Abstract: An agricultural product burying unit for an agricultural machine, configured so as to be mounted in a fixed manner relative to the agricultural machine, includes: a reference device, and a burying device. The reference device is configured to rest on the ground in the work configuration and form a depth positioning reference for the burying device. The burying device is configured to bury an agricultural product in the work configuration. The reference device is configured to be mounted in an articulated manner directly on a reference which is fixed relative to the agricultural machine. The reference device is configured to weigh on the burying device in the work configuration, thereby forming a first device of applying a bearing force on the burying device.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a frame having a tongue hitch for attachment to a towing vehicle, the tongue hitch being oriented along a longitudinal axis inline with the direction of travel. The agricultural machine has running gear configured to support the frame. The running gear includes an axle mounted to the frame and a swing arm pivotably mounted to the axle defining a main pivot axis. A front spindle is mounted at the front end of the swing arm with a front tire mounted to the front spindle and a rear spindle is mounted at the rear end of the swing arm with a rear tire mounted to the rear spindle. The tires are positioned on a same side of the swing arm. The front tire has a smaller diameter than a diameter of the rear tire.

Abstract: Adjustable gauge wheels are provided on a row unit planter adjacent the opening disc. The wheels are adjustable laterally for proper spacing adjacent the discs. The camber of the gauge wheels relative to discs is also adjustable. The lateral adjustment is accomplished via a wear bushing and pivot bushing extending into the wear bushing for each gauge wheel. A grease zerk is provided on the end of each pivot bushing to supply grease to the inside of the adjustment wear bushing. The camber adjustment is accomplished via a slot in the row planter frame and bolts extending into arms on a pivotal member.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement has a vertical tillage section and an aerating section behind the vertical tillage section, each extending substantially perpendicular to the pull direction of the implement. Individual vertical tillage elements, such as disc blades, can be indexed with individual rotary tine assemblies of the aerator section so that discrete holes formed by the aerator section are positioned between substantially continuous slits formed by the vertical tillage section. A ground deposit system deposits a component on the ground and may be configured for conducting and depositing a granular component, such as seeds, fertilizers, minerals or the like, or liquid components, such as liquid manure.

Abstract: A fertilizer row unit including a toolbar coupling, first and second suspension members, a pressure applying device, a tensioned wheel assembly, a knife assembly and a depth control system. The first suspension member has a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling. The second suspension member is generally parallel to the first suspension member. The pressure applying device is coupled to the first or second suspension member. The tensioned wheel assembly has at least one wheel. The knife assembly is pivotally coupled to both the first and second suspension members. The depth control system is coupled to the knife assembly for controlling the depth of penetration of the knife into the soil. The depth control system includes a sensor that provides a measured depth signal representative of a depth of the knife. The depth control system controls the pressure applying device dependent upon the measured depth signal.

Abstract: A plough assembly (10) to be drawn by a plough frame that is attached to a prime mover. The assembly (10) includes a digging shank (14) attached to a clamp (11) that is to be attached to the plough frame. Attached to the lower end of the shank (14) is a digging assembly (21). The digging assembly (21) includes a mounting (22) and a digging blade (23). Behind the digging blade (23) is a twin road seeding boot (76). Following the boot (76) is a press wheel (68), with the seeding boot (76) having a transverse width greater than the transverse width of the blade (23).

Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting a pivot arm to an implement has a cylindrical member, an adjusting sleeve, and a mounting bolt extending through the cylindrical member and adjusting sleeve to fix the cylindrical member and adjusting sleeve together. The cylindrical member extends through a bore of a bearing housing for rotation within the bearing housing. The adjusting sleeve has a threaded external surface. A disc spring is positioned on the adjusting sleeve. An adjusting nut is threaded onto the threaded external surface of the adjusting sleeve. The adjusting nut can be tightened to compress the disc spring to create a lateral bearing force against the bearing housing. The bearing housing can be integral with a pivot arm for mounting a gauge wheel assembly on a planter row unit, or the bearing housing can be a fixed part for mounting a pivot arm for a closing/press wheel on a drill.

Abstract: A metering system for an agricultural system includes a singulator. The singulator includes a hopper configured to provide a flow of plantlet casings from a storage tank of the agricultural system, a pair of counter-rotating rods configured to receive the plantlet casings from the hopper at a feed rate, where the pair of counter-rotating rods are spaced apart from one another to form a gap, and where the gap is configured to direct the plantlet casings from a first end of the pair of counter-rotating rods to a second end of the pair of counter-rotating rods, and a drive assembly configured to drive rotation of the pair of counter-rotating rods.

Abstract: A system for positioning a gauge wheel of an agricultural row unit includes the gauge wheel coupled to a frame of the agricultural row unit via a position assembly. The position assembly is configured to enable the gauge wheel to rotate between an engagement position and a home position. The system also includes a blocking member of the position assembly. Also, the system includes a protrusion integrally formed on the frame of the agricultural row unit. The protrusion is configured to engage the blocking member to block rotation of the position assembly away from the engagement position while in the home position.

Abstract: A paddle sealer used for planting having closing wheels that are drawn by a motive power source such as a tractor and used to close seed trenches to prevent the seed trench from reopening and provide the proper soil conditioning to promote uniform germination and emergence. The paddle sealer with closing wheels includes an adjustable frame structure including a tensioned arm assembly and an attachment mechanism for attaching the paddle sealer to seeding equipment, and a paddle closing wheel assembly carried by the arm assembly.

Abstract: One row unit for an agricultural implement includes a ground engaging tool configured to penetrate soil and to form a furrow in the soil. The row unit also includes gauge wheels disposed adjacent to the ground engaging tool and configured to enable the ground engaging tool to penetrate the soil at a selectable penetration depth. Each of the gauge wheels extends substantially parallel to a direction of travel of the row unit.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame, a linkage pivotably coupled to the attachment frame, and a row unit frame having a leading end pivotably coupled to the linkage to permit vertical pivoting movement of the row unit frame relative to the attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to the attachment frame and the linkage, for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil, includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for advancing the ram in a direction that pivots the linkage and the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil.

Abstract: A trough is cut in the ground surface by a rotating member. The rotating member displaces soil upward with respect to the ground surface and rearwardly with respect to a direction of travel of the rotating member. While the soil is in the air, slurry is deposited into the trough. The soil is then redirected downward to the trough to cover the slurry with the soil.

Abstract: An agricultural system includes an agricultural row unit movable on a field between a first soil condition and a second soil condition, the first soil condition having a different soil hardness than the second soil condition. A down-pressure actuator applies an initial first pressure associated with the first soil condition. A soil-hardness sensing device is positioned at a distance D forward of the row unit and outputs a soil-hardness change signal when detecting a change from the first soil condition to the second soil condition. At least one memory device stores instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the down-pressure actuator to change, in response to receiving the soil-hardness change signal, the initial first pressure to a different second pressure when the row unit encounters the second soil condition.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a vertical floating row cleaner may include a mounting bracket configured to engage a row unit frame, which mounting bracket may have a receiver engaged therewith. An extension member may have first and second ends, with one end configured as an adjustor interface and the opposite end configured to pivotally engage at least one row cleaner wheel. An adjustor may engage the extension member at the adjustor interface such that the adjustor prevents the extension member from moving with respect to the receiver past a certain point in at least one direction.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to a towing frame, and a linkage assembly pivotably coupled to the attachment frame to permit vertical pivoting movement of the linkage assembly relative to the attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the linkage assembly for urging the linkage assembly downwardly toward the soil, and an accumulator is mounted to the hydraulic cylinder for supplying pressurized gas to the hydraulic cylinder urging the linkage assembly upwardly away from the soil. A manifold is removably mounted to the hydraulic cylinder via a mounting interface, the manifold being selected from a group of different types of modular manifolds in which each manifold is removably mountable to the hydraulic cylinder, one at a time, via the same mounting interface, the manifold having two hydraulic-fluid ports including an inlet port and an outlet port.

Abstract: One row unit for an agricultural implement includes a frame assembly having a front gauge wheel mounting location and a rear gauge wheel mounting location, wherein the front gauge wheel mounting location is forward of the rear gauge wheel mounting location, relative to a direction of travel of the row unit. A first gauge wheel assembly is configured to be mounted to a selected one of the front gauge wheel mounting location and the rear gauge wheel mounting location.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit includes a linkage pivotably coupled to an attachment frame, and a row unit frame with a leading end pivotably coupled to the linkage. A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the attachment frame and the linkage, for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil, and includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder. A hydraulic-fluid cavity is located within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for advancing the ram in a direction that pivots the linkage and the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil. An accumulator is positioned adjacent to the hydraulic cylinder and has a fluid chamber containing a diaphragm, with the portion of the chamber on one side of the diaphragm being connected to the hydraulic-fluid cavity in the hydraulic cylinder, and the portion of the chamber on the other side of the diaphragm containing a pressurized gas.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit includes a hydraulic cylinder coupled to a support member for urging a soil-engaging tool coupled to the support member downwardly toward the soil. A hydraulic line is coupled to the hydraulic cylinder for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the cylinder, and a controllable valve is provided in the hydraulic line for controlling the supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the cylinder through the line. A pressure sensor, such as a load cell or strain gauge, is connected between the hydraulic cylinder and the support member for producing an electrical signal corresponding to the pressure on the tool, and a controller is coupled to the pressure sensor and the controllable valve, the controller being adapted to receive the electrical signal from the pressure sensor and produce a control signal for controlling the valve thus the supply of the hydraulic fluid to the cylinder.

Abstract: An opener for depositing fertilizer and seed in a single pass, double-shoot manner includes a rotating disc that cuts a furrow in a planting surface, a fertilizer tube that drops fertilizer into the furrow, and a trailing seed tube assembly, having a cutting edge, that cuts a vertically and horizontally offset trench in the furrow to form a seed bed in the planting surface onto which seed is deposited. The seed trench provides a seed bed that is offset from the bottom of the furrow to provide horizontal and vertical stratification of the seed and fertilizer.

Abstract: A depth adjustment assembly for a disc opener or other furrowing device has an eccentric cam with an outer surface that engages and thus prevents rotation of a gauge wheel arm. As rotation of the gauge wheel arm sets the relative position of a gauge wheel relative to the furrowing device, preventing rotation of the arm sets the cutting depth for the furrowing device. The eccentric cam may have a smooth outer edge defining an indiscrete range of positions or a profile outer surface that defines discrete depth setting positions. The eccentric cam is biased into engagement with a receiver by a pin and spring, but overcoming the bias allows the cam to be momentarily disengaged and rotated to reposition the eccentric cam.

Abstract: A dynamic supplemental downforce control system for a planter row unit. The system includes closed-loop feedback circuit that cooperates with a downforce actuator to dynamically control fluid flow to the downforce actuator to maintain balance between the actual gauge wheel downforce and a desired gauge wheel downforce during planting operations.

Abstract: A bushing is provided for mounting a pivot arm that has both a threaded portion as well as one or two smooth cylindrical portions. The threaded portion enables the pivot arm to be a laterally adjusted by rotating the bushing while the smooth portion or portions provide a bearing surface or surfaces for the pivot arm loads. This removes the load from the threads, reducing wear of both the bushing and the pivot arm, thereby reducing maintenance cost.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame. A support member is pivotably coupled to the attachment frame to permit vertical pivoting movement of the support member relative to the attachment frame, and at least one furrow-closing device is mounted on the support member. A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the support member for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil. The hydraulic cylinder includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for urging the ram in a first direction that pivots the support member in a first vertical direction. An accumulator has a fluid chamber containing a pressurized gas for urging the ram in a second direction that pivots the support member in a second vertical direction.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a tool bar and at least one row unit carried by the tool bar. Each row unit includes a furrow opener arrangement with a gauge wheel. The gauge wheel includes a rim with an outer periphery and a tire mounted to the outer periphery. The tire includes an outer shell formed from a first resilient material and an inner core formed from a softer second resilient material. The outer shell is positioned radially outward from the inner core and axial outward from axial ends of the inner core. The inner core is mounted directly on the outer periphery of the rim and defines an annular hollow core therein. The tire is structured and arranged such that the softer inner core, the annular hollow core and the harder outer shell coact to provide good wear, good shock absorbance, and good mud shedding capabilities.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame, a linkage pivotably coupled to the attachment frame, and a row unit frame having a leading end pivotably coupled to the linkage to permit vertical pivoting movement of the row unit frame relative to the attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to the attachment frame and the linkage, for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil, includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for advancing the ram in a direction that pivots the linkage and the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil.

Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for use with a row planter unit. The apparatus includes an elongated and laterally extending bar operatively secured to a row planter unit for pulling same in a forward direction of travel. The apparatus includes a frame carried by the elongated and laterally extending bar and a support arm pivotally mounted thereon. At least one rotatable trash wheel is carried on the support arm. The row planter unit is pivotally supported on the frame rearwardly of the trash wheel in the direction of travel. Articulated members operatively connect the support arm to the row planter unit for applying a pull force to the rear of the support arm for controlling the depth of penetration of the trash wheel into the ground. The articulated members may comprise various alternatives including a link chain, a pair of links pivoted to one another in an offset relationship, or a link and a turnbuckle arrangement.

Abstract: A packing pressure adjustment assembly for a ground opener unit of an agricultural implement includes a spring interconnected between a rotatable pressure adjustment arm and a trailing arm to which a packer wheel is rotatably mounted. The pressure adjustment arm is centered about an axle of the ground opener unit and is movable between a set of mounting positions that are defined by a set of teeth spaced and arced from one another along a frame portion of the ground opener unit. As the pressure adjustment arm is rotated, the amount of force exerted by the spring on the trailing arm is varied. The packing pressure adjustment assembly is relatively compact and is useful in providing high packing forces, such as a packing force in excess of 100 lbs.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit, a press wheel cylinder configured to vary contact force between a press wheel and a soil surface, a closing disk cylinder configured to vary contact force between a closing disk and the soil surface, a residue manager cylinder configured to vary contact force between a residue manager and the soil surface, or a combination thereof. The agricultural implement system also includes an electronic control unit configured to automatically regulate a pressure within the cylinders, and a manual backup system configured to facilitate manual pressure adjustment of the cylinders.

Abstract: A bushing is provided for mounting a pivot arm that has both a threaded portion as well as one or two smooth cylindrical portions. The threaded portion enables the pivot arm to be a laterally adjusted by rotating the bushing while the smooth portion or portions provide a bearing surface or surfaces for the pivot arm loads. This removes the load from the threads, reducing wear of both the bushing and the pivot arm, thereby reducing maintenance cost.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for tilling at least a strip of soil to be planted includes a tillage device for penetrating and tilling a strip of soil and displacing soil and residue upwardly, the tillage device including at least one coulter wheel mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation and positioned at least in part below the soil, when tilling the strip of soil, such that the coulter wheel is able to cut a slit in the soil, and a depth control device laterally offset from the centerline of the strip of soil and mounted for rotation about a second axis of rotation located rearwardly of the trailing end of the tillage device. The depth control device is positioned to intercept soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device. Multiple tines made of a polymeric material are mounted on the depth control device, extending laterally away from only one side of the depth control device toward the centerline to intercept a portion of the soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device.

Abstract: A packing pressure adjustment assembly for a ground opener unit of an agricultural implement includes a spring interconnected between a rotatable pressure adjustment arm and a trailing arm to which a packer wheel is rotatably mounted. The pressure adjustment arm is centered about an axle of the ground opener unit and is movable between a set of mounting positions that are defined by a set of teeth spaced and arced from one another along a frame portion of the ground opener unit. As the pressure adjustment arm is rotated, the amount of force exerted by the spring on the trailing arm is varied. The packing pressure adjustment assembly is relatively compact and is useful in providing high packing forces, such as a packing force in excess of 100 lbs.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for tilling at least a strip of soil to be planted includes a tillage device for penetrating and tilling a strip of soil and displacing soil and residue upwardly, and a depth control device laterally offset from the centerline of the strip of soil and mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation located rearwardly of the tillage device and positioned to intercept soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device. Multiple tines mounted on the depth control device extend laterally away from the depth control device toward the centerline to intercept a portion of the soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device. The tines are attached to the depth control device only at one end of each tine, and the free ends of the tines terminate laterally short of the centerline and vertically between the elevations of the upper and lower edges of the depth control device.

Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.

Abstract: A planter row unit has a pair of ground-engaging gauge wheels located in close proximity to opposite sides of a furrow opener of the unit. The depth of penetration of the furrow opener depends upon the vertical position of the gauge wheels relative to the furrow opener. Wheel arms that connect the gauge wheels to the frame of the row unit are operably coupled with a depth adjustment lever through a rigid link that transmits adjusting movement of the depth adjustment lever to the gauge wheels to raise or lower the same. The link is made adjustable in length to provide fine depth adjustment of the unit for calibration purposes or otherwise.

Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for tilling at least a strip of soil to be planted includes a tillage device for penetrating and tilling a strip of soil and displacing soil and residue upwardly, and a depth control device laterally offset from the centerline of the strip of soil and mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation located rearwardly of the tillage device and positioned to intercept soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device. Multiple tines mounted on the depth control device extend laterally away from the depth control device toward the centerline to intercept a portion of the soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device. The tines are attached to the depth control device only at one end of each tine, and the free ends of the tines terminate laterally short of the centerline and vertically between the elevations of the upper and lower edges of the depth control device.

Abstract: A double shoot seed and fertilizer placement unit has a leading shank that cuts a fertilizer trench in the soil, a seed shovel immediately behind but above the lower extremity of the shank to cut one or more seed shelves in the soil above and outboard of the fertilizer trench, a boot behind the shovel that places seeds on the shelf and then drops fertilizer into the fertilizer trench between and below the seeds, and a fertilizer guide member that rides in the fertilizer trench below the fertilizer outlet to maintain the integrity of the trench in preparation for the fertilizer and helps guide the fertilizer down to the bottom of the trench as it emanates from the boot.

Abstract: An agricultural seeding machine including at least one tool bar and a plurality of row units attached to the tool bar. Each row unit including a frame, a plurality of ground engaging wheels including a first ground engaging wheel, at least one suspension structure and a torsional biasing device. The at least one suspension structure including a first suspension structure having a first end and a second end. The first end rotatably coupled to the first ground engaging wheel. The torsional biasing device coupled to the second end of the first suspension structure. The biasing device being carried by the frame.

Abstract: A ground engaging apparatus (10) has a support plate (50) pivotally attached to a frame (100); a pair of arms (30, 40) interconnecting the support plate (50) and a shank support (60), which supports a shank (70) and ground follower (90) and first and second biasing rams or springs (200, 300), to maintain the ground follower (90); against the ground (91) but allow controlled break out of a ground opening, or tillage, tool (81) if an obstruction is engaged.

Abstract: A seed planter has at least one rock shaft carrying a rank of planter assemblies. Each planter assembly includes a torsion joint assembly connected to the rock shaft, a planting equipment linkage connected to the torsion joint, a planting equipment yoke connected to the linkage and planting tools or equipment connected to the yoke. The planting equipment linkage is a modified parallelogram linkage that keeps the planting equipment in consistent alignment over the ground even as the seed planter traverses irregular terrain. The seed planter includes a stop mechanism that limits the amount of permissible rotation of the torsion joint on the rock shaft. A stop plate is attached to the torsion joint housing for rotation with it relative to the rock shaft. An edge of the stop plate faces the rock shaft and has a jaw opening defined by upper and lower jaws that at least partially encompasses the rock shaft.

Abstract: A disc opener assembly connected to a tool bar linked to a vehicle for movement over the ground for opening a seed trench therein, the assembly comprising a main arm member attached to the tool bar, a disc mounted for rotation on the main arm, a gauge arm member having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end mounted for pivotal motion about a pivot axis to the main arm member, a gauge wheel mounted to the distal end of the gauge arm member, a first coupler mounted to the main arm member, a second coupler linked to the gauge arm member and juxtaposed proximate and for movement with respect to the first coupler along a coupling axis that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis, the second coupler configured to engage the first coupler when biased there against and a retainer for maintaining the first and second couplers engaged.

Abstract: A no-till seed planter includes a wheel mounted frame having at least one rock shaft carrying a rank of seed planting assemblies connected to the rock shaft by torque arms. A torsion joint connects each torque arm to the rock shaft and permits resilient rotation of the torque arm on the rock shaft. A stop block assembly on the rock shaft limits the amount of permissible rotation of the torsion joint on the rock shaft in order to avoid damage to the torsion joint and dislocation of the torsion joint. The torque arm is a composite structure of a main member connected to the torsion joint at one end and to a planter assembly at the other. In one embodiment leaf members are connected to the torsion joint and extend alongside the main member to an intermediate location on it. The leaf members buffer side-to-side deflection of the main member. The planter assembly includes a furrowing disk and a depth gauge tire spaced from the disk.

Abstract: A gauge wheel/coulter arrangement for an agricultural row unit. A pair of closely spaced, narrow, ground-engaging wheels in side-by-side relation are mounted to rotate about intersecting axes. Specifically, the wheels are angled inwardly toward each other at the forward and lower portions of the wheels so that adjacent edges of the wheels firmly engage each other to cause the wheels to rotate in unison when drawn through a field. The region of contact between the wheels extends from a point at or below the horizontal center lines of the two wheels, downwardly and rearwardly to a point adjacent where the two wheels engage the ground. A coulter is located between the gauge wheels and bisects the angle between them. The gauge wheels engage and pin down the crop residue while the coulter cuts the residue as it is held in place and tensioned by the passing, diverging gauge wheels.

Abstract: A method of making a nonwoven composite material. The method includes the steps of: providing a hydraulically entangled web containing a fibrous component and a nonwoven layer of substantially continuous filaments; applying a bonding material to at least one side of said web; and creping said at least one side of the hydraulically entangled web. The bonder material may be an aqueous mixture including a curable latex polymer, a pigment, and a cure promoter. Also disclosed is a nonwoven composite material made of a hydraulically entangled web including a fibrous component; a nonwoven layer of substantially continuous filaments; and regions containing bonder material covering at least a portion of at least one side of the composite material, wherein at least one side of the web has been creped.

Abstract: A seed planter is described which includes a pair of gauge wheels having a plurality of spaced fingers in generally-horizontal planes. The gauge wheels do not pack the surface of wet soil. In another embodiment, there are provided closing wheels which include spaced fingers on the periphery. The closing wheels are able to close the slot in the soil without forming a hardened crust on the soil. Use of the closing wheels and the gauge wheels enables the planting of seeds in soils which contain higher levels of moisture than normally permissible.

Abstract: A depth control structure for an agricultural seeder, having laterally spaced opener structures including pivotally mounted opener beams extending rearwardly and downwardly from the seeder frame to journal openers for vertical motion, provides a depth control wheel adjustably supported forwardly of each opener. Each depth control wheel is journaled in the rearward portion of a body beam pivotally supported in its forward portion on the seeder to extend rearwardly with at least its rearward portion below the associated opener beam. The medial portion of the body carries adjustment structure interconnected with the superior opener support beam to fixedly maintain and adjustably vertically position the depth control wheel relative to the associated opener. The depth control wheels have a cylindrical periphery with substantial width to aid in compacting and conditioning the earth that is to define a potential seed furrow for seed placement.

Abstract: An improved planter gauge wheel arm hub assembly which reduces the effects of wear on gauge wheel hubs and shafts and the resulting looseness between the gauge wheels and furrow disks. A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a threaded attaching stud and a threaded adjustment stud to carry a disc spring which applies a continuous force on the wheel arm hub.

Abstract: An adjustable depth control mechanism for use with earth penetrating equipment. The invention includes a hub and spindle assembly for use with an adjustable depth gauge wheel, which is mounted on a support axle. It may also include a position indicator that an operator can readily view to determine the relative position of the depth gauge wheel and, accordingly, the depth setting of the ground penetrating disc. The indicator rotates to certain positions that correspond to the depth to which the disc is allowed to penetrate into the ground. Preferably, both the position indicator and the adjustment mechanism of the assembly are located internal to the depth gauge wheel and are covered and protected by the rim of the wheel from contamination by soil and crop residue.

Abstract: A metering drive mechanism is provided for use with a seed depositing implement adapted for movement across the ground. The mechanism includes a gauge wheel, an arm assembly supporting the gauge wheel for rolling engagement with the ground, and a mounting bracket on which the arm assembly pivots. The mechanism restricts upward pivoting movement of the arm assembly beyond a predetermined position, thus establishing the height of the implement. However, downward movement of the arm assembly is allowed in order to permit the gauge wheel to remain in contact with the ground at all times during travel. A spring urges the wheel against the ground with a force that remains constant, even when the predetermined position of the arm assembly relative to the bracket is changed to vary the height of the implement.