Disc opener assembly for a seed planter

• US 20030015328A1
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.), CNH America Llc (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Case Corporation (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Mewes, Michael A., Prairie, Douglas S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,640,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 172/558
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 71/02 Setting or adjusting mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/068 Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/105 Seed sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/20 Parts of seeders for conducting and depositing seed
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/203 comprising depth regulation means

Abstract

The present disc opener assembly for a seed planter is for a single disc opener arrangement and is embodied in several embodiments. FIGS. 1 and 1a illustrate two embodiments of the present disc opener assembly the specifics of each will be described below. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 1a and 2, there is illustrated a disc opener assembly (10) mounted on a tool bar (7) connected to a work vehicle (5) for opening a seed trench (8) in the ground upon which the vehicle (5) moves. A main arm (12) is attached to the tool bar (7) with a disc (14) mounted for rotation on the main arm (12). A depth adjustment mechanism (40) is used to adjust the depth of the disc (14) in the seed trench (8) with a seed placement device (70) positioned in the seed trench (8) for depositing a seed (71) in the seed trench (8). The seed trench (8) having been opened by the disc (14) as the work vehicle (5) moves across the ground.

Claims

1. A disc opener assembly mounted on a tool bar connected to a work vehicle for opening a seed trench, the disc opener assembly having a self-aligning disc scraper, the disc scraper comprising:

a planar member having an edge, with the edge aligned and in close proximity to a disc of the disc opener assembly, the planar member attached to the disc opener assembly with two fasteners, which fasteners provide a fulcrum for the planar member to pivot toward the disc.

2. The disc scraper of claim 1, including a spring member mounted between the disc opener assembly and the planar member to bias the planar member toward the disc.

3. The disc scraper of claim 1, wherein the planar member is made from steel which has been case hardened by a gas nitriding process.

4. The disc scraper of claim 1, wherein the edge of the planar member is made from steel which has been case hardened by a gas nitriding process.

5. The disc scraper of claim 1, wherein the edge of the planar member is separate and removably mounted to the planar member.