Multiple agricultural product application method and systems

Abstract

A method and system for planting one of a plurality of seed types, hybrids and/or varieties includes a planter and a plurality of row units. The row units include dynamic metering systems, which can include multiple seed meters at a particular row unit. The metering systems including more than one seed meters are configured such that the seed meters will plant a different seed types or varieties. The operation of one or more of the seed meters at a time will provide for the planting of a particular seed variety. When the invention provides for on-the-go changing of a seed being planted by changing the operation of one or more of the seed meters at each of the row units and provides for almost infinite variation among the row units for planting particular seed varieties or not planting at all.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A row unit for use with an agricultural implement, comprising:
 a plurality of seed meters each including a seed exit, each of said plurality of seed meters configured to receive a separate seed variety;   an electric drive motor operatively attached to each respective seed meter such that the electric drive motor for each seed meter moves with the seed meter to selectively position at least one of the plurality of seed meters for planting.   
     
     
         2 . The row unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a seed to ground system for directing seed from the meters to the ground. 
     
     
         3 . The row unit of  claim 2 , wherein the positioning of the at least one of the plurality of seed meters comprises aligning at least one of the plurality of seed meters with the seed to ground system. 
     
     
         4 . The row unit of  claim 3 , further comprising a dynamic system operatively attached to the plurality of seed meters to move the seed meters such that at least one of the seed meters is substantially aligned with the seed to ground system. 
     
     
         5 . The row unit of  claim 4 , wherein the dynamic system comprises an actuator and an intelligent control. 
     
     
         6 . The row unit of  claim 5 , wherein the intelligent control comprises a location device and is configured to operate the actuator to align one of said plurality of seed meters substantially in line with the seed to ground system according to the location of the agricultural implement in a field. 
     
     
         7 . The row unit of  claim 6 , wherein the seed to ground system comprises a seed tube. 
     
     
         8 . The row unit of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of seed meters comprises a first and second seed meter that can be selectively aligned with the seed tube. 
     
     
         9 . The row unit of  claim 8 , wherein the seed exits of the first and second seed meters comprise seed chutes extending substantially downward when aligned with the seed tube. 
     
     
         10 . The row unit of  claim 6 , wherein the seed to ground system comprises at least one endless member. 
     
     
         11 . The row unit of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one endless member comprises a belt. 
     
     
         12 . The row unit of  claim 1 , wherein the seed meters are configured to be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The row unit of  claim 1 , wherein the seed meters are configured to be rotated about a substantially vertical axis. 
     
     
         14 . The row unit of  claim 1 , wherein the seed meters are configured to be translated in a substantially forward and rearward manner relative to the direction of travel of the implement. 
     
     
         15 . The row unit of  claim 1 , wherein the seed meters are configured to be translated in a substantially side to side manner relative to the direction of travel of the implement. 
     
     
         16 . A method of applying at least one of two or more agricultural products to a field, the method comprising:
 providing an agricultural implement including a plurality of row units each having a plurality of seed meters each driven by a dedicated electric motor;   determining a location of the implement in the field; and   based on the location of the implement in the field, dynamically aligning at least one of the plurality of seed meters with a seed to ground system of the row unit to selectively plant one of the agricultural products via an aligned seed meter.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising determining an updated location, and, based on the updated location, determining to dynamically align a second of the plurality of seed meters with the seed to ground system and if so, dynamically aligning the second of the plurality of seed meters to apply a different agricultural product. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of dynamically aligning at least one of the plurality of seed meters comprising rotating or linearly translating the seed meters. 
     
     
         19 . A system for dynamically changing the application of agricultural products to a field, comprising:
 a plurality of seed meters positioned at a common row unit, each of the plurality of seed meters being driven by a dedicated electric motor associated with a respective seed meter;   a plurality of agricultural products, wherein each of the plurality of agricultural products is in communication with one of the plurality of seed meters; and   a seed to ground location associated with a desired location to dispense seed from at least one of the plurality of seed meters, wherein each of the plurality of seed meters capable of moving relative to the seed to ground location and said dedicated electric motors moving therewith.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a seed to ground system at the seed to ground location, said seed to ground system comprising a device to aid in directing seed released at the seed to ground location towards a furrow in the ground.