Abstract: The entire right, title and interest in and to this application and all subject matter disclosed and/or claimed therein, including any and all divisions, continuations, reissues, etc., thereof are, effective as of the date of execution of this application, assigned, transferred, sold and set over by the applicant(s) named herein to Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation having offices at Moline, Ill. 61265, U.S.A., together with all rights to file, and to claim priorities in connection with, corresponding patent applications in any and all foreign countries in the name of Deere & Company or otherwise.

Abstract: A row cleaner device for a furrow forming row unit includes a support arrangement with a parallel linkage having a single acting hydraulic cylinder connected between upper and lower links. The cylinder extension is controlled by a hydraulic circuit to provide adjustable down pressure to maintain consistent operation of the cleaner devices in varying ground conditions. A tensioning device such as a spring extending generally parallel to the cylinder acts to retract the cylinder. A blocking valve can be closed to maintain the cleaner device in the raised position and can lock the cylinder in any desired extended position. An energy storage device such as a spring compressed between the cylinder and one of the links permits limited vertical movement of the linkage without change of cylinder extension to protect the device and accommodate obstacles and ground surface irregularities in the path when the cylinder is locked in position.

Abstract: A shallow-toothed clearing disk pivotally supported from the upper end of the opener drawbar assembly. A four bar linkage is connected to the forward end of the drawbar by a bracket which includes at least one link and corresponding pivot structure located above the drawbar to increase trash clearance and reduce trash build-up. The shallow rounded gullets between pointed teeth provide good disk depth control and trash penetration while reducing soil penetration and soil disturbance. The gullets also hold and prevent sliding of trash away from the clearing influence of the angled disk. The disk effectively clears trash to the side of the opener opposite the gauge wheel to assure optimum depth gauging for the opener. The gear-type structure is capable of operating over a wide range of down pressures and loads while breaking any existing crust in the cleared path with little soil disturbance.

Abstract: A combination seed and fertilizer opener having separate placement includes a first angled flat disk with a gauge wheel arrangement providing an initial furrow for a first material such as fertilizer. A second opener disk, smaller than the first and concave rather than flat, includes an edge that projects forwardly along the trailing side of the first disk to a forwardmost edge location adjacent the hub of the first disk. The hub of the concave disk is very closely adjacent the trailing edge of the large disk. A tube and boot assembly terminates within the concavity of the second disk near the rear periphery of the first disk. The concave disk forms a seed furrow to receive seed or second material from the tube and boot assembly. The front of the concave disk runs in undisturbed soil but is sufficiently close to the fertilizer furrow to press and cover the fertilizer. The second disk concavity also prevents excessive soil throw.

Abstract: A shallow-toothed clearing disk pivotally supported from the upper end of the opener drawbar assembly. A four bar linkage is connected to the forward end of the drawbar by a bracket which includes at least one link and corresponding pivot structure located above the drawbar to increase trash clearance and reduce trash build-up. The shallow rounded gullets between pointed teeth provide good disk depth control and trash penetration while reducing soil penetration and soil disturbance. The gullets also hold and prevent sliding of trash away from the clearing influence of the angled disk. The disk effectively clears trash to the side of the opener opposite the gauge wheel to assure optimum depth gauging for the opener. The gear-type structure is capable of operating over a wide range of down pressures and loads while breaking any existing crust in the cleared path with little soil disturbance.

Abstract: A pair of angled disks supported by a four bar linkage from the upper end of the opener drawbar assembly clears trash from a narrow area in front of the opener. The four bar linkage has a virtual center located on or close to the center of the opener disk for good cleaning wheel tracking and for permitting the clearing disks to be spaced closely to the opener disk without interference between the disks. The clearing disks can rock vertically to follow ground contour and prevent excessive digging and soil movement. Shallow teeth on the disks also reduce soil penetration and soil disturbance.