Agricultural machine with adjustable frame for variable row planting

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025324917-A1
Application number	US-202519254549-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 30, 2025
Priority date	Jan 26, 2022
Publication date	Oct 23, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

An adjustable frame assembly of a planter includes a main frame, a first frame member movably coupled to the main frame, and a drive mechanism operably coupled between the main frame and the first frame member for moving the first frame member along the first axis relative to the main frame. The first frame member is laterally movable along a first axis which is perpendicular to a direction of travel of the planter. The frame assembly also includes a first arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the main frame and the second end being coupled to a first row unit. A second arm is provided having a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the first frame member and the second end is coupled to the first row unit.

First claim

1 .- 20 . (canceled)

21 . An adjustable frame assembly of a planter, the adjustable frame assembly comprising:
a first frame portion; a plurality of frame members comprising a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member, and a fourth frame member, the first frame member and the second frame member pivotally coupled to the first frame portion at a first pivot, the third frame member pivotally coupled to the first frame member at a second pivot, and the fourth frame member pivotally coupled to the second frame member at a third pivot; a first row unit coupled to the first frame member and the third frame member; and a second row unit coupled to the second frame member and the fourth frame member, a width of the adjustable frame assembly being adjustable between a narrow configuration and a wide configuration to adjust (1) a lateral distance between at least the first row unit and the second row unit, and (2) a fore-aft position of the first row unit and the second row unit relative to a direction of travel of the planter.

22 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 21 , wherein the first row unit is coupled to the first frame member and the third frame member at the second pivot, and the second row unit is coupled to the second frame member and the fourth frame member at the third pivot.

23 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 21 , further comprising a third row unit, wherein the third frame member is pivotally coupled to the fourth frame member at a fourth pivot, and the third row unit is coupled to the third frame member and the fourth frame member at the fourth pivot.

24 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 23 , wherein the first row unit and the second row unit are positioned in a first rank, and the third row unit is positioned in a second rank.

25 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 24 , wherein the adjustable frame assembly is configured to adjust a fore-aft position of the second rank with the adjustment of the width of the adjustable frame assembly.

26 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 24 , wherein the third frame member and a fifth frame member of the plurality of frame members are pivotally coupled to a second frame portion at a fifth pivot, the second frame portion being coupled to a ground-engaging mechanism.

27 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of frame members each have a length that does not change.

28 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 21 , wherein a length of at least one frame member of the plurality of frame members is adjustable via a telescoping actuator.

29 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 21 , further comprising an electronic control unit configured to receive instructions and control adjustment of the width of the frame.

30 . An adjustable frame assembly of a planter, the adjustable frame assembly comprising:
a first frame portion; a plurality of frame members comprising a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member, and a fourth frame member, the first frame member pivotally coupled to the first frame portion at a first pivot, the second frame member pivotally coupled to the first frame member at a second pivot, the third frame member pivotally coupled to the first frame member at a third pivot, and the fourth frame member pivotally coupled to (1) the second frame member at a fourth pivot, and (2) the third frame member at a fifth pivot; a first row unit coupled to the first frame member and the third frame member at the third pivot; a second row unit coupled to the second frame member and the fourth frame member at the fourth pivot; and a third row unit coupled to the third frame member and the fourth frame member at the fifth pivot, a width of the adjustable frame assembly being adjustable between a narrow configuration and a wide configuration to adjust (1) a lateral distance between at least the first row unit and the second row unit, and (2) a fore-aft position of the first row unit, the second row unit, and the third row unit relative to a direction of travel of the planter.

31 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 30 , further comprising a fourth row unit coupled to only one frame member of the plurality of frame members.

32 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 30 , wherein the first row unit and the second row unit are positioned in a first rank, and the third row unit is positioned in a second rank.

33 . An adjustable frame assembly of a planter, the adjustable frame assembly comprising:
a frame configured for selective adjustment of a width of the frame between a narrow configuration and a wide configuration; a plurality of row units coupled to the frame and arranged in a ranked configuration, one or more row units of the plurality of row units in a front rank of the ranked configuration and at least one other row unit of the plurality of row units in a rear rank of the ranked configuration; and an electronic control unit configured to:
(1) receive an operator input for at least one of a seed population, a row spacing, an intra-row spacing of a plurality of seeds deposited by the plurality of row units, and an inter-row spacing of the plurality of seeds deposited by the plurality of row units, and
(2) generate, in response to at least the operator input, a signal to facilitate an adjustment of the width of the frame, the adjustment of the width adjusting (a) a fore-aft position of at least one of the front rank and the rear rank relative to a direction of travel of the planter, and (b) a lateral spacing between adjacent row units of the plurality of row units.

34 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 33 , wherein the frame is configured to, with the adjustment of the width of the frame, adjust a lateral spacing between adjacent row units of the rear rank.

35 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 33 , wherein the frame is configured to, with the adjustment of the width of the frame, adjust the fore-aft position of the rear rank relative to the front rank.

36 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 33 , wherein the frame is configured to, with the adjustment of the width of the frame, adjust the fore-aft position of both the front rank and the rear rank.

37 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 33 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to generate a signal to dynamically adjust the width of the frame during a planting operation in response to a detected field condition.

38 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 37 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to generate a signal to automatically adjust the intra-row spacing of the plurality of seeds in response to the width of the frame being dynamically adjusted.

39 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 37 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to generate a signal to automatically adjust the inter-row spacing of the plurality of seeds in response to the width of the frame being dynamically adjusted.

40 . The adjustable frame assembly of claim 37 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to generate a signal to automatically adjust both the intra-row spacing and the inter-row spacing of the plurality of seeds in response to the width of the frame being dynamically adjusted.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Garner Elijah B
• Groves Tyler G
• Brueggen Shane J
• Robisky Steve P
• Johnson Lee A

Classifications

• A01C7/102

  Regulating or controlling the seed rate · CPC title

• A01C7/208

  Chassis; Coupling means to a tractor or the like; Lifting means; Side markers · CPC title

• A01B63/002 Primary

  Devices for adjusting or regulating the position of tools or wheels (preventing overstrain A01B61/00; wheels adjustable relatively to the frame for drawn implements A01B3/16; tools or tool holders adjustable relatively to the frame for drawn implements A01B63/24) · CPC title

• A01C7/201 Primary

  Mounting of the seeding tools · CPC title