Implement support assembly

Abstract

A tillage coulter unit ( 22, 122 ) adapted for use with a farm implement ( 10 ) is provided which permits high speed 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, 122 ) includes an upright, rotatable coulter blade ( 26, 130 ) with a gauge assembly ( 28, 132 ) operable to limit the depth of the coulter blade into soil and to minimize soil disruption. The gauge assembly ( 28, 132 ) preferably includes a pair of elongated, shiftable belt or chain loops ( 74, 212, 214 ) positioned in straddling relationship and astride the blade ( 26, 130 ). The loops ( 74, 212, 214 ) present lower runs ( 96, 212 a , 214 a ) which substantially contact the soil as the unit ( 22, 122 ) traverses a field.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A mobile tillage assembly adapted for mounting on an implement tool bar for traversal over soil, said tillage assembly comprising:
 a frame assembly;   mounting structure including first pivot mechanism operable to secure said frame assembly to said tool bar and to permit pivoting of the frame assembly about a first, generally horizontal axis, said frame assembly extending downwardly from said first pivot mechanism;   a tillage tool supported by said frame assembly and operable to penetrate the soil during said traversal; and   a gauge assembly operable to maintain the tillage tool in the earth during said traversal, comprising—
 an elongated, fore-and-aft extending plate assembly; 
 a pair of spaced apart ground-engaging components supported by said plate assembly; 
 second pivot mechanism operably coupling said plate assembly to said frame assembly between said components, said second pivot mechanism operable to permit pivoting movement of the plate assembly relative to said frame assembly and about a second, generally horizontal axis below said first axis; and 
 a piston and cylinder assembly operably coupled with said frame assembly for selectively exerting downwardly forces on said frame assembly in order to maintain said components in contact with the soil. 
   
     
     
         2 . The tillage assembly of  claim 1 , said tillage tool comprising a coulter blade rotatable about a coulter axis. 
     
     
         3 . The tillage assembly of  claim 2 , said second axis and said coulter rotational axis being coincident. 
     
     
         4 . The tillage assembly of  claim 1 , each of said components comprising a sprocket operably secured to said plate assembly, and a shiftable element operably coupled with the sprocket. 
     
     
         5 . The tillage assembly of  claim 4 , said shiftable elements being respective portions of a continuous loop trained about said sprockets. 
     
     
         6 . The tillage assembly of  claim 1 , said piston and cylinder assembly being pivotally coupled with said mounting structure and said frame. 
     
     
         7 . A farm implement comprising:
 a mobile form adapted to traverse the soil and including a tool bar; and   a plurality of tillage assemblies supported by said tool bar, each of said tillage assemblies comprising—
 a frame assembly; 
 mounting structure including first pivot mechanism operable to secure said frame assembly to said tool bar and to permit pivoting of the frame assembly about a first, generally horizontal axis, said frame assembly extending downwardly from said first pivot mechanism; 
 a tillage tool supported by said frame assembly and operable to penetrate the soil during said traversal; and 
 a gauge assembly operable to maintain the tillage tool in the earth during said traversal, comprising—
 an elongated, fore-and-aft extending plate assembly; 
 a pair of spaced apart ground-engaging components supported by said plate assembly; 
 second pivot mechanism operably coupling said plate assembly to said frame assembly between said components, said second pivot mechanism operable to permit pivoting movement of the plate assembly relative to said frame assembly and about a second, generally horizontal axis below said first axis; and 
 a piston and cylinder assembly operably coupled with said frame assembly for selectively exerting downwardly forces on said frame assembly in order to maintain said components in contact with the soil. 
 
   
     
     
         8 . The implement of  claim 7 , said tillage tool comprising a coulter blade rotatable about a coulter axis. 
     
     
         9 . The implement of  claim 8 , said second axis and said coulter rotational axis being coincident. 
     
     
         10 . The implement of  claim 7 , each of said components comprising a sprocket operably secured to said plate assembly, and a shiftable element operably coupled with the sprocket. 
     
     
         11 . The implement of  claim 10 , said shiftable elements being respective portions of a continuous loop trained about said sprockets. 
     
     
         12 . The implement of  claim 7 , said piston and cylinder assembly being pivotally coupled with said mounting structure and said frame.