The electro-pneumatic seed meters installation for planters, with a plurality of motor suction units electrically driven and electric control for each of the dispensers, commanded by specific software from the tractor cabin, radically simplifies seeding machinery, increasing their precision.

The electro-pneumatic seed meters installation, with its motor suction units, substantially simplifies pneumatics systems and hydraulic circuits used nowadays. In addition to this, the electronic drive enables the elimination of the entire cinematic parts. Manufacturing costs are drastically reduced, achieving a great fuel consumption reduction and time and maintenance costs savings. This scheme results in more safety for the operator, flexibility to set and move the equipment, requiring less power from the tractor.

It is connected to specific software with CAN communication, enabling a real application of PA methods.

The electro-pneumatic seed meters installation has 3 innovative developments:

-         A vacuum generator system for pneumatic dosing devices, formed by motor suction units electrically driven. Each meter has a little impeller moved by an electric motor which is connected to a circuit controlled from a console placed in the tractor.
This allows the elimination of different and expensive systems used nowadays. More specifically, in the existing pneumatic seeders, the schemes used require many mechanic and/or hydraulic elements to drive the motor compressor or suction units.

-         An electric system to drive the meters consists of an installation that allows the meter’s movements using an electric motor in each of these. The motors are connected to a circuit controlled from the tractor.
This innovation is a real paradigm in dosing schemes, improving precision tasks and allowing the replacement of all the system of gears, chains, motion boxes and other complex parts used nowadays which form the cinematic train.

-         A control unit placed in a tractor enables, through a display and specific software with CAN communication, the election of different seeding parameters. Once connected, it commands the dispenser’s movements, controls its speed and allows central follow up on the dosage done in every row. It also enables individual cancellation of rows.

Advantages of the innovation

The existing systems in the market are limited in their application and performance due to the complexity of the mechanisms used to vary the seeding dosage.

Efficiency in manufacture, maintenance and transfer:

-         Drastic reduction in machinery production costs because of the elimination of complex and expensive parts, such as motions parts and hydraulic circuits

-         Reduction in time and costs of maintenance, less spare parts subject of wear.

-         Flexibility to set the equipment for different types of grains and places.

-         Easier equipment transfer

Usage, work safety, environmental and energetic efficiency:

-         Important reduction in fuel consumption

-         Less power needed from the tractor

-         More safety for the operator, since adjusting the dosing devices is easier and hydraulic circuits involve no considerable risks.

-         Real use of PA and VRT.

-         Simplification in calibration and configuration for different type of crops and seeds, as well as places.

-         Possibility of controlling and changing -or canceling- the dosage in each row separately, even while seeding.

-         Possibility of moving and controlling dispensers for different types of grain, applicable to conventional or direct seeding.

-         Possibility of continuing suctioning even when the machine is stopped and conveniently moderate vacuum in each dispenser.

With this kit -easily adaptable to most seeder’s chassis- every possible disadvantage of pneumatic dispensers against mechanical ones disappear. This implies a radical simplification in seeding systems, benefiting not only manufacturers, but users and society as well.

Using this technology, new horizons are open for investigation: for instance, intercropping, seeding with different distances in each row, etc.