Crop interseeding implement

Claim 1

A self-propelled interseeding implement for planting seeds such as beans between closely spaced rows of a growing crop of small grain such as wheat which has a substantial height, said implement comprising: a plurality of ground support wheel assemblies each including a ground engaging support wheel having a cup shaped periphery for compacting soil about the planted seeds, said ground support wheel assemblies being spaced apart with each being narrow enough to pass between adjacent rows of the growing crop of small grain; a fender for each ground support wheel assembly supported forwardly of same, said fenders being arranged to substantially enclose said wheel assemblies and to pass between adjacent rows of the growing crop of small grain in a manner to separate overlapping plants in adjacent rows of the growing crop of small grain; a frame supported on and interconnecting said wheel assemblies, said frame being elevated above the growing crop to pass thereover; an engine mounted on said frame and drivingly coupled to at least one of said wheel assemblies to propel said implement; at least one of said wheel assemblies being used for steering; at least one sharp planting runner supported on said frame and operable to penetrate the ground at a location to form a narrow furrow forwardly of each cup shaped wheel and between adjacent rows of the growing crop; and means for depositing seeds in said furrows fowardly of said ground engaging support wheels, whereby said ground engaging support wheels subsequently compact the soil about the seeds planted in said furrows.