Precision hoe opener and packer wheel assembly
First Claim
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1. An agricultural planter system comprising:
- a support structure comprising a parallel linkage assembly and a linear actuator separate from the parallel linkage;
a packer wheel assembly extending from the parallel linkage assembly, wherein the parallel linkage assembly is configured to maintain a constant orientation of the packer wheel assembly with respect to the ground; and
an opener assembly coupled to the support structure, wherein the linear actuator is configured to maintain a generally constant angle with respect to the parallel linkage assembly when the opener assembly is in a deployed position;
wherein the opener assembly is rigidly coupled to an adapter assembly and the linear actuator is configured to move the opener assembly independent of the packer wheel assembly; and
wherein the parallel linkage assembly and the linear actuator are configured to cooperatively apply a generally constant packing force to the packer wheel assembly.
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Abstract
A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, especially during changes in terrain elevation.
43 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An agricultural planter system comprising:
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a support structure comprising a parallel linkage assembly and a linear actuator separate from the parallel linkage; a packer wheel assembly extending from the parallel linkage assembly, wherein the parallel linkage assembly is configured to maintain a constant orientation of the packer wheel assembly with respect to the ground; and an opener assembly coupled to the support structure, wherein the linear actuator is configured to maintain a generally constant angle with respect to the parallel linkage assembly when the opener assembly is in a deployed position; wherein the opener assembly is rigidly coupled to an adapter assembly and the linear actuator is configured to move the opener assembly independent of the packer wheel assembly; and wherein the parallel linkage assembly and the linear actuator are configured to cooperatively apply a generally constant packing force to the packer wheel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An agricultural planter system comprising:
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a support structure comprising a parallel linkage assembly and a linear actuator separate from the parallel linkage; a packer wheel assembly extending from the parallel linkage assembly, wherein the parallel linkage assembly and the linear actuator are configured to cooperatively apply a generally constant packing force to the packer wheel assembly; and an opener assembly coupled to the support structure, wherein the support structure comprises a linear actuator configured to maintain a generally constant angle with respect to the parallel linkage assembly when the opener assembly is in a deployed position; wherein the opener assembly is rigidly coupled to an adapter assembly and the linear actuator is configured to move the opener assembly independent of the packer wheel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An agricultural planter system comprising:
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a support structure comprising a parallel linkage assembly and a linear actuator separate from the parallel linkage; a packer wheel assembly extending from the parallel linkage assembly; and an opener assembly coupled to the support structure, wherein the linear actuator is configured to maintain a generally constant angle with respect to the parallel linkage assembly when the opener assembly is in a deployed position, wherein the extension and retraction of the linear actuator directly moves the opener assembly; wherein the opener assembly is rigidly coupled to an adapter assembly and the linear actuator is configured to move the opener assembly independent of the packer wheel assembly; and wherein the parallel linkage assembly and the linear actuator are configured to cooperatively apply a generally constant packing force to the packer wheel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of manufacturing an agricultural planter system, the method comprising:
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mounting an opener assembly to extend from a support structure; mounting a packer wheel assembly to extend from the support structure; mounting a parallel linkage assembly on the support structure, wherein the support structure comprises a linear actuator separate from the parallel linkage, wherein the linear actuator is configured to maintain a generally constant angle with respect to the parallel linkage assembly when the opener assembly is in a deployed position; and coupling the opener assembly to an adapter assembly, wherein the linear actuator is configured to move the opener assembly independent of the packer wheel assembly; wherein the parallel linkage assembly and the linear actuator are configured to cooperatively apply a generally constant packing force to the packer wheel assembly.
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Specification