Abstract
This paper describes the development of an electronically controlled metering device for metering soybean seeds (and other similar sized grains). The system was built around a high performance solenoid valve, a data acquisition and control unit, and a seed feeder. Performance tests were conducted, using soybean seeds to obtain within-the-row spacing data. The control system was mainly used to control solenoid valve operation so that metering performance for seed dropping intervals between 30 to 210ms could be determined. Laboratory test results showed that the control system maintained satisfactory metering accuracy, enhanced the ease of varying planting parameters, and capable of improving the overall planter efficiency.
