Planting – Drilling – Including trash control accessory
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-21
2001-07-03
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Planting
Drilling
Including trash control accessory
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253692
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a row cleaner for an opener on an agricultural implement, and more specifically, to a linkage for supporting the row cleaner.
2) Related Art
Row units for grain drills of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,754 include a forwardly located row cleaner device for clearing material such as straw, weeds, stubble and other debris from the row line in the path of an opener to facilitate formation of a furrow. Each row cleaner includes two converging disks pivotally connected to the frame by a parallel linkage including upper and lower links that allow the cleaner to pivot vertically. A spring extends between opposite comers of the links to provide a constant down pressure of the wheels against the ground.
One problem with such a cleaner device is that the cleaner wheels are always in contact with the ground during field-working operations unless the operator manually removes the device or locks the device in a raised position. Also, when the implement row units are raised to the transport position, the cleaner wheels tend to drop to the lowermost position and the offset between the wheels and the ground is very small so that undesirable ground contact during transport and during turns in the field is common. The previous row cleaning devices have also lacked a down pressure adjustment that is easy to operate. Presently, changing down pressure requires individual time-consuming adjustment or replacement of springs on the linkages.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved row cleaner device that overcomes most or all of the aforementioned problems. It is a further object to provide such an improved device which provides adjustable down pressure and which facilitates independent raising and lowering of the cleaner between transport and ground-engaging positions. It is yet another object to provide such a device which follows irregular ground surface well.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved row cleaner device for an agricultural implement with adjustable down pressure and lift functions. It is a further object to provide such a device which is remotely operable and which can be adjusted and moved quickly and easily and can be operated automatically with other lift or down pressure systems on the systems for optimum positioning in the field and during transport. It is another object to provide such a device which can be secured in various operating positions, and which can be conveniently locked in a raised transport position when ground contact is to be avoided. It is yet another object of the invention to provide such a device which includes protective cushioning for reducing impact loading, particularly when the device is secured in an operating position.
A row cleaner device includes a support arrangement with a parallel linkage having a single acting hydraulic cylinder or other suitable servo motor connected between the upper and lower links. The cylinder extension is conveniently controlled by a hydraulic circuit to provide adjustable down pressure to maintain consistent operation of the cleaner devices in varying ground conditions. A tensioning device such as a spring extending generally parallel to the cylinder acts to retract the cylinder. The hydraulic circuit not only provides adjustable down pressure but also can be controlled by a blocking valve to maintain the cleaner device in the raised position and can lock the cylinder in any desired extended position. An energy storage device such as a spring or rubber bumper compressed between the cylinder and one of the links permits limited vertical movement of the linkage without change of cylinder extension to protect the device and accommodate obstacles and ground surface irregularities in the path when the cylinder is locked in position. The cylinder can be controlled as a function of the position of the opener, and, in the embodiment shown, raises the cleaner device automatically with raising of the row units. The row cleaner can be supported in various positions and can be controlled remotely. The cleaner can be conveniently raised to the non-operating position to maintain a substantial distance from the ground or road surface to avoid undesirable contact.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description in view of the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3797418 (1974-03-01), Bridger, Jr.
patent: 4580507 (1986-04-01), Dreyer et al.
patent: 4834189 (1989-05-01), Peterson et al.
patent: 5065681 (1991-11-01), Hadley
patent: 5341754 (1994-08-01), Winterton
patent: 5461995 (1995-10-01), Winterton
patent: 5657707 (1997-08-01), Dresher et al.
patent: 5878678 (1999-03-01), Stephens et al.
patent: 567 228 (1987-11-01), None
patent: 0 764 397 (1997-03-01), None
Janelle Luc
Juptner Detlef
Stephens Lyle Eugene
Wendling Ignatz
Deere & Company
Pezzuto Robert E.
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