U.S. patent application number 13/240215 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-12 for manually adjustable packer wheel seeding system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to CNH CANADA, LTD.. Invention is credited to Jim Henry.
Application Number | 20120006240 13/240215 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43218752 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120006240 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Henry; Jim |
January 12, 2012 |
Manually Adjustable Packer Wheel Seeding System and Method
Abstract
An implement includes a frame configured to couple to a tool
bar, a linkage coupled to the frame, and a ground engaging tool
extending from a shank, wherein the shank is coupled to the
linkage. The implement also includes a packer wheel configured to
control a position of the ground engaging tool, wherein the packer
wheel is positioned behind the ground engaging tool when the ground
engaging tool is engaging the soil. Further, the implement includes
an adjustment mechanism configured to allow for adjustment of the
distance between the packer wheel and the ground engaging tool.
Inventors: |
Henry; Jim; (Saskatoon,
CA) |
Assignee: |
CNH CANADA, LTD.
Saskatoon
CA
|
Family ID: |
43218752 |
Appl. No.: |
13/240215 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12472810 |
May 27, 2009 |
8042620 |
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13240215 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
111/154 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C 5/062 20130101;
A01B 61/046 20130101; A01C 7/203 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
111/154 |
International
Class: |
A01C 5/06 20060101
A01C005/06 |
Claims
1. A method for seeding, comprising: opening a valley in a field
with a ground engaging tool, the ground engaging tool being
configured to be automatically displaced upon encountering an
obstruction; controlling the depth of a valley opened by the ground
engaging tool by a packer wheel behind the ground engaging tool;
and packing soil via the packer wheel, wherein the packer wheel is
positioned a manually adjustable distance behind the ground
engaging tool.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the manually adjustable distance
is fixed based upon an anticipated speed of movement of the
implement in a field.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the position of the packer wheel
is adjustable between a plurality of discrete positions.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the packer wheel is positioned
behind the ground engaging tool by mounting an axle of the packer
wheel in one of a plurality of holes in a mounting bracket.
5. The method of claim 1, comprising permitting the ground engaging
tool to move rearwardly and upwardly via a movable structure upon
encountering an obstruction.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein a forward-most position permitted
for the packer wheel is sufficiently rearward to permit the ground
engaging tool to clear the packer wheel when displaced rearwardly
and upwardly upon encountering an obstruction.
7. The method of claim 6, comprising maintaining contact between
the packer wheel and the ground as the obstruction passes beneath
the implement.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
agricultural implements, such as tillers and implements towed
behind a work vehicle, such as a tractor.
[0002] A wide range of agricultural implements have been developed
and are presently in use for tilling, cultivating, harvesting,
seeding, and so forth. Seeding implements, for example, are towed
behind tractors and open rows of soil for deposition of a seed or
product in the soil. The implement may include a plurality of
ground engaging tools. In certain implements, packing wheels may
follow the ground engaging tools to close valleys and/or pack soil
after seeds or fertilizer has been deposited into the valleys
opened by the tools. In general, these wheels are spaced from the
tools by a fixed distance, determined at the time of design and/or
manufacturing of the implement. However, the appropriate spacing
between the ground engaging tools and the packer wheels may be less
than optimal for all situations. For example, when the implement is
being pulled more quickly through a field, a wheel that was
properly spaced when moving more slowly may be too close. On the
contrary, if the wheel is spaced farther from the tool as might be
appropriate for higher speeds, this distance may not be optimal for
slower speeds.
[0003] Moreover, the ground engaging tools may encounter obstacles
in the field, such as large clods or rocks. The obstacles may
deform, damage, and/or break the tools if the implement is
traveling at a high speed and/or the obstacle is large. Some
implements may be configured to lift the tools upon encountering an
obstacle. Unfortunately, such configurations of the implement may
sacrifice accuracy and control over the depth of soil valleys in
order to avoid tool damage due to obstacles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0004] In one embodiment, a seeding implement includes a frame
configured to couple to a tool bar, a linkage coupled to the frame,
and a ground engaging tool extending from a shank, wherein the
shank is coupled to the linkage. The ground engaging tool is
configured to be displaced automatically upon encountering an
obstruction. The implement also includes a packer wheel configured
to control a position of the ground engaging tool, wherein the
packer wheel is positioned directly behind the ground engaging tool
when the ground engaging tool is engaging a soil region. Further,
the implement includes an adjustment mechanism configured to allow
for manual adjustment of a distance between the packer wheel and
the ground engaging tool. The forward-most position of the packer
wheel may be so located as to ensure that the ground engaging tool
will clear the packer wheel when displaced upon encountering an
obstruction.
DRAWINGS
[0005] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood when the following
detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout
the drawings, wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a side view of a precision hoe opener assembly
including an opener, a packer wheel, and a soil shaping
assembly;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a top view of the opener assembly of FIG. 1,
showing the opener implement, soil leveling and packer wheel
assemblies;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top view of the opener assembly of FIG. 1,
showing the opener implement, soil leveling and packer wheel
assemblies;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a precision
hoe opener assembly including an opener, a packer wheel, and a soil
shaping assembly;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a top view of the opener assembly of FIG. 3,
showing the opener implement, soil leveling and packer wheel
assemblies; and
[0011] FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of a ground engaging
implement designed to permit manual adjustment of a distance
between the packer wheel and a ground engaging tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Turning now to the drawings and referring first to FIG. 1,
an embodiment of a precision hoe opener assembly is illustrated and
designated generally by reference numeral 10. As may be
appreciated, the precision hoe opener assembly 10 is a type of row
unit, which may be placed on an agricultural implement, such as a
planter or seeder. The precision hoe opener assembly 10 includes a
frame support 12, a packer wheel assembly 14, an adjustment
mechanism 16, a first member 18, a linear actuator, in the form of
cylinder 20, and a second member 22. The cylinder 20 may be a
hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder assembly and may be coupled to a
power supply that is used to provide a flow of pressurized
hydraulic fluid to displace as a rod extending from the cylinder.
The precision hoe opener assembly 10 may be part of an implement
assembly that is towed by a vehicle, such as a tractor. For
example, the frame support 12 may couple to a tool frame tool bar
connected to the tractor, via a hitch assembly, for towing the
precision hoe opener assembly 10. For instance, a plurality of
precision hoe opener assembly 10 may be mounted in parallel along a
tool frame bar to comprise a seeder implement or unit.
[0013] As discussed in detail below, the precision hoe opener
assembly 10 enables the depth and position of the opener to be
controlled by the packer wheel assembly 14, thereby enabling each
of the openers of a seeder unit to be independently controlled,
enhancing seeding performance and accuracy. Precise depth control
may lead to improved crop fertilization and yield. Alternatively,
in other systems, the depth of an implement hoe openers may be
controlled by a single mechanism coupled to a tool bar, such as a
plurality of support wheels. For example, the depth of a soil
valley or groove created by each of the hoe openers may increase as
the supporting wheels lower the tool bar and frame toward the soil.
In such a case, seeding accuracy may be reduced due to the large
swaths of land and changes in elevation encountered by the
implement. In the depicted embodiment, the precision hoe opener
assembly 10 includes a packer wheel assembly 14 coupled to the
precision hoe opener assembly 10. The packer wheel assembly 14
includes the adjustment mechanism 16 configured to shift a packer
wheel upon a ground engaging hoe opener encountering an obstacle.
Accordingly, the packer wheel may be positioned directly behind the
hoe opener to enable greater depth accuracy and control over the
seeding process while providing sufficient clearance to enable the
hoe opener to avoid damage from obstacles. As may be appreciated,
components of the precision hoe opener assembly 10, such as the
frame support 12, the packer wheel assembly 14, the first member
18, and the second member 22, may be made of any suitable durable
material, such as a stainless steel or a metal alloy.
[0014] As depicted, the cylinder 20 is attached to a shank adapter
24 via a pin at the end of a piston rod of the cylinder 20. The
shank adapter 24 is also coupled to a shank 26 and a ground
engaging hoe opener 28. The shank adapter 24 may be coupled to the
shank 26 via fasteners, such as bolts or rivets, which enable
position adjustments of the hoe opener 28. Further, adjustments of
the hoe opener 28 via the fasteners, along with the packer wheel
14, enable a variable seeding depth for the precision hoe opener
assembly 10. As depicted, the hoe opener 28 is in a forward,
neutral, or normal working position, wherein the opener is engaging
a soil 30 region to create a valley or groove for seeding. As the
elevation of the soil 30 fluctuates, the position of the hoe opener
28 may move upward or downward from the illustrated neutral or
normal position. The cylinder is extended in the normal position,
thereby deploying the hoe opener 28 downward into the soil 30,
pressing the shank adapter 24 against rear frame stops 32. In
addition the surface of the soil 30 may be shaped and moved by the
hoe opener 28. By positioning the packer wheel assembly 14 close to
the hoe opener 28, via the adjustment assembly 16, the depth of the
valley created in the soil 30 may be precisely controlled.
[0015] The hoe opener 28 moves upward or downward based upon the
retraction or extension of the cylinder 20. As the cylinder 20
retracts, a stop plate 34 may press upon a portion of a rear frame
36, creating a lifting force that is conveyed to the packer wheel
assembly 14. As depicted, the packer wheel assembly includes an arm
or member that is coupled to the rear frame 36. The resulting
lifting force, caused by the cylinder 20, reduces the packing force
of the packer wheel 14. In the embodiment illustrated, a packer
wheel arm 37 or member may enable a height adjustment of the packer
wheel assembly 14 via the coupling, which may be an adjustable
U-bolt or other fastener. The position of a packer wheel 38 and the
packer wheel assembly 14 controls the depth of the valley opened in
the soil 30 by the hoe opener 28. The packer wheel 38 may be
supported by, and coupled to, the packer wheel assembly 14 via an
axle 40. For example, the axle 40 may be positioned in a slot 42
and through a center of the packer wheel 38, thereby rotationally
supporting the packer wheel 38 and a portion of the precision hoe
opener assembly 10. In addition, the axle 40 is also coupled to a
biasing member 44, such as a spring. The biasing member 44 may be
configured to urge the packer wheel 38 forwardly within the slot
42, which is located in a mounting bracket 46. Additionally, the
biasing member 44 may be secured to both the axle 40 and a portion
of the mounting bracket 46. The axle 40 may be coupled to the shank
26 via a pivot pin 48 and a linkage member 50. For example, the
linkage member 50 may be comprised of a suitable durable material,
such as stainless steel, and may be pivotally mounted at each end
to the pivot pin 48 and the axle 40. As will be discussed in detail
below, a movement of the linkage member 50 may overcome the forces
of the biasing member 44 to move the packer wheel 38 rearwardly.
The bracket 46 may be coupled to the packer wheel arm 37 via bolts
52, or other suitable coupling mechanism. After a valley in the
soil 30 is created by the hoe opener 28, a seeding assembly 54 may
deposit a seed in the valley for growth of a crop as desired by the
operator. The packer wheel assembly 12, adjustment mechanism 16,
and packer wheel 38 may be configured to include additional packer
wheels and/or openers, where the adjustment mechanism 16 enables
improved seed depth accuracy while providing clearance for tripping
of at least one opener.
[0016] The hoe opener 28 and shank 26 may trip and retract in a
direction 60 rearwardly and vertically, to avoid damage to the hoe
opener 28 upon encountering obstacle or obstruction 62, such as a
rock or large clod of dirt. The hoe opener 28 and shank 26 may trip
and pivot upon a bolt coupling 63, which couples the shank adapter
24 to the frame 36. As the hoe opener 28 trips in a direction 60,
the coupling of the linkage member 50 between the shank 26 and axle
40, moves the packer wheel 38 rearwardly in a direction 64.
Specifically, the pivot pin 48 moves rearwardly as the hoe opener
28 moves rearwardly, causing the linkage member 50 to push the axle
40 rearwardly, as indicated by reference numeral 64, in turn
shifting the packer wheel 38 within the slot 42 to avoid contact
with the hoe opener 28 and provide clearance. Further, the rearward
motion 60 of the shank 26 and hoe opener 28 provides sufficient
force to overcome the biasing member 44, thereby compressing the
biasing member 44 as the packer wheel moves rearwardly. The
adjustment mechanism 16, including the axle 40, slot 42, biasing
member 44, pivot pin 48, linkage member 50, provides a system to
enable the packer wheel 38 to be placed directly behind the hoe
opener 28.
[0017] By placing the packer wheel 38 directly behind the opener
28, seeding depth accuracy is improved while providing a mechanism
for tripping clearance, enabling the hoe opener 28 to move
rearwardly without interference of the packer wheel 38. For
example, in a normal and forward position, the packer wheel 38 may
be located a distance 66 from the hoe opener 28. Upon encountering
the obstruction 62, the packer wheel 38 and adjustment mechanism 16
enable the packer wheel shift rearwardly a distance 68, enabling
clearance for the tripping mechanism of the hoe opener 28. In
addition, the adjustment mechanism 16 is configured to shift the
packer wheel forwardly after the obstacle 62 has been passed over
by the precision hoe opener assembly 10. The adjustment mechanism
82 reduces repair and maintenance costs by allowing movement of the
wheel, while improving crop yield and growth by otherwise moving
the wheel quite close behind the hoe opener. The adjustment
mechanism 82 also enables the packer wheel 38 to maintain contact
with the soil 30 as the precision hoe opener assembly 10 passes
over the obstacle 62, while the hoe opener 28 is in a retracted
position.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view of an example of the precision hoe
opener assembly 10, with the hoe opener 28 retracted in the
direction 60. As described above, the hoe opener 28 retracts to
avoid damage from the obstacle 62, which may be a rock, large dirt
clod or other debris. As the hoe opener 28 and shank 26 move
rearwardly, the member 50, via pivotal couplings 40 and 48, causes
the packer wheel 38 to move in the rearward direction 64. By moving
the packer wheel 38 and compressing the biasing members 42, the
adjustment mechanism 16 enables the hoe opener 28 to remove
rearwardly without interference between the components.
Accordingly, after the precision hoe opener assembly passes the
obstruction 62, the hoe opener 28 may be repositioned in the
forward or normal working position, to engage the ground 30 with
the packer wheel 38 and insure an accurate seeding process.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a top view of the precision hoe opener assembly 10
and adjustment mechanism 16, as shown in FIG. 1. As depicted, the
packer wheel 38 is located directly behind the hoe opener 28.
Accordingly, the packer wheel 38 is configured to pack seeding
groove in the soil 30 created by the hoe opener 28. Further, the
positioning of the packer wheel 38 directly behind the hoe opener
28 enables improved depth control of the seeding process, enhancing
seeding efficiency and crop yield. Moreover, the adjustment
mechanism 10 enables the hoe opener 28 to avoid the obstacle 62,
preventing damage to the assembly and saving system downtime and
repair cost.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side view of another example of the precision
hoe opener assembly 10, including a packer wheel assembly 80 and
adjustment mechanism 82. The precision hoe opener assembly 10
includes the members 18 and 22, which work with the cylinder 20 to
control the position of the packer wheel assembly 80 and shank 26.
Further, the rear frame 36 is coupled to the packer wheel assembly
80 via the packer wheel arm 37. The packer wheel arm 37 may be
attached to the rear frame 36 via fasteners, such as bolts that are
U-shaped or rivets. Further, the shank 26 may be coupled to a
protruding member 84 that is part of the adjustment mechanism 82 to
provide clearance to the hoe opener 28 upon tripping in the
rearward direction 60. Specifically, the protruding member 84 may
contact a receiving surface 86 of a receiving member 88 when the
hoe opener 28 moves in the rearward direction 60. The receiving
member 88 may be coupled to an axle 90, which rotationally supports
the packer wheel 38. The axle 90 is located within a slot 92 and is
coupled to a biasing member 94, such as a spring, that is
configured to urge the packer wheel 38 forward. The slot 92 is
located in a bracket 96 configured to support the packer wheel 38
and couple to the packer wheel arm 37 via fasteners, such as bolts
or rivets. The receiving member 88 may also be coupled, via a pin
98, to a second slot 100 in the bracket 96. The slot 100 may
provide additional support between the receiving member 88, bracket
96, and other components of the adjustment mechanism 92. Further,
the slot 100 may include a biasing member 102, wherein the biasing
members 94 and 102 cooperatively urge the packer wheel 38 in a
forward direction. The assembly also includes a third slot 103, to
further provide support as the packer wheel is pushed rearwardly 64
to provide clearance for the hoe opener 28.
[0021] As may be appreciated, the hoe opener 28 may trip in the
rearward direction 60 upon encountering the obstacle 62,
necessitating a clearance from the packer wheel 38 to avoid
interference between the wheel 38 and opener 28. Further,
preventing the hoe opener 28 from engaging the obstacle 62 avoids
damage to components, such as a chisel, of the hoe opener, reducing
or eliminating costly repairs. As the hoe opener 28 shifts
rearwardly, the protruding member 84 engages the receiving member
88, via the receiving surface 86. Accordingly, the receiving member
88 may be pushed rearwardly in the direction 64, overcoming the
forces of the biasing members 94 and 102 to move the packer wheel
38 rearwardly. Further, the depicted normal or forward position of
the packer wheel 38 positions the packer wheel at a distance 104
from the hoe opener 28. In addition, as the hoe opener 28
encounters the obstacle 62, the adjustment mechanism 82, including
the protruding member 84, receiving member 88, slot 92, and biasing
member 94 enables the packer wheel 38 to move rearwardly a distance
106. In addition, the adjustment mechanism 82 is configured to
shift the packer wheel forwardly after the obstacle 62 has been
passed over by the precision hoe opener assembly 10.
[0022] Further, the adjustment mechanism 82 and packer wheel
assembly 80 are configured to move the packer wheel 38 from a
position directly behind the opener 28, rearwardly to provide
clearance for the hoe opener 28 upon tripping. The adjustment
mechanism 82 also enables the packer wheel 38 to maintain contact
with the soil 30 as the precision hoe opener assembly 10 passes
over the obstacle 62, while the hoe opener 28 is in a retracted
position. The arrangement of the adjustment mechanism 82, packer
wheel assembly 80, and hoe opener 28 enable the precision hoe
opener assembly 10 to provide improved accuracy and control over
seeding depth while accounting for obstacles to prevent damage to
the assembly. Accordingly, the adjustment mechanism 82 reduces
repair and maintenance costs while improving crop yield and
growth.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a top view of the precision hoe opener assembly 10
and adjustment mechanism 82, as shown in FIG. 4. As depicted, the
packer wheel 38 is positioned directly behind the hoe opener 28,
providing a precise seeding depth control for the precision hoe
opener assembly 10, increasing crop yield and minimizing the number
of passes needed to fertilize a field. Further, the adjustment
mechanism 82 provides clearance for the hoe opener 28 to retract
rearwardly by moving the packer wheel 38 rearwardly. The adjustment
mechanism enables the packer wheel 38 to avoid interference with
the tripped hoe opener 28 by moving rearwardly and returns the
packer wheel 38 to the forward position after the obstacle 62 has
been passed over by the hoe opener assembly 10. Moreover, by
providing clearance to the hoe opener 28, the adjustment mechanism
82 prevents and avoids damage to the hoe opener 28, thus avoiding
downtime while saving repair costs for the precision hoe opener
assembly 10.
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the distance
between the packer wheel is manually adjustable. In this
embodiment, the mounting bracket 46 includes a series of holes 108
in which the axle 40 of the packer wheel may be placed. The axle
may include threads that interface with a mating nut, or may be
pinned or otherwise removably fixed to the mounting bracket for
this purpose. Thus, the wheel may be secured to the mounting
bracket in any of a number of different locations, increasing or
decreasing the distance between the hoe opener and the packer
wheel. It should be noted that the hoe opener, or any other ground
engaging tool fitted to the implement, may still be designed to
move upwardly and rearwardly in the event that it encounters an
obstruction. In such cases, the forward-most location of the packer
wheel may be provided to ensure clearance between the packer wheel
and the rearward-most component of the tool.
[0025] The arrangement of FIG. 6 may be beneficial for a number of
applications. For example, when the implement is towed through a
field at a relatively low speed, the valley opened by the ground
engaging tool may be closed by the wheel more appropriately when
the wheel is positioned closer to the tool. On the contrary, when
the implement is towed more quickly, it may be preferable to allow
more time for the soil to settle before closing the valley and
packing the soil. In such cases, a greater distance between the
tool and the packer wheel will allow for such settling.
[0026] It should also be noted that, while a series of discrete
locations are illustrated as provided in the mounting bracket,
other arrangements may be envisaged. For example, the wheel could
be mounted on a swing arm or other structure that permits
adjustment of the distance between the tool and the packer wheel.
Similarly, a continuously adjustable arrangement may be employed
rather than the discrete positions illustrated, such as by use of a
threaded rod, bolt, or other continuously adjustable mechanism.
[0027] While only certain features of the invention have been
illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes
will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be
understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such
modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *