US 11,871,694 B2
Crop input variety selection systems, methods, and apparatus
Todd Swanson, Morton, IL (US); Luke Stuber, Tremont, IL (US); and Timothy A. Schaefer, Tremont, IL (US)
Assigned to Precision Planting LLC, Tremont, IL (US)
Filed by Precision Planting LLC, Tremont, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 29, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/036,540.
Application 17/036,540 is a continuation of application No. 15/867,665, filed on Jan. 10, 2018, granted, now 10,820,485.
Application 15/867,665 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2016/041662, filed on Jul. 9, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/196,896, filed on Jul. 24, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/191,302, filed on Jul. 10, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2021/0007269 A1, Jan. 14, 2021
Int. Cl. A01C 7/10 (2006.01); A01C 21/00 (2006.01); A01C 7/04 (2006.01); A01C 15/00 (2006.01); A01C 5/06 (2006.01); A01C 19/02 (2006.01)
CPC A01C 7/10 (2013.01) [A01C 7/046 (2013.01); A01C 15/006 (2013.01); A01C 21/005 (2013.01); A01C 5/064 (2013.01); A01C 19/02 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A planter row unit configured to plant multiple varieties of seed, the planter row unit comprising:
a seed hopper having a plurality of compartments for receiving seeds;
a plurality of cylindrical seed augers, each disposed between one associated compartment of the seed hopper and a seed pool area, each seed auger configured to rotate around a longitudinal axis, wherein an inlet end of each seed auger is vertically lower than an outlet of the seed auger;
a plurality of seed transfer actuators, each of the seed transfer actuators coupled to drive one associated seed auger of the plurality of seed augers to transfer seed along the longitudinal axis from the associated compartment to the seed pool area; and
a seed meter adapted to dispense the seed communicated to the seed pool area from the compartments of the seed hopper.