Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a seeding machine. The seeding machine discloses a seed firmer having a special shape for pressing seeds into soil during planting. The seed firmer is attached to a frame of the seeding machine with a parallel linkage in order to facilitate up- and downward movement of the seed firmer with a consistent operational orientation. Another seeding machine is known form <CIT>.

The invention sets forth, in one aspect, a furrow following device for a planting machine. The furrow following device includes an attachment bracket having a portion provided for attachment to a row unit of a planting machine. An arm is provided with a ground-facing surface for engagement with the soil during planting. A mount has a first portion coupled to the attachment bracket, and a second portion at least partially defining a pivot connection with the arm. The pivot connection provides relative rotation between the arm and the mount. The mount is a compliant mount provided with a spring that exhibits an elastic bias force as the arm is raised toward the attachment bracket. The mount is fixedly secured to the attachment bracket, wherein the spring is held in tension throughout an entire range of motion of the arm, the range of motion of the arm being limited by an abutment surface, and wherein the abutment surface and the pivot connection are provided by parallel, spaced pins extending between lateral side plates of the mount that flank the arm.

The invention sets forth, in another aspect, a furrow following device for a planting machine, wherein the arm is a non-compliant arm.

The invention sets forth, in another aspect, a furrow following device for a planting machine, wherein the pivot connection defines an axis for the relative rotation between the arm and the mount that is fixed relative to the arm and the mount, and wherein the pivot connection is positioned along the arm at a location between the ground facing surface and a portion of the arm to which the spring is attached.

The invention sets forth, in another aspect, a furrow following device for a planting machine, wherein the spring exhibits an increasing bias force as the arm is raised toward the attachment bracket.

Further aspects of the invention are set forth in the detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein the following description and drawings related to <FIG> are disclosed for explanatory reasons and do not form part of the invention. The description which forms part of the invention are related to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> illustrates an agricultural planting machine <NUM> connected to a tractor <NUM> for planting seeds into soil as the planting machine <NUM> is conveyed by the tractor <NUM> through a field. The planting machine <NUM> includes a plurality of row units <NUM> provided side-by-side with each other for simultaneously planting a plurality of crop rows. Each row unit <NUM> can include one or more hoppers <NUM> for seeds S (<FIG>), and in some constructions can deliver liquid and/or granular additives such as fertilizer or pesticide that can selectively accompany the seeds S when planted. As shown in <FIG>, each row unit <NUM> has an opener <NUM> operable to cut a trench or furrow F into the soil as the planting machine <NUM> moves along the ground. A set of closing wheels <NUM> trail behind the opener <NUM> and are operable to close the furrow F after seeds are dispensed. A cartridge <NUM> of the row unit <NUM> operates to dispense seeds S rearward of the opener <NUM> into the furrow F, prior to arrival of the closing wheels <NUM>. In some constructions, the row unit <NUM> is a high performance device in which the cartridge <NUM> is operable to accurately dispense the seeds S at regular intervals at high forward travel speed (e.g., over <NUM> miles per hour, and even over <NUM> or <NUM> miles per hour) of the planting machine <NUM> relative to the ground, referred to herein as planting speed. The cartridge <NUM> can include a brush belt <NUM> as part of a seed delivery mechanism. The cartridge <NUM> may operate to dispense the seeds S rearward and downward such that a horizontal velocity component is equal in magnitude to the planting speed, and oriented in the opposite direction such that each seed S approaches the ground with no net horizontal velocity to reduce bounce and enhance repeatability in the final seed positioning. In other constructions, the cartridge <NUM> may comprise a gravity drop seed tube where the geometry of the tube is intended to provide a horizontal velocity component is equal or near equal in magnitude to a given planting speed. Although the planting machine <NUM> provides high precision planting at high planting speeds, it is sometimes preferable to also firm the seeds S into the soil by running over them with an additional implement, known as a "seed firmer", after placement and prior to closing of the furrow F. A seed firmer is one example of a furrow following device that can be used with a planting machine. Other furrow following devices include a soil sensor carrier and a furrow shaper. Aspects of the furrow following device are described below in the context of a seed firmer.

<FIG> illustrate a seed firmer <NUM> and an attachment bracket <NUM> for removably mounting the seed firmer <NUM> to the row unit <NUM> of the planting machine <NUM>. It will be understood that a separate and identical seed firmer <NUM> may be provided on each and every one of the row units <NUM> or any subset thereof. The seed firmer <NUM> includes an arm <NUM> and a mount <NUM> coupled to the arm <NUM> for attaching the arm <NUM> to a row unit <NUM> of the planting machine <NUM>. The mount <NUM> can extend between the arm <NUM> and the attachment bracket <NUM>, or directly between the arm <NUM> and the row unit <NUM> if no attachment bracket is provided. As discussed in further detail below, the mount <NUM> can attach to the arm <NUM> at multiple points and provide controlled, suspended travel of the arm <NUM> relative to the row unit <NUM>. The arm <NUM> includes an upper portion coupled to the mount <NUM> and a lower portion including a ground-facing surface <NUM>. The lower arm portion defining the ground-facing surface <NUM> extends rearward of the upper arm portion with respect to a direction of forward travel during planting operation. As illustrated, the upper arm portion extends primarily vertically when mounted for use, while the lower portion extends primarily horizontally. Although any ground surface of planting soil will have irregularities, the description herein assumes for convenience in describing the structure of the seed firmer <NUM> that the planting machine <NUM>, along with the seed firmer <NUM>, is conveyed in a direction perpendicular to a flat ground surface G.

The seed firmer <NUM> is mounted on the row unit <NUM> such that the ground-facing surface <NUM> has at least one point of contact with the ground G. In other words, the ground-facing surface <NUM> has at least one lowest point when the seed firmer <NUM> is in a mounted configuration on the row unit <NUM>, operational for seed firming. Although not required in all constructions, the ground-facing surface <NUM> of the illustrated arm <NUM> includes a plurality of lowest points forming a flat section. Other constructions may dispense with all or a portion of the flat section and provide a single lowest point. Whether or not the ground-facing surface <NUM> has multiple points of ground contact, a rearmost ground contacting point P is defined with respect to the direction of forward travel during planting operations, and a rearmost point of the arm K is also defined with respect to the direction of forward travel during planting operations. The arm <NUM>, as well as other portions of the seed firmer <NUM>, may be constructed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), among other materials. As discussed below, the seed firmer <NUM> provides a non-compliant arm <NUM> with a compliant mount <NUM>. By non-compliant, it is meant that the arm <NUM> is not designed to provide the downward-firming action through compliance, or elastic compression of its material, as this can lead to creep over time. By avoiding a compliant arm, adjusting, re-mounting, and the associated guesswork associated with compliant arms are avoided.

The mount <NUM> may take the form of a parallel linkage including the arm <NUM>, a stationary or base link <NUM> fixed to the attachment bracket <NUM>, and a pair of parallel intermediate links <NUM>, <NUM> between the base link <NUM> and the arm <NUM>. In some constructions, the base link <NUM> is defined at least in part by the bracket <NUM>. Also, although the intermediate links <NUM>, <NUM> are parallel in the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the intermediate links <NUM>, <NUM> need not necessarily be parallel, and can instead be slightly skewed with respect to one another while still providing a desired movement and positional relationship of the arm <NUM> with respect to the ground in up and down movement of the arm <NUM>. The mount <NUM> allows movement of the arm <NUM> relative to base link <NUM> and the row unit <NUM> without altering the orientation of the arm <NUM>, particularly the ground-facing surface <NUM>, with respect to the ground G. The first intermediate link <NUM> has a first end 70A arranged for connection to the row unit <NUM> by a pivotable connection to the base link <NUM>, which is fixed in position on the row unit <NUM>. A second end 70B of the first intermediate link <NUM> is pivotably connected with the arm <NUM> such that the arm <NUM> is pivotable relative to the first intermediate link <NUM> about a first pivot axis A. The second intermediate link <NUM> has a first end 72A arranged for connection to the row unit <NUM> by a pivotable connection to the base link <NUM>, and a second end 72B pivotably connected with the arm <NUM> such that the arm <NUM> is pivotable relative to the second intermediate link <NUM> about a second pivot axis B parallel to and spaced from the first pivot axis A. Due to the parallel arrangement, the spacing distance between the first and second pivot axes A, B is equal to the spacing distance between third and fourth pivot axes C, D provided at the pivot connections between the base link <NUM> and the first ends 70A, 72A of the first and second intermediate links <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. Along the arm <NUM>, the pivot connection with the first intermediate link <NUM> is spaced further from the ground-facing surface <NUM> than the pivot connection with the second intermediate link <NUM>, such that the first intermediate link <NUM> is above the second intermediate link <NUM>. Each of the pivot connections at the four pivot axes A, B, C, D can be provided by a rotatable pin joint including a pin (e.g., rivet, axle, etc.) that secures the joined elements while allowing relative rotation therebetween. It is also noted that either or both of the first and second intermediate links <NUM>, <NUM> can be bifurcated or even provided as two separately-formed elements, mirrored to share common pivot axes such that they function as a single link.

At least one first spring <NUM> is extended between the pivot connection at the fourth pivot axis D (at the first end 72A of the second intermediate link <NUM>) and the arm <NUM>, such as (for example) at a point between the two pivot axes A, B. The arm <NUM> can include an attachment structure, or spring anchor <NUM>, to which the first spring <NUM> is secured. The spring anchor <NUM> can be provided in the form of a hole and/or a pin. In some constructions, the first spring <NUM> provides a bias force that increases as the ground-facing surface <NUM> moves closer to the first ends 70A, 72A of the first and second intermediate links <NUM>, <NUM> (i.e., as the arm <NUM> moves upward). The first spring <NUM> can be in tension throughout all or a majority of a range of motion of the arm <NUM>. A lower limit of the range of motion (<FIG>) can be defined by an abutment surface <NUM> provided on the second intermediate link <NUM>, for example at the first end 72A facing the attachment bracket <NUM> for contact therewith. Although the abutment surface <NUM> provides a lower limit for the arm <NUM>, the row unit may be configured such that a normal or neutral running position of the arm <NUM> is with the abutment surface <NUM> spaced away from the attachment bracket <NUM> to place the first spring <NUM> in an increased state of tension compared to the lower limit position of <FIG>. This allows the arm <NUM> room to move both upward and downward relative to the base link <NUM> on the row unit <NUM> within the active range of the spring to account for ground irregularity during use. The first spring <NUM> can include multiple, separately-formed springs positioned in parallel as shown in <FIG> to provide an increased effective spring rate to the mount <NUM>, without relying on a particularly heavy or large spring, although any number of springs exerting any desired level of spring force can be used as desired. In addition, the first spring <NUM> can be provided as a coil spring as shown, or as another type of elastic biasing member. The first spring <NUM> exhibits an elastic biasing force on the arm <NUM> as the arm <NUM> is raised toward the attachment bracket <NUM>. In some constructions, the elastic biasing force from the first spring <NUM> increases with increasing movement of the arm <NUM> (e.g., upward movement toward the attachment bracket <NUM>). Regardless of the particular spring construction or bias force relationship, the first spring <NUM> provides the mount <NUM> with compliance so that the arm <NUM> can follow an uneven ground surface G without relying whatsoever on flexure in the arm <NUM>. Meanwhile, the attachment bracket <NUM> can be fixedly secured to the row unit <NUM>.

With continued reference to the illustrated embodiment shown in <FIG>, at least one second spring <NUM> extends between the pivot connection at the third pivot axis C (at the first end 70A of the first intermediate link <NUM>) and the point connection at the first pivot axis A (at the second end 70B of the first intermediate link <NUM>). In normal operation throughout the up and down motion of the arm <NUM> and shown in <FIG>, the second spring <NUM> operates without deflecting to maintain the first pivot axis A as a fixed axis between the arm <NUM> and the first intermediate link <NUM>. In order to maintain the first pivot axis A fixed, the second spring <NUM> biases the pin defining the first pivot axis A to a first end of a slot or channel <NUM> in which it is slidably received to define a selective sliding joint. The channel <NUM> can be provided in the second end 70B of the first intermediate link <NUM> as shown, although the pin-slot relationship may be reversed. Although a pin and slot arrangement is shown in <FIG>, any other connection enabling relative movement of the first pivot axis A with respect to the first intermediate link <NUM> can be used. Upon substantial load to a leading surface <NUM> of the arm <NUM>, outside the normally expected ground undulation, the second spring <NUM> allows the arm <NUM> to temporarily trip in a manner that alters the linkage motion to operate in non-parallel link fashion, as the first and second intermediate links <NUM>, <NUM> assume an alternate non-parallel relationship. Although such motion will alter the orientation of the arm <NUM> relative to the ground G as shown in <FIG>, tripping the arm <NUM> upward in this manner selectively allows an additional degree of freedom to protect the seed firmer <NUM> from impact and potential damage in the event that the arm <NUM> encounters an immovable object <NUM> (e.g., root, stone, etc.). During tripping, the arm <NUM> pivots about the second pivot axis B relative to the first intermediate ink <NUM> until the pin at the first pivot axis A reaches a second end of the channel <NUM>, or a substantial amount to allow the arm <NUM> to clear the immovable object <NUM>. Upon passing by the immovable object <NUM>, the second spring <NUM> biases the first pivot axis A back to its normal position in the channel <NUM> to put the mount <NUM> back into the configuration where the first and second intermediate links <NUM>, <NUM> are parallel. As with the first spring <NUM>, the second spring <NUM> can include multiple, separately-formed springs and can be provided as a coil spring as shown, or as another type of elastic biasing member. In other constructions, the second spring <NUM> and the ability of the first pivot axis A to slide to different positions with respect to the first intermediate link <NUM> are not provided.

Returning now to the arm <NUM>, the ground-facing surface <NUM> has a transition section <NUM> (<FIG>) directly trailing the rearmost ground contact point P. The transition section <NUM> is provided as a curved profile, which may be oriented with its forward end tangent to the rearmost ground contact point P. The transition section <NUM> extends upwardly from the rearmost ground contact point P with a relatively large radius R. For example, the radius R of the transition section <NUM> is <NUM> or greater. As such, the radius R may approach infinity such that all or a portion of the transition section <NUM> is flat. In some constructions, the radius R is not less than <NUM>. In some constructions, the radius R is not less than <NUM>. The large radius transition section <NUM> extends a height H at least <NUM> higher than the rearmost ground contact point P, and in some constructions, at least <NUM> higher than the rearmost ground contact point P. The height H is measured vertically with the arm <NUM> in the normal running position for seed firming. The radius R within the transition section <NUM> may be constant or may change one or more times throughout, optionally including one or more flat sections. In some constructions, a shape characteristic of the transition section <NUM> is expressed as a ratio of the distance (J in <FIG>) between the rearmost contact point P and a rearmost point (K in <FIG>) and the height H. The height H is measured vertically with the arm <NUM> in the normal running position for seed firming, and the distance J is measured laterally, perpendicular to the height H. The ratio of J/H is no less than about <NUM>:<NUM> in some constructions. In some constructions, the ratio of J/H is no less than about <NUM>:<NUM>. In still other constructions, the ratio of J/H is no less than about <NUM>:<NUM>. Although the rearmost point K is illustrated as the point at which the radius changes from the radius R to a substantially smaller radius, the transition section <NUM> may alternately be considered in this or other embodiments to extend all the way to a rearmost point of the arm <NUM>. Considered as such, the distance J and the height H will vary, but it will be understood that the exemplary ratios of J/H stated above may still apply. The transition section <NUM> may form a rearmost section of the ground-facing surface <NUM>.

The transition section <NUM> is provided to ensure that the seeds S are not flicked upward when running the planting machine <NUM> in dry soil conditions at high speed, as defined above. Whereas a seed firmer having a small radius at the point of transition away from the ground may be effective in many soil conditions and speeds, the results with firm soil and/or high planting speeds may contribute to uneven seed depth and spacing, which the inventors have identified as attributable to a flicking action that the seed firmer may impart to some of the seeds. The flicking action can drive the seed back into the air above the ground, leading to uncontrollable seed positioning. Especially at high planting speeds where minimal time elapses between seed ejection and the arrival of the closing wheels <NUM>, the closing wheels <NUM> may even close the furrow F while the seed is airborne, which leads to critical seed depth error. By precisely controlling how the ground-facing surface <NUM> of the arm <NUM> departs from each seed S, flicking is reduced or eliminated even in firm soil when the planting speed is high (e.g., over <NUM> miles per hour, and even over <NUM> or <NUM> miles per hour).

<FIG> illustrate a seed firmer <NUM>' according to another construction that is similar to the firmer <NUM> of <FIG>, except as noted below. Where not specifically described, the structure is as set forth in the drawings and the above description, and reference numbers are maintained consistent where appropriate. At least one first spring <NUM>' is extended between the pivot connection at the fourth pivot axis D (at the first end 72A of the second intermediate link <NUM>) and the arm <NUM> at a point between the two pivot axes A, B. The first spring <NUM>' provides a bias force that increases as the ground-facing surface <NUM> moves closer to the first ends 70A, 72A of the first and second intermediate links <NUM>, <NUM> (i.e., as the arm <NUM> moves upward). The first spring <NUM>' can be in tension throughout all or a majority of a range of motion of the arm <NUM>. Although an abutment surface <NUM> provides a lower limit for the arm <NUM>, the row unit may be configured such that a normal or neutral running position of the arm <NUM> (<FIG>) is with the abutment surface <NUM> spaced away from the attachment bracket <NUM> to place the first spring <NUM>' in an increased state of tension compared to the lower limit position. The first spring <NUM>' can include multiple, separately-formed springs positioned in parallel to provide an increased effective spring rate to the mount <NUM>, without relying on a particularly heavy or large spring. In addition, the first spring <NUM>' can be provided as a coil spring as shown, or as another type of elastic biasing member.

Unlike the construction of <FIG>, the first spring <NUM>' is the only spring provided in the mount <NUM>, and the first spring <NUM>' is also responsible for maintaining the first pivot axis A as a fixed axis between the arm <NUM> and the first intermediate link <NUM> in normal operation throughout the up and down motion of the arm <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In order to maintain the first pivot axis A fixed, the first spring <NUM>' biases the pin defining the first pivot axis A to a first end of a slot or channel <NUM> in which it is slidably received to define a selective sliding joint. The channel <NUM> can be provided in the second end 70B of the first intermediate link <NUM> as shown, although the pin-slot relationship may be reversed. Upon substantial load to a leading surface <NUM> of the arm <NUM>, outside the normally expected ground undulation, the first spring <NUM>' allows the arm <NUM> to temporarily trip in a manner that alters the linkage motion to operate in non-parallel link fashion, as the first and second intermediate links <NUM>, <NUM> assume an alternate non-parallel relationship. Although such motion will alter the orientation of the arm <NUM> relative to the ground G as shown in <FIG>, tripping the arm <NUM> upward in this manner selectively allows an additional degree of freedom to protect the seed firmer <NUM> from impact and potential damage in the event that the arm <NUM> encounters an immovable object <NUM> (e.g., root, stone, etc.). During tripping, the arm <NUM> pivots about the second pivot axis B relative to the first intermediate ink <NUM> until the pin at the first pivot axis A reaches a second end of the channel <NUM>, or a substantial amount to allow the arm <NUM> to clear the immovable object <NUM>. Upon passing by the immovable object <NUM>, the first spring <NUM>' biases the first pivot axis A back to its normal position in the channel <NUM> to put the mount <NUM> back into the configuration where the first and second intermediate links <NUM>, <NUM> are parallel.

<FIG> illustrate a seed firmer arm <NUM>' according to another construction that is similar to the arm <NUM> of the seed firmers <NUM>, <NUM>' of <FIG>, except as noted below. Where not specifically described, the structure is as set forth in the drawings and the above description, and reference numbers are maintained consistent where appropriate. The ground-facing surface <NUM> of the arm <NUM>' includes a contour or profile that includes a rearmost ground contact point P. Although the rearmost ground contact point P is shown at the trailing end of a flat section of ground contacting points, the rearmost ground contact point P may be the single lowest point on the arm <NUM>. Toward the trailing side of the rearmost ground contact point P, a transition section <NUM> is provided with a radius R. At the termination of the transition section <NUM>, which may have a single constant radius or multiple radii, the arm <NUM>' includes an overhang <NUM> defining an anti-rebound surface <NUM> as part of the ground-facing surface <NUM>. Together, the transition section <NUM> and the anti-rebound surface <NUM> form a rearmost section of the ground-facing surface <NUM>. In the normal operating position of the seed firmer, the anti-rebound surface is within <NUM> degrees of parallel to the ground G, and in some constructions, may be within <NUM> degrees or within <NUM> degrees of parallel to the ground G. At the leading edge of the anti-rebound surface <NUM>, which is the trailing end of the transition section, the height can be <NUM> or less. More particularly, the height can be <NUM> or less, or even <NUM> or less. Although the radius R of the transition section <NUM> can be a large radius as defined above with respect to the arm <NUM> of <FIG>, the radius R may be less than <NUM> in some constructions such that the arm <NUM>' does not rely solely on the transition section <NUM> for seed control, but also the anti-rebound surface <NUM> of the overhang <NUM>, which significantly limits any upward travel of a seed S that is indeed flicked upward upon traversal of the rearmost ground contact point P (e.g., due to a combination of high planting seed and firm soil). Although the anti-rebound surface <NUM> can be flat as shown, it may also be curved, for example concave. To ensure predictable deflection, the anti-rebound surface <NUM> can be formed as a continuous surface, free of notches, recesses, ridges, divots, etc. The ratios of lateral distance J to height H may be within the particular ranges identified with respect to the earlier embodiments, however, the lateral distance J for the embodiment of <FIG> is measured from the rearmost ground contact point P to a rearmost point K of the arm <NUM>' and the height H is measured up to the height of the rearmost point K.

<FIG> illustrate a seed firmer arm <NUM>" according to another construction that is similar to the arm <NUM> of the seed firmers <NUM>, <NUM>' of <FIG>, except as noted below. Where not specifically described, the structure is as set forth in the drawings and the above description, and reference numbers are maintained consistent where appropriate. The ground-facing surface <NUM> of the arm <NUM>" includes a contour or profile that includes a rearmost ground contact point P. Although the rearmost ground contact point P is shown as the single lowest point on the arm <NUM>, the rearmost ground contact point P may be at the trailing end of a flat section of ground contacting points. Toward the trailing side of the rearmost ground contact point P, a transition section <NUM> is provided with a radius R up to a height. At the termination of the transition section <NUM>, which may have a single constant radius or multiple radii, the arm <NUM>" includes an overhang <NUM> defining an anti-rebound surface <NUM> as part of the ground-facing surface <NUM>. Together, the transition section <NUM> and the anti-rebound surface <NUM> form a rearmost section of the ground-facing surface <NUM>. In the normal operating position for seed firming operation, the anti-rebound surface is within <NUM> degrees of parallel to the ground G, and in some constructions, may be within <NUM> degrees or within <NUM> degrees of parallel to the ground G. At the leading edge of the anti-rebound surface <NUM>, which is the trailing end of the transition section, the height can be <NUM> or less. More particularly, the height can be <NUM> or less, or even <NUM> or less. Although the radius R of the transition section can be a large radius as defined above with respect to the arm <NUM> of <FIG>, the radius R may be less than <NUM> in some constructions such that the arm <NUM>" does not rely solely on the transition section <NUM> for seed control, but also the anti-rebound surface <NUM> of the overhang <NUM>, which significantly limits any upward travel of a seed S that is indeed flicked upward upon traversal of the rearmost ground contact point P (e.g., due to a combination of high planting seed and firm soil). Although the anti-rebound surface <NUM> can be flat as shown, it may also be curved, for example concave. To ensure predictable deflection, the anti-rebound surface <NUM> can be formed as a continuous surface, free of notches, recesses, ridges, divots, etc. The ratios of lateral distance J to height H may be within the particular ranges identified with respect to the earlier embodiments, however, the lateral distance J for the embodiment of <FIG> is measured from the rearmost ground contact point P to a rearmost point K of the arm <NUM>" and the height H is measured up to the height of the rearmost point K.

<FIG> illustrate a seed firmer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention that can be used, for example, on any one or more of the row units <NUM> of the planting machine <NUM> shown in <FIG>. One exemplary row unit <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. As discussed in further detail below, the seed firmer <NUM> includes a rigid arm <NUM> that is pivotally-supported and spring-biased with respect to the row unit <NUM>. The arm <NUM> provides a ground-facing surface <NUM> that can include any or all of the features discussed above with respect to the preceding embodiments. Contrary to the seed firmers and arms of <FIG>, the seed firmer <NUM> of <FIG> is configured for supporting the arm <NUM> for single-axis pivoting movement, without multiple intermediate links. It is noted that the below description focuses primarily on aspects of the seed firmer <NUM> that differ with respect to the seed firmers of the preceding description, and aspects of the seed firmer <NUM> not specifically mentioned below can conform to features as described above, among others.

A mount <NUM> is coupled to an upper portion of the arm <NUM> for attaching the arm <NUM> to the row unit <NUM>. The mount <NUM> can extend between the arm <NUM>, which is coupled to a lower portion of the mount <NUM>, and an attachment bracket <NUM>, which is coupled to an upper portion of the mount <NUM>. The attachment bracket <NUM>, which can be integral with or separate from the mount <NUM>, has a portion provided for attachment to the row unit <NUM>. The mount <NUM> can support the arm <NUM> with a pivot connection defining a single axis E for rotation of the arm <NUM> relative to the mount <NUM>. The mount <NUM> can be fixed in position with respect to the row unit <NUM> such that the arm <NUM> is pivotable relative to the row unit <NUM> about the axis E. The axis E can be fixed with respect to the arm <NUM> and with respect to the mount <NUM>, without allowance for translational movement, so that pure rotation of the arm <NUM> is provided. Thus, the orientation of the arm <NUM> with respect to the ground G necessarily changes throughout the travel range of the arm <NUM> as it pivots about the axis E, assuming that the orientation remains constant between the row unit <NUM> and the ground G.

The mount <NUM> can include two parallel, lateral side plates <NUM>, <NUM> between which at least a portion of the arm <NUM> is received. In other constructions, the mount <NUM> can include a single plate or more than two plates, and the plate(s) can be provided in alternate arrangements from that shown. The pivot connection providing the rotational axis E can be provided by a pin <NUM> that extends across the two side plates <NUM>, <NUM> of the mount <NUM>. Aside from minimal clearance provided in respective holes that receive the pin <NUM> to enable assembly, the pin <NUM> is held in a fixed position along the mount <NUM> and also along the arm <NUM>.

At an upper end of the arm <NUM> that is furthest from the ground-facing surface <NUM>, or on a portion of the arm <NUM> that is opposite the ground-facing surface <NUM> with respect to the rotational axis E, the arm <NUM> includes an attachment structure, or spring anchor <NUM>, that is attached to a spring <NUM>. The spring <NUM> can be a coil spring as shown or another type of elastic biasing member operable to bias the arm <NUM> (counter-clockwise in <FIG>) so that the ground-facing surface <NUM> is urged into contact with the ground G. The spring <NUM> is further coupled to a positionally-fixed structure of the mount <NUM>, for example a pin <NUM> supported by the two side plates <NUM>, <NUM>. As shown, the pin <NUM> provides a fixed rear mount for a rear end of the spring <NUM>, while a front end of the spring <NUM> is secured to the spring anchor <NUM> on the arm <NUM>. The spring <NUM> can alternately be coupled between the arm <NUM> and one of the attachment bracket <NUM> or the row unit <NUM>.

With no force applied to the arm <NUM> from the ground G, the spring <NUM> biases the arm to the position of <FIG>. As shown here, the spring <NUM> urges the arm <NUM> in a clockwise direction about the axis E. The spring <NUM> can be held in tension throughout an entire range of motion of the arm <NUM>, and the range of motion of the arm <NUM> can be limited at one end by an abutment surface of the mount <NUM>, provided in the illustrated construction by a pivot stop in the form of yet another pin <NUM>. The pin <NUM> can limit the travel of the arm <NUM> in one or both directions by contacting a leading or forward-facing surface <NUM> (<FIG>) of the arm <NUM>. The abutment surface of the pin <NUM> can contact at the upper end of the arm <NUM> adjacent the spring anchor <NUM>. The forward-facing surface <NUM> can be contoured to define the specific limit(s) of travel of the arm <NUM>. The pin <NUM> that provides the abutment surface can be parallel to and spaced from each of the pin <NUM> that provides the pivot connection and the pin <NUM> that secures the spring <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A furrow following device (<NUM>) for a planting machine (<NUM>), the furrow following device (<NUM>) comprising:
an attachment bracket (<NUM>) having a portion provided for attachment to a row unit (<NUM>) of a planting machine (<NUM>);
an arm (<NUM>) provided with a ground-facing surface (<NUM>) for engagement with the soil during planting; and
a mount (<NUM>) having a first portion coupled to the attachment bracket (<NUM>), the mount (<NUM>) further having a second portion at least partially defining a pivot connection with the arm (<NUM>), the pivot connection providing relative rotation between the arm (<NUM>) and the mount (<NUM>);
wherein the mount (<NUM>) is a compliant mount provided with a spring (<NUM>) that exhibits an elastic bias force as the arm (<NUM>) is raised toward the attachment bracket (<NUM>), characterized in, that
the mount (<NUM>) is fixedly secured to the attachment bracket (<NUM>),
wherein the spring (<NUM>) is held in tension throughout an entire range of motion of the arm (<NUM>), the range of motion of the arm (<NUM>) being limited by an abutment surface (<NUM>),
wherein the abutment surface and the pivot connection are provided by parallel, spaced pins (<NUM>) extending between lateral side plates of the mount (<NUM>) that flank the arm (<NUM>),
wherein the pivot connection defines an axis (E) for the relative rotation between the arm (<NUM>) and the mount (<NUM>) that is fixed relative to the arm (<NUM>) and the mount (<NUM>), and
wherein the pivot connection is positioned along the arm (<NUM>) at a location between the ground facing surface (<NUM>) and a portion of the arm (<NUM>) to which the spring (<NUM>) is attached.