U.S. patent application number 14/590098 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-23 for furrow closing system and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Brian Freed. Invention is credited to Brian Freed.
Application Number | 20150107862 14/590098 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48944670 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150107862 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Freed; Brian |
April 23, 2015 |
FURROW CLOSING SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
Agricultural planter row units feature soil finishing assemblies
for closing a seed groove after seed is placed in the soil. An
adjustable furrow closing assembly enhances upper seed groove
coverage and closure with soil resulting in sustained relative
humidity levels and optimum seed-to-soil contact for faster seed
germination. The furrow closing assembly includes a closing wheel
assembly having at least one closing wheel and a press wheel
assembly having a press wheel following behind the closing wheels.
The closing wheels and press wheel are attached to the planter row
unit in a manner allowing the press wheel to move vertically
relative to the closing wheels. Adjustable down-force systems are
provided to vary the down force applied to the closing wheels and
the press wheel to maintain optimum soil contact in irregular
terrain and in varying soil densities and conditions to provide
optimum soil coverage and compaction of the seed bed.
Inventors: |
Freed; Brian; (Lexington,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Freed; Brian |
Lexington |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48944670 |
Appl. No.: |
14/590098 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13767874 |
Feb 14, 2013 |
8939095 |
|
|
14590098 |
|
|
|
|
61598678 |
Feb 14, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
172/1 ;
172/151 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B 49/027 20130101;
A01C 5/064 20130101; A01C 5/068 20130101; A01B 63/008 20130101;
Y10S 111/926 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
172/1 ;
172/151 |
International
Class: |
A01B 63/00 20060101
A01B063/00; A01C 5/06 20060101 A01C005/06; A01B 49/02 20060101
A01B049/02 |
Claims
1. A planter row unit for an agricultural seeder, comprising: a row
unit subframe; a furrow opener mounted to said subframe for
creating a furrow in which seeds can be deposited; a furrow closing
assembly pivotally mounted to said subframe, said furrow closing
assembly comprising: at least one closing wheel rotatably attached
to a closing wheel arm assembly and adapted to move soil into the
furrow created by said furrow opener; a press wheel rotatably
attached to a press wheel arm assembly and adapted to roll over a
soil surface behind said closing wheel; said press wheel arm
assembly and said closing wheel arm assembly being moveable
relative to each other to allow relative vertical movement between
said closing wheel and said press wheel during operation; a first
down-force system arranged between said subframe and a point on
said furrow closing assembly for biasing said furrow closing
assembly in a downward direction; a second down-force system
arranged between said press wheel arm assembly and said closing
wheel arm assembly for transferring down force between said press
wheel and said closing wheel; and a means for adjusting at least
one of said first and second down-force systems remotely to change
an amount of down force imparted thereby.
2. The planter row unit according to claim 1, wherein said first
down-force system is adjustable remotely for changing an amount of
down force imparted to said furrow closing assembly.
3. The planter row unit according to claim 2, wherein said first
down-force system comprises a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic
actuator, or an electric actuator.
4. The planter row unit according to claim 1, wherein said second
down-force system is adjustable remotely for changing an amount of
down force imparted to said closing wheel and said press wheel,
respectively.
5. The planter row unit according to claim 4, wherein said second
down-force system comprises a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic
actuator, or an electric actuator.
6. A method of closing a furrow during agricultural planting,
comprising: providing a planter row unit having a furrow closing
assembly with at least one closing wheel followed by a rolling
press wheel; and adjusting a down force imparted to said rolling
press wheel and/or said closing wheel from a remote location during
a planting operation.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said down force is
adjusted by using a down-force system arranged between a subframe
of said planter row unit and a point on said furrow closing
assembly for biasing said furrow closing assembly in a downward
direction.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said down force is
adjusted by using a down-force system arranged between an arm
assembly for said press wheel and an arm assembly for said closing
wheel and transferring down force between said press wheel and said
closing wheel.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/767,874 filed on Feb. 14, 2013, which claims priority of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/598,678 filed on Feb. 14, 2012.
The entire contents of these prior applications are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to agricultural planters
and planter row units, and is particularly directed to the
combination of a pair of seed furrow closing wheels and a soil
press wheel capable of independent operation for improved soil
contact.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Agricultural planters form a furrow in the ground, deposit
seed in the furrow, and then cover the seed with soil. The
mechanism for covering the seed with soil is generally referred to
as a furrow closing assembly.
[0006] A variety of furrow closing assemblies are known in the
prior art. For example, furrow closing assemblies are commercially
available that are designed to be pivotally attached to pivot pins
located at the rear end of planter row units manufactured by John
Deere and Kinze. Such furrow closing assemblies include, for
example: (1) a pair of press wheels that roll on each side of the
furrow and pinch the furrow closed, (2) a drag system that pulls
loose soil into the furrow, and (3) a pair of closing discs that
direct soil back into the furrow.
[0007] Another furrow closing system designed to be used on John
Deere planter row units includes a pair of closing discs followed
by a press wheel. However, the press wheel and closing discs in
this furrow closing system are not moveable independent of each
other, and therefore do not provide consistent soil contact. In
uneven terrain, the press wheel will sometimes free wheel because
it is not in firm contact with the soil.
[0008] Another furrow closing system comprising a pair of closing
discs followed by a press wheel has been disclosed by Case-IH for
its Model 1200 planters. However, the press wheel and closing discs
in this furrow closing system are attached to separate points on
the planter row unit and are not suitable for use with other
existing planters, such as John Deere and Kinze planters. Moreover,
the down-force systems on these furrow closing systems are not
adjustable remotely to adapt the furrow closing system to different
soil conditions.
[0009] There is a need in the industry for an improved furrow
closing system for agricultural planters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Objects of the present invention are to provide a furrow
closing system that fits existing agricultural planters, that is
easy to install, that has independent suspension for more
consistent soil contact, that avoids free wheel spin of the press
wheel assembly, that provides furrow closing conditions that
encourage fast and even seed emergence, that provides more complete
seed furrow closure, that minimizes sidewall compaction, and that
results in higher crop yields.
[0011] Further objects of the present invention are to provide a
furrow closing assembly having a down-force system that can be
adjusted remotely to change the amount of down force acting on the
press wheel and the down force acting on the closing wheels.
[0012] To accomplish these and other objects, the present invention
provides a combination of a leading soil closing wheel assembly for
filling a furrow in which are deposited seeds, and a trailing press
wheel for pressing the furrow covering soil downward. The closing
wheel assembly is pivotal relative to the press wheel assembly to
allow relative vertical movement between the closing wheels and the
press wheel during operation. The downward pressures applied to the
closing wheels and to the press wheel are independently adjustable
depending upon such variables as soil conditions and terrain
topography to insure optimum soil contact. A first down-force
system is used to transfer down force from the planter row unit
subframe to the furrow closing assembly, and a second down-force
system is used to transfer down force between the closing wheels
and the press wheel of the furrow closing assembly. The down-force
systems can be adjustable remotely using in-cab controls during
planting. Various embodiments are provided that allow the furrow
closing assembly to be attached to existing agricultural
planters.
[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a furrow
closing assembly is provided for use with agricultural planters
having individual row units, each row unit having a row unit
subframe with a pair of pivot pins protruding laterally outwardly
from opposite sides of the subframe near a rear end thereof, the
furrow closing assembly comprising: a closing wheel rotatably
attached to a closing wheel arm assembly and adapted to move soil
into a furrow behind the row unit subframe; a press wheel rotatably
attached to a press wheel arm assembly and adapted to roll over a
soil surface behind the closing wheel; a front portion of the
furrow closing assembly pivotally mounted to the pivot pins for
allowing the furrow closing assembly to pivot about a generally
horizontal axis relative to the row unit subframe; and the press
wheel arm assembly and the closing wheel arm assembly being pivotal
relative to each other to allow relative vertical movement between
the closing wheel and the press wheel during operation.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
furrow closing assembly for use with agricultural planters is
provided, comprising: a press wheel arm assembly having a front end
adapted to be pivotally attached to a pair of pivot pins on a
planter row unit subframe for pivotal movement about a transverse
axis of rotation; a press wheel rotatably attached to a rear end of
the press wheel arm assembly and arranged to roll over a soil
surface behind the planter row unit subframe; a closing wheel arm
assembly having a front end adapted to be pivotally attached to the
pair of pivot pins; and at least one closing wheel rotatably
attached to the closing wheel arm assembly, the closing wheel being
arranged to move soil into a furrow in front of the press
wheel.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
planter row unit for an agricultural seeder is provided,
comprising: a row unit subframe having a front portion, a rear
portion and a pair of pivot pins protruding laterally outwardly
from opposite sides of the rear portion; a furrow opener mounted to
the front portion of the subframe for creating a furrow in which
seeds can be deposited; and a furrow closing assembly pivotally
mounted to the pivot pins to pivot about a generally horizontal
axis relative to subframe. The furrow closing assembly includes: at
least one closing wheel rotatably attached to a closing wheel arm
assembly and adapted to move soil into the furrow created by the
furrow opener; a press wheel rotatably attached to a press wheel
arm assembly and adapted to roll over a soil surface behind the
closing wheel; and the press wheel arm assembly and the closing
wheel arm assembly being pivotal relative to each other to allow
relative vertical movement between the closing wheel and the press
wheel during operation.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
planter row unit for an agricultural seeder is provided,
comprising: a row unit subframe; a furrow opener mounted to the
subframe for creating a furrow in which seeds can be deposited; and
a furrow closing assembly pivotally mounted to the subframe. The
furrow closing assembly includes: at least one closing wheel
rotatably attached to a closing wheel arm assembly and adapted to
move soil into the furrow created by the furrow opener; a press
wheel rotatably attached to a press wheel arm assembly and adapted
to roll over a soil surface behind the closing wheel; the press
wheel arm assembly and the closing wheel arm assembly being
moveable relative to each other to allow relative vertical movement
between the closing wheel and the press wheel during operation; a
first down-force system arranged between the subframe and a point
on the furrow closing assembly for biasing the furrow closing
assembly in a downward direction; a second down-force system
arranged between the press wheel arm assembly and the closing wheel
arm assembly for transferring down force between the press wheel
and the closing wheel; and a means for adjusting at least one of
the first and second down-force systems remotely to change an
amount of down force imparted thereby.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method of closing a furrow during agricultural planting is
provided, comprising: providing a planter row unit having a furrow
closing assembly with at least one closing wheel followed by a
rolling press wheel; and adjusting a down force imparted to the
rolling press wheel and/or the closing wheel from a remote location
during a planting operation.
[0018] Numerous other objects of the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in this art from the following
description wherein there is shown and described example
embodiments of the present invention. As will be realized, the
invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its
several details are capable of modification in various obvious
aspects without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the
drawings and description should be regarded as illustrative in
nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The present invention will become more clearly appreciated
as the disclosure of the present invention is made with reference
to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
[0020] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a planter row unit equipped
with a furrow closing assembly according to a first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the planter row unit
shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the planter row unit
shown in FIG. 1, with the furrow closing assembly shown with a
partial cutaway section;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the planter row unit shown in
FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the planter row unit shown in FIG.
1;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the furrow closing
assembly according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the furrow closing assembly shown
in FIG. 6;
[0027] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the furrow closing assembly
shown in FIG. 6;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the furrow closing assembly shown
in FIG. 6;
[0029] FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of the furrow closing
assembly shown in FIG. 6;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a furrow closing
assembly according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the furrow closing assembly
shown in FIG. 11;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the furrow closing assembly shown
in FIG. 11;
[0033] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the furrow closing assembly
shown in FIG. 11;
[0034] FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of a planter row unit
equipped with a furrow closing assembly according to a third
embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the planter row unit shown in
FIG. 15;
[0036] FIG. 17 is a rear view of the planter row unit shown in FIG.
15;
[0037] FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the planter row unit shown
in FIG. 15;
[0038] FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the furrow closing
assembly according to the third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the furrow closing assembly
shown in FIG. 19;
[0040] FIG. 21 is a rear view of the furrow closing assembly shown
in FIG. 19;
[0041] FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the furrow closing assembly
shown in FIG. 19;
[0042] FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of a planter row unit
equipped with a furrow closing assembly according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the planter row unit shown in
FIG. 23;
[0044] FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the planter row unit shown
in FIG. 23;
[0045] FIG. 26 is another isometric view of the planter row unit
shown in FIG. 23; and
[0046] FIG. 27 is a rear view of the planter row unit shown in FIG.
23.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0047] Furrow closing assemblies for planter row units according to
embodiments of the present invention will now be described in
detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 27 of the accompanying
drawings.
[0048] A furrow closing assembly 10 according to a first embodiment
of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10. Referring to FIG.
1, there is shown an isometric view of a planter row unit 11
equipped with the furrow closing assembly 10 of the present
invention. FIGS. 2 to 5 show additional views of the planter row
unit 11, including a side elevation view in FIG. 2, a side
elevation view with partial cutaway in FIG. 3, a bottom view in
FIG. 4, and a rear view in FIG. 5. An agricultural planter may have
a plurality of such planter row units 11 mounted on a conventional
tool bar or a towed implement in a known manner.
[0049] The planter row unit 11 includes a seed hopper 12 with a
seed metering mechanism (not shown), a dry insecticide hopper 13,
and a subframe 14. Other arrangements can also be used, such as a
central seed delivery system (not shown) that supplies seed to
multiple row units. A furrow opener assembly 15 is mounted to a
front portion 16 of the subframe 14 for creating a furrow in which
seeds can be deposited. The furrow opener assembly 15 includes a
pair of opener discs 17 positioned between a pair of gauge wheels
18. The rear portion 19 of the subframe 14 extends behind the
furrow opener assembly 15.
[0050] A pair of pivot pins 20 protrude laterally outwardly from
opposite sides of the rear portion 19 of the subframe 14. The pivot
pins 20 are used on conventional John Deere and Kinze planter row
units to attach a furrow closing system to the row unit. The furrow
closing assembly 10 of the present invention is designed to attach
to these existing pivot pins 20 to allow the furrow closing
assembly 10 to be easily attached to existing planter row
units.
[0051] The furrow closing assembly 10 is pivotally mounted to the
pivot pins 20 at the rear portion 19 of the row unit subframe 14 to
pivot about a generally horizontal, transverse axis relative to the
subframe 14. The furrow closing assembly 10 includes a closing
wheel assembly 21 with at least one closing wheel 22, 23 for moving
soil into the furrow created by the furrow opener assembly 15, and
a press wheel assembly 24 with a press wheel 25 for rolling over
the soil surface behind the closing wheels 22, 23.
[0052] The press wheel assembly 24 includes a press wheel arm
assembly 26 having a pair of press wheel arm members 27, 28
pivotally attached to the pivot pins 20. The press wheel arm
members 27, 28 are attached to the pivot pins 20 on respective
first and second sides of the rear portion 19 of the planter row
unit subframe 14 for pivotal movement about a transverse axis of
rotation. The press wheel arm members 27, 28 extend rearwardly from
the pivot pins 20. The press wheel 25 is rotatably mounted between
the rear ends of the press wheel arm members 27, 28. The press
wheel 25 is arranged to roll over the soil surface behind the
planter row unit subframe 14 and apply pressure to the soil to
improve seed-to-soil contact. The press wheel 25 can have a
recessed portion about its outer circular periphery to more
effectively compress and shape the soil covering the seed
furrow.
[0053] The closing wheel assembly 21 includes a closing wheel arm
assembly 29 having a pair of closing wheel arms 30, 31 with their
front ends pivotally attached to the pivot pins 20. The closing
wheel arms 30, 31 extend rearwardly from the pivot pins 20.
Adjacent to the front ends of each of the closing wheel arms 30, 31
are a first inwardly extending flange 32 and a second outwardly
extending flange 33. The first inwardly extending flange 32 is
arranged to engage the subframe 14 to limit the lowermost extent of
movement of the closing wheel arms 30, 31. The second outwardly
extending flange 33 is arranged to engage the press wheel arms 27,
28 to limit the lowermost extent of movement of the press wheel
arms 27, 28. The first and second flanges 32, 33 limit the downward
extent of movement when the row unit 11 is raised above the
soil.
[0054] A pair of closing wheels 22, 23 are rotatably coupled with
the rear ends of the closing wheel arms 30, 31 by respective
closing wheel hubs 34, 35. The closing wheels 22, 23 are arranged
to laterally displace soil inwardly by each of the closing wheels
22, 23 toward the opposing closing wheel and thereby fill the
furrow into which seeds have been deposited in front of the press
wheel 25. The closing wheel arms 30, 31 pivot about the transverse
axis of the pivot pins 20 independent of the press wheel arms 27,
28 to allow the press wheel 25 to move vertically relative to the
closing wheels 22, 23 during operation.
[0055] The closing wheels 22, 23 in the illustrated embodiment are
spoked wheels that have a plurality of spokes extending outwardly
from the outer circumference thereof. However, it should be
understood that the closing wheels 22, 23 can have various other
shapes and configurations, such as spoked or toothed wheels,
straight or concave discs, smooth wheels, a single closing disc,
and so forth.
[0056] A first down-force system 36 is arranged between the
subframe 14 and a point on the furrow closing assembly 10 for
biasing the furrow closing assembly 10 in a downward direction
against the soil surface. The first down-force system 36
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10 is a coiled tension spring 37 having a
first end 38 connected to an attachment point 39 on the subframe 14
located below and spaced from the pivot pins 20. A second end 40 of
the tension spring 37 is connected to a positioning bracket 41
attached between the press wheel arms 27, 28 rearward of the pivot
pins 20. The positioning bracket 41 can be attached to the press
wheel arms 27, 28, for example, by weldments. The tension spring 37
operates to impart a down force to the press wheel arm assembly
26.
[0057] The tension spring 37 is connected to the bracket 41 by a
threaded bolt 42. One end of the threaded bolt 42 is connected to
the tension spring 37 and the other end of the bolt 42 is connected
to the bracket 41. For example, a threaded receiver 43 can be fixed
in an end of the tension spring 37, and the bolt 42 can extend
through a hole in the bracket 41 and be coupled with the threaded
receiver 43. The effective length of the bolt 42 can be adjusted by
rotating the bolt 42 or by rotating a threaded nut 44 on the bolt.
The down force imparted on the press wheel arm assembly 26 by the
tension spring 37 is adjustable by changing the effective length of
the bolt 42. For example, by shortening the effective length of the
bolt 42, the tension spring 37 will be elongated causing an
increased down force to be applied through the positioning bracket
41 to the press wheel arm assembly 26. By lengthening the effective
length of the bolt 42, the tension spring 37 will be contracted
causing a decreased down force to be applied to the press wheel arm
assembly 26. The nut 44 can be used as a jam nut to lock the
tension spring 37 in its adjusted position.
[0058] A second down-force system 45 is arranged between the press
wheel arm assembly 26 and the closing wheel arm assembly 29 for
transferring down force between the closing wheels 22, 23 and the
press wheel 25. The second down-force system 45 illustrated in
FIGS. 1 to 10 is a coiled compression spring assembly. The
compression spring assembly 45 includes a compression spring 46 and
an elongate threaded member 47 extending through the compression
spring 46. A first end of the threaded member 47 extends through a
hole in the bracket 41 attached between the press wheel arms 27,
28, and a second end of the threaded member 47 is connected to a
pin 48 on the closing wheel arm assembly 29 spaced from the pivot
pins 20. The compression spring 46 pushes against the bracket 41
and the closing wheel arm assembly 29 to transfer some of the down
force from the press wheel arm assembly 26 to the closing wheel arm
assembly 29.
[0059] The down force imparted on the closing wheel arm assembly 29
by the compression spring 46 is adjustable by changing the
effective length of the spring 46. For example, a threaded
adjustment nut 49 on the end of the threaded member 47 can be
rotated to change the length of the spring 46 and/or the amount of
preload on the spring 46. The amount of down force transferred from
the press wheel arm assembly 26 to the closing wheel arm assembly
29 can be adjusted by using the threaded nut 49 to change the
length and/or the amount of preload on the compression spring 46 in
a continuous manner. For example, tightening the nut 49 on the
threaded member 47 will increase the amount of down force applied
by the compression spring 46 on the closing wheel arm assembly 29.
Adjusting the down force on the closing wheel arm assembly 29
allows the depth of the closing wheels 22, 23 in the soil to be
precisely adjusted.
[0060] The amount of down force transferred by the compression
spring 46 can also be adjusted by providing multiple mounting
locations (not shown) for attaching the spring 46 on the closing
wheel arm assembly 29. For example, by attaching the compression
spring 46 to different mounting locations on the closing wheel arm
assembly 29, the length and/or preload on the compression spring 46
can be changed in an incremental manner as desired.
[0061] A furrow closing assembly 50 according to a second
embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14.
Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a front elevation view of a
furrow closing assembly 50 of the present invention. FIGS. 12 to 14
show additional views of the furrow closing assembly 50, including
a bottom view in FIG. 12, a rear view in FIG. 13, and an isometric
view in FIG. 14. The same element numbers used in identifying
various components of the first embodiment of the present invention
shown in FIGS. 1-10 are also used in identifying individual
elements of the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS.
11 to 14.
[0062] The furrow closing assembly 50 of the second embodiment is
similar to the furrow closing assembly 10 of the first embodiment,
except that the first and second down-force systems are different.
The first down-force system 51 in the second embodiment includes a
first actuator 52 that can be operated remotely, such as a
hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or an electric actuator.
For example, the first actuator 52 can be a hydraulic or pneumatic
actuator having a first end 53 connected to an attachment point on
the subframe 14, and a second end 54 connected to the positioning
bracket 41 on the press wheel arm assembly 26. The first actuator
52 is thus connected in a manner similar to the tension spring 37
of the first embodiment.
[0063] The first actuator 52 provides a means for adjusting the
first down-force system 51 remotely to change an amount of down
force imparted thereby. The first actuator 52 can be extended
and/or retracted by selectively increasing or decreasing an amount
of pressure supplied through a pressure line to the first actuator
52. The amount of pressure supplied to the first actuator 52 will
also determine how much down force is imparted to the press wheel
arm assembly 26. A plurality of furrow closing assemblies 50 on an
agricultural planter can be adjusted simultaneously by connecting
the first actuators 52 in parallel to a common pressure source and
using an in-cab control system to vary the pressure to the first
actuators 52.
[0064] The second down-force system 55 in the second embodiment
includes a second actuator 56 that can be operated remotely, such
as a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or an electric
actuator. For example, the second actuator 56 can be a hydraulic or
pneumatic actuator having a first end 57 connected to the
positioning bracket 41 on the press wheel arm assembly 26, and a
second end 58 connected to the closing wheel arm assembly 29. The
second actuator 56 is thus connected in a manner similar to the
compression spring 46 of the first embodiment.
[0065] The second actuator 56 provides a means for adjusting the
second down-force system 55 remotely to change an amount of down
force imparted thereby. The second actuator 56 can be extended
and/or retracted by selectively increasing or decreasing an amount
of pressure supplied through a pressure line to the actuator 56.
The amount of pressure supplied to the second actuator 56 will also
determine how much down force is transferred from the press wheel
arm assembly 26 to the closing wheel arm assembly 29. A plurality
of furrow closing assemblies 50 on an agricultural planter can be
adjusted simultaneously by connecting the second actuators 56 in
parallel to a common pressure source and using an in-cab control
system to vary the pressure supplied to the second actuators
56.
[0066] A furrow closing assembly 60 according to a third embodiment
of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 22. Referring to
FIG. 15, there is shown a side elevation view of a planter row unit
11 equipped with a furrow closing assembly 60 of the present
invention. FIGS. 16 to 18 show additional views of the planter row
unit 11 equipped with the furrow closing assembly 60, including a
bottom view in FIG. 16, a rear view in FIG. 17, and an isometric
view in FIG. 18. FIGS. 19 to 22 show various views of the furrow
closing assembly 60, including a front elevation view in FIG. 19, a
bottom view in FIG. 20, a rear view in FIG. 21, and an isometric
view in FIG. 22. The same element numbers used in identifying
various components of the first embodiment of the present invention
shown in FIGS. 1-10 are also used in identifying individual
elements of the third embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 15
to 22.
[0067] The furrow closing assembly 60 of the third embodiment is
similar to the furrow closing assembly 10 of the first embodiment
in that it mounts to the existing pivot pins 20 on the rear of the
planter row unit subframe 14. This allows the furrow closing
assembly 60 to be easily attached and retrofitted to a large number
of existing agricultural planters.
[0068] The closing wheel assembly 61 and press wheel assembly 62
are different in the furrow closing assembly 60 of the third
embodiment. The closing wheel arms 63 are pivotally attached to the
existing pivot pins 20 on the rear of the planter row unit subframe
14. However, the press wheel arms 64 are pivotally attached to the
closing wheel arms 63, instead of being attached to the pivot pins
20 on the subframe 14 as in the first embodiment. More
specifically, the front ends of the press wheel arms 64 are
attached to the rear ends of the closing wheel arms 63 using a
transverse shaft 65 or other suitable structure that allows
relative pivoting movement between the press wheel arms 64 and the
closing wheel arms 63.
[0069] A first down-force system 66 in the third embodiment
includes a tension spring having its first end 67 connected to an
attachment point 39 on the subframe 14, and its second end 68
connected to a point on the closing wheel arm assembly 63 rearward
of the pivot pins 20. The tension on the tension spring 66 can be
adjusted using a threaded bolt 69 or other suitable structure as
described above. The first down-force system 66 imparts a down
force to the furrow closing assembly 60 through the closing wheel
arm assembly 63.
[0070] A second down-force system 70 in the third embodiment
includes an actuator 71 that can be operated remotely, such as a
hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or an electric actuator.
For example, the actuator 71 can be a hydraulic or pneumatic
actuator having a first end 72 connected to the closing wheel arm
assembly 63, and a second end 73 connected to the press wheel arm
assembly 64. The actuator 71 is arranged to cause the press wheel
arm assembly 64 to rotate relative to the closing wheel arm
assembly 63 when the actuator 71 is extended or retracted. The
actuator 71 provides a means for adjusting the second down-force
system 70 remotely to change an amount of down force imparted by
the press wheel 25 and the closing wheels 22, 23. For example,
extending the actuator 71 will increase an amount of down force on
the press wheel 25 while decreasing the amount of down force on the
closing wheels 22, 23, and retracting the actuator 71 will decrease
the amount of down force on the press wheel 25 while increasing the
amount of down force on the closing wheels 22, 23.
[0071] The actuator 71 can be extended and/or retracted by
selectively increasing or decreasing an amount of pressure supplied
through a pressure line to the actuator 71. The amount of pressure
supplied to the actuator 61 will also determine how much down force
is transferred from the press wheel arm assembly 64 to the closing
wheel arm assembly 63. A furrow closing assemblies 60 on an
agricultural planter can be operated simultaneously by connecting
the actuators 71 in parallel to a common pressure source and using
an in-cab control system to vary the pressure to the actuators
71.
[0072] A furrow closing assembly 80 according to a fourth
embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 23 to 27.
Referring to FIG. 23, there is shown a side elevation view of a
planter row unit 81 equipped with a furrow closing assembly 80 of
the present invention. FIGS. 24 to 27 show additional views of the
planter row unit 81 equipped with the furrow closing assembly 80,
including a bottom view in FIG. 24, an isometric view in FIG. 25,
another isometric view in FIG. 26, and a rear view in FIG. 27.
[0073] The furrow closing assembly 80 of the fourth embodiment is
designed for use with existing planters that have closing wheel
assemblies 82 and press wheel assemblies 83 attached to the row
unit subframe 84 at separate locations, such as Case-IH Model 1200
planters. In such planters, a portion of the row unit subframe 84
protrudes rearwardly from a location between the furrow opener
discs 85, and the closing wheel assembly 82 is pivotally mounted to
that portion of the subframe 84.
[0074] The furrow closing assembly 80 of the fourth embodiment is
similar to furrow closing assemblies used on existing Case-IH Model
1200 planters, except that the first and second down-force systems
are different. The first down-force system 86 in the fourth
embodiment includes a first actuator 87 that can be operated
remotely, such as a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or an
electric actuator. For example, the first actuator 87 can be a
hydraulic or pneumatic actuator having a first end 88 connected to
an attachment point on the subframe 84, and a second end 89
connected to the positioning bracket 90 on the press wheel assembly
83.
[0075] The first actuator 87 provides a means for adjusting the
first down-force system 86 remotely to change an amount of down
force imparted thereby. The first actuator 87 can be extended
and/or retracted by selectively increasing or decreasing an amount
of pressure supplied through a pressure line to the first actuator
87. The amount of pressure supplied to the first actuator 87 will
also determine how much down force is imparted to the press wheel
arm assembly 83. A plurality of furrow closing assemblies 80 on an
agricultural planter can be adjusted simultaneously by connecting
the first actuators 87 in parallel to a common pressure source and
using an in-cab control system to vary the pressure to the first
actuators 87.
[0076] The second down-force system 91 in the fourth embodiment
includes a second actuator 92 that can be operated remotely, such
as a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or an electric
actuator. For example, the second actuator 92 can be a hydraulic or
pneumatic actuator having a first end 93 connected to the
positioning bracket 90 on the press wheel arm assembly 83, and a
second end 94 connected to the closing wheel arm assembly 82.
[0077] The second actuator 92 provides a means for adjusting the
second down-force system 91 remotely to change an amount of down
force imparted thereby. The second actuator 92 can be extended
and/or retracted by selectively increasing or decreasing an amount
of pressure supplied through a pressure line to the second actuator
92. The amount of pressure supplied to the second actuator 92 will
also determine how much down force is transferred from the press
wheel arm assembly 83 to the closing wheel arm assembly 82. A
plurality of furrow closing assemblies 90 on an agricultural
planter can be adjusted simultaneously by connecting the second
actuators 92 in parallel to a common pressure source and using an
in-cab control system to vary the pressure to the second actuators
92.
[0078] While the invention has been specifically described in
connection with specific embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that this is by way of illustration and not of
limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be
construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.
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