AU2016222509A1 - Planter assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

- 14 Abstract A planter assembly for agricultural machinery is disclosed. The planter assembly comprises a parallel link having link arms extending between a mounting bracket and a 5 link bracket and pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and the link bracket. The mounting bracket is fixable to a plough frame, and the link bracket is moveable through a plane formed by the parallel link. The planter assembly also includes a jump arm arrangement joining a wheel to the parallel link, with the wheel is arranged to follow a surface contour and thereby cause movement of the link bracket through the plane, and a 10 locking mechanism to selectively restrain movement of the jump arm arrangement relative to either the link bracket or to one of the link arms. ~- C\ CO --- - ----- a, a, oo 0 , co LO) CO Nl l C\ CO CO CO LO) C\J (.0~ a, N C\J 0)o 0) \(

Description

- 1 - 2016222509 02 Sep 2016

PLANTER ASSEMBLY FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a planter assembly.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a planter assembly for use with 5 agricultural machinery.

BACKGROUND ART

Agricultural planters, also known as seed drills, are used in a one-pass application to place seed and fertilizer into soil to plant a crop in a paddock, i.e. the planter makes a single traverse of the paddock to plough open a furrow in the soil, to deposit fertiliser in 10 the furrow, to prepare a seed bed by partially filling the furrow with soil to cover the fertiliser, to deposit a seed onto the seed bed, and finally to fully close the furrow.

In most instances, in order to achieve proper germination of the seed it is necessary to place the seed at a substantially consistent depth beneath the soil surface. This depth is normally quite shallow, less than 10cm, but is occasionally required to be deeper 15 depending on the crop being planted.

Consistent depth planting has been widely achieved in the prior art by various types of planter assemblies that are supported on a lateral plough frame. It will be appreciated that modern high-powered tractors can pull large agricultural implements and thus that a single plough frame can support multiple planter assemblies. It is known that some 20 smaller plough frames can support twelve to fifteen planter assemblies, whereas some larger plough frames are winged and can support more than fifty planter assemblies.

Each planter assembly normally has a tine to engage the soil to open the furrow, which is followed by a scraper to form a seed bed onto which the seed is deposited through a seed tube. In the prior art, such a scraper is also interchangeably referred to as a closing tool, 25 an opening tool or a seeding boot. Finally a press wheel runs on the soil surface and engages the sides of the furrow to collapse the furrow and cover the seed with soil. The press wheel also assists in pressing the disturbed soil around the seed to remove any entrapped air. The scraper, seed tube and press wheel are normally fixedly mounted on a 8000814_1 (GHMatters) P100310.AU.1 2/09/16 -2- 2016222509 02 Sep 2016 separate seeding frame that is movably mounted either to the plough frame or to the tine so that the seeding frame can move vertically relative to and independently from the plough frame. Most commonly, such vertical movement is enabled by joining the seeding frame to the plough frame using a parallel linkage. The depth at which the seed is planted 5 is determined by the vertical distance that the bottom of the scraper is located below the bottom of the press wheel, because the latter runs on the soil surface. Thus by altering the fixed position of the scraper relative to the position of the press wheel, the desired planting depth can be set.

In use, as the plough frame traverses the terrain in the paddock, the ground will tend to 10 undulate underneath the plough frame. However, as the press wheel is able to run over the undulations independently from the plough frame, the press wheel and the scraper travel vertically in unison and thus the seed bed is formed at a constant depth. This is known as a 1 -to-1 contour ratio planting depth, i.e. for every centimetre that the press wheel moves vertically the scraper will move to the equivalent extent. 15 It has been noted that such 1 -to-1 contour ratio can be detrimental to the accurate planting of seed in certain instances, particularly in hard and lumpy soil that causes the press wheel to experience excessive and erratic vertical movement. In such instances, when the press wheel moves over a hard lump of soil, the scraper also moves up the same extent and can be pulled out of the ground entirely. This problem has been 20 overcome in the prior art by providing a planter assembly having a differential contour ratio, wherein the depth of the scraper moves a smaller proportion of the movement distance of the press wheel, e.g. half the distance in a 2-to-1 contour ratio. A problem with prior art planter assemblies is that the 1-to-1 contour ratio planter assembly cannot easily, if at all, be adjusted to provide a differential contour ratio. 25 Similarly, the differential contour ratio planter assembly cannot easily, if at all, be adjusted to provide a 1-to-1 contour ratio. Thus, when purchasing planter assemblies, a farmer must a planter according to whether a 1 -to-1 contour ratio or a differential contour ratio is required .

The above described background art is not intended to limit the application of the planter 30 assembly as disclosed herein. 8000814_1 (GHMatters) P100310.AU.1 2/09/16 -3- 2016222509 02 Sep 2016

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a planter assembly for agricultural machinery, the planter assembly comprising: a parallel link having link arms extending between a mounting bracket and a link 5 bracket and pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and the link bracket, wherein the mounting bracket is fixable to a plough frame, and wherein the link bracket is moveable through a plane formed by the parallel link; a jump arm arrangement joining a wheel to the parallel link, wherein the wheel is arranged to follow a surface contour and thereby cause movement of the link bracket 10 through the plane; and a locking mechanism to selectively restrain movement of the jump arm arrangement relative to either the link bracket or to one of the link arms.

The jump arm arrangement, when restrained relative to the link bracket, may be maintained in a fixed angular orientation with respect to the mounting bracket during 15 movement of the link bracket through the plane.

The jump arm arrangement, when restrained relative to one of the link arms, may be maintained in a fixed angular orientation with respect to the link arms during movement of the link bracket through the plane.

The locking mechanism may comprise a locking pin arranged to be interchangeably 20 received in complimentary holes in the jump arm arrangement and the link bracket, or in complimentary holes in the jump arm arrangement and one of the link arms.

The locking mechanism may comprise a first passage and a second passage, wherein the first passage extends through the jump arm arrangement and the link bracket and the second passage extends through the jump arm arrangement and one of the link arms, 25 wherein the locking pin is selectively engageable within either the first passage or the second passage to respectively lock either the jump arm arrangement to the link bracket or the jump arm arrangement to one of the link arms. 8000814_1 (GHMatiers) P100310-AU.1 2/09/16 -4- 2016222509 02 Sep 2016

The link bracket may pivotally support a shank carrying a tine and a seed boot.

The shank may be supported by the link bracket to be orientated during use in a substantially upright orientation.

The planter assembly may comprise a biasing device to bias the shank into its 5 substantially upright orientation.

The biasing device may comprise a shock absorbing device that may comprise a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder disposed between the mounting bracket and the shank.

The link bracket may include a buttress to limit an extent to which the shank is able to pivot relative to the link bracket. 10 The buttress may be adjustable to permit adjustment of the extent to which the shank is able to pivot relative to the link bracket.

The buttress may comprise a threaded bolt supported in a flange.

The tine and the wheel may be adapted to follow the surface contour in a 1 -to-1 ratio when the jump arm arrangement is restrained relative to the link bracket. 15 The tine and the wheel may be adapted to follow the surface contour in a differential ratio when the jump arm arrangement is restrained relative to the link arm.

The differential ratio may be substantially a 2-to-1 ratio, for example when the tine is positioned substantially mid-way between the mounting bracket and the wheel.

The jump arm arrangement may comprise a locking frame adjustably joined to a jump 20 arm, the locking frame being attached to the link bracket and the jump arm carrying the wheel.

The locking frame may comprise the locking mechanism.

The jump arm may have an alterable length to alter a position of the link bracket between the wheel and the mounting bracket. 8000814_1 (GHMatiers) P100310-AU.1 2/09/16 -5- 2016222509 02 Sep 2016

The jump arm may be telescopic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: 5 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a planter assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a right side view of the planter assembly seen along arrow II in Figure 1 (in this view, a locking plate has been omitted to improve clarity);

Figure 3 is a top view (shown in reduced scale) of the planter assembly; 10 Figure 4 is a front end view of the planter assembly;

Figure 5 is a right side view of the planter assembly of Figures 1 to 4 shown in use, wherein the planter assembly is arranged in a 1 -to-1 contour ratio and is shown in a raised position;

Figure 6 is a right side view of the planter assembly arranged in the 1 -to-1 contour 15 ratio, but being shown in a lowered position;

Figure 7 is a right side view of the planter assembly arranged in a 2-to-1 contour ratio and shown in a raised position; and

Figure 8 is a right side view of the planter assembly arranged in the 2-to-1 contour ratio, and shown in a lowered position.

20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, there is shown a planter assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The planter assembly 10 is adapted to be attached to a plough frame 12. It will be appreciated that only one lateral beam of the plough frame 12 is shown, however, the 25 plough frame itself can be much larger and will comprise additional conventional plough frame features that do not form part of the invention and as such are not shown. Such features include, amongst others, a tow hook for attaching the plough frame 12 to a tractor and running wheels to carry the plough frame 12 on the ground. Furthermore, the plough frame 12 can support multiple planter assemblies 10 arranged adjacent to each other and 30 can further include multiple rows of such adjacently arranged planter assemblies 10, 8000814_1 (GHMatters) P100310.AU.1 2/09/16 -6- 2016222509 02 Sep 2016 wherein the planter assemblies 10 in each row are laterally offset from those in other rows.

The planter assembly 10 includes a parallel linkage 14 arranged to be joined to the plough frame 12. The parallel linkage 14 includes a mounting bracket 16 that is joined to a link 5 bracket 18 by an upper link arm 22 and a lower link arm 24. The mounting bracket 16 is adapted to be fixedly mounted to the plough frame 12 by suitable bolts and nuts. The upper link arm 22 and the lower link arm 24 are arranged parallel to each other. The upper link arm 22 is pivotally joined to the mounting bracket 16 at fore upper pivot 26 and is pivotally joined to the link bracket 18 at rear upper pivot 28. Similarly, the lower link arm 10 24 is pivotally joined to the mounting bracket 16 at fore lower pivot 30 and is pivotally joined to the link bracket 18 at rear lower pivot 32. Accordingly, the parallel linkage 14 enables the link bracket 18 to move up and down relative to the mounting bracket 16, while maintaining its angular orientation with respect to the mounting bracket 16.

The link bracket 18 is joined to a shank 20 that is normally in a substantially upright 15 orientation. At its lower end the shank 20 carries a tine 34, which can be provided with wearing plates 36 on its operative forward edge to improve resistance to frictional wearing of the tine 34 during use. A boot bracket 38 is mounted to the tine 34 and is arranged to carry a fertiliser boot 40 and a seed boot 42 that are normally linearly aligned behind the tine 34. Although not shown in the drawings, a fertiliser tube is joined to and extends 20 upwardly from the fertiliser boot 40 and is arranged for conveying fertiliser from a supply hopper to be dispensed through the fertiliser boot 40. Similarly, a seed tube is joined to and extends upwardly from the seed boot 42 and is arranged for conveying seed from an air seeder hopper to be dispensed through the seed boot 42. A closing plate 44 is carried forward of the seed boot 42 and is adapted in use to form a seed bed onto which seed 25 exiting the seed boot 42 can fall.

Towards its upper end the shank 20 has a fore shoulder 46 and an opposed rear shoulder 48 located proximal to a shank head 50. The fore shoulder 46 is pivotally joined to the link bracket 18 at rear lower pivot 32 so that shank 20 can at least partially rotate around pivot 32. A cylinder 52 extends between the mounting bracket 16 and the shank head 50 to 30 bias the shank 20 in its upright orientation. The cylinder 52 is shown having its barrel 54 joined to the mounting bracket 16 and its rod 56 joined to the shank head 50. It will be 8000814_1 (GHMatters) P100310.AU.1 2/09/16 -7- 2016222509 02 Sep 2016 appreciated that the cylinder 52 can be hydraulic or pneumatic and further can be passive or active in operation.

The cylinder 52 is adapted to act as a shock absorber allowing the shank 20 to rotate to a certain degree so that the tine 34 can move backwardly and upwardly if needed. Such 5 rotational movement is commonly referred to as a “kickback” and enables the tine 34 to deflect should it encounter obstacles submerged in the soil. In the drawings, the rotational kickback will be in a clockwise direction around the rear lower pivot 32 in a direction indicated by arrow 58. Once the tine 34 has cleared the obstacle, then the cylinder 52 will act to rotate the shank 20 in an anticlockwise direction so that it is repositioned in is 10 upright orientation.

The extent of rotation by shank 20 is limited by two buttresses 60, 62.

Buttress 60 is arranged to abut the shank head 50 and to counteract the bias of cylinder 52 so that shank 20 is not over-rotated by cylinder 52. Buttress 60 is in the form a bolt 64 that is threadably held in a flange 66 extending from the link bracket 18. Accordingly, it is 15 possible to adjust the angle of the upright orientation of shank 20 by threading the bolt 64 into or out from the flange 66.

Buttress 62 is arranged to abut the rear shoulder 48 of shank 20 during kickback to restrict the degree of rotation of the shank 20 in the direction of arrow 58. Buttress 62 is also in the form a bolt 68 that is threadably held in a flange 70 extending from the link bracket 18. 20 Accordingly, it is possible to adjust the permissible extent of kickback by threading the bolt 68 into or out from the flange 70. Should it be required after maximum kickback has been obtained, the tine 34 can still rise farther to clear an obstacle by causing upward movement of the planter assembly at parallel linkage 14.

Further pivotally mounted at rear lower pivot 32 is a jump frame arrangement that 25 comprises a locking frame 72 that carries a jump arm 74 leading to an axle 76, onto which a press wheel 78 is rotatably mounted. Press wheel 78 is substantially linearly aligned with tine 34 and seed boot 42.

Locking frame 72 is arranged to be selectively locked to either the link bracket 18 or to lower link arm 24. Towards this end, locking frame 72 has a first hole 80 and a spaced 30 apart second hole 82, both of which extend transversely across locking frame 72. First 8000814_1 (GHMatters) P100310.AU.1 2/09/16 -8- 2016222509 02 Sep 2016 hole 80 is arranged to be selectively aligned with a first passage 84 that extends transversely through link bracket 18, whereas second hole 82 is arranged to be selectively aligned with a second passage 86 that extends transversely through lower link arm 24. A locking pin 88 is insertable either through first hole 80 and first passage 84 or through 5 second hole 82 and second passage 86, thereby to selectively lock locking frame 72 to either the link bracket 18 or to the lower link arm 24.

Accordingly, by inserting locking pin 88 through first hole 80 and first passage 84, locking frame 72 is rigidly locked to link bracket 18 so that they cannot pivot with respect to each other around rear lower pivot 32, while locking frame 72 remains pivotally engaged with 10 lower link arm 24 so that they can pivot with respect to each other around rear lower pivot 32. Conversely, by inserting locking pin 88 through second hole 82 and second passage 86, locking frame 72 is rigidly locked to lower link arm 24 so that they cannot pivot with respect to each other around rear lower pivot 32, while locking frame 72 remains pivotally engaged with link bracket 18 so that they can pivot with respect to each other around rear 15 lower pivot 32. Irrespective of the location of locking pin 88, it is clear that link bracket 18 remains pivotally attached both to lower link arm 24 at rear lower pivot 32 and to upper link arm 22 at rear upper pivot 28.

As is shown in Figures 5 and 6, when locking frame 72 is locked to link bracket 18, it will maintain the same angular orientation as link bracket 18 during movement of the parallel 20 linkage 14. In use, the functioning of the parallel linkage 14 will cause the angular orientation of locking frame 72 to remain constant with respect to the mounting bracket 16, whereas the angular orientation will change with respect to the upper link arm 22 and the lower link arm 24.

However, as is shown in Figures 7 and 8, when locking frame 72 is locked to lower link 25 arm 24, locking frame 72 forms an extension of lower link arm 24 and will move up or down together with the parallel linkage 14 while maintaining the same angular orientation with respect to the lower link arm 24. It will be appreciated that an identical working could be achieved by changing the shape of locking frame 72 so that it can be locked to upper link arm 22 in a similar manner. This is because the upper link arm 22 and lower link arm 30 24 remain parallel to each other during use. 8000814_1 (GHMatters) P100310.AU.1 2/09/16 -9- 2016222509 02 Sep 2016

Figure 2 more clearly shows that first hole 80 and first passage 84 are located to be arranged in a triangular formation with rear lower pivot 32 and rear upper pivot 28, so that when locking pin 88 is received therein, locking pin 88 extends transversely behind rear shoulder 48 and during use will not interfere with kickback of the shank 20 around rear 5 lower pivot 32. However, it should be understood that other locations of first hole 80 and first passage 84 can be provided to achieve the same functionality, for example by locating the first hole 80 and first passage 84 linearly between rear lower pivot 32 and rear upper pivot 28 and providing an arcuate slot in shank 20 for slidably receiving locking pin 88. 10 Jump arm 74 is pivotally joined to locking frame 72 at jump arm pivot 90 to extend downwardly and rearwardly from locking frame 72. An adjustment cog 92 comprising a cam 94 enables the angular position of the jump arm 74 to be adjusted and locked with respect to the locking frame 72 so that the desired depth of seed bed formed by the closing plate 44 can be set. Jump arm 74 is further selected to have a length that shank 15 20 is located approximately midway between the mounting bracket 16 and the press wheel 78.

In use, when the locking pin 88 is inserted into the first hole 80 to lock locking frame 72 to link bracket 18, the planter assembly will be in a 1 -to-1 contour ratio. With reference to Figures 5 and 6, as the press wheel 78 runs on the ground surface 96 the tine 34 will 20 penetrate the ground to form a furrow having a depth D1 (see Figure 5). Should the paddock have undulations and the ground surface 96 drop away from the plough frame 12 (and thus the mounting bracket 16), the press wheel 78 will follow the contour of the ground surface 96 and be lower relative to the mounting bracket 16 as is shown in Figure 6. However, due to the parallel linkage 14 being independently pivotable to press wheel 25 78, the tine 34 will drop to an equivalent extent and still penetrate the ground to form a furrow having a depth D1.

When the locking pin 88 is inserted into the second hole 82 to lock locking frame 72 to lower link arm 24, the planter assembly will be in a 2-to-1 contour ratio. With reference to Figures 5 and 6, as the press wheel 78 runs on the ground surface 96 the tine 34 will 30 penetrate the ground to form a furrow having a depth D2 (see Figure 7). However, since the press wheel 78 is now fixed to the parallel linkage 14, as the press wheel 78 drops away following the contour of the ground surface 96, the depth to which the tine 34 will 8000814_1 (GHMatters) P100310.AU.1 2/09/16 - 10- 2016222509 02 Sep 2016 penetrate the ground is reduced and it will form a furrow having a depth D3. The 2-to-1 contour ratio results in the depth D3 reducing at half the rate of downward travel of the press wheel 78, i.e. for every inch that the press wheel 78 drops the depth D3 will decrease by 1/4 inch. 5 The 2-to-1 contour ratio is set by the mid-way positioning of the shank 20 between the press wheel 78 and the mounting bracket 16. Thus the contour ratio can be altered by altering the position of the between the press wheel 78 and the mounting bracket 16. This can be relatively easily achieved by altering the length of the jump arm 74, such as by swapping out the jump arm 74 for a longer or shorter jump arm, or by making the jump 10 arm telescopic. Having the shank 20 positioned closer to the press wheel 78 will cause the depth D3 to adjust more quickly, while having the shank 20 positioned farther from the press wheel 78 will cause the depth D3 to adjust more slowly.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a relatively easy mechanism to convert the planer assembly 10 from a 1 -to-1 contour ratio implement to a differential contour ratio 15 implement and vice versa by simply relocating the locking pin 88 to selectively lock the locking frame 72 to the link bracket 18 or to the lower link arm 22.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present 20 embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive 25 sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 8000814_1 (GHMatters) P100310.AU.1 2/09/16

Claims (19)

1. A planter assembly for agricultural machinery, the planter assembly comprising: a parallel link having link arms extending between a mounting bracket and a link bracket and pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and the link bracket, wherein the mounting bracket is fixable to a plough frame, and wherein the link bracket is moveable through a plane formed by the parallel link; a jump arm arrangement joining a wheel to the parallel link, wherein the wheel is arranged to follow a surface contour and thereby cause movement of the link bracket through the plane; and a locking mechanism to selectively restrain movement of the jump arm arrangement relative to either the link bracket or to one of the link arms.

2. A planter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jump arm arrangement, when restrained relative to the link bracket, is maintained in a fixed angular orientation with respect to the mounting bracket during movement of the link bracket through the plane.

3. A planter assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the jump arm arrangement, when restrained relative to one of the link arms, is maintained in a fixed angular orientation with respect to the link arms during movement of the link bracket through the plane.

4. A planter assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking pin arranged to be interchangeably received in complimentary holes in the jump arm arrangement and the link bracket, or in complimentary holes in the jump arm arrangement and one of the link arms.

5. A planter assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first passage and a second passage, wherein the first passage extends through the jump arm arrangement and the link bracket and the second passage extends through the jump arm arrangement and one of the link arms, wherein the locking pin is selectively engageable within either the first passage or the second passage to respectively lock either the jump arm arrangement to the link bracket or the jump arm arrangement to one of the link arms.

6. A planter assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the link bracket pivotally supports a shank carrying a tine and a seed boot.

7. A planter assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the shank is supported by the link bracket to be orientated during use in a substantially upright orientation.

8. A planter assembly as claimed in claim 7, comprising a biasing device to bias the shank into its substantially upright orientation.

9. A planter assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the biasing device comprises a shock absorbing device disposed between the mounting bracket and the shank.

10. A planter assembly as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the link bracket includes a buttress to limit an extent to which the shank is able to pivot relative to the link bracket.

11. A planter assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the buttress is adjustable to permit adjustment of the extent to which the shank is able to pivot relative to the link bracket.

12. A planter assembly as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the buttress comprises a threaded bolt supported in a flange.

13. A planter assembly as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the tine and the wheel are adapted to follow the surface contour in a 1 -to-1 ratio when the jump arm arrangement is restrained relative to the link bracket.

14. A planter assembly as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the tine and the wheel are adapted to follow the surface contour in a differential ratio when the jump arm arrangement is restrained relative to the link arm.

15. A planter assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the differential ratio is substantially a 2-to-1 ratio.

16. A planter assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the jump arm arrangement comprises a locking frame adjustably joined to a jump arm, the locking frame being attached to the link bracket and the jump arm carrying the wheel.

17. A planter assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the locking frame comprises the locking mechanism.

18. A planter assembly as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the jump arm has an alterable length to alter a position of the link bracket between the wheel and the mounting bracket.

19. A planter assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the jump arm is telescopic.