Row unit for agricultural implement
First Claim
1. An agricultural row unit, comprising:
- an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to a towing frame hitched to a single tractor;
a parallel-bar linkage pivotably coupled to the attachment frame;
a row unit frame having a leading end pivotably coupled to the parallel-bar linkage to permit vertical pivoting movement of the row unit frame relative to the attachment frame;
a closing wheel coupled to the row unit frame for distributing loosened soil into a furrow;
a hydraulic cylinder coupled between the row unit frame and the closing wheel for urging the closing wheel with a controllable force that is adjusted for different soil conditions, the hydraulic cylinder includinga movable ram having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably coupled to the closing wheel, anda hydraulic-fluid cavity for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic-fluid exerting hydraulic pressure on the second end of the movable ram for moving the ram in a direction that pivots the closing wheel downwardly toward the soil; and
an energy storage device positioned adjacent to the hydraulic cylinder.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, an agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame. A support member is pivotably coupled to the attachment frame to permit vertical pivoting movement of the support member relative to the attachment frame, and at least one furrow-closing device is mounted on the support member. A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the support member for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil. The hydraulic cylinder includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for urging the ram in a first direction that pivots the support member in a first vertical direction. An accumulator has a fluid chamber containing a pressurized gas for urging the ram in a second direction that pivots the support member in a second vertical direction.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An agricultural row unit, comprising:
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an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to a towing frame hitched to a single tractor; a parallel-bar linkage pivotably coupled to the attachment frame; a row unit frame having a leading end pivotably coupled to the parallel-bar linkage to permit vertical pivoting movement of the row unit frame relative to the attachment frame; a closing wheel coupled to the row unit frame for distributing loosened soil into a furrow; a hydraulic cylinder coupled between the row unit frame and the closing wheel for urging the closing wheel with a controllable force that is adjusted for different soil conditions, the hydraulic cylinder including a movable ram having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably coupled to the closing wheel, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic-fluid exerting hydraulic pressure on the second end of the movable ram for moving the ram in a direction that pivots the closing wheel downwardly toward the soil; and an energy storage device positioned adjacent to the hydraulic cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor, the agricultural row unit comprising:
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an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame; a parallel-bar linkage pivotably coupled to the attachment frame; a row unit frame having a leading end pivotably coupled to the parallel-bar linkage to permit vertical pivoting movement of the row unit frame relative to the attachment frame; an opener device coupled to the row unit frame for forming a furrow; a closing-wheel linkage mounted to the row unit frame; a pair of closing wheels mounted to the closing-wheel linkage for distributing loosened soil into the furrow; a control valve coupled to a fluid supply source for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic cylinder mechanically coupled to both the row unit frame and the closing-wheel linkage, the hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication with the control valve and including a movable ram having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably coupled to the closing-wheel linkage such that movement of the movable ram moves the pair of closing wheels, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid via the control valve, the hydraulic-fluid exerting hydraulic pressure on the second end of the movable ram for exerting a controllable force that pivots the closing wheels downwardly toward the soil; and a control system coupled to and controllably adjusting the control valve for adjusting the controllable force for different soil conditions. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification