Planting – Drilling – Frame and planting-element arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-07
2001-03-27
Novosad, Christopher J. (Department: 3671)
Planting
Drilling
Frame and planting-element arrangement
C111S057000, C172S311000, C172S452000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205937
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As the size of farms has grown and improvements have been made in agricultural methods permitting the farmer to perform farming functions more efficiently, equipment has been developed and is used for performing most agricultural functions on a multiple row basis. As larger and larger equipment became available enabling the farmer to perform a particular function on many rows in a single pass, it became increasingly difficult for the farmer to transport this wide equipment over the road to his fields. Thus, folding toolbars have been developed which serve the purpose of reducing the overall width of the multiple row equipment. Typically, the outer ends or wings of the toolbar are constructed so as to permit them to be folded approximately 90° upward, forward or rearward from their extended position. In many instances, these folded toolbars provide a configuration that is relatively unstable rendering them somewhat unsafe when transported over the road.
More importantly, when the toolbar is folded, the orientation of the tools or other components attached to the toolbar is completely altered rendering them useless in the folded position.
In the cornbelt the most popular corn row width is 30 inch, but for soybeans the trend is toward a row width of 15 inch. Frequently, both crops are grown by the same farmers. Thus, planting crops in two different row widths requires that the farmer purchase and maintain two specialized planters or that substantial mechanical modifications be performed on a single planter to prepare it for the different row widths. While some manufacturers offer removable attachments or a removable tandem unit with planters attached, the tandem units (which serve to divide the frontrow width) are of no use during the planting of the wider row crop.
There is therefore a need for an improved toolbar which will provide a stable unit during transportation in a folded position. There is further need for a toolbar which easily, efficiently and completely converts to use in either row width. It is highly desirable then, that when in the folded position, the toolbar can perform a useful function such as narrow row (or inter-row) planting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a planter frame in which a plurality of planting and tillage units are mounted on a non-movable frame member and on two movable frame members so as to provide two different spacings, 30 inch spacing for corn and a 15 inch spacing for soybeans. Additionally, the invention relates to a device which also has a travel position in which in the profile of the device is narrower than in the 15 inch planting position to provide a better rotation configuration.
According it is an object of the present invention to provide an agricultural device for transporting planting units having containers for storing and dispensing seed, fertilizer, and the like, including tillage attachments through a field at difference spacings by motor vehicle wherein the different spacings are accommodated by swinging movements of toolbars, both laterally and vertically from position to another.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an agricultural device of the type set forth with second and third toolbars are provided spaced and separate from the first toolbar and hydraulic mechanism is provided in communication with the second and third toolbars for moving them between a first position when all three toolbars are in position with their longitudinal axis generally co-linear and a second position when the second and third toolbars are hydraulically elevated and thereafter spaced from the first toolbar such that the longitudinal axis of the first toolbar is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second and third toolbars.
Another object of the invention of the invention is to provide a agricultural device of the type set forth in which the hydraulic mechanism is capable of positioning one of multiple toolbars in two different fixed positions with respect to another one of the toolbars, one of the fixed positions being an operating position wherein the agricultural device is capable of performing agricultural passes and the other fixed position is a transportation position wherein the overall width of the agricultural device is reduced during transportation along roads and highways.
Finally, another object of the invention is to provide an agricultural device for transporting planting units having containers for storing and dispensing seed, fertilizer and the like including tillage attachments through a field at different spacings including a tongue connection to a motored vehicle, a first toolbar having a longitudinal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the motored vehicle and carrying a plurality of planting units mounted thereon at fixed intervals, a sleeve mounted for sliding movement on said tongue having a cross piece fixed thereto for sliding movement on said tongue toward and away from said first toolbar, second and third toolbars spaced from said first toolbar and each having a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to said first toolbar and each carrying a plurality of planting units thereon at fixed intervals, struts pivotally connected to said cross piece and said second and third toolbars, hydraulic mechanism in communication with said sleeve and said second and third toolbars for moving said second and third toolbars between a first position wherein said first, second and third toolbars are positioned with their longitudinal axes generally co-linear and a second position wherein said sleeve moves relative to said first toolbar with said second and third toolbars being elevated to pass over at least some planting units mounted on said first toolbar and thereafter spaced from said first toolbar such that the longitudinal axis of said first, toolbar, said second and third toolbars in the second positions thereof positioning the planting units carried thereon intermediate the planting units carried on said first toolbar, whereby to provide an agricultural device capable of positioning the planting units carried thereby in at least two different spacings depending upon whether said second and third toolbars are in the first or the second positions thereof.
The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.
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Emrich & -Dithmar
Novosad Christopher J.
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