U.S. patent application number 10/339874 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-31 for soil surface tillage point in combination of primary tillage shank system.
Invention is credited to Gerber, Rickey L., Kovach, Michael G..
Application Number | 20030141086 10/339874 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27616679 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030141086 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kovach, Michael G. ; et
al. |
July 31, 2003 |
Soil surface tillage point in combination of primary tillage shank
system
Abstract
An agricultural primary tillage implement is disclosed with a
soil surface tillage point assembly attached in front of the shank.
The tillage point is adjustable fore-and-aft for optimum clearance
between the shank and a leading soil preparation apparatus to
maximize clearance for residue movement. The tillage point in also
adjustable for depth. The soil surface tillage point assembly
reduces the amount of residue in line with the shank path (row) and
creates smaller clod sizes of soil in line with the shank swath,
resulting in a better seedbed and faster warm up in the spring,
enabling the planter to run in cleaner soil, preventing planter
plugging and uneven seed planting depth as well as resulting in
better seed-to soil-contact.
Inventors: |
Kovach, Michael G.; (Morton,
IL) ; Gerber, Rickey L.; (Roanoke, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW DEPARTMENT CASE LLC
700 STATE STREET
RACINE
WI
53404
US
|
Family ID: |
27616679 |
Appl. No.: |
10/339874 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60352304 |
Jan 28, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
172/799.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B 13/08 20130101;
E02F 5/32 20130101; A01B 49/027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
172/799.5 |
International
Class: |
E02F 003/76 |
Claims
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
1. A primary tillage shank system comprising: a rigid main frame
having a front end, an opposing rear end and opposing first and
second sides extending therebetween; a hitch having one end
connected to said main frame and an opposite forward end adapted to
be connected to a vehicle for towing said tillage implement across
a field; a plurality of similar working units supported by said
main frame at generally equal intervals between said first and
second sides, each said working unit having a working line along
which it works the soil generally in a straight line such that each
said working unit works the soil and prepares a seedbed in a strip,
and together the said plurality of working units prepare a
plurality of generally parallel continuous seedbeds in the
direction of travel of said tillage system; said working units each
comprising a series of in-line ground-working apparatus including,
in a line generally along the respective working line, a surface
soil tillage point to loosen surface soil, part the residue and
create small clod sizes in front of the trailing tillage shank
path, and a tillage shank to fracture and further loosen the
soil.
2. The tillage implement of claim 1, wherein: said surface soil
tillage point is a generally flat and horizontal arrowhead-shaped
earth-working tool to allow it to cut a layer of soil; and said
surface soil tillage point and said tillage shank are attached to
an elongated fore-and-aft extending rail, and adjustable relative
thereto such that the amount of contact with the soil may be
regulated.
3. The tillage implement of claim 2, wherein: said surface soil
tillage point is in the range of 7 to 14-inches wide; and said
surface soil tillage point is additionally adjustable along the
length of said rail relative to said tillage shank.
4. The tillage implement of claim 3, further including, following
said tillage shank as additional ground-working apparatus: a pair
of soil-gathering blades that capture and gather the loose soil and
residue together and create a berm of a mixture of soil and
residue, and a rotary reel that conditions the strip of soil to
create a berm of uniform size.
5. The tillage implement of claim 4, wherein: said tillage shank
has a tillage point attached to the lower end thereof, and said
tillage shank is adjustable to fine-tune the depth of penetration
of said tillage point in the soil.
6. The tillage implement of claim 5, wherein: said tillage point is
set up to run selectively in the range of 8 to 14-inches below soil
surface.
7. The tillage implement of claim 6, wherein: said pair of
soil-gathering blades are adjustable in depth, angle, and distance
between blades to permit adjustment in the size of berm created by
said pair of soil-gathering blades.
8. The tillage implement of claim 7, wherein: said rotary reel is
adjustable in height above the surface of the berm and in the
amount of down-pressure to control the amount of conditioning of
the soil making up the berm receives.
9. The tillage impingement of claim 8, wherein: said rotary reel
comprises flat bars.
10. The tillage implement of claim 8, wherein: said rotary reel
comprises round bars.
11. In a primary tillage shank system having a wheeled main frame
adapted to be towed through a field by a towing vehicle, said main
frame having a front end, an opposing rear end and opposing first
and second sides extending therebetween, the improvement
comprising: a plurality of similar working units supported by said
main frame at generally equal intervals between said first and
second sides, each said working unit having a working line along
which it works the soil generally in a straight line in a direction
generally parallel to the direction of travel of the system during
use such that each said working unit works the soil and prepares a
seedbed in a strip, and together the said plurality of working
units prepare a plurality of generally parallel continuous seedbeds
in the direction of travel of said tillage system; said working
units each comprising a series of in-line ground-working apparatus
including, in a line generally along the respective said working
line, a surface soil tillage point to create loose soil, part the
residue, and create small clod sizes of soil in front of the
trailing tillage shank path, and a tillage shank to fracture and
further loosen the soil.
12. The tillage implement of claim 11, wherein: said surface soil
tillage point is a generally flat and horizontal arrowhead-shaped
earth-working tool to allow it to cut a layer of soil; and said
surface soil tillage point and said tillage shank are attached to
an elongated fore-and-aft extending rail, and adjustable relative
thereto in the direction of the soil such that the amount of
contact with the soil may be regulated.
13. The tillage implement of claim 12, wherein: said surface soil
tillage point is in the range of 7 to 14-inches wide; and said
surface soil tillage point is additionally adjustable along the
length of said rail relative to said tillage shank.
14. The tillage implement of claim 13, further including, following
said tillage shank as additional ground-working apparatus: a pair
of soil-gathering blades that capture and gather the loose soil and
residue together and create a berm of a mixture of soil and
residue, and a rotary reel that conditions the strip of soil to
create a berm of uniform size.
15. The tillage implement of claim 14, wherein: said tillage shank
has a tillage point attached to the lower end thereof, and said
tillage shank is adjustable up and down to fine-tune the depth of
penetration of said tillage point in the soil.
16. The tillage implement of claim 15, wherein: said tillage point
is set up to run in the range of 8 to 14-inches below soil
surface.
17. The tillage implement of claim 16, wherein: said pair of
soil-gathering blades are adjustable in depth, angle, and distance
between blades to permit adjustment in the size of berm created by
said pair of soil-gathering blades.
18. The tillage implement of claim 17, wherein: said rotary reel is
adjustable in height above the surface of the berm and in the
amount of down-pressure to control the amount of conditioning the
soil making up the berm receives.
19. The tillage implement of claim 18, wherein: said rotary reel
comprises flat bars.
20. The tillage implement of claim 18, wherein: said rotary reel
comprises round bars.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of copending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/352,304, filed on Jan.
27, 2002. It is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______, filed simultaneously herewith and entitled "Rip Strip
Primary Tillage System", and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______, also filed simultaneously herewith, and entitled "Row
Cleaner in Combination of Primary Tillage Shank System".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an agricultural
primary tillage implement, and more particularly to such an
implement featuring a soil surface tillage point assembly attached
in front of the shank. As used herein, primary tillage means deep
soil plowing, in an approximate range of 8 to 14-inches or greater.
Secondary tillage may be in an approximate range of 3 to
6-inches.
[0003] Primary tillage is, of course, not in and of itself new,
having started with the first plow to cut land. Improvements in
tillage practices are generally slow to reach acceptance and almost
always show themselves as small steps. Tillage implements providing
both secondary and primary tillage in a single pass using disks and
chisel points are also not generically new, as shown by U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,245,706; 4,403,662; and 4,538,689. These machines, however,
do not create the best possible seedbed, i.e., do not create the
soil conditions that best promote seed germination and plant
growth.
[0004] During the late 1970's, before the machine shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,403,662 became available, primary tillage was
accomplished principally with moldboard plows. The moldboard plow
leaves large slabs and chunks of soil that tend to break down
during the freeze and thaw cycles of winter, but this type of
plowing requires substantial working of the soil in the spring in
order to level the field and prepare it for planting of the next
crop. Moreover, moldboard plowing is not an effective remedy for
soil erosion, and actually has a tendency to exacerbate this
problem.
[0005] In recent years, farmers have recognized the long-term
detrimental effects to the land characteristic of traditional
farming techniques, and have been searching and experimenting for
ways to decrease soil and wind erosion. The use of a large disk
assembly in front of a chisel plow on a parabolic shank has gone a
long way toward accomplishing these objectives and also breaks up
the hard plow pan (or "sole") that is created at the particular
depth at which the plow is set to operate, caused by repeated
tillage at the same depth over the years. The parabolic shank and
winged point do reduce soil erosion, but this practice also may
create large chunks of soil, and usually requires substantial
spring soil working to prepare an adequate seedbed for
planting.
[0006] During the 1970's, the cutter chisel was widely used. It
consisted of a chisel plow with a row of coulters to cut the
residue ahead of two rows of staggered shanks, generally on
thirty-inch centers. These shanks had a four-inch twisted point
attached to perform the primary tillage. The tip of the point was
at approximately a 45.degree. angle to the horizontal, sloping
downwardly and forwardly from the shank. The worked soil followed
the curvature of the generally C-shaped shank that was attached to
the chisel plow and was twisted in order to provide a
moldboard-type turning action. A C-shaped shank, of the type
described, is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,662.
[0007] For early cutter chisel plows, there was a net lateral
movement of soil. A machine with, for example, eleven shanks would
be equipped with five right-hand and six left-hand twisted points.
The result was that a wide groove and a large berm were left after
a pass. The machine as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,662 was an
improvement because it left a smaller groove and not as large a
berm by using fore-and-aft sets of disks and an improved point.
[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,689, there is disclosed a winged
point mounted on a parabolic shank. That winged point, in the
combination shown, creates a large, rough surface similar to the
surface of the moldboard plow used during the late 1970's and early
1980's. The wings on these points are set at a soil lift, twist and
roll angle of approximately 30.degree.. This lift angle was
conventional at the time, but it is an aggressive angle that causes
the wings to lift the soil abruptly. In some soils, particularly
more compacted soils, the combination of an aggressive lift angle
on the wings of the point, together with a parabolic shank, that is
designed to lift and heave soil, lifted larger soil chunks and
threw them out of the paths of the chisel plow and away from
cooperating disks, making it difficult to create a level soil
surface after a pass of the machine.
[0009] During the 1980's, researchers and farmers began to better
understand the seedbed requirements for improved germination,
emergence and growth. They also began to better understand the
desirability of using less tillage to improve soil conservation and
erosion prevention. The furrows left by the chisel shanks had to be
filled with the berms that were created between each shank. In
order to fill these furrows behind large parabolic shanks, smaller
shanks were placed to run shallower and were located midway between
the larger chisel shanks. This resulted in smaller grooves on
reduced centers. With the development of the disk leveler shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,178, the furrows behind the shanks were
substantially filled without leaving sizeable grooves after the
shanks had passed, thus improving the level or "smoothness" of the
surface.
[0010] As today's farming operators are trying to combine multiple
tillage operations into fewer passes, while maintaining or
improving yields and reducing erosion, Crop Residue Management
(CRM) has become a well-accepted practice. CRM is a year-round
system beginning with the selection of crops that produce
sufficient quantities of residue and may include the use of cover
crops after low residue-producing crops. CRM includes all field
operations that affect residue amounts, orientation and
distribution throughout the seasonal period requiring protection.
Tillage systems included, among others, under CRM are no-till,
ridge-till, mulch-till and reduced-till. A change in tillage and
planting operations to increase crop residues on the soil surface
has been shown to produce crop yields generally equal to or higher
than those produced by systems that leave little or no residue on
the field after planting. However, more residue means fewer trips
across the field, which translates to lower fuel bills, less soil
compaction, and less wear and tear on equipment.
[0011] The objective of CRM is to accomplish the necessary primary
tillage and prepare the best seedbed possible with a minimum number
of equipment passes while maintaining a minimum disturbance of the
crop residue. The present invention is an improvement that helps
produce a better seedbed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is an object of the instant invention to provide an
agricultural primary tillage implement that is designed to perform
complete tillage of the soil in a single pass while leaving a
raised-berm seedbed with reduced residue and smaller clod sizes of
soil in line with the shank swath.
[0013] It is another object of the instant invention to provide an
agricultural primary tillage implement that supports the Crop
Residue Management approach to farming.
[0014] It is a further object of the instant invention to provide
an agricultural primary tillage implement employing a soil surface
tillage point assembly in front of the shank.
[0015] It is a still further object of the instant invention to
provide an agricultural primary tillage implement that prepares an
improved seedbed.
[0016] It is an even still further object of the instant invention
to provide an agricultural primary tillage implement that prepares
a seedbed with better seed-to-soil contact and cleaner soil for the
planter to run in, preventing planter plugging and uneven seed
planting depth.
[0017] These and other objects are obtained by providing an
agricultural primary tillage implement with a soil surface tillage
point assembly attached in front of the shank. That tillage point
is adjustable fore-and-aft for optimum clearance between the shank
and a leading soil preparation apparatus to maximize clearance for
residue movement. The tillage point is also adjustable for depth.
The soil surface tillage point assembly reduces the amount of
residue in line with the shank path (row) and creates smaller clod
sizes of soil in line with the shank swath, resulting in a better
seedbed and faster warm up in the spring, enabling the planter to
run in cleaner soil, preventing planter plugging and uneven seed
planting depth as well as resulting in better seed-to
soil-contact.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view or a primary tillage
implement of the type that would employ the soil surface tillage
point assembly of the instant invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the implement of FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a partial side elevational view of the implement
shown in FIG. 1 with the soil surface tillage point assembly of the
instant invention; and
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Poor root development is a common yield limitation of
no-till caused often by compacted soil with limited or poorly
distributed pore spacing (to hold air and water). Proper pore size
and distribution is critical for air and water exchange, which
improves potential water infiltration and utilization--essential
for healthy plant development.
[0023] The implement of the instant invention is comprised of
several elements or apparatus, assembled in a unique combination,
or system, to create an ideal field condition for growing plants.
By shattering the compaction layer and reorienting the soil
aggregates and residue, this system creates a healthier soil
profile than similar machines of earlier design. The improved soil
profile allows roots to expand into a greater volume of soil and
obtain more nutrients, especially during the most critical times of
the plant production cycle. Soil nutrient availability is foremost
a function of good soil tilth. When the root zone has the ideal
balance of minerals and organic matter and pore spacing, the plants
thrive.
[0024] Slow seed germination and non-uniform plant stands, caused
by seedbeds that are too cold, wet or dry, or poor seed-to-soil
contact, are other common yield limitations in no-till farming. The
implement to be described allows for quicker, more uniform stands
that utilize sunlight, water and nutrients more effectively.
[0025] The preferred embodiment of the invention results in
superior soil compaction relocation by shattering compaction,
improved soil tilth, superior residue management and an ideal
tilled strip ready for planting seed with no additional pass. This
system solves the poor development yield limitations of no-till
applications discussed above.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally
designates an exemplary embodiment of the tillage implement
including the surface tillage point of the instant invention.
Implement 10 includes a main frame generally designated 11 that is
adapted to be attached at its front to the rear of an agricultural
tractor by means of a conventional 3-point hitch 12. Larger main
frames incorporate foldable toolbar wings for reduced transport
widths. Frame 11 is a substantial structure intended to withstand
significant operational forces and to maintain its integrity for
many years of reliable service. Two generally parallel and
coextensive elongate box beams, 14, 15 interconnected at the ends
thereof by beams 17, 18 and by additional beams therebetween.
Additionally, the structural support legs of hitch 12 are affixed
to each of beams 14, 15 adding strength to the hitch and the main
frame. Box beams 14, 15 serve not only as the primary structural
members of the mains frame, but also as toolbars. The main frame
may take other shapes and may be constructed of different materials
and structural elements, the important result being a sound
configuration to adequately support the various components of the
implement to be further described below. This particular design,
which in practice is made primarily of 4.times.6 or 6.times.6-inch
box beams, allows for long life and durability, additional residue
flow, and provides the weight necessary to penetrate the toughest
soil conditions.
[0027] Frame 11 is supported for movement across a field or along a
road by gauge wheels 20, 21 that may be of any known construction
and design. Gauge wheels 20, 21 are each part of a unitized
structure that includes a sturdy screw-adjustment for depth
regulation, as well as pins to retain adjustment, all of which is
attached to elongate frame member 14 or 15 by known clamping
devices that allow the wheel units to be selectively placed along
the length of frame member 15 as part of an adjustment of the
spacing between seedbed strips. Depth indicators may also be added
to make fine-tuning of depth penetration more convenient. Two such
wheel units are shown in the drawings; however, depending upon the
size and weight of the implement and the type of wheels used, more
wheels may be appropriate. It is also possible that the particular
configuration of elements, and the size and weight of the tractor
being used, may benefit from the addition of lift-assist wheels,
not shown in the drawings. Lift-assist wheels are known in the
agricultural industry as add-on structure that minimizes hitch
stress and helps the tractor's 3-point hitch lift implements, as
well as safer tractor steering and stopping. Such units may include
a stabilizing torque-tube to minimize wobble and ensure stable
transport. Lift-assist wheels may also be adjustable for level
field operation and optimum transport height.
[0028] Row markers 19 are shown in both figures. These are key to
setting up or straightening existing rows. As is obvious from the
drawings, these units are movable, usually hydraulically, between
transport positions, as seen in the figures, and operational
positions where they pivot outwardly to contact the soil, leaving a
small visible furrow.
[0029] Raising or lowering the front of the main frame is
accomplished by raising or lowering the 3-point hitch of the
tractor. The 3-point hitch and the gauge wheels 20, 21, adjust the
depth of penetration of the soil-engaging elements.
[0030] Implement 10 is comprised of a series of similar working
units, each unit including a series of apparatus; in the
configuration shown in FIG. 1 there are six such working units. For
purposes of discussion these will be referred to as "working units"
even though they are not necessarily unitized in construction,
i.e., some parts of each working unit are attached separately to
the main frame 11 rather than being assembled separately and
attached to the frame as a unit. This is not to say that a unitized
structure could not be used, but rather the preferred embodiment is
not thus constructed. These working units come in various types,
numbers and spacing to best fit the needs of the user.
[0031] As best seen in FIG. 2, rail 29 is pivotable relative to the
main frame and has a shock-absorbing capability provided by springs
28. Longitudinal rail 29 is adjustably attached to frame member 15,
similar to wheels 20, 21, with the various earth-working apparatus
attached thereto. The first apparatus to engage the soil is a
coulter 30 that cuts residue and loosens the soil ahead of the
tillage shank generally without mixing the residue into the
seedbed. Coulter 30 results in cutting and sizing residue and
smaller clod sizes in the finished field. The depth of coulter 30
is adjustable by moving adjustment rod 31 upwardly or downwardly
within clamp 32, and is moved to compensate for various settings of
the tillage depth. General practice would be to use a coulter with
a diameter of approximately 22-inches. The coulters may be either
wavy or flat depending upon desired results and working conditions.
A wavy coulter is best at reducing clod size and loosening surface
soil. For in-row root cutting and less surface disruption, a flat
coulter would be selected.
[0032] Second in the exemplary system to which the surface tillage
point of the instant invention could be advantageously attached is
a tillage shank 35 that is normally run at 8 to 14-inches deep. The
shank itself should be either a no-till shank when uniform soil
flow is required or a minimum disturbance shank for greater soil
fracturing and maximum soil movement. Shank 35 has an attached
tillage point 36, preferably either that shown in U.S. Pat. No.
6,276,462 or the no-till point shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,538,689;
5,437,337; and 5,540,288. Either point runs in the compaction
layer, fractures the layer and relocates the soil particles. Shank
35 is adjustable up and down to fine-tune the depth of penetration
of the point 36.
[0033] Third in the exemplary system is a pair of gathering blades
38 that capture and gather the loose soil and residue together to
create a berm of a mixture of soil and residue. This action fills
in the groove left by shank 35 and gives ideal seed-to-soil contact
for quick plant germination. As best seen in FIG. 1, blades 38 are
comprised of two spaced-apart disc blades 39, 40 angled toward each
other to move, or push, material into a berm. The blades are
adjustable for depth, angle, and distance between blades to permit
the operator to select the size of the berm. The blades shown are
dull-edge disc blades; however, smooth sharp, smooth-dull,
notched-sharp and notched-dull may also be selected depending upon
the need for aggressive soil engagement.
[0034] The final apparatus of the exemplary system is a rotary reel
42 that conditions the strip of soil to give ideal seed-to-soil
contact and uniform berm size, thus promoting early, fast and
uniform emergence. Additionally, the rotary reel is available with
round or flat bars 43, which control the amount of soil
conditioning. Flat bar baskets reduce clod size and fluff, and are
normally used in fall conditions. Round bar baskets do more
firming, and are normally used in spring conditions. The rotary
reels are also adjustable in height and down-pressure to control
the amount of berm conditioning the soil receives.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the soil surface tillage
point assembly 50 can be seen to comprise a clamp 51 adjustably
affixed to rail 29 for selective placement along the open area
thereof forward of shank 35 to adjust for varying amounts of
residue so the machine does not build up residue between the
surface tillage point and the shank. A bracket 56 is rigidly
attached to clamp 51 on one end and includes a female box bracket
into which support member 52 slidingly extends. Member 52 slides up
and down within the box bracket and can be selectively fixed at
various locations by lock pins or bolts 68 to adjust the depth of
the soil surface tillage point 54. Tillage point 54 is generally
flat in side view and pointed in the direction of travel of the
overall apparatus 10. Protection of the various components from
obstructions is taken into consideration by the addition of shear
bolts or other breakaway devices.
[0036] The purpose of the soil surface tillage point assembly is to
create additional loose soil and part the residue in front of the
tillage shank path. The assembly reduces the amount of residue in
the tilled shank path (row) and creates small clod sizes of soil in
line with the shank swath. This results in creating a better
seedbed and faster warm up of soil in the spring. Likewise,
enabling the planter to run in cleaner soil, preventing planter
plugging and uneven seed planting depth as well as resulting in
better seed-to-soil contact. Ultimately, this results in quicker
seed germination and emergence. Another benefit of the surface
tillage point is to keep the residue from building up on the shank.
This allows the shank to run cleaner and creates a smoother, more
uniform bed for the plant.
[0037] The tillage point assembly attaches in front of the shank
and is adjustable fore-and-aft for optimum clearance in this
exemplary system between the first soil-engaging apparatus, in this
case coulter 30, and the shank to maximize clearance for residue
movement. Furthermore, the tillage point assembly is adjustable for
depth by removing lock pin 68 and moving the tillage point higher
or lower relative to the shank point 36. The tillage point 54 may
acceptably vary in size from 7 to 12-inches wide, depending upon
the desired width of the loose soil path.
[0038] Many conventional elements or accessories known and used
under normal circumstances have not be shown or discussed, but
certainly would be employed under normal operating or transport
conditions. For instance, this machine would normally have a jack
stand attached near the forward end thereof to support the tongue
when not connected to a tractor. Other items fitting this category
are safety chains, SMV signs, warning lights, locking pins, disk
scrapers, shear bolts, and the like.
[0039] Additionally, to be clear, there are any number of primary
tillage implements known to which the soil surface tillage point
may be added to produce a unique agricultural implement with
improved seedbed preparation characteristics. The apparatus shown
here is merely one such implement available.
[0040] It will be understood that changes in the details,
materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been
described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention
will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a
reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the
invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred
embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the
description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing
from the scope of the inventions. For instance, as on of skill in
this technology will readily understand, the turnbuckles shown and
described may be replaced with hydraulic cylinders, operated and
connected in a conventional manner, depending upon working
conditions and operator preferences. Accordingly, the following
claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in
the specific form shown.
* * * * *