Abstract: An improved fertilizer knife assembly includes a shank member for attaching to the bracket piece of a fertilizer implement, a point member and a fertilizer tube. The point member is removably mounted to the shank member and includes a chisel like leading edge and opposite generally flat flank portions. The flank portion presents a pattern of crumbler ridges. The leading edge and the crumbler ridges break and crumble the soil into small clumps so that the fertilizer knife assembly leaves a narrow furrow filled with crumbled soil so that the fertilizer tube may deposit fertilizer which is trapped at the bottom of the furrow as the improved fertilizer knife assembly drafts through soil.

Abstract: A blade shank assembly useful in an applicator for delivering liquid or gaseous fertilizer to a subsoil location, the blade shank assembly including an elongated curved shank plate, a generally V-shaped insert secured to the blade shank at the leading edge thereof and adjacent the forward lower point of the blade shank. The insert is constructed of hard metal and is configured to afford maximum protection to the blade shank plate, and extended service life to the assembly.

Abstract: An agricultural sweep which includes a pair of divergent wings having sharpened, earth-cutting edges. The wings define an angle of between 60.degree. and 100.degree., and a hard metal insert is used to provide an overlying cap at the forward end of the two wings where the wings converge and extend toward a leading point. The pointed forward ends of the two wings are cut away, and a point carried by the insert is inserted in the space which remains after the pointed forward ends of the two wings have been removed. The insert tapers to a ridge or crest which lies in a plane which bisects the sweep, so that the wings lie on opposite sides of the bisecting plane.

Abstract: A fertilizer applicator knife assembly including an elongated blade shank having a concave leading edge and a concave trailing edge with a fertilizer tube attached to the trailing edge. An arcuate wear insert of hard metal is attached to the leading edge of the blade shank near the lower end thereof. The wear insert has a pair of convergent side surfaces which converge in a radiused leading edge, and also has a head at its lower end which carries a generally triangularly shaped spur which projects downwardly and rearwardly from said head to hook under the forward lower end of the blade shank.

Abstract: A tool for tilling the soil, such as a sweep, chisel or drill, which includes an elongated earth parting blade or shank having an upper end and a pointed lower end, and having a tapered, undercut dove-tailed slot extending from the pointed lower end longitudinally upwardly in the blade. A hard metal wear insert is mounted on the pointed lower end of the blade. The insert includes an overlay plate which is of complementary configuration to the blade point, and a locking key which is wedge-locked into the slot on the blade.

Abstract: A blade shank assembly useful in an applicator for delivering liquid or gaseous fertilizer to a subsoil location, the blade shank assembly including an elongated curved shank plate, a generally V-shaped insert secured to the blade shank at the leading edge thereof and adjacent the forward lower point of the blade shank. The insert is constructed of hard metal and is configured to afford maximum protection to the blade shank plate, and extended service life to the assembly.