Abstract:
Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. Liquid delivery systems are provided for injecting liquid into the soil adjacent to the seed planting trench formed by the planter row unit trench opening assembly.
Abstract:
The present invention involves a seed firmer with a pusher attachment that extends the life of the seed firmer. The seed firmer construction provides a replaceable tip or end for extending the life of the firmer, generally having two components that degrade with use, the flexible arm and the embedding pusher. The flexible arm generally lasts much longer than the embedding pusher portion because the pusher wears against the ground and eventually wears away. Embodiments of the invention include an embedding pusher portion that has a stop and a guide for accepting a replaceable extender. Other embodiments include an embedding pusher portion that engages the rest of the firmer arm. Thus, the portion of the firmer that wears down may be easily replaced which extends the life of the firmer, multiple times over the useful life of the flexible arm.
Abstract:
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring soil properties including soil moisture and soil temperature during an agricultural input application. Embodiments include a soil moisture sensor and/or a soil temperature sensor mounted to a seed firmer for measuring moisture and temperature in a planting trench. Additionally, systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting depth based on the monitored soil properties.
Abstract:
An agricultural device includes a number of row units that each includes a seed furrow opener that creates a furrow in the soil for seed placement. Each row unit is mounted to a toolbar of the device by means of a four-bar linkage which allows each row unit to move vertically to adjust to the contour of the soil independently of the other row units on the same toolbar. The four-bar linkages include one or more springs which work to transfer weight from the toolbar to the row unit. An actuator varies the tension in the spring thereby adjusting the down or up force applied to the row unit.
Abstract:
A seeder implement (125) includes a fork (146) having a first spindle support arm (150) that supports a first spindle (164) and a second spindle support arm (152) that supports a second spindle (168). A first disk (160) is supported on the first spindle (164), wherein the first spindle (164) is oriented in a first orientation and at a first acute angle relative to a lateral line. The first disk (160) is oriented at a second acute angle relative to the ground surface. A second disk (166) is supported on the second spindle (168), wherein the second spindle (168) is oriented in a second orientation and at a third acute angle relative to the lateral line. The second disk (166) is oriented at a fourth acute angle relative to the ground surface. The first disk (160) is longitudinally offset ahead of the second disk (166), and there are no structural components between the first and second disks (160, 166) other than the first and second spindles (164, 168). In one embodiment, a packing wheel (142) is disposed to close and compact furrows opened by the disks (160, 166) and is disposed in the same orientation as one of the disks (160, 166).
Abstract:
A seed planting assembly comprising a laterally extending support member and a planting unit including a planting frame supported by said support member. Said planting unit frame carries, a seed trench opening assembly operable to create a seed trench in a ground surface, a depth regulating member having a vertical position relative to said seed trench opening assembly, wherein said depth regulating member responds to forces upon said planting unit to control ground surface engagement, an arm assembly connecting said depth regulating member to said planting unit frame with a depth monitoring means for indicating whether said depth regulating member is fully engaged with said ground surface wherein said depth monitoring means indicates whether said arm assembly is engaged with said stop means.
Abstract:
An agricultural seeding machine (10) movable in a planting direction (38) includes a frame (16); a disc opener assembly (22) carried by the frame (16) and having a first axis of rotation (32); a gauge wheel assembly (24) carried by the frame (16) and having a second axis of rotation (48), and a press wheel assembly (26) carried by the frame (16) and having a third axis of rotation (54). The second axis (48) is positioned forward of the first axis (32) relative to the planting direction (38). The gauge wheel assembly (24) overlaps the disc opener assembly (22) relative to the planting direction (38). The third axis (54) is positioned rearward of the first axis (32) relative to the planting direction (38). The press wheel assembly (26) overlaps the disc opener assembly (22) relative to the planting direction (38).
Abstract:
A row planter system having a seed meter assembly and a seed delivery system. The seed meter assembly has at least one seed plate disposed within a housing and a vacuum assembly having a single vacuum port connection in the housing. The row planter system also includes a volumetric granular meter that is interchangeable with the seed meter assembly and adapted for co-application of a second product variety. The seed delivery system is adapted to hold and deliver a seed from the seed meter to a furrow while reducing and/or eliminating roll and bounce.
Abstract:
An agricultural trench depth sensing system having a trench implement adapted to be disposed in a soil trench opened in a soil surface. In one embodiment an ultrasonic sensor detects a distance to an upper surface of said trench implement or a target disposed thereon. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes one or more fingers which rotate with respect to said trench implement to detect the soil surface relative to said trench implement. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes side sensors for detecting the sidewall of the soil trench.
Abstract:
Described herein are implements and application units having a trench closer for closing a trench during applications with respect to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a trench closer for a fertilizer applicator includes a bar moved through a field transverse to a direction of travel, a fertilizer applicator connected to the bar for forming a trench in soil. The fertilizer applicator comprises a coulter, a knife, or a coulter and a knife, and a trench closer disposed behind the fertilizer applicator in the direction of travel and connected to the fertilizer applicator or the bar.