Patent Description:
Conventional agricultural work machines such as planters or seeding machines are used for dispensing commodity in a field. The type of commodity can be fertilizer, seed, chemical granulates, and the like. After the commodity is distributed, a user often cleans the tank, hoses, secondary hoppers, meters, etc. from any remaining commodity. At times, the remaining commodity can be significant. If the commodity remains in the hopper, etc., it can damage the machine and/or the commodity over time. This becomes more problematic when the machine includes multiple row units, for example. The cleaning process is generally a manual process, and it can be lengthy. A machine may include meter purge functionality, but this is primarily a manual process that is time-consuming. Moreover, the user may be unable to access the row unit hoppers due to space constraints associated with machines having multiple row units. <CIT> proposes a solution in which the hoppers can be emptied and cleaned using the vacuum source, but it requires multiple return lines, which makes the machine more complex. Thus, there is a need for a better process of removing leftover commodity.

In an illustrative embodiment, an agricultural machine for distributing commodity, comprises: a frame; a tank coupled to the frame and configured to store the commodity; a row unit coupled to the frame, the row unit comprising a hopper and a seed meter; a manifold assembly configured to direct commodity through the agricultural machine; a tank line coupled between the tank and the manifold assembly; a row unit line coupled between the manifold assembly and the hopper; a return line coupled between the manifold assembly and the tank; a blower configured to provide an air flow through the tank line and the row unit line to transfer commodity from the tank, through the manifold assembly, and to the hopper of the row unit; and a vacuum assembly (<NUM>) configured to provide an air flow through the row unit line and the return line to transfer commodity from the hopper of the row unit, through the manifold assembly, and to the tank.

In some embodiments, the manifold assembly includes a valve having a blocker movable between a first position and second position; wherein, when the blocker is in the first position, the commodity flows from the tank line, through the valve, to the row unit line; and wherein, when the blocker is in the second position, the commodity flows from the row unit line, through the valve, to the return line.

In some embodiments, the agricultural machine further comprises a controller operatively coupled to the vacuum assembly and configured to switch the vacuum assembly on and off; and wherein, when switched on by the controller, the vacuum assembly provides suction to the hopper of the row unit and air flow through the row unit line toward the manifold assembly. In some embodiments, the controller is operatively coupled to the valve and configured cause movement of the blocker between the first position and the second position. In some embodiments, the controller switches the vacuum assembly on simultaneously with movement of the blocker to the second position; and the controller switches the vacuum assembly off simultaneously with movement of the blocker to the first position.

In some embodiments, the agricultural machine further comprises a metering sensor configured to measure a characteristic associated with the commodity metered from the seed meter; and the metering sensor is operatively coupled to the controller and configured to send a signal to the controller indicative of the measured characteristic associated with the commodity metered from the seed meter; and the controller is configured to switch on the vacuum assembly to provide suction to the hopper of the row unit and air flow through the row unit line in response to detecting an irregularity in the measured characteristic associated with the commodity metered from the seed meter.

In some embodiments, the agricultural machine further comprises a metering sensor configured to measure the singulation rate of seed metered by the seed meter; wherein the metering sensor is operatively coupled to the controller and configured to send a signal to the controller indicative of the singulation rate of seed metered by the seed meter; and wherein the controller is configured to switch on the vacuum assembly to provide air flow through the row unit line in response to determining that a measured singulation rate is below a desired singulation rate.

In some embodiments, the agricultural machine further comprises a reed valve formed in the hopper of the row unit; wherein when the blocker is in the first position, the reed valve is urged to an open position by the air flow from the blower to facilitate discharge of air flow from the hopper; and wherein when the blocker is in the second position, the reed valve is urged to a closed position by the air flow from the vacuum assembly to facilitate suction of commodity from the hopper.

In some embodiments, the agricultural machine includes a plurality of row units and a plurality of row unit lines, wherein each row unit line is coupled between the manifold assembly and a hopper of a corresponding row unit; wherein the vacuum assembly includes a plurality of vacuum devices each configured to provide air flow through one row unit line and suction to a corresponding hopper; and wherein the agricultural machine further comprises a compressed air source configured to provide compressed air to each vacuum device.

In some embodiments, the agricultural machine further comprises a plurality of row units coupled to the frame, each comprising a hopper and a seed meter; a plurality of tank lines coupled between the tank and the manifold assembly; a plurality of row unit lines coupled between the manifold assembly and corresponding hoppers; wherein the manifold assembly includes a first manifold, a second manifold, and a valve positioned between and coupled to the first manifold and the second manifold; wherein the first manifold is coupled at a first end thereof to the plurality of tank lines and at a second end thereof to a first opening of the valve; wherein the second manifold is coupled at a first end thereof to the plurality of row unit lines and at a second end thereof to a second opening of the valve; and wherein the return line is couple to a third opening of the valve.

In some embodiments, the manifold assembly is a first manifold assembly and the agricultural machine further comprises a second manifold assembly; wherein the agricultural machine further comprises: a first return line coupled between the first manifold assembly and the tank, and a second return line coupled between the second manifold assembly and the tank; a plurality of row units coupled to the frame, each comprising a hopper and a seed meter; a first plurality of tank lines coupled between the tank and the first manifold assembly, a second plurality of tank lines coupled between the tank and the second manifold assembly; a first plurality of row unit lines coupled between the manifold assembly and corresponding hoppers, and a second plurality of row unit lines coupled between the manifold assembly and corresponding hoppers; wherein the agricultural machine further comprises a compressed air source that provides air flow to the first manifold assembly and the second manifold assembly; and wherein the first manifold assembly and the second manifold assembly cannot receive airflow from the compressed air source simultaneously.

In another illustrative embodiment, an agricultural machine for distributing commodity comprises a frame; a tank coupled to the frame and configured to store the commodity; a row unit coupled to the frame, the row unit comprising a hopper and a seed meter; a manifold assembly configured to direct commodity through the agricultural machine; a tank line coupled between the tank and a first opening of the manifold assembly; a row unit line coupled between a second opening of the manifold assembly and the hopper; a return line coupled to a third opening of the manifold assembly; a blower configured to provide an air flow through the tank line and the row unit line to transfer commodity from the tank, through the manifold assembly, and to the hopper of the row unit; and a vacuum assembly configured to provide an air flow through the row unit line and the return line to transfer commodity through the row unit line, through the manifold assembly, and through the return line; wherein the third opening is positioned between the first opening and the second opening. In some embodiments, the return line is coupled between the third opening of the manifold assembly and a seed bin that is separate from the tank; and the vacuum assembly is configured to provide the air flow through the return line to transfer commodity through the return line to the seed bin.

In some embodiments, the agricultural machine further comprises a controller operatively coupled to the vacuum assembly and configured to switch the vacuum assembly on and off; and the vacuum assembly provides suction to the hopper of the row unit and air flow through the row unit line when switched on by the controller. In some embodiments, the manifold assembly includes a valve having a blocker movable between a first position and second position; wherein, when the blocker is in the first position, the commodity flows from the tank line, through the valve, to the row unit line; and wherein, when the blocker is in the second position, the commodity flows from the row unit line, through the valve, to the return line.

In some embodiments, the agricultural machine further comprises a reed valve formed in the hopper of the row unit; wherein when the blocker is in the first position, the reed valve is in an open position facilitating discharge of air flow from the hopper; and wherein when the blocker is in the second position, the reed valve is in a closed position facilitating suction of commodity from the hopper.

In some embodiments, the agricultural machine further comprises a user interface and a controller operatively coupled to the user interface and to the blocker; wherein the controller is configured to move the blocker between the first position and the second position in response to input received from the user interface.

In some embodiments, the agricultural machine further comprises a compressed air source that provides compressed air to the vacuum assembly when the blocker is in the second position.

In another illustrative non-claimed embodiment, a method of advancing commodity through an agricultural machine comprises: advancing commodity from a tank, through a tank line, which is coupled between the tank and the manifold assembly; subsequent to the prior advancing step, advancing the commodity through a first opening of a valve of the manifold assembly and subsequently through a second opening of the valve; subsequent to the prior advancing step, advancing the commodity through a row unit line, away from the manifold assembly, wherein the row unit line is coupled between the manifold assembly and a hopper of a row unit; subsequent to the prior advancing step, advancing the commodity from the hopper, through the row unit line toward the manifold; subsequent to the prior advancing step, advancing the commodity through the second opening of the valve and subsequently through a third opening of the valve; and subsequent to the prior advancing step, advancing the commodity through a return line away from the manifold assembly.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises repositioning the valve from a first position, in which the third opening is blocked, to a second position, in which the first opening is blocked.

Referring to <FIG> of the present disclosure, an embodiment of an agricultural work machine <NUM> such as a planter or seeder may include a frame <NUM> to which one or more row units <NUM> may be mounted. In <FIG>, only a single row unit <NUM> is shown, but it is to be understood that a plurality of row units <NUM> may be coupled to the frame <NUM> in a known manner. The row unit <NUM> may be coupled to the frame <NUM> by a linkage assembly <NUM> (e.g. a parallelogram assembly) so that the row unit <NUM> can move up and down to a limited degree relative to the frame <NUM>.

Each row unit <NUM> may include an auxiliary or secondary hopper <NUM> for holding commodity such as fertilizer, seed, chemical, or any other known commodity. In this embodiment, the secondary hopper <NUM> may hold seed. As such, a seed meter <NUM> is shown for metering seed received from the secondary seed hopper <NUM>. A furrow opener <NUM> may be provided on the row unit <NUM> for forming a furrow in a field for receiving metered seed (or other commodity) from the seed meter <NUM>. The seed or other commodity may be transferred to the furrow from the seed meter <NUM> by a seed tube <NUM>. A closing assembly <NUM> may be coupled to each row unit <NUM> and is used to close the furrow with the seed or other commodity contained therein.

In this embodiment, the seed meter <NUM> is a vacuum seed meter, although in alternative embodiments other types of seed meters using mechanical assemblies or positive air pressure may also be used for metering seed or other commodity. As described above, the present disclosure is not solely limited to dispensing seed. Rather, the principles and teachings of the present disclosure may also be used to apply non-seed commodities to the field. For seed and non-seed commodities, the row unit <NUM> may be considered an application unit with a secondary hopper <NUM> for holding commodity, a commodity meter for metering commodity received from the secondary hopper <NUM> and an applicator for applying the metered commodity to a field. For example, a dry chemical fertilizer or pesticide may be directed to the secondary hopper <NUM> and metered by the commodity meter and applied to the field by the applicator.

Referring to <FIG>, the frame <NUM> of the machine <NUM> may further support a main hopper or central commodity tank <NUM> and a blower or fan <NUM>. The blower or fan <NUM> may be operably driven by a hydraulic motor. In another embodiment, however, other motor arrangements such as an electric motor and the like may be used. The blower or fan <NUM> can direct pressurized air to a manifold <NUM> through a main air hose or line <NUM>. The manifold <NUM> may be formed from a hollow closed tubular structure supported by the main frame <NUM> and may be provided with a plurality of manifold outlets corresponding to the number of row units <NUM> mounted to the frame <NUM>. In this embodiment, individual air supply lines <NUM> may extend from the manifold outlets and direct pressurized air from the manifold <NUM> to an upstream side of a nozzle assembly <NUM>. The nozzle assembly <NUM> may be located at a lower or bottom portion of the main hopper or tank <NUM> as shown best in <FIG> of the present disclosure.

As commodity such as fertilizer or seed is deposited into the tank <NUM>, the commodity flows by gravity to the nozzle assembly <NUM>. Commodity in the form of seed or non-seed commodity may be placed in the tank <NUM> through a lid <NUM>. In some embodiments, the nozzle assembly <NUM> may be provided with a concave bottom having outwardly diverging sidewalls that funnel commodity to the nozzle <NUM>. The upstream side of the nozzle assembly <NUM> is provided with a number of air inlets <NUM> corresponding to the number of air supply hoses <NUM>. The air inlets <NUM> may be spaced transversely along the upstream side of the nozzle assembly <NUM>. The downstream side of the nozzle assembly <NUM> may be provided with a number of commodity outlets <NUM> corresponding to the number of air supply hoses <NUM>. The commodity outlets <NUM> may also be spaced transversely along the downstream side of the nozzle assembly <NUM>. The commodity outlets <NUM> lie opposite from the air inlets <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Each air inlet <NUM> is aligned with a respective commodity outlet <NUM>. The commodity outlets <NUM> may be coupled to a manifold assembly <NUM>, which will be described below in greater detail. As shown in <FIG>, the agricultural machine <NUM> includes row unit lines <NUM> are coupled to and extend from the manifold assembly <NUM> to the individual secondary hoppers <NUM> for directing commodity entrained in the air stream to the secondary hoppers <NUM>.

The transfer of commodity from the tank <NUM> to the secondary hoppers <NUM> can be done automatically as commodity is needed by the secondary hopper <NUM>. As an individual secondary hopper <NUM> fills up with commodity, an inlet <NUM> of the secondary hopper <NUM> becomes covered by commodity blocking and slowing the air stream so that the air stream no longer picks up commodity in the tank <NUM> and transports the commodity to the secondary hopper <NUM>. Conversely, as commodity is metered by the commodity meter <NUM> and dispensed to the ground, the quantity of commodity in the hopper <NUM> begins to drop such that the inlet <NUM> can be uncovered. As this happens, the air stream from the blower <NUM> picks up commodity for delivery to the secondary hopper <NUM>. In this way, the secondary hoppers <NUM> may be continuously and automatically provided with commodity on-demand so long as the blower <NUM> is running, commodity is available in the nozzle assembly <NUM>, and a vacuum assembly <NUM> has not been activated (as will be described in greater detail below). The side walls of each secondary hopper <NUM> may be provided with reed valves <NUM> for venting air pressure out of the secondary hopper <NUM> during a work operation and preventing airflow into the secondary hopper <NUM> during operation of the vacuum assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, the reed valves <NUM> can also be located in the lids of the secondary hoppers <NUM> as long as the reed valves <NUM> are above the respective commodity inlets <NUM>. The reed valves <NUM> are a type of check valve, which restrict the flow of are to a single direction (i.e. out of the hopper <NUM>). Each reed valve <NUM> opens in response to positive pressure on the inner face of the valve and closes in response to suction on the inner face of the valve.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the manifold assembly <NUM> includes a first manifold <NUM>, a second manifold <NUM>, and a valve <NUM> coupled to and positioned between the first and second manifolds <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the agricultural machine <NUM> also includes a plurality of tank lines <NUM> that are each coupled to a respective commodity outlet <NUM>. On the upstream side of the manifold assembly <NUM>, the tank lines <NUM> are each coupled to the first manifold <NUM>. On the downstream side of the manifold assembly <NUM>, the row unit lines <NUM> are each coupled to the second manifold <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that the agricultural machine <NUM> may include more than one manifold assembly <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a first group of six commodity outlets <NUM> may be coupled to a first manifold assembly <NUM> (left) and a second group of six commodity outlets <NUM> may be coupled to a second manifold assembly <NUM> (right). It should be appreciated that agricultural machine <NUM> may have any number of manifold assemblies <NUM>, with an appropriate number of commodity outlets <NUM> and corresponding number of row unit lines <NUM> coupled to the various manifold assemblies <NUM>. To illustrate, where there are twelve commodity outlets <NUM> and twelve corresponding row unit lines <NUM>, the agricultural machine <NUM> may include three manifold assemblies <NUM>, each having four commodity outlets <NUM> and four corresponding row unit lines <NUM> coupled thereto. The suitable number of commodity outlets <NUM> and row unit lines <NUM> per manifold assembly <NUM> may be a function of the strength of the upstream (i.e. reverse) air flow created by operation of the vacuum assembly <NUM>, as described in greater detail below.

In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second manifolds <NUM>, <NUM> are each coupled to the valve <NUM> of the manifold assembly <NUM>, which is sometimes referred to as a T-valve based on its corresponding structure and function. In the illustrative embodiment, the valve <NUM> includes a movable blocker <NUM> configured to direct the flow of commodity through the valve <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the valve <NUM> includes a first opening <NUM> coupled to the first manifold <NUM>, a second opening <NUM> coupled to the second manifold <NUM>, and a third opening <NUM> coupled to a return line <NUM> that is configured to facilitate flow of commodity away from the manifold assembly <NUM>, as described in more detail below.

As suggested by <FIG>, the blocker <NUM> is movable between a first position shown by the left manifold assembly <NUM> and a second position shown by the right manifold assembly <NUM>. In the first position, the blocker <NUM> closes (i.e. blocks) and prevents the air flow and entrained seed from passing through the third opening <NUM>, such that it cannot enter the return line <NUM> during a work operation. In the second position, the blocker <NUM> closes (i.e. blocks) and prevents the air flow and entrained seed from passing through the first opening <NUM>, such that it cannot enter the tank lines <NUM> during operation of the vacuum assembly <NUM>. The first opening <NUM> is not blocked by the blocker <NUM> when the blocker <NUM> is in the first position, and the third opening <NUM> is not blocked by the blocker <NUM> when the blocker <NUM> is in the second position. The second opening <NUM> is not blocked by the blocker <NUM> in either of the first and second positions.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, diagrammatic views of the agricultural machine <NUM> are shown. The tank lines <NUM> are coupled between the tank <NUM> and the manifold assembly <NUM> and facilitate flow from the tank <NUM> to the manifold assembly <NUM>. Specifically, the tank lines <NUM> are coupled to the first manifold <NUM>. The row unit lines <NUM> are coupled between and facilitate flow between the manifold assembly <NUM> and the row units <NUM>. Specifically, the row unit lines <NUM> are coupled to the second manifold <NUM>. The manifold assembly <NUM> includes the valve <NUM>, which is coupled to the first manifold <NUM>, the second manifold <NUM>, and the return lines <NUM>. In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the return lines are coupled between the manifold assembly <NUM> and facilitate flow from the manifold assembly <NUM> to the tank <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the return line <NUM> opens to the tank <NUM> at the opening <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the return lines <NUM> are coupled between the manifold assembly <NUM> and one or more bins <NUM>, which may be referred to as seed bins, and facilitate flow from the manifold assembly <NUM> to the one or more bins <NUM>. Each bin <NUM> may have an opening accessible by a user to obtain commodity that is not used during a work operation at a location more easily accessible to the user than the hoppers <NUM> of the row units <NUM>.

Referring still to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the illustrative embodiments, the vacuum assembly <NUM> is coupled between a compressed air source <NUM> and the row unit lines <NUM>. The vacuum assembly <NUM> may have one or more vacuum devices <NUM>. When a vacuum device <NUM> is coupled to a row unit line <NUM>, a first portion (i.e., downstream portion) <NUM> of the row unit line <NUM> is coupled between the vacuum device <NUM> and the hopper <NUM> of the row unit <NUM> and a second portion (i.e., upstream portion) <NUM> of the row unit line <NUM> is coupled between the vacuum device <NUM> and the manifold assembly <NUM>. In use, when the vacuum device <NUM> is switched on, compressed air flows into a chamber of the vacuum device <NUM>, where it is then injected into the upstream portion <NUM> of the row unit line <NUM> towards the manifold assembly <NUM>. This injection creates a vacuum or suction in the downstream portion <NUM> of the row unit line <NUM> and the hopper <NUM> of the row unit <NUM>. This vacuum or suction pulls commodity positioned in the hopper <NUM> into the chamber of the vacuum device <NUM> and ultimately through the upstream portion <NUM> of the row unit line <NUM> towards the manifold assembly <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments the compressed air source <NUM> is supported by the frame <NUM> and in other embodiments, the compressed air source <NUM> is position away from the frame <NUM> (e.g., as a separate, tow-behind air tank, or on a tractor). In any event, in some embodiments, the compressed air source <NUM> supplies compressed air to multiple vacuum devices <NUM>. For example, a separate vacuum device <NUM> may exist for each row unit line <NUM>. In such embodiments, a controller <NUM> may be operatively coupled to one or more actuators of vacuum assembly <NUM> or to each vacuum device <NUM> of the vacuum assembly <NUM> to switch on and off the vacuum devices <NUM>, as described in greater detail below. Any number of vacuum devices <NUM> may be switched on and off together or independently, and in some embodiments, the number of vacuum devices switched on together may be based on the availability of compressed air.

Referring now to <FIG>, the vacuum assembly <NUM> may be included in a control system <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may also includes the valve <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, one or more memories <NUM> included on and/or accessible by the controller <NUM>, one or more processors <NUM> included on and/or accessible by the controller <NUM>, and a user interface <NUM>. The one or more processors <NUM> are configured to execute instructions (i.e., algorithmic steps) stored on the one or more memories <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be a single controller or a plurality of controllers operatively coupled to one another. The controller <NUM> may be housed by the agricultural machine <NUM> or positioned remotely, away from the agricultural machine <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be hardwired or connected wirelessly to other components of the agricultural machine <NUM> via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other known means of wireless communication. The user interface <NUM> is operatively coupled to the controller <NUM> and configured to send signals to the controller <NUM> indicative of information applied to the user interface <NUM> by a user.

Referring still to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the controller <NUM> is operatively coupled to the valve <NUM> to cause movement of the blocker <NUM> between the first position and the second position. For example, the controller <NUM> may send signals to an actuator of the valve <NUM> coupled to the blocker <NUM>, which moves the blocker <NUM> in response to signals received from the controller <NUM>. In some embodiments, as suggest by <FIG>, the agricultural machine <NUM> may include multiple valves <NUM>. In this case, the controller <NUM> may be operatively coupled to each valve <NUM> to control movement of each valve <NUM> independently or together.

In some embodiments, as suggest above, the controller <NUM> is operatively coupled to the vacuum assembly <NUM> and configured to switch the vacuum assembly <NUM> on and off. When the vacuum assembly <NUM> is switched on, the vacuum device(s) <NUM> create positive air flow and suction using the compressed air supplied by the compressed air source <NUM> as described above. When the vacuum assembly <NUM> is switched off, the vacuum device(s) <NUM> do not create any air flow. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> is configured to switch the vacuum assembly <NUM> on simultaneously with movement of the blocker <NUM> to the second position and configured to switch the vacuum assembly <NUM> off simultaneously with movement of the blocker <NUM> to the first position. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> is coupled to the fan or blower <NUM> and configured to switch the fan or blower <NUM> on and off. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> is configured to switch the fan or blower <NUM> on simultaneously with switching the vacuum assembly <NUM> off and vice-versa.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the control system <NUM> includes a metering sensor <NUM> configured to measure a characteristic associated with the commodity metered from the meter <NUM>. For example, the metering sensor <NUM> may measure the singulation rate of seed metered by the meter <NUM> or vibration of the meter <NUM>. The metering sensor <NUM> is operatively coupled to the controller <NUM> and configured to send a signal to the controller <NUM> indicative of the measured characteristic. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> is configured to compare the measured characteristic (e.g. measured singulation rate) to a value stored in the memory <NUM> (e.g., desired singulation rate). If the controller <NUM> determines that the measured characteristic is beyond an accepted variance from the value stored in the memory <NUM>, then the controller <NUM> switches on the vacuum assembly <NUM> to provide air flow through the row unit line <NUM> in response to the detection.

In practical terms, a clog may exist in a commodity line during a work operation. The metering sensor <NUM> may measure the characteristic associated with the meter <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may identify an irregularity (i.e., the clog) by comparing the measurement from the metering sensor <NUM> to the associated value stored in the memory <NUM>. In response, the controller <NUM> may send signals to the components described above to achieve reverse air flow through the commodity lines to dislodge the clog. In the case of a singulation sensor, an extended delay in distribution of seed from the seed meter <NUM> is evidence of a clog.

Claim 1:
An agricultural machine (<NUM>) for distributing commodity, comprising:
a frame (<NUM>);
a tank (<NUM>) coupled to the frame (<NUM>) and configured to store the commodity;
a row unit (<NUM>) coupled to the frame (<NUM>), the row unit (<NUM>) comprising a hopper (<NUM>) and a seed meter (<NUM>);
a manifold assembly (<NUM>) configured to direct commodity through the agricultural machine (<NUM>);
a tank line (<NUM>) coupled between the tank (<NUM>) and the manifold assembly (<NUM>);
a row unit line (<NUM>) coupled between the manifold assembly (<NUM>) and the hopper (<NUM>);
a return line (<NUM>) coupled between the manifold assembly (<NUM>) and the tank (<NUM>);
a blower (<NUM>) configured to provide an air flow through the tank line (<NUM>) and the row unit line (<NUM>) to transfer commodity from the tank (<NUM>), through the manifold assembly (<NUM>), and to the hopper (<NUM>) of the row unit (<NUM>); and
a vacuum assembly (<NUM>) configured to provide an air flow through the row unit line (<NUM>) and the return line (<NUM>) to transfer commodity from the hopper (<NUM>) of the row unit (<NUM>), through the manifold assembly (<NUM>), and to the tank (<NUM>).