Patent AU-2010213359-A1 (AU)
Title: Agricultural assembly
Inventor: CHRISTOPHER ELLERY MILES
IPC: A01B23/06
Filed: 2010-02-11
Abstract: An agricultural assembly is disclosed. The invention comprises a plurality of components or assemblies able to be alternatively attached to an agricultural toolbar to form an assembly or series of assemblies able to meet the agricultural or cultivation requirements at the optimal level of performance. The assemblies typically comprise at least a rotatable hinged front mounting clamp bracket with an adjustable pivot block attached to the clamp bracket. The pivot block engages various stop adjustment wedges, allowing control of the lateral movement of the main extension arm assembly ensuring best performance in a variety of planting conditions. The pivot block assembly also houses the adjustment mechanism for specific regulation of a spring ram tensioning device that provides a calibrated download on the press wheel, ensuring optimal planting conditions. The length of the main extension arm assembly is also adjustable over a calibrated scale allowing easy and consistent adjustment for operating conditions. The press wheel has an offset hub capability which allows it to remove potential mud or soil build up while still allowing the press wheel to track straight in the furrow. The press wheel has attached to it a chain loop bracket with is mounted forward rather than aft, ensuring less inter-assembly fouling and allowing increased numbers of assemblies to be attached within a given cultivator frame. The chain loop is able to be stowed forward on the on the chain loop bracket further reducing fouling opportunities. The press wheel assembly has a mud scraping device which is adjustable in all dimensions and is calibrated to allow consistent adjustment for specific operating conditions. The depth drum, coulter disk and parallelogram assembly is designed to cut a furrow in the soil and to deliver seeds and fertiliser into the furrow at the optimal depth and relative distances. The depth drum and coulter disc can be raised and stowed easily for skip row operations or for transportation, the disc and most other components can be readily removed or replaced without disassembly or removal of the major components. The seed delivery boot and gas delivery system is easily installed and remains precisely located and at the correct depth to match the calibrated depth of the seed boot bottom and so the gas delivery system remains undamaged when drawn through the soil. The slimline tyne shank is designed to cut a furrow in the soil and to deliver seeds and fertiliser into the furrow at the optimal depth and relative distances. The device is able to accept a multitude of tyne types, including those required for simultaneous gas fertiliser delivery. The gas fertiliser delivery system is integrated into the slimline tyne shank, sowing boot and sowing point, ensuring optimal fertiliser delivery and longevity of the equipment. The tyne shank and seed boot are slim lined and low profile to minimise soil shatter and balling or build up of mud and stubble as the sowing point and tyne shank pass through the soil. An inter-row tyne with J knife point and integrated gas fertilizer delivery system is designed to cut a furrow in the soil and to deliver fertiliser into the furrow at the optimal depth and relative distance from adjacent planted seed. The gas fertiliser delivery system is integrated into the tyne shank, and enclosed by the J knife point, ensuring optimal fertiliser delivery and longevity of the equipment. The J knife point is slim lined and low profile to minimise soil shatter and balling or build up of mud and stubble as the sowing point and tyne shank pass through the soil. The double disc opener is designed to cut a furrow in the soil and to deliver seeds and fertiliser into the furrow at the optimal depth and relative distances. The device includes mud scrapers, double discs, seed boot and an integrated gas fertilizer delivery system. The gas fertiliser delivery system is integrated into the seed boot ensuring optimal fertiliser delivery and longevity of the equipment. The seed boot, seed boot bottom, discs, bearings, hubs, double stub axle, and seed boot guard are all able to be separately removed and replaced in the field by a single operator. The depth of all assemblies can be accurately and easily adjusted to a calibrated depth and the assembly can be fixed against its hard stop for easy stowage during transportation or when not required for operational use. The critical components normally subject to high wear and weather exposure are treated to ensure longevity in harsh operating conditions.