Abstract: A ground opener for an agricultural implement. The ground opener comprising an opening disc, and a support assembly securing the opening disc to the agricultural implement. The support assembly comprises an upper bar, a lower bar, a forward bar, and a rearward bar. At least a portion of each of the bars is orientated at an offset angle with respect to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement.

Abstract: A depth-adjustment assembly for ground openers of an agricultural implement. The ground openers each include an opening disc, a gauge wheel, and a support assembly securing the ground opener to the agricultural implement. The support assembly is configured to raise and lower the ground opener with respect to the ground and/or to adjust a down-pressure of the ground opener. The depth-adjustment assembly comprises for each of the ground openers, a linkage assembly and a depth-adjustment arm configured to adjust a relative position between the opening disc and the gauge wheel. At least a portion of the linkage extends in parallel relationship with the support assembly. The depth-adjustment assembly further comprises a laterally-extending common pivot bar. Each linkage assembly is secured to the common pivot bar, such that rotation of said common pivot bar is configured to simultaneously adjust the relative position between the opening disc and the gauge wheel of each of the ground openers.

Abstract: A ground-opening apparatus for an agricultural implement. The ground-opening apparatus comprises an opening disc for excavating a furrow in the ground, and a support assembly securing the opening disc to the agricultural implement. The support assembly comprises an upper bar, a lower bar, a forward bar, and a rearward bar. The upper bar and the lower bar extend generally in parallel relationship. The lower bar and the rearward bar are joined at a lower, rearward joint. A rotational axis of the opening disc extends through the lower, rearward joint of the support assembly.

Abstract: A ground-opening apparatus for an agricultural implement. The ground-opening apparatus comprises an opening disc for excavating a furrow in the ground, and a support assembly securing the opening disc to the agricultural implement. The support assembly comprises an upper bar, a lower bar, a forward bar, and a rearward bar. The upper bar and the lower bar extend generally in parallel relationship. The lower bar and the rearward bar are joined at a lower, rearward joint. A rotational axis of the opening disc extends through the lower, rearward joint of the support assembly.

Abstract: A ground opener for an agricultural implement. The ground opener comprising an opening disc, and a support assembly securing the opening disc to the agricultural implement. The support assembly comprises an upper bar, a lower bar, a forward bar, and a rearward bar. At least a portion of each of the bars is orientated at an offset angle with respect to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement.

Abstract: A depth-adjustment assembly for ground openers of an agricultural implement. The ground openers each include an opening disc, a gauge wheel, and a support assembly securing the ground opener to the agricultural implement. The support assembly is configured to raise and lower the ground opener with respect to the ground and/or to adjust a down-pressure of the ground opener. The depth-adjustment assembly comprises for each of the ground openers, a linkage assembly and a depth-adjustment arm configured to adjust a relative position between the opening disc and the gauge wheel. At least a portion of the linkage extends in parallel relationship with the support assembly. The depth-adjustment assembly further comprises a laterally-extending common pivot bar. Each linkage assembly is secured to the common pivot bar, such that rotation of said common pivot bar is configured to simultaneously adjust the relative position between the opening disc and the gauge wheel of each of the ground openers.

Abstract: Each opener of a seed planting machine may be essentially tool-free equipped with a selected one of two or more types of interchangeable singulating meters. Each type of meter is mounted on its own adapter plate to present a module that has quick-attach mounting projections arranged and configured in an identical manner to all other modules. The projections fit into mating slots on an upright member of the opener, and the upper projection of each pair is in the nature of a downturned hook that facilitates hanging the module on the opener while also retaining it against fore-and-aft displacement. A stabilizing clip at the rear of the module securely receives the lower, rear edge of the adapter plate, and an over-center toggle latch securely retains the plate within the stabilizing clip to complete the solid yet readily removable attachment of the meter to the opener. A chain drive assembly for the meter is permanently installed on the opener so as to not be removed therefrom during interchanging of the meters.

Abstract: A stack folding implement has a transverse frame that includes a center section and two opposite wing sections half as wide as the center section. Each of the wing sections is connected in a four bar linkage relationship with the center section so that as the wings are lifted by cylinders coupled with the linkages, the wing sections stay generally level and upright, causing the wing sections to come into stacked relationship with the center section directly above the latter and beside one another. In order to reduce the overall height of the stack-folded machine the linkage for each wing section is connected to the wing adjacent the inner end of the wing so that the wing is supported in a cantilever manner. The main lifting link of the linkage is designed to swing through an arc greater than 90.degree. to permit the wing sections to settle down close to the center section in their final positions of rest.

Abstract: The zone tillage coulters on a drilling or planting implement are maintained at an essentially constant running depth by control apparatus that includes a programmed microprocessor-based controller and a hydraulic operating system that receives commands from the controller based upon inputs received from various sensors. One such sensor comprises a ground wheel which rides along the ground and swings up or down as changes in the terrain are encountered, such motions thus imparting voltage inputs to the controller which compares such inputs with previously selected data inputted by the operator. If the comparison results in a sufficiently large difference between the operator-selected data and the actual data coming from the sensor, the controller will cause a tongue cylinder to be actuated in the appropriate direction to buckle the tongue about a horizontal axis and thus either raise or lower the tongue and coulter gangs fastened thereto.

Abstract: A fertilizer applicator employs a rotating, trash-cutting coulter and a knife located immediately behind the coulter with the leading arcuate edge of the knife and the rearward arcuate periphery of the coulter in intimately spaced relation to one another. As the coulter wears, the knife may be adjusted upwardly and forwardly along a slightly arcuate path of travel while simultaneously rocked slightly forwardly so as to maximize the length of the front knife edge that is close to the coulter while maintaining a substantially constant depth relationship between the knife and the coulter.