Cnh America LLC

Rodney Samuel Horn

Leonard A Bettin

Michael J Connors

Sajid Nanlawala

Richard J Jaime

Chad Michael Johnson

Brian John Anderson

Travis Lester Harnetiaux

Ricardo Diaz

Ben Coats

Gerald Wayne Poole

Benjamin A Coats

An assembly for covering an opening formed in a pressurized tank of an agricultural vehicle includes a cover having a first compression surface and a second compression surface. A hinge assembly is included that has a hinge arm rotatably coupled to the tank intermediate its ends. The hinge assembly further includes a hinge link rotatably coupled to the hinge arm at one end and rotatably coupled to the first compression surface at the other. A latch assembly is provided that has a latch arm rotatably coupled to the tank intermediate its ends. The latch assembly further includes a latch link rotatably coupled to the latch arm at one end and releasably engaging the second compression surface at the other. Accordingly, rotating the hinge and latch arms results in a first and second pressure engaging the cover along the first and second compression surfaces to secure the cover to the tank.

Latching assembly for a pressurized tank cover

The invention provides an innovative yet straightforward approach to driving the seed distribution system in planters which feature hinged winged extensions. The flexibility of the hinged winged extensions may allow the planter to adjust to the contours of a field and to fold to facilitate transport of the planter. In one embodiment, for example, the invention may provide a mechanical coupling between several sections of a seed drive shaft which may support and be driven by a hydraulic motor for each of the winged sections. The seed drive system may also be coupled to row units to synchronize and power the distribution of seeds by the planter.

Planter with direct hydraulic seed drive

A tension member arrangement is disclosed that can be mounted between a central portion of an agricultural implement and a wing. The wing is configured to be raised and lowered by an actuator. The tension member is mounted to support structures on the central portion of the implement and on the wing once the wing is raised, to maintain the wing in the raised position. Stress may then be relieved from the actuator without the wing descending from the raised position. The tension member may be completely removed from the implement or may remain attached and employed only when needed to maintain the wing in the raised position.

Agricultural implement with flexible wing locking system

An access assembly leading to first and second storage tanks of a planting implement is provided. The access assembly includes a central ramp located between and fixed in relation to the first and second storage tanks, and an extended ramp having a forward end opposite a rearward end aligned in a fore-and-aft direction relative to the direction of travel of the implement. The forward end of the ramp is pivotally connected about a first horizontal axis at a rearward end of the central ramp. The access assembly further includes a ladder pivotally independently coupled about a second horizontal axis at the rearward end of the extended ramp. The ladder and the extended ramp pivot together about the first horizontal axis at the forward end of the extended ramp between a lowered, operative position and a raised, inoperative position above the central ramp.

Access assembly between adjacent product storage tanks on a planting implement

A seed tank arrangement is provided with improved access to seed tanks of an agricultural planter and the contents thereof, while simplifying the manufacturing of such tanks. The seed tank has a fill opening formed in the upper surface of the tank for loading and accessing seeds in the interior of the tank. Features of the tank are mirror images about a diagonal plane of the tank, which enables the same tank to be used for both the left and right sides of the planter. This is achieved by rotating the left tank 90 degrees with respect to the right tank. The design provides improved access to the interior of the tanks for filling and servicing the seed.

Seed tank arrangement and planter

A towed implement, such as a planter is provided with a folding platform allowing improved access to row units and seed tanks of the planter implement. The platform is movable or foldable to improve access to row units below the platform while providing access to seed tanks. The platform may be provided in addition to a transverse platform, such as for access to seed tanks in planters. The folding platform may be used, along with handrails and a ladder, for accessing the platform for servicing the implement. The folding platform may be collapsed or folded to allow access to the row units that are beneath the platform.

Folding access walkway for a planter

An access assembly for an agricultural planter which includes a platform configured for connection to the agricultural planter, a railing which extends from the platform, and a gate pivotably connected to the railing and which extends from the platform.

Seed tank access assembly for planters

A towed implement, such as a planter, is provided with an operator platform and ladder for mounting the platform. The platform may be supported on the implement frame, and extends from a position rear of the ground-engaging row units to a position immediately adjacent to seed tanks. The platform may extend between the seed tanks to allow for loading of seeds, inspection of the tanks, removal of debris, and so forth. The ladder for accessing the platform may be fixed or stowable in a raised position. Handrails may be provided on either side of the platform, forward of the platform, and adjacent the ladder for stabilizing the operator during servicing of the implement.

Planter seed tank access walkway

An access assembly to approach a first storage tank and an adjacent second storage tank of a planting implement is provided. The first and second storage tanks are mounted on a wheeled frame assembly for movement in a direction of travel. The access assembly includes a ramp having a first end opposite a second end aligned in a fore-and-aft direction relative to the direction of travel of the implement. The first end of the ramp is pivotally attached about a first horizontal axis relative to the wheeled frame assembly. The access assembly further includes a ladder pivotally coupled about a second horizontal axis at the second end of the ramp. The ladder and the ramp pivot together about the first horizontal axis at the first end of the ramp between a raised and a lowered position.

Access assembly to adjacent product storage tanks on a planting implement

A towed implement, such as a planter is provided with a folding platform allowing easy access to upper regions of the implement. The platform may be provided in addition to a transverse platform or other upper walkway, such as for access to seed tanks in planters. The folding platform may be deployed, along with handrails and a ladder for accessing the platform for servicing the implement. When not in use, the folding platform may be collapsed or folded, and other ancillary structures, such as the ladder may be moved to stowed positions.

Planter with retractable access

Front fold planter

An inductor assembly includes an inlet configured to receive a forced air stream in a path to engage a flow of product so as to generate a combined stream of forced air and product for conveyance to a remote receiver or planting unit for application in an agricultural field. A series of inductor segments each defines a first and a second conduit to communicate the combined stream of forced air and product from the inductor housing to the remote receiver for application in a field. Each first and second conduit includes a bypass opening located to receive a bypass portion of the forced air stream in a manner that enhances the flow of the combined stream of forced air and product to the remote receiver. A vane is located to enhance guidance of the forced air stream in a path toward the mass of product received in the inductor housing.

Inductor assembly for a product conveyance system

A seed planting assembly is provided having a plurality of planting units supported by a tool bar, each of which being operable to form a seed trench in soil, plant seeds in the seed trench, and close the seed trench. Each planting assembly is supported by the tool bar via a mounting assembly that can be actuated by a vertical positioner to raise and lower individual planting units. The vertical positioner is prevented from becoming unintentionally locked during use.

Growing community of inventors

Woodridge, IL, United States of America

Rodney Samuel Horn