AGRICULTURAL APPARATUS

Abstract: An agricultural apparatus (1) for use in seed sowing is attachable to a primary mover for pulling the apparatus (1) in a direction of travel (X). The apparatus (1) comprises a support member (2), a first disc (18) and a second disc (20), the discs (18, 20) each cutting a single groove in the soil. The discs (18, 20) are mountable on the support member (2) about axle (13), the axle (13) having first arm and second arm portions (14), the first and second discs (18, 20) being mountable on the first arm and second arm portions (14) respectively. The first arm portion (14) is angled with respect to the second arm portion (14) such that the first and second discs (18, 20) are arranged in planes which converge rearwardly in relation to the direction of travel (X). Press wheel (12) for pressing soil into grooves made by the discs (18, 20) after seeds have been deposited is mountable on the support member (2). Pressure exerting member is positioned to press the support member (2) and thereby the discs (18, 20) into the soil.

Description: AGRICULTURAL APPARATUS The present invention relates to agricultural apparatus for use in the sowing of seeds. In particular, the invention relates to a disc planter. Background of the Invention Conventional disc planters typically have a frame attachable to a towing vehicle. The frame usually comprises a pair of parallel support arms spaced vertically, one above the other. The arms are hingedly attached to a support plate or beam which is attached to the towing vehicle. A support frame is attached to the other ends of the arms to support the seed planting apparatus. A pair of discs are mounted on the support frame in addition to two press wheels which are spaced from and located behind the two discs. The discs are mounted on an axle to which is attached a disc lever to alter the lateral spacing of the discs relative to one another on the axle. Each pair of discs are arranged to cut a single furrow or groove in the soil into which the seed is deposited. Typically, a plurality of disc planters of the type described above are attached in parallel to the towing vehicle, the disc planters being spaced laterally from one another, to enable a number of rows of seeds to be sown simultaneously. In operation, the plurality of disc planters are attached to the towing vehicle and the lateral spacing of the discs on the axles on which they are mounted is adjusted to suit the type of seed to be planted. The discs rotate about the axles to cut grooves in the soil as the towing vehicle is driven over the ground on which the seed is to be sown. The soil cut by the discs is typically thrown out in a sideways direction by the discs as it is cut, there being no actual control over the amount or direction of soil thrown. The seeds are dropped into the grooves made by the discs via grain tubes, the outlets of which are typically located between the discs and the press wheels. Once the seed has been dropped into the grooves, the press wheels push the soil into the grooves to cover the seeds. In some conventional embodiments a further wheel or wheels are located between the discs and the press wheels to cover the sown seeds before the soil is compacted further by the press wheels. Summary of the invention According to the present invention there is provided an agricultural apparatus for use in the sowing of seeds in soil, said apparatus being attachable to a primary mover in use for pulling said agricultural apparatus in a direction of travel, said apparatus comprising a support member, means for forming grooves in the soil into which seeds to be sown are dropped, said means for forming grooves comprising a first groove forming member and a second groove forming member, said groove forming members each cutting a single groove in the soil in use, said means for forming grooves being mountable on said support member about an axle extending therethrough, said axle having a first arm portion and a second arm portion, said first groove forming member being mountable on said first arm portion and said second groove forming member being mountable on said second arm portion, said first arm portion being angled with respect to said second arm portion such that said first and second groove forming members are arranged in planes which converge rearwardly in relation to the direction of travel, said apparatus further comprising means for pressing soil into grooves made by the means for forming grooves after seeds to be sown have been dispensed, said means for pressing soil being mountable on said support member, said apparatus further comprising means for urging the means for forming grooves into the soil, said means for urging the means for forming grooves being positioned to press the support member and thereby the means for forming grooves into the soil. Preferably, said first and second groove forming members are arranged in planes which converge downwardly in relation to said support member. Preferably, said support member is a single bar extending rearwardly in relation to the primary mover when attached thereto in use. In another embodiment, said support member may be comprised of a first member and a second member, said second member being attached to said first member, for example said second member being welded to said first member. Preferably, said axle extends through said second member. Also, said means for pressing soil into the grooves may be mountable on said second member. Preferably, said axle is rotatable with respect to said support member. Preferably, the means for urging the means for forming grooves into the soil is operable to enable adjustment of the depth of the grooves to be formed. Preferably, said first arm portion and said second arm portion are angled in a common plane. Preferably, said first groove forming member comprises a disc, and said second groove forming member comprises a disc, the discs preferably being rotatably mounted on the first arm portion and the second arm portion respectively of said axle. In a preferred embodiment, said means for pressing soil into the grooves comprises a press wheel. The means for urging the means for forming grooves into the soil may comprise a hydraulic cylinder attachable to the towing vehicle and the support frame, a spring, pneumatic means or a weight. In a further preferred embodiment there is provided locking means for inhibiting rotation of the axle relative to the support frame, the locking means being releasable to enable rotation of the axle to a different rotational position. Brief Description of the Drawings Various embodiments of the agricultural apparatus according to the invention will now be more fully described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a disc planter; Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of the disc planter of Figure 2; Figure 3 is a schematic third angle projection of the disc planter of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of an alternative disc planter; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a further alternative disc planter; Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional side elevation along the line A-A of the disc planter of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional side elevation along the line B-B of the disc planter of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a schematic third angle projection of the disc planter of Figure 5; Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of a further alternative disc planter; and Figure 10 is a schematic side elevation of a further alternative disc planter. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The disc planter 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 has a support member comprising a main beam or bar 2 which is pivotally attachable, by means of a hinge 4 located towards one free end 6 of the main beam 2, to a bar 3 attached to the seed dispensing apparatus or towing vehicle (not shown). Pivotally attached to the other end 7 of the main beam 2 is a U-shaped bracket 8. The base portion 9 of the U-shaped bracket 8 is adjacent the end 7 of the main beam 2 and the arms 5 of the U-shaped bracket 8 extend in a direction away from the main beam 2. A first axle 10 extends through an aperture in each of the arms 5 of the U-shaped bracket 8 towards the free ends thereof in a plane parallel to the base portion 9 of the U-shaped bracket. A press wheel 12 is rotatably located on the first axle 10. The first axle 10 extends through a central aperture in the press wheel 12 such that the press wheel 12 is partially located in the cavity defined by the base and arm portions of the U-shaped bracket 8, as shown in Figure 1. A second axle 13 extends through an aperture in the main beam 2 at a position adjacent the base section 9 of the U-shaped bracket 8. The second axle 13 is comprised of a central portion 16 and two arm portions 14, the arm portions 14 being angled with respect to the central portion 16 and extending one from each end of the central portion 16. As shown in Figure 1, a preferred angle X of orientation of the arm portions 14 to the central portion 16 between the plane extending along the central longitudinal axis of the central portion 16 and the plane extending along the central longitudinal axis of each of the arm portions 14 is around 8° to 10°. The central longitudinal axes of the arm portions 14 and the central portion 16 lie in a common plane so that the arm portions 14 are angled in the same plane. The second axle 13 may be rotatable in the aperture in the main beam 2 through which it extends. Two discs 18 and 20 are rotatably mounted to the angled portions 14 of the second axle 13, the angled portions 14 of the second axle 13 extending through a central aperture in each of the discs 18 and 20. The discs 18 and 20 are arranged in planes which converge rearwardly in relation to the direction of travel X and downwardly in relation to the main beam 2. This has the advantage that little or no soil is thrown around during the cutting of the grooves/furrows. Also, any soil which is thrown up during the formation of the grooves in the soil is thrown by each disc 18 and 20 towards the central longitudinal plane Y of the main beam 2 rather than outwardly away from the outer surfaces 19 of the discs. This is particularly advantageous as the soil surface ends up reasonably flat and the seeds are able to be placed accurately in the desired location in the soil. Also, it enables the apparatus to be used at higher driving speeds, for example at 25 to 30 kilometres per hour. The press wheel 12 presses the soil into place shortly after the grooves/furrows have been cut and the seeds sown, which also enables the apparatus to be used at higher speeds. As shown in Figure 2, a lever 22 is attached to the second axle 13, for example by welding. The lever 22 is adjustable by location of a lever pin 25 in one of a number of apertures 26 in an arcuate plate 27 attached to the main beam 2, to permit alteration of the rotational position of the second axle 13 and therefore the position of the angled arm portions 14 relative to the ground. This enables selection and variation of the angle of the discs 18 and 20 attached to the arm portions 14 relative to the ground, to suit the type of seed to be sown. The lever 22 is also used to lock the second axle 13 in the desired position. A pair of seed tubes 23 are each attached at one end to a seed container (not shown) and have a seed dispensing outlet end 21 located adjacent the outer face of each disc 18 and 20 at a position between the second axle 13 and the periphery of the discs 18 and 20 adjacent the press wheel 12. The angle of the seed tubes 23 in the vicinity of the outlet end 21 relative to the ground is adjustable, as is the position of the seed tubes 23 relative to the main beam 2. The closer back they are to the press wheel 12, the shallower the seeds may be sown, and the further away the seed tubes 23 are from the press wheel 12, the deeper the seeds may be sown. A hydraulic cylinder 24 is fixed to the main body of the seed dispensing apparatus or towing vehicle (not shown), the hydraulic cylinder 24 being positioned such that it acts on the main beam 2 to exert a downward force on the main beam 2 to push the discs 18 and 20 into the ground during use. In operation, a plurality of disc planters 1 are attached to the seed sowing apparatus/towing vehicle (not shown), the disc planters being spaced laterally from and parallel to one another across the rear of the towing vehicle. The disc spacing lever 22 is adjusted to select and set the position of the angled arm portions 14 relative to the ground which sets the spacing of the discs 18 and 20 fixed thereto to the ground and thus the width of the grooves to be made in the ground by the discs 18 and 20 to suit the type of seed to be sown. As the discs 18 and 20 are dragged through the soil by the seed sowing vehicle, the discs 18 and 20 rotate and leave grooves in the soil, the width and spacing of which will be set by the angle between the discs 18 and 20. Each disc 18 and 20 cuts a separate groove or furrow in the soil so that for each pair of discs 18, 20, two grooves or furrows are formed in the soil. The depth of the grooves made by the discs 18 and 20 is set by the pressure exerted on the main beam 2 by the hydraulic cylinder 24. As the seed sowing vehicle moves over the ground and the discs 18 and 20 cause grooves to be made in the soil, the soil is pushed to form a ridge between the discs 18 and 20, the seed contained in the hopper (not shown) attached to the seed dispensing apparatus and towing vehicle is dropped into the grooves through seed tubes 23, and the soil is then pushed back by the press wheel 12 to press the soil firmly around the sown seeds to improve germination. As little or no soil is thrown around during the aforementioned process, the soil surface ends up reasonably flat and the seeds are able to be placed accurately in the desired location in the soil. The disc planters shown in Figures 4 to 10 are modified versions of the disc planter 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3. Like reference numerals are used for the corresponding parts in the various embodiments. The disc planter 100 shown in Figure 4 differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 3 in that the press wheel 12 is no longer mounted to a U-shaped bracket 8 attached to the main beam 2 but rather is attached by means of a U-shaped bracket 80 attached to a secondary beam 82 which is spaced vertically from and above the main beam 2. The U- shaped bracket 80 is attached to the underside of the secondary beam 82 adjacent a first end 83 thereof. The secondary beam 82 is attached, towards the second end 85 thereof, to the main beam 2, by a bar or flat section 84 welded to the main beam 2 at a position between the point of attachment to the main beam 2 of the hydraulic cylinder 24 and the discs 18, 20. The disc planter 100 of Figure 4 also differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 3 in the means of adjusting the position of the angled arm portions 14 of the second axle 13 supporting the discs 18 and 20 relative to the ground. The disc planter 100 of Figure 4 comprises a first bar 86 attached to the main beam 2 by means of a pivot pin 87 extending through one of a plurality of apertures 99 in a side face 88 of the main beam 2 at a location between the point of attachment of the secondary beam 82 and the free end 88 of the main beam 2 opposite to the end 6 which is adjacent the bar 3 attached to the seed dispensing apparatus or towing vehicle (not shown). The provision of a plurality of apertures 99 through which the pivot pin 87 may be located enables the position of the discs 18, 20 to be adjusted relative to the main beam 2. A second flat bar 89 is attachable to the first bar 86 adjacent the free end 90 thereof opposite the free end 97 adjacent which the pivot pin 87 is located. A pin 91 is locatable in one of a number of apertures 92 spaced vertically along the second bar 89 and the pin 91 extends through a correspondingly aligned aperture through the first bar 86 to retain the second bar in position relative to and attached to the first bar. This arrangement enables further alteration of the position of the discs 18, 20 relative to the main beam 2. The disc planter 200 shown in Figures 5 to 8 is a further modification of the disc planter 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3. It differs therefrom in that there is a single main beam 2 to which the discs 18, 20 and press wheel 12 are attached, thereby reducing the number of constituent components of the disc planter. The discs 18, 20 of the disc planter 200 of Figures 5 to 8 are attached to the main beam 2 by means of an axle 160 comprising a vertically extending portion 1 1 which depends from and is secured by means of, for example, a U-bolt to the main beam 2. Two arm portions 164 extend outwardly from the vertically extending portion 161 towards the free end 162 thereof. The arm portions 164 are angled downwardly at an angle "B" to the horizontal plane of about 8 to 10 degrees. The angled portions 164 of the axle 160 extend through a central aperture in each of the discs 18 and 20. In contrast to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 4, the disc angle in the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 8 is fixed and not adjustable. The disc planter 200 of Figures 5 to 8 further differs from those shown in Figures 1 to 4 in the manner in which the press wheel is attached to the main beam 2. In this embodiment, an L-shaped section 155 is bolted to the underside 165 of the main beam 2 adjacent the free end 7 thereof which is opposite that attached to the towing vehicle. An axle 156 extends through a central aperture in the press wheel 12 and through a corresponding aperture in the L-shaped section 155 to hold the press wheel 12 in position relative to the main beam 2. The axle 156 may be welded to the L-shaped section 155. In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 8, the seed sowing tubes 23 are attached to a plate 201 bolted onto the underside 165 of the main beam 2. The sowing tubes 23 have a spring section 202 along their length to allow for movement. The additional advantages of the configuration of disc planter 200 shown in Figures 5 to 8 are that the sowing tubes 23, press wheel 12 and discs 18, 20 may be placed anywhere along the main beam 2 allowing for a sowing row spacing of down to around 5 inches, which is considerably less than is achievable with conventional disc planters, and advantages also lie in its simplicity of construction and use. Also, the disc planter 200 is fully adjustable and can be easily dismantled for transport. The operation of the disc planters shown in Figures 4 to 8 is essentially as described above with respect to the disc planter shown in Figures 1 to 3, with the exception of the differences outlined above. The disc planters 300 and 400 shown in Figures 9 and 10 respectively are further modifications of the disc planter 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3. The disc planter 300 shown in Figure 9 differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 3 in that there is a support member or main beam 2 comprising a first member 302 and a second member 303 welded to the first member 302 adjacent one free end 304 thereof, the discs 18, 20 and press wheel 12 being attached to the second member 303. In a preferred embodiment, the first member 302 comprises a 3 inch beam and the second member 303 comprises a 1 inch beam. The second member 303 comprises an integrally formed first section 305, second section 306 and third section 307. The first section 305 is welded to and is substantially parallel to the main beam 2, the second section 306 is angled with respect to the first section 305 and extends between the first section 305 and the third section 207, and the third section 207 is substantially parallel to the first section 305 but is spaced laterally therefrom by the second section 306. In the embodiment of Figure 9, the axle 160 on which the discs 18 and 20 are retained is identical to that described above in relation to Figures 5 to 8. Furthermore, the press wheel 12 is attached to the third section 307 of the secondary beam 303 in the same manner as the press wheel 12 is attached to the main beam 2 in the embodiment of Figure 8 as described above. The disc planter 300 of Figure 9 further differs from those shown in Figures 1 to 4 in the manner in which the seed tubes 23 are attached. In the embodiment of Figure 9, the seed tubes 23 are attached to the secondary beam 303 around the point of intersection of the first section 305 and the second section 306 by means of a first member 308 to which a second member 309 is attached, for example, by welding, such that the first and second members 308, 309 form a T-shaped section, the first member 308 forming the stem portion and the second member 309 forming the arm portion. The first and second members 308, 309 may formed of flat pieces of metal and the first member 308 may be welded or U-bolted to the secondary beam 303. Each seed tube 23 is welded or secured by means of a U-bolt to respective ends of the second member 309 and extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the upper face of the second member 309. In the disc planter 300 shown in Figure 9, the secondary beam 303 could be attached to the main beam 2 by being welded to it or it could slot into a channel in the main beam 2. The secondary beam 303 is preferably formed of a 6 inch by one inch bar which is bent to form the Z-shaped section illustrated. The disc planter 400 shown in Figure 10 differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 3 in that the support member 2 comprises a first beam portion 401 and a second beam portion 402 attached thereto, for example by welding. In a preferred embodiment, the first beam portion 401 is a 3 inch square beam and the second beam portion 402 is a 1 inch square beam. The discs 18 (shown) and 20 (not shown) are attached to the main beam 2 by means of axle 160 of the type and in the maimer described above with regard to Figures 5 to 8. The press wheel 12 in the embodiment of Figure 10 is attached to the main beam 2 by means of an axle 10 which extends through and aperture in the main beam 2 adjacent the end of the main beam 2 opposite to that which is attachable to the towing vehicle. The seed tubes 23 in the embodiment of Figure 10 are attached to the main beam 2 in the same way as the seed tubes 23 described above in relation to the embodiment of Figure 9, the first member 308 of the T-shaped section being attached to the main beam 2 by means of welding or a U-bolt. The second member 309 of the T- shaped section is not shown in Figure 10. The hydraulic cylinder 24 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is also to be used in coimection with the disc planters 300 and 400 shown in Figures 9 and 10 although it is not shown in those figures. The operation of the disc planters shown in Figures 9 and 10 is essentially as described above with respect to the disc planter shown in Figures 1 to 3, with the exception of the differences outlined above. Various modifications to the apparatus described will be apparent to those skilled in the art, for example, the hydraulic cylinder 24 described above as being hingedly attached to the towing vehicle may be attached to the bar 3 which is itself attached to the towing vehicle. Also, the hydraulic cylinder 24 used to provide an adjustable downward pressure on the main beam 2 may be replaced by another means of exerting pressure such as pneumatically, or using a spring or a weight. In another preferred embodiment, the second axle 13 may be V-shaped. Also, the U-shaped bracket 8 could be replaced by an L-shaped bracket, the single arm of which could extend adjacent either outer face of the press wheel 12. Whilst the preferred angle of orientation X of the arm portions 14 of the second axle 13 has been described as being between 8° and 10°, it is possible that an angle outside this range could be used. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the disc planters 1, 200, 300 and 400 including the main beams 2, any first and second members thereof, and the press wheels 12 may be around 8 feet from front to back to enable them to fit onto a truck for transportation in the assembled state. As mentioned above, in use a plurality of disc planters 1, 200, 300 or 400 are attached to the towing vehicle each being spaced laterally from and parallel to one another. In a preferred embodiment (not shown), the plurality of disc planters 1, 200, 300 or 400 may be arranged such that the discs 18, 20 and/or press wheels 12 are laterally staggered with respect to one another in a zig-zag pattern. This may be achieved, for example, by altering the length of adjacent main beams 2 and/or any members of which the main beams 2 may be comprised. As an example, the lengths of adjacent main beams may vary by 3 inches. This has the advantage that heavier axles may be used to support the discs 18, 20 which are tougher and more durable. The disc planters 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 described herein have a number of advantages, in particular, they are very simple mechanisms with a minimum number of moving parts. The provision of one press wheel 12 per two discs 18 and 20, each disc cutting a separate groove in the soil, is in contrast to conventional disc planters which typically have one disc cutting a groove in the soil or a pair of discs cutting a single groove in the soil, and typically one or more press wheels per disc. Furthermore, the disc planter 1 described herein has an easily and fully adjustable disc angle. Due to the structural configuration of the disc planters 1, 100, 200, 300, and 400 it is possible to achieve a closer spacing between adjacent grooves than is possible with conventional disc planters which leads to improved germination of the seeds sown. The disc planters 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 are capable of handling large amounts of trash on the ground and it is anticipated that they will be able to operate at speeds of up to around 30 km/hour. As the discs 18 and 20 of disc planter 1 are located one on either side of the central portion 16 of the second axle 13, there is an equal pull exerted on the main beam 2 from opposite sides thereof and the disc planters 1, 100, 200 are therefore able to be towed in a substantially straight line with little or no sideways drift. It will be appreciated that the variations shown in Figures 4 to 10 for example, the means of attaching various components to the main beam 2, or the seed sowing tubes 23 may be incorporated into one or more of the embodiments described.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. An agricultural apparatus for use in the sowing of seeds in soil, said apparatus being attachable to a primary mover in use for pulling said agricultural apparatus in a direction of travel, said apparatus comprising a support member, means for forming grooves in the soil into which seeds to be sown are dropped, said means for forming grooves comprising a first groove forming member and a second groove forming member, said groove forming members each cutting a single groove in the soil in use, said means for forming grooves being mountable on said support member about an axle extending therethrough, said axle having a first arm portion and a second arm portion, said first groove forming member being mountable on said first arm portion and said second groove forming member being mountable on said second arm portion, said first arm portion being angled with respect to said second arm portion such that said first and second groove forming members are arranged in planes which converge rearwardly in relation to the direction of travel, said apparatus further comprising means for pressing soil into grooves made by the means for forming grooves after seeds to be sown have been dispensed, said means for pressing soil being mountable on said support member, said apparatus further comprising means for urging the means for forming grooves into the soil, said means for urging the means for forming grooves being positioned to press the support member and thereby the means for forming grooves into the soil. 2. An agricultural apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second groove forming members are arranged in planes which converge downwardly in relation to said support member. 3. An agricultural apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said support member is a single bar extending rearwardly in relation to the primary mover when attached thereto in use. 4. An agricultural apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said support member comprises a first member and a second * member, said second member being attached to said first member. 5. An agricultural apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said axle extends through said second member. 6. An agricultural apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said means for pressing soil into the grooves is mountable on said second member. 7. An agricultural apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the axle is rotatable with respect to said bar. 8. An agricultural apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for urging the means for forming grooves into the soil is operable to enable adjustment of the depth of the grooves to be formed. 9. An agricultural apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first arm portion and said second arm portion are angled in a common plane. 10. An agricultural apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first groove forming member comprises a disc, and said second groove forming member comprises a disc, the discs preferably being rotatably mounted on the first arm portion and the second arm portion respectively of said axle. 11. An agricultural apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said means for pressing soil into the grooves comprises a press wheel. 12. An agricultural apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for urging the means for forming grooves into the soil comprises a hydraulic cylinder attachable to the towing vehicle and the support frame, a spring, pneumatic means or a weight. 13. An agricultural apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising locking means for inhibiting rotation of the axle relative to the support frame, the locking means being releasable to enable rotation of the axle to a different rotational position. 14. An agricultural apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one embodiment as that embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: JONES CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY, JONES, CHRISTOPHER, ANTHONY
Applicants: JONES CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY, JONES, CHRISTOPHER, ANTHONY
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A01C5
IPC codes: A01B49, A01C5