Abstract: A seed firming assembly is mounted to a planter by a bracket attached to a seed tube guard between a pair of opener disks. The bracket has first and second sides that define a cavity therebetween for receiving a seed tube. A first mounting structure in front of the cavity secures the bracket to the seed tube guard. A second mounting structure behind the cavity attaches a seed firmer to the bracket with a pivot connection that allows rotation of the seed firmer relative to the bracket about a generally horizontal transverse axis. A stopper bushing limits an extent of forward pivoting of the seed firmer relative to the bracket, and an adjustable tensioner mechanism limits an extent of rearward pivoting. The seed firmer has an upper portion comprising a leaf spring, and a lower portion comprising a material that has a higher abrasion resistance than the upper portion.

Abstract: A forged agricultural wheel with a radial grain pattern includes a plurality of teeth projecting radially outwardly from a hub, with each tooth having a tooth root adjacent to the internal periphery of the hub. Each tooth further has a leading soil-contacting surface extending from the tooth root in a curved counterclockwise manner and having a variable width with a maximum tooth width. A trailing surface opposite the leading soil-contacting surface extends from the tooth root in a curved counterclockwise manner. A tooth end is angled counterclockwise away from a radius passing from a central axis through a central point of the tooth root. The tooth end connects the two surfaces and converges to a point on a maximum outside diameter of the wheel. An adjoining root valley connects each pair of adjacent teeth and has a thickness that is substantially thinner than the maximum tooth width.

Abstract: A paddle sealer used for planting having closing wheels that are drawn by a motive power source such as a tractor and used to close seed trenches to prevent the seed trench from reopening and provide the proper soil conditioning to promote uniform germination and emergence. The paddle sealer with closing wheels includes an adjustable frame structure including a tensioned arm assembly and an attachment mechanism for attaching the paddle sealer to seeding equipment, and a paddle closing wheel assembly carried by the arm assembly.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for tilling at least a strip of soil to be planted includes a tillage device for penetrating and tilling a strip of soil and displacing soil and residue upwardly, the tillage device including at least one coulter wheel mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation and positioned at least in part below the soil, when tilling the strip of soil, such that the coulter wheel is able to cut a slit in the soil, and a depth control device laterally offset from the centerline of the strip of soil and mounted for rotation about a second axis of rotation located rearwardly of the trailing end of the tillage device. The depth control device is positioned to intercept soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device. Multiple tines made of a polymeric material are mounted on the depth control device, extending laterally away from only one side of the depth control device toward the centerline to intercept a portion of the soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device.

Abstract: A mount for carrying a plurality of field-conditioning implements selected from trash whipping implements, rolling baskets and coulters for connection to a planter is disclosed. A height and force adjustable mounting system is also disclosed for use with a planter that enables the force of such an implement on the soil to be modulated as desired.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for tilling at least a strip of soil to be planted includes a tillage device for penetrating and tilling a strip of soil and displacing soil and residue upwardly, and a depth control device laterally offset from the centerline of the strip of soil and mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation located rearwardly of the tillage device and positioned to intercept soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device. Multiple tines mounted on the depth control device extend laterally away from the depth control device toward the centerline to intercept a portion of the soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device. The tines are attached to the depth control device only at one end of each tine, and the free ends of the tines terminate laterally short of the centerline and vertically between the elevations of the upper and lower edges of the depth control device.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for tilling at least a strip of soil to be planted includes a tillage device for penetrating and tilling a strip of soil and displacing soil and residue upwardly, and a depth control device laterally offset from the centerline of the strip of soil and mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation located rearwardly of the tillage device and positioned to intercept soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device. Multiple tines mounted on the depth control device extend laterally away from the depth control device toward the centerline to intercept a portion of the soil and residue displaced upwardly by the tillage device. The tines are attached to the depth control device only at one end of each tine, and the free ends of the tines terminate laterally short of the centerline and vertically between the elevations of the upper and lower edges of the depth control device.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a tool bar and at least one opener/closer arrangement carried by the tool bar for opening a trench in soil. Each opener/closer arrangement includes an opener disc positioned at an angle relative to a working direction and defining a trench profile. The opener disc has an axis of rotation, a leading edge, and a trailing edge positioned adjacent one side of the trench profile. A gauge wheel is positioned generally inline with the opener disc adjacent to the trailing edge of the opener disc. The gauge wheel has a leading edge positioned between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the opener disc. A first closing wheel is positioned on a side of the trench profile opposite to the gauge wheel. The first closing wheel has a leading edge positioned between the axis of rotation and the trailing edge of the opener disc. A second closing wheel is positioned on a same side of the trench profile as the gauge wheel.

Abstract: An agricultural apparatus (1) for use in seed sowing is attachable to a primary mover for pulling the apparatus (1) in a direction of travel(X). The apparatus (1) comprises a support member (2), a first disc (18) and a second disc (20), the discs (18, 20) each cutting a single groove in the soil. The discs (18, 20) are mountable on the support member (2) about axle (13), the axle (13) having first arm and second arm portions (14), the first and second discs (18, 20) being mountable on the first arm and second arm portions (14) respectively. The first arm portion (14) is angled with respect to the second arm portion (14) such that the first and second discs (18, 20) arm arranged in planes which converge rearwardly in relation to the direction of travel (X). Press wheel (12) for pressing soil into grooves made by the discs (18, 20) alter seeds have been deposited is mountable on the support member (2).

Abstract: A combination strip-tiller and applicator is disclosed for conservation farming. The machine is designed to save soil, fertilizer, labor and fuel while producing a higher yield. Unique features of the device include a knife that injects anhydrous ammonia or other chemicals in a broad band under the seedbed. This broad band allows seeds to be planted in the same pass or within a few days without risk of fertilizer burn to the seedlings. The knife also loosens the soil and raises the seedbed. Row cleaners and cultivator gangs can run in the same pass to remove excess crop residual and to further raise the seedbed.

Abstract: A seed planter is described which includes a pair of gauge wheels having a plurality of spaced fingers in generally-horizontal planes. The gauge wheels do not pack the surface of wet soil. In another embodiment, there are provided closing wheels which include spaced fingers on the periphery. The closing wheels are able to close the slot in the soil without forming a hardened crust on the soil. Use of the closing wheels and the gauge wheels enables the planting of seeds in soils which contain higher levels of moisture than normally permissible.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is an improved closing wheel attachment mechanism which has longer wear life than that of the typical attachment mechanism. The closing wheel arm on an agricultural planter has installed thereon an improved grease bushing assembly which has increased wear surface and the capability to utilize a grease on the surface. The combination of increased wear surface and greasing will greatly increase the operational life of the planter. Also included in the invention is the process and fixturing to incorporate the improved configuration on to an existing planter closing wheel structure. Included in this attachment mechanism is a welding jig which assures proper alignment of the improved bushing assembly.

Abstract: A seed furrow closing apparatus which utilizes a pair of tine wheels having inner and outer press plates which may be selectively removed depending on the particular soil conditions and amount of debris and residue encountered. The tine wheel comprises a hub for operative engagement upon each press wheel axle and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially curved tines projecting therefrom. The individual press plates have a central aperture for the hub and a circumferential shoulder with a plurality of slots through which extend the tines. The press plates may be bolted together to form a press wheel with tines extending from the outer rim, or one or both plates may be removed as would be desirable in heavy gumbo soils or when encountering excessive debris. The press plates further include a slot running from the hub aperture to the shoulder to allow removal of the plate without removing the tine wheel from the axle.

Abstract: A seed drill includes a conventional single or double disc blade soil opener for creating seed trenches for the deposition of seeds by a seeder. A scraper/soil firming assembly is attached to the outside of each disc blade axle. The scraper/soil firming assembly includes a bracket for mounting a scraper/soil firming blade and a locking plate for locking the mounting bracket and blade at a selected angle relative to the disc blade axle. The scraper/soil firming blade is a flat bar extending downward and rearward from the respective disc blade and positioned alongside the disc blade and to act both as a blade scraper and as a soil firmer.

Abstract: A seeding assembly (20) for attachment to a cultivating or seeding tine (21). The seeding assembly (20) includes a seed tube (52) movably attached to the tine (21) by parallel linkages (53, 54). A wheel (63) is attached to the seeding tube (52) to regulate the height of the lower extremity (53) of the seeding tube (52) so that a seed is delivered to a seed bed (54) prepared by a closing tool (58) located forward of the seed tube (52).

Abstract: An eccentric cam locking assembly includes an elongated locking bar having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, a first fastening arrangement defined on the first end portion of the bar for mounting the bar on a stationary member of a seed planting implement and a second fastening arrangement defined on the opposite second end portion of the bar for clamping the bar on an eccentric cam that is mounted to the implement so as to rotate relative thereto to align the position of furrow closing wheels mounted on a swing arm extending from the rear of the seed planting implement. When installed, the locking assembly inhibits misalignment of the furrow closing wheels by providing additional resistance against unintended rotation of the eccentric cam. The second fastening arrangement is releasable so that the eccentric cam may be turned when the furrow closing wheels need to be aligned.

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 method of continuously applying an additive to soil with a soil treating apparatus as the soil treating apparatus is advanced in a travel direction along a planting path on soil being treated. The method includes the steps of resituating residue in the planting path in a lateral direction transverse to the travel direction away from the planting path, applying an additive to the soil, and moving soil laterally inwardly over the planting path after the additive is applied to the soil. An apparatus is provided for practicing the method.

Abstract: A furrow closing apparatus for an agricultural planter producing an open seed furrow in the soil into which seeds are sequentially deposited, comprising a pair of rotary forks mountable on the planter on opposite sides of the open seed furrow and at a location rearwardly of the seed depositing mechanism; each rotary fork having a hub portion for rotational mounting on the planter and a plurality of radially projecting rigid tines rigidly secured to the hub portion; said tines having an arcuate configuration in a radial direction thereby producing a convex soil engaging surface which imparts a compressing action to the soil adjacent the sidewall of the open seed trench to fragmentize both sidewalls and an adjacent strip to cover the deposited seed with the fragmentized soil particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling the depth of soil penetration of a ground contact implement, such as a planter, furrow opener, seeder, tiller, fertilizer or pesticide applicator, plow, etc. or any combination thereof. The present invention permits presetting of a desired ground contact implement soil penetration depth, and provides continuous dynamic regulating of an adjustable downpressure system in response to changing forces exerted on the device (for example, including those forces resulting from soil unevenness), so as to maintain the ground contact implement at approximately the preset desired depth.