Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

Abstract: A residue clearing apparatus for a shank of an agricultural implement includes a spoked wheel adapted for attachment to the implement such that the spoked wheel rotates about a wheel axis oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to an operating travel direction of the implement and forward of the shank. A drive is operative to rotate the spoked wheel. The spoked wheel is oriented such that ends of spokes of the spoked wheel pass above the ground forward of the shank, and such that the ends of the spokes of the spoked wheel pass adjacent to a front face of the shank. The spokes may be resiliently or pivotally mounted to the wheel.

Abstract: A knife assembly includes a unique finned point with angled soil-engaging surfaces defining several fracture areas and preventing slabbing to avoid excessive soil disturbance and knife wear. The knife has an extended length between the point and upper mounting brackets to facilitate operation of the point over a substantial range of depths, and the mounting brackets operate above ground level even at maximum point depth operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a knife for and a method of zero till or minimum till seeding and fertilizing. The knife is particularly adapted for dry land conditions producing minimum solid disturbance and very shallow operation. The knife has a high penetration angle preferably of 45 degrees which permits the blade to enter high trash surface cover with little tendency to plug due to trash accumulation. The blade has a forward angle of attack, the lower cutting edge advancing before the upper cutting edge, serving to make a clean cut in the soil surface without accumulating trash. Seed and/or fertilizer conduits are attached to or incorporated in the trailing face of the blade in which the outlets may be spaced for controlled placement of the materials. By the method a furrow is cut having a substantial transverse component in an operation with a substantial forward component.

Abstract: The present invention has several aspects to it, one of which is the provision of a chisel point which is straight and tapered from its thinnest part at the extreme front to a thicker part at the rear thereof for causing a sweep to wear longer than prior art sweeps. This sweep also improves soil penetration and is self-sharpening. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an earth working sweep having a front end, a right side, a left side, and a central upper portion for connecting the sweep to an implement. It also has a right rear wing portion and a left rear wing portion with an intermediate portion connecting the front end to the central upper rear portion and the left and right rear wing portions. A right edge and a left edge have concave edges on the front and convex edges on the back so as to form a somewhat S-shaped configuration which reduces scrap when being made and adds to the longevity and performance of the sweep.

Abstract: A tillage sweep assembly includes a base sweep with a central fore-and-aft slot. A support strap or stem includes a corresponding fore-and-aft extending protrusion which mates with the slot. A filet weld connects the top of the base sweep to the support strap with the weld extending around the strap. A plug weld is added to the underside of the sweep in an offset or lifted portion of the bottom of the base sweep above the cutting plane of the sweep. The extra plug weld adds strength to the existing filet weld joint and significantly reduces the chance of inadvertent base sweep loss. The location of the plug weld above the cutting plane protects the plug weld from wear. The strap or step of the sweep assembly is slotted for ease of pitch adjustment, and the base sweep has wings with substantial fore-and-aft extending end portions to retain working width over the life of the sweep.

Abstract: A seed furrow cutting knife adapted for cutting a seed furrow, fluffing the furrow sidewalls to avoid soil compaction, and for offset placement of fertilizer in the furrow is provided. The furrow cutting knife has associated side wings for fluffing sidewalls of the seed furrow and for simultaneous discharge of liquid fertilizer through a fertilizer tube into the seed furrow, but offset from the bottom of the seed furrow to avoid burning of the seed.

Abstract: A cultivator sweep having a substantially constant cross-sectional thickness and configured with a generally triangular head portion including a pair of side edges diverging symmetrically rearward from a nose region. Each of the side edges is provided with a bevelled outer edge defining a blade region to enhance weed cutting ability of the sweep. Each blade region extends forwardly toward and terminates short of the foremost point of the sweep to provide the nose region with a width equal to at least two times the thickness of the sweep thereby increasing the strength and configuration of the nose region thus prolonging the useful life of the sweep. The sweep can also include in the attachment portion which is integrally formed with the head portion.

Abstract: An agricultural share having a working portion with a front face, a rear face and two sides converging to a forward point. A plurality of depressions are formed on the rear face of the working portion in the vicinity of the two sides for the purpose of achieving a reduction in the "footprint" area of the share. Additionally, the depressions serve to trap soil therein with the result that there is a reduction in wear on the rear face.

Abstract: The convex upper surface of the generally triangular sweep has oppositely inclined, lateral faces that diverge from the forwardmost point of the sweep and serve to loosen and lift the soil while the outer cutting edges sever subsurface roots of weeds and other above-ground growth. Rigid, rearwardly extending flaps at the rear extremity of the sweep are disposed at such a strategic angle that although they rigidify the trailing section of the sweep and reduce wear which might otherwise occur at outer rear corners of the sweep, they avoid untoward turning and rolling of the loosened soil and severed plant materials so that moisture-retaining trash and plant residue is left intact on the ground surface.

Abstract: A plow chisel having an integrated chisel point and including an elongated, arcuate shank portion formed as a curved, flat metal plate having a top surface, bottom surface and two opposed side edges. At one end, the shank portion is pointed due to convergence of the side edges. A chisel cap of pointed configuration includes a base relieved to receive the pointed end of the shank portion in a recess of complementary shape. The cap is of hard metal construction and is secured to the shank portion by welding.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved soil contact tool comprised of a narrow uniform width ground engaging section and a triangular moldboard section extending therefrom. The moldboard section has a center to direct soil away from the mold board with sides being generally concave to insure transverse movement of the soil to create ridges on either side of the ground working tool.