ROW UNIT WITH TRACKS

• US 20150373904A1
• Filed: 06/26/2015
• Published: 12/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Hahn, Dustan, Wilhelmi, Matthew J., Veatch, Susanne, Schildroth, Rhett, Blackwell, Robert, Myers, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,795,077 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 19/00 Arrangements for driving working parts of fertilisers or seeders A01C17/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 19/02 by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/066 Devices for covering drills or furrows
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/068 Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/12 Seeders with feeding wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/203 comprising depth regulation means

Abstract

An agricultural planter is provided that includes a plurality of row units attached thereto for planting seed in a field. The row units include a seed meter for singulating and dispensing seed. Opening wheels or discs are included to create an opening in the field, such as a furrow. The row unit can include one or more continuous tracks for supporting the row unit as it moves through the field. The tracks reduce compaction around the created furrow and provide better control of seed depth placement. Furthermore, one or more cylinders may be provided that control the depth of furrow being created to also control the depth at which the seed is deposited.

Claims

1. A planter, comprising:

a toolbar;

a plurality of row units operatively attached to the toolbar;

wherein the row units comprise;

a. opening members for creating an opening in the ground;

b. a seed meter for dispensing seed adjacent the opening wheels for dispensing seed into the opening in the ground; and

c. continuous tracks positioned at least partially outside the opening wheels;

d. wherein the tracks are configured to aid in moving the planter and closing the opening in the ground after the seed has been dispensed therein.

2. The planter of claim 1, wherein the opening members of the row units are positioned at least partially ahead of the toolbar with regard to the direction of travel of the planter.

3. The planter of claim 1, further comprising a downforce cylinder operatively connecting the toolbar to each of the row units.

4. The planter of claim 3, wherein the downforce cylinder extends between the toolbar and a frame member of the row unit.

5. The planter of claim 4, wherein the downforce cylinder comprises a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, electric actuator, or some combination thereof.

6. The planter of claim 4, wherein the downforce cylinder is a strut.

7. The planter of claim 1, further comprising one or more motors connected to the tracks to drive the tracks.

8. The planter of claim 1, wherein the tracks comprise an elastomeric material.

9. The planter of claim 1, wherein the seed meter is positioned above the tracks.

10. A row unit for use with a planter, comprising:

opening discs for creating an opening in the ground;

a seed meter for dispensing seed adjacent the opening wheels for dispensing seed into the opening in the ground; and

continuous tracks positioned at least partially outside the opening wheels;

wherein the continuous tracks are configured to aid in moving the planter and closing the opening in the ground after the seed has been dispensed therein.

11. The row unit of claim 10, further comprising a downforce cylinder operatively attached to the opening discs to control the depth of furrow created by the opening discs.

12. The row unit of claim 11, further comprising a downforce control system operatively connected to the downforce cylinder to automatically vary the depth of furrow based upon sensed characteristics.

13. The row unit of claim 12, wherein the downforce control system comprises a computing system and one or more sensors electrically coupled to the computing system to provide sensed data thereto.

14. The row unit of claim 13, wherein the sensors sense soil characteristics.

15. The row unit of claim 14, wherein the soil characteristic comprises one of a soil temperature or a soil moisture content.

16. The row unit of claim 15, wherein the downforce cylinder comprises a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, electric actuator, or some combination thereof.

17. The row unit of claim 10, further comprising one or more motors connected to the tracks to drive the tracks.

18. A row unit for use with an agricultural implement, comprising:

opening discs for creating an opening in the ground;

a seed meter for dispensing seed adjacent the opening wheels for dispensing seed into the opening in the ground;

a seed tube connected to the seed meter for directing seed from the seed meter to the opening in the ground;

a seed delivery system operatively connected to the seed meter for providing seed to the meter; and

a continuous track configured to aid in moving the planter and closing the opening in the ground after the seed has been dispensed therein.

19. The row unit of claim 18, further comprising a downforce cylinder operatively connected to the opening discs to control the depth of opening created by the discs.

20. The row unit of claim 18, wherein the seed tube is positioned adjacent the continuous track to dispense seed through a hole in the track.