Abstract: A method for controlling a seeding apparatus including sensing a ground force acting on a furrow opener of the seeding apparatus and providing a ground force sensor signal in dependence upon the ground force acting on the furrow opener. The method further includes providing an actuator to apply a bias force to a packer wheel of the seeding apparatus. The method also includes providing a control device operative to receive the ground force sensor signal and an input from an operator and to adjust the bias force that the actuator applies to the packer wheel in dependence on at least one of the ground force sensor signal and the input from the operator.

Abstract: A seeding apparatus having a furrow opener attached to a first trailing arm, sensor for sensing the amount of ground force to which the furrow opener is being subjected, a second trailing arm, a packing wheel in secure engagement with the second trailing arm and adapted to pack a seeded furrow, an actuator and a control device in communication with the actuator and in communication with the sensor for applying a variable bias force to the packing wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a ground-engaging tool to an implement frame of an implement adapted to move along the ground in an operating travel direction includes a bore bracket defining a pair of laterally spaced parallel cylindrical bores, and a pair of cylindrical shafts, one shaft slidingly engaged in each bore such that the shafts are maintained in a parallel orientation. The shafts are connected such that the shafts slide in the bores substantially in unison. An adjustable stop is operative to prevent the shafts from sliding in the bores. One of the bore bracket and pair of shafts is adapted for rigid attachment to the implement frame such that the bores and shafts are oriented substantially upright, and the other of the bore bracket and pair of shafts is adapted for attachment thereto of a ground-engaging tool.

Abstract: A trailing arm furrow opener apparatus includes a furrow opener bracket attached to the rear link of a parallel link assembly such that the furrow opener bracket and furrow opener attached thereto is maintained in a constant fore and aft angular orientation as the assembly moves up and down. A pucker wheel arm is fixed to one of the upper and lower parallel arm members of the parallel link assembly, and extends rearward from the rear link, and a packer wheel is mounted to the packer wheel arm. A bias device exerts a downward force on the assembly. The presentation angle of the furrow opener with respect to the ground is maintained constant while the assembly moves up and down.

Abstract: A seeding apparatus adapted for being drawn across the ground of an agricultural field by a tractor, comprising at least one frame adapted for engagement with the tractor, at least one seeding unit comprising, a first trailing arm having a proximal end and a distal end, means for securely engaging the proximal end of the first trailing arm with the frame, a furrow opener, means for securely engaging the furrow opener with the first trailing arm proximate the distal end of the first trailing arm, means for sensing the amount of ground force to which the furrow opener is being subjected, means for placing seed in the opened furrow, a second trailing arm having a proximal end and a distal end, means for securely and pivotally engaging the proximal end of the second trailing arm with the frame, a packing wheel in secure engagement with the second trailing arm proximate the distal end of the second trailing arm and adapted to pack the seeded furrow, means for variably biasing the packing wheel toward the ground in

Abstract: A trailing arm furrow opener apparatus includes a furrow opener bracket attached to the rear link of a parallel link assembly such that the furrow opener bracket and furrow opener attached thereto is maintained in a constant fore and aft angular orientation as the assembly moves up and down. A pucker wheel arm is fixed to one of the upper and lower parallel arm members of the parallel link assembly, and extends rearward from the rear link, and a packer wheel is mounted to the packer wheel arm. A bias device exerts a downward force on the assembly. The presentation angle of the furrow opener with respect to the ground is maintained constant while the assembly moves up and down.

Abstract: A method for seeding flax seeds and canola seeds includes: with a plurality of side banding furrow openers, depositing seeds into a corresponding plurality of seed furrows; with each side banding furrow opener, depositing phosphate fertilizer in a corresponding side band in proximity to the seeds in the seed furrows; with a plurality of mid-row banding furrow openers, depositing nitrogen fertilizer, and optionally sulfur fertilizer, in fertilizer furrows where each fertilizer furrow is located substantially midway between adjacent seed furrows. An apparatus for practicing the method is provided as well.

Abstract: A method for seeding flax seeds and canola seeds includes: with a plurality of side banding furrow openers, depositing seeds into a corresponding plurality of seed furrows; with each side banding furrow opener, depositing phosphate fertilizer in a corresponding side band in proximity to the seeds in the seed furrows; with a plurality of mid-row banding furrow openers, depositing nitrogen fertilizer, and optionally sulfur fertilizer, in fertilizer furrows where each fertilizer furrow is located substantially midway between adjacent seed furrows. An apparatus for practicing the method is provided as well.

Abstract: A seeding and fertilizing apparatus comprises a plurality of seed assemblies each comprising a trailing arm pivotally connected at a front end thereof to the frame and a packer wheel rotatably attached to rear end thereof. A seed furrow opener is attached to the trailing arm ahead of the packer wheel which rolls along the seed furrow created by the opener. A vertical position of the seed furrow opener with respect to the packer wheel is adjustable, and a bias device is operative to exert a downward bias force on the trailing arm. A plurality of fertilizer assemblies each comprises a fertilizer knife mounted to the frame such that a vertical position of the fertilizer knife with respect to the implement frame is adjustable. The seed assemblies and fertilizer assemblies are oriented laterally such that each fertilizer furrow is located between adjacent seed furrows.

Abstract: A seeding and fertilizing apparatus comprises a plurality of seed assemblies each comprising a trailing arm pivotally connected at a front end thereof to the frame and a packer wheel rotatably attached to rear end thereof. A seed furrow opener is attached to the trailing arm ahead of the packer wheel which rolls along the seed furrow created by the opener. A vertical position of the seed furrow opener with respect to the packer wheel is adjustable, and a bias device is operative to exert a downward bias force on the trailing arm. A plurality of fertilizer assemblies each comprises a fertilizer knife mounted to the frame such that a vertical position of the fertilizer knife with respect to the implement frame is adjustable. The seed assemblies and fertilizer assemblies are oriented laterally such that each fertilizer furrow is located between adjacent seed furrows.

Abstract: An agricultural commodity cart loading conveyor apparatus comprises a conveyor mounted to an agricultural commodity cart. A hopper is pivotally attached to the lower end of the conveyor tube and a hopper conveyor section is mounted along a bottom of the hopper. The hopper pivots from an extended position to a folded position. In the extended position the hopper is oriented at an angle to the conveyor tube such that the hopper extends along the ground when the conveyor is in the operating position, and is connected to the lower end of the conveyor tube such that the hopper conveyor section conveys material entering the hopper into the lower end of the conveyor tube for conveyance up the conveyor tube. A lock is operative to lock the hopper and conveyor together when the hopper is in the extended position. Hydraulic cylinders can be provided to facilitate use with larger conveyors.

Abstract: A seeding and fertilizing apparatus comprises a plurality of seed assemblies each comprising a trailing arm pivotally connected at a front end thereof to the frame and a packer wheel rotatably attached to rear end thereof. A seed knife is attached to the trailing arm ahead of the packer wheel which rolls along the seed furrow created by the knife. A vertical position of the knife with respect to the packer wheel is adjustable, and a bias device is operative to exert a downward bias force on the trailing arm. A plurality of fertilizer assemblies each comprises a fertilizer disc rotatably mounted to the frame such that a vertical position of the disc with respect to the implement frame is adjustable. The seed assemblies and fertilizer assemblies are oriented laterally such that each fertilizer furrow is located between adjacent seed furrows.

Abstract: A seeding and fertilizing apparatus comprises a plurality of seed assemblies each comprising a trailing arm pivotally connected at a front end thereof to the frame and a packer wheel rotatably attached to rear end thereof. A seed knife is attached to the trailing arm ahead of the packer wheel which rolls along the seed furrow created by the knife. A vertical position of the knife with respect to the packer wheel is adjustable, and a bias device is operative to exert a downward bias force on the trailing arm. A plurality of fertilizer assemblies each comprises a fertilizer disc rotatably mounted to the frame such that a vertical position of the disc with respect to the implement frame is adjustable. The seed assemblies and fertilizer assemblies are oriented laterally such that each fertilizer furrow is located between adjacent seed furrows.

Abstract: An agricultural air seeder apparatus adapted for loading bagged agricultural products comprises an air seeder with a tank having a top fill hatch. A platform is adapted to carry a plurality of bags of agricultural product, and a raising mechanism is attached to the air seeder and the platform and is operative to move the platform from a lowered vertical position for loading with bags, to a raised vertical position adjacent to the top fill hatch while maintaining the platform in a substantially horizontal orientation. A box with fold down and removable sides can be provided on the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a ground-engaging tool to an implement frame of an implement adapted to move along the ground in an operating travel direction includes a bore bracket defining a pair of laterally spaced parallel cylindrical bores, and a pair of cylindrical shafts, one shaft slidingly engaged in each bore such that the shafts are maintained in a parallel orientation. The shafts are connected such that the shafts slide in the bores substantially in unison. An adjustable stop is operative to prevent the shafts from sliding in the bores. One of the bore bracket and pair of shafts is adapted for rigid attachment to the implement frame such that the bores and shafts are oriented substantially upright, and the other of the bore bracket and pair of shafts is adapted for attachment thereto of a ground-engaging tool.

Abstract: An agricultural commodity cart loading conveyor apparatus comprises a conveyor mounted to an agricultural commodity cart. A hopper is pivotally attached to the lower end of the conveyor tube and a hopper conveyor section is mounted along a bottom of the hopper. The hopper pivots from an extended position to a folded position. In the extended position the hopper is oriented at an angle to the conveyor tube such that the hopper extends along the ground when the conveyor is in the operating position, and is connected to the lower end of the conveyor tube such that the hopper conveyor section conveys material entering the hopper into the lower end of the conveyor tube for conveyance up the conveyor tube. A lock is operative to lock the hopper and conveyor together when the hopper is in the extended position. Hydraulic cylinders can be provided to facilitate use with larger conveyors.

Abstract: A furrow opener apparatus comprises a disc rotatably attached to the apparatus such that when the disc engages the ground, a furrow is formed adjacent to a trailing face of the disc. A scraper has a scraper blade oriented substantially parallel to the trailing face of the disc, and mounted such that the scraper blade is oriented in close proximity to or touching a lower portion of the trailing face adjacent to an outer edge of the disc. The scraper is adjustably attached to the apparatus such that the scraper blade can be moved inward along the trailing face of the disc as the disc wears while being maintained substantially parallel to the trailing face of the disc and in close proximity to or touching the trailing face of the disc. A delivery tube for agricultural material can be attached to the apparatus so that it moves in conjunction with the scraper, and the scraper can be biased against the face of the disc.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a ground-engaging tool to an implement frame comprises a frame bracket defining a pair of laterally spaced parallel cylindrical bores, the frame bracket adapted for rigid attachment to the implement frame such that the bores are oriented substantially upright. A pair of cylindrical shafts is provided, one shaft slidingly engaged in each bore. The shafts are connected such that the shafts slide in the bores substantially in unison and a stop is operative to selectively fix the position of the shafts with respect to the frame bracket. An opener bracket is attached to a lower portion of both shafts and is adapted for attachment to a ground-engaging tool.

Abstract: A furrow opener apparatus comprises a disc rotatably attached to the apparatus such that when the disc engages the ground, a furrow is formed adjacent to a trailing face of the disc. A scraper has a scraper blade oriented substantially parallel to the trailing face of the disc, and mounted such that the scraper blade is oriented in close proximity to or touching a lower portion of the trailing face adjacent to an outer edge of the disc. The scraper is adjustably attached to the apparatus such that the scraper blade can be moved inward along the trailing face of the disc as the disc wears while being maintained substantially parallel to the trailing face of the disc and in close proximity to or touching the trailing face of the disc. A delivery tube for agricultural material can be attached to the apparatus so that it moves in conjunction with the scraper, and the scraper can be biased against the face of the disc.

Abstract: A self-unloading container apparatus comprises a container mounted on a vehicle. An upright auger tube has its bottom end in the container and top end outside the container. An intermediate auger tube is pivotally attached at one end to the upright auger tube so as to pivot about a pivot axis on a pivot plane and at the other end to a lateral auger tube at a fixed oblique angle. A universal joint connects the intermediate flighting shaft to the upright flighting shaft with the center of the joint on the pivot plane and axis. A constant velocity universal joint connects the intermediate flighting shaft to the lateral flighting shaft with a center thereof located at the intersection of axes of the intermediate and lateral auger tubes. The lateral auger tube pivots from a transport position aligned with the travel direction, to an operating position transverse to the travel direction.