1 A CLOSING TOOL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to plough tools and more particularly but not exclusively to closing tools that are attached to a plough frame so as to aid in forming a seed bed behind the plough shank. BACKGROUND [0002] Described in Australian Patent 675376 is a closing tool that is attached to a plough frame so as to close the soil behind the plough shank. The tool forms a seed bed at a desired depth to which a seed is delivered. Prior to the closing tool forming a seed bed, fertiliser is delivered to a slot in the soil at a position forward of the closing tool so that the closing tool moves soil to cover the fertiliser. [0003] A disadvantage of the above discussed closing tool is that on occasions it can cause lateral displacement of the soil so that the fertiliser is not fully covered. The seed can then be exposed directly to the fertiliser. This can damage the seed. A further disadvantage is that lateral displacement of the soil does not provide for accurate location and/or formation of the seed bed. OBJECT [0004] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages. SUMMARY [0005] There is a disclosed herein a closing tool to close a slot formed in soil by a digging blade being moved by a plough frame in a forward direction, the closing tool including: a stem to be attached to the frame so as to be moved in said direction, and having a longitudinal axis; 2 a wear resistant member fixed to the stem to engage the soil as the tool moves through the soil to close the slot to form a seed bed, the wear resistant member being formed of harder material than the stem; and wherein said closing tool includes a forwardly facing surface inclined to said axis by an acute angle, with said member being fixed to said surface so as to cover a substantial portion of said surface. [0006] Preferably, the surface is downwardly and forwardly facing relative to said direction. [0007] Preferably, the wear resistant member is secured to the stem by securing a layer located between said surface and the wear resistant member. [0008] Preferably, the surface is generally planar. [0009] Preferably, the said angle is 600 to 660, and said surface has a width of about 47mm or about 63mm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0011] Figure 1 illustrates a first closing tool in an isometric view, a front elevation view, a side elevation view and a rear elevation view; [0012] Figure 2 schematically depicts a second closing tool in an isometric view, a front elevation view, a side elevation view and a rear elevation view; [0013] Figure 3 schematically depicts a third closing tool in an isometric view, a front elevation view, a side elevation view and a rear elevation view; [0014] Figure 4 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of the closing tool of Figure 1; and [0015] Figure 5 is a schematic parts exploded view of the closing tool of Figure 2.
3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0016] In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted various closing tools 10. [0017] One of the closing tools 10 will now be described. The closing tool 10 is intended to be attached to a plough frame so as to be moved in a forward direction 11 through a soil layer. A fuller description of the plougher frame and the location of the closing tools 10 is provided by Australian Patent 675376. [0018] The closing tool 10 includes an attachment stem 12 via which the closing tool 10 is attached to a plough frame so as to extend downwardly from an upper portion 13 to a lower portion 14. Fixed to or secured to the lower portion 14 is a flange 15 that provides a lower mounting surface 16 that is generally planar. The stem 12 has a longitudinal axis 17 with the surface 16 inclined to the axis 17 by a forward facing acute angle 18. Preferably the angle 18 is within the range of 600 to 660 and is preferably 630. [0019] The flange 15 is downwardly and rearwardly extending from the lower portion 14 so that the surface 16, as best seen in Figure 1, is downwardly and forwardly facing relative to the direction 11. [0020] Secured to the surface 16 is a wear resistant member 19 that has a convex downwardly facing surface 20 and that covers a substantial portion of the surface 16. [0021] Preferably, the wear resistant member 19 is secured to the surface 16 by a securing layer 24. [0022] Preferably, the wear resistant member 19 is formed of tungsten and the layer 24 a solder layer that is heated to secure the wear resistant member 19 to the surface 16. [0023] Preferably the surface 16 when in use, passing through a soil layer in the direction 11, is inclined to the horizontal by an angle within the range 200 to 350, preferably 270, 280 or 290. [0024] Preferably, the stem 12 and flange 15 are integrally formed, with the stem 12 and flange 15 being formed from a metal strip plastically deformed to the shapes as illustrated.
4 [0025] Preferably, the stem 12 has a forward facing centre strip 21 from which there rearwardly extends flanges 22. [0026] As is best seen in the drawings, the centre portion 21 is provided with a plurality of holes 23 through which fasteners would pass to secure the closing tool 10 to a part fixed the plough frame. [0027] The flange 15 of Figure 1 has a width of about 63mm, the flange 15 of Figure 2 about 47mm, and the flange 15 of Figure 3 about 33mm. [0028] An advantage of the above described closing tools 10 is the arcuate convex surface 20 that engages the soil and moves the soil to close the slot while minimising lateral displacement of the soil. The slot is formed by a digging blade and tine associated with the closing tool 10. Accordingly the seed bed position is more accurately formed and the seed is less likely to be exposed to the fertiliser below. The member 19 engages the soil, and moves the soil but resists wear as it is formed of harder material than the stem 12 and flange 15. The member 19 may be one or more pieces of wear resistant material.