Coulter unit for high speed tillage applications

Abstract

A tillage coulter unit (22) adapted for use with a farmimplement (10) is provided which permits highspeed tillage operations (e.g., field fertilization using liquid fertilizer such as ammonia, or seeding) without undue soil disruption or fertilizer vaporization. The coulter unit (22) includes an upright, rotatable coulter blade (26) with a gauge assembly (28) operable to limit the depth of the coulter blade into soil and to minimize soil disruption. The gauge assembly (28) preferably includes a pair of elongated, shiftable belt or chain loops (74) positioned in straddling relationship and astride the blade (26). The loops (74) present lower runs (96) which substantially contact the soil as the unit (22) traverses a field.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention is broadly concerned with farm implements including soil-penetrating coulter units which are designed for high speed application of fertilizers (e.g., ammonia) or other products (e.g., seeds) to soil. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such implements, and the coulter units forming a part thereof, wherein the coulter units are provided with a gauge assembly to limit the depth of penetration of the coulter blade into soil, while also serving to minimize soil disruption. Preferably, the gauge assembly includes a pair of continuous, shiftable loops astride the coulter blade and arranged to engage the surface of the earth as the coulter unit traverses a field.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]A variety of farm tillage implements have been provided in the past for seed planting or incorporation ofvarious liquid preparations and / or other products into the soil. Generally, these t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides a mobile coulter unit operable to traverse soil and comprising a rotatable coulter blade having a pair of opposed side faces and operable to penetrate the soil as the coulter unit traverses the soil. The unit also includes a gauge assembly operable to limit the depth of said coulter blade in the soil and to minimize soil disruption as the coulter blade traverses the soil. The gauge assembly includes a pair of continuous, shiftable loops respectively located astride and proximal to a corresponding coulter side face so that the loops straddle the coulter blade. Each such loop presents an upper run and a lower run, with the lower run operable to engage the upper surface of the soil. Additionally, the gauge assembly includes apparatus for maintaining the lower loop runs in substantial contact with said soil surface as the coulter unit traverses the soil.

Problems solved by technology

A problem with conventional coulter implements, and especially those used in the context of soil fertilization, is the inability to rapidly pull the implements through the soil.

Relatively high speed operation of such implements results in two adverse effects.

First, such operation tends to unacceptably disrupt or “throw up” the soil adjacent the coulter blades leaving the field in a poor condition and making subsequent field operations more difficult.

Second, because of these disruptions, the injected liquid fertilizer has an opportunity to vaporize into the atmosphere, such that the value of the fertilizer is lost.

However, each blade set is located adjacent the upper extent of the associated coulter blade, and therefore the belts are not designed for contact with the soil.

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