Abstract: A furrow opener is operable as part of a nonsingulating air seeder and includes a rotatable disc to open a furrow. The opener also includes a vented seed catch pan positioned adjacent one side of the disc. The catch pan is operably coupled to a seed conduit of the air seeder to receive seed in a pressurized air stream from the seed conduit. The catch pan presents a seed inlet configured to receive seed from the seed conduit, a seed outlet positioned to deposit the seed within the furrow, and an elongated chamber extending between the inlet and outlet. The catch pan presents multiple vents spaced between the inlet and outlet, with the vents allowing pressurized air flow to escape from the chamber to ambient without passing through the outlet.

Abstract: A furrow opener is operable as part of a nonsingulating air seeder and includes a rotatable disc to open a furrow. The opener also includes a vented seed catch pan positioned adjacent one side of the disc. The catch pan is operably coupled to a seed conduit of the air seeder to receive seed in a pressurized air stream from the seed conduit. The catch pan presents a seed inlet configured to receive seed from the seed conduit, a seed outlet positioned to deposit the seed within the furrow, and an elongated chamber extending between the inlet and outlet. The catch pan presents multiple vents spaced between the inlet and outlet, with the vents allowing pressurized air flow to escape from the chamber to ambient without passing through the outlet.

Abstract: A sectored disc assembly, removable disc sector, and method of replacing a disc sector are disclosed for use with a soil opener that uses a disc assembly to open the soil prior to injection of a fertilizer or seed into the ground. The sectored disc assembly includes a rotatable hub and a plurality of disc sectors cooperatively forming a substantially continuous disc around the hub. Connectors, such as bolts, secure each of the disc sectors to the hub. The disc sector includes a body with radially inner and outer margins and side margins that are configured for continuous abutment with adjacent side margins of other disc sectors. The method of replacing a disc sector includes removing the connector securing the disc sector to the hub, moving the disc sector radially outwardly away from the hub, placing a replacement disc sector into contact with the hub, and inserting the connector.

Abstract: A sectored disc assembly, removable disc sector, and method of replacing a disc sector are disclosed for use with a soil opener that uses a disc assembly to open the soil prior to injection of a fertilizer or seed into the ground. The sectored disc assembly includes a rotatable hub and a plurality of disc sectors cooperatively forming a substantially continuous disc around the hub. Connectors, such as bolts, secure each of the disc sectors to the hub. The disc sector includes a body with radially inner and outer margins and side margins that are configured for continuous abutment with adjacent side margins of other disc sectors. The method of replacing a disc sector includes removing the connector securing the disc sector to the hub, moving the disc sector radially outwardly away from the hub, placing a replacement disc sector into contact with the hub, and inserting the connector.

Abstract: Disc openers (14) for use with an air seeder (10) are configured for seeding and fertilizing a field (G). The opener (14b) broadly includes a coulter disc (20), a seed boot (24), and a fertilizer injector wing (26). The fertilizer injector wing (26) is configured for fixed attachment to the seed boot (24) and broadly includes a body (48), including an angled outboard portion (56), a toxic fertilizer injector (50), and a non-toxic fertilizer injector (52). The opener (14b) with the fertilizer injector wing (26) is configured to place the seed row (S) and the dedicated fertilizer band (DB) at an optimum geometric positional alignment relative to the seed row (S), in a single, low soil disturbing planting pass without disrupting the seed bed (BS). In alternative wings (300 and 400), the sufficiently safe geometric positioning is accomplished by the force of delivery of the fertilizers (N and P) coupled with an offset angle (OA) defined between a fertilizer injection axis (AF) and a seed outlet axis (AO).

Abstract: Disc openers (14) for use with an air seeder (10), are configured for seeding and fertilizing a field (G). The opener (14b) broadly includes a drawbar assembly (16), a disc assembly (18) including a coulter disc (20) and a gauge wheel (22), a seed boot (24), a fertilizer injector wing (26), a firming wheel assembly (28), and a closing wheel assembly (30). The fertilizer injector wing (26) is configured for fixed attachment to the seed boot (24) and broadly includes a body (48), including an angled outboard portion (56), a toxic fertilizer injector (50), and a non-toxic fertilizer injector (52). The opener (14b) with the fertilizer injector wing (26) is configured to place the seed row (S) and the dedicated fertilizer band (DB) at an optimum geometric positional alignment relative to the seed row (S), in a single, low soil disturbing planting pass without disrupting the seed bed (BS).

Abstract: An improved liquid fertilizer distribution manifold operating in two stages. An accumulator piston located above the primary and secondary ports provides for two stages of flow. A broad range of regulated flow for site-specific farming results in precise, accurate and timely application of liquid fertilizer and pesticides. An elevated piston seal flange in the manifold allows flow to be exact with plugged or partially plugged primary orifices. Manifolds are produced in single tier and double tier arrangements to improve efficiency. The same manifold can be applied to NH3 pressure increasing systems. NH3 pressure decreasing systems and liquid fertilizer and pesticide systems.

Abstract: A method of applying anhydrous ammonia to soil is disclosed as including the step of pressurizing anhydrous ammonia received from a source. The pressurized anhydrous ammonia is conducted to a plurality of terminal outlets, wherein each of the outlets is configured to maintain a back pressure and preferably a liquid state of the anhydrous ammonia. The anhydrous ammonia is discharged from the plurality of terminal outlets to thereby contact the soil.

Abstract: A method of applying liquid anhydrous ammonia to soil is disclosed as including the step of pressurizing anhydrous ammonia received from a source. The pressurized anhydrous ammonia is conducted to a plurality of terminal outlets, wherein each of the outlets is configured to maintain a back pressure and thereby the liquid state of the anhydrous ammonia. The anhydrous ammonia is discharged from the plurality of terminal outlets to thereby contact the soil.

Abstract: A method of applying anhydrous ammonia to soil is disclosed as including the step of pressurizing anhydrous ammonia received from a source. The pressurized anhydrous ammonia is conducted to a plurality of terminal outlets, wherein each of the outlets is configured to maintain a back pressure and preferably a liquid state of the anhydrous ammonia. The anhydrous ammonia is discharged from the plurality of terminal outlets to thereby contact the soil.

Abstract: An improved liquid fertilizer distribution manifold operating in two stages. An accumulator piston located above the primary and secondary ports provides for two stages of flow. A broad range of regulated flow for site-specific farming results in precise, accurate and timely application of liquid fertilizer and pesticides. An elevated piston seal flange in the manifold allows flow to be exact with plugged or partially plugged primary orifices. Manifolds are produced in single tier and double tier arrangements to improve efficiency. The same manifold can be applied to NH3 pressure increasing systems. NH3 pressure decreasing systems and liquid fertilizer and pesticide systems.

Abstract: An anhydrous ammonia injection apparatus is disclosed for injecting anhydrous ammonia into the soil. The apparatus includes a tank adapted to contain liquid anhydrous ammonia and a conduit extending between the tank and a pump. The pump is configured to variably increase the pressure of the anhydrous ammonia within the conduit. The apparatus also includes a restrictive orifice in fluid-flow communication with the conduit downstream from the pump. In addition, the apparatus includes a terminal outlet connected in fluid-flow communication with the conduit for discharging the anhydrous ammonia from the apparatus. The restrictive orifice cooperates with the pump to maintain a pressure within the conduit therebetween that is greater than the vapor pressure of the anhydrous ammonia.

Abstract: A method of applying liquid anhydrous ammonia to soil is disclosed as including the step of pressurizing anhydrous ammonia received from a source. The pressurized anhydrous ammonia is conducted to a plurality of terminal outlets, wherein each of the outlets is configured to maintain a back pressure and thereby the liquid state of the anhydrous ammonia. The anhydrous ammonia is discharged from the plurality of terminal outlets to thereby contact the soil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seeding agricultural crops in which seed is placed in residue-free rows that are closely aligned and associated with bands of deeply placed fertilizer whereby the plants from each seed row may access more than one deep band of fertilizer for the purpose of improving the utilization of fertilizer, improving plant growth and plant yield. The method is further enhanced by an apparatus that can seed, fertilize, and move residue by means of large deep-running blades in combination with a residue knife, a seed placement device, and a fertilizer placement device.

Abstract: A debris and soil shaver for no till farming is disclosed which has a disk-like member which floats up and down as it is pulled across the ground surface. The disk is angled with respect to a predetermined direction of travel of an agricultural apparatus which is adapted to pull the shaver. The disk is rotatably mounted to a first support member about a central transverse disk axis. The first support member is pivotally mounted to a vertical second support member about a pivot axis. The pivot axis and central transverse axis are angled with respect to one another. The second support member is clamped to the agricultural apparatus which pulls the shaver. With such a construction, pivotal movement of the first support member about the pivot axis causes the angle of the disk relative to the ground surface to change. The angle adjusting prevents the disk from engaging too much soil and allows the disk to seek a path of least resistance as it rolls across a planting field.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for deflecting straw and other debris from in front of a soil opening implement used in farming. The straw and debris deflector is particularly useful where the soil is generally not tilled. The straw and debris deflector includes an adjustable bracket which extends forward of the soil opening disk of the implement. Extending downwardly from the end of the bracket is a flexible oscillating tine. The tine rubs along the surface of the ground immediately in front of the soil openers to collect and deflect straw and other debris. The flexible tine oscillates forwardly and backwardly and from side to side. Periodic flexing to one or the other side of the disk removes collected debris from in front of the tine.

Abstract: Individual tool bars are mounted between upright guides of a horizontal rectangular frame. Rollers engaging the guides transmit longitudinal forces from the frame to the tool bars and allow the tool bars to move freely up and down. Ground working tools mounted to the bars can therefore "walk" over uneven terrain as controlled by balancing depth wheels and packer wheels. Hydraulic cylinders are mounted between the tool bars and frame for applying upward or downward force against the tool bars without inhibiting their free movement along the guides in response to ground contour.

Abstract: A shaft speed and hot bearing indicating apparatus is described having a transducer actuating means mounted on the shaft immediately adjacent the supporting bearing for actuating an electrical transducer to produce an electrical pulse as the transducer actuating means is rotated during each revolution of the shaft. The transducer pulse is processed by an electronic mechanism for multiplying the transducer pulse by sixty by a phase-locked loop network and then counting the number of multiplied pulses occurring during each one second of time interval in a BCD counting mechanism. The total count is displayed each second on a decimal digital display. The apparatus also has means for activating an alarm when the sensed speed falls below a preset speed. The transducer activating means is responsive to the temperature of the bearing and is rendered ineffective when a preset temperature is reached.