Central Bulk Fill Hopper for Stack-Fold Planter Weight Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Larger seed boxes in stack-fold planters increase weight, stress the lifting system, and affect spacing between openers, leading to reduced crop yields and inefficient filling processes.
Innovation Solution
A central bulk fill hopper assembly mounted to the center frame section, supported by wheels and parallel linkages, which raises and lowers independently to maintain stability and efficiency during transport and field work, allowing for bulk material delivery to row units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If larger seed boxes are used to increase material capacity, then fewer refilling stops are needed, but the overall weight of the openers increases and stresses the lifting/lowering system
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the material storage function into two segments: individual small seed boxes mounted on each opener for local storage, and a central bulk hopper assembly for main material storage. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high material capacity without increasing the weight of individual openers, as the bulk hopper is supported separately by the center frame section and its own lifting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to material storage by positioning the bulk hopper assembly above the center frame section in the stacked position. This allows the bulk hopper to be supported by a separate lifting system that operates independently from the opener lifting mechanism, thereby avoiding weight transfer to the opener system while maintaining high material capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If larger seed boxes are used to increase material capacity, then fewer refilling stops are needed, but the spacing between adjacent openers must increase, lowering per acre crop yields
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the material storage function between small local seed boxes on each opener and a central bulk hopper. This allows each opener to maintain its original spacing and furrow formation capabilities, preserving per acre yield potential, while the bulk hopper provides extended material supply capacity through centralized delivery to multiple openers.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulk hopper assembly acts as an intermediary material supply station that delivers particulate material to multiple openers through a central delivery system. This intermediary approach allows openers to remain closely spaced for optimal crop yields while still benefiting from increased material capacity, as the bulk hopper replenishes material to individual seed boxes without requiring increased opener spacing.
3Quantity of substance
If larger seed boxes are used to increase material capacity, then fewer refilling stops are needed, but the filling process becomes more problematic and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple individual filling operations into a single centralized filling operation at the bulk hopper assembly. Instead of filling each small seed box separately, the bulk hopper is filled once from a bag or conveyor system, and then automatically or manually distributes material to multiple openers. This combining of filling operations significantly reduces the time and effort required for refilling while maintaining high material capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulk hopper assembly provides self-service material distribution to multiple openers through a centralized delivery system. Once the bulk hopper is filled, it automatically or semi-automatically replenishes material to individual seed boxes as needed, reducing the need for manual intervention at each opener and simplifying the overall filling process.
4Weight of moving object
If a robust lifting/lowering system is used to support larger seed boxes, then the weight capacity is sufficient, but the overall size, mass, complexity, and cost of the implement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the lifting system into two independent subsystems: one for supporting the center frame section with the bulk hopper assembly, and another for supporting the wing sections with openers. Each subsystem is sized appropriately for its specific load, avoiding the need for an oversized robust system that would be required if all components were combined into a single lifting mechanism. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity and cost while maintaining sufficient weight capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the vertical stacking dimension to separate the bulk hopper support system from the opener support system. The bulk hopper is positioned above the center frame section and supported by a dedicated lifting mechanism, while openers are supported by separate lifting mechanisms on the wing sections. This spatial separation in the vertical dimension allows each lifting system to be optimized for its specific load requirements, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A stack-fold implement having a central bulk fill hopper assembly is provided. The bulk fill hopper assembly is mounted to the center frame section of the stack-told implement and does not affect the narrowness of the stack-fold implement when it's in a stacked, transport position, The hopper assembly includes a pair of bulk fill hoppers or tanks supported by cradle that is in turn supported by a pair of wheels. The cradle is removably coupled to the center frame section by a plurality of rigid frame members.