An agricultural implement includes at least one row unit having a plurality of support members, each of which is pivotably coupled to an attachment frame or another of the support members to permit vertical pivoting vertical movement of the support members, and a plurality of soil-engaging tools, each of which is coupled to at least one of the support members. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders are coupled to the support members for urging the support members downwardly toward the soil. A plurality of controllable pressure control valves are coupled to the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the cylinders. A plurality of sensors produce electrical signals corresponding to predetermined conditions, and a controller is coupled to the sensor and the controllable pressure control valves. The controller receives the electrical signals from the sensors and produces control signals for controlling the pressure control valves.

Various seed planter embodiments may comprise a frame including a main frame section and a furrowing disk frame section. A plurality of planter assemblies may be connected to the main frame section, and a plurality of furrowing disks may be connected to the furrowing disk frame section. At least one linkage may connect the main frame section and the furrowing disk frame section, and at least one motor may be configured to move the furrowing disk frame section with respect to the main frame section, wherein the at least one linkage permits the furrowing disk frame section to move to a low position for no-till planting and move to a high position for prepared seed beds or conventional planting.

A planting unit includes a seed meter for singulating and dispensing seed. Opening wheels or discs are included to create an opening in the field, such as a furrow. The unit includes one or more continuous tracks for supporting the row unit as it moves through the field. The tracks can be positioned on opposite sides. The tracks reduce compaction around the created furrow and provide better control of seed depth placement. One or more motors are included to operate the tracks to move the planting unit through a field for planting.

An agricultural implement, such as an agricultural seed planter, includes a number of ground engaging row units. The row units receive seed and/or other particulates and deposit the seed or particulates to the ground. The row unit can include row cleaners to aid in allowing a coulter or disk to create a furrow in a field. The seed is metered via a seed metering system and deposited in the furrow. A closing system closes the furrow after the seed has been deposited. To aid in access and mounting of the seed meter, it can be connected without connection to side components of a frame. In addition, the row cleaner and closing system can include mounting systems that allow better results and easier access to the same and other portions of the row units.

Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit of an agricultural planter. The row unit includes a trench depth adjustment assembly configured to modify the furrow depth. In one embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a gear box having one or more gears which engage with a gear rack. The gear box may be pivotally connected to a depth adjustment body supporting a rocker that adjusts upward travel of gauge wheel arms. In another embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a depth adjustment arm having a screw receiver that cooperates with a driven screw that adjusts the position of the depth adjustment arm acting on the gauge wheels to adjust trench depth.

An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.

A row unit (10) of an agricultural planter with an apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by the row unit (10). The row unit (10) includes a trench depth adjustment assembly (90T) configured to modify the trench depth. The trench depth adjustment assembly (90T) includes a depth adjustment body (5044) pivotally connected via a pivot to a frame member (14) of the row unit (10). An electric motor (5030) is operable to cause rotation of a shaft (5038) operably coupled with the depth adjustment body (5044), whereby rotation of the shaft (5038) causes the depth adjustment body (5044) to pivotally move about the pivot (92) thereby changing a position of contact of the depth adjustment body (5044) with a gauge wheel arm (54), thus changing the amount of upward ravel of the gauge wheel (52) with respect to a trench opening disc (62) and thus the depth of the trench.

A ground opener for an agricultural implement. The ground opener comprising an opening disc, 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. At least a portion of each of the bars is orientated at an offset angle with respect to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement.

A brush arrangement of an apparatus includes a brush connected to a brush support. The brush support can be or include at least one four-bar linkage, trails the outlets of the seed metering device. The brush sweeps fine loose material over seeds placed on the soil surface allowing rocks to be left in place in/on the soil while the deposited seeds are lightly covered with soil by the brush. The brush arrangement can be coupled with soil manipulation apparatus, e.g., including a tool/tine support, onto which one or more soil engaging tools mount(s). The soil engaging tool may include or be at least one knifepoint, sweep, disc, blade, or other tillage equipment to engage into the soil and loosen compacted or crusted soil ahead of depositing the seeds. Brush breakout can be accommodated by a breakout coupler and optional adjustable breakout force.

An agricultural toolbar has a center section and opposite wings which are horizontally foldable between transport and field positions. The toolbar has a hydraulic system which is very adaptable to many different hydraulically controlled features and options, without sacrificing the primary purpose of the system, which is accurately controlling the operating height of the toolbar, to achieve optimal planting depth of modern precision seed and fertilizer application systems.