Abstract: An implement is provided that includes a frame, a ground engaging roller mounted to the frame, and a suspension system that includes a spring for biasing the roller toward the ground, and a frame support member fixed to the frame above the roller. The frame support member prevents the implement from experiencing high forces when moved into the transport position or when a strong downpressure is exerted on the frame by transferring the forces through the ground working tools to the ground. The frame support member can be a rigid protrusion, a flat plate, or a rolling element. In preferred embodiments, the implement is an agricultural packer and frame support members are positioned above each roller.

Abstract: A field marker for mounting on an agricultural implement includes an elongated arm adapted to project outwardly laterally of the implement when in its operating position and is adapted to carry a field marking device at its outer distal end for making a score mark on the ground. A mount for the arm at an inner proximal end thereof allows pivoting of the arm abut first and second transverse axes whereby to allow the arm to swing upwardly and downwardly about the first one of the axes when operating on uneven ground while also allowing the arm to swing around the second of the axes from its outwardly projecting operating position into another position. The arm includes inner and outer arm sections secured together by a folding joint to permit the inner and outer arm sections to be folded into juxtaposition with one another and brought into the transport position.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a frame having a pair of tool-carrying wings pivotally mounted thereon for pivotal movement between raised transport positions and lowered ground-working positions. Each wing has a hydraulic wing actuator connected thereto which is extendable and retractible for effecting the pivotal motion. A hydraulic wing actuator circuit is connected to each of the wing actuators, which circuit, when connected to a tractor hydraulic system, enables the wing actuators to apply down pressure to said wings when the wings are in the lowered working positions. A hydraulic pressure control valve system controls the down pressure exerted by the wing actuators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new frame support that prevents implement frames and parts from experiencing high forces and instead, transmits the forces through the ground working tools down to the ground. The frame support can be used in conjunction with the suspension system of any implement adapted for travel over the ground and preferably, the invention is used in conjunction with an agricultural packer. The packer may be of any size, but typically is of a five-section configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the frame support is a rigid protrusion fixed to the packer frame above the packer coil. The frame support could also be a flat plate, or a rolling element. The frame support is adapted to contact the packer coil during the wing up and wing down operations of the implement. When the frame support and the packer coil contact, the high forces incurred during the wing up and wing down operations are transmitted through the frame support and packer coil down to the ground.

Abstract: A field marker for mounting on an agricultural implement includes an elongated arm adapted to project outwardly laterally of the implement when in its operating position and is adapted to carry a field marking device at its outer distal end for making a score mark on the ground. A mount for the arm at an inner proximal end thereof allows pivoting of the arm abut first and second transverse axes whereby to allow the arm to swing upwardly and downwardly about the first one of the axes when operating on uneven ground while also allowing the arm to swing around the second of the axes from its outwardly projecting operating position into another position. The arm includes inner and outer arm sections secured together by a folding joint to permit the inner and outer arm sections to be folded into juxtaposition with one another and brought into the transport position.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a frame having a pair of tool-carrying wings pivotally mounted thereon for pivotal movement between raised transport positions and lowered ground-working positions. Each wing has a hydraulic wing actuator connected thereto which is extendable and retractible for effecting the pivotal motion. A hydraulic wing actuator circuit is connected to each of the wing actuators, which circuit, when connected to a tractor hydraulic system, enables the wing actuators to apply down pressure to said wings when the wings are in the lowered working positions. A hydraulic pressure control valve system controls the down pressure exerted by the wing actuators.

Abstract: A field marker for mounting on an agricultural implement includes an elongated arm adapted to project outwardly laterally of the implement when in its operating position and is adapted to carry a field marking device at its outer distal end for making a score mark on the ground. A mount for the arm at an inner proximal end thereof allows pivoting of the arm about first and second transverse axes whereby to allow the arm to swing upwardly and downwardly about the first one of said axes when operating on uneven ground while also allowing the arm to swing around the second one of said axes from its outwardly projecting operating position into another position. The arm includes inner and outer arm sections secured together by a folding joint to permit the inner and outer arm sections to be folded into juxtaposition with one another and brought into the transport position.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a frame having a pair of tool-carrying wings pivotally mounted thereon for pivotal movement between raised transport positions and lowered ground-working positions. Each wing has a hydraulic wing actuator connected thereto which is extendable and retractible for effecting the pivotal motion. A hydraulic wing actuator circuit is connected to each of the wing actuators, which circuit, when connected to a tractor hydraulic system, enables the wing actuators to apply down pressure to said wings when the wings are in the lowered working positions. A hydraulic pressure control valve system controls the down pressure exerted by the wing actuators.

Abstract: A nurse inductor mechanism for an agricultural seeding implement converts an air seeder meter box into a nurse inductor box to convey seed particles to the singulator of a planting mechanism. The nurse inductor mechanism is detachably mounted on the meter box of the air seeder to receive a supply of seed particles therefrom. The nurse induction mechanism intercepts the normal air flow for the metering mechanism to divert the stream of air into engagement with a pile of seed particles and induce the entrainment of the seed particles for conveyance thereof to the remote planting mechanism. A partition wall divides the nurse induction mechanism into a seed side and an air side. The seed side receives the supply of seed particles from the hopper and allows the seed to pass through a passageway into the air side for engagement by the stream of air.

Abstract: An agricultural planter is provided with forwardly folding wing members that allow conversion of the planter from a laterally extending operating position to a compact transport position. To increase stability for the planter, the draw bar telescopes as the wing members are folded forwardly into the transport position. Brace members interconnect a forward portion of the draw bar and the wing members. As the wing members fold forwardly, the brace members are arranged to cause a rearward portion of the draw bar to extend rearwardly from the forward portion and effect the telescopic action in the draw bar. A draw bar hitch lock linkage is provided to keep the draw bar compacted when the wing members are in the operating position. A hitch lock actuator is tied into the hydraulic system for the movement of the wing members into the transport position to permit the telescopic action of the draw bar in concert with the forward folding of the wing members.

Abstract: A nurse inductor mechanism for an agricultural seeding implement converts an air seeder meter box into a nurse inductor box to convey seed particles to the singulator of a planting mechanism. The nurse inductor mechanism is detachably mounted on the meter box of the air seeder to receive a supply of seed particles therefrom. The nurse induction mechanism intercepts the normal air flow for the metering mechanism to divert the stream of air into engagement with a pile of seed particles and induce the entrainment of the seed particles for conveyance thereof to the remote planting mechanism. A partition wall divides the nurse induction mechanism into a seed side and an air side. The seed side receives the supply of seed particles from the hopper and allows the seed to pass through a passageway into the air side for engagement by the stream of air.

Abstract: A primer system for agricultural product distribution machines, such as an agricultural air seeder, a precision planter, a sprayer, or the like, includes a tank or a bin for holding the product, a distribution system for conveying and distributing the product from the tank and a driving mechanism for driving the product from the tank into the distribution system at a certain rate. The driving mechanism can run automatically or can be selectively operated, based on commands received from a microcontroller. The microcontroller may receive signals from a user interface and from sensing equipment, such as a ground speed detector, a pressure sensor, a flow metre, or the like. In a regular mode of operation, the controller runs the driving mechanism automatically at a rate calculated based on the signals received from the above mentioned systems. Most agricultural machines have the automated mode of operation of the driving mechanism, conditioned by the ground speed of the tractor being higher than a minimum speed.

Abstract: A nurse inductor mechanism for an agricultural seeding implement converts an air seeder meter box into a nurse inductor box to convey seed particles to the singulator of a planting mechanism. The nurse inductor mechanism is detachably mounted on the meter box of the air seeder to receive a supply of seed particles therefrom. The nurse induction mechanism intercepts the normal air flow for the metering mechanism to divert the stream of air into engagement with a pile of seed particles and induce the entrainment of the seed particles for conveyance thereof to the remote planting mechanism. A partition wall divides the nurse induction mechanism into a seed side and an air side. The seed side receives the supply of seed particles from the hopper and allows the seed to pass through a passageway into the air side for engagement by the stream of air.

Abstract: A nurse receiver header for an agricultural planting implement is cooperable with a nurse mechanism that conveys a stream of seeds entrained in an air stream from a central hopper. A receiver is positioned at the planting mechanism to receive the seeds entrained in the air stream and accumulate a supply of the seeds for utilization by the associated planting mechanism. The receiver header may include a vent for dissipating the air stream when receiving the seeds for distribution to the receiver. The vent is provided with a hood to keep contaminants from entering the vent and passing into the planting mechanism. The receiver header is positioned so that an appropriate supply of seeds for the planting mechanism fills the tube between the receiver header and the receiver including the vent, resulting in a decreased volume of discharged air for the air stream and a diminished ability for the nurse mechanism to convey seeds. The receiver header can be configured to service multiple receivers.

Abstract: A field marker for mounting on an agricultural implement includes an elongated arm adapted to project outwardly laterally of the implement when in its operating position and is adapted to carry a field marking device at its outer distal end for making a score mark on the ground. A mount for the arm at an inner proximal end thereof allows pivoting of the arm about first and second transverse axes whereby to allow the arm to swing upwardly and downwardly about the first one of the axes when operating on uneven ground while also allowing the arm to swing around the second of the axes from its outwardly projecting operating position into another position. The arm includes inner and outer arm sections secured together by a folding joint to permit the inner and outer arm sections to be folded into juxtaposition with one another and brought into the transport position.

Abstract: A headlands control system for a winged agricultural implement includes a headlands actuator operatively connected between implement wing actuators for establishing operation in either of two modes. In the first mode, when the headland actuator is in a first position (e.g. extended), the wing actuators are provided extra downward range to pivot and bias the wing sections downward below horizontal as may occur during operation over uneven ground. In the second mode, when the headland actuator is in a second position (e.g. retracted) and the implement is raised (e.g. at the headlands), the downward range of the implement wings is more limited (as compared with the first mode) at the point where the wing actuators are fully extended. This system thus provides an apparatus for preventing implement wings from drooping in the headland position so the operator is not required to reset the wing control from float mode, or from down pressure mode, depending on what is equipped.

Abstract: A nurse adapter mechanism for an agricultural seeding implement converts an air seeder meter box into a nurse inductor box to convey seed particles to the singulator of a planting mechanism. The nurse adapter mechanism is detachably mounted on the meter box of the air seeder to receive a supply of seed particles therefrom and utilizes the normal air flow for the metering mechanism to effect a nursing of seed particles to a planting mechanism. The nurse adapter mechanism diverts the stream of air into engagement with a pile of seed particles and induce the entrainment of the seed particles for conveyance thereof to the remote planting mechanism. A partition wall divides the nurse induction mechanism into a seed side and an air side. The seed side receives the supply of seed particles from the hopper and allows the seed to pass through a passageway into the air side for engagement by the stream of air.

Abstract: An agricultural planter is provided with hydraulically operated devices to effect the folding and unfolding of the planter support structure between operative and transport configurations. The planter includes a telescopic hitch apparatus that lengthens as the pivoted wing members are folded forwardly to position a transport lock mechanism for engagement with vertically oriented wing latch retainer bars mounted in a latch tower on the draw bar. A hitch latch mechanism is also provided to control the movement of the telescopic draw bar. A caster lock apparatus is also provided to control the castering action of a wheel device positioned near the ends of the wing members. In operation, the laterally extending tool bar is pivoted on a transverse axis to forwardly roll the tool bar toward an intermediate transport position.

Abstract: An agricultural implement, having a tool bar that is pivoted forwardly to initiate the conversion of the implement from a working position toward a transport position, including left and right wing members extending in opposing directions to respective distal ends, is provided with a lift assist mechanism to support the distal ends of the wing members as the tool bar is pivoted forwardly to an intermediate transport position. The lift assist mechanism includes a frame pivotally mounted to each respective wing member, a lift assist wheel providing ground-engaging support for the wing member, and a lift assist actuator that controls the pivoted movement of the lift assist mechanism to maintain the lift assist wheel in supporting contact with the ground until the tool bar has been rotated approximately 60 degrees from the lowered working position toward the raised intermediate transport position.

Abstract: A control system is provided for automatically deploying the field markers on an agricultural planter in an alternating manner without requiring operator input. The control system utilizes a proximity sensor to determine whether the tool bar is coming from the lowered working position to the raised headland position or vice versa. Solenoid valves in the hydraulic circuit to the field marker actuators are activated to retract both actuators to retract the deployed one of the field markers when the tool bar is moved into the headland position. When the tool bar is returned to the working position after making a turn at the field headlands, the control system remembers which field marker had just previously been deployed and then extends the other field marker to score the field. The control system permits the operator to remain attentive to the turning of the tractor and implement at the headlands and the setting of the planting implement into the ground at the proper location for planting the crop.