Independent closing system with adjustable down force

• US 9,706,703 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2014
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Brian, Dienst, Johnathon, Raetzman, Ryan, Prickel, Marvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Novosad, Christopher J
• Application Number:
  US14/566,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20160165788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/066 Devices for covering drills or furrows
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/205 comprising pressure regulation means

Abstract

A furrow closing system for an agricultural seed planter provides soil closing and soil pressing that are controlled by independent adjustable down force or pressure systems that react to a common frame element or backbone. The adjustable down force systems may be manually controlled, electronically controlled and/or part of a closed loop system. A down stop, which may also be adjustable, may be used to limit the maximum force of the adjustable down pressure systems.

Claims

1. A furrow closing system for an agricultural seed planter comprising:

a frame element;

first and second adjustable down-force assemblies coupled to the frame element;

a closing assembly coupled to the first adjustable down-force assembly, the closing assembly operable to contact a ground surface;

a press assembly coupled to the second adjustable down-force assembly, the press assembly operable to contact a ground surface following the closing assembly; and

a down stop operable to limit the first adjustable down force, and

wherein the first adjustable down-force assembly is operable to provide a first adjustable down force from the frame element to the closing assembly without substantially affecting the press assembly, and the second adjustable down-force assembly is operable to provide a second adjustable down force from the frame element to the press assembly without substantially affecting the closing assembly, and

wherein the down stop is adjustable among a plurality of positions providing different limits.

2. The closing system of claim 1, wherein the closing assembly includes first and second closing discs.

3. The closing system of claim 1, wherein the closing assembly includes a closing disc and a closing arm pivotally coupled to the frame element and the closing discs, wherein adjustment of the first adjustable down-force assembly pivots the closing arm.

4. The closing system of claim 3, farther including a down stop, wherein the down stop limits the first adjustable down force by limiting a motion of the closing arm.

5. The closing system of claim 3, wherein the first adjustable down-force assembly includes a pneumatic cylinder.

6. The closing system of claim 1, wherein the press assembly includes a press wheel and a press arm pivotally coupled to the frame element and the press wheel, wherein adjustment of the second adjustable down-force assembly pivots the press arm.

7. The closing system of claim 6, wherein the second adjustable down-force assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder disposed through a coil spring.

8. The closing system of claim 1, further including an electronic controller operable to adjust at least one of the first and second adjustable down-force assemblies.

9. The closing system of claim 8, wherein the electronic controller is operable to adjust the at least one of the first and second adjustable down-force assemblies while the closing and press assemblies are moving along the ground surface.