Abstract: A residue management tool mountable to a frame of a seeder for cutting or clearing residue on the ground is provided, comprising a pivotable arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the pivotable arm adapted to be directly or indirectly pivotally attached to the frame; a rotatable cutting or clearing device operably mounted to the distal end of the pivotable arm and operative to cut or clear the residue on the ground; a biasing device operative to exert a downward bias force on the pivotable arm to engage the rotatable cutting or clearing device with the ground; and a depth restraint operative to prevent the rotatable cutting or clearing device from over-penetrating the ground.

Abstract: A knife assembly mountable to a frame of a seeder comprises a knife shank having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the knife shank adapted to be directly or indirectly attached to the frame; a knife blade removably attached at or near the distal end of the knife shank; and a tube holder having a groove along a portion of its length, the groove designed to slidably receive a corresponding ridge on a flexible drop tube so that when a portion of the bottom of the flexible drop tube is worn, the flexible drop tube can be pulled from the bottom to slide down the groove and the worn portion can be cut off, the tube holder being attached at or near the distal end of the knife shank behind the knife blade so that both the knife blade and the flexible drop tube can be removed individually.

Abstract: A knife assembly mountable to a frame of a seeder is provided comprising a knife shank having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the knife shank adapted to be directly or indirectly attached to the frame; a knife blade removably attached at or near the distal end of the knife shank; and a tube holder having a groove along a portion of its length, the groove designed to slidably receive a corresponding ridge on a flexible drop tube, the tube holder being attached at or near the distal end of the knife shank behind the knife blade so that both the knife blade and the flexible drop tube can be removed individually without disturbing the other elements of the knife assembly.

Abstract: A residue management tool mountable to a frame of a seeder for cutting or clearing residue on the ground is provided, comprising a pivotable arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the pivotable arm adapted to be directly or indirectly pivotally attached to the frame; a rotatable cutting or clearing device operably mounted to the distal end of the pivotable arm and operative to cut or clear the residue on the ground; a biasing device operative to exert a downward bias force on the pivotable arm to engage the rotatable cutting or clearing device with the ground; and a depth restraint operative to prevent the rotatable cutting or clearing device from over-penetrating the ground.

Abstract: A ground opener assembly mountable to a tool bar of a seeder for depositing a at least one product into the ground is provided, comprising: a first member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the first member pivotably attached to the tool bar; a second member having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being pivotably attached to the distal end of the first member; a first arm having one end attached at or near the proximal end of the second member and a second arm having one end attached at or near the distal end of the second member, whereby the second member, first arm and second arm operate as a single unit; a first opener attached at or near the proximal end of the second member for forming a furrow into the ground and depositing a first product therein; a second opener attached at or near the distal end of the second member for forming a furrow into the ground and depositing a second product therein; a front gauging device attached to the free end of the first arm a

Abstract: An assembly for selectively supplying particulate material to an air seeder, an agricultural implement able to selectively supply and dispense particulate material into the ground and a method of selectively dispensing particulate material into the ground are provided. The assembly has at least one supply receptacle for receiving particulate material from a source and a metering roller for supplying the material to an air seeder. The assembly is operative to selectively supply the material to the air seeder and prevent the material from being supplied to the air seeder. The implement can use the assembly to selectively supply particulate material to ground engaging openers where the particulate material will be dispensed into the ground. Particulate material can be selectively supplied to the implement when it is desired to have the particulate material dispensed into the ground and then prevented from being supplied to the implement when it is not desirable.

Abstract: The invention provides a guidance system for guiding a towed agricultural implement such as seeders, planters, sprayers and the like, along a preferred path between rows of growing crop or standing stubble by sensing the rows of growing crop or standing stubble with a uniquely designed paddle-like sensor means which does not engage the ground.

Abstract: A ground opener assembly mountable to a frame is provided, comprising a guiding member having a track mountable to the frame; a first trailing arm having a front end and a rear end, the front end of the first trailing arm operably associated with the guiding member so that the first trailing arm can travel along the track; a second trailing arm having a front end and a rear end, the front end of the second trailing arm pivotally attached to the frame; a rear link having a proximal end and a distal end, the rear end of the first trailing arm fixedly attached to the proximal end of the rear link and the rear end of the second trailing arm pivotally attached to the proximal end; at least one dispensing implement and a ground compressing member mounted to the rear link; and a bias device operative to exert a downward bias force on the rear link, the at least one ground opening tool and the ground compressing member.

Abstract: An agricultural seeder or fertilizer having a meter device which dispenses seed or fertilizer to a plurality of ground-engaging members. The supply of metered seed or fertilizer to each of the ground-engaging members is controlled via input from a GPS/GNSS satellite navigation system to prevent the meter device delivering seed or fertilizer to selected of the ground-engaging members which would otherwise pass over soil which has been previously seeded or fertilized. Raising means, responsive to input from said GPS/GNSS satellite navigation system detecting that the device is travelling or is about to travel over areas of soil that has been previously seeded or fertilized, is further is provided to raise the selected ground-engaging members to which delivery of seed/fertilizer has been prevented in order to prevent soil which has been previously seeded or fertilized from being disturbed. A method of operating a seeder/fertilizer implement to achieve the aforesaid is further disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the placement of seeds deposited by a seed placement device in a furrow. The apparatus comprise a guide member connected to the seed placement device adjacent an exit of the seeds from the placement device adapted to urge seeds discharged from the exit toward a sidewall of the furrow. The guide member of the present invention acts to stop seeds from bouncing off the sidewalls of the furrow and into the centre of the furrow. The guide member organizes the seeds to create one or more seed rows where the seeds are optimally positioned and prevents seeds from ending up in the middle of the furrow. If a fertilizer row is present below the seed furrow, this prevents damage to the seeds by preventing them from being too close to the fertilizer. The guide member also stops the seeds from being swept back into the central region of the furrow with the loose soil that flows back into this area after the knife implement has passed.

Abstract: The invention provides a guidance system for guiding a towed agricultural implement such as seeders, planters, sprayers and the like, along a preferred path between rows of growing crop or standing stubble by sensing the rows of growing crop or standing stubble with a uniquely designed paddle-like sensor means which does not engage the ground.

Abstract: A sectional meter shut-off apparatus for use in preventing material such as seed or fertilizer from reaching a metering device, for the purpose of preventing double seeding or double fertilizing. The sectional meter shut-off apparatus comprises a plurality of gates capable of opening or closing access to a metering roller. The plurality of gates can be controlled through electric actuators, hydraulic cylinders or a shaft. These gates can individually be controlled through an electric switch connected to the cab of the vehicle and operated by the driver, or automatically controlled by a GPS/GNSS system capable of determining which areas of the field have been previously seeded or fertilized. Additionally, an agricultural implement is further provided, comprising a dual material dispensing apparatus, which incorporates a meter shut-off device, and hydraulic rams to raise ground-engaging soil openers when passing over soil that has been previously seeded/fertilized.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the placement of seeds deposited by a seed placement device in a furrow. The apparatus comprise a guide member connected to the seed placement device adjacent an exit of the seeds from the placement device adapted to urge seeds discharged from the exit toward a sidewall of the furrow. The guide member of the present invention acts to stop seeds from bouncing off the sidewalls of the furrow and into the centre of the furrow. The guide member organizes the seeds to create one or more seed rows where the seeds are optimally positioned and prevents seeds from ending up in the middle of the furrow. If a fertilizer row is present below the seed furrow, this prevents damage to the seeds by preventing them from being too close to the fertilizer. The guide member also stops the seeds from being swept back into the central region of the furrow with the loose soil that flows back into this area after the knife implement has passed.