Patent ID: 12256661

BRIEF SUMMARY

Described herein is an agricultural row unit10(e.g., agricultural toolbar10) for planting seeds in a trench3that includes a knife23having a material delivery conduit24disposed on, in or adjacent the knife23for delivering materials to soil adjacent the trench3according to one embodiment. Knife23is disposed ahead of gauge wheel52on row unit10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,FIGS.1and2illustrate a single row unit10of a conventional row crop planter. As is well known in the art, the row units10are mounted in spaced relation along the length of a transverse toolbar8by a parallel linkage16which permits each row unit10to move vertically independently of the toolbar and the other spaced row units in order to accommodate changes in terrain or upon the row unit encountering a rock or other obstruction as the planter is drawn through the field. Each row unit10includes a frame14which operably supports a seed hopper12, a furrow opening assembly60, a seed meter300, a seed tube32and a furrow closing assembly40. Frame14is connected to parallel linkage16by shank bracket17. Optionally, an actuator18can vary a force applied to parallel linkage16.

A depth adjustment assembly90is illustrated inFIG.27. The depth adjustment assembly90includes a rocker95pivotally mounted to a depth adjustment body94. The depth adjustment body94is pivotally mounted to the row unit frame14about the pivot92. A handle98is preferably slidably received within the depth adjustment body94such that the user can selectively engage and disengage the handle (e.g., left and right hooks99-1,99-2, respectively, which may be formed as a part of the handle98) with one of a plurality of depth adjustment slots97(not shown) formed within the row unit frame14.

The opening disc assembly60includes two angled opening discs62-1,62-2rollingly mounted to a downwardly extending shank15of the frame14and disposed to open a v-shaped trench3(i.e., furrow, seed furrow) in a soil surface7as the row unit traverses a field in direction8000. The row unit10includes a gauge wheel assembly50including two gauge wheels52-1,52-2pivotally mounted to either side of the frame14by two gauge wheel arms54-1,54-2and disposed to roll along the surface of the soil. Gauge wheel arm54(54-1,54-2) is connected to frame14through a connector56(56-1,56-2). A depth adjustment assembly90pivotally mounted to the frame14at a pivot92preferably contacts the gauge wheel arms54-1,54-2to limit the upward travel of the gauge wheel arms54-1,54-2, thus limiting the depth of the trench opened by the opening disc assembly60. A closing assembly40can be included and is pivotally coupled to the frame14and configured to move soil back into the trench3.

As illustrated inFIGS.3to5, a knife assembly20is disposed on row unit10(e.g., agricultural toolbar10) according to one embodiment. Knife assembly20includes a knife bracket21that is attached to shank bracket17. Knife assembly20can have one or two knives23. Described herein is knife assembly20with two knives23, but it is understood that one of these knives23can be omitted. This can be done when material is only desired to be delivered to one side of trench3.

Knife bracket21has knife bracket arms22-1,22-2extending downwardly from knife bracket21to knives23-1and23-2such that knife23-1is disposed ahead of the gauge wheel52-1, and knife23-2is disposed ahead of the gauge wheel52-2. Knife bracket arms22-1,22-2have a first end22-1-1and22-2-1, respectively, at their ends adjacent knife bracket21, and they have a second end22-1-2and22-2-2, respectively, opposite of the knife bracket21. At second ends22-1-2and22-2-2, knife bracket arms22-1and22-2can have a bracket26-1and26-2, respectively, for mounting knives23-1and23-2, respectively, at their first ends23a-1and23a-2, respectively. Optionally, each knife bracket arm21can have a second arm27-1and27-2connecting first ends22-1-1and22-2-1to second ends22-1-2and22-2-2, respectively. This optional second arm27can provide additional structural rigidity to bracket arm22. Second arm27can be oriented transverse to bracket arm22.

In another embodiment as illustrated inFIGS.18A to18Caccording to one embodiment, brackets26-1and26-2can be replaced with brackets126-1and126-2, respectively. InFIGS.18A to18C, brackets126-1and126-2will be illustrated by bracket126. As shown inFIG.18A, knife123is pivotably mounted to bracket126through pivot125. Knife123has tab128adjacent to pivot125for engaging force absorber127. Force absorber127can be any structure that absorbs a force. Examples include, but are not limited to, springs, rubber springs, shock absorbers, and cylinders. Force absorber127is mounted to bracket126and disposed to engage tab128. In operation, knife123through tab128engages force absorber127. Knife123is free to pivot about pivot125. When row unit10(e.g., agricultural toolbar10) is lifted, knife123is free to pivot toward the ground under gravity as illustrated inFIG.18B. Force absorbed has a selected resistance such that when knife123encounters a rock or hard soil, the increased force exerted against knife123by the rock or hard soil is transferred to force absorber127to compress and absorb the increased force without causing row unit10to lift as illustrated inFIG.18C. In certain embodiments, an axis through pivot125that knife123pivots around is parallel or approximately parallel (within 10 degrees, within 5 degrees, or within 2 degrees) to the gauge wheel axle axis57(57-1,57-2).

Knife23can be connected to knife bracket21to be any desired distance away from trench3. In certain embodiments, the distance can be 1.25 cm to 10.2 cm (0.5 in. to 4 in.). In other embodiments, the distance can be 2.5 cm to 10.2 cm (1 in. to 4 in.). In certain embodiments, the distance is adjustable.

Each knife23(23-1,23-2) has a material delivery conduit24(24-1,24-2). Material delivery conduit24(24-1,24-2) can be connected to a material distribution tube999(999-1,999-2) via coupler998(998-1,998-2). Material distribution tube999(999-1,999-2) is in material communication with a material source (not shown) such as by gravity feed or by a pump (not shown). In one embodiment, knife23can be convex in a direction of travel8000as shown inFIGS.8A to8Ewith convex edge29.

The material that can be delivered through the material delivery conduit24can be a fluid or a flowable solid. Flowable solids include, but are not limited to, granules and powders.

The knife23and/or knife bracket21can be configured such that the knife23is positioned to deposit material at any given depth below the soil surface7. In certain embodiments, the depth is 1.25 cm to 3.8 cm (0.5 in. to 1.5 in.)

In one embodiment, a relief system30can be disposed to allow knife23to pivot with a break-away motion629. InFIG.6, relief system30is shown. Knife23is attached to bracket26with a fastener32and nut33. A compression spring31is disposed around fastener32. InFIG.7, a pivot pin34couples knife23to bracket26, and pivot pin23can be adjusted vertically by nut36and held in place by snap ring35. Pivot pin34can have a hole34-1for accepting a pin (not shown), such as a cotter pin, to keep nut36from not rotating.

FIGS.8A to8Eshow an alternative embodiment of knife23, material delivery conduit24, and relief system30. Examples of these knives can be found in PCT/US2016/037701. Relief system30has relief element37and downwardly extending element38. Knife23is secured to downwardly extending element38, and material conduit24is positioned on a rearward portion of downwardly extending element38.

FIGS.9A and9Bshow an alternative in which knife23, downwardly extending element38, and material conduit24are made as a unitary part.

FIGS.10A and10Bshow an alternative in which material conduit24is disposed through knife23.

In some embodiments, a distance between knife23and gauge wheel52can be up to 15 cm (6 inches). A minimum distance is any distance such that gauge wheel52does not contact knife23. In other embodiments, the distance is up to 7.5 cm. These distances are during operation. When not in operation, such as when the row unit is lifted, the knife23can contact gauge wheel52.

A benefit of the knife23disposed ahead the gauge wheel52is that the row unit10(e.g., agricultural toolbar10) does not become longer. This allows for better turning at the end of the rows. Also, the close proximity to the gauge wheel52allows the gauge wheel52to pull away any crop residue that becomes entangled with the knife23. As the gauge wheel52engages the ground, any crop residue that is between the gauge wheel52and the ground is pulled by gauge wheel52away from knife23. Also, accumulated mud can be pulled away.

The arrangement of the knife23adjacent to the gauge wheel52is easy to construct, compact in size, easy to install on various types of row units10, low maintenance, economical, minimizes furrow disturbance, great for starter fertilizer and/or nitrogen placement, allows for dual banding with separate liquids going to knives23on both gauge wheels52, provides consistent vertical placement, and provides consistent lateral placement.

The system described above is for placement ahead of the gauge wheel52. The same system can also be placed ahead of a closing wheel41.FIG.11shows the knife23disposed ahead of closing wheel41-1. While illustrated as being disposed ahead of closing wheel41-1, the knife23can be disposed ahead of closing wheel41-2or both closing wheels41-1and41-2. A bracket arm28-1is attached to closing system40at its first end28a-1. In one embodiment, bracket arm28-1attaches to connection point42-1where closing system40attaches to frame14. Bracket arm28-1extends generally transversely away from closing system40. At second end28b-1of bracket arm28-1, bracket arm28-1can have a bracket26-1. Knife23can connect to second end28b-1or through bracket26-1to bracket arm28-1. As described above, knife23has a material delivery conduit24. Material delivery conduit24can be connected to a material distribution tube999via coupler998. Material distribution tube999is in material communication with a material source (not shown) such as by gravity feed or by a pump (not shown). In one embodiment, knife23can be convex in a direction of travel8000as shown inFIGS.8A to8Ewith convex edge29.

In another embodiment as shown inFIGS.12and13, gauge wheel52(52-1and52-2) can have one or more protrusions101disposed about its circumference and extending radially from a center of the gauge wheel52. The protrusion101can disposed on gauge wheel52such that as gauge wheel52rotates, the protrusion101passes in close proximity to knife23(23-1and23-2). The protrusion101can either pass to the side of knife23proximate to opening disc62(inner side102), to the opposite side of knife23(outer side103), or to both. When disposed on both inner side102and outer side103, protrusions101on both sides can be aligned to pass knife23simultaneously or at separate times. Protrusions101are preferably disposed to outer side103. A distance between knife23and protrusion101can be any selected distance. In one embodiment, the distance is 1 mm to 5 cm. The height of protrusion101measured radially away from the outer circumference of gauge wheel52is at least 1 cm. In one embodiment, protrusions101extend at least 50% across the knife23. Protrusions101assist in removing any debris that builds up around knife23by catching and dragging debris away from knife23.

In another embodiment shown inFIGS.14to16, gauge wheel52(52-1or52-2) has a channel110extending radially inward from the circumference of gauge wheel52towards the center of gauge wheel52. Channel110is disposed to at least partially to fully accept knife23within the channel110. The channel110can be disposed to approximately or nearly fully accept the knife within the channel. By having knife23disposed within channel110, debris build up around knife23is reduced or eliminated.

Both of the previous embodiments for protrusions101and channel110can be combined together.

In another embodiment as shown inFIG.17, knife23is disposed adjacent to an outside edge120of gauge wheel52(52-1and52-2) and proximate to the circumference of gauge wheel52. This embodiment allows the motion of gauge wheel52to pull debris away from knife23. The lateral distance between knife23and gauge wheel52can be 1 mm up to 10 cm including any subset of ranges from 1 mm up to 10 cm.

Another embodiment of a row unit10(e.g., agricultural toolbar10) is illustrated inFIGS.19A to21E. In this embodiment, row unit10further includes an optional cleaning system70. Cleaning system70is attached to row unit10at shank bracket17via cleaning system bracket71. Knife assembly20′ connects to cleaning system bracket71. Knife assembly20′ includes knife bracket21′, which connects to cleaning system bracket71. Knife23is pivotably connected to knife bracket21′, and delivery conduit24is disposed on knife23. A force absorber127′ is pivotably connected to knife23at pivot129. As best viewed inFIG.21Ewith knife bracket21removed, a stop130is disposed about force relief127′. Stop130is fixedly in connection with knife bracket21′ for force relief127′ to act against stop130.

While the above embodiments illustrate the knife23with gauge wheels52or closing wheels41, the knife23can be used with any wheel on an agricultural toolbar. Examples of agricultural toolbars include, but are not limited to, row units, air seeders, air drills, side dress bars, tillage toolbars, and fertilizer toolbars.

In an alternative embodiment, channel110can be created by two wheels placed next to each other and spaced apart to accept a knife23between them. In one embodiment illustrated inFIG.22A, gauge wheel52-1includes first wheel52-1-A and second wheel52-1-B with the space between first wheel52-1-A and second wheel52-1-B forming the channel110′. In this embodiment, gauge wheels52-1-A and52-1-B can be disposed on a common axle connected to gauge wheel arm53-1(not shown).

In an alternative embodiment, one or both of gauge wheels52-1-A and52-1-B can be replaced by a finger wheel52′. A finger wheel is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,891, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As illustrated inFIG.22B, the finger wheel52′-1is disposed on the outside opposite the opening disc62-1. Finger wheel52′ allows for soil flow by fluid injector80. In this embodiment, gauge wheel52-1-A and finger wheel52′-1can be disposed on a common axle connected to gauge wheel arm53-1(not shown).

In another embodiment illustrated inFIG.28, first wheel52-1-A and second wheel52-1-B (or finger wheel52′) can be disposed on separate gauge wheel arms53′-A-1and53′-B-1. Also illustrated inFIG.28, fluid injector80is coulter83and fluid delivery tube82. Coulter83is disposed on a separate gauge wheel arm53′-C-1. In this embodiment, first wheel52-1-A and second wheel52-1-B can be disposed on a common axle (e.g., axle55-1-A, axle55-2,55-3) connected to gauge wheel arms.

In another embodiment,FIG.23illustrates how a scraper99-acan be mounted to the agricultural toolbar (e.g., frame14of row unit10or any position on row unit10) and positioned to be disposed in channel110or110′ to remove any debris that accumulates in channel110or110′. In other embodiments, scraper99-bcan be disposed on gauge wheel arm54or scraper99-con knife23.

In another embodiment, knife23in any of the previous embodiments can be replaced with a fluid injector80, such as a coulter83.FIG.24illustrates a coulter83connected with bracket81to shank bracket17. Coulter83is partially disposed between first wheel52-1-A and second wheel52-1-B. Fluid delivery tube82is disposed relative to the coulter to deposit fluid in the trench opened by coulter83.

Fluid injector80, such as knife23or coulter83, can be disposed ahead of wheel52or behind wheel52and partially disposed in channel110or110′. Also, fluid injector80can be disposed between first wheel52-1-A and wheel52-1-B.

In another embodiment, fluid injector80, such as knife23can be connected to gauge wheel arm54.FIG.25illustrates a rigid connection of knife23to gauge wheel arm54-1. In another embodiment, the embodiment ofFIG.25can be modified to have a biasing member86, such as a spring, disposed between gauge wheel arm53-1and knife23to allow knife23to resiliently engage the ground as illustrated inFIG.26.

In another embodiment illustrated inFIG.27, fluid injector80, such as knife23is connected to depth adjustment body94through pivot89. As depth adjustment body94is moved, the depth of knife23is adjusted.

Another embodiment of a row unit10(e.g., agricultural toolbar10) is illustrated inFIGS.29A to29C. In this embodiment as illustrated in a side view of a row unit inFIG.29A, the row unit10includes a frame14, a shank bracket17, gauge wheel52-1, and a knife assembly20′ having knife23. A delivery conduit24is disposed on knife23.

FIG.29Billustrates a top view of the row unit10in accordance with one embodiment. The row unit10includes a frame14, gauge wheels52-1,52-2, and a channel110that separates two wheels placed next to each other and spaced apart to accept a knife23between them. In one embodiment illustrated inFIG.22A, gauge wheel52-1includes first wheel52-1-A and second wheel52-1-B with the space between first wheel52-1-A and second wheel52-1-B forming the channel110′. In this embodiment, gauge wheels52-1-A and52-1-B can be disposed on a common axle connected to gauge wheel arm53-1(not shown).

FIG.29Cillustrates a bottom view of the row unit10in accordance with one embodiment. The row unit10includes a frame14, gauge wheels52-1,52-2, and a channel110.

Another embodiment of a row unit10(e.g., agricultural toolbar10) is illustrated inFIGS.30A to30C. In this embodiment as illustrated in a side view of a row unit inFIG.30A, the row unit10includes a frame14, a shank bracket17, gauge wheel52-1with at least one opening, and a knife assembly20′ having knife23. A delivery conduit24is disposed on knife23. In one example, the gauge wheel52-1has a hub and multiple spokes that form multiple openings to allow soil or mud from a field to escape or be forced out.

FIG.30Billustrates a top view of the row unit10in accordance with one embodiment. The row unit10includes a frame14, gauge wheels52-1,52-2, and a channel110that separates two wheels placed next to each other and spaced apart to accept a knife23between them. In one embodiment illustrated inFIG.22A, gauge wheel52-1includes first wheel52-1-A and second wheel52-1-B with the space between first wheel52-1-A and second wheel52-1-B forming the channel110′. In this embodiment, gauge wheels52-1-A and52-1-B can be disposed on a common axle connected to gauge wheel arm53-1(not shown). The outer wheel52-1with a hub and multiple spokes is designed to allow soil or mud from a field to escape or be forced out of the channel and the wheel52-1.

FIG.30Cillustrates a bottom view of the row unit10in accordance with one embodiment. The row unit10includes a frame14, gauge wheels52-1,52-2, and a channel110.

While the above embodiments illustrate the knife23with gauge wheels52or closing wheels41, the knife23can be used with any wheel on an agricultural toolbar. Examples of agricultural toolbars include, but are not limited to, row units, air seeders, air drills, side dress bars, tillage toolbars, and fertilizer toolbars.

While illustrated with conduit24connected to knife23, conduit24does not need to be connected to knife23. Conduit24can be disposed adjacent to knife23. In one embodiment, conduit24can be connected to frame14either directly or through another part connected to frame14. An example of this embodiment is illustrated inFIG.31.

FIGS.32A to32Killustrate another embodiment of a row unit. In this embodiment, gauge wheel52(52-1,52-2) is made in two parts. An inner gauge wheel (52-1-i,52-2-i) and an outer gauge wheel (52-1-o,52-2-o) form gauge wheel52-1and52-2, respectively to have a space for accepting knife923(923-1,923-2). Knife923is disposed on knife bracket21through pivot125. An pivot axis124runs through pivot125about which knife923(923-1,923-2) pivots. Like the previous embodiment, pivot axis124is parallel or approximately parallel (within 10 degrees, within 5 degrees, or within 2 degrees) to the axis957(957-1,957-2) about which gauge wheel axle57(57-1,57-2) rotates.FIGS.32D to32Fhave the outer gauge wheel52-1-oremoved for viewing other parts. While illustrated with both gauge wheels52-1and52-2having the knife923, one of the knives923does not need to be present.

Knife923is illustrated inFIGS.32G to32K. In this embodiment, knife923is made from two parts, upper knife portion923-aand lower knife portion923-b. Lower knife portion923-bcan optionally have a mating protrusion991for mating within upper knife portion923-a. Fluid conduit24is disposed through lower knife portion923-b. Material distribution tube999connects to fluid conduit24. Optionally, material distribution tube999can be disposed in a channel997in the upper knife portion923-a. Alternatively, knife923can be unitary construction as one part with fluid conduit24disposed through knife923.