Importance

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Abstract

A control system for a mobile planting apparatus which permits discrete plant spacing to be determined and maintained independent of any wheel rotation on the planting apparatus or towing apparatus is disclosed, having: (1) a ground speed sensor wherein the rate of movement relative to the ground is determined independent of wheel rotation of the planting apparatus or towing apparatus; (2) an input/display device for inputting desired linear plant spacing; (3) a variable speed motor for mechanically driving seed metering devices on the planting apparatus at varying rates independent of any wheel rotation of the planting apparatus or towing apparatus, wherein the motor changes speeds in response to an electronic signal; (4) a programmable control circuit communicating electronically with the input/display device and ground speed sensor, wherein the programmable control circuit: (a) determines the number of seeds to be dispensed per linear unit of distance traveled based upon the desired spacing received from the input/display device; (b) determines the number of linear units of distance traveled based upon electronic signals from the ground speed sensor; and (c) determines the rate at which the variable speed motor should operate in order to dispense seeds to achieve the desired linear plant spacing, and sends an electronic signal to the variable speed motor to cause the motor to operate at the rate necessary to cause the seed metering devices to dispense seeds so as to achieve the desired linear plant spacing.

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First Claim