Furrow closing system and method

Abstract

Agricultural planter row units feature soil finishing assemblies for closing a seed groove after seed is placed in the soil. An adjustable furrow closing assembly enhances upper seed groove coverage and closure with soil resulting in sustained relative humidity levels and optimum seed-to-soil contact for faster seed germination. The furrow closing assembly includes a closing wheel assembly having at least one closing wheel and a press wheel assembly having a press wheel following behind the closing wheels. The closing wheels and press wheel are attached to the planter row unit in a manner allowing the press wheel to move vertically relative to the closing wheels. Adjustable down-force systems are provided to vary the down force applied to the closing wheels and the press wheel to maintain optimum soil contact in irregular terrain and in varying soil densities and conditions to provide optimum soil coverage and compaction of the seed bed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A planter row unit for an agricultural seeder, comprising:
 a row unit subframe;   a furrow opener mounted to said subframe for creating a furrow in which seeds can be deposited;   a furrow closing assembly pivotally mounted to said subframe, said furrow closing assembly comprising:
 at least one closing wheel rotatably attached to a closing wheel arm assembly and adapted to move soil into the furrow created by said furrow opener; 
 a press wheel rotatably attached to a press wheel arm assembly and adapted to roll over a soil surface behind said closing wheel; 
 said press wheel arm assembly and said closing wheel arm assembly being moveable relative to each other to allow relative vertical movement between said closing wheel and said press wheel during operation; 
 a first down-force system arranged between said subframe and a point on said furrow closing assembly for biasing said furrow closing assembly in a downward direction; 
 a second down-force system arranged between said press wheel arm assembly and said closing wheel arm assembly for transferring down force between said press wheel and said closing wheel; and 
 a means for adjusting at least one of said first and second down-force systems remotely to change an amount of down force imparted thereby. 
   
     
     
         2 . The planter row unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said first down-force system is adjustable remotely for changing an amount of down force imparted to said furrow closing assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The planter row unit according to  claim 2 , wherein said first down-force system comprises a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or an electric actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The planter row unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said second down-force system is adjustable remotely for changing an amount of down force imparted to said closing wheel and said press wheel, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The planter row unit according to  claim 4 , wherein said second down-force system comprises a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or an electric actuator. 
     
     
         6 . A method of closing a furrow during agricultural planting, comprising:
 providing a planter row unit having a furrow closing assembly with at least one closing wheel followed by a rolling press wheel; and   adjusting a down force imparted to said rolling press wheel and/or said closing wheel from a remote location during a planting operation.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said down force is adjusted by using a down-force system arranged between a subframe of said planter row unit and a point on said furrow closing assembly for biasing said furrow closing assembly in a downward direction. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said down force is adjusted by using a down-force system arranged between an arm assembly for said press wheel and an arm assembly for said closing wheel and transferring down force between said press wheel and said closing wheel.