulate the flow of) agricultural product from the corresponding product storage tank(s) into product distribution lines (e.g., primary distribution lines, each of which may be fluidly coupled to one or more secondary distribution lines). The product distribution lines are configured to distribute the agricultural product to corresponding row units of the agricultural implement. The row units may include various ground engaging tools having outlets for depositing the agricultural product into soil as the agricultural implement travels through a field. 
     Furthermore, a treatment system may include valves and/or pumps configured to control a flow of treatment chemicals to the product distribution lines. The treatment chemicals may be utilized to discourage growth of certain organisms (e.g., fungi, insects, etc.), to enhance seed health (e.g. innoculants or growth treatments), or to enhance fertilizer uptake efficiency, and encourage the growth of the crop. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments enable fine control of product application rates and facilitate precise application of agricultural product at the desired product application rates. For example, the disclosed embodiments may enable the treatment chemical flow to each primary line to be controlled such that each primary line receives a target quantity of treatment chemicals. Additionally, the disclosed embodiments may reduce undesirable product overlap and/or inadequate product deposition in certain portions of the field, which may in turn reduce product waste and lead to improved overall yield. 
     With the foregoing in mind,  FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of an agricultural implement  10  (e.g., a seeding implement) coupled to an air cart  12  having a metering system  14 . The implement  10  includes multiple row units  16  supported by a frame  18 . Each row unit  16  is configured to receive agricultural product (e.g., seed, fertilizer, other particulate material, etc.) from the metering system  14  of the air cart  12  and to deposit the agricultural product into the soil as the implement  10  travels across a field. As shown, the air cart  12  is coupled to the implement  10  via the frame  18 . The air cart  12  includes a product storage tank  22  configured to store one or more agricultural products. Some embodiments may include multiple product storage tanks, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more. Each product storage tank  22  is fluidly coupled to one or more primary product distribution lines  26  (e.g., primary lines), and each primary product distribution line  26  is configured to distribute agricultural product to one or more corresponding row units  16  of the implement  10 . An air source  27  is configured to provide an air flow to each of the primary lines  26 . The metered agricultural product from the metering system  14  is entrained within the air flow and pneumatically transferred to the respective row unit(s)  16  of the implement  10 . Thus, the product flows from the product storage tank  22  to the metering system  14 , and into the primary lines  26 , with the air source  27  providing the force driving the flow of product. 
     Further, the air cart  12  includes a treatment system  25  configured to provide a flow of treatment chemicals to the product in the primary lines  26 . For example, some agricultural products may be combined with treatment chemicals to enhance the yield. In some embodiments, the agricultural product is mixed with the treatment chemicals in the product storage tank  22  and/or before entering the product storage tank  22 . In the present embodiment, the treatment chemicals is stored in a portion of the product storage tank  22  that is separate from the agricultural product. The treatment chemicals are delivered into the primary lines  26  via a pump of the treatment system  25  to combine the agricultural product in the primary lines  26  with the treatment chemicals. Combining the agricultural product and the treatment chemicals in the primary lines  26 , rather than in the product storage tank  22 , may reduce time spent cleaning the product storage tank  22  because the mixture of agricultural product and treatment chemicals often sticks to the walls of the product storage tank  22 . Moreover, the product in the storage tank  22  is not treated with chemicals and therefore eliminates the potential waste of treating too much seed. Further, by not having treated seed in the storage tank  22 , there is reduced risk of cross contaminating different products with different chemical treatments. 
     In some embodiments, any suitable number of meter modules  24  and/or two primary lines  26  may be utilized, such as 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, or more meter modules  24  and/or primary lines  26  may be included. Additionally, while two row units  16  are shown for clarity, it should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments the implement  10  may include at least 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 96, or more row units  16 . Furthermore, each primary line  26  may provide the agricultural product to any suitable number (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) of row units  16  and/or any suitable number of outlets configured to deposit product into the field (e.g., via a header and secondary lines extending between the header and respective row units). Similarly, while one product storage tank  22  is illustrated, it should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments the air cart  12  may include at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more product storage tanks  22 . In  FIG. 1 , the air cart  12  is coupled to the implement  10 , and towed behind the implement  10 . In some embodiments, the air cart  12  may be towed directly behind a tow vehicle, with the implement  10  towed behind the air cart  12 . Likewise, the implement  10  and the air cart  12  may be part of a single unit. 
     The treatment system  25  is configured to control the flow of treatment chemicals to each primary line  26 . For example, the treatment system  25  may block the treatment chemicals from flowing to a certain portion of the primary lines  26  (e.g., primary line that are not receiving product from the metering system). As such, the treatment system  25  may include valve(s), pump(s), motor(s), or a combination thereof. Some embodiments may include a single motor, a single pump, and multiple valves, each valve corresponding to a respective primary line  26 . Some embodiments may include a motor and a pump for each primary line  26 . Some embodiments may include a pump, a motor, and a clutch for each primary line  26 . 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the implement  10  and the air cart  12 . The product storage tank  22  has an agricultural product supply  40  and a treatment chemical supply  42 . However, in some embodiments, the air cart  12  may include any suitable number of storage tanks  22 , and the agricultural product supply  40  and the treatment chemical supply  42  may be in separate product storage tanks  22 . Further, each storage tank  22  may include any suitable number of agricultural product supplies  40  and/or treatment chemical supplies  42 , including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more. In the illustrated embodiment, each meter module  24  is configured to meter the agricultural product from the agricultural product supply  40  into a corresponding primary line  26 . Further, the treatment system  25  directs treatment chemicals from the treatment chemical supply  42 , through primary treatment lines  44 , and into corresponding primary lines  26 . Additionally, each primary line  26  is configured to direct the agricultural product to a distribution header  30  of the implement  10 , and the distribution header  30  is configured to distribute the agricultural product into corresponding secondary lines  32  extending to corresponding row unit(s)  16 . 
     Each metering module  24  and corresponding primary line  26  may provide agricultural product to separate sections  34  (e.g., a first section and a second section) of the implement  10 . Each metering module  24  may be separately controlled. Accordingly, the row units  16  of one section  34  may apply the agricultural product at a different rate than the row units  16  of another section  34 . Thus, the agricultural product may be applied at different rates across a width of the implement  10 , and the application rate provided by each section  34  may be adjusted independently as the implement  10  travels across the field. Further, the treatment system  25  may control the flow of treatment chemicals to each primary line  26 . Accordingly, the flow rate of treatment chemicals may be set to a target flow rate for the flow rate of product to each section. 
     A controller  50  is also included that may be located on the air cart  12 , for example. The controller  50  is configured to control each meter module  24  to adjust a metering rate (e.g., meter roller turn rate), and the controller  50  is configured to control the treatment system  25  to control flow of the treatment chemicals to the primary lines  26 . In certain embodiments, the controller  50  is an electronic controller having electrical circuitry configured to process signals (e.g., signals indicative of a prescription map, prescribed application rates, map or rate input, position, speed, product delay, width and/or geometry of respective geographic regions of the field) from an input  52  (e.g., spatial locating device, etc.) and/or from other components of the metering system. In some embodiments, the input  52  may be a controller having a processor and a memory, and the controller may be configured to determine a list of primary lines to receive treatment chemicals and to provide the list to the controller  50 . In some such cases, the controller  50  may utilize target application rates, ground speed information, width and/or geometry of respective regions of the field, meter calibration information, or a combination thereof, to determine a target flow rate of the treatment chemicals to each primary line  26 . In some embodiments, the controller  50  may control the flow rate of treatment chemicals to each primary line based at least in part on the flow rate of product through the primary line (e.g., as determined based on a target meter roller rotation rate). For example, the controller may instruct the treatment system  25  to terminate treatment chemical flow to each primary line that is not receiving product. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the controller  50  includes a processor  54 , such as a microprocessor, and a memory device  56 . The controller  50  may also include one or more storage devices and/or other suitable components. The processor  54  may be used to execute software, such as software for controlling the metering modules  24  and/or the treatment system  25 . Moreover, the processor  54  may include multiple microprocessors, one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and/or one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or some combination thereof. For example, the processor  54  may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) or complex instruction set (CISC) processors. 
     The memory device  56  may include a volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or a nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). The memory device  56  may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory device  56  may store processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) for the processor  54  to execute, such as instructions for controlling the metering modules  24  and/or the treatment system  25 . The storage device(s) (e.g., nonvolatile storage) may include ROM, flash memory, a hard drive, or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or a combination thereof. The storage device(s) may store data (e.g., a prescription rate map, location data, implement speed data, or the like), instructions (e.g., software or firmware for controlling the metering modules  24  and/or the treatment system  25 ), and any other suitable data. The processor  54  and/or memory device  56 , or an additional processor and/or memory device, may be located in any suitable portion of the system. For example, a memory device storing instructions (e.g., software or firmware for controlling the metering modules  24  and/or the treatment system  25 ) may be located in or associated with each metering module  24  and/or the treatment system  25 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a treatment system  25  that may be utilized with the air cart of  FIG. 2 . The treatment system  25  is configured to direct treatment chemicals from the treatment chemical supply  42  to the primary lines  26 . In the present embodiment, the treatment system  25  includes a splitter  60 , secondary treatment lines  62 , valves  64 , and a pump  66  driven by a motor  68 . The motor  68  drives the pump  66 , which in turn drives the treatment chemicals to flow from the treatment chemical supply  42  to the primary lines  26 . As the treatment chemicals travel toward the primary lines  26 , the treatment chemicals pass through the primary treatment line  44 , then through the splitter  60  and into the secondary treatment lines  62 . Some embodiments may not include the splitter  60 . In such embodiments, single lines extend from the treatment chemical supply  42  to the pump  66 . In the present embodiment, the number of secondary treatment lines  62  corresponds to the number of primary lines  26 . In other embodiments, each secondary treatment line may be fluidly coupled to more than one primary line. For example, one secondary treatment line may be fluidly coupled to 2, 3, 4, 5, or more primary lines. In other embodiments, each primary line may be fluidly coupled to more than one secondary treatment line. For example, one primary line may be fluidly coupled to 2, 3, 4, 5, or more secondary treatment lines. 
     Valves  64  are disposed along each of the secondary treatment lines  62  to control the flow of treatment chemicals through the secondary treatment lines  62 . In some embodiments, at least one valve may be fluidly coupled to more than one secondary treatment line, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, or more secondary treatment lines. The valve  64  controls the flow rate through all of the secondary treatment lines  62  fluidly coupled to the valve  64 . Further, the valves  64  may include any suitable type of valve, such as a cut off valve, a diverter valve, a needle valve, etc. Each valve  64  may be individually controlled (e.g., hydraulically, electrically, or manually) to control the flow of treatment chemicals through the corresponding secondary treatment line  62 . For example, the controller  50  may control the valves  64 , or each valve  64  may include a corresponding controller. The controller  50  may control the valves  64  based at least in part on the product flow through respective primary lines, the rate of the meter roller, etc. Further, the controller  50  may control the valve  64  to variably control the flow rate to any percentage between fully open and fully closed. In the present embodiment, the valves  64  are disposed upstream of the pump  66 . In some embodiments, the valves may be disposed downstream of the pump. 
     After the treatment chemicals flow through the valves  64 , the treatment chemicals flow through the pump  66 . In the present embodiment, the pump  66  is a single pump driven by a single motor  68 , and the pump  66  is fluidly coupled to all of the secondary treatment lines  62 . In some embodiments, multiple motors may drive the pump, such as 2, 3, 4, or more motors. Further, some embodiments may include multiple pumps. For example, each secondary treatment line may pass through multiple pumps. In some embodiments, multiple pumps may be utilized such that only a portion (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more) of the secondary treatment lines pass through each pump. Further, the pump may be any suitable type of pump, such as a peristaltic pump, gear pump, diaphragm pump, etc. Further, the motor may be any suitable type of motor, including electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc. 
     After flowing through the pump  66 , the treatment chemicals flow into the primary lines  26  at inlets  70  to combine with the agricultural product flowing through the primary lines  26 . In the present embodiment, each primary line  26  includes a mixing system  72  (e.g., annular grooves within each primary line, a spiral shaped insert, etc.) downstream from the inlets  70 . The mixing system  72  improves the mixing of the agricultural product and the treatment chemicals. Further, a controller controls a motor to control the flow rate of the treatment chemicals alone (e.g., in on or off embodiments), or in combination with the valve  64 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a treatment system  25  that may be utilized with the air cart of  FIG. 2 . The treatment system  25  is configured to direct treatment chemicals from the treatment chemical supply  42  to the primary lines  26 . In the present embodiment, the treatment system  25  includes a splitter  60 , secondary treatment lines  62 , a pump  66  driven by a motor  68 , and clutches  76  disposed within the pump  66 . The motor  68  drives the pump  66 , which in turn drives the treatment chemicals to flow from the treatment chemical supply  42  to the primary lines  26 . As the treatment chemicals travel toward the primary lines  26 , the treatment chemicals pass through the primary treatment line  44 , then through the splitter  60  and into the secondary treatment lines  62 . Some embodiments may not include the splitter. In such embodiments, single lines extend from the treatment chemical supply  42  to the pump  66 . In the present embodiment, the number of secondary treatment lines  62  corresponds to the number of primary lines  26 . In some embodiments, each secondary treatment line may be fluidly coupled to more than one primary line. For example, one secondary treatment line may be fluidly coupled to 2, 3, 4, 5, or more primary lines. In other embodiments, each primary line may be fluidly coupled to more than one secondary treatment line. For example, one primary line may be fluidly coupled to 2, 3, 4, 5, or more secondary treatment lines. 
     Clutches  76  are disposed within the pump  66  along the path of each of the secondary treatment lines  62 . The clutches  76  control the output of the pump  66 , thereby controlling the flow rate of treatment chemicals through the respective secondary treatment line  62 . The clutches  76  enable the pump  66  to selectively apply pressure to each of the secondary treatment lines  62 . For example, the clutches  76  enable the pump  66  to apply pressure to a portion of the secondary treatment lines  62 . Further, the clutches  76  may include any suitable type of clutch, including a friction clutch, a dog clutch, a cone clutch, etc. Each clutch  76  may be individually controlled (e.g., hydraulically, electrically, or manually) to control the flow of treatment chemicals through a corresponding secondary treatment line  62 . For example, the controller  50  may control the clutches  76 , or each clutch  76  may include a corresponding controller. The controller  50  may control the clutches  76  based at least in part on the product flow through respective primary lines, the rate of the meter roller, etc. Further, each clutch  76  may include two or more positions, with each position corresponding to a certain change in output of the pump  66 . 
     In the present embodiment, the pump  66  is a single pump driven by a single motor  68 , and the pump  66  is fluidly coupled to all of the secondary treatment lines  62 . In some embodiments, multiple motors may drive the pump, such as 2, 3, 4, or more motors. Further, some embodiments may include multiple pumps  66 . For example, each secondary treatment line may pass through multiple pumps. In some embodiments, multiple pumps may be utilized such that only a portion (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more) of the secondary treatment lines pass through each pump. Further, the pump may be any suitable type of pump, such as a peristaltic pump, gear pump, diaphragm pump, etc. Further, the motor may be any suitable type of motor, including electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc. 
     After flowing through the pump  66 , the treatment chemicals flow into the primary lines  26  at inlets  70  to combine with the agricultural product flowing through the primary lines  26 . In the present embodiment, each primary lines  26  includes a mixing system  72  (e.g., annular grooves within each primary line, a spiral shaped insert, etc.) downstream from the inlet  70 . The mixing system  72  improves the mixing of the agricultural product and the treatment chemicals. Further, a controller controls a motor to control the flow rate of the treatment chemicals alone (e.g., in on or off embodiments), or in combination with the clutch  76 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a treatment system  25  that may be utilized with the air cart of  FIG. 2 . The treatment system  25  is configured to direct treatment chemicals from the treatment chemical supply  42  to the primary lines  26 . In the present embodiment, the treatment system  25  includes a splitter  60 , secondary treatment lines  62 , valves  80 , a pump  66  driven by a motor  68 , and diverter lines  82 . The motor  68  drives the pump  66 , which in turn drives the treatment chemicals to flow from the treatment chemical supply  42  to the primary lines  26 . As the treatment chemicals travel toward the primary lines  26 , the treatment chemicals pass through the primary treatment line  44 , then through the splitter  60  and into the secondary treatment lines  62 . Some embodiments may not include the splitter. In such embodiments, single lines extend from the treatment chemical supply  42  to the pump  66 . In the present embodiment, the number of secondary treatment lines  62  corresponds the number of primary lines  26 . In some embodiments, each secondary treatment line may be fluidly coupled to more than one primary line. For example, one secondary treatment line may be fluidly coupled to 2, 3, 4, 5, or more primary lines. In other embodiments, each primary line may be fluidly coupled to more than one secondary treatment line. For example, one primary line may be fluidly coupled to 2, 3, 4, 5, or more secondary treatment lines. 
     In the present embodiment, the pump  66  is a single pump driven by a single motor  68 , and the pump  66  is fluidly coupled to all of the secondary treatment lines  62 . In some embodiments, multiple motors may drive the pump, such as 2, 3, 4, or more motors. Further, some embodiments may include multiple pumps. For example, each secondary treatment line may pass through multiple pumps. In some embodiments, multiple pumps may be utilized such that only a portion (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more) of the secondary treatment lines pass through each pump. Further, the pump may be any suitable type of pump, such as a peristaltic pump, gear pump, diaphragm pump, etc. Further, the motor may be any suitable type of motor, including electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc. 
     Valves  80  are disposed along each of the secondary treatment lines  62  to control the flow of treatment chemicals through the secondary treatment lines  62 . In some embodiments, at least one valve  80  may be fluidly coupled to more than one secondary treatment line, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, or more secondary treatment lines. The at least one valve  80  controls the flow rate through all of the secondary treatment lines  62  fluidly coupled to the at least one valve  80 . Further, the valves  80  may include any suitable type of valve, such as a cut off valve, a diverter valve, a needle valve, etc. Each valve  80  may be individually controlled (e.g., hydraulically, electrically, or manually) to control the flow of treatment chemicals through the corresponding secondary treatment line  62 . For example, the controller  50  may control the valves  80 , or each valve  80  may include a corresponding controller. In the present embodiment, the valves  80  are disposed downstream from the pump  66 . In some embodiments, the valves may be disposed upstream of the pump. Further, the valves  80  may divert treatment chemicals from the corresponding secondary treatment line  62  to the corresponding diverter line  82 , which transports the treatment chemicals upstream to the primary treatment line  44 , upstream of the pump  66 . For example, if the valve  80  is fully closed, then all of the treatment chemicals are diverted, if the valve  80  is halfway closed, then half of the treatment chemicals are diverted, and if the valve  80  is fully open, none of the treatment chemicals are diverted. Generally, the portion of treatment chemicals that do not flow downstream flow through a corresponding diverter line  82 . In some embodiments, the diverter lines may transport the treatment chemicals to other suitable locations upstream of the pump, such as the splitter  60 , the secondary treatment lines  62 , or the treatment chemical supply  42 . 
     After flowing through the valves  80 , the treatment chemicals flow into the primary lines  26  at inlets  70  to combine with the agricultural product flowing through the primary lines  26 . In the present embodiment, each primary lines  26  includes a mixing system  72  (e.g., annular grooves within the primary line, a spiral shaped insert, etc.) downstream from the inlet  70 . The mixing system  72  improves the mixing of the agricultural product. Further, a controller controls a motor to control the flow rate of the treatment chemicals alone (e.g., in on or off embodiments), or in combination with the valve  80 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a treatment system  25  that may be utilized with the air cart of  FIG. 2 . The treatment system  25  is configured to direct treatment chemicals from the treatment chemical supply  42  to the primary lines  26 . In the present embodiment, the treatment system  25  includes a pump  66  and a corresponding motor for each primary treatment line  44 . Each motor  68  drives the corresponding pump  66 , which in turn drives the treatment chemicals to flow from the treatment chemical supply  42  to the respective primary lines  26 . In the present embodiment, the number of primary treatment lines  44  corresponds to the number of primary lines  26 . In some embodiments, each primary treatment line may be fluidly coupled to more than one primary line. For example, one primary treatment line may be fluidly coupled to 2, 3, 4, 5, or more primary lines (e.g., via a splitter and multiple secondary treatment lines). 
     In the present embodiment, each pump  66  is a single pump driven by a single motor  68 . In some embodiments, multiple motors may drive each pump, such as 2, 3, 4, or more motors. Further, each primary treatment line may pass through multiple pumps. Further, each pump  66  may be any suitable type of pump, such as a peristaltic pump, a gear pump, a diaphragm pump, etc. Further, the motor may be any suitable type of motor, including electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc. Each motor  68  may be individually controlled (e.g., hydraulically, electrically, or manually) to control the flow of treatment chemicals through corresponding primary treatment lines  44 . For example, the controller  50  may control the motors  68 , or each motor  68  may include a corresponding controller. The controller may control the motors  68  to start or stop, or control the speed of the motors  68  based at least in part on the flow rate of product through the primary lines, speed of meter rollers, position in the field, etc. 
     After flowing through the pumps  66 , the treatment chemicals flow into the primary lines  26  at inlets  70  to combine with the agricultural product flowing through the primary lines  26 . In the present embodiment, each primary lines  26  includes a mixing system  72  (e.g., annular grooves within each primary line, a spiral shaped insert, etc.) downstream from the inlet  70 . The mixing system  72  improves the mixing of the agricultural product. 
     While only certain features and embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations, etc.)) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described (i.e., those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the disclosure, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed disclosure). It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.