In one aspect, a wheel assembly configured for use with an agricultural implement. The wheel assembly includes a wheel comprising an outer ground-engaging element and an inner hub extending radially inwardly from the outer ground-engaging element. The wheel defines an internal cavity radially inwardly relative to the outer ground-engaging element. The wheel assembly further includes a sensor positioned within the internal cavity of the press wheel.

An agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame, a linkage pivotably coupled to the attachment frame, and a row unit frame having a leading end pivotably coupled to the linkage to permit vertical pivoting movement of the row unit frame relative to the attachment frame. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to the attachment frame and the linkage, for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil, includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for advancing the ram in a direction that pivots the linkage and the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil. An accumulator positioned adjacent to the hydraulic cylinder has a fluid chamber containing a diaphragm, with the portion of the chamber on one side of the diaphragm being connected to the hydraulic-fluid cavity in the hydraulic cylinder, and the portion of the chamber on the other side of the diaphragm containing a pressurized gas.

A sowing heart control apparatus for controlling a sowing heart with a sowing heart monitoring apparatus having an evaluation unit for determining the occupancy of sowing holes of a rotating seed disk with a seed in operation. The evaluation unit delivers an actual value of the occupancy of one or more sowing holes. The sowing heart control apparatus, depending on a deviation of the actual occupancy value from a predetermined setpoint of the occupancy of one or more sowing holes, controlling actuating elements which influence the occupancy. The invention also relates to a sowing heart and a single seed drill.

A sowing heart control apparatus for controlling a sowing heart with a sowing heart monitoring apparatus having an evaluation unit for determining the occupancy of sowing holes of a rotating seed disk with a seed in operation. The evaluation unit delivers an actual value of the occupancy of one or more sowing holes. The sowing heart control apparatus, depending on a deviation of the actual occupancy value from a predetermined setpoint of the occupancy of one or more sowing holes, controlling actuating elements which influence the occupancy. The invention also relates to a sowing heart and a single seed drill.

A scraper for removing soil or debris from at least one of an opening disk and a gauge wheel on a planter assembly, the scraper comprising: a scraper blade formed from a first material, wherein the scraper blade comprises a scraping edge; and a wear-resistant surface disposed on the scraper blade, wherein the wear-resistant surface is disposed on the scraper blade in a position spaced from the scraping edge of the scraper blade.

A seed placement unit including a body, a seed channel and a placement chamber, the seed channel extending from a first end, open to the exterior of the body for seed input, to a second end, open to the exterior of the body adjoining the placement chamber, for seed output. A guidance wheel intersects the seed channel and has at least one opening to receive a seed within the seed channel and carry it through the seed channel as the guidance wheel is rotated by a Geneva gear or other suitable mechanism. A closing wheel mechanism in the placement chamber rotates in synchronism with the guidance wheel to receive a seed from the seed channel and transfer the seed to the seed output opening. The seed placement unit may be carried on an agricultural vehicle or other mobile conveyance.

A seed placement unit including a body, a seed channel and a placement chamber, the seed channel extending from a first end, open to the exterior of the body for seed input, to a second end, open to the exterior of the body adjoining the placement chamber, for seed output. A guidance wheel intersects the seed channel and has at least one opening to receive a seed within the seed channel and carry it through the seed channel as the guidance wheel is rotated by a Geneva gear or other suitable mechanism. A closing wheel mechanism in the placement chamber rotates in synchronism with the guidance wheel to receive a seed from the seed channel and transfer the seed to the seed output opening. The seed placement unit may be carried on an agricultural vehicle or other mobile conveyance.

A planting machine for forming a trench for planting seeds and/or fertilizer in a ground surface, including a frame that supports a planting assembly having a cutting tool and a gauge that sets the height of the cutting tool so as to determine a depth of the trench formed by the tool, wherein the assembly includes a linkage coupled between the frame to the gauge and an actuator to allow for remote adjustment of the linkage, in order to vary a planting depth of the trench.

A device for coupling towed agricultural machines comprising a fastener for fastening to a frame of the machine, a connecting arm extending substantially longitudinally away from the frame of the agricultural machine, and a coupling head comprising coupling mechanism. The coupling head allows said connecting arm to rotate relative to the towing apparatus about a first axis of rotation which is substantially perpendicular to an operating surface of the agricultural machine. The connecting arm is rotatably connected to the fastener about a second axis of rotation, and further comprises reversible locking mechanism for locking the rotation of the connecting arm.

A delay period timing system for a seeding implement with a feed control. A distribution network conveys products to the furrow openers, and a feeding mechanism controls flow of products into the distribution network. A flow sensor downstream from the feeding mechanism detects when products are flowing at a sensing location, and a timer measures a delay period between the time the feeding mechanism starts or stops flow and when the flow sensor starts or stops detecting flow. The delay period is adjusted to account for the location of the flow sensor. A method of determining the delay period includes determining the length of the distribution network and determining the speed of flow of the products. The system can be used on seeding implement with or without sectional control.