Abstract: A seed planter has at least one rock shaft carrying a rank of planter assemblies. Each planter assembly includes a torsion joint assembly connected to the rock shaft, a planting equipment linkage connected to the torsion joint, a planting equipment yoke connected to the linkage and planting tools or equipment connected to the yoke. The planting equipment linkage is a modified parallelogram linkage that keeps the planting equipment in consistent alignment over the ground even as the seed planter traverses irregular terrain. The seed planter includes a stop mechanism that limits the amount of permissible rotation of the torsion joint on the rock shaft. A stop plate is attached to the torsion joint housing for rotation with it relative to the rock shaft. An edge of the stop plate faces the rock shaft and has a jaw opening defined by upper and lower jaws that at least partially encompasses the rock shaft.

Abstract: A no-till seed planter includes a wheel mounted frame having at least one rock shaft carrying a rank of seed planting assemblies connected to the rock shaft by torque arms. A torsion joint connects each torque arm to the rock shaft and permits resilient rotation of the torque arm on the rock shaft. A stop block assembly on the rock shaft limits the amount of permissible rotation of the torsion joint on the rock shaft in order to avoid damage to the torsion joint and dislocation of the torsion joint. The torque arm is a composite structure of a main member connected to the torsion joint at one end and to a planter assembly at the other. In one embodiment leaf members are connected to the torsion joint and extend alongside the main member to an intermediate location on it. The leaf members buffer side-to-side deflection of the main member. The planter assembly includes a furrowing disk and a depth gauge tire spaced from the disk.

Abstract: A portable seed spreader for distribution of bulky and irregular size seeds over a local area. The spreader includes a U-shaped frame that carries a housing having a first seed bin and a second seed bin. A first transverse shaft is mounted to legs of the frame and extends through the first seed bin. The first shaft carries agitators for mixing and stirring the seeds in the first seed bin. Discharge slots are located in a bottom wall of the first seed bin. A second transverse shaft is mounted on the frame and extends beneath the bottom wall of the first seed bin. The second transverse shaft carries picker wheels that extend through the discharge slots into the first seed bin to pick seeds therefrom and draw them through the discharge slot. The shafts are connected so that rotation of one transverse shaft as by a hand crank, an electric motor or a wheeled mechanism, results in rotation of the other.

Abstract: A seed planter for planting of large or irregular seeds. A housing is mounted on a frame. The frame carries ground working equipment for opening, planting and closing a seed slot. The housing includes interior walls and partitions that divide it into a seed box and a collector. The collector leads to a seed drop opening to deliver seeds for planting in the open seed slot. The seed box has a single seed bin or can be divided into multiple seed bins. A gathering chain is associated with each seed bin. Each gathering chain has one or more seed cups. The gathering chain is positioned to move the seed cups through an inlet opening in each seed bin, up through the seed bin where the seed cup can pick a seed, and out of the seed bin to drop the seed into the collector. The seed cups can be relatively spaced on the gathering chain, and with respect to cup on the other gathering chains, to regulate the spacing between seeds being deposited. Seeds of different species can be located in the various seed bins.

Abstract: A seed drill for planting seed in untilled ground. The drill is pulled by a prime mover and includes an array of double disk furrow opening assemblies in conjunction with a seed dispensing mechanism. The seed drill is equipped with an array of forwardly located trash disks in order to clear trash in the immediate vicinity ahead of each double disk furrow opening assembly. The trash disks clear the ground to facilitate the work of the furrow opening disks. Each trash disk assembly includes a circular trash disk rotatably mounted on a torque arm that is resiliently movable with respect to the frame of the machine. Each trash disk is mounted at an angle canted downward and forward between 15 and 25 degrees. The trash disk has a concave dish shape with a scalloped outer peripheral edge.

Abstract: A seed drill machine of the type having a plurality of disk assemblies, and a torsion spring joint for connection of the disk assemblies to the frame of the machine. The machine is conventionally mounted on a pair of wheels and the disk assemblies can be raised and lowered relative to the wheels for travel from place to place in the raised position and for ground working in the lowered position. In the lowered position, the torsion spring joint biases the disk blades in penetrating engagement with the soil to form a furrow. The torsion joints include flexible, resilient type spring elements. The disk assembly is carried by an arm connected to the joint. The spring elements are prone to develop a permanent deflection when they are left under load for a period of time. Means are provided for adjusting the angular relationship of the disk assembly arms to the connecting joints to compensate for such deformation.

Abstract: A grass seed drill particularly adapted for the planting of native grass type seeds which are characterized by a low density, irregular length and shape, and having a propensity to stick together. The drill has a pair of seed boxes, at least one of which is adapted to handle the aforementioned type of seeds. The seed box has a plurality of bins with downwardly converging side walls terminating at a horizontal bottom wall provided with an elongate seed discharge opening. An agitator in each bin has a plurality of rotatable blades shaped and sized to rotate about a path substantially conforming to the shape of the interior of the bin and agitate the seeds located therein. A picker wheel associated with the discharge opening discharges seeds into a transition or seed funnel located substantially directly above a drill shoe which discharges the seed into the soil. A press wheel follows the shoe to compact the soil around the seed.