Method of securing bushings to a closing wheel arm

• US 5,826,337 A
• Filed: 10/25/1996
• Issued: 10/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pride Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: May WES Manufacturing
• Inventors: Klinkner, Allen O., Hancock, Larry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bryant, David P.
• Application Number:
  US08/740,236
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 228/44.3, 228/119, 228/212, 29/891, 29/402.16, 29/464, 29/559
• US Class Current: 29/891
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/068 Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0443 Jigs
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/403 Threaded clamping parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49448 Agricultural device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49742 Metallurgically attaching preform
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32155 Bearing component clamped to plate or side, e.g., bolted, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32286 Clamping screw traverses sliding complementary arcuate bearing surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32532 Clamped members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/335 Retainer utilizes or abuts plural plates
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/5781 Bolted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7047 Radially interposed shim or bushing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7079 Transverse pin

Abstract

The disclosed invention is an improved closing wheel attachment mechanism which has longer wear life than that of the typical attachment mechanism. The closing wheel arm on an agricultural planter has installed thereon an improved grease bushing assembly which has increased wear surface and the capability to utilize a grease on the surface. The combination of increased wear surface and greasing will greatly increase the operational life of the planter. Also included in the invention is the process and fixturing to incorporate the improved configuration on to an existing planter closing wheel structure. Included in this attachment mechanism is a welding jig which assures proper alignment of the improved bushing assembly.

Claims

1. A method for improving an attachment mechanism which connects a closing wheel arm having an attachment surface containing an aperture to the main structure of a planter, comprising the steps of:

attaching a welding jig having an alignment mechanism to the closing wheel arm;

placing the alignment mechanism adjacent the aperture in the closing wheel arm with a portion thereof extended through the aperture;

placing an outer bushing over the portion of the alignment mechanism extended through the aperture;

holding the outer bushing against the attachment surface of the closing wheel arm in alignment with the aperture and alignment mechanism;

welding the outer bushing to the attachment surface of the closing wheel arm; and

attaching a grease fitting to the outer bushing for allowing grease to be inserted into an aperture in the outer bushing.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of holding is accomplished by placing a bolt through the alignment mechanism and aperture so as to hold the outer bushing in place.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the closing wheel arm has a second attachment surface containing a second aperture further comprising:

holding a second outer bushing in contact with the second attachment surface of the closing wheel arm;

welding the second outer bushing to the second attachment surface; and

attaching a second grease fitting to the second outer bushing for allowing the insertion of grease into an aperture within the second outer bushing.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the jig is releasably attached to the closing wheel arm with a nut and a bolt assembly.

5. A method for improving an attachment mechanism which connects a wheel arm having an attachment surface containing an aperture to a frame, comprising:

attaching a jig having an alignment mechanism to the wheel arm;

placing the alignment mechanism adjacent the aperture in the attachment surface with a portion of the alignment mechanism extended through the aperture;

locating a bushing on the portion of the alignment mechanism extended through the aperture;

holding the bushing in engagement with the attachment surface; and

securing the bushing to the attachment surface.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the holding of the bushing is accomplished with a nut and bolt assembly extended through the bushing and the portion of the alignment mechanism extended through the aperture.

7. The method of claim 5 including attaching a grease fitting to the bushing for allowing the insertion of grease into an aperture within the bushing.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the bushing is secured to the attachment surface by welding the bushing to the surface.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the jig is releaseably attached to the wheel arm with a nut and bolt assembly.

10. A method for improving an attachment mechanism which connects a closing wheel arm having first and second attachment surfaces located generally parallel to each other, said attachment surfaces having axially aligned apertures to a frame of a planter, comprising:

attaching a jig having alignment mechanisms to the closing wheel arm;

placing the alignment mechanisms adjacent to the apertures in the first and second attachments surfaces;

extending portions of the alignment mechanisms through the apertures in the first and second attachment surfaces;

placing a first bushing on one portion of the alignment mechanisms extended through one aperture;

placing a second bushing on another portion of the alignment mechanisms extended through the other aperture;

holding the first bushing in engagement with the first attachment surface and the second bushing in engagement with the second attachment surface such that the first and second bushing are in alignment with the apertures in the first and second attachment surfaces; and

securing the first bushing to the first attachment surface and the second bushing to the second attachment surface.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein:

the jig is releasably attached to the closing wheel arm with a nut and bolt assembly.

12. The method of claim 10 including holding the first and second alignment mechanisms in engagement with the closing wheel arm during the holding of the first and second bushing in engagement with the first and second attachment surfaces.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the holding of the first and second bushings is accomplished with a single means extended through the alignment mechanisms and first and second bushings to clamp the first and second bushings against the first and second attachment surfaces.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the single means is a releasable nut and bolt assembly extended through the alignment mechanisms and first and second bushings.

15. The method of claim 10 including attaching grease fittings to the first and second bushings for allowing the insertion of grease into apertures within the bushings.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein:

the first and second bushings are secured to the first and second attachment surfaces by welding the bushings to the surfaces.

17. A method for improving an attachment mechanism which connects an arm to a frame, the arm having first and second attachment surfaces located generally parallel to each other, said attachment surfaces having axially aligned apertures, comprising:

attaching a jig having alignment mechanisms to the arm;

placing the alignment mechanisms adjacent to the apertures in the first and second attachments surfaces;

extending portions of the alignment mechanisms through the apertures in the first and second attachment surfaces;

placing a first member on one portion of the alignment mechanisms extended through one aperture;

placing a second member on another portion of the alignment mechanisms extended through the other aperture;

holding the first member in engagement with the first attachment surface and the second member in engagement with the second attachment surface such that the first and second members are in axial alignment with the apertures in the first and second attachment surfaces; and

securing the first member to the first attachment surface and the second member to the second attachment surface.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the jig is releasably attached to the arm with a nut and bolt assembly.

19. The method of claim 17 including holding the first and second alignment mechanisms in engagement with the arm during the holding of the first and second members in engagement with the first and second attachment surfaces.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the holding of the first and second members is accomplished with a single means extended through the alignment mechanisms and first and second members to clamp the first and second members against the first and second attachment surfaces.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein:

the single means is a nut and bolt assembly extended through the alignment mechanisms and first and second members.

22. The method of claim 17 including attaching grease fittings to the first and second members for allowing the insertion of grease into apertures within the members.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein:

the first and second members are secured to the first and second attachment surfaces by welding the members to the surfaces.