Patent ID: 8857529
Filing Date: 2014-10-14
Classification: A01B,A01C,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of seeding, comprising: opening a valley in a field with a hoe opener while the hoe opener is in a ground engaging position; controlling a depth of the valley via a packer wheel assembly having a packer wheel mounted to a bracket, wherein the packer wheel is positioned directly behind the hoe opener in a first position while the hoe opener is in the ground engaging position, and the bracket is coupled to a packer wheel arm extending between the bracket and a linkage assembly; shifting the packer wheel in a rearward direction relative to the packer wheel arm to a second position, via a linkage member extending between the packer wheel assembly and a shank coupled to the hoe opener, when the hoe opener encounters an obstruction and moves in the rearward direction toward a disengaged position; shifting the packer wheel in a forward direction relative to the packer wheel arm to the first position, via the linkage member, as the hoe opener transitions to the ground engaging position after the obstruction has been passed by the hoe opener; and maintaining contact between the packer wheel and a soil surface as the packer wheel is shifted in the rearward and forward directions.