Patent Publication Number: US-6666155-B2

Title: Planter with centrally mounted coulter apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to agricultural equipment and more specifically to a coulter overload protection apparatus for use with a planter assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An exemplary agricultural planter assembly may includes support wheels centrally mounted to a long (e.g., 40 feet) implement bar with a tongue member extending centrally from the support wheels to a hitch on a tractor or some other type of prime mover and a plurality (e.g., sixteen) of separate coulter/fertilizer units and corresponding row units. Hereinafter, unless indicated otherwise and in the interest of simplifying this explanation, an exemplary planter assembly including a forty foot long implement bar and sixteen row units and corresponding coulter/fertilizer units will be assumed. 
     Each coulter/fertilizer unit is typically mounted to a front end of a corresponding row unit and includes a coulter or cutting knife member that cuts a fertilizer trench in soil there below and a fertilizer dispensing tube that delivers fertilizer into the fertilizer trench. The row units are mounted to the implement bar in an equi-spaced configuration. An exemplary row unit includes a seed bin, a dispenser and some type of soil agitator (e.g., a coulter or knife assembly). During operation, the agitators are forced into the ground and form seed trenches. 
     Each bin is mounted above a corresponding dispenser and feeds seed to the dispensers via gravity. The dispensers open behind corresponding agitators and drop seed into the seed trenches. The coulter/fertilizer units and corresponding row units are typically offset somewhat (e.g., 2 inches) so that the seed and fertilizer trenches are separated so that the fertilizer does not “burn” the seed as well known in the art. Once the seed sprouts, new plant roots make there way into the fertilizer trenches and growth is enhanced. 
     Typically the implement bar is moveable between an upright position where the ground engaging components of the row units and coulter/fertilizer units are raised above the ground for transport and a ground engaging position where the units can be activated to trench and fertilize and seed, respectively. Here the motive force for moving the implement bar between the upright and ground engaging positions may be either hydraulic or mechanical. 
     While a long implement bar and corresponding large number of row units and coulter/fertilizer units is advantageous during a planting operation (e.g., more row units translate into less time to perform a planting operation), long implement bars are difficult to accommodate during machine transport between fields, about a farmers property and during storage. To accommodate optimal transport and operating planter configurations, the industry has developed several different folding or pivoting implement bar configurations. One such pivoting configuration (hereinafter “the pivoting assembly”) is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/062,612 which is entitled “Planter Hitch Apparatus” was filed on Jan. 31, 2002 and which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference. The pivoting assembly includes an implement bar and other components mounted to a mainframe assembly. 
     Hereinafter, unless indicated otherwise, when the implement bar is referenced, it will be assumed that the reference includes the implement bar and all other attached assembly components including the row units, the coulter/fertilizer units, etc. and when the implement bar weight is referenced it will be assumed that the implement bar weight reference corresponds to the combined weight of the implement bar and all attached components. In addition, unless indicated otherwise, when the mainframe is referenced, it will be assumed that the reference includes the mainframe and all other attached assembly components including the implement bar, the row units, the coulter/fertilizer units, etc. and when the mainframe weight is referenced it will be assumed that the mainframe weight reference corresponds to the combined weight of the mainframe and all attached components. 
     The pivoting assembly includes a carrier assembly having a carrier frame and a platform. The platform is mounted to a top surface of the carrier frame and the carrier frame has a width that should be relatively stable during operation and yet is limited to a dimension suitable for transport purposes. For instance, the width dimension may be 10 to 12 feet for a planter assembly including a 40 foot implement bar. Support wheels are mounted to the underside of the carrier frame along a single axis and proximate a rear edge of the carrier platform with at least one wheel proximate each end of the carrier frame width dimension so that the wheels provide stable support for the carrier frame and carrier platform there above. The mainframe is pivotally mounted to a rear side corner of a carrier platform so that the mainframe and implement bar attached thereto can be positioned perpendicular to the transport direction during operation and parallel to the transport direction during transport. 
     A roller or wheel assembly is spaced apart from the pivot and mounted to the underside of the mainframe to ease the conversion process between the transport and operating positions and to provide support to the mainframe and attached implement bar. 
     In addition, to support the implement bar when in the operating position, lateral support wheels are mounted to the distal ends of the implement bar that can be extended to engage the ground there below or can be retracted during conversion between the implement bar positions and during transport. 
     Whenever a wheel supported planter assembly is going to be attached to a tractor hitch for transport and operation, ideally the planter assembly is configured such that the implement assembly load is relatively balanced across the support wheels but has some positive hitching weight so that the assembly remains stable during transport. Here, as the phrase implies, positive hitch weight is caused by configuration weight disposed between the support wheels and a tractor hitch which tends to bear down on the hitch. Where positive hitch weight is to great some tractors may have difficulty moving a hitched planter assembly. Similarly, as the phrase implies, negative hitch weight is caused by configuration weight disposed on a side of the support wheels opposite the hitch and tends to tip the assembly tongue upward away from the hitch. 
     In the case of the pivoting assembly described above, it has been determined that, to best balance the implement assembly load across the support wheels in both the transport and operating positions, the implement bar and row units should be mounted such that, when the implement bar is in the operating and upright position (i.e., extends perpendicular to the transport direction with the row units in the upright position), the bar (and attached row units) is generally behind the support wheels. With the row units and bar mounted in this manner, when the implement bar is upright and in the operating position, the weight of the implement bar and the hitch and carrier platform together provide a stabilizing positive weight that is somewhat balanced in front of and behind the support wheels, the possibility of negative weight is minimal, the implement bar weight is essentially balanced on either lateral side of the wheels and is supported generally evenly across the pivot point and the roller assembly. In addition, when the implement bar is in the transport position (and hence is necessarily upright), the weight of the implement bar and attached components is greater in front than it is behind the support wheel axis, the overall positive weight is stable and yet not to great, the implement bar is positioned above the carrier platform and the implement bar weight is essentially evenly laterally distributed above the platform. 
     Unfortunately, when the implement bar and row units are optimally juxtaposed behind the support wheels, the wheels make it impossible to attach coulter/fertilizer units to the front ends of some of the row units. For instance, assume that a planter assembly includes 16 separate row units with six central units directly behind the platform and support wheels and five lateral units to either side of the six central units. In this case, while coulter/fertilizer units can be attached to the front ends of the ten lateral units (i.e., five lateral units on either side of the central units), the wheels are in the space required to attach the coulter/fertilizer units to the six central row units. 
     Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a planter assembly that includes a separate coulter/fertilizer unit positioned in front of each row unit where the assembly is pivotal to facilitate conversion between operating and transport positions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It has been recognized that a coulter/fertilizer assembly can be attached to the underside of the carrier frame in front of the support wheels where the assembly includes a separate coulter/fertilizer unit for and aligned with each of the central row units. To this end, the coulter/fertilizer assembly in at least one embodiment includes a coulter bar mounted to the underside of the carrier frame that extends along the width of the carrier frame in front of the support wheels. A separate coulter/fertilizer units is mounted to the coulter bar in front of each of the central row units with the same fertilizer-seeding offset described above. Additional coulter/fertilizer units are mounted to the front ends of the lateral row units on either side of the central units. The coulter/fertilizer units mounted to the coulter bar will be referred to hereinafter as central coulter units and the coulter/fertilizer units mounted to the front ends of the lateral row units will be referred to hereinafter as lateral coulter/fertilizer units 
     Typically, like the implement bar, the coulter bar will be constructed such that it can be moved between a ground engaging position wherein the coulter/fertilizer units facilitate fertilization and an upright position wherein the coulter/fertilizer units are stored above ground for transport. While the coulter/fertilizer assembly may be constructed such that the coulter bar is manually moveable between the upright and ground engaging positions, in some embodiments the coulter bar may be pivotally mounted to the carrier frame and linked to a hydraulic cylinder. In some embodiments, when the cylinder is extended the coulter bar is moved to the upright position and when the cylinder is retracted the coulter bar is driven toward the ground engaging position. 
     One problem with coulter/fertilizer units is that the coulters can become damaged if too much force is applied thereto. For instance, if a coulter contacts a rock while being pulled through a field, the slicing edge of the coulter may be damaged or, in some cases, even destroyed. 
     In the case of the lateral coulter/fertilizer units (i.e., in the present example, to the five row units on either side of the central row units and proximate the ends of the implement bar), the implement bar has been known to flex somewhat such that, when a coulter contacts a large rock or the like, the implement bar absorbs some of the impacting force and the coulter is forced over the rock thereby minimizing coulter damage. 
     Unfortunately, because the coulter bar is relatively short, the coulter bar does not appreciably flex and therefore cannot absorb much force that is applied to the central coulter unit coulters. Thus, the central coulter unit coulters that are linked to the relatively inflexible coulter bar are far more susceptible to damage than the coulters linked to the flexible implement bar. 
     To protect the central coulter units, at least one embodiment of the invention includes an overload protection mechanism that, when the force on the central coulter units exceeds a preset threshold force, reduces the force on the central coulter units by allowing the coulter bar to pivot toward the upright or transport position. Here, the threshold force level is selected to be less than the a force level that will likely cause coulter damage. 
     Consistent with the above discussion, one embodiment of the invention includes a coulter apparatus for use with a planter assembly constructed to move is a transport direction where the planter assembly includes support wheels mounted to the underside of a carrier frame and row units linked to the carrier frame and generally disposed on a side of the support wheels opposite the transport direction, the apparatus comprising a separate coulter/fertilizer unit mounted to the underside of the carrier frame and aligned with each one of the row units on a side of the support wheels opposite the row units. 
     In some embodiments each coulter/fertilizer unit includes a ground engaging coulter member, adjacent support wheels form wheel spaces there between and the coulter units linked such that, for each space, a line parallel to the transport direction and intersecting at least one coulter unit passes through the space. 
     Some embodiments further include a coulter bar mounted to the underside of the carrier frame wherein the coulter/fertilizer units are mounted to the coulter bar. The coulter/fertilizer units may be essentially equi-spaced. 
     The coulter bar may be pivotally mounted to the underside of the carrier frame so that the coulter bar can be moved between a transport position where the coulter/fertilizer units are above the ground and a functional position where the coulter/fertilizer units engage the ground. More specifically, the apparatus may further include a hydraulic cylinder mounted to the carrier frame and including a rod mounted to the coulter bar, the cylinder for moving the coulter bar between the upright and downward positions. Even more specifically the row units may be linked to the carrier frame for pivotal movement between transport and functional positions, the hydraulic cylinder may be a first cylinder and the planter assembly may further include a second hydraulic cylinder linked between the carrier frame and the row units for moving the row units between the functional and transport positions and, wherein, the first and second cylinders may be plumbed in parallel so that the coulter/fertilizer bar and row units essentially simultaneously move between the functional and transport positions. 
     In some embodiments the cylinder is mounted to the carrier frame on a side of the coulter bar opposite the support wheels and the coulter bar pivots toward the support wheels when moving from the functional to the transport positions. Here, the support wheels may define a support dimension and the coulter bar may have a length dimension that is similar to the support dimension. 
     In several embodiments the planter assembly further includes an implement bar having a length dimension that is greater than the support dimension, the implement bar mounted to the carrier frame such that ends of the implement bar extend laterally past the wheels, implement bar portions extending past the wheels being lateral bar segments and the implement bar portion adjacent the support dimension being a central bar segment, the row units mounted to the implement bar and including central and lateral row units mounted to the central and lateral bar segments, respectively, the planter assembly further including a separate coulter/fertilizer unit mounted to each of the lateral row units on a side facing the coulter bar, the coulter/fertilizer units mounted to the coulter bar including only one unit corresponding to each of the central row units. Here, the implement bar may be pivotally mounted to the carrier frame such that the implement bar is pivotable between an operating position where the implement bar is perpendicular to the transport direction and a transport position wherein the implement bar is parallel to the transport position. 
     The invention also includes a planter assembly constructed to move in a transport direction, the assembly comprising a carrier frame, support wheels mounted to the underside of the carrier frame along a single axis and defining a support dimension along the single axis, an implement bar having a length dimension that is greater than the support dimension and mounted to the carrier frame generally on a side opposite the transport direction such that ends of the implement bar extend laterally past the wheels, implement bar portions extending past the wheels being lateral bar segments and the implement bar portion adjacent the support dimension being a central bar segment, row units including central and lateral row units mounted to the central and lateral segments of the implement bar, respectively, a separate coulter/fertilizer unit mounted to each of the lateral row units on a side facing the transport direction, a coulter bar mounted to the underside of the carrier frame on a side of the support wheels opposite the implement bar and a separate coulter/fertilizer unit corresponding to each of the central row units mounted to the coulter bar and aligned with a corresponding central row unit. 
     In some embodiments the coulter bar is mounted to the carrier frame for pivotal movement between a functional position where the coulter/fertilizer units are juxtaposed for ground engagement and a transport position wherein the coulter/fertilizer units are positioned above the ground. In some embodiments the assembly further includes a hydraulic cylinder mounted between the coulter bar and the carrier frame for moving the coulter bar between the functional and transport positions. Here, the cylinder may be mounted to the carrier frame on a side of the coulter bar opposite the support wheels. 
     The implement bar may be mounted to the carrier frame for pivotal movement between a functional position where the row units are juxtaposed for ground engagement and a transport position wherein the row units are positioned above the ground, the cylinder being a first hydraulic cylinder, the assembly further including a second hydraulic cylinder mounted between the implement bar and the carrier frame for moving the implement bar between the functional and transport positions. Here, the first and second cylinders may be plumbed in parallel. 
     In some embodiments the implement bar is mounted to the carrier frame for pivotal movement between a transport position where the implement bar is parallel to the transport direction and an operating position where the implement bar is perpendicular to the transport position. 
     The invention further includes a planter assembly constructed to move in a transport direction, the assembly comprising a carrier frame, support wheels mounted to the underside of the carrier frame along a single axis, row units linked to the carrier frame on a side of the support wheels opposite the transport direction and a separate coulter/fertilizer unit corresponding to each of the row units pivotally linked to the underside of the carrier frame on a side of the support wheels opposite the row units for movement between a functional position where the coulter/fertilizer units engage the ground and a transport position where the coulter/fertilizer units are above the ground and a hydraulic cylinder mounted to the carrier frame and linked to the coulter/fertilizer units for moving the coulter/fertilizer units between the functional and transport positions. 
     In some embodiments the row units are linked to the carrier frame for pivotal movement between transport and functional positions, the hydraulic cylinder is a first cylinder and the planter assembly further includes a second hydraulic cylinder linked between the carrier frame and the row units for moving the row units between the functional and transport positions and, wherein, the first and second cylinders are plumbed in parallel so that the coulter/fertilizer bar and row units essentially simultaneously move between the functional and transport positions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a is perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a planter apparatus constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the carrier frame of illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the carrier frame illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mainframe assembly used with the configuration of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an extended operating position; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a transport position; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an intermediate position with an implement between the operating and the transport positions; 
     FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 with storage units attached and in the transport position; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 with storage units in the transport position; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a coulter assembly attached to the agricultural apparatus; 
     FIG. 11 is a detail perspective view of the coulter assembly and the carrier frame; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the coulter assembly in the functional or ground engaging planting position; 
     FIG. 13 is a detail cross-sectional view taken along lines  13 — 13  of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 14 is a detail cross-sectional view taken along lines  14 — 14  of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 15 is a detail perspective view of the coulter assembly&#39;s hydraulic cylinder and relief valve; 
     FIG. 16 is a detail perspective view like FIG. 11, showing the coulter assembly in the ground clearance or transport position; 
     FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the coulter assembly in the ground clearance or transport position; 
     FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the coulter assembly showing the overload function in operation; 
     FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of the system hydraulics in an inoperative mode; 
     FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of the coulter hydraulics in an operative mode; 
     FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram similar to the diagram of FIG. 20 illustrating force applied to a coulter cylinder and an open relief valve; 
     FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 11 above, albeit illustrating an assembly including a mechanical overload protection mechanism as opposed to a hydraulic protection mechanism; 
     FIG. 23 is similar to FIG. 12 above, albeit illustrating the mechanical overload protection mechanism; 
     FIG. 24 is an exploded view of a coulter bar and mechanical overload protection mechanism; 
     FIG. 25 is similar to FIG. 14 above, albeit illustrating a mechanical overload protection mechanism taken along the line  25 — 25  of FIG. 24; 
     FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  26 — 26  of FIG. 24; 
     FIG. 27 is similar to FIG. 18, albeit illustrating the mechanical overload protection system where a mechanical linking pin has been destroyed; and 
     FIG. 28 is similar to FIG. 19, albeit illustrating a hydraulic system used in conjunction with the mechanical overload protection system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in the context of an agricultural assembly  10  which includes a carrier frame assembly  12 , a main frame assembly  69  and a planter assembly  15 . As its label implies, carrier frame assembly  12  includes components configured to facilitate transport or carrying of other assembly  10  components. Similarly, as their labels imply, main frame assembly  69  includes components configured to generally support any of several different implement assemblies while planter assembly  15 , includes components used to plant seeds. Main frame assembly  69  is mounted to carrier frame assembly  12  and planter assembly  15  is mounted to main frame assembly  69 . 
     Referring still to FIGS. 1 through 4 and also to FIG. 5 (and generally to other Figures in the specification), the exemplary planter assembly  15  includes an implement bar  16 , row units  17 , support wheels  35 ,  36 , wheel support members  37  and extendable markers  42 ,  43 . Implement bar  16  is typically a rigid steel rectilinear bar having dimensions within the six by six to ten by ten range and extends along the length of implement assembly  15 . Bar  16  is generally mounted to main frame assembly  69  in a manner described below. 
     Exemplary assembly  10  includes sixteen row units  17  equi-spaced along the length of bar  16 . As well known in the art, each unit  17  includes a seed bin, some type of soil agitator (e.g., a coulter or spade of some type) and a seed dispenser. Although not illustrated, each bin opens above a corresponding seed dispenser and a separate agitator is provided that, as assembly  10  is pulled through a field, is directly in front of the seed dispenser. As assembly  10  is pulled through a field, the agitators each form a trench into which a corresponding dispenser dispenses seeds. Referring to FIG. 8, support wheels  31  are separated and form spaces  140 ,  142 ,  144 , etc., that, as assembly  10  is pulled through a field, travel along paths that are between crop rows being formed. Referring also to FIG. 1, row units  17  are positioned on bar  16  such that units directly behind a dimension D 1  formed by the wheels  31  form rows between the wheels. For instance, one row unit  17  may be mounted to bar  16  so that a resulting row is formed within the space defined by the paths formed by the left two wheels as illustrated, another row unit  17  may be mounted to bar  16  so that a resulting row is formed within the space defined by the paths formed by the right two wheels as illustrated and perhaps two row units may be mounted to form two rows in the space between paths defined by the center wheels. 
     Wheels  35  and  36  are mounted via wheel support members  37  at opposite ends of bar  16  and are generally positionable in two positions with respect to the ground (not illustrated). First, as illustrated in the figures, wheels  35  and  36  and/or the entire implement assembly  15  may be manipulated via hydraulic cylinders or the like such that wheels  35  and  36  are in an upright position where the wheels  35  and  36  clear the ground below. Second, wheels  35  and  36  or the entire implement assembly  15  may be manipulated such that wheels  35  and  36  contact the ground below and support the ends of the implement assembly there above with implement components either above the ground or, depending on implement type, perhaps partially engaging the ground. 
     Markers  42  and  43 , like wheels  35  and  36 , are mounted at opposite ends of bar  16  and generally extend from bar  16  to a front side (see FIGS. 1,  5 , etc) of the implement assembly. Operation of markers  42  and  43  is well known in the art and therefore will not be explained here in detail. Suffice it to say markers  42  and  43  may assume either a stored position (see FIG. 5) where the markers are generally retracted or an extended and operating position (not illustrated) where the markers  42  and  43  are unfolded and extend at least in part in the direction away from units  17  and toward a tractor (not illustrated) that may be attached to assembly  10 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, the main frame assembly  69  includes, among other components, a main frame bar member  14 , a roller assembly  14 , a latching assembly  45  and a pivot plate  28 . Pivot plate  28  is mounted to an undersurface of bar member  14  about one-fourth the length of bar member  14  from a first end thereof and forms a downwardly opening pivot receiving aperture (not observable in the FIGS.) for receiving a carrier frame assembly pivot pin (see  34  in FIG. 2) which is described in more detail below. Latch assembly  45  cooperates with other system latching components (e.g., see two instances of latch  46  in FIG. 2) mounted on the carrier frame assembly  12  to lock the main frame assembly  69  and attached implement assembly  15  in either a transport position (see FIGS. 6,  8  and  9 ) or an operating position (see FIGS.  1  and  5 ). Precise configuration and operation of assembly  45  is not explained here in the interest of simplifying this explanation. 
     Roller assembly  44  is mounted to bar member  14  at a point about one-fourth the length of bar  14  from a second bar  14  end (not numbered) and includes at least one roller mounted for rotation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of bar member  14  and that is formed so as to be supportable on a track runner (e.g.,  38  in FIG. 2) formed by a carrier frame platform (see platform  24  in FIGS. 2 and 3) that is explained in greater detail below. Thus, plate  28  and assembly  14  are, in the present example, essentially equi-spaced along the length of bar  14 . Positioning of plate  28  and wheel assembly  44  is important to ensure proper balancing of the attached implement assembly  15  and is generally a function of how best to balance assembly  15  about a carrier assembly axis  210  (see FIG.  2 ). 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9 and also FIG. 19, assembly  10  further includes first and second lift cylinders  120  and  122  and corresponding first and second pivoting brackets  124  and  126 , respectively. Brackets  124  and  126  are constructed so that opposite ends of each bracket are pivotally securable to the main frame bar member  14  and the implement bar  16 . The first and second lift cylinders  120  and  122  each includes a rod end and a base end and opposite ends are linked to the mainframe bar member  14  and the implement bar  16  such that, when the cylinders are retracted, the implement bar  16  and linked components are lowered into a functional and ground engaging position illustrated in FIG. 1 and, when the cylinders  120  and  122  are extended, implement bar  16  is raised into a transport and ground clearance position illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. 
     Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in addition to the components described above, storage pods  40  are shown secured to the main frame bar  14 . Similarly, fertilizer pods  55  are illustrated in FIG.  10 . 
     Referring still to FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3  and  5 , carrier frame assembly  12  generally includes a cross bar  13 , two wheel assemblies  30 , a draw bar assembly  18  and platform  24 . Each wheel assembly  30  includes an axle support member  32  and a pair of support wheels  31  mounted on opposite sides of a corresponding support member  32 . As best seen in FIG. 8, the support wheels define support dimension D 1 . Dimension D 1  is wide enough that the entire planter assembly  10  is laterally stable but should be limited to a size that is accommodated by a typical roadway. For instance, dimension D 1  may be between 10 and 15 feet. 
     Cross bar  13  is a steel elongated bar. A separate one of wheel assemblies  30  is mounted at each one of the cross bar  13  ends and extends downward there from so that assemblies  30  support cross bar  13  above ground. A pivot pin  34  is provided that extends upwardly from a top surface of bar  13 . Pin  34  is formed about a vertical axis  11  and is formed so as to be receivable by the downwardly facing opening formed by pivot plate  28  (see FIG. 4) for rotation thereabout. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, draw bar assembly  18  is a two stage tongue assembly. Assembly  18  is described in great detail in the Planter Hitch Apparatus patent application referenced above and which has been incorporated herein by reference and therefore apparatus  18  will not again be described here in detail. Suffice it to say at this time that, among other components, assembly  18  includes a first tongue member  25  having first and second ends  150  and  151  and forming a first passageway (not illustrated). As best seen in FIG. 3, first tongue member  25  is secured at its first end  150  to a central point of cross bar  13  via welding or some other suitable securing process. In addition, assembly  18  further includes second and third tongue members  19  and  20 , respectively, and includes two tongue cylinders (only one shown at  50 , the second tongue cylinder internally disposed within the tongue assembly). Second member  19  is receivable within first tongue member  25  and first tongue member  20  is receivable within second tongue member in a telescoping manner such that, when retracted, distal ends  171 ,  161  and  151  of members  20 ,  19  and  25 , respectively, are adjacent each other. Members  19  and  25  are driven by cylinder  50  and the internally mounted cylinder between the retracted and operating configuration illustrated in FIG.  3  and the extended and transport configuration illustrated in FIG. 9. A hitch member  26  is mounted to the distal end  171  of tongue member  20  for linking assembly  10  to a prime mover like a tractor. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2,  3 ,  8 , platform  24  is essentially a rigid flat bed member that is secured to a top surface of cross bar  13  and approximately half of first tongue member  25  proximate cross bar  13 . Referring also to FIGS. 11 and 12, additional support bars  62  may also be provided to support platform  24 . Among other features, platform  24  forms a track runner  38  on a top surface which is reinforced on a platform undersurface (see FIG. 3) via supporting tracks  23  and  22  or in any other manner known in the art. Pivot pin  34  extends through an opening in platform  24 . Referring also to FIG. 4, track runner  38  forms an arc about pivot pin  34  having a radius dimension that is identical to the space dimension between pivot plate  28  and roller assembly  44  on bar  14 . Runner  38  is dimensioned so as to securely support the roller of assembly  44  in any position along the runner and thereby provide support to main frame bar  14  there above. 
     Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 4, transport and operating implement locking brackets or latches  46  are also provided on the top surface of platform  24 . A transport bracket  46  is generally spaced from pivot pin  34  along a line parallel to the length of first tongue member  25  while an operating bracket  46  is generally spaced from pin  34  on the side of first tongue member  25  opposite pin  34 . Each bracket  34  is formed so as to securely receive and lock to latch assembly  45  to lock the main frame assembly  69  and other components secured thereto to platform  24  in either the transport or operating positions. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1,  2 , 4  and  8 , with carrier frame assembly  12  assembled and implement assembly  15  secured to the main frame assembly  69  as described above, the main frame bar  14  is positioned such that pin  34  is received in the opening formed by plate  28  and with the assembly  44  roller supported on runner  38 . Gravity maintains main frame assembly  69  on runner  38  and some type of collar (not illustrated) on pin  34  may be provided to further ensure that assembly  69  remain secured. With wheels  35  and  36  and/or the implement assembly manipulated so that the wheels  35 , 36  are off the ground, the entire main frame bar  14  and components attached thereto are moveable between the transport position illustrated in FIG. 9 to the operating position illustrated in FIG.  1  and to any intermediate position there between (see FIG. 7) by simply rotating main frame bar  14  about pivot pin  34 . 
     As indicated above, when in either the transport or operating positions, latch assembly  45  and one of brackets  46  cooperate to lock main frame bar  14  to carrier assembly  12  to eliminate relative movement during transport. Any means for rotating bar  14  about pin  34  may be employed. Similarly, any means for operating latch assembly  45  and for raising and lowering the implement assembly and/or the lateral support wheels  35 ,  36  may be employed. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1 where the assembly is shown in the operating position, consistent with reducing the number of required headland passes needed to perform an agricultural task for an entire field, the cross bar assembly  18  is relatively short. Referring also to FIGS. 7 and 9, however, it can be seen that, in order to accommodate a long implement configuration in the transport position, the tongue assembly has to be extended. 
     Referring again to FIG.  1  and also to FIG. 10, some definitions will be helpful in understanding the remainder of this specification. To this end, while implement bar  16  is a single component, bar  16  includes portions that will be referred to hereinafter as different segments. The segments include a central segment  135  that, when bar  16  is in the operating position (see FIG.  1 ), is behind and adjacent the support dimension D 1  (see FIG.  8 ). In addition, bar  16  includes lateral segments  137  and  139  that extend laterally to either side of central segment  135 . The row units mounted to central segment  135  will be referred to hereinafter as central row units and the row units mounted to the lateral segments  137  and  139  will be referred to hereinafter as lateral row units. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1, there are six central row units  17  and five lateral row units to either side of the central row units. 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, in addition to the components described above, the illustrated embodiment further includes a plurality of coulter/fertilizer units  130   a  and  130   b,  a separate unit  130  for each of the row units  17 . Like the row units  17 , the coulter/fertilizer units include lateral and central units including six central coulter/fertilizer units  130   b  (only two illustrated in FIG. 10) and five lateral units  130   a  to either side of the central units  130   b . As illustrated, lateral units  130   a  are rigidly mounted to the front sides (i.e. on a side of the row units facing the transport direction) of each of their respective row units  17  in some fashion. Thus, when implement bar  16  is raised and lowered, the lateral coulter/fertilizer units  130   a  raise and lower therewith. 
     Referring to FIGS. 10 through 12, as well known in the agricultural arts, each coulter unit includes a coulter or knife member  58  of some type and a fertilizer nozzle  57  that opens directly behind the corresponding coulter  58 . Fertilizer tanks  55  are linked to nozzles  57  via tubes  56  for supplying fertilizer thereto. 
     Referring still to FIG. 10 it should be appreciated that, as illustrated, the wheel assemblies  30  (see also FIG. 8) below the carrier frame make it essentially impossible to mount coulter/fertilizer units to the front ends of the central row units (i.e., the row units  17  mounted to central bar segment  135 ). Despite not being able to mount coulter/fertilizer units to the front ends of the central row units, the coulter/fertilizer functions have to be performed for each of the central row units. 
     According to the present invention, the coulter/fertilizer functions for the central row units are facilitated by providing a coulter/fertilizer assembly/apparatus  50  on the transport direction side of the support wheels. Referring still to FIG.  10  and also to FIGS. 11,  12 ,  13  and  16  through  18 , coulter assembly  50  includes, among other things, mounting brackets  60 , at least one coulter cylinder  74 , a coulter bar  54  and a plurality of coulter/fertilizer units  58 . Bar  54  is pivotally mounted to the underside of carrier frame  12  or, more specifically, to a support bar  62  on the underside of frame  12 . To this end, two downwardly extending hanger brackets  60  are mounted to the under side of bar  62  via bolts  63  or some other securing mechanism (e.g., welding). At a lower distal end, each bracket  60  forms an opening (not separately numbered) and, when installed properly, the two openings are concentric. 
     Two pivot brackets  64  are welded to a top side of coulter bar  54 , each bracket  64  supporting a pin member  66  (see FIG. 13) sized to be received within one of the bracket  60  openings. Bar  54  is mounted to the brackets  60  via the pivot bracket pins  66  that are received within the bracket openings so that bar  54  is moveable between a functional position shown in FIG. 12 and a transport position shown in FIG.  17 . 
     Coulter/fertilizer units  52  are equi-spaced and secured to coulter bar  54  with mounting assemblies, each mounting assembly including a clamping brackets  67  and an adjustment bars  68 . Clamping bracket  67  includes plates  70  and  71  and clamping bolts  72 . Plates  70  and  71  are juxtaposed on opposite sides of coulter bar  54  with bolts  72  clamping the plates together against oppositely facing surfaces of bar  54 . Mounting members  69  are bolted to the outwardly facing surface of plate  70  and are formed to receive and lock adjustment bar  68 . 
     As in the case of the lateral coulter/fertilizer units  130   a  mounted to the lateral row units  17 , each central coulter/fertilizer unit  130   b  includes a coulter or knife member  58  of some type for forming a trench and a fertilizer nozzle  57  that follows the coulter member  58 . Each nozzle is linked to one of the fertilizer tanks  55  via a supply tube  56  (see again FIG.  10 ). Units  52  are mounted to the lower ends of bars  68 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 10,  11 ,  12  and  14 , a downwardly extending lug  76  is mounted to the underside of draw bar  18  on a side of coulter bar  54  that faces the transport direction (i.e., on a side of bar  54  opposite the support wheels  30 ,  31 . Another lug  77   b  is mounted to bar  54  which, when bar  54  is in the functional position (see FIG.  12 ), faces in the transport direction. Hydraulic cylinder  74  is pivotally anchored to lug  76  at one end and is pivotally attached to coulter bar  54  via a clevis  77  and pin  77   a  pivotally secured to lug  77   b  at the other end. Hereinafter it will be assumed that the base and rod ends of cylinder  74  are linked to the draw bar  18  and coulter bar  54 , respectively, unless indicated otherwise. 
     Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in the lowered, or functional position, cylinder  74  is generally pressurized in the retracted state, providing a rigid link between coulter bar  54  and carrier frame  12 . When in the functional position, cylinder  74  resists draft loads acting between coulter/fertilizer units  58  and soil  58   a.    
     FIGS. 16 and 17 show coulter apparatus  50  in the inoperative, end-of-field (i.e., when the operator must turn the assembly around at the end of a field) or transport position where cylinder  74  is pressurized in an extended state so that coulter bar  54  pivots about pins  66  and cylinder  74  raises coulter/fertilizer assembly  50  to a ground clearing height (i.e., where the coulter/fertilizer units  52  clear the soil  58   a  there below). 
     In addition to the components above, several embodiments of the invention include some type of overload protection mechanism that, when excessive force is applied to the coulter/fertilizer units  52 , reduces the pressure on units  52  thereby allowing those units to fold toward the transport position (see FIG. 17) to reduce the risk of damaging the units  52 . To this end, referring to FIGS. 15 and 19, a first embodiment of the overload protection mechanism includes an overload relief valve  80  that is plumbed to the coulter cylinder  74 . Relief valve  80 , as its label implies, releases cylinder pressure to relieve the units  52  when cylinder pressure (also referred to herein as a secondary force) exceeds a threshold pressure level calculated to be below a pressure that is likely to cause damage to the units  52 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 18 coulter/fertilizer unit  52  is shown having encountered an obstacle  58   b  of sufficient resistance to actuate (i.e., open) the relief valve  80 . When valve  80  opens, pressure is relieved on the rod side of cylinder  74  thereby allowing cylinder  74  to extend under the force of the obstacle  58   b . After cylinder  74  extends and coulter  58  has passed the obstacle  58   b , valve  80  can again be closed and pressure reapplied to the rod side of cylinder  74  to retract the rod and thus again lower the coulter/fertilizer units and bar  54  into the functional position. 
     In at least some embodiments of the invention cylinder  74  is tied into the lift system that is used to lift and lower the implement bar  16  and row and coulter/fertilizer units mounted thereto. By linking the cylinders that control bars  16  and  54  together, the coulter/fertilizer units  130   a  and  130   b  can be raised and lowered in unison. To this end, referring now to FIG. 19, an exemplary hydraulic control system is illustrated. The system includes a lift valve assembly  84 , a coulter valve assembly  86 , the lift cylinder assemblies  79   a  and  79   b  (i.e., the cylinder assemblies including cylinders  120  and  122  used to lift and lower the implement bar  16 ) and the coulter cylinder  74 . 
     Lift valve assembly  84  is comprised of solenoid valves  84   a ,  84   b  and  84   c , and a pilot-operated check valve  84   d.  Ports  85   a  and  85   b  are connected to a tractor hydraulic system (not shown) including an auxiliary valve, a hydraulic pump, a reservoir tank, and other hydraulic equipment. 
     Port  85   a  is linked to series first and second valves  84   a  and  84   b  where each of valves  84   a  and  84   b  may be open for two directional flow or may be set as a check valve to block flow in one direction and allow flow the in the other direction. The second position of valve  84   a  blocks flow from port  85   a  while the second position of valve  84   b  blocks flow in the opposite direction. 
     The outlet of valve  84   b  is linked to the base sides of each of lift cylinders  120  and  122  via lines  87   a  and  87   b . The rod sides of each of cylinders  120  and  122  is linked to a pilot-operated check valve  84   d  via lines  88   a  and  88   b , respectively, which is in turn linked to port  85   b  via a valve  84   c . Valve  84   c  is similar to valve  84   a  in that it has two positions where the first position allows bi-directional flow and the second position only allows flow from the system to port  85   b . Check valve  84   d  generally allows flow from port  85   b  to the system but generally blocks flow in the opposite direction unless primed at a valve inlet. The check valve priming inlet is linked to the output of valve  84   b  via a line  87   d  so that, when fluid pressure is applied at port  85   a  with valves  84   a  and  84   b  open, check valve  84   d  allow flow from the system to valve  84   c  and out to the reservoir. Thus, valve  84   d  only allows flow from the system out port  85   b  when the system is controlled to extend the cylinders and blocks flow after cylinders  120  and  122  are retracted. The end of valve  84   b  that is linked to valve  86   a  and the end of valve  84   c  that is linked to valve  84   d  are sometimes referred to herein as first and second intermediate ports, respectively. 
     Referring still to FIG. 19, coulter valve assembly  86  includes a solenoid operated valve  86   a  and relief valve  80 . Relief valve  80  includes an inlet port linked to a line  78   a  and an outlet port linked to a line  78   b  and a pilot line  78   c  that feeds a valve primer. Valve  80  is preferably adjustable so that a threshold pressure level can be modified. Valve  80  inlet line  78   a  is linked to the rod side of cylinder  74  and outlet line  78   b  is linked to the base side of cylinder  74  with line  78   c  linked to line  78   a . Thus, when pressure in line  78   a  exceeds a threshold pressure level set for valve  80 , the pressure in pilot line  78   c  causes valve  80  to open. 
     The outlet of valve  84   b  is linked to solenoid valve  86   a  via a line  87   c  and the outlet of valve  86   a  is linked to the base side of cylinder  74 . Valve  86   a  includes two positions, a bi-directional position and a second position in which valve  86   a  blocks flow from the base end of cylinder  74  and from relief valve  80 . The rod side of cylinder  74  is linked to the rod sides of cylinders  120  and  122 . Thus, the series cylinder  74  and valve  86   a  are plumbed in parallel with cylinders  120  and  122 . When valve  86   a  is in the second position, cylinder  74  is essentially cut out of the parallel plumbing arrangement and will not extend and retract with the lift cylinders  120  and  122 . Thus, valve  86   a  can be used to effectively isolate cylinder  74  and the coulter/fertilizer units  52  controlled thereby. 
     Referring now to FIG. 20, to drive the cylinders  120 ,  122  and  74  into their retracted states so that the linked implement bar  16  and coulter bar  54  are driven down and into their functional, ground engaging and operating positions, valves  84   a ,  84   b ,  84   c  and  86   a  are all controlled to allow counter-clockwise fluid flow and the auxiliary tractor valve (not illustrated) is placed in a “lower” position to provide pressurized fluid at port  85   b . When fluid is supplied at port  85   b , fluid passes through check valve  84   d  and pressurized cylinders  120 ,  122  and  74  through lines  88   a ,  88   b  and  88   c , respectively. As cylinders  120 ,  122  and  74  retract, fluid is returned through lines  87   a ,  87   b  and  87   c , respectively, and through port  85   a  to the reservoir tank. Once the functional bar positions are attained, the tractor auxiliary valve of the planting apparatus (not shown) is placed in a “float” mode, which means that ports  85   a  and  85   b  are connected together through the auxiliary valve (not shown) and in turn are connected to a reservoir tank (also not shown). 
     During operation under normal loading conditions, pilot-operated check valve  84   d  prevents fluid from exiting the rod side of cylinder  74 , as well as preventing fluid from exiting the rod side of lift cylinders  120  and  122 . Check valve  84   d  enables cylinder  74  to act as a rigid link, withstanding the draft loads on coulter/fertilizer units  52 . 
     Referring still to FIG.  20  and also to FIG. 10, coulter/fertilizer units  52  and ground engaging units  17  are raised simultaneously by setting the tractor auxiliary valve (not shown) to a “raise” position to apply hydraulic pressure at port  85   a  and by controlling the system valves to allow clockwise fluid flow. When pressure is applied at port  85   a , lift cylinders  120  and  122  are extended by pressure through lines  87   a  and  87   b , coulter cylinder  74  is extended by pressure through line  87   c , pressure through pilot line  87   d  primes check valve  84   d  which is opened so that hydraulic fluid is permitted to flow from cylinders  120 ,  122  and  74 , through lines  88   a ,  88   b  and  88   c , respectively, through open check valve  84   d  and out port  85   b  to return into the reservoir tank. 
     When fertilization is not required, it is desirable to raise and lower cylinders  120  and  122  while holding coulter bar  54  and attached coulter/fertilizer units  52  in the raised and ground clearing position. This is accomplished by deactivating solenoid valve  86   a  when coulter cylinder  74 , and lift cylinders  120  and  122  are in the extended or raised positions. Cylinder  74  is effectively locked while cylinders  120  and  122  are allowed to extend and retract freely. Reenergized solenoid valve  86   a  causes coulter apparatus  50  to raise and lower simultaneously with implement bar  16 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 18,  20  and  21 , when in the lowered, or functional position, when one or more central coulter members  58  encounters substantial resistance from an obstruction  58   b , an extending force is applied in the direction of arrow  169  on the rod end of cylinder  74 . This force causes increased pressure in lines  88   c  and  78   a . Sufficient force causes a threshold pressure to be exceeded in pilot line  78   c , opening pressure relief valve  80 , permitting fluid to flow from the rod side of cylinder  74 , through lines  78   b  and  87   c , and through valves  86   a ,  84   b  and  84   a , and into the tractor&#39;s reservoir tank. As the rod of cylinder  74  extends, coulter bar  54  is lifted out of the ground, reducing the load on coulter bar  54  and avoiding possible damage to coulter assembly  50 . 
     To reset coulter bar  54  in the functional position, the operator moves the tractor&#39;s auxiliary valve (not shown) from the “float” position to the “lower” position, supplying pressure to retract cylinder  74  in the manner described above. The tractor&#39;s auxiliary valve is then moved back to the “float” position for continued operation. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 22 through 28, a mechanical coulter overload protection embodiment is illustrated. The mechanical embodiment includes many of the components described above and therefore, in the interest of simplifying this explanation, components that are similar or identical to those described above will not be described again here in detail. Generally, the mechanical overload mechanism includes a mechanical component or locking member that maintains the spatial relationship between at least two linkage components where each of the coulter bar, the carrier frame and the coulter cylinder are linkage components. The mechanical component is designed so that it will fail when a secondary force applied thereto exceeds a threshold force level where, as above, the threshold level is selected to be less than a force likely to cause damage to the coulter/fertilizer units. When the mechanical component fails, the coulter bar and components secured thereto, as in the case of the hydraulic overload protection system above, are essentially free to move, under the force of an obstruction, toward the transport position thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the coulter/fertilizer units. 
     Referring specifically to FIGS. 23 through 25, the mechanical overload system includes, among other linking components (e.g., bolts, nuts, etc.), a specially designed clevis  92 , a mechanical arm member  91  and a mechanical failure component  93 . Arm member  91  is generally elongated extending between first and second ends  91   f  and  91   g , respectively, and defines three separate apertures including first, second and third apertures  91   c ,  91   d  and  91   b , respectively. Apertures  91   c  and  91   d  are formed at opposite ends of arm member  91  and are sized to receive pivot pins  92   a  and  91   a  in a manner described in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, aperture  91   b  is formed between apertures  91   c  and  91   d  but relatively more proximate aperture  91   b  and is relatively smaller then each of apertures  91   c  and  91   d . In addition, referring specifically to FIG. 25, arm member  91  forms a rear edge or limiting surface  91   e  that is essentially flat. Aperture  91   b  forms a bearing surface (not separately numbered) that, as its label implies, bears against another member (e.g., pin  93 ) during operation. In the illustrated embodiment, referring again to FIG. 24, the bearing surface of aperture  91   b  faces essentially in the same direction as limiting surface  91   e.    
     A clevis  77  formed at the end of coulter cylinder  74  includes two facing plates that are separated by a space for receiving second end  91   g  of arm member  91  and the plates form an aperture pair  77   a  (only one aperture in the pair numbered) that aligns with aperture  91   d  when the end of arm member  91  is received between the plates. With the end of member  91  positioned between the clevis  77  plates, a pin  91   a  is placed through aperture pair  77   a  and aperture  91   d  and is secured therein via a cotter pin or the like. 
     Clevis  92  includes first and second separated plates  92   d  and  92   e  that extend generally upward and in the transport direction from coulter bar  54  when bar  54  is in the functional position. The clevis plates  92   d  and  92   e  are separated such that the space there between is sufficient to receive first end  91   f  of arm member  91 . Clevis  92  forms two separate aperture pairs, each pair including axially aligned apertures in each of the clevis plates. The first aperture pair  92   c  is provided to receive a first pivot pin  92   a  that also passes through aperture  91   c  in arm member  91  to lock member  91  to clevis  92 . Pin  92   a  can be locked in place via a cotter pin or the like. 
     The second aperture pair formed by clevis  92  includes an axially aligned aperture pair having dimensions similar to those of aperture  91   b  in arm member  91 . Second pair  92   b  is formed in clevis  92  such that pair  92   c  is below corresponding apertures in the first pair  92   c  when coulter bar  54  is in the functional position (see again FIG.  25 ). In addition, the spacing between each aperture in second pair  92   b  and a corresponding aperture in first pair  92   c  is identical to the spacing between apertures  91   b  and  91   c  in arm member  91 . Moreover, bar  54  forms a second limiting surface  54   a  (see FIG. 24) and apertures  91   b  and  91 C are formed with respect to limiting surface  91   e  so that, when arm  91  is mounted to clevis  92  via pin  92   a  and is forced backward so that limiting surfaces  91   e  and  54   a  contact, aperture pair  92   b  and aperture  91   b  are aligned. 
     Pin  93  is sized to fit through aperture pair  92   b  and aperture  91   b  and includes a head  93   a  that limits travel of pin  93  through aperture pair  92   b  and a distal end that receives a nut member  93   b  for locking pin  93  in place. Pin  93  is constructed so as to have a relatively less robust design than either of pins  92   a  and  91  a and so that pin  93  will generally fail and snap in pieces when a pressure thereon exceeds a threshold pressure that is below a pressure that may damage a coulter member  58  there below. 
     Referring to FIGS. 24 and 26, a pin storage assembly  94  is provided that includes brackets welded to coulter bar  54  and a plurality of additional pins  93  and nuts  93   b  that cooperate to secure the pins to the brackets. The additional pins  93  and nuts  93   b  are useable in cases where a pin is destroyed during operation to re-enable the coulter assembly. 
     With arm member  91  secured to each of clevis  92  and clevis  77  as described above, bar  54  and cylinder  74  are moved such that aperture pair  92   b  and aperture  91   b  are aligned (i.e. until rear edge  91   e  of arm member  91  contacts bar  54 ). Thereafter, a pin  93  is slid through the aligned apertures and a nut  93   b  is secured to the distal pin end. This general configuration is illustrated best in FIG.  23 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 28, the hydraulic plumbing used with the mechanical overload system described above is similar to the hydraulic plumbing described above in the context of the hydraulic overload protection system, the one difference being that there is no relief valve  80 . Thus, the coulter valve assembly  86  only includes a solenoid valve  86   a  linking the outlet of valve  84   b  to the base side of cylinder  74  and the rod side of cylinder  74  is linked to the rod sides of lift cylinders  120  and  122 . Because of the similarity between the system of FIG.  28  and the system of FIG. 19 above, other system components will not be described again here in detail. 
     Once pin  93  is received in aligned apertures  92   b  and  91   b  and is secured therein, the mechanical overload system described above operates in a fashion similar to the hydraulic overload system during normal operation. To this end, to raise the coulter bar  54  and components attached thereto into the transport position (see FIG.  17 ), pressurized fluid is provided at port  85   a  and to lower the coulter bar and components attached thereto to the functional and ground engaging position (see FIG. 23) pressurized fluid is provided at port  85   b.    
     Referring to FIGS. 23 and 27, with the coulter bar and coulter/fertilizer units  52  mounted thereto in the functional position, when an obstruction  58   b  is encountered by one or more of the units  52 , the obstruction  58   b  applies a force on the bar  54  and therefore on the pin  93 . When the applied force is less than the threshold force required to snap pin  93  into pieces, the pin  93  remains intact and maintains the coulter/fertilizer units  52  in their functional positions. However, where the applied force exceeds the threshold force, pin  93  snaps into pieces and clevis  92  and bar  54  secured thereto pivot about pin  92   a  so that arm member  91  extends essentially horizontally between pins  91   a  and  92   a . When arm  91  extends horizontally, the bar  54  and mounted components are forced up and toward the transport position illustrated in FIG.  17 . 
     After a pin  93  is destroyed, to re-link the overload system for subsequent operation, one of the additional pins  93  is removed from the additional pin assembly  94  (see FIGS.  24  and  26 ), the apertures  92   b  and  91   b  are realigned by extending cylinder  74  and the additional pin is inserted and secures within the aligned apertures. Thereafter normal operation can again commence. 
     While the drawings, specific examples, and particular formations given describe exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose of illustration only. The materials and configurations shown and described may differ depending on the chosen performance characteristics and physical characteristics of the planter equipment. For example, the type of planter equipment may differ. For example, while the embodiments described include a coulter cylinder mounted on the transport direction side of the coulter bar  54 , other embodiments may include the cylinder mounted on the other side of the bar  54 . In these cases at least some embodiments do not even include a coulter cylinder. Moreover, any type of overload protection system for a centrally mounted coulter/fertilizer apparatus is contemplated. Furthermore, while the overload protection mechanism is described as being between the coulter cylinder and the bar, the mechanism may be provided at other locations along the linage path. For instance, the overload mechanism may operate between the cylinder and the carrier frame. Moreover, in the case of the mechanical overload mechanism, the locking pin may be locked via apertures in the cylinder mounted clevis (see  7  in FIG. 24) as opposed to in the bar mounted clevis  92 . Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.