Planter with post seed tube mounted row cleaner and depth control method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016227701-A1
Application number	US-201415022174-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 19, 2014
Priority date	Sep 19, 2013
Publication date	Aug 11, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A planter unit for planting seeds as it traverses a field in a direction of travel includes a seed delivery tube and a furrow opener configured to open a furrow in the soil for receiving seeds dropped through the delivery tube. A gauge wheel assembly controls the depth of penetration of the furrow opener. The planter unit also has a furrow closing tool that closes the furrow, the furrow closing tool positioned after the delivery tube in the direction of travel. The planter unit also has a row cleaning and depth control tool positioned after the furrow closing tool. The row cleaning and depth control tool has first and second row whippers that push excess soil out away from above where seeds were dropped in the furrow, wherein vertical position of first and second row whippers is selectively adjustable relative the vertical position of the furrow opener.

First claim

1 . A planter unit for planting seeds as it traverses a field in a direction of travel, the planter unit comprising:
a seed delivery tube; a furrow opener configured to open a furrow in the soil for receiving seeds dropped through the delivery tube; a gauge wheel assembly configured to control the depth of penetration of the furrow opener; a furrow closing tool that closes the furrow, the furrow closing tool positioned after the delivery tube in the direction of travel; and a row cleaning and depth control tool positioned after the furrow closing tool, the row cleaning and depth control tool comprising first and second row whippers that push excess soil out away from above where seeds were dropped in the furrow, wherein vertical position of first and second row whippers is selectively adjustable relative the vertical position of the furrow opener to select the depth of the seeds below the surface.

2 . The planter unit of claim 1 wherein the furrow opener has a pair of downwardly and slightly forwardly converging discs rotatably mounted on a frame of the planter unit.

3 . The planter unit of claim 1 wherein the furrow opener is configured to form a v-shaped furrow as the planter unit proceeds through the field.

4 . The planter unit of claim 1 wherein the gauge wheel assembly consists of a single gauge wheel disposed on one side of the furrow opener.

5 . The planter unit of claim 1 wherein the furrow closing tool consists of a single rotatable closer.

6 . The planter unit of claim 1 wherein the single rotatable closer has a shark-tooth periphery.

7 . The planter unit of claim 1 wherein the single rotatable closer is attached to a frame of the planter unit on a side opposite a single gauge wheel.

8 . The planter unit of claim 1 further comprising a press wheel for packing the soil above the furrow after the row cleaning and depth control tool.

Assignees

• Agco Corp

Inventors

• Nelson Darren J
• Wollenhaupt Nyle C
• Barnes Erik L

Classifications

• A01C7/206

  Seed pipes · CPC title

• A01C5/064

  with rotating tools · CPC title

• A01C7/203 Primary

  comprising depth regulation means · CPC title

• A01C5/066

  Devices for covering drills or furrows · CPC title

• A01C5/068

  Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels · CPC title