Quick depth adjustment for parallel arm openers
First Claim
1. A method of forming a furrow in a ground surface, the method comprising:
- connecting a front link member of a parallel arm assembly to a lateral frame member of an implement frame mounted on wheels for travel over the ground surface in an operating travel direction such that the parallel arm assembly extends rearward from the lateral frame member;
wherein a front pivot line connects upper and lower front pivot axes of the parallel arm assembly and is substantially parallel to a rear pivot line connecting upper and lower rear pivot axes of the parallel arm assembly, and the front and rear pivot lines are oriented at a pivot angle with respect to a vertical orientation;
connecting a furrow opener bracket to a rear link member of the parallel arm assembly, and attaching a furrow opener to a lower portion of the furrow opener bracket, wherein the furrow opener is operative to form the furrow when a bottom end thereof is engaged in the ground surface;
supporting the rear link member with a packer wheel rearward of the furrow opener;
exerting a downward bias force on the parallel arm assembly such that the furrow opener engages the ground surface;
moving the implement frame across the ground surface to create the furrow;
orienting the pivot angle at a first pivot angle to form the furrow with a first furrow depth, and orienting the pivot angle at a second pivot angle to form the furrow with a second furrow depth different from the first furrow depth; and
rigidly attaching the front link member to the lateral frame member, and attaching the furrow opener bracket and the packer wheel to the rear link member such that during operation the rear link member, the furrow opener, and the packer wheel are in fixed positions with respect to each other.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A parallel arm furrow opener assembly defines upper and lower front pivot axes and upper and lower rear pivot axes oriented horizontally and perpendicular to a travel direction. A furrow opener and a packer wheel are attached to a rear link of the assembly. In operation the furrow opener and the packer wheel are in fixed positions with respect to the rear link member, and a bias element is operative to exert a downward bias force on the furrow opener assembly. A front pivot line connecting the upper and lower front pivot axes is parallel to a rear pivot line connecting the upper and lower rear pivot axes, and the front and rear pivot lines are oriented at a pivot angle with respect to a vertical orientation, and the pivot angle is adjustable to vary a furrow depth of the furrow.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of forming a furrow in a ground surface, the method comprising:
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connecting a front link member of a parallel arm assembly to a lateral frame member of an implement frame mounted on wheels for travel over the ground surface in an operating travel direction such that the parallel arm assembly extends rearward from the lateral frame member; wherein a front pivot line connects upper and lower front pivot axes of the parallel arm assembly and is substantially parallel to a rear pivot line connecting upper and lower rear pivot axes of the parallel arm assembly, and the front and rear pivot lines are oriented at a pivot angle with respect to a vertical orientation; connecting a furrow opener bracket to a rear link member of the parallel arm assembly, and attaching a furrow opener to a lower portion of the furrow opener bracket, wherein the furrow opener is operative to form the furrow when a bottom end thereof is engaged in the ground surface; supporting the rear link member with a packer wheel rearward of the furrow opener; exerting a downward bias force on the parallel arm assembly such that the furrow opener engages the ground surface; moving the implement frame across the ground surface to create the furrow; orienting the pivot angle at a first pivot angle to form the furrow with a first furrow depth, and orienting the pivot angle at a second pivot angle to form the furrow with a second furrow depth different from the first furrow depth; and rigidly attaching the front link member to the lateral frame member, and attaching the furrow opener bracket and the packer wheel to the rear link member such that during operation the rear link member, the furrow opener, and the packer wheel are in fixed positions with respect to each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification