Tandem gauge wheel assembly for planting unit
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A seed planting unit comprising:
- a planting unit frame that carries;
i. a seed trench opening assembly including a seed trench forming member operable to create a seed trench in a ground surface;
ii. a seed delivery assembly delivering seeds into the seed trench;
iii. a seed trench closing assembly operable to close the seed trench; and
a planting unit support assembly including A) a pair of opposing gauge wheels in mechanical communication with the frame, and B) at least one rear press wheel in mechanical communication with the gauge wheels,wherein a vertical displacement of one of the gauge and the at least one rear press wheel in a first direction produces a biasing force on the other of the gauge and the at least one rear press wheel in a direction opposite the vertical displacement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A seed planting assembly is provided having a plurality of planting units supported by a tool bar, each of which being operable to form a seed trench in soil, plant seeds in the seed trench, and close the seed trench. The seed trench defines a depth that is achieved via a pair of gauge wheels. A press wheel assembly packs the trench after it has been seeded and closed. The planting assembly links the forward gauge wheels with the rear press wheel assembly for reciprocal motion to reduce the trench depth displacement when either a gauge wheel or a press wheel travels over an obstacle.
51 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A seed planting unit comprising:
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a planting unit frame that carries; i. a seed trench opening assembly including a seed trench forming member operable to create a seed trench in a ground surface; ii. a seed delivery assembly delivering seeds into the seed trench; iii. a seed trench closing assembly operable to close the seed trench; and a planting unit support assembly including A) a pair of opposing gauge wheels in mechanical communication with the frame, and B) at least one rear press wheel in mechanical communication with the gauge wheels, wherein a vertical displacement of one of the gauge and the at least one rear press wheel in a first direction produces a biasing force on the other of the gauge and the at least one rear press wheel in a direction opposite the vertical displacement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for reducing seed trench depth variations during operation of a seed planting unit including 1) a planting unit frame that carries i) a seed trench opening assembly including a seed trench forming a member operable to create a seed trench in a ground surface, ii) a seed delivery assembly delivering seeds into the seed trench, and iii) a seed trench closing assembly operable to close the seed trench, and 2) a planting unit support assembly including i) first and second opposing gauge wheels in mechanical communication with the frame, and ii) at least one rear press wheel in mechanical communication with the gauge wheels, the steps comprising:
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A) causing a vertical displacement of one of the first and second gauge wheels and the at least one rear press wheel in a first direction relative to the frame; B) biasing the other of the first gauge wheel and the at least one rear press wheel in a direction opposite the first direction relative to the frame in response to step (A). - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for reducing seed trench depth variations during operation of a seed planting unit including 1) a planting unit frame that carries i) a seed trench opening assembly including a seed trench forming member operable to create a seed trench in a ground surface, ii) a seed delivery assembly delivering seeds into the seed trench, and iii) a seed trench closing assembly operable to close the seed trench, and 2) a planting unit support assembly including i) first and second opposing gauge wheels in mechanical communication with the frame, and ii) first and second opposing rear press wheels in mechanical communication with the gauge wheels, the steps comprising:
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A) causing a vertical displacement of the first press wheel relative to the frame in a first direction; and B) biasing the second press wheel in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the frame in response to step (A). - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification