Abstract: A coulter assembly for collecting soil samples from an agricultural field in one embodiment comprises an annular collection blade configured for penetrating soil to capture a sample, an annular cam ring configured for stationary mounting to a frame of an agricultural vehicle and comprising a cam track, a blade hub coupled to the blade for rotatably supporting the annular collection blade from the annular cam ring, and a movable sample collector mounted to the annular collection blade. The moveable sample collector is configured and operable for extracting a soil sample as the annular collection blade is rotated through the soil. The moveable sample collector in one embodiment comprises a piston mechanism including a cylinder and rod movably disposed therein which actuated by the annular cam ring to alternatingly open and close a collection end of the cylinder as the annular collection blade rotates through the soil.

Abstract: A system for controlling the depth of at least one closing wheel in an agricultural row unit for planting seeds in a furrow. The row unit includes a firming device that passes the seeds into the soil at the bottom of the furrow, and at least one closing wheel that is pressed into a side of the furrow to close the furrow over the seeds. A control system senses the depth of the closing wheels in the furrow relative to the depth of the firming device, and adjusts the downward pressure on the closing wheel, based on changes in the sensed depth of the closing wheel, to compensate for changes in the hardness of the soil. The up and down movement of the firming device can be adjusted independently of the movement of the closing wheel.

Abstract: An agricultural seed planter is provided. The agricultural seed planter has a large diameter rotating planting wheel with fingers or teeth spaced around the periphery of the planting wheel. The teeth are positioned so as to achieve a spacing of the seeds when planted in the soil. The teeth have a small dimple in the end and an even smaller hole passing through the entire length. The dimple provides a place for the seed to sit in and the small hole allows positive or negative air pressure to be transmitted to the seed. The negative air pressure creates a vacuum suction that attaches the seed to the teeth, and the positive air pressure releases the seed from the teeth. In an example implementation, the wheel includes many individual mechanical modules that are linked together to form the wheel.

Abstract: A seed transportation system and method for using the same, the seed transportation system including a rotatable wheel with at least one seed supports for holding a seed, wherein the at least one seed support has one or more fixed support structures configured to restrict movement of the seed in a circumferential direction relative to the rotatable wheel and in a direction away from an axis of rotation of the rotatable wheel, and wherein the at least one seed support has an access opening in its radially outer side, the access opening permitting access to the seed for creating an opening in the seed.

Abstract: A coulter assembly for collecting soil samples from an agricultural field in one embodiment comprises an annular collection blade configured for penetrating soil to capture a sample, an annular cam ring configured for stationary mounting to a frame of an agricultural vehicle and comprising a cam track, a blade hub coupled to the blade for rotatably supporting the annular collection blade from the annular cam ring, and a movable sample collector mounted to the annular collection blade. The moveable sample collector is configured and operable for extracting a soil sample as the annular collection blade is rotated through the soil. The moveable sample collector in one embodiment comprises a piston mechanism including a cylinder and rod movably disposed therein which actuated by the annular cam ring to alternatingly open and close a collection end of the cylinder as the annular collection blade rotates through the soil.

Abstract: A garden machine allows a user to perform various gardening functions with a single machine by allowing the user to easily interchange implements placed on an implement mounting shaft of the machine. The garden machine includes a frame and an implement mounting shaft. The user, faced with a job to do, selects the implements best suited for the job and mounts the selected implements on the implement mounting shaft. The user then manipulates the machine to do the job. The machine can be hand powered or be powered by an engine or motor. A seed drill of the invention includes seed discharge tubes spaced around the circumference of a disk. Each seed discharge tube communicates with a seed reservoir in the disk through a displacement operated valve arrangement. As a planting head is displaced toward the disk against a spring bias, the displacement opens the seed discharge tube so that a seed is discharged from the reservoir into the tube and is delivered to the ground.

Abstract: A material dispensing device delivers material directly into the ground. According to one embodiment of the material dispensing device, the device comprises an elongated hollow shaft, a receptacle, a helical flange and on or more openings formed in the shaft or helical flanges. The receptacle is disposed adjacent one end of the shaft for holding material. The receptacle is communicatively open to the shaft such that the material or a liquid-material mixture dissolved from at least a portion of the material can flow from the receptacle into the shaft. The helical flange is secured to the shaft. The shaft and helical flange are configured such that rotation of the shaft and flange causes the material dispensing device to be driven into the ground. The one or more openings formed in the shaft or helical flange disperse the material or the liquid-material mixture into the ground.

Abstract: A lawn spreader composed of a cylindrical drum mounted to a user-operable handle assembly. Along the surface of a drum are a plurality of spaced-apart spike arrays with a plurality of aperture arrays interposed therebetween. A door at one end of the drum allows for deposit of granular materials, such as grass seed, within the drum. A paddle array within the drum is rotatable therein so as to open or close selected apertures of the aperture arrays. Upon drum rotation, as urged by the user on the handle assembly, the spikes first indent the earth with the grass seed then falling through the open apertures and into and between the resulting indentations in the earthen surface therebetween. The smooth surface of the drum then tamps the deposited seeds into the earthen surface. The spikes are preferably releasably attached to the cylindrical drum so that various types of spikes can be used.

Abstract: A lawn seeding machine is provided, which consists of a trough for holding grass seeds therein. An inverted U-shaped handle extends upwardly form the trough. A plurality of L-shaped tubular ducts extend in spaced intervals downwardly from the trough. A plurality of spiked seeding wheels are also provided, with each pivotally mounted onto an end of one L-shaped tubular duct. When the spiked seeding wheels are manually pushed along the ground, they will rotate to make holes in the ground and at the same time drop grass seeds directly into the holes received from the trough and one L-shaped tubular duct in a single pass operation.

Abstract: A metering and dibbing assembly for use in a dibber drill comprises a rotary feed section, inlet means for introducing seed at successive seed-retaining locations in the rotary feed section, a rotary dibber section having a plurality of dibber elements at least in part housed in radially disposed bores in the dibber section, and cam means operative to withdraw successive dibber elements to allow the transfer of seed from the feed section into the associated bores for these elements and thereafter to move the dibber elements in a radially outward movement so as to press the seed into the ground.

Abstract: An implement for injecting a fluid like material below the surface of the ground having a hub portion and a plurality of hollow spokes extending radially outward therefrom. The hub portion is formed of a housing having an open center in which a sleeve bearing is secured and an axle position in the bearing to permit rotational movement of the housing with respect to the axle with the axle and the bearing having a clearance of no greater than 0.0030 inches.

Abstract: A transplanter machine rotates seedling plants from a horizontal file to a vertical orientation by use of a plant holder which has a dwell when in a loading position. The plant holder will accelerate the seedling plants from a relatively low velocity to a velocity that is matched to the machine travel speed such that the plant is inserted into the ground at a zero velocity relative to the ground. The plant holders are mounted upon holder arms which are pivotably connected to a rotating hub. Each holder arm is connected to a link which causes the holder arm to fold and unfold as the plant holder travels in a path about a rotation axis.

Abstract: A machine for planting seedlings and to be pulled by a tractor, comprises a chassis onto which are connected a plurality of planting units. Each unit comprises three main parts, a double pathway defined by a double endless chain which carries sleeve shaped members; hoses for the insertion of the seedlings into the soil with the aid of an air stream and a rotating member which carries pointed dibbles that become inserted through each sleeve member moving on the pathway with the endless chain into the soil and to be withdrawn therefrom. The machine is to be annexed to a tractor or other vehicle for pulling the chassis over ground to be planted.

Abstract: A vacuum type seeding machine including a rotatably mounted cylindrical seeding drum, a vacuum manifold member and a supporting member for the cylindrical seeding drum rotatable relative to the manifold member for applying vacuum to the cylindrial seeding drum. The cylindrical drum includes ducts extending therealong from an end face communicating with said vacuum manifold member, the ducts communicating with a series of ports on the surface of the cylindrical seeding member to hold seeds thereagainst in a predetermined seeding pattern when vacuum is applied to the ducts.

Abstract: A rolling point agricultural spiked wheel injector system for injecting a fluid as a liquid chemical or gas into the ground. The system includes a rotatable injector wheel having a plurality of outwardly directed injector spikes attached to the periphery of the wheel, the spokes being so constructed to easily penetrate the ground for injection of fluid therein. The injector wheel includes a unique rotary valve mechanism of simplistic design selectively operable for permitting fluid to flow when the spike is in the ground penetrating position and blocking the flow of fluid when the spike is out of the ground. The valve sealing system allows free rotation of the wheel with greater sealing pressure over a smaller contact area. The improved valve is a self-cleaning device for movement of abrasive particles in the liquid chemical material around the bearing face of the valve that engages the rotating ribbon surface of the ring with the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A planting machine wherein its planter wheel and a packer wheel trailing the same respectively have peripheral velocities greater and less than the speed of advance of the machine. Shoes on the former open the ground and deposit a seed therein on relative rearward movement, with feet on the packer wheel covering deposited seeds on forward movement thereof relative to the ground. The drives for the planter and packer wheels are interconnected to minimize the overall power requirement. Seeds are dispensed from a hopper to a position adjacent the axle of the planter wheel and spirally nested delivery tubes gravitationally deliver the dispensed seeds to the planter shoes in an arrangement such that a seed is delivered to a shoe only after a predetermined advance of the seed has occurred subsequent to its having been dispensed.

Abstract: A precision sower is described which has the capability of sowing seeds in single in rows parallel to the direction of travel of the sower and in parallel rows normal to the direction of travel. The sower cimprises a hollow rotatable drum provided with series radial holes, each series being in the same plane, and an internal source of vacuum. Pins positively displace seeds from the holes at a predetermined point in the rotation of the drum. The pins are actuated by a cam surface during normal rotation of the drum. The sower can be used in association with rollers, coulters and other implements to assist in the sowing operation.

Abstract: A hopper for mechanical seed planters comprises an upper and a lower reservoir shaped for retaining seed therein, and a valve mounted between the reservoirs to selectively permit the seed to flow under gravitational forces from the upper to the lower reservoir. The lower reservoir is rotatably mounted in the hopper, and is rotated in synchronization with the planting speed of the planter. The bottom of the lower reservoir has at least one metering aperture therethrough, and a circularly shaped groove which is concentric with the lower reservoir's axis of rotation, and extends through the metering aperture. An arm is pivotally connected with the upper reservoir, and includes a tip portion which tracks in the circular groove. A stationary base plate is disposed directly below the reservoir bottom, and includes a discharge aperture which is circumferentially aligned with the metering aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for planting seed is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a wheel hub having an annular cam. A ground engaging seed box is spaced apart and rotatable around the cam. A plurality of seed holders are carried by the seed box and are slidable around the cam. Each seed holder extends within the seed box to obtain a seed and is urged out of the seed box to penetrate the ground and deposit the seed in the ground as the seed box rotates around the cam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cultivating soil by forcing a burst of pressurized fluid into the soil. The apparatus is provided with a horizontal hollow shaft, rotatably mounted on a frame member, and having a plurality of hollow rods extending radially therefrom, and arranged in longitudinal rows. Each rod is tipped with a conically shaped soil piercing nozzle, and a burst of pressurized fluid is provided to the nozzles via a tank and valve arrangement. When the apparatus is pulled by a tractor, the longitudinal rows of rods are sequentially embedded in the soil under the force of the weight of the apparatus and a burst of pressurized fluid is vented through the embedded nozzles to break up the soil into small pieces. The fluid can be either air, water, or liquid fertilizer.

Abstract: A planting machine for inserting plants, such as seedlings which have been grown in a cartridge, to a substantial depth in the open ground and substantially absent of any plowing or rocking effect on the plant during the planting operation and while the machine is moving along the ground. In a preferred embodiment the machine comprises a frame which is supported for movement along the surface of the ground. The frame carries a planting mechanism, an operator and a supply of seedling cartridges. The planting mechanism is driven by a ground wheel and is so arranged that as a plant is inserted into the ground to a substantial depth while the machine is moving along the ground, the plant is free of any horizontally directed component of force which may tend to produce an elongated opening in the ground.

Abstract: An improved seed planting roller for planting seeds in individual holes in the ground, and having means for reclosing the hole over the planted seed. Also, means are shown for altering the circumference of the roller for adjustment of planted seed spacing.

Abstract: The improved planting machine of the invention, which prepares a hole in the soil for a plant to be inserted therein, and thereupon places the plant in said hole and firms the soil about it, is characterized in that the machine has a planting member so actuated that during the act of planting the plant said member temporarily stands still in relation to the soil whilst the planting machine as a whole advances at its normal rate.