PRECISION HOE OPENER ASSEMBLY WITH ADJUSTABLE PACKER WHEEL LOCATION

• US 20080308022A1
• Filed: 06/18/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: CNH Canada Limited (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Gadzella, Gerard James, Summach, Montgomerie, Ryder, Nicholas George Alfred, Henry, Jim, Engel, Gordon Anthony, Pomedli, Barry
• Granted Patent: US 8,011,440 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 111/8
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/203 comprising depth regulation means

Abstract

A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly features a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a ground engaging tool, and an adjustable packer wheel assembly. The design provides improved seeding accuracy by providing a variable distance between the ground engaging tool and the packer wheel. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention allow for adjustment of the distance between the ground engaging tool and wheel elements.

Claims

1. An agricultural system comprising:

a support structure;

a ground engaging assembly extending from the support structure; and

a packer wheel assembly extending from the support structure aft of the ground engaging assembly, wherein the packer wheel assembly comprises a packer wheel and is configured to allow vertical and horizontal adjustments of the packer wheel with respect to the ground engaging assembly.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the packer wheel assembly comprises:

a first adjustment mechanism configured to extend or retract an arm to adjust the distance between the packer wheel and the ground engaging assembly; and

a second adjustment mechanism configured to adjust an elevation of the packer wheel with respect to an end of the arm.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the packer wheel is coupled to the end of the arm.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the packer wheel is positionable continuously along a range of positions.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a shank adapter, the ground engaging assembly being rigidly mounted to the shank adapter.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the packer wheel assembly is configured to be raised by contact with the shank adapter.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a parallel linkage for raising and lowering the ground engaging assembly.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the packer wheel assembly extends from the support structure, and wherein the parallel linkage assembly is configured to maintain a substantially constant orientation of the packer wheel assembly with respect to the ground.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the support structure comprises a linear actuator coupled to the support structure, wherein the linear actuator is configured to raise and lower the ground engaging assembly.

10. The system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of opener row units, each including the support structure, the ground engaging assembly, and the packer wheel assembly.

11. A method of manufacturing an agricultural system, the method comprising:

mounting a ground engaging assembly to extend from a support structure; and

mounting a packer wheel assembly to extend from the support structure aft of the ground engaging assembly, the packer wheel assembly comprises a packer wheel and is configured to allow vertical and horizontal adjustments of the packer wheel with respect to the ground engaging assembly.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the packer wheel assembly comprises:

a first adjustment mechanism configured to extend or retract an arm to adjust a distance between the packer wheel and the ground engaging assembly; and

a second adjustment mechanism configured to adjust an elevation of the packer wheel with respect to an end of the arm.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the packer wheel is disposable continuously along a range of positions.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the support structure includes a shank adapter, the ground engaging assembly being rigidly mounted to the shank adapter.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the packer wheel assembly is configured to be raised by contact with the shank adapter.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the support structure includes a parallel linkage for raising and lowering the ground engaging assembly.

17. An opener and seeder system, comprising:

means for disposing a seed in ground to be seeded;

means for supporting the seed disposing means;

means for packing soil opened by the seed disposing means; and

means for adjusting the soil packing means both vertically and horizontally with respect to the seed disposing means.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for adjusting the soil packing means comprises:

means for adjusting a distance between the packing means and the soil packing means; and

means for adjusting an elevation of the packing means with respect to an end of the arm.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the packing means are disposable continuously along a range of positions.

20. The system of claim 17, comprising means for maintaining a substantially constant angle of the soil packing means with respect to the ground.