Abstract An improved plow knife is disclosed for introducing a dry fertilizer and anhydrous ammonia in a common band at a predetermined depth beneath the surface of the soil being treated. The shank of the plow, which is generally vertical, is hollow to permit flow of dry fertilizer through it under gravity. The dry fertilizer is deposited through the heel of the knife in a band at the base of the channel cut by the knife. The toe of the plow is located forward of the leg of the shank, and the contour of the leading edge is continuously smoothly curved from the toe to a location on the shank near the surface of the soil. The entire leading edge is flat over a width of about seveneighths of an inch, with beveled side edges so that when the plow is embedded and pulled, a ribbon of dirt is forced upwardly along the smoothly curved, flat surface and above the soil level in a rolling, upward and forward motion to remove any debris such as corn stalks and husks from the soil above the surface where it is readily discarded from the knife and does not interfere with operation. A conduit for liquid ammonia is affixed to the back of the blade and side moldboards are located at the side of the shank to gather dirt from the sides of the channel and move it over the band of ammoniated fertilizer.
Apparatus for fertilizing soil comprising: frame means including ground-engaging support means; a pressurized source of anhydrous ammonia carried by said frame means; a source of dry, particulate fertilizer capable of reacting with said ammonia and carried by said frame means; a plow knife mounted on said frame means and being adapted to form a channel having a base at a depth of about 6-12 inches beneath ground level when said frame means is pulled by a traction vehicle, said knife including first and second sideplates spaced to define a vertical conduit extending through said knife to provide a discharge aperture at the bottom of said knife, said conduit being in fluid communication with said source of dry fertilizer whereby dry fertilizer will flow through said conduit, through said discharge aperture and be deposited in said channel, the leading edge of said knife providing a smooth upward curve from a toe portion to a location above the surface of said soil and including a leading edge generally flat in transverse direction for forming a ribbon of soil being cut to continuously transport said ribbon along said flat leading edge as said knife is moved forward to deposit the same above the surface of the soil together with any debris encountered by said edge; a conduit carried by said frame behind said plow knife extending longitudinally thereof and in fluid communication with said anhydrous ammonia, said conduit having a release orifice immediately behind said discharge aperture of said plow knife for directing the pressurized ammonia directly onto said band of deposited fertilizer; and moldboard means attached to said plow knife and extending to the side thereof and being adapted to gather soil from the side of the furrow formed by the plow knife and to pass the gathered soil behind said plow knife and onto the ammoniated fertilizer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
306 words
Apparatus for fertilizing soil comprising: frame means including ground-engaging support means; a pressurized source of anhydrous ammonia carried by said frame means; a source of dry, particulate fertilizer capable of reacting with said ammonia and carried by said frame means; a plow knife mounted on said frame means and being adapted to form a channel having a base at a depth of about 6-12 inches beneath ground level when said frame means is pulled by a traction vehicle, said knife including first and second sideplates spaced to define a vertical conduit extending through said knife to provide a discharge aperture at the bottom of said knife, said conduit being in fluid communication with said source of dry fertilizer whereby dry fertilizer will flow through said conduit, through said discharge aperture and be deposited in said channel, the leading edge of said knife providing a smooth upward curve from a toe portion to a location above the surface of said soil and including a leading edge generally flat in transverse direction for forming a ribbon of soil being cut to continuously transport said ribbon along said flat leading edge as said knife is moved forward to deposit the same above the surface of the soil together with any debris encountered by said edge; a conduit carried by said frame behind said plow knife extending longitudinally thereof and in fluid communication with said anhydrous ammonia, said conduit having a release orifice immediately behind said discharge aperture of said plow knife for directing the pressurized ammonia directly onto said band of deposited fertilizer; and moldboard means attached to said plow knife and extending to the side thereof and being adapted to gather soil from the side of the furrow formed by the plow knife and to pass the gathered soil behind said plow knife and onto the ammoniated fertilizer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said leading edge of said plow knife comprises a flat edge curved generally upwardly in a smooth fashion and having a transversely flat width in the range of about three-fourths to seven-eighths of an inch for forming said ribbon of soil to carry debris above the surface of the soil.