NZ207304A - Blade and point for coulter assembly for seed sower - Google Patents

Description

207304 '.j.xh' i>2 provisions cf Regit- . .3 (I) the ^ xclftczzicn has been ante-dated »9<ggj >. / 9 , -. J . Initials ! Patents Form No. 5 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Divisional Out of Complete After Provisional , Mo* 20322-1 tv«JU>7 3oif.

C Dated: 19 October 1982 "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO COULTER ASSEMBLIES" WE, AITCHISON INDUSTRIES LIMITED, of Mosston Road, Wanganui, New Zealand, a New Zealand Company, hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to coulter assemblies and blades or points therefor, and more particularly to coulter assemblies and blades or points for use in direct seed sowing in untilled ground.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of coulter blade and point for a coulter assembly and seed sower facilitating the cutting of a furrow and formation of a seed channel below ground, the blade and point being arranged to effect soil shattering and an aerated channel formation facilitating seed growth.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coulter blade and point of relatively simple construction and capable Qf being manufactured and sold at low cost and thus be readily disposable when no longer servicable.

Other and more particular objects and advantages of the invention would become apparent from the ensuing description.

According to a first aspect of this invention therefore, there is provided a cutting blade and point for a coulter assembly comprising a substantially planar blade part arranged in use for disposition in an upright plane extending in the line of intended travel of the coulter assembly with a leading upwardly extending edge of the blade and point defining a soil cutting edge arranged to penetrate the ground, said blade and point having a transversely extending relatively thin base part defining wings projecting laterally one each side of the blade and point at a lower longitudinally extending edge thereof, and a rear or trailing upwardly extending edge of said blade and point being provided with a transversely disposed rear wall part projecting laterally each side of the lower part of said 7073 04 rear or trailing edge to form an abutment to cause soil shattering and clearing in the furrow cut at and below ground level by the upright planar blade part and laterally projecting wings of the base part as the assembly is moved along.

Some preferred aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1: is a side elevational view of a seed sowing apparatus incorporating the invention, and FIGURE 2: is an exploded view of the first form of coulter assembly as employed in the arrangement according to figure 1.

Referring firstly to figure 1 of the drawings, typically direct seed sowing apparatus includes a supporting frame 1 which is generally arranged in use to be mounted on and supported by such as the three point linkage of a tractor (not shown) so as to extend transversely across the rear part of the tractor. The frame 1 mounts at least one seed hopper 2 which may be elongate and again extend transversely of the tractor along the length of the frame 1, and the frame 1 further mounts a plurality of depending support members 3 in aligned and/or staggered relationship and each mounting at its lower end a cutting blade or coulter assembly 4; seed being distributed from the hopper 2 by way of feed tubes 5 arranged to direct seed into the furrows cut by the blades or coulter assemblies 4 as the tractor and apparatus is moved along. The apparatus is preferably provided with at least one ground wheel 6 (preferably adjustable in height) ensuring that the apparatus is maintained at the correct constant level relative to the ground surface in order to obtain and maintain the correct constant depth of seed furrow or drill.

^ ^ J 'i--J -~& Some prior constructions involve a coulter blade assembly with an integral fixed seed chute as part thereof, and others provide that the seed outlet tube may trail or be mounted some distance behind the coulter assembly. In the present invention the coulter assemblies 4 each have a mounting 7 which is arranged for detachable engagement with the lower end part of the respective support member 3,which is preferably a spring tine member 3 having its upper end part in the form of a coil and clamped to the support frame 1 by any suitable clamp means; and the outlet end part of each seed feed tube 5 is arranged to be detachably engaged with or supported adjacent the respective mounting 7 to support each seed tube outlet part in the correct position relative to the mounting 7 and the blade point assembly supported thereby.

The arrangement may provide forthe sowing or distribution of seed only, but it will be appreciated that the same apparatus may be similarly employed as a fertilizer distributor for obtaining maximum efficiency in distribution of fertilizer below ground, or the apparatus may include a second hopper 2' with separate outlet tubes 5' leading to the respective coulter assemblies 4 and adjacent the seed outlet tubes 5 so that both seed and fertilizer can be fed and distributed into the respective furrows and below ground channels, as the apparatus is operated and movedalong.

Referring also now to figure 2 of the drawings, the mounting 7 may be in the form of a cast steel boot or shoe having an upper body part 8 with a rectangular recess 9 conforming in dimensions to and arranged to receive the lower end portion of the rectangular section spring tine support member; 2073 04 and the mounting 7 may be arranged for detachable securement in position such as by an appropriate screw or stud 10 in threaded engagement with the mounting upper part 8 and having its inner end arranged to be tightened onto the portion 5 of support member 3 engaged in the recess 9. Each spring tine support member 3 extends rearwardly and downwardly relative to the support frame 1 and normal direction of travel A of the apparatus, and each mounting 7 has a part 11 extending downwardly below and rearwardly relative to the lower end of 10 the spring tine support member 3 so that a cutting blade and point 12 can be secured to the lower part thereof such as by providing the mounting lower part and blade upper part with two or more spaced apertures 13, 14 through which fastening bolts or screws 15 can be located. A clamp plate member 16 can be 15 employed with complementary screw threaded apertures 17 so that the upper end part of the blade 12 can be sandwiched between the mounting lower part 11 and clamp part 17 with the apertures 13, 14 and 17 aligned and the bolts or screws 15 passed through the apertures 13, 14 in the mounting and blade and engaged in the 20 screw threaded apertures 17 of the clamp plate 16, and tightened. To protect the screw heads against damage or shear in operation of the apparatus, the mounting 7 can be provided with protrusions 18 located on the leading side of the mounting apertures 13 so as to deflect hard objects and protect the screw or bolt heads 25 as the apparatus is moved along.

The rear part of the mounting is provided with one or more apertures 13a whereby a seed and/or fertilizer pipe outlet end support member can be detachably bolted thereto.

The rear end part of the mounting can be provided with a stepped formation 7a complementary to the shape of a mounting block for the pipe end support to facilitate correct alignment and fitting of the tube outlets and support parts.

Seed and/or fertilizer can flow directly from the outlet parts of the feed tubes 5 into the formed furrow and channel or, and as illustrated, a receiving and guide cup arrangement 19 can be provided and arranged for detachable mounting in a similar manner to the tube outlet support members, and may be thus provided with a mounting block 19a having apertures 19b and arranged for securement on the same part of the mounting 7 as the outlet tube support for each assembly. The cup and guide member 19 may be in the form of a miniature hopper into which the seed and/or fertilizer tube outlet parts are directed, and have an open lower side with spaced side walls 19c depending therefrom and arranged to guide or deflect the seed and/or fertilizer into the formed furrow and channel. The lower edges of the deflector or guide side walls 19c may be inclined upwardly and rearwardly from their leading edges and have the same angle ©<L as the blade and point 12 lower edge and wings.

One preferred form of blade and point 12 in accordance with the invention is illustrated particularly in figure 2 of the drawings and is a simple unitary sheet and/or strip metal fabricated member capable of being manufactured and sold at a relatively low cost and being readily replaceable. The blade 12 is manufactured of hardened or hard-faced sheet metal so as to have a major flat or planar area, and the two mounting holes 14 may be drilled or punched therethrough in the upper part of the blade 12. The blade and point combination is designed 4$^ ' \ ' • "7 /; ^ u / j J s- and shaped so as to have a leading edge 12a which will penetrate the soil at an angle 0 preferably in the order of 65 degress to 75 degrees to the horizontal, and more preferably at about 70 degrees or 72 degrees to the horizontal. The lower longitudinal edge 12b of the blade and point is also preferably inclined upwardly in use from the lower leading tip 12c of the point and is preferably angled (oC) at about 7 or 8 degrees to the horizontal. A relatively thin base strip, of substantially arrowhead formation when viewed in plan, is secured such as by welding to the lower longitudinal edge 12b of the point and blade 12 so as to form wings 20 extending laterally one either side thereof broadening towards the rear of the point and blade 12 and being inclined at the same angle ©<• as the lower longitudinal edge 12b so that when the assembly and mounted point and blade 12 are moved along in the direction of arrow A the forward leading edge 12a cuts a vertical slot in the soil and the winged base 20 lifts and shattersthe soil.

The rear or trailing edge 12d of the blade 12 may be substantially vertical and a short buffer plate 21 is secured thereto so as to extend transversely at the rear part of the point and blade 12 to protect the following seed tube outlet part and cup/guide 19 where provided. The arrangement provides a further added advantage in that the corner parts formed by the buffer plate 21 and rear part of the point and blade 12 will fill with soil in use and provide a soil to soil contact along side the blade 12 resulting in a reduction in wear of the blade 12 that might otherwise take place on a soil to steel QC^contact, and particularly with the abrasion of small stones ye-:^ and the like. This form of blade will, as can be seen, be readily manufactured at low cost and be thus readily disposable and easily replaced.

Some preferred aspects of the invention havebeen described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it will be appreciated that other variations of and modifications to the invention may take place without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A blade and point for a coulter assembly comprising a substantially planar blade part arranged in use for disposition in an upright plane extending in the line of intended travel of the coulter assembly with a leading upwardly extending edge of the blade and point defining a soil cutting edge arranged to penetrate the ground, said blade and point having a transversely extending relatively thin base part defining wings projecting laterally one each/ side of the blade and point at a lower longitudinally extending edge thereof, and a rear or trailing upwardly extending edge of said blade and point being provided with a transversely disposed rear wall part projecting laterally each side of the lower part of said rear or trailing edge to form an abutment to cause soil shattering and clearing in the furrow cut at and below ground level by the upright planar blade part and laterally projecting wings of the base part as the assembly is moved along.

2. A blade and point as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base part is of arrowhead formation when viewed in plan broadening towards the rear of the blade and point.

3. A blade and point as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, when fabricated from sheet and/or strip metal, said base part and rear wall part being secured to the planar blade part such as by welding,

4. A blade and point as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper portion of the planar blade part is arranged for detachable engagement with a mounting of the coulter assembly. %7^:Z4

5. A blade and point as claimed in claim 4 wherein the mounting is arranged for location at the lower end of a spring tine support member and the blade and point is arranged to depend from and below the mounting.

6. A blade and point as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the upper portion of the planar blade part is provided with two or more apertures alignable with apertures of the mounting for the receipt of fastening bolts or screws.

7. A blade and point as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the arrangement and construction provides that in use the base part wings and lower longitudinal edge will be disposed at an angle in the region of 7° to 8° to the horizontal.

8. A blade and point as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the arrangement, construction and mounting provides that in use at least the major part of the leading soil cutting edge from the lower leading tip will be disposed at an angle in the region of 65° to 75° to the horizontal.

9. A blade and point for a coulter assembly arranged and constructed and adapted for use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A coulter assembly and blade and point therefor arranged and constructed and adapted for use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. AITCHISON INDUSTRIES LIMITED, By Their Authorised Attorneys, JOHN A* REMMINGTON-?& ASSOCIATES -10-