Patent Publication Number: US-2022210962-A1

Title: Improved row cleaner and row closer assemblies for strip till planters

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is generally applicable to the field of agricultural equipment, and more particularly for improved row cleaning and row closing in strip till farming applications. 
     AUTHORIZATION PURSUANT TO 37 C.F.R. § 1.171 (d)(c) 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright and trademark protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     An example of a prior art rotary row cleaner is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,890 (Martin) entitled GROUND-DRIVEN ROTARY ROW CLEANER, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     In traditional and longstanding farming methods, tilling or tillage is typically used before planting to prepare a field. Tilling a field has both herbicidal and insecticidal benefits and may serve to break up the earth to enable seedlings to more easily extend root systems. However, there are downsides to tillage that are driving modern farmers towards “low-till” or “no-till” or “strip till” farming systems. In these farming systems, plant matter left over from previous harvests, called residue, is left in the fields between plantings. At the time of planting, a row cleaner system is used at the front or leading portion of a planter row unit to clear only a small portion or “strip” of earth of the residue to enable seeds and fertilizer to be placed in the ground in connection with a coulter or other tillage tool. The row cleaner removes residue and in connection with other planter components, such as coulter, opening or cutting discs and strip till shank, lightly tills the topmost soil or earth to provide for a clear path for seed and fertilizer placement. One key aspect to row cleaner operation is to maintain necessary clearance between the row cleaner and the coulter or other tillage tool for terrain responsive operation. Also, at the trailing end of the planter row unit closing wheels are used to close the seed slot opened during row planting operation. 
     No-till farming systems provide for benefits including increased water retention and absorption, and increased presence of beneficial fungi, bacteria, and fauna (e.g., earthworms). The use of a no-till farming system has the additional benefit of reducing topsoil erosion that may be caused by tilling. In no-till systems it has also been shown that because water retention is greater and soil erosion is reduced, the environmental impact from the runoff of fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides is also reduced. 
     The farming system known as strip till farming, is also a conservation method that uses low or minimum tillage. Strip till method provides the soil drying and warming benefits associated with conventional tillage and provides the soil erosion avoidance or protecting advantages of no-till farming. With strip till farming, only the portion of the soil that is to contain the seed row is tilled or disturbed. Strip till method typically requires multiple passes, depending on the strip-till implement used and the field conditions. Typically, rows that have been strip tilled are eight to ten inches wide. In no-till, low till or strip till methods weed suppression may be a problem and so farmers often use cover crops, mulching, laying straw, mowing or herbicides to maintain fields, which leads to extra cost and may lead to more residue during planting. 
     Planters typically use a cutting disc (or disk) and/or coulter designed to cut through crop residue and break the top crust of the soil. Often row cleaners, such as made by Martin Industries of Elkton, Ky., are used to help remove or break up debris ahead of the coulter/cutting disc to allow the coulter or cutting disc to cut into the soil and help an opener make a furrow for more effective and uniform seed planting. After row cleaner, coulter and disk opener prepare the furrow for planting, the seed is dropped into the furrow that has been created (along with fertilizer and other additives as desired) and then a press wheel closes the furrow. Often a closing section is provided to help close the furrow ahead of a second stage press wheel. Row openers clear the path of debris and the coulter or cutting disc breaks the soil crust to facilitate opening and seed depth control for the furrow opener. The row closing section and trailing or second stage press wheel help insure moist soil is in contact with seeds to cover them at proper seed depth as it presses the soil firmly (to varying degrees depending on soil conditions and crop type) around the seeds. The soil is left loose enough to minimize soil crusting to promote healthy and uniform emergence. 
     The movement towards no-till or low till farming systems has driven the improvement of row cleaner apparatuses for planting systems. Existing row cleaner systems include fixed row cleaners, adjustable row cleaners, and floating row cleaners, which have drawbacks. Fixed row cleaners do not follow or track changes in land elevation as the planter moves over a field. Adjustable and floating row cleaners may not possess the ideal geometry with respect to a planter to provide for optimal row cleaning action by the cleaner wheel assemblies. Additionally, after seeds have been planted the open planted row need to be closed. Existing row closing assemblies comprise drawbacks and limitations. Depending on the camber or toe alignment of closing wheels, the closing action may not be effective and may do harm to germination and emergence of planted seeds. Namely, existing fixed row closing assemblies do not provide an adjustable means to orient the closing wheels to provide desired camber and toe alignment to take into account soil and debris conditions to promote healthy emergence. 
     As it relates to the closing operation, if the closing wheel assembly is at too low of an angle, the closing action of the wheel assembly may be considered “negative” as opposed to the desired “positive” closing action of a level closing wheel assembly. Prior art closing wheel assemblies can be centered over an open row or seed slot where seeds have been planted. However, most cannot be adjusted at all, or if they can be adjusted they cannot be adjusted to compensate for changes in elevation over a row or seed slot. A 13″ spading closing wheel is 1″ greater in diameter than a standard smooth closing wheel. This is by design to allow the wheels to engage the soil and effectively close the seed slot. When working in looser soils, the spading closing wheels frequently engage the soil deeper than in firmer soils. To help reduce this excessive soil engagement, down pressure may need to be reduced, e.g., to a minimum setting, by adjusting the angle of the entire closing wheel assembly. Greater down pressure settings tend to lower the rear of the closing wheel arm assembly, which reduces the gathering action of the two spading closing wheels. As shown in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/593,765 (Martin) filed Oct. 4, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference,  FIGS. 1-4  in that application illustrate a prior art closing wheel arm to illustrate the problem. The angle of the closing wheel arm assembly influences the gathering action of the spading closing wheels. A low closing wheel arm ( FIG. 1 ) angle creates the negative closing action ( FIG. 2 ), and a level closing wheel arm ( FIG. 3 ) creates the positive closing action ( FIG. 4 ). 
     The following references, each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, describe row cleaner designs: U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,660, entitled ADJUSTABLE ROW CLEANER, Martin, issued Jan. 4, 2011; U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,165, entitled ADJUSTABLE ROW CLEANER, Martin, issued Aug. 5, 2014; and in U.S. Pat. No. 9,743,572, entitled ADJUSTABLE ROW CLEANER, Martin, issued Aug. 29, 2017; and such as floating row cleaners provided U.S. Pat. No. 8,631,879B1, entitled COMPACT FLOATING ROW CLEANER, Martin, issued Jan. 21, 2014; and U.S. Pat. No. 9,642,298, entitled COMPACT FLOATING ROW CLEANER, Martin, issued May 9, 2017; and U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 62/623,198, entitled COMPACT PARALLEL ARM ROW CLEANER, Martin et al., filed Jan. 28, 2018. 
     What is needed is an adjustable row cleaning or clearing assembly for use in strip till planter farming operation to better clear debris, as typically encountered in strip till applications, ahead of seed planting components of strip till row planting units. 
     What is also needed is a single lever user interface to provide for the adjustment of the angle of penetration of row closer wheels with respect to a furrow or seed troughs typically generated in strip till applications by seed planting components of strip till row planting units. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a row cleaner system that provides an effective and efficient solution that improves both row cleaning operation in strip till farming operations to effectively stretch or pull and cut debris to more effectively remove debris ahead of the seed planting components and row closing components. 
     The present invention also provides a means to control the angle of the row cleaning wheels relative to ground and the down-pressure applied by the row cleaner during operation. An actuator is operatively attached to the row cleaner and allows for user optimization or customization of the down-pressure and angle incident to ground. The row cleaner has an A-shaped set of arms that are pivotally attached to a fixed frame. The actuator is operatively attached at one end to the fixed frame and at another end by means of an extendable arm. The arm extends a range of linear or other movement and biases the row cleaner based on a control signal, such as an electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic sourced signal. A limiter restricts the pivotal range of movement of the row cleaner to prevent damage to the actuator that may be caused by mechanical forces experienced at the limits of the arm movement from fully retracted to fully extended positions. 
     Closing/cleaning wheels have teeth configured typically in a toe-in alignment and may interlink or mesh effectively in a rotating operation to engage the ground and stretch residue and other debris. A cutting disc trails the row cleaning wheels and is located in close-proximity to the cleaning wheels to cut stretched debris to allow the cleaning wheels to more efficiently pull debris to the side and away from the furrow for improved seed planting and row closing. 
     Another problem with prior art row cleaner assemblies is the different angle configurations encountered, i.e., the angle of the row cleaner frame determined at the pivot points relative to ground. If the row cleaner frame is generally parallel to ground, i.e., the pivot points generally lie in the same plane with the centers of the row clearing wheels, then unbiased row cleaner wheels are less aggressive and the weight of the row cleaner and zero-angle position may not adequately perform row clearing operation. In this situation the present invention provides an actuator to bias the row cleaner downward to more aggressively engage the debris layer. On the other hand, if the row cleaner frame is attached higher up a supporting structure such that the frame forms an angle to ground, i.e., is not parallel to the ground, then the row cleaner may double back on itself and may too aggressively engage the soil and dig a ditch in the area of the furrow. In this situation the present invention provides an actuator to lift the row cleaner to be less aggressive and to avoid trenching. The present invention provides a control system to provide adjustability within a control range to achieve the desired row cleaning action in light of soil and debris conditions encountered in the field. 
     In connection with one embodiment of the present invention the control system comprises a pneumatic, electrical, hydraulic or electro-mechanical actuator or piston positioned in a horizontal orientation, perpendicular to a fixed frame. For example, the actuator may be secured at its back end to the frame mounting plate by a pin and at the opposite end via an extendable arm to the pivotable row cleaner providing pivoting of the row cleaner relative to the fixed frame in an angular fashion about a row cleaner mounting point or pivot and may include a bushing or bearing. 
     As the actuator arm extends and retracts, or compresses and decompresses, it maintains a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground but it too pivots or rotates about its fixed end as the row cleaner pivots or rotates. By maintaining the orientation and angle of the row cleaner the present invention keeps the row clearing wheels of the wheel assemblies in the desired orientation with respect to the ground to provide for optimal debris clearing without excessive soil engagement. A row cleaner travel limiter prevents damage to the actuator. 
     The present invention further provides a closing wheel assembly adapted or configured to provide for the adjustment of the orientation of closing wheels with respect to the furrow. The closing wheel assembly consists of lever pivotally mounted to a closing wheel axle assembly that is angled to provide a desired range of toe and/or camber alignment for proper furrow closing. 
     In a first embodiment the present invention provides a row cleaner for attaching to a strip till machine having a frame mounting plate, a cutting disc, an axle adapted to permit rotation of the cutting disc, and a set of oppositely facing posts connected to the frame mounting plate and adapted to support the axle and the cutting disc at a pair of connecting points, the row cleaner adapted to clear mulch and other debris encountered in strip or low till planting and comprising: a row cleaner frame assembly connected to and supported by the set of oppositely facing posts, the row cleaner frame assembly comprising: a pair of row cleaner arms each having a proximal end located proximal to the set of oppositely facing posts, and a distal end located distal to the set of oppositely facing posts, the row cleaner arm proximal ends being spaced apart and disposed on opposite sides of the cutting disc; and a pair of clearing wheels each having a wheel body and a set of spaced apart teeth protruding radially about the circumference of the wheel body, the pair of row cleaner wheels rotationally connected, respectively, to the row cleaner arm distal ends and being configured to have a toe-in alignment to assist in debris removal; wherein the pair of row cleaner arms share a common plane and are pivotally connected at the proximal ends to the oppositely facing posts at a pair of pivot points with the cutting disc disposed intermediate the proximal ends and the pivot points being common with or disposed close to a rotational axis of the cutting disc; and wherein the row clearing wheels are in a close-proximity to the cutting disc. 
     The first embodiment may further be characterized in one or more of the following manners: wherein close-proximity is determined by a wheel center line extending between the centers of the clearing wheels and generally orthogonal to the cutting disc, the wheel center line being at or coming within 0.5 inch of a leading edge of the cutting disc or intersecting the cutting disc; wherein close-proximity is determined by a wheel center plane extending between the centers of the closing wheels and in a direction parallel to the ground during operation of the strip till machine, the wheel center plane falling within the cutting disc or coming within 0.5 inch of a leading edge of the cutting disc; wherein the set of spaced apart teeth are uniformly spaced apart along the circumference of the wheel body, and wherein with rotation of the pair of clearing wheels through the debris field during operation of a strip till machine a trailing line is defined to be between teeth exiting the debris field and generally orthogonal to the cutting disc, wherein close-proximity is determined by the trailing line at a leading edge of the cutting disc or intersecting the cutting disc; wherein the set of spaced apart teeth are uniformly spaced apart along the circumference of the wheel body, and wherein with rotation of the pair of clearing wheels through the debris field during operation of a strip till machine a trailing plane is defined as extending between teeth exiting the debris field and generally orthogonal to ground during strip till operation, wherein close-proximity is determined by the trailing plane at the leading edge of the cutting disc or intersecting the cutting disc; wherein the pair of clearing wheels are configured to have a positive camber relative to ground; wherein each of the pair of row cleaner arms has a proximal section including a series of pivot points, the series of pivot points providing alternative proximal end locations and adjustable proximity of the row cleaning wheels and a leading edge of the cutting disc; wherein each of the pair of row cleaner arms has a parallel section at which the proximal end is disposed and an angled distal section at which a row cleaner wheel is attached, whereby the two parallel sections are essentially parallel to each other and the two angled distal sections angle in toward one another and provide a toe-in configuration; wherein the two row cleaner arm angled distal sections come together at a junction at a point most distal from the set of oppositely facing posts; wherein row clearing wheels are mounted, respectively, at a selected one of a series of mounting points disposed along each row cleaner arm angled section; wherein the cutting disc and axle are rotatably attached to each post at the row cleaner arm pivot points such that the rotational axis defined by the axle and the connecting points on the oppositely facing posts lies in a common axis with the two row cleaner arm pivot points; wherein the row cleaner arm pivot points are not common with and are disposed above the cutting disc rotational axis; further comprising: an actuator having a fixed body portion and an extendable arm portion operably connected to a row cleaner arm, the actuator having a control input and being adapted to receive a control input from a control system for controlling displacement of the extendable arm to extend from a retracted position to an extended position and to retract from the extended position to the retracted position or points therebetween, whereby the actuator causes the row cleaner frame to rotate about the pair of pivot points; further comprising a row cleaner assembly travel limiter providing upper and lower limits to restrict pivoting travel of the row cleaner about the pair of pivot points thereby preventing excessive forces from acting on the actuator. 
     In a second embodiment the present invention provides a strip till machine comprising: a frame mounting plate; a cutting disc and an axle adapted to permit rotation of the cutting disc; a set of oppositely facing posts connected to the frame mounting plate and adapted to support the axle and the cutting disc at a pair of connecting points, the cutting disc adapted to rotate about a rotational axis defined by the axle and the connecting points on the oppositely facing posts; a row cleaner adapted to clear mulch and other debris encountered in strip or low till planting and comprising: a row cleaner frame assembly connected to and supported by the set of oppositely facing posts, the row cleaner frame assembly comprising: a pair of row cleaner arms each having a proximal end located proximal to the set of oppositely facing posts, and a distal end located distal to the set of oppositely facing posts, the row cleaner arm proximal ends being spaced apart and disposed on opposite sides of the cutting disc; and a pair of clearing wheels each having a wheel body and a set of spaced apart teeth protruding radially about the circumference of the wheel body, the pair of row cleaner wheels rotationally connected, respectively, to the row cleaner arm distal ends and being configured to have a toe-in alignment to assist in debris removal; wherein the pair of row cleaner arms share a common plane and are pivotally connected at the proximal ends to the oppositely facing posts at a pair of pivot points with the cutting disc disposed intermediate the proximal ends and the pivot points being common with or disposed close to a rotational axis of the cutting disc; and wherein the row clearing wheels are in a close-proximity to the cutting disc. 
     The second embodiment may further be characterized in one or more of the following manners: further comprising a row closing wheel assembly comprising: at least one closing wheel attached in rotatable fashion to at least one axle having a face angled to effect a closing wheel toe-out configuration; at least one lever assembly having a lever coupled to the at least one axle and configured to provide adjustable positioning of the at least one closing wheel relative to the ground; wherein the at least one lever assembly further comprises: a ring portion connected to the at least one axle; and a lever position member comprising a plurality of locking points adapted to receive a pin, protrusion or other locking means provided on the lever to hold the lever in place and to maintain a desired orientation of the at least one closing wheel; further comprising: a set of upper plate connecting arms each having an upper front end and an upper rear end, each upper front end movably secured to the frame mounting plate at a set of upper frame pivot points with each upper rear end distal to the frame mounting plate; and a set of lower plate connecting arms each having a lower front end and a lower rear end, each lower front end movably secured to the frame mounting plate at a set of lower frame pivot points with each lower rear end distal to the frame mounting plate, wherein the sets of upper and lower connecting arms are parallel to one another and extend outward from the frame mounting plate; wherein the sets of upper and lower connecting arms are respectively connected to the goal posts at pivot points disposed on the upper and lower rear ends distal to the frame mounting plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       To facilitate a full understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numerals. These drawings should not be construed as limiting the present invention but are intended to be exemplary and for reference. 
       In order that the advantages of the cleaning wheel will be readily understood, a more particular description of the assemblies briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the cleaning wheel and are not therefore to be considered limited of its scope, the assemblies will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  provides a perspective illustration of a first embodiment strip till row cleaner invention and a first embodiment of a row closer invention in connection with a strip till machine. 
         FIG. 2  provides a perspective illustration featuring a limiter component of the first embodiment strip till row cleaner invention with planter components removed for ease of illustration. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  provide forward and rearward facing illustrations featuring the actuator and limiter components of the first embodiment strip till row cleaner invention with components removed for ease of illustration. 
         FIG. 5  provides a side perspective featuring the limiter component and illustrating the close-proximity of row cleaner wheels and cutting disc of the first embodiment strip till row cleaner invention with components removed for ease of illustration. 
         FIG. 6  provides a side perspective illustrating the A-shaped or V-shaped configuration of the row cleaner frame and arms of the first embodiment strip till row cleaner invention with components removed for ease of illustration. 
         FIG. 7  provides a side perspective illustration featuring the actuator and control system components and close-proximity of row cleaner wheels and cutting disc of the first embodiment strip till row cleaner invention with components removed for ease of illustration. 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  perspective illustrations featuring the limiter and actuator components and close-proximity of row cleaner wheels and cutting disc of the first embodiment strip till row cleaner invention with planter components removed for ease of illustration. 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  provide upward and downward facing illustrations featuring the close-proximity of row cleaner wheels and cutting disc of the first embodiment strip till row cleaner invention and further illustrate the first embodiment row closer invention in connection with a strip till machine. 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  provide side illustrations featuring the actuator component in retracted and extended positions with the first embodiment strip till row cleaner in respective positions. 
         FIGS. 14-17  provide a series of top-down views that illustrate various positioning of row cleaner wheels relative to cutting disc and with various toe alignment and spacing configurations. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates the intersection of the central axes/plane and trailing line/plane associated with the row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  as shown in the toe alignment and spacing configuration of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 19  illustrates the intersection of the central axes/plane and trailing line/plane associated with the row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  as shown in the toe alignment and spacing configuration of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIGS. 20-22  provide perspective illustrations of the first embodiment row closer invention featuring a single lever toe and camber adjustment mechanism and related closing wheel assembly with planter components removed for ease of illustration. 
     
    
    
       
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 100 
                 Strip till machine 
               
               
                 102 
                 Machine frame plate 
               
               
                 103 
                 Connector bars 
               
               
                 104/105 
                 Goal posts 104 (LH) and 105 (RH) 
               
               
                 106/107 
                 Strip till side plates 106 (LH) and 107 (RH) 
               
               
                 108/109 
                 Rolling basket mounting arms 108 (LH) and 109 (RH) 
               
               
                 110/111 
                 Lower portions 110 (LH) and 111 (RH) of Goal posts 
               
               
                 112 
                 Cutting disc or coulter 
               
               
                 113 
                 axle and cutting disc wheel hub assembly 
               
               
                 114/115 
                 Cutting disc or coulter band plates 114 (LH) and 115 (RH) 
               
               
                 116/117 
                 Cutting disc depth bands 116 (LH) and 117 (RH) 
               
               
                 118 
                 Strip till shank or furrow opener 
               
               
                 120 
                 Rolling basket 
               
               
                 121/122 
                 Pivot mechanism 
               
               
                 130 
                 Row closing section 
               
               
                 132/133 
                 Row closer support members 
               
               
                 134/135 
                 Closing wheels 
               
               
                 136/137 
                 Closing wheel adjustment levers (LH-136) (RH-137) 
               
               
                 138/139 
                 Closing wheel axle/angled wheel mount (LH-138) (RH-139) 
               
               
                 140/141 
                 Closing Wheel hub (LH-140) (RH-141) 
               
               
                 142 
                 Leading or front edge of cutting disc 112 
               
               
                 143 
                 Row cleaner wheel axis intersection (D1) 
               
               
                 144 
                 Row cleaner wheel axis intersection (D2) 
               
               
                 200 
                 Row cleaner 
               
               
                 202/203 
                 Cleaner or clearing wheel 202 (LH) and 203 (RH) 
               
               
                 202′/203′ 
                 Respective axis of cleaner or clearing wheels 202 
               
               
                   
                 and 203 
               
               
                 204 
                 Gauge wheel depth or soil engagement limiter 
               
               
                 206 
                 Debris stretching or tensioning teeth 
               
               
                 210/211 
                 Scrapers 
               
               
                 220/221 
                 Row cleaner arms 220 (LH) and 221 (RH) 
               
               
                 222/223 
                 Pivots 
               
               
                 224/225 
                 Angled portions 
               
               
                 226 
                 Junction nose or portion 
               
               
                 227/229 
                 Row cleaner arm attachment points/pivots 
               
               
                 230/231 
                 Row cleaner wheel axle and hub assemblies 230 (LH) 
               
               
                   
                 and 231 (RH) 
               
               
                 240 
                 Row cleaner travel limiter assembly 
               
               
                 241 
                 Limiter body 
               
               
                 243/245 
                 Limiter stops (upper and lower) 
               
               
                 247 
                 Nuts and bolts combination 
               
               
                 250 
                 Row cleaner angular displacement assembly 
               
               
                 252 
                 Actuator arm mount 
               
               
                 254 
                 Actuator support member 
               
               
                 256 
                 Nut and bolt combinations 
               
               
                 258 
                 Displacement angle alpha (α) 
               
               
                 260 
                 Actuator 
               
               
                 262 
                 Extendable arm 
               
               
                 264 
                 Actuator body mount portion 
               
               
                 266 
                 Actuator body mount portion connection point 
               
               
                 268/269 
                 Fitting or connectors 
               
               
                 280 
                 Row cleaner control system 
               
               
                 282/284 
                 Control and feedback lines 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings. While the present invention is described herein with reference to the exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. Those possessing ordinary skill in the art and having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional implementations, modifications, and embodiments, as well as other applications for use of the invention, which are fully contemplated herein as within the scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed herein, and with respect to which the present invention could be of significant utility. 
     The following discussion provides example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed. 
     In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, and unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary. 
     As used herein, “fastener” may mean any suitable fastening means such as a nut and bolt, a rivet, or a pin and cotter pin. Typically, as used herein a fastener refers to a threaded bolt, which may have a hexagonal bolt head, secured by a correspondingly threaded nut having a hexagonal outer surface, wherein one or more washers may be used to permit movement of a fastened object about the bolt. In some embodiments, a locking nut may be used to further secure the nut to the bolt and to prevent the nut from backing off of the threads of the bolt. 
       FIG. 1  provides a perspective illustration of a strip till machine  100  having a first exemplary embodiment strip till row cleaner assembly  200  and a first exemplary embodiment row closer assembly  130 .  FIG. 2  provides a perspective illustration featuring the limiter component  240  of the strip till row cleaner assembly  200  with planter components removed for ease of illustration. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a strip till machine  100  is shown having a row cleaner assembly  200 , a row closing assembly  130 , a rolling basket assembly  120 , a strip till shank or furrow opener  118 , and a frame plate  102 . The frame plate  102  is attached to a tool bar or other planting accessory component of a tractor or other farming vehicle used to propel a set of connected strip till row planting units  100 . Weld on tabs, U-bolts, head bracket mount, or other fastening mechanisms may be used in place of a frame plate. A set of connector bars  103  are attached at one end to the frame plate  102  and provide support for attached goal posts  104  (LH) and  105  (RH) and strip till side plates  106  (LH) and  107  (RH). Goal posts  104  (LH) and  105  (RH) are connected to and support row cleaner assembly  200  and cutting disc  112 . Strip till side plates  106  (LH) and  107  (RH) are attached to rolling basket mounting arms  108  (LH) and  109  (RH) to support rolling basket  120 . Respective lower portions  110  (LH) and  111  (RH) of goal posts  104  (LH) and  105  (RH) serve to support the cutting disc  112 , the row cleaner assembly  130  and a row cleaner angular displacement assembly  250  having an actuator  260 . 
     Cutting disc or coulter  112  and cutting disc or coulter band plates  114  (LH) and  115  (RH) and cutting disc depth bands  116  (LH) and  117  (RH) are rotatably connected to lower portions  110  (LH) and  111  (RH) of goal posts  104  (LH) and  105  (RH) at connecting points—here shown as connecting points  222  and  223  (concealed by travel limiter body  241  in  FIG. 2 ). 
     Row cleaner assembly  200  includes row cleaner wheels  202  (LH) and  203  (RH) (also referred to as row cleaning or row clearing wheels), which are shown as having a body portion and a teeth portion. A gauge wheel depth or soil engagement limiter  204  serves to promote the cleaner wheels  202 / 203  to ride along the surface of the soil and to avoid excessive and undesired cutting into or working of the soil. A series of teeth  206  are disposed along the outer circumference of the wheels  202 / 203  and are configured to engage and bite into debris (such as residual debris, hay or mulch) encountered at the soil surface as the strip till row planting unit  100  traverses a field during a seed planting operation. Teeth  206  are configured to stretch surface debris and to bring debris (especially debris aligned generally horizontal to the direction of travel) into tension as will be explained in more detail below. 
     Row cleaner assembly  200  includes row cleaner arms  220  (LH) and  221  (RH), which are configured to rotate or pivot about cutting disc wheel hub and axle assembly  113  at connecting points or pivots  222  and  223 . The connecting/rotational points of the cutting disc  112  may be shared with or separate from the connecting/pivot points of the row cleaner assembly  200 . For example, the lower portions  110 / 111  of the goal posts  104 / 105  each may include a plurality or set of connection points, e.g., multiple bores or holes, for receiving fasteners to attach the cutting disc assembly and the row cleaner assembly. This plurality of connection points may be used to provide adjustability to the relative distance of the row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  to the leading edge  142  of the cutting disc  112 . 
     Strip till row planting unit  100  includes, for example, a strip till shank or furrow opener (optionally could be a single or double disc-type opener)  118  and, although not shown, seed dispensing, fertilizing, and firming components. A rolling basket  120  is rotatably attached to mounting arms  108 / 109 , which are attached to the stip till side plates  106 / 107  at pivots  121 / 122 . Row closing section  130  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is attached to the strip till side plates  106 / 107  by row closer support members  132 / 133  to which are rotatably attached closing wheels  134  and  136 . 
       FIG. 2  provides a less obstructed view of the row cleaner travel limiter assembly  240  having a limiter body  241 , an upper limiter stop  243  and a lower limiter stop  245 . Actuator  260  is securely attached to lower portion  110  (LH) of goal post  104  by way of piston support member  254  and is movably attached to the row cleaner  200  as shown in more detail in  FIG. 7 . Actuator  260  is shown as a linear actuator and may be mechanical, electro-mechanical, hydraulic, electric, electro-hydraulic, or pneumatic. As actuator  260  operates to rotate (raise and lower relative to ground) row cleaner assembly  200  about cutting disc  112 , the upper limiter stop  243  restricts the range of movement of the row cleaner assembly  200  with the actuator  260  in a retracted position and the lower limiter stop  245  restricts the range of movement of the row cleaner assembly  200  with the actuator  260  in an extended position. The row cleaner travel limiter assembly  240  serves to protect actuator  260  from damage resulting from unwanted forces experienced by the actuator at the end of range positions that might be otherwise experience during planting operation or when moving the combine set of row cleaners in a raised position such as by elevating a tool bar. In essence, the row cleaner travel limiter prevents the actuator from being the mechanism limiting row cleaner pivoting movement. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  provide forward and rearward facing illustrations featuring the actuator and limiter components of the first embodiment strip till row cleaner invention with planter components removed for ease of illustration. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , row cleaner assembly  200  includes row cleaner travel limiter  240  and row cleaner angular displacement assembly  250  having actuator  260  operatively attached at one end to the row cleaner arm  220  and at an opposite end attached to and supported by goal post  104  at lower portion  110 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front or forward-facing view of row cleaner  200  with the direction of travel of the row cleaner and strip till machine toward the viewer. From the front facing perspective the row cleaner and row cleaner wheels are shown in a substantial toe-in configuration.  FIG. 4  is a rear or rearward-facing view of row cleaner  200  with the direction of travel being away from the viewer. Both figures show left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides of the row cleaning assembly  200 , goal posts  104  (LH) and  105  (RH), lower portions or support members  110  (LH) and  111  (RH), cutting disc or coulter  112 , cutting disc depth bands  116  (LH) and  117  (RH), optional debris scrapers  210  (LH) and  211  (RH), and cutting disc axle and wheel hub assembly  113 . Depth bands  116 / 117  serve to promote travel of cutting disc  112  and to limit the depth to which the cutting disc  112  cuts into the ground. 
     With components removed,  FIGS. 3 and 4  (and  FIG. 7 ) provide less obstructed views of row cleaner angular displacement assembly  250  having actuator arm mount  252 , actuator support member  254 , nut/bolt or fastener members  256  and actuator  260 . As shown, actuator  260  is in a generally retracted position. With components removed,  FIG. 4  provides a less obstructed view of row cleaner travel limiter  240  (shown in oval) as described in detail above and below. 
       FIGS. 5 through 9  further depict row cleaner  200 , row cleaner travel limiter assembly  240 , and row cleaner angular displacement assembly  250  in more detail. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show in more detail row cleaner assembly  200 .  FIG. 5  provides a side perspective view, which illustrates the limiter component  240  and illustrates the close-proximity of row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  to the leading edge  142  of cutting disc  112  to provide an effective configuration to achieve the desired stretch and cut operation highly desired in strip till planting operation. In this exemplary embodiment, the row cleaner travel limiter assembly  240  includes a limiter body  241  with two travel stops—an upper limiter stop  243  and a lower limiter stop  245 . As the extendable arm  262  of actuator  260  extends and retracts it causes the row cleaner assembly  200  to pivot or rotate about cutting disc  112  at pivots  222 / 223  thereby raising and lowering it relative to ground. The upper limiter stop  243  restricts the range of movement of the row cleaner assembly  200  (raised) with the extendable arm  262  of actuator  260  in a retracted position and the lower limiter stop  245  restricts the range of movement of the row cleaner assembly  200  (lowered) with the extendable arm  262  of actuator  260  in an extended position. 
       FIG. 6  provides a side perspective view that more clearly illustrates the “A”-shaped or “V”-shaped configuration of the row cleaner frame comprising arms  220 / 221 . Cutting disc  112  and related parts are removed for ease of discussion. As shown in  FIG. 6 , row cleaner arms  220 / 221  of row cleaner assembly  200  include respective angled portions  224  and  225  to which are attached row cleaner wheel hub assemblies  230  (LH) and  231  (RH). Alternatively, hub assemblies  230 / 231  may be angled wheel mounts adapted to be adjusted to achieve toe and/or camber manipulation. Angled portions  224  and  225  may terminate at a junction, nose or portion  226  (see  FIGS. 8-9 ) most distal to pivots  222 / 223 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , row cleaner arm  221  is provided with two attachment points/pivots  227  and  229  either of which may be used as pivot  223 . Row cleaner arm  220  is also provided with two or more attachment points/pivots in like manner. With complimentary pivot points on both row cleaner arms  220 / 221 , the relative positioning (proximity) of the row cleaner frame and row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  to cutting disc  112  is achieved and may be adjusted to address differing conditions presented in field planting operations. In this way the row cleaner  200  may be configured to achieve a desired distance between the row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  and the cutting disc  112  and in particular at the leading edge  142  of the cutting disc. Two or more such attachment points/pivots may be provided to allow for greater adjustability. The relative proximity of the row cleaning wheels  202 / 203  and cutting disc  112  and leading edge  142  is described in more detail below. Optional scrapers  210 / 211  may also be included to assist in row cleaning operation. 
       FIG. 7  provides a side perspective illustration featuring the actuator and control system components and close-proximity of row cleaner wheels and cutting disc of the first embodiment strip till row cleaner invention with planter components removed for ease of illustration. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , row cleaner angular displacement assembly  250  includes an actuator  260  having an extendable arm  262  at one end and a body mount portion  264  at an other end. Actuator  260  also includes a feedback fitting or connector  268  and a control input fitting or connector  269 . Actuator extendable arm  262  is connected to actuator arm mount  252  at connection point  263  such as by a nut and bolt or other fastener or affixing means. Actuator body mount portion or end  264  is connected at connection point  266  to a body attachment member or mount  254 , which is attached to lower portion  110  of goal post  104 . Actuator arm mount  252  and body attachment member or mount  254  are secured to row cleaner arm  220  by nut and bolt combinations  256  or other suitable fastener or fixation means. 
     Actuator feedback fitting or connector  268  and a control input fitting or connector  269  are operatively connected or otherwise in control communication with row cleaner control system  280 . For example, control and feedback lines  282  and  284 , which may be one and the same, are connected to the actuator  260 . In the example shown, control and feedback lines  282  and  284  are respectively connected to actuator feedback fitting  268  and a control input fitting  269  so as to provide and receive pneumatic or hydraulic fluid signals. In an electrical system the lines  282  and  284  may alternatively be electrical or signal cable. The control system  280  and control of actuator  260  may be by one or a combination of electrical, digital, hydraulic, pneumatic, electro-pneumatic, electro-hydraulic and may be by fluid or electrical means and/or be hardwired or wireless. See for example the control operation as discussed in U.S. Publication No. 2020/0221629 (Martin) which is incorporated by reference herein in the entirety. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  provide perspective illustrations featuring the limiter and actuator components and the row cleaner assembly configured to achieve close-proximity of row cleaner wheels and cutting disc with planter components removed for ease of illustration.  FIGS. 8 and 9  further illustrate the components that make up the strip till row cleaner  200  and row cleaner angular displacement assembly  250  of the present invention. Row cleaner  200  and row cleaner angular displacement assembly  250  are essentially supported by goal posts  104  and  105 . Row cleaner arms  220  and  221  as shown join at or via blunt junction or nose portion or member  226 . 
     As shown in part in  FIG. 7 , actuator extendable arm  262  of actuator  260  is connected to actuator arm mount  252  at connection point  263  such as by a nut and bolt or other affixing means. Actuator arm mount  252  is secured by nut and bolt combinations  256  or other suitable fixation means to row cleaner arm  220 . Actuator body mount portion or end  264  is connected at connection point  266  to a body attachment member or mount  254 , which is attached to lower portion  110  of goal post  104 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  further illustrate row cleaner travel limiter assembly  240  having a limiter body  241  with upper and lower stops  243  and  245 . Row cleaner travel limiter assembly  240  is mounted to lower portion  111  of goal post  105  by means of nuts and bolts combination  247  and pivot  223 , and includes limiter body  241  with upper stop  243  and lower stop  245 . The stops  243 / 245 , which may be for example L-shaped angled portions or members configured to engage with row cleaner arm  221  to limit or define the range to which row cleaner assembly  200  may rotate about pivots  222 / 223  as moved by means of actuator  260  and during strip till planter operation. The limiter stops  243 / 245  optionally may include set screws or other suitable means to provide further means to adjust the range to which row cleaner assembly  200  may rotate about pivots  222 / 223 . 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  provide upward and downward facing illustrations featuring the close-proximity of row cleaner wheels and cutting disc of the first embodiment strip till row cleaner invention and further illustrate the first embodiment row closer invention in connection with a strip till machine. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the stretch and cut zone  300  provided by the combination of the row cleaner  200 , with ground-driven row clearing wheels  202 / 203 , and cutting disc  112 .  FIG. 10  is a top-down view of the row cleaner assembly  200  and  FIG. 11  is a bottom-up view of the row cleaner assembly  200  (the figures also show closing section  130  and strip till shank  118  along with disc axle and support  113  and actuator  260 ). As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the row cleaning or clearing wheels  202 / 203  are positioned, configured or fixed close in proximity or distance to or closely coupled with cutting disc  112  and its leading edge  142 . In typical no-till or low-till machine operations, the row cleaner is not in such close-proximity to the cutting disc, if one is provided at all. In strip till operation, the invention improves the operation of the strip till planter by adjustably bringing the row cleaner  200  in relatively close-proximity with the cutting disc  112  to provide a stretch and cut operation. 
     For example, harvesting of crops typically leaves a debris residue of vegetation and plant stubble referred to generally as residual mulch and after harvesting farmers may add mulch or straw to help preserve and protect the field from erosion and other unwanted effects. This residual and/or added debris or mulch causes significant depth control issues as a planter unit is operated to plant seeds in a field strewn with debris. In particular, debris that lies perpendicular to the travel path of the planting unit causes furrow opening and depth control problems. With the solution of the present invention, as the closely-coupled row cleaner  200  encounters debris in the field, the toe-in orientation of the clearing wheels  202 / 203  allow protruding teeth  206  to engage with debris to effectively stretch (or tension) and hold in place lengths of loose debris, such as surface straw, mulch and residual vegetation, so that cutting disc  112  cuttingly engages the stretched (tensioned) lengths of debris and cuts the debris thereby allowing the clearing wheels to more easily remove the debris to the side to permit the disc and the strip till shank  18  and/or other components to more easily and more cleanly and more accurately create a furrow for seed placement and effectively plant seeds. As the row clearing wheels  202 / 203  rotate, protruding teeth  206  grab trash, place it in tension. As this happens the wheels stretch the debris and the cutting disc  112  cuts the debris thereby tearing lengths of debris apart. As the clearing wheels continue to rotate, they pull the cut pieces to the side clearing the furrow path. If the row cleaner wheels are too far away from the cutting disc, then the debris engaged by the teeth of the wheels is released and no longer in tension or in a preferred cutting position by the time the cutting disc encounters the debris. 
     The proximity of the row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  to the cutting disc  112  may be adjusted based on the expected debris to be encountered. As shown in  FIG. 6 , row cleaner arm  221  is provided with two attachment points/pivots  227  and  229  either of which may be used as pivot  223 . Row cleaner arm  220  is also provided with two or more attachment points/pivots in like manner. In this was the row cleaner  200  may be configured to achieve a desired distance between the row cleaner wheels and the cutting disc. Two or more such attachment points/pivots may be provided to allow for greater adjustability. By allowing the user to adjust this distance or proximity of the row cleaner to the cutting disc, the present invention provides an enhanced strip till planter. 
     In addition, actuator  260 , the operation of which is described in more detail above and below, provides for controlled adjustment and operation of the row cleaner in a pivoting manner relative to the goal posts  104 / 105  and fixed cutting disc  112 . As the cutting disc is circular and fixed in position by axle  113 , the row cleaner angular displacement assembly  250 , described above and below, moves the row cleaner  200  arcuately about the forward-most outer perimeter of the cutting disc as it rotates during strip till planter operation. The actuator biases the row cleaner  200  in a desired manner to maintain effective contact and clearance with the ground and encountered debris by means of the control system  280  described above. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  provide side illustrations featuring the actuator  260  with extendable arm  262  in retracted and extended positions with the first embodiment strip till row cleaner in respective positions.  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate in detail row cleaner angular displacement assembly  250  comprising actuator  260  in two positions—an exemplary retracted position ( FIG. 12 ) and an exemplary extended position ( FIG. 13 ).  FIG. 12  illustrates actuator  260  fixed by support member  254  at one end (pivot or connection  266 ) and having extendable arm  262  at an opposite end or portion in a retracted position forming a relatively shallow angle α in relation to the support member  254  and affixed support goal post  104 .  FIG. 13  illustrates actuator  260  fixed by support member  254  at end  264  and having extendable arm  262  in an extended position forming a relatively greater angle α in relation to the support member  254  and affixed support goal post  104 . In one exemplary embodiment, the extendable arm  262  of actuator  260  has, for example, a travel of two inches. The two-inch travel of actuator arm  262  translates into a range of 0-8 inches of pivotal travel at the distal end of row cleaner  200  as row cleaner arms  220  and  221  pivot relative to goal posts  104  and  105  at pivots  222  and  223 . The travel of actuator arm  262  is controlled by control inputs, e.g., pneumatic air pressure provided by control unit  280  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an exemplary positioning of row cleaner assembly  200  relative to soil line  206 ′ and debris line  207 ′—debris generally lies between the soil line  206 ′ and the debris line  207 ′. Cutting disc  112  (not shown) is generally perpendicular to both soil line  206 ′ and debris line  207 ′ with the cutting disc typically breaking or cutting into the soil at the soil line  206 ′ and cutting debris encountered by it between the soil line  206 ′ and the debris line  207 ′. Preferably, row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  are in close-proximity to the cutting disc to provide stretching of debris, especially lateral debris encountered when traveling along the field, as a prelude to or in conjunction with the cutting action of the cutting disc. Depending on the degree of camber, row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  will be more or less generally perpendicular to both soil line  206 ′ and debris line  207 ′. Depending on the degree of toe, row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  will be more or less generally parallel to cutting disc  112  (not shown). Stretch and cut is a particularly desirable clearing action when encountering damp stalk or green vegetation that has not started to decompose or has not sufficiently decomposed, which makes such debris harder to move or displace. Without close-proximity of row clearing wheels  202 / 203  to the cutting disc, the debris tends to wrap up or wrap around the clearing wheels instead of being pushed aside. Although a scraper may be added to help remove wrapped debris from the clearing wheels, it is better to stretch and cut the debris and move it to the side. 
     Although travel of row cleaner  200  may be limited by the mechanical limitation of the range of actuator arm  262 , it is preferred to use a separate mechanical limiter, e.g., limiter  240  as shown in  FIG. 5 , to protect actuator  260  from failure and being damaged by the row cleaner floating movement during operation of the strip till planting unit. Limiter  240  is preferably designed to limit movement of row cleaner  200  to prevent actuator  260  from traveling to its full range of extendable arm  262 . Displacement angle  258  alpha (a) increases and decreases, respectively, as the axially extending arm  262  extends and retracts in response to electrical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic control signals, e.g., changes in fluid pressures received at couplers or fittings  268  and  269 . As described above, limiter assembly  240  protects actuator  260  by limiting the range of motion of row cleaner  200 . 
       FIGS. 14-19  provide a series of top-down views that illustrate various positioning of row cleaner wheels relative to cutting disc and with various toe alignment and spacing configurations. 
     Importantly, the figures illustrate row clearing wheels in close-proximity to the cutting disc and not in close-proximity to the cutting disc. Close-proximity is a term used herein to differentiate between row closing arrangements as being more desirable (close-proximity) or less desirable (not in close-proximity) to achieve effective stretch and cut operation in clearing debris in strip till applications. 
     Hashed line  201 ′ in  FIGS. 14-19  represents an orthogonal center axis or wheel center line or wheel center plane defined by a line or plane extending through the center hub openings formed in wheels  202  and  203  with the line or plane being orthogonal or perpendicular to the line, axis or plane formed along the length of the cutting disc  112 . In the case of the wheel center plane, the wheel center plane is orthogonal or perpendicular to the ground (e.g., perpendicular to soil line  206 ′ and debris line  207 ′ of  FIG. 13 ) during operation of a strip till machine, as is indicated in the top-down views of  FIGS. 14-19 . This line or plane  201 ′ extends through the center of the wheels  202 / 203  and represents a relative positioning of the wheels, based on wheel center, to the cutting disc. For example, the position of hashed line or plane  201 ′ to leading edge  142  in  FIG. 14  clearly passes through the body of cutting disc  112 . In contrast, the position of hashed line  201 ′ to leading edge  142  in  FIG. 15  clearly does not pass through the body of cutting disc  112 . It is clear when comparing the relative positions of hashed line  201 ′, and therefor also the relative positions of cleaner wheels  202 / 203 , in  FIGS. 14 and 15  that cleaner wheels  202 / 203  are closer to and in close-proximity with cutting disc  112  in the configuration of  FIG. 14  and cleaner wheels  202 / 203  are farther from and not in close-proximity to cutting disc  112  in the configuration of  FIG. 15 . 
     Alternatively, hashed line  204 ′ in  FIGS. 14-19  represents a trailing line or trailing plane defined by a line or plane extending through a pair of teeth  205 ′ ( FIGS. 13 and 16 ) exiting the debris field or line  207 ′ ( FIG. 13 ) as wheels  202  and  203  rotate with the trailing line or plane  204 ′ being orthogonal or perpendicular to the line, axis or plane formed along the length of the cutting disc  112 . In the case of the wheel center plane, the wheel center plane is orthogonal or perpendicular to the ground (e.g., perpendicular to soil line  206 ′ and debris line  207 ′ of  FIG. 13 ) during operation of a strip till machine, as is indicated in the top-down views of  FIGS. 14-19 . This line or plane  204 ′ extends through the pair of teeth  205 ′ of the wheels  202 / 203  and represents an alternative relative positioning of the wheels, based on where the teeth exit the soil and debris lines, to the cutting disc. For example, the position of hashed line or plane  204 ′ to leading edge  142  in  FIG. 14  clearly passes through the body of cutting disc  112 . In contrast to the hashed line  201 ′, the position of hashed line  204 ′ to leading edge  142  in  FIG. 15  clearly does pass through the body of cutting disc  112  and is in close-proximity to cutting disc  112  using this as the point of measure. It is clear when comparing the relative positions of hashed line  201 ′ and alternative marker hashed line  204 ′, these points of observation of the relative positions of cleaner wheels  202 / 203  provide alternative manners of determining close-proximity of the row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  with the cutting disc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the row cleaner assembly provides a close-proximity configuration of row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  to leading edge  142  of cutting disc  112 . The cleaner wheels  202 / 203  have a toe-in alignment and converge or meet at a point  143  that is a distance D 1  from the leading edge  142  of disc  112 . Also, and perhaps more important, regardless of toe alignment wheels  202 / 203  are shown as being in close-proximity with the cutting disc by the fact hat both line/plane  201 ′ and line/plane  204 ′ pass through the body of the cutting disc  112 . Configuration of the row assembly components to achieve a preferred toe alignment and a preferred distance, e.g., D 1 , may be a function of the anticipated debris to be encountered and specifically the type and expected lengths of the key debris components. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a second configuration in which row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  have a similar toe-in alignment as that shown in  FIG. 14 . However, the wheels  202 / 203  in  FIG. 15  are moved forward of the leading edge  142  of cutting disc  112  such that line  201 ′ does not intersect the cutting disc. If only considering the center wheel line/hashed line  201 ′ in determining whether row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  are in close-proximity with cutting disc  112 , then the configuration of  FIG. 15  is not in close-proximity. However, if considering the trailing line/hashed line  204 ′ in determining whether row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  are in close-proximity with cutting disc  112 , then the configuration of  FIG. 15  is in close-proximity. Also, as shown the cleaner wheels of  FIG. 15  do not intersect or mesh and this causes the point of intersection  144  of lines  202 ′ and  203 ′ to be further forward of the cutting disc. The intersection of lines  202 ′ and  203 ′ associated with cleaner wheels  202 / 203  is a distance D 2  from the leading edge  142  of disc  112 . D 2  is greater than D 1  as shown. Accordingly, the row cleaner assembly may be configured to insure a close-proximity of the cleaner wheels  202 / 203  to the cutting disc by only allowing fixed attachment (or limited range of options) and requiring a specified diameter of wheel and disc sizes to insure the hashed line/plane  201 ′ and/or the hashed line/plane  204 ′ passes through the body of the cutting disc or falls at or very near the leading edge  142 . 
     Optionally, the distance measured between the intersection of lines  202 ′ and  203 ′ and the leading edge  142  may be set or adjusted by positioning/repositioning and securing row cleaner frame and arms  220 / 221  to the goal posts  104 / 105  as cutting disc  112  remains in place. By positioning/repositioning arms  220 / 221  and wheels  202 / 203  a user may effectively move the position of line  201 ′ and line  204 ′ relative to the cutting disc  112  to achieve close-proximity or to avoid close-proximity depending on the determinate used. 
     Optionally, arms  220 / 221  may be provided along their lengths with a plurality of wheel/hub securement bores to which row cleaner hubs  230 / 231  and wheels  202 / 203  are attached. In this manner, the row cleaning assembly  200  provides an adjustable distance D 1 /D 2  between cutting disc  112  and the intersection of lines  202 ′/ 203 ′. In similar manner, arms  220 / 221  may be moved to bring hashed line  201 ′ and/or line  204 ′ passing through the body of cutting disc  112  to achieve close-proximity. With the hubs disposed as shown in  FIGS. 8-9 and 14-17 , the row cleaner assembly provides a toe-in alignment of varying degrees. Another feature to row cleaner wheel configuration that affect row cleaning performance is the extent to which row cleaner wheels may intersect and teeth “mesh” during operation. While the toe-in alignment of row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  in  FIGS. 14 and 15  are essentially the same, the wheels/teeth intersect with teeth meshing in  FIG. 14  and the wheels/teeth do not intersect and mesh in  FIG. 15 . In addition, the row cleaner assembly may be configured to allow for an offset positioning of the wheels  202 / 203  with one being more forward of the other. This can also be achieved by providing a plurality of mounting pivot points on the arms  220 / 221 . For example, instead of one or more fixed bores or through holes on arms  220 / 221 , an elongated slot may be provided to allow a range of positioning along a continuum of the slot. 
       FIG. 16  shows cleaner wheels  202 / 203  as having similar toe-in to the wheel arrangement of  FIGS. 14 and 15  and unmeshed or intersecting as in the arrangement of  FIG. 15 . Another feature that may be configured to achieve performance benefits is “camber.”  FIGS. 16 and 17  show wheels  202 / 203  as having more negative camber as compared to the wheel arrangement of  FIGS. 14 and 15 . Depending on soil conditions and the anticipated debris, a user may adjust the wheels  202 / 203  to change the camber relative to ground. As described below in the context of the closing wheel assembly  130  ( FIGS. 20-22 ), the row cleaner wheel assembly  200  may also include the feature of an adjustable hub/axle ( 138 / 139 / 140 / 141 ) and selecting lever ( 136 / 137 ). 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate how a significant change in toe-in angle can result in a corresponding large difference in distances D 1  and D 3 , i.e., the distance from the point of intersection of axes  202 ′/ 203 ′ to the leading edge  142 . It is important to note that notwithstanding the significant distance D 3  extending well in front of the figure, the row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  are still in close-proximity with cutting disc  112  as line  201 ′ passes through the body of the cutting disc in both configurations. While toe and camber factor in row clearing performance of row cleaner assembly  200 , the relative position of the center of wheels  202 / 203  to the cutting disc is the measurement used to determine “close-proximity” in connection with the present invention. 
     It is important to note that notwithstanding the significant distance D 3  extending well in front of the figure, the row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  are still in close-proximity with cutting disc  112  as line  201 ′ passes through the body of the cutting disc in both configurations. While toe and camber factor in row clearing performance of row cleaner assembly  200 , the relative position of the center of wheels  202 / 203  and/or the exiting teeth position to the cutting disc is the measurement used to determine “close-proximity” in connection with the present invention. 
     Hashed lines  202 ′ and  203 ′ in  FIGS. 14-19  represent, respectively, center axes formed through, and within a plane formed by, wheels  202  and  203 . These lines go through the center of the wheels and are used to illustrate intersection points  143 / 144  of the wheel axes  202 ′/ 203 ′ by which distances from the row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  and cutting disc leading edge  142 , e.g., distances D 1  and D 2 , may be determined. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the wheels  202 / 203  have a more negative camber as compared to the wheels  202 / 203  shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  while the toe-in is similar to that of  FIGS. 14 and 15 . As shown, the distance D 1  is the same in  FIG. 16  as that shown in  FIG. 14  and less than D 2  of  FIG. 15  and D 3  of  FIG. 17 . With reference to  FIG. 17 , row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  are shown having a much reduced toe-in angle as compared to that of  FIGS. 14-16 , and a camber similar to that shown in  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 17  shows wheels  202 / 203  having a corresponding point of intersection of axes  202 ′/ 203 ′ and distance D 3  far in front of the leading edge  142  of the cutting disc. 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  illustrate how a cleaner wheel configuration in which wheels  202 / 203  have a common toe-in angle ( 31  but have different distances D 1  and D 2 , i.e., the distance from the point of intersection of axes  202 ′/ 203 ′ to the leading edge  142 . Using hashed line/plane  201 ′ as the determinate for determining close-proximity and of the clearing wheels  202 / 203  to the cutting disc  112 , the configuration of  FIG. 18  provides row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  in close-proximity to cutting disc  112 —with orthogonal center wheel line  201 ′ passing through the body of cutting disc  112 . The configuration of  FIG. 19  provides row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  not in close-proximity to cutting disc  112 —with orthogonal center wheel line  201 ′ not passing through the body of cutting disc  112 . 
     Alternatively, using hashed line/plane  204 ′ as the determinate for determining close-proximity and of the clearing wheels  202 / 203  to the cutting disc  112 , both the configurations of  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19  provides row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  in close-proximity to cutting disc  112 —with trailing line/plane  204 ′ of the exiting teeth  205 ′ passing through the body of cutting disc  112 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates the intersection  143  of the center axes  202 ′/ 203 ′ associated with the row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  having the toe alignment and spacing configuration of  FIG. 14 . Wheels  202 / 203  are removed for ease of illustration. The axes  203 ′ and  202 ′ intersect at a point  143  and form an angle β 1  relative to each other. This illustration shows the distance from the intersection point  143  of cleaner wheels  202 / 203  to the cutting disc as distance D 1 . Note that by changing the toe-in alignment of the wheels an operator may move the point of intersection  143  closer or farther distance to/from the cutting disk. Also note that changing toe angle does not change relative position of hashed line  201 ′ and proximity of the cleaner wheels to the cutting disc based on hashed line  201 ′. As shown in  FIG. 18 , as in  FIG. 14 , the hashed line  201 ′ passes through the body of cutting disc  112  and the cleaner wheels are in close-proximity to the cutting disc using this determinative. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates the intersection  144  of the center axes  202 ′/ 203 ′ associated with the row cleaner wheels  202 / 203  having the toe alignment and spacing configuration of  FIG. 15 . The axes  203 ′ and  202 ′ intersect at a point  144  and form an angle ( 31  relative to each other. The toe alignment and the angle ( 31  formed by the intersecting axes  202 ′/ 203 ′ are the same in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . However, the wheels  202 / 203  in  FIG. 19  are moved forward of the cutting disc and there is greater distance between the intersection point  144  and the leading edge  142  of the cutting disc. Wheels  202 / 203  are removed for ease of illustration. This illustration shows the distance from the intersection point  144  of cleaner wheels  202 / 203  to the cutting disc as distance D 2 . 
       FIGS. 20-22  provide perspective illustrations of the first embodiment row closer invention featuring a lever toe and camber adjustment mechanism and related closing wheel assembly with components removed for ease of illustration. The row closer assembly  130  is attached to a strip till machine  100  and includes oppositely facing closing wheels  134  and  135 , an axle/hub component  138 / 140  used on right hand wheel  134  and an axle/hub component  139 / 141  used on left hand wheel  135 . The row closing assembly  130  includes a lever or stem  136  connected to axle/hub component  138 / 140  used on right hand wheel  134  and a lever  137  connected to an axle/hub component  139 / 141  used on left hand wheel  135 . In this exemplary embodiment, axles  138 / 139  have an angled face to which hubs  140 / 141  are attached. 
     The levers  136 / 137  are attached at one end to the axles  138 / 139  and as levers  136 / 137  are rotated about the connection point, the angled faces of axles  138 / 139  cause hubs  140 / 141 , and therefore wheels  134 / 135 , to rotate relative to the supporting arms  132 / 133 . As levers  136 / 137  are moved and axle/hub assemblies  138 / 139 / 140 / 141  rotate, the toe and camber alignments of wheels  134 / 135  change relative to ground. The levers individually or in tandem provide toe and camber adjustment for the respective closing wheels  134 / 135 . A set of lever fixation points may be provided on the respective supporting arms  132 / 133 , or other intermediate component, and include position locking members, such as pins, bolts, nuts, springs, holes, bores, shoulders, adapted or configured to hold the closing wheel lever or stem in place. The pair of hubs  140 / 141  are angled relative to ground by the angled face of axles  138 / 139  and provide a toe-in configuration of the oppositely facing closing wheels to allow closing wheels to be adjustably angled by operation of the lever assembly in either or both of vertical and/or horizontal planes to provide a desired orientation of the closing wheels with respect to the furrow. The levers  136 / 137  may be selectively rotated among a plurality of positions associated with the set of lever fixation points to set a desired toe and/or camber position of the closing wheels. Alternatively, a unified or common axle  138 / 139  may be provided that connects both hubs  140 / 141  and to which a single lever may be attached to adjust toe and/or camber of both wheels  134 / 135 . 
     While the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes could be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept described. In implementation, the inventive concepts may be automatically or semi-automatically, i.e., with some degree of human intervention, performed. Also, the present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. It is fully contemplated that other various embodiments of and modifications to the present invention, in addition to those described herein, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such other embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the following appended claims. Further, although the present invention has been described herein in the context of particular embodiments and implementations and applications and in particular environments, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present invention can be beneficially applied in any number of ways and environments for any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present invention as disclosed herein. 
     It should be noted that the present systems and/or methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but is intended to apply to all similar systems and/or methods for removing debris and/or providing a certain amount of tilling. Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the present systems and/or methods. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein but is intended to apply to all similar methods for ground surface penetration during operation of strip till machinery. Accordingly, modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the scope of which is only limited by the appended claims that follow.