ADJUSTABLE FERTILIZER APPLICATION IMPLEMENT

Abstract

An agricultural implement for applying fertilizer beneath the surface of the soil. The implement has a main frame for connecting the agricultural implement to agricultural equipment. A swing arm is pivotally connected to the main frame. An adjustable actuator interconnects the swing arm to the main frame to control the movement of the swing arm with respect to the main frame. A pair of discs are mounted to the free end of the swing arm for rotation with respect to the swing arm. The discs are offset mounted with respect to one another and are angled outwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the implement. The discs form grooves for receipt of fertilizer. Fertilizer tubes are mounted adjacent the discs and terminate behind the discs with respect to the direction of travel. The fertilizer tubes deposit fertilizer in the grooves formed by the discs. A furrow closer is attached to the main frame to close the groove opened by the discs.

Claims

1. An agricultural implement for applying fertilizer comprising: a main frame for connecting said agricultural implement to agricultural equipment for traveling in a direction of travel, said main frame having a centerline; a swing arm pivotally connected to said main frame, said swing arm having a free end; an adjustable actuator interconnecting said swing arm to said main frame to control the movement of said swing arm with respect to said main frame; at least one disc mounted to said free end of said swing arm for rotation with respect to said swing arm; said disc is angled outwardly with respect to said direction of travel of said implement; said disc forming a groove for the receipt of fertilizer; at least one fertilizer tube mounted adjacent said disc, said fertilizer tube terminating behind said disc with respect to said direction of travel, said fertilizer tube being adapted for depositing fertilizer in the groove formed by said disc; a furrow closer attached to said main frame to close the groove opened by said disc; whereby said disc is angled outwardly to squeeze the soil together to create a groove with a firm wall.

2. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein said actuator controls the depth of the discs, said actuator can be adjusted for different soil conditions to improve the application of fertilizer.

3. The agricultural implement of claim 1, further including a remote control operatively connected to said actuator, wherein said actuator is controlled remotely to adjust said actuator for changing soil conditions.

4. The agricultural implement of claim 1, further including a tailpiece pivotally attached to said frame.

5. The agricultural implement of claim 4, wherein said furrow closer is mounted upon said tailpiece for rotation with respect to said tailpiece.

6. The agricultural implement of claim 4, further including at least a pair of furrow closers mounted upon said tailpiece for rotation with respect to said tailpiece.

7. The agricultural implement of claim 6, wherein said pair of furrow closers are angled inwardly with respect to said tailpiece.

8. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein said disc has a concave face.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable fertilizer application implement of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the adjustable fertilizer application implement of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of the adjustable fertilizer application implement of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a top view of the adjustable fertilizer application implement of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adjustable fertilizer application implement of the present invention illustrating the remote control of the actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Generally shown in the figures is the fertilizer application implement 10 of the present invention. The fertilizer application implement 10 has a main frame 12 for connecting the system to agricultural equipment such as for example a seed planter.

[0018] Pivotally connected to the main frame 12 is a swing arm 14. A pivot 16 connects the swing arm 14 to the frame 12. Mounted at the free end of the swing arm 14 are discs 18. Discs 18 rotate about an axle 22. As illustrated, the discs 18 are each concave and offset in a direction parallel with the centerline 20. In addition, the discs 18 angle outwardly in the direction of travel with respect to the centerline 20, see FIG. 3.

[0019] An actuator 24 connects the swing arm 14 to the frame 12. The actuator 24 can be spring biased, hydraulic, electric, pneumatic, etc. The actuator 24 allows the position of the swing arm and thereby the discs 18 to be adjusted for a particular depth of penetration.

[0020] The actuator 24 can be remotely operated to allow for adjustment of the actuator 24 for changing soil conditions. A remote control unit 25 is schematically shown in FIG. 6. The remote control unit 25 is operatively connected to the actuator for controlling the actuator from the cab of the agricultural equipment, for example. In the disclosed embodiment, the actuator 24 is illustrated as a pneumatic actuator, but could be any type of actuator, for example hydraulic or electric. Slot 30 has a pin to allow limited movement of the disc 18 with respect to the swing arm 14.

[0021] The disc 18 is concave to squeeze the soil together and create the fertilizer groove. Discs 18 are offset or stacked to facilitate the flow of residue and prevent pinch points. The actuator 24 controls the depth of the discs and can be adjusted for different soil conditions to improve the application of fertilizer.

[0022] In the figures, the fertilizer tubes 30 are illustrated. The tubes 30 are mounted to the swing arm 14 and positioned behind the discs 18. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the tubes are connected to a supply of fertilizer.

[0023] As shown in the drawings, a furrow closer 26 is attached to tailpiece 28. The tailpiece 28 is pivotally attached to the frame 12. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the furrow closer illustrated is optional. Other closing wheels could be used if desired. An example of a furrow closer is disclosed in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/968,640 filed on May 1, 2018 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/968,640 is incorporated herein by reference.

[0024] The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and do come within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.