A trench closing assembly having an actuator for applying a force to the trench closing assembly in which the force is divided between closing wheels and a press wheel disposed rearward of the closing wheels.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring soil properties including soil moisture, soil electrical conductivity and soil temperature. Embodiments include a soil reflectivity sensor and/or a soil temperature sensor for measuring moisture and temperature.

A seed metering system for metering a plurality of seeds includes a meter housing having a front side and a rear side opposite and attached to the front side, a seed inlet defined within the front side of the meter housing, and a seed disk positioned within and rotatable relative to the meter housing. The seed disk has a first side in facing relation to the front side of the meter housing and a second side in facing relation to the rear side of the meter housing. The seed metering system further includes a seal in contact with the front side of the meter housing and the first side of the seed disk.

A seed meter for metering a plurality of seeds includes a seed disk housing having a seed inlet, a seed outlet, and a chamber therebetween, a seed disk mounted within the chamber of the seed disk housing, a motor having an output shaft and a gear mounted thereon, the gear being engageable with the seed disk and operable to rotate the seed disk relative to the seed disk housing, a mount fixed relative to the motor, the mount having a non-planar engagement surface, and a hook attached to the seed disk housing, the hook having a non-planar engagement surface engageable with the engagement surface of the mount.

An adjustment mechanism for seed or grain drill planters which allows for the adjustment of the camber and/or toe of individual coulters on the planter.

A seed meter for metering a plurality of seeds includes a seed meter housing defining a seed inlet, a seed outlet, and a chamber therebetween, a hub rotatably mounted to the seed meter housing about a rotational axis and extending from a first end positioned within the chamber of the seed meter housing to a second end positioned outside of the seed meter housing, a metering element mounted to the hub within the chamber, a plurality of drain apertures located in the seed meter housing adjacent to the hub, and a handle mounted to the second end of the hub, the handle extends over the plurality of drain apertures in an axial direction parallel to the rotational axis of the hub.

A ground-opening apparatus for an agricultural implement. The ground-opening apparatus comprises an opening disc for excavating a furrow in the ground, and a support assembly securing the opening disc to the agricultural implement. The support assembly comprises an upper bar, a lower bar, a forward bar, and a rearward bar. The upper bar and the lower bar extend generally in parallel relationship. The lower bar and the rearward bar are joined at a lower, rearward joint. A rotational axis of the opening disc extends through the lower, rearward joint of the support assembly.

In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided an includes a frame, a first opener disc configured to open a seed trench, and a second opener disc configured to open a second trench different than the seed trench. The second opener disc is rotatable relative to the frame and is vertically moveable relative to the frame. In one aspect, an opener assembly is provided and includes a bracket, an opener disc coupled to the bracket and rotatable relative to the bracket and vertically moveable relative to the bracket, and a biasing member coupled to and between the bracket and the opener disc. The biasing member biases the opener disc vertically downward. In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided and includes an applicator support member made of a resilient material to allow movement of the applicator support member and inhibit deformation of the applicator support member.

Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring soil properties and applying fertilizer during a planting operation. Various sensors are disposed in ground engaging components for monitoring soil properties. The ground engaging components may have structure for opening a side trench in the sidewalls of the seed trench and may include liquid application conduits for injecting liquid into the sidewalls of the resulting side trenches.

A seed meter includes a meter housing having a first chamber for seeds and a second chamber. A seed disk is rotatably supported within the meter housing and has a first side and a second side. The first side is exposed to the first chamber and the second side is exposed to the second chamber. The seed disk includes a plurality of seed openings that extend between the first and second sides at a predetermined radial position. A singulator is positioned against the first side of the seed disk and has at least one structure for removing excess seeds from the seed openings as the seed meter disk rotates relative to the singulator. A radial position of the singulator is controlled at least in part by a hub portion of the seed meter. A biasing spring is positioned to exert an axially-oriented bias force pressing the singulator against the first side of the seed meter disk.