US796411A

US796411A - Planter.

Info

Publication number: US796411A
Application number: US18785604A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alonzo L Burtt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1904-01-05
Filing date: 1904-01-05
Publication date: 1905-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 1922-08-08

Description

No. 796,411. PATENTED AUG. 8, 1905. A. L. BURTT.

PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED LIAN. 5, 1904.

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No. 796,411. PATENTED AUG. 8, 1905. A. L. BURTT.

PLAN TER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5, 1904.

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No. 796,411 PATENTED AUG. 8, 1905.

A: L. BURTT.

PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.5,1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3,

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PLANTBR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5. 1904.

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No. 796,411. PATENTBD AUG. 8, 1905.

. A. L. BURTT.

PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5, 1904.

5 SHBETS-SHEET 5. v

UIUTED STATES PATENT FFTQE.

PLANTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1905.

Application filed January 5, 1904:. Serial No. 187,856.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALoNzo L. BURTT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Painesville, in the county of Lake and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Planter, of which the following is a specification.

Similar characters relate to similar parts of the machine.

My invention relates to an improvement in planters designed to deposit seed, together with a predetermined quantity of fertilizing medium, and subsequently cover the seed and fertilizer with earth; and my object is to provide a machine of this description which is simple in construction, easily operated, and not easily disarranged, which machine is suitable for use in planting seeds or grain of all kinds and sizes. In attaining these and other objects I employ certain instrumentalities whereby the seed or grain is accurately deposited, together with a quantity of fertilizer, and is then automatically covered with earth as the machine proceeds.

To these ends my invention consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, such as will be more fully described hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my invention, portions being removed to disclose the parts beneath. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation. Fig. 3 isa view in front elevation; Fig. 4:, an enlarged view, in side elevation, of the front portion of my machine, showing the seed-hopper and connected parts, parts being removed to better disclose the construction. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a slight modification. Fig. 6 is a view in front elevation, disclosing the same modification. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail top plan view of the feed-plates and their connected mechanism. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view, in side elevation, of the feed-plates and hopper and their connected mechanism. Fig. 9 is a view in front elevation of a seed, grain, or fertilizer reservoir. Fig. 10 is a bottom plan viewof two such reservoirs as shown in side elevation in Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view through one of the feed-disks. Fig. 12 is a detail view, in side elevation, of a marker used in connection with my machine; and Fig. 13 is a detail top plan of the shoe or furrow opener and coverer, the hopper tube or chute being shown in crosssection.

A indicates the main frame of my machine,

which is preferably formed of piping or tubing extending from front to rear of the machine, across which frame is suspended the auxiliary frame B, which supports the grain or seed and fertilizer reservoirs, the hoppers, seed coverers, and connected mechanisms. The main frame comprises the longitudinallyextending side pieces 1 1, united at their ends by means of the cross-pieces 2 2, and to the main frame is attached a stationary drop or depending frame consisting of an approximately U-shaped member 3, the upper ends of which are connected to the main frame by means of the unions or sleeves 4 i. The axle 5 is suitably journaled in the main frame in the rear of the auxiliary or cross frame B and has the wheels 6 6, secured to the outer ends thereof. A platform 7is also supported upon and secured to the main frame in front of the axle and preferably provided with a casing or housing 8, hereinafter referred to. Standards 9 9, secured at their lower ends to the main frame, support a base 10, on which a spring-seat 11 is carried, as shown. Depending from the main frame are a plurality of pins 12 12, secured to the side bars 1 l by means of the sleeves 13 13. The cross-frame B is composed of smaller tubing-as gas-pipe, for instance the front and rear cross-bars 1 1 14 of which are connected to the end bars 15 15 by means of unions 16 16, as shown, and to the front and rear cross-bars 14: lt are secured apertured plates 17 17, through the apertures of which extend the pins 12 12, which guide the cross-frame in moving up or down and prevent its oscillation.

Atongue 18 is pivotally secured to the front end bar 2 of the main frame by means of the sleeve 19, which is provided with abroad bearing-plate 20, in which the tongue is received and to which it is secured. The rear end of the tongue extends backward and is held between two stanchions 21 21, secured to and projecting upwardly from the U-shaped member 3 of the main frame, the stanchions 21 21 preventing lateral movement of the tongue, but permitting its free vertical oscillation and operating to guide the tongue during any such oscillation. The usual doubletree is carried by the tongue, as shown. In advance of the main frame a rest 22 is pivotally secured to the tongue, the rest extending downwardly and adapted to support the weight of the tongue and the front weight of the machine when the machine is idle. The lower end of the rest is enlarged, as at 23, to afford a broad base, and

the rest may be thrown out of the way, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, a brace 24 removably secured to and extending between the tongue and rest, respectively, serving to prevent the rest from moving on its pivot when in use.

A bracket 25 is secured, preferably, to the tongue to the rear of its pivotal point, the bracket being adapted to support a segment 26, and to this bracket is pivotally secured a lever 27, provided with an eccentric portion 28, to which is pivotally secured one end of a link 29. The opposite end of the link is connected with an arm 30, rigidly secured to a shaft 31, secured against rotation in bearings 32, formed on the ends of hangers 33 33, secured to and extending from the ends of the cross-frame B. The shaft 31 is also journaled in bearings 34 34, secured to the U -shaped member 3. The operation of the lever 27, which is provided with the usual pawl mechanism, (not shown,) rotates the shaft 31 in bearings 34 34 and raises or lowers the crossframe B on the pins 12 12.

The cross-frame is adapted to support the seed-hoppers, reservoirs, and connectedmechanisms in the following manner: Near each end of the cross-frame B is adjustably secured a deck comprising a plate 35, to which are secured straps 36 36, adjustably received upon the front and rear cross-bars 14 14, each of which plates is provided with an elongated opening 37, through which the seed and fertilizer are simultaneously dropped, as will appear hereinafter. Journaled on each deck are the seed and fertilizer feed-disks 38 38 39 39, the forward disks 38 38 preferably being the seed-disks. These feed-disks are each provided with peripheral teeth 40 40, and between each two disks on the deck extends a sliding rod 41, the outer ends of which are slidably received in bearings 42 42, located on the end bars 15 15 of the cross-frame B. The rods 41 41 are provided intermediate their ends with reduced portions43 43, (see Fig. 7,) and secured to the rods, on either side thereof, are the spring-pawls 44 44,normall y ad apted to project laterally from the rods, the free ends of the pawls being provided with teeth 45 45, which mesh with the teeth 40 40 on the disks and give the latter a step-by-step movement in a direction toward one another, the disks 38 39 being prevented from taking a reverse direction by the engagementof the stoppawls 46 46 with the teeth 40. Each disk is further provided with a circular groove 47 surrounding the apertures 48 48, formed in the feed-disks and being of any suitable size, the apertures adapted to successively register with the opening 37, above mentioned. A metal casing of rectangular conformation is received upon each deck, the casing consisting of a comparatively shallow receptacle 49, provided across its transverse center, preferably, with a bridge or recessed portion 50, be-

neath which when the casing is in place are received the rods 41 41. The casing on either side of the bridge has formed therein a circular aperture 51, surrounded by a collar 52, the latter receivable in the circular grooves 47 47, whereby a tight joint is formed and the seed and fertilizer prevented from spreading or sifting into the operating mechanism. The casing is provided with flanges 53 53,which are suitably secured to the deck, thus retaining the'casing in position. The bottomless reservoirs 53 are receivable within the casings, each reservoir comprising a single box divided across its transverse center by means of a partition 54 54, thus forming two compartments to which access is had by means of the lids 55 55, pivotally secured to opposite edges of the upper end of the box and closing toward each other, a suitable button 56, pivotally supported on the cross-rail of the box, adapted to secure the lids in closed position. The reservoirs are removably secured to the casings by means of the bolts 57, and each compartment of the reservoir is provided with an inclined chute 58, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9, the chute adapted to practically close one half of each opening or aperture 51 and shunt the seed toward the other half of the opening. This accomplishes a double purpose, since all the seed are fed to the rotating feed-disks 38 39, and, further, if the material was fed to the entire series of apertures in each disk a steady stream would pour into the hopper or spout hereinafter referred to; but by reason of the fact that those portions of the openings 51 51 which lie over the aperture or mouth 37 of the hopper or spout are closed by the chutes or cut-offs 58 the material is received in each of the circular series of apertures 48 48 of the disks, the disks then passing beneath the chutes or cut-offs, which permit only the material in the apertures 48 to pass out and over the mouth of the hopper or spout, into which the material drops by gravity, the lower edges of the chutes or cut-offs scraping off the surplus seed. The hopper or spout 59 consists of a funnel-shaped member the mouth of which is secured to the plate 35, and coincident or registering with the aperture 37, into which mouth the material to be planted drops and by means of the hopper or spout is conveyed to a trench formed by a shoe or furrow-opener 60, the lower end of the hopper extending between the blades or sides of the shoe or furrow-opener, as shown. Theshoeorfurrow-openercomprises two cutter-plates curved and secured to one another at their front ends, the plates diverging from one another as they extend backward and adapted to form a trench of the desired depth into which the seed and fertilizer are deposited. The shoe or furrow-opener is provided on either side thereof with a gage 62, comprising a longitudinally-curved rib having brackets 63 secured thereto, which brackets are provided with slots 64 64, through which extend bolts or other suitable fastening means, which serve to adjustably secure the flanges or ribs to the sides of the shoe or furrow-opener. These ribs project laterally from the sides of the shoe or furrow-opener and operate to regulate the depth of the trench to be formed. The forward end of the shoe or furrow-opener has fastened thereto a hanger 65, which is pivotally connected with a stud 66, adjustably secured on the shaft 31. The rear ends of the shoe or furrow-opener are secured to a sliding annulus 61, encircling the hopper or spout by means of the rods 67, and the shoe also has fastened thereto, rearward of the hopper or spout 59, the coverer 68, which comprises a pair of members shaped like convex moldboards placed back to back, the coverer being so arranged as to throw the soil into the trench formed by the shoe or furrow-opener and cover the seed previously deposited in the trench, and the soil is pressed down by the wheels 6 6, which are preferably provided with concave tread surfaces, as shown, which take into the soil and form a ridge where the seed has been deposited, pressing the loose earth down. The shaft 31 has secured thereto a resilient or spring arm 69, the free end of which rests upon the annulus 61 and is adapted to force the latter, together with the shoe or furrow-opener and coverer, downward when the lever 27 is thrown forward. A link is secured to the annulus and at its opposite end is connected to the bar 71, which is fastened to the oscillating rod 72, journaled in bearings 73, depending from the cross-frame B, and this rod is oscillated by means of the lever 74, which is held preferably in its rearward position by means of a catch 75, mounted on the platform 7. By means of this lever 74 the shoe or furrow opener and coverer are raised off the ground when the machine is out of operation, as when being transported from place to place, the sliding rods 41 41 being extended beyond their bearings 42 42 to facilitate this adjustment.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the decks and their connected parts on the cross-frame B are adjustable for a slight distance toward and from one another by loosening the means connecting the straps 36 to the cross-frame and adjusting the arms 69 and hangers 65 65, connecting the shoe or furrowopener 60 and shaft 31.

Secured to the opposite side of the platform from lever 74 is a toothed segment 75, to which is suitably pivoted alever 76, provided with a pawl (not shown) to engage the segment. Pivotally connected to the lever and extending rearwardly therefrom is the rod 77, secured at its free end to the rock-shaft 78 by means of the link 79. The rock-shaft is suitably secured in bearings 80 80, pivotally secured to knuckles 80 80 on the rear end bar. 2 of the main frame and carries the scraperstems 81 81, to the free ends of which are secured the scrapers 82 82 in alinement with wheels 6 6 and adapted to engage therewith, the scrapers also serving as brakes, if need be. The scrapers are longitudinally adjustable on the shaft, so that they may be in alinement with the laterally-adjustable wheels 6 6 when the positions of the latter are changed to accord with the adjustment of the planting mechanism to change the distance between each two furrows.

An arm 83 projects rearwardly from the seat-support 11 or other convenient place, as shown, the arm being provided with a springclasp 84, between the fingers of which is received the shaft of the marker when it is not in use. This marker (shown in Fig. 12) consists of a socket or tubular member 85, pivotally secured at one end to a standard 86, se-

cured to the main frame A and projecting rearwardly therefrom and approximately parallel with the arm 83, the socketor tubular member being retained on the standard by means of a thumb-nut or other equivalent structure 87. The socket or tubular member is adapted to receive the rod 88, to the outer end of which is rotatably secured the marking-disk 89, the rod being adjustably held within the socket or tubular member by means of the set-screw 90, to which is connected a ring or chain to act as a guide or stay. When out of use, the marker is swung upward on its pivot until the socket or tubular member is caught by the clasp 84.

The cross frame B is provided with braces 91 91 92 92, the braces 91 91 having mounted thereon the inner bearings 93 93, in which are slidingly received the rods 41 41, the rods carrying the buffers 94 94, which impinge against the bearings 93 93 and serve to limit the inward movement of the rods and prevent the total disengagement of the spring-pawls 44 44 from the feed-disks 38 39. The inner ends of the rods 41 41 have pivotally secured thereto the outer ends of the pitmen 95 95, the inner ends of the pitmen being eccentrically and pivotally secured to the cam-wheels 96 96, which cam-wheels are mounted on the ends of the machine-shafts 97 97, received in bearings carried by the bearing-supports 98 r 98, attached to the braces 92 92 and extending transversely thereto. Gears 99 99 are keyed to the shafts 97 97, and a connectingshaft 100, suitably journaled in the crossframe B, carries the gears 101 101, which mesh with and operate gears '99 99. A sprocketwheel 102, mounted on the connecting-shaft 100, is connected, by means of achain 103, with one of a series of sprockets 104, mounted on a square sleeve 105, which is adjustably secured on the axle 5 in any preferred manner, as by means of the set-screw shown. The chain is received beneath the housing or casing 8 of platform 7 to protect the operator or driver against accidents.

It may be stated that the feed-disks 38 38 39 39 are interchangeable in order that different sizes or amounts of grains, seeds, and fertilizer may be planted.

The sizes of the sprockets 102 104 regulate the distance between the hills or seed-depositories.

Much of the operation of my machine--such as the lever 27, which raises and lowers the cross-frame B and its connected parts through the rotatable shaft 31, which also operates the shoe or furrow opener and coverer and the lever 74, by means of which the coverer and shoe or furrow-opener are raised-has been hereinbefore set forth. The operation of the feed-disks is attained as follows: When the machine is started, the rotation of the axle 5 carries the series of sprockets 104 therewith and communicates motion through chain 103 to the sprocket 102 on the connecting-shaft 100, and the motion is transmitted by the intermeshing gears 101 and 99 and the shafts 97 to the cam-wheels 96, which operate the pitmen 95 and through which the rods 41 41 are reciprocated in their slide-bearings, the teeth 45 of pawls 44 being carried outward until they take behind the succeeding peripheral teeth 40 and then drawn inward, whereby the feed-disks are rotated the distance between two adjacent teeth to each complete reciprocation of the rods 41 41, the reduced portions of the rods adapted to receive the pawls as they are pressed. in by the teeth 40, when the rods 41 are driven outward and the tension of the material of which the pawls are constructed adapted to cause the latter to spring outward behind the next succeeding teeth 40. The step-by-step rotation of the feed-disks brings successive apertures 48 from the res ervoir and beneath the chute or cut-off 58, the apertures when over the hopper or spout mouth 37 discharging their contents thereinto and the stop-pawls 46 engaging teeth 40 to prevent a reverse rotation of the feed-disks, which might otherwise occur by reason of the frictional contact of the actuating pawls and teeth 40 when the rods are driven outward. The rods 41 41 are designed to operate simultaneously inward and outward; but, if preferred, they may operate successively, such result being attained by securing one pitman to its cam-wheel 96 at one hundred and eighty degrees distant from the point of attachment of the other pitman to its cam-wheel.

It will be observed that the speed at which the cam-wheels 96 are driven determines the number of reciprocations of the rods 41 41, and consequently the number of hills. Thus, if a large sprocket 102 is employed, the number of hills will be less than if a small sprocket were used, and again the series of sprockets 104 may be adjusted so that the sprocket 102 may be driven fast or slow, as preferred.

Now if it be desired to manually regulate the planting I provide for this purpose a lever 106, (see Figs. 4, 5, and 6,) pivotally supported on a standard 107, secured to the braces 92 92, the forward or oscillating portion of the lever being retained in a normally elevated position by means of the spring 108, the lower end of which rests on the platform and is coiled around a rod 109, the lever-handle being slotted to receive the rod. The sprocket 102 is provided with a clutch member 110, by means of which it is releasably secured to the connecting-shaft 72, the clutch being controlled by means of lever 111, working on a segmental are 111. When, therefore, the operator desires to manually con trol the feed-disks, the pitmen 95 95, connecting the rods 41 41- with the cam-wheels 96, are removed and links 112 are pivotally secured to the ends of the rods 41 in place of the pitmen, the links being pivotally connected at their opposite ends to a rod 113, depending from the lever 106 at a point between its fulcrum and the handle. By means of this construction the operator by depressing the lever 106 can force the rods 41 41 outward, the spring 108 operating to raise the lever automatically and draw the rods 41 41 inward again.

It is evident that many changes might be made in the form and arrangement of the several parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein set forth; but,

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a planter, the combination with asuitable frame, of a bearing formed in the frame and rigid therewith, feed disks pivotally mounted on the frame, holders in communication with the disks, covering means to which the contents of the holders is conveyed, a reciprocating member lying between and operating the disks and a buffer stationarily located upon the reciprocating member and adapted to engage the bearing to limitthe movement of the member in one direction, the buffer and bearing located apart from the feed-disks.

2. In a planter, the combination with a suitable support, of a rotatable feed-disk mounted thereon and provided with a groove, a stationary casing, a collar on the casing received in the groove, a holder carried by the casing and communicating with the disk, a spout to which the disk conveys the material from the holder, and mechanism for covering the material delivered by the spout.

3. A planter comprising a support, a plurality of apertured feed-disks rotatably mounted thereon, means for rotating the disks, each disk provided with a groove therein, a sta tionary casing, collars carried by the casing and received in the grooves, the casing provided with a bridge for the reception of the disk-operating means, a holder received in the casing and covering means to which the contents of the holder is conveyed.

4. The combination, in a planter, with a pair of feed-disks, of a reciprocating member secured and passing between the disks, means carried by the member and adapted to simultaneously engage the disks to rotate the latter in one direction, and stop-pawls stationarily relative to the disk and independent of the reciprocating member for engaging the disks to prevent a reverse movement thereof.

5. The combination with a planter, of a pair of feed-disks spaced apart from each other, a reciprocating member received between the disks, gearing for actuating the reciprocating member and inherently resilient pawls carried by the reciprocating member for engaging and operating the feed-disks.

6. The combination with a planter and gearing driven thereby, of a pair of feed-disks spaced apart from each other, a reciprocating member located between the feed-disks and connected with the gearing whereby the member is positively driven, and means carried by the member and engaging and operating the feed-disks.

7. A planter comprising a main frame, a series of pins depending therefrom, a verticallyadjustable cross-frame engaging and guided by the pins, a shaft journaled in the main frame, means connecting the shaft and crossframe, and means connected with the shaft for rotating the latter to raise and lower the cross-frame.

8. A planter comprising a main frame, a series of pins depending therefrom, a verticallyadjustable cross-frame engaging and guided by the pins, a pivotally-supported lever, and a suitably-journaled shaft connected with and supporting the cross-frame, and means connecting the shaft and lever to adjust the crossframe.

9. In a planter, the combination with a main frame, of a cross-frame adjustable with respect to the main frame, astationary U-shaped depending drop-frame rigidly secured to the main frame, bearings carried by the dropframe, a shaft rotatably mounted in the bearings, means connecting the shaft and crossframe and a lever connected with the shaft for rotating the latter to adjust the cross-frame with respect to the main frame.

10. In a planter, the combination with a main frame, of a U-shaped depending dropframe rigidly secured thereto, bearings secured to the drop-frame a shaft journaled in the bearings, hangers secured to the shaft, a cross-frame supported on the hangers, a lever, a stud on the shaft, and a link connecting the lever and stud.

11. In a planter, the combination with a main frame, of a drop-frame secured thereto, a tongue pivotally supported on the main frame intermediate its length and guide-pins located on the drop-frame and embracing the rear end of the tongue.

12. In a planter, the combination with a main frame, of a tongue pivotally secured thereto intermediate its length, a lever located on the tongue on one side of its fulcrum, a rotatableshaft controlled by the lever and a cross-frame connected with the rotatable shaft, the movement of the tongue automatically raising or lowering the cross-frame.

13. In a planter, the combination with a dropping mechanism, of a covering mechanism, the front and rear portions of which are separately supported, and levers for separately adjusting the front and rear portions of such covering mechanism.

14. In a planter, the combination with suitable dropping mechanism, of a covering mechanism, a rotatable member to which the forward end of the covering mechanism is secured, means for actuating the rotatable member to raise and lower the forward end of the covering mechanism, and separate means connected with the rear end of the covering mechanism for adjusting the position of such rear end.

15. In a planter, the combination with a dropping mechanism of a shoe, a rotatable shaft,means pivotally connecting the shoe and shaft, an annulus, a resilient arm carried by the shaft and bearing upon the annulus, the heel of the shoe connected to the annulus, means for rotating the shaft and means for actuating the annulus.

16. In a planter, the combination with a dropping mechanism, of a shoe, a coverer located rearwardly of and secured to the shoe, an annulus to which the heel of the shoe is connected, a rotatable shaft to which the toe of the shoe is pivotally connected, means for rotating the shaft to raise and lower the toe of the shoe, and resilient means on the shaft and engaging the annulus to normally retain it in lowered position.

17. In a planter, the combination with a dropping mechanism, of a shoe, means for pivotally supporting the toe of the shoe, a coverer secured to the heel of the shoe, an annulus with which the heel is connected, a suitably-journaled rock-shaft, alever connected to the rockshaft, and means connecting the lever and annulus for raising and lowering the coverer.

18. In a planter, the combination with a suitably-supported main frame, of a crossframe, a rocking shaft journalcd in the main frame, a lever also supported on the main frame, a projecting arm carried by the shaft, a link connecting the arm and lever for rocking the shaft and hangers secured to the shaft and to the cross-frame, the latter being supported on the hangers. I

19. In a planter, the combination with a main frame, of a shaft journaled therein, a cross-frame, means rigidly connecting the cross-frame and shaft for supporting the crossframe, covering mechanism, means forpivotally connecting the covering mechanism and the shaft, and means for rocking the shaft to simultaneously lower and raise the cross-frame and the covering mechanism.

20. In a planter, the combination With a main frame,ofashaftjournaled therein, means for rotating the shaft, dropping mechanism, a furrow-opener, means connected to the heel of the furrow-opener for raising the latter, a guide for the furrow-opener, and a resilient arm for the shaft and engaging the guide to secure the descent of the furrow-opener.

21. In a planter, the combination With a suitably-journaled shaft, of a furrow-opener, means for raising and lowering the furrowopener, a loose connection between and connecting said means and the furrow-opener, and a resilient arm carried by the shaft and bearing on the furrow-opener to insure its engagement With the soil.

22. In a planter, the combination With dropping mechanism, of a spout for receiving material delivered from the dropping mechanism, covering mechanism to Which the material is supplied by the spout, the covering mechanism movable relative to the spout, means for moving the covering mechanism relative to the spout and means carried by the covering mechanism and embracing the spout for guiding the covering mechanism during its movement relative thereto.

23. In a planter, the combination With dropping mechanism, of a covering mechanism, a suitably-supported rotatable member, means connecting the member With one end of the covering mechanism, means for operating the member to vertically adjust the covering mechanism, means carried by the member and engaging the covering mechanism, the lastnamed means moving With the member and adapted to yieldingly depress the covering mechanism, and separate adjusting means for vertically moving the opposite end of the covering mechanism.

2%. In a planter, the combination With a furrow-opener, of a plurality of separate means secured to the opposite ends of the furrowopener for vertically adjusting the position of such ends, and a member actuated simultaneously With one of the adjusting means for engaging and insuring the descent of the furrow-opener, the member moving relatively to the furrow-opener.

25. In a planter, the combination With a main frame supported at a constant predetermined distance above the ground, of a crossframe loosely carried by the main frame, means for vertically adjusting the cross-frame With respect to the main frame, and dropping mechanism mounted upon the cross-frame and laterally adjustable With respect thereto.

ALONZO L. BURIT.

WVitnesses:

JULIA M. TRAVER, EDITH T. NAYLOR.