Planter coulter apparatus with hydraulic overload protection
First Claim
1. A coulter apparatus for use with a planter assembly constructed to move in a transport direction where the planter assembly includes support wheels mounted to the underside of a carrier frame, the apparatus comprising:
- a coulter bar pivotally mounted to the underside of the carrier frame on a side of the support wheels facing the transport direction for pivotal movement between a transport position and a functional position;
a plurality of coulter/fertilizer units mounted to the coulter bar such that, when the coulter bar is in the functional position, the coulter/fertilizer units are in a lower ground engaging position and when the coulter bar is in the transport position, the coulter/fertilizer units are in an upright ground clearance position;
a hydraulic cylinder mounted between the coulter bar and the carrier frame for driving the coulter bar between the transport and functional positions, the carrier frame, cylinder and coulter bar forming a linkage path; and
an overload protector linked within the linkage path such that a draft force applied to the coulter bar in a direction opposite the transport direction causes a secondary force on the protector, when the secondary force exceeds a threshold force level, the protector de-linking the linkage path thereby reducing the draft force.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An overload protection apparatus for use with a planter apparatus including a coulter bar and coulter/fertilizer units mounted thereto, the coulter bar pivotally mounted to the underside of a wheel supported carrier frame designed for transport in a transport direction where a hydraulic cylinder is linked between the frame and the bar for moving the bar between a ground clearing transport position and a ground engaging position where the frame, cylinder and frame form a linkage path, the protection apparatus linked within the linkage path such that a draft force applied to the bar in a direction opposite the transport direction causes a secondary force on the apparatus and, when the secondary pressure exceeds the threshold pressure level, the protector de-links the linkage path thereby reducing the draft force.
27 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A coulter apparatus for use with a planter assembly constructed to move in a transport direction where the planter assembly includes support wheels mounted to the underside of a carrier frame, the apparatus comprising:
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a coulter bar pivotally mounted to the underside of the carrier frame on a side of the support wheels facing the transport direction for pivotal movement between a transport position and a functional position;
a plurality of coulter/fertilizer units mounted to the coulter bar such that, when the coulter bar is in the functional position, the coulter/fertilizer units are in a lower ground engaging position and when the coulter bar is in the transport position, the coulter/fertilizer units are in an upright ground clearance position;
a hydraulic cylinder mounted between the coulter bar and the carrier frame for driving the coulter bar between the transport and functional positions, the carrier frame, cylinder and coulter bar forming a linkage path; and
an overload protector linked within the linkage path such that a draft force applied to the coulter bar in a direction opposite the transport direction causes a secondary force on the protector, when the secondary force exceeds a threshold force level, the protector de-linking the linkage path thereby reducing the draft force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for use with an agricultural assembly constructed to move in a transport direction where the assembly includes support wheels mounted to the underside of a carrier frame, the apparatus comprising:
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at least one ground engaging member linked to the underside of the carrier frame for pivotal movement between an upright ground clearance transport position and a lower ground engaging functional position;
a hydraulic cylinder including a rod end and a base end linked between the engaging member and the carrier frame for moving the engaging member between the transport and functional positions; and
a relief valve plumbed into at least one of the rod and base ends, the relief valve opening when a pressure thereon exceeds a threshold pressure level thereby allowing the engaging member to move toward the transport position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification