Depth control of an agricultural fertilizer row unit
First Claim
1. A fertilizer row unit, comprising:
- a toolbar coupling for coupling the fertilizer row unit to a toolbar of a fertilizer applicator;
a first suspension member having a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling about a generally horizontal axis;
a second suspension member generally parallel to the first suspension member;
a pressure applying device coupled to at least one of the first suspension member and the second suspension member;
a fertilizer delivery device;
a tensioned wheel assembly having at least one wheel that traverses across soil;
a knife assembly including a knife blade, the knife blade having the fertilizer delivery device coupled thereto, the knife assembly being pivotally coupled to both the first suspension member and the second suspension member;
a depth control system coupled to the knife assembly, the depth control system controlling the depth of penetration of the knife blade into the soil, the depth control system includes a depth sensor that provides a measured depth signal representative of a depth to which the knife blade extends into the soil, the depth control system controlling the pressure applying device dependent upon the measured depth signal;
a pivoting member coupled between the at least one wheel and the depth control system; and
a rotational cam device coupled to the knife assembly, the cam device limiting a pivotal range of the pivoting member.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fertilizer row unit including a toolbar coupling, first and second suspension members, a pressure applying device, a tensioned wheel assembly, a knife assembly and a depth control system. The first suspension member has a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling. The second suspension member is generally parallel to the first suspension member. The pressure applying device is coupled to the first or second suspension member. The tensioned wheel assembly has at least one wheel. The knife assembly is pivotally coupled to both the first and second suspension members. The depth control system is coupled to the knife assembly for controlling the depth of penetration of the knife into the soil. The depth control system includes a sensor that provides a measured depth signal representative of a depth of the knife. The depth control system controls the pressure applying device dependent upon the measured depth signal.
21 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A fertilizer row unit, comprising:
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a toolbar coupling for coupling the fertilizer row unit to a toolbar of a fertilizer applicator; a first suspension member having a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling about a generally horizontal axis; a second suspension member generally parallel to the first suspension member; a pressure applying device coupled to at least one of the first suspension member and the second suspension member; a fertilizer delivery device; a tensioned wheel assembly having at least one wheel that traverses across soil; a knife assembly including a knife blade, the knife blade having the fertilizer delivery device coupled thereto, the knife assembly being pivotally coupled to both the first suspension member and the second suspension member; a depth control system coupled to the knife assembly, the depth control system controlling the depth of penetration of the knife blade into the soil, the depth control system includes a depth sensor that provides a measured depth signal representative of a depth to which the knife blade extends into the soil, the depth control system controlling the pressure applying device dependent upon the measured depth signal; a pivoting member coupled between the at least one wheel and the depth control system; and a rotational cam device coupled to the knife assembly, the cam device limiting a pivotal range of the pivoting member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An agricultural fertilizer applicator, comprising:
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a toolbar; a plurality of fertilizer row units coupled to the toolbar, each fertilizer row unit including; a toolbar coupling for coupling the fertilizer row unit to the toolbar; a first suspension member having a first end pivotally coupled to the toolbar coupling about a generally horizontal axis; a second suspension member generally parallel to the first suspension member; a pressure applying device coupled to at least one of the first suspension member and the second suspension member; a fertilizer delivery device; a tensioned wheel assembly having at least one wheel that traverses across soil; a knife assembly including a knife blade, the knife blade having the fertilizer delivery device coupled thereto, the knife assembly being pivotally coupled to both the first suspension member and the second suspension member; a depth control system coupled to the knife assembly, the depth control system controlling the depth of penetration of the knife into the soil, the depth control system includes a depth sensor that provides a measured depth signal representative of a depth to which the knife blade extends into the soil, the depth control system controlling the pressure applying device dependent upon the measured depth signal; a pivoting member coupled between the at least one wheel and the depth control system; and a rotational cam device coupled to the knife assembly the depth device limiting a pivotal range of the pivoting member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification