Equalizing gauge wheel mechanism for row crop planter unit
First Claim
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1. In a row unit adapted to be mounted to an agricultural implement frame, the combination comprising:
- a row unit frame;
a ground-engaging tool carried on said row unit frame for engaging the soil in use;
first and second gauge wheels;
first and second gauge wheel arms carrying said first and second gauge wheels respectively and independently pivotally mounted on said row unit frame to set an operating depth of said tool;
a first link elongated in a direction transverse of a direction of travel of said row unit and having first and second ends rotationally coupled respectively to said first and second gauge wheel arms, said first link defining a first bearing surface at an intermediate location;
a second link mounted to said row unit frame and defining a second bearing surface engaging said first bearing surface such that said second link restrains translational movement of a central portion of said first link in one direction while permitting free rotational movement between the ends of said first link and their associated wheel arms about an axis extending in said direction of elongation of said first link.
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Abstract
The wheel arms of a planter row unit are mounted to the row unit frame for independent pivotal motion. The ends of a saddle link are received in sockets formed on gauge wheel arms; and a yoke (or ring-shaped link) pivotally mounted to the frame engages a central saddle bearing surface on the saddle link. The wheel arms, saddle link and yoke are constructed and arranged such that when one gauge wheel raises when it encounters an obstruction, the other lowers and the frame raises by about one-half the distance which the first gauge wheel is raised.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In a row unit adapted to be mounted to an agricultural implement frame, the combination comprising:
- a row unit frame;
a ground-engaging tool carried on said row unit frame for engaging the soil in use;
first and second gauge wheels;
first and second gauge wheel arms carrying said first and second gauge wheels respectively and independently pivotally mounted on said row unit frame to set an operating depth of said tool;
a first link elongated in a direction transverse of a direction of travel of said row unit and having first and second ends rotationally coupled respectively to said first and second gauge wheel arms, said first link defining a first bearing surface at an intermediate location;
a second link mounted to said row unit frame and defining a second bearing surface engaging said first bearing surface such that said second link restrains translational movement of a central portion of said first link in one direction while permitting free rotational movement between the ends of said first link and their associated wheel arms about an axis extending in said direction of elongation of said first link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a row unit frame;
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11. In a planter row unit, the combination comprising:
- a row unit frame;
a furrow opener carried by said row unit frame;
first and second wheel arms, each wheel arm pivotally mounted to said row unit frame;
a gauge wheel mounted to each wheel arm for running ground engagement;
a saddle link having first and second ends engaging respectively said first and second wheel arms, said saddle link defining an intermediate bearing surface; and
a second link mounted to said frame and defining a second bearing surface in rocking engagement with said intermediate bearing surface of said saddle link, characterized in that said saddle link and said second link are not directly connected;
said wheel arms, saddle link and second link being constructed and arranged such that when one of said wheel arms is raised as its associated wheel encounters an obstruction, the other wheel arm counterrotates, and its associated wheel is lowered relative to said frame whereby said opener is raised an amount approximately one-half the amount by which said wheel carried by said one wheel arm is raised.
- a row unit frame;
Specification