AU2015101833A4 - Seeding point - Google Patents

Abstract

A seeding point is provided which is able to penetrate deeper into the ground compared to prior art agricultural tools. The seeding point alleviates the problems associated with displacing soil into adjacent furrows, and drag. The 5 seeding point has a first ground-engaging surface, a second ground-engaging surface and an intermediate ground-engaging surface which have different widths and shapes which result in the advantages mentioned above. Utfl I-. -

Description

1 TITLE Seeding Point FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 [0001] The present invention relates to the field of agricultural apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a seeding point for the preparation of soil prior to the planting of seed. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 10 [0002] Any reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere. [0003] In order to successfully cultivate a plant from a seed, it is generally required that the soil must be first prepared. Soil that has not been previously 15 prepared, or disturbed, in any manner can be relatively hard. Typically these surfaces need to be mechanically agitated to loosen the soil before a furrow can be created in which seeds are laid. [0004] Direct drilling can overcome this problem. Direct drilling is the process of sowing seeds without first preparing the soil. In direct drilling, a knife point is 20 used to disturb the soil to create a furrow in which seeds can be laid. Knife points are suitable for heavier and harder soils, and generally have a flat ground engaging element. However, a problem with the knife point is that the flat ground-engaging element can displace soil into adjacent furrows. [0005] Furrows can also be made using planting points. Planting points have 25 a more pointed, or angled, ground-engaging element which results in the planting point parting the soil as opposed to lifting the soil. This alleviates the problem associated with displacing soil into adjacent furrows. Disadvantages of planting points are that they can only penetrate a small depth into the ground, 2 and that they are less suitable for harder soils because the pointed ground engaging element is more prone to failure. Further to this, in dry conditions the moist soil is located deeper in the ground and this is not accessible to the planting point. In this situation the parted dry soil can fall back into the furrow. 5 [0006] Due to the hard soil, knife points and planting points are subjected to abrasive conditions. As such, knife points and planting points are normally employed using a range of adaptors affixed to farming machinery so that they can be replaced. [0007] As such, agriculturalists can be required to prepare the soil in a two 10 step process: 1. agitation of the soil with either a knife point or other agricultural tools, and 2. using a planting point, or another tool, to form a furrow. This two-step process is inefficient and time consuming. It also requires the 15 farmer to maintain a wider stock of points and thereby increases their capital costs. [0008] It should be apparent that there is a need for an agricultural tool which alleviates the problems associated with the knife points and planting points, as discussed hereinabove, or at least provides a useful alternative. 20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In a first aspect, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, the invention resides in a seeding point comprising an adaptor portion and a ground-engaging portion, the ground-engaging portion comprising: a first region having a first ground-engaging surface; 25 a second region having a second ground-engaging surface; and an intermediate region having an intermediate ground-engaging surface, the intermediate region connecting the first region and the second region; wherein the first region has bevelled edges connecting each of its side 30 face sections of the ground-engaging portion to the first ground-engaging 3 surface, and wherein the second region is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the first region. [0010] In an embodiment, the width of the second ground-engaging surface is greater than the width of the first ground-engaging surface. 5 [0011] In one embodiment, the seeding point further comprises: a. a first wear tile provided on at least a portion of the first ground engaging surface; b. a second wear tile provided on the second ground-engaging surface; and 10 c. an intermediate wear tile provided on the intermediate ground engaging surface. [0012] In one embodiment, the predetermined angle is between about 100 and about 1752. [0013] In certain embodiments, the predetermined angle is between about 15 1202 and about 175L. [0014] In another embodiment, the predetermined angle is between about 135L to about 170L). [0015] In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined angle is about 165L. [0016] In a second aspect, the invention resides in a method of soil 20 preparation for direct seeding comprising the steps of: a. attaching to farming machinery a seeding point comprising an adaptor portion and a ground-engaging portion, the ground engaging portion comprising: a first region having a first ground-engaging surface; 25 a second region having a second ground-engaging surface; and an intermediate region having an intermediate ground-engaging surface, the intermediate region connecting the first region and the second region; wherein the first region has bevelled edges connecting each of its side face 30 sections of the ground-engaging portion to the first ground-engaging surface, and wherein the second region is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the first region; 4 b. lowering the seeding point into the ground; and c. dragging the seeding point through the ground, to thereby prepare the soil for direct seeding. [0017] The various features and embodiments of the present invention 5 referred to in the individual sections above apply, as appropriate, to other sections, mutatis mutandis. Consequently features specified in one section may be combined with features specified in other sections as appropriate. [0018] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. 10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the 15 accompanying drawings, in which: FIG 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the seeding point; FIG 2 shows an alternate perspective view of the seeding point of FIG 1; FIG 3 shows a front view of the seeding point of FIG 1; FIG 4 shows a side view of the seeding point of FIG 1; 20 FIG 5 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the seeding point; FIG 6 shows an alternate perspective view of the seeding point of FIG 5; FIG 7 shows a front view of the seeding point of FIG 5; FIG 8 shows a side view of the seeding point of FIG 5; 25 FIG 9 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the seeding point; FIG 10 shows an alternate perspective view of the seeding point of FIG 9; FIG 11 shows a front view of the seeding point of FIG 9; and 5 FIG 12 shows a side view of the seeding point of FIG 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0020] In this specification, adjectives such as first, intermediate, second, 5 above and below, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. [0021] In this specification, words such as "comprise", "comprises", "comprising" or "include", "includes", "including" or "selected" are intended to 10 define a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed, including elements that are inherent to such a method, or apparatus. [0022] As used herein, the term 'about' means that the amount is nominally 15 the number following the term 'about' but the actual amount may vary from this precise number to an unimportant degree. [0023] As used herein, the term 'adaptor' relates to a permanent or fixed member which may be releasably affixed to an item of farming machinery, onto which the seeding point is located. 20 [0024] As used herein, the term 'lift' in relation to soil refers to the upward force imparted to the soil. For instance, excess lift may cause the soil to become airborne and land further away from the furrow or in adjacent furrows. [0025] Referring to FIGs 1-12, there is shown a seeding point 100. The seeding point 100 comprises an adaptor portion 190 and a ground-engaging 25 portion 150. The seeding point 100 can be attached to farming machinery by virtue of the adaptor portion 190. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the adaptor portion 190 can comprise any complimentary means to an attachment point on farming machinery. Suitably examples of the adaptor region can be a male or female adaptor, a wedge, a mandrel, or pin or socket. 30 The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the list provided is not an exhaustive list, but merely a list that exemplifies the means of attachments which 6 can be used in the adaptor region 190. The adaptor portion 190 allows the seeding point to be removed and replaced on farming machinery when it eventually wears down or fails. [0026] FIGs 1-12 depict seeding point 100 with different adaptor portions 190 5 and substantially similar ground-engaging portions 150. For example, FIGs 1-4 show an embodiment where the adaptor portion 190 comprises a chamber, FIGs 5-8 show an embodiment where the adaptor portion 190 comprises a protrusion, and FIGs 9-12 show an embodiment where the adaptor portion 190 comprises a wedge. The elements of the ground-engaging portion 150 are the same and so 10 like numbering has been maintained throughout the figures. [0027] The present invention relates to a seeding point 100 comprising an adaptor portion 190 and a ground engaging portion 150, wherein the ground engaging portion 150 further comprises a first region 160, a second region 170 and an intermediate region 180. The intermediate region 180 connects the first 15 region 160 and the second region 170. [0028] The first region 160 has a first ground-engaging surface 161, the second region 170 has a second ground-engaging surface 171 and the intermediate region 180 has an intermediate ground-engaging surface 181. Each respective ground-engaging surface 161, 171 and 181 is at least partially 20 covered with wear tiles, as will be described hereinafter. The ground-engaging surfaces are the surfaces that face the soil, in the direction of contact with the soil, when the seeding point 100 is dragged through the ground. It will be understood that other parts of the seeding point 100 will also contact the soil, but the majority of the work in preparing the soil is completed by the ground 25 engaging surfaces and, in preferred embodiments, their respective wear tiles. [0029] The first region 160 has beveled edges 163 connecting the side sections of the ground engaging portion to the first ground-engaging surface 161. The side sections are the respective flat faces of the seeding point 100 which are located and adjacent and contact the rear surface being directly 30 opposite the ground-engaging surfaces. These beveled edges 163 allow for soil to be parted to form a furrow, and are discussed hereinafter. The second region 7 170, in one embodiment, does not have beveled edges and the second ground engaging surface 171 is therefore wider than the first ground-engaging surface 161. The wider second ground-engaging surface 171, whether due to a lack of beveling or a reduced bevel compared with that for the first region 160, enables 5 the second region 170 to disturb harder soil with less resistance, and is discussed hereinafter. The intermediate region 180 connects the first region 160 to the second region 170, and the intermediate region 180 has sides 185 that alter from having no beveled edges 183 on the end adjacent the second region 170, to having beveled edges 184 that connect each of its side face sections of 10 the ground engaging portion to the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 adjacent the first region 160. [0030] It should be apparent that the width of the second ground-engaging surface 171 is greater than the width of the first ground-engaging surface 161, and that the width of the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 adapts or 15 transforms from the width of the first ground-engaging surface 161 to the width of the second ground-engaging surface 171, along its length. Each end of the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 has substantially the same width as the adjacent first ground-engaging surface 161 or second ground-engaging surface 171. 20 [0031] The second ground-engaging surface 171 contacts the soil that is deeper in the ground where the soil is typically harder, wetter, denser and can also include clays. The larger width of the second ground-engaging surface 171 allows the seeding point to penetrate deeper into the ground because the width provides strength and durability to the seeding point 100 so that it is able to 25 endure the harder soil. More importantly, the greater width means it imparts greater lift to the soil upon contact with that second ground-engaging surface 171 (or the wear tile provided upon it) which is required to generate an appropriate furrow for planting. As the second ground-engaging surface 171 is dragged through the soil it lifts the displaced soil up along the seeding point 100 30 toward the surface of the ground. In other words, the second ground-engaging surface 171 pushes the soil toward the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 and the first ground-engaging surface 161. As the second ground-engaging 8 surface 171 contacts the soil, it breaks it into smaller fragments. The broken soil will follow the path of least resistance, which is toward the surface and thus the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 and first ground-engaging surface 161. 5 [0032] Typically, prior art planting points have an angled lower point, or base of the second ground-engaging surface, which assists in reducing drag. However, this angled lower point can result in the smearing of soil which effectively forms a wall in the furrow in which seeds are laid. This is undesirable as it can hinder the germination of seeds. 10 [0033] The soil then contacts the intermediate ground-engaging surface 171 which gradually decreases in width. The reduction in width is accompanied by the gradual formation of beveled edges (from no beveled edges 183 to beveled edges 184). The change in width and degree of beveling of the intermediate region 170 changes the amount of lift provided to the soil. When the soil contacts 15 the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181, the soil is guided upwards toward the surface of the ground and to the first ground-engaging surface 161 and beveled edges 163. [0034] Depending on where the soil contacts the intermediate ground engaging surface 181, the amount of lift provided will vary. For example, if the 20 soil contacts the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 adjacent or near beveled edges 184 then the reduced width of the ground-engaging surface will provide less lift. Alternatively, if the soil contacts the intermediate ground engaging surface 181 adjacent the area with no beveled edges 183 then the increased width of the ground-engaging surface 181 will provide more lift. It 25 should be clear that the intermediate region 180, intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 and edges 185 change in width and degree of beveling to provide a gradual change in lift. [0035] When the soil contacts the first ground-engaging surface 161 it is effectively parted due to the beveled edges 163, and this ensures that the soil is 30 parted with less lateral force. When the soil contacts the first ground-engaging surface 161, it is pushed toward the beveled edges 163. The beveled edges 163 guide the soil to the sides of the seeding point 100 where it drops to the ground.

9 It should be apparent that the beveled edges 163 greatly reduce the amount of lift provided and reduce the amount of lateral force imparted on the soil thereby alleviating the problem associated with displacing soil into adjacent furrows. [0036] It is the combination of the first, second and intermediate regions that 5 allow the seeding point 100 to be used in harder soils whilst alleviating the problem of soil being displaced into adjacent rows. The second region 170 breaks the harder soils into smaller fragments so that the intermediate ground engaging surface 181 and first ground-engaging surfaces 161 can effectively part the soil to form the furrow. It should be clear that the loosened soil is less 10 abrasive so the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 and the first ground engaging surface 161 do not experience such severe abrasive conditions. It should be apparent that if there is no beveling in the first region 160, then the first region 160 will displace the soil with greater lateral force and result in more soil being displaced into adjacent furrows. 15 [0037] The second ground-engaging surface 171 is inclined at a predetermined angle in respect to the first ground-engaging surface 161. The predetermined angle is the angle formed between the intersection of the plane of the first ground-engaging surface 161 and the plane of the second ground engaging surface 171. The predetermined angle is suitably between about 100 20 and about 1752, more suitably between about 1202 and about 1752, preferably between about 1352 to about 1702, and most preferably about 1652. In other words, the predetermined angle is the angle formed from between the intersection of the plane of the first ground-engaging surface 161 and the plane of the second ground-engaging surface 171 in a profile view. 25 [0038] The predetermined angle is important as it provides additional lift to the soil. The incline of the second ground-engaging surface 171 allows the soil to be lifted towards the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 and first ground engaging surface 161. When the soil contacts the second ground-engaging surface 171, it is pushed upwards by virtue of the predetermined angle. As such 30 the second ground-engaging surface 171, in addition to breaking up the soil, assists in moving the soil to the surface. This is advantageous because if the second ground-engaging surface 171 was substantially vertical then there can 10 be a build-up of soil on the ground-engaging surface thereby increasing the resistance of the seeding point. This problem can be exacerbated in soils with clay. [0039] The first ground-engaging surface 161 is orientated more 5 perpendicular to the ground. This positioning reduces the amount of lift provided to the soil. For instance, when the soil contacts the first ground-engaging surface 161, the soil is not pushed up the first ground-engaging surface 161 by virtue of this orientation. The forward momentum of the seeding point 100 pushes the soil to the side of the first region 160 as opposed to up the first region 160 thereby 10 decreasing the amount of lift provided to the soil. [0040] The intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 is orientated so that it creates a surface that gradually changes the lift provided. It should be apparent that the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 gradually reduces the amount of lift so that there is a steady flow of soil towards the surface. If the 15 intermediate ground-engaging surface was not present then the sharp change in width and beveling may result in more resistance. It will be appreciated that the intermediate surface does not need to be a flat surface and can be curved in a manner that gradually changes the amount of lift provided to the soil. [0041] The combination of the predetermined angle, width and degree of 20 beveling of the ground-engaging surfaces are important as they allow the seeding point 100 to contact hard soil, whilst reducing drag, and alleviating the problem of displacing soil into adjacent furrows. [0042] The ground-engaging surfaces 161, 171 and 181 experience the abrasive conditions because they are dragged through the soil, and as such can 25 be prone to failure. In order to improve the durability of the seeding point 100, wear tiles 162, 172 and 182 are provided on at least a portion of the ground engaging surfaces 161, 171 and 181 to prolong the lifetime of these surfaces. These wear tiles protect the ground-engaging surfaces from the abrasive conditions of being dragged through the soil. 30 [0043] These wear tiles will be welded or otherwise attached to the ground engaging surfaces. The wear tiles may be made of tungsten, a tungsten alloy or 11 like wear resistant materials. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that other wear resistant materials can be used for the wear resistant tiles. [0044] The second wear tile 172, provided to the second ground-engaging surface 171, has beveled upper edges which assist in reducing the resistance of 5 the seeding point 100 through soil. The reduction in resistance will allow the farming machinery to work more efficiently. This is desirable as the process has lower energy consumption and allows the agriculturalist to create furrows in less time. The upper beveled edges assist in moving the soil to the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 and first ground-engaging surface 161. When the 10 top surface of the second wear tile 172 contacts the soil it breaks the soil into smaller fragments. The broken soil then follows the path of least resistance directly to the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181, or along the beveled edges of the second wear tile 172 and then to the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181. This is advantageous compared to a wear tile without the beveled 15 upper edges as that wear tile would not provide a secondary avenue to the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181. [0045] In one embodiment, the second wear tile 172 is thicker than the first wear tile 162 and the intermediate wear tile 182. As mentioned previously, the second region 170 and second ground-engaging surface 171 contacts the hard 20 soil and experiences the most abrasive conditions. As such, the second wear tile 172 can fail before the intermediate wear tile 182 and first wear tile 162. Therefore, the additional thickness of the second wear tile 172 addresses this issue. The additional thickness also leads to the second wear tile 172 extending further from the surface of the second ground-engaging surface 171 so that it 25 contacts the soil before the intermediate wear tile 182 and first wear tile 162. In this orientation, the second wear tile 172 breaks up the soil before being moved to the intermediate wear tile 182 and the first wear tile 162. [0046] The intermediate wear tile 182 is coterminous with the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 and protects the surface from abrasion. The first 30 wear tile 162 covers at least a portion of the first ground-engaging surface 161 to protect at least a portion of the surface from abrasion.

12 [0047] It will be appreciated that the second wear tile 172 and the intermediate wear tile 182 substantially cover the second ground-engaging surface 171 and the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181. It will be understood that substantially all of the second ground-engaging surface 171 and 5 the intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 will contact the soil, and so the ground-engaging surfaces will need to be substantially covered by the wear tiles. The first wear tile 162 may only need to cover at least part of the first ground engaging surface 161 because part of the first ground-engaging surface 161 may be located above the surface of the soil. The part of the first ground 10 engaging surface 161 that resides above the surface of the soil may not experience the abrasive conditions, and as such this section of the first ground engaging surface 161 will not need to be protected. By 'at least part of the first ground-engaging surface' it is meant that the wear tile covers the whole width of the first ground-engaging surface over a length of the first ground-engaging 15 surface. Further to this, the soil which contacts the first ground-engaging surface 161 may be sufficiently broken that it is not as abrasive as the soil in which the second ground-engaging surface 171 and intermediate ground-engaging surface 181 contact. However, in some embodiments, the first wear 162 tile covers substantially the entire surface of the first ground-engaging surface 161. 20 [0048] In one embodiment, additional wear tiles may be provided to the beveled edges 163, and the intermediate sides 185 to further prolong the lifetime of the seeding point 100. [0049] The combination of the width, degree of beveling and angles of the first, second and intermediate regions 160, 170, and 180 and their respective 25 first, second and intermediate ground-engaging surfaces 161, 171 and 181 allow the seeding point 100 to be used in unprepared soil and enable it to penetrate deeper into the ground. This combination allows the harder soil to be disturbed, but results in a furrow without pushing soil into adjacent furrows. It should be appreciated the seeding point is able to combine the advantages of both the 30 knife point and the planting point. [0050] In a second aspect, the invention resides in a method of soil preparation for direct seeding comprising the steps of: 13 a. attaching to farming machinery a seeding point comprising an adaptor portion and a ground-engaging portion, the ground engaging portion comprising: a first region having a first ground-engaging surface; 5 a second region having a second ground-engaging surface; and an intermediate region having an intermediate ground-engaging surface, the intermediate region connected to the first region and the second region; wherein the first region has bevelled edges connecting each of its side face 10 sections of the ground-engaging portion to the first ground-engaging surface, and wherein the second region is inclined at a predetermined angle in respect to the first region; b. lowering the seeding point into the ground; and c. dragging the seeding point through the ground, 15 to thereby prepare the soil for direct seeding. [0051] The seeding point is as substantially described in the first aspect. [0052] Typically, farming machinery has an attachment point which can be used to affix an agricultural tool. These attachment points can be used to attach tools such as a knife point or a planting point. As previously mentioned, the 20 seeding point 100 will have an adaptor portion 190 which is capable of being affixed to standard farming machinery. Also previously mentioned the seeding point 100 can utilize different types of adaptors so that they can be securely affixed to a variety of farming machinery. [0053] The seeding point 100 is securely attached to the farming machinery 25 by the adaptor portion 190. Once securely attached, the seeding point 100 is lowered into the ground to the desired depth. It will be appreciated that the seeding point 100 may not be immediately lowered to the desired depth, but pressure is applied so that the desired depth is achieved once the farming machinery is in motion. The seeding point 100 is then dragged through the 30 ground to form a furrow, as described in the first aspect. [0054] Embodiments of the present invention reside primarily in an agricultural tool. Accordingly, the method steps have been illustrated in concise 14 schematic form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary for understanding the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to obscure the disclosure with excessive detail that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present 5 description. [0055] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and 10 variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations of the 15 present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

Claims (5)

1. A seeding point comprising an adaptor portion and a ground-engaging portion, the ground-engaging portion comprising: a first region having a first ground-engaging surface; 5 a second region having a second ground-engaging surface; and an intermediate region having an intermediate ground-engaging surface, the intermediate region connecting the first region and the second region; wherein the first region has bevelled edges connecting each of its side face 10 sections of the ground-engaging portion to the first ground-engaging surface, and wherein the second region is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the first region.

2. A method of soil preparation for direct seeding comprising the steps of 15 a. attaching to farming machinery a seeding point comprising an adaptor portion and a ground-engaging portion, the ground engaging portion comprising: a first region having a first ground-engaging surface; a second region having a second ground-engaging surface; and 20 an intermediate region having an intermediate ground-engaging surface, the intermediate region connecting the first region and the second region; wherein the first region has bevelled edges connecting each of its side face sections of the ground-engaging portion to the first ground-engaging surface, 25 and wherein the second region is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the first region; b. lowering the seeding point into the ground; and c. dragging the seeding point through the ground, to thereby prepare the soil for direct seeding. 30

3. The seeding point of claim 1, or the method of claim 2, wherein the seeding point further comprises: 16 a. a first wear tile provided on at least a portion of the first ground engaging surface; b. a second wear tile provided on the second ground-engaging surface; and 5 c. an intermediate wear tile provided on the intermediate ground engaging surface.

4. The seeding point, or method, of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined angle is between about 1202 and 1752. 10

5. The seeding point, or method, of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the second ground-engaging surface is greater than the width of the first ground-engaging surface.