Background of the Invention In agricultural cropping operations, crops including pasture, wheat, triticale, oats, canola, barley, rice, etc are usually sown using a variety of machines including multi tyned drop seeders, air seeders, above ground broad cast seeders and pneumatic precision seeding machines.

Most of these machines use a variety of methods to meter out and deliver the seed and fertiliser to tools-usually tynes, disc coulters or some form of furrower-which open the soil surface in the form of a furrow into which the ingredients are dropped either in a random sprinkling fashion or precisely placed.

The furrow spacings vary for various crops or conditions and are usually spaced from 6"to 12"apart for seeds with a fertiliser furrow usually placed between each pair of seed furrows and mostly from 1"-3"deep. Thus for a seeding 6"furrow spacing with a fertiliser row between each the soil surface is opened every 3"across the complete width of the machine. Individual tools are usually offset in rows front to back enabling trash to flow between the tools without clogging. This method causes excessive soil surface opening which promotes moisture loss by evaporation in many cases resulting in delayed germination and poor crop establishment.

Opening the ground at 3"intervals requires the expenditure of considerable energy- high fuel consumption. For example on a 30ft machine @ 3"tyne spacings with each

tyne being 2"wide represents 20ft of cross sectional direct resistance to forward motion by the tynes alone plus the additional resistance of the shoes at the ends of these tynes.

The sowing method described above results in plants emerging in a variety of densities along the rows from crowded to sparse, giving an inconsistent outcome.

The same applies to fertiliser distribution. It can also result in dense fertiliser concentration in areas of sparse seed and vice versa.

Using this method, emerging young plants grown in these rows are forced to compete with one another for moisture, light and nutrients in a narrow area whilst leaving a substantial strip of bare soil which has been opened by the fertiliser tyne between the rows exposed to the elements. This exposed soil loses moisture and enables weeds to establish before the crop roots can move into these areas and also before the crop can cover or shade these areas. In the early plant establishment stage when moisture etc can be crucial one finds that 85% or more of the soil is left exposed.

As plant vigour in the early development stage of a crop is a very important factor effecting yield, it would seem logical to try and maximise the ability of each plant to establish itself with minimal competition from its neighbours. Thus it is desirable to be able to place the seeds and fertiliser so that each plant has access to the maximum moisture, light and food possible around itself to give it an early kick start. This in turn should result in quicker development which means the ground is covered sooner thus minimising evaporation and weed growth due to the shading effect of the young crop.

Also as the first root (tap root) that emerges at germination grows straight downward, it would seem logical to place the fertiliser 2"to 3"directly under the seed where it can be utilised rather than 3"to the side where it will take longer to be accessed by the lateral roots, which develop later. With some crops it may be advantageous to plant seeds in distinct rows.

The invention seeks to provide methods and devices which provide one or more of the desirable attributes listed above.

Disclosure of the Invention The invention provides in one aspect a seeding and soil parting implement comprising, a wing of a predetermined span having a forward portion and a rearward portion, and conduit means for feeding particulate material to outlet means associated with the wing, the outlet means being arranged so that the particulate material is released near the rearward portion of the wing such that the positions of release of the particulate material are sufficient to cover at least 80% of the span of the wing, wherein the implement is constructed so that it may be mounted on a shank and moved forward beneath the surface of the soil by the shank whereby the forward portion of the implement parts the soil to allow deposit of the particulate material in the soil at a level below the soil surface where the soil is parted.

The term shank as used throughout the specification and claims is meant to encompass any member for holding or otherwise supporting the wing.

The wing may include a manifold for distributing the particulate material to the outlet means. The outlet means may be arranged to distribute the particulate material in a substantially horizontal plane. The outlet means may be arranged to distribute the particulate material in a plurality of rows behind the wing. Alternatively one or more outlets may be arranged to spread the particulate material over an area. By particulate material we of course mean any particulate material which may be deposited in the soil such as seeds or fertiliser. The particulate material may be mixed with liquids which themselves may contain biologically active agents such as fertilisers or fungicides, etc.

The particulate material may be deposited rearwardly into a cavity formed by the wing immediately behind the manifold between the layers of soil created by the forward movement of the wing.

As the wing may be used with a single support shank (although it is to be appreciated more than one support shank may be used) and the wing can be designed in various shapes and widths, the support shank may open the soil only at the point of entry for a given wing width thus minimising soil opening at the surface.

The wing design and dimensions can be varied to accommodate a variety of sowing conditions and requirements. For example a wing travelling beneath the surface will be beneficial where there is a lot of stubble present on the soil surface as it will travel and place the ingredients below this trash without having to disturb the trash as much as is the case with many conventional seeding implements.

Typically, the forward portion of the wing may be formed with a knife edge which cuts through the soil. The knife edge may have various angles to provide the required soil fracture for a given condition. The shape of the forward edge of the wing will be dependent on the type of application for which the wing is used. However in most situations it is anticipated that the wing will be a substantially V shape or will present a straight, forward edge. It may be shaped so as to present little resistance to forward motion to reduce energy requirement and to facilitate particulate material dispersal over most of its width.

The outlet means associated with the wing may be arranged to distribute the particulate material at more than one level below the soil surface. Thus it may be possible to distribute seed at one level and fertiliser at another.

A counter rotating rod may be mounted forward of the wing. Additionally, the wing may be provided with a downwardly projecting tyne to break up the lower layer of soil surface (ie. the hard pan) on which the particulate material such as seed is being deposited.

In situations where it is desired to cause minimum disturbance of the soil, it is preferred to have a wing as wide as is practicable, as each wing is associated with a shank holding the wing and such shank must inevitably disturb the soil at the surface over the shank's width. Thus the wider the wing the fewer the number of shanks which are required and the less the disturbance of the soil. The wings having a span of at least 30cm and in many situations more than 50cm may be suitable. They may even have a span of 1 metre or more. It is possible to use wings in line one directly behind the other so that one wing may be used to distribute one type of particulate material and the second can distribute a different type of particulate material eg. seeds vs fertiliser. They may be at different depths.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of seeding soil without causing substantial disturbance to the soil surface comprising, moving an implement as herein described mounted on a shank at a predetermined level below the soil surface to part the soil in a substantially horizontal plane, and depositing seeds from a rearward portion of the wing so that the seeds lie at the level at which the soil has been parted.

In a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a seeding implement comprising, a generally planar frame including a plurality of interconnected cross members, a plurality of tynes each having a forward portion and a rear portion, the tynes being mounted on the cross members and projecting below the plane of the frame to pierce soil along which the implement is moved, and seed placement means associated with a nwnber of the tynes, the seed placement means providing at least one outlet for each of the number of tynes, the at least one outlet being arranged to receive particulate material from conduit means and to deliver the particulate material at the rear portion of the respective tynes into the soil.

The seed placement means may be associated with all of the plurality of tynes. The tynes themselves may include one or more internal passageways for receiving and transferring the particulate material and directing it through an outlet.

Height adjustment means may be provided for allowing the degree of projection of the tynes below the frame to be adjusted. The height adjustment means may comprise a plurality of grooves formed in each of the tynes at different positions along the length of the tynes, the grooves being engageable by a locking member secured to the frame whereby to lock the tynes at a selected position with respect to the frame.

Preferred aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a symbolic representation of a seeding and parting implement according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an elevational section of a seeding and soil parting implement; Figure 3 shows an alternative elevational cross section of a seeding and soil parting implement; Figure 4 shows a rear view of a seeding and soil parting implement under the soil; Figure 5 shows a front elevational view of a seeding and parting implement underneath the soil; Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of a possible form of supply line or conduit for use with the invention; Figure 7 shows a plan view of a wing; Figure 8 shows an x-ray plan view of a manifold for the wing of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows an elevational cross sectional side view of a wing; Figure 10 shows a fragmentary view of a material dispersal chamber for use in a wing;

Figure 11 shows a fragmentary elevational view of extended outlets for use with a wing; Figure 12 shows a fragmentary plan view of part of a manifold for use with the invention; Figure 13 shows a fragmentary plan view of an alternative manifold; Figure 14 shows an alternative plan view of a manifold; Figure 15 shows a fragmentary side view of a material divider used in the manifolds of Figures 12 to 14; Figure 16 shows a plan view of a material divider; Figure 17 shows an elevational cross sectional view of a material divider; Figure 18 shows a plan view of a wing in association with a rod weeder; Figure 18a shows an elevational view of the implement of Figure 18; Figure 19 shows an elevational view of how a wing with knife would part the soil to distribute seed; Figure 20 shows an elevational view of how a wing with rod weeder would part the soil; Figure 21 shows a plan view of an implement construction according to the invention; Figure 22 shows a plan view of an alternative implement construction according to the invention; Figure 23 shows an enlarged plan view of a tyne mounted on a cross member being part of the chassis of the implement of Figure 21 or Figure 22; and Figure 24 shows an elevational cross sectional view of alternative forms of tynes mounted on the implement of Figures 21 or 22.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figure 1, the concept illustration of a seeding and soil parting implement 1 according to the invention shows a wing 3 formed as a V with the forward edges 5 of the V coming together to provide a point. It is to be anticipated that the forward edges of the V will themselves be sharp to assist with movement of the wing beneath

the soil. Alternatively, a knife blade or similar may be added in front of the forward edge to assist with moving the wing through the soil.

The upper surface of the wing is provided with an inlet 9 forming part of conduit means for delivering particulate material. The conduit means (not shown) may comprise one or more pipes or tubes or similar material delivery devices. Generally speaking, where the wing is used for seeding, seeds will be pneumatically delivered in metered quantities from a seed source via a pressurised dispenser which delivers the seed through the conduit means to the inlet 9.

The seeds will then be distributed within the wing by means of a distribution mechanism such as a manifold and ejected from the rearward portion 7 of the wing through the outlets 10 in a direction generally opposite to the direction of travel of the wing.

The outlets 10 are shown with a variety of symbolic designs to illustrate the fact that the outlets may take a variety of configurations, depending on the nature of the particulate material being distributed by the wing and the manner of seeding required.

For example, seeds may be placed in rows or may be spread out. They may be placed at more than one level beneath the ground. Seeds may be placed at one level and fertiliser at another.

As the wing is generally planar, it parts the soil in a substantially horizontal plane allowing the seeds to be deposited in the path which has been cut.

Whilst the symbolic representation shows the wing provided with only one inlet 9 it is to be appreciated that any number of inlets as required may be included and the location of the inlets may be varied. Generally speaking however, it is anticipated that in most instances there will be one inlet associated with a shank to which the wing may be attached.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 the cross sectional drawings illustrate a typical wing arrangement wherein the wing generally designated 8 comprises a chassis 11 and manifold 1 1A with one or more inlets 12 and one or more outlets 13. As can be seen in the drawings the outlets may terminate at the rear edge of the main body of the manifold or may extend there beyond as outlets 13 and 16 shown in Figure 2. Supply lines 15 extending through the body of the manifold supply particulate material from the inlets to the outlets.

The forward portion of the wing includes a soil parting implement 14 in the shape of a knife edge which serves to cut through the soil and deflect a layer of soil over the top of the wing. The forward edge 14a of this knife may extend below the level of the bottom of the wing to reduce drag.

In Figures 4 and 5, the implement generally designated 32, comprises the horizontally extending portion 31 which is joined to a vertically extending portion 30 to form a cross shaped structure when viewed in elevation. This cross shaped structure constitutes the manifold generally designated 21. The manifold includes internal supply lines 25 and 29 for delivering particulate material such as seeds and fertiliser supplied by the conduits 22 to the outlets 23,26 and 27. Generally speaking the fertiliser may be deposited through the lower outlet 27.

The manifold is constructed so that the leading edges 19 form a sharp point to facilitate dragging the manifold through the soil at a predetermined level below the soil surface 28.

The vertical portion of the manifold extends above the level of the soil and may be attached to and constitute an extension of a shank of a machinery arrangement for moving the manifold through the soil. Alternatively, the upper vertical portion of the manifold itself may be attached directly to a support frame and in which case it effectively acts as a complete shank itself.

As can be seen from Figure 6 the conduit 22 used in the configuration shown in Figures 4 and 5 and in many of the other drawings may comprise multiple delivery tubes such as an inner tube 18 within an outer tube 17 by which different ingredients may be kept separate before deposit into the soil.

Figures 7 to 11 in referring to a range of variations over a basic theme include common reference numerals to denote common integers. Referring to Figures 7 and 8 in particular, the seeding and soil parting implement generally designated 40 comprises a wing which may be held by a vertically extending support leg 41 mounted on and forming an extension of a shank (not shown).

The support leg includes a sharp leading edge 42. The V shaped leading edge of the wing includes a cutting blade 43 attached by bolts 45 to a manifold chassis 46.

In turn the manifold chassis is attached by bolts 45 to the manifold 44.

The manifold may include a single larger inlet 48 to a single supply line 52 or to multiple supply lines 50.

As can be seen more clearly in the x-ray view of a number of manifold arrangements shown in Figure 8, the multiple supply lines 50 which are protected by the manifold cover 54 terminate in a range of different styles or shapes of outlets 56, 58, 60 and 62.

Outlet 62 may be a spray nozzle. These different styles of outlets are shown in the one manifold for illustrative purposes only. It is to be appreciated that one would normally only expect to use a single type of manifold outlet depending upon the purpose for which it is to be used although there may be occasions when different types of manifold outlets may be required.

Thus it can be seen that the outlet 60 will supply particulate material such as seed in a relatively broad band as compared with the outlets 56 for supplying seeds in rows.

The outlet 58 is associated with a mixing/distribution chamber 64 in which particulate material supplied by one of the supply lines attached to the chamber may be mixed with fluid sprayed into the chamber by the spray nozzle 66. The fluid may for example include biologically active material such as herbicides or fungicides, inoculants, etc.

In Figures 9 to 11, various cross sectional configurations which may be applied to the general constructions shown in Figures 7 and 8 are illustrated. Thus in Figure 9, the manifold 44 includes a floor plate 68 which defines a dispersal chamber with the manifold cover 54. Although not shown the dimensions of the floor plate 68 may be varied relative to the cover plate 54. For example it may be shorter or a different shape.

The floor plate includes a downwardly projecting tyne 72 for breaking up soil so that seed or other particulate material issuing from the outlet 56 will be deposited on broken up soil rather than a hard pan, flat soil surface. The fact that the soil will be broken up should assist with allowing the seed to put its roots into the soil more readily during the initial germination phase.

The fragmentary views shown in Figures 10 and 11 illustrate different arrangements of outlets 74,76 and 78. In the case of Figure 10 the outlets terminate at the end of the main body of the manifold whereas in Figure 11 the outlets 80,82 and 84 can extend beyond the main body of the manifold 44.

Figures 12 to 14 again employ common reference numerals for common integers.

They illustrate some examples of deflection means by which particulate materials may be evenly dispersed or concentrated into individual rows across the width within the confines of the manifold section 44 prior to their release at the rear of the wing.

In the fragmentary illustration of Figure 12, the inlet 48 may be provided with a flared bottom 85 to direct particulate material outwardly into the pressurised divider chamber 86. The particulate material is randomly distributed by the air pressure in

the divider chamber into the supply nozzles 88 from whence they are fired in the direction of the arrows to a secondary collection distribution area shown in more detail in Figures 13 and 14. As can be appreciated the design of the supply nozzles can be varied as seen in Figure 12.

In Figure 13, the particulate material fired by the supply nozzles is picked up by the funnels 93 associated with the supply lines 92 after they have crossed through the dispersal chamber 90. The supply lines deliver the particulate material distributed in this fashion to the outlets 95.

The gap between the various funnels 93 and associated supply nozzles 88, makes it possible to compensate for back pressure resulting from the variable length of the supply lines 92 to provide a consistent and equal output of particulate material through a number of outlets.

In Figure 14, rather than using supply lines to direct the particulate material to the outlets, a range of deflectors 97 and 99 positioned in various orientations in the dispersal chamber 90 may be used to equalise the delivery of particulate material through the outlets 101. Deflectors may be used to spread particulate material over an area or to guide it into rows.

The deflectors may simply be flat baffles as is shown in the case of the deflectors marked with the numeral 97 or they may include profiling with means such as bumps or pimples to help randomise the bounce of particulate materials impinging upon them as is the case for the deflectors marked with the numeral 99.

An alternative method of distributing particulate material shown in Figure 15 has a material divider generally designated 102 behind the support leg 103 and chassis 105 of a wing according to the invention.

The material divider includes an inlet 107 for receiving a particulate delivery conduit (not shown), through which particulate material is directed by the supply line 109

onto a bounce pad 111. The bounce pad randomises the movement of the particulate material and allows it to travel out the nozzles 112 into a dispersal chamber 113 operating in a manner which has been described with reference to earlier illustrations.

An alternative form of dispersal is shown in Figure 16. A scallop shell contoured material divider 115 provided with an inlet 117 is arranged to direct particulate material received through the inlet onto deflector plates 120. The deflector plates may typically be convex ridges or concave channels. The sides of the inlet may also include profiling 118 to assist with randomising the movement of the particulate material.

The particulate material bouncing off the deflector plates is then moved by pressure into the dispersal chamber 122 for further dispersal and pick up by means similar to those already described to be distributed at the outlets (not shown) of the wing.

A cross section of a material divider having a different design of deflection plate to that shown in Figure 16 is shown in Figure 17 behind the chassis 116. The deflector plate 120 may be in the convex form or in the concave form and may contain profiling 118 as shown.

Referring to Figures 18 and 18a there is shown a seeding and soil parting implement generally designated 180 comprising a manifold 182 in the form of a wing which has a straight front 183.

As described previously, the manifold includes a number of supply lines 184 leading to outlets 186.

A rod weeder 188 as is known in the art is mounted on a support tyne 190. It is provided forward of the manifold/wing and is mounted by the manifold attachment points 192.

Referring to Figures 19 and 20 which again use common reference numerals for common integers, it can be seen that the seeding and parting implement 200 includes a blade 202 in the case of Figure 19 and a rod weeder 306 in the case of Figure 20 to part the soil 300 so that it splits into an upper layer 302 which travels over the top of the implement and a lower layer 304.

The implement includes a tyne 208 which breaks up the top of the lower layer so that the seeds 206 distributed by the manifold 204 may lie upon this broken up lower layer sandwiched between the lower layer and the upper layer.

Because the implement travels underneath the soil the upper layer whilst it may be slightly fractured as shown by the fracture lines, remains substantially in one piece thereby aiding retention of moisture in the soil, a very desirable feature in arid farming areas.

Referring to Figures 21 to 24, there is shown a seeding implement generally designated 210 comprising a frame 212 with cross members 214 and 216 crisscrossing the frame which in combination form a chassis.

The cross members provide support for a number seeding tynes 218. The seeding tynes are arranged in a regular fashion to cover the square grid pattern of Figure 21 or the angle grid pattern of Figure 22.

Depending upon the requirements of a user only a proportion of the tynes may be seeding tynes. For example, where tynes are in line along the path over which the implement is being dragged, it may be appropriate to seed through only one of the two in line tynes for each line of tynes. Alternatively the second tyne may be used to place a different particulate material at, above or below the level of the preceding tyne.

As shown more clearly in Figures 23 and 24, the tynes may comprise a manifold 220 with forward faces 221 coming together as a sharp pointed V to assist with dragging

the tyne through the soil. One or more supply lines 222 extend through the tynes to supply particulate material such as seed and/or fertiliser from a pressurised source as is known in the art to the outlets 224.

The tynes are each located in a slot matching the external cross sectional dimensions of each of the tynes. The slot is formed in the cross members 216.

A number of grooves 225 are provided along the length of each tyne near its upper end. These grooves are shaped to receive the locking plates 228 which are in turn secured to the cross members by the bolts 226. Thus it can be seen that the depth of the tyne relative to the chassis can be set by adjusting the locking plate with respect to a desired height of groove.

The advantage of an implement constructed in this fashion is that it is possible to simultaneously cultivate soil whilst seeding and/or fertilising the soil at the same time.

It is to be understood that the word comprising as used throughout the specification is to be interpreted in its inclusive form ie. use of the word comprising does not exclude the addition of other elements.

It is to be understood that various modifications of and/or additions to the invention can be made without departing from the basic nature of the invention. These modifications and/or additions are therefore considered to fall within the scope of the invention.