Abstract:
A fertilizer stabilizer tank and tank mounting system for mounting the tank to the tongue or hitch frame of a fertilizer applicator is provided. The mounting system mounts the stabilizer tank in a manner that does not interfere with operation of the tractor or reconfiguration of the applicator as the applicator is folded/unfolded.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 61/512,314 filed Jul. 27, 2011. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to farm implements and, more particularly, to an apparatus for mounting a liquid fertilizer tank to the tongue or hitch frame of a fertilizer applicator. 
     Pre-plant fertilizer implements, such as the Case New Holland Nutri-Placer 940, are designed to apply fertilizer and specifically anhydrous ammonia during seed bed preparation. The fertilizer implement generally consists of a tool bar or main frame that can be hitched to a tractor other towing vehicle. Working tools, or combinations of working tools, such as shanks, coulters, knives, banders, and the like, can be mounted to the main frame and are designed to manage crop residue, improve soil tilth, and band plant food in the root zone. As the working tools are pulled through the soil, fertilizer, such as anhydrous ammonia, is routed from a tank hitched to the trailing end of the implement to fertilizer outlets integrally formed or mounted adjacent the working tools. 
     Farming practices continue to demand larger (“wider”) implements to reduce the time needed to cultivate or prepare or plant a seedbed. This is also true of fertilizer applicators or implements. For instance, it is not uncommon for a fertilizer implement to have more than twenty working tools. The aforementioned Nutri-Placer 940, for example, can be fitted to have more than fifty shanks on fifteen inch centers across its sixty-five foot frame. A fertilizer hose is typically routed to each working tool and to ensure fertilizer consistency (“even application”) across the width of the implement, each hose is preferably the same length. This can result in several hundred feet of hose being routed from the fertilizer tank, which is typically towed behind the implement, to the working tools. Needless to say, this can create a relatively congested fertilizer applicator. Adding to the congestion is that a fertilizer applicator will typically include manifolds and other items required to move fertilizer from a rearward towed fertilizer tank. 
     Many farmers prefer to mix the fertilizer stabilizer with the fertilizer, e.g., anhydrous ammonia, before the fertilizer is applied to the seedbed. Stabilizers, such as N-Serve from ConAgra, improve fertilizer attachment to the soil and thus fertilizer retention. Better retention reduces fertilizer consumption and costs without sacrificing plant performance. A common approach is to mix the stabilizer with the fertilizer in the fertilizer tank; however, many stabilizers are highly corrosive and can damage the fertilizer tank over time. Another approach is to mount a liquid stabilizer tank to the implement frame itself; however, the congestion of the hoses, manifolds, valves, pumps, and the like can make that difficult. As many applicators are of the fold-up or front-folding type, the number of available frame-mounted positions is limited. It is also imperative that the stabilizer tank not interfere with operation of the tractor, such as during headland turns. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to a fertilizer stabilizer tank and tank mounting system for mounting the tank to the tongue or hitch frame of a fertilizer applicator in a manner that does not interfere with operation of the tractor or reconfiguration of the applicator as the applicator is folded/unfolded. 
     Other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a farming system having a fertilizer applicator; and 
         FIGS. 2-4  are views of fertilizer stabilizer tank and tank mounting system according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , the present invention will be described with respect to a farming system  10  having a fertilizer applicator  12  that is hitched to a tractor  14 . It is understood however the present invention could be used with other types of farming or construction implements and that other types of towing vehicles could be used to tow the implement. The fertilizer applicator  12  generally consists of a frame  16  formed by a series of interconnected, i.e., welded, frame members  18 , to which one or more types of working tools are mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, the working tools include coulters  20 , knives  22 , and cultivators  24 . As known in the art, the working tools are designed to manage crop residue and prepare the soil bed for an upcoming seeding. 
     In addition to managing crop residue, preparing the seed bed commonly includes adding plant food and other nutrients to the soil. In this regard, the fertilizer applicator  12  includes a hose arrangement  26  that consists of a number of preferably equal-length hoses  28  extending from a fertilizer source, which is not shown but is typically towed behind the fertilizer applicator  12 , to respective ones of the working tools. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet (not shown) of each hose  28  sits generally adjacent a respective knife  22  so that fertilizer is deposited into the soil as the knives  22  cut through the soil and the crop residue. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 2-4 , the fertilizer applicator  12  includes a liquid stabilizer tank  30  that is attached to the hitch frame  32  (“tongue”) of the fertilizer applicator  12  by a mount  34 . The mount  34  is positioned along the length of the hitch frame  32  so as to not interfere with operation of the tractor  14  or the fertilizer applicator  12  when it is being folded to a transport or stowed position. 
     The mount  34  generally consists of four legs  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  extending obliquely from respective feet  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 , which are secured to the hitch frame  32  using clamps  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  or other fasteners. The legs  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  support a generally planar lower frame  60  that is attached to a convex upper frame  62  extends to form a saddle onto which the tank  30  sits. The lower frame  60  has a central opening  64  to enable pumps and the like associated with operation of the tank  30  to extend below the tank  30  in a conventional manner. In the illustrated embodiment, crossbars  66 ,  68  extending from the forward feet  44 ,  48  to the upper portions of the forward legs  36 ,  38  to provide additional stability for the tank  30 . In one embodiment, the tank is a fifty gallon tank. As shown in the figures, the mount  34  is configured so that the tank  30  sits parallel to the direction of travel. 
     As noted above, the mount  34  is secured to the hitch frame  32  and thus sits between the tractor  14  and the frame  16  to which the working tools are mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the legs  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  elevates the upper frame  62  and thus the tank  30  to allow clearance for the hydraulic actuator  70  used for leveling the frame  16 . 
     Many changes and modifications could be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. The scope of these changes will become apparent from the appended claims.