Abstract: A seeder assembly for placing a commodity in underlying soil that has a frame member having at least one ground engaging mechanism configured to contact an underlying surface, a rockshaft pivotally coupled to the frame member and pivotal between a lowered position and a raised position, a plurality of disk opener assemblies coupled to the rockshaft, the disk opener assemblies each having a single disk opener configured to cut into the underlying soil to provide an opening for the commodity, a plurality of row cleaner assemblies pivotally coupled to the frame member and each having a row cleaner configured to move residue on the underlying surface, and a plurality of linkages each coupling the rockshaft to a corresponding one of the plurality of row cleaner assemblies. When the rockshaft is in the raised position, the plurality of linkages maintain the corresponding plurality of row cleaner assemblies in a raised position.

Abstract: A disk assembly for agricultural implements comprises a disk hanger including a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The disk assembly further includes a hanger spindle supported relative to the distal end of the disk hanger for rotation about a first axis of rotation, and a blade spindle supported relative to the hanger spindle, with the blade spindle being rotatable about a second axis of rotation oriented non-parallel relative to the first axis of rotation. Additionally, the disk assembly includes a blade coupled to the blade spindle for rotation therewith about the second axis of rotation. Moreover, the disk assembly is configured such that rotation of the hanger spindle relative to the disk hanger about the first axis of rotation results in an adjustment of both an angle-of-engagement and a camber angle of the blade.

Abstract: A scraper blade for a row unit of a planter. The scraper blade has a connecting portion that connects to the pivot hub of a depth-gauge assembly. The connecting portion connects to a blade portion. The blade portion is positioned in a gap formed between the pivot hub and the contact surface of the depth-gauge wheel. The scraper blade is connected to the depth-gauge assembly in a static and stationary position at a pivot point. As a pivot arm and the depth-gauge wheel move about in relation to the pivot point, the scraper blade maintains a fixed position at close tolerances with the depth-gauge wheel to remove soil and debris from the depth-gauge wheel.

Abstract: A scraper employs a support arm for mounting to a frame of an agricultural implement and a frustoconically bowl-shaped scraper member rotatably supported on the support arm in a position facing the open end of the bowl toward a ground-engaging wheel or disc. Different embodiments disclose unique mounting arrangements, including embodiments where a bearing has its outer race affixed to a closed end wall of the bowl, a bushing is fastened between the inner race of the bearing and a support arm situated outside the bowl to support the bowl in a manner rotatable about the bushing at an axial distance from the support arm, and a separate outer sleeve is disposed around the bushing in a freely rotatable manner to prevent wrapped straw accumulation between the bowl and the support arm during rotating use of the scraper.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement has a disk frame assembly connected to a pull hitch extending in a travel direction with frame members extending generally laterally with respect to the travel direction. At least one disk blade is connected to and supported by the frame members to till soil over which the agricultural tillage implement traverses. A disk scraper mounting member is connected to at least one frame member. A channel shaped disk scraper is connected to the disk scraper mounting member using a bolted joint connection. The channel shaped disk scraper has a square mounting end adjoining an inner perpendicular surface of the disk scraper mounting member. The channel shaped disk scraper is operable to scrape residue from the at least one disk blade and deflect it away from the travel direction.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement including a carriage frame assembly and pull hitch towed by a tractor, and secondary frames supported by the carriage frame assembly. The secondary frames mount gangs of disk blades for tilling the soil in a travel direction. Scraper assemblies are mounted on the secondary frames for scraping soil and residue from the disk blades.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement including a carriage frame assembly and pull hitch towed by a tractor and secondary frames supported by the carriage frame assembly. The secondary frames mount gangs of disk blades for tilling the soil in a travel direction. Bearing hanger assemblies support the gangs of disk blades below the secondary frames and deflector/scraper elements are mounted on the bearing hanger assemblies for scraping soil and residue from the disk blades and deflecting it away from the travel direction.

Abstract: A scraper assembly for removing mud and moist soil from the gauge wheels of an agricultural planter includes a support rod attached to a hub of a gauge wheel arm, a clamp structure attached to an end portion of the support rod, and a scraper blade attached to the clamp structure. An axis of the end portion of the support rod is approximately perpendicular to and intersects with an axis of rotation of the gauge wheel. The scraper blade is mounted approximately perpendicular to the outer surface of the gauge wheel and is angled approximately 45 degrees from the sides of the gauge wheel. The scraper blade has a curved profile along its length that substantially matches an outer profile of the outer surface of the gauge wheel when the scraper blade is properly adjusted.

Abstract: A debris assembly for use with a mobile agricultural device is provided. The debris assembly may include a debris member and an attachment bracket. The debris member may substantially prevent debris from accumulating on the disc of the mobile agricultural device. The debris member may be adjustable as a single component relative to the disc to accommodate various soil conditions. The debris member may be removable from the attachment bracket.

Abstract: A debris assembly for use with a mobile agricultural device is provided. The debris assembly may include a debris member, a liquid injector member, and an attachment bracket. The debris member may substantially prevent debris from accumulating on the disc of the mobile agricultural device. The debris member may be adjustable as a single component relative to the disc to accommodate various soil conditions. The debris member may be removable from the attachment bracket. The injector member is mounted to be separately adjustable from the debris member.

Abstract: An inductor mountable to a frame member of an implement. The inductor is movable between a working position and a stowed position. In the working position, the soil engaging tool is in engagement with the soil. In the stowed position, the soil engaging tool is out of engagement with the soil.

Abstract: A scraper for a coulter assembly is provided. One coulter assembly includes a scraper having an upper leading edge section positioned adjacent to a central portion of a disc blade and configured to contact the disc blade while the disc blade is substantially undeflected, and a lower leading edge section positioned adjacent to an outer portion of the disc blade and configured to contact the disc blade while the disc blade is substantially undeflected. The upper leading edge section and the lower leading edge section are configured to maintain contact with the disc blade as the outer portion of the disc blade is deflected relative to the central portion of the disc blade along a substantially arcuate path.

Abstract: A scraper for removing accumulated soil from the wheel of a planter, the scraper comprising: a scraper arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being adapted for attachment to an axle mounted to the frame of the planter, and the second end for carrying a scraper blade, wherein the scraper arm is sized and shaped so that when the first end of the scraper arm is attached to the axle, the second end can present the scraper blade to the ground-contacting surface of the wheel so as to remove accumulated soil from the wheel.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for holding a blade relative to a surface of a disc for a soil engaging apparatus, including: a first blade mount; and a blade; wherein the blade is mounted on the first blade mount such that the blade can move at least partially along the first blade mount and can tilt about an axis of the first blade mount.

Abstract: A furrow opener is operable as part of a nonsingulating air seeder and includes a rotatable disc to open a furrow. The opener also includes a vented seed catch pan positioned adjacent one side of the disc. The catch pan is operably coupled to a seed conduit of the air seeder to receive seed in a pressurized air stream from the seed conduit. The catch pan presents a seed inlet configured to receive seed from the seed conduit, a seed outlet positioned to deposit the seed within the furrow, and an elongated chamber extending between the inlet and outlet. The catch pan presents multiple vents spaced between the inlet and outlet, with the vents allowing pressurized air flow to escape from the chamber to ambient without passing through the outlet.

Abstract: A scraper assembly for removing mud and moist soil from the gauge wheels of an agricultural planter includes a support rod attached to a hub of a gauge wheel arm, a clamp structure attached to an end portion of the support rod, and a scraper blade attached to the clamp structure. An axis of the end portion of the support rod is approximately perpendicular to and intersects with an axis of rotation of the gauge wheel. The scraper blade is mounted approximately perpendicular to the outer surface of the gauge wheel and is angled approximately 45 degrees from the sides of the gauge wheel. The scraper blade has a curved profile along its length that substantially matches an outer profile of the outer surface of the gauge wheel when the scraper blade is properly adjusted.

Abstract: A scraper for a coulter assembly is provided. One coulter assembly includes a scraper having an upper leading edge section positioned adjacent to a central portion of a disc blade and configured to contact the disc blade while the disc blade is substantially undeflected, and a lower leading edge section positioned adjacent to an outer portion of the disc blade and configured to contact the disc blade while the disc blade is substantially undeflected. The upper leading edge section and the lower leading edge section are configured to maintain contact with the disc blade as the outer portion of the disc blade is deflected relative to the central portion of the disc blade along a substantially arcuate path.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for the disc of a mobile agricultural device, including a washer configured to attach to a disc of the mobile agricultural device. The washer may be attached to a center location of the disc. The washer is operatively connected to a deflector bar. The deflector bar substantially prevents debris from accumulating between the disc and a fertilizer assembly attached to the disc, as the disc rotates. The deflector bar in other embodiments, may be directly connected to a fertilizer assembly, rather than to the washer.

Abstract: A vertical tilling implement to be pulled behind and agricultural vehicle having a number of gangs of fluted-concave disc blades, rolling baskets, and wheels connected to a main frame. As the vertical tilling implement is pulled, the fluted-concave disc blades move the soil in a direction lateral to the side of the blades as well as up. Meanwhile, the rolling bars aid in leveling the seedbed and crushing the remaining large pieces of soil. The vertical tilling implement reduces the amount of subsoil compaction and cuts through heavy residue making it ideal for use in the fall or in the spring.

Abstract: A debris clearing apparatus for use with a farm implement tool bar with at least one trailing planter row unit, includes a frame extension connectable to the row unit and having a forward projecting mounting point relative to a direction of travel, the mounting point including first and second pivot mounts defining transverse pivot points. A parallelogram linkage has two arms, each arm having a first pivot connection for attachment to one of the first and second mounts and an opposite second pivot connection. A debris clearing module is attachable to the opposite second pivot connections behind the mounting point in the direction of travel, the module having a foot structure for supporting at least one disk mount having at least one clearing disk. The parallelogram linkage enables the debris-clearing module to generally float behind the mounting point as the implement is pulled in the direction of travel.

Abstract: A planting unit for depositing fertilizer and seed in a single pass, double shoot manner includes a rotating disc that cuts a furrow in a planting surface and a trailing seed boot, having a cutting edge, that cuts a vertically and horizontally offset trench in the furrow to form a seed bed in the planting surface. The disc has a mounting frame for mounting the disc to a linkage assembly that is, in turn, coupled to a toolbar mount. The seed boot is also attached to the mounting frame. This common attachment provides a relatively short and compact device without sacrificing fertilizer and seed stratification.

Abstract: A planting unit for depositing fertilizer and seed in a single pass, double shoot manner includes a rotating disc that cuts a furrow in a planting surface and a trailing seed boot, having a cutting edge, that cuts a vertically and horizontally offset trench in the furrow to form a seed bed in the planting surface. The disc has a mounting frame for mounting the disc to a linkage assembly that is, in turn, coupled to a toolbar mount. The seed boot is also attached to the mounting frame. This common attachment provides a relatively short and compact device without sacrificing fertilizer and seed stratification.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a disk blade assembly having a hub and a disk blade mounted to the hub. The hub has a perimeter. The disk blade is deflectable by ground forces in an area outside of the hub. A scraper assembly includes a mount, a scraper blade, and a hinge pivotally interconnecting the scraper blade with the mount. The hinge has an axis of rotation which passes through a point generally at or near a bottom of the hub perimeter, and generally coincident with the disk blade.

Abstract: A vertical tilling implement to be pulled behind and agricultural vehicle having a number of gangs of fluted-concave disc blades, rolling baskets, and wheels connected to a main frame. As the vertical tilling implement is pulled, the fluted-concave disc blades move the soil in a direction lateral to the side of the blades as well as up. Meanwhile, the rolling bars aid in leveling the seedbed and crushing the remaining large pieces of soil. The vertical tilling implement reduces the amount of subsoil compaction and cuts through heavy residue making it ideal for use in the fall or in the spring.

Abstract: A planting unit for depositing fertilizer and seed in a single pass, double shoot manner includes a rotating disc that cuts a furrow in a planting surface and a trailing seed boot, having a cutting edge, that cuts a vertically and horizontally offset trench in the furrow to form a seed bed in the planting surface. The disc has a mounting frame for mounting the disc to a linkage assembly that is, in turn, coupled to a toolbar mount. The seed boot is also attached to the mounting frame. This common attachment provides a relatively short and compact device without sacrificing fertilizer and seed stratification.

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: A ground opener unit for a seeding or planting unit includes an accessory mount attachable to an implement frame and a disc rotatably mounted to the accessory mount for forming a furrow in the ground. A scraper assembly includes a scraper plate defining a scraper edge for contacting and scraping a surface of the disc. The scraper plate is mounted to the arm by a pivot pin whose length defines a pivot axis about which the scraper plate may pivot in response to deflection of the disc. A spring is generally held in compression to bias the scraper plate against the disc.

Abstract: A planting unit for depositing fertilizer and seed in a single pass, double shoot manner includes a rotating disc that cuts a furrow in a planting surface and a trailing seed boot, having a cutting edge, that cuts a vertically and horizontally offset trench in the furrow to form a seed bed in the planting surface. The disc has a mounting frame for mounting the disc to a linkage assembly that is, in turn, coupled to a toolbar mount. The seed boot is also attached to the mounting frame. This common attachment provides a relatively short and compact device without sacrificing fertilizer and seed stratification.

Abstract: An adjustable scraper assembly for clearing mud and trash from the gauge wheel tires of an agricultural planter includes a support rod connected to the planter, a clamp assembly attached to the support rod, and a scraper blade attached to the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly has first and second clamping blocks that function together to allow pivotal adjustment of the scraper blade relative to the support rod about three nonparallel axes of rotation and sliding adjustment along at least one linear direction relative to the support rod. The support rod is attached to the planter using a third clamping block clamped to the hub of a gauge wheel arm. The third clamping block can be used to provide an additional adjustment of the support rod relative to the gauge wheel arm.

Abstract: A cushion standard shield system to remove and deflect residue, dirt, debris, and soil from a cushion bearing hanger, or cushion standard, portion of a disk gang type agricultural implement is provided. The cushion standard shield system includes a mounting bracket supported by a common axle which carries multiple disk blades of the disk gang. A blade assembly is mounted to an upright portion of the mounting bracket, and is positioned generally behind and above the axle, behind the cushion standard. The blade assembly includes one or more plate member with arcuate lateral edges. The radii of the arcuate lateral edges correspond closely in magnitude to the radii of the concave and convex surfaces of the disk blades. The plate members are laterally adjustable with respect to each other, whereby the width dimension of blade assembly is variable to accommodate different axial spacing widths of adjacent disk blades.

Abstract: A bearing shield and disk scraper system to remove and deflect dirt, debris, and soil from a bearing assembly, rigid bearing hanger or standard, and/or disk blade, is provided; the system also provides a protective barrier structure for the bearing assembly. The bearing shield and disk scraper system includes a shield member and a scraper blade connected thereto. The bearing shield at least partially encases and protects a bearing assembly that rotatably supports a common axle which carries multiple disk blades of the disk gang. The scraper blade is attached to the shield member by way of a mounting flange that extends therefrom. An edge of the scraper blade is positioned in close proximity to a concave surface of an adjacent disk blade, whereby the entire assemblage of bearing shield and disk scraper system protects the bearing assembly and prevents non-desired accumulation of dirt and debris on the disk blade.

Abstract: A scraper system to remove and deflect debris and soil from a disc gang mounted on an agricultural implement is provided. The scraper system includes a mounting bracket member supported at a common axle in support of the disc gang. The mounting bracket member is aligned generally parallel to and located forward of the common axle, and is mounted at a forward end of an elongated carry member supported from the common axle. The elongated carry member is generally aligned perpendicular relative to the common axle. A scraper blade is supported by a scraper arm mounted at the mounting bracket member and is located above the common axle. The location of the scrapper blade and the scraper arm allows a deflector plate to be located at the rearward end of the carry member.

Abstract: An adjustable scraper blade system for use with disk harrow implements is provided. The adjustable scraper blade system includes a mounting bracket secured at one end to the harrow implement, a scraper blade, and fasteners for selectively fixing the scraper blade in position. The scraper blade includes an arcuate scraping edge and an anchoring aperture defining an axis of pivotation of the scraper blade. It further includes an elongate adjustment slot that defines a range of arcuate adjustment of the scraper blade. The adjustability features of the adjustable scraper blade system facilitate alignment of the scraper blade so its scraping edge can be fixed in aligned face-to-face registration with the disk blade concave surface defining a clearance or gap therebetween of generally constant width.

Abstract: A cushion standard shield system to remove and deflect residue, dirt, debris, and soil from a cushion bearing hanger, or cushion standard, portion of a disk gang type agricultural implement is provided. The cushion standard shield system includes a mounting bracket supported by a common axle which carries multiple disk blades of the disk gang. A blade assembly is mounted to an upright portion of the mounting bracket, and is positioned generally behind and above the axle, behind the cushion standard. The blade assembly includes one or more plate member with arcuate lateral edges. The radii of the arcuate lateral edges correspond closely in magnitude to the radii of the concave and convex surfaces of the disk blades. The plate members are laterally adjustable with respect to each other, whereby the width dimension of blade assembly is variable to accommodate different axial spacing widths of adjacent disk blades.

Abstract: A bearing shield and disk scraper system to remove and deflect dirt, debris, and soil from a bearing assembly, rigid bearing hanger or standard, and/or disk blade, is provided; the system also provides a protective barrier structure for the bearing assembly. The bearing shield and disk scraper system includes a shield member and a scraper blade connected thereto. The bearing shield at least partially encases and protects a bearing assembly that rotatably supports a common axle which carries multiple disk blades of the disk gang. The scraper blade is attached to the shield member by way of a mounting flange that extends therefrom. An edge of the scraper blade is positioned in close proximity to a concave surface of an adjacent disk blade, whereby the entire assemblage of bearing shield and disk scraper system protects the bearing assembly and prevents non-desired accumulation of dirt and debris on the disk blade.

Abstract: The present disc opener assembly for a seed planter is for a single disc opener arrangement and is embodied in several embodiments. FIGS. 1 and 1a illustrate two embodiments of the present disc opener assembly the specifics of each will be described below. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 1a and 2, there is illustrated a disc opener assembly (10) mounted on a tool bar (7) connected to a work vehicle (5) for opening a seed trench (8) in the ground upon which the vehicle (5) moves. A main arm (12) is attached to the tool bar (7) with a disc (14) mounted for rotation on the main arm (12). A depth adjustment mechanism (40) is used to adjust the depth of the disc (14) in the seed trench (8) with a seed placement device (70) positioned in the seed trench (8) for depositing a seed (71) in the seed trench (8). The seed trench (8) having been opened by the disc (14) as the work vehicle (5) moves across the ground.

Abstract: The present disc opener assembly for a seed planter is for a single disc opener arrangement and is embodied in several embodiments. FIGS. 1 and 1a illustrate two embodiments of the present disc opener assembly the specifics of each will be described below. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 1a and 2, there is illustrated a disc opener assembly (10) mounted on a tool bar (7) connected to a work vehicle (5) for opening a seed trench (8) in the ground upon which the vehicle (5) moves. A main arm (12) is attached to the tool bar (7) with a disc (14) mounted for rotation on the main arm (12). A depth adjustment mechanism (40) is used to adjust the depth of the disc (14) in the seed trench (8) with a seed placement device (70) positioned in the seed trench (8) for depositing a seed (71) in the seed trench (8). The seed trench (8) having been opened by the disc (14) as the work vehicle (5) moves across the ground.

Abstract: A coulter assembly is provided to create furrows in a field, while at the same time reducing the amount of soil and debris which accumulates on the coulter disc. The coulter assembly has a disc for creating furrows, with a floating scraper blade on the inner side to keep the inner side of the disc free of debris. The scraper blade also assists in maintaining the furrow once it has been opened by the disc. The scraper blade has a leading edge constructed of carbide and inserts attached to the scraper blade for reducing wear on the scraper blade during operation. A tine extends across the outer side of the disc in a configuration that prevents soil from adhering to the outer side of the disc, and in trash covered fields, trash will wrap around the tine to act as an organic wear pad between the disc and the tine.

Abstract: A ground opener unit for a seeding or planting unit includes an arm attachable to an implement frame and a disc rotatably mounted to the arm for forming a furrow in the ground. A scraper assembly includes a scraper plate defining a scraper edge for contacting and scraping a surface of the disc. The scraper plate defines a mounting region remote from the edge. A scraper plate mount secures the scraper plate adjacent the disc and a resilient pad of material is interposed between the plate mounting region and the scraper plate mount. A spaced pair of fasteners extend through the mounting region to secure the scraper plate and resilient pad to the scraper plate mount. The fasteners are located in selected positions in the mounting region relative to the resilient pad such that the scraper plate is capable of being tilted or rocked when said scraper edge encounters irregularities thus assisting the scraper edge to follow the disc surface during use.

Abstract: Disk coulters are used on numerous soil engaging farm implements to cut furrows into which seed or fertilizer can be deposited. Disk coulters may also be used to cover furrows or simply cut trenches in the land. Typically, an implement or tool bar frame may have several disk coulter assemblies attached to the frame. Some are dedicated to inserting seed into the soil and other fertilizer. In an alternate configuration, the implement or tool bar may have a combination of shanks and coulters. In any given application it may not be necessary to use some of the coulter disks assemblies. Because of the wear on coulters as they move through the soil and encounter rock and other debris, it is advantageous to be able to quickly lift some of the coulter disks out of the soil while operating with other disks. The present invention provides an eccentric rotating element attached to a spring which generally in operation exerts force upwardly on the coulter arm and therefore maintains the coulter in a downward position.

Abstract: A coulter is provided to create furrows in a field, while at the same time reducing the amount of soil and debris which accumulates on the coulter disc. The coulter has a disc for creating furrows, with a floating scraper blade on the inner side to keep the inner side of the disc free of debris. The scraper blade also assists in maintaining the furrow once it has been opened by the disc. A tine extends across the outer side of the disc in a configuration that prevent soil from adhering to the outer side of the disc, and in trash covered fields, trash will wrap around the tine to act as an organic wear pad between the disc and the tine.

Abstract: A scraper is disposed aft of and in closely spaced relation to a gauge wheel such as attached to an agricultural implement as in a planter row unit to remove soil from the wheel as the implement traverses a field. Maintaining the gauge wheel free of soil ensures proper height of the implement relative to the soil surface. The scraper includes a flat plate adjustably attached to a mounting assembly which allows for spacing between the plate and periphery of the gauge wheel to be adjusted as the plate wears with use. A leading edge of the plate disposed immediately adjacent the gauge wheel is contoured to closely match the gauge wheel contour for efficient soil removal. The mounting assembly includes a gauge wheel arm and a scraper arm rigidly coupled together at respective ends thereof and pivotally mounted to the implement where the two arms are connected together.

Abstract: An improved earth-working tool including a disc having a central portion and an outer peripheral portion. The disc is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis extending through the central portion. A peripheral portion has a plurality of first points along the outer peripheral portion which are closer to the axis than other points on the outer peripheral portion. The first points are substantially equidistantly spaced from the axis. Radially inner sections of the outer peripheral portion are disposed along a line which is substantially tangential to an arc formed around the axis of rotation and through the first points, whereby the substantially tangential sections will tend to cut residue on top of the soil in a more downward direction than conventional circular discs do. The discs also have radially outer sections on the outer peripheral portion which are not along the substantially tangential lines and which are further from the axis than the first points.

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 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 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: This invention provides an improved apparatus for maintaining tooth rotating wheels, which are used to penetrate the soil either as a cultivating apparatus, a row cleaning apparatus, or as closing apparatus for row planters free of mulch, trash, dirt and/or rocks. By removing the debris from the space between the teeth on the wheel, the wheel can penetrate the soil to a controlled or desired depth as set by the operator. Debris between the wheels can limit the depth of penetration by the formation of a solid or semi-solid mass generally resembling of variable rim diameter. The wheels may be driven by a power mechanism or may be rotated by the penetration in the ground and the forward motion of a propulsion unit.The toothed wheel is kept clean of debris, thereby allowing accurate depth penetration as determined by conditions and requirements.

Abstract: This invention relates to a plow disk intended to be mounted with several others free in rotation around a shaft integral with the frame of a plow, the shaft being inclined in relation to the direction of advance of the plow so as to impart a rotation of movement to the disks.

Abstract: A mud scraper assembly includes a scraper blade mounted on the lower end of a scraper arm which in turn has a clamp at its upper end mounted on the sleeve of a depth gauge wheel support arm. No alteration of existing planter structure is required for adapting the mud scraper assembly to a Deere Max-Emerge planter and planters having generally the same structure. An adjustment screw is provided on the clamp for engaging the wheel support arm at a point remote to the shaft axis on which it is mounted to pivot the scraper arm into close proximity with the depth gauge wheels as needed.

Abstract: Apparatus in an agricultural combination machine for simultaneously inserting and positioning in the earth of at least two components, e.g. seed and fertilizer, primarily a combination machine for direct sowing on a field without previous soil cultivation of the ground by ploughing, harrowing or the like, and including a means cutting the earth, e.g. a disc coulter, a knife coulter or the like, and at least two tubular discharge means, one for each component, the cutting means and discharging means extending down into the earth under the earth surface. The means for cutting (2) and means for discharge (5, 6) are removably attached to a coulter arm (1) and to each other to be allowed displacement upwards and downwards such that they are mutually relatively adjustable in depth to given working depths under the earth surface.