Abstract:
A method of improving crop residue decay in a field by providing a tillage implement having a frame and a plurality of tillage tool assemblies operably supported by the frame and adjacently spaced therealong, each of the plurality of tillage tool assemblies having first and second rotatable interlocking members, each of the first and second rotatable interlocking members having first and second tillage tools connected thereto arranged in an opposing angular orientation such that the first and second tillage tools of adjacently spaced tillage tool assemblies are angled outwardly toward one another. Engaging the tillage tools of the implement with the soil of the field and traversing the field with the implement, whereby as the implement traverses the field, adjacently spaced compost rows are formed by the adjacently spaced outwardly angled first and second tillage tools of adjacently spaced tillage tool assemblies mixing and throwing the soil and crop residue therebetween such that the crop residue is thoroughly mixed with the soil in these compost rows thereby improving crop residue decay.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/003,896 filed Jan. 7, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,481, which is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 08/889,488, filed Jul. 8, 1997, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,821 on Mar. 9, 1999. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a method of improving crop residue decay in a field, and more particularly to a method of improving crop residue decay in a field using a tillage implement to create composting rows. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/003,896 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/889,488, by Flenker et al. each disclose tillage tool assemblies which can be mounted adjacent one another on a toolbar of an implement. Each tillage tool assembly is comprised of a first and second tillage tool, for example a disc blade, arranged in an opposing angular orientation such that the first and second disc blades of adjacently spaced tillage tool assemblies are angled outwardly toward one another. As the implement traverses the field, the angular orientation of the tillage tools turn, mix and work the crop residue into the soil and also move the crop residue out of the way of any trailing tillage tools, such as a shanks, chisels, and the like, thereby preventing the trailing tillage tools from becoming entangled with the crop residue. 
     A particular advantage of the tillage tool assemblies of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/003,896 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/889,488 is that the first and second tillage tools, e.g. disc blades, of each tillage tool assembly are angularly adjustable relative to one another and to the direction of travel of the implement. Thus, the amount of crop residue being turned over and worked into the soil can be varied as the implement traverses the field. 
     During field testing, it was shown that Fall tilling of a corn stubble field using an implement with the tillage tool assemblies of the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/003,896 mounted thereon, significantly improved the soybean crop yield on that field the following year and that volunteer corn was significantly reduced. It was determined that the improved crop yield and reduced volunteer corn was a result of the improved composting of the corn crop residue, i.e. improved decay, deterioration or breakdown of the corn crop residue. It should be appreciated that, unlike the adjacently spaced, obliquely angled, single blades of a disk gang of a conventional tillage implement, for example, the two opposing, obliquely angled tillage tools of the tillage tool assemblies of the Flenker et al. inventions work together to throw the crop residue between the adjacently spaced tillage tools to create compost rows as the implement traverses the field. When analyzing the compost rows in the Spring of the year, it was determined that the corn crop residue was more thoroughly mixed with the soil than can be achieved by a conventional tillage implement, such as a tandem disk or chisel plow. Thus, because of the more thorough mixing, more surface area of the corn stubble residue is in contact with the soil, resulting in faster deterioration or decaying of the crop residue. 
     Based on the results of this field test, it was determined that there is a need in the industry for a method of tilling the soil, whether in the Fall or Spring, to improve crop residue deterioration in a field which will result in increases in crop yield at harvest and a reduction in volunteer crops. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method of tilling the soil, to improve crop residue deterioration in a field which will result in increases in crop yield and a reduction in volunteer crops. 
     The preferred method of improving crop residue deterioration in a field, comprises providing a tillage implement having a frame and a plurality of tillage tool assemblies operably supported by the frame and adjacently spaced therealong, each of the plurality of tillage tool assemblies having first and second rotatable interlocking members, each of the first and second rotatable interlocking members having first and second tillage tools connected thereto arranged in an opposing angular orientation such that the first and second tillage tools of adjacently spaced tillage tool assemblies are angled outwardly toward one another. The method further comprises, engaging the tillage tools of the implement with the soil of the field and traversing the field with the implement, whereby as the implement traverses the field, adjecently spaced compost rows are formed by the adjacently spaced outwardly angled first and second tillage tools of adjacently spaced tillage tool assemblies mixing and throwing the soil and crop residue therebetween such that the crop residue is thoroughly mixed with the soil in these compost rows thereby improving crop residue deterioration. 
     Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a tillage implement in transport position having the tillage tool assemblies mounted thereon for forming the compost rows; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the tillage implement of FIG. 1 in working position; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tillage implement of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the tillage tool assembly as viewed along lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the interlocking members of the tillage tool assembly as viewed along lines  5 — 5  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional top plan view of the tillage tool assembly with the tillage tools oriented substantially in line with the direction of travel of the implement; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional top plan view of the tillage tool assembly of FIG. 6 with the tillage tools adjusted oblique to the direction of travel of the implement; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of disc blade type tillage tools in working operation showing formation of the compost rows; and 
     FIG. 9 is a is a schematic illustration of shovel type tillage tools in working operation showing formation of the compost rows. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of a preferred tillage implement ( 10 ) for improving crop residue deterioration or decay in a field. The preferred implement is shown in transport position being towed behind a tractor ( 12 ). The implement ( 10 ) is comprised of a main frame ( 14 ) adapted to be towed by a tractor ( 12 ). The main frame ( 14 ) includes a tongue ( 16 ) for attachment to the drawbar ( 18 ) of the tractor ( 12 ) (see also FIG.  3 ). 
     The implement ( 10 ) further includes a pair of ground wheel assemblies ( 20 ) which are pivotally attached to the main frame ( 14 ). A first actuator ( 22 ), such as a hydraulic cylinder, is operably connected to each ground wheel assembly ( 20 ) and to the main frame ( 14 ). The first actuator ( 22 ) acts to pivot the ground wheel assemblies ( 20 ) with respect to the main frame ( 14 ), thereby raising and lowering the main frame ( 14 ) with respect to the ground surface ( 24 ) between the transport position (FIG. 1) and the working position (FIG.  2 ). 
     The tillage implement ( 10 ) further comprises a plurality of tillage tool assemblies ( 26 ). The plurality of tillage tool assemblies ( 26 ) are preferably adjacently disposed along a support beam ( 30 ) pivotally connected to the main frame ( 14 ) by support brackets ( 32 ) fixed at one end to the support beam ( 30 ) and pinned at its other end by pins ( 34 ) received by connecting lugs ( 36 ) fixed to the main frame ( 14 ). A second pair of actuators ( 38 ) connected at one end to the main frame ( 14 ) and at another end to the support beam ( 30 ) act to pivotally raise and lower the support beam ( 30 ) with respect to the main frame ( 14 ), thereby changing the working depth of the tillage tools ( 40  and  42 ) (see FIG.  2 ). 
     Each of the tillage tool assemblies ( 26 ) has first and second tillage tools ( 40  and  42 ) arranged in an opposing angular orientation such that the first and second tillage tools ( 40 ,  42 ) of the adjacently spaced tillage tool assemblies ( 26 ) are angled toward one another such that the crop residue ( 88 ) is thrown therebetween to form compost rows ( 92 ) as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. It is preferred that the first and second tillage tool assemblies ( 40 ,  42 ) are angularly adjustable relative to one another and to the direction of travel (as designated by arrows ( 43 )) of the tractor ( 12 ) and implement ( 10 ) (see FIGS.  6  and  7 ). The angular adjustment of the tillage tools ( 40  and  42 ) is accomplished by first and second interlocking members ( 44  and  46 ) (best viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5) which are in working relationship with a transverse bar ( 48 ) and a third actuator ( 50 ) (FIG.  3 ). FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the tillage tool assembly ( 26 ) as viewed along lines  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the interlocking members ( 44  and  46 ) as viewed along lines  5 — 5  of FIG.  4 . As seen in FIG. 4, a tillage tool assembly support ( 52 ) is secured to the support beam ( 30 ). The interlocking members ( 44  and  46 ) are disposed between upper and lower brackets ( 56  and  58 ) that are secured to the vertical support member ( 52 ) by U-bolts ( 60 ). Each of the interlocking members ( 44  and  46 ) are preferably thick walled pipe sleeves ( 62 ) which surround a shaft ( 64 ). The shafts ( 64 ) project through apertures ( 66 ) in the upper and lower brackets ( 56  and  58 ). Bushings ( 68 ) are secured to the upper and lower brackets ( 56  and  58 ) for receiving the ends of the shafts ( 64 ) projecting therethrough. A threaded fastener ( 70 ) extends through apertures ( 72 ) in the bushings ( 68 ) and apertures ( 74 ) in the shaft ( 64 ), thereby securing the shaft ( 64 ) within the bushings ( 68 ). Thus, it should be appreciated that the sleeves ( 62 ) of the interlocking members ( 44  and  46 ) are free to rotate about the fixed shafts ( 64 ). 
     In the preferred embodiment, the tillage tools ( 40 ,  42 ) are disc blades, but it should be appreciated that other types of tillage tools, such as sweeps, chisels, drills, blades, or the like (collectively and/or individually referred to hereinafter as shovels), may also be used as illustrated in FIG.  9 . The disc blade tillage tools ( 40 ,  42 ) are rotatably supported by first and second shafts ( 75  and  77 ) rigidly fixed to the first and second interlocking members ( 44  and  46 ), preferably by welding, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Naturally if the disc blade tillage tools are replaced by shovel type tillage tools or the like, the shovels would not be rotatably mounted. Rather, the shovels ( 40 ,  42 ) would be rigidly fixed to the first and second shafts ( 75 ,  77 ) such as by a bolted connection (not shown). 
     As best viewed in FIG. 5, hex shaped rods ( 76 ) are welded to the lengths of opposing outer peripheries of the sleeves ( 62 ) of the interlocking members ( 44  and  46 ) such that the rods ( 76 ) are disposed in interlocking engagement. It will be appreciated that rotation of the first interlocking member ( 44 ) will cause subsequent rotation of the second interlocking member ( 46 ) due to the interlocking engagement of the opposing rods ( 76 ) (sec FIGS.  6  and  7 ). 
     Referring now to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 4, it can be seen that a transverse bar ( 78 ) extends the width of the implement ( 10 ). The third actuator ( 50 ) (FIG. 3) is connected at one end to the disc gang support beam ( 30 ) (thus operably to the main frame ( 14 )) and at its other end to the transverse bar ( 78 ). Linking members ( 82 ) pivotally connect the transverse bar ( 78 ) to the first interlocking member ( 44 ). As best viewed in FIG. 4, a pinned connection ( 84 ) pivotally secures the transverse bar ( 78 ) to the linking member ( 82 ). Actuation of the third actuator ( 50 ) moves the transverse bar ( 78 ) transverse to the direction of travel of the implement ( 10 ) (designated by arrow ( 43 )), thereby causing rotation of the first and second interlocking members ( 44  and  46 ) connected thereto by the link ( 82 ), thereby changing the angular orientation of the first and second tillage tools ( 40  and  42 ) (see FIGS. 6 and 7) of the tillage tool assemblies ( 26 ). 
     The main frame ( 14 ) of the tillage implement ( 10 ) may further support a plurality of trailing tillage tools ( 86 ) such as shanks, rippers, chisels, etc. The trailing tillage tools ( 86 ) are preferably arranged in a V-shaped formation for easier pulling and maximum crop residue flow-through. Each of the trailing tillage tools ( 86 ) are preferably positioned rearwardly and longitudinally in line with one of the plurality of tillage tool assemblies ( 26 ). As illustrated in FIGS. 8 or  9 , positioning the trailing tillage tools ( 86 ) rearwardly and longitudinally in line with the tillage tool assemblies ( 26 ) prevents plugging of the trailing tillage tools ( 86 ) because the tillage tools ( 40  and  42 ) throw the crop residue ( 88 ) to either side creating a substantially clean shallow trench ( 90 ) as the implement ( 10 ) traverses the field. Furthermore, in addition to creating the shallow trench ( 90 ) the crop residue ( 88 ) is thrown between the adjacent tillage tool assemblies ( 26 ) to form compost rows ( 92 ). In the compost rows ( 92 ) the crop residue ( 88 ) is more thoroughly mixed with the soil than can be achieved by a conventional tillage implement, such as a tandem disk or chisel plow. Thus, because of the more thorough mixing, more surface area of the crop residue ( 88 ) is in contact with the soil, resulting in faster deterioration or decaying of the crop residue ( 88 ). 
     In operation, the implement ( 10 ) is lowered from the transport position (FIG. 1) to the working position (FIG.  2 ), by actuation of the first actuators ( 22 ). The depth of penetration of the trailing tillage tools ( 86 ) into the soil surface ( 24 ) is thereby controlled by the lowering of the main frame ( 14 ) with the first actuators ( 22 ). The depth of penetration of the tillage tools ( 40  and  42 ) into the soil surface ( 24 ) is further controlled by actuation of the second actuators ( 38 ) which act to pivotally raise and lower the entire support beam ( 30 ) with respect to the main frame ( 14 ) about pivot pins ( 34 ). In the preferred embodiment, depending on the percentage of crop residue ( 88 ) and the soil conditions of the field, the angular orientation of the tillage tools ( 40  and  42 ) can be changed from a substantially in line position with the direction of travel as shown in FIG. 6 to an extreme oblique angle from the direction of travel as shown in FIG. 7 while on-the-go by actuation of the third actuator ( 50 ). It should be appreciated that altering the oblique angle of the tillage tools ( 40  and  42 ) while the implement ( 10 ) is in working position and on-the-go, enables the farmer to vary the amount of crop residue left on the surface of the soil as field conditions and surface crop residue requirements change. 
     Although only an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.