Disc Gang Assembly For An Agricultural Implement

• US 20100096149A1
• Filed: 06/29/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: CNH Canada Limited (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Naylor, Matthew S., Schilling, Robin B., Friggstad, Terrance A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,047,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 172/574
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/201 Mounting of the seeding tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/203 comprising depth regulation means
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/208 Chassis; Coupling means to a tractor or the like; Lifting means; Side markers

Abstract

A disc gang for use with an agricultural implement includes a pair of front and a pair of rear disc openers mounted to a carrier boom by a mounting arm that can be independently raised and lowered as desired. The front and rear disc openers are mounted such that the openers can oscillate in response to surface undulations independently of one another. Moreover, the disc openers of each pair are free to oscillate in response to surface contours independently of one another.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. An agricultural implement comprising:

a carrier boom;

a disc mount coupled to the carrier boom; and

a pair of disc openers mounted to the disc mount such that a side load applied to one of the disc openers is canceled by the other one of the disc openers, wherein the pair of disc openers includes a first disc opener and a second disc opener, and wherein the first and the second disc openers are free to independently respond to changes in terrain contours.

3. The agricultural implement of claim 2 further comprising another pair of disc openers mounted to the disc mount aft of the first-mentioned pair of disc openers.

4. The agricultural implement of claim 3 wherein the first-mentioned pair of disc openers and the second-mentioned pair of disc openers are free to independently respond to changes in terrain contours.

5. The agricultural implement of claim 3 wherein the disc openers of each pair of disc openers are allowed to independently follow the terrain.

6. The agricultural implement of claim 2 further comprising an actuator connected to the carrier boom and the disc mount, and operative to lift and lower the disc mount for raising the disc openers to a transport position and provide a variable down force.

7. An agricultural implement comprising:

a tool bar adapted to be towed by a towing vehicle;

a carrier boom coupled to the tool bar;

a first mounting arm and a second mounting arm connected generally spaced from and parallel with one another to the carrier boom;

a first set of four disc openers mounted to the first mounting arm; and

a second set of four disc openers mounted to the second mounting arm.

8. The agricultural implement of claim 7 wherein the first set of four disc openers includes a first pair and a second pair of disc openers mounted aft of the first pair, and wherein the second set of four disc openers includes a third pair and a fourth pair of disc openers mounted aft of the third pair.

9. The agricultural implement of claim 7 further comprising a first hydraulic actuator associated with the first mounting arm and a second hydraulic actuator associated with the second mounting arm, and wherein the hydraulic cylinders allow independent motion to follow the terrain while ensuring uniform down-force.

10. A furrowing assembly for use with an agricultural implement, comprising:

a disc mount assembly having a pair of parallel mounts; and

first and second furrowing tools mounted to the pair of parallel mounts;

wherein the first and second furrowing tools are configured to independently respond to changes in ground contours.

11. The furrowing assembly of claim 10 wherein the first and second furrowing tools are arranged in a generally side-by-side arrangement, and further comprising another pair of parallel mounts and third and fourth furrowing tools mounted to the second-mentioned pair of parallel mounts, and wherein the third and fourth furrowing tools are arranged in a generally side-by-side arrangement rearward of the first and second furrowing tools.

12. The furrowing assembly of claim 11 wherein the furrowing tools are discs.

13. The furrowing assembly of claim 12 further comprising a carrier arm having a first end coupled to the disc mount and a second end, opposite the first end, adapted to engage a tool bar that is towed by a towing vehicle.

14. The furrowing assembly of claim 13 further comprising a hydraulic actuator adapted to raise the carrier arm relative to the tool bar to lift the first and second and the third and fourth furrowing tools.

15. The furrowing assembly of claim 14 wherein the first and second furrowing tools are free to oscillate in response to changes in terrain conditions independently of the third and fourth furrowing tools.

16. The furrowing assembly of claim 10 wherein the first and second furrowing tools are mounted to the disc mount such that a side load applied to one of the furrowing tools is canceled by the other one of the furrowing tools.

17. The furrowing assembly of claim 10 wherein the disc mount includes a bracket for attaching the furrowing assembly to a carrier arm of an agricultural implement, wherein the bracket allows for vertical oscillation of the furrowing assembly relative to the carrier arm.