Abstract: An apparatus and system for adjustably controlling the position and depth of row closer wheels in no-till planting applications, the apparatus comprising a frame, a piston movably secured at the top to the frame, upper and lower parallel arms disposed about the piston and movably secured at one end to the frame and at the other end to a hub stem, and a set of piston arms each movably secured at the top to one of the upper or lower parallel arms and at the other end to the bottom of the piston. A closing wheel assembly having a closing wheel frame and a set of closing wheels pivotally mounted to a lever on a single axle assembly allows the operator to change the angle at which the closing wheels intersect the ground surface during use. Accordingly, as the angle of the lever is manipulated, the angle of the closing wheel pivotally mounted to that lever changes in the vertical and/or horizontal dimensions.

Abstract: A connector is provided for connecting a pneumatic hose having an end to a structural member of an agricultural implement. A tubular grommet extends through a port in the structural member. A flange extends radially from the outer surface from the tubular grommet and is engageable with a first side of the structural member. A locking barb also extends from the outer surface from the tubular grommet adjacent a second end thereof. The locking barb is engageable with a second side of the structural member with the second end of the tubular grommet received within the interior of structural member.

Abstract: A connector is provided for connecting a pneumatic hose having an end to a structural member of an agricultural implement. A tubular grommet extends through a port in the structural member. A flange extends radially from the outer surface from the tubular grommet and is engageable with a first side of the structural member. A locking barb also extends from the outer surface from the tubular grommet adjacent a second end thereof. The locking barb is engageable with a second side of the structural member with the second end of the tubular grommet received within the interior of structural member.

Abstract: A coulter assembly is provided that facilitates continuous adjustment of coulter disk penetration depth. In an exemplary embodiment, the coulter assembly includes a gauge wheel configured to rotate across a soil surface to limit a penetration depth of a coulter disk into the soil. A depth adjustment assembly is coupled to the gauge wheel and configured to adjust the penetration depth of the coulter disk by continuously varying the vertical position of the gauge wheel. This configuration may enable the coulter disk to operate at any penetration depth within the gauge wheel range of motion, thereby facilitating deposition of fertilizer within the soil at a suitable depth to enhance crop growth.

Abstract: A coulter assembly is provided that facilitates continuous adjustment of coulter disk penetration depth. In an exemplary embodiment, the coulter assembly includes a gauge wheel configured to rotate across a soil surface to limit a penetration depth of a coulter disk into the soil. A depth adjustment assembly is coupled to the gauge wheel and configured to adjust the penetration depth of the coulter disk by continuously varying the vertical position of the gauge wheel. This configuration may enable the coulter disk to operate at any penetration depth within the gauge wheel range of motion, thereby facilitating deposition of fertilizer within the soil at a suitable depth to enhance crop growth.

Abstract: A coulter assembly is provided that facilitates continuous adjustment of coulter disk penetration depth. In an exemplary embodiment, the coulter assembly includes a gauge wheel configured to rotate across a soil surface to limit a penetration depth of a coulter disk into the soil. A depth adjustment assembly is coupled to the gauge wheel and configured to adjust the penetration depth of the coulter disk by continuously varying the vertical position of the gauge wheel. This configuration may enable the coulter disk to operate at any penetration depth within the gauge wheel range of motion, thereby facilitating deposition of fertilizer within the soil at a suitable depth to enhance crop growth.

Abstract: A coulter assembly is provided that facilitates continuous adjustment of coulter disk penetration depth. In an exemplary embodiment, the coulter assembly includes a gauge wheel configured to rotate across a soil surface to limit a penetration depth of a coulter disk into the soil. A depth adjustment assembly is coupled to the gauge wheel and configured to adjust the penetration depth of the coulter disk by continuously varying the vertical position of the gauge wheel. This configuration may enable the coulter disk to operate at any penetration depth within the gauge wheel range of motion, thereby facilitating deposition of fertilizer within the soil at a suitable depth to enhance crop growth.

Abstract: A coulter assembly is provided that facilitates continuous adjustment of coulter disk penetration depth. In an exemplary embodiment, the coulter assembly includes a gauge wheel configured to rotate across a soil surface to limit a penetration depth of a coulter disk into the soil. A depth adjustment assembly is coupled to the gauge wheel and configured to adjust the penetration depth of the coulter disk by continuously varying the vertical position of the gauge wheel. This configuration may enable the coulter disk to operate at any penetration depth within the gauge wheel range of motion, thereby facilitating deposition of fertilizer within the soil at a suitable depth to enhance crop growth.

Abstract: A coulter assembly is provided that includes a torsion spring configured to maintain a substantially constant contact force between a scraper and a coulter disk sufficient to remove accumulated soil despite wearing of the scraper and/or coulter disk. In an exemplary embodiment, the coulter assembly includes a scraper having a blade and an arm. The blade is disposed adjacent to a soil engaging portion of the coulter disk, and the arm is rotatably coupled to the coulter assembly and extends along a substantially straight path to the blade. A torsion spring is disposed about a rotational axis of the arm and configured to rotationally bias the blade toward the coulter disk by applying a torque between the coulter assembly and the arm. This configuration obviates manual adjustment of the scraper relative to the coulter disk, thereby reducing maintenance costs and operational delays.

Abstract: A generally conically-shaped collapsible grain chute removably affixed to the bulk seed distributor of an agricultural planter to provide an effective and efficient apparatus for emptying the bulk seed bin. The chute may include a cinch cord to selectively open and close the chute to control the flow of seed therethrough.

Abstract: A generally conically-shaped collapsible grain chute removably affixed to the bulk seed distributor of an agricultural planter to provide an effective and efficient apparatus for emptying the bulk seed bin. The chute may include a cinch cord to selectively open and close the chute to control the flow of seed therethrough.

Abstract: A seed planting assembly is provided having a plurality of planting units that are connected to an air moving system for drawing air through an air metering assembly located in each planting unit via a conduit connecting each air metering assembly to an air mover unit. An air blocking system is provided for blocking airflow in the conduit associated with one or more predetermined planting units.

Abstract: A generally conically-shaped collapsible grain chute removably affixed to the bulk seed distributor of an agricultural planter to provide an effective and efficient apparatus for emptying the bulk seed bin. The chute may include a cinch cord to selectively open and close the chute to control the flow of seed therethrough.

Abstract: A generally conically-shaped collapsible grain chute removably affixed to the bulk seed distributor of an agricultural planter to provide an effective and efficient apparatus for emptying the bulk seed bin. The chute may include a cinch cord to selectively open and close the chute to control the flow of seed therethrough.

Abstract: A generally conically-shaped collapsible grain chute removably affixed to the bulk seed distributor of an agricultural planter to provide an effective and efficient apparatus for emptying the bulk seed bin. The chute may include a cinch cord to selectively open and close the chute to control the flow of seed therethrough.

Abstract: A generally conically-shaped collapsible grain chute removably affixed to the bulk seed distributor of an agricultural planter to provide an effective and efficient apparatus for emptying the bulk seed bin. The chute may include a cinch cord to selectively open and close the chute to control the flow of seed therethrough.

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: A down pressure adjustment mechanism for a planter provides a self-contained spring cartridge holding a preloaded compression spring that may be moved between a limited number of mounting points to provide for convenient and significant changes in down pressure without the need for specialized tools or the like.

Abstract: A generally conically-shaped collapsible grain chute removably affixed to the bulk seed distributor of an agricultural planter to provide an effective and efficient apparatus for emptying the bulk seed bin. The chute may include a cinch cord to selectively open and close the chute to control the flow of seed therethrough.