Pivoting planting units vertically

• US 7,051,663 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2001
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Graham, William Douglas, Meyer, Bradley John, Bennett, Robert Edwin, Hall, Thomas LeRoy
• Primary Examiner(s): Novosad, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US10/021,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20030110997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,624 Days
• Field of Search: 172/310, 172/311, 172/452, 172/482, 111/52, 111/53, 111/59, 111/13, 111/18, 111/22, 111/200
• US Class Current: 111/57
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 73/02 Folding frames
• 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 15/006 Hoppers
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/08 Broadcast seeders; Seeders depositing seeds in rows
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/088 Sectional seeding
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/201 Mounting of the seeding tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/208 Chassis; Coupling means to a tractor or the like; Lifting means; Side markers

Abstract

A seeding machine comprises a main frame segment and two wing frame segments. In its working configuration the wing frame segments extends transversely. In its transport configuration the wing frame segments are folded forwardly. The wing frame segments are provided with planting units that are mounted to the wing frame segments by pivot arms that extend downwardly and rearwardly. The pivot arms are pivotally mounted to the wing frame segments by a rock shaft. The rock shaft is provided with an actuator bell crank that is coupled to a linear actuator for rotating the rock shaft relative to the wing frame segments. The pivot arms have a working position, wherein the planting units are in their working position, and a transport position, wherein the planting units have been pivoted on their noses into their substantially vertical transport position.

Claims

1. A seeding machine comprising:

a longitudinally extending tow bar;

a main frame transverse to the tow bar;

a wing frame is pivotally mounted to the main frame so that the wing frame can be folded forward from a transverse working configuration to a longitudinal transport configuration along the tow bar;

a hopper for holding seed;

a pivot arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the wing frame, the pivot arm having a working position and a transport position;

a planting unit is mounted to the second end of the pivot arm, the planting unit comprises a seed meter, an auxiliary hopper and a ground engaging furrow opener, wherein when the pivot arm is in the working position the planting unit is in contact with the ground;

a flexible tube extends between the hopper and the auxiliary hopper of the planting unit for directing seed from the hopper to the planting unit;

when the wing frame is folded forward to the transport configuration, the pivot arm is rotated to the longitudinal transport position wherein the planting unit is pivoted to a vertical position longitudinally inward of the working position; and

wherein the planting unit is attached to the pivot arm by a parallel linkage that allows the planting unit to follow the ground independent of the pivot arm when the pivot arm is in the working position.

2. A seeding machine as defined by claim 1 wherein the pivot arm has an intermediate position between the working position and the transport position, whereby the ground engaging furrow opener is no longer in contact with the ground.

3. A seeding machine comprising:

a longitudinally extending tow bar;

a main frame transverse to the tow bar;

a wing frame is pivotally mounted to the main frame so that the wing frame can be folded forward from a transverse working configuration to a longitudinal transport configuration along the tow bar;

a hopper for holding seed;

a pivot arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the wing frame, the pivot arm having a working position and a transport position;

a planting unit is mounted to the second end of the pivot arm, the planting unit comprises a seed meter, an auxiliary hopper and a ground engaging furrow opener, wherein when the pivot arm is in the working position the planting unit is in contact with the ground;

a flexible tube extends between the hopper and the auxiliary hopper of the planting unit for directing seed from the hopper to the planting unit;

when the wing frame is folded forward to the transport configuration, the pivot arm is rotated to the longitudinal transport position wherein the planting unit is pivoted to a vertical position longitudinally inward of the working position;

wherein the pivot arm has an intermediate position between the working position and the transport position, whereby the ground engaging furrow opener is no longer in contact with the ground; and

wherein the first end of the pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the wing frame by a rock shaft having a bell crank, the rock shaft defining a first pivot axis about which the pivot arm is pivoted, a linear motor extends between the wing frame and the bell crank for rotating the rock shaft relative to the wing frame and thereby pivoting the pivot arm.

4. A seeding machine as defined by claim 3 wherein the linear motor is a hydraulic cylinder.