Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for filling a grain drill with grain includes a grain hopper and a manifold assembly. The hopper includes an open upper portion and a lower portion, and a conveying conduit communicates with an outlet in the lower portion of the hopper such that grain exits the outlet into the conduit. An air blower device is positioned at an end of the conveying conduit and forces pressurized air through the conduit and beneath the hopper outlet. The air in the conveying conduit entrains grain exiting the outlet and carries the grain along the conduit to the manifold assembly mounted on the planting apparatus. The grain and air pass into a manifold tube having a delivery slot and air exhaust apertures, with the grain passing through the slot into the grain drill and the air exiting through the exhaust apertures. The hopper, blower device and conduit may be formed as a stand alone unit which, during filling, is connected to the manifold assembly that is secured to the grain drill. In addition, the hopper and blower device may be formed as a unit that is mounted on the frame of the grain drill so as to be movable between a storage or transport position and a filling position.

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First Claim