Abstract: A no-till farming apparatus is provided for use with a planter unit which plants seeds as the planter unit is pulled along a predetermined path. The apparatus includes a hiller device coupled to the planter unit. The hiller device is configured to form an elevated ridge including a mixture of soil and a residue remaining from a previous crop in front of the planter unit so that the planter unit plants seeds a predetermined distance below a top surface of the elevated ridge formed by the hiller device. The apparatus also includes a residue cleaning implement located in front of the hiller device to clear at least a portion of the residue in front of the hiller device. In the illustrated embodiment, the residue cleaning implement is pivotably coupled to a support extending in front of the hiller device.

Abstract: A no-till planting apparatus and method is disclosed for use with a planter unit which plants seeds as the planter unit is pulled along a predetermined path. The planter unit includes a double disk opener for cutting a furrow at a predetermined depth and a mechanism for depositing seeds in the furrow. The apparatus includes a disk hiller for forming an elevated ridge including a mixture of soil and residue remaining from a previous crop without cutting the soil at a depth greater the predetermined depth. The disk hiller is coupled directly to the planter unit so that the disk hiller forms the elevated ridge ahead of and aligned with the planter unit so that the planter unit rides on the elevated ridge and plants seeds at substantially the predetermined depth below a top surface of the elevated ridge.