Abstract: An apparatus and manufacturing method in which from one to three hydraulic pumps are provided and installed near a front end of the implement, so that a first pump can be easily coupled to the power take-off shaft of the tractor by an operator. In an exemplary embodiment of a system for a planter apparatus, one pump supplies pressure and flow to a hydraulic circuit for operating the vacuum fan subsystem, and optionally a fertilizing subsystem. A second pump supplies pressure and flow to a hydraulic circuit for operating the seed drive subsystem. A third pump supplies pressure and flow to a hydraulic circuit for operating a bulk fill subsystem. A manufacturing method that provides multiple configurations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A down pressure assembly for incorporation into an agricultural implement (12) to be pulled by a tractor (10) has an attachment frame (21) for attachment between a portion of the agricultural implement and at least two wheels (22) of a row unit (18) for traveling along the ground, the row unit (18) also having a tool (23) disposed between the two wheels (22) for engaging the ground, the down pressure assembly also having at least one torsion element (41, 50) disposed on the frame (21), with the torsion element (41, 50) having one fixed mounting to the frame (21) and one adjustable mounting to the frame (21), and the assembly further having an adjustment mechanism (37, 60) for varying the torsion of the torsion element (41, 50) at the adjustable mounting; and at least one down pressure member (36, 56, 57) for receiving a force from the torsion element to apply a downward force to the top members (26, 27) of the frame (21).

Abstract: An apparatus and manufacturing method in which from one to three hydraulic pumps are provided and installed near a front end of the implement, so that a first pump can be easily coupled to the power take-off shaft of the tractor by an operator. In an exemplary embodiment of a system for a planter apparatus, one pump supplies pressure and flow to a hydraulic circuit for operating the vacuum fan subsystem, and optionally a fertilizing subsystem. A second pump supplies pressure and flow to a hydraulic circuit for operating the seed drive subsystem. A third pump supplies pressure and flow to a hydraulic circuit for operating a bulk fill subsystem. A manufacturing method that provides multiple configurations is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling positions of an implement and a marker associated with a work vehicle. The apparatus includes a hydraulic circuit coupled to a first cylinder that governs the position of the marker, a first valve coupled to a second cylinder that governs the position of the implement and also coupled to a first port of the circuit, and a second valve coupled to a second port of the circuit. The circuit is configured to isolate the first port of the circuit from secondary pressure supplied to the second port by way of the second valve, and further configured to isolate the primary port of the circuit from primary pressure supplied to the first port by way of the first valve. The primary pressure influences movement of both the marker and the implement, while the secondary pressure influences movement of the marker only.

Abstract: A fertilizer system that employs an independent hydraulic motor and variable speed pump to deliver the selected application rate from the convenience of the operator's cab. The application rate can be changed while planting without changing seed population and the application rate can be controlled sectionally as well. The system may additionally be used in combination with more sophisticated multi-functional control systems that read maps and use GPS technology to control the entire preparation and planting operation.

Abstract: An overload protection apparatus for use with a planter apparatus including a coulter bar and coulter/fertilizer units mounted thereto, the coulter bar pivotally mounted to the underside of a wheel supported carrier frame designed for transport in a transport direction where a hydraulic cylinder is linked between the frame and the bar for moving the bar between a ground clearing transport position and a ground engaging position where the frame, cylinder and frame form a linkage path, the protection apparatus linked within the linkage path such that a draft force applied to the bar in a direction opposite the transport direction causes a secondary force on the apparatus and, when the secondary pressure exceeds the threshold pressure level, the protector de-links the linkage path thereby reducing the draft force.

Abstract: A planter/fertilizer assembly that can be configured to facilitate either rapid seeding/fertilizing or transport and including an implement bar mounted on a wheel supported carrier frame for rotation between a transport position where the implement bar is parallel to a transport direction and an operating position where the implement bar is perpendicular to the transport direction, row units mounted to the implement bar on a side opposite the wheels and including central units adjacent the wheels and lateral units disposed laterally of the wheels, lateral coulter/fertilizer units mounted to the lateral row units, a coulter bar mounted to an underside of the carrier frame on a side opposite the support wheels and a separate coulter/fertilizer unit mounted to the coulter bar and aligned with each of the central row units.

Abstract: An overload protection apparatus for use with a planter apparatus including a coulter bar and coulter/fertilizer units mounted thereto, the coulter bar pivotally mounted to the underside of a wheel supported carrier frame designed for transport in a transport direction where a hydraulic cylinder is linked between the frame and the bar for moving the bar between a ground clearing transport position and a ground engaging position where the frame, cylinder and frame form a linkage path, the protection apparatus linked within the linkage path such that a draft force applied to the bar in a direction opposite the transport direction causes a secondary force on the apparatus and, when the secondary pressure exceeds the threshold pressure level, the protector de-links the linkage path thereby reducing the draft force.

Abstract: An planter/fertilizer assembly that can be configured to facilitate either rapid seeding/fertilizing or transport and including an implement bar mounted on a wheel supported carrier frame for rotation between a transport position where the implement bar is parallel to a transport direction and an operating position where the implement bar is perpendicular to the transport direction, row units mounted to the implement bar on a side opposite the wheels and including central units adjacent the wheels and lateral units disposed laterally of the wheels, lateral coulter/fertilizer units mounted to the lateral row units, a coulter bar mounted to an underside of the carrier frame on a side opposite the support wheels and a separate coulter/fertilizer unit mounted to the coulter bar and aligned with each of the central row units.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a central section and wing sections with ground engaging tools. A hydraulic cylinder is disposed between the wings and the central frame to raise and lower the wings with respect to the central section. A hydraulic control circuit is coupled to the cylinder to provide a constant downforce to the wings over a range of pivotal ground working positions and to lift the wings above the ground to a non-ground engaging position thereby permitting the implement to be easily turned in the headlands of an agricultural field. When the lifting circuit is engaged, the downforce can be automatically removed from the wing sections permitting them to be raised more easily. The raising and lowering of the central section and wings can be staged, such that the central section is lowered first to prevent damage to ground engaging tools on the wing sections.

Abstract: Agricultural implement to be conveyed by a self propelled vehicle includes a structural frame and a substructure moveable between a raised position and a lowered position. The substructure has at least one ground engaging tool supported thereon so as to engage the ground when the substructure is moved to the lowered position. A fluid circuit is provided to control engagement of the tool with the ground. The fluid circuit includes a first check valve having a first side connectable to a source of pressurized fluid flow and a second side connected to a fluid cylinder. The fluid cylinder is operated between a retracted position and an extended position to move the substructure between the raised position and the lowered position, respectively. A second check valve is provided having a first side connected to drain and a second side connected to the fluid cylinder. A sensor assembly opens the second check valve when pressurized fluid flow is received by the first side of the first check valve.

Abstract: This invention teaches an improved collapsible farm implement of the type having a wheeled frame or cart and right and left side elongated toolbars pivoted at their inboard ends about vertical axes relative to the frame so as to allow toolbar rotation rearward through approximately a quarter turn between a fully elevated field use position disposed crosswise to the path of implement travel and a road transit position disposed parallel to the path of implement travel. A wheeled truck assembly is mounted near the outboard end of each toolbar for providing rolling support of the latter, and each wheeled truck assembly can be rotated relative to the toolbar about an axis disposed substantially normal to the toolbar through approximately a quarter turn operable to steer the outboard end of the toolbar, upon appropriate forward or rearward implement movement, between the respective fully elevated field use and road transit positions.

Abstract: A rotary valve having a hollow spool with a metering notch rotatable on a sleeve which is pressed into a valve body, the sleeve having an opening selectively and progressively alignable with said notch. A thrust needle bearing is trapped between a shoulder on the spool and a cap threaded into the valve body. A passage freely transmits pressure inside said hollow spool to the side of the bearing opposite said shoulders to reduce the thrust force imposed on said bearing.

Abstract: An implement having a rotary flow divider controlling fluid to and from at least two independent hydraulic rams for raising and lowering the implement in a level manner. A counter totals the revolutions of the flow divider and actuates an electrical circuit which controls solenoid valves to stop the implement at the proper height.

Abstract: Priority valve system with pressure-flow compensation and signal control having first, a restricted orifice which can be satisfied when flow requirements therethrough are sufficiently large in combination with, second, a closed center primary control valve equipped with an hydraulic detent unlatch mechanism and hydraulically disposed downstream of the orifice to receive the flow directed thereto by the orifice, all to provide appropriate signals controlling the priority valve.Through this intervening, novel two component control combination, the priority valve is controlled to supply flow to a priority load and, in addition, has an auxiliary outlet chamber connected to an auxiliary motor with the purpose to cut off the auxiliary chamber flow whenever the priority flow is sufficient to satisfy only the restricted orifice.