Coulter Holder for Agricultural Machines

Abstract

A coulter holder having a frame connection for attaching to a machine frame and a coulter connection for attaching a coulter unit, wherein the coulter connection is pivotable relative to the frame connection between a working position and a raised position about a pivot axis via an actuating element and is lockable relative to the frame connection via a locking mechanism for fixing the coulter unit in the working position, wherein the locking mechanism is operatively connected to the actuating element and can be actuated by actuating the actuating element.

Claims

1. A coulter holder having a frame connection for attaching to a machine frame and a coulter connection for attaching a coulter unit, wherein the coulter connection is pivotable relative to the frame connection about a pivot axis via an actuating element between a working position and a raised position and is lockable relative to the frame connection via a locking mechanism for fixing the coulter unit in the working position wherein the locking mechanism is operatively connected to the actuating element and can be actuated by actuating the actuating element.

2. The coulter holder according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element extends between a pivot bearing configured at the frame connection and a pivot bearing configured at the coulter connection.

3. The coulter holder according to claim 2, wherein the pivot bearing arranged at the frame connection is mounted movably in a bearing guide, in particular movably transversely to the pivot axis, in particular movably between an upper stop and a lower stop of the bearing guide.

4. The coulter holder according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism has at least one locking lever pivotable about a locking axis.

5. The coulter holder according to claim 4, wherein the locking lever is connected on one side of the locking axis via a lever bearing to the pivot bearing arranged on the frame connection and has a locking element on the other side of the locking axis.

6. The coulter holder according to one of claim 4, wherein a locking force acting on the locking element can be applied via the actuating element.

7. The coulter holder according to claim 4, wherein the locking element is hook-shaped and can be locked on a locking bolt arranged on the coulter connection.

8. The coulter holder according to claim 7, wherein in the working position, the locking bolt is supported by a stop of a supporting bearing configured at the frame connection in order to absorb forces applied via the coulter unit.

9. The coulter holder according to claim 1, wherein the frame connection and the coulter connection each have a mounting region for detachable mounting on the machine frame and/or of the coulter unit.

10. The coulter holder according to claim 9, wherein the pivot axis is arranged at an end of the coulter connection opposite the mounting region and the pivot bearing is arranged between the pivot axis and the mounting region.

11. The coulter holder according to claim 9, wherein the mounting region of the frame connection is configured complementary to a mounting region of the machine frame and the mounting region of the coulter connection is configured complementary to a mounting region of the coulter unit.

12. The coulter holder according to claim 1, wherein a weight force acting on the coulter-connection-side end of the actuating element in the working position is greater than a lever force acting on the frame-connection-side end of the actuating element.

13. A sowing machine having a machine frame and a plurality of coulter units arranged transversely to a running direction parallel to one another, at least one of the coulter units being attached to the machine frame via a coulter holder, wherein the coulter holder is configured according to claim 1.

14. The sowing machine according to claim 13, wherein several coulter units arranged transversely to the running direction parallel to each other, which are alternatingly attached directly to the machine frame or indirectly to the machine frame via a coulter holder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Further details and advantages of the disclosure are explained below with the help of the attached drawings according to FIGS. 1 to 9b. They show:

[0040] FIG. 1 shows perspective view of a sowing machine attached to an agricultural towing machine with a plurality of coulter units attached in two lines to a machine frame;

[0041] FIG. 2a and b show a side views of a coulter unit attached to a coulter holder of the prior art without pivoting function in a working position and a raised position;

[0042] FIG. 3a and b shows side views of a coulter holder according to the disclosure with pivoting function including a coulter unit attached thereto in a working position and a raised position;

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a coulter holder according to the disclosure in a working position;

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a view according to FIG. 4 with the frame connection and coulter connection separated from each other;

[0045] FIG. 6a shows a exploded view of a coulter holder according to the disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 6b shows an enlarged view of a detail according to FIG. 6a;

[0047] FIG. 7a A side view of a coulter holder according to the disclosure in a working position;

[0048] FIG. 7b shows a partially cut side view of a coulter holder according to the disclosure in an unlocked working position compared to the representation in FIG. 7a;

[0049] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a coulter holder according to the disclosure in a raised position;

[0050] FIG. 9a shows a side view of several adjacent coulter units in the working position, and

[0051] FIG. 9b shows a side view according to FIG. 9a with a coulter unit in the raised position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The illustration in FIG. 1 shows a perspective top view of a sowing machine 20 for sowing seed G on an agricultural area N. The sowing machine 20 is a machine for sowing seed G in single grain sowing, but it can alternatively also be a sowing machine 20 for volume sowing or a machine for sowing other, in particular granular material, such as fertilizer.

[0053] The sowing machine 20 is mounted to an agricultural towing machine 21, for example a tractor, and is pulled by it at a certain driving speed V along paths running essentially parallel to one another in one direction of travel over the agricultural area N for sowing. Alternatively, the sowing machine 20 can also be appended to the towing machine 21 or be self-propelled.

[0054] The sowing machine 20 according to FIG. 1 has a total of ten coulter units 5, which are arranged transversely to the direction of travel of the agricultural towing machine 21, which corresponds to the direction of travel R of the coulter units 5, next to each other at the rear end of the sowing machine 20. Depending on the equipment and area of application of the sowing machine 20, more or fewer coulter units 5 may also be provided.

[0055] The coulter units 5 have several tools, in particular chisel-like or share-like tools, for tearing up or loosening the soil in particular in order to prepare or follow up the sowing. A coulter unit 5 comprises at least one sowing coulter 13 for producing a channel-like furrow in the area N. Furthermore, devices and implements for depositing the seed G in the furrow and for closing the furrow after the seed G has been deposited in the soil of the area N can be provided in the coulter units 5.

[0056] According to the illustration in FIG. 1, the coulter units 5 are arranged alternatingly offset in two lines. In each case, five coulter units 5 are attached to the machine frame 4 via a comparatively short, plate-like coulter holder 1. The other five coulter units 5 are attached to the machine frame 5 via a coulter holder 1 that is longer in the running direction R. The alternatingly offset arrangement of the coulter units 5 due to the coulter holders 1, 1 of different lengths reduces the risk of soil moved and organic material accumulating between adjacent coulter units 5 and increases the passage of soil moved and organic material between the coulter units, which can increase the quality of the seed distribution.

[0057] A parallelogram linkage 12 is provided in each case for guiding the coulter units 5 and for applying a coulter pressure D. The illustrations according to FIG. 2a and b each show a side view of a coulter unit 5, which is attached to the machine frame 4 (not shown in the illustrations according to FIG. 2a and b) via a longer coulter holder 1 of the prior art, which is extended compared to the shorter coulter holders 1. The parallelogram linkage 12 of the coulter unit 5 comprises a coulter pressure cylinder 15, via which a certain, adjustable coulter pressure D can be applied to the coulter unit 5. The coulter pressure D acting between the coulter 13 and the area N can be adjusted via the coulter pressure cylinder 15, whereby advantageous conditions for smooth running can be created even at increased travel speed V. To a limited extent, the coulter unit 5 can also be switched via the coulter pressure cylinder 15 between a lowered position (see FIG. 2a) and a position slightly raised relative to the area N (see FIG. 2b).

[0058] Based on such short and extended coulter holders 1, 1 of the prior art, coulter holders 1 according to the disclosure are proposed which have an additional pivoting functionality, which can be actuated via an actuating element 6, for pivoting the coulter unit 5 about a pivot axis A.sub.1 as well as a locking mechanism 7 for locking the coulter unit 5 in its working position S.sub.1. The locking mechanism 7 can be actuated in a user-friendly manner on such coulter holders 1.

[0059] The pivoting function of the coulter holder 1 is explained below, primarily with reference to the illustration in FIGS. 3a-b. The coulter holder 1 has a frame connection 2 for attaching to a machine frame 4 and a coulter connection 3, which is operatively connected to the frame connection 2, for attaching a coulter unit 5. Both the frame connection 2 and the coulter connection 3 each have a mounting region 2.2, 3.2 for detachable mounting on the machine frame 4 and/or the coulter unit 5. The frame connection 2 and also the coulter connection 3 are each made of inter-connected sheet metal components in a space-saving and weight-saving manner, see FIG. 6a. The frame connection 2 has approximately two similar, multi-folded outer legs 2.3, 2.4, see e.g. FIG. 5. Similarly, the coulter connection 3 also has two sheet metal-like outer legs 3.4, 3.5, which are also multi-folded.

[0060] The coulter connection 3 can be pivoted about the pivot axis A.sub.1 between a lowered working position S.sub.1 (see FIG. 3a), which allows sowing, and a lifted raised position S.sub.2 (see FIG. 3b). In the raised position S.sub.2, the coulter unit 5 is deactivated, whereby in particular the sowing coulter 13, but also a support roller 14 carrying the coulter unit 5, have no contact with the area N. To pivot the coulter connection 3 relative to the frame connection 2, an actuating element 6 is provided, which extends between a pivot bearing 2.1 configured at the frame connection 2 and a pivot bearing 3.1 configured at the coulter connection 3, see FIG. 3b. The two pivot bearings 2.1, 3.1 can be configured in particular as radial or support bearings. The actuating element 6 is configured as a hydraulic cylinder, the cylinder tube 6.3 of which is connected to the pivot bearing 2.1 on the frame-connection side and the piston rod 6.2 of which is connected to the pivot bearing 3.1 on the coulter-connection side. Alternatively, the actuating element 6 can also be configured as a mechanical, for example spindle-like actuating element 6 or as a servomotor or can also be arranged in a different orientation between the pivot bearings 2.1, 3.1.

[0061] As the comparison of the illustrations in FIGS. 3a and 3b show, the coulter connection 3 can be pivoted relative to the frame connection 2 by changing the length of the actuating element 6. The lowered working position S.sub.1 is present in the short starting position of the actuating element 6 and the fully raised position S.sub.2 is present in the extended end position of the actuating element 6. Depending on the position of the actuating element 6, various intermediate positions can be moved to between the lowered working position S.sub.1 and the lifted raised position S.sub.2, which differ in terms of a different raised position and a different pivot angle.

[0062] The pivot axis A.sub.1 is arranged at an end of the coulter connection 3 opposite the mounting region 3.2, see FIG. 3a. The pivot bearing 3.1 is arranged between the pivot axis A.sub.1 and the mounting region 3.2. The distance H.sub.1 between the pivot bearing 3.1 and the pivot axis A.sub.1 is smaller than the distance H.sub.2 between the pivot bearing 3.1 and the mounting region 3.2, see also FIG. 7a. As a result, an advantageously large controllable pivot angle range can be achieved. With a comparatively small stroke of the actuating element 6, the coulter connection 3 can be pivoted through a comparatively large pivot angle due to this arrangement.

[0063] The configuration described above shows that the actuating element 6 extends at an angle relative to the mounting region 2.2 of the frame connection 2, see also FIG. 7b. Comparatively small angles , i.e. a rather steep arrangement of the actuating element, result in favorable force ratios. In particular, the smaller the angle , the lower the transverse forces acting on the actuating element 6 transversely to its actuating direction. Furthermore, with such a steep alignment, the piston rod 6.2 of the actuating element 6 does not need to be moved as far out of the cylinder tube 6.3 to reach the raised position S.sub.2 as is the case with a flatter alignment. However, a flatter alignment can also be advantageous as an alternative, for example with regard to a particularly finely adjustable setting of the raising of the coulter unit 5.

[0064] In the following, the illustrations in FIGS. 4 and 5 are used to explain not only the structure of the coulter holder 1 with regard to the above-mentioned pivoting function about the pivot axis A.sub.1, but also the locking mechanism 7, which can be used to fix the coulter connection 3 in the working position S.sub.1 relative to the frame connection 2.

[0065] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the pivot axis A.sub.1 extends along a pivot shaft 3.3, which is configured at the coulter connection 3 at its end opposite the mounting region 3.2. The pivot shaft 3.3 is inserted through corresponding bearing bushes of the coulter connection 3 and through corresponding bores of the frame connection 2, see in particular the exploded view according to FIG. 6a.

[0066] The locking mechanism 7 for locking the coulter connection 3 relative to the frame connection 2 in the working position S.sub.1 has a locking lever 7.1 configured as a double lever, see FIG. 6a, which can be pivoted about a locking axis A.sub.2. The locking lever 7.1, configured as a double lever, has a bore for receiving a locking shaft 7.4, along which the locking axis A.sub.2 extends and which is mounted on the frame connection 2 in a torsion-proof manner via an anti-rotation lock 11. The locking lever 7.1 is connected on one side of the locking axis A.sub.2 to the pivot bearing 2.1 arranged on the frame connection 2 via a lever bearing 7.2 and has a locking element 7.3 on the other side of the locking axis A.sub.2. The lever bearing 7.2, the locking element 7.3 and the locking axis A.sub.2 form a triangle, with the locking axis A.sub.2 being arranged below an imaginary connecting line of the lever bearing 7.2 and the locking element 7.3. The locking lever 7.1 is configured in the manner of a rocker, wherein the lever bearing 7.2 and the locking element 7.3 can be moved in a rocking motion in opposite directions about the locking axis A.sub.2.

[0067] The locking element 7.3 is hook-shaped and can be locked to a locking bolt 9 arranged on the coulter connection 3. For this purpose, the hook-shaped locking element 7.3 has a recess whose diameter is selected in such a way that the locking element 7.3 can enclose the locking bolt 9 in the working position S.sub.1 essentially free of play, see FIG. 5. This enables both secure and reliable as well as low-wear locking.

[0068] In order to transmit the locking force F.sub.V as evenly as possible, the two components of the locking lever 7.1, which is configured as a double lever, are arranged at a distance from each other in such a way that their two locking elements 7.3 can be locked to the locking bolt 9 in the area of the two outer ends of the latter, see FIG. 5. The actuating element 6 is arranged between the two components of the locking lever 7.1, which is configured as a double lever, see FIG. 6a. Alternatively, a configuration with a single locking lever 7.1 and correspondingly only one locking element 7.3 is also conceivable, which can be arranged in a central area of the coulter holder 1, for example. A higher number of locking levers 7.1 is also conceivable.

[0069] The way in which the locking mechanism 7 can be actuated by actuating the actuating element 6 is explained below. As already explained above, the locking lever 7.1 is connected to the pivot bearing 2.1 arranged on the frame connection 2 via the lever bearing 7.2 on the side opposite the locking element 7.3, see also FIG. 3a. A shaft 16 is provided for this purpose, which extends essentially parallel to the pivot axis A.sub.1 through the two outer legs 2.3, 2.4 of the frame connection 2, the lever bearings 7.2 of the locking lever 7.1, which is configured as a double lever, and a bearing bore 6.1 of the actuating element 6 on the cylinder tube side. The pivot bearing 2.1, via which the actuating element 6 is also connected to the frame connection 2, is movably mounted in a bearing guide 8 transversely to the pivot axis A.sub.1. The bearing guide 8 has a contour and is configured in the form of an elongated hole extending transversely to the pivot axis A.sub.1, see FIG. 6b. Alternatively, the bearing guide 8 can also be configured as a groove or recess. The pivot bearing 2.1 is movable in the bearing guide 8 between an upper stop 8.1 and a lower stop 8.2, the corresponding stops 8.1, 8.2 being formed by the walls of the short ends of the bearing guide 8, which is configured as an elongated hole, see FIG. 6b.

[0070] In the working position S.sub.1, in which the coulter connection 3 is locked relative to the frame connection 2, the actuating element 6 is in its short, retracted position and the pivot bearing 2.1 and thus also the lever bearing 7.2 are in contact with the upper stop 8.1 of the bearing guide 8. In accordance with the rocker functionality, the other end of the locking lever 7.1 is in its lower position, in which the hook-shaped locking element 7.3 is locked to the locking bolt 9 of the coulter connection 3, see FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0071] In the following, an unlocking sequence of the locking mechanism 7 and a pivoting of the coulter connection 3 out of the working position S.sub.1 is explained primarily with reference to the illustrations in FIGS. 4-8.

[0072] In the working position S.sub.1, the actuating element 6 is in its retracted position. When the actuating element 6 is actuated, the piston rod 6.2 is moved out of the cylinder tube 6.3 and the length of the actuating element 6 increases. The pivot bearing 2.1 in the bearing guide 8 is moved from the upper stop 8.1 in the direction of the lower stop 8.2 in accordance with the change in length of the actuating element 6. The lever bearing 7.2 of the locking lever 7.1, which receives the pivot bearing 2.1, follows this movement, causing the locking lever 7.1 to perform a pivoting movement around the locking axis A.sub.2 in the manner of a rocker, see FIG. 6a. Due to the pivoting movement, the hook-shaped locking element 7.3 arranged at the other end of the locking lever 7.1 is also moved, namely in a direction of movement opposite to the movement of the lever bearing 7.2. As shown in FIG. 5, the locking element 7.3 pivots upwards and disengages from the locking bolt 9. The coulter connection 3 is thus unlocked. As the locking mechanism 7 is operatively connected to the actuating element 6, such a configuration is also less susceptible to malfunctions compared to a configuration in which the locking mechanism 7 can be actuated separately.

[0073] As soon as the pivot bearing 2.1 rests against the lower stop 8.2 of the bearing guide 8 as a result of the extension movement of the actuating element 6, the movement of the locking lever 7.1 ends. When the actuating element 6 is extended further by moving out the piston rod 6.2, the pivot bearing 3.1 is now moved. As a result, the coulter connection 3 can be pivoted about the pivot axis A.sub.1, counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 3a and b. In the maximum extended position of the piston rod 6.2, the raised position S.sub.2 of the coulter unit 5 attached to the coulter connection 3 is present.

[0074] In the present configuration, a weight force F.sub.G acting on the end of the actuating element 6 on the coulter connection side in the working position S.sub.1 is greater than a lever force F.sub.H acting on the end of the actuating element 6 on the frame connection side. For this reason, the end of the actuating element 6 on the frame connection side moves first, which actuates the locking mechanism 7. This results in a sequential movement sequence.

[0075] An opposite pivoting of the coulter connection 3 out of the raised position S.sub.2 and a locking sequence of the locking mechanism 7 are explained below.

[0076] In the raised position S.sub.2, the actuating element 6 is in its extended position. When the actuating element 6 is actuated, the piston rod 6.2 is moved into the cylinder tube 6.3 and the length of the actuating element 6 is reduced. The pivot bearing 3.1 is moved in accordance with the change in length of the actuating element 6 and the coulter connection 3 performs a pivoting movement, which takes place in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 3b. The pivoting movement ends as soon as the coulter connection 3 rests against the frame connection 2.

[0077] If the actuating element 6 is shortened further, the pivot bearing 2.1 is now moved in the bearing guide 8, namely from the lower stop 8.2 towards the upper stop 8.1. The lever bearing 7.2 of the locking lever 7.1, which is connected to the pivot bearing 2.1, follows this movement, causing the locking lever 7.1 to perform a pivoting movement around the locking axis A.sub.2 in the manner of a rocker. Due to the pivoting movement, the hook-shaped locking element 7.3 arranged at the other end of the locking lever 7.1 is also moved, namely in a direction of movement opposite to the movement of the lever bearing 7.2. Accordingly, the locking element 7.3 pivots downwards and comes into engagement with the locking bolt 9. The coulter connection 3 is thus locked with respect to the frame connection 2.

[0078] In the working position S.sub.1, a locking force FV acting on the locking element 7.3 can be applied via the actuating element 6, see FIG. 7a. This locking force F.sub.V acting between locking element 7.3 and locking bolt 9 ensures a reliable locking mechanism. Furthermore, the locking force F.sub.V can be used to ensure that the locking mechanism 7 does not come loose undesirably, for example as a result of shaking loads or vibrations. The locking force F.sub.V can also be used to ensure that sufficient coulter pressure D can be transmitted to the coulter units 5.

[0079] The frame connection 2 has a supporting bearing 10 with a stop 10.2 for supporting a supporting region 9.2 of the locking bolt 9 in the working position S.sub.1, see FIG. 8. The supporting bearing 10 is configured as a double bearing at the lateral legs 2.3, 2.4, is formed to correspond to the locking bolt 9 and is used to absorb the forces applied via the coulter unit 5 and the coulter connection 3. The stop 10.2 can be used to ensure that the coulter connection 3 can always be fixed in the same position relative to the frame connection 2 with repeat accuracy.

[0080] The supporting bearing 10 also has a funnel-shaped guide area 10.1 for inserting the locking bolt 9. When the supporting region 9.2 of the locking bolt 9 arranged at the coulter connection 3 approaches the supporting bearing 10 as a result of pivoting of the coulter connection 3, the guide area 10.2 ensures reliable guidance into the working position S.sub.1. Canting or tilting, which can occur in particular under the increased load of the coulter unit 5 and/or on uneven ground, can thus be avoided. The guide area 10.2 and, in particular, the supporting bearing 10 can be used to ensure that the coulter connection 3 and the frame connection 2 are in the relative position to each other required for the locking mechanism.

[0081] The locking bolt 9 performs a dual function. Together with the hook-shaped locking element 7.3, it ensures that the coulter connection 3 is locked in relation to the frame connection 2. At the same time, the locking bolt 9 also rests against the stop 10.2 of the guide area 10 in the working position S.sub.1 and thus ensures correct positioning of the coulter connection 3 in relation to the frame connection 2.

[0082] In the following, constructive details of the coulter holder 1, in particular with regard to the arrangement of the pivot and locking axes A.sub.1, A.sub.2, are explained with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 7a and b.

[0083] As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 7a, the pivot axis A.sub.1 is arranged above the locking axis A.sub.2, which results in favorable force ratios when the coulter connection 3 pivots relative to the frame connection 2. Alternatively, however, the pivot axis A.sub.1 can also be arranged below the locking axis A.sub.2.

[0084] It can also be seen in FIG. 7a that the distance H.sub.1 between the pivot bearing 3.1 and the pivot axis A.sub.1 is smaller than a distance H.sub.2 between the pivot bearing 3.1 and the mounting region 3.2 of the coulter connection 3. The closer the point of engagement of the actuating element 6 is to the pivot bearing 3.1, the greater the possible lift with the same actuating element 6. The angle between the actuating element 6 and the mounting region 2.2 of the frame connection is comparatively small and is less than 45 degrees, preferably less than 30 degrees. This results in favorable lever ratios and advantageously low transverse forces acting on the actuating element 6. Alternatively, however, other distance and angle ratios are also conceivable.

[0085] The mounting region 2.2 of the frame connection 2 and the mounting region 3.2 of the coulter connection 3 are essentially parallel and vertically aligned to each other in the working position S.sub.1, see FIG. 7a. Furthermore, the mounting region 2.2 of the frame connection 2 is configured complementary to a mounting region of the machine frame 4 and the mounting region 3.2 of the coulter connection 3 is configured complementary to a mounting region of the coulter unit 5. This results in increased flexibility, as the respective coulter units 5 of a sowing machine 20 can be attached to the machine frame 4 either directly or via plate-like, short coulter holders, or via extended, pivoting coulter holders 1. This allows the sowing machine 20 to be configured flexibly. In particular, the coulter units 5 can be alternatingly attached to the machine frame 6 via short and long coulter holders 1, see FIG. 1. Such a configuration with an arrangement of the coulter units 5 in two lines results in an advantageously low interference of adjacent coulter units 5. In particular, in such a configuration there can be an axial offset between the two lines of about 200 mm.

[0086] The offset coulter units 5 cause different contact forces at the same measuring points, which is why a comparative contact force measurement, e.g. on the respective coulter holder 1 or on the machine frame 4, can be used to draw conclusions about the alignment of the respective coulter units 5. Since the alignment of the coulter units 5 is an important influencing factor for uniform seed placement and thus good sowing quality, the detection of the alignment of the coulter units 5 via the contact force measurement offers a way of checking the sowing quality. The detection of the contact force for detecting the alignment of the coulter units 5 can, for example, be integrated into a control system for hydraulic compensation of deviations in alignment.

[0087] Furthermore, the complementary configuration of the mounting regions 2.2, 3.2 allows simple, user-friendly retrofitting of the coulter holders 1 to existing sowing machines 20. No complex modification of the machine frame 4 of the sowing machines 20 is required.

[0088] In addition, such an arrangement makes it possible to pivot half of the coulter units 5, which are connected to the machine frame 6 via the extended, pivoting coulter holders 1, into the raised position S.sub.2 and thus deactivate them, see FIG. 9b. Compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 9a, half of the coulter units 5 are thus out of operation. Sowing takes place with a double spacing between the furrows or seed rows, which can prove to be advantageous for special seed G.

[0089] The coulter holder 1 described above and the sowing machine 20 are characterized by the fact that the locking mechanism 7 is operatively connected to the actuating element 6 and can be actuated by actuating the actuating element 6. This enables user-friendly and time-saving actuation of the locking mechanism 7 via the actuating element 6.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0090] 1 Coulter holder [0091] 1 Coulter holder [0092] 1 Coulter holder [0093] 2 Frame connection [0094] 2.1 Pivot bearing [0095] 2.2 Mounting region [0096] 2.3 Leg [0097] 2.4 Leg [0098] 3 Coulter connection [0099] 3.1 Pivot bearing [0100] 3.2 Mounting region [0101] 3.3 Pivot shaft [0102] 3.4 Leg [0103] 3.5 Leg [0104] 4 Machine frame [0105] 5 Coulter unit [0106] 6 Actuating element [0107] 6.1 Bearing bore [0108] 6.2 Piston rod [0109] 6.3 Cylinder tube [0110] 7 Locking mechanism [0111] 7.1 Locking lever [0112] 7.2 Lever bearing [0113] 7.3 Locking element [0114] 7.4 Locking shaft [0115] 8.1 Stop [0116] 8.2 Stop [0117] 9 Locking bolt [0118] 9.1 Locking region [0119] 9.2 Supporting region [0120] 10 Supporting bearing [0121] 10.1 Guide area [0122] 10.2 Stop [0123] 11 Anti-rotation lock [0124] 12 Parallelogram linkage [0125] 13 Seed coulter [0126] 14 Support roller [0127] 15 Coulter pressure cylinder [0128] 16 Shaft [0129] 20 Sowing machine [0130] 21 Towing machine [0131] A.sub.1 Pivot axis [0132] A.sub.2 Locking axis [0133] D Coulter pressure [0134] F.sub.G Weight force [0135] F.sub.H Lever force [0136] F.sub.V Locking force [0137] G Seed [0138] H.sub.1 Distance [0139] H.sub.2 Distance [0140] N Area [0141] R Running direction [0142] S.sub.1 Working position [0143] S.sub.2 Raised position [0144] V Travel speed [0145] Angle