Minimum Tillage Toolbar and Method for Using Same

This invention relates to minimum tillage farming equipment, more particularly to minimum tillage farming implements which perform multiple functions simultaneously and can be used in different modes.

In the ever continuing search to balance increased agricultural production against environmental stewardship, and to conquer the economic barriers of ever-increasing fuel, equipment and material costs, minimum tillage farming has become an attractive alternative to conventional row crop farming methods.

Traditional row crop farming is based upon multi-pass operations beginning with preparing the field for planting and ending with the harvesting of the crop. It is not uncommon for some farmers to make five or more passes over a given field before harvesting including conventional plowing or chisel plowing, discing, applying chemicals and fertilizers, planting and cultivating. The costs in fuel, equipment, and supplies and materials are evident; while the more intangible costs of labor, time, soil stress and soil erosion have risen to be significant concerns.

Compaction of the soil also results and has been found to reduce productivity significantly. Research has shown that something as seemingly innocent as a footprint can compact soil enough to inhibit plant growth. Compaction by the large, heavy equipment of today produces what is called "hardpan" which can cut productivity by 50% or more.

Minimum tillage methods and equipment have been in use and practiced for a number of years, but the economic and environmental pressures of recent times have prompted their adoption on a wide scale basis. As explained above, minimum tillage attempts to minimize the number of ground-working implement passes over a given field to reduce fuel, labor, equipment and environmental costs.

The difficulties with minimum tillage farming are many and diverse. Among the major problems are first, finding and developing equipment which works effectively and efficiently in the minimally tilled ground. The equipment must be specialized and strong to attack the hardened stalk and stubble filled ground. Furthermore, it is extremely difficult to produce an adequate seed bed when the ground is not worked over a number of times.

Moisture concerns and weed control are additional significant problems that are encountered in minimum tillage farming methods. Compounding this problem is the ever present obstacle of clogging of the equipment by the remnant trash in the field.

Because weed control is so important in minimum tillage farming, both chemical herbicide incorporation and positive weed control are problems which must be conquered.

Some attempts have been made to conquer these problems by utilizing specialized equipment, some being partially or wholly powered by independent engines, which prepares the soil for an additional pass by conventional planting equipment. Others have attempted to combine the soil preparation implements and planters for one pass planting. All of these attempts still do not overcome one or more of the problems mentioned above.

Additionally, present minimum tillage equipment do not provide adequate multiple-use flexibility, such as utilizing parts of the all-in-one tillage/planting implement for subsequent specialized uses such as cultivating.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a minimum tillage farm implement which performs all necessary row crop operations up to harvest with savings of time and labor, fuel, equipment costs and loss of soil.

A further object of the invention is to provide a minimum tillage farm implement which both prepares a good seed bed for the planting of row crops and plants the crop in one pass of the field.

A further object of the invention is to provide a minimum tillage farm implement which utilizes conventional planting units for the planting of the row crops.

Another object of the invention is to provide a minimum tillage farming implement which provides effective and efficient incorporation of herbicides into the seed bed while sufficient moisture is present in the soil to enhance the effectiveness of the herbicide and while additionally reducing the amount of herbicide used.

A further object of this invention is to eliminate hardpan problems by placing the seeds directly behind a chisel plow.

A further object of this invention is to apply fertilizer during the field trip in which the crop is planted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a minimum tillage farm implement which can be easily converted to provide positive weed control as a power cultivator.

A further object of this invention is to provide a power cultivator which will not plug with soil or crop trash or residue, will provide positive weed control between the rows and will reduce soil erosion by leaving a mulch of trash and dead weeds and grass between the rows.

A further object of this invention is to provide a power cultivator that does not create ridges between the rows as it passes through the field.

A further object of this invention is to provide a minimum tillage farm implement which does not clog or build up with trash or soil.

A further object of this invention is to provide a minimum tillage farm implement which, by reducing the required number of trips over a field, prepares a seed bed with the correct amount of soil moisture necessary for optimal germination and growth.

Another object of this invention is to provide a minimum tillage farm implement which is powered by the power takeoff of the tractor pulling the implement.

A further object of this invention is to provide a minimum tillage farm implement which can be readily transported and readily turned around in fields.

Another object of this invention is to provide a minimum tillage farm implement which is adjustable for providing variable width seed bed preparation and variable width cultivator coverage.

A further object of this invention is to provide a minimum tillage farm implement which prepares a seed bed and plants seeds in between last year's rows and does not disturb last year's stalks or stubble and encourages weed growth outside of the newly formed seed beds, thus further reducing soil erosion.

A further object of this invention is to provide a minimum tillage farm implement which is durable, easy to service and maintain, easy to adjust, and is economical.

Additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings.

This invention utilizes a tool bar frame upon which is mounted a plurality of sets of ground working implements which till and plant row crops in one pass of the field. The implement is attached to a conventional three-point hitch of an agricultural tractor and utilizes conventional planting units to plant the seeds.

The ground working tools of each set are arranged serially one behind another along the direction of travel of the implement, each set comprising a coulter means, a plowing means, a discing means, a rototilling means, and a planter unit, in that order. The coulter means, plowing means, and discing means are attached to the front tool bar; each set being spaced apart along the front tool bar to define the location of the rows of the crops to be planted. The rototilling means are attached to the second tool bar while the planting units are attached to the third bar both in line with the tools on the front tool bar.

The coulter means splits and slices the untilled ground directly in front of the plowing means which further loosens the ground and shatters hardpan that may exist, to enhance root growth of the seeds which are to be planted along that line. Discing means, directly behind the plowing means, are angled so that the channel plowed by the plowing means is covered up and somewhat levelled. The rototilling means then passes and efficiently and effectively processes the soil so that an even, uniform porous seed bed is formed. The conventional planter unit then forms a furrow, deposits the seeds, and covers up the seeds.

The specialized structure of the tool bar frame allows the front and rear tool bars to be detached from the middle tool bar, leaving the middle tool bar with the rototillers to be used as power cultivators once the planted crops have grown to a sufficient level. The width of coverage of the rototillers is adjustably variable by adding or removing tines of each unit.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the invention in its planting mode showing the relative depths to which the ground working tools function in the ground and is taken along lines 1--1 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the invention in the planting mode.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing only the ground contacting parts of the invention in its planting mode except for the planter drive wheels.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a six row embodiment of the invention in its planting mode.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a six row embodiment of the invention in its cultivator mode.

In reference to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a minimum tillage farm implement 10 in accordance with the invention. A tool bar frame 12 provides the basic support for the various ground working tools which make up the implement. Tool bar frame 12 can be made up of square 2 inch by 2 inch or 3 inch by 3 inch tool bars. The tool bar steel stock can vary in size in accordance with the load put on individual frame members. The implement 10 is attached to three-point hitch 15 (shown in FIGS. 1. 4 and 5), pulled by tractor 14 and utilizes power take-off (PTO) 16 and hydraulic lines (not shown) of tractor 14 for various operational functions.

FIG. 1 shows the structural relationship of the various ground working tools and their positions in the soil while in use. The same combination of elements exists for each row of crop to be planted, and in the preferred embodiment a six row implement is disclosed.

The first ground working tool is a rolling coulter 20 which is attached to front tool bar 22 of tool bar frame 12 by mounting means 24. The coulter itself is hingably attached to mounting means 24 but is dampened by spring 26 which is attached at opposite ends to mounting means 24 and coulter 20 respectively Coulter 20 comprises a round, flat metal disc 28 which is rotatably secured to supports 30 which in turn are hingably connected to mounting means 24. Coulter 20 splits and slices the untilled ground it encounters and most importantly cuts and slices any crop trash that exists from last year's crops which significantly deters any clogging of the chisel plow by the trash.

Rolling coulter 20 is positioned so that upon striking obstacles in the ground and hingeably moving upward it does not come in contact with front tool bar 22.

Disc 28 is generally adjusted to cut through the soil at a depth of approximately 3", the disc being approximately 22" in diameter so that it can effectively cut through even large, heavy trash. Spring 26 biases disc 28 into the ground yet allows it to be resilient to obstacles such as rocks in the soil.

Located directly behind coulter 20 is chisel plow 32 which is attached to front tool bar 22 by mounting means 34. In the preferred embodiment, chisel plow 32 is made of spring steel. It thus will be resilient to the drag and friction it encounters in the ground. Additionally, spring 36, attached at opposite ends to chisel plow 32 and extension arm 37, urges plow 32 forward so that a jerking-type motion is produced by plow 32 as it moves through the soil. There is adequate clearance (generally 5 to 7 inches) between coulters 20 and chisel plows 32 to prevent clogging of soil or trash. Chisel plow 32 is swept back, extending approximately 6-9" into the ground, and falls directly in the path cut by disc 28. The spring steel construction provides chisel plow 32 with resiliency against rocks and other obstacles. Chisel plow 32 is swept back so that the hard compacted soil is effectively broken up but not kicked up, so that the moisture in the soil is retained.

Chisel plow 32 can also have replaceable wear plates at its lower end to facilitate economical replacement of those plates when they become worn.

The small furrow produced by chisel plow 32 is covered and levelled by discs 38 and 40. Discs 38 and 40 are rotatably mounted on axles 42 which are attached to lower arms 44. Lower arms 44 are adjustably connected at elbow members 46 to upper arms 48 which are adjustably attached to mounting means 50 which are attached to front tool bar 22. The fore and aft adjustability of discs 38 and 40 by elbow members 46 can be accomplished by the structure of elbow members 46 shown in FIG. 2. The lower ends 52 of upper arms 48 can be of hemispherical shape, as can the upper ends 54 of lower arms 44. These hemispherical ends 52 and 54 have teeth-like serrations along their edges so that when mated and secured by bolt 56 and nut 58, the mated serrations secure the hemispheres 52 and 54 at that attitude, which hold lower arms 44 and discs 38 and 40 in the desired positions relative to chisel plow 32.

Alternatively, adjustable elbows could be located at axles 42 of discs 38 and 40 so that one-piece arms extend from tool bar 22 to axles 42. Other adjustment variations can also be used.

Discs 38 and 40 are generally positioned so that they engage the ground to a depth of 2". They are also oriented so that they push the soil which has been disturbed by chisel plow 32 back over that narrow furrow and also generally level the ground for proper herbicide incorporation by the rototiller. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the front edges of disc 38 and 40 are spread apart wider than the rear edges for this purpose. Discs 38 and 40 are approximately 22 inches in diameter in the preferred embodiment.

Both rolling coulters 20 and discs 38 and 40 can have conventional disc scrapers (not shown) to clean and help promote cleaner cutter action of these implements.

Following discs 38 and 40 are rototillers 60 which are attached to middle tool bar 62. Referring again to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the attachment to middle tool bar 62 is accomplished by means of upper parallel arms 64 and lower parallel arms 66 on both sides of each rototiller 60. The forwardmost ends of parallel arms 64 and 66 attach hingably to mounting means 68 which in turn is attached to middle tool bar 62. The rearwardmost ends of lower parallel arms 66 are attached to the supporting structure of opposite ends of the axle 80 of rototiller 60 to provide maximum support, while the rearwardmost ends of upper parallel arms 64 are attached to opposite sides of housing 70 of rototiller 60. The parallel upper and lower arms are hingably attached at both ends to allow the rototiller to "float" while at the same time, the weight of the rototiller 60 provides adequate downward force for rototillers 60 to engage the soil to a sufficient depth. Spring loaded assists or weight can be added to meet varying soil conditions. In the preferred embodiment, the length of the tines from tip to tip of the rototiller is approximately 23". Rototillers 60 are powered from the PTO 16 of the tractor which is linked to the rototillers by means of shafts, gear boxes and universal joints. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, PTO 16 extends directly rearward from tractor 14, past front tool bar 22 to a position just below middle tool bar 62, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4. A gearbox 69 is located at that position and converts the lateral rotational forces by turning lateral shaft 71 which is rotatably mounted along the underside of middle tool bar 62. A conventional friction torque limiter (not shown) is added to PTO 16 just ahead of gearbox 69. Individual gearboxes (not shown) are thus mounted directly in front of each rototiller 60 and join rotatable connecting shafts 72 to gearboxes 76 located on housing 70 of rototillers 60. Shafts 74 then again convert the rotational power originating in PTO 16 laterally to chain drive 78. Chain drive 78 turns sprocket 79 of axle 80, as seen in FIG. 3.

Because rototillers 60 are powered from PTO 16 of tractor 14, they can be rotated at various speeds by varying the speed of the tractor engine or by changing gears in gearbox 69 which is advantageous for different treatments of the soil and for different types of soil and different types of soil conditions.

Planter units 82 are connected to rear tool bar 84 by mounting means 86. Like rototillers 60, parallel attachment arms 88 and 90 connect planter units 82 to mounting means 84. Additionally, a down pressure spring attachment 92 is placed between arms 88 and mounting means 84 to aid soil penetration if needed.

Planter unit 82 is of conventional structure having furrow opening means, seed delivery means and furrow closing means. Fertilizer and insecticide can be applied by planter unit 82 as part of the planting action. This fertilizer and insecticide is stored in bin 95 whereas the seeds are stored in bin 94. It can be seen in FIG. 2 that planter units 82 are driven by chain 96 which is connected to drive shaft 98. Lift assist assemblies 100 which include 360.degree. rotatable wheels 102 are also attached to rear tool bar 84 at two centered locations. During transport, lift assist assembly 100 rises to a height whereby none of the ground working tools engages the ground. Tandem lift assist assembly 104 attaches to opposite sides of tool bar frame 12 and utilizes 360.degree. rotatable wheels 106 and 108 and floating axle construction to further support the implement during turning and transport.

FIG. 3 shows how the ground contacting parts of the invention in the planting mode work the soil and plants the seeds along a seed line 110 which is approximately centered in the between-rows area of last year's crop. Numeral 112 designates the depiction of last year's stalks and stubble. As can be seen, coulter 20 is directly followed by chisel plow 32 along seed line 110. Discs 38 and 40, in their angular orientation, then follow chisel plow 32. Tines 114, attached to axle 80 of rototiller 60, cover the area approximately 10-12 inches wide and surrounding seed line 110. Planter unit 82 has furrow opening discs 116 and compacting wheels 118 which open a planting furrow in the fine rototilled soil and compact the walls of the furrow in preparation for seed tube 120 to deposit seeds in the furrow. Finally, closing wheels 122 cover up the seeds with loose soil.

Implement 10 is adjustable so that it may be used in at least two modes. Mode 1 is depicted in FIG. 4 whereby the total structure described above is utilized in presenting a six row minimum tillage planter. The components are arranged so that the six sets of ground working tools are attached to tool bar frame 112. Stalks and stubble 112 is completely untouched by implement 10 in this mode whereas the ground inbetween is tilled by coulters 20, chisels 32, discs 38 and 40, and rototillers 60. Planter units 82 then follow, depositing seeds 124 along seedline 110. FIG. 4 also shows planter drive wheels 126 which are connected by chains to drive shaft 98 as seen in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows the second mode of operation of implement 10. Front and rear tool bars 22 and 84 are removed by detaching front interconnecting frame members 128 and rear interconnecting frame members 130 from middle tool bar 62. An extender tool bar 132 is then added to one end of middle tool bar 62 and with it an additional rototiller 60. Tractor 14 is then attached to middle tool bar 62 in a manner in which the seven rototillers are positioned between the now planted rows 133 of crops so that they may cultivate the trash and any weeds that have grown inbetween new rows 133. To facilitate the shift of the rototillers a half a row over in the cultivator mode, a second gearbox 138 is positioned along lateral shaft 71 so that upon hitching of tractor 14 to middle tool bar 62 in cultivator mode 2, PTO 16 can extend straight back allowing the seven rototillers 60 to be balanced. This allows PTO shaft 16 to remain straight from tractor 14 to the tool bar frame 12 regardless what mode the implement 10 is in. The width of coverage of rototillers 60 can be determined by adding or subtracting tines 114 to axle 80. Generally, a lesser number of tines 14 will be used when in the planting mode and a greater number will be used to get maximum cultivation coverage in mode 2. Additionally, conventional stabilizing coulters (not shown) can be added to the middle tool bar 62 to stabilize the cultivator's direction of travel in the second mode.

In operation, the planting mode functions as follows. With particular reference to FIG. 3, it can be seen that after implement 10 has been transported and lowered by three point hitch 15 and lift assist assemblies 100 and 104 to its operative position in the soil, coulters 20 slice and cut through any trash along the seed lines. Chisel plows 32 then cut and plow out narrow channels approximately 6-9" deep along seed lines 110. Disc pairs 38 and 40 subsequently cover and level the ground to either side of seed lines 110. Rototillers 60, rotating at comparatively high revolutions per minute, break up and finely till the soil to produce an even, level seedbed of fine, porous soil which is capable of better moisture absorption than other methods. Planter units 82 then follow and work as described above. At the end of each row, lift assist assemblies 100 and 104 are actuated, implement 10 is lifted from its operative position, and tractor 14 and implement 10 are turned around and repositioned for another pass through the field. FIG. 4 depicts implement 10 in the planting mode as it would appear in operation. Implement 10 thus combines the processes of tillage and planting into one pass, producing the cost saving benefits which have been described above.

Additionally, the preferred embodiment of the invention has the added advantage of efficiently and effectively incorporating herbicide into the soil in bands in and around the seedbeds prepared by rototillers 60. This is accomplished by connecting a liquid herbicide supply via supply lines 134 to nozzles 136 inside of each housing 70 of rototillers 60. Herbicide supply tanks can be mounted on tractor on implement or on trailing containers hitched to the implement. By utilizing such structure, the herbicide is shielded from wind, is sprayed only in the narrow paths which become the seedbeds, and is thoroughly and optimally incorporated into the soil by the rototiller 60. Additional shields (not shown) can be added to each end of tines 114 to provide uniform herbicide incorporation and to better provide for a level seed bed. It has been found that incorporation by rototillers is the most effective and most efficient manner of applying herbicides because the thorough mixing of the soil and the precise, most beneficial depth of incorporation can be controlled.

Likewise, insecticide and fertilizer can be applied either through conventional planter units 82 or by other means which can be placed upon implement 10. Anhydrous ammonia or liquid nitrogen can be applied by mounting hoses directly behind chisel plows 32. Supply tanks can be carried on tractor 14, on implement 10, or on trailing containers hitched to the implement.

Pumps to convey herbicides or fertilizer can be powered by the tractor's hydraulic system or by rotational power from the tractor's power take-off, as supplied to gearbox 69.

The second mode of implement 10, the cultivator mode, becomes operational by removing front and rear tool bars 22 and 84 and hitching tractor 14 to remaining middle tool bar 62. Additional tines 114 are added to axles 80 of rototillers 60 to widen the coverage of rototillers 60. Weeds are not a problem in the actual crop rows because of the effective incorporation of herbicide when planting. In fact, weeds are encouraged to grow in between the rows during early stages of growth to deter wind and water erosion. At a suitable time after the crops have grown, a pass is made with cultivator mode 2 of implement 10 with the rototiller 62 operating at a comparitively lower revolutions per minute so that the weed growth in between the rows is simply cut off approximately just below ground level and the trash in the rows is mulched. This leaves additional ground cover, again deterring erosion, while at the same time cutting down the weeds.

Thus, with two passes, the crops have been effectively planted and effectively cultivated. An additional cultivation may be desirable, otherwise no other field work is needed until harvest.

It is to be noted that mounting means 24, 34, 50, 68, and 86 can be any suitable securing hardward adaptable to secure the ground working tools to tool bars 22, 62, or 84. Securing hardware to accomplish this purpose is known in the art.

Conventional marker devices can also be hingeably mounted to opposite sides of tool bar frame 12 and have hydraulically-powered variable speed discs at their extreme ends. These markers can be dropped and pulled through non-planted ground to provide a marker line for the operator to gauge straight rows with on the return pass of implement 10. The variable speed discs allow the operator to choose what rotational speed leaves the most visible mark in different trash, light and soil conditions. The discs would have angled edges to aid penetration in hard soils or heavy trash.

Thus it can be seen the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. It is to be noted that modifications and alterations can be made while staying within the boundaries of the invention.