U.S. patent application number 09/879696 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-18 for ground working paired row furrow opener.
Invention is credited to Henry, James Wayne, Swab, Gerry Steven.
Application Number | 20020043198 09/879696 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24145843 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020043198 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Swab, Gerry Steven ; et
al. |
April 18, 2002 |
Ground working paired row furrow opener
Abstract
A ground-engaging paired row furrow forming tool includes a tool
body having fore and aft ends with an outer edge defined on each of
two opposing sides of the tool body. A furrowing wing is located
adjacent each of the opposing sides and protrudes from bottom
portions of the tool body. The tool body has lower surfaces
including a central front surface portion which is angled upwards
towards the fore end and a center passage is defined between the
furrowing wings. This passageway is in part defined by a central
rear surface portion which is adapted to be substantially aligned
fore to aft in a direction of travel T during operation of the
ground engaging tool. This paired row opener works well without
compromise in a broad range of soil conditions without fouling and
enables planting of seed rows spaced widely apart while minimizing
soil surface disturbance.
Inventors: |
Swab, Gerry Steven;
(Rosthern, CA) ; Henry, James Wayne; (Saskatoon,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LARRY W. MILLER
NEW HOLLAND NORTH AMERICA , INC.
P.O. BOX 1895
NEW HOLLAND
PA
17557
US
|
Family ID: |
24145843 |
Appl. No.: |
09/879696 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09879696 |
Jun 13, 2001 |
|
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|
09538179 |
Mar 30, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
111/152 ;
172/721; 172/769 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B 35/26 20130101;
A01C 7/06 20130101; A01C 5/062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
111/152 ;
172/769; 172/721 |
International
Class: |
A01C 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A ground engaging paired row furrow forming tool comprising: a
tool body having fore and aft ends, an outer edge on each of two
opposing sides of the tool body; and a furrowing wing adjacent each
of the opposing sides and protruding from bottom portions of the
tool body; the tool body having lower surfaces including a central
front surface portion which is angled upwards towards the fore end
and a center passage being defined between the wings and which
passageway is in part defined by a central rear surface portion
which is capable of being substantially aligned fore to aft in a
direction of travel T during operation of the ground engaging
tool.
2. The tool as in claim 1 wherein each wing includes: an outer
surface extending downwards and inwards from the outer edge and a
fore surface extending from the central front surface portion
downwards and outwards to intersect with the outer surface at a
furrowing edge portion of the wing.
3. The tool as in claim 2 in which each wing further includes an
inner surface further defining said passageway, said inner surface
extending from the fore surface toward the aft end substantially in
the direction of travel T during operation.
4. The tool as in claim 2 in which said central rear surface
portion defines a space between base portions of the wings where
they begin to protrude from bottom portions of the tool body, said
central front surface portion blending smoothly with said central
rear surface portion.
5. The tool as in claim 4 in which each wing further includes an
inner surface further defining said passageway, said inner surface
extending from the fore surface toward the aft end substantially in
the direction of travel T during operation, and extending from said
central rear surface portion downwards and outwards to intersect
with the outer surface at an extension of said furrowing edge
portion of the wing.
6. The tool as in claim 2 in which said wing fore surfaces are
related to the central front surface portion such that
substantially no concavity is formed by these surfaces in planes
lying in the direction of travel in which soil can hang up and
bind.
7. The tool as in claim 2 in which the central front surface
portion curves to blend smoothly into the wing fore surfaces such
that a distinct edge of intersection is not formed.
8. The tool as in claim 4 in which the central front surface
portion curves to blend smoothly with said central rear surface
portion to assist in avoiding binding of soil during operation.
9. The tool as in claim 8 wherein said central rear surface is
generally flat at least toward the aft end.
10. The tool as in claim 10 in which the wing inner surfaces curve
to blend with said generally flat central rear surface portion to
avoid sharp intersections where soil can hang up and bind.
11. The tool as in claim 9 in which the central rear surface
portion is at least 3/4 inch wide.
12. The tool as in claim 5 in which the extensions of the furrowing
edges are laterally spaced at least 3 inches.
13. The tool as in claim 5 in which the protruding wings are V
shaped in a profile as seen from the fore or aft ends.
14. The tool as in claim 1 in which the outer edges on the opposing
sides of the tool body are angled outwards and rearwards from the
fore end.
15.The tool as in claim 14 in which the outer edges are curved
rearwards as they extend to the aft end to become substantially
aligned with the direction of travel T during operation.
16. The tool as in claim 1 in which the outer edges on the opposing
sides of the tool body are angled downwards from the fore end.
17. The tool as in claim 16 in which the outer edges are curved
rearwards as they extend to the aft end to enable them to be
substantially horizontal when in operation.
18. The tool as in claim 17 in which seeding material delivery
passages extend through the tool body and terminates at the aft end
of each wing protrusion.
19. The tool as in claim 18 in which the seeding material delivery
passages converge into a single passage with a single inlet.
20. The tool as in claim 19 in which each wing further includes an
inner surface further defining said passageway, said inner surface
extending from the fore surface toward the aft end substantially in
the direction of travel T during operation, and extending from said
central rear surface portion downwards and outwards to intersect
with the outer surface at an extension of said furrowing edge
portion of the wing and in which the termination of the delivery
passages is about 3/4 inch above the extension of the furrowing
edge.
21. The tool as in claim 20 in which said tool body includes an
upper surface extending from each outer edge upwards and
inwards.
22. A ground engaging paired row furrow forming tool comprising: a
tool body having fore and aft ends, said body having surface
portions defining an outer perimeter extending on each of two
opposing sides of the tool body; a furrow forming wing adjacent
each of the opposing sides and protruding in spaced apart relation
from bottom portions of the tool body; and said tool body having
lower surfaces including a central front surface portion which is
angled upwards towards the fore end and which leads into a central
passage extending rearwardly of the tool body between the wings,
which passage is capable of being substantially aligned fore to aft
in a direction of travel during operation of the furrow forming
tool.
23. The tool as in claim 22 in which each wing includes: an outer
surface extending downwards and inwards from the outer perimeter;
and, a forward surface extending from the central front surface
downwards and outwards to intersect with the outer surface at a
furrow forming edge.
24. The tool as in claim 22 in which each wing further includes an
inner surface extending from the forward surface toward the aft end
substantially in the direction of travel T during operation.
25. The tool as in claim 22 including a central rear surface
defining a space between a base of the wings where they begin to
protrude from the bottom portions of the tool body, and thus
defining with said wing inner surfaces the central passage.
26. The tool as in claim 25 wherein each wing includes a
furrow-forming edge, said edges being parallel to each other.
27. The tool as in claim 26 wherein said edges are spaced apart at
least about 3 inches.
28. The tool as in claim 26 wherein said central rear surface is
generally flat at least toward the aft end.
29. The tool as in claim 28 wherein said central rear surface has a
width of at least approximately 3/4 inch.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field Of Art
[0002] This invention relates to an agricultural furrow opening
tool for planting seeds in paired rows.
[0003] 2. Description Of Prior Art
[0004] It is commonly desirable to perform seeding and fertilizing
operations in one pass over a field to be planted. This trend has
continued with advancements in low-till and no-till planting
implements. Ground working tools have evolved for planting in these
no-till and low-till conditions and for improving seed bed
utilization. Presently a wide variety of types of ground working
tools are available for planting in various soil conditions. These
ground working tools are generally categorized as disc types or hoe
types. Existing ground working tools designed for working well in
certain conditions are not always suitable in other conditions.
[0005] For many types of crops such as cereals and oilseeds,
planting of the seeds is efficiently achieved by bulk metering. The
seeds become generally evenly spaced as seeds are distributed at a
seeding rate through distribution lines to ground working tools by
which they are planted in rows in the soil. The rows are spaced to
achieve the best possible utilization of the soil area, however
other factors effect row spacing, such as the need to allow field
trash to pass between ground working tools while they are pulled
through the soil for planting. This has led to the development of
paired row seeding tools which each plant two rows of seed to
achieve good seedbed utilization with fewer tools thus also
allowing good field trash flow. It is also common that these tools
are also designed to simultaneously place a fertilizer row between
the seed rows. Research has shown that precise placement of seed at
particular spacing along side an appropriate amount and type of
fertilizer improves yields.
[0006] One such ground working tool is provided according to U.S.
Pat. No. 5,025,736 by Anderson. A hoe ground working tool is
disclosed which has a narrow leading end for opening a furrow for
placement of fertilizer. Trailing the leading end is a press plate
which tapers to a wider rearward end from a forward end centered
behind the leading end. The press plate is also angled downwards
and rearwards from the leading end. It acts to press down on an
area wider than the furrow opened for fertilizer for closing the
fertilizer furrow and preparing a firm seedbed. It has a wear strip
along each side of the press plate which is claimed to extend
beyond the rear end of the press plate so that grooves are formed
in the seed bed. A seed distribution tube carries seed to a divider
disposed behind the press plate which randomly divides the seed
into two streams directing the seed to the sides of the seed bed
and into the laterally spaced grooves. However it is known that in
some soil conditions, particularly that known as heavy soil, more
aggressive action is required to close the fertilizer furrow. If
this furrow remains unclosed and no level seedbed is formed, then a
large amount of seed falls into the fertilizer furrow rather than
being placed to each side. Fertilizer too close to the seed is
toxic to the seed as it germinates and they will die.
[0007] A similar hoe ground opener is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,674,419 by Kopecky. An auxiliary press plate is disclosed which
has somewhat more aggressive wings for forming seed furrows. The
press plate has a main flat central surface which in operation is
also angled downwards and rearwards from a leading end to press
down over a fertilizer furrow created by a preceding narrow opener.
The wings have inner surfaces that taper laterally and downwardly
from the central surface and outer surfaces that are generally
vertical. The wings inner surfaces also converge toward the rear of
the plate and thus in operation push some soil inwardly to close
the fertilizer furrow. Such an arrangement of surfaces is more
aggressive at closing a fertilizer furrow. However in conditions of
heavy soil, when the soil is wet it tends to be bulldozed by opener
surfaces that are too aggressive or restrict passage of the soil.
The soil can bind to a furrow opener's surfaces. In these
conditions ground tools do not properly cover the fertilizer furrow
and seed and fertilizer are scattered ineffectively. A planting
tools fertilizer delivery openings can even become blocked by soil
that is pushed and builds up in front of the seed furrow forming
surfaces. In fact, the Anderson patent discloses using low friction
plastic as a press plate to prevent binding of soil. This can lead
to a costly construction.
[0008] Flexicoil Ltd. also discloses furrow openers as shown on
pages 45-47 of their Product Book (volume 2). Two different openers
are promoted for use in different soil conditions. For heavy soil
an HS paired row opener is promoted having a main central surface
that runs level in operation, and wings that form a seed furrow on
each side of a fertilizer furrow. Since the main surface runs
level, it does not tend to restrict passage of heavy wet soils. It
produces paired seed rows that are spaced apart about 2.5 inches.
However if such an opener is made with wings more widely spaced for
wider space between seed rows, it has been found that this shape
may not perform aggressively enough to properly close the
fertilizer furrow in all conditions. An LS paired row opener is
promoted for use in light soils. It does not include a central
pressing surface and rather the wing surfaces converge at a central
edge forming bottom surfaces in an inverted V arrangement. The
central edge runs generally horizontal. The wings also have leading
surfaces that face slightly inward and downward for gathering soil
and directing it inwards and downwards as it passes beneath the
opener, closing the fertilizer furrow. This shape however has found
to be too aggressive for heavy soils which becomes stuck between
the wings.
[0009] In heavy wet soils particularly, the soil tends to bind to
seeding tool surfaces between paired furrowing wings when those
surfaces intersect at small obtuse angles or have little or no
radius between them so the intersection forms a more distinct edge.
Soil binding is more problematic especially when the intersection
of the soil deflecting surfaces is angled or transverse to the
direction of travel, and even when the angle between surfaces is
moderately obtuse. Even with a surface smoothly curved, if there is
significant concave curvature in a plane in the direction of
travel, the soil tends to bind in the concavity.
[0010] It is desirable to have a paired row opener that works well
without compromise in a broader range of soil conditions without
fouling, and one which plants seed rows spaced widely while
minimizing soil surface disturbance.
[0011] It is desirable to have these paired rows spaced
sufficiently wide, closer to rows of adjacent tools, so there are
not large spaces between rows planted by adjacent tools. Thus,
during harvest there is an even stand of stubble to support a swath
of cut crop above the ground for proper drying.
[0012] The prior art openers are generally quite narrow for seeding
pairs of seed rows that are spaced quite closely. Seedbed forming
portions of these planting tools generally operate within a space
following a fertilizer furrow opening portion in which field trash
has been cleared by the fertilizer opening portion. The seedbed
forming portions therefor generally operate in soil that is
substantially clear of field trash. An additional challenge in
designing seedbed forming sections that form wider spaced paired
rows is that a wider paired row opener will encounter field trash
at it's outer edges which must not become caught on the opener,
fouling it's operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A basic object of the invention is to provide an improved
paired row opener that works well without compromise in a broader
range of soil conditions without fouling, and one which plants seed
rows spaced widely while minimizing soil surface disturbance.
[0014] Thus, in one aspect, the invention provides a ground
engaging paired row furrow forming tool comprising: a tool body
having fore and aft ends, an outer edge on each of two opposing
sides of the tool body; a furrowing wing adjacent each of the
opposing sides and protruding from bottom portions of the tool
body; the tool body having lower surfaces including a central front
surface portion which is angled upwards towards the fore end and a
center passage being defined between the wings and which passageway
is in part defined by a central rear surface portion which is
substantially aligned fore to aft in a direction of travel T during
operation of the ground engaging tool.
[0015] In a further aspect the invention provides a ground engaging
paired row furrow forming tool comprising: a tool body having fore
and aft ends, said body having surface portions defining an outer
perimeter extending on each of two opposing sides of the tool body;
a furrow forming wing adjacent each of the opposing sides and
protruding in spaced apart relation from bottom portions of the
tool body; said tool body having lower surfaces including a central
front surface portion which is angled upwards towards the fore end
and which leads into a central passage extending rearwardly of the
tool body between the wings, which passage is capable of being
substantially aligned fore to aft in a direction of travel during
operation of the furrow forming tool.
[0016] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment
and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of a hoe planting tool used for one
pass fertilizing and paired row seeding.
[0018] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the planting tool in FIG.
1.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side view of a paired row furrowing and seeding
tool.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the seeding tool in FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a view of a cross section taken through a line of
symmetry of the seeding tool in FIG. 5.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the seeding tool in FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the seeding tool in FIG.
2.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the seeding tool in
FIG. 2.
[0025] FIG. 8 shows agricultural implement on which a seeding tool
as shown in FIG. 2 is typically used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] A hoe planting tool 1 has a mounting portion 14 for securing
to a shank 2. A plurality of planting tools 1 and shanks 2 are
typically attached to a tillage implement 7 to fore and aft spaced
toolbars as can be seen in FIG. 8 with a plurality of them spaced
transversely on each toolbar. The spaced arrangement is selected to
allow the best passage of field trash between adjacent tools yet
minimize soil ridging. Three to five toolbars are typically
provided, depending on the spacing desired between planted rows.
The implement 7 includes a hitch 9 for attachment to a vehicle such
as a tractor for pulling the implement across a field. A product
cart 8 can be towed behind the tillage implement 7, or alternately
between the tractor and implement 7. The product cart delivers seed
and fertilizer through distribution headers 5,6 and distribution
lines 3,4 to the planting tools 1 for planting in the soil.
[0027] As seen in FIG. 1 the planting tool 1 comprises a narrow
soil opener 10 and a paired row opener 20. Possibly these could be
made as an integral opener, but narrow opener 10 is useful alone or
in combination with other openers. The hoe planting tool 1 is a
combination tool for one pass fertilizing and paired row seeding.
It operates in the soil at a set depth controlled by the tillage
implement 7. In such operation the soil opener 10 places fertilizer
while the paired row opener 20 places seed. The opener 10 includes
a furrowing tip 13 secured to the frontal lower body portion 15 of
the opener 10. The upperbody portion 14 of opener 10 is adapted for
securing to a previously noted shank 2, in a well known manner. The
opener 10 receives fertilizer at inlet 11 and directs it from a
lower outlet 12 into a fertilizer furrow formed by furrowing tip
13.
[0028] The paired row seeding tool 20 includes two furrowing wings
30 as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, protrude below the main body of
seeding tool 20. Seeding tool 20 receives seed at an inlet 21 and
directs it from outlets 22 into paired furrows formed by lower
surfaces of wings 30. A passage from inlet 21 within seeding tool
20 divides into two passages having outlets 22 and randomly and
evenly separates seed into a pair of streams to be placed in the
paired furrows. The seeding tool 20 is fastened to the rear of the
opener 10 by fasteners 19 in well-known manner.
[0029] The body of the seeding tool 20 generally includes lower
surfaces and upper surfaces, certain of which converge together to
form outer edges 35 extending along the left and right sides of the
seeding tool. These outer edges 35 are curved inwardly and upwardly
toward the front of the seeding tool 20. This curvature provides
for shedding of field trash which might otherwise become caught on
the seeding tool, in which event its operation is fouled and proper
furrows are not formed. Left and right tool body upper surfaces 34
are angled upwards and inwards from outer edges 35 to the narrower
central body of the seeding tool 20 and extend generally straight
fore and aft in the direction of operation. Rearward portions of
the outer edges 35 are straight and the seeding tool 20 is operated
with these straight portions generally horizontal and at a depth in
the soil at which the soil surface is at or above the edges 35 and
along the upper surfaces 34. The upper surfaces 34 in operation
slip below the soil surface with minimum disturbance of the soil
surface.
[0030] Seeding tool 20 is also suitable in sizes that have a width
exceeding the trash cleared zone created by the soil opener 10. The
outwardly curved outer edges 35 prevent trash being pulled into and
under the furrowing wings 30, and prevent trash from remaining
caught on the edges 35. Moving along edges 35 from front to rear it
will be seen that they gradually curve into general alignment with
the direction of travel, so the parts of the outer edges 35 that
are subject to field trash are generally aligned with the direction
of travel and tend to shed off the trash.
[0031] The bottom side of seeding tool 20 comprises a central
surface, the profile of which can be seen in the cross section of
FIG. 4. The central surface includes a central front portion 24 and
a central rear surface portion 23 (FIG. 3) extending rearwardly
therefrom in alignment with the direction of travel T. (FIGS. 3 and
7). Rear surface portion 23 is preferably at least about 3/4 inch
wide. The central rear surface 23 preferably is generally flat and
level when in operation and the central front surface 24 is
preferably angled slightly upwards and forwards relative to central
rear surface 23 . These surface portions 23, 24 are preferably
blended together by a smoothly curved transition region 25 (FIG. 4)
between them rather than having a distinct edge at which they
intersect. This curvature is generally convex fore to aft and helps
prevent soil from binding. The central front surface 24 presses
soil downwards at a decreasing rate as it passes beneath the
surface so that soil is not simultaneously subject to pressure from
the wings 30 in a combination of forces that may otherwise cause
relative movement of the soil to stall. The tool is normally
oriented in operation so the central front surface 24 is angled
upwards from the horizontal. There is preferably about 3/8 inch
rise in the central front surface 24 from the rear to the front
edge.
[0032] A furrow forming wing 30 as previously noted is positioned
to each side of the central surfaces 23, 24 as seen in FIGS. 3 and
FIG. 5. Each wing 30 includes a forward lower surface 31, an inner
surface 32, and an outer surface 33. The dihedral angle between
inner surfaces 32 of wings 30 is shown as being approximately
90.degree. although this angle can be varied somewhat. The wing
forward surfaces 31 are arranged in flanking relation to the
central front surface 24 and each surface 31 extends laterally,
rearwards and downwards from the central front surface 24. The
forward surfaces 31 are therefore inclined such as to slightly face
each other, and they taper inwards and rearwards so in operation
they direct some soil inwards and downwards over the fertilizer
furrow formed by the soil opener 10. The wing inner surfaces 32
extend outwards and downwards from the central rear surface 23, and
intersect with the forward surface 31. The wing outer surfaces 33
extend inwards and downwards from outer edges 35 to intersect with
surfaces 31 and 32 and defining furrow forming edges 36 which are
angled inwardly from fore to aft before reaching the extension
edges 36_which are parallel to each other and to the travel
direction T. In FIG. 5 rear view it can be seen that wing inner
surfaces 32 and outer surfaces 33 converge to form V-shape profiles
which operate to form corresponding V-shaped furrows. The tips of
the V-shapes (which are defined by the extension edges 36) are
preferably spaced apart at least about 3 inches. The wing inner and
outer surfaces 32, 33 extend generally parallel to the direction of
travel T thus giving the wings 30 a longer wear life in which they
maintain their furrow forming profile. A forward part of each wing
outer surface 33 is curved to follow the associated curved outer
edge 35. Preferably the forward surface 31 is curved toward the
rear to blend with inner surface 32 so there is no distinct edge
along the intersection of these surfaces. The central front and
rear surfaces 23, 24 also blend along curved intersections with
wing forward surfaces 31 and wing inner surfaces 32 so there are no
distinct edges of intersection. This promotes smooth soil flow and
prevents soil binding which often is evident where surfaces
intersect at edges, particularly at sharper angles.
[0033] The edges 36 of the forward surfaces 31 appear as
substantially straight in a side profile as can be seen in FIG. 2
and FIG. 4. This is generally the same across the forward surfaces
31 and through the intersections with the central front surface 24
so that there is little to no concave curvature or angles in a
plane in the direction of travel, in which soil can hang up and
bind. Central rear surface 23 provides a free central passage
between wings 30 where the soil is not simultaneously subject to
downward deflection as the V-shaped furrows are being formed.
Preferably the central rear surface 23 provides a space of about
3/4 inch minimum between the 20. bases of the wings 30 to provide a
free passage for soil flow. (This is in contrast to certain prior
art designs in which a surface between furrow forming wings
continues to deflect soil downwards during furrow formation.) A
small fillet or radius is formed between the wing surfaces 32 and
central rear surface 23 to provide free passage of soil.
[0034] Seed passage outlets 22, best seen in FIG. 5, are positioned
behind each wing 30 with the outlets terminating above the
lowermost edge 36 of each wing, preferably a distance of 3/4 inch,
which provides good control of material placement and prevents soil
from blocking the outlets.
[0035] In operation, the seeding tool 20 is generally oriented with
central rear surface 23 substantially horizontal (see FIG. 4). It
may be slightly trimmed from this orientation with central rear
surface 23 angled one or two degrees upward or downward from front
to rear, depending on soil conditions. This can be achieved by
adjusting a stop on a tripping device supporting the shank 2, or by
using shims in mounting the ground engaging tool 1 to change its
angle relative to the shank 2.
[0036] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *