SINGLE-STEP SEED PLACEMENT IN FURROW AND RELATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

A furrow opening and seed placement device configured to perform a planting sequence into one continuous action. The device comprising a substantially horizontal blade configured to be drawn through soil at a desired planting depth, an opening within the blade configured to allow seed to be deposited in soil below a bottom surface of the substantially horizontal blade, and one or more vertical elements configured to direct soil flow around the substantially horizontal blade.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to agricultural planting systems, and related devices and methods.

BACKGROUND

Current row crop planting technology performs each step in the planting process as a separate function. A furrow is formed by forcing a pair of discs into the soil to form the furrow. Gauge wheels located alongside the discs determine the depth of the furrow (seed placement depth) and also firm the soil so it can maintain the shape pressed into it until the seed is deposited. Dryer soils and sandier soils require more firming pressure than moist soil or soil with a lot of clay content. If the furrow is not formed properly or does not hold its shape long enough to allow the seed to be placed the result can be inconsistent planting depth, poor seed to soil contact, or seeds planted into dry soil resulting in reduced germination and reduced yield potential. Mechanical problems such as worn discs, improperly adjusted discs, or worn supporting parts can also affect the shape and structural integrity of the furrow.

After the furrow is formed, seed is placed in the furrow. It is critical that the seed falls to the bottom of the furrow for proper depth and the best chance of seed to soil contact to promote germination. The depth is typically set so there is moist soil at the bottom of the furrow. The horizontal and vertical velocity of the seed is an important factor in the seed reaching the desired location. If the seed is traveling too fast vertically it can bounce off the soil surface and land out of position. If the horizontal velocity is greater than the forward travel speed, the seed can roll rearward in the furrow disturbing the spacing with adjacent seeds. If the horizontal velocity is less than the forward travel speed, the seed can roll forward in the furrow disturbing the spacing with adjacent seeds. As would be appreciated, there are many factors that must be precisely controlled to accurately place individual seeds in the proper location and maintain proper seed spacing in the row.

With the seed placed in the furrow, the furrow needs to be closed to compress soil around the seed to promote germination and to eliminate the furrow wall compaction that was created as the furrow was formed. If not properly closed, the furrow surface can dry and open exposing seeds to the air resulting in reduced germination and lost yield potential. There is a need in the art for devices, systems, and methods for ensuring seeds are planted in moist soil, at the correct depth and spacing.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various implementations discussed herein relate to a furrow opener configured to open a trench in the soil for simultaneous placement of seed from a dispensing system. In these implementations, soil flow is manipulated such that the soil fills in around the seed while the seed is still in motion. Because the seed is surrounded by soil while in motion, the seed horizontal velocity does not need to be precisely controlled. The seed motion is dampened such that there is little to no possibility of bouncing or rolling that can effect spacing as seen in conventional seed placement systems. In the disclosed implementations, seed depth consistency is maintained by creating a funnel shape in the soil flow and directing the seed travel to the center of the funnel.

In Example 1, a furrow opening and seed placement device configured to perform a planting sequence in one continuous action, comprising a substantially planar blade configured to be drawn through soil at a desired planting depth, an opening within the substantially planar blade configured to allow seed to be deposited in soil below a bottom surface of the substantially planar blade, and one or more vertical elements configured to direct soil flow around the substantially planar blade.

Example 2 relates to the device of Example 1, wherein the substantially planar blade is pivotable between ±5° of a horizontal plane.

Example 3 relates to the device of any of Examples 1-2, further comprising a coulter disposed on a row unit in front of the furrow opening and seed placement device.

Example 4 relates to the device of any of Examples 1-3, further comprising a seed delivery device disposed above the opening within the substantially planar blade.

Example 5 relates to the device of any of Examples 1-4, wherein the seed delivery device is a conventional delivery tube or an air drive delivery device.

In Example 6, an agricultural row unit comprising a coulter and a furrow opening and seed placement device. The furrow opening and seed placement device comprising a substantially planar blade, an opening in the substantially planar blade shaped to allow passage of seed from a seed delivery device to soil below the substantially planar blade, and a vertical element connecting the substantially planar blade to the agricultural row unit, the vertical element shaped to direct soil flow about the furrow opening and seed placement device, wherein seed is placed in the furrow at the same time the furrow is formed.

Example 7 relates to the agricultural row unit of Example 6, wherein planting depth is an operating depth of the substantially planar blade.

Example 8 relates to the agricultural row unit of any of Examples 6-7, wherein the coulter operates at a depth below the planting depth.

Example 9 relates to the agricultural row unit of any of Example 6-8, wherein the coulter is arranged on the agricultural row unit to cut the soil just in front of the furrow opening and seed placement device.

Example 10 relates to the agricultural row unit of any of Examples 6-9, wherein where in the furrow opening and seed placement device creates a funnel like soil flow.

Example 11 relates to the agricultural row unit of any of Examples 6-10, wherein the substantially planar blade is pivotable between ±5° of a horizontal plane.

Example 12 relates to the agricultural row unit of any of Examples 6-11, wherein the substantially planar blade is pivotable on-the-go.

Example 13 relates to the agricultural row unit of any of Examples 6-12, wherein the seed delivery device is a conventional delivery tube or an air drive delivery device.

In Example 14. A method for planting seed, comprising cutting soil with a coulter blade, drawing a blade through soil to create a furrow, the blade comprising a substantially planar surface, at least one vertical element configured to direct soil flow, and an opening in the substantially planar surface, creating a soil funnel with the blade, and inserting a seed into the furrow by causing the seed to exit a seed delivery device, fall through the opening into a center of the soil funnel, and land in the furrow.

Example 15 relates to the method of Example 14, further comprising pivoting the blade at an angle ±5° of a horizontal plane.

Example 16 relates to the method of any of Examples 14-15, wherein the steps of creating a soil funnel and inserting a seed are executed simultaneously.

Example 17 relates to the method of any of Examples 14-16, wherein soil fall around the seed while the seed is inserting into the furrow such that the seed does not bounce or roll.

Example 18 relates to the method of any of Examples 14-17, wherein the soil funnel has a vortical flow.

Example 19 relates to the method of any of Example 14-15, wherein the blade is drawn through soil at a desired planting depth.

Example 20 relates to the method of any of Examples 14-19, wherein the coulter blade cuts the soil at a depth below the desired planting depth.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the disclosure is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed planting system consolidates the individual activities—opening a furrow, placing a seed, and closing a furrow—in the planting sequence into one continuous action. Use of a sweep to create of soil vortex and placing the seed using the soil vortex accomplishes steps of planting a seed at a desired planting depth and location in a field.

The disclosed devices, and associated systems and methods execute planting in a single step rather than in a series of sequential steps. Additionally, the devices and associated systems and methods overcome the need in prior systems to precisely control a seeds horizontal and vertical velocities when existing the row unit/seed placement device to avoid bouncing and/or rolling that can disturb seed location and/or depth.

Turning to the figures in more detail,FIGS.1-2show a row unit2implementing the disclosed planting system10. As would be appreciated planting row units8include a variety of components, and each row unit8across a planter are typically substantially identical, that is comprised of the same basic components. In various implementations, the row unit8with the system10include a sweep20and seed placement device30. Further implementations include gauge wheels14, a coulter40, and closing discs16. Various additional row unit8components may also be included and would be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

FIGS.3A-3Cshow various views of the sweep20for use with a simultaneous planting system10according to certain implementations. The sweep20includes a horizontal blade22that is drawn through the soil at the desired planting depth. The blade20has a blade opening24configured to allow seed to be deposited in the soil below the bottom surface of the blade22. In various implementations, vertical elements26on the sweep20direct the soil flow around the seed placement device30so the seed placement device is not disturbed by the flow of soil.

In these implementations, the combination of the horizontal blade22and the vertical elements26combine to lift the soil so seed can be placed under the sweep20. The soil is then allowed to collapse back down on top of the seed. In these implementations, seed depth is not determined by the depth of the furrow previously formed; it is determined by the operating depth of the sweep20.

In various implementations, the sweep22may have a pitch between about ±5° of horizontal with respect to the soil. The pitch of the sweep22may be adjusted/set in order to produce the soil flow needed for planting. In various implementations, the pitch of the sweep22may be adjusted manually, or alternatively may be adjusted via an actuator in communication with a control system, as would be understood. The pitch of the sweep22may optionally be adjusted on-the-go, or alternatively set prior to beginning planting operations.

It would be appreciated that because the seed is immediately engulfed in the flowing soil after dropping through the blade opening24, there is far less possibility of spacing errors due to travel speed and/or depth control issues caused by seed bounce. Conventional gravity or positive air seed delivery systems30can be employed without the need for additional in-furrow seed trapping means such as seed firmers or rolling trap wheels. Because a conventional furrow is not formed ahead of placing the seed, there is no furrow compaction to disrupt to promote seed to soil contact.

FIG.4shows a cross section of soil2during the planting process. As can be seen the majority of the soil2is undisturbed. The shape of the sweep20causes minimal disturbance in the soil2while placing the seed12below the soil surface at a desired planting depth (indicated at reference arrow A). The soil2is opened in a semi cone shaped funnel4. The soil flow around the sweep20has no horizontal velocity. The movement in the soil is caused by the movement of the sweep20through the soil2. The seed12is placed at the center of the funnel4to accurately place it at the desired depth.

In various implementations, ahead of the sweep20, a rolling coulter40(shown inFIGS.1and2) parts the soil2to assist the sweep20and the soil flow. The coulter40is positioned directly on the side-to-side centerline (shown at B) of the sweep30. In various implementations, the coulter40depth—the lowest point of the blade40—is below the operating depth of the sweep20horizontal knife22that establishes the planting depth (shown at reference arrow A), creating a small disturbed area6below the planting depth. In these and other implementations, the disturbed area6is not large enough for a seed12to fall below the desired planting depth (arrow A) but instead will rest above it.

As would be appreciated, the rolling coulter40parts the soil and cuts residue. This allows the residue to pass around the sweep20without catching and dragging which could lead to plugging problems.

The combination of the coulter40penetration and sweep20create a soil profile, shown inFIG.4, that is conducive to seed germination and root development. Soil pushed aside by the coulter is filled by the passage of the sweep20but is not compacted as occurs with conventional “V” type opener disks and side mounted gauge wheels.

FIGS.5and6show top-down views of seed planting by certain implementations of the disclosed simultaneous planting system10. In these and other implementations, the sweep20creates a vortex/funnel4in the soil2(rotating as shown by reference arrow C). The seed12then exits the seed delivery device30and is placed in the center of the funnel4and descends to the desired planting depth, which is the operating depth of the sweep20. The seed12is engulfed in and surrounded by the soil2such that horizontal and vertical movement of the seed12is not a factor in influence ultimate seed placement.

FIG.7shows an alternative side view of the simultaneous planting system10in operation. In this implementation, the seed12exits the seed delivery device30and is deposited at the operating depth (arrow A) of the sweep20.

Although the disclosure has been described with references to various embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.