Patent ID: 8516969

Claim:
A seed planter, comprising: a toolbar generally defining a width dimension of the planter and configured to be coupled to a towing vehicle; a plurality of row planting units mounted to the toolbar, laterally spaced from each other, and each having a seed metering system, wherein each seed metering system includes a seed disc that meters a volume of seed and a seed disc hub to which the seed disc is mounted; the seed disc hub having a geared outer circumferential surface; the seed disc housed in a metering housing. and interconnected to the seed disc hub for rotational movement therewith, the seed disc having first and second surfaces and a of seed sockets therebetween; and a plurality of direct drive mechanisms, each direct drive mechanism directly driving a corresponding seed metering systems, and wherein each direct drive mechanism includes a prime mover having an output shaft that drives an output gear in direct engagement with the seed disc hub to cause rotation of the seed disc and configured to interface with the geared outer circumferential surface of the seed disk hub.