Abstract:
Aspects of the present invention involve an extension adapted to extend from a planter, such as the seed tube portion of the planter, into a seed furrow in order to engage seeds being deposited therein, where such engagement may involve deflecting the seeds toward the vertex region of the furrow and/or firming the seeds in the furrow. The extension includes or supports a fluid distribution arrangement such as a hose or the like, which may be separate or integral with the liquid supply hose of a planter. The fluid distribution arrangement is adapted to supply fluid, such as liquid fertilizer, insecticide, water, etc., to the furrow. A valve is provided in the fluid flow path in the region of the fluid distribution arrangement to control the distribution of fluid to the furrow. The valve may be a check valve that allows fluid flow therethrough when fluid pressure exceeds a value such that the valve opens, and prevents fluid flow when the pressure decreases below the valve activation pressure.
Abstract:
A pivot assembly is provided for attaching a closing wheel frame to a planter. The closing wheel frame has a pair of closing wheels attached at a rear end and a pair of mounting openings formed at a front end. The pivot assembly includes ball bearings having outer races fit loosely within each of the mounting openings of the closing wheel frame. The inner races of the ball bearings are secured to the planter frame using threaded nut and bolt assemblies. The closing wheel frame is pivotal relative to the planter frame during normal operation by relative movement between the inner and outer races of the bearing. Variations of the mounting openings in the closing wheel frame are disclosed, including a tubular part, heavy washer or other annular structure welded to an outside surface of the closing wheel frame, or a bearing housing formed integral with the closing wheel frame.
Abstract:
An extension for use with a planter, drill, or other farming implement having a seed tube that deposits seed in a furrow. The extension defines protrusions for attaching one or more liquid distribution apparatuses arranged to distribute liquid in a furrow well above the seeds, on the seeds, or both.
Abstract:
A seed flap for a disc opener associates with an air seeder operable to place seed and fertilizer into a furrow formed in the ground by the disc opener. The seed flap is formed from a non-flexible material, such as an abrasion resistant steel, and pivotally mounted to the seed tube to permit the seed flap to trail behind the seed tube and control the placement of seeds and/or fertilizer discharged from the seed tube. The pivotal mounting of the seed flap will provide movement of the seed flap relative to the seed tube to permit the seed flap to more consistently align with the bottom of the furrow and better follow the furrow bottom created by the disc opener while the disc opener is moving through a turn. A spring mechanism operably coupled to the seed flap will provide a positive force for firming the placement of the seed into the soil. A retention device, such as a clip, will be operable to hold the seed flap in an elevated, inoperable position as desired by the operator.
Abstract:
An extension for use with a furrow opener is disclosed for properly placing seeds in a furrow. The extension attaches by way of particular attachment brackets to the furrow opener to help direct bouncing seeds into the vertex in the bottom portion of the furrow. The extension comprises an elongated flexible body member defining a general arcuate shape, and also defines an upper segment and a lower segment. The upper segment defines an attachment structure for releasable engagement to the furrow opener. The lower segment depends downwardly and rearwardly from the furrow opener and extends into the furrow. The lower segment has a width dimension decreasing continuously along its length, the width dimension substantially equal to but less than the width of the furrow along the length of the extension. The lower segment terminates at a trailing end, which is spaced above the centrally located bottom portion of the furrow.
Abstract:
A disc-type opener and seeder useful in direct seeding during zero-till operations includes index/presser wheels to prevent hairpinning of trash etc. A soil retainer wheel cooperates with the disc to close the furrow cut by the disc and to cover the seeds placed therein. All of the above wheels are adjustably mounted to a main frame together with a spring-biased furrow finishing wheel. Improved seed supply means designed to reduce seed bounce are provided. Multiple units are mounted to a tool bar. Minor modifications permit the opener/seeder to be installed on the shank of a chisel plow air seeder.
Abstract:
A scissor-type jack is used to separate the yoke that holds a drill boot. The jack or separator is expanded to bend the yoke outward thereby allowing the drill to disengage from the yoke. A replacement boot or the repaired boot is installed in the yoke and the separator contracted until the boot reengages the yoke. The separator expands and contracts responsive to the rotation of a hexagonal head that can be rotated by a conventional socket using a ratchet.
Abstract:
A tube alignment spacer bracket for mounting on a tube alignment bracket which is, in turn, mounted on or shaped integrally with the seed distribution tube of a seed planter, to align the planter insecticide tube or tubes in close proximity to, and in a vertical plane with, the discharge opening of the seed distribution tube and insure that liquid insecticide or fungicide dispensed through the insecticide tube or tubes is deposited in a furrow in close proximity to seeds expelled from the seed distribution tube. In a preferred embodiment the tube alignment spacer bracket is characterized by a Z-shaped bracket having a pair of slots, one of which receives one end of a tube alignment bracket fitted with a tube mount and the opposite slot of which receives one or more tube fittings, to which are attached one or more insecticide tubes. The tube alignment spacer bracket is oriented to position the insecticide tube or tubes in close, fixed proximity with respect to the discharge opening of the seed distribution tube.
Abstract:
Apparatus is disclosed which facilitates the ready attachment and detachment of coulters to a standard seed planting device. The seed planting device is typically of a type that is towed behind a tractor and automatically furrows the ground, deposits the seeds in the furrows at spaced intervals and covers the seeds over. The disclosed apparatus allows an operator to readily attach a plurality of coulters to this planting device thereby enabling its use for minimum-till, or no-till farming operations. The coulters are attached to a framework which is bolted onto the planter frame. This framework may be readily removed as a unit to enable the use of the planter in its standard condition. The framework locates the coulters in a forwardmost direction to increase the downward force on same so as to enable no-till farming operations with hard or rocky soil. This location of the coulters eliminates the need for ballast weights.
Abstract:
In agricultural sowing of seeds, seeds are delivered through tubes to slits cut in the ground by a plurality of discs. At least one roller is adapted to compact the ground and close the slits after seeds have been implanted in the slits. The discs and the rollers are carried by arm assemblies mounted on a frame connected to a drawbar and a resilient connection is adjustable to effect relative movement between the frame and the drawbar in a vertical plane to vary the loading applied to the discs.