Patent ID: 8047299
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: A01B

Abstract:
1. A crop residue conditioning and incorporation implement comprising: a frame extending along a longitudinal axis and supported above a supporting surface, the frame having a forward end connectable to a tow vehicle and a rearward end, the frame having a plurality of spaced longitudinally frame members, and the frame having a forward end connected to a tow vehicle and the rearward end; a first conditioner pivotably connected to a first transverse frame member for conditioning a crop residue, the first conditioner movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position independent of the frame, the first conditioner including a central hub extending along and being rotatable about a first axis transverse to the crop residue conditioning and incorporating implement travel direction, a plurality of blades circumferentially spaced about and project radially from the central hub, the first crop residue conditioner including arms extending from opposite ends thereof connected to a stalk chopper subframe pivotally connected to the first transverse frame member; a second conditioner pivotably connected to the frame at a location longitudinally spaced from the first conditioner for conditioning the crop residue, the second conditioner connected to a second transverse frame member and movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position independent of the frame, the second conditioner having first and second set of cutting disks positioned in a single line on the second transverse frame member which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame and the direction of travel, each set of cutting disks provided on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the frame, the first set of disks positioned to lie in a plane that is generally parallel to each other, the second set of disks positioned to lie in a plane opposite of the first set of disks, first and second sets of cutting disks positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, each cutting disk including a radially outer edge lying in a plane that intersects the longitudinal axis at an acute angle, wherein the second conditioner incorporates with a supporting soil and levels a mixture of supporting soil and conditioned crop residue, the first and second set of disks positioned in a crossing direction relative to the direction of travel so crop residue is conditioned in crossing directions, the first set of disks positioned to throw soil in a same direction toward the longitudinal axis and cut and mix the crop residue into the supporting soil, the second set of disks positioned to throw soil in an opposite direction relative to the first set of disks and toward the longitudinal axis, the second set of disks positioned to cut and mix the crop residue into the supporting soil; a first plurality of shank assemblies spaced along and pivotably connected to a third transverse extending frame member, the first plurality of shanks positioned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis and direction of travel; a second plurality of shank assemblies positioned immediately behind the first plurality of shank assemblies and the second plurality of shank assemblies positioned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis and direction of travel, each of the second plurality of shank assemblies spaced along and pivotably connected to a fourth transverse extending frame member longitudinally spaced from the first plurality of shank assemblies; and a harrow section pivotably attached to the rearward end of the frame and immediately behind the second plurality of shank assemblies, the harrow section including at least one harrow frame member supporting a plurality of leveling tools, wherein the harrow frame member is positioned transversely and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and direction of travel, and wherein at least one harrow frame member includes opposite transverse ends which each extends transversely beyond each transverse end of other frame members of the implement to smooth surface supporting soil.