Planter apparatus

Claim 2

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross for making spaced furrows in the earth; bedding plates mounted between said plow assemblies with each bedding plate extending between a pair of adjacent plow assemblies for forming seed beds between furrows; a fluid distribution system mounted on said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framework for distributing from a common source fluid agronomical agents on soil; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter disks supported on said framework at locations immediately rearwardly from said distribution system and in alignment with said bedding plates; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; means for placement of a protective chemical immediately over seeds planted by said planter disks; and soil pulverizer means connected to said framework and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom in alignment with said bedding plates.

Claim 3

Planting apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further characterized as including gauge wheel assemblies adjustably mounted on said frame and projecting downwardly and rearwardly therefrom.

Claim 4

A planting apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for placement of a protective chemical comprises: hopper means mounted on said framework rearwardly from said seed hoppers for containing said protective chemical; spreader heads mounted on said pulverizer means; and tubular means for conveying said protective chemical from said hopper means to said spreader heads.

Claim 5

Planting apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further characterized to include row marker assemblies pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said framework.

Claim 6

Planting apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said framework comprises: a transversely extending main beam; a transversely extending forward beam positioned forward of said main beam and extending substantially parallel thereto; and a plurality of pairs of bars adjustably inter-connecting said main beam and forward beam.

Claim 7

Planting apparatus as defined in claim 2 and further characterized as including seed feeding means connected between said seed hoppers and said gauge wheel assemblies for controlling the rate at which seeds are discharged from said seed hoppers into said conveying means in response to the speed of rotation of said gauge wheels in said assemblies in contact with the ground.

Claim 8

Planting apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluid distribution system comprises: a manifold pipe extending transversely of said framework; and a plurality of distribution conduits extending downwardly from said manifold pipe immediately ahead of said planter discs.

Claim 9

Planting apparatus as defined in claim 5 and further characterized as including a plurality of transversely spaced, substantially horizontal hopper support beams extending rearwardly from said framework and having said seed hoppers secured to the upper side thereof, said hopper support beamS having forward ends secured to said transversely extending main beam.

Claim 10

Planting apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said gauge wheel assemblies comprises: a gauge wheel supporting arm having a forward end pivotally connected to said framework; means for adjusting the inclination of the gauge wheel supporting arm with respect to the horizontal; and a gauge wheel rotatably mounted on the opposite end of said supporting arm from the end thereof pivotally connected to said framework.

Claim 11

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross for making spaced furrows in the earth; bedding plates mounted between said plow assemblies with each bedding plate extending between a pair of adjacent plow assemblies for forming seed beds between furrows; a fluid distribution system mounted in said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framework for distributing fluid agronomical agents on soil from a common source; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter disks supported on said framework at locations rearwardly from said distribution system and in alignment with said bedding plates; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; means for placement of a protective chemical immediately over seeds planted by said planter disks; a plurality of elongated pulverizer frames each pivotally connected at one end to said frame for pivotation about horizontal axes to raise and lower the other end of said pulverizer frames; and pulverizer tines rotatably mounted in each of said pulverizer frames at said other end of said pulverizer frames for rotation about horizontal axes.

Claim 12

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross for making spaced furrows in the earth; bedding plates mounted between said plow assemblies with each bedding plate extending between a pair of adjacent plow assemblies for forming seed beds between furrows; a fluid distribution system mounted in said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framework for distributing fluid agronomical agents on soil from a common source; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter disks supported on said framework at locations rearwardly from said distribution system and in alignment with said bedding plates; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; means for placement of a protective chemical immediately over seeds planted by said planter disks; a plurality of elongated pulverizer frames each pivotally connected at one end to said frame for pivotation about horizontal axes to raise and lower the other end of said pulverizer frames; and pulverizer tines rotatably mounted in each of said pulverizer frames at said other end of said pulverizer frames for rotation about horizontal axes.

Claim 13

Planting apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein each of said pulverizer frames is of U-shaped configuration having parallel legs each pivotally connected at one end to said framework; and wherein there are two banks of said tines rotatably mounted between the legs of each of said pulverizer frames, each of said banks of tines extending transversely with respect to said framework.

Claim 14

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross for making spaced furrows in the earth; bedding plates mounted between said plow assemblies with each bedding plate extending between a pair of adjacent plow assemblies for forming seed beds between furrows; a fluid distribution system mounted on said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framework for distributing fluid agronomical agents on soil from a common source; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter disks supported on said framework at locations rearwardly from said distribution system and in alignment with said bedding plates; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; means for placement of a protective chemical immediately over seeds planted by said planter disks; a plurality of pulverizer frames pivotally connected to said frame for pivotation about horizontal axes; pulverizer tines rotatably mounted in each of said pulverizer frames for rotation about horizontal axes; a plurality of gauge wheel supporting arms each having a forward end pivotally connected to said framework; means for adjusting the inclination of each gauge wheel supporting arm with respect to the horizontal; and a gauge wheel rotatably mounted on the opposite end of each of said supporting arms from the end thereof pivotally connected to said framework.

Claim 15

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross for making spaced furrows in the earth; bedding plates mounted between said plow assemblies with each bedding plate extending between a pair of adjacent plow assemblies for forming seed beds between furrows; a fluid distribution system mounted on said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framework for distributing fluid agronomical agents on soil from a common source; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter disks supported on said framework at locations rearwardly from said distribution system and in alignment with said bedding plates; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; means for placement of a protective chemical immediately over seeds planted by said planter disks; a plurality of pulverizer frames pivotally connected to said frame for pivotation about horizontal axes; pulverizer tines rotatably mounted in each of said pulverizer frames for rotation about horizontal axes; a plurality of gauge wheel supporting arms each having a forward end pivotally connected to said framework; means for adjusting the inclination of each gauge wheel supporting arm with respect to the horizontal; and a gauge wheel rotatably mounted on the opposite end of each of said supporting arms from the end thereof pivotally connected to said framework.

Claim 16

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of Plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross for making spaced furrows in the earth; bedding plates mounted between said plow assemblies with each bedding plate extending between a pair of adjacent plow assemblies for forming seed beds between furrows; a fluid distribution system mounted on said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framework for distributing fluid agronomical agents on the soil from a common source; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter disks supported on said framework at locations rearwardly from said distribution system and in alignment with said bedding plates; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; means for placement of a protective chemical immediately over seeds planted by said planter disks; a plurality of elongated pulverizer frames extending in a rearward direction on said framework, and each having a forward end pivotally connected to said framework for pivotation about a horizontal axis to elevate and lower the other end of each of said pulverizer frames; pulverizer tines rotatably mounted in each of said pulverizer frames at said other end thereof for rotation about a horizontal axis; a plurality of gauge wheel supporting arms each having a forward end pivotally connected to said framework; means for adjusting the inclination of each gauge wheel supporting arm with respect to the horizontal; a gauge wheel rotatably mounted on the opposite end of each of said supporting arms from the end thereof pivotally connected to said framework; a first sprocket connected to each of said gauge wheels for rotation therewith; a chain drivingly engaging said sprocket; a seed pickup disk associated with each of said seed hoppers; and means drivingly interconnecting said chain and seed pickup disk for driving said disk in rotation.

Claim 17

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of Plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross for making spaced furrows in the earth; bedding plates mounted between said plow assemblies with each bedding plate extending between a pair of adjacent plow assemblies for forming seed beds between furrows; a fluid distribution system mounted on said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framework for distributing fluid agronomical agents on the soil from a common source; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter disks supported on said framework at locations rearwardly from said distribution system and in alignment with said bedding plates; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; means for placement of a protective chemical immediately over seeds planted by said planter disks; a plurality of elongated pulverizer frames extending in a rearward direction on said framework, and each having a forward end pivotally connected to said framework for pivotation about a horizontal axis to elevate and lower the other end of each of said pulverizer frames; pulverizer tines rotatably mounted in each of said pulverizer frames at said other end thereof for rotation about a horizontal axis; a plurality of gauge wheel supporting arms each having a forward end pivotally connected to said framework; means for adjusting the inclination of each gauge wheel supporting arm with respect to the horizontal; a gauge wheel rotatably mounted on the opposite end of each of said supporting arms from the end thereof pivotally connected to said framework; a first sprocket connected to each of said gauge wheels for rotation therewith; a chain drivingly engaging said sprocket; a seed pickup disk associated with each of said seed hoppers; and means drivingly interconnecting said chain and seed pickup disk for driving said disk in rotation.

Claim 18

A planting apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said means for placement of a protective chemical comprises: hopper means mounted on said framework rearwardly from said seed hoppers for containing a fungicidal chemical; spreader heads mounted in said apparatus ahead of said pulverizer tines and positioned for depositing said fungicidal chemical on the surface of the earth immediately over the location where said planter discs plant said seeds, and immediately ahead of the point of contact of said pulverizer tines with the earth; and tubular means for conveying said fungicidal chemical from said hopper means to said spreader heads.

Claim 19

A planting apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein each of said plow assemblies comprises: a plow blade; side plates; wing plates interconnecting said side plates with said plow blade; a bottom plate interconnecting said side plates and extending substantially horizontally; and a mounting bar having one end detachably connected to said bottom plate, and having a second end detachably and adjustably connected to said framework to facilitate raising and lowering said plow assemblies in a vertical direction.

Claim 20

A planting apparatus as defined in claim 15 and further characterized to include row marker assemblies pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said framework.

Claim 21

A planting apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein each of said pulverizer frames is of U-shaped configuration and includes parallel legs each pivotally connected at one end thereof to said framework; and wherein there are two banks of said tines rotatably mounted between the legs of each of said pulverizer frames, each of said banks of tines extending transversely with respect to said framework and the tines in each bank being transversely staggered in offset relation with respect to the tines in the other of said two banks whereby said fungicidal chemical can gravitate through holes made by said tines into immediate proximity to seeds planteD by said planter discs.

Claim 22

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross for making spaced furrows in the earth, each of said plow assemblies comprising: a plow blade; wing plates supporting the plow blades; side plates connected to the wing plates; a bottom plate interconnecting said side plates; and a mounting bar having one end detachably connected to said bottom plate and having a second end detachably and adjustably connected to said framework; bedding plates mounted between said plow assemblies, with each bedding plate extending between a pair of adjacent plow assemblies for forming seed beds between furrows; a fluid distribution system mounted on said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framework for distributing fluid agronomical agents on the soil from a common source; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter disks supported on said framework at locations rearwardly from said distribution system and in alignment with said bedding plates; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; means for placement of a protective chemical immediately over seeds planted by said planter disks; and pulverizer means connected to said framework and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom in alignment with said bedding plates.

Claim 23

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross for making spaced furrows in the earth, each of said plow assemblies comprising: a plow blade; wing plates supporting the plow blades; side plates connected to the wing plates; a bottom plate interconnecting said side plates; and a mounting bar having one end detachably connected to said bottom plate and having a second end detachably and adjustably connected to said framework; bedding plates mounted between said plow assemblies, with each bedding plate extending between a pair of adjacent plow assemblies for forming seed beds between furrows; a fluid distribution system mounted on said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framework for distributing fluid agronomical agents on the soil from a common source; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter disks supported on said framework at locations rearwardly from said distribution system and in alignment with said bedding plates; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; means for placement of a protective chemical immediately over seeds planted by said planter disks; and pulverizer means connected to said framework and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom in alignment with said bedding plates.

Claim 24

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross for making spaced furrows in the earth; bedding plates mounted between said plow assemblies with each bedding plate extending between a pair of adjacent plow assemblies for forming seed beds between furrows; a fluid distribution system mounted on said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framework for distributing fluid agronomical agents on the soil from a common source; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter disks supported on said framework at locations rearwardly from said distribution system and in alignment with said bedding plates; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; means for placement of a protective chemical immediately over seeds planted by said planter disks; pulverizer means connected to said framework and extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom in alignment with said bedding plates; a plurality of gauge wheel supporting arms each having a forward end pivotally connected to said framework; means adjusting the inclination of each of the gauge wheel supporting arms with respect to the horizontal; a gauge wheel rotatably mounted on the opposite end of said supporting arm from the end thereof pivotally connected to said framework; seed feeding means connected between said seed hoppers and said gauge wheels for controlling the rate at which seeds are discharged from said seed hoppers into said conveying means, said seed feeding means comprising: a first sprocket connected to each of said gauge wheels for rotation therewith; a chain drivingly engaging said sprocket; a seed pickup disk associated with each of said seed hoppers; and means drivingly interconnecting said chain and seed pickup disk for driving said disk in rotation.

Claim 25

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross for making spaced furrows in the earth; bedding plates mounted between said plow assemblies with each bedding plate extending between a pair of adjacent plow assemblies for forming seed beds between furrows; a fluid distribution system mounted on said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framework for distributing fluid agronomical agents on the soil from a common source; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter disks supported on said framework at locations rearwardly from said distribution system and in alignment with said bedding plates; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; means for placement of a protective chemical immediately over seeds planted by said planter disks; pulverizer means connected to said framework and extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom in alignment with said bedding plates; a plurality of gauge wheel supporting arms each having a forward end pivotally connected to said framework; means adjusting the inclination of each of the gauge wheel supporting arms with respect to the horizontal; a gauge wheel rotatably mounted on the opposite end of said supporting arm from the end thereof pivotally connected to said framework; seed feeding means connected between said seed hoppers and said gauge wheels for controlling the rate at which seeds are discharged from said seed hoppers into said conveying means, said seed feeding means comprising: a first sprocket connected to each of said gauge wheels for rotation therewith; a chain drivingly engaging said sprocket; a seed pickup disk associated with each of said seed hoppers; and means drivingly interconnecting said chain and seed pickup disk for driving said disk in rotation.

Claim 26

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross; bedding means mounted between said plow assemblies; a fluid distribution system mounted on said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framewOrk for distributing chemical agents on the soil; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter means mounted on said framework at a location rearwardly from said fluid distribution system in alignment with said bedding means; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; and a plurality of elongated pulverizer frames, each pivotally connected at one end to said framework for pivotation about horizontal axes to raise and lower the other end of said pulverizer frames; and pulverizer tines rotatably mounted in each of said pulverizer frames at said other end of said pulverizer frames for rotation about horizontal axes.

Claim 27

A planting apparatus comprising: a framework having a forward side and a rear side; a plurality of plow assemblies mounted on the forward side of said framework and transversely spaced thereacross; bedding means mounted between said plow assemblies; a fluid distribution system mounted on said framework rearwardly from said plow assemblies and extending transversely on said framewOrk for distributing chemical agents on the soil; seed hoppers mounted on the upper side of said framework; planter means mounted on said framework at a location rearwardly from said fluid distribution system in alignment with said bedding means; means for conveying seeds from said seed hoppers to said planter disks; and a plurality of elongated pulverizer frames, each pivotally connected at one end to said framework for pivotation about horizontal axes to raise and lower the other end of said pulverizer frames; and pulverizer tines rotatably mounted in each of said pulverizer frames at said other end of said pulverizer frames for rotation about horizontal axes.