Soil tilling and planting implement

• US 8,839,726 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2012
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L & B Manufacturing, Inc.
• Original Assignee: L & B Manufacturing, Inc.
• Inventors: Van Buskirk, Loyd C., Meldahl, Brian R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Novosad, Christopher J
• Application Number:
  US13/441,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20120210919A1
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 111/135, 111139-143, 111/157, 111163-169, 111190-196, 111/200, 111/900, 111/927, 111/963, 172/4, 172/2, 172/413, 701/50
• US Class Current: 111/139
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 29/048 Bar cage rollers
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 33/024 with disk-like tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 33/087 Lifting devices; Depth regulation devices; Mountings
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 35/16 with rotating or circulating non-propelled tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 49/06 for sowing or fertilising
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 61/048 the connection or the energy accumulator being active in two opposite directions, e.g. for reversible plows
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/10 operated by hydraulic or pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/111 regulating working depth of implements
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/32 operated by hydraulic or pneumatic means without automatic control
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/006 Minimum till seeding
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/203 comprising depth regulation means
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/205 comprising pressure regulation means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/20 Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/927 Parallelogram mounting

Abstract

A mount for carrying a plurality of field-conditioning implements selected from trash whipping implements, rolling baskets and coulters for connection to a planter is disclosed. A height and force adjustable mounting system is also disclosed for use with a planter that enables the force of such an implement on the soil to be modulated as desired.

Claims

1. A mounting system for carrying combinations of field-conditioning implements comprising:

(a) a mounting structure adapted to carry and selectively deploy one or more field-conditioning implements; and

(b) a separate pneumatic actuator arrangement coupled to a linkage arrangement between the mounting structure and each of said one or more field-conditioning implements wherein each said pneumatic actuator arrangement is selectively operable to deploy and lift an associated field conditioning implement.

2. A mounting system as in claim 1 further comprising a connected structure designed to fix the mounting structure in spaced relation to a prime agriculture implement.

3. A mounting system as in claim 2 wherein said prime agriculture implement is a seed planter or tow bar adapted to be drawn by a tractor.

4. A mounting system as in claim 2 wherein each said pneumatic actuator arrangement includes downward force and lifting air bags.

5. A mounting system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of field-conditioning implements are selected combinations from the group consisting of trash whipping devices, rolling baskets, coulter devices and row seeding units.

6. A mounting system as in claim 1 wherein each said pneumatic actuator arrangement includes downward force and lifting air bags.

7. A mounting system as in claim 6 wherein said one or more field conditioning implements combines a trash whipping implement with a rolling basket.

8. A mounting system as in claim 6 comprising a pneumatic actuator arrangement further comprising down force and lift air bags that are axially aligned in opposed relation such that the forces exerted by inflation of the down force and lifting air bags directly oppose each other.

9. A mounting system as in claim 8 wherein opposed air bags operate to displace a member located therebetween, based on exertion of unequal force, to modulate a net force on said linkage arrangement.

10. A mounting system as in claim 9 wherein the opposed air bags operate to displace a steel plate located therebetween that is connected to transfer force to a linkage that carries an implement to adjust the vertical position or down force exerted by the implement.

11. A mounting system as in claim 6 comprising a pneumatic actuator arrangement further comprising down force and lifting air bags that are connected to operate different linkage arrangements connected by at least one common link.

12. A mounting system for carrying combinations of field-conditioning implements comprising:

(a) a mounting arrangement adapted to carry and selectively deploy a plurality of field-conditioning implements;

(b) a connecting structure designed to fix the mounting arrangement in spaced relation to a self-propelled prime agriculture implement;

(c) a separate, selectively operable pneumatic actuator arrangement coupled to a linkage arrangement between the mounting structure and an assembly adapted to pivot and deploy and lift each of said plurality of field conditioning implements; and

(d) wherein the plurality of field-conditioning implements are selected combinations from the group consisting of trash whipping devices, and rolling baskets.

13. A method of conditioning a field for planting comprising treating a field using a plurality of separately controlled, pneumatically operated field-conditioning implements in a combination selected from the group consisting of trash whipping devices, rolling baskets and coulter devices attached to and ahead of a seed planter in a single pass.