Press wheel depth control for grain drill furrow openers

Claim 1

In combination, a depth control apparatus for controlling the depth of furrow openers used for planting seeds or the like comprising a first frame adapted to be pivotally mounted to a prime mover about a generally horizontal axis at a leading end thereof; a furrow opener for opening a path for seed mounted on said first frame member; a second frame member pivotally mounted about a generally horizontal axis to said first frame member to the rear of said furrow opener; a ground engaging press wheel rotatably mounted on said second frame member and positioned to follow in the path of said furrow opener mounted on said first frame member, said wheel being positioned closely adjacent the rear portions of said furrow opener; adjustable means to limit the upward pivotal movement of said wheel mounted on said second frame member relative to said first frame member about the pivot between the first and second frame members to retain said wheel in position engaging the ground as the furrow opener enters the ground to control the depth of said furrow opener, said adjustable means to limit the upward movement comprising an elongated member pivotally mounted on said second frame member to the rear of the rotational axis of said wheel, a fixed upright support mounted on said first frame member including means spaced above said first frame to slidably receive said elongated member in said upright support member to permit relative sliding between the elongated member and upright support as the second frame member pivots relative to the first frame member, and means to limit the travel of said elongated member relative to the support member to limit the pivotal movement of said second frame member upwardly relative to said first frame member comprising a series of apertures in said elongated member, a pin removably mounted in one of said apertures, and means on said upright support engageable by said pin to form a positive upward stop as the second frame member pivots upwardly; and second stop means separate from said elongated member cooperating between said first and second frame members to prevent said second frame member from pivoting downwardly relative to said first frame member more than a desired amount while permitting unrestrained upward movement of the second frame member.