Abstract: A harrow attachment for a tillage implement includes a harrow drawbar mounting at least one rank of harrowing tools. A pivot link pivotally couples the harrow rank to the drawbar so it can trip by pivoting upward toward the drawbar from a home position in which the harrow rank is farthest away from the drawbar. A downforce spring is coupled to the drawbar and in a variable length state when the harrow rank is tripped to apply a return biasing force to the harrow rank. An adjustment mechanism couples the spring to the harrow rank and/or the pivot link in one of a plurality of adjustment locations in each of which the harrow rank is in the home position and the spring is in a fixed length state in which the biasing force is removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved agricultural seeding; especially useful in no-till direct seeding. In the illustrated embodiment an inclined furrow is cut with a rotating disk that is inclined with respect to the vertical and the horizontal; the furrow has a raised lip, and straw and the like stalks are cleaved during the cutting. Seed is inserted by known means, and then a packer wheel, preferentially inclined in vertical and horizontal directions opposite to those the disk is inclined, runs across the lip and closes the furrow. Advantages include substantially reduced energy required for the furrow cutting, less weight required on the furrowing disk, more even seeding depth, less hairpinning, less soil disturbance, and less weed seed burial.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved agricultural seeding; especially useful in no-till direct seeding. In the illustrated embodiment an inclined furrow is cut with a rotating disk that is inclined with respect to the vertical and the horizontal; the furrow has a raised lip, and straw and the like stalks are cleaved during the cutting. Seed is inserted by known means, and then a packer wheel, preferentially inclined in vertical and horizontal directions opposite to those the disk is inclined, runs across the lip and closes the furrow. Advantages include substantially reduced energy required for the furrow cutting, less weight required on the furrowing disk, more even seeding depth, less hairpinning, less soil disturbance, and less weed seed burial.