US3811387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for minimum tillage farming
Assignee: M&W Gear Co
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Filing: 1973-01-09
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1993-01-09
Abstract
Abstract Tillage required and fertilizer and herbicide consumption is minimized by placing fertilizer deep in the soil in the fall without thoroughly mixing the fertilizer and soil. The fertilizer is placed by first forming a deep channel, placing the fertilizer in the channel and forming a mound of dirt over the imbedded fertilizer. In the spring, seeds are planted in the top portion of the same mound. This method results in diminished weed growth and increased crop growth while using less amounts of fertilizer and herbicides. The same basic mound structure is then maintained from year to year. The tillage, fertilization and cultivation are performed with a single, combination farm implement comprising a platform having a number of plows, bedders and fertilizer applicators mounted thereon in the fall. In the spring, the same platform has spreaders, planters and bedders for planting mounted thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 E Meiners
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:47
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01C; A01C19/00; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/20; Y02P60/21; Y10; Y10S; Y10S111/00; Y10S111/923; Y10S111/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
An improved method of farming and soil tillage of soil containing crop trash and residue comprising the seasonal steps of: a. in the fall chopping and shredding the crop trash residue present on the soil and forming a plurality of substantially parallel spaced mounds each mound having a substantially trapezoidal cross section and a deep channel in the mound; b. placing a plant food additive in the bottom of said channel by, i. depositing about 10%-30% of said additive at a depth of about 3 inches to 4 inches below the top surface of the mound; ii. depositing about 10%-30% of said additive at a depth of about 8 inches to 12 inches below the top surface of the mound; and iii. depositing about 50%-70% of said additive at a depth of about 14 inches to 18 inches below the top surface of the mound; c. filling said channel with soil without admixing the soil and the plant additive and maintaining a mound of dirt over said channel, said mound extending above the normal grade of soil; and d. in the spring, breaking any crust formed on the mound during the wiNter and planting seeds in the top of said mound of dirt substantially directly above said plant additive a spaced-apart distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
An improved method of farming and soil tillage of soil containing crop trash and residue comprising the seasonal steps of: a. in the fall chopping and shredding the crop trash residue present on the soil and forming a plurality of substantially parallel spaced mounds each mound having a substantially trapezoidal cross section and a deep channel in the mound; b. placing a plant food additive in the bottom of said channel by, i. depositing about 10%-30% of said additive at a depth of about 3 inches to 4 inches below the top surface of the mound; ii. depositing about 10%-30% of said additive at a depth of about 8 inches to 12 inches below the top surface of the mound; and iii. depositing about 50%-70% of said additive at a depth of about 14 inches to 18 inches below the top surface of the mound; c. filling said channel with soil without admixing the soil and the plant additive and maintaining a mound of dirt over said channel, said mound extending above the normal grade of soil; and d. in the spring, breaking any crust formed on the mound during the wiNter and planting seeds in the top of said mound of dirt substantially directly above said plant additive a spaced-apart distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said plant food additive is fertilizer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said plant food additive is limestone and the seeds are soybeans.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said steps are performed with a single, combination low tillage farm implement having mounted thereon equipment necessary to affect said steps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein a herbicide is applied to said dirt mound in the spring to control weed growth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said channel is formed, fertilizer placed therein and filled with soil to form said mound substantially simultaneously in serial order.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the fertilizer is distributed over the depth of said channel with the majority of the fertilizer deposited at the bottom thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the same basic mound is used for crops from year to year.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2787864A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |