Seed drill planting assembly

• US 5,461,994 A
• Filed: 12/22/1993
• Issued: 10/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Zimmerman
• Original Assignee: Robert Zimmerman
• Inventors: Zimmerman, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Taylor, Dennis L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Novosad, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US08/173,507
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 111/120, 111/121, 111/195, 111/140, 172/536, 172/538, 172/172, 172/177, 172/765, 172/770, 172/771, 172/731, 172/721
• US Class Current: 111/121
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 49/06 for sowing or fertilising
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/06 Machines for making or covering drills or furrows for sowing or planting

Abstract

A seed drill includes a novel planting assembly combining press wheels for packing angular sides of a furrow and a runner immediately behind and longitudinally aligned with the press wheel. The runner extends rearwardly from beneath the press wheel and is transversely guided on the press wheel structure or frame of the drill to maintain it in longitudinal alignment within an open longitudinal slot cut through the soil and intersecting the base of the packed furrow. Seed is dropped into the open slot prior to being covered with soil. Moist soil can be packed along the sides of the furrow to maintain the furrow in an open condition during seed germination and plant emergence. Highly accurate planting depth control can be achieved, with provision for upward relative movement of the runner as required by encountered field conditions.

Claims

1. A seed drill planting assembly comprising:

a press wheel assembly rotatably mounted about a horizontal transverse axis for rolling soil engagement while moving in a forward direction along a field;

a boot located in a transversely centered upright position behind the press wheel assembly;

a narrow longitudinal runner mounted to a lower end of the boot, the runner extending rearwardly from beneath the press wheel assembly;

guides in engagement with the boot for permitting movement of the boot and runner along an upright arcuate path substantially centered about the transverse axis of the press wheel assembly; and

seed delivery means on the runner for depositing seeds immediately behind the runner.

2. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a boot frame; and

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame.

3. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a boot frame; and

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame and including at least three rollers spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot to define the arcuate path of the boot and runner.

4. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a boot frame; and

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame and including at least three rollers spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot to define the arcuate path of the boot and runner;

at least one of the rollers being movably supported relative to the boot frame.

5. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a boot frame; and

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame and including at least three rollers spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot to define the arcuate path of the boot and runner;

at least one of the rollers being movably supported relative to the remaining rollers for motion toward or away from the arcuate path of the boot relative to the boot frame; and

a spring operably connecting the one roller to the boot frame for yieldably urging the one roller toward the arcuate path of the boot relative to the boot frame.

6. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a boot frame; and

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame and including at least three rollers spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot to define the arcuate path of the boot and runner;

at least one of the rollers being movably supported relative to the remaining rollers for motion toward or away from the arcuate path of the boot relative to the boot frame; and

manually controllable means operably connecting the one roller to the boot frame for selectively positioning the one roller on the boot frame.

7. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 1, wherein the guides comprise:

three rollers spaced along the boot with alternate rollers respectively in opposed engagement against the front and rear surfaces of the boot;

the outermost two of the rollers being in engagement with a rear surface of the boot;

a center roller being in engagement with a front surface of the boot and being movably supported on the boot frame relative to the remaining rollers; and

a spring operably connected to the center roller to yieldably urge the center roller against the front surface of the boot.

8. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a boot frame;

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame; and

at least one spring operably connected between the boot and the boot frame for yieldably urging the boot downwardly relative to the boot frame.

9. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a boot frame;

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame;

at least one spring operably connected between the boot shank and the boot frame for yieldably urging the boot shank downwardly relative to the boot frame; and

stop means on the boot shank and boot frame for limiting the extent of downward movement of the boot shank relative to the boot frame.

10. A seed drill planting assembly comprising:

a press wheel assembly rotatably mounted about a horizontal transverse wheel axis for rolling soil engagement in a forward direction along a field, the press wheel assembly including a coulter having a circular periphery centered about the wheel axis;

an arcuate boot shank located behind the press wheel assembly in an upright position adjacent to the circular periphery of the coulter;

a narrow longitudinal runner arranged in an upright position and fixed to a lower end of the arcuate boot shank, the runner extending rearwardly from beneath the press wheel assembly in longitudinal alignment with the coulter; and

seed delivery means on the runner for depositing seeds at a location immediately behind the runner.

11. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a boot frame overlapping a portion of the arcuate boot shank;

connecting means for operably mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame; and

guides on the boot frame operably engaging the boot shank.

12. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a boot frame overlapping a portion of the arcuate boot shank;

connecting means for operably mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame; and

guides on the boot frame operably engaging the boot shank to maintain the runner in longitudinal alignment with the coulter while permitting movement of the boot shank relative to the boot frame along an upright arcuate path substantially centered about the wheel axis.

13. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a boot frame overlapping a portion of the arcuate boot shank;

connecting means for operably mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame; and

guides on the boot frame operably engaging the boot shank to maintain the runner in longitudinal alignment with the coulter while permitting movement of the boot shank relative to the boot frame along an upright arcuate path substantially centered about the wheel axis, the guides including at least three rollers spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot shank for defining its arcuate path relative to the boot frame.

14. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a boot frame overlapping a portion of the arcuate boot shank;

connecting means for operably mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame; and

guides on the boot frame operably engaging the boot shank to maintain the runner in longitudinal alignment with the coulter while permitting movement of the boot shank relative to the boot frame along an upright arcuate path substantially centered about the wheel axis, the guides including at least three rollers spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot shank for defining its arcuate path relative to the boot frame;

at least one of the rollers being movably supported on the boot frame for manual movement toward or away from the wheel axis.

15. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a boot frame overlapping a portion of the arcuate boot shank;

connecting means for operably mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame; and

guides on the boot frame operably engaging the boot shank to maintain the runner in longitudinal alignment with the coulter while permitting movement of the boot shank relative to the boot frame along an upright arcuate path substantially centered about the wheel axis, the guides including at least three rollers spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot shank for defining its arcuate path relative to the boot frame;

at least one of the rollers being movably supported relative to the remaining rollers for motion toward or away from the arcuate path of the boot relative to the boot frame; and

a spring operably connecting the one roller to the boot frame for yieldably urging the one roller toward the arcuate path of the boot relative to the boot frame.

16. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a boot frame overlapping a portion of the arcuate boot shank;

connecting means for operably mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

guides on the boot frame operably engaging the boot shank to maintain the runner in longitudinal alignment with the coulter while permitting movement of the boot shank relative to the boot frame along an upright arcuate path substantially centered about the wheel axis; and

at least one spring operably connected between the boot shank and the boot frame for yieldably urging the boot shank in a downward direction relative to the boot frame.

17. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a boot frame overlapping a portion of the arcuate boot shank;

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

guides on the boot frame operably engaging the boot shank to maintain the runner in longitudinal alignment with the coulter while permitting movement of the boot shank relative to the boot frame along an upright arcuate path substantially centered about the wheel axis;

at least one spring operably connected between the boot shank and the boot frame for yieldably urging the boot shank in a downward direction relative to the boot frame; and

stop means on the boot shank and boot frame for limiting the extent of downward movement of the boot shank relative to the boot frame.

18. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a boot frame overlapping a portion of the arcuate boot shank;

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame; and

scraper means movably mounted to the boot frame for engaging opposed sides of the coulter to maintain the coulter in a clean working condition.

19. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a boot frame overlapping a portion of the arcuate boot shank;

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame; and

scraper means movably mounted to the boot frame for engaging opposed sides of the coulter to maintain the coulter in a clean working condition, the scraper means comprising two eccentrically weighted scrapers pivotally mounted to the boot frame about axes parallel to the wheel axis, each scraper having a corner edge engaging one side of the coulter.

20. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a boot frame overlapping a portion of the arcuate boot shank;

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame; and

scraper means movably mounted to the boot frame for engaging opposed sides of the coulter to maintain the coulter in a clean working condition, the scraper means comprising two rollers rotatably mounted to the boot frame about axes parallel to the sides of the coulter, each roller having a grooved cylindrical surface engaging one side of the coulter.

21. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a shank guide fixed to the boot shank and engaging at least one side of the coulter to assist in maintaining the runner in longitudinal alignment with the coulter.

22. A seed drill planting assembly comprising:

a press wheel assembly rotatably mounted about a transverse wheel axis for rolling soil engagement in a forward direction along a field;

the press wheel assembly including a pair of press wheel elements each having a circular rim centered about a wheel axis, the circular rims of the press wheel elements being transversely spaced apart from one another;

an arcuate boot shank located in a transversely centered upright position behind the press wheel assembly;

a narrow runner mounted to a lower end of the arcuate boot shank and extending rearwardly from beneath the press wheel assembly;

guides in engagement with the arcuate boot shank for transversely positioning the runner between the press wheel elements while forming a vertical slot through soil between the rims of the press wheel elements and for permitting elevational movement of the boot shank and runner along an upright arcuate path substantially centered about the wheel axis; and

seed delivery means on the runner for depositing seeds at a location immediately behind the runner.

23. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 22, further comprising:

a boot frame; and

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame and operably engaging the boot shank.

24. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 22, further comprising:

a boot frame; and

a rearwardly projecting rigid bar for attachment to a frame of a supporting vehicle;

the guides being provided on the boot frame and operably engaging the boot shank.

25. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 22, further comprising:

a boot frame; and

at least one forwardly projecting bar extending between the boot frame and an axle of the press wheel assembly;

the guides being provided on the boot frame and operably engaging the boot shank.

26. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 22, further comprising:

a boot frame; and

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame and operably engaging the boot shank, the guides including at least three rollers spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot shank for defining its arcuate path relative to the boot frame.

27. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 22, further comprising:

a boot frame; and

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame and operably engaging the boot shank, the guides including at least three rollers spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot shank for defining its arcuate path relative to the boot frame;

at least two of the rollers being movably supported on the boot frame for manual adjustment toward or away from the transverse axis.

28. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 22, further comprising:

a boot frame; and

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame and operably engaging the boot shank, the guides including at least three rollers spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot shank for defining its arcuate path relative to the boot frame;

at least one of the rollers being movably supported relative to the remaining rollers for motion toward or away from the arcuate path of the boot relative to the boot frame; and

a spring operably connecting the one roller to the boot frame for yieldably urging the one roller toward the arcuate path of the boot relative to the boot frame.

29. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 22, further comprising:

a boot frame;

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame and operably engaging the boot shank; and

at least one spring operably connected between the boot shank and the boot frame for yieldably urging the boot shank in a downward direction relative to the boot frame.

30. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 22, further comprising:

a boot frame;

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

the guides being provided on the boot frame and operably engaging the boot shank;

at least one spring operably connected between the boot shank and the boot frame for yieldably urging the boot shank in a downward direction relative to the boot frame; and

stop means on the boot shank and boot frame for limiting the extent of downward movement of the boot shank relative to the boot frame.

31. A seed drill planting assembly comprising:

a press wheel assembly rotatably mounted about a transverse wheel axis for rolling soil engagement in a forward direction along a field;

the press wheel assembly including a pair of press wheel elements each having a circular rim centered about a wheel axis, the circular rims of the press wheel elements being transversely spaced apart from one another;

the press wheel assembly further including a transversely centered coulter located between the pair of press wheel elements and having a circular periphery centered about the wheel axis;

an arcuate boot shank located in a transversely centered upright position behind the press wheel assembly, the boot shank comprising a rigid bar having front and rear surfaces with curvatures that are substantially concentric to the curvature of the circular periphery of the coulter;

a narrow runner mounted to a lower end of the arcuate boot shank and extending rearwardly from beneath the press wheel assembly;

an upright boot frame having transversely spaced sides spanning a portion of the rigid bar;

guides provided on the boot frame in engagement with the sides of the arcuate boot shank for transversely centering the runner between the press wheel elements while forming a vertical slot through soil between the rims of the press wheel elements and in engagement with the front and rear surfaces of the arcuate boot shank for permitting elevational movement of the boot shank and runner along an upright arcuate path substantially centered about the transverse axis of the press wheel assembly; and

seed delivery means on the runner for depositing seeds at a location immediately behind the runner.

32. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 31, wherein the guides comprise:

at least three rollers respectively spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot shank.

33. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 31, wherein the guides comprise:

at least three rollers respectively spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot shank;

at least two of the rollers being movably supported on the boot frame for manual movement toward or away from the wheel axis.

34. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 31, wherein the guides comprise:

three rollers spaced along the boot frame with alternate rollers respectively engaging opposed front and rear surfaces of the boot shank;

two outermost of the rollers being in engagement with the rear surface of the boot shank and being movably supported on the boot frame for manual movement toward or away from the wheel axis;

a center roller being in engagement with the front surface of the boot shank and being movably supported on the boot frame relative to the remaining rollers for motion toward or away from the arcuate path of the boot relative to the boot frame; and

a spring operably connecting the center roller to the boot frame for yieldably urging the center roller against the front surface of the boot shank.

35. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 31, further comprising:

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame; and

at least one spring operably connected between the boot shank and the boot frame for yieldably urging the boot shank in a downward direction relative to the boot frame.

36. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 31, further comprising:

connecting means for mounting the boot frame to a supporting vehicle frame;

at least one spring operably connected between the boot shank and the boot frame for yieldably urging the boot shank in a downward direction relative to the boot frame; and

stop means on the boot shank and boot frame for limiting the extent of downward movement of the boot shank relative to the boot frame.

37. A seed drill planting assembly comprising:

a press wheel assembly rotatable about a transverse press wheel axis for rolling ground engagement;

the press wheel assembly including a pair of press wheel elements each having a circular rim centered about a common press wheel axis, the circular rims of the press wheel elements being transversely spaced apart from one another for rolling ground engagement;

a coaxial circumferential coulter fixed to and projecting radially outward between the press wheel elements, the circumferential coulter being rotatable about the transverse press wheel axis in unison with the press wheel assembly.

38. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 37, wherein:

the coulter is perpendicular to the transverse press wheel axis and the rims of the press wheel elements lead to the coulter.

39. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 37, wherein:

the outside diameter of the coulter is greater than the diameter of the rim of each press wheel element.

40. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 37, wherein the press wheel assembly includes a pair of press wheel elements, each press wheel element having (a) a circular rim formed about the transverse press wheel axis;

(b) a coaxial circular wall perpendicular to the transverse press wheel axis and offset from the rim along the transverse axis, the diameter of the circular wall being less than the diameter of the rim; and

(c) a coaxial conical wall joining the rim and the circular wall, the conical wall being inclined outwardly from the rim.

41. The seed drill planting assembly of claim 37, further comprising:

an upright boot straddling the coulter at a location behind the press wheel assembly; and

a runner located at the lower end of the upright boot in longitudinal alignment with the coulter.