Patent Publication Number: US-2023157195-A1

Title: Implements for displacing ground material

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/282,173 filed on Nov. 22, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     The present disclosure relates to implements and implement systems for use in displacing ground material. The implements may include roller apparatus configured to engage a ground surface and form a plurality of reservoirs in the ground surface. 
     Water distributed through irrigation systems or from rain may be unevenly dispersed over an agricultural field due to runoff and further may be subject to evaporation. For example, a sloped or angled ground surface may also contribute to water runoff where water may run from higher areas of a field to lower areas of the field. Additionally, water exposed on the top of the ground surface may be subject to evaporation. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure describes exemplary implements, implement systems, and methods for use in conditioning soil. The exemplary implements and implement systems may be configured to be attached to a vehicle such as, e.g., a tractor. The vehicle may traverse a ground surface, such as a field, towing one or more implements in between planted rows of vegetation or crops such as, e.g., corn, soybeans, cotton, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, sunflowers, and all row crops, etc., or in the preparation of land for construction. An exemplary implement may generally include roller apparatus and an extension member configured to hold, or position, the roller apparatus such that it may engage the ground surface to form a plurality of reservoirs in the ground surface. For example, the extension member may be configured to apply down pressure to the roller apparatus such that the roller apparatus continuously engages the ground surface when in use. The extension member may be pivotably attached to a mount portion, which may be configured to be attached to the vehicle. 
     One or more implements may be part of an exemplary system. For example, a plurality of implements, as described herein, may be part of an exemplary implement system. An exemplary system may generally include a frame apparatus (such as, e.g., a beam or other structure) for supporting the plurality of implements and coupling them to the vehicle. Each mount portion of the plurality of implements may be configured to mount or couple each implement to the frame apparatus. In the exemplary system, the plurality of implements may be coupled to the frame apparatus in a spaced apart arrangement along the frame apparatus to facilitate each of the plurality of implements passing between rows of crops. 
     One exemplary implement couplable to a vehicle configured to traverse a ground surface may include a mount portion couplable to a vehicle, an extension member extending from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion (e.g., wherein the proximal end portion is pivotably coupled to the mount portion about a pivot axis), and a roller apparatus rotatably coupled to the distal end portion of the extension member about a roller axis. For example, the roller apparatus may include a cylindrical portion lying along the roller axis configured to roll over a ground surface (e.g., wherein the cylindrical portion may define an outer surface configured to engage the ground surface when the cylindrical portion is rolled over the ground surface) and a plurality of ground displacing elements coupled to the cylindrical portion and extending from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion (e.g., wherein each ground displacing element of the plurality of ground displacing elements may include a ground lifting surface configured to engage and lift ground material to disperse the ground material and form a plurality of reservoirs in the ground surface when the outer surface is engaged with the ground surface as the cylindrical portion is rolled over the ground surface). The mount portion may be configured to transmit force to the roller apparatus to maintain engagement between the outer surface of the cylindrical portion and the ground surface when the cylindrical portion is rolled over the ground surface. 
     The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. A more complete understanding will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  is a perspective view of an exemplary implement. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a top view of the implement of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 C  is a top view of the implement of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 D  is a perspective view of the roller apparatus of the implement of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 E  is an enlarged top view of the roller apparatus of the implement of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 F  is an enlarged side view of an exemplary ground displacing element of the roller apparatus of the implement of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 G  is an enlarged top view of the ground displacing element of  FIG.  1 F . 
         FIG.  2 A  is a side plan view of an exemplary implement including a cleaner apparatus and a hipper apparatus. 
         FIG.  2 B  is a front perspective view of the implement of  FIG.  2 A . 
         FIG.  2 C  is a rear perspective view of the implement of  FIG.  2 A . 
         FIG.  3 A  is another perspective view of an exemplary implement. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a cross-sectional side plan view of the implement of  FIG.  3 A  illustrating the plurality of ground displacing elements. 
         FIG.  3 C  is a front plan view of the implement of  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIG.  4 A  is a front perspective view of another exemplary implement including a cleaner apparatus and a hipper apparatus. 
         FIG.  4 B  is a rear perspective view of the implement of  FIG.  4 A . 
         FIG.  4 C  is a side plan view of the implement of  FIG.  4 A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments which may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from (e.g., still falling within) the scope of the disclosure presented hereby. 
     Exemplary apparatus, systems, and methods shall be described with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 3   . It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that elements from one embodiment may be used in combination with elements of the other embodiments, and that the possible embodiments of such apparatus, systems, and methods using combinations of features set forth herein is not limited to the specific embodiments shown in the figures and/or described herein. Further, it will be recognized that the embodiments described herein may include many elements that are not necessarily shown to scale. Still further, it will be recognized that the size and shape of various elements herein may be modified but still fall within the scope of the present disclosure, although certain one or more shapes and/or sizes, or types of elements, may be advantageous over others. 
     Exemplary implements, implement systems, and methods described herein may be configured to engage a ground surface and till, aerate, and/or form a plurality reservoirs in the ground surface. The exemplary implements may include roller apparatus, and the roller apparatus may include a plurality of ground displacing elements shaped, sized, and/or configured in many different ways which will be described herein with respect to  FIGS.  1 - 3   . As used herein, a “reservoir” may be defined as an indentation, recess, and/or cavity formed within a ground surface configured such that fluid (e.g., water) or material may be collected and/or held therein. 
     An exemplary implement  510  depicted in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 G  may include a mount portion  520 , an extension member  530 , and a roller apparatus  540 . The mount portion  520  may be configured to be coupled to a vehicle (not shown), such as a tractor, to couple the exemplary implement  510  to the vehicle. The vehicle may be used to pull the implement between rows of vegetation or crops to form a plurality of reservoirs or to loosen the ground (e.g., aerate, till, etc.) between the rows using the implement  510 . To provide the coupling between the implement  510  and a vehicle, the mount portion  520  may include one or more mounting brackets configured to be coupled, or attached, to a portion of a vehicle. As shown, the mounting brackets may define a plurality of apertures, or openings, through which fasteners, such as bolts, may extend to couple the brackets to the vehicle. Further, other features of the implement  510  may be included as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,674,996 entitled “Implement for Displacing Ground Material,” which is herein incorporated by reference. As such, it is to be understood that one or more such features and/or portions therein may be used interchangeably between each and every embodiment described herein. 
     The mount portion  520  may not be directly coupled to a vehicle, and instead, may be coupled to apparatus that is coupled to the vehicle. For example, the mount portion  520  may be coupled to frame apparatus, such as, e.g., a beam, or other support member, which may be coupled to the vehicle. In one or more embodiments, exemplary frame apparatus may be raised or lowered by the vehicle so as to raise or lower the implement  510  to engage a ground surface. For example, the mount portion  520  may be couplable to and/or coupled to a frame apparatus that extends transverse to the forward moving direction of a vehicle and the frame apparatus may be coupled to a hydraulic system of the vehicle to raise and lower the implement  510  when used in conjunction with the vehicle. 
     The mount portion  520  may be configured to transmit force to the roller apparatus  540  from the vehicle to maintain engagement between the roller apparatus  540  and a ground surface when the roller apparatus  540  is rolled over the ground surface. For example, the vehicle may provide a force, or may allow the mass of the implement  510  itself to provide a force, to direct the roller apparatus  540  in engagement with the ground surface when in use, and the mount portion  520  may facilitate, or transmit, that force to the roller apparatus  540 . Additionally, the mount portion  520  may be configured to transmit force to the roller apparatus  540  by being biased in a clockwise direction about a pivot axis. Other methods of transmitting force to the roller apparatus  540  may be used such as, e.g., airbags, a bellows suspension system, the weight of substance (e.g., fertilizer) tanks positioned thereon, a torsional spring system, a linear spring actuator system, a rotary or linear hydraulic actuator/accumulator system, etc. 
     The extension member  530  may extend from a proximal end portion  532  to a distal end portion  534  and may be pivotally coupled to the mount portion about the pivot axis. As used herein, “pivotally coupled” may be defined as a coupling between objects such that the objects are configured for pivotal movement in relation to each other. As depicted, the mount portion  520  may be pivotally coupled to the proximal end portion  532  of the extension member  530  through the use of an elongate torsion assembly  580  (see, e.g., a “Henschen” suspension as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,436,069 entitled “Bearing Assembly for Elastic Joints” and issued to Henschen on Apr. 1, 1969 and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2007/0024016 A1 entitled “Parallel Torsion Suspension Assembly” published on Feb. 1, 2007, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties). 
     In other embodiments, the mount portion may be pivotally coupled to the proximal end portion of the extension member through the use of, for example, a spring, a strut, a shock absorber, a linear spring/damper system, a rotary or linear hydraulic actuator/accumulator system or any suitable suspension element or system or combination of such elements or systems, etc. 
     The extension member  530  may be made, or formed of, metal such as steel, aluminum, cast iron, plastic (e.g., for example, fiber-reinforced or glass-filled) or any other suitable material. Further, the extension member  530  may be formed by cutting (e.g., laser cutting, stamping, blanking, water-jet cutting, or plasma cutting, etc.) a sheet of material and then bending, or forming, the sheet of material into the desired shape. Additionally, the extension member  530  may be formed using any suitable method including casting, forging or injection molding. As shown, one or more cutouts may be defined, or formed, in the extension member  530  to, e.g., reduce weight, provide access points for serviceability, provide debris cleanout and/or flow-through for debris, etc. 
     The distal end portion  534  of the extension member may extend towards the ground surface and may be coupled to the roller apparatus  540  to locate the roller apparatus  540  proximate the ground surface such that the roller apparatus  540  may engage and contact the ground (e.g., for example, continuously, to ensure that the roller apparatus  540  outer surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541  maintains contact with the ground surface and does not bounce off the ground surface, or intermittently, so that the roller apparatus  540  or the outer surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541  maintains contact with the ground surface at least a portion of the time) when in use. 
     The roller apparatus  540  may be configured to engage and lift ground material to disperse the ground material and/or form a plurality of reservoirs in the ground surface as the implement  510  traverses the ground surface. As the roller apparatus  540  traverses the ground surface, the roller apparatus  540  may roll over the ground surface. To facilitate the rotational motion of the roller apparatus  540 , the roller apparatus  540  may be rotatably coupled to the distal end portion  534  of the extension member  530  about a roller axis  16 . As used herein, “rotatably coupled” may be defined as a coupling between objects such that the objects are rotatable in relation to each other. 
     The roller apparatus  540  may include a cylindrical portion  541  defining an outer surface  543  and a plurality of ground displacing elements  560  (e.g., soil displacing elements). The cylindrical portion  541  may extend from a first end portion to a second end portion defining a roller width. The roller width (e.g., for example, a roller width sized to be positioned between crop rows) may be about 8 inches to about 42 inches, such as, e.g., about 8 inches, about 12 inches, about 21 inches, about 22 inches, about 24 inches, about 42 inches, or any size in between those described herein, but not limited thereto, etc., and may be dependent on the distance between crop rows for which the implement is intended to be used. Each of the first end portion and the second end portion may be rotatably coupled to the extension member  530  about the roller axis  16  such that the roller apparatus  540  is rotatably coupled to the extension member  530 . 
     The plurality of ground displacing elements  560  may be coupled to the cylindrical portion  541  and extend outwardly from the outer surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541 . The plurality of ground displacing elements  560  may be configured to extend into the ground, or beyond the ground surface, to engage and lift ground material when the outer surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541  is engaged with the ground surface as the roller apparatus  540  and portions thereof such as the cylindrical portion  541  are rolled over the ground surface. After the ground material is lifted by the ground displacing elements  560 , the ground displacing elements  560  may disperse the ground material. In one or more embodiments, the ground material may be dispersed to the sides of the roller apparatus  540 , e.g., direction traverse to the forward moving motion of the vehicle. Further, the ground displacing elements  560  may be described as being configured to dig, remove, separate, break apart, rip, and/or lift the ground material out of the ground, and subsequently, disperse the ground material. 
     As noted, the outer surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541  may be configured to engage the ground surface when the cylindrical portion  541  is rolled over the ground surface. As used herein, “engage a ground surface” may be defined as touching, or contacting, the ground surface while the object is in use. For example, when the outer surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541  of the roller apparatus  540  engages the ground surface, at least a portion of the outer surface  543  may touch, or be in contact, with the ground surface at least a portion of the time when in use. Further, in one embodiment, the exemplary implement  510  may be configured such that the outer surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541  engages, or contacts, the ground continuously or intermittently when in use (e.g., the suspension apparatus coupling the mount portion  520  to the extension member  530  may transmit force to the roller apparatus  540  to provide continuous or intermittent engagement between the outer surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541  and the ground surface). 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 A , the roller apparatus  540  may include cylindrical portion  541 , which defines an outer cylindrical surface  543 . The plurality of ground displacing elements  560  may be removably coupled to the cylindrical portion  541  (e.g., adjacent to the outer cylindrical surface  543 , in contact with the outer cylindrical surface  543 , etc.). As shown in  FIG.  1 B , the plurality of ground displacing elements  560  may be arranged in a plurality of rows (each row being noted as being between a pair of the dotted lines  555 ) that circumferentially extend around the outer cylindrical surface  543 . In this embodiment, the plurality of ground displacing elements  560  may be arranged, or grouped, in three rows. In other embodiments, the plurality of ground displacing elements  560  may be arranged, or grouped, in more than three rows such as, e.g., four rows, six rows, etc. or less than three rows such as, e.g., two rows and one row. Additionally, in this embodiment, the plurality of ground displacing elements  560  may be described as being in a staggered configuration or arrangement. For example, the plurality of ground displacing elements  560  of the left-most row in  FIG.  1 B  may not be coupled to the cylindrical portion  541  at the same point about the circumference of the cylindrical portion  541  as the plurality of ground displacing elements  560  of the other rows such as the middle row or right-most row. In other words, it may be described that the plurality of ground displacing elements  560  are staggered with respect to each other such that each of the plurality of ground displacing elements  560  do not extend from the same location, or point, about the circumference of the cylindrical portion as any other of ground displacing elements  560  (e.g., located in other rows). Further, although is this embodiment, all of the plurality of ground displacing elements  560  are staggered with respect to each other, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, two or more rows of ground displacing elements  560  may be aligned with each other (e.g. located at the same point, or location, about the circumference of the cylindrical portion  541 ). 
     Each of the ground displacing elements  560  may include a blade portion  562  and an attachment portion  564  coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled, integral to, etc.) to the blade portion  562 . The attachment portion  564  may be removably coupled to the cylindrical portion  541 . More specifically, the attachment portion  564  may be removably coupled to the cylindrical portion  541  such that the attachment portion  564  is adjacent, or in contact with, at least a region or section of the outer cylindrical surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541 . 
     To provide the removable coupling between the attachment portion  564  and the cylindrical portion  541 , the attachment portion  564  may define an opening  567  configured to receive a fastener  565  as shown in  FIG.  1 D  which shows one ground displacing element  560  un-coupled from the cylindrical portion  541 . The fastener  565  may be configured to be used, or in conjunction, with a keyhole-shaped opening  594  that extends through the outer cylindrical surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541 . Further, the cylindrical portion  541  may further define a secondary opening  592  for each of the ground displacing elements  560 . Thus, the cylindrical portion  541  may define a plurality of secondary openings  592  (e.g., any shaped openings, or combination of openings, including holes, slots, or any other suitable openings) and a plurality of keyhole-shaped openings  594  (e.g., shaped openings providing the functionality described herein including a larger opening region adjacent a smaller opening region; such opening regions having any suitable shape). One secondary opening  592  and one keyhole-shaped opening  594  paired together may provide the coupling of a ground displacing element  560  to the cylindrical portion  541 . 
     More specifically, each fastener  565  may be configured to extend through the opening  567  of the attachment portion  564  of the ground displacing element  560 . During attachment, the fastener  565  may be first located in a larger region  597  of the keyhole-shaped opening  594  such that a portion of the fastener  565  (e.g., the head of a bolt) may be placed through the larger region  597  and then the ground displacing element  560  may be moved such that the fastener  565  may be located in a slot region  598  of the keyhole-shaped opening  594 . When the fastener  565  is located in the slot region  598 , a retention portion  569  of the attachment portion  564  of the ground displacing element  560  may align, or “line up,” with and be received by the secondary opening  592  to, e.g., assist in retaining the ground displacing element  560  coupled to the cylindrical portion  541 . Additionally, the attachment portion  564  may further include an additional retention portion  571  configured to be located in the keyhole-shaped opening  594  (e.g., the larger region  597  of the keyhole-shaped opening  594 ). In other words, the attachment portion  564  of the ground displacing element  560  may include a first retention portion  569  configured to be located in the secondary opening  592  and a second retention portion  571  configured to be located in the larger region  597  of the keyhole-shaped opening  594  to restrict, or retain, the ground displacing element  560  to the cylindrical portion  541 . Once the first and second retention portions  569 ,  571  are located in the secondary opening  592  and the larger region  597  of the keyhole-shaped openings  594  and the fastener  565  extends through the opening  567  and a portion of the fastener  565  is located in the slot region  598  of the keyhole-shaped opening  594 , a nut  563 , or other restriction device, may be coupled to the fastener  565  to couple the attachment portion  564  to the outer cylindrical surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541 . 
     In other words, the fastener  565  may be located in the opening  567  of the attachment portion  564  of the ground displacing element  560  and the ground displacing element  560  may be located, or positioned, such that a portion of the fastener  565  such as a “head” of a bolt extends through the larger region  597  of the keyhole-shaped opening  594  (e.g., extends through the outer cylindrical surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541 ). Then, the ground displacing element  560  may be moved to slide the fastener  565  towards the slot region  598  of the keyhole-shaped opening  594  such that the portion of the fastener  565  is restricted from passing back through the keyhole-shaped opening  594  (e.g., due to the size of the slot region  598  being smaller than the larger region  597 ). Or, the fastener  565  may be located in the larger region  597  and slid into the slot region  594  prior to the ground displacing element  560  being positioned such that the fastener is located in the opening  567  and proximate the cylindrical portion  541 . Additionally, the ground displacing element  560  may be moved to align the first and second retention portions  569 ,  571  with the secondary opening  592  and the larger region  597  of the keyhole-shape opening  594  such that the first and second retention portions  569 ,  571  may be received by the secondary opening  592  and the larger region  597  of the keyhole-shape opening  594 , respectively. Then, a restriction device  563  such as a nut may be secured, or coupled, to the fastener  565  to complete the coupling of the attachment portion  564 , and thus, the ground displacing element  560 , to the cylindrical portion  541 . 
     Further, in one or more embodiments, the blade portion  562  of the ground displacing elements  560  defines, or includes, a ground lifting surface  568  that may be described as being bent, or angled, so as to define a first portion  590  and a second portion  593  as shown in  FIG.  1 E . The first portion  590  and the second portion  593  may lie, or extend within, different planes than each other so as to be described as being non-planar, or not lying substantially in a single plane. For example, the first portion  590  may lie in a first plane and the second portion  593  may lie in a second plane, and the first plane may be different, or intersect with, the second plane defining an angle. The angle between the first portion  590  and the second portion  593  may be between about 185 degrees to about 300 degrees. For example, the angle may be greater than or equal to about 185 degrees, greater than or equal to about 200 degrees, greater than or equal to about 210 degrees, greater than or equal to about 220 degrees, greater than or equal to about 230 degrees, greater than or equal to about 240 degrees or more, greater than or equal to about 250 degrees or more, greater than or equal to about 260 degrees or more, greater than or equal to about 270 degrees or more, greater than or equal to about 280 degrees or more, etc. Further, for example, the angle may be less than or equal to about 330 degrees, less than or equal to about 310 degrees, less than or equal to about 300 degrees, less than or equal to about 285 degrees, less than or equal to about 275 degrees, less than or equal to about 265 degrees, less than or equal to about 255 degrees, less than or equal to about 245 degrees, less than or equal to about 225 degrees, or less than or equal to about 200 degrees, etc. 
     The first portion  590  and the second portion  593  may be described as intersecting at an apex  588 . Further, the first portion  590  and the second portion  593  may be described as providing, or defining, a chisel edge  587  extending along at least a portion of the blade portion  562 . In other words, the apex  588  may define the point, or edge, of the chisel edge  587  of the blade portion  562 . The chisel edge  587  may be described as an edge of a blade or knife configured to cut into the ground surface. The chisel edge  587  may engage the ground surface prior to the remainder of the ground displacing element  560  when the roller apparatus  540  is engaged with the ground surface as the vehicle traverses the ground. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG.  1 F , the chisel edge  587  extend around the perimeter, or at least a portion (e.g., the majority) of the perimeter of the blade portion  562 . More specifically, the chisel edge  587  may be described as being included or defined on the forward or leading edge  601  of the blade portion  562  and the rear or trailing edge  602 . The forward edge  601  may be further described as being opposite the rearward edge  602  as, e.g., the forward edge  601  may face the direction of rotation while the rearward edge  602  may face opposite the direction of rotation of the cylindrical portion. The chisel edge  587  may be described as extending entirely around the blade portion  562  except for an attachment region  605  where the blade portion  562  is attached, or fixed, to the attachment portion  564 . Further, the chisel edge  587  may be described as the first portion or region of the blade portion  562  to enter or contact the ground surface when being used to engage and disperse ground material. Additionally, each of the forward and rearward edges  601  and  602  may meet, or intersect, at a point, or tip,  603  of the blade portion  562 . In this embodiment, the rearward edge  602  is curved or defines a curve. In other embodiments, the rearward edge  602  may not be curved, and instead, extend along a linearly line or a mixture of linear and curved. For example, a majority of the rearward edge  602  may be curved while a minority is linear. The curvature of the rearward edge  602  may assist the entering, or engaging, of the ground displacing element  560  into the ground surface. Further, the majority of the forward edge  601  extends linearly (e.g., non-curved) to the point  603 . In other embodiments, the forward edge  601  may not be straight, and instead, be at least partially curved. 
     Further, as shown best in  FIG.  1 G , the blade portions  562  of the ground displacing elements  560  may be described as being tilted or rotated  611  about an axis  610  with respect to the forward moving direction of the implement  510 . The axis  610  may extend from the cylindrical portion radially (e.g., perpendicularly to a tangent of the circumference of the cylindrical portion) and the blade portions  562  may be described as being rotated, or angled,  611  about the axis  610  with the forward moving direction being zero degrees. In other words, the blade portions  562  may extend out of a plane lying parallel to the forward moving or rolling direction of the implement  510 . For example, a plane parallel to the moving or rolling direction of the implement  510  is represented by dashed line  512  in  FIG.  1 B  proximate one of the ground displacing elements  560 . As shown, the blade portion  562  does not substantially lie within the plane represent by dashed line  512  and is, instead, tilted or rotated with respect to the plane. The tilt, or rotation,  611  of the blade portions  562  may assist the blade portions  562  to extend through the ground surface  12  to engage the ground material (e.g., dig, lift, rip, etc. the ground material). Further, as shown, the plurality of ground displacing elements  560  may include blade portions  562  tilted, or rotated, in different (e.g., opposite) directions. 
     In other words, the blade portions  562  may each being described as lying, or extending, in a plane, and the plane may not be perpendicular (or parallel) to the rolling axis of the cylindrical portion  541 . For example, the plane within which the blade portion lies may be considered to be twisted, or angled, from the radial axis, or line,  610 , which is perpendicular to the rolling axis of the cylindrical portion  541 . 
     The blade portions  562  of the ground displacing elements  560  may be described as being tilted or rotated  611  about the axis  610  from the forward moving direction between about 0 and about 45 degrees. In one or more embodiments, the blade portions  562  of the ground displacing elements  560  may be described as being tilted or rotated  611  about the axis  610  from the forward moving direction greater than or equal to about 2 degrees, greater than or equal to about 4 degrees, greater than or equal to about 5 degrees, greater than or equal to about 8 degrees, greater than or equal to about 10 degrees, greater than or equal to about 12 degrees, greater than or equal to about 14 degrees, greater than or equal to about 16 degrees, greater than or equal to about 20 degrees, greater than or equal to about 25 degrees, greater than or equal to about 30 degrees, greater than or equal to about 35 degrees, etc. Further, in one or more embodiments, the blade portions  562  of the ground displacing elements  560  may be described as being tilted or rotated  611  about the axis  610  from the forward moving direction less than or equal to about 45 degrees, less than or equal to about 40 degrees, less than or equal to about 38 degrees, less than or equal to about 34 degrees, less than or equal to about 32 degrees, less than or equal to about 27 degrees, less than or equal to about 23 degrees, less than or equal to about 18 degrees, less than or equal to about 13 degrees, less than or equal to about 11 degrees, less than or equal to about 9 degrees, less than or equal to about 7 degrees, less than or equal to about 3 degrees, etc. 
     Additionally, the ground lifting surface  568  of the blade portion  562  may be described as extending at non-radial angle. For example, substantially all or a majority of the ground lifting surface  568  may not extend along a radial line (e.g., a line that extends through the rolling axis  16  of the cylindrical portion  541 ). In other words, substantially all or a majority of the ground lifting surface  568  may extend along a dashed line  581  shown in  FIG.  1 C  that does not extend through the rolling axis  16  of the cylindrical portion  541 . Further, in other words, substantially all or a majority of the ground lifting surface  568  may extend along a dashed line  581  that does not form a right angle with a tangential line (i.e., a line tangential to outer cylindrical surface  543 ) where the dashed line  581  enters the outer cylindrical surface  543 . Still further, the ground lifting surface  568  may be described as being forward slanted or angled towards the rolling direction of the cylindrical portion  541 . More specifically, substantially all or a majority of the ground lifting surface  568  may extend along a dashed line  581  that forms an acute angle with a tangential line (i.e., a line tangential to outer cylindrical surface  543 ) where the dashed line  581  enters the outer cylindrical surface  543 . 
     Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the implement apparatus  510  may also include additional components to assist in tilling the rows of crops. For example, as shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C , the implement apparatus  510  may include a cleaner apparatus  110  extending forward along a longitudinal axis  101  (e.g., extending between the proximal end portion  532  and the distal end portion  534  of the extension member  530 ) from the roller apparatus  540 . Specifically, the cleaner apparatus  110  may be located proximate the proximal end portion  532  of the extension member  530 . The cleaner apparatus  110  may include one or more cleaners positioned to lead the implement apparatus  510  through various debris and residue on the ground surface. The cleaners may be configured to extend at least partially under the ground surface to assist in diverting debris and residue. 
     The one or more cleaners may define any suitable shape and size. For example, in one or more embodiments, the cleaners may define a circular shape and may be configured to rotate relative to the ground surface (e.g., to reduce resistance with the ground surface, to assist in moving debris and residue). Specifically, the one or more cleaners may include a thin disc defining a thickness of about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches (e.g., specifically about 0.375 inches). In one or more embodiments, the one or more cleaners may be described as a plate or sheet and define any suitable geometry (e.g., square, triangle, rectangle, circle, etc.). Further, in one or more embodiments, the cleaners may include teeth defining a circumferential profile of the cleaner. The teeth may assist in grabbing the debris and residue and moving it towards the sides of the implement  510 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C , the cleaner apparatus may include a pair of cleaners  111 ,  112  configured to rotate relative to the ground surface. Further, the pair of cleaners  111 ,  112  may be oriented such that the cleaners  111 ,  112  angle towards one another at a forwardmost point of the pair of cleaners  111 ,  112 . In one or more embodiments, the cleaner apparatus  110  may only include a single cleaner (e.g., taking the shape of one cleaner as shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  or a single unitary piece shaped similar to the pair of cleaners) 
     The pair of cleaners  111 ,  112  may be adapted to clear the path from debris and residue from the path of the roller apparatus  540 . For example, debris and residue (e.g., downed corn stalks) may have fallen between rows of crops that could clog the roller apparatus  540  if left in the path. Therefore, the cleaners  111 ,  112  may be angled to towards a point facing forward such that the debris and residue may deflect off the side of the cleaners  111 ,  112  (e.g., to avoid the roller apparatus). Specifically, the cleaners  111 ,  112  may be angled relative to one another at an angle of about 15 to 45 degrees. 
     The cleaner apparatus  110  may also include a bracket  114  (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  2 B ) pivotably coupled to the extension member  530  and fixedly coupled to the pair of cleaners  111 ,  112  such that the pair of cleaners  111 ,  112  may pivot relative to the extension member  530 . In other words, the angle and distance between the cleaners  111 ,  112  may be fixed based on the structure of the bracket  114 . Also, the cleaners  111 ,  112  may pivot in unison due to being fixedly attached to the bracket  114 . For example, if the cleaners  111 ,  112  pass over a bump or rock, the cleaners  111 ,  112  may pivot upward to prevent damage that may result from an inflexible pair of cleaners  111 ,  112 . Further, in one or more embodiments, the cleaner apparatus  110  may also include a spring  120  and a chain  122  (e.g., a log chain) attached between the extension member  530  and the pair of cleaners  111 ,  112 . The spring  120  and the chain  122  may set the drop distance (or float) of the cleaners  111 ,  112  relative to the ground surface and may provide some cushioning to any jarring resulting from undulations of the terrain (e.g., over which the implement  510  is traveling). Specifically, the cleaners  111 ,  112  may be positioned such that an edge of the disc (e.g., the teeth) is just below the ground surface and, e.g., the chain  122  may help control that elevation. 
     It is noted that, in one or more embodiments, the cleaner apparatus  110  may only include a chain  122  (e.g., not including a spring  120 ) attached between the extension member  530  and the bracket  114  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 C ). Specifically, the chain  122  (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  4 A ) may be coupled to the extension member  530  and a front portion of the bracket  114 . Therefore, the chain  122  may support each of the cleaners  111 ,  112  through the bracket  114 . 
     The implement  510  may also include a hipper apparatus  130  extending rearward along the longitudinal axis  101  from the roller apparatus  540 . The hipper apparatus may include a first hipper  131  and a second hipper  132 . The first and second hippers  131 ,  132  may be oriented such that the hippers  131 ,  132  angle towards one another at a rearwardmost point of the first and second hippers  131 ,  132 . Specifically, the hippers  131 ,  132  may be angled relative to one another at an angle of about 15 to 45 degrees. The hippers may include a thin disc defining a thickness of about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches (e.g., specifically about 0.375 inches). In one or more embodiments, the hippers may be described as a plate or sheet and define any suitable geometry (e.g., square, triangle, rectangle, circle, etc.). Also, each of the hippers  131 ,  132  may include teeth defining a circumferential profile of the hipper  131 ,  132 . It is noted that while the hipper apparatus  130  as shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  includes two hippers, any suitable number of hippers (e.g., including one) may be contemplated herein. 
     The hipper apparatus  130  may act as a closer to guide the soil or dirt back into the center of the path of the implement  510 . For example, after the roller apparatus  540  travels over the ground surface, the dirt or soil that is loosened and kicked up may move away from the center of the path of the implement  510 . Therefore, the hipper apparatus  130  may pull that soil or dirt back to the middle and form mounds that may settle over time. 
     The hipper apparatus  130  may include an arm  134  for each of the first and second hippers  131 ,  132  to extend the hippers  131 ,  132  backwards and away from the roller apparatus  540 . The arms  134  may be coupled between the extension member  530  and the corresponding hipper  131 ,  132  such that each hipper  131 ,  132  may be adapted to pivot independently relative to the extension member  530 . In one or more embodiments, the hipper apparatus  130  may also include a stopper adapted to limit the pivotal movement of the arm  134  relative to the extension member  530 . For example, the hippers  131 ,  132  may pivot independently such that if one or both of the hippers  131 ,  132  encounter a rock or bump, the affected hipper may deflect upwards as needed. Further, the stopper may prevent the hippers  131 ,  132  from pivoting downward further than desired by the user. The stopper may be adjustable to control the angle and position of the arms  134 . 
     Furthermore, the arms  134  for each of the first and second hippers  131 ,  132  may have an adjustable length along the longitudinal axis  101 . In other words, the distance that the hippers  131 ,  132  extend rearward from the extension member  530  may be adjustable as desired. For example, in one or more embodiments, the first and second hippers  131 ,  132  may be positioned at the same distance from the extension member  530  along the longitudinal axis  101 . In other embodiments, the first and second hippers  131 ,  132  may be positioned to be staggered relative to the extension member  530  along the longitudinal axis  101  (e.g., the first and second hippers  131 ,  132  may be positioned at different distances from the extension member  530 ). Therefore, if the gap between the hippers  131 ,  132  is too small to allow some debris to pass through the gap, the length of the hippers  131 ,  132  may be adjusted such that the hippers  131 ,  132  are offset along the longitudinal axis  101 . Further, in one or more embodiments, the arms  134  may be completely detachable (e.g., if designed to have two telescoping portions for adjustability) such that the implement  510  may be operated without the presence of the hipper apparatus  130  or having only a single hipper. 
     In one or more embodiments, the hipper apparatus  130  may include a vertical support  136  coupled between each of the first and second hippers  131 ,  132  and the corresponding arm  134 . The vertical support  136  may be movably coupled to the arm  134  such that the first and second hippers  131 ,  132  may be adapted to be vertically adjusted relative to the extension member  530 . For example, the hippers  131 ,  132  may be adjust based on the height of the roller apparatus  540  and the distance between the ground surface and the hippers  131 ,  132 . 
     In another embodiment of the implement apparatus  510 , the hipper apparatus  130  may include one or more finger elements  139  or teeth that extend downward, e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 C . For example, the one or more finger elements  139  may extend into the ground surface during operation to help disperse and level the ground after the tilling and displacing via the ground displacement element  560 . For example, in one or more embodiments, the hipper apparatus  130  may include arms  134  coupled to and extending from the extension member  530  to a position rearward of the extension member  530 . Also, a crossmember  138  may extend between the arms  134  and the one or more finger elements  139  may be operatively coupled to the crossmember  138 . Therefore, the one or more finger elements  139  may be span a width of the implement apparatus  510  and disperse the ground along that width. 
     The one or more finger elements  139  may include any suitable number of finger elements  139  and may be spaced apart in any suitable way. For example, as shown in  FIG.  4 B , the hipper apparatus  130  may include four finger elements evenly spaced apart along the crossmember  138 . Additionally, the one or more finger elements  139  may define any suitable length. For example, the one or more finger elements  139  may define a length such that a distal end of the finger elements extend into the ground surface when the implement apparatus  510  is in use (e.g., such that the distal end is below the outer cylindrical surface  543  of the cylindrical portion  541 ). In one or more embodiments, the arm  134  may be adjusted (e.g., vertically or pivotally) to set the position of the finger elements  139  (e.g., to ensure the distal end is in the ground surface). 
     The one or more finger elements  139  may include (e.g., be formed of) any suitable material. For example, the one or more finger elements  139  may include a wire that may or may not deform, but maintains shape. Further, the one or more finger elements  139  may be coupled to the crossmember  138  in any suitable way. For example, as shown in  FIG.  4 B , the one or more finger elements  139  may wrap around the crossmember  138  to couple thereto. As such, the one or more finger elements  139  may pivot relative to the crossmember  138  or deflect as the one or more finger elements traverses the ground surface. In other words, the one or more finger elements  139  may define a robustness to engage and disperse portions of the ground surface, but flexible enough to deflect over undulations or rocks. 
     As such, different combinations of the cleaner apparatus  110 , the roller apparatus  540 , and the hipper apparatus  130  may be used for various different applications. For example, in the Fall, the implement apparatus  510  may be set up to include all three of the cleaner apparatus  110 , the roller apparatus  540 , and the hipper apparatus  130  for strip tilling between crop rows (e.g., to set things up for the Spring). Then, in the Spring, the implement  510  may include the cleaner apparatus  110  and the roller apparatus  540  to aerate and freshen the soil (or, e.g., deposit fertilizer). After the crop is up, the implement  510  may be used once again to aerate the ground surface and form reservoirs in the ground surface to collect water. Additionally, in an implement configuration that only includes the cleaner apparatus  110  and the roller apparatus  540 , the cleaner apparatus  110  may push fertilizer or nitrogen into the crops (e.g., because the hipper apparatus  130  is not present to pull the fertilizer back towards the center). 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C , the implement  510  may also include a housing  140  at least partially surrounding the roller apparatus  540 . The housing  140  may include side plates  142  positioned on either side of the roller apparatus  540 , a top plate  144  positioned above the roller apparatus  540 , and a rear plate  146  (also shown in  FIG.  2 C ) positioned rearward of the roller apparatus  540 . The housing  140  may assist in containing dirt or soil that might otherwise be thrown to the side by the roller apparatus  540 . For example, dirt or soil that is kicked-up by the roller apparatus  540  may enter the housing  140  and land generally within the path of the implement  510 . Also, in one or more embodiments, the rear plate  146  may be pivotally coupled to the top plate  144  and/or the side plates  142  such that the rear plate  146  may pivot at the top end for servicing the roller apparatus  540  or cleaning out debris that may get caught in the housing  140 . 
     In any of the embodiments discussed herein, one or more ground breaking apparatus (e.g., sweep blades, row crop sweeps, chisel elements, or sweep cultivators) may be coupled to any of the implements or systems described herein. The one or more ground breaking apparatus may be configured to break up or loosen the ground material prior to the roller apparatus forming reservoirs in the ground surface (e.g., mounted ahead of the roller apparatus in the direction of travel). 
     All patents, patent documents, and references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety as if each were incorporated separately. This disclosure has been provided with reference to illustrative embodiments and is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. As described previously, one skilled in the art will recognize that other various illustrative applications may use the techniques as described herein to take advantage of the beneficial characteristics of the exemplary apparatus described herein. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as additional embodiments of the disclosure, will be apparent upon reference to this description.