Planter unit

• US 5,685,245 A
• Filed: 01/03/1995
• Issued: 11/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James H. Bassett
• Original Assignee: James H. Bassett
• Inventors: Bassett, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Melius, Terry Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Novosad, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US08/367,990
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 111/52, 111/59, 111/62, 111/70, 111/927, 172/484, 172/624.5, 172/643, 172/662, 172/668, 172/481, 172/466, 172/674, 172/683
• US Class Current: 111/62
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/114 to achieve a constant working depth
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/163 laterally adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/245 laterally adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 79/005 Precision agriculture
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/205 comprising pressure regulation means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/927 Parallelogram mounting

Abstract

A planter row unit having a frame with a first unitary rigid plate and structure for attaching a soil engaging component in an operative position on the first unitary rigid plate and first structure cooperating between a towing frame that is movable in a forward towing direction and the first unitary rigid plate for attaching the first unitary rigid plate to a towing frame so that the first unitary rigid plate a) follows forward movement of the towing frame to which the first unitary rigid plate attaches and b) is movable vertically relative to a towing frame to which the first unitary rigid plate attaches to allow the first unitary rigid plate to move conformingly over uneven terrain.

Claims

1. A planter row unit comprising:

a row unit frame comprising a first unitary plate pivotally attached at its upper end to a towing frame and extending downwardly from said pivotal attachment,

at least one gauge wheel mounted on said row unit frame for rolling engagement with the surface of the soil, thereby controlling the elevation of said row unit frame,

means for attaching a soil engaging component in an operative position on the first unitary rigid plate,

first means cooperating between the towing frame that is movable in a forward towing direction and the first unitary rigid plate for attaching the first unitary rigid plate to the towing frame so that the first unitary rigid plate a) follows forward movement of the towing frame to which the first unitary rigid plate attaches and b) is movable vertically relative to the towing frame to which the first unitary rigid plate attaches to allow the first unitary rigid plate to move conformingly over uneven underlying terrain,

a second unitary rigid plate and means for rigidly connecting the first and second unitary rigid plates to each other in assembled relationship while maintaining a space between the first and second unitary rigid plates for a supply conduit with the first and second unitary rigid plates in assembled relationship, and

means for attaching a soil engaging component in an operative position on the second unitary rigid plate.

2. A planter row unit having a front and rear and a top and bottom and comprising

a row unit frame comprising a first unitary rigid plate pivotally attached at its upper end to a towing frame and extending downwardly from said pivotal attachment,

means for attaching to said first unitary rigid plate a soil engaging component selectively in one of first and second different positions spaced from each other in at least one of a fore and aft and vertical direction,

at least one gauge wheel mounted on said row unit frame for rolling engagement with the surface of the soil, thereby controlling the elevation of said row unit frame,

means for attaching a soil engaging component in an operative position on the first unitary rigid plate, and

first means cooperating between the towing frame that is movable in a forward towing direction and the first unitary rigid plate for attaching the first unitary rigid plate to the towing frame so that the first unitary rigid plate a) follows forward movement of the towing frame to which the first unitary rigid plate attaches and b) is movable vertically relative to the towing frame to which the first unitary rigid plate attaches to allow the first unitary rigid plate to move conformingly over uneven underlying terrain.

3. A planter row unit comprising:

a row unit frame having a front and rear and a top and bottom comprising a first unitary rigid plate pivotally attached at its upper end to a towing frame and extending downwardly from said pivotal attachment,

at least one gauge wheel mounted on said row unit frame for rolling engagement with the surface of the soil, thereby controlling the elevation of said row unit frame,

means for attaching a soil engaging component in an operative position on the first unitary rigid plate,

said first unitary rigid plate extending continuously over at least one half the distance between the top and bottom of the planter row unit,

a second unitary rigid plate and means for rigidly connecting the first and second unitary rigid plates to each other in assembled relationship, said second unitary rigid plate having means thereon for attaching a soil engaging component in an operative position,

a third unitary rigid plate with means for rigidly connecting the third unitary rigid plate to at least one of the first and second unitary rigid plates in assembled relationship, said third unitary rigid plate having means thereon for attaching a soil engaging component in an operative position, and a closing wheel to deposit soil over a seed slot in underlying soil as the row unit is advanced forwardly in a towing direction, and the means for attaching a soil engaging component on the third unitary rigid plate attaches the closing wheel to the third unitary rigid plate in an operative position.

4. A planter assembly comprising multiple planter row units attached to a common towing frame, each planter row unit comprising

a row unit frame pivotally attached to said towing frame;

at least one gauge wheel carried by the row unit frame for rolling engagement with the surface of the soil, thereby controlling the elevation of the row unit frame;

multiple planting tools carried by the row unit frame and extending below the bottom of the gauge wheel for planting seeds in the soil;

the weight of each planter row unit being sufficient to cause said planting tools to penetrate hard soil; and

biasing means connected between said towing frame and said row unit frame for applying a continuous upward force on the row unit frame to counterbalance a portion of the weight of the planter row unit and thereby control the depth of penetration of said planting tools into the soil.

5. The planter assembly of claim 4 wherein said biasing means is controllable so that said upward force can be adjusted according to the hardness of the soil being planted.

6. The new assembly of claim 4 wherein said biasing means is a controllable hydraulic cylinder.