Abstract: An agricultural tillage sweep providing good soil action without ridges in the soil surface at both high and low speed operation in different soil conditions. Wings extending outwardly and rearwardly from a leading nose portion include non-flat soil contacting surfaces defining opposed outwardly and upwardly directed surfaces converging in the forward direction. The surfaces, which can be concave upwardly and outwardly, define soil throwing action that progressively increase in the rearward direction. A shallow sweep leading area provides greater upward soil lift and lesser outward soil throw compared to trailing areas. At high speeds, the leading area provides vertical lift and substantial outward throw of soil, and at lower speeds the progressive action surfaces provide additional outward throw of soil to facilitate necessary soil mixing action.

Abstract: Sweep retaining structure includes a retainer having a contact end biased towards the sweep. The sweep includes two or more spaced end-receiving areas to accommodate changes in the mounted sweep position. In one embodiment, the retainer is a wire made of spring steel having a contact end biased against the underside of the sweep. In one embodiment, the underside of the sweep includes a series of stepped portions. As the sweep is forced on the adapter on the shank, the contact end springs into retaining position on the stepped portion that aligns with the spring end when the sweep is in the mounted position. The sweep can be attached loosely by hand in an initial position with operating forces moving the sweep to a wedge locked position.

Abstract: Sweep retaining structure includes a retainer having a contact end biased towards the sweep. The sweep includes two or more spaced end-receiving areas to accommodate changes in the mounted sweep position. In one embodiment, the retainer is a wire made of spring steel having a contact end biased against the underside of the sweep. In one embodiment, the underside of the sweep includes a series of stepped portions. As the sweep is forced on the adapter on the shank, the contact end springs into retaining position on the stepped portion that aligns with the spring end when the sweep is in the mounted position. The sweep can be attached loosely by hand in an initial position with operating forces moving the sweep to a wedge locked position.

Abstract: A sweep removal tool includes a pair of claws with angled surfaces conforming to the top edge of the sweep stem to locate the tool and help distribute sweep removal impact forces. A retainer depressor centered below the claws moves the retainer to a release position and slides between the angled surfaces during sweep removal. The depressor shape assures desired tine contact, even when the sweep is at an extreme position in the range of possible mounted positions, while preventing damaging contact as the depressor moves relative to the retainer during sweep removal. A curved surface extends between the claws and the depressor and facilitates free pivoting of the tine about the claw contact points to depress the retainer. The tool bottoms against the sweep when the depressor is moved to the release position to prevent retained damage from removal impact forces.

Abstract: A tillage sweep includes an elongated nose portion having forward cutting edges which are straight and diverge at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from a leading point. The top of the nose viewed from the side is straight and angles upwardly at an angle of approximately eleven degrees from the planar bottom surface to juncture with a stem or connecting portion which forms an angle of about 46 degrees with the plane of the bottom surface. The sweep includes outer wing portions with the cutting edges which are straight and which diverge at an angle of approximately 67 degrees thereby forming an angle of about 11 degrees with the respective forward cutting edges. The overall length of the sweep is greater than the width.

Abstract: Knock-on sweep structure includes a wedge adapter having opposite sides with upper and lower surfaces that engage the wrap-around portion of the sweep stem. The upper and lower surfaces diverge at different rates from a narrow end to a wide end to improve sweep-adapter contact. In one embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces on each side are planar and define a compound angle. The differential rate of divergence assures early contact between the adapter and stem at a plurality of spaced locations for improved retention and more reliable sweep positioning.

Abstract: The entire right, title and interest in and to this application and all subject matter disclosed and/or claimed therein, including any and all divisions, continuations, reissues, etc., thereof are, effective as of the date of execution of this application, assigned, transferred, sold and set over by the applicant(s) named herein to Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation having offices at Moline, Ill. 61265, U.S.A., together with all rights to file, and to claim priorities in connection with, corresponding patent applications in any and all foreign countries in the name of Deere & Company or otherwise.

Abstract: Sweep retaining structure includes a retainer having a contact end biased towards the sweep. The sweep includes two or more spaced end-receiving areas to accommodate changes in the mounted sweep position. In one embodiment, the retainer is a wire made of spring steel having a contact end biased against the underside of the sweep. In one embodiment, the underside of the sweep includes a series of stepped portions. As the sweep is forced on the adapter on the shank, the contact end springs into retaining position on the stepped portion that aligns with the spring end when the sweep is in the mounted position. The sweep can be attached loosely by hand in an initial position with operating forces moving the sweep to a wedge locked position.