Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a wishbone-shaped linkage having a base, with two limbs extending from the base. Each limb is configured to support a laterally and longitudinally oriented bushing assembly, which may include a bushing assembly received by a laterally and longitudinally oriented mounting tube associated with a free end of the limb. The base includes upper and lower plates wrapping only partially around a laterally extending cross tube. A modular bushing assembly including a pair of bushing lobes and a bar pin is partially received within the cross tube, with the bushing lobes being adjustably positioned on the bar pin to allow for adjustment of the conical rate of the bushing assembly. A mounting assembly includes a pair of mount blocks secured to a vehicle axle, with the bar pin being secured with respect to the axle via the mount blocks, thereby associating the linkage to the axle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an agricultural implement system includes a row unit, the row unit configured to dispose seed into a ground trench, and closing system corresponding to the row unit, the closing system configured to close the ground trench after disposition of the seed. The agricultural implement system further includes a double acting cylinder mechanically coupled to the closing system, the double acting cylinder comprising a cylinder side port and a rod side port and a fluid source fluidly coupled to the cylinder side port and configured to provide a cylinder side fluid. The agricultural implement system additionally includes a filter fluidly coupled to the rod side port. Filtered fluid enters the double acting cylinder via the rod side port.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an agricultural implement system includes a row unit, the row unit configured to dispose seed into a ground trench, and closing system corresponding to the row unit, the closing system configured to close the ground trench after disposition of the seed. The agricultural implement system further includes a double acting cylinder mechanically coupled to the closing system, the double acting cylinder comprising a cylinder side port and a rod side port and a fluid source fluidly coupled to the cylinder side port and configured to provide a cylinder side fluid. The agricultural implement system additionally includes a filter fluidly coupled to the rod side port and configured to provide a filtered fluid entering the double acting cylinder via the rod side port.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a row unit configured to dispose seed into a ground trench, and a closing system corresponding to the row unit configured to close the ground trench after disposition of the seed. The agricultural implement system further includes a double acting cylinder mechanically coupled to the closing system. The double acting cylinder comprises a cylinder side port, a rod side port, and a fluid source fluidly coupled to the cylinder side port and configured to provide a cylinder side fluid. The agricultural implement system additionally includes an inlet filter fluidly coupled to the rod side port and configured to filter fluid entering the double acting cylinder via the rod side port.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an agricultural implement system includes a row unit, the row unit configured to dispose seed into a ground trench, and closing system corresponding to the row unit, the closing system configured to close the ground trench after disposition of the seed. The agricultural implement system further includes a double acting cylinder mechanically coupled to the closing system, the double acting cylinder comprising a cylinder side port and a rod side port and a fluid source fluidly coupled to the cylinder side port and configured to provide a cylinder side fluid. The agricultural implement system additionally includes a filter fluidly coupled to the rod side port and configured to provide a filtered fluid entering the double acting cylinder via the rod side port.

Abstract: A planter includes a chassis and a row unit carried by the chassis. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; at least one pressing wheel carried by the unit body behind the furrowing disc(s); a travel arm carried by and pivotally movable relative to the unit body that defines a travel path; at least one closing disc positioned behind the furrowing disc(s) and in front of the pressing wheel(s) and pivotally movable along the travel path by the travel arm; and a stop having a stop portion placed in the travel path that limits a vertical travel of the closing disc(s) and at least one adjustment feature formed thereon that allows the stop portion to be held in at least two different locations in the travel path.

Abstract: An adjustable scraper structure is attached to a press wheel arm and suspends an adjustable scraper above the press wheel for removing mud buildup above the treads on the tire. The scraper is rotatably adjustable about the rotational axis of the press wheel and the blade pitch is rotatably adjustable about an axis parallel to and removed from the press wheel axis. The pitch or tilt of the scraper blade may be radially aligned with the blade extending perpendicular to a wheel periphery tangent line or the press wheel scraper blade may be inclined somewhat in either direction.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit includes a hopper configured to store agricultural product, a mounting assembly configured to removably couple the hopper to a chassis of the agricultural row unit, and a flow control assembly coupled to the hopper and configured to selectively block flow of the agricultural product through a product passage of the hopper. The product passage is configured to convey the agricultural product from a product storage portion of the hopper to a product metering assembly of the agricultural row unit while the hopper is coupled to the chassis. The mounting assembly is configured to engage the hopper remote from an outlet of the product passage and from the flow control assembly, and the mounting assembly is configured to support a substantial portion of a load associated with the hopper and any agricultural product stored within the hopper.

Abstract: A planter includes a chassis and a row unit carried by the chassis. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; at least one pressing wheel carried by the unit body behind the furrowing disc(s); a travel arm carried by and pivotally movable relative to the unit body that defines a travel path; at least one closing disc positioned behind the furrowing disc(s) and in front of the pressing wheel(s) and pivotally movable along the travel path by the travel arm; and a stop having a stop portion placed in the travel path that limits a vertical travel of the closing disc(s) and at least one adjustment feature formed thereon that allows the stop portion to be held in at least two different locations in the travel path.

Abstract: A row unit for an agricultural implement includes a closing disc configured to move soil into a trench. The closing disc is rotatably coupled to a first portion of a support structure via a first arm to facilitate vertical movement of the closing disc relative to the support structure. The row unit also includes a packer wheel positioned aft of the closing disc and configured to pack soil over the trench. The packer wheel is rotatably coupled to a second portion of the support structure via a second arm. The closing disc and the packer wheel are independently movable relative to one another.

Abstract: An agricultural planting apparatus includes a chassis and a row unit carried by the chassis that defines a width. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; at least one closing disc carried by the unit body behind the furrowing disc(s); a restraining member carried by the mounting body; and a pressing wheel carried by the unit body, pivotally movable about an axis of rotation relative to the unit body, positionable behind the closing disc(s), and reversibly connectable to the restraining member. The pressing wheel has a constrained pivoting configuration when connected to the restraining member that resists pivoting and a freely pivoting configuration when disconnected from the restraining member to reduce the width of the row unit when pivoted in an upward direction about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A planter includes a chassis and a row unit carried by the chassis. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; at least one pressing wheel carried by the unit body behind the furrowing disc(s); a travel arm carried by and pivotally movable relative to the unit body that defines a travel path; at least one closing disc positioned behind the furrowing disc(s) and in front of the pressing wheel(s) and pivotally movable along the travel path by the travel arm; and a stop having a stop portion placed in the travel path that limits a vertical travel of the closing disc(s) and at least one adjustment feature formed thereon that allows the stop portion to be held in at least two different locations in the travel path.

Abstract: An agricultural planting apparatus includes a chassis, and a row unit having a unit body carried by the chassis. The unit body includes a metering device, at least one furrowing disc, a biasing element selected from at least one of the following: an extension spring, a compression spring, and a cylinder. A pair of pinch wheels are also carried by the unit body and includes an axle assembly pivotally movable relative to the unit body and connected to the biasing element. The axle assembly is configured to readily connect to at least one biasing element.

Abstract: A planting apparatus includes a chassis and a row unit carried by the chassis. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; at least one pressing wheel carried by the unit body behind the furrowing disc in a direction of travel; a travel arm carried by and pivotally movable relative to the unit body that defines a travel path; at least one closing disc positioned behind the at least one furrowing disc and in front of the at least one pressing wheel in the direction of travel and pivotally movable along the travel path by the travel arm; and a stop placed in the travel path of the travel arm that is configured to limit a vertical travel of the at least one closing disc.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit includes a hopper configured to store agricultural product, a mounting assembly configured to removably couple the hopper to a chassis of the agricultural row unit, and a flow control assembly coupled to the hopper and configured to selectively block flow of the agricultural product through a product passage of the hopper. The product passage is configured to convey the agricultural product from a product storage portion of the hopper to a product metering assembly of the agricultural row unit while the hopper is coupled to the chassis. The mounting assembly is configured to engage the hopper remote from an outlet of the product passage and from the flow control assembly, and the mounting assembly is configured to support a substantial portion of a load associated with the hopper and any agricultural product stored within the hopper.

Abstract: An agricultural planting apparatus includes a chassis and a row unit carried by the chassis that defines a width. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; at least one closing disc carried by the unit body behind the furrowing disc(s); a restraining member carried by the mounting body; and a pressing wheel carried by the unit body, pivotally movable about an axis of rotation relative to the unit body, positionable behind the closing disc(s), and reversibly connectable to the restraining member. The pressing wheel has a constrained pivoting configuration when connected to the restraining member that resists pivoting and a freely pivoting configuration when disconnected from the restraining member to reduce the width of the row unit when pivoted in an upward direction about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: An adjustable scraper structure is attached to a press wheel arm and suspends an adjustable scraper above the press wheel for removing mud buildup above the treads on the tire. The scraper is rotatably adjustable about the rotational axis of the press wheel and the blade pitch is rotatably adjustable about an axis parallel to and removed from the press wheel axis.

Abstract: A planter includes a chassis and a row unit carried by the chassis. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; at least one pressing wheel carried by the unit body behind the furrowing disc(s); a travel arm carried by and pivotally movable relative to the unit body that defines a travel path; at least one closing disc positioned behind the furrowing disc(s) and in front of the pressing wheel(s) and pivotally movable along the travel path by the travel arm; and a stop having a stop portion placed in the travel path that limits a vertical travel of the closing disc(s) and at least one adjustment feature formed thereon that allows the stop portion to be held in at least two different locations in the travel path.

Abstract: A planting apparatus includes a chassis and a row unit carried by the chassis. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; at least one pressing wheel carried by the unit body behind the furrowing disc in a direction of travel; a travel arm carried by and pivotally movable relative to the unit body that defines a travel path; at least one closing disc positioned behind the at least one furrowing disc and in front of the at least one pressing wheel in the direction of travel and pivotally movable along the travel path by the travel arm; and a stop placed in the travel path of the travel arm that is configured to limit a vertical travel of the at least one closing disc.

Abstract: An agricultural planting apparatus including a chassis; and a row unit carried by the chassis. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; a biasing element carried by the unit body that is selected from the group consisting of an extension spring, a compression spring, and a cylinder; and a pair of pinch wheels carried by the unit body behind the at least one furrowing disc and including an axle assembly pivotally movable relative to said unit body and connected to said biasing element. The axle assembly is configured to readily connect to any of the group members of the biasing element.