Abstract: A method for clearing trash from a furrow opener path comprises moving first trash from a first path with a front finger wheel and then moving second trash from a next path on top of the first trash with a rear finger wheel. An apparatus for practicing the method comprises a front finger wheel rotatably mounted to the apparatus and oriented to move trash from a first path to a first side of the apparatus. A rear finger wheel is oriented to move trash from an adjacent second path to an opposite second side of the apparatus. The finger wheels are mounted such that bottom edges thereof are maintained at a substantially constant vertical position relative to the ground by at least one depth control wheel rolling along the ground on the first path cleared by the front finger wheel.

Abstract: A tensioning device for traction device, particularly chains, comprises an element, particularly a tension shoe (1) that tensions the traction device. The tension shoe (1) is mounted on a pivot axle (2) for pivoting relative to a base element (3), and a spring element (4) acting between the tension shoe (1) and the base element (3) urges the tension shoe (1) against the traction device. To simplify the assembly of the tension shoe (1) and the base element (3), it is proposed that one of the elements (1, 3) comprises at least one mounting eye (6, 11) having a radial mounting aperture (7, 12) for radially receiving the pivot axle (2) arranged on the respective other element (1, 3).

Abstract: A debris clearing apparatus for use in agricultural operations. It includes a pair of rotatable concave disks arranged in a generally V-shaped orientation to spread debris encountered during forward movement. The disks have a plurality of relatively deep backswept notches.

Abstract: A planting unit utilizing a single disk opener supported for rotation about a horizontal axis offset at a small angle from the transverse direction for opening a furrow. A seed tube assembly is located adjacent the rearward facing side of the disk and includes a runner extending forwardly of the lower portion of the seed tube for holding loose soil out of the furrow in advance of seed or other material deposited therein, the runner being located in the shadow of the disk so as not to significantly contact or disturb the side of the furrow. The opener is mounted on an arm which is pivotable about a relatively low point so as to be oriented at a relatively flat angle with respect to the ground and to maintain the general orientation of the opener as it moves through the soil throughout the range of pivotal movement of the arm. The planting unit can include one or more pivotable press wheels which can be mounted for pivotal movement about the same axis as a pivotable gauge wheel adjusting arm.

Abstract: An improved row cleaning apparatus to selectively clean away residue from conservation tilled fields without cultivation of the soil. When mounted on tractor-drawn implements, including planters, the cleaning action of the present invention improves depth control and planting speed of the planter unit while retaining the residue between crop rows for erosion control and yield enhancement. The row cleaner comprises a pair of toothed wheels rotatably operating in lateral opposition to one another and journalled for rotation each on an axis disposed obliquely to the path of travel of the apparatus. The wheels are mounted asymmetrically relative to each other, the teeth being curved downwardly and forwardly toward the path of movement to drive the wheels in rotation, thereby untangling and selectively clearing residue and other mulch from the path of the trailing planter unit.

Abstract: The present invention is a seed tube guide for maintaining the seed tube in the center of the seed planting furrow between the double disc openers. The seed tube guide comprises a unitary member having left and right forwardly extending mounting plates for engaging a seed tube guard. Each of the mounting plates has a notch for receiving the transversely extending ridge of the seed tube guard. Extending rearwardly are left and right guide members for gripping the seed tube and centering it in the seed planting furrow.

Abstract: A no-till farming apparatus is provided for use with a planter unit which plants seeds as the planter unit is pulled along a predetermined path. The apparatus includes a hiller device coupled to the planter unit. The hiller device is configured to form an elevated ridge including a mixture of soil and a residue remaining from a previous crop in front of the planter unit so that the planter unit plants seeds a predetermined distance below a top surface of the elevated ridge formed by the hiller device. The apparatus also includes a residue cleaning implement located in front of the hiller device to clear at least a portion of the residue in front of the hiller device. In the illustrated embodiment, the residue cleaning implement is pivotably coupled to a support extending in front of the hiller device.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for manipulating and clearing crop residue or other debris from a zone of soil before tilling the zone of soil to form a seedbed. The apparatus may be attached to the tool bar of a farm implement and includes a pair of fingered wheels which are rotated by the ground and manipulate the crop residue as the apparatus moves along the ground. A rotating coulter blade is disposed behind and between the wheels, and the wheels pull the residue rearward and press it against the soil surface where it is cut by the rotating coulter blade. The coulter blade cuts the residue into several portions at least some of which are thrown outward away from the zone of soil to be tilled. A zone tillage apparatus then tills, mixes, aerates and fertilizes the soil in the zone to form a fertilized seedbed, and a planter places seed in the seedbed, all of these procedures being carried out in one pass along the soil.

Abstract: A mechanism for planting agricultural seed. The mechanism has a frame to be drawn by a towing vehicle in a forward direction, a seed supply hopper on the frame, structure on the frame for directing seed from the hopper to a delivery point adjacent to a surface on underlying soil into which seed is to be planted, structure on the frame for pressing seed from the seed directing structure into underlying soil adjacent to the delivery point as the frame moves in the forward direction, and cooperating first and second soil parting structures on the frame for defining a receptacle for seed at the delivery point.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously planting seed in subjacent soil over which the apparatus traverses. The apparatus has a frame to be drawn by a towing vehicle, structure on the frame for resituating residue away from a row into which seed is to be deposited, structure on the frame for continuously parting soil as the apparatus is advanced in a direction of travel to define a seed slot, structure on the frame for continuously depositing seed in the seed slot, structure on the frame for continuously replacing soil in the seed slot to cover seed in the seed slot, and structure on the frame for continuously applying an additive to the soil between the residue resituating structure and the seed depositing structure. The invention is also directed to a method of planting and applying an additive.

Abstract: A movable, row crop soil conditioner apparatus for conditioning soil prior to planting including a mechanism for first cutting a row length furrow opening in the soil when the soil conditioner is moved. A subsoiler is positioned behind the first cutting mechanism. It is selectively inserted into the furrow opening when the subsoiler is moved. The subsoiler includes a tooth, and a first pressure applicator for maintaining pressure on the soil directly and laterally on the subsoiler tooth when the tooth is inserted into the furrow opening. The tooth causes an eruption furrow in the furrow opening. The pressure applicator then controls the eruption soil wakes on either side of the subsoiler when the row crop conditioner is moved down a row. The subsoiler also includes a mechanism for turning the soil wakes on either side of the furrow inwardly towards each other to crush and shear the soil and to urge it downwardly into the eruption furrow, thereby closing the eruption furrow.

Abstract: A seed furrow closing device for planting units including a plurality of closing wheels, each wheel having a plurality of sharpened teeth on the periphery. The closing wheels canted at an angle to the vertical and press toward the seeds in the furrow.The teeth, controlled by down pressure mechanism, penetrate the soil to till compacted soil and firm loose soil to improve germination and emergence. The sharpened teeth interact with the soil to remove residue from the teeth as the teeth emerge. The penetration of the teeth helps break up clods and also stabilizes the rear of the planting unit.A trailing press wheel over the furrow may provide intermittent compacting of the soil loosened by the closing wheels over the center of the furrow.This loosening and compaction by the sharpened toothed wheels improves the germination and emergence of the seeds in the furrow.

Abstract: A farm implement having a frame and a plurality of row units mounted on the frame with each row unit including a tool. Each row unit has at least one gauge wheel associated therewith with a spring urging each gauge wheel into contact with the soil to be worked by the tools. A single trash blade rotatably is mounted on an arm pivotally mounted on the frame associated with each gauge wheel ahead of the associated tool. A spring continually urges each trash blade toward contact with the soil ahead of the associated tool, with the plane of each trash blade being angularly displaced from the direction of travel of the associated gauge wheel in the range of from about 22.degree. to about 30.degree. and being angularly displaced to the vertical in the range of from about 20.degree. to about 30.degree. to move trash from ahead of the tool to form a row of trash between adjacent row units.

Abstract: A hub assembly for supporting a member for rotation relative to a frame. The hub assembly has a support for a member to be rotated about a first axis relative to a frame and a fixed hub part. First structure is provided for connecting the support to the fixed hub part for rotation about a first axis. Second structure is provided for connecting the fixed hub part to a frame relative to which the member is to be rotated. The second structure includes a first surface on the fixed hub part to abut a frame surface and a pin on one of the frame and the fixed hub part to project into a first bore on the other of a frame and the fixed hub part. The pin and bore are offset from the first axis. There is a third structure for drawing the first surface on a fixed hub part against a frame surface.

Abstract: A coulter blade assembly for use with a farm implement, which assembly comprises a first coulter unit, a second coulter unit, and a third coulter unit, all units mounted to the implement in a triangular arrangement in plan; with the first coulter unit being a lead unit, the second coulter unit trailing and to one side of the lead unit, and the third coulter unit trailing and placed to an opposite side of the second coulter unit for forming with said other coulter units a seedbed, and a substance applicator mounted on the third coulter unit for applying the substance onto the seedbed, and optionally a second substance applicator mounted on the second coulter unit for applying another substance onto the seedbed separated laterally from the other substances. The invention includes further a process of preparing a seedbed by moving and rotating implements such as coulter blades into the ground in a particular triangular relationship in conjunction with one or more substance applications concurrently therewith.

Abstract: A seed drill includes a novel planting assembly combining press wheels for packing angular sides of a furrow and a runner immediately behind and longitudinally aligned with the press wheel. The runner extends rearwardly from beneath the press wheel and is transversely guided on the press wheel structure or frame of the drill to maintain it in longitudinal alignment within an open longitudinal slot cut through the soil and intersecting the base of the packed furrow. Seed is dropped into the open slot prior to being covered with soil. Moist soil can be packed along the sides of the furrow to maintain the furrow in an open condition during seed germination and plant emergence. Highly accurate planting depth control can be achieved, with provision for upward relative movement of the runner as required by encountered field conditions.

Abstract: A soil tillage implement to be pulled behind a tractor having a conventional frame with one or more furrowing elements depending from the frame or plough share. Each furrowing element has a disc-like coulter, a shank, and a replaceable plough share mounted on the soil engaging end of the shank. One or more gauge wheels, which can be adjusted to vary the height of the implement from the soil so as to adjust the depth of the tillage extending down from the frame. Each gauge wheel employs a counterbalance spring assembly to support the weight of the gauge wheel during adjustment.

Abstract: A no-till planting apparatus and method is disclosed for use with a planter unit which plants seeds as the planter unit is pulled along a predetermined path. The planter unit includes a double disk opener for cutting a furrow at a predetermined depth and a mechanism for depositing seeds in the furrow. The apparatus includes a disk hiller for forming an elevated ridge including a mixture of soil and residue remaining from a previous crop without cutting the soil at a depth greater the predetermined depth. The disk hiller is coupled directly to the planter unit so that the disk hiller forms the elevated ridge ahead of and aligned with the planter unit so that the planter unit rides on the elevated ridge and plants seeds at substantially the predetermined depth below a top surface of the elevated ridge.

Abstract: A row cleaning attachment for seeding equipment comprising a coulter mounted between and behind two press wheels having a uniform circumference. The press wheels are independently spring biased downwardly into contact with the ground for holding and pulling the crop residue away from the planting line of the planting unit. The coulter has a larger diameter than the press wheels and is located so that the cutting edge of the coulter cuts the residue material as it is being tensioned between the press wheels.

Abstract: A seed drill includes a novel planting assembly combining press wheels for packing angular sides of a furrow and a runner immediately behind and longitudinally aligned with the press wheel. The runner extends rearwardly from beneath the press wheel and is transversely guided on the press wheel structure to maintain it in longitudinal alignment within an open longitudinal slot cut through the soil and intersecting the base of the packed furrow. Seed is dropped into the open slot prior to being covered with soil. Moist soil can be packed along the sides of the furrow to maintain the furrow in an open condition during seed germination and plant emergence. Highly accurate planting depth control can be achieved, with provision for upward relative movement of the runner as required by encountered field conditions.

Abstract: The ridge preparation tool is adapted to be attached to a seed planter directly ahead of the trench-forming structure of the planter so as to skim off the crest of the ridge for the production of a clean, relatively narrow strip of prepared soil in which the trench-forming structure can operate effectively. The free-wheeling skimming disc of the tool is held at an oblique angle to the centerline of the planter and may be adjusted to increase or decrease the extent of side throw of the skimmed off materials by selectively raising or lowering an outwardly bent mounting arm that holds disc at its oblique angle. Raising or lowering the angled mounting arm causes the disc to cock inwardly or outwardly while maintaining the same oblique angle. The throw-adjusted disc can be returned to the same skimming depth by appropriate manipulation of a vertical adjustment unit associated with the tool.

Abstract: In an agricultural drill having a frame plurality of pairs of furrow opening disk equipped supporting arms and pressure wheels are connected in trailing relation with the frame. A dry soil parting share is vertically adjustably connected with the respective pair of disk furrow supporting arms forwardly of the furrow opening disks and in the direction of disk travel so that as the drill is moved forwardly the share removes dry soil from the travel path of the furrow opening disks.