CA3019777A1 - Seed catching member for singulating meters - Google Patents
Seed catching member for singulating meters Download PDFInfo
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- CA3019777A1 CA3019777A1 CA3019777A CA3019777A CA3019777A1 CA 3019777 A1 CA3019777 A1 CA 3019777A1 CA 3019777 A CA3019777 A CA 3019777A CA 3019777 A CA3019777 A CA 3019777A CA 3019777 A1 CA3019777 A1 CA 3019777A1
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- Prior art keywords
- seed
- furrow
- seeds
- bracket
- catching member
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
- A01C5/00—Making or covering furrows or holes for sowing, planting or manuring
- A01C5/06—Machines for making or covering drills or furrows for sowing or planting
- A01C5/066—Devices for covering drills or furrows
- A01C5/068—Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
- A01C5/00—Making or covering furrows or holes for sowing, planting or manuring
- A01C5/06—Machines for making or covering drills or furrows for sowing or planting
- A01C5/062—Devices for making drills or furrows
- A01C5/064—Devices for making drills or furrows with rotating tools
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
- A01C7/00—Sowing
- A01C7/20—Parts of seeders for conducting and depositing seed
- A01C7/206—Seed pipes
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Soil Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Sowing (AREA)
Abstract
A seeding apparatus comprises a furrow opener assembly with a furrow opener that creates a furrow. A singulating meter dispenses seeds into a seed tube configured at a seed output end to discharge the seeds into the furrow. A pressurized air source conveys seeds through the seed tube. The seed tube is oriented to discharge the seeds along a seed trajectory oriented in a downward and rearward direction, and a seed catching member moves along a bottom of the furrow and contacts the seeds at the same time as the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow. The seed tube and the seed catching member are mounted in fixed relative positions to a follower bracket that is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly about a bracket pivot axis. A vertical location of the bracket pivot axis with respect to the furrow opener is adjustable.
Description
SEED CATCHING MEMBER FOR SINGULATING METERS
This disclosure relates to the field of agricultural implements and in particular a singulating meter with a seed tube and seed catching member attached to a follower bracket pivotally attached to a furrow opener assembly.
BACKGROUND
When seeding crops such as corn it is desirable to plant the corn seeds in a furrow at a pre-determined constant distance from each other. To achieve this constant spacing singulating meters have been developed which dispense seeds one at a time from a hopper full of seeds to a furrow opener. The dispensing rate is correlated to speed of travel over the field such that seeds land in the furrow at a constant spacing distance from each other. In a conventional corn planter a plurality of row units is attached to a tool bar and each row unit plants one row of seeds. Each row unit has a seed hopper and a singulating meter dispensing seeds one at a time through a seed tube to a furrow made by a furrow opener mounted on the bottom of a furrow opener assembly. Such a corn planter is disclosed for example in United States Patent Number 6,082,275 to Schaffert.
Most of these row units place the singulating meter as close as reasonably possible to the furrow to minimize the distance the seed has to travel in the seed tube in order to minimize the time the seeds are in the tube. Seed travel through the tube can be siowed to a greater or lesser extent, depending on field surface anomalies which cause the row unit to move, by contact with inner walls of the tube which adversely affects seed spacing. Also to minimize wall contact the seed tubes are generally orientated vertically.
Typically the seed tubes curve rearward near their discharge ends so the horizontal velocity component of the exiting seed closely matches the forward travel speed of the row unit in the range of 4.5-5 mph. This results in the relative horizontal velocity 17388663v1 between the seeds and the ground being near zero leaving only a vertical velocity component in order to minimize the tendency of seeds to roll along the furrow after contacting the ground which again adversely affects seed spacing.
United States Patent Number 8,336,471 to Gilstring discloses a singulating meter mounted on a row unit where pressurized air is used to singulate the seeds and then also passes in an air stream through the seed tube carrying the seeds with it. In United States Patent Number 9,137,941 to Stark a singulating meter such as disclosed by Gilstring delivers seeds from the meter through a seed tube to the furrow using a pressurized air stream. The pressurized air reduces the effect of speed variances due to contact with the tube walls since the seeds are being forced along the tube by the air stream.
The seeds however exit the seed tube at a much higher speed than the ground speed of the implement and so Stark uses a seed catching member such as a wheel or finger to catch the seed as it leaves the seed tube and press it firmly into the bottom of the furrow to .. prevent the seed from rolling along the furrow.
Means for preventing such rolling and bouncing of seeds is also described in United States Patent Number 5,918,557 to Schaffert where a flexible member is attached to the seed tube and extends rearward. The flexible member is configured such that the trailing end thereof is above the bottom of the furrow.
United States Patent Number 6,666,156 to Mayerle et al. discloses a downward biased seed flap pivotally attached rearward of a vertically oriented seed tube to control seed placement.
United States Published Patent Application Number 2018/0249621 of Horsch discloses a furrow opener assembly where the metering device, the seed tube, and the seed catching member form a unit and are mounted on a carrier that is pivotally attached to the furrow 1 7388 663v 1 2 opener assembly, about a single pivot axis or by a parallel arm linkage, whereby the outlet of a seed tube in relation to the seed catching member is kept largely constant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure provides a seeding apparatus with singulating meters that overcomes problems in the prior art.
The present disclosure provides in a first embodiment a seeding apparatus comprising a furrow opener assembly adapted to be mounted on an implement frame and comprising a furrow opener operative to create a furrow when engaged in a soil surface and moving in an operating travel direction. A singulating meter is operative to dispense seeds individually, and a seed tube is configured at an input end thereof to receive singulated seeds from the singulating meter, and configured at a seed output end thereof to discharge the seeds into the furrow. The seed output end of the seed tube is oriented to discharge the seeds along a seed trajectory oriented in a downward and rearward direction, and a seed catching member is configured to move along a bottom of the corresponding furrow and contact the seeds substantially at the same time as the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow. The seed output end of the seed tube and the seed catching member are mounted in fixed relative positions to a follower bracket, and the follower bracket is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly about a bracket pivot axis and a downward bias force is exerted on the follower bracket about the bracket pivot axis. A
vertical location of the bracket pivot axis with respect to the furrow opener is adjustable.
The present disclosure provides in a second embodiment a seeding apparatus comprising:a furrow opener assembly adapted to be mounted on an implement frame and comprising a furrow opener operative to create a furrow when engaged in a soil surface and moving in an operating travel direction. A singulating meter is operative to dispense seeds individually, and a seed tube is configured at an input end thereof to receive 17388663v1 3 singulated seeds from the singulating meter, and configured at a seed output end thereof to discharge the seeds into the furrow. A pressurized air source is configured to provide a seed air stream flowing through the seed tube to convey seeds through the seed tube. The seed output end of the seed tube is oriented to discharge the seeds along a seed trajectory oriented in a downward and rearward direction, and a seed catching member is configured to move along a bottom of the corresponding furrow and contact the seeds substantially at the same time as the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow.
The seed output end of the seed tube and the seed catching member are mounted in fixed relative positions to a follower bracket, and the follower bracket is pivotally attached to the fuiTow opener assembly about a bracket pivot axis and a bias element exerts a downward bias force on the follower bracket about the bracket pivot axis. The furrow opener moves up and down in the soil surface in response to changes in the soil surface, and as the furrow opener moves up and down in the soil surface, the follower bracket pivots up and down with respect to the furrow opener. The follower bracket is oriented at a neutral angle and the seed catching member is at a neutral vertical location when the furrow opener is engaged in the soil surface and moving in the operating travel direction creating a furrow with a desired depth, and the bracket pivot axis is located such that when the seed catching member moves through a range of one and one half inches up or down from the neutral vertical location, the follower bracket pivots through an angle no greater than ten degrees.
The present disclosure provides a seeding apparatus for planting singulated seeds with improved consistency of seed spacing by providing a seed catching member that is in a fixed relative location on a follower bracket that is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly about a bracket pivot axis. The follower bracket and bracket pivot axis are configured such that as the seed catching member moves up and down relative to the furrow opener the follower bracket moves up and down through only a small pivot range thus minimizing the change in the orientation of the arc contact point relative to the 17388663v1 4 bottom of the furrow. The vertical location of the bracket pivot axis is adjustable to compensate for wear on the furrow opener.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and, where:
Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the seeding apparatus of the present disclosure, with the furrow opener creating a furrow with an average depth, and the seed catching member following the bottom of the furrow and the follower bracket in a level position;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 where the furrow opener has been forced upward by an obstruction and is creating a furrow with a reduced depth, and the seed catching member is still in the furrow of average depth, and the follower bracket is pivoted down from the level position;
Fig. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 where the furrow opener has passed over the obstruction and is creating a furrow with the average depth, and the seed catching member is raised up passing over the obstruction, and the follower bracket is pivoted up from the level position;
Fig. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 except that the wheel type seed catching member has been replaced by a finger type seed catching member fixed to the follower bracket;
17388663v1 5 Fig. 5 is a schematic side view showing the movement of the arc contact point with respect to the bottom of the furrow as the follower bracket pivots up and down about the bracket pivot axis;
Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. I showing the orientation of the follower bracket when the furrow opener is new and has its original diameter;
Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing the orientation of the follower bracket when the furrow opener is worn and has a reduced diameter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1 - 3 illustrate an embodiment of a seeding apparatus 1 of the present disclosure.
The apparatus I comprises a furrow opener assembly 3 adapted to be mounted on an implement frame 5 and comprising a furrow opener 7 operative to create a furrow 9 when engaged in a soil surface 11 and moving in an operating travel direction T. A
singulating meter 13 is operative to dispense seeds 15 individually, and a seed supply is operative to supply seeds to the singulating meter 13 as is known in the art. The furrow opener 7 is illustrated as a disc, however could also be a hoe or knife type opener as are known in the art.
A seed tube 17 is configured at an input end 17A thereof to receive singulated seeds 15 from the singulating meter 13, and is configured at a seed output end 17B
thereof to discharge the seeds 15 into the furrow 9. In the illustrated apparatus 1, the singulating meter is mounted on the implement frame 5 and a pressurized air source 19 is configured to provide a seed air stream SAS flowing through the seed tube 17 to convey seeds 15 through the seed tube 17. It is also contemplated the singulating meter could be mounted on the furrow opener assembly as is known in the prior art, such that the seeds drop through the seed tube by gravity, and no pressurized air stream is required.
1 7388663v 1 6 The seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 is oriented to discharge the seeds 15 along a seed trajectory ST oriented in a downward and rearward direction, and a seed catching member 21 is configured to move along a bottom of the corresponding furrow 9 and contact the seeds 15 substantially at the same time as the seeds 15 contact the bottom of the furrow 9.
In a typical seeding operation the furrow opener 7 is arranged to create a furrow 9 with a furrow depth substantially equal to an average furrow depth D when the furrow opener is operating in a typical soil surface as shown in Fig. 1. The bottom front edge of the seed catching member 21, illustrated as a wheel, is curved along a circular arc 21.F, and when the seed catching member 21 is in a level position following the bottom of the furrow 9 at the desired furrow depth D as shown in Fig. 1, the seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 is oriented so that the seed trajectory ST is oriented substantially at a tangent to the arc 21F such that seeds 15 moving along the seed trajectory ST contact the bottom of the average furrow and the seed catching member 21 at substantially the same time and immediately stop at the proper location in the furrow 9 and are pressed down into the soil at the bottom of the furrow 9 and are prevented from rolling along the furrow.
In a typical field operation however the character of the soil surface 11 varies with harder areas or rocks or like obstructions that cause the furrow opener 7 to move upwards from the desired furrow depth D shown in Fig. 1 to a reduced depth D shown in Fig.
This disclosure relates to the field of agricultural implements and in particular a singulating meter with a seed tube and seed catching member attached to a follower bracket pivotally attached to a furrow opener assembly.
BACKGROUND
When seeding crops such as corn it is desirable to plant the corn seeds in a furrow at a pre-determined constant distance from each other. To achieve this constant spacing singulating meters have been developed which dispense seeds one at a time from a hopper full of seeds to a furrow opener. The dispensing rate is correlated to speed of travel over the field such that seeds land in the furrow at a constant spacing distance from each other. In a conventional corn planter a plurality of row units is attached to a tool bar and each row unit plants one row of seeds. Each row unit has a seed hopper and a singulating meter dispensing seeds one at a time through a seed tube to a furrow made by a furrow opener mounted on the bottom of a furrow opener assembly. Such a corn planter is disclosed for example in United States Patent Number 6,082,275 to Schaffert.
Most of these row units place the singulating meter as close as reasonably possible to the furrow to minimize the distance the seed has to travel in the seed tube in order to minimize the time the seeds are in the tube. Seed travel through the tube can be siowed to a greater or lesser extent, depending on field surface anomalies which cause the row unit to move, by contact with inner walls of the tube which adversely affects seed spacing. Also to minimize wall contact the seed tubes are generally orientated vertically.
Typically the seed tubes curve rearward near their discharge ends so the horizontal velocity component of the exiting seed closely matches the forward travel speed of the row unit in the range of 4.5-5 mph. This results in the relative horizontal velocity 17388663v1 between the seeds and the ground being near zero leaving only a vertical velocity component in order to minimize the tendency of seeds to roll along the furrow after contacting the ground which again adversely affects seed spacing.
United States Patent Number 8,336,471 to Gilstring discloses a singulating meter mounted on a row unit where pressurized air is used to singulate the seeds and then also passes in an air stream through the seed tube carrying the seeds with it. In United States Patent Number 9,137,941 to Stark a singulating meter such as disclosed by Gilstring delivers seeds from the meter through a seed tube to the furrow using a pressurized air stream. The pressurized air reduces the effect of speed variances due to contact with the tube walls since the seeds are being forced along the tube by the air stream.
The seeds however exit the seed tube at a much higher speed than the ground speed of the implement and so Stark uses a seed catching member such as a wheel or finger to catch the seed as it leaves the seed tube and press it firmly into the bottom of the furrow to .. prevent the seed from rolling along the furrow.
Means for preventing such rolling and bouncing of seeds is also described in United States Patent Number 5,918,557 to Schaffert where a flexible member is attached to the seed tube and extends rearward. The flexible member is configured such that the trailing end thereof is above the bottom of the furrow.
United States Patent Number 6,666,156 to Mayerle et al. discloses a downward biased seed flap pivotally attached rearward of a vertically oriented seed tube to control seed placement.
United States Published Patent Application Number 2018/0249621 of Horsch discloses a furrow opener assembly where the metering device, the seed tube, and the seed catching member form a unit and are mounted on a carrier that is pivotally attached to the furrow 1 7388 663v 1 2 opener assembly, about a single pivot axis or by a parallel arm linkage, whereby the outlet of a seed tube in relation to the seed catching member is kept largely constant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure provides a seeding apparatus with singulating meters that overcomes problems in the prior art.
The present disclosure provides in a first embodiment a seeding apparatus comprising a furrow opener assembly adapted to be mounted on an implement frame and comprising a furrow opener operative to create a furrow when engaged in a soil surface and moving in an operating travel direction. A singulating meter is operative to dispense seeds individually, and a seed tube is configured at an input end thereof to receive singulated seeds from the singulating meter, and configured at a seed output end thereof to discharge the seeds into the furrow. The seed output end of the seed tube is oriented to discharge the seeds along a seed trajectory oriented in a downward and rearward direction, and a seed catching member is configured to move along a bottom of the corresponding furrow and contact the seeds substantially at the same time as the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow. The seed output end of the seed tube and the seed catching member are mounted in fixed relative positions to a follower bracket, and the follower bracket is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly about a bracket pivot axis and a downward bias force is exerted on the follower bracket about the bracket pivot axis. A
vertical location of the bracket pivot axis with respect to the furrow opener is adjustable.
The present disclosure provides in a second embodiment a seeding apparatus comprising:a furrow opener assembly adapted to be mounted on an implement frame and comprising a furrow opener operative to create a furrow when engaged in a soil surface and moving in an operating travel direction. A singulating meter is operative to dispense seeds individually, and a seed tube is configured at an input end thereof to receive 17388663v1 3 singulated seeds from the singulating meter, and configured at a seed output end thereof to discharge the seeds into the furrow. A pressurized air source is configured to provide a seed air stream flowing through the seed tube to convey seeds through the seed tube. The seed output end of the seed tube is oriented to discharge the seeds along a seed trajectory oriented in a downward and rearward direction, and a seed catching member is configured to move along a bottom of the corresponding furrow and contact the seeds substantially at the same time as the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow.
The seed output end of the seed tube and the seed catching member are mounted in fixed relative positions to a follower bracket, and the follower bracket is pivotally attached to the fuiTow opener assembly about a bracket pivot axis and a bias element exerts a downward bias force on the follower bracket about the bracket pivot axis. The furrow opener moves up and down in the soil surface in response to changes in the soil surface, and as the furrow opener moves up and down in the soil surface, the follower bracket pivots up and down with respect to the furrow opener. The follower bracket is oriented at a neutral angle and the seed catching member is at a neutral vertical location when the furrow opener is engaged in the soil surface and moving in the operating travel direction creating a furrow with a desired depth, and the bracket pivot axis is located such that when the seed catching member moves through a range of one and one half inches up or down from the neutral vertical location, the follower bracket pivots through an angle no greater than ten degrees.
The present disclosure provides a seeding apparatus for planting singulated seeds with improved consistency of seed spacing by providing a seed catching member that is in a fixed relative location on a follower bracket that is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly about a bracket pivot axis. The follower bracket and bracket pivot axis are configured such that as the seed catching member moves up and down relative to the furrow opener the follower bracket moves up and down through only a small pivot range thus minimizing the change in the orientation of the arc contact point relative to the 17388663v1 4 bottom of the furrow. The vertical location of the bracket pivot axis is adjustable to compensate for wear on the furrow opener.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and, where:
Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the seeding apparatus of the present disclosure, with the furrow opener creating a furrow with an average depth, and the seed catching member following the bottom of the furrow and the follower bracket in a level position;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 where the furrow opener has been forced upward by an obstruction and is creating a furrow with a reduced depth, and the seed catching member is still in the furrow of average depth, and the follower bracket is pivoted down from the level position;
Fig. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 where the furrow opener has passed over the obstruction and is creating a furrow with the average depth, and the seed catching member is raised up passing over the obstruction, and the follower bracket is pivoted up from the level position;
Fig. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 except that the wheel type seed catching member has been replaced by a finger type seed catching member fixed to the follower bracket;
17388663v1 5 Fig. 5 is a schematic side view showing the movement of the arc contact point with respect to the bottom of the furrow as the follower bracket pivots up and down about the bracket pivot axis;
Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. I showing the orientation of the follower bracket when the furrow opener is new and has its original diameter;
Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing the orientation of the follower bracket when the furrow opener is worn and has a reduced diameter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1 - 3 illustrate an embodiment of a seeding apparatus 1 of the present disclosure.
The apparatus I comprises a furrow opener assembly 3 adapted to be mounted on an implement frame 5 and comprising a furrow opener 7 operative to create a furrow 9 when engaged in a soil surface 11 and moving in an operating travel direction T. A
singulating meter 13 is operative to dispense seeds 15 individually, and a seed supply is operative to supply seeds to the singulating meter 13 as is known in the art. The furrow opener 7 is illustrated as a disc, however could also be a hoe or knife type opener as are known in the art.
A seed tube 17 is configured at an input end 17A thereof to receive singulated seeds 15 from the singulating meter 13, and is configured at a seed output end 17B
thereof to discharge the seeds 15 into the furrow 9. In the illustrated apparatus 1, the singulating meter is mounted on the implement frame 5 and a pressurized air source 19 is configured to provide a seed air stream SAS flowing through the seed tube 17 to convey seeds 15 through the seed tube 17. It is also contemplated the singulating meter could be mounted on the furrow opener assembly as is known in the prior art, such that the seeds drop through the seed tube by gravity, and no pressurized air stream is required.
1 7388663v 1 6 The seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 is oriented to discharge the seeds 15 along a seed trajectory ST oriented in a downward and rearward direction, and a seed catching member 21 is configured to move along a bottom of the corresponding furrow 9 and contact the seeds 15 substantially at the same time as the seeds 15 contact the bottom of the furrow 9.
In a typical seeding operation the furrow opener 7 is arranged to create a furrow 9 with a furrow depth substantially equal to an average furrow depth D when the furrow opener is operating in a typical soil surface as shown in Fig. 1. The bottom front edge of the seed catching member 21, illustrated as a wheel, is curved along a circular arc 21.F, and when the seed catching member 21 is in a level position following the bottom of the furrow 9 at the desired furrow depth D as shown in Fig. 1, the seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 is oriented so that the seed trajectory ST is oriented substantially at a tangent to the arc 21F such that seeds 15 moving along the seed trajectory ST contact the bottom of the average furrow and the seed catching member 21 at substantially the same time and immediately stop at the proper location in the furrow 9 and are pressed down into the soil at the bottom of the furrow 9 and are prevented from rolling along the furrow.
In a typical field operation however the character of the soil surface 11 varies with harder areas or rocks or like obstructions that cause the furrow opener 7 to move upwards from the desired furrow depth D shown in Fig. 1 to a reduced depth D shown in Fig.
2. In the position of Fig. 2 the seed catching member 21 is still in a full depth portion of the furrow 9, and has moved downward relative to the furrow opener 7 from the level position of Fig. 1. Similarly as the furrow opener 7 passes the obstruction the furrow opener moves down into the position of Fig. 3, again creating a furrow of the desired depth D, and the seed catching member 21 has moved upward relative to the furrow opener 7 from the level position of Fig. 1. Similar variations occur when the soil surface is softer than the 17388663v1 7 average and the furrow opener 7 sinks into the soil surface and the furrow becomes deeper than the average furrow depth.
In a conventional seeding apparatus where the seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 is free to move with respect to the arc 21F of the seed catching member 21 these variations of furrow depth can move the seed catching member 21 out of the desired location relative to the seed trajectory ST. To prevent this movement, in the illustrated apparatus 1 the seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 and seed catching member 21 are mounted in fixed relative positions to a follower bracket 23 that is pivotally attached at a forward portion thereof to the furrow opener assembly 3 about a bracket pivot axis BPA
that is oriented generally crosswise to the operating travel direction. Fixing the seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 with respect to the seed catching member 21 ensures that the seed trajectory ST is maintained at all times at the desired tangential orientation with respect to the arc 21F of the seed catching member 21 such that seeds travelling along the seed trajectory always contact the arc 21F of the seed catching member 21 at an arc contact point ACP as the furrow depth varies.
The bracket pivot axis BPA is oriented generally horizontally and perpendicular to the operating travel direction T. In a typical disc furrow opener such as illustrated, the disc is tilted somewhat away from vertical and horizontal, and the bracket pivot axis BPA may be tilted similarly away from horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction T. Such minor deviations will still allow the follower bracket 23 to pivot up and down as required to allow the seed catching member 21 to follow the bottom of the furrow 9.
A bias element exerts a downward bias force BF on the follower bracket 23 about the bracket pivot axis BPA. The required bias element can be provided by a spring mounted in a selected appropriate location. Such a location is schematically illustrated however will depend on the particular arrangement of the furrow opener assembly 3. The 17388663v1 bias element can also be conveniently provided by a tensioner device known in the art, such as a ROSTATm coupler, mounted about the bracket pivot axis BPA.
The furrow opener 7 thus moves up and down in the soil surface 11 in response to changes in the soil surface 11, and as the furrow opener 7 moves up and down in the soil surface, the follower bracket 23 pivots down with respect to the furrow opener 7 from a neutral angle N shown in Fig. 1 to an angle N' shown in Fig. 2 and pivots up to an angle N" shown in Fig. 3.
In a typical field operation, variations in the furrow depth during the majority of the operation will cause the follower bracket 23 to pivot up and down about 1.25 to 1.50 inches from the neutral angle N. There will be pivotal movement beyond this range from time to time but keeping the arc contact point very close to the bottom of the furrow 9 as the follower bracket 23 pivots up and down through this range will keep most of the seeds at the desired spacing.
Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the movement of the arc contact point ACP, where the seed trajectory ST tangentially contacts the arc 21F of the seed catching member 21, with respect to the bottom of the furrow 9 as the follower bracket 23 pivots up and down about the bracket pivot axis BPA.
In Fig. 5, the position of the seed catching member 21A where the seed trajectory ST is oriented at the angle A corresponds to the position of the follower bracket 23 oriented at the neutral angle N shown in Fig. 1. It can be seen that the arc contact point ACP is .. properly oriented with respect to the bottom of the furrow 9 such that the top of the seed 15 contacts the arc 21F at the same time as the bottom of the seed 15 contacts the bottom of the furrow 9.
17388663v1 9 In Fig. 5, the position of the seed catching member 21B where the seed trajectory ST is oriented at the angle A' corresponds to the position of the follower bracket 23 oriented at the angle N shown in Fig. 2. It can be seen that the arc contact point ACP is not properly oriented with respect to the bottom of the furrow 9. The top of the seed 15 is in contact with the arc 21F but the bottom of the seed 15 is somewhat above the bottom of the furrow 9.
Finally in Fig. 5, the position of the seed catching member 21C where the seed trajectory ST is oriented at the angle A" corresponds to the position of the follower bracket 23 oriented at the angle N" shown in Fig. 3. It can be seen that the arc contact point ACP is not properly oriented with respect to the bottom of the furrow 9. The top of the seed 15 is in contact with the arc 21F but the bottom of the seed 15 is somewhat below the bottom of the furrow 9. The image is schematic and it will be realized that in this case the seed contacts the bottom of the furrow 9 before it contacts the arc 21F.
The pivoting arrangement of the follower bracket 23 of the present apparatus is configured to maintain the arc contact point ACP, where the seed trajectory ST
tangentially contacts the arc 21F of the seed catching member 21, very close to the bottom of the furrow 9 as the follower bracket 23 pivots up and down about the bracket pivot axis BPA, generally in the range shown in Fig. 5, where the pivot range between the seed trajectory ST at angle A' and the seed trajectory ST at angle A" is about 10 degrees. It can be seen that further increasing the pivot range up or down from angle A
will correspondingly increase the deviation from the desired orientation of the arc contact point ACP with respect to the bottom of the furrow 9.
This pivot range is not considered in the prior art systems where the metering device, the seed tube, and the seed catching member form a unit and pivot up and down together. hi_ the present disclosure however a seed air stream SAS flows through the seed tube 17 to convey seeds through the seed tube, and the seeds can exit the tube with relatively high 17388663v1 10 speed compared to a gravity drop system and so the close relationship of the arc contact point ACP with the bottom of the furrow 9 is quite critical.
Thus in the present disclosure the follower bracket 23 is quite long between the seed catching member 21 and seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 and the bracket pivot axis BPA. The arrangement is such that the follower bracket 23 is oriented at a neutral angle N and the seed catching member is at a neutral vertical location when the furrow opener is moving in the operating travel direction and creating a furrow with a desired depth D as shown in Fig. 1 The bracket pivot axis BPA is located such that when the seed catching member 21 moves through a range one and one half inches up from the neutral vertical location of Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 3, or down from the neutral vertical location shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2, the follower bracket pivots through an angle no greater than ten degrees from the corresponding angle N" in Fig. 3 to the corresponding angle N' shown in Fig. 2.
It can be seen in Fig. 5 that with a pivot range of only about ten degrees, the arc contact point ACP where the seed trajectory contacts the seed catching member 21 tangentially does not move far off the desired location at the bottom of the furrow 9.
The prior art also discloses the unit, including the metering device, the seed tube, and the seed catching member, pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly by a parallel arm linkage which would maintain the angle of the output end of the seed tube with respect to the seed catching member constant as the unit moves up and down however such a parallel arm linkage is more costly and subject to wear and failure than the arrangement .. with the single pivot axis.
The seed catching member 21 of the apparatus is provided by a wheel rotatably mounted to the follower bracket 23 about a rotational axis RA that is fixed with respect to the follower bracket 23. Fig. 4 illustrates an alternate seed catching member 21' provided by 17388663v1 11 a finger fixed to the follower bracket 23 pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly
In a conventional seeding apparatus where the seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 is free to move with respect to the arc 21F of the seed catching member 21 these variations of furrow depth can move the seed catching member 21 out of the desired location relative to the seed trajectory ST. To prevent this movement, in the illustrated apparatus 1 the seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 and seed catching member 21 are mounted in fixed relative positions to a follower bracket 23 that is pivotally attached at a forward portion thereof to the furrow opener assembly 3 about a bracket pivot axis BPA
that is oriented generally crosswise to the operating travel direction. Fixing the seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 with respect to the seed catching member 21 ensures that the seed trajectory ST is maintained at all times at the desired tangential orientation with respect to the arc 21F of the seed catching member 21 such that seeds travelling along the seed trajectory always contact the arc 21F of the seed catching member 21 at an arc contact point ACP as the furrow depth varies.
The bracket pivot axis BPA is oriented generally horizontally and perpendicular to the operating travel direction T. In a typical disc furrow opener such as illustrated, the disc is tilted somewhat away from vertical and horizontal, and the bracket pivot axis BPA may be tilted similarly away from horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction T. Such minor deviations will still allow the follower bracket 23 to pivot up and down as required to allow the seed catching member 21 to follow the bottom of the furrow 9.
A bias element exerts a downward bias force BF on the follower bracket 23 about the bracket pivot axis BPA. The required bias element can be provided by a spring mounted in a selected appropriate location. Such a location is schematically illustrated however will depend on the particular arrangement of the furrow opener assembly 3. The 17388663v1 bias element can also be conveniently provided by a tensioner device known in the art, such as a ROSTATm coupler, mounted about the bracket pivot axis BPA.
The furrow opener 7 thus moves up and down in the soil surface 11 in response to changes in the soil surface 11, and as the furrow opener 7 moves up and down in the soil surface, the follower bracket 23 pivots down with respect to the furrow opener 7 from a neutral angle N shown in Fig. 1 to an angle N' shown in Fig. 2 and pivots up to an angle N" shown in Fig. 3.
In a typical field operation, variations in the furrow depth during the majority of the operation will cause the follower bracket 23 to pivot up and down about 1.25 to 1.50 inches from the neutral angle N. There will be pivotal movement beyond this range from time to time but keeping the arc contact point very close to the bottom of the furrow 9 as the follower bracket 23 pivots up and down through this range will keep most of the seeds at the desired spacing.
Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the movement of the arc contact point ACP, where the seed trajectory ST tangentially contacts the arc 21F of the seed catching member 21, with respect to the bottom of the furrow 9 as the follower bracket 23 pivots up and down about the bracket pivot axis BPA.
In Fig. 5, the position of the seed catching member 21A where the seed trajectory ST is oriented at the angle A corresponds to the position of the follower bracket 23 oriented at the neutral angle N shown in Fig. 1. It can be seen that the arc contact point ACP is .. properly oriented with respect to the bottom of the furrow 9 such that the top of the seed 15 contacts the arc 21F at the same time as the bottom of the seed 15 contacts the bottom of the furrow 9.
17388663v1 9 In Fig. 5, the position of the seed catching member 21B where the seed trajectory ST is oriented at the angle A' corresponds to the position of the follower bracket 23 oriented at the angle N shown in Fig. 2. It can be seen that the arc contact point ACP is not properly oriented with respect to the bottom of the furrow 9. The top of the seed 15 is in contact with the arc 21F but the bottom of the seed 15 is somewhat above the bottom of the furrow 9.
Finally in Fig. 5, the position of the seed catching member 21C where the seed trajectory ST is oriented at the angle A" corresponds to the position of the follower bracket 23 oriented at the angle N" shown in Fig. 3. It can be seen that the arc contact point ACP is not properly oriented with respect to the bottom of the furrow 9. The top of the seed 15 is in contact with the arc 21F but the bottom of the seed 15 is somewhat below the bottom of the furrow 9. The image is schematic and it will be realized that in this case the seed contacts the bottom of the furrow 9 before it contacts the arc 21F.
The pivoting arrangement of the follower bracket 23 of the present apparatus is configured to maintain the arc contact point ACP, where the seed trajectory ST
tangentially contacts the arc 21F of the seed catching member 21, very close to the bottom of the furrow 9 as the follower bracket 23 pivots up and down about the bracket pivot axis BPA, generally in the range shown in Fig. 5, where the pivot range between the seed trajectory ST at angle A' and the seed trajectory ST at angle A" is about 10 degrees. It can be seen that further increasing the pivot range up or down from angle A
will correspondingly increase the deviation from the desired orientation of the arc contact point ACP with respect to the bottom of the furrow 9.
This pivot range is not considered in the prior art systems where the metering device, the seed tube, and the seed catching member form a unit and pivot up and down together. hi_ the present disclosure however a seed air stream SAS flows through the seed tube 17 to convey seeds through the seed tube, and the seeds can exit the tube with relatively high 17388663v1 10 speed compared to a gravity drop system and so the close relationship of the arc contact point ACP with the bottom of the furrow 9 is quite critical.
Thus in the present disclosure the follower bracket 23 is quite long between the seed catching member 21 and seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 and the bracket pivot axis BPA. The arrangement is such that the follower bracket 23 is oriented at a neutral angle N and the seed catching member is at a neutral vertical location when the furrow opener is moving in the operating travel direction and creating a furrow with a desired depth D as shown in Fig. 1 The bracket pivot axis BPA is located such that when the seed catching member 21 moves through a range one and one half inches up from the neutral vertical location of Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 3, or down from the neutral vertical location shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2, the follower bracket pivots through an angle no greater than ten degrees from the corresponding angle N" in Fig. 3 to the corresponding angle N' shown in Fig. 2.
It can be seen in Fig. 5 that with a pivot range of only about ten degrees, the arc contact point ACP where the seed trajectory contacts the seed catching member 21 tangentially does not move far off the desired location at the bottom of the furrow 9.
The prior art also discloses the unit, including the metering device, the seed tube, and the seed catching member, pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly by a parallel arm linkage which would maintain the angle of the output end of the seed tube with respect to the seed catching member constant as the unit moves up and down however such a parallel arm linkage is more costly and subject to wear and failure than the arrangement .. with the single pivot axis.
The seed catching member 21 of the apparatus is provided by a wheel rotatably mounted to the follower bracket 23 about a rotational axis RA that is fixed with respect to the follower bracket 23. Fig. 4 illustrates an alternate seed catching member 21' provided by 17388663v1 11 a finger fixed to the follower bracket 23 pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly
3 about bracket pivot axis BPA. The finger type seed catching member 21' has a front bottom surface 21F' with an arc shape substantially the same as the bottom front edge 21F of the wheel type seed catching member 21. The choice between a finger and wheel will depend on various circumstances such as soil type, moisture conditions, and the like.
Figs. 6 and 7 schematically illustrate a problem encountered where the furrow opener 7 has been in use for some time, especially in abrasive soils, and the furrow opener 7 has worn from an original diameter D1 to a smaller worn diameter D2. Fig. 6 shows the seed trajectory ST tangentially contacting the seed catching member 21 at an arc contact point that is as desired at the bottom of the furrow 9 as in Fig. 1. The follower bracket 23 is oriented at an original neutral angle NO.
Fig. 7 shows the seed trajectory ST with the follower bracket 23 oriented at a worn neutral angle NW. As the furrow opener 7 wears the bracket pivot axis BPA
moves down and the follower bracket pivots upward to the angle NW such that the angle of the seed trajectory moves upward toward the angle A" shown in Fig. 5 where the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow 9 before contacting the arc 21F of the seed catching member 21. This misalignment will decrease when the follower bracket 23 pivots downward about the bracket pivot axis BPA to the position shown in Fig. 2 but will increase when the follower bracket 23 pivots upward about the bracket pivot axis BPA to the position shown in Fig. 3.
To compensate for wear of the furrow opener 7, the vertical location of the bracket pivot axis BPA with respect to the furrow opener 7 is adjustable. The follower bracket 23 is attached to the furrow opener assembly 3 by a bolt 27 which provides the bracket pivot axis BPA. The vertical position of the bolt 27 is adjustable in a slot 29. As the furrow opener 7 wears the relative positions of the bottom of the furrow opener 7, which creates the furrow 9, and the seed catching member 21 and seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17388663v1 12 17 changes. Moving the bolt 27 upwards in the slot 29 as the furrow opener 7 wears maintains the desired tangential relationship between the seed trajectory ST
and the seed catching member 21.
In the illustrated apparatus 1 the follower bracket 23 is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly 3 about a single pivot axis BPA however same could be pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly 3 by a parallel arm linkage with two bracket pivot axes as is known in the art. In the same manner adjusting one of these bracket pivot axes will move the other as well, and the proper orientation of the seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 and the seed catching member 21 would be maintained.
While vertical adjustment is not as critical with a parallel arm linkage as it will always maintain the orientation of the seed tube and catching element regardless of its position, a biased parallel linkage will have a certain travel limit on its rotation either to stay within the mechanical limits of the bias element or within a desired bias force. As the furrow opener wears, if the parallel linkage pivot is not adjusted, the bias force on the linkage will increase when the linkage is in the neutral operating position and will have less travel upwards to clear obstacles increasing the risk of damage if the seed catching element carries the full weight of the opener if it rides over a large enough obstacle.
Therefore it is also important that the parallel linkage has vertical adjustment such that the pivot axes can be adjusted upwards as the furrow opener wears to keep the assembly operating within its desired range.
The furrow opener assembly 3 of the illustrated seeding apparatus 1 further comprises a fertilizer tube 31 with a fertilizer output end 31B thereof oriented to discharge fertilizer into the furrow 9. Wear on the disc furrow opener 7 will also change the height of the fertilizer output end 31B of the fertilizer tube 31 with respect to the furrow 9, and so, in order to maintain the proper height, the illustrated fertilizer tube 31 is also connected to the bracket pivot axis BPA such that the fertilizer output end 31B of the fertilizer tube 31 17388663v1 13 moves vertically with the bracket pivot axis BPA as the vertical location of the bracket pivot axis BPA is adjusted.
In the illustrated furrow opener assembly 3, the fertilizer tube 31 extends through a bracket 33 that defines the slot 29.and is attached to the bolt 27 such that as the bolt moves vertically, the fertilizer tube 31, and the fertilizer output end 31B
thereof, move vertically the same distance so that the desired orientation of the fertilizer output end 31B
of the fertilizer tube 31 with respect to the bottom edge of the disc is maintained so that fertilizer is directed into the furrow 9. It is contemplated that the fertilizer tube 31 could be adjustably attached to the furrow opener assembly 3 by an entirely separate adjustment mechanism as well, however adjusting the vertical position of the fertilizer output end 31B of the fertilizer tube 31 and the bracket pivot axis BPA with the same mechanism saves time when adjustments are required.
The present disclosure thus provides a seeding apparatus 1 for planting singulated seeds with improved consistency of seed spacing by providing a seed catching member 21, 21' that is in a fixed relative location on a follower bracket 23 that is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly 3 about a bracket pivot axis BPA. The follower bracket 23 and bracket pivot axis BPA are configured such that as the seed catching member 21, 21' moves up and down relative to the furrow opener 7 the follower bracket 23 moves up and down through only a small pivot range, for example about ten degrees, thus minimizing the change in the orientation of the arc contact point ACP relative to the bottom of the furrow 9. The vertical location of the bracket pivot axis BPA is adjustable to compensate for wear on the furrow opener 7.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in 17388663v1 14 structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
17388663v1 15
Figs. 6 and 7 schematically illustrate a problem encountered where the furrow opener 7 has been in use for some time, especially in abrasive soils, and the furrow opener 7 has worn from an original diameter D1 to a smaller worn diameter D2. Fig. 6 shows the seed trajectory ST tangentially contacting the seed catching member 21 at an arc contact point that is as desired at the bottom of the furrow 9 as in Fig. 1. The follower bracket 23 is oriented at an original neutral angle NO.
Fig. 7 shows the seed trajectory ST with the follower bracket 23 oriented at a worn neutral angle NW. As the furrow opener 7 wears the bracket pivot axis BPA
moves down and the follower bracket pivots upward to the angle NW such that the angle of the seed trajectory moves upward toward the angle A" shown in Fig. 5 where the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow 9 before contacting the arc 21F of the seed catching member 21. This misalignment will decrease when the follower bracket 23 pivots downward about the bracket pivot axis BPA to the position shown in Fig. 2 but will increase when the follower bracket 23 pivots upward about the bracket pivot axis BPA to the position shown in Fig. 3.
To compensate for wear of the furrow opener 7, the vertical location of the bracket pivot axis BPA with respect to the furrow opener 7 is adjustable. The follower bracket 23 is attached to the furrow opener assembly 3 by a bolt 27 which provides the bracket pivot axis BPA. The vertical position of the bolt 27 is adjustable in a slot 29. As the furrow opener 7 wears the relative positions of the bottom of the furrow opener 7, which creates the furrow 9, and the seed catching member 21 and seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17388663v1 12 17 changes. Moving the bolt 27 upwards in the slot 29 as the furrow opener 7 wears maintains the desired tangential relationship between the seed trajectory ST
and the seed catching member 21.
In the illustrated apparatus 1 the follower bracket 23 is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly 3 about a single pivot axis BPA however same could be pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly 3 by a parallel arm linkage with two bracket pivot axes as is known in the art. In the same manner adjusting one of these bracket pivot axes will move the other as well, and the proper orientation of the seed output end 17B of the seed tube 17 and the seed catching member 21 would be maintained.
While vertical adjustment is not as critical with a parallel arm linkage as it will always maintain the orientation of the seed tube and catching element regardless of its position, a biased parallel linkage will have a certain travel limit on its rotation either to stay within the mechanical limits of the bias element or within a desired bias force. As the furrow opener wears, if the parallel linkage pivot is not adjusted, the bias force on the linkage will increase when the linkage is in the neutral operating position and will have less travel upwards to clear obstacles increasing the risk of damage if the seed catching element carries the full weight of the opener if it rides over a large enough obstacle.
Therefore it is also important that the parallel linkage has vertical adjustment such that the pivot axes can be adjusted upwards as the furrow opener wears to keep the assembly operating within its desired range.
The furrow opener assembly 3 of the illustrated seeding apparatus 1 further comprises a fertilizer tube 31 with a fertilizer output end 31B thereof oriented to discharge fertilizer into the furrow 9. Wear on the disc furrow opener 7 will also change the height of the fertilizer output end 31B of the fertilizer tube 31 with respect to the furrow 9, and so, in order to maintain the proper height, the illustrated fertilizer tube 31 is also connected to the bracket pivot axis BPA such that the fertilizer output end 31B of the fertilizer tube 31 17388663v1 13 moves vertically with the bracket pivot axis BPA as the vertical location of the bracket pivot axis BPA is adjusted.
In the illustrated furrow opener assembly 3, the fertilizer tube 31 extends through a bracket 33 that defines the slot 29.and is attached to the bolt 27 such that as the bolt moves vertically, the fertilizer tube 31, and the fertilizer output end 31B
thereof, move vertically the same distance so that the desired orientation of the fertilizer output end 31B
of the fertilizer tube 31 with respect to the bottom edge of the disc is maintained so that fertilizer is directed into the furrow 9. It is contemplated that the fertilizer tube 31 could be adjustably attached to the furrow opener assembly 3 by an entirely separate adjustment mechanism as well, however adjusting the vertical position of the fertilizer output end 31B of the fertilizer tube 31 and the bracket pivot axis BPA with the same mechanism saves time when adjustments are required.
The present disclosure thus provides a seeding apparatus 1 for planting singulated seeds with improved consistency of seed spacing by providing a seed catching member 21, 21' that is in a fixed relative location on a follower bracket 23 that is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly 3 about a bracket pivot axis BPA. The follower bracket 23 and bracket pivot axis BPA are configured such that as the seed catching member 21, 21' moves up and down relative to the furrow opener 7 the follower bracket 23 moves up and down through only a small pivot range, for example about ten degrees, thus minimizing the change in the orientation of the arc contact point ACP relative to the bottom of the furrow 9. The vertical location of the bracket pivot axis BPA is adjustable to compensate for wear on the furrow opener 7.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in 17388663v1 14 structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
17388663v1 15
Claims (15)
1 A seeding apparatus comprising a furrow opener assembly adapted to be mounted on an implement frame and comprising a furrow opener operative to create a furrow when engaged in a soil surface and moving in an operating travel direction;
a singulating meter operative to dispense seeds individually;
a seed tube configured at an input end thereof to receive singulated seeds from the singulating meter, and configured at a seed output end thereof to discharge the seeds into the furrow, wherein the seed output end of the seed tube is oriented to discharge the seeds along a seed trajectory oriented in a downward and rearward direction;
a seed catching member configured to move along a bottom of the corresponding furrow and contact the seeds substantially at the same time as the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow, wherein the seed output end of the seed tube and the seed catching member are mounted in fixed relative positions to a follower bracket and the follower bracket is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly about a bracket pivot axis;
wherein a downward bias force is exerted on the follower bracket about the bracket pivot axis; and wherein a vertical location of the bracket pivot axis with respect to the furrow opener is adjustable
a singulating meter operative to dispense seeds individually;
a seed tube configured at an input end thereof to receive singulated seeds from the singulating meter, and configured at a seed output end thereof to discharge the seeds into the furrow, wherein the seed output end of the seed tube is oriented to discharge the seeds along a seed trajectory oriented in a downward and rearward direction;
a seed catching member configured to move along a bottom of the corresponding furrow and contact the seeds substantially at the same time as the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow, wherein the seed output end of the seed tube and the seed catching member are mounted in fixed relative positions to a follower bracket and the follower bracket is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly about a bracket pivot axis;
wherein a downward bias force is exerted on the follower bracket about the bracket pivot axis; and wherein a vertical location of the bracket pivot axis with respect to the furrow opener is adjustable
2 The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the furrow opener is arranged to create a furrow with a furrow depth substantially equal to an average furrow depth when the furrow opener is operating in a typical soil surface;
a bottom front edge of the seed catching member is curved along an arc, and when the seed catching member is in a level position following the bottom of the furrow at the average furrow depth, the seed tube is oriented such that seeds moving along the seed trajectory contact the bottom of the average furrow and the seed catching member at substantially the same time.
a bottom front edge of the seed catching member is curved along an arc, and when the seed catching member is in a level position following the bottom of the furrow at the average furrow depth, the seed tube is oriented such that seeds moving along the seed trajectory contact the bottom of the average furrow and the seed catching member at substantially the same time.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the seed trajectory is oriented substantially at a tangent to the arc.
4 The apparatus of any one of claims 2 and 3 wherein the arc is circular.
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 ¨ 4 wherein the seed catching member comprises one of a finger fixed to the follower bracket, and a wheel rotatably mounted to the follower bracket about a rotational axis that is fixed with respect to the follower bracket.
6. The apparatus of any one of claims 2 ¨ 5 wherein the furrow opener moves up and down in the soil surface in response to changes in the soil surface, and wherein as the furrow opener moves up and down in the soil surface, the follower bracket pivots up and down with respect to the furrow opener through a pivot range.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the follower bracket is oriented at a neutral angle and the seed catching member is at a neutral vertical location when the furrow opener is moving in the operating travel direction and creating a furrow with a desired depth, and wherein the bracket pivot axis is located such that when the seed catching member moves through a range one and one half inches up or down from the neutral vertical location, the follower bracket pivots through an angle no greater than ten degrees.
8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 ¨ 7 wherein the furrow opener assembly further comprises a fertilizer tube with a fertilizer output end thereof oriented to discharge fertilizer into the furrow, and wherein the vertical position of the fertilizer output end of the fertilizer tube is adjustable.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the fertilizer tube is connected to the bracket pivot axis such that the fertilizer output end of the fertilizer tube moves vertically with the bracket pivot axis as the vertical location of the bracket pivot axis is adjusted.
10. A seeding apparatus comprising:
a furrow opener assembly adapted to be mounted on an implement frame and comprising a furrow opener operative to create a furrow when engaged in a soil surface and moving in an operating travel direction;
a singulating meter operative to dispense seeds individually;
a seed tube configured at an input end thereof to receive singulated seeds from the singulating meter, and configured at a seed output end thereof to discharge the seeds into the furrow;
a pressurized air source configured to provide a seed air stream flowing through the seed tube to convey seeds through the seed tube;
wherein the seed output end of the seed tube is oriented to discharge the seeds along a seed trajectory oriented in a downward and rearward direction;
a seed catching member configured to move along a bottom of the corresponding furrow and contact the seeds substantially at the same time as the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow;
wherein the seed output end of the seed tube arid the seed catching member are mounted in fixed relative positions to a follower bracket; and wherein the follower bracket is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly about a bracket pivot axis and a bias element exerts a downward bias force on the follower bracket about the bracket pivot axis, wherein the furrow opener moves up and down in the soil surface in response to changes in the soil surface, and wherein as the furrow opener moves up and down in the soil surface, the follower bracket pivots up and down with respect to the furrow opener; and wherein the follower bracket is oriented at a neutral angle and the seed catching member is at a neutral vertical location when the furrow opener is engaged in the soil surface and moving in the operating travel direction creating a furrow with a desired depth, and wherein the bracket pivot axis is located such that when the seed catching member moves through a range of one and one half inches up or down from the neutral vertical location, the follower bracket pivots through an angle no greater than ten degrees.
a furrow opener assembly adapted to be mounted on an implement frame and comprising a furrow opener operative to create a furrow when engaged in a soil surface and moving in an operating travel direction;
a singulating meter operative to dispense seeds individually;
a seed tube configured at an input end thereof to receive singulated seeds from the singulating meter, and configured at a seed output end thereof to discharge the seeds into the furrow;
a pressurized air source configured to provide a seed air stream flowing through the seed tube to convey seeds through the seed tube;
wherein the seed output end of the seed tube is oriented to discharge the seeds along a seed trajectory oriented in a downward and rearward direction;
a seed catching member configured to move along a bottom of the corresponding furrow and contact the seeds substantially at the same time as the seeds contact the bottom of the furrow;
wherein the seed output end of the seed tube arid the seed catching member are mounted in fixed relative positions to a follower bracket; and wherein the follower bracket is pivotally attached to the furrow opener assembly about a bracket pivot axis and a bias element exerts a downward bias force on the follower bracket about the bracket pivot axis, wherein the furrow opener moves up and down in the soil surface in response to changes in the soil surface, and wherein as the furrow opener moves up and down in the soil surface, the follower bracket pivots up and down with respect to the furrow opener; and wherein the follower bracket is oriented at a neutral angle and the seed catching member is at a neutral vertical location when the furrow opener is engaged in the soil surface and moving in the operating travel direction creating a furrow with a desired depth, and wherein the bracket pivot axis is located such that when the seed catching member moves through a range of one and one half inches up or down from the neutral vertical location, the follower bracket pivots through an angle no greater than ten degrees.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:
the furrow opener is arranged to create a furrow with a furrow depth substantially equal to an average furrow depth when the furrow opener is operating in a typical soil surface;
a bottom front edge of the seed catching member is curved along an arc; and when the seed catching member is in a level position following the bottom of the furrow at the average furrow depth, the seed tube is oriented such that seeds moving along the seed trajectory contact the bottom of the average furrow and the seed catching member at substantially the same time.
the furrow opener is arranged to create a furrow with a furrow depth substantially equal to an average furrow depth when the furrow opener is operating in a typical soil surface;
a bottom front edge of the seed catching member is curved along an arc; and when the seed catching member is in a level position following the bottom of the furrow at the average furrow depth, the seed tube is oriented such that seeds moving along the seed trajectory contact the bottom of the average furrow and the seed catching member at substantially the same time.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the seed trajectory is oriented substantially at a tangent to the arc.
13. The apparatus of any one of claims 11 and 12 wherein the arc is circular.
14. The apparatus of any one of claims 10 ¨ 13 wherein the seed catching member comprises one of a finger fixed to the follower bracket, and a wheel rotatably mounted to the follower bracket about a rotational axis that is fixed with respect to the follower bracket.
15. The apparatus of any one of claims 11 ¨ 14 wherein the furrow opener moves up and down in the soil surface in response to changes in the soil surface, and wherein as the furrow opener moves up and down in the soil surface, the follower bracket pivots up and down with respect to the furrow opener through a pivot range.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3019777A CA3019777A1 (en) | 2018-10-04 | 2018-10-04 | Seed catching member for singulating meters |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3019777A CA3019777A1 (en) | 2018-10-04 | 2018-10-04 | Seed catching member for singulating meters |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA3019777A1 true CA3019777A1 (en) | 2020-04-04 |
Family
ID=70050260
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3019777A Abandoned CA3019777A1 (en) | 2018-10-04 | 2018-10-04 | Seed catching member for singulating meters |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA3019777A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20200178453A1 (en) * | 2018-12-07 | 2020-06-11 | Instituto Nacional De Tecnología Agropecuaria | Tren de siembra para máquina sembradora y maquina sembradora que incluye el mismo |
| CN114982431A (en) * | 2022-06-13 | 2022-09-02 | 北京德邦大为科技股份有限公司 | Air-blowing type forage no-tillage seeder and seeding process |
| EP4316231A1 (en) * | 2022-08-04 | 2024-02-07 | Horsch Maschinen GmbH | Coulter device and agricultural working machine with a plurality of such coulter devices |
-
2018
- 2018-10-04 CA CA3019777A patent/CA3019777A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20200178453A1 (en) * | 2018-12-07 | 2020-06-11 | Instituto Nacional De Tecnología Agropecuaria | Tren de siembra para máquina sembradora y maquina sembradora que incluye el mismo |
| US11770998B2 (en) * | 2018-12-07 | 2023-10-03 | Instituto Nacional De Tecnologia Agropecuaria | Seeding assembly for seeding machine |
| CN114982431A (en) * | 2022-06-13 | 2022-09-02 | 北京德邦大为科技股份有限公司 | Air-blowing type forage no-tillage seeder and seeding process |
| CN114982431B (en) * | 2022-06-13 | 2023-08-04 | 北京德邦大为科技股份有限公司 | Air-blowing type forage no-tillage planter and planting process |
| EP4316231A1 (en) * | 2022-08-04 | 2024-02-07 | Horsch Maschinen GmbH | Coulter device and agricultural working machine with a plurality of such coulter devices |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20210311 |
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| FZDE | Discontinued |
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