GREASELESS BUSHING FOR AGRICULTURAL ROW UNIT

Abstract

A greaseless bushing assembly is provided for the gauge wheel arms of an agricultural row planter. The greaseless bushing includes an outer threaded tube for threaded mounting within the gauge wheel arm, and an internal non-metallic sleeve through which the wheel bolt extends for mounting the gauge wheel onto the arm. The sleeve provides dry lubrication for the bushing. The bushing may also include a lip or wiper seal at each end to prevent entry of dust into the bushing.

Claims

1. A greaseless bushing assembly for a row planter, having a frame, a pair of discs on the frame to form a furrow in the ground, and a pair of gauge wheels adjustably mounted on arms on the frame on opposite sides of the discs, the greaseless bushing assembly comprising: an outer threaded tube for threaded receipt in one of the arms of the frame; and an internal non-metallic sleeve through which a bolt extends for mounting one of the gauge wheels onto the one arm.

2. The greaseless bushing assembly of claim 1 further comprising a jam nut on the outer tube to lock the bushing assembly on the arm.

3. The greaseless bushing assembly of claim 1 further comprising dust seals on each end of the tube.

4. The greaseless bushing assembly of claim 3 wherein the seals are wiper-type seals.

5. The greaseless bushing assembly of claim 3 wherein the seals are a V-shaped in cross section.

6. The greaseless bushing assembly of claim 1 wherein one end of the tube has opposing flat sides for receiving a wrench.

7. A row planter comprising: a frame, a pair of discs on the frame to form a furrow in the ground; a pair of gauge wheels adjustably mounted on the frame; and a greaseless bushing to mount each gauge wheel onto the frame.

8. The row planter of claim 7 wherein the greaseless bushing includes an inner sleeve made of a composite, non-metallic material.

9. The row planter of claim 7 further comprising a bolt extending through the gauge wheel and through the bushing for mounting the wheel to the frame, the bolt being free of a grease zerk.

10. The row planter of claim 7 wherein one end of the tube has opposing flat sides for receiving a wrench.

11. The row planter of claim 7 further comprising dust seals on each end of the tube.

12. The row planter of claim 11 wherein the seals are wiper-type seals.

13. The row planter of claim 11 wherein the seals are a V-shaped in cross section.

14. A method of mounting a gauge wheel onto a frame of an agricultural row unit, comprising: inserting a zerk-free bolt through the wheel and into a greaseless bushing on a wheel arm of the frame.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising adjusting the bushing in the wheel arm.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising rotating the bushing to laterally adjust the bushing relative to the wheel arm.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising sealing the ends of the bushing to prevent dust entering the bushing.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising dry lubricating the bushing with an internal, non-metallic composite sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a row planter unit having adjustable gauge wheels, and the greaseless bushing of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the row unit assembly shown in FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the greaseless bushing according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the greaseless bushing according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the greaseless bushing.

[0022] FIG. 5 is enlarged perspective view of a gauge wheel arm having the laterally adjustable greaseless bushing, according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the greaseless bushing of FIG. 2A, according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the greaseless bushing of FIG. 2A mounted in the gauge wheel arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] A row planter unit having the adjustable gauge wheels of the present invention is generally designated in the drawings by the reference numeral 10. The unit 10 includes a frame 12, a pair of disc openers (or opening discs) 14, a pair of gauge wheels 16, and a pair of closing wheels (not shown). The discs 14 and closing wheels 18 (not shown) are conventional, and do not form a part of the present invention.

[0026] As best seen in the partial exploded view of FIG. 2, each gauge wheel 16 is mounted on an arm 20 via a bolt 22 which defines the rolling axis for the wheel. The upper end of the arm 20 has an internally threaded collar 24.

[0027] The present invention is directed to greaseless lateral adjustment bushing 26. The bushing 26 has external threads for receipt in the collar 24 of the arm 20. A lock nut 28 on the bushing 26 fixes the threaded position of the bushing 26 in the collar 24 of the arm 20. A pivot bolt 30 extends through the bushing 26 and has an inner end which is threadably received within a mounting shaft (not shown). The pivot bolt 30 allows the adjustment bushing 26, the fixed arm 20 and the gauge wheel 16 to pivot about the axis of the bolt 30 as the row unit travels through the field.

[0028] The opposite gauge wheel is similarly mounted to the opposite end of the mounting shaft (not shown) via a mirror image arm 20, adjustment bushing 26, and pivot bolt 30.

[0029] The adjustment bushing 26 includes an internal sleeve 34 made of a composite, non-metallic material. This low friction material eliminates the need to grease the bushing 26. Accordingly, the bolt 30 does not have a grease zerk, as in prior art bushings, such as that disclosed an Applicant's co-pending application 62/326,063 which is incorporated herein by reference. The inner wear sleeve 34 is pressed into the outer threaded bushing 26, thereby allowing the complete assembly to pivot on the gauge wheel arm pivot bolt 30. This assembly is then threaded into the gauge wheel arm 20 and locked into place with the jam nut 28. The nut 28 eliminates the lateral adjustment bushing assembly 26 from being able to thread in or out of the gauge wheel arm 20 during the rocking action of the gauge wheel arm during the planting process.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 6-7, the bushing 26 further includes a pair of annular seals 36 which keeps dust out of the bushings. Each seal 36 is mounted within a groove 37 formed on the interior wall at each end of the bushing 26. Preferably, the seals 36 are a wiper-type seal. As best seen in FIG. 6, the seals 36 have a V-shape in cross section with the base 38 of the seals facing inwardly towards the interior of the bushing, and the leaf 40 of the seals 36 extending axially towards the ends of the bushing 26. The wiper seals 36 perform better than a conventional O-ring seal to prevent migration of dust into the bushing or bearings 26. Such dust contamination of the bushings can eventually cause the link arms to lock or freeze against pivotal action, thus necessitating timely and costly maintenance. The seals 36 do not detrimentally affect the radial action of the bushing 26.

[0031] The bushing assembly 26 provides an enhanced level of wear protection to the planter row unit, as compared to a greased bushing, by reducing friction from the rocking action of the gauge wheel arms and from lubrication neglect. Also, farmers will save significant time through the elimination of the need to grease the bushings on the row units, especially during the planting season.

[0032] The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.