Abstract:
A tilling cultivator and associated method is disclosed for strip tilling cover crop in preparation for primary crop planting. The tiller includes a pressing drum having a band coulter for cutting surface and subsurface cover crop residue roots and compressing the cover crop into the soil. A trailing shank just behind and aligned with the coulter clears debris from the planting furrow, and a pair of staggered wavy coulters behind the shank closes any shank voids. A rolling basket or other optional soil conditioners trail behind the planting furrow to create a suitable seedbed for primary crop planting. The apparatus and an associated method of use aids in cover crop decomposition and pre-plant field preparation.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of filing priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 and 37 C.F.R. §1.78 of the U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/560,806 filed Nov. 17, 2011, for a PRE-PLANT STRIP TILLER FOR USE WITH COVER CROPS. All information disclosed in that prior provisional application is incorporated herein by reference 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to tillage farming implements trailed behind farm tractors such as field cultivators. In particular, the present invention relates to crop tillers having pressure rollers. In greater particularity, the present invention relates to tillers and cultivators that prepare crop fields having residue or cover crops planted therein just before spring planting. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Reduced tillage strategies are popular in farming. Reduced tillage techniques include no tilling, strip tilling, mulch tilling, rotational tilling, and ridge tilling. Of these tillage techniques, strip tilling often referred to as “strip-till” is a conservation system that uses a minimum of tillage by focusing tillage actions on the intended seed bed or seed furrow while leaving the surrounding areas relatively undisturbed. Strip tilling combines the soil drying and warming benefits of conventional tillage with the soil-protecting advantages of no tilling at all by disturbing only the seed row portion of the soil. Another benefit of strip tilling is that a farmer can apply chemicals and fertilizer at the same time as tillage. 
     Some of the more immediate benefits of strip tilling include the field-wide preservation of soil colloids, soil pores, and root channels from previous crops, and strip tilling also preserve crop residue which aids in the buildup of soil organic matter. Additionally, the presence of large pores in the soil increases water percolation and improves crop rooting. Long-term research studies have shown that utilization of strip tilling and strategic fertilizer placement improves yield potential, including the preservation of water, soil, and improved plant health. Soils that were managed under strip tilling conditions generally have more beneficial worms per square foot, more frequent and larger soil pores per square inch, greater percent organic matter, faster water infiltration rates, and greater crop yields compared to soils that were managed under conventional-tillage. That is most likely the reason that strip tilling acreage in the Great Plains has greatly increased since the year 2000. 
     Strip tilling also has many economic benefits. Strip tillage reduces the amount of trips through a field to two or possibly even one when using a strip till implement combined with a planter. This can save the farmer a considerable amount of time and fuel, and it reduces soil compaction due to the press weight of tractors in a field. With the use of GPS guided tractors, precision farming can increase overall yields even more. 
     Strip tilling is also used effectively in the preparation of a field for planting in which cover crops have been planted. Cover crops are planted primarily to manage soil fertility, soil quality, water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity and wildlife in agro-ecosystems, ecological systems managed and largely shaped by humans across a range of intensities to produce food, feed, or fiber. However, two primary uses of cover crops are emerging in the U.S. to augment farming strategies. First, cover crops are often used as an alternative to herbicide weed controls; and second cover crops are used for conservation, such as water and soil conservation. 
     In reduced tillage strategies, weed suppression can be problematic, and expensive. Fields left uncultivated tend to breed weeds and especially those weeds that have become resistance to herbicidal management which tend to proliferate in farming communities. Hence, reduced tilling may cause an increase in total farm expenses because herbicides are used in place of cultivation for weed suppression. 
     For example, weeds such as Morningglory, Pigweed (including Palmer amaranth), Lambsquarters, Marestail, Waterhemp, Giant and common ragweed, Velvetleaf, Eastern Black Nightshade, and Kochia are a prevalent and increasing problem in different parts of the country. Palmer amaranth (aka “Pigweed”— Amaranthus palmeri ) is particularly relevant to the Southeast where it is a recurring problem for farmers there. Most of these varieties are becoming herbicide resistant, and farmers are seeking alternatives to herbicides to combat the invasion of these weeds. Therefore, farmers using reduced tillage methods are always looking for ways to combat the weed proliferation problem. 
     One alternative to herbicides is to use cover crops to cover the ground and crowd out weeds between primary crop growing seasons. A thick cover crop will compete well with weeds during the cover crop growth period, and can prevent most germinated weed seeds from completing their life cycle and reproducing. If the cover crop is left on the soil surface rather than incorporated into the soil as a green manure after its growth is terminated, it can form a nearly impenetrable mat. This drastically reduces light transmittance to weed seeds, which in many cases reduces weed seed germination rates. Furthermore, even when weed seeds germinate, they often run out of stored energy for growth before building the necessary structural capacity to break through the cover crop mulch layer, thereby smothering the weed seeds before maturing into a reproducing plant. Hence, cover crops are becoming a viable alternative to the use of ever increasing quantities of herbicides. 
     By reducing soil erosion, cover crops often also reduce both the rate and quantity of water that drains off the field, which would normally pose environmental risks to waterways and ecosystems downstream. Cover crop biomass acts as a physical barrier between rainfall and the soil surface, allowing raindrops to steadily trickle down through the soil profile. Also, as stated above, cover crop root growth results in the formation of soil pores, which in addition to enhancing soil macro-fauna habitat, and provides pathways for water to filter through the soil profile rather than draining off the field as surface flow. With increased water infiltration, the potential for soil water storage and the recharging of aquifers can be improved, as well as generally increasing the soil moisture content. 
     Cover crops also can conserve water in another manner. Just before cover crops are killed, such as by mowing, tilling, disc mulching, rolling, or a herbicide application, the cover crop plants contain large amounts of moisture. When the cover crop is incorporated into the soil, or left on the soil surface, it increases soil moisture. In addition, in agro-ecosystems where water for crop production is in short supply, cover crops can be used as a mulch to conserve water by shading and cooling the soil surface, thereby reducing the evaporation of soil moisture. 
     Although cover crops can perform multiple functions in an agro-ecosystem simultaneously, they are often grown for the sole purpose of preventing soil erosion. Soil erosion is a process that can irreparably reduce the productive capacity of an agro-ecosystem. However, dense cover crop stands physically slow down the velocity of rainfall before it contacts the soil surface, preventing soil splashing and erosive surface runoff, and cover crop root networks help anchor the soil in place and increase soil porosity, creating suitable habitat networks for soil macro-fauna. 
     However, while the use of cover crops in combination with strip tilling have significant advantages to increase crop yields and over-all economic advantages, cover crops must be tilled to some degree prior to primary crop planting. The use of strip tilling with cover crops is the optimal strategy, but using an optimal strip tilling procedure can be elusive, due to the dense foliage of cover crops and due to the strong network of roots developed by cover crops. This can require a farmer to make multiple tilling passes over a cover crop field to properly prepare the field for planting, thereby costing the farmer more in gas, time, and labor, and defeating the very purpose of strip tilling. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a farming implement to allow for the efficient preparation of a farm field having a cover crop just prior to primary crop planting process, while creating a superior seedbed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention consists of a tilling apparatus and associated method suitable for tilling a cover crop field in a single pass, including providing a consistent planting row depth and creating a proper seedbed. The invention includes a series of band coulters surrounding a roller or press drum that cuts surface and subsurface cover crop residue and compresses the cover crop residue into the soil. A trailing shank just behind and aligned with the coulter clears debris from the planting furrow, and a pair of staggered wavy coulters behind the shank closes any shank voids. A rolling basket or an optional furrow drum trail behind shank to create a suitable seedbed for primary crop planting. The apparatus and an associated method of use aid in cover crop decomposition and pre-plant field preparation. 
     Other features and objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description as well as a study of the appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A tiller incorporating the features of the invention is depicted in the attached drawings which form a portion of the disclosure and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of the tiller; 
         FIG. 2A  is a top aerial view of the tiller; 
         FIG. 2B  is a rear elevational view of the tiller; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the tiller; 
         FIG. 4A  is a lower perspective view of the arrangement of the press drum, band coulter, and trailing shank; 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the tiller assembly; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a section of the press drum and the band coulter; 
         FIG. 5B  is a top aerial view of the press drum assembly held by the tiller frame; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of one type of furrow conditioner; 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of another type of furrow conditioner; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the tiller assembly during tilling; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic view showing the spatial relationship between the press drum, band coulter, and trailing shank; 
         FIG. 9  is a top aerial view of another embodiment of the tiller; 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the tiller; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the press drum with multiple installed band coulters; 
         FIG. 11A  is an inset view of the end-cap support shafts supporting the ends of the press drum; and, 
         FIG. 12  is a step flow diagram of the tilling method used in association with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings for a better understanding of the function and structure of the invention,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the tiller  10  when in use in a farm field. The tiller  10  is designed to be pulled by a tractor  11  to till multiple rows of soil  15  for planting seeds to grow various types of farm crops and vegetation (not illustrated). In particular, the tiller  10  is designed to till either live or killed cover crops in preparation for planting of a primary crop during the growing season. The tiller  10  is primarily a type of “strip tiller” because aside from cover crop compaction narrow strips of planting rows are tilled while leaving the surrounding compacted cover crop intact. 
     Pursuant to  FIG. 1 , a standard hitch  16  allows for the connection of the tiller  10  to tractor  11  such that hydraulic control by the tractor  11  over the tiller is maintained. The structure of the hitch  16  permits the operator of the tractor  11  to raise and lower the tiller  10  to accommodate different types of field conditions and for ease of transportation. However, once positioned in suitable alignment with a group of planting rows, the tiller  10  is typically lowered fully onto the field surface and dragged behind the tractor. Settings on the tiller  10 , allow for adjustments to tilling depth pursuant to varying types of crops and field soil composition, as will be discussed. 
     As may be seen in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , hitch  16  is robustly connected to a support frame  12  to hydraulically control the frame. The support frame has two parallel beams  13   a , and  13   b , with  13   b  being positioned toward the rear of the tiller  10 . As may be understood, beam  13   b  may also be referred to as a “tool bar” because a plurality of tilling “tools” typically depend rearward from the beam  13   b . Beams  13  are connected with a series of welded lateral cross beams  17  and have their ends connected by two welded end plates  14 . Tiller assembles  18  are connected to tool bar  13   b  and trail behind it. Each tiller assembly  18  has, in turn, a soil conditioner  71  that trails behind the assembly  18 . Each assemble  18  also includes a pressure spring assembly  22  for biasing the tiller assembly  18  downward. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , it may be seen that tiller  10  is supported over the soil surface  15  by two support or “gauge” wheels  19 , and a series of axially aligned press drums or rollers  31  mounted to frame  12  via angled drum support beams  46 . For the purposes of describing the invention, the terms press drum, press roller, or roller shall be used interchangeably to describe a rolling cylindrical implement of predetermined length having a consistent exterior surface, as exemplified by roller  31  shown in the figures. The wheels  19  may be adjusted by adjustable angle journal brackets  20 , as is known in the art, to adjust the height of the frame  12  over the soil surface as it moves over a planting field. Six support beams  46  that support the drums  31  are rotatably affixed to mounting bracket  49  and supported at their ends by beams  13   a,b . Each end of drum  31  is mounted to the beam  46  by a journal and bearing assembly  48 , preferably using a flange type bearing. Press drum  31  is positioned to a distance below frame  12  by gauge plate  47  such that as the tiller moves forward the majority of weight of the tiller  10  is borne by drum  31  upon the soil surface  15 . Tilling shank  26  is positioned rearward of drum  31  and just below it in depth. Shank support arm  27  is mounted to the rearward edge of beam  13   b  in robust arrangement with shank tip  28  extending just below drum  31  as shown. Shank tip  28  may be of any number of known types of shank tips, such as sweeps, winged tips, or ridges, to control the flow of excavated soil and debris. 
     Tilling assembly  18  also includes one or two pairs of wavy coulters  56  mounted to the tiller assembly frame  23  at cross members  24 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , coulters  56  are staggered in orientation to one another and may include two or four coulters in a tilling assembly  18 . For example, the left three assemblies  18  of  FIG. 2A  include four wavy coulters and two of the three right assemblies  18  include only two wavy coulters. The depth of each coulter  56  is set by a mounting bracket holding a support post for each coulter. Alternatively, a set of rolling tires  56   a  may be positioned alongside or on top of the furrow  58  to smooth the soil and compress any vegetation down further. The use of rolling tires  56   a  in place of coulters  56  may also obviate the need for additional soil conditioners trailing behind the tilling assembly, such as those described in  FIGS. 6A-6B . 
       FIG. 4A  shows the positional relationship between the press drum  31 , a band coulter assembly  33 , and shank  26 . Shank  26  trails drum  31  and aligns shank tip  28  with band coulter assembly  33 . Shank tip  28  extends below the outer circumference of band coulter assembly  33  by at least several inches so that it protrudes into the soil  15  deeper than the band coulter&#39;s cutting edge  37 . Journal and bearing  48  assembly support drum shaft  44  and drum assembly  31  on drum support beam  46  at the end of each drum assembly  31  so that the drum can rotate freely. 
       FIG. 4B  shows the tiller assembly  18  arranged with four wavy coulters  56  mounted to the assembly frame  21  at parallel cross members  24 . Wavy coulters smooth soil around a furrow created by shank  26  as it proceeds forward through the soil to close up any voids created by the shank  26 . Wavy coulters are positioned in a staggered arrangement just behind shank  26  for optimal furrow conditioning. 
       FIG. 5A  shows press drum assembly  31  along its rotating axis  35  positioned vertically. Press drum  31  includes a steel drum  32  having a hollow interior  41 , with its band coulter assembly  33  affixed to the surface  39  of drum  32 . Band coulter  36  is mounted onto drum  32  with a pair of mounting plates  34   a,b  and a series of bolts  38 . Coulter  36  is slid over drum  32  at one end or the other, and positioned against a mounting band  40  welded onto the surface  39 . The mounting plates  34   a,b  are then bolted against the coulter and mounting band  40  with the bolts  38  through a series of aligned holes in each, thereby rigidly securing the coulter onto the drum  32 , but allowing the coulter to be demounted for maintenance. Coulter  36  may also be formed from two separate pieces covering 180 degrees each of the drum surface, and then bolted onto the mounting band  40  to further facilitate removal and replacement. Preferably, drum  31  has a length of 72 inches, an interior diameter of 12 inches, and consists of standard 12 inch weld casing pipe having % of an inch wall thickness. The diameter of the band coulter  33  can vary depending upon the type of crop application, but a typical diameter is 20-24 inches, with 21 inches being optimal. Coulter blade width (i.e. cutting depth) can vary from between 4 and 6 inches, with 5½ inches being optimal. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , press drum  31  is mounted between support beams  46  on journal assemblies  48 . Band coulter assemblies  33  are aligned with shank tip  28  to facilitate furrow clearing by shank  26  after coulter  33  cuts surface and sub-surface soil  15 , as will be discussed. The configuration showing in  FIG. 5B  shows a relatively short roller  31  having only two coulters  33  installed on the drum surface  39 , with three rollers axial aligned between support beam  13   a  and  13   b . The embodiment showing 10 is preferred by the inventors, but various other numerical configurations of rollers and coulters are possible. For example, instead of the disclosed configuration of three rollers each holding two coulters (i.e. 6 planting rows), a single roller holding six coulters is possible, as will be shown below (i.e. 6 planting rows), or two rollers with four coulters (i.e. 8 planting rows), or one roller with four coulters (i.e. 4 planting rows), or a single roller with four coulters and having two fold-up rollers, one on each side with 3 coulters each (i.e. 12 planting rows). Hence, the inventors contemplate that various numerical roller and coulter mounting permutations would be available to the operator of the herein described invention. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  show two types of seedbed soil conditioners  71  that may be trailed behind tiller assembly  18 .  FIG. 6A  shows a seedbed roller having a support arm  72  that is rotatably connected to the rear of tiller assembly frame  21 . The roller  74  is typically flat-surfaced to smooth the soil as it passes underneath the roller  74 .  FIG. 6B  shows a pair of conditioners affixed to frame  21  in the same manner, but trails instead of a pair of rotating implements. Frame  76  holds in its forward part a soil crumbler  78  for dissipating large soil conglomerates, and a rolling basket  79  to further reduce the size of the soil particles, thereby providing a porous seedbed to facilitate water penetration and plant root proliferation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , it may be seen how the tiller  10  operates in a crop field. As tractor  11  pulls tiller  10  forward  45 , roller  31  moves forward as the leading edge of the tiller  10  to engage crops or crop residue. The tiller  10  is oriented by the tractor operator with hitch  16  so that majority of the weight of tiller  10  resides on the roller  31 . As the roller  31  moves forward, it presses cover crops (or crop residue) against roller surface  39  causing the crops to be crushed and compressed against soil surface  15 . Simultaneously, band coulter  36  slices through compressed foliage on the soil surface  15  along furrow center line  58 , and slices through any sub-surface roots or residue. Shank support arm  27  and tip  28  clear a furrow along the furrow line  58 , thereby removing any type of crop debris and pushing up debris and soil on either side of the center line  58 . At least a pair of wavy coulters  56  then spreads any furrow ridges or mounds created by the shank  26  adjacent to furrow center line  58  to fill in any furrow voids created by tiller shank  26 . A second pair of wavy coulters  58  (not shown) may provide further smoothing of ridges or mounds. As may be seen, shank  26  is aligned with band coulter blade  36  along line  58  and, preferably, aligned with an intended furrow in the crop field. A pressure spring assembly  22  maintains constant down-force on tiller assembly  18  to maintain continuous contact of tiller  10  on soil surface  15  and a consistence tilling depth of the shank  26  relative to the roller  31 . 
       FIG. 8  represents another embodiment of the tiller  10  and provides a clearer picture of the relationship between the band coulter assembly  33 , roller  31 , and tiller shank  26 . Shank tip  28  trails behind coulter blade cutting edge  37  a distance of A  61  as coulter blade  36  cuts through ground surface  67  to a depth of F  68 . Drum surface  39  presses against ground surface  67  as it rotates forward, thereby supporting the majority of weight of tiller  10  on the ground surface  67 . Shank tip  28  is positioned to a depth of C  63  below the ground surface, and trails behind the press drum center rotation axis  35  a distance of B, and shank arm  27  trails behind blade edge  37  just above the ground surface a distance of D  64 . If present, wings or tip ridges may raise above tip  28  to a distance below the ground surface of E  66 . 
     The relative dimension of A  61  through F  68  will vary depending upon farming location, soil conditions, and weather. For example, sandy soil conditions might require the tiller operator to raise up the shank  26  thereby decreasing the depth C  63  and move the shank  26  forward relative to the roller  32  thereby decreasing the distance A  61  behind the cutting edge  37 . A typical set of spatial dimensions for A  61  through F  68  in the Southeastern United States, which has relatively sandy soil, would be a shank depth C  63  of 16 inches, a trailing shank tip distance A  61  of 6 inches, a shank wing depth E  66  of 6 inches, and a shank arm  27  distance D  64  of 26 inches. The roller  32  has a diameter of 10¾ inches and the band coulter disc diameter is 22 inches. Hence, the band coulter  36  has a cutting blade depth F  68  through the ground surface  67  of approximately 5% inches. 
     It will be noticed that in the embodiment of coulter assembly  33  and roller assembly in  FIG. 8  that band coulter  36  has a series of support ridges  70  formed in its surface between the mounting plates  34  and the blade edge  37 . These ridges are longitudinally oriented toward the center rolling axis of the coulter such that they provide additional support to the coulter  36  as it cuts through crop surface residue and root residue, but without inhibiting the cutting effect of the coulter blade  36 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-11 , it may be seen that the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8  presents some changes to first embodiment of tiller  10 . Embodiment  80  rearranges some elements of tiller  10  so that tiller shank  26  may be spring biased against the ground so that in the event that the shank  26  encounters a strong root or a subsurface rock, it may raise upward to surmount the obstacle without damage to the shank tip  28  nor to the arm  27  and reset to the original depth. Embodiment  80  also presents a configuration in which a single roller is used to till multiple crop rows. 
     Gauge wheels  19  are relocated inside at least one tiller assembly  81  as shown to provide more interior support to tool bar  13   b . Four vertical pairs of support members  82  rigidly connect tool bar  13   b  to two smaller aligned, trailing tool bars  13   c , to which a series of soil conditioner assemblies  71  are affixed. It will also be noticed that pairs of wavy coulters  56  are attached the tool bar  13   c , thereby leaving tiller shank assembly  81  as the primary support for the shank  26 . A single roller  31  spans the length of tool bar  13   b , having 6 coulter assemblies  33  mounted on the roller. The embodiment includes front and rear stands  84 , 83 , to support the tiller  80  when detached from tractor  11 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , single roller  31  is rotatably supported by two drum support assemblies  50 ,  50 ′ each having a pillow bearing assembly  86 . The support assemblies  50 ,  50 ′ serve a similar support function to the angled support arm  46  and gauge bar  47  in the configuration of the preferred embodiment  10 . Depending upon the hydraulic power available to tractor  11  to lift hitch  16 , some tractors might require a hydraulic lift-assist to be attached to bar  13   b  in order to lift rear tool bar  13   b  with its attached tiller assemblies. The tiller shank assemblies  81  each have a pair of springs as shown to bias the shank downward to a selected depth into the soil, while allowing for shank to travel upward to pass over obstacles in the soil. 
       FIG. 11  shows the roller and support structure for it in the embodiment  80 . Roller support assembly  50  includes a downwardly angled support bar  53  rotatably coupled to rear angled support member  54  via side bracket  55 , with the combination securely clamped to tool bar  13   b  via clamps  51 . The bottom of rear angled support member  54  includes a pillow bearing assembly  86  that fits over a shaft  119  that extends from the inside of roller  31 . 
     As shown in inset  FIG. 11A , a support shaft weldment  115  includes a shaft  119  and two discs  117   a,b  rigidly spaced from one another by four (4) gussets  118  such that disc  117   a  is positioned at about the mid-point of shaft  119 . The weldment  115  is sized such that it may be inserted into the end of the roller  31  to tightly fit the inner circumference of roller  31 , with disc  11   a  welded to the inner circumference of the roller adjacent to its end, leaving a portion at the end  116  of shaft  119  extending along axis  35  outside of the roller. As may be understood, the central rotation axis  35  and the rotation axis of shaft  119  must be closely aligned so that roller  31  rotates equidistantly around axis  35  as shaft  119  rotates. After welding, disc  117   a  serves to seal the end of roller and provide a rigid support to the roller. The end of shaft  119  may then be inserted into pillow bearing assembly  86  and repeated with assembly  50 ′ so that roller  31  is able to freely rotate below front beam  13   a  and rear tool bar beam  13   b.    
     As shown, six band coulters  33  are installed along the surface of roller  31  in the manner described above, with a spacing G  59  between each coulter arranged to match a predetermined crop row width, depending upon the crop and soil conditions of the farming field area. As may be understood, shorter tiller assemblies having rollers and coulters of varying lengths may be arranged as “wings” to the left and right of the configuration shown in  FIGS. 9-11  to accommodate larger parallel row tilling, such as for example two (3) three row wings on each side of the (6) six coulter configuration  80  so that 12 rows may be tilled in a single pass. 
     Utilizing either tiller  10  or tiller embodiment  80 , a consistent tillage may be achieved on live cover crop or cover crop residue to achieve the benefits of planting a cover crop with a minimum of tillage labor, as may be seen in  FIG. 12 . At the start  201 , the tractor operator adjusts the height of the tiller  10  (or 80) to accommodate planting field conditions  202 , and positions the tractor and tiller  10  (or 80) such that each band coulter  33  (and shank  26 ) is aligned  203  with an intended planting furrow center line  58 . The operator then lowers the tiller  10  to engage the soil surface  203  while moving forward at a 2-8 mph pace. The pace is determined by the density of the cover crop or crop residue that is present in the planting field, as is known in the art. As the tiller  10  progresses through the field, four or five simultaneous events  204  occur resulting from the structure of the tiller  10 , each occurring at a different position in the intended furrow, but each occurring simultaneously in time. First, press roller  31  compresses the cover crop into a highly compressed mat  206  while slicing a 4-6 inch deep division in the surface and sub-surface soil  15  along the furrow center line  58   207 . The penetration of the shank and band coulter into the soil is controlled by the position of the gauge bar  47  and by adjustment of support wheels  19  via journal bracket  20 , and can vary by cover crop type, growth density, and soil type. The shank  26  then clears a furrow directly behind the band coulter  33  and removes debris from the furrow along the center line  58   208 . Multiple wavy coulters  56 , then collapse ridges or mounds created by the shank  26  so that a relatively smooth planting bed is achieved  209 . Trailing soil conditioners  71  may further condition the seedbed to create an optimal soil medium. Either replacing trailing soil conditioners  71  or trailing behind the soil conditioners, a planter may optionally deposit seeds into the created seedbed  210  so that an additional planting pass is obviated. After a single group of parallel planting rows is prepared, additional rows may be tilled  212  if any remain  211  until the field preparation is finished and ready for the included step of seed planting or for a separately timed planting operation. 
     While I have shown my invention in one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.