Patent ID: 6763896
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: A01B

Abstract:
A one-pass tillage system comprising the combination of:a primary tillage implement adapted to be drawn across the ground by a tractor and including: a frame, a plurality of working units mounted in laterally-spaced relation on said frame, each said working unit comprising a plurality of soil-engaging implements to loosen and break up the soil, the soil-engaging implements being positioned on the frame to cultivate the soil to a depth below a surface of the soil; and a soil conditioning rotary reel associated with the working units, each rotary reel including: an elongate support shaft having first and second opposing ends; a plurality of generally circular support plates affixed to and uniformly spaced along the length of said support shaft, said plurality of support plates including two end plates, one adjacent to but spaced from each said first and second ends of said support shaft, each said support plate having a plurality of connection points regularly spaced along the periphery thereof; a plurality of elongate bars affixed to each support plate, said bars being rectangular in cross-section and each affixed to one of said plurality of connection points on each said support plate such that a relatively thin generally flat edge of the bar is directed generally radially outward; each said bar containing a helical twist and said connection points on said support plates positioned relative to one another on adjacent support plates such that said bars form a helical cutting edge across the width of the reel; and a support structure attached to said frame and said support shaft to maintain said rotary reel in operational position on the ground behind said primary tillage system.