Cultivator row unit with ridger/bedder implement

Abstract

An inter-row crop cultivator for use particularly in severe residue conditions such as in minimum tillage conservation applications is disclosed. A leading gauge wheel providing support and soil surface tracking is immediately trailed by two laterally displaced discs which cut away from the row. Aft of the two cutaway discs and directly to the rear of the gauge wheel is a stabilizing and cutting coulter which prevents side to side sway while cutting and reducing residue ahead of a sweep shank which directly trails the cutting coulter. By severing and dividing the residue, the cutting coulter permits the residue to flow over the sweep and around the shank. The shank is adapted to receive an anhydrous ammonia applicator and knife assembly which may be easily and securely mounted to the shank. A plurality of such inter-row crop cultivators may be mounted on a tool bar. A winged ridger/bedder may be either positioned in a non-use or storage position above the soil on the shank or slid down the shank to a use position in contact with the soil for forming the loosened soil and residue into parallel ridges over the newly formed rows in preparing a seed bed for later planting. Various selectively adjustable controls are provided for setting gauge wheel height, stabilizing and cutting coulter height, cutaway disc separation and height, the downward pressure applied to the working implements, and implement deflection cushion tension permitting implement deflection upon impact with an obstruction.