Abstract: An air manifold system for supplying an agricultural product to a plurality of metering devices comprises a product hopper having a product flow cavity, the product cavity separated from a first plenum by an air agitator sandwiched between the first plenum and the product flow cavity. The hopper comprises a plurality of nozzles extending through a wall of the hopper. A venturi assembly is in fluid communication with at least one nozzle. A first forced air stream flows through the first plenum and the air agitator into the product flow cavity to agitate and entrain agricultural product in the first air stream, and the first air stream carries the entrained agricultural product into the nozzles. A second forced air stream flows through the venturi assembly to accelerate the first air stream and the entrained product towards and through the supply hoses connected to the nozzles.

Abstract: A furrow opener apparatus attachable to an implement has a trailing arm with a packer wheel at the rear end, and a furrow opener attached forward of the packer wheel. An actuator moves the trailing arm between a lowered operating position and a raised transport position. A latch mechanism engages the implement frame and the trailing arm when the actuator is operated to move the trailing arm to the transport position, preventing the trailing arm from moving downward. A release mechanism moves the latch mechanism to an unlatched position when the actuator is operated to move the trailing arm from the raised transport position to the lowered operating position, allowing the trailing arm to move down from the transport position.

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: The invention provides an innovative yet straightforward approach to driving the seed distribution system in planters which feature hinged winged extensions. The flexibility of the hinged winged extensions may allow the planter to adjust to the contours of a field and to fold to facilitate transport of the planter. In one embodiment, for example, the invention may provide a mechanical coupling between several sections of a seed drive shaft which may support and be driven by a hydraulic motor for each of the winged sections. The seed drive system may also be coupled to row units to synchronize and power the distribution of seeds by the planter.

Abstract: A towed implement, such as a planter is provided with a folding platform allowing improved access to row units and seed tanks of the planter implement. The platform is movable or foldable to improve access to row units below the platform while providing access to seed tanks. The platform may be provided in addition to a transverse platform, such as for access to seed tanks in planters. The folding platform may be used, along with handrails and a ladder, for accessing the platform for servicing the implement. The folding platform may be collapsed or folded to allow access to the row units that are beneath the platform.

Abstract: A seeding machine is provided with a frame comprising a center frame section and left and right wing frame sections. The frame has a planting configuration and a transport configuration. The center frame section and the left and right wing frame sections each have a hollow toolbar forming a pneumatic manifold. Individual planting units are mounted to the toolbars. The pneumatic manifold of the center frame section is automatically pneumatically coupled to each of the left and right wing frame sections by a resilient bell that forms a pneumatic path between the center frame section and the left and right wing frame sections when the frame is in its planting configuration. The pneumatic manifolds are pneumatically coupled to pneumatic seed meters on the planting units by air hoses.

Abstract: A midrow levelling attachment for a seeder includes a set of leveller gangs each of which is mounted on a respective one of the packer wheel gangs of the seeder by a pair of mounting members one at each end of the common shaft of the leveller gang. The levelling roller gang is arranged such that each roller has the peripheral surface thereof located at a position aligned with a location on the ground between a respective pair of the shanks of the seeder and each roller is located rearwardly of the respective pair of shanks and in front of the packer wheels for engaging the ground between the furrows formed by the furrow forming element of the respective pair of shanks. The peripheral surface of each levelling roller is shaped with an apex and two inclined sides such that as the peripheral surface rolls over the ground between the furrows it tends to push the soil back into the furrows.

Abstract: An agricultural ground working implement is provided with a first ground working unit and a second ground working unit that follows the first ground working unit. A row cleaner is assigned to the portion of the soil upon which the second ground working unit acts. The row cleaner extends rearwardly from the first ground working unit.

Abstract: A versatile implement system utilizing a single implement structure that is capable of being utilized as a grain planter, row crop planter, tiller or anhydrous applicator. The inventive device includes a conventional implement frame, a bracket, a pair of support arms connected to the bracket, a breakaway structure, a receiving arm having a tubular structure, a syncline shaped brace within the receiving arm, a shank member having a syncline end that is removably insertable into an open end of the receiving arm for mating connection with the brace, and an attachment connected to the shank opposite of the syncline end for performing a specific task. This structure allows a plurality of shank planters, anhydrous applicators, double-disc openers, corn planters or tillage attachments to be utilized upon a single implement frame. Varying row spacing such as 30, 15 and 71/2 inch are achievable by removing specific planter attachments.

Abstract: A support for a seed firming wheel of an agricultural planter. The support comprises a frame member, a link pivotally coupled to the frame member and a spring positioned between the link and frame member. The frame member is also provided with a pivot assembly to which the link is pivotally mounted. The seed firming wheel is rotatively mounted to the link. A lockup link is positioned between the frame member and the link for holding the seed firming wheel in a non-working position.

Abstract: The equipment system consists essentially of the undercarriage 101 having supporting wheels, the rotary device with dovetailing prongs 102, the sowing machine 103 and the land roller or clod breaker apparatus 104. The system components may be used in various combinations or individually.

Abstract: An apparatus for planting seed having a frame adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for transport over the earth in a predetermined direction of travel, a source of seed, a furrowing assembly, an arm borne by the frame mounting the furrowing assembly for movement to and from earth engagement when the frame is mounted on a vehicle, and a conduit interconnecting the source of seed and the furrowing assembly for distributing seed from the source into a furrow formed in the earth by the furrowing assembly during transport of the frame with the vehicle over the earth.

Abstract: A press grain drill includes a plurality of opener units mounted on an elongated tow tube and including a plurality of elongated, pivotably coupled elements forming a pair of parallelograms which support a self-penetrating shovel and a press wheel respectively. A first one of the parallelograms permits up and down movement of the shovel relative to the tow tube while maintaining the pitch of the shovel relative to the ground substantially constant. A second one of the parallelograms responds to each movement of the shovel to move the press wheel in the same direction and relative to the shovel so as to maintain the depth of the shovel within the ground substantially constant. Whenever the tow tube which is coupled by pairs of parallel links to an elongated main frame tool bar is raised relative to the tool bar for towing, a lift tube coupled to the links via bracket numbers engages the opener units to lift them relative to the tow tube.