Abstract: A method of manufacturing a section is formed from a blank having the perimeter of a truncated generally isosceles triangle. Each angled side of the truncated generally isosceles triangle includes a plurality of substantially semi-circular channels. The long axis of each substantially semi-circular channel is substantially parallel to the base of the truncated generally isosceles triangle. The top of the substantially semi-circular channel intersects the front surface of the section knife. The bottom of the substantially semi-circular channel intersects the back surface of the section knife. A cutting edge is formed at the intersection of the substantially semi-circular channel and the back surface of the section knife.

Abstract: A section knife is formed from a blank having the perimeter of a truncated generally isosceles triangle. Each angled side of the truncated generally isosceles triangle includes a plurality of substantially semi-circular channels. The long axis of each substantially semi-circular channel is substantially parallel to the base of the truncated generally isosceles triangle. The top of the substantially semi-circular channel intersects the front surface of the section knife. The bottom of the substantially semi-circular channel intersects the back surface of the section knife. A cutting edge is formed at the intersection of the substantially semi-circular channel and the back surface of the section knife.

Abstract: A wheel for belted track vehicles includes a hub with an upright central disc. A series of individually cast and machined segments are mounted to the disc in side-by-side relation about the periphery of both sides of the disc. Each segment takes the shape of a truncated sector having a general “L” shape as viewed from an end, with a back or base engaging a side of the disc, and belt support elements extending laterally of the disc for engaging and supporting the track.

Abstract: A wheel for belted track vehicles includes a hub with an upright central disc. A series of individually cast and machined segments are mounted to the disc in side-by-side relation about the periphery of both sides of the disc. Each segment takes the shape of a truncated sector having a general “L” shape as viewed from an end, with a back or base engaging a side of the disc, and belt support elements extending laterally of the disc for engaging and supporting the track.

Abstract: An agricultural planter having left and right hinged wing sections includes seed storage tanks carried by the planter frame and feeding individual row units, mounted fore and aft of the main toolbar, by flexible conduits. The tanks are mounted to permit the wings to flex independently to follow ground contour while extending the tanks from a wing section onto the center frame section.

Abstract: An agricultural planter having left and right hinged wing sections includes seed storage tanks carried by the planter frame and feeding individual row units, mounted fore and aft of the main toolbar, by means of flexible conduits. The tanks are mounted to permit the wings to flex independently to follow ground contour while extending the tanks from a wing section onto the center frame section.

Abstract: The wheel arms of a planter row unit are mounted to the row unit frame for independent pivotal motion. The ends of a saddle link are received in sockets formed on gauge wheel arms; and a yoke (or ring-shaped link) pivotally mounted to the frame engages a central saddle bearing surface on the saddle link. The wheel arms, saddle link and yoke are constructed and arranged such that when one gauge wheel raises when it encounters an obstruction, the other lowers and the frame raises by about one-half the distance which the first gauge wheel is raised.

Abstract: An agricultural implement such as a planter has wing sections which, when folded for transport, are stacked side-by-side above a center section. Improvements include structure which reduces bending moments about the pivot connections between a guide link forming part of a four-bar linkage which stacks the wings, and the wing frame. A drive train for the row unit meters is also placed in the transport position without disconnecting the drive shafts.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for an agricultural row unit accessory, such as residue wheels for a planter row unit, includes an assembly for mounting the residue wheels in front of a leading coulter on the row unit. A cam, mounted to the residue wheel assembly for quick and reliable angular adjustment, engages a support arm for the coulter wheel. By rotating the cam, the operating height of the residue wheels is quickly and easily adjusted, while leaving the residue wheels free to rise if they encounter an obstruction.

Abstract: An improved frame for a drawn agricultural implement, such as a planter, includes a telescoping main frame. The main wheel set is mounted to a sliding carriage to support the central main frame, and may be moved between a forward and a rear position. As the main frame extends, the wing sections fold forwardly. When the wing sections in the illustrated embodiment are completely folded, hydraulic cylinders slide the main wheel set forwardly so that the down load on the hitch is reduced for road transport. Conversely, during the unfold cycle, the hydraulic cylinders return the wheel set to the rear position, and the wings are then extended (i.e., unfolded) for field use.

Abstract: An improved frame for a drawn agricultural implement, such as a planter, includes a central main frame which is extensible. As the main frame extends, the wing sections fold forwardly. When the wing sections fold to a predetermined position, positioning links act to pull the main wheel set, which is mounted to a carriage and supports the rear of the central main frame, forwardly so that the down load on the hitch is reduced. Conversely, during the unfold cycle, after the wing sections have unfolded to a predetermined position, as unfolding continues, the positioning links urge the carriage and main wheel set toward the rear of the main frame to the field use position. A hydraulic circuit for folding, unfolding and preparing the implement for transport is also disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural implement, such as a row crop planter, has a main carrier frame drawn by a tractor and including support wheels. Individual row units are mounted on a lift frame. The carrier frame includes a cornered lift post which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. A cornered sleeve or collar in the form of a tube is mounted to the lift frame for vertical sliding motion on the lift post. A lift hydraulic cylinder couples the lift frame to the carrier frame for setting the lift frame in (i) a use position wherein the row units are lowered to engage the soil; (ii) an intermediate, raised position wherein the row units are disengaged, for negotiating end turns; or (iii) a fully raised position wherein the lift frame and row units may be rotated from a transverse position to a longitudinal position, to narrow the implement for road travel.

Abstract: For multi-row planting a seed planter having furrow-opening discs and associated gauge wheels the independent support arms of which are operatively interconnected by an equalizer arm whereby the combined load carried by the gauge wheels is distributed substantially equally therebetween so as to compensate for ground surface irregularities encountered by the gauge wheels. The distance a planter rises when a gauge wheel rolls over a stone is cut in half thereby reducing shock and minimizing interference with seed metering and dispensing. The equalizer arm may be mounted on adjustable support linkage whereby the gauge wheels may be positioned at different heights for different depth furrows.

Abstract: First and second pairs of wheels are mounted to respective sides of a grain cart in a manner which avoids tire "scrubbing," such as when a tire is forced sideways over a support surface without rotation, as the cart is displaced in a turning manner over uneven soil. Each pair of wheels includes an inner and an outer wheel coupled together by pivoting linkage which allows each wheel to move either upward or downward over uneven soil while vertically displacing the other wheel in the opposite direction. On level ground, the linkage provides a positive camber for a pair of inner and outer wheels, with lower portions of adjacent wheels in contact with the soil more closely spaced than upper portions of the wheels. As the relative elevation of the wheels changes as the cart traverses uneven soil, wheel camber changes from positive to negative, wherein upper portions of adjacent wheels are more closely spaced than lower portions of the wheels.

Abstract: A seed meter for a row crop planter unit having a seed disc rotating in a vertical plane includes improvements for seating individual seeds in seed cells on the periphery of the seed disc as the seed disc rotates through the seed reservoir. The improvements also include a barrier brush for preventing seeds from entering the delivery tube directly from the reservoir, and a brush holder which limits the effective width of a peripheral retainer brush so that the retainer brush cannot retain two seeds simultaneously in the same seed cell.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement for a particulate chemical meter for use in a planter includes an axially and rotationally moveable shaft having a coupler on a first end and a knob on a second end thereof. The clutch shaft is inserted through and coupled to a chain-driven sprocket and sprocket sleeve combination. A coiled spring disposed about the shaft urges the shaft toward and in engagement with a dispensing rotor of the chemical meter for dispensing an insecticide or herbicide. Rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a roll pin inserted through the shaft of the clutch to ride up a cam surface disposed on an end of the sprocket sleeve for axially displacing the clutch shaft and disconnecting it from the rotor. Further rotational displacement of the knob positions the shaft roll pin in a notch also disposed on the end of the sprocket sleeve for maintaining the clutch disengaged.

Abstract: A no-till marker for multi-row planters characterized by a soil-engaging disc yieldably supported on the outer or distal end of a marker support arm and oriented so that the concave face of the disc is turned generally toward the direction of implement travel. The disc is rotatable on its principal axis.

Abstract: Disclosed are improvements in seed metering apparatus for seed planters such as disclosed in applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,888,387 and 3,999,690. The improvements relate to improved seed pick-up, retention, and release; to a non-wear pneumatic seal between rotating seed disc and housing; and a seed gate.

Abstract: An automatic, hydraulically actuated, sequencing valve for use with a pair of hydraulic actuators (e.g. double acting hydraulic cylinders). The valve includes a valve body, a bore therein, and a valve spool axially shiftable in the bore. The valve spool shifts automatically due to creation of a differential in hydraulic pressures on opposite ends of the valve spool during each admission of hydraulic fluid under actuating pressure to the valve.

Abstract: An implement such as a tractor-propelled, multi-row planter having row markers hingedly mounted on opposite sides is provided with an automatically operating hydraulic sequencing valve for alternately actuating the markers. The sequencing valve is adapted to be readily connected with the hydraulic system of the tractor used to raise and lower the implement. If desired the hydraulic circuit may be arranged so that the sequencing valve is automatically actuated or sequenced when the implement is raised and lowered whereby the oppositely mounted markers are alternately raised and lowered automatically with the raising and lowering of the implement itself.