Patent ID: 7240625

Claim:
A seed planting unit comprising: a planting unit frame that carries: i. a seed trench opening assembly including a seed trench forming member operable to create a seed trench in a ground surface; ii. a seed delivery assembly delivering seeds into the seed trench; iii. a seed trench closing assembly operable to close the seed trench; and a planting unit support assembly including A) a pair of opposing gauge wheels in mechanical communication with the frame, and B) at least one rear press wheel in mechanical communication with the gauge wheels, wherein a vertical displacement of one of the gauge and the at least one rear press wheel in a first direction produces a biasing force on the other of the gauge and the at least one rear press wheel in a direction opposite the vertical displacement, wherein vertical movement of one gauge wheel is reciprocated by the opposing gauge wheel, wherein the gauge wheels are connected at to the frame via gauge wheel arms that operate reciprocally in response to a vertical translation of one of the gauge wheels, wherein the at least one rear press wheel includes a pair of press wheels that operate reciprocally in response to corresponding vertical gauge wheel translation, wherein the gauge wheel arms define upper ends that are connected to a bracket that pivots in response to vertical gauge wheel translation, wherein the pair of press wheels are connected to opposite ends of a press wheel axle, wherein the axle is rotatable with respect to the planting unit frame.