ANGLE ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR DISC-TYPE COULTERS
The present invention involves a seed firmer with a pusher attachment that extends the life of the seed firmer and brackets for mounting the same to a planter. The disclosed invention additionally involves an adjustment mechanism for seed or grain drill planters which allows for the adjustment of the camber and/or toe of individual coulters on the planter.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/154,946, filed Oct. 9, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,842,070, issued Nov. 23, 2020; which claims priority to the PCT International Application Serial No. PCT/US2016/066214, filed Dec. 12, 2016, which claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Applications 62/312,221; 62/278,081; and 62/270,957; filed on Mar. 23, 2016; Jan. 13, 2016; and Dec. 22, 2015; respectively, the discloses of each of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND Field of the InventionThe invention relates to agricultural planting implements. More specifically, the field of the invention is that of seed firmers and brackets for mounting them to planters.
Description of the Related ArtGrain drills or seed drills are automatic sowing machines which position seeds in the soil before covering them. Traditionally grain drills comprise a hopper for holding seeds, a means for metering seeds from the hopper, a series of tubes for distributing seeds from the metering means to the planting mechanism, and one or more planting mechanisms for digging a furrow, depositing the seeds, and covering the furrow. Seeds may be delivered via gravity or using air pressure to move seeds through the tubes.
One example of a planting mechanism 10 is shown in
Optionally, a planting mechanism may further include a seed firmer disposed between the coulters and the closing wheel. Seed firmers are known and used extensively in agricultural planting systems. Such firmers add to the expense of a planting implement but are thought to more than pay for themselves in terms of increased yield. U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,318 describes one type of seed firmer; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,730,074, 5,852,982, 6,082,274, and 6,220,191 describe seed firmers having liquid dispensing arrangements; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,174 describes a mounting system for seed firmers. Complicated mounting systems and bracket devices are used to mount the firmers on planters for use during the planting season, typically attached to the seed chute.
SUMMARYThe present invention is a seed firmer construction which provides a replaceable tip or end for extending the life of the firmer. The seed firmer generally has two components that degrade with use, the flexible arm and the embedding pusher. The flexible arm generally lasts much longer than the embedding pusher portion because the pusher wears against the ground and eventually wears away. Embodiments of the invention include an embedding pusher portion that has a stop and a guide for accepting a replaceable extender. Other embodiments include an embedding pusher portion that engages the rest of the firmer arm. Thus, the portion of the firmer that wears down may be easily replaced which extends the life of the firmer, multiple times over the useful life of the flexible arm.
In one embodiment, the end of the firmer has a slot that is bounded by a stop portion. The embedding pusher attachment slides into the slot and abuts the stop portion. The bottom of the embedding pusher operates in a conventional manner pushing the seed downwardly into the ground to thus embed the seed in the soil. During the usable life of the firmer, the flexible portion may operate on several embedding pusher attachments. In another embodiment, the embedding end is attached to the flexible arm, with the pusher attachment detachably extending from the embedding arm. In further embodiment, the arm of the attachment portion of the firmer has a connecting portion that attaches to a replaceable embedding element.
The embodiments of the firmer of the present invention optionally provide a passageway for fluid to be dispensed proximate the end of the firmer. The end of the passageway includes a directional attachment that directs fluid in relation to the end of the firmer. Other embodiments attach to the planting system either by connection to the seed tube, or connection to a mounting bracket on the planter. A further embodiment includes a delivery tube deployed within the walls of the embedding portion, with the end cap of the tube providing alternative passageways for the dispensing of liquid.
In one embodiment, the embedding arm has a width that expands from the width of about a seed at the bottom to double or triple width at the top. This narrowing of the embedding arm provides sufficient structure to support the constant interaction with the soil as the firmer is pulled through rows of plants. The thicker portion of the embedding arm provides sufficient width for the optional liquid delivery pipe or tube.
Many embodiments include an aperture at the end proximate where the seed is embedded. In one embodiment, a plug is used at that end. The plug may include an overhang to protect the hole from accumulation of debris. In one embodiment, the plug may be drilled to create either a straight backward stream of exiting liquid, while in another embodiment the plug may have two or more holes to create several distinct streams of exiting liquid. Another embodiment has a single plug with a through bore for creating the straight backward stream of exiting liquid, with an additional cap with one or more holes that create other angled streams. The cap may be snap fit or otherwise attached over the plug.
The extender portion of the firmer may attach to the pusher portion of the firmer via a variety of physical and mechanical couplings. For example, a peg in hole coupling, a glue based coupling, and a sonic welded coupling are all possible implementations of the invention. In several embodiments, a tongue and groove arrangement is used to couple the extender and the pusher portions. In one embodiment, the extender has a T shaped projection on the surface interfacing with the pusher portion which has a corresponding T-shaped groove to accept the projection and couple the two pieces together. This allows the extender to slide into the groove until abutting the stop. In one further embodiment, the surfaces having the tongue and groove include a further mating bump and depression, arranged so that the engagement of the bump and depression deter further relative movement of the extender and pusher portions. Thus, in several embodiments, the extender may be slid into the groove and snap fit at a precise location.
While the extender is disposed on one end of the firmer, the flexible or pushing portion is disposed at the other end and is adapted to be mounted to the planter in alignment with the seed chute. In one embodiment, the mounting portion of the pushing portion has elements that interfit and complement elements on the seed chute so that the pusher portion is directly aligned with the seed chute. In another embodiment, the pushing portion has a flat mounting end that is configured for engagement with a mounting device for holding a flat flange.
Liquid delivery is provided by a tube and discharge path formed in the firmer. In one embodiment, the solid firmer has a passageway shaped to receive a pipe, in one embodiment a curved pipe. Once the firmer is first molded, the curved pipe is inserted while the firmer material is setting up. One end of the pipe is attached to a tube, typically a plastic tube, to receive liquid (e.g., water, fertilizer, herbicides, and/or insecticides) from a source. In one embodiment, that first end of the pipe has ridges or is gnarled or otherwise roughened to enhance the connection of the tube. The other side of the pipe faces a discharge area of the firmer. An internal channel leads to a discharge passage. In one embodiment, a central discharge passage is straight back of the firmer. In another embodiment, multiple passages are present to direct liquid discharge at an angle to the body of the firmer. In yet another embodiment, a cap may be placed over the central discharge passage to redirect the discharging liquid in various angles.
Other embodiments of the invention include a firmer defined by a pair of sidewalls. The sidewalls hold the liquid tube proximate the end of the firmer, and attach to the mounting end of the firmer. The extender is detachably connected to the sidewalls, and may thus be replaced when sufficiently worn without having to replace the other portions of the firmer.
In yet another embodiment, the mounting portion of the firmer includes the pushing arm, and the end of the pushing arm attaches to the extender/embedding portion of the firmer. The optional liquid pipe may be included in the extender/embedding portion, or may be optionally coupled to the extender/embedding portion.
The present invention, in one form, relates to a seed firmer having a flexible portion and an embedding pusher portion. The flexible portion biases the embedding pusher portion into the soil. The embedding pusher portion includes a slot for receiving an embedding pusher attachment, the stop bounded at the end by a stop portion which retains the embedding pusher attachment as it is drawn over the soil.
In other embodiments the present invention relates to mounting brackets usable to mount firmers such as those previously described to planters. In one such embodiment a mounting bracket includes a mounting portion designed and configured to secure the bracket to an existing mounting point on a planter tool arm using existing bolts or other hardware. The bracket also includes a firmer securing housing configured to allow insertion of a portion of a firmer therein and capable of securing the firmer to the bracket. The firmer is secured when a protrusion on the firmer engages a corresponding notch or slot in the firmer housing. The firmer may be removed by deforming or flexing the firmer until the protrusion is disengaged from the notch or slot and the firmer may be withdrawn.
In another embodiment, a mounting bracket is secured to a desired location on a planter tool arm using newly created mounting points and/or mounting hardware. The bracket includes a firmer securing housing configured to allow insertion of a portion of a firmer therein and capable of securing the firmer to the bracket. The firmer is secured when a protrusion on the firmer engages a corresponding notch or slot in the firmer housing. The firmer may be removed by deforming or flexing the firmer until the protrusion is disengaged from the notch or slot and the firmer may be withdrawn.
In still another embodiment, a mounting bracket includes a firmer mounting portion having a slotted portion sized and adapted to receive a portion of the firmer. The firmer is then bolted or otherwise secured to the mounting bracket where the slotted portion prevents the firmer from twisting out of alignment while in use. Depth of the firmer in a furrow may be adjusted by positioning the firmer within the slotted portion at the desired depth.
The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, in several forms, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DESCRIPTIONThe embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.
Firmer 100 has an attachment portion, extender 110, that is located at a position on firmer 100 that contacts and embeds seeds 50 into the soil defining trough 60. In one embodiment, extender 110 fits into slot 410 in firmer 100 (see
Extender 110 (see
Firmer 100 also has an elongated interior channel 70 which is structured and arranged to receive tube 72, which in the disclosed embodiment is a convention liquid delivery tube, for delivering liquid on or near an embedded one of seeds 50 (see
End point 90 may be configured to be an outlet at one end of channel 70, with that end of channel 70 initially manufactured so that end point 90 closes one end of channel 70. This allows customization of a single piece, so that the exit holes may be drilled to suit the particular application. For example, a straight hole in facing surface 94 delivers liquid directly over embedded seed 50 (a “straight shooter”), which may be good for an insecticide, while side surfaces 92 may have holes drilled in them so that liquid is delivered on each side of embedded seed 50 (a “split shooter”), which may be better for fertilizer. In one embodiment (not shown), channel 70 is structured and arranged to accommodate multiple tube so that a series of end points are associated with each tube, allowing for combinations of straight shooters and split shooters in a single seed firmer.
Other embodiments have a tube disposed within the body of the firmer, for example the embodiments of
Embodiments of the inventive firmers of the present application may be mounted on the planting equipment in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, as shown in
In addition to the alternative styles of mounting to a seed chute (not shown), embodiments of the invention also have alternative arrangements of the replaceable embedding portion of the firmer.
Firmer 600 may have alternative versions of nozzle 690. In the alternative embodiment of
In the embodiment of
Other embodiments of the invention involve the firmer having a central portion with attachment, flexing, and embedding portions connected together by a sandwiching arrangement between corresponding sidewalls, for example the embodiments of
A further embodiment having separate attaching and embedding portions is shown in
Another embodiment shown in
An additional embodiment having a less substantial embedding portion is shown as firmer 1500 in
Seed firmers such as those described above as well as other types of firmers must be mounted to a plater properly to be effective. A firmer should be attached in a position on the plater so that the embedding portion can contact the seed after it has been deposited in the furrow but before the furrow is closed. The firmer should also be mounted in such a way that it is able to move and flex freely without interfering with the existing planter equipment. Many modern planters include a variety of devices such as disks, wheels, knives, and the like for opening, closing, and conditioning the soil as well as one or more tubes or chutes for delivering seeds as well as fertilizers, soil amendments, and treatments such as fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, and the like. Typically there is very little room on a modern planter for attaching a firmer mounting bracket so that it can be effective and not interfere with the operation of the planter and/or without making modifications to the placement and operation of the planter's existing assemblies.
Firmer mounting bracket 1600 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in
As shown in
The cover of firmer attachment housing 1610 has been removed in
Firmer 1620 is engaged with mounting bracket housing 1610 by sliding mounting end 1740 of firmer 1620 into housing opening 1730 until catch 1780 on firmer 1620 snaps into receiving slot 1790 in the housing. Once catch 1780 and slot 1790 are engaged with one another, firmer 1620 is prevented from backing out of housing 1610. To remove the firmer, a flat bladed tool such as a screwdriver or similar tool is inserted into housing opening 1730 between housing 1610 and firmer 1620 on the same side of firmer 1620 as catch 1780. Pressure is then applied to the tool to urge firmer 1620 away from housing 1610 which flexes firmer 1620 and causes catch 1780 to disengage slot 1790 thereby allowing firmer 1620 to be withdrawn from housing 1610. A worn or broken firmer may then be replaced by a new firmer.
When in use, the size and configuration of housing 1610 and chamber 1720 allows firmer 1620 to flex to the degree necessary for effective performance. Because firmer 1620 is not fixed to housing 1610 in this particular example, firmer 1620 is free to flex along the entire length of firmer 1620 including portion 1740 inserted into mounting bracket 1600. The exact amount of flexure required may vary according to a number of factors including soil composition, weather conditions, the type and variety of seeds being planted, and the like. The degree of flexure may be adjustable, optionally using a screw or bolt. Adjustment screw 1650 may thus be inserted into housing 1610 until the end of screw 1800 is the desired distance away from firmer 1620. As the firmer flexes during use, the firmer contacts the screw which prevents flexure beyond a predetermined range. In other examples, firmer 1620 may include protrusion 1810 which prevents flexure of the firmer beyond a predetermined degree by contacting wall 1820 of the housing. Such protrusion 1810 may be sized so as to allow as much or as little flexure as desired.
Another example of mounting bracket 2000 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in
Mounting bracket 2000 in the present example is positioned such that contacting portion 2080 of firmer 2040 may press the seeds into the furrow prior to closing wheels 2070 closing the furrow and a firming or pressing wheel (not shown) firming the closed furrow. Optionally, firmer 2040 may be equipped with one or more tubes or channels for delivering fertilizer or other amendments or substances to the furrow before closing by closing wheels 2070. The exact positioning of firmer 2040 relative to opening disks and closing wheels 2070 may vary according to the particular planter and/or firmer being used.
In this particular example mounting bracket 2000 does not include a bracket housing. Rather, firmer 2040 is secured to firmer attachment portion 2020 of bracket 2000 using screws, bolts, pins, straps, or other suitable means. The exact nature of the attachment mechanism may vary according to the make, model, and/or style of firmer being used. In this particular example, firmer 2040 is secured to firmer attachment portion 2020 of the mounting bracket using strap 2090. The general nature of firmer attachment portion 2020 in this example allows a wide variety of makes and models of firmers to be used with the bracket 2000. Positioning of firmer 2040 relative to mounting bracket 2000 is optionally insured by matching protrusion 2100 on the firmer with corresponding notch 2110 in the mounting bracket. In other examples, the protrusion and notch may be of different size, shape, number, and/or configuration. In other examples, the firmer has one of more notches and the bracket has one or more protrusions. In still other examples, each of the firmer and bracket has a mix of protrusions and notches. Firmer 2040 in this example includes mounting portion 2120 attached to flexible arm portion 2130. The degree of flexure allowed by flexible arm portion 2130 is adjustable using screw 2140. Flexure of arm 2130 is prevented beyond a desired set point by screw 2140 contacting mounting portion 2120 of firmer 2040. By adjusting the length of screw 2140 protruding through flexible arm portion 2130, the degree of flexure of firmer 2040 may be increased or decreased as desired.
Another example of mounting bracket 2200 according to embodiments of the present invention is shown in
Mounting bracket 2200 is secured to planter tool arm 2210 using pre-existing bolt 2290 and attachment point on the planter. Existing bolt 2290 is removed, the bracket positioned, and the bolt inserted through the bracket and tightened to the original planter specifications. Optionally, additional hardware such as washers, bushings, longer bolts, and the like may be used. In still other examples a new mounting point may be machined in the planter and new fasteners used where no suitable fasteners or attachment points exist.
Optionally firmer 2260 and/or bracket 2200 may include slot 2320 allowing for finer adjustment to the firmer depth. In this particular example, finer adjustment of firmer 2260 depth is achieved by loosening bolt 2310 which secures firmer 2260 to bracket 2200, adjusting the positioning of firmer 2260 by sliding it up or down relative to bracket 2200, then tightening bolt 2310. Optionally, slot 2300 may be machined into generally vertical member 2240 sized and configured so that mounting portion 2340 of firmer 2260 may slide therein. Seating of firmer mounting portion 2340 in slot 2310 helps prevent twisting of firmer 2260 during use.
In other examples, a generally L-shaped bracket designed for mounting to the closing wheel portion of the planter tool arm such as is shown in
A variety of factors may determine the optimal positioning of coulters during planting so as to achieve the desired seed positioning. Soil type (sandy, loamy, clay, etc.), soil moisture content, field litter (such as plant material from previous crops), and ground speed may all affect the quality of the furrow being opened by the coulters. If the coulters are fixed in position relative to one another then the operator must adjust other variables (such as ground speed during planting) or perform additional work to improve conditions (such as additional passes with implements to break up field litter or hard soil). Allowing the position of the coulters relative to one another to be adjusted allows the operator to achieve better furrow production and seed placement under a wider variety of field conditions.
One illustrative example of the disclosed invention is shown in
Disc coulters 4115, 4120 are each operationally connected to tool bar 4105 by spindle or axle 4135 and 4136, respectively. Spindles 4135, 4136 are capable of pivoting relative to tool bar 105 such that the position of coulters 4115, 4120 relative to tool bar 4105 and the ground is adjustable. For example, coulters as shown in
As seen in
In this particular example, tool bar 4105 further includes attachment point 4140 to which other devices may be attached. For example, a firmer tool, a closing wheel, or both, may be attached to attachment point 4140. Attachment point 4140 is shown as a series of bolt holes in this example, but in other examples it may be mounting pins, bolts, eye bolt, hook, or other suitable mounting devices. In still other examples, the attachment point allows for pivotable or adjustable mounting of a device such that the position of the mounted device may be adjusted relative to the tool bar in a fashion similar to how the coulters are adjustable.
While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.
Claims
1. A planting mechanism for use with seed drill planter, comprising:
- a tool bar, mountable to a seed drill planter;
- two disc-type coulters operationally mounted to the tool bar; and
- means for adjustably positioning the disc-type coulters relative to the tool bar, wherein the positioning of the disc-type coulters relative to the tool bar is lockable once the desired positioning is achieved.
2. The planting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the tool bar further includes a mounting point for attaching additional implements to the tool bar.
3. A planting mechanism for use with seed drill planter, comprising:
- a tool bar, mountable to a seed drill planter;
- at least one disc-type coulter operationally mounted to the tool bar; and
- means for adjustably positioning of the at least one disc-type coulter relative to the tool bar, wherein the positioning of the at least one disc-type coulter relative to the tool bar is lockable once the desired positioning is achieved.
4. The planting mechanism of claim 3, further comprising a pivotable spindle operationally connecting the at least one disc-type coulter to the tool bar.
5. The planting mechanism of claim 4, further comprising a locking pin movable between a locked and an unlocked position;
- wherein the spindle may pivot when the locking pin is in the unlocked position; and
- wherein the spindle may not pivot when the locking pin is in the locked position.
6. The planting mechanism of claim 5, wherein the spindle further includes at least one indent sized and configured to receive the locking pin in the locked position.
7. A planting mechanism for attachment to a tool bar of a planter comprising:
- a closing wheel having means for attaching to a tool bar; and
- at least one disc-type coulter having means for adjustably positioning of the at least one disc-type coulter relative to the tool bar, wherein the positioning of the at least one disc-type coulter relative to the tool bar is lockable once the desired positioning is achieved.
8. The planting mechanism of claim 7, further comprising a pivotable spindle operationally connecting the at least one disc-type coulter to the tool bar.
9. The planting mechanism of claim 8, further comprising a locking pin movable between a locked and an unlocked position;
- wherein the spindle may pivot when the locking pin is in the unlocked position; and
- wherein the spindle may not pivot when the locking pin is in the locked position.
10. The planting mechanism of claim 9, wherein the spindle further includes at least one indent sized and configured to receive the locking pin in the locked position.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 23, 2020
Publication Date: Mar 25, 2021
Inventor: Jeffrey J. PETER (Hicksville, OH)
Application Number: 17/101,221