Abstract:
A multi-task single-pass agricultural tillage implement has a plurality of independently engageable and adjustable soil working components successively mounted on a mainframe. The mainframe has a wheel assembly which raises and lowers a plurality of wheels. The mainframe also includes a tongue assembly coupleable to a towing vehicle and a frame pivoting angle adjustment mechanism. Each of the soil working components can be independently and selectively operated separately or in combination with any one or more of the plurality of working components such that each of the plurality of soil working components is independently, selectively operated for optimized single pass tillage. An open spiral chopping reel assembly for use in an agricultural field preparation implement is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/779,176, filed Mar. 15, 2013, entitled “Universal Custom Field Preparation Implement,” the content of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to an implement for use in multi-task tillage of agricultural fields. More particularly, it relates to a universal custom field preparation implement which can be selectively optimized for specialized post-harvest tillage, fall tillage, spring aeration and/or tillage, one-pass tillage for seed bed preparation, and selective broadcast soil entrainment of seed for non-row crops and cover crops, and granular fertilizer, lime, herbicides, pesticides, and the like, for general soil conditioning. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Agricultural field soil tillage is dependent upon many variables, including seasonal activities, such as spring tillage, preparation of seed beds for receiving fertilizer and seed for a variety of crops to be planted, post-harvest summer and fall tillage, crop residue size reduction and soil incorporation, soil preparation for summer or fall seeding of cover and winter crops, late fall tillage to prepare the soil for winter conditions, including freezing, thawing, wind, water, and snow cover conditions, and early spring tillage to open, mix, and warm the soil in preparation for early season planting activities. Additionally, soils vary in type, from sand to loam, to heavier soil with varying clay contents, to rocky, which different soil types each have varying drainage and heating/cooling characteristics. Tillage conditions vary greatly, depending on the previous cropping history of the land, ranging from little or very light crop residue to growing cover crop, to legume and grass sods, to very heavy crop residue such as after corn harvest by combine. Recently developed crop varieties have increased resistance to attack by insects, fungi, and disease. However, the residue from these plants also show decreased levels of degradation after harvest, with both increased root residue, accompanied by soil clods formed around the root remnants, and tough fibrous stalks which are more resistant to cutting and slicing implements. Increasingly, as farming operators are able to increase the amount of acreage they till to optimize their use of and investment in larger and more efficient tractors and machinery, individual farm businesses may be tilling fields separated by considerable distances, with fields located 30 and even 50 miles or more from the operator&#39;s home base, thereby increasing the likelihood that any given farm operator may be experiencing many different soil conditions in any season. Furthermore, such widely dispersed soil tillage during any season of the year greatly increases the likelihood that the farm operator will experience most or all of such variable conditions, including widely disparate wet and dry conditions, during a tillage season, often during the same day. Accordingly, many implements which are highly effective under one set of conditions may be not nearly as effective or totally ineffective under different variable conditions. 
     The need to perform effective soil tillage under such widely varying soil, weather, and crop residue conditions on an almost daily basis has financial implications for such operators. Tillage implements have become increasingly complex in order to carry out single-pass tillage. Such complexity results both from longer implements which carry a variety of implement components over and through the soil for different, successive tillage treatments, to wider implements which enable one tractor to pull implements having tilling widths as wide as up to 45 feet or more. Such implements both minimize the number of trips the tractor must make across a given field, and increase the acreage which can be covered with a single tillage implement during a work day or tillage season in which the amount of land a farm operation can till is directly dependent upon the number of limited hours of available tillage time. For the mobile farmer, implement width is usually limited by the extent to which the width of the implement can be reduced for over-the-road travel by the hinging capability of the implement to pivot and position side wings of the implement over a central, wheeled-carriage main body section to a permissible “wide-load” size which can be transported over available highways. Increasingly, a farm operator may find a need to purchase several costly complex implements to optimize the effectiveness of his tillage under all of the variable soil, residue, weather, and crop types and varieties with which he is engaged. Conversely, implements which include multiple aggressive soil tillage implement components may not be efficient or desirable when less aggressive tillage, requiring less power and fuel, may be adequate. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for a universal custom field preparation implement which can effectively and efficiently optimize tillage capabilities for a wide variety of soil and seasonal tillage requirements. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exemplary embodiment relates to a universal custom field preparation implement comprising a one-pass agricultural tillage implement having a plurality of soil working components successively mounted on a mainframe which can be supported by a plurality of support wheel assemblies coupled to the mainframe having support wheels which can be hydraulically lowered to elevate the components above ground level for transport without engagement of the soil working components over agricultural lands or highways. The mainframe is connected at its from end to a framed tongue assembly which may be connected at its front end to the drawbar of a tractor which can power and control movement of the implement. The wheels can be raised in a controlled manner to lower the frame and components to engage the soil at depths controlled in part by the support wheels, or further raised whereby the depth of engagement of the components is controlled by the weight and configuration of the frame and components and by the engagement of a selected one or more of the components with the soil to be worked by the implement. The soil working components supported by the mainframe of the implement may advantageously include a plurality of front disc gangs which are configured with typically outwardly cupped shallow or ultra-shallow concave discs for varying degrees of “minimal” or “vertical” tillage, with the disc gangs being adjustable between about 0 degrees to 13 or more degrees, as measured with respect to frame members extending perpendicular to the path of travel of the implement, such that the individual disc blades, the edges of which are aligned perpendicularly to the angle of the disc gangs, may engage the soil at angles of approximately 0 degrees to 13 or more degrees to the direction of travel. A line of plural chopping reel assemblies, each reel having a plurality of shallow helical blades extending generally longitudinally of the gangs, is supported by the mainframe closely behind the front disc gangs, to provide vertical chopping or slicing of the soil and vegetation lying on the top of the soil at an angle perpendicular to the line of travel. The chopping reel assemblies are hydraulically actuated to permit the chopping reels to be lowered for controlled depth soil engagement or raised independently of the other working components. The support wheels assemblies are positioned on the mainframe immediately behind the chopping reel assemblies. The support wheel assemblies are followed by a plurality of rear disc gangs generally similar to the front disc gangs except that the shallow discs are typically cupped inwardly toward the center of the mainframe and offset slightly from the front discs to inwardly displace soil displaced outwardly by the front discs so that the soil displaced by the two disc gangs generally ends up in the same area as it was originally encountered. The angle of the rear disc gangs is independently adjustable within the approximate range of 0 degrees to 13 or more degrees with respect to perpendicular to the direction of travel. The rear disc gangs are minimally separated from the front disc gangs by a distance which permits adjustment of the angles of the disc gangs, and which also permits the chopping reel assemblies and the support wheel assemblies to be raised and lowered. The tongue assembly and mainframe may be adjusted to permit engagement of either the front disc gangs, or the rear disc gangs, without engagement of the other. Additionally, a plurality of harrow bar subassemblies are advantageously supported by the mainframe behind the rear disc gangs for smoothing the soil after the discs, and a plurality of pivoting rolling basket support arm assemblies extend from the mainframe to support a plurality of rolling baskets. Both the harrow bar subassemblies and the rolling baskets may be independently adjusted to determine the depth of soil engagement or non-engagement under various operating conditions and soil conditioning objectives. In other embodiments of the invention, the particular soil working components can be varied, with different soil engaging components positioned at the described component positions for different tillage treatments. 
     In another advantageous embodiment, the chopping reel assemblies may include open spiral chopping reels of the invention comprising self-cleaning hubs which support end plates whereby the plurality of helical blades are supported by and between the end plates with one or more annular reinforcement rings positioned between the end plates to structurally connect and reinforce the blades. The helical blades are each replaceable without disassembling the reel assembly. The hub assemblies can be accessed and replaced by removing just one blade from the reel. 
     In another advantageous embodiment, wing assemblies are pivotally attached to the mainframe to effectively double or triple the working width of the implement, with each wing assembly supporting each of the described soil working components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, which bear notations helpful to understand the structure and functions of the illustrated parts, wherein like reference numbers refer to like parts: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the universal custom field preparation implement of the invention, wherein the working components are positioned such that all components will be substantially equally engaged with the soil. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wherein the chopping reel component is positioned for deeper engagement in the soil that the other working components. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wherein the chopping reel component of the invention is in a raised position, and all of the other working components are in a ground engaging position. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wherein the tongue angle is adjusted on the mainframe of the implement for deeper front disc blade engagement, and all of the other working components are adjusted to engage the ground equally. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wherein the tongue angle is adjusted for deeper rear disc blade engagement, and all of the other working components are adjusted to engage the ground equally. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wherein the tongue angle is adjusted so that the rear disc blades are not in contact with the soil and the rest of the components are adjusted for ground engagement. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wherein the implement is in working position with the transport wheels lowered for depth control and stability. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wherein the transport wheels are lowered to raise the implement to headland or transport position. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wherein a pivotally mounted chopping reel is shown with an hydraulic actuator for pivoting the chopping reel about the axis of a frame mounted tubular jack shaft to various working positions between a fully lowered and a raised position, independently of the positions of the tongue or the other working components. 
         FIG. 10  is a partial top view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, including hydraulic actuated side wing assemblies hingedly attached to the mainframe to effectively double the working width of the implement and illustrating front and rear disc gangs angled for aggressive soil and residue management. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , wherein the front and rear disc gangs are illustrated positioned in low-angle, generally straight gang position with individual disc blades aligned nearly parallel to direction of travel for reduced horizontal soil disturbance. 
         FIG. 12  is a partial top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , wherein the front disc gangs are illustrated in a low-angle position for straight slicing and cutting action with minimal horizontal soil disturbance, and the rear disc gangs are illustrated at a more substantial angle for more aggressive horizontal soil disturbance and residue entrainment in the soil. 
         FIG. 13  is a partial side view of the most rearward frame subassembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wherein three-bar harrow sections are schematically illustrated in an engaged position and a trailing, rolling basket is also shown in an engaged position. 
         FIG. 14  is a partial side view of the embodiment of the invention of  FIG. 13 , wherein the harrow sections and rolling basket are schematically illustrated in a disengaged position. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the rear frame subassembly of  FIG. 13 , wherein the three-bar harrow is schematically illustrated in an engaged position and the rolling basket is illustrated in a disengaged position. 
         FIG. 16  is a more inclusive side view of the rear subassembly of  FIG. 13 , showing its attachment to the rear disc frame, wherein the harrow sections are schematically illustrated in a disengaged position, and the rolling basket is illustrated in an engaged position. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , wherein one or more seed and/or fertilizer hoppers are mounted above the mainframe by any suitable and conventional support structure extending upwardly from the mainframe, with seed and/or distribution tubes schematically shown for distributing seed and/or granular materials from the hopper to distributive locations between the chopping reels and rear disc gangs for incorporation into the soil. 
         FIG. 18  is partial top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , illustrating some of the structure of the rear sub-assemblies for supporting the three-bar harrow sections and the lift-arm assemblies for the rear rolling basket components. 
         FIG. 19  is a partial top view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, further illustrating the adjustable angle front disc gangs of a side wing assembly of the exemplary illustrated implement, and also illustrating a castoring gauge wheel mounted to a front disc gang of a wing assembly. 
         FIG. 20  is another partial top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 19 , illustrating the adjustable front disc gangs positioned with disc blades at a lesser angle to the direction of travel than shown in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  are additional partial views of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, showing the relationship between a wing frame and a front disc support beam of a front disc gang and wherein a front castoring gauge wheel is mounted to the disc support beam. 
         FIG. 23  is a side view of an embodiment of  FIG. 1 , wherein the support wheels of the mainframe have been lowered to elevate all of the implements up to a travel position, and wherein a wing assembly attached to the near side of the mainframe is shown folded upward and over the mainframe to reduce the width of the implement as required for transport of the implement on public highways. 
         FIG. 24  is a front view of an exemplary implement such as that shown in  FIG. 10 , wherein each of the side wing assemblies have been pivoted upwardly into a dual-fold travel position to facilitate “wide-load” travel of the unit on public roads to provide access to widely separated working locations. 
         FIG. 25  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an implement similar to that shown in  FIG. 24 , wherein a second side wing assembly is pivotally attached to each first side wing assembly, pivotally attached to a side of the implement mainframe, illustrating the manner in which the two pivotally connected pairs of side wing assemblies are folded into a nearly parallel relationship, and wherein the parallel wing assemblies may then be pivoted to a travel position above the implement mainframe. 
         FIG. 26  is a side elevation view of a castoring gauge wheel assembly of the invention is attached to a front disc gang support beam. 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an improved open spiral chopper reel assembly with field serviceable self-cleaning hubs which is disclosed in the present application. 
         FIG. 28  is a front view of the improved open spiral chopper reel of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of the improved open spiral chopper reel of  FIG. 27 , with the chopper reel frame and hub assemblies removed. 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic end view of the chopper reel end plate and frame end plate without connecting hardware, and without chopper blades attached to the flanges. 
         FIG. 31  is a front view of the improved open spiral chopper reel of  FIG. 27 , with a single blade removed and a hub assembly removed from the left end plate to illustrate the ease of blade and/or hub replacement in the field. 
         FIG. 32  is an exploded view of the field serviceable self-cleaning hub assembly for the improved spiral chopper reel of  FIG. 27 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 1-33 , in which like numbers denote like parts, it is seen that an exemplary embodiment of the universal custom field preparation implement  70  of the present invention consists of a mainframe  20  comprised of welded square tubular steel sections. The mainframe  20  may support and/or be supported by a plurality of support wheel assemblies  30 . The pivotable support wheel assemblies may be raised and lowered with respect to the mainframe  20  by means of hydraulic wheel actuators  31 , which in turn are connected by hydraulic lines (not shown) to the hydraulic controls (not shown) of a tractor in a conventional manner. The mainframe  20  is connected at its front end to a framed tongue  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , and  18 . The front end of tongue  40  may be connected to the drawbar of a tractor  45  in a conventional manner, as schematically shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . The various working and non-working positions of the working components of the universal custom field preparation implement  70  are partially described in the descriptions of  FIGS. 1-8 , above. 
     A plurality of front disc gangs  50  are connected to the front portion of the mainframe  20 . The front disc gangs  50  may best be seen from  FIGS. 10-12 , where they are shown below the mainframe  20 , and adjacent front frame portions of wing assemblies  110 . Each front disc gang  50  comprises a front disc support beam  51 , and front disc axle assembly  52  connecting a plurality of front discs  53  in spaced parallel relation. The front disc axle assemblies  52 , best shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 , are connected to the front disc support beams  51  by front C-spring connectors  54 , as best shown in FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,020,629, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, or by any other conventional or later developed structure for supporting disc axle assemblies from disc support beams. The illustrated C-spring mounting of the front disc axle assemblies  52 , and the disc blades  53  mounted thereon and affixed to the axles (not shown) in spaced relation, permits the disc assemblies to displace upwardly against the resilient C-springs in the event a rotating disc blade  53  strikes a rock or other hard object during operation, thereby preventing damage to the disc blades  53 . 
     The structure, positioning and operation of the front disc gangs  50  can be best understood by reference to  FIGS. 10-12 , which provide top views of an exemplary embodiment of the invention as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 , and wherein left and right side wing assemblies  110  are shown hingedly attached to the mainframe  20  to substantially double the working width of the implement. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10  includes four front disc gangs  50  supported beneath the front end portions of mainframe  20  and wing assemblies  110 . More specifically, the mainframe  20  supports two front disc gangs  50  in side-by-side relation, and each wing assembly supports one front disc gang  50  in general alignment with front disc gangs supported by the mainframe  20 . As most fully shown on the right side of the top view of  FIG. 10 , support beam  51  for each front disc gang is pivotally attached to the frame of wing assembly  110  near its inside end. Its outside end is positioned in a more forward position by means of a U-clamp  55  extending around the support beam  51 , with side bolts extending upwardly through selected holes in a support flange  57  extending outwardly from the side of the frame of the side wing assembly  110 , and secured by threaded retainer nuts  58 , as best shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , and  FIG. 22 . By such means the outer end of support beam  51  may be effectively clamped or contained in the desired operating position. Each of the front disc gangs  50  is schematically shown to be similarly attached to front portions of the mainframe  20  and opposite wing assembly frames as appropriate. It will be seen throughout the drawings that where there are multiple, similar implement components supported by the mainframe  20 , wing assembly frames, or other illustrated structure, the drawings may show some of the connecting hardware and hydraulic or mechanical operators for illustrative purposes, whereas other similar components will be schematically shown in place. However, in practice and commercial use, all of the connecting hardware and operators would, of course, be present in a working embodiment of the invention. Likewise, the drawings do not include part numbers for all similar components, but all referenced part numbers are shown on one or more illustrative drawings. 
     Further referring to  FIG. 10 , it can be seen that a row of rear disc gangs  80  are supported by rearwardly extending members of mainframe  20 , and of each of the frames of wing assemblies  110 , in a similar manner to the way the front disc assemblies are supported beneath the front ends of the mainframe and wing frame members. It should be noted that most of the significant load-bearing support frame members of the exemplary embodiments are fabricated of square tubing of steel material. In  FIG. 10 , each of the front disc gangs  50  are shown mounted with their outward ends located forward of their inward ends at an angle of approximately nine degrees to frame members extending perpendicular to the forward direction of travel for the implement. Such gang angles, in turn, position the disc blades  53  of the front discs at a soil entry angle of approximately nine degrees to the direction of travel. This is an aggressive angle if the implement is configured for “minimum” or “vertical” tillage, wherein the object is to till the soil with primarily vertically acting components producing minimum to modest horizontal movement of the soil.  FIG. 10  likewise shows the rear disc gangs positioned at similar angles to the path of travel, except that the outward ends of the rear disc gangs  80  are positioned rearwardly of the inward ends. Typically, the discs of the front disc gangs are cupped with their concave surfaces facing outwardly on the front gangs. In contrast, the discs of the rear disc gangs  80  are cupped with their concave surfaces facing inwardly, so that whatever horizontal movement of the soil created by the front disc gangs is urged outwardly from the center of the implement, and conversely, any horizontal movement of the soil created by such inwardly cupped discs on the rear disc gangs is urged back toward the center of the implement such that, on balance, the soil particles will be generally positioned in the area where they were originally located. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates the same basic implement as  FIG. 10 , wherein, however, the front disc gangs  50  are only slightly angled forwardly from their pivot end in the amount of one or two degrees, and the rear disc gangs are likewise only slightly angled rearwardly from their pivot ends toward their outward ends at about the same angle to the line of travel of one or two degrees. When the implement adjusted as in  FIG. 11  is fitted with shallow-cupped discs, the angle of entry of the shallow disc blades may be almost straight forwardly to produce a knifelike action of the blades, with very little horizontal soil disturbance. It will be noted that in  FIGS. 10-12 , the rear disc gang blades are offset from the front disc gang blades to create a generally uniform transverse spacing between blade paths after passage of all disc gangs. Accordingly, such a shallow angle adjustment as illustrated with both the front and rear disc gangs of  FIG. 11  is effective for opening a plurality of generally parallel, narrow slot-like paths in the soil, running in the direction of travel of the implement, which can be effective to permit warm surface air to contact vertical slot side walls of cold soils, to help bring the soil up to a temperature suitable for planting seed earlier than if no such aeration practices were employed. This can be especially effective during so-called “late” springs where planting is delayed because of cold soil temperatures. The disc configuration shown in  FIG. 11  is also very effective for cutting tough, fibrous crop residue, such as cornstalks, to help size the residue to a shorter length equal to the distance between parallel disc paths, again without creating substantial horizontal soil movement during tillage. 
       FIG. 12  shows the same embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , except that it can be seen that the front discs  53  are arranged with a very shallow angle effective for cutting and sizing crop residue and opening narrow soil trenches for aeration, but the rear discs  83  are set at a more aggressive angle for incorporation of any cut residue into the soil to in part provide a cleaner seed bed in the top levels of the soil. 
     As the notation at the top of the  FIG. 12  indicates, the angles of the front and rear disc gangs could be reversed if it were desired to provide significant horizontal tillage at the front of the implement, and finish cutting and narrow trench creation toward the rear of the implement.  FIGS. 10-12  are indicative of the adaptability of the invention to tilling objectives, soil conditions, and residue and temperature conditions, as well as wet, dry, and soft and hard soil conditions. The versatility of the implement front and rear disc gang components has been described by illustration of extreme low angle and aggressive high angle positions. In use, the farm operator will frequently run the disc gangs at various angles between the extremes in order to optimize tillage capabilities. The universal custom field preparation implement  70  of the invention can be configured to enable front and rear disc gang angles of from approximately 0 degrees to more than 13 degrees to accommodate both minimal and more aggressive tillage under a wide variety of soil and moisture conditions. 
       FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein front disc gangs  50 ; and rear disc gangs  80  may be adjusted forward or back to change the working angle of the disc gangs by means of hydraulic operators  56 . In such cases, the U-clamps, which capture the distal ends of the disc gang support beams  51 ,  81 , are wider to permit forward and back movement of the beam ends when working angles are changed, and may also include drop pins to be inserted through selected holes in the supporting flanges of the frames to secure the beam ends in fixed adjusted position. Both the front disc gangs and the rear disc gangs can be fitted with hydraulic operators to permit “on the fly” adjustment of the disc angles as the implement is drawn across a field having different soil types, conditions or moisture levels in which case the adjusted positions would be maintained by the hydraulic operators, and drop pins would not interfere with “on the fly” adjustments. As an increasing result of modern agricultural methods and equipment, a large field being tilled may have different portions upon which different crops were grown the previous year, resulting in different residue conditions and tillage requirements. Also, it may be desirable to set the disc gangs at a greater angle when tilling hard soil in portions of a field and at a lesser angle when tilling soft or wet portions of a field. Such changing conditions can be easily adjusted for, from the tractor cab, with hydraulic operators for adjusting the disc gang angles. 
       FIGS. 19, 21, 22 and 26  illustrate a castoring gauge wheel assembly  120  may be attached to front disc support beams  51  positioned on wing assemblies  110  near the outer end of the wing assembly. The castoring gauge wheel assemblies provide depth control at the front ends of the wing assemblies  110  which are hingedly connected to the mainframe  20 , and in the case of  FIG. 25 , may also be connected (not shown) to the front disc support beam  51  for a second wing assembly  112  hingedly connected to a first wing assembly  110 . When the wing assemblies are lowered into working position, they must necessarily “float” with the underlying ground surface. Because of its lateral distance from the mainframe support wheels  30 , a wing assembly  110  may encounter ground surface levels at various elevations above and below the surface of the ground beneath the mainframe support wheels. If the land beneath the outer ends of the wing assemblies runs higher in elevation than the land beneath the support wheels  30  of the mainframe  20 , the front disc gang  50  of the wing assembly may be pushed deeper into the soil than desired, particularly at its front outer corner. The castoring gauge wheel assemblies  120  project forwardly from the attached front disc support beams  51  in a manner that will anticipate any upslopes beneath the trailing wing assemblies and front disc gangs  50 . Accordingly, the gauge wheel assemblies will support the attached front disc gang  50  at the proper level with respect to the higher or rising land profile and enable the discs to maintain their preferred working depth level in the soil being tilled. 
     The structure of the castoring gauge wheel assemblies  120  is best understood with reference to  FIG. 26 , wherein a beam engagement plate  121  is shown bolted to the front disc support beam  51 .  FIG. 21  shows the U-bolts  134  which extend around the support beam  51  from the engagement plate  121 . The beam engagement plate  121  has two spaced, parallel, vertically extending attachment flanges  122 , and further, has a post  123  extending upwardly from the flange to provide a first connection point for a linear actuator  124  in spaced relation to the attachment flanges  122 . The linear actuator  124  may be a turnbuckle actuator as shown, hydraulic actuator, or electrically driven actuator. An upper support arm  125  and a lower support arm  126  have first pivot ends which are positioned between the beam plate flanges  122  in parallel relation by parallel support bolts. The second ends of the upper and lower support arms are similarly positioned an equal distance apart between flanges of a castor assembly  127  and pivotally connected thereto by parallel support bolts. A castor arm  130  has a generally vertical drain pivot shaft (not shown) which is rotatably engaged within the gauge wheel assembly  120  and carries a stub axle  131  at its lower end upon which a gauge wheel  132  is mounted to provide a rotatable castor wheel which is capable of following the path of travel of the wing disc support beam  51  up and down over the variable terrain and through directional changes of the wing as it travels back and forth across the path of tillage and over the headlands as encountered in the field. A castor assembly attachment post  133  extends upwardly from the castor assembly  127  to pivotally engage the second end of the linear actuator  124 . It is seen that the equal vertical spacing of each of the ends of the upper and lower support arms  125 ,  126 , establishes a parallelogram linkage wherein the upper end of the castor wheel assembly will remain parallel to the beam engagement plate  121 . Accordingly, the castor wheel assembly can be adjusted substantially vertically up and down by respectively shortening or lengthening the linear actuator  124  by rotation of the sleeve of the actuator in a known manner. The lower tire bearing surface can thereby be adjusted to run a desired distance above the level of the bottom of the disc blades of the front disc gang  51  to which the castor assembly is attached, to thereby engage to provide a working gauge for the depth of the front disc gang  50 , as the disc gang is propelled across the field. 
     The universal custom field preparation implement  70  of the invention employs a row of chopping reels  60  between the front disc gangs  50  and the rear disc gangs  80 . The chopping reels  60 , best shown in  FIG. 9 , are comprised of a plurality of chopping blades  65  extending helically from one end of the reel to the other in a known manner to present a peripheral surface composed of spaced helical blades which extend into and retract from the underlying soil during operation in a substantially vertical manner to effectively cut slots into the soil extending perpendicular to the line of travel and to the slots created by the disc gangs, and to effectively size any surface plant residue in a linear direction at substantially right angles to the transverse sizing of the residue in a direction parallel to the line of travel effected by the front discs  53  of the implement. When the chopping reels  60  are positioned immediately behind the front disc gangs  50  and ahead of the support wheels  30  and rear disc gangs  80 , the front discs  53  can be run at relatively shallow angles for effectively slotting the ground and sizing the crop residue without creating significant horizontal tillage. This front disc action will maintain a relatively firm soil surface which aids in the operation of the chopping reels  60  by providing a resistant soil surface to tough plant residue such as cornstalks to facilitate effective cutting action when the surface lying stalks and other crop residue is subjected to the vertical chopping action of the helical blades  65  of the chopping reels  60 . In heavy residue conditions, the rear disc gangs  80  trailing the chopping reels and the support wheels can be set more aggressively, as shown in  FIG. 12 , to effectively entrain plant residue cut and chopped by the front discs  53  and chopping reelblades  65  into the soil to create conditions for a good seed bed, and also to loosen up the soil packed by the support wheels  30  of the implement. 
     The chopping reels  60  are shown in  FIG. 9  to be mounted on C-springs  62  coupled to rock shafts  61  by a structural member  64  extending from the rock shaft  61 . A hydraulic actuator  63  is pivotally connected between a mainframe member and the chopping wheel assembly  60  to cause the chopping reel assembly  60  to pivot about the axis of the rock shaft between an upper traveling position ( FIG. 8 ) and a lower working position ( FIG. 2 ). Accordingly, the chopping reels can be separately adjusted to be engaged with the ground at an equal depth with the other implement components ( FIG. 1 ), engaged at a deeper depth than other components ( FIG. 2 ), disengaged from the ground while any or all other components are engaged with the ground ( FIG. 3 ), and adjusted to any desired working depth when the mainframe and any connected frames are configured such that the front discs gangs are engaged with the soil while the rear disc gangs are not in contact with the soil, or the rear disc gangs are engaged deeper than the front disc gangs, which may or may not be engaged at the same time as the rear disc gangs. 
       FIGS. 27-33  illustrate exemplary embodiments of an improved open spiral chopping reel assembly  140  with field serviceable self-cleaning hubs which may be advantageously employed as chopping reels  60 .  FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a “48-inch full assembly” chopping reel assembly  140  of the improved design which is illustrated in the drawings of this application. It can be seen from  FIG. 27  that the chopping reel consists of a plurality of sharpened spiral or helical blades which extend from and between opposed end plates. 
     The improved open spiral chopping reel assembly  140  includes an open spiral chopping reel  141  rotatably mounted within a chopping reel frame  142 . The chopping reel  141  can be seen to consist of a pair of opposed chopping reel end plates  143 , to which a plurality of helical blades  144  are attached and extend between and beyond the end plates  143  in a spiral array having an effective circumference defined by the outwardly extending cutting edges of the blades  144 . One or more annular reinforcement rings  145  are positioned between the reel end plates  143  and are similarly attached at their periphery to the blades  144  to provide stability and reinforcement for the blades. The lengths of the reels as defined by the blades may be of any desired length, typically between approximately 48 inches and 95 inches. As a practical matter, the length of the reels will be somewhat dependent upon the width of the frame sections of the tillage implement beneath which they are intended to be used. The annular reinforcement rings  145  are typically spaced approximately 16 to 24 inches apart. The illustrated reels are shown with seven equally spaced blades  144  attached around the periphery of the end plates  143  and annular reinforcement rings  145  to produce an effective reel diameter of approximately 20 inches. Less or more blades may be employed with different effective diameters, depending upon the size of the discs or other components of the implement. It can be seen that the open spiral chopping reel assembly does not include an axle extending between the end plates, but rather has an open structure with the annular rings  145  having wide diameter open centers to allow any mud or crop residue lifted by the blades to pass as easily through the rings as through the open center areas of the reels  141  between the rings. The blades  144  can be seen from the drawings to be connected to the end plates and annular rings by conventional bolts which extend through the blades and the attachment plates  147  which are typically welded to the plates and rings in the positions shown, and secured by nuts as shown. It can also be seen from  FIG. 30  that the end plates  143  and annular reinforcement rings  145  have blade slots  146  which receive the blunt edges of the blades  144  which fit snugly between the edges of the slots  146  and the attachment plates  147 . 
     It will be seen from  FIG. 29  that the reel end plates  143  are substantially solid except for a center pilot hole to receive the body of the hub  148  and a plurality of holes arrayed around the pilot hole for receiving attachment bolts  158  which extend through the hub attachment flange and the bolt holes in the end plate to secure the hub to the end plates  143 . As seen from  FIGS. 27, 28, and 31 , the attachment flange portion of the hub  148  is bolted to the inside surface of the end plate  143 , with the body of the hub  148  containing seals and bearings extending through the pilot hole for fixed engagement of the outer end  149   b  of the spindle  149  within a receiving collar  158  mounted on a plate bolted to the inside surface of the frame end plate  155 . The frame end plates  155  are spaced by and extend perpendicularly down from the frame support bar  156 . A spindle attachment bolt  157  extends through the collar  158  and a bore hole through the end of the spindle to lock the spindle in place with respect to the frame  142 . 
       FIG. 32  is an explosion view of the hub assembly including, from right to left, the spindle  149  with annular ring  149   a  around the spindle body near the outer end of the spindle  149 . A metal seal ring  150  is pressed onto the annular ring  149   a  of the spindle in a pressed type fit. Elastomeric ring  151  fits around the inside bore of the metal seal ring in lubricant type relation. A flanged spacer ring  152  fits around the center circular flange of the metal seal ring  150  to retain the elastomeric seal and provide a fluid-tight seal between the metal seal ring  150  and the flange spacer ring  152 . The inner bearing  153  is positioned on the spindle body against the inner end of the metal seal ring  150 , and also is engaged in an inner bearing race  161  of the hub  148 . The outer ring of the metal seal ring  150  fits tightly around the recessed outer end of the hub  148  to capture the elastomeric seal  151  and flange spacer ring  152  between the metal seal ring and the end of the hub. At the other inner end of the hub  148 , a tapered rolling bearing  154  is fitted over the end of the main diameter portion of the spindle  149  and within a bearing race  161  within the hub. The smaller diameter inner end  149   c  of the spindle is threaded and includes a hole extending through the threaded end. A retaining nut is then threaded onto and tightened to axially tighten the assembly together on the spindle. A bolt or cotter pin  163  can be extended through the spindle hole to retain the assembly in place. Hub cap  160  is then friction fitted into the margin between the nut and the hub body to close and seal the inner end of the hub assembly from dirt, moisture and debris. 
       FIG. 31  illustrates the manner in which a blade  144  of the chopping reel  141  can be removed from the reel by removing the bolts which hold it in place within the chopping reel blade slots  146  to permit field access to the hub for servicing or replacement. Damaged chopping reel blades can also be similarly removed and replaced with new blades without the need to replace the whole reel. With one blade removed, the inner end of the hub is completely accessible and can be removed from the reel by removing the bolts which hold the flange of the hub against the end plate of the reel and removing the spindle attachment bolt  157  to release the spindle and the hub for removal from the interior of the reel for service or replacement. A new hub assembly  148  can be easily reinserted and attached in the opposite manner as described for removal. It can be seen that the inner ends of the hub comprising the hub flanges and hub caps provide no surfaces for easy retention of mud, manure, crop residue, or any other foreign material which may be forced upwardly by the engagement and disengagement of the blades of the rotating reel during its use. It can further be seen that the interior of the reel is entirely open to allow easy pass-through of debris. 
     It can be seen that the frame end plate  155  and the frame upper support bar  142  of the improved open spiral chopping reel assemblies  140  of  FIGS. 27-32  can be easily modified to the shapes of the rearwardly angled frame and end plate structures of the chopping reel assemblies  60  as shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , to facilitate use of the improved open spiral chopping reels  141  as the chopping reels for the universal custom field preparation implement  70  disclosed herein. 
     It should be noted that  FIGS. 1-6  are shown for illustrative purposes with the support wheels  30  raised above ground level. Such configurations can be selected, particularly where the ground is hard and it is desired to place the maximum weight of the implement on the tillage components. However, in most operations, the transport wheels will be lowered to a ground-engaging level for depth control and improved stability of the implement during operations of the implement in any configuration, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Of course, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the support wheel assemblies  30  can be lowered by the hydraulic wheels actuator  31  to raise the entire implement to a headland or highway travel position. A conventional mechanical transport lock (not shown) can be engaged when the implement is in transport position to prevent lowering of the implement while in the transport mode, even if the hydraulic system should fail, or the controls be accidently moved to a lowering position by the operator during highway travel. 
       FIGS. 13-16  schematically illustrate the structure, function, and operation of each of the lift arm three-bar subassemblies  90 , fixedly extending rearwardly from each of their points of attachment to the rear of the mainframe  20  or the frame members of wing assemblies  110 .  FIGS. 10-12 and 18  also show top views of the lift-arm three bar subassemblies  90  as attached to the rear ends of the mainframe  20  and frames of the wing assemblies  110 . Alternatively, the lift-arm three bar subassemblies  90  may each be pivotally attached to the rear ends of the mainframe  20  and the frames of the wing assemblies  110 ,  112 , and hydraulic actuators (not shown) may be pivotally connected to and positioned between a horizontal beam portion  97  of the lift-arm three bar subassembly  90  and an upward projection (not shown) from the rear end portions of the mainframe  20  and the frames of the wing assemblies  110 ,  112 , in a known mechanical manner to permit the lift-arm three bar subassemblies  90  to be raised and lowered from the tractor seat by the tractor operator for on-the-fly disengagement and engagement of the harrow sections  91  with the soil regardless of the configuration of the mainframe  20  and the positions of the other engaged or disengaged soil working components. 
       FIGS. 13-17  are larger scale views of the lift arm three-bar sub-assemblies  90 .  FIG. 13  schematically shows a three-bar harrow section  91  suspended at one side from a horizontal beam of a subassembly  90  by a plurality of schematically illustrated harrow support chains  93 , whereby the harrow support chains  93  are suspended from a harrow support plate  95  attached to the underside of the horizontal beam portion  97  of sub assembly  90 . The harrow section  91  is connected to the support plates  95  and adjusted such that the suspended lengths of the support chains  93  between the support plates  95  and the harrow section  91  are sufficient for the suspended three-bar harrow section to engage the ground in working position when subassembly  90  attached to mainframe  20  or the frames of the wing assemblies  110 . It is further shown in  FIGS. 13 and 18  that each three-bar harrow section  91  is supported by a three-bar subassembly  90  having two spaced horizontal beams  97 , such that each side of a three-bar harrow section is supported by a set of harrow support chains  93 . Each schematically shown front harrow support chain  92  is connected to a drop bar  98  extending downwardly from a horizontal beam  97 , and in use the rear end of the front support chain  92  is attached to the front end of the three-bar harrow section  91  as best shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16 . When so connected to the harrow section shown in a lower ground engaging position in  FIG. 13 , a front support chain  92  will be pulled down at an angle by the harrow section in a known manner, and the support chains  92 ,  93  may be attached to the three-bar harrow section  91  such that the spikes  94  of the harrow section may be oriented in a selected vertical orientation as shown in  FIG. 13 . The more vertical the spikes  94  of the harrow the more aggressively the harrow will penetrate the soil. The less vertical the spikes  94  the smoother the surface will be after tillage. The plural drop chains  93  are connected at their lower ends to support brackets extending from the upper portions of the spike teeth  94  of the harrow. Their upper ends are engaged in slots (not shown) extending downwards from partially shown holes through the support plate  95 , and retained in such slots by an insertable, horizontal pin  96  to retain the selected engaged links of each chain to provide the desired working depth for the spiked teeth of the harrow section. 
     A pivoting rolling basket support arm assembly  100  supports a rolling basket  101  at a selected level below the horizontal beam of the assembly frame  90 . Referring to  FIG. 16 , the support arm assembly  100  has an upper triangular plate  102  which is pivotally attached to the horizontal beam  97  of subassembly  90  and is urged forwardly by extension spring  103  toward its normal operating position. A lift arm  104  is pivotally attached to the lower corner of the triangular plate  102 , and has a lower arm section  107  which engages a conventional rolling basket  106  in rotating relation. A turnbuckle link  105  is pinned at its top end to the rear corner of the triangular plate  102  and at its lower end to the rear side of the lift arm lower section  107 . The turnbuckle link  105  may be shortened or lengthened by turning a threadedly engaged section thereof in a known manner to cause the lift arm  104  to pivot about its upper connection to the triangular plate  102  to thereby regulate the vertical distance of the basket to the horizontal beam of subassembly  90 . This adjustment will in turn cause the downward pressure of the rolling basket on the underlying tilled surface to increase when the turn buckle is lengthened or decrease if the turn buckle is shortened to produce the amount of force deemed desirable to break up any soil clogs that have passed through the harrow and allow the conventional rods or bars of the rolling basket to firm up the finished soil surface as desired. Accordingly, in  FIG. 13 , the pivotable lift arm  104  is fixed in a lowered position in which the rolling basket  106  is being biased against the underlying soil surface by the turnbuckle  105  and extension spring  103 , acting through the lift arm linkage. In  FIG. 14 , both the harrow sections  91  and the rolling basket have been raised to a disengaged position by schematically shortening the upper harrow support chains  92  as previously described, and shortening turn buckle link  105 . In  FIG. 15 , the upper harrow support chains  93  have been lengthened to engage the spikes of the harrow, while the rolling basket has been disengaged by shortening the turn buckle link  105 . Conversely, in  FIG. 16 , the harrow sections have been disengaged by schematically shortening the harrow support chains  93 , and lengthening the turn buckle link  105  to engage the rolling basket with the ground surface. It is understood that in use, the front support chains  92  would remain connected to the front portion of the harrow sections  91 , as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16 , throughout all selected working and raised conditions. As previously mentioned, if hydraulic operators (not shown) are provided for the raising and lowering of pivotally attached lift-arm three bar subassemblies  90 , or any equivalent support mechanism for the harrow sections  91  and the pivoting rolling basket support arm assemblies  100 , the pivoting rolling basket support arm assemblies  100  can be lowered and raised with the lift-arm three bar subassemblies to engage or disengage the harrow sections  91  and the rolling baskets  10 , or either of them, with the soil, on-the-fly, by the tractor operator to most efficiently apply only the necessary soil working components for the soil conditions or tillage purposes as the soil conditions or residual cover conditions vary across any field. 
     One of the adjustments possible for the individual tilling components of the universal custom field preparation implement described herein, is the working angle of the mainframe  20  which can be adjusted in coordination with height adjustments of the support wheels to provide numerous working combinations of tillage components. The working angle of the mainframe  20  can be adjusted by use of machine pivoting tongue actuator  41 , which extends rearwardly from a front pivotal connection to a pin mounted above the top surface of the tongue  40  at a point on the tongue  40  several feet forward of the pinned connection point of the rear end of the tongue  40  toward the front end of the mainframe  20 . The actuator  41  is pinned to an intermediary pivotal link  42 , which link  42  in turn is pivotally attached at its pivot point to an upwardly extending portion  45  of the front end of the mainframe  20 , as best shown in  FIG. 8 . The intermediate link  42  extends upwardly from its pivot point to an upper end  42  which is pivotally attached to a rear link  43 . The rear link  43  extends rearwardly to a point of pinned pivotal attachment to the rock shaft  33 , see  FIG. 10 , about which the support wheel assemblies rotate when the support wheels are raised and lowered. Referring to  FIG. 4 , shortening of the tongue actuator  41  causes the tongue  40  to pivot upward with respect to the frame. When the support wheels are engaged with the ground surface and the front end of the tongue is hitched to the tractor drawbar for use of the implement, such shortening of the tongue actuator causes the described linkage to pivot the mainframe  20  about the wheel axles to push the front disc gangs  50  down or into engagement with the ground, depending upon how much the tongue is shortened.  FIG. 4  schematically shows the rear discs in shallow engagement, and  FIG. 6  shows the rear disc raised to a level of no ground engagement. Conversely, lengthening of the tongue actuator  41  enables the described linkage to pivot the mainframe  20  about the wheel axles to raise the front disc gangs  50  and lower the rear disc gangs  80 , to reach the positions shown in  FIG. 5 . If the tongue actuator  41  is lengthened or shortened when the tongue is disconnected from a tractor, the front end of the tongue will be lowered or raised respectively. 
     Because the mainframe is relatively short from front to rear, whereby the front disc gangs are separated from the rear disc gangs by only enough to allow full non-interfering raising and lowering of the chopping reels  60  and the support wheels  30 , lengthening or shortening of the tongue actuator can effectively change the operating characteristics and capabilities of the implement from one in which the front disc gangs run lower and less aggressively than the rear disc gangs, as shown in  FIG. 4 , or the rear disc gangs can run lower and more aggressively than the front disc gangs, as shown in  FIG. 5 . In addition, when the frame is tilted as shown in  FIG. 6 , implement can be operated with the front disc gangs of the implement engaged in the soil and the rear disc gangs disengaged. Likewise, the linkage and height of the support wheels can be adjusted so that when the implement is in the configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , the rear disc gangs can be engaged with the soil and the front disc gangs can be disengaged. Because the intermediate chopping reel assemblies are independently adjusted by the hydraulic actuators  63  to rotate around the axis of the rock shafts  61 , the chopping reels  60  reels can be engaged or disengaged as desired or required through any range of tilt adjustment of the mainframe, the support wheel assemblies  30  and tillage or non-tillage engagement of the front and rear disc gangs. 
     Accordingly, it can be seen that the universal custom field preparation implement disclosed herein is a uniquely flexible tool for providing custom field preparation capabilities as appropriate for the most desirable tillage of the land for a variety of purposes under a wide variety of soil, crop residue, and moisture level conditions. Unlike prior multiple component tillage implements, each of the components of the present invention can be run separately or in combination with any one or more of the other tillage components of the implement. Thus, the front disc gangs  50  may be operated at any disc angle within a range of one degree to ten degrees or more as optionally configured alone, or in combination with the chopper reels with both the front discs and the chopper reels each running at selected optimum depths, depending on the task and the conditions. The front disc gangs can be run in combination with the rear disc gangs, with both disc gangs run at selected disc angles and independently selected depths from shallow to deep, and with or without engaged intermediate or engaged following chopper reels, three-bar harrows, and/or rolling baskets, each of which additional components can be run at any selected depth or disengaged, regardless of the engagement or disengagement of any one or more of the other tillage components. The chopping reels can be run in the ground with the front end and rear disc gangs out of the ground, followed by the harrows, to become an effective chopper/harrow implement; the implement can be run with both disc gangs engaged and the chopping disengaged, as might be appropriate for wet conditions or extremely rocky conditions, or to leave more residue in highly erodible soils. Regardless of the manner of employing the discs and the front and rear disc gangs and chopping reels, the harrow and/or basket can be employed to provide a firm level seed bed as conditions require, or either component disengaged. 
     Air seeder and/or granular seeder hoppers  85 , and schematically shown seed and fertilizer distribution lines  86 , incorporation shrouds  87  of the types shown and described with reference to  FIG. 17  can be employed to entrain seed, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and lime in the soil for desired soil conditioning and broadcast seeding applications in combination with any one or more of the described tillage implements. The desired tillage and soil entrainment of crop residue and any of the seed or soil conditioning materials described above can be obtained using only those tillage components which are necessary under the conditions to produce the desired result, thereby requiring less fuel and a less powerful tractor than would be necessary to propel all working components of the implement through the soil. 
     The universal custom field preparation implement can be fitted with shallow cupped disc blades in the front disc gangs and more deeply cupped discs in the rear disc gangs, or any other desired combination of discs as desired or required for prevailing soil conditions. The disclosed implement may be typically operated at speeds from six to ten miles per hour, or slower as conditions require. 
     The universal custom field preparation implement provides an implement of maximum flexibility to meet and achieve optimal custom tillage results under all workable conditions, soil types, and seasonal needs. The implement can be readily adjusted and adapted for optimal minimum tillage, single-pass tillage, vertical tillage, and aggressive horizontal tillage, depending upon the preferences and needs of the farm operator. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.