Other

Matthew P Hagny

Jeffrey Alan Harris

Benjamin K Thompson

A down-pressure system for an agricultural seeder includes single-action hydraulic cylinders connected between a rockshaft assembly and respective opener assemblies. The single-action hydraulic cylinders are connected to a pressure-regulated hydraulic circuit. The regulated pressure from the hydraulic circuit operates to bias the hydraulic cylinders in an extended direction to apply downforce to the opener assemblies when the rockshaft assembly is in its lowered condition with the opener assemblies engaging the soil. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is provided for rotating the rockshaft assembly between a raised transport position and a lowered field working position. The double-acting hydraulic cylinder and the single-action hydraulic cylinders for applying down-pressure to the opener assemblies can be operated on the same hydraulic circuit, or on separate circuits. Multiple groups of the single-action hydraulic cylinders can be connected in parallel to respective headers to facilitate pressure equalization among the single-action hydraulic cylinders.

Down-pressure system for implement with opener assemblies mounted to adjustable rockshaft

A down-pressure system for an agricultural implement has a linear actuator connected between a frame assembly and an opener assembly. A mounting structure for connecting the linear actuator to the opener assembly includes a bushing and an alignment member attached to the linear actuator. The bushing has protrusions extending transversely from opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the linear actuator. Each protrusion has a curved engagement surface for engaging a flat surface on the opener assembly to prevent bending stresses on the linear actuator when the opener assembly is raised and lowered. The alignment member is arranged to lock the bushing into a predetermined rotational position about a longitudinal axis of the linear actuator relative to the opener assembly. The alignment member comprises a first structure that mates with a corresponding structure on the bushing, and a second structure that engages opposite sides of the opener assembly.

Mounting structure for down-pressure system for opener assembly of agricultural implement

A seed firming assembly is mounted to a planter by a bracket attached to a seed tube guard between a pair of opener disks. The bracket has first and second sides that define a cavity therebetween for receiving a seed tube. A first mounting structure in front of the cavity secures the bracket to the seed tube guard. A second mounting structure behind the cavity attaches a seed firmer to the bracket with a pivot connection that allows rotation of the seed firmer relative to the bracket about a generally horizontal transverse axis. A stopper bushing limits an extent of forward pivoting of the seed firmer relative to the bracket, and an adjustable tensioner mechanism limits an extent of rearward pivoting. The seed firmer has an upper portion comprising a leaf spring, and a lower portion comprising a material that has a higher abrasion resistance than the upper portion.

Seed firming assembly for agricultural seeders and mounting system therefor

A seed tube guard for agricultural planters is cast from a high-chrome cast-iron alloy or manufactured from other wear-resistant material. The seed tube guard has a leading front surface, a trailing rear surface, and respective right and left surfaces. A fluid delivery channel is integrated within the body of the seed tube guard between the leading front surface and the trailing rear surface, and between the right and left surfaces. The fluid delivery channel has an entrance and an exit with the exit located below and rearward of the entrance for delivering fluid into a seed furrow ahead of a seed tube exit.

Seed tube guard with integral fluid channel for agricultural planters

A seed bounce flap for an agricultural seeder is provided for preventing bouncing of seeds in a furrow created by a furrow opener assembly with a seed channel defined by a rearwardly angled seed tube and seed boot. The seed bounce flap has a first mounting portion attached to an upper wall of the seed boot and a second flexible portion extending generally downwardly from the first portion. The second portion of the seed bounce flap is angled relative to the first portion so that the second portion is more vertical than the first portion. The seed bounce flap is flexible in a fore-and-aft direction and has tapering right and left sides that converge toward each other at a lower end of the seed bounce flap to conform to the shape of the furrow. The seed bounce flap can be made of an injection molded plastic material.

Seed bounce flap for agricultural seeder

A seed tube guard for agricultural planters is cast from a high-chrome cast-iron alloy or manufactured from other wear-resistant material. The seed tube guard has right and left wear surfaces for engaging inner surfaces of a pair of opener discs. A fluid delivery channel is integrated within the body of the seed tube guard with an exit in the bottom surface for delivering fluid into a seed furrow ahead of a seed tube.

An opener assembly for an agricultural seeder has an opener disc attached to an opener subframe. The opener disc is angled to the direction of travel to create a furrow for depositing seeds. A boot is mounted to the opener subframe beside the opener disc for preventing loose soil from falling into the furrow ahead of seed deposited therein. A seed tube is mounted to the opener subframe by a two-part bracket. The bracket includes a first part attached to the opener subframe and a second part fixed to the seed tube. The first part has a channel structure for receiving and partially surrounding the seed tube, and a pair of slots formed in sidewalls of the channel structure. The second part has an L-shaped structure with a portion that mates with the pair of slots. A key ring mechanism is used to lock the first and second parts together.

Seed tube mounting assembly for agricultural seeder

An opener assembly for an agricultural seeder has an opener disc attached to an opener subframe for rotation about an axis. The opener disc is angled to the direction of travel to create a furrow for depositing seeds. A boot is mounted to the opener subframe beside the opener disc for preventing loose soil from falling into the furrow ahead of seed deposited therein. The boot contacts and scrapes the opener disc and creates an enclosure between the boot and the opener disc. A flexible seed bounce flap provides the rear wall of the enclosure. The boot has a lower edge that fits entirely within the furrow created by the opener disc. A seed tube having a lower end extending into the enclosure is mounted to the opener subframe by a bracket independently of the boot. A structure is also provided for limiting downward movement of a firming wheel arm.

Seed tube and boot for opener assembly of agricultural seeder

A seed firming and furrow closing system for no-till agricultural seeders has a smooth in-furrow firming device that gauges the depth and limits penetration of the closing wheel(s). The firming device is mounted behind a seed furrow opener, and one or more spoked closing wheels are rotatably mounted behind the firming device. Each closing wheel is mounted to a support member for the firming device. An adjustable stop is provided to control the operating depth of the closing wheel relative to the firming device. During operation, the firming device moves along the bottom of the furrow to firm the seeds, and the adjustable stop maintains a selected depth of the closing wheel relative to the firming device and the bottom of the furrow. A swivel assembly allows the firming device and closing wheels to swivel from side-to-side to better track the furrow when planting around a curve.

Depth-limited furrow closing arrangement and method for no-till agricultural seeders

An improved furrow closing system and method are disclosed for agricultural seeders, particularly no-till seeders, that produce an open furrow in the soil into which seeds are placed. The closing system includes one or more spoked wheels rotatably mounted rearward of the seed furrow opener of the seeder. The vertical angle and lateral alignment at which the spoked wheel is mounted, together with the shape and length of the spokes themselves, provide a gentle closing of the furrow by slicing instead of squeezing or wedging, a shattering of the furrow sidewall and a pushing of the fragments into the furrow. The shattering of the furrow sidewall results in a more consistent furrow closure, a more rapid and uniform seed germination and seedling emergence, a higher percentage of emergence, and an improved seedling root growth. The spoked wheel has a plurality of spokes projecting radially from the hub of the wheel. The spokes are tapered to improve their penetration into the soil, and are preferably made of polyurethane or other non-stick material to improve the shedding of mud as the wheel rotates. The spoked wheel has a vertical inclination angle of approximately 35&deg; to 65&deg;, and preferably about 50&deg;, and a lateral alignment of plus or minus &frac38; inch relative to the midline of the furrow, and preferably about 0 inch. The spoked wheel also has a toe-out angle in the range of 0&deg; to 8&deg;, and preferably about 3.5&deg;.

Growing community of inventors

Bel Aire, KS, United States of America

Matthew P Hagny