Patent Publication Number: US-2013228107-A1

Title: Adjustable Row Unit

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/955,366 filed on Nov. 29, 2010, which application was a continuation of and claimed priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/480,662 filed on Jun. 8, 2009, which claimed priority under §119(e) of provisional U.S. Pat. App. Nos. 61/131,192 filed on Jun. 6, 2008, and 61/135,876 filed on Jul. 24, 2008, and Applicant also claims priority from provisional U.S. Pat. App. No. 61/635,393 filed on Apr. 19, 2013, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The methods described herein are generally applicable to the field of agricultural equipment. The embodiments shown and described herein are more particularly for improved row cleaning for delivery of seed or fertilizer. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     AUTHORIZATION PURSUANT TO 37 C.F.R. §1.71 (d) 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright and trademark protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,890 issued to Martin for “Ground-Driven Rotary Row Cleaner” illustrates prior art that may be relevant to the present disclosure, but that fails to teach the improvements disclosed and claimed herein. U.S. patents on several exemplary models of row cleaning wheels (U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,890) and closing wheels (U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,717) are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The operation of row planter units of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,009,668 and 6,148,747, both of which are incorporated by reference herein, is well known to those skilled in the art and not discussed in detail herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     An adjustable row cleaner is disclosed and claimed herein, without limitations, which has particular application as an improved no-till or minimum tillage planting apparatus and/or planting row unit. In one embodiment the adjustable row cleaner provides a mounting mechanism for attachment to a planter row unit allowing the depth of the row cleaner assembly to be actuated and/or adjusted automatically in response to either changes in elevation, soil conditions, foreign objects, or a command from an operator. 
     Most embodiments of the adjustable row cleaner typically include a row cleaner frame for mounting the row cleaner assembly to the planter row unit. The row cleaner assembly may have one or two row cleaner wheels operable to remove objects from the path of a furrow opener. The row cleaner frame may have one or two row cleaner frame arms. The row cleaner assemblies as shown herein incorporate floating row cleaner frames, which allow the row cleaner wheels to respond or react to variations in soil elevation. The adjustable row cleaner may be mounted to a tool bar for other uses in which a row unit is absent. 
     The adjustable row cleaner allows for a row cleaner assembly that may be actuated. An actuator may be used so that the depth of the row cleaner wheels may be independently adjusted with respect to the depth of other elements on a planter row unit. The adjustable row cleaner described herein also allows for depth monitoring of the row cleaner wheels. The adjustable row cleaner also allows for a mode wherein the row cleaner wheel depth may be locked in a set position and all row cleaner wheels raised or lowered to a pre-determined set-point. The method and/or structure used for actuating the depth or elevation of the row cleaner wheels may be pneumatic (i.e. air bag), hydraulic, mechanical (e.g., ball screw, spring, or rotary), etc. The adjustable row cleaner disclosed and claimed herein also allows for a depth control and monitoring system for row cleaners wheels. 
     This adjustable row cleaner may allow an operator positioned in or upon a prime mover pulling a planter, typically having a tool bar with multiple planter row units mounted thereon, to monitor and control (from the prime mover) the depth at which the row cleaner wheels penetrate the soil. For example, each row cleaner assembly may have an exterior gauge or rod to provide a visual indication of depth, or variation of depth from a predetermined setting. In another embodiment, the visual indicator may be provided through either an analog or digital monitoring system displayed near the operator in the prime mover, or at another position of the planter visible to the operator when positioned in the prime mover. 
     As agricultural equipment has grown in size, the need for a system that may be controllable from the cab of a prime mover has grown in importance. This is particularly important for changing or adjusting the depth of the row cleaner wheels on planters having in excess of sixteen rows. One embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner as described herein allows for a feedback so that as the depth varies from the pre-determined set-point, the adjustable row cleaner automatically actuates the row cleaner wheels to a lower or higher setting so that the row cleaner wheels better correspond to the set-point. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       In order that the advantages of the cleaning wheel will be readily understood, a more particular description of the cleaning wheel briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the cleaning wheel and are not therefore to be considered limited of its scope, the cleaning wheel will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a planter row unit mountable upon a tool bar as found in the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of a first embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner attached to a planter row unit. 
         FIG. 2A  provides a detailed view of the translator member pivot and pivot mount of one embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner. 
         FIG. 3A  provides a side view of the first embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner attached to a planter row unit wherein the row cleaner wheels are set to a high setting. 
         FIG. 3B  provides a side view of the first embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner attached to a planter row unit wherein the row cleaner wheels are set to a low setting. 
         FIG. 4  provides a detailed rear view of the first embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner attached to a planter row unit. 
         FIG. 5  provides a perspective view of a second embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner attached to a planter row unit. 
         FIG. 6  provides a side view of the second embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner attached to a planter row unit. 
         FIG. 7  provides a detailed rear view of the second embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner attached to a planter row unit. 
         FIG. 8  provides a perspective view of a third embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner attached to a planter row unit. 
         FIG. 9A  provides a side view of a fourth embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner attached to a planter row unit wherein the row cleaner is positioned above the ground surface. 
         FIG. 9B  provides a side view of the fourth embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner attached to a planter row unit wherein the row cleaner is positioned adjacent the ground surface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION—LISTING OF ELEMENTS 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Element Description 
                 Element Number 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Adjustable row cleaner 
                  10 
               
               
                   
                 Aperture 
                  12 
               
               
                   
                 Planter row unit 
                  20 
               
               
                   
                 Tool bar 
                  21 
               
               
                   
                 Furrow opener 
                  22 
               
               
                   
                 Depth regulator 
                  23 
               
               
                   
                 Linkage 
                  26 
               
               
                   
                 Row unit frame 
                  27 
               
               
                   
                 Row unit sub-frame 
                  27a 
               
               
                   
                 Furrow closer 
                  28 
               
               
                   
                 Row unit front plate 
                  29 
               
               
                   
                 Row cleaner assembly 
                  30 
               
               
                   
                 Row cleaner frame 
                  32 
               
               
                   
                 Row cleaner frame arm 
                  32a 
               
               
                   
                 Row cleaner frame connector portion 
                  33 
               
               
                   
                 Row cleaner wheel 
                  34 
               
               
                   
                 Row cleaner frame pivot 
                  36 
               
               
                   
                 Translator member 
                  40 
               
               
                   
                 Translator member first end 
                  42 
               
               
                   
                 Connector portion 
                  42a 
               
               
                   
                 Connector 
                  43 
               
               
                   
                 Translator member second end 
                  44 
               
               
                   
                 Adjustment portion 
                  44a 
               
               
                   
                 Translator member pivot 
                  46 
               
               
                   
                 Pivot mount 
                  48 
               
               
                   
                 Actuator mount 
                  50 
               
               
                   
                 Lateral member 
                  52 
               
               
                   
                 Actuator slot 
                  52a 
               
               
                   
                 Vertical member 
                  54 
               
               
                   
                 Actuator engagement portion 
                  54a 
               
               
                   
                 Actuator 
                  56 
               
               
                   
                 Translator member holder 
                  60 
               
               
                   
                 Upper horizontal member 
                  61 
               
               
                   
                 Lower horizontal member 
                  62 
               
               
                   
                 Adjustment plate 
                  64 
               
               
                   
                 Adjustment aperture 
                  65 
               
               
                   
                 Translator slot 
                  66 
               
               
                   
                 Cross brace 
                  68 
               
               
                   
                 Translator member keeper 
                  70 
               
               
                   
                 Translator member keeper sleeve 
                  72 
               
               
                   
                 Translator member keeper plate 
                  74 
               
               
                   
                 Adjustment tab 
                  76 
               
               
                   
                 Locking pin 
                  77 
               
               
                   
                 Spring 
                  78 
               
               
                   
                 Adjustable row cleaner 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 Row cleaner assembly 
                 130 
               
               
                   
                 Row cleaner frame 
                 132 
               
               
                   
                 Row cleaner frame arm 
                 132a 
               
               
                   
                 Row cleaner frame connector portion 
                 133 
               
               
                   
                 Row cleaner wheel 
                 134 
               
               
                   
                 Row cleaner frame pivot 
                 136 
               
               
                   
                 Upright 
                 140 
               
               
                   
                 Upright first end 
                 142 
               
               
                   
                 Upright second end 
                 144 
               
               
                   
                 Lifter 
                 150 
               
               
                   
                 Lifter first end 
                 152 
               
               
                   
                 Lifter second end 
                 154 
               
               
                   
                 Lifter pivot point 
                 156 
               
               
                   
                 Adjustor engager 
                 158 
               
               
                   
                 Assist arm 
                 160 
               
               
                   
                 Assist arm first end 
                 162 
               
               
                   
                 Assist arm second end 
                 164 
               
               
                   
                 Assist arm pivot point 
                 166 
               
               
                   
                 Adjustor 
                 170 
               
               
                   
                 Release 
                 172 
               
               
                   
                 Catch 
                 174 
               
               
                   
                 Biasing member 
                 180 
               
               
                   
                 Biasing member first end 
                 182 
               
               
                   
                 Biasing member second end 
                 184 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before the various embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that phraseology and terminology used herein with reference to device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like “front”, “back”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like) are only used to simplify description of the present invention, and do not alone indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation. In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used herein and in the appended claims for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance. 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  provides a side view of a prior art planter row unit  20  to which an embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner  10  may be mounted. Planter row units  20  are generally mounted to a tool bar  21  or similar structure using linkage  26 , which may be oriented in a parallel fashion as shown in  FIG. 1 , or which may be non-parallel in other embodiments not pictured herein. 
     The planter row unit  20  generally includes a row unit frame  27  and a row unit sub-frame  27   a,  both of which are typically pivotally affixed to the linkage  26 . The row unit sub-frame  27   a  typically supports a furrow opener  22  that operates to open a furrow in the ground surface. Although not shown in the embodiments pictured herein, the planter row unit  20  often includes a down pressure member (not shown) for applying a biasing force to the furrow opener  22 . The row unit sub-frame  27   a  also may support a depth regulator  23  for regulating the depth of the furrow and a furrow closer  28  for closing the furrow. 
     A seed delivery mechanism (not shown) may be mounted to the row unit frame  27  and/or row unit sub-frame  27   a  for delivering seed to the opened furrow. The row unit frame  27  typically supports at least one container (not shown) for holding seed, fertilizer, or other material. The row unit sub-frame  27   a  may include a row unit front plate  29 , which may be oriented towards the direction of travel of the planter row unit  20 . Planter row units  20  such as those shown in  FIG. 1  as well as other seeding machines are well known to those practiced in the art and the operation of such will therefore not be discussed in detail herein for reasons of clarity. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , which provides a perspective view of a first embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner  10  attached to a planter row unit, a row cleaner assembly  30  may be mounted to a planter row unit  20 . The embodiment of a row cleaner assembly  30  pictured herein includes a row cleaner frame  32  that may be pivotally mounted to the row unit sub-frame  27   a  at the row unit front plate  29 . The row cleaner frame  32  may pivot with respect to the planter row unit  20  about a row cleaner frame pivot  36 . The row cleaner frame  32  extends forwardly from the row unit front plate  29 , and a pair of row cleaner wheels  34  may be pivotally affixed to the row cleaner frame  32  opposite the row cleaner frame pivot  36 , which is described in more detail below. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the row cleaner assembly  30  as disclosed may be mounted on a row unit front plate  29  through any method and/or structure known to those skilled in the art such as bolts, nuts, and corresponding apertures, chemical adhesion, clamps, welding, etc. 
     The row cleaner frame  32  in the first embodiment thereof is comprised of two row cleaner frame arms  32   a  connected to one another at the second ends thereof. The two row cleaner frame arms  32   a  may be oriented so that they form a line of symmetry between them in the direction of travel of the planter row unit  20 . In this respect, the row cleaner frame arms  32   a  are shaped similar to a wishbone, or are V- or U-shaped. Each row cleaner frame arm  32   a  has a first and second end. The first end forms the row cleaner frame pivot  36  at the two points where the row cleaner frame arms  32   a  engage the row unit front plate  29 . As generally described above, the row cleaner frame arms  32   a  may be pivotal with respect to the row unit sub-frame  27   a  about the row cleaner frame pivot  36  so that the row cleaner assembly  30  is floating or semi-floating, as is known to those skilled in the art. 
     The row cleaner frame arms  32   a  may be configured to come together and engage one another at their second ends to form one contiguous row cleaner frame  32  as shown in the embodiments pictured herein, in the embodiments pictured herein, the connection point of the two row cleaner frame arms  32   a  is shaped similar to an upside-down U. In other embodiments not shown herein, the connection point will be oriented differently and may have a different shape. For example, the connection point of the row cleaner frame arms  32   a  may be a substantially flat piece of material simply engaging the second ends of the row cleaner frame arms  32   a  to one another. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, depending on the orientation of the row cleaner wheels  34  (explained in detail below) and row cleaner frame arms  32   a,  the engagement point of the row cleaner frame arms  32   a  may have different shapes and/or orientations than the connection points pictured herein without departing from the scope of the adjustable row cleaner  10 . 
     A row cleaner wheel  34  may be mounted adjacent the second end of each row cleaner frame arm  32   a  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The row cleaner wheel  34  may be pivotally mounted to the row cleaner frame  32 , or it may be mounted to a row cleaner wheel hub (not shown) that is either engaged with or integrated into the row cleaner frame  32 . The row cleaner wheel  34 , row cleaner wheel hub (if so configured), and row cleaner frame arms  32   a  may be configured so that the row cleaner wheel  34  is free to rotate about the row cleaner frame arms  32   a.  The operation and benefits of ground driven row cleaner wheels  34  is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described further herein for purposes of clarity. A coulter (not shown) may be mounted between the row cleaner frame arms  32   a  without interference with the operation of any elements of the planter row unit  20 . Other accessory tools may also be mounted between the row cleaner frame arms  32   a  in embodiments not pictured herein without limitation. 
     Row cleaner assemblies  30  having a single row cleaner wheel  34  mounted thereto may be used with the adjustable row cleaner  10  as disclosed herein without limitation. The adjustable row cleaner  10  as disclosed and claimed herein may be used with any type of floating row cleaner frame  32  and is not limited to the embodiments thereof as pictured herein. For example, the adjustable row cleaner may be used with but is not limited to single-arm row cleaner frames (not shown) or U-shaped row cleaner frames  32  having different orientations than the one shown in the various figures herein. 
     The adjustable row cleaner  10  also may comprise a translator member  40  having a first end  42  and a second end  44 . The translator member  40  as shown in the embodiments pictured herein may span nearly the entire length of the row unit frame  27  and may be configured with various angles and angled portions such that it does not interfere with other structures and mechanisms mounted to the row unit frame  27 . However, translator members  40  differently configured and/or configured for use with other types of row planter units  20  will have different orientations with different angles and angled portions without departing from the spirit and scope of the adjustable row cleaner  10  as disclosed and claimed herein. 
     The translator member first end  42  may be formed as a connector portion  42   a,  or a connector portion  42   a  may be affixed to the translator member first end  42 . A row cleaner frame connector portion  33  may be affixed to the row cleaner frame  32  or may be integrally formed therewith. A connector  43  may then be engaged with both the connector portion  42   a  and the row cleaner frame connector portion  33 . Both the connector portion  42   a  and the row cleaner frame connector portion  33  in the first and second embodiments may be formed with a plurality of apertures  12  therein to provide the operator with various places at which the connector  43  may engage the connector portion  42   a.  The aperture  12  with which the connector  43  is engaged may affect the clearance between the row cleaner wheels  34  and the ground surface as explained in more detail below. As shown in the first and second embodiments, the connector  43  may be a chain. However, in other embodiments not pictured herein, the connector  43  may be a cable, rope, bar, rod, tine, or any other structure that serves to communicate forces between the connector portion  42   a  of the translator member and the row cleaner frame connector portion  33 . Consequently, the connector portion  42   a  and row cleaner frame connector portion  33  may vary in structure from those shown herein and still provide the operator with adequate functionality without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the connector portion  42   a  and row cleaner frame connector portion  33  may include slots for engagement with the connector  43  wherein the position of the connector  43  within the slot may be fixed through structure and/or methods known to those skilled in the art (e.g., clamps, screws, pines, etc.). 
     In the first and second embodiments, a translator member pivot  46  may be positioned between the translator member first and second ends  42 ,  44 . A detailed view of the translator member pivot  46  and pivot mount  48  are shown in  FIG. 2A . The translator member pivot  46  pivots with respect to the row unit frame  27  and may be affixed to the translator member  40 . A pivot mount  48  may be affixed to the row unit frame  27  to support the translator member pivot  46 . The pivot mount  48  may be affixed to the row unit frame  27  via any structure and/or method known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to nuts, bolts, and corresponding apertures, clamps, chemical adhesion, welds, etc. 
     In the first embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the adjustment portion  44   a  may be engaged with a translator member holder  60 . In the first embodiment the translator member holder  60  may be comprised of an upper horizontal member  61  engaged with the row unit frame  27 , lower horizontal member  62  engaged with the row unit sub-frame  27   a,  and a adjustment plate  64  positioned between and affixed to both the upper and lower horizontal members  61 ,  62 . The upper horizontal member  61 , lower horizontal member  62 , and adjustment plate  64  may be formed as separate elements engaged with one another using any method and/or structure known to those skilled in the art including but not limited to nuts, bolts, and corresponding apertures, clamps, chemical adhesion, welds, etc. Alternatively, the upper horizontal member  61 , lower horizontal member  62 , and/or adjustment plate  64  may be integrally formed with one another. 
     The adjustment plate  64  in the first embodiment, which is best shown in  FIG. 4 , may include a plurality of adjustment apertures  65  positioned on either side of a translator slot  66 . A predetermined length of the adjustment portion  44   a  may pass through the translator slot  66  as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The adjustable row cleaner  10  may have one or more rows of adjustment apertures  65  on the adjustment plate  64 , and each row may have two or more adjustment apertures  65 . 
     A translator member keeper  70  may be positioned over part of the adjustment portion  44   a  of the translator member  40  in the first embodiment. The translator member keeper  70  may include a translator member keeper sleeve  72  that may be formed as a cylinder in the first embodiment and which may directly engage the adjustment portion  44   a.  A translator member keeper plate  74  may be engaged with the translator member keeper sleeve  72  at the proximal end thereof so that the translator member keeper plate  74  may engage the adjustment plate  64 . 
     The translator member keeper plate  74  may be formed with at least one adjustment tab  76  therein, although the first embodiment includes two adjustment tabs  76 . The adjustment tabs  76  may be oriented to engage the adjustment apertures  65 , thereby fixing the position of the translator member with respect to the adjustment plate  64  (and consequently with respect to the row cleaner frame  27 ) when at least one adjustment tab  76  is engaged with one adjustment aperture  65 . 
     An aperture  12  may be formed in the distal end of the translator member keeper sleeve  72  so that a locking pin  77  may be engaged with the translator member keeper  70 . A spring  78  may be positioned between the locking pin  77  and distal end of the adjustment portion  44   a  within the translator member keeper sleeve  72  to bias the periphery of the locking pin  77  against the edges of the aperture  12  formed in the translator member keeper sleeve  72  so that the locking pin  77  does not become inadvertently dislodged from the translator member keeper sleeve  72 . 
     When the operator desires to change the vertical clearance between the row cleaner wheel(s)  34  and the ground surface, the operator may first remove the locking pin  77  from the translator member keeper sleeve  72 . At this point, the translator member keeper plate  74  may be moved away from the adjustment plate  64  so that the adjustment tabs  76  may be disengaged with the adjustment apertures  65 . When no adjustment tabs  76  are engaged with adjustment apertures  65 , the adjustment portion  44   a  of the translator member  40  may move relative to the adjustment plate  64  in the vertical dimension between the limits of the translator slot  66 . 
     The first embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner  10  with the row cleaner wheels  34  set to the maximum clearance between the row cleaner wheels  34  and the ground surface (i.e., the highest setting for the row cleaner wheels  34 ) is shown in  FIG. 3A . The row cleaner wheels  34  set to the minimum clearance between the row cleaner wheels  34  and the ground surface (i.e., the lowest setting for the row cleaner wheels  34 ) is shown in  FIG. 3B . It should be noted that the maximum and minimum clearance between the row cleaner wheels  34  and ground surface may be dictated not only by the position of the translator member  40  but also by the position of the connector  43  on the row cleaner frame connector portion  33  and/or on the connector portion  42   a  of the translator member  40 . 
     Raising the adjustment portion  44   a  causes the translator member  40  to pivot about the translator member pivot  46 , which lowers the connector portion  42   a  and consequently allows the row cleaner frame  32  to pivot downward by a greater amount. When the adjustment portion  44   a  is positioned so that the maximum downward position of the row cleaner frame  32  is that desired by the operator, the vertical position of the adjustment portion  44   a  with respect to the adjustment plate  64  may be locked. This is accomplished by engaging an adjustment tab  76  with an adjustment aperture  65 . Positioning the locking pin  77  through the aperture  12  in the translator member keeper sleeve  72  will secure the engagement between the adjustment tab  76  and the adjustment aperture  65 . 
     In other embodiments not pictured herein, the adjustment plate  64  may include more adjustment apertures  65  with different spacing than those shown in the embodiments pictured herein, or it may include fewer adjustment apertures  65  with different spacing. As shown, the adjustable row cleaner  10  in  FIGS. 2-4  allows for adjustment of the row cleaner wheels  34  of four inches in the vertical dimension, wherein the lowest setting allows the row cleaner wheels  34  to penetrate the ground surface to a depth of one inch above the furrow depth. Accordingly, the highest (i.e., shallowest) setting allows the row cleaner wheels  34  to penetrate the ground surface to a depth of five inches above the furrow depth. However, other embodiments may have different extremes of adjustment as well as a larger overall range of adjustment without limitation to the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, simply lengthening or shortening the connector  43  affects the minimum and maximum clearance of the cleaner wheels  34  from the ground surface, which may also be affected by including more or fewer adjustment apertures  65  in the adjustment plate  64 . Furthermore, the specific location on the row cleaner frame connector portion  33  and/or connector portion  42   a  of the translator member  40  to which the connector  43  is attached also affect the minimum and maximum clearance for the cleaner wheels  34 . 
     A second embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner  10  is shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . In the second embodiment, the adjustment portion  44   a  of the translator member  40  may be engaged with an actuator  56 . Any type of actuator  56  may be used with the adjustable row cleaner  10 , such as hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, or combinations thereof without limitation. An actuator mount  50  may be engaged with the row cleaner frame  32 . The actuator mount  50  in the second embodiment may include a lateral member  52  having an actuator slot  52   a  formed therein. A vertical member  54  may be engaged with the lateral member  52 . A first end of the vertical member  54  may directly interface with the lateral member  52  and a second end of the vertical member  54  may be formed as an actuator engagement portion  54   a.    
     An actuator  56  may be pivotally coupled to the actuator engagement portion  54   a  at a first end of the actuator  56 , and a second end of the actuator  56  may be pivotally coupled to the adjustment portion  44   a  of the translator member  40 . As is apparent to those skilled in the art in light of  FIG. 7 , as the actuator  56  is extended, the first end of the actuator  56  acts upon the actuator engagement portion  54   a,  which may be rigidly mounted in the second embodiment. Accordingly, extension of the actuator  56  causes the adjustment portion  44   a  to lower. This in turn causes the connector portion  42  to lift and increases the clearance between the row cleaner wheels  34  and the ground surface through the action of the connector  43  and translator member pivot  46  as previously described. 
     Accordingly, the position of the actuator  56  determines the position of the adjustment portion  44   a,  and consequently, the depth setting of the row cleaner wheels  34 . Because of the configuration of the translator member  40  and the inherent spring characteristics thereof; a rigid or semi-rigid connector  43  may be used with an embodiment employing an actuator  56  without premature failure of the actuator  56  caused by mechanical forces imparted thereto from the row cleaner wheels  34 . To achieve the desired resiliency, the translator member  40  may be constructed of any material that is sufficiently rigid and yet sufficiently flexible to absorb the desired amount of mechanical forces imparted thereto. Such materials include various grades and/or configurations of carbon steel, polymers, aluminum, wood, carbon-based woven fiber materials, aluminum, aluminum alloys, or combinations thereof. 
     A third embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner  10  is shown in  FIG. 8 . The third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . In the third embodiment, a cross brace  68  may be provided to strengthen the adjustment plate  64  and to provide an attachment point for the top portion of the adjustment plate  64 . It is contemplated that the adjustable row cleaner  10  as shown in  FIG. 8  will be especially useful in conjunction with row planter units  20  that do not have individual material containers (not shown) mounted upon each planter row unit  20 . In such systems, a central container (not shown) is typically used to supply material to each planter row unit  20  of a contiguous planter having multiple planter row units  20  attached thereto. 
     The embodiments pictured herein show the connector  43  engaging a row cleaner frame connector portion  33  affixed to only one row cleaner frame arm  32   a.  However, in other embodiments it may engage row cleaner frame connector portions  33  on both row cleaner frame arms  34  or one row cleaner frame connector portion  33  affixed to both row cleaner frame arms  32   a  without departing from the scope of the adjustable row cleaner  10 . Additionally, the adjustable row cleaner  10  described herein may be used with only one row cleaner wheel  34  mounted to a row cleaner frame  32  having the ability to support two row cleaner wheels  34 . The adjustable row cleaner  10  also may be used with row cleaner frames  32  having only one row cleaner frame arm  32   a  and either one or two row cleaner wheels  34 . In such an embodiment the connector  43  would simply engage the one row cleaner frame arm  32   a  of the row cleaner assembly  30 . 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the adjustable row cleaner  10  reduces residue plugging during operation and allows relatively narrow spacing between each of the two row cleaner wheels  34  of the row cleaner assembly  30  as well as relatively narrow spacing between adjacent planter row units  20 . 
     When the row cleaner wheel  34  of a row cleaner assembly  30  such as that pictured herein (typically referred to as a “floating row cleaner”) strikes an obstruction of sufficient resistance, the row cleaner assembly  30  may allow the row cleaner wheel  34  to traverse the obstruction by climbing over it. The adjustable row cleaner  10  does not interfere with this action. As the row cleaner wheel  34  rises, the connector  43  may slacken and the row cleaner frame  32  pivots about the row cleaner frame pivot  36  as in floating row cleaners of the prior art. However, if a rigid or semi-rigid connector  43  is used, the shape of the handle translator member  40  provides a spring bias for the row cleaner frame  32 . In such an embodiment, the spring tension from the configuration of the translator member  40  allows the translator member  40  to absorb vertical motion of the row cleaner wheels  34  caused by bumps and obstructions. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the pair of row cleaner wheels  34  may be angled from the vertical axis. The vertical angle depicted by the embodiment in  FIGS. 2-7  is approximately twenty three degrees from vertical on each side, or a total of forty six degrees between the row cleaner wheels  34 . However, the scope of the adjustable row cleaner  10  as disclosed and claimed herein is not so limited. The row cleaner assembly  30  may be configured in other combined vertical angle configurations in the range of zero to ninety degrees. Accordingly, the row cleaner assembly  30  also may be produced with an angle of less than forty six degrees from vertical for less aggressive row cleaning. 
     As shown in the various embodiments pictured herein, each row cleaner wheel  34  is symmetrical to the other row cleaner wheel  34  about the direction of travel, but the scope of the adjustable row cleaner  10  as disclosed and claimed herein is not so limited. Furthermore, each row cleaner wheel  34  in the embodiments pictured herein is also comprised of a plurality of non-equal diameters to reduce the amount of trash cleared by each row cleaner wheel  34  and to maintain depth control of each row cleaner wheel  34 . The row cleaner frame  32  configuration and pivotal mount to the row unit sub-frame  27   a  allows the pair of larger diameter row cleaner wheels  34  to float while the smaller diameter row cleaner wheels  34  restrict the depth of penetration of the larger diameter row cleaner wheel  34 , as is well known to those skilled in the art. The adjustable row cleaner  10  may also be used with any row cleaner assemblies  30  employing row cleaner wheels  34  having only one or multiple diameters. 
     As is clear from the second embodiment, the adjustable row cleaner  10  may be integrated with a row cleaner assembly  10  in such a way that that the position of the row cleaner wheels  34  may be adjusted remotely, such as from the operator&#39;s position in the prime mover (not shown) during use. The adjustable row cleaner  10  described herein also allows for depth monitoring of the row cleaner wheels  34  through a variety of depth indicators. Monitoring and subsequently indicating the engagement of the row cleaner wheels  34  with the ground surface may be accomplished through many different methods and/or structures. For example, in one embodiment a tension sensor (not shown) is positioned on the connector  43  so that when the tension sensor detects slack in the connector  43 , the operator is alerted, as slack in the connector  43  would indicate that the row cleaner wheels  34  are not penetrating the ground surface to the desired depth. 
     Furthermore, any embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner  10  may be incorporated with the setting indicator (not shown). The setting indicator may be configured to indicate the set depth of the row cleaner wheels  34 . For example, in one embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner  10  with a setting indicator, the setting indicator is comprised of a display module positioned adjacent the operator in the prime mover, and a sensor at each adjustable row cleaner  10 . The display functions to show the depth setting for each adjustable row cleaner  10  through a visual readout. In another embodiment, the setting indicator is comprised of a bar and gauge placed on each adjustable row cleaner  10  with a plurality of increments thereon that correspond to different penetration depths of the row cleaner wheels  34 . 
     The adjustable row cleaner  10  also allows for a mode wherein the depth of the row cleaner wheel  34  may be locked in a set position and all row cleaner wheels  34  raised or lowered to a pre-determined set-point. Those skilled in the art may refer to this type of embodiment as ganging multiple row cleaner assemblies  30  and/or adjustable row cleaners  10  to one another. In the second embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner  10  as pictured herein, this ganging may be achieved by simply connecting the translator member second ends  44  of adjacent adjustable row cleaners  10  to one another with a horizontal connecting unit (not shown), which may be a rod, bar, plate, or any other suitable structure. Accordingly, in a ganged embodiment, fewer actuators  56  may be required to adjust the penetration depth of the row cleaner wheels  34  as only each gang of adjustable row cleaners  10  would require an actuator  56  as opposed to each separate adjustable row cleaner  10  requiring an actuator  56 . 
     The type of indication the adjustable row cleaner  10  provides to the operator to indicate the depth of the row cleaner wheels  34  may vary from one embodiment to the next. For example, in one embodiment each row cleaner assembly  30  may have an exterior gauge or rod (not shown) to provide a visual indication of depth, or variation of depth from a predetermined setting, which exterior gauge or rod is visible to the operator from the prime mover. In another embodiment, the visual indicator may be provided through either an analog or digital monitoring system (not shown) displayed near the operator in the prime mover, or at another position of the planter visible to the operator when positioned in the prime mover. Such a digital monitoring system may include separate indicators on each row cleaner assembly  30  or on each gang of row cleaner assemblies  30 . Such a digital monitoring system may also include a programmable logic circuit (PLC) to automatically adjust the penetration depth of the row cleaner wheels  34  based on a depth monitoring system based on both inputs to the PLC from the operator and/or depth monitoring system for the row cleaner wheels  34  and/or outputs from the PLC to the actuators  56 . Accordingly, as the depth of the row cleaner wheels  34  varies from the pre-determined set-point, the adjustable row cleaner  10  automatically adjusts the row cleaner wheels  34  to a lower or higher setting by controlling the associated actuators  56  so that the row cleaner wheels  34  better correspond to the set-point. 
     The adjustable row cleaner  10  may also be used with other accessory items. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,495 entitled “Apparatus for Planter Depth Monitoring,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses an apparatus to determine if the furrow opening device is penetrating the ground surface to the desired depth. The apparatus and concepts disclosed in that patent application are fully applicable to the adjustable row cleaner  10  disclosed herein to determine when the row cleaner wheels  34  are penetrating the organic matter and/or soil to the desired depth. 
     Fourth Embodiment of an Adjustable Row Cleaner 
       FIGS. 9A &amp; 9B  provide side views of a fourth embodiment of an adjustable row cleaner  100 . The fourth embodiment generally may include a row cleaner assembly  130 , upright  140 , lifter  150 , assist arm  160 , adjuster  170 , and biasing member  180 . The upright  140  may be engaged with the row unit frame  27  so that it is rigidly engaged therewith. It is contemplated that bolts or other mechanical fasteners may be convenient to engage the upright  140  to the row unit frame  27  for most applications of the adjustable row cleaner  100 , but other structures and/or methods may be used without limitation. The upright  140  may be formed with an upright first end  142  toward the top of the upright  140  and an upright second end  144  toward the bottom of the upright  140 . 
     A row cleaner assembly  130  may be engaged with the row unit frame  27  in a manner as previously described for the other embodiments of the adjustable row cleaner  10  as disclosed herein. A row cleaner frame  132  may be pivotally engaged with the row unit frame  27  at a row cleaner frame pivot  136 . The row cleaner frame  132  may be comprised of two row cleaner frame arms  132   a  that may be engaged with one another opposite the row cleaner frame pivot  136 . A row cleaner frame connector portion  133  may be formed in at least one row cleaner frame arm  132   a  for engagement with a biasing member second end  184 , as described in detail below. At least one row cleaner wheel  134  may be rotatably engaged with the row cleaner frame  132  opposite the row cleaner frame pivot  136 . 
     A lifter  150  may be pivotally engaged with the upright first end  142  between a lifter first end  152  and a lifter second end  154  at a lifter pivot point  156 . The optimal position of the lifter pivot point  156  along the length of the lifter  150  will vary from one embodiment of the adjustable row cleaner  100  to the next, and will be at least partially dependent on the configuration of the row unit frame  27 . An adjustor engager  158  may be formed in the lifter  150  adjacent the lifter second end  154 . 
     An adjustor  170  may be fashioned to engage the lifter  150  adjacent the lifter second end  154  at the adjustor engager  158 . The adjustor  170  may include a catch  174  that directly engages the adjustor engager  158  so as to fix the relative positions of the lifter  150  and adjustor  170  (which consequently fixes the relative positions of the lifter  150 , adjustor  170 , and assist arm  160 , as described below). The catch  174  and adjustor engager  158  in the illustrative embodiment are fashioned as corresponding toothed racks, but any suitable structure and/or method for fixing the relative position of the adjustor  170  with respect to the lifter  150  may be used without limitation. The adjustor  170  may also be formed with a release  172  to disengage the catch  174  and the adjustor engager  158  so that those elements may move with respect to one another in at least one dimension. In the embodiment pictured in  FIGS. 9A &amp; 9B , the lifter second end  154  and adjustor engager  158  fit within the adjustor  170 , but other structures and/or methods for selectively engaging the adjustor  170  and the lifter  150  may be used without limitation. 
     An assist arm  160  may be engaged with the adjustor  170  at the assist arm second end  164 . The assist arm  160  may be pivotally mounted to the upright second end  144  at the assist arm first end  162  such that the assist arm  160  may pivot with respect to the upright  140  about an assist arm pivot point  166 . 
     A biasing member  180  may be pivotally engaged with the lifter first end  152  at the biasing member first end  182 . The biasing member  180  may be pivotally engaged with the row cleaner frame  132  at the biasing member second end  184  and the row cleaner frame connector portion  133 , respectively. It is contemplated that in many applications it will be beneficial to engage only one side of the row cleaner frame  132  with the biasing member second end  184  so that other functional elements (e.g., a coulter) may be simultaneously positioned within the row cleaner frame  132 , but the scope of the adjustable row cleaner  100  as disclosed and claimed herein is not so limited. 
     The biasing member  180  may be a bow-shaped spring, as shown in the illustrative embodiment pictured herein. Such a biasing member  180  may be configured in a forward or reverse position (as shown via the hidden lines in  FIGS. 9A &amp; 9B ) so that the biasing member  180  may be used with a wide variety of row unit frames  27 . Other structures and/or methods may be used to communicate forces from the lifter  150  to the row cleaner frame  132  with limitation. 
     From the preceding description it should be apparent that the adjustable row cleaner  100  allows an operator to selectively set the depth and/or down force of row cleaner assembly  130  through manipulation of the adjustor  170 . As the adjustor  170  is moved in a direction from the lifter second end  154  to the lifter first end  152 , the assist arm second end  164  moves upward as the assist arm  160  pivots about the assist arm pivot point  166 . Simultaneously, the lifter first end  152  moves downward as the lifter second end  154  moves upward as the lifter  150  pivots about the lifter pivot point  156 . This causes the row cleaner frame  132  to move downward as it pivots about the row cleaner frame pivot  136 . When the adjustor  170  moves in a direction from the lifter first end  152  to the lifter second end  154 , the opposite actions result and the row cleaner frame  132  moves upward. 
     As with previous embodiments of the adjustable row cleaner  10  disclosed herein, the embodiment pictured in  FIGS. 9A &amp; 9B  may be configured with a powered actuator (not shown in  FIGS. 9A &amp; 9B ) to adjust the depth and/or down force of the row cleaner assembly  130 . For example, in one embodiment an actuator may be positioned between the assist arm second end  164  and lifter  150 . Accordingly, the adjustable row cleaner  100  is not limited by the presence or absence of powered actuators. 
     The various actions of the row cleaner frame  132 , lifter  150 , assist arm  160 , adjustor  170 , and biasing member  180  are evident through a comparison of  FIG. 9A  (which shows the row cleaner assembly  130  in its highest position) and  FIG. 9B  (which shows the row cleaner assembly  130  in its lowest position). Accordingly, the adjustable row cleaner  100  as shown in  FIGS. 9A &amp; 9B  may easily be installed on an existing row unit frame  27  by simply mounting the upright  140  and row cleaner frame  132  to the row unit frame  27 , and then mounting the lifter  150 , assist arm  160 , adjustor  170 , and biasing member  180  as shown herein. 
     As is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, the adjustable row cleaner  10 ,  100  may be configured for use and operation adjacent a plurality of adjustable row cleaners  10 ,  100  attached to a plurality of corresponding planter row units  20  attached to a tool bar  21  to form a contiguous planter unit (not shown). To modify the amount of organic material cleared from each row, the row cleaner wheels  34  may be angled, configured, and/or positioned differently. For example, if the row cleaner wheels  34  are configured to intersectedly engage one another during use the row cleaner wheels  34  may remove relatively large amount of organic material than compared to a non-intersectedly configured row cleaner wheel  34  arrangement. 
     Other methods of using the adjustable row cleaner  10 ,  100  and other embodiments thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the methods and embodiments pictured and described herein are for illustrative purposes only. The adjustable row cleaner  10 ,  100  also may be used in other manners, and therefore the specific planter row unit  20  with which the adjustable row cleaner  10 ,  100  is used in no way limits the scope of the adjustable row cleaner  10 ,  100 . 
     It should be noted that the adjustable row cleaner  10 ,  100  is not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply to all similar apparatuses for adjusting the penetration depth of ground engaging implements, such as row cleaner wheels  34 ,  134 . Accordingly, modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the adjustable row cleaner  10 ,  100 .