AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WITH GAUGE WHEEL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an agricultural implement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Agricultural machinery incorporating blades, coulters, tines or other instruments to work soil or cut trash and stubble typically include a gauge wheel to control or limit the depth to which the blade, coulter or tine may enter the ground. These machines may also include a press wheel to compact the soil after seed, fertiliser or other product is placed in the soil.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an agricultural implement comprising: a support adapted to be attached to an agricultural vehicle; a soil engaging tool attached to the support; and a gauge wheel movably couplefd to the support for forward or rearward movement relative to the soil engaging tool.

Preferably the agricultural implement also comprises: gauge wheel position locking means for preventing movement of the gauge wheel relative to the tool during use of the agricultural implement.

Preferably the gauge wheel is attached to an intermediate member which is in turn attached to the support. More preferably the intermediate member includes a slot. Still more preferably the intermediate member is attached to the support by one or more fastening means that pass through the slot. Yet more preferably the intermediate member includes an elongate arm having opposing ends. Still yet more preferably the slot is adjacent one end of the arm and the wheel is attached adjacent an opposite end of the arm.

Preferably the locking means include the fastening means that pass through the slot. More preferably the fastening means include a bolt or screw.

Preferably the soil engaging tool includes a coulter. Alternatively, the soil engaging tool includes a shank, tine, share or blade.

Preferably the agricultural implement is a coulter row unit.

Preferably the agricultural vehicle includes a multi row cultivator or planter arranged for attachment of the row unit thereto. More preferably the agricultural vehicle includes a tractor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the invention a preferred embodiment of an agricultural implement will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an agricultural implement according to one embodiment of the present invention with the gauge wheel in a rearward position;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an agricultural implement including a press wheel; and

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of the agricultural implement shown in figure 4 with the gauge wheel in a forward position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION/PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of an agricultural implement according to the present invention is shown in figure 1 and indicated generally by reference numeral 10. The agricultural implement 10 includes a support 12 which is adapted to be attached to an agricultural vehicle (not shown) using a mounting plate 14. In the preferred embodiment, the agricultural implement 10 is a coulter row unit and the agricultural vehicle may include a multi row cultivator or planter drawn by a tractor. Alternatively, the agricultural implement 10 can be attached to a tractor.

The agricultural implement 10 includes a soil engaging tool 16 in the form of a coulter 16. The coulter 16 is rotationally attached to the support 12. In some embodiments of the invention, a seed boot assembly 28 is fitted adjacent the coulter 16 as shown in figure 3. In the preferred embodiment, depth adjustment of the coulter 16 is achieved by adjusting the gauge wheel 18 up and down by an adjustment provided between the support 12 and a bracket 31. In some alternative embodiments of an agricultural implement 10, however, the soil engaging tool 16 may include a shank, tine, share or blade.

A gauge wheel 18 is movably or in this embodiment slidably attached to the support 12 for forward or rearward movement relative to the tool 16. The wheel 18 is attached to an intermediate member 20 which is also attached to the support 12. In this embodiment, the intermediate member includes an elongate arm 20 having opposing ends 22, 24. The intermediate member 20 has a slot 26 adjacent one end 22 of the elongate arm 20. The wheel 18 is attached to the other end 24. The elongate arm 20 is attached to the support 12 by one or more fastening means 28 in the form of a threaded bolt 28 that passes through the slot 26 and an associated washer 29 to a bracket 31. The fastening means 28 which pass through the slot 26 can be tightened to lock the position of the arm 20 and hence the > wheel 18 relative to the support 12 and thus relative to the coulter 16. The bolts such as 28 also act as gauge wheel position locking means 28 for preventing movement of the gauge wheel 18 relative to the tool 16 during use of the agricultural implement 10. A scraper 30 is mounted to the gauge wheel 18 such that they rotate together.

The gauge wheel 18 can thus be positioned forward or rearward relative to the coulter quickly and easily. This alters the affect of the gauge wheel 18 and the coulter 16 on the soil, thereby achieving optimal results in differing soil conditions. The gauge wheel 18 may be positioned to retain the soil which would otherwise be thrown elsewhere by the coulter 16 if the gauge wheel 18 was not in position to retain the soil.

In some embodiments of the invention, such as that shown in figures 4 and 5, a press wheel 32 is also attached to the support 12.

When the gauge wheel 18 is positioned foremost, as shown in figure 5, the action of the gauge wheel 18 on the soil surface is unique, different and distinct as to when the gauge wheel 18 is positioned rearmost as shown in figures 1 and 2. In the more forward position the gauge wheel 18 will at least partially stop soil from being thrown aside by the coulter 16. With typical operating speeds of lOkm/hour, a considerable amount of soil may be

thrown well away from the coulter 16. It is often desirable to retain the soil in position. This is especially important when the soil is loose and light. In this position the gauge wheel 18 presses the soil surface which may be applied beneficially to restrict the soil from breaking up and crumbling as would otherwise be the case if the coulter 16 were thrusting the soil aside. In the case of sowing seed, especially if the soil conditions are somewhat on the dry side, it is important that the soil be left in a gently compacted state retaining moisture and sealing out air which would further dry out the soil. Some fertilisers and chemicals when applied require the soil to be left in a gently compacted state to avoid losses to the atmosphere.

Positioning the gauge wheel 18 in the region where the coulter 16 is thrusting the maximum amount of soil aside may be undesirable for some soil conditions. Sometimes it is undesirable to apply pressure to the very area in which the operator is endeavouring to achieve maximum breakout of the coulter 16. This generally applies in harder and firmer soil conditions. In this case it is desirable to create a fine tilth and suitably loosen the hard soil so as to provide a tilth with which to cover the seed, fertiliser or chemical and refill the trench. Sometimes the action of the gauge wheel 18 on the soil unnecessarily restricts soil movement by the coulter 16 thereby increasing the horsepower requirements for the operation. Sometimes the pressure applied by the wheel 18 counteracts the action of the coulter 16 when the soil is wet or moist and may even create severe and excessive compaction of the soil which inhibits plant growth and reduces water retention. By locating the gauge wheel 18 in the more rearward position as shown in figures 1 and 2, the operator may counteract any negative outcomes that might arise from having the gauge wheel 18 located further forward in relation to the coulter 16. In certain soil conditions the operator may choose a more rearward position to utilise the gauge wheel 18 to perform the function of a press wheel, such as 32, on the one side of the trench so that gauge wheel 18 will push soil back into the trench to partially or adequately refill the trench and compress the refilled trench.

It will be appreciated that the invention at least in the preferred embodiment has the following advantages: the gauge wheel position can be shifted forward or rearward relative to the coulter according to the soil conditions or desired effect on the soil; shifting of the position of the gauge wheel relative to the coulter can be done quickly and easily by a minimally skilled person;

compaction of the soil can be tailored depending on soil requirements; the gauge wheel may be positioned to act as a press wheel; the gauge wheel can be positioned to block soil thrown aside by the coulter; and the horsepower required to draw the implement can be reduced.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. For example, movement of the gauge wheel is not restricted to the sliding action described but may include pivotal, hinging, rotational or other movement either on its own or in combination. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.