Abstract: A depth adjustment assembly for seed planting unit of an agricultural implement may include a cam member rotatable to adjust a vertical position of a wheel of the unit relative to a ground engaging tool of the unit. The cam member may include a first engagement element. The depth adjustment assembly may also include a locking member having a second engagement element and a biasing member configured to bias the cam and locking members together to engage the first and second engagement elements and maintain a rotational position of the cam member relative to the locking member. When the first and second engagement elements are disengaged, the cam member is rotatable relative to the locking member to vary the penetration depth setting.

Abstract: A method of seed planting in a “serpentine” pattern called the wave planter is demonstrated. It consists of a manner of placing the seeds that essentially results in equally spaced rows of seeds placed in a serpentine-like layout or wave instead of a straight row. The preferred method creates a wave pattern equidistant from the next, yet creates a substantial increase over the density of straight row planting devices and drills (e.g. parallel, essentially straight rows). The use of the wave pattern provide concrete and substantial benefits to the business and economics of farming through labor, energy, and maintenance savings over current planting methods which results in a new farming business method. The method may be accomplished by several devices. Some of the devices include an oscillating draw bar planter; oscillating tongue planter; elliptical row opener; steerable undercarriage for the planter and castor row openers under undercarriage.

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 method of seed planting in a “serpentine” pattern called the wave planter is demonstrated. It consists of a means that essentially results in equally spaced rows placed in a serpentine-like layout or wave instead of a straight row. The preferred method creates a wave pattern equidistant from the next, yet creates a substantial increase over the density of straight row planting devices and drills (eg parallel, essentially straight rows). The use of the wave pattern provide concrete and substantial benefits to the business and economics of farming through labor, energy, and maintenance savings over current planting methods which results in a new farming business method. The method may be accomplished by several devices. Some of the devices include an oscillating draw Bar planter; oscillating tongue planter; elliptical row opener; steerable undercarriage for the planter and castor row openers under undercarriage.

Abstract: A ground closer kit for attachment to a seeding/fertilizing apparatus includes a support frame having a first end, a second end, and a bottom edge. The first end is adapted for pivotally mounting the support frame to a ground opener. A ground closer plate is secured to the bottom edge of the support frame at the second end. A rod is pivotally mounted to the second end of the support frame. A receptacle is provided for attachment to a seed/fertilizer delivery tube. The rod is securable within the receptacle at one of a plurality of attachment positions along the length of the rod.

Abstract: A multi-function draft implement for opening, seeding, and fertilizing is disclosed. The implement provides a vertical knife opener for creating a vertical trench in the ground, a horizontal sweep for opening a horizontal swath in the ground and creating a seed-supporting shelf. The seed-supporting shelf thus created allows the seeds to be deposited on the shelf on either side of the vertical trench. Fertilizer can be placed in the vertical trench and the ground is replaced over the shelf-supported seed and fertilizer. In one embodiment, the vertical knife is biased with respect to the horizontal sweep and depth-controlling ground-engaging wheels are provided for controlling the depth of the planting sweep. In another embodiment, the vertical knife and the horizontal sweep are in adjustable fixed relation.

Abstract: A seed drill machine of the type having a plurality of disk assemblies, and a torsion spring joint for connection of the disk assemblies to the frame of the machine. The machine is conventionally mounted on a pair of wheels and the disk assemblies can be raised and lowered relative to the wheels for travel from place to place in the raised position and for ground working in the lowered position. In the lowered position, the torsion spring joint biases the disk blades in penetrating engagement with the soil to form a furrow. The torsion joints include flexible, resilient type spring elements. The disk assembly is carried by an arm connected to the joint. The spring elements are prone to develop a permanent deflection when they are left under load for a period of time. Means are provided for adjusting the angular relationship of the disk assembly arms to the connecting joints to compensate for such deformation.

Abstract: A fertilizer injection implement has a flat, smooth, and unfluted coulter blade followed by a smooth-surfaced injection tube reinforced longitudinally and preferably slotted upwardly at the rear from its open discharge end. Apparatus for travel across cropland has a series of these implements mounted side-by-side, the coulter blades being rotatably mounted in respective forks that are articulatively attached to a frame in common by hanger bars and yoke bars. Press wheels are advantageously pivoted rearwardly of the respective implements for helping to close the cuts made in the soil.

Abstract: A seed drill including depending furrow openers having a lower shovel and a supporting seed boot. Each seed boot is pivotally supported on a longitudinal drag bar assembly connected to it about a transverse pivotal connection. The forwardly extending arm at the upper end of the seed boot selectively engages one end of a longitudinal leaf spring mounted to the drag arm assembly. A preselected planting position for the shovel and seed boot is defined by an overlying adjustable stop. An arcuate abutment surface is interposed between the seed boot arm and leaf spring. A stop is interposed between the drag arm assembly and leaf spring for limiting upward movement of the free spring end.

Abstract: Relatively simple opener assembly structure for maintaining a generally constant vertical relationship between an opener and a trailing press wheel. The structure provides benefits of a parallel linkage design but obviates the extra links of, and provides better trash shedding and tripping characteristics than, a parallel linkage design. An opener arm and a press wheel arm are pivotally connected to a leg assembly for rocking about offset pivotal axes. As the press wheel arm oscillates over uneven ground, the opener arm is constrained for vertical movement with the central portion of a press wheel arm by a track and follower assembly. The opener arm is substantially shorter than the press wheel arm and causes the opener to rotate both rearwardly and upwardly upon encountering trash or other obstacles.

Abstract: A shank assembly including a rearwardly opening bracket pivotally mounting a shank. A tension link extends upwardly from a central portion of the shank and through an apertured strap. A stop member at the upper end of the link limits the downward rocking of the shank. An adjustable arm assembly including a trunnion slidably received over the tension link is pivotally connected to the bracket and adjustably compresses a down-pressure spring which encircles the link between the trunnion and the shank. Individual down-pressure adjustments can be made without affecting the transport height of the assembly.

Abstract: Planter apparatus (10) including a plurality of pivotally mounted arms (22, 24) each having a disc unit (26) arranged on an outboard end thereof has each of the arms constructed with horizontal and angular portions (28, 30 and 32, 34) disposed at such an angle with respect to one another that the horizontal portion experiences greatly reduced side forces. The lighter construction of the arms thus afforded permits inclusion of a fine adjustment in the resilient control arrangement (58) associated with each of the arms, with this fine adjustment preferably being obtained by use of torsion springs (62) associated with each of the arms. A stop assembly (48) is provided inboard of the pivot point of each of the arms for potential abutment with an associated subframe (16) of the apparatus in order to limit downward swinging movement of an associated disc unit in the event of disengagement or other failure of the primary motion control system of the arms.

Abstract: An attachment for a chisel plow comprising a seed planter resiliently connected to the shank of the chisel plow by means of a leaf spring rod, and gauge wheels detachably connected to the seed planter for maintaining a constant planting depth relative to the ground. The resilient rod provides lateral support for the seed planter so that structural connection to the plow frame is unnecessary.

Abstract: A pre-stressed columnar rubber spring interposed between the pressure beam and pivoted draw bar tube of a no-till seed drill deflects under load in one direction only and the force causing increased spring deflection in the principle operational range increases to a desired maximum and then remains substantially constant or decreases slightly thereby relieving the machine of excess stresses caused by contact of coulters and openers with rocks and other field obstructions.

Abstract: A packer wheel assembly is disclosed that is particularly useful for sod seeding purposes. The apparatus includes a mounting bracket having a pair of spaced arms with a packer wheel being rotatably mounted between the center portion of each of the arms. A packer pivot rod is connected between the arms at the front portion of each so that the arms pivot about a horizontal axis. A packer stop is also provided at the front of the arms rearwardly of the pivot, and an adjustable spray shield is attached to the rear of the bracket. This assembly provides the needed flexibility to follow the contour of the ground and allow the assembly to be adjusted to various cutter wheel depths with the packer wheel having a capability to follow the furrow for all selected cutter wheel depths.

Abstract: An agricultural seed-drill comprises a frame and pivotally mounted drag bar carrying a coulter disc. An ovoid rubber spring is located between the drag bar and a member, such as a moving beam or bell crank lever, associated with the frame to apply pressure to the coulter, or to enable the coulter to be raised so that the disc does not contact the soil. In order to relieve strain on the spring member when the coulter is raised, the said spring member and associated threaded studs, used to attach the spring member to the drag arm and the member associated with the frame, contain a continuous longitudinal axial passageway in which is located a cable the end portions of which extend through the studs and are terminated by nipples spaced apart from the end of the studs. By this means the weight of the drag arm is taken by the cable when the drag arm is in the raised position.