Patent ID: 8336468
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: A01B,A01C

Abstract:
1. A furrow opener apparatus adapted for attachment to a frame member of an agricultural seeding implement, the apparatus comprising: a trailing arm adapted to be pivotally attached at a front end thereof to the frame member about an arm pivot axis oriented substantially horizontally and perpendicular to an operating travel direction of the implement, and the trailing arm extending rearward from the front end thereof; a packer wheel rotatably attached to a rear end of the trailing arm, and a furrow opener attached to the trailing arm forward of the packer wheel; an actuator provided by an extendable hydraulic cylinder, the actuator operative to selectively move the trailing arm about the arm pivot axis from a lowered operating position to a raised transport position, and from the raised transport position to the lowered operating position; a latch mechanism operative to engage the frame member and the trailing arm when the trailing arm is moved to the transport position, such that the trailing arm is prevented from moving downward if the hydraulic cylinder leaks when the latch mechanism is in a latched position; and a release mechanism operative to move the latch mechanism to an unlatched position, where the frame member and trailing arm are disengaged, when the actuator is operated to move the trailing arm from the raised transport position to the lowered operating position.