Ground opening device

Details Ground opening device Ground opening device

1995-06-23

1997-10-07

Melius, Terry Lee

Earth working

With drive means for tool or cleaner

Irregular or off-center ground-engaging wheel or support

172531, 111158, 111167, A01C 506, A01B 1516, A01B 3910, A01B 4904

Patent

active

056737572

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a ground opening device.
More particularly the present invention relates to a ground opening device which is primarily intended for use with agricultural apparatus. The ground opening device forms a channel in the ground, into which seeds and/or fertilizer/pesticide, herbicide, nutrients or other substances can be fed.


BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Generally know ground opening devices may be mounted by a machine (tractor) towable frame. A means of directing the seeds or other material into the channel may be associated with a ground opening device. A trailing press wheel for closing the channel may also be provided. Often a tine will follow the ground opening device to fully form or open up the channel to accept seeds dropped therein by the seed sowing mechanism.
Unfortunately known ground opening devices have some disadvantages.
One disadvantage with existing ground opening devices is the build up of "trash" around the cutting element or wheel which forms the cutting element of the opening device. This build up of trash can significantly inhibit correct operation of the device as the build up can prevent the cutting element from freely rotating as is required for correct operation.
It is known to provide mechanisms such as, for example, scrapers to help avoid this problem. Scrapers may be associated with the cutting element to remove or prevent trash build up. While such scraper mechanisms have in part been successful in moving trash build up away from the cutting element, the scraper mechanisms themselves have, over time, resulted in incorrect operation by, for example, fouling with a bent or warped cutting element.
In addition, the construction and arrangement of known ground opening devices is such that a clean cut in the ground is not achieved. Associated with this failure to provide a clean cut is the forcing by the cutting element of trash into the channel. If this trash is not removed by a following tine or similar device a friable seed bed is not achieved. Furthermore the trash pushed into the channel can result in seeds or other material fed into the channel being forced out of the channel or not being placed at the optimum depth within the channel.


DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a ground opening device which goes some way in reducing these disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.
In one aspect the invention comprises a ground opening device including a rotatable cutting element having a cutting edge and rotatably mounted on the device by a rotatable shaft so that the cutting edge is engagable with and cuts into the ground, characterized in that the rotatable shaft is constructed such that the axis of the end of the shaft on which the cutting element is secured is offset from the axis of the main body of the shaft such that the centre of the cutting element is offset with respect to the axis of the main body of the shaft.
In a preferred form of the invention the rotatable cutting element comprises a cutting element, wheel or similar device and is mounted for free rotation on an axle or shaft. An important aspect of the invention is that the cutting element is not fixed to the shaft but is mounted on a bearing. Hence the cutting element is free running. That is, the cutting element is not driven by the crank shaft. The shaft merely induces the vertical and transverse movement.
Preferably, the cutting edge is adapted to oscillate simultaneously in a direction substantially transverse and in a direction substantially vertical with respect to the ground surface.
Preferably a driving means is coupled to the shaft. Preferably the driving means causes the axle or shaft to be driven with the direction of rotation contrary to the direction in which the cutting element, wheel or similar device would rotate if placed in contact with the ground and drawn therealong during normal forward progress of equipment incorporating the ground opening device.
The cutting element of the ground open

REFERENCES:
patent: 1165735 (1915-12-01), Wentz
patent: 5038868 (1991-08-01), Rinelli

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