Seed hopper and routing structure for varying material delivery to row units

Abstract

Left and right main hoppers offset laterally from each other on opposite sides of the centerline of a seeding machine provide an operator access area between the hoppers. A third hopper located forwardly of and between the two main hoppers has a capacity less than that of each of the main hoppers for refuge or male seed. The hoppers are sized to maximize productivity. In one embodiment, first and second hoppers communicate with downstream conduit structure, and valve structure selects one or the other of the first and second hoppers for delivery of the material. The valve structure can be operated remotely and can be map based. Alternatviely, selectively blockable nozzle structure is located in the first and second hoppers. Easily changeable connector structure facilitates row pattern selection and hose routing.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . In an agricultural seeder adapted for forward movement over soil and having a transversely extending frame, the frame supporting distributing units for depositing one or more materials in the soil, material hopper and routing structure comprising:
 a plurality of hoppers containing at least two different materials;   a plurality of conduits connected to the distributing units; and   means communicating the conduits with the hoppers for delivering the material in the hoppers to preselected distributing units to provide a selected row delivery pattern in the soil.   
   
   
       11 . The material hopper and routing structure set forth in  claim 10  wherein the means communicating the conduits comprises a connector having a selectively attachable cap preventing material flow through one or more of the conduits. 
   
   
       12 . The material hopper and routing structure set forth in  claim 11  wherein the connector comprises first and second mating portions, and wherein the cap is connectible in series between the portions to prevent the material flow. 
   
   
       13 . The material hopper and routing structure set forth in  claim 10  wherein the means communicating the conduits includes a Y-shaped connector portion having first and second branches connectible to a selected one of the conduits, and cap structure for selectively blocking one of the branches. 
   
   
       14 . The material hopper and routing structure set forth in  claim 13  wherein the cap structure is connectible in series with one of the branches and the selected one of the conduits to selectively prevent material flow through the selected one of the conduits. 
   
   
       15 - 20 . (canceled)