Seed tank access assembly for planters

An access assembly for an agricultural planter which includes a platform configured for connection to the agricultural planter, a railing which extends from the platform, and a gate pivotably connected to the railing and which extends from the platform.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to agricultural implements, and, more particularly, to an access assembly for planters with large seed tanks or hoppers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Agricultural planters with larger seed tanks or hoppers require filling with small seed bags, large portable bulk seed hoppers, bulk bags and/or augers. Planters with large seed tanks usually have some kind of steps or ladder and platform to access the seed tanks. The railing on the platform frequently interferes with easy access to the tanks requiring extra effort to carry seed bags up the steps or move them over the railing. Positioning an auger to fill the tanks is made more difficult as the auger may interfere with the railing.

A typical planter may have an elongated tool bar which is supported for movement across and over fields by a plurality of wheels and which is adapted to be towed in a given forward direction by a power source such as an off-highway tractor or the like. A drawbar extends from the tool bar and connects to the tractor. Attached to the tool bar are a plurality of planting/row units spaced at intervals. The larger seed tanks or hoppers typically are supported by a frame which can be connected to the toolbar and/or drawbar, and are generally located in the center of the planter. The seed tanks or hoppers can provide seed to the planting/row units via a plenum, and the row units can additionally include mini-hoppers and/or a granular, or other type, chemical hopper. The access platform discussed above can be generally located at least partially above some of the planting/row units, and may also include access steps or a ladder which extend rearward of the planter and down towards the ground for personnel access to the platform. Another problem with the known agricultural planters is that the steps, ladders or part of the platform can extend over some of the row units, which can make the corresponding row units inaccessible or difficult to service.

What is needed in the art is an access assembly for planters which provide easy access for filling the large seed tanks or hoppers, while additionally providing good access to the planter/row units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an access assembly for an agricultural planter which includes a platform configured for connection to the agricultural planter, a railing which extends from the platform, and a gate pivotably connected to the railing and which extends from the platform.

In one aspect the gate has an approximately U-shaped web with a first leg connected to a handrail which is connected to a second leg, and a crossbar connected to the first leg and the second leg. At least one hinge can connect the first leg to the railing, and a clasp can connect the second leg to the railing. The platform can include at least one pivotable panel, and the gate is on one side of the pivotable panel(s) and another gate is on the other side of the pivotable panel(s). The second gate can also be pivotably connected to the railing and extends from the platform.

In one embodiment the present invention can further include a ladder extending from the at least one pivotable panel. The ladder can have a first ladder portion fixedly connected to the platform, a second ladder portion pivotably connected to the first ladder portion, and a third ladder portion pivotably connected to the second ladder portion.

The invention comprises, in another form thereof, an agricultural planter which has a toolbar with a plurality of planting units connected thereto, a platform connected to the toolbar, a railing extending from the platform, and a gate pivotably connected to the railing and extending from the platform.

In one aspect the planter gate has an approximately U-shaped web with a first leg connected to a handrail which is connected to a second leg, and a crossbar connected to the first leg and the second leg. At least one hinge can connect the first leg to the railing, and a clasp can connect the second leg to the railing. The platform can include at least one pivotable panel, and the gate is on one side of the pivotable panel(s) and another gate is on the other side of the pivotable panel(s). The second gate can also be pivotably connected to the railing and extends from the platform.

In one embodiment the access assembly of the planter can further include a ladder extending from the at least one pivotable panel. The ladder can have a first ladder portion fixedly connected to the platform, a second ladder portion pivotably connected to the first ladder portion, and a third ladder portion pivotably connected to the second ladder portion.

In some forms, at least one bulk seed tank is connected to the toolbar. The agricultural planter of the present invention can further include at least one frame assembly connected to the toolbar, where each frame assembly supports a corresponding bulk seed tank. At least one cantilever support can be connected to an underside of the platform and a corresponding frame assembly.

The invention comprises, in yet another form thereof, a method of manufacturing an agricultural planter, which includes the steps of: providing a platform and a railing extending from the platform; mounting the platform and railing to a toolbar of the agricultural planter and in proximity to at least one large seed tank of the agricultural planter; and pivotably connecting a gate to the railing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly toFIGS. 1-5, there is shown an agricultural implement10in the form of a planter which generally includes an elongated tool bar12which is supported for movement across and over fields by a plurality of wheels14, and which is adapted to be towed by a power source, such as an off-highway tractor or some other motive element (all not shown), which power source is connected to drawbar16. Attached to tool bar12are a plurality of planting units18located at regularly spaced intervals along tool bar12; not all row units18being shown inFIG. 1as there generally are row units at regular intervals from one end of tool bar12to the opposite end, including interval points in between. Consequently, the planting units18are mounted in side-by-side relation relative to each other along the length of the tool bar12. Bulk seed tanks20can provide seed to planting units18via a plenum, or other arrangement. Access assembly22provides personnel and other access to bulk seed tanks20, for filling the tanks20through lids23with seed from seed bags, an auger, etc., or other maintenance.

In the illustrated embodiment, each planting unit18preferably includes a furrow opening apparatus24(FIG. 3). The furrow opening unit24can include gage wheels26, a pair of lateral spaced, or staggered, furrow opener discs27, or alternatively, and without detracting or departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, planting unit18can be provided with a runner opener type for providing a furrow in the ground. Planting unit18further includes a pair of furrow closer discs28and a press wheel30arranged in fore-and-aft relationship relative to each other.

A seed metering mechanism or apparatus32is arranged in receiving relation relative a supply of seed to from hopper20through an input port (not shown) arranged generally proximate hopper20and, in the illustrated embodiment, forms part of the planting unit18. The purpose of the seed metering apparatus or mechanism32is to uniformly release seeds received from seed hopper20at a generally uniform and/or consistent rate for deposit onto the ground. To facilitate delivery of seeds from the seed metering mechanism32to the ground, a vertically disposed seed tube34is mounted on the planting unit18to receive seeds as they are released from metering mechanism32through an output port36. Row unit18can include a granular, or other, chemical hopper35for depositing chemicals such as fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and the like along with the seed.

Access assembly22generally includes a platform38connected to toolbar12, railing parts40,42,44and46extending from platform38, a ladder49extending from platform38, and gates48,50pivotably connected to railing parts40,46, respectively, and extending from platform38.

The walking surface of platform38can be expanded mesh, perforated sheet metal and the like. Platform38includes pivotable panels52which are pivotably connected to frame54of platform38using hinges56(FIG. 4). Pivotable panels52allow access to the chemical hoppers35which are under access assembly22for filling, cleaning, etc., and also provides access to other parts of the row units18which are under access assembly22.FIG. 6illustrates gates48,50open and one pivotable panel52in an open position.

Referring more particularly toFIGS. 7 and 8, a ladder49extends from pivotable panels52, and includes a first ladder portion58fixedly connected to platform38, a second ladder portion60pivotably connected to the first ladder portion58, and a third ladder portion62pivotably connected to ladder second60portion. Third ladder portion62nests within ladder second60portion when they are in the up position as shown inFIG. 7. Third ladder portion62rotates around pins64. Stop66holds third ladder portion62from further rotation when in the down position. Plates68are connected to first ladder portion58using fasteners70, and second ladder portion60rotates about fastener72. Spring74loaded locking pin76is held by bracket78and locks into a corresponding aperture in second ladder portion60to hold second ladder portion60in a down position. Brace80pivots about pin82to and can be positioned against railing part44to hold second ladder portion60in an up position as shown inFIG. 8. Stop pin84holds brace80from downward rotation thereby keeping brace80holding second ladder portion60in the up position. Stay86and U-bolt88help support ladder49and pivotable panels52.

Gates48,50comprise an approximately U-shaped web90(FIG. 2) with a first leg92connected to a handrail94which is connected to a second leg96, and a crossbar98connected to first leg92and second leg96. At least one hinge100connects first leg92to the railing40or48. Hinges100can be a plate hinge with pin as shown, or other types of hinges. A clasp102connects second leg96to railing42or44. Clasp102can have a bifurcated catch104connected to railing42or44, and a tongue106connected to a corresponding first leg92, through which pin108is placed in corresponding apertures in catch104and tongue106to lock a corresponding gate48,50in a closed position.

In some forms the present invention can include at least one frame assembly110connected to toolbar12, where each frame assembly110supports a corresponding bulk seed tank20. At least one cantilever support112is connected to an underside114of platform38and to the corresponding frame assembly110.

While example embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, including a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise configuration and resources described above. Various modifications, changes, and variations apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.