Abstract: An agricultural plough has a longitudinally extending support member having a forward portion to be attached to a vehicle to thereby enable the apparatus to be towed by the vehicle. A pair of axles extend laterally from opposite longitudinal sides of the support member and provide a pair of laterally extending rotational axes. The axes are on opposite sides of the support member at acute angles longitudinally so as to extend rearwardly, the acute angles being 8 to 10 degrees to a plane extending normal to the support member to diverge rearwardly. Plough discs are supported on the axles to rotate about the rotational axes, with the discs and axles being configured so that the discs converge rearwardly and downward. The discs are displaced rearwardly from the forward portion.

Abstract: A ground engaging seed delivery device comprising an elongate support arm 8 pivotally mounted to a driving structure via a mounting structure 7 adapted to accommodate vertical linear displacement wherein the support arm has an offset coulter disc 3 fitted along the length thereof, a back swept seed delivery tube 2, followed by a packer wheel 4 and a ground engaging control arm 1 positioned to act between the coulter disc and packer wheel so as to follow a furrow formed by the coulter disc and prevent the furrow divot from either collapsing and/or being thrown prior to delivery of seed into the furrow such that the packer wheel can replace the divot immediately following delivery of seed to the furrow.

Abstract: The present disc opener assembly for a seed planter is for a single disc opener arrangement and is embodied in several embodiments. FIGS. 1 and 1a illustrate two embodiments of the present disc opener assembly the specifics of each will be described below. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 1a and 2, there is illustrated a disc opener assembly (10) mounted on a tool bar (7) connected to a work vehicle (5) for opening a seed trench (8) in the ground upon which the vehicle (5) moves. A main arm (12) is attached to the tool bar (7) with a disc (14) mounted for rotation on the main arm (12). A depth adjustment mechanism (40) is used to adjust the depth of the disc (14) in the seed trench (8) with a seed placement device (70) positioned in the seed trench (8) for depositing a seed (71) in the seed trench (8). The seed trench (8) having been opened by the disc (14) as the work vehicle (5) moves across the ground.

Abstract: A disc opener for no till or minimum till seeding and/or fertilizing operations, the opener having a frame adapted to move in a forward direction of travel, an opening disc for forming a furrow in soil when moved in the forward direction, the disc being rotatably mounted to the frame and inclined in the direction of travel to provide a leading and a trailing surface, means for dispensing seed and/or fertilizer into the furrow, a soil retaining wheel mounted to the frame and set to run along an undisturbed soil surface behind the trailing edge of the leading surface of the opening disc in substantially the same direction as the direction of travel, such that in use the soil retaining wheel replaces soil from the furrow formed by the opening disc and also controls the depth of the furrow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a press-wheel assembly of the kind used with seed planting machines and which includes a press-wheel (11) formed by a pair of mating wheel halves (11′, 11″), the inner wheel half (11′) being provided with an integrally formed hub (13) which projects through a central bore formed in the outer wheel half (11″), the projecting hub portion being constructed and arranged so as to permit the fitment of a protective end cap (14) within its open outer end. The cap (14) when fitted to the hub (13) has its skirt surrounded and thereby protected by the walls of the projecting hub portion. Openings (28) in the projecting hub portion are provided to allow the insertion of a hand tool for manually removing the end cap from the wheel hub. Desirably the cap (14) is secured to the inside of the hub by means of an interference fit.

Abstract: A coulter closing wheel assembly, a method of planting, and a mid row banding pneumatic coulter drill assembly support vehicle. One fertilizer coulter is positioned between two seeding coulters. The seeding coulters are followed by a furrow closing disc which scrubs the ground and pushes soil back into the furrow. The seeding coulters are also followed directly by a packer wheel. The fertilizer coulters may or may not employ a furrow closing disc, depending on the type of fertilizer and the type of soil. In the event of granular or liquid nitrogen fertilizers the closing disc is generally not necessary. However, when a gaseous fertilizer such as anhydrous ammonia is applied to the soil, the furrow closing disc is necessary in order to prevent the escape of the anhydrous ammonia into the atmosphere. The coulters are firmly attached to horizontal frame members of the drill and placed at an angle of a few degrees off the direction of travel.

Abstract: A compression system for a dual material delivery assembly is described. The assembly includes a furrowing element for producing a furrow in the ground as it is towed across the ground. A fertilizer tube and a seed tube are provided for depositing fertilizer and seed at respective location in the ground. A packer wheel follows the tubes for packing earth on top of the seed. A biasing element provides a force on the furrowing element and the packer wheel. A control linkage mounts between the packer wheel and the furrowing element for controlling a distribution of the force between the furrowing element and the packer wheel.

Abstract: A system for opening and closing ground has a coulter blade for cutting and opening the ground at a first angle to create an angled furrow, and a closing wheel for following the coulter blade for closing the ground. The closing wheel is inclined relative to the ground and engages the ground at a second different angle. The closing wheel is adjustable in height relative to the coulter blade at a plurality of heights. In use, in all adjustable positions the angles and the relative position of the coulter blade and the closing wheel are maintained such that the closing wheel engages the ground substantially in the line of travel of the coulter and closes the furrow cut by the latter.

Abstract: A support for a seed firming wheel of an agricultural planter. The support comprises a frame member, a link pivotally coupled to the frame member and a spring positioned between the link and frame member. The frame member is also provided with a pivot assembly to which the link is pivotally mounted. The seed firming wheel is rotatively mounted to the link. A lockup link is positioned between the frame member and the link for holding the seed firming wheel in a non-working position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved agricultural seeding; especially useful in no-till direct seeding. In the illustrated embodiment an inclined furrow is cut with a rotating disk that is inclined with respect to the vertical and the horizontal; the furrow has a raised lip, and straw and the like stalks are cleaved during the cutting. Seed is inserted by known means, and then a packer wheel, preferentially inclined in vertical and horizontal directions opposite to those the disk is inclined, runs across the lip and closes the furrow. Advantages include substantially reduced energy required for the furrow cutting, less weight required on the furrowing disk, more even seeding depth, less hairpinning, less soil disturbance, and less weed seed burial.

Abstract: A seeding device principally for no-tillage seeding conditions comprises a drag arm carrying two disk blades and transmitting the necessary forces thereto to cut through crop residues at the ground surface and to open a furrow for seed placement in the soil. The smaller disk is oriented vertically, whereas the larger disk extends at a compound angle from a lower front contact point between the two disks which thus define a V-shaped opener. The larger disk is angled relative to both the direction of travel and to a vertical axis to cut through residues and the soil and to displace a volume of soil for forming a trench. The smaller disk retains soil on a side of the furrow to allow a tube to deliver seeds therein. The smaller blade can also cut residues at the point of contact between the two disks to avoid trash buildup thereat.

Abstract: A support for a seed firming wheel of an agricultural planter. The support comprises a forked frame, a C-shaped link pivotally coupled to the forked frame and a spring positioned between the link and forked frame. The forked frame has a seed tube guard portion, two rearwardly extending arms, and a cross member that form a seed tube opening for receiving a seed tube and maintaining it in the center of the seed planting furrow. The forked frame is also provided with a pivot assembly to which the C-shaped link is mounted. The seed firming wheel is rotatively mounted to the C-shaped link.

Abstract: The invention provides a packer wheel to be towed behind agricultural equipment such as an air seeder, the wheel being used to pack the soil in which seed or fertilizer has been placed. The packer wheel includes a hub and a body extending from the hub to a peripheral wall. A plurality of circumferentially spaced slots extend from the peripheral wall inwardly of the wheel body. Adjacent slots define therebetween a fin which, due to the slots, is somewhat flexible. As the packer wheel rotates the fins will flex sightly, but enough to cause any mud, soil or debris that built up thereon to break away so that the packer wheel remains relatively clean, even in muddy conditions. The slots are shaped so that any mud or debris that builds up therein is automatically forced axially outwardly of the slots as the wheel rotates.

Abstract: The present invention is an adjustment mechanism to move the seed firming wheels into its correct side-to-side position. The seed firming wheels are rotatably mounted to a bracket which in turn is mounted to a wheel support member of the planter unit frame. The bracket is provided with two radiused bushings which cooperate with radiused surfaces in the side walls of the wheel support member. The side walls and the wheel support member are provided with fore/aft extending slots through which adjustment bolts pass through the bracket and sidewalls of the wheel support member for clamping the bracket to the wheel support member.

Abstract: Combined farm machine performing all of the seeding operations in one pass, comprising: a frame with a three-point attachment for the connection to the tractor and a hydraulic pump; several soil rippers; a roller for the macro- and microtillage of soil; a mechanical hopper seeder with rotating devices, from which several tubular seeding members project; several spring harrows and a levelling blade or door, which machine also includes a ploughing roller for the differentiated tillage of the soil, having several annular ribbings projecting in the same number as the seeding members and aligned therewith, the ploughing roller being rotated by motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved agricultural seeding; especially useful in no-till direct seeding. In the illustrated embodiment an inclined furrow is cut with a rotating disk that is inclined with respect to the vertical and the horizontal; the furrow has a raised lip, and straw and the like stalks are cleaved during the cutting. Seed is inserted by known means, and then a packer wheel, preferentially inclined in vertical and horizontal directions opposite to those the disk is inclined, runs across the lip and closes the furrow. Advantages include substantially reduced energy required for the furrow cutting, less weight required on the furrowing disk, more even seeding depth, less hairpinning, less soil disturbance, and less weed seed burial.

Abstract: A seeding assembly (20) for attachment to a cultivating or seeding tine (21). The seeding assembly (20) includes a seed tube (52) movably attached to the tine (21) by parallel linkages (53, 54). A wheel (63) is attached to the seeding tube (52) to regulate the height of the lower extremity (53) of the seeding tube (52) so that a seed is delivered to a seed bed (54) prepared by a closing tool (58) located forward of the seed tube (52).

Abstract: A seed firming wheel assembly is supported in close-coupled relationship with the rear portion of the paired discs of an opener to gently press deposited seeds down into the bottom of a V-shaped trench formed by the discs. The mounting arm of the assembly is configured in a manner to minimize the accumulation of mud and trash residue, while the wheel itself may take the form of a solid, circular block of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene with slick sides to reduce soil adherence or a spoked, molded plastic wheel having open spaces between the spokes to permit soil pass-through.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing seed and fertilizer in the ground comprises, a sectional frame, a seed supply and a fertilizer supply mounted on the frame, a multiplicity of unique fluid controlled seed row assemblies pivotally mounted on the frame to receive seed and fertilizer from their supplies, a fluid pressure source, a first control means for controlling fluid flowing from the source to the seed row assemblies, an identical second control means for controlling fluid flowing from the source to fluid controlled pivotal sections of the sectioned frame.

Abstract: A transplanter is disclosed which provides uniform planting without damaging plants. The transplanter includes a rotating cup assembly having two-piece clam shell cups, one of which opens by lateral movement by the cup halves of the cup. The transplanter also includes a chute and kick plate which move together to position the plants received from the rotating cup assembly in the planting position. A unique means is provided for opening the cup halves at a position immediately above the chute to minimize any hang-up of the plants. A polymer furrow opening shoe is also disclosed which includes a protective member which prevents soil damage to the polymeric surface. Also novel packing wheels are disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural seed planter comprising a frame adapted to be mounted to any conventionally drawn tool bar; a shaft attached to the frame and angled relative to the direction of travel and having mounted thereupon a soil cutting wheel designed as a multi-tined spider; sweepers attached to the frame and positioned to the side and parallel to the plane of rotation of the soil cutting wheel; a vertically adjustable ski shaped surface contacting member adjacent to the soil cutting wheel adapted so as to regulate the depth of soil cut; a seed dispensing apparatus positioned to deposit seed generally behind the soil cutting wheel and a suitable seed covering device, the sweepers comprise rigid formations attached at their forward facing ends to the frame of the planter and extend rearwards, on either side of an in close proximity to the multi-tined spider wheels such that, when in motion, any accumulated debris is swept from the tines of the spider.

Abstract: A towable, furrow opening seed planting assembly includes a mobile frame and a planting unit, the planting unit including a ground engaging opener, a seed depositing apparatus and a press wheel for covering the deposited seed with soil. A variety of different press wheels may be substituted through the use of adapters removably mounted on a universal press wheel arm whereby press wheels having different widths may be maintained in proper alignment with the furrow created by the opener for ensuring proper soil coverage and contact with the deposited seed.

Abstract: Soil-treating materials are placed in the soil in a desired relation to the seed by placement apparatus that preferably follows the seed-depositing mechanism on a planter and deposits the material a selected distance to one side and below the deposited seed. The apparatus includes a disc assembly including a generally vertical disc and an upright mounting shaft together with a feed tube affixed to the mounting shaft. A mounting bracket that mounts to the planter frame slidably receives the mounting shaft and provide for vertical and angular adjustment of the disc assembly and its ready removal from or attachment to the planter.

Abstract: A no-till drill mounts a seed distribution assembly on the upper portion of the back side of a chisel blade that cuts a furrow in the soil being planted. The seed distribution assembly includes a horizontal seed distribution plate having an upturned lip at its rear edge and side walls which extend upwardly from each of its sides. The side walls are joined to the blade at one of their ends and their other ends are separated from the upturned lip of the seed distribution plate. Thus, seed which is deposited onto the seed distribution plate from a seed supply tube falls off of the rear portion of the plate between the ends of the side walls and the upturned lip. The seed distribution assembly is wider than the blade and is positioned to extend partially into the furrow made by the blade and widen the upper portion of the furrow.

Abstract: A seeding apparatus is provided which includes a V-shaped frame having forward and rear arms of which the forward arm is hitchable to a tractor or other vehicle for pulling such apparatus. The seeding apparatus includes a carriage assembly which supports a furrow opener at one end of the carriage assembly adjacent the V-shaped frame. The seeding apparatus further includes a furrow closer at the remaining end of the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly is coupled to the rear arm of the frame by a spring mechanism which downwardly biases the furrow opener and closer toward the soil when the furrow opener and closer are in contact with the same. A second dual spring mechanism is situated between the hitch and the forward arm of the frame to further bias the furrow opener and closer downwardly when the furrow opener and closer contact the soil.

Abstract: In an agriculture grain drill which includes a pair of furrow forming disks rotatably mounted on a support connected with the grain drill in trailing fashion and on which downward pressure is exerted by the grain drill, a furrow closing disk depth control wheel trails the furrow disks and is vertically adjustable relative to the furrow disks by a pressure wheel support arm tongue secured to a furrow disk support bracket.