AU702467B2 - Seeding implement assembly and seeding method - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION e** OO0 STANDARD PATENT 0 o *5*

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0 9.

0* 9 *o 0

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Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for service is: Ellis John AURISCH Ellis John AURISCH WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 0e *050 *005 0 0 *0 *0 0 099 S Attorney code: WR *0 o 0 0.

Invention Title: "Seeding Implement Assembly and Seeding Method" Details of Associated Patent Application Nos: 42550/93 and 32476/95 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 1 -2- "SEEDING IMPLEMENT ASSEMBLY AND SEEDING METHOD" "TECHNICAL FIELD" This invention relates to a seeding implement assembly and method which has particular utility in broad acre farming and the sowing of paddocks for crop production therein.

"BACKGROUND ART" In recent times, improved planting and sowing techniques have been adopted to see: provide for better crop growth and for more efficient utilisation of fertiliser. One oooo of these techniques is known as "deep banding" which essentially involves depositing fertiliser at a prescribed depth below the seed so that as the seed germinates, an opportunity is provided for root growth to develop and establish itself before reaching the fertiliser, which otherwise "burns" new root growth destroying the seed. This technique is a vast improvement upon the prior art which simply involved depositing fertiliser concurrently with the seed, resulting in 15 great wastage of both fertiliser and seed.

Notwithstanding the improvement achieved by adopting deep banding, present planting and seeding techniques for crop growing still involve the basic principle of forming a relatively deep furrow in which fertiliser is deposited, covering this :o partially with soil and then depositing a line of seed in a single row directly above S: 20 the fertiliser. Accordingly, a ratio of seed to fertiliser very approximately in the order of 1:2 is used. A disadvantage of this, however, is that the fertiliser can often provide quite a satisfactory source of nutrition to more than one seed at a time, particularly with the wide spread use of super-phosphate which provides a very concentrated source of nutrition for plants. Therefore present single row sowing methods do not provide for efficient usage of fertiliser.

-3- In addition, in order to maximise yield, it has been commonplace to dispose the rows of seed and the individual seeds themselves within a row, relatively closely.

A disadvantage of this is that the relative close spacing of seeds affects plant stooling and growth, whereby it has been found that the more closely planted is the seed, the lesser the number of stools produced on each plant during growth and the weaker the plant. As a consequence of this, the number of heads containing grain are less, and further both the number of grains in each head and the size of the grains are less.

A solution to the problem is to increase the spacing between the seeds, however clearly this involves a trade off with respect to the number of "ds that can be planted within a fixed area. Nonetheless, it is believed that ie improved stooling, the consequential increased number of heads, increased number of grains in each head and the size of the grains on balance offsets the reduction in the total number of plants to achieve a greater yield.

15 One way of achieving this greater spacing and better utilisation of the fertiliser is to sow two rows of seed with a single row of fertiliser deep banded therewith in laterally spaced locations across a paddock. Although the prior art discloses a i variety of implements and methods to achieve this effect, there have been many problems associated with the manufacture and use of such implements which have prevented them from being commercially viable or acceptable to the farming community, particularly in drier climates such as Australia.

In this respect, it is desirable in drier climates to create furrows in which the seed may be reposed to maximise the water harvesting effect that arises with the use of a furrow.

"DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION" It is an object of the present invention to provide a seeding implement assembly and seeding method which is able to not only achieve deep banding of the seed Lj ;'VT -4with fertiliser whereby at least a pair of rows of seed are sown above a single row of fertiliser but also to promote the water harvesting effect that may be achieved by creating furrows, which overcomes some or all of the disadvantages associated with prior art implements and methods, or at least provides a viable alternative to such prior art implements and methods.

Generally, in one form of the invention there is provided an assembly including a supporting means for attaching to a travelling frame, a ground cutting means for cutting an incision through the ground, preferably with minimal soil disturbance at the surface of the ground, and a seed discharge means for mounting rearwardly of the ground cutting means. A deep ripping point is disposed at the base of the supporting means to deeply rip the soil below the ground surface allowing for fertiliser to be deposited deeply into the ground. A furrowing means is provided behind the deep ripping point for opening up the ground to cover the fertiliser deposited into the incision and to enable seed to be deposited at a level above the bottom of the incision. Again this is preferably done with a minimal disturbance of the soil at the ground surface.

The furrowing means has a pair of soil deflector means disposed either side and rearwardly of the ground cutting means for forming a discrete seed furrow S"laterally of, and adjacent to, the incision. A seed discharge means is also provided having a pair of seed outlets correspondingly disposed with the soil deflector means so that seed can be deposited into each seed furrow laterally of, and above the fertiliser.

a.

S* The pair of soil deflector means each include an inner and an outer deflector member divergingly disposed rearwardly of the assembly, relative to the line of travel of the assembly to displace soil from laterally of, and adjacent to, the incision to form a seed furrow, the distal ends of the inner deflector members being disposed in spaced relationship from each other for deflecting the soil centrally to both cover the fertiliser and to form a central ridge of soil between the seed furrows.

Preferably, the region of the assembly bounded by the furrowing means anteriorly of the inner deflector members is substantially open so as to not directly compress soil over the incision. In this manner the covering of the fertiliser with soil behind the fertiliser discharge means is facilitated and the formation of the central ridge of the soil is enhanced.

In another form of the invention, generally there is provided a method for seeding a crop including cutting an incision through the surface of the ground, preferably with minimal soil disturbance at the ground surface, deeply ripping the bottom of the incision and depositing fertiliser therein at a first prescribed level in a first line proximate to the bottom of the incision. The method further includes deflecting the soil from laterally of, and adjacent to, the incision, at each side of the incision, at a second prescribed level above the first prescribed level to form a pair of seed furrows at the second prescribed level above the bottom of the incision, the seed furrows being disposed at the sides of the main furrow laterally to each side of the first line, and depositing the seed into these seed furrows in second lines, the soil being deflected inwardly to simultaneously cover the fertiliser reposing at the first prescribed level, as well as outwardly to effect the Sformation of the discrete seed furrows, :0:..The method also includes depositing seed in the seed furrows to repose at the second prescribed level in second lines in the seed furrows, and forming a central ridge of soil between the seed furrows over the first line, pursuant to the inward deflection of soil.

Preferably, the deflecting of the soil to form the seed furrows is performed without directly compressing the soil over the incision. In this manner the covering of the fertiliser with soil is facilitated and the formation of the central ridge of soil is enhanced.

The deep ripping, depositing of seed and covering of the furrows is preferably performed continuously and at substantially relatively constant depths with -6respect to each other, at least during the time that the cutting of the incision and the deep ripping is caused to temporarily fluctuate in depth due to minor obstacles or obstructions being encountered during the cutting.

In light of the above, the invention can be embodied in a number of different aspects.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seeding implement assembly for seeding the ground, said assembly including:a supporting means for attaching to a travelling frame: a deep ripping point disposed at the base of the assembly; a ground cutting means provided anteriorly of the assembly for cutting an incision through the ground with minimal disturbance of the surface of the ground; a fertiliser discharge means for mounting rearwardly of said deep ripping point 1 so that fertiliser can be deposited into the incision formed by said ground cutting means; furrowing means for opening up the ground behind and above said deep ripping point to cover the fertiliser deposited into the incision and to enable :,iseed to be deposited at a level above the incision bottom, said furrowing means having a pair of soil deflector means disposed either side and 20 rearwardly of said ground cutting means for forming a discrete seed furrow laterally of, and adjacent to the incision; a seed discharge means having a pair of seed outlets correspondingly disposed with said soil deflector means so that seed can be deposited into each seed furrow laterally of and above the fertiliser; and 7/1 wherein said pair of soil deflector means each include an inner and an outer deflector member divergingly disposed rearwardly of the assembly, relative to the line of travel of the assembly to displace soil from laterally of, and adjacent to, the incision to form a said seed furrow, the distal ends of said inner deflector members being disposed in spaced relationship from each other for deflecting the soil centrally, to both cover the fertiliser and to form a central ridge of soil between the seed furrows.

Preferably, the region of the assembly bounded by said furrowing means anteriorly of said inner deflector members is substantially open so as to not directly compress the soil over the incision.

Preferably, covering means are disposed behind said furrowing means to cover said seed deposited into the furrow.

Preferably, a corresponding pair of said covering means are provided for covering said pair of furrows.

15 Preferably, said pair of covering means are arranged to deflect covering soil for said furrows so as to maintain the form of said central ridge of soil between the furrows additional to covering said furrows.

S• In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for seeding a crop, comprising:cutting an incision through the ground with minimal disturbance of the surface of the ground and substantially simultaneously deep ripping the bottom of said incision at a first prescribed level below the ground; depositing fertiliser proximate to the bottom of the incision to repose at said first prescribed level in a first line; -7/2deflecting the soil from laterally of, and adjacent to, the incision, at each side of the incision, at a second prescribed level above said first prescribed level to form a pair of discrete seed furrows at said second prescribed level on each side face of said main furrow, one said seed furrow being disposed laterally to one side of said first line, and the other said seed furrow being disposed laterally to the other side of said first line said soil being deflected inwardly to simultaneously cover the fertiliser reposing at said first prescribed level as well as outwardly to effect the formation of said discrete seed furrows; depositing seed in the seed furrows to repose at said second prescribed level in second lines in said seed furrows; and forming a central ridge of soil between said seed furrow over the first line, pursuant to the inward deflection of soil.

Preferably the deflecting of the soil to form the seed furrows is performed without directly compressing the soil over the incision.

The method preferably includes covering the deposited seed in the seed -furrows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS t The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description of i. :four specific embodiments thereof. The description is made with reference to SSlSSS 20 the accompanying drawings, wherein:- S" Figure 1 is a side elevation of a seeding implemrnent disposed in its normally operative working position with respect to the travelling frame and the ground in accordance with the first embodiment; -7/3- Figure 2 is a similar view to figure 1 showing the assembly in its maximum retracted position with both the tyne and the seed discharge means elevated from the ground as would arise when encountering a relatively immovable obstacle; Figure 3 is a front end view of the seeding implement assembly as shown in figure 1 of the drawings with the springs removed; o **e ag oo* -8- Figure 4 is a rear end view of the seeding implement assembly as shown in figure 1 of the drawings; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the seeding implement assembly shown in figure 1 with the linkage and travelling frame removed, but showing the seed discharge means in more detail with the seeding and fertiliser boots attached thereto; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the tyne and seed discharge means of the seeding implement assembly shown in figures 1 to 6; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the support plate for the seed discharge •10 means shown in figure 6; o s Figure 8 is a rear top view of the support plate shown in figure 7 of the drawings; Figure 9 an underside view of the support plate shown in figure 7 of the drawings; 15 Figure 10 is a rear end underside view of the support plate shown in figure 7 of the drawings; Figure 11 is a side elevation of a seeding implement disposed in its normally operative working position with respect to the travelling frame in the ground in accordance with the second embodiment; Figure 12 is a front end view of the seeding implement assembly as shown in figure 1 of the drawings; Figure 13 is a rear end view of the seeding implement assembly as shown in figure 1 of the drawings; Figure 14 is a rear end view of the saddle arrangement detached from the shank of the chisel plough tyne, in accordance with the second embodiment; Figure 15 is a perspective view of the tyne and saddle arrangement detached from the shank in accordance with the second embodiment; Figure 16 is an upper perspective view of the sadle. arrangement detached from the tyne and shank in accordance with the second embodiment; Figure 17 is an underside view of the saddle arrangement and tyne detached from the shank in accordance with the second embodiment; 0 *0*0 so: Figure 18 is a side elevation of the saddle arrangement detached from the o• 10 tyne, but attached to the shank of a "Ryan" tyne, in accordance with the third 0 embodiment; oo..

00 0 Figure 19a is a side elevation of a seeding implement disposed in its normally operative working position with respect to the travelling frame the ground in accordance with the fourth embodiment, and showing the deflector plate in a first position; *000 Figure 19b is a similar view to figure 19a, but showing the deflector plate in an 0 elevated position; and Figure 20 is a top view showing the finger harrow separately from the implement.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As shown in figure 1 to 10, the first embodiment is directed towards a seeding implement assembly 11 which is suspendedly mounted to a fixed bar 13, extending longitudinally of a travelling frame (not shown) which is trailed along the ground behind a prime mover (not shown) in accordance with conventional farming practice. The assembly 11 ir' les a linkage 17 comprising a pair of first arms 17a and a pair of second arms 17b, a deep ripping tyne 21, a furrowing means 14, a pair of soil deflector means 15 each comprising an outer and an inner deflector member 15a and 15b respectively, a fertiliser discharge means 23, a seed discharge means 25, covering means in the form of a pair of covering soil deflector plates 29, and biasing means 27.

The tyne 21 is planar and is provided with a leading rectilinear cutting edge defining a nose portion 19 for cutting through the ground, which in the prescribed operative working position as shown in figure 1 of the drawings, is sloped rearwardly from the bottom 31a to the top 31b. The tyne is also provided with an °,"upper mounting plate 20 which is disposed at the top of the tyne and projects rearwardly thereof for connecting the tyne to the linkage 17, and also for supporting the furrowing means and covering means. The tyne 21 is provided goo:with a deep ripping point 41 at the base thereof which is substantially planar, oo 15 delta shaped and blunt nosed.

The tyne 21 is formed of relatively thin material, for example, six millimetre thickness steel plate, so that the nose 19 can cut through the ground creating an incision. Consequently the assembly can pass through stubble and other surface material without major blockages. Any extraneous surface material S 20 tends to be lifted free from the ground enabling it to flow around the front of the tyne, avoiding the likelihood of it being pressed into the ground where it can rot and affect germination, a problem encountered with the use of cutting and press ,0 wheels. Additionally, loose obstacles can flow past the tyne in a similar manner without causing undue lifting of the assembly, a problem arising with the use of wheels which tend to roll over obstacles such as stumps causing undue lifting.

The pair of first arms 17a of the linkage are pivotally mounted at their lower ends to either side of the front part of the mounting plate 20 of the tyne 21 and the pair of second arms 17b are mounted to the rear part of the mounting plate. Both of the first arms 17a and second arms 17b are respectively outwardly curved as -11 shown in figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. This curvature is important to maximise the elevation that can be achieved from lifting of the assembly with respect to the fixed bar 13, enabling the relative angular position of the tyne 21 to be altered and be maintained in its altered position to mitigate the lifting effect of the deep ripping caused by it, as it approaches the maximal elevated position, as shown particularly in figure 2 of the drawings. Importantly, the off-set parallel linkage arrangement of the arms forms part of a compensating means, whereby the spacing between the pivotal axes of the upper ends of the first and second arms is marginally greater than the spacing between the pivotal axes of the lower ends of the first and second arms. In a typical example of the present embodiment, this spacing between the upper ends is approximately 9.25 inches and the corresponding spacing between the lower ends is 8.875 inches.

a.

o• The biasing means 27 comprises two tension springs, 27a and 27b which are respectively connected to the pair of first arms 17a and the pair of second arms 17b, as shown in figure 1 of the drawings.

*o a.

The relative angular position of the tyne 21 is allowed to alter with respect to changes in the angular positioning of the pair of second arms 17b, enabling a controlled lifting effect to be achieved on the tyne when encountering an immovable obstacle. Moreover, due to the relative pivoting between the pair of second arms 17b and the tyne 21, the general plane of the point 41 is brought from an initial attacking angle with respect to the ground, as is shown in figure 1 of the drawings, when in the prescribed operative working position as is required for deep ripping, to a substantially parallel position with respect to the ground as the assembly is elevated as is shown in figure 2 of the drawings. Thus, as the tyne 21 progressively elevates, the lifting effect on soil caused by the point 41 reduces as it nears the surface of the ground, enabling the point to be lifted from out of the ground, minimising soil disturbance at the surface and mitigating the lifting of any underlying clay to the surface.

I -12- Thus, as a result of the off-set linkage arrangement, the front of the tyne is tilted marginally upwardly relative to the rear of the tyne, simultaneously with the elevation of the tyne as a whole. This arrangement also enhances the rapid clearance of the cutting nose from the ground when encountering an immovable obstacle.

It should be noted that the nose portion 19 is disposed contiguously with the front of the ripping point 41 and consequently with the resultant tyne, there is no leading catching edge or face, as is in the case of a normal tyne and point configuration, on which stubble can accumulate and catch, making it difficult to remove without manual effort. Moreover, due to there being no catching edge or s face, any stubble accumulated along the nose portion can simply drop and fall away from the tyne by elevating it from the ground and shaking it if necessary.

Due to the forward projection of conventional tynes and points, removal of the accumulated stubble cannot be achieved so easily, due to the fact that the forward projection of the point provides a retaining surface on which the stubble is prevented from simply sliding off the tyne, even when it is lifted free from the ground.

"It should also be noted that the relative anterior location of the ripping point with respect to the front and rear of the assembly as a whole has the advantageous 20 effect of lessening the side draft force upon the frame when turning.

.o• The furrowing means, soil deflector means and covering means are all integrally 'formed in a saddle shaped bracket arrangement 16 which is fixedly attached at o the sides of the upper mounting plate 20 and the top of the tyne 21 to extend rearwardly therefrom by suitable means such as welding and pinning provided by the pins 33. A cover plate 35 surmounts the furrowing means 14 and the pair of soil deflector means 15 so that the furrowing means 14 and the outer deflector members 15a effectively depend from the cover plate 35 in a substantially upright position when in the prescribed operative working position.

-13- The furrowing means comprises a pair of soil deflector plates 14a and 14b which are substantially planar and winged shaped, being oppositely angled to project out laterally from either side of the tyne and each having triangular cutouts defining a trailirng upstanding edge 16a flared outwardly from the rear of the pendent portion of the tyne, and an oblique sweeping edge 16b disposed rearwadly of the upstanding edge 16a. The outer deflector members 15a are contiguous with the corresponding soil deflector plates 14a and 14b, being disposed rearwardly of the sweeping edge 16b of each deflector plate thereof.

The inner deflector members 15b are in the form of tabs fixedly mounted to the inner surface of the saddle arrangement 16 proximate to the rear of that portion of the saddle arrangement constituting the soil deflector plates 14a and 14b respectively. The inner deflector members 15b are angularly disposed with respect to the inside surface of the saddle arrangement 16 so that each soil deflector means 15 is divergingly disposed rearwardly of the assembly, effectively being V-shaped in plan. The distal ends of the inner deflector members 15b are spaced apart a prescribed distance to allow for forming a central ridge which will be described in more detail later.

The flared portion of the deflector plates 14a and 14b, defined by the upstanding Sedge 16a initially open the top part of the ground laterally of, and adjacent to, the 20 incision behind the tyne to initially form a pair of discrete seed furrows at a So• prescribed level above the bottom of the incision formed by the tyne. The soil deflector means 15 each engage the ground laterally, rearwardly of the position e* of the upstanding edges 16a of the deflector plates, and deflect the soil behind the sweeping edges 16b, either side to finally form the pair of discrete seed 25 furrows. In this manner, the outer deflector members 15a channel confronting soil outwardly of the saddle arrangement and the inner deflector members channel confronting soil inwardly, enabling the furrows to be formed.

Furthermore, the inner deflector members 15b, by virtue of their spaced apart relationship and the open region bounded by the soil deflector plates 14a and S3b 14b and the rear of the tyne 21, anteriorly of the inner deflector members -I II I -14/1 allow the inwardly channelled soil to cover the fertiliser in the incision, but to effectively form a central ridge, as previously described.

The soil deflector means hold inwardly falling soil in dry ground, momentarily, to enable concurrent depositing of seed in the furrow in the manner described hereinafter. The lower most ends of the soil deflector means 15 are disposed at a level above the position of the point 41 so that the depth of the seed furrows is significantly less than the depth of the incision formed by the tyne.

The covering soil deflector plates 29 are integrally formed with the cover plate essentially forming a pair of trailing wings which project rearwardly and obliquely from the end of the assembly. The covering soil deflector plates 29 are also substantially planar and of triangular shape, being disposed in alignment directly behind the respective furrowing soil deflector plates 15 so as to engage the soil at the outside of the respective furrows 151 and deflect the same laterally across the furrows, inwardly to the other side of the furrows. The shape of the detiector plates 29 form a central passage directly aligned with the rear of the tyne, which passage is an inverted V-shape. Consequently, the deflector plates 29 accommodate passage of the central ridge through the rear of the :i saddle arrangement maintain its shape between the two seed furrows.

i• °°e The cover plate 35 is formed with a plurality of apertures, two of these apertures 20 37 accommodate fertiliser outlets in the form of fertiliser boots 43 which form part of the fertiliser discharge means and two of the apertures 39 accommodate seed outlets in the form of seed boots 47 which form part of the seed discharge means.

The two fertiliser apertures and boots are disposed towards the centre, either side of the mounting plate 20, immediately behind the rear of the pendent portion of the tyne 21 and are connected to fertiliser delivery tubes 49 to deposit fertiliser 55 from a fertiliser discharge source, behind the tyne and into the i: bottom of the incision formed behind the deep ripping point 41.

14 11111119 9-l L; ~II I 14/2 The seed apertures and boots are disposed rearwardly of the fertiliser apertures and boots, but are disposed further laterally with respect to either side of the centre line defined by the tyne and anteriorly with respect to the covering means.

C

C S The seed apertures and boots are precisely positioned so that seed 57 delivered thereto from a seed discharge source via respective seed delivery tubes 51 is deposited directly into each seed furrow 51 immediately after soil is deflected to the outside by the soil deflector means 15 forming the seed furrows and prior to the soil being deflected back to the inside by the covering means.

A fertiliser deflector plate 45 is fixedly attached to the underside of the cover plate 135 to depend therefrom between the fertiliser apertures and the rear of the pendent portion of the tyne so as to guide discharged fertiliser along the rear of the tyne so that it may be deposited at the bottom of the incision created by the tyne prior to this being covered by soil as a consequence of the subsequent furrow formation and covering.

o •o Now describing the method by which seeding of a crop is achieved, using the seeding implement assembly, the travelling frame is set up so that a bank of seeding implement assemblies are provided which are spaced apart laterally an 15 optimum distance to promote stooling, for example, in some soil types, 14 inches apart. The fertiliser and seed discharge means of the assemblies are respectively connected via fertiliser and seed delivery tubes to fertiliser and seed discharge sources and the travelling frame is drawn by a prime mover along a paddock to be sown, with the assemblies being brought into engagement at a 20 prescribed working position with respect to the ground.

o• The cutting means of each assembly continuously cuts an incision through the surface of the ground through which the tyne constituting the deep ripping implement follows. The tyne continuously deep rips the ground along the bottom S of the incision by virtue of the deep ripping point being disposed at an appropriate angle of attack with respect to the ground below the surface. The narrow extent of 'he tyne and the consequent incision that is formed enables deep ripping to occur with minimal surface disturbance.

-s I rl -16- The fertiliser discharge means continuously deposits fertiliser proximate to the bottom of the incision immediately upon the deep ripping of the ground by the tyne so that fertiliser is disposed centrally of the row at maximum depth. Simultaneously, the furrowing means 14 forms a pair of discrete seed furrows, where the soil deflector means 15 shapes the two seed furrows, either side of the incision at a relatively close spacing, for example 4-6 inches apart, and at a much shallower depth than the incision. The seed discharge means subsequently and continuously deposits seed into the seed furrows which then are immediately covered by the covering means. During the formation of the seed furrows, soil is deflected from laterally of, and adjacent to, the incision, at each side thereof to the centre, without any direct compressing of same into the incision, but nonetheless covering the same. The soil is laterally concentrated however, so as to form the central ridge which remains after the passage of the implement.

A ground profile is consequently achieved where the seed is deep banded with fertiliser.

Significantly, the one line of fertiliser provides adequate nutrient to the two lines of seed within a row. This not only maximises the effect of the fertiliser used, but also 0e*r reduces the proportional amount of fertiliser required for the seed. Furthermore, :greater spacing between the rows can be achieved whilst maintaining yield, a 20 corollary of which is improved stooling. Additionally, the remaining central ridge channels water resulting from precipitation into the covered furrows, which is particularly advantageous in non-wetting soils.

i Importantly, whilst the assembly is operational, obstacles causing some impediment to the forward movement of the assembly will force the assembly rearwardly against 25 the tension provided by the biasing means. The parallel linkage arrangement translates this retardation into an elevation of the assembly with respect to the fixed bar of the travelling frame and by virtue of the off-set parallel arms, causes the front of the tyne to elevate more quickly than the rear of the tyne decreasing the angle of attack of the point thereby mitigating the lifting effect and the deep ripping caused by the tyne as the point moves towards

L~

-17the surface. Consequently, minimal surface disturbance is caused mitigating the lifting of any underlying clay or the like, improving conservation of the soil.

The second embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment except that the implement has been adapted to fit on as an attachment to an existing shank for a chisel plough.

In this arrangement, as shown in figures 11 to 18, the implement dispensers with the parallel linkage and spring biased compensating means, and also the rear covering means. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the implement utilises the curved shank 101 of an existing chisel plough tyne for attachment to the 10 fixed bar (not shown) of the travelling frame by a bolted fixing arrangement 0000 4which forms part of the fertiliser deflector plate 45, as shown in figure 11 of the drawings. Thus, the implement is attached to the shank 101 by means of the 4040 saddle shaped bracket arrangement 103 and not directly via the tyne 105.

l* Mounting of the tyne 105 to the saddle arrangement 103 is reinforced by a 15 portion of steel rod 107 welded to the interior of the tyne 105 and to the adjoining sides of the saddle arrangement 103.

0 00 0 0 0040 S* A stubble plate insert 109, precisely onfigured to the arcuate shape of the o• shank 101 is fixedly mounted between the top of the tyne, the cover plate 111 *and the shank 101 to effectively form an infill panel for the purposes of deflecting stubble from being caught up on the front of the shank. The stubble plate insert is provided with a leading edge which is rectilinearly disposed with the leading edge of the tyne 105 to facilitate stubble deflection and removal.

o0 In this arrangement, as a result of the omission of the covering cell deflector plates, a light finger harrow can be trailed behind the seeding implement to cover the seed furrows in moist soils, where the soil is not sufficiently sandy to fall back of its own accord to cover the seed in the furrows following the passage of the seeding implement.

I-

-18- The third embodiment is substantially similar to the previous embodiments, except that the seeding implement assembly is modified for attachment to a "Ryan" tyne shank arrangement, as is shown in figure 18 of the drawings.

In this arrangement, as the curvature of the shank is not as pronounced as in the chisel plough shank, there is no need for the provision of a stubble plate, the top of the tyne projecting upwardly and being connected directly to the shank 121 to allow for attachment.

Accordingly, the implement assembly lends itself to being made as an attachment for existing types of tynes and shanks therefor, reducing the cost of 10 the system and hence making it more appealing to farmers.

0m@S 46 The fourth embodiment is substantially identical to the third embodiment 0 showing the inclusion of the light finger harrow, but includes an important I* alternative arrangement with respect to the formation of the furrows and the :0 depositing of seed.

As shown in figures 19a, 19b and 20 the implement assembly includes a central seed boot 131 additional to the two side seed boots 47. The central seed boot 131 is centrally and slightly forwardly disposed of the two side seed boots 47 and is adapted to have a third seed delivery tube connected thereto so as to deposit seed centrally of the main furrow, immediately behind the shank 101.

20 A pivotal central deflector plate 133 shown in dashed outline is pivotally mounted about a hinge 135 to the rear of the shank 101 inside of the saddle shape bracket arrangement 103 to repose in a working position as shown in figure 19a of the drawings. The deflector plate 133 is rearwardly angled and is of limited transverse extent to define a gap between the outer longitudinal side edges thereof and the adjacent inner side walls of the side wings of the bracket arrangement 103. Consequently, the deflector plate is free to pivot about the horizontal axis of the hinge 135.

-19- The deflector plate 133 has multiple functions, one being for partly covering the deep incision made by the tyne 105 so as to cover the fertiliser deposited therein. A second is to simultaneously form a central furrow between the two side furrows formed by the side wings of the bracket arrangement 103. Thirdly, in conjunction with these two functions, the deflector plate functions to deflect seed deposited from the third seed delivery tube and boot 131, rearwardly of the plate and into the central furrow formed thereby.

In this manner, three seeding furrows are formed by the furrowing means.

These seed furrows are subsequently covered by an adjustable finger harrow o 10 137 which includes a three pronged finger assembly 139 mounted within a tubular sleeve 141. The sleeve 141 is pivotally mounted to the upper rear end of the saddle arrangement 103 and is provided with a thumb screw 143 to adjustably locate the finger assembly 139 axially of the sleeve. Each of the •fingers of the finger assembly 139 are provided with a wear plate 145 and are positioned in laterally spaced relationship to each other, so as to respectively align with each of the seed furrows to cover the same.

ooo• oo ~Both the central deflector plate 133 and the finger harrow 137 are respectively pivotally mounted to the implement assembly so as to clear obstacles encountered thereby. As shown in figure 19b of the drawings, the deflector plate is able to pivot upwardly to a maximal elevated position as represented by the co° dashed line, and in this position, helps to avoid the central seed boot 131 from becoming obstructed.

In the present embodiment, the two side wings of the saddle shaped bracket arrangement 103 are also provided with delta shaped wear plates 147. The delta shaped wear plates 147 are each fixedly and adjustably mounted relative to the bracket arrangement by two bolts 149a 149b. The leading bolt 149a fixes the leading end of the wear plate and the rear bolt 149b is mounted within a lateral slot 151 of the wear plate. Accordingly, as the bottom edge of the side wings of the bracket arrangement 103 wear, the wear plate can be adjustably disposed to take up such wear, periodically, and thereby maintain the lower end shape of the side wings, improving the longevity of the bracket.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments herein described.

Changes in accordance with conventional design practice can be made to the specific design of the seeding implement assembly to allow the furrowing means and the soil deflector means to function in the same or a similar manner as described herein without necessarily utilising the precise design of these 10 components described herein.

S S

Claims (7)

1. A seeding implement assembly for seeding the ground, said assembly including:- a supporting means for attaching to a travelling frame: a deep ripping point disposed at the base of the assembly; a ground cutting means provided anteriorly of the assembly for cutting an incision through the ground with minimal disturbance of the surface of the ground; a fertiliser discharge means for mounting rearwardly of said deep ripping point so that fertiliser can be deposited into the incision formed by said ground cutting means; 4*4* furrowing means for opening up the ground behind and above said deep S.ripping point to cover the fertiliser deposited into the incision and to enable S 15 seeds to be deposited at a level above the incision bottom, said furrowing S means having a pair of soil deflector means disposed either side and rearwardly of said ground cutting means for forming a discrete seed furrow 4: laterally of, and adjacent to, the incision; 4ct* a seed discharge means having a pair of seed outlets correspondingly 20 disposed with said soil deflector means so that seed can be deposited into each seed furrow laterally of and above the fertiliser; and wherein said pair of soil deflector means each include an inner and an outer deflector member divergingly disposed rearwardly of the assembly, relative to the line of travel of the assembly to displace soil from laterally of, and adjacent to, the incision to form a said seed furrow, the distal ends of said inner s I I -22- deflector members being disposed In spaced relationship from each other for deflecting the soil centrally, to both cover the fertiliser and to form a central ridge of soil between the seed furrows.

2. A seeding implement assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the region of the assembly bounded by said furrowing means anteriorly of said inner deflector members is substantially open so as to not directly compress the soil over the incision.

3. A seeding implement assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein covering means are disposed behind said furrowing means to cover said seed deposited into said main furrow.

4. A seeding implement assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a corresponding pair of said covering means are provided for separately covering each of said seed furrows. s.e 5. A seeding implement assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding 15 claims, wherein said pair of soil covering means are arranged to deflect *:so ee 0°,0 covering soil for said furrows so as to maintain the form of said central ridge of so S soil between the furrows additional to covering said furrows. :0 o 6 *i C

6. A seeding implement assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding o l*5 claims, wherein a said furrowing soil deflector plate is substantially planar and OS to 20 wing shaped, and is disposed substantially upright in said prescribed sells: operative working position. gos* °to, 7. A seeding implement assembly as claimed in claim 4 or in claims 5 or 6 as dependent upon claim 4, wherein a said covering soil deflector plate is substantially planar and of triangular shape, and is disposed obliquely in said prescribed operative working position. I -N

23- 8. A seeding implement assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said seed discharge means and said fertiliser discharge means include a cover plate, overlying said furrowing means, formed with apertures to accommodate respective seed and fertiliser boots, said apertures being disposed such that a said aperture for accommodating a fertiliser boot is disposed centrally with respect to the tyne and anteriorly with respect to said aperture(s) for accommodating one or more seeding boots, such that fertiliser may be deposited immediately rearwardly and at the base of the deep ripping tyne. 9. A seeding implement assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said apertures for accommodating at least a pair of seeding boots are disposed laterally with respect to the tyne and anteriorly with respect to said covering means so that seed may be deposited directly into the respective furrows formed on either side of said tyne prior to covering by said covering means. 10.A seeding implement assembly as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein a fertiliser deflector plate is provided to depend from the underside of said cover plate between said apertures for fertiliser boot(s) and seed boot(s) so as to partition discharged fertiliser from discharged seed and to deflect discharged fertiliser anteriorly towards the rear of said tyne. 11.A seeding implement assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a further deflector means disposed centrally and rearwardly of said tyne for covering said incision and forming a central seed furrow Sbetween the side seed furrows. 12.A seeding implement assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding 25 claims, wherein said seed discharge means includes a central aperture disposed between and forwardly of the side apertures to accommodate a central seed boot for depositing seed centrally into the main furrow after the incision has been partly covered. B I I -24- 13.A seeding implement assembly as claimed in claim 12 as dependent upon claim 11, wherein said further deflector means is shaped to deflect seed deposited centrally by said seed discharge means into said central seed furrow. 14.A seeding implement assembly as claimed in claim 4, or in any one of claims to 13 as dependent upon claim 4, wherein said covering means includes a finger harrow pivotally mounted to the rear of said furrowing means, having a plurality of fingers for covering said seed furrows. seeding implement assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said furrowing means is provided with adjustable wear plates at the sides thereof. 16.A seeding implement assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said supporting means includes a tyne, said ground cutting means being provided along the leading upstanding edge of said tyne, and said deep ripping point being mounted to the bottom of said tyne. 0 *17.A seeding implement assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said i :supporting means includes a shank for attaching to the travelling frame at one end and for attaching to said tyne at the other end thereof. 18.A seeding implement assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding i: 20 claims, wherein said cutting means comprises a nose portion projecting •anteriorly from the front of said tyne for cutting through the ground, said nose being planar and being provided with a leading rectilinear cutting edge sloped rearwardly from the bottom thereof. oiool 19.A seeding implement assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said deep ripping point is substantially delta shaped and is disposed at an attacking angle with the leading edge lower than the rear edge -I when in a normal operating position, said point being formed with a truncated blunt nose. method for seeding a crop, including:- cutting an incision through the ground with minimal disturbance of the surface of the ground and l l bstantially simultaneously deep ripping the bottom of said incision at a first prescribed level below the ground; depositing fertiliser proximate to the bottom of the incision to repose at said first prescribed level in a first line; deflecting the soil from laterally of, and adjacent to, the incision, at each side of the incision, at a second prescribed level above said first prescribed level to form a pair of discrete seed furrows at said second prescribed level, one said seed furrow being disposed laterally to one side of said first line and the other said seed furrow being disposed laterally to the other side of said first line, said soil being deflected inwardly to simultaneously cover the fertiliser 15 reposing at said first prescribed level as well as outwardly to effect the formation of said discrete seed furrows; depositing seed in the seed furrows to repose at said second prescribed level in second lines in said seed furrows; and forming a central ridge of soil between said seed furrows over the first line, S 20 pursuant to inward deflection of soil. .21.A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the deflecting of the soil to form the seed furrows is performed without directly compressing the soil over the incision. 22.A method as claimed in claim 20 or 21, including covering the seed in said seed furrows. fi I__L -26- 23.A seeding implement assembly substantially as herein described in any one of the embodiments with reference to the drawings where appropriate.

24.A method for seeding substantially as herein described in any one of the preceding embodiments. Dated this TWENTY THIRD day of MAY 1996. Ellis John AURISCH Applicant Wray Associates, Perth, Western Australia, Patent Attorneys for the Applicant. See a t oe• e oe ABSTRACT A seeding implement assembly including a tyne (21, 105) for cutting an incision through the ground with minimal soil disturbance at the ground surface and a seed discharge means for mounting at the rear of the tyne. The tyne has a deep ripping point (41) disposed at its base to deeply rip the soil below the ground surface allowing for fertiliser to be deposited deeply into the ground. A furrowing means (14, 103) is provided behind the tyne (21, 105) for opening up the ground so as to form a main furrow in which seed is deposited at a level above the bottom of the incision. A pair of soil deflecting means (15) are disposed either side and rearwardly of the tyne (21, 105) for forming a seed furrow on each side face of the main furrow. o** 0 0 e ~a