Grain Drill

• US 5,398,771 A
• Filed: 02/23/1993
• Issued: 03/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CrustBuster/Speed King Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CrustBuster/Speed King Incorporated
• Inventors: McDonald, Roger C., Mc Canse, J. Edson, Klenke, Thomas A., Hornung, Donald F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WARNICK IV, SPENCER K
• Application Number:
  US08/021,321
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 172/456, 172/310, 172/311, 172/462, 172/464, 172/474, 172/478, 172/574, 172/578, 172/614, 172/624, 172/625, 172/624.5, 172/629, 172/634, 172/635, 172/639, 111/52, 111/164, 111/927, 111/62, 111/134, 111/136
• US Class Current: 172/311
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 73/065 to a position essentially forward of the axis, in relation to the direction of travel
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/203 comprising depth regulation means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/927 Parallelogram mounting

Abstract

A grain drill is disclosed having a folding frame for parallel operation and a parallel link system that controls the tension to earth openers in order to produce relatively constant downward pressure for the openers. The grain drill includes a rotating tool bar for facilitating the adjustment of downward pressure to the openers, controlling the ground cutting depth of the openers and raising the tools to obtain the ground clearance needed for road transport. The drill has disc openers with axially collocated discs having different outer diameters and a narrow angle between the opener discs producing a "V" shaped groove for seeding. The grain drill has a common horizontal center to support seed boxes, fixed dual wheels and a hitch for connection to a pulling vehicle.

Claims

1. A grain drill unit comprising:

a) a support frame having spaced, ground engaging wheels extending therefrom for movement over a field surface, a forwardly extending connection for attachment to a towing vehicle and seed boxes attached on top of said support frame, said support frame having means for folding and unfolding said support frame;

b) a revolving tool bar extending along said support frame and attached thereto via a controllably adjustable mechanism for independent rotational movement;

c) a parallel link system having a plurality of parallel bars and being mounted to said revolving tool bar in a trailing position, said parallel link system having soil openers attached thereto in a trailing position and adjustable up and down therewith for selectively variable downward tillage position, said parallel link system having means for applying tension and holding relatively constant pressure on said openers throughout the entire opener range or travel, said openers including a plurality of pairs of disc blades, said pairs of disc blades including a first and second disc blade, said first disc blade having a different outer diameter from said second disc blade, said parallel link system operative to release said tension and said constant pressure for adjustment of said variable downward tillage position;

d) said controllably adjustable mechanism acting to rotate said revolving tool bar and said parallel link system with said openers connected thereto upwardly and independently of said support frame to remove said openers from earth contact for transport of said grain drill unit between work fields, said controllably adjustable mechanism operative to adjust said tension and said constant pressure on said openers and operative to adjust ground clearance for transport of said grain drill unit; and

e) said support frame when unfolded providing for parallel operation of said openers.

2. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said parallel link system has rigidly mounted thereto, by an arm support, a plurality of press wheels for adjusting ground opening depth of said openers, said arm support attached to said parallel link system in a trailing position to said parallel link system, and said press wheels being selectively changeable to different sizes.

3. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pairs of disc blades each have a reverse bevel on one of the disc blades of each said pair, said disc blades attached to drill arm supports, said drill arm supports connected to said parallel link system in a trailing position to said parallel link system and forward of said press wheels, said pairs of disc blades operative to form a narrow angle between said disc blades of each said pair and produce a "V" shaped groove for seeding, and said controllably adjustable mechanism operative to provide up to 14 inches of operating range as said pairs of disc blades rotate on the ground.

4. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of parallel bars being mounted with an approximate 60 degree downward angle at the bottom of said opener range of travel, and below a horizontally level angle at the top of the said opener range of travel.

5. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controllably adjustable mechanism includes a plurality of parallel pressure cylinders to rotate said revolving tool bar, said controllably adjustable mechanism operative to provide said revolving tool bar with up to approximately 45 degrees of rotation, causing said ground clearance to increase providing for transport clearance of said drill unit.

6. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said revolving tool bar is operative to provide a one point adjustment to increase and decrease ground opening depth of said openers.

7. A grain drill unit comprising:

a) a support frame having spaced, ground engaging wheels extending therefrom for movement over a field surface, a forwardly extending connection for attachment to a towing vehicle, and seed boxes attached on top of said support frame, said support frame having means for folding and unfolding said support frame and operative for transport without need for high off the ground clearance;

b) a revolving tool bar extending along said support frame and attached thereto via a controllably adjustable mechanism for independent rotational movement;

c) a parallel link system having a plurality of parallel bars and being mounted to said revolving tool bar in a trailing position, said parallel link system having soil openers attached thereto in a trailing position and adjustable up and down therewith for selectively variable downward tillage position, said parallel link system having means for applying tension and holding relatively constant pressure on said openers throughout the entire opener range of travel, said openers including a plurality of pairs of disc blades, said pairs of disc blades including a first and second disc blade, said first disc blade having a different outer diameter from said second disc blade, said parallel link system operative to release said tension and said constant pressure for adjustment of said variable downward tillage position;

d) said controllably adjustable mechanism acting to rotate said revolving tool bar and said parallel link system with said openers connected thereto upwardly and independently of said support frame to remove said openers from earth contact for transport of said grain drill unit between work fields, said controllably adjustable mechanism operative to adjust said tension and said constant pressure on said openers for selectively controlling ground opening depth by said openers and operative to adjust ground clearance for transport of said grain drill unit;

e) said parallel link system has rigidly mounted thereto, by an arm support, a plurality of press wheels for adjusting ground opening depth, said arm support attached to said parallel link system in a trailing position to said parallel link system, said press wheels being selectively changeable to different sizes;

f) said pairs of disc blades each having a reverse bevel on one of the disc blades of each said pair, said disc blades attached to drill arm supports, said drill arm supports connected to said parallel link system in a trailing position to said parallel link system and forward of said press wheels, said pairs of disc blades operative to form a narrow angle between said disc blades of each said pair and produce a "V" shaped groove for seeding, said controllably adjustable mechanism operative to provide up to 14 inches of operating range as said pairs of disc blades rotate on the ground;

g) said plurality of parallel bars being mounted with an approximate 60 degree downward angle at the bottom of said opener range of travel, and below a horizontally level angle at the cop of the said opener range of travel; and

h) said support frame when unfolded providing for parallel operation of said openers.

8. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 7 wherein said controllably adjustable mechanism includes a plurality of parallel pressure cylinders to rotate said revolving tool bar, said controllably adjustable mechanism operative to provide said revolving tool bar with up to approximately 45 degrees of rotation, causing said ground clearance to increase providing for transport clearance of said drill unit.

9. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 7 wherein said seed boxes have dividers installed therein, said dividers operative for producing large and small compartments for storing seeds and fertilizers in said compartments.

10. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for folding and unfolding said support frame includes a pressurized cylinder acting to selectively fold and unfold said support frame.

11. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 7 wherein said controllably adjustable mechanism includes a plurality of pressurized parallel cylinders and has means for independent operation of said pressurized parallel cylinders.

12. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 7 wherein said revolving tool bar is operative to provide a one point adjustment to increase and decrease ground opening depth of said openers.

13. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 7 wherein said revolving tool bar is operative to rotate independently from said support frame and lift and lower said parallel link system, said openers, said press wheels and said plurality of pairs of disc blades from and onto said ground.

14. A grain drill unit comprising:

a) a support frame having spaced, ground engaging wheels extending therefrom for movement over a field surface, a forwardly extending connection for attachment to a towing vehicle and seed boxes attached on top of said support frame, said support frame having means for folding and unfolding said support frame and operative for transport without need for high off the ground clearance, said means for folding and unfolding said support frame including a pressurized cylinder acting to selectively fold and unfold said support frame, said seed boxes having said dividers installed therein, dividers operative for producing large and small compartments for storing seeds and fertilizers in said compartments;

b) a revolving tool bar extending along said support frame and attached thereto via a controllably adjustable mechanism for independent rotational movement;

c) a parallel link system having a plurality of parallel bars and being mounted to said revolving tool bar in a trailing position, said parallel line system having soil openers attached thereto in a trailing position and adjustable up and down therewith for a selectively variable downward tillage position, said parallel link system having means for applying tension and holding relatively constant pressure on said openers throughout the entire opener range of travel, said openers including a plurality of pairs of disc blades, said pairs of disc blades including a first and second disc blade, said first disc blade having a different outer diameter from said second disc blade, said parallel link system operative to release said tension and said constant pressure for adjustment of said variable downward tillage position;

d) said controllably adjustable mechanism acting to rotate said revolving tool bar and said parallel link system with said openers connected thereto upwardly and independently of said support frame to remove said openers from earth contact for transport of said grain drill unit between work fields, said controllably adjustable mechanism operative for adjusting said tension and said constant pressure on said openers for selectively controlling ground opening depth by said openers, and operative for adjusting ground clearance for transport of said grain drill unit, said controllably adjustable mechanism having a plurality of parallel pressure cylinders for rotating said revolving tool bar, and means for independent operation of said pressurized parallel cylinders, said controllably adjustable mechanism acting to provide said revolving tool bar with up to approximately 45 degrees of rotation;

e) said parallel link system has rigidly mounted thereto, by an arm support, a plurality of press wheels for adjusting ground opening depth, said arm support attached no said parallel link system in a trailing position to said parallel link system, said press wheels being selectively changeable to different sizes;

f) said pairs of disc blades each having a reverse bevel on one of the disc blades of each said pair, said disc blades attached to drill arm supports, said drill arm supports connected to said parallel link system in a trailing position to said parallel link system and forward of said press wheels, said pairs of disc blades operative to form a narrow angle between said disc blades of each said pair and produce a "V" shaped groove for seeding, said controllably adjustable mechanism operative to provide up to 14 inches of operating range as said pairs of disc blades rotate on the ground;

g) said plurality of parallel bars being mounted with an approximate 60 degree downward angle at the bottom of said opener range of travel, and below a horizontally level angle at the top of the said opener range of travel; and

h) said support frame when unfolded providing for parallel operation of said openers.

15. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 14 wherein said seed boxes are connected to feed tubes that deliver said seeds and said fertilizers to said openers.

16. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 14 wherein said revolving tool bar is operative to provide a one point adjustment to increase and decrease ground opening depth of said openers.

17. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 14 wherein said revolving tool bar is operative to rotate independently from said support frame and lift and lower said parallel link system, said openers, said press wheels and said plurality of disc blades from and onto said ground.

18. A grain drill unit comprising:

a) a support frame having spaced, ground engaging wheels extending therefrom for movement over a field surface, a forwardly extending connection for attachment to a towing vehicle and seed boxes attached on top of said support frame, said support frame having means for folding and unfolding said support frame and operative for transport without need for high off the ground clearance, said means for folding and unfolding said support frame including a pressurized cylinder acting to selectively fold and unfold said support frame, said seed boxes having dividers installed therein, said dividers operative for producing large and small compartments for storing seeds and fertilizers in said compartments;

b) a revolving tool bar extending along said support frame and attached thereto via a controllably adjustable mechanism for independent rotational movement;

c) a parallel link system having a plurality of parallel bars and being mounted to said revolving tool bar in a trailing position, said parallel link system having soil openers attached thereto in a trailing position and adjustable up and down therewith for a selectively variable downward tillage position, said parallel link system having means for applying tension and holding relatively constant pressure on said openers throughout the entire opener range of travel, said openers including a plurality of pairs of disc blades, said pairs of disc blades including a first and second disc blade, said first disc blade having a different outer diameter from said second disc blade, said parallel link system operative to release said tension and said constant pressure for adjustment of said variable downward fillage position;

d) said controllably adjustable mechanism acting to rotate said revolving tool bar and said parallel link system with said openers connected thereto upwardly and independently of said support frame to remove said openers from earth contact for transport of said grain drill between work fields, said controllably adjustable mechanism operative for adjusting said tension and said constant pressure on said openers for selectively controlling ground opening depth by said openers, and operative for adjusting ground clearance for transport of said grain drill unit, said controllably adjustable mechanism having a plurality of parallel pressure cylinders for rotating said revolving tool bar, and means for independent operation of said pressurized parallel cylinders, said controllably adjustable mechanism acting to provide said revolving tool bar with up to approximately 45 degrees of rotation, causing said ground clearance to increase providing for transport clearance of said drill unit;

e) said parallel link system has rigidly mounted thereto, by an arm support, a plurality of press wheels for adjusting ground opening depth, said arm support attached to said parallel link system in a trailing position to said parallel link system, said press wheels being selectively changeable to different sizes;

f) said pairs of disc blades each having a reverse bevel on one of the disc blades of each said pair, said disc blades attached to drill arm supports, said drill arm supports connected to said parallel link system in a trailing position to said parallel link system and forward of said press wheels, said pairs of disc blades operative to form narrow angle between said disc blades of each said pair and produce a "V" shaped groove for seeding, said controllably adjustable mechanism operative to provide up to 14 inches of operating range as said pairs of disc blades rotate on the ground;

g) said plurality of parallel bars being mounted with an approximate 60 degree downward angle at the bottom of said opener range of travel and below a horizontally level angle at the top of the said opener range of travel;

h) said support frame when unfolded providing for parallel operation of said openers.

19. The grain drill unit as set forth in claim 18 wherein said seed boxes are connected to feed tubes that deliver said seeds and said fertilizers to said openers.