Abstract: A method and apparatus to be mounted upon a planter row unit for delivering liquid fertilizer to the bottom of a trench without contacting the seed to be planted is disclosed and claimed. The system as claimed and described is adapted for mounting to substantially all modern row units employing floating row units. The method and apparatus as described does not interfere with existing down pressure or seed placement systems as found on modern row crop planters. As described and implemented, the method and apparatus is more compact and lighter in weight than the prior art. The attached assembly for a seed planting unit works in combination with a seed trench opener to form a trench for the deposit of liquid fertilizer offset from and parallel to the later formed seed trench. The apparatus allows directed liquid fertilizer delivery in close proximity to the seed trench with minimal disruption of said seed trench. The attachment includes a single disk blade disposed forward of the seed trench forming unit.

Abstract: An opener unit having a pair of single disc openers mounted upon a parallel linkage which may be mounted onto a tool bar or drawbar is disclosed and claimed. The pair of single opener discs may be used for controlled creation of a pair of furrows to which seed, fertilizer or other soil amendments may be delivered. The opener unit may be mounted in combination with a row clearing or cleaning unit. The opener unit may also be mounted in combination with an auxiliary depth tire or a ski, and or a furrow closing means such as a wheel, a chain or a strap.

Abstract: An improved method of monitoring penetration of a planting unit into a ground surface comprising engaging a planting unit with a ground surface wherein the planting unit has a planting unit frame and the planting unit frame is cooperatively engaged with a support member by a planting frame and wherein the planting unit comprises, a seed trench opening assembly operable to create a seed trench in a ground surface, a depth regulating member having a vertical position relative to the seed trench opening assembly and monitoring penetration of the furrow forming structure into the ground surface.

Abstract: A seed planting assembly comprising a laterally extending support member and a planting unit including a planting frame supported by said support member. Said planting unit frame carries, a seed trench opening assembly operable to create a seed trench in a ground surface, a depth regulating member having a vertical position relative to said seed trench opening assembly, wherein said depth regulating member responds to forces upon said planting unit to control ground surface engagement, an arm assembly connecting said depth regulating member to said planting unit frame with a depth monitoring means for indicating whether said depth regulating member is fully engaged with said ground surface wherein said depth monitoring means indicates whether said arm assembly is engaged with said stop means.

Abstract: An improved depth regulating means comprising: a first portion, said first portion positioned adjacent a furrow forming means for engagement with ground surface adjacent a furrow; and a second portion, said second portion positioned adjacent said first portion opposite the surface of said first portion adjacent said furrow forming means, wherein said second portion engages and drives residue through the area between adjacent furrow forming means opposite the direction of travel of the furrow forming means.

Abstract: A seed planting assembly comprising a laterally extending support member and a planting unit including a planting frame supported by said support member. Said planting unit frame carries, a seed trench opening assembly operable to create a seed trench in a ground surface, a depth regulating member having a vertical position relative to said seed trench opening assembly, wherein said depth regulating member responds to forces upon said planting unit to control ground surface engagement, an arm assembly connecting said depth regulating member to said planting unit frame with a depth monitoring means for indicating whether said depth regulating member is fully engaged with said ground surface wherein said depth monitoring means indicates whether said arm assembly is engaged with said stop means.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved row cleaning apparatus to selectively clean away mulch from conservation tilled fields without cultivation of the soil. When mounted on a tractor-drawn planter unit, the cleaning action of the present invention improves depth control and planting speed of the planter unit and facilitates seed germination while retaining the mulch between crop rows for erosion control and yield enhancement. In its planter embodiment, the row cleaner disclosed herein comprises a pair of pointedly toothed wheels journaled for rotation about intersecting axes mounted on the planter unit ahead of the furrow opener. The toothed wheels are mounted with their teeth intermeshed above the soil surface and rotate in planes symmetrically inclined downwardly, outwardly, and forwardly of the direction of travel of the planter unit.