Patent Abstract:
This disclosure is directed to the field of agricultural machinery and relates to implements generally used in combination with a multi-row soil trench closing mechanism. Specifically, the disclosure relates to row treating units adapted to be attached to and following a multi-row planter and incorporating a combination of tools that includes a seed trench closing wheel assembly and a firming/packing wheel assembly. The deployment of and down force exerted by the packing wheel is independently adjustable and controlled using pneumatic air bag operators and the soil penetration of the trench closing wheels is limited.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    I. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    This invention is directed generally to the field of agriculture machinery, and more particularly, it relates to implements associated with soil trench closing mechanisms adjusted with controllers. Associated implements include seed planting devices, fertilizer applicators, tillage closers, irrigation drip line equipment, and related products. Specifically, the invention relates to row treating units incorporating a combination of tools in the form of closing devices and soil packing devices, also known as closing wheels and soil firming/packing wheels. The units are designed to be attached to the rear of seed planting implements or other ground engaging equipment. The deployment of and/or down force exerted by the closing wheels and packing wheels are independently adjustable and use pneumatic operators for controlling up and down adjustments. 
         [0005]    II. Related Art 
         [0006]    In the spring or fall, prior to planting, farmers must prepare their fields for accepting seed. Many tillage implements have been designed and are used to condition the soil in preparation for planting. Traditional farming includes both primary and secondary tillage tasks to prepare the soil such as plowing, disking, field cultivating and harrowing. Disking is an example of a method of primary tillage and harrowing is an example of a method of secondary tillage. 
         [0007]    Primary tillage is an optional first pass over the soil using a soil conditioning implement attached to the rear of a tractor which works deep into the soil. The soil is usually worked several inches deep to break up clods of soil, remove air pockets, and destroy weeds deep in the earth. 
         [0008]    Secondary tillage involves another pass over the same soil, at a more shallow depth, using implements which are generally attached to the rear of the primary tillage unit or to the front of a planter such that the secondary tillage unit follows the primary tillage unit. The secondary tillage unit generally may work the soil to a depth of a few inches or more, but usually not to exceed the desired seed planting depth. More recently, secondary tillage may be the only soil conditioning that takes prior to planting. 
         [0009]    A secondary tillage unit is usually a final conditioning tool to prepare the soil for planting. Thus, rotating blade coulter units may be used to chop up crop residues and loosen the soil; and row cleaners, which include a pair of converging multi-bladed trash wheels, used to move the crop residue out of the way to provide a cleared area for rows to be planted. Rolling baskets also may be used to break up soil clods and break up any crust on the top of the soil prior to planting. 
         [0010]    After the soil has been prepared and crop residue moved out of the way, the planting/seeding operation takes place. Seeding devices are multi-row devices pulled by tractors and include opening disks that create an open seed trench that allows for seed to be dropped into soil at a metered rate and set depth. Thereafter, the trenches made by the opening disks must be closed with the proper amount of pressure and the soil firmed/packed. This is preferably done using, in combination, pairs of closing wheels followed by firming/packing wheels which are mounted on a row unit or tool bar. A combination of these implements is associated with each row unit on the seeding equipment. 
         [0011]    Closing wheels are usually mounted in pairs that are angled to converge rearward of the seeding equipment. The closing wheels are designed to crush and crumble trench walls from both sides. They may take any of several forms including round rubber wheels, or wheels with radially distributed spikes. The sets of closing wheels are mounted on assemblies that include springs that apply downward force to pivot the closing wheel mounts and force the closing wheels to the ground. The downward force may be adjusted by adjusting the tension in the spring. A problem with prior closing wheel assemblies is that in some instances the force will cause the closing wheels to penetrate to a depth that interferes with the seeds planted at the bottom of the trench and cause problems with seed spacing and depth. This may even lead to some seeds being thrown from the seed trench or uneven emergence. 
         [0012]    Mounting systems for firming/packing wheels are typically provided with a down force spring arrangement, but have no ability to lift the packing wheel or reduce pressure desired. The packing wheels are designed to follow the closing wheels to firm/pack the soil over the seeds. This must be accomplished with a proper amount of pressure to be successful. Thus, too little pressure results in voids or air pockets in the soil, and too much pressure will compact the soil too tightly making it difficult for the plants to sprout through the hard packed soil, and roots will be obstructed by the seed trench compaction all season and will not penetrate the ground as easily as desired. Too little compaction will allow soil to dry out too soon. 
         [0013]    It would present a desirable advantage if the depth and amount of pressure exerted by the closing mechanisms could be more closely and conveniently controlled. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    By means of the present invention there is provided a row implement treating unit that combines a soil trench closing assembly and a firming/packing wheel assembly for attachment to a multi-row implement. Certain embodiments may include the trench closing assembly without the firming/packing wheel. Embodiments of the unit generally include a soil trench closing assembly and is provided with a pair of height adjustable closing wheels and a closing wheel mounting arrangement that operates the closing wheels and a down-force device for applying a down force to the closing wheels to force them to penetrate the soil. Optionally, a single wheel system can be used. This is used in combination with an adjustable depth limiting or positive stop device to control or limit lowest height adjustment and thereby limit the degree of soil penetration to a desired setting or to raise the lower limit of the closing wheels to a height above the ground. Alternatively, the trench closing assembly may be an active actuator system that includes a device to raise the closing wheels. 
         [0015]    In most preferred embodiments, the unit also includes a firming/packing wheel assembly which includes a packing wheel and a packing wheel mounting and actuating arrangement for deploying and lifting the packing wheel which has a pivotally-mounted framework preferably operated by a pneumatic control system which includes down-force and lift pneumatic devices. A down-force only embodiment is also shown. 
         [0016]    In one arrangement, the pneumatic control system for the firming/packing wheel includes a single down-force airbag and a pair of smaller lift airbags. In an alternate embodiment, the system includes aligned, opposed down-force and lift airbags located between fixed plate members with a traveling intermediate plate member therebetween which operates the pivotally-mounted framework arrangement for the packing wheel mounting framework. The pneumatic control operating system for the packing wheel further includes mechanical down-force and lift stop devices to limit down-force and lift travel of the packer wheel. 
         [0017]    The system may also include a debris deflector mounted ahead of the closing wheels and the unit may be provided with a follower angle adjustment arrangement for adjusting the follower angle between the row unit and any main unit to which it is attached. 
         [0018]    Operation and adjustment of the pneumatic devices of the row units may be controlled from the cab of a prime mover, normally, a tractor, which is attached to pull an associated seeding device or other tow bar arrangement to which one or more of the row units is attached. In addition, sensors may be provided that provide information that can be used to automatically control aspects of the operation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one row treating unit embodiment that includes a combination of spiked closing wheels and a packing wheel in accordance with the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with smooth closing wheels; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are fragmentary perspective views of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  further illustrating the operating systems; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 3C and 3D  are fragmentary views with parts removed for clarity that illustrate mechanical lift and down stops for the pivoting arm mount arrangement for raising and lowering the packing wheel of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side partial sectional view of through the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the mechanism with the packing wheel fully deployed and the closing wheels raised; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  with the packing wheel also raised; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 4  with both the closing wheels and the packing wheel deployed in a down position; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are top and side elevation views of an alternate embodiment of a row unit in accordance with the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the mechanism of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  with parts removed for clarity; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  shown with both the closing wheels and the packing wheel in a raised position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10A  is a view of the alternate embodiment including smooth closing wheels and a cylinder closing wheel deployment mechanism shown in the deployed or down position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10B  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 10A  with the deployment mechanism in the retracted or lifted position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10C  is a view similar to  FIGS. 10A and 10B  except that an airbag is used to produce the down force on the closing wheel assembly; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate the use of left and right adjustment bolts to adjust the angle of the row unit, including the packer wheel, left and right of dead center; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12A  is a fragmentary side view with parts removed for clarity of a closing wheel arrangement using a pneumatic down-force actuator and movable wedge travel limiting assembly; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12B  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 12A  provided with a dual aligned down-force and lift actuator arrangement 
           [0036]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  depict side views of an embodiment of a row treating unit employing a packing wheel only with a down-force actuator and adjustable mechanical stop shown in lowered and raised positions, respectively; 
           [0037]      FIGS. 13C and 13D  depict side views of an embodiment of a row treating unit in which the packing wheel of  FIGS. 13A and 13B  is combined with a closing wheel arrangement; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  depict a typical 2-position plunger-operated five-port valve associated with the operation of pneumatic operators in accordance with the invention shown in alternate position; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 15A ,  15 B and  15 C show additional implements used prior to planting that may be pneumatically operated; 
           [0040]      FIG. 16  is a schematic representation of a multi-row pneumatic system for operating a plurality of spaced row treating units that may be attached to a tow bar or multi-row seed planting implement; 
           [0041]      FIG. 17  depicts a pneumatic system that can be used to operate the pneumatic actuators associated with a system employing a number of row units; and 
           [0042]      FIG. 18  is a view of a possible cab control panel associated with controlling the operation of one or more row units. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    The detailed description of the illustrative embodiments is intended to illustrate representative examples of the inventive concepts and is not intended to limit the scope of those concepts. The examples are to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. In the description, relative terms such as “lower”, “upper”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “above”, “below”, “up”, “down”, “top” and “bottom”, “left” and “right” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “downwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms such as “connected”, “connecting”, “attached”, “attaching”, “join” and “joining” are used interchangeably and refer to one structure or surface being secured to another structure or surface or integrally fabricated in one piece, unless expressively described otherwise. As used herein, the term “trench closing mechanism” is meant to include any configuration of wheeled seed, fertilizer, tillage, etc., trench closing device and may be used interchangeably with trench closing wheels. The terms “firming wheel”, “firming/packing wheel” and “packing wheel” are also used interchangeably for such wheel devices used in conjunction with closing systems. 
         [0044]    The term “airbag” as used herein is defined to mean any type of inflatable pneumatic operator, without limitation, including convoluted and non-convoluted devices with single and multiple air access ports, and ports at different locations. 
         [0045]      FIG. 1  illustrates a row treating unit generally at  20  that includes a trench closing mechanism assembly  22  and a firming/packing wheel assembly  24 . An optional debris deflecting attachment  25  is mounted ahead of the trench closing wheels to deflect rocks and other field debris that otherwise might damage the closing wheels or cause them to skid because rock or debris becomes lodged between the closing wheels. 
         [0046]    The trench closing wheel assembly includes a pair of converging spiked closing wheels  26  mounted on stub axles as at  28  which is carried by a heavy structural frame  30  which includes spaced heavy flanking shaped side plate members  32  and  34 , each of which is designed to pivot about a fulcrum pivot joint as at  36  as the closing wheel mounting assembly moves up and down. 
         [0047]    As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , side plate members  32  and  34  are connected to a shaft  40  that extends between the side plate members and carries one end of a tension spring  42  which is also connected to lever member  44  that is fixed to an independent fixed support structure arrangement  46  so that the tension spring  42  tends to pivot the trench closing assembly downward forcing the spikes  48  of the closing wheels  26  into the ground. The maximum depth of soil penetration of the closing wheels is limited by a stop system that includes an adjustable set screw  50  that is threaded through a top plate  52  of the trench closing wheel assembly and contacts a fixed gusset member  54  to thereby adjustably limit the downward travel of the wheel mounting assembly. As pictured in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the set screw  50  is almost fully extended toward the gusset member  54  and the closing wheels  26  are therefore in a raised position. In  FIG. 6 , the set screw is backed off, thereby permitting the spiked wheels  26  to enter the soil, a controlled or limited amount. 
         [0048]    It is important for the closing wheels to be mounted on a resilient system that enables them to raise up to prevent damage if obstacles are encountered. The spring biased mounting enables the closing wheels to rise out of the way when they encounter something hard in the soil such as a rock. The optional adjustable stop system enables the maximum depth of the closing wheels to be adjusted as necessary to accommodate seed trenches of varying depths. The maximum depth penetrated by the closing wheels needs to be shallower that the depth of the planted seeds to avoid interference with the seeds. The closing wheels are designed to crush and crumble the seed trench walls without disturbing the planted seeds. Several different kinds of wheels are used and  FIG. 2  shows the use of smooth edge wheels rather than spiked wheels. An important aspect of the present system is the adjustability of the maximum depth of the closing wheels. The set screw position can be adjusted as often as desired. Also, other devices can be used to apply the down force to and limit penetration of the closing wheels. 
         [0049]    The packing wheel assembly  20  has a pivoting framework that includes a pair of rather long spaced, generally arcuate, shaped support arm members  70  and  72  connected together by spaced cross members  74  and connected at their free ends to a yoke  76  which carries the packing wheel  78  on a shaft or axle  80 . The support arm members with bushings  82  are pivotally mounted on a bolt shaft  84  in structural shape  86  that extends through fixed support structure  46 . The packing wheel assembly is operated by a pneumatic system that includes airbags. This embodiment includes three airbags, a single down-force airbag  90  and a pair of smaller spaced lift airbags  92  and  94 . As best seen in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , the down-force airbag  90  operates between a fixed plate  96  attached to the support structure and a bent flange member  98  that is pivotally fixed to the spaced support arms  70  and  72  at pivot points  100  and  102 , respectively. Reinforcing gusset members are shown at  104  and  106 . The lift airbags  92  and  94  operate between fixed plates  108  reinforced by gusset member  110  and a lift pedestal member  112  which, in turn, is carried on a lift pin  114 , which is journaled in support arm members  70  and  72 . 
         [0050]    In operation, as best seen in  FIGS. 3A-3D , when the packing wheel is raised, the down-force airbag is vented and the lift pedestal member is displaced forward as the lift airbags extend. A lift stop is reached when the lift pin  114  contacts the fixed plate member  96  ( FIG. 3C ). Conversely, when the packing wheel is deployed in the ground-engaging position, the down-force airbag inflates and the lift airbags are vented and deflate. A downward limit stop is provided when the lift pedestal member is displaced rearward by the lift pin  114 . As the support arm members are lowered, contacts a down stop plate  116 , which also determines the minimum length of the lift airbags ( FIG. 3D ). Of course, pressure can also be supplied to both lift and down-force airbags in any desired combination to provide any desirable controlled down force to the packing wheel to adjust to any soil condition. 
         [0051]    An alternate embodiment of the row unit of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 7A through 11B . The row unit, generally  200 , includes a seed trench closing wheel assembly  202 , packer wheel assembly  204  and debris deflector  206 . 
         [0052]    The trench closing wheel assembly is similar to the previously described embodiment and includes a pair of converging spiked closing wheels  208 , smooth rimmed wheels and/or flat or concave disk members  210  ( FIGS. 10A-10C ) mounted on axles or shafts  212  which extend through heavy shaped side plate members  214  and  216  connected by heavy top plate member  218 . As with the previous embodiment, the side plates are attached to pivot about a fulcrum at  220 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , a shaft  222  extends between the side plates and carries one end of a heavy tension spring  224 , the other end of which is connected to a fixed lever  226 . As with the previous embodiment, the tension spring  224  provides the down force to pivot the closing wheel assembly downward. Depth adjustment is accomplished using a set screw  228  threaded through to plate  218  and contacting fixed stop member  230 . 
         [0053]    The packing wheel assembly employs a modified operating system, but is otherwise similar to the first described embodiment. It includes a supporting pivoting packing wheel framework including spaced, generally arcuate support arms  250  and  252  spanned by connecting cross members  254 . The arms  250  and  252  are connected at fixed ends to pivot on a pivot arm mounting shaft  256  at  258  and  260 , respectively. The packing wheel framework connects at its free end to a yoke  262  which carries packing wheel  264  on an axle  266 , which may be a bolt member provided with bushings as at  267  and  268  attached to wheels  264 . 
         [0054]    The alternative packing wheel assembly is operated by a fixed dual aligned linear airbag system that includes a down-force airbag  270  and a lift force airbag  272  separated by a central traveling intermediate plate  274  that reciprocates linearly between the airbags. The system airbags are further flanked by a fixed down-force plate  276  and a fixed lift-force plate  278 . The traveling plate  274  is connected or otherwise integral with a double-acting flange  280  which has a pair of arms  282  and  284  that extend along generally parallel to the aligned airbags and connect to the pivot arms using an upper mounting shaft or stub shafts  286  at  288  and  290 . 
         [0055]    As best viewed in  FIG. 8 , a heavy set screw  292  is threaded through the lower portion of the fixed lift force plate  278  to contact a lower extension of the traveling intermediate plate  274 , when the down-force bag extends and the lift bag deflates, to limit the rearward travel of the traveling intermediate plate  274  and thereby provide an adjustable stop for downward travel of the packing wheel support arms. Travel in the forward direction is limited by contact between the traveling intermediate plate and a fixed member  294  to thereby provide a positive stop limiting the upward travel of the packing wheel lift arms. As with the previous embodiment, pressure can be supplied to both airbags at the same time to control the net downward force exerted by the packing wheel to accommodate any soil type or condition encountered. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate an embodiment similar to that of  FIGS. 7A-9  that utilizes alternate types of actuators in the deployment of the closing wheel arrangement. In  FIG. 10A , there is shown a double-acting pneumatic cylinder  300  pivotally attached at  302  between a member  304  fixed to lift-force plate  278  and at  306  pivotally attached to a member  308  fixed to the closing wheel assembly  202 . The actuator is shown with the rod  310  extended which forces the closing wheels into the down or deployed position. A stop arrangement similar to that of other embodiments can be used to limit vertical travel of the closing wheels  210 . Down-force and lift pneumatic connectors are shown at  312  and  314 . It will be appreciated that a hydraulic cylinder arrangement could also be used to deploy the closing wheels. 
         [0057]      FIG. 10B  is a view similar to  FIG. 10A  showing the closing wheels in the raised or fully retracted position. The packer wheel is shown in a deployed or down position in both  FIGS. 10A and 10B . 
         [0058]    In  FIG. 10C , there is shown a further actuator device for deploying the closing mechanisms in the form of an airbag  320  connected between a fixed member  322  connected between lift-force plate  278  and member  308 . The lower plate  324  is fixed to a member  326  pivotally mounted at  328  to the closing mechanism  202 . Airbag  320  is shown partially extended in  FIG. 10C . 
         [0059]    The  FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate a follower angle adjustment system for adjusting the relative angle between the row unit and the main unit to which it is attached. The row unit is shown with the packing wheel assembly removed. The unit is shown hitched pivotally at  400  to a main unit  420 . A heavy mounting flange member  402  is provided as part of the fixed mounting assembly of the row unit. Heavy oppositely disposed adjustment bolts  404  and  406  are threaded through the flange  402  behind the pivot joint at  408  and  410 . The flange member  402  extends over a shaped member  412  to which the row treating unit is hitched. By adjusting the adjustment bolts in and out, the angle between the row unit and the attachment flange can be slightly varied to move the row treating unit to the left or to the right of dead center, if desired, as shown in the figures. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  depict another embodiment of a row unit having a closing wheel arrangement shown generally at  500  that includes a pivotally mounted closing wheel assembly  502  and a mounting assembly  504 . The closing wheel assembly includes a pair of closing wheels, one of which is shown at  506 , carried by a structure pivotally connected at  508  to a fixed mounting structure  510 . The closing wheel assembly includes main structural shapes as at  512  and a travel limiting arrangement that includes a bolt member  514  carried by a flange member  516 . The bolt  514  is threaded through members  518  and  520 . The bolt  514  addresses and adjusts a movable wedge member  522  which, in turn, limits the gap between a top stop plate  524  and a bottom stop plate  526  to determine the vertical travel limit of the wheel  506 . 
         [0061]    The closing wheel assembly  502  is operated by a down-force only pneumatic arrangement in  FIG. 12A . That arrangement uses a down-force airbag  540  mounted between a fixed vertical stop member  542  and is fixed to the pivoting wheel assembly by a pivotal mount at  544 . The member  542  is fixed to and carried by a fixed mounting member  546 . 
         [0062]    In  FIG. 12B , the closing wheel assembly  502  is operated by an aligned dual airbag system that includes down-force airbag  550  and lift airbag  552  which operate against a fixed intermediate member  554  to raise and lower a shaped flange arrangement that includes a flange member  556  that is vertically adjustable and attached at  558  to the closing wheel assembly and to the airbag system at  560 . 
         [0063]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  depict another embodiment of a row unit having a packing wheel arrangement that is not combined with a closing wheel system. The row unit shown generally at  600  and includes a pair of spaced curved support arms, one of which is shown at  602 , which carry a yoke  604  into which is journaled a packing wheel  606 . The arms  602  are mounted to rotate on a pivot joint  608  that is mounted in a fixed attachment structure  610 . The packing wheel is operated by a down-force pneumatic operator which operates between a moveable plate member  614  and a fixed plate member  616  to operate a bent flange member  618  that is connected to the arms  602  at a further pivot joint  620 . The travel distance allowed the system for the deployment of the packing wheel  606  is controlled and limited by an adjustable bolt or rod member  622 . 
         [0064]    In  FIG. 13A , the pneumatic operator is inflated and the packing wheel is in the fully down or deployed position with member  614  fully extended along member  622 . Conversely in  FIG. 13B , the pneumatic operator  612  is collapsed or deflated and the member  614  is fully retracted along the member  622  to upward stops  624  and the packing wheel is in the fully raised position. 
         [0065]      FIGS. 13C and 13D  are views of the embodiment of  FIGS. 13A and 13B  with the addition of a closing wheel assembly  630  in combination with the packing wheel arrangement. A debris deflector is shown at  632 . 
         [0066]    In  FIG. 17 , there is shown a pneumatic system with parts of the enclosure removed to expose certain internal parts. The system, shown generally at  700 , includes an accumulator tank, shown partially at  702 , which may be sized according to the desired capacity of the system for performing the necessary functions. The accumulator tank is provided with mounting legs (not shown) and is designed to be mounted on a multi-row seeding implement, or the like, in a well-known manner. A control box housing the control devices for the system is shown at  704  with parts removed to expose the interior which houses an air compressor  706 , which may be electric or hydraulic. An ignition solenoid is shown at  708  and a pressure switch at  710 , which operates to cycle the compressor in a well-known manner, alternatively, the compressor assembly can be controlled from an ISOBUS capable terminal. 
         [0067]    The compressor output line is shown at  712  and a check valve is shown at  714  that prevents back flow from the tank  702 . A safety pressure relief or pop-off valve is shown at  716  that prevents over pressurization of the system. Control knobs for manually adjusted pressure regulators are shown at  718  and associated output pressure gauges are shown at  720 . These are used to regulate output or operating pressure to the elements of the system and their settings may be changed, if necessary, during operation of the implements, but are preferably preset. 
         [0068]    Blocks of electronic pressure regulators as at  722  can be used to regulate up and down pressure applied to pneumatic operators for various devices controlled by the system which may include trash whips (row clearing devices), coulters, rolling baskets, or the like, employed prior to seeding in addition to post-seeding implements. The electronic pressure regulators may be controlled by commands from a control panel, such as shown in  FIG. 18 . A typical 5-way valve is shown at  724  and more fully described in conjunction with  FIGS. 14A and 14B . 
         [0069]      FIG. 18  depicts one possible control or switch panel  740  designed to interface between an operator in the cab of a tractor or other prime mover and the pneumatic system. The control is used to send commands to all of the valves and regulators. Thus, buttons P 1 -P 5  represent an array of preset pressures for various regulators. These can be used to fix preferred conditions. The panel also includes a display screen  742 , up and down screen scroll buttons  744  and  746 . A menu button  748  allows the operator to view all menu screens, fault codes, adjustment of dump valve times, maintenance information, etc. An enter button  750  is associated with the menu screens and may also be used to turn on the pneumatic system. 
         [0070]    Controls  752 ,  754  and  756  are encoders that enable the operator to change the commanded pressure of each of several regulators. 
         [0071]    The four buttons on the bottom of the switch panel with the word “UP” above them and numerals one through four below them are the buttons that can be used to actuate dump valves and five port valves  724  ( FIG. 17 ). These buttons are used to switch the different attachments from the down position (with the button turned off) to the “UP” position (with the button turned on). 
         [0072]    It will be appreciated that sensors mounted on the row units can transmit data to the cab control system that can also be used to adjust various pressures and/or depth of soil penetration for corresponding implements. Such devices are known. 
         [0073]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  are schematic representations of a two-position, five-port air valve assembly (as at  724  in  FIG. 17 ) in two alternative positions. The assembly, generally at  770 , includes ports  772 ,  774 ,  776 ,  778  and  780  and cylinder  782 , housing axially adjustable cylinder valve or plunger  784 . The valve body or block is depicted at  786 . Ports  772  and  776  are connected to receive air from a high pressure air source. Thus, port  772  is connected to receive compressed air via a manual regulator to provide lift force. Port  776  is connected to receive air via a controlled source to control down force. Ports  778  and  780  connect respectively to a lift force airbag or other pneumatic operator and a down force operator. Finally, port  774  is a vent port for venting air from either the up force operator or the down force operator. 
         [0074]    In  FIG. 14A , the port receiving high pressure air  772  is connected through the valve block with a lift force operator through outlet port  778  with the central valve plunger  784  shifted down (in the drawing) in cylinder  782  in a first position. With the central cylinder in this position, the corresponding down force operator is connected to the vent port  774  via port  780  so that down force operator is enabled to collapse while the lift force operator inflates. This raises the corresponding implement. 
         [0075]      FIG. 14B  shows the valve  770  in an alternate position with the central cylinder moved upward (in the drawing). With the plunger in this position, port  776  is connected through the central cylinder to port  780  and port  778  is connected to the central cylinder to vent port  774  and port  772  is deadheaded. With the valve in this position, the source of high pressure air is connected through ports  776  and  780  to the down force operator and the lift force operator is connected to vent through ports  778  and  774 . This will enable the down force operator to inflate and the lift force operator to collapse in accordance with moving the corresponding implement to a lowered or deployed position. 
         [0076]      FIGS. 15A-15C  depict additional pneumatically operated implements that can be used with the pneumatic system of the invention. They include a row clearing or trash whip device  800 , in  FIG. 15A , with a pair of pneumatic operators, one of which is shown at  802 . A rolling basket device, generally  820  in  FIG. 15B  with pneumatic operators as at  822  and a combination trash whip and coulter device depicted generally at  840  in  FIG. 15C  with trash whip blades  842  and coulter wheel  844 . Pneumatic operators are depicted at  846  and  848 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 16  is a schematic representation of a multi-row pneumatic system layout that can be controlled by the system of  FIGS. 17 and 18 . The schematic includes a plurality of central section row units  860  and these are flanked by a plurality of wing section units at  862  and  864 . A down-force pressure air line is shown at  866  that supplies down pressure to the center units through a manifold  868  and supplies pressurized down-force air to wing section units  862  and  864  through manifolds  870  and  872 , respectively. A common lift pressure system is shown using air line  876  which supplies manifolds  878 ,  880  and  882 . A controlled source is depicted at  884 . 
         [0078]    This invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by specifically different equipment and devices, and that various modifications, both as to the equipment and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0