Abstract: An agricultural system includes an agricultural row unit movable on a field between a first soil condition and a second soil condition, the first soil condition having a different soil hardness than the second soil condition. A down-pressure actuator applies an initial first pressure associated with the first soil condition. A soil-hardness sensing device is positioned at a distance D forward of the row unit and outputs a soil-hardness change signal when detecting a change from the first soil condition to the second soil condition. At least one memory device stores instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the down-pressure actuator to change, in response to receiving the soil-hardness change signal, the initial first pressure to a different second pressure when the row unit encounters the second soil condition.

Abstract: The residue manager deflects cover crop stalks and flattens cover crop residue during a no-till or minimum-till agricultural planting process. The residue manager apparatus comprises an “A” shaped frame. A leading portion of the frame is designed to deflect cover crop stalks. Press shoes attached to an intermediate portion of the frame depress cover crop residue that is not deflected by the leading portion. The trailing portion of the residue manager frame is configured to attach to existing planting mechanisms, such as seed drills. As the residue manager is propelled across a field of cover crops, the residue manager deflects cover crop stalks and depresses cover crop residue adjacent to the planting mechanism so that the planting process is not obstructed by the cover crop biomass on the surface of the field.

Abstract: An agricultural row unit includes a hydraulic cylinder coupled to a support member for urging a soil-engaging tool coupled to the support member downwardly toward the soil. A hydraulic line is coupled to the hydraulic cylinder for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the cylinder, and a controllable valve is provided in the hydraulic line for controlling the supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the cylinder through the line. A pressure sensor, such as a load cell or strain gauge, is connected between the hydraulic cylinder and the support member for producing an electrical signal corresponding to the pressure on the tool, and a controller is coupled to the pressure sensor and the controllable valve, the controller being adapted to receive the electrical signal from the pressure sensor and produce a control signal for controlling the valve thus the supply of the hydraulic fluid to the cylinder.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.

Abstract: A single arm row cleaner unit mountable to a grain drill opener arm includes a row cleaner arm and a mounting saddle. The mounting saddle is generally configured for attachment to a main arm of a furrow forming assembly. A row cleaner arm may be pivotally attached to the mounting saddle about a mandrel, and a row cleaner wheel may be pivotally mounted to the row cleaner arm. A biasing member may be positioned adjacent the mandrel to engage the row cleaner arm and a biasing member retainer, which may be affixed to the mounting saddle. A deflector may be positioned adjacent the row cleaner wheel and biased there against. A connector and lever arm may be used to communicate forces from a closing wheel arm to the row cleaner wheel for adequate clearance of the row cleaner wheel during transport of the grain drill.

Abstract: An agricultural row-clearing unit for use with an agricultural row unit attached to a towing frame hitched to a tractor comprises an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame, a support element having a leading end pivotally connected to the attachment frame for vertical pivoting movement relative to the attachment frame, at least one agricultural tool mounted on the trailing end of the support element, and a hydraulic cylinder connected between the attachment frame and the support element for pivoting the support element around the pivotal connection to the attachment frame.

Abstract: A disc system for an agricultural machine including a frame carrying a plurality of agricultural tools, the disc system comprising a leading disc mounting mechanism and a rear tools mounting mechanism, wherein the mechanisms are mounted in the frame in a manner that they move in upward and downward directions and when one of the mechanisms tends to move in one of the directions the other one of the mechanisms tends to move in the opposite direction to copy as close as possible the field profile.

Abstract: A vehicle, especially for beach cleaning, with a vehicle frame on which a front wheel axle and a rear wheel axle are arranged, is known in the art. According to the invention, the vehicle frame is divided into a front section and a rear section, which are connected to one another by an articulated bearing with a vertical steering type axle.

Abstract: A suspension for a row cleaner associated with a furrow opener in a seeding machine includes a lifting mechanism to lift the row cleaner when the furrow opener is lifted. The lifting mechanism includes a bell crank having an input crank arm coupled to the furrow opener by a fist linkage to rotate the bell crank when the furrow opener is lifted. An output crank arm of the bell crank is coupled to the row cleaner by a second linkage to lift the row cleaner when the bell crank shaft is rotated by lifting of the furrow opener. The second linkage is flexible, such as a rope, to enable the row cleaner to lift to avoid obstacles without back driving the bell crank to also lift the furrow opener. The flexible second linkage also enables the row cleaner to be equipped with a lock to retain the row cleaner in a raised position for use of the seeding machine in conditions not requiring a row cleaner.

Abstract: A shallow-toothed clearing disk pivotally supported from the upper end of the opener drawbar assembly. A four bar linkage is connected to the forward end of the drawbar by a bracket which includes at least one link and corresponding pivot structure located above the drawbar to increase trash clearance and reduce trash build-up. The shallow rounded gullets between pointed teeth provide good disk depth control and trash penetration while reducing soil penetration and soil disturbance. The gullets also hold and prevent sliding of trash away from the clearing influence of the angled disk. The disk effectively clears trash to the side of the opener opposite the gauge wheel to assure optimum depth gauging for the opener. The gear-type structure is capable of operating over a wide range of down pressures and loads while breaking any existing crust in the cleared path with little soil disturbance.

Abstract: A pair of angled disks supported by a four bar linkage from the upper end of the opener drawbar assembly clears trash from a narrow area in front of the opener. The four bar linkage has a virtual center located on or close to the center of the opener disk for good cleaning wheel tracking and for permitting the clearing disks to be spaced closely to the opener disk without interference between the disks. The clearing disks can rock vertically to follow ground contour and prevent excessive digging and soil movement. Shallow teeth on the disks also reduce soil penetration and soil disturbance.

Abstract: The zone tiller attachment employs a pair of spoked tillage wheels that converge downwardly and forwardly toward one another in leading relationship to the planter and in such an orientation that their heavy, thick, blunt spokes mutually intersect and overlap one another along the lower front extremity and bottom portion of the tiller. The crossed spokes penetrate into the soil to pulverize, cultivate, and substantially disturb the soil particles in place with a churning action while also displacing surface residue to opposite sides of the path of travel, thus producing a relatively narrow band of thoroughly tilled soil having a depth extending down to or below the seed planting level such that the trailing opener can perform its trench opening and seed placement functions in the optimum manner.

Abstract: A planter includes a pair of toothed wheels which sweep mulch away from the path followed by furrow opening discs. The sweeper wheels are carried on the trailing end of a parallel bar linkage attached to a tool bar by which the planter is pulled. As a result of the parallel bar linkage, the sweeper wheels may float upwardly and downwardly independently of the planter frame in order to conform to uneven ground. A spring acts on the parallel bar linkage and may be adjusted either to press the wheels downwardly into the ground if the mulch is hard and dense or to urge the wheels upwardly and relieve some of the weight of the wheels from the ground if the mulch is loose and the underlying soil is relatively fine.

Abstract: A device for making sowing furrows in a lawn, provided with a mobile frame having a number of disc-like cutting members disposed adjacently of each other transversely of the direction of forward movement thereof and drivable round a horizontal shaft. According to the invention the cutting edge of each disc-like knife has a continually varying distance to the shaft of the knife, this such that the difference between the largest and smallest distance to the shaft of the knife lies in the order of magnitude of the cutting depth and the knife has one or more outward protruding lobes.

Abstract: A planter includes a pair of toothed wheels which sweep mulch away from the path followed by furrow opening discs. The sweeper wheels are carried on the trailing end of a parallel bar linkage attached to a tool bar by which the planter is pulled. As a result of the parallel bar linkage, the sweeper wheels may float upwardly and downwardly independently of the planter frame in order to conform to uneven ground and achieve more effective removal of the mulch without significantly disturbing the soil. The forward location of the sweeper wheels enables a coulter to be mounted on the planter frame and slice vertically into the ground ahead of the furrow opening discs.

Abstract: An agricultural row-clearing unit for use with an agricultural row unit attached to a towing frame hitched to a tractor comprises an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame, a support element having a leading end pivotally connected to the attachment frame for vertical pivoting movement relative to the attachment frame, at least one agricultural tool mounted on the trailing end of the support element, and a hydraulic cylinder connected between the attachment frame and the support element for pivoting the support element around the pivotal connection to the attachment frame.