Seed planting apparatus

Abstract

The disclosed planting apparatus includes a frame fixedly attached to a transversely extending tool bar. Secured to the tool bar and extending rearwardly therefrom is a platform on which the seed hopper and herbicide container are mounted. Seed from the hopper is dispensed downwardly to a seed metering device which deposits seed at uniformly spaced intervals into a furrow formed by a pair of furrow-opening discs and a shoe associated therewith, the shoe packing or compacting the soil at the bottom of the furrow formed by the discs. Playing an important role in the invention is a walking beam system which mounts a pair of gauge wheels for independent movement relative to each other and also relative to the furrow-opening discs and shoe. Also supported by the walking beam system is a pair of furrow-closing or press wheels, the pitch of which can be adjusted for varying soil conditions. The depth of the furrow is initially selected by positioning a handle which raises and lowers an articulated link assembly that acts against the pair of pivotal arm units on which the gauge wheels are rotatably journaled and also acts against a rearwardly extending arm unit that supports the press wheels at the rear of the apparatus. In this way, unevenness and/or obstacles encountered by either of the gauge wheels will not adversely affect the planting depth that has been selected by positioning the handle relative to a depth-indicating gauge.