Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02574250 2013-07-11
FERTILIZER INJECTOR WING FOR DISC OPENERS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for
placement of fertilizer and seed during planting of an agricultural crop. More
specifically,
the present invention concerns a fertilizer injector wing that affixes to a
seed boot of a low
disturbance disc opener and a method of using the winged opener to place a
seed row and a
dedicated band of fertilizer at an optimum geometric positional alignment
relative to the seed
= 15
row. The inventive wing and method of use enables a toxic charge of
fertilizer (e.g., a charge
containing the entire nutrient package to sustain season long growth) to be
placed in close
proximity with the seed row in a single, relatively high speed, low soil
disturbing planting
pass of relatively simple, durable equipment without damaging the germination
of the seed
or disrupting the seed bed.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Farmers are increasingly utilizing no-tillage planting techniques to produce
all types of crops. No-till planting typically utilizes a rotatable disc
opener, or drill, that
fractures the soil into a furrow thereby creating a disturbed soil zone
wherein a seed bed can
be formed for seed placement therein, prior to closing the furrow. The disc
opener is
designed to minimize the soil disturbance leaving the stubble, or organic
matter, from the
previous crop standing in the field, which in turn reduces water runoff in the
field, thereby
greatly reducing erosion of the top soil. The furrow opening, seed bed
formation, seed
placement, and furrow closing are typically done in a single pass with a disc
opener that
includes a rotatable disc, a seed boot, and a closing wheel. Prior art low
disturbance disc
= openers are well known in the art and are available from most OEMs. One
exemplary no-till
disc opener is the John Deere 1890 No-Till Air Drill.
While no-till farming greatly reduces the escape of CO2 by reducing the
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mineralization of the organic matter in the soil, it also undesirably prevents
the release of
organic nitrogen into the soil, which is needed by the new seedlings in order
to grow. It is
known in the art to add an ammoniacal fertilizer to the soil, either with a
pre-planting
application of fertilizer or applying fertilizer at the time of planting, in
order to enhance the
yield of the produced crop. The most prevalent ammoniacal fertilizer utilized
is anhydrous
ammonia, however, it is known to use other ammoniacal fertilizers including
aqua ammonia,
ammoniac based liquified urea, and other ammoniac based solutions such as
Solution 32(32-
0-0), Solution 28 (28-0-0), etc. It is also known to add other, Idss toxic
fertilizers to the
soil as well as other control agents, in addition to the ammoniacal fertilizer
such as
ammoniated phosphate (e.g., 10-34-0, etc.), potassium, sulfur, mustard meal,
etc. These
fertilizers and agents can be dual placed with the ammoniacal fertilizer,
through processes
known as double or triple shooting, or can be independently placed after the
ammoniacal
fertilizer is placed.
Prior art no-till fertilizer placement methods include top dressing the
fertilizer
and banding the fertilizer. Top dressing, orbroadcasting, typically sprays the
fertilizer on top
of the field prior to planting or over the crop after the seedlings have
sufficiently grown
above the surface. However, top dressing does not involve placing the
fertilizer in the top
soil. Banding the fertilizer involves placing the fertilizer in a specified
location in the ground
either prior to planting, during the planting process, or after the seedlings
have sufficiently
grown above the surface. Prior art banding methods include mid-row banding,
paired row
banding, and cross row feeding. Mid-row banding requires an additional opener,
dedicated
to the fertilizer, to open a furrow between two seed rows, where the
fertilizer is placed. Seed
rows must be typically spaced ten inches a part, with the mid-row band being
five inches
from each seed row. An exemplary mid-row banding opener is the John Deere 1895
Separate
Fertilizer Placement Tool. Paired row banding also requires an additional,
dedicated opener
to create a separate furrow for the fertilizer, however, a pair of seed rows
are spaced closer
together, for example, five inches apart, with the fertilizer band placed
between the paired
row, and adjacent groups of paired rows are further spaced, for example
fifteen inches apart.
In cross row feeding, a deep band of fertilizer (e.g., six inches below the
surface) is placed
beneath each seed row and the seed rows are placed close together, for example
three and
one-half inches apart. In order to obtain the deep banding, cross row feeding
requires either
a dedicated opener for the deeper fertilizer furrow or a knife positioned
behind the opener
disc for placing the fertilizer deeper than the seed row. An exemplary cross
row feeding
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opener is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,140,917 (the "Swanson '917 patent")
issued to the
inventor of the current application Although
not
technically considered banding, it is also known to place non-toxic amounts of
popup
fertilizer in the seed row during planting and then subsequently place the
toxic charge in the
soil after the seedling has sufficiently grown, for example, by side dressing.
One exemplary
device to place popup fertilizer in the seed row is disclosed in U.S. Patent
No. 6,453,832.
These prior art no-till fertilizing methods are problematic and subject to
several limitations. For example, with both mid-row banding and paired row
banding, each
fertilizer row must be shared by at least two seed rows thereby reducing the
effectiveness of
the fertilizer available to any one row and thus undesirably diminishing the
yield. Mid-row
banding is further problematic in that the fertilizer must be remotely placed
from the seed
rows thereby undesirably allowing weeds exposed along the fertilizer furrow
better access
to the band than the remote seed rows. These problems were identified and
discussed in the
Swanson '917 patent previously incorporated herein. Although cross row feeding
was an
advance in the art and solved many of the problems discussed above, cross row
feeding, like
all of the prior art banding methods, require separate openers, or deep
running knives, to cut
the opening for the fertilizer bands. This additional cutting equipment is
undesirable for
several reasons, including increased purchase and maintenance costs, increased
horsepower
requirements to pull the cutting equipment, and increased weed-activating and
erosive soil
disturbance. Furthermore, excessive soil disturbance is undesirable because it
exposes
moisture rich top soil to the atmosphere thereby allowing the moisture to be
lost and thus
unavailable to the germinating seed. Moreover, it has been determined that,
when deeply
placed, the toxic ammoniacal charge undesirably migrates with wetting front
line and
undesirably away from the germinating seed roots. Placement of popup
fertilizer in the seed
row is problematic as it requires at least two equipment passes through the
field and
undesirably prevents the seeds access to the toxic charge of fertilizer during
the critical
germination stage thereby limiting yield. Accordingly, there is a need for an
apparatus and/or
method of planting that allows producers to place a dedicated toxic charge of
ammoniacal
nitrogen and phosphate in the soil during planting at an optimum position
relative to the seed
row using efficient equipment that does not disturb the soil seed bed or
create excessive soil
disturbance.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a unique fertilizer injector wing that affixes
to a seed boot of a low disturbance disc opener that enables an improved
method of placing
a seed row with a dedicated band of fertilizer at an optimum geometric
positional aligrunent
relative to the seed row. The inventive wing and method of use enables a toxic
charge of
fertilizer (e.g., a charge containing the entire nutrient package to sustain
season long growth)
to be placed in close proximity with the seed row in a single, low soil
disturbing planting pass
without damaging the germination o f the seed or disrupting the seed bed. The
inventive wing
enables a relatively simple, yet durable low disturbance opener capable of
relatively high
speed use. The inventive dedicated band placement reduces weed growth and
moisture loss
and enables better crop yield with less fertilizer requirements resulting in
decreased expense
and reduced polluting of the environment with nitrogen.
A first aspect of the present invention concerns a furrow opener broadly
including a rotatable disc operable to be pulled in a forward direction to
thereby open a
furrow, a seed boot fixed relative to one side of the disc and being operable
to insert seed in
the furrow, and a fertilizer injector wing fixed to the seed boot and being
operable to form
a fertilizer bed and inject fertilizer therein. The seed boot presents an
outboard side distally
spaced from the disc. The fertilizer injector wing is positioned adjacent the
outboard side of
the seed boot so that the seed boot is positioned between the disc and wing.
The fertilizer
injector wing includes an outboard portion positioned below the outboard side
of the seed
boot and angling away therefrom.
A second aspect ofthe present invention concerns a method of simultaneously
applying a toxic charge of ammoniacal fertilizer in close proximity with seed.
The method
broadly includes the steps of (a) fixing a seed boot relative to a rotatable
disc and positioning
the boot on one side thereof, (b) fixing a fertilizer injector wing to the
seed boot and laterally
spacing the wing from the boot so that the seed boot is positioned between
said disc and
wing, (c) pulling the disc through the soil to thereby open an elongated
furrow wherein said
disc creates a zone of disturbed soil in the furrow, (d) pulling the seed boot
and injector wing
through the furrow to form a seed bed within the disturbed soil zone and to
simultaneously
form a fertilizer bed in communication with the furrow and spaced to one side
of the seed bed
so that a berm is formed between the seed and fertilizer beds, (e) placing
seed along the seed
bed, and (f) placing ammoniacal fertilizer along the fertilizer bed.
A third aspect of the present invention concerns a fertilizer injector wing
for
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use with a furrow opener wherein the furrow opener includes a disc that
rotates in a forward
direction to open a furrow and a seed boot that forms a seed bed in the furrow
and inserts
seed therein. The injector wing broadly includes an inline portion operable to
engage the
seed boot and presenting a generally linear axis of orientation, an outboard
portion positioned
below the inline portion and angling away therefrom, a leading edge at least
partially
disposed along the outboard portion and being configured to cut a slot in
communication with
the furrow adjacent the seed bed, and a terminal orifice in a linearly aligned
trailing
relationship with the leading edge and being configured to inject in
ammoniacal fertilizer
into the slot. The axis of orientation is generally parallel to vertical when
the inline portion
engages the seed boot. The terminal orifice is spaced below and laterally
spaced from the
inline portion.
A fourth aspect of the present invention concerns a furrow opener broadly
including a rotatable disc operable to be pulled over ground in a forward
direction to thereby
open a furrow therein, a seed boot fixed relative to one side of the disc and
being operable
to insert seed in the furrow, and a fertilizer injector wing fixed to the seed
boot. The seed
boot presents an outboard side distally spaced from the disc. The seed boot
includes a seed
outlet operable to discharge seed into the furrow. The seed outlet defines an
outlet axis
extending generally parallel to the direction seed is discharged. The
fertilizer injector wing
is positioned adjacent the outboard side of the seed boot so that at least a
portion of the seed
boot is positioned between the disc and wing. The fertilizer injector wing
includes at least
one nozzle operable to inject fertilizer into the furrow. The at least one
nozzle defines an
injection axis extending generally parallel to the direction fertilizer is
injected. The injection
axis extends nonparallel relative to the outlet axis so as to define an offset
angle
therebetween. The offset angle is between about five and about thirty degrees.
A fifth aspect of the present invention concerns a method of simultaneously
applying a toxic charge of ammoniacal fertilizer in close proximity with seed.
The method
broadly includes the steps of (a) fixing a seed boot relative to a rotatable
disc and positioning
the boot on one side thereof, (b) fixing a fertilizer injector wing to said
seed boot and laterally
spacing the wing from the boot so that the seed boot is positioned between
said disc and
wing, (c) pulling the disc through the soil to thereby open an elongated
furrow wherein said
disc creates a zone of disturbed soil in the furrow, (d) pulling the seed boot
and injector wing
through the furrow to form a seed bed within the disturbed soil zone, (e)
dropping seed along
a seed-placement axis into the seed bed, and (f) simultaneously injecting
ammoniacal
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fertilizer along an injection axis into the furrow outside of the seed bed,
wherein the seed-
placement and injection axes are offset by an offset angle of between about
five and about
thirty degrees.
A sixth aspect of the present invention concerns a fertilizer injector wing
for
use with a furrow opener wherein the furrow opener includes a disc that
rotates in a forward
direction over ground to open a furrow therein and a seed boot that forms a
seed bed in the
furrow and inserts seed therein. The injector wing broadly includes a housing
operable to
engage the seed boot, and a nozzle supported on the housing and being
configured to inject
an arrunoniacal fertilizer into the furrow. The nozzle includes a terminal
orifice through
which fertilizer is injected into the furrow. The nozzle defines an injection
axis extending
generally parallel to the direction fertilizer is injected. The injection axis
extends nonparallel
relative to vertical relative to the ground so as to define an offset angle
between the injection
axis and vertical. The offset angle is between about five and about thirty
degrees.
In a preferred embodiment, the fertilizer injector wing is configured to cut
the
fertilizer bed in the disturbed soil zone or at the event horizon of the
furrow so the fertilizer
bed is adjacent and at or slightly below the seed bed. The preferred injector
wing injects a
toxic charge of liquid anhydrous ammonia and ammoniated phosphate in a single
dedicated
fertilizer band along the fertilizer bed. All single disc openers can be
improved with the
injector wing. Toxic plant food materials can be added in close proximity to
the radicle and
seminal roots as they explore the soil for nutrients. Root cap burning can be
avoided by
geometrically or positionally locating the plant food to the side and slightly
below the seed
row. The smaller lateral hair roots proceeding away from the radicle or
seminal roots explore
the soil horizontally and wander into the dedicated band of placed plant
nutrients. The lateral
fine hair roots colonize around and through the band of concentrated nutrients
while main
radicle or the main pair of seminal roots proceed downward in a naturally
geotropic response.
The positional location of the placed nutrients will not harm the germination
of the seed or
bum the root cap of the radicle or the root cap of the first pair of seminal
roots. The injector
wing eliminates the need to add an additional row of mid-row fertilizer
banding units to feed
two rows of crop seed. The injector wing provides leveraged fertility to each
seed row.
Therefore the additional cost, maintenance and soil tillage moisture loss is
removed from the
initial and operational cost of the seeding machine.
In another preferred embodiment, the injector wing does not cut a separate
fertilizer bed, but rather injects the toxic fertilizer at an offset angle
relative to the seed bed
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at a sufficient force to geometrically or positionally locate the plant food
to the side and
slightly below the seed row. In this preferred embodiment, phosphate
fertilizer is injected
ahead of the toxic fertilizer so that triammonium polyphosphate sulfate
crystals are formed
in the furrow.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from
the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the
accompanying
drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with
reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a tractor pulling a two gang air seeder
and
a tow-behind fertilizer cart, with the seeder including a plurality of single
disc openers
constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
and each
including a fertilizer injector wing coupled to a seed boot;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the right-handed disc
openers illustrated in FIG. 1 removed from the tool bar of the air seeder;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the left side of the seeder illustrated
in
FIG. 1 schematically showing the placement of the single dedicated bands of
fertilizer with
each seed row;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the left-handed disc openers
illustrated in FIG. 1 removed from the tool bar of the air seeder;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged front perspective view of the seed boot and fertilizer
injector wing removed from the disc opener illustrated in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged rear elevational view of the seed boot and fertilizer
injector wing illustrated in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the seed boot and fertilizer injector wing
illustrated
in FIGS. 5 and 6, rotated one-hundred and eighty degrees and shown with the
disc;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the disc (shown in section), seed boot, and
fertilizer injector wing illustrated in FIG. 7 shown with the disc opening a
furrow, the seed
boot forming a seed bed in the disturbed soil zone in the furrow and placing a
seed therein,
and the fertilizer injector wing forming a fertilizer bed in communication
with the furrow;
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FIG. 9 is view of the furrow similar to FIG. 8 with the opener removed and
shown after the fertilizer injector wing has injected the fertilizer band into
the fertilizer bed,
the firming wheel has pressed the seed into the soil, and the closing wheel
has closed the
furrow illustrating the geometric positional alignment of the seed and
fertilizer beds isolated
by the berm;
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the right-handed opener illustrated in FIG.
2 showing the vertical depth spacing of the seed bed and fertilizer bed formed
by the opener;
FIG. 11 is greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view ofthe fertilizer
injector
wing illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 showing the toxic and non-toxic fertilizer
injector nozzles;
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a right-handed fertilizer injector wing
constructed in accordance with a preferred alternative embodiment of the
present invention
and having a seed guard and control agent delivery tube;
FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a disc, a seed boot, and a left-handed
fertilizer injector wing of a disc opener constructed in accordance with a
second preferred
alternative embodiment of the present invention and having the non-toxic and
trailing toxic
fertilizer injector nozzles recessed relative to the lower-most margin of the
seed boot and
presenting injection axes offset from the seed outlet axis;
FIG. 14 is a is a perspective view of the disc (shown in section), seed boot,
and fertilizer injector wing illustrated in FIG. 13 shown with the disc
opening a furrow, the
seed boot forming a seed bed in the disturbed soil zone in the furrow and
placing a seed
therein, and the fertilizer injector wing injecting the fertilizer band into
the ground illustrating
the geometric positional alignment of the seed bed and the fertilizer band
isolated therefrom;
FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a disc, a scraper-and-tube type seed
boot,
and a left-handed fertilizer injector wing of a disc opener constructed in
accordance with a
third preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention and having the
non-toxic and
trailing toxic fertilizer injector nozzles recessed relative to the lower-most
margin of the seed
boot and presenting injection axes offset from the seed outlet axis;
FIG. 16 is a is a perspective view of the disc (shown in section), seed boot
(shown with the seed guard removed), and fertilizer injector wing illustrated
in FIG. 15
shown with the disc opening a furrow, the seed boot forming a seed bed in the
disturbed soil
zone in the furrow and placing a seed therein, and the fertilizer injector
wing injecting the
fertilizer band into the ground illustrating the geometric positional
alignment of the seed bed
and the fertilizer band isolated therefrom.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates a tractor T pulling an air seeder 10 and a tow-behind
fertilizer cart 12 configured for seeding and fertilizing a field G for crop
production. The
seeder 10 includes a plurality of single disc openers 14 constructed in
accordance with the
principles of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with
representative right and
left disc openers 14a and 14b, respectively, being illustrated in detail in
FIGS. 2-11. While
the principles of the present invention are particularly well suited for low
disturbance, no-
tillage single disc applications, these principles could be readily applied to
virtually any
seeding and/or fertilizer application in which a furrow is opened for in-
ground placement of
the seed and/or fertilizer. Furthermore, the principles of the present
invention are not limited
to the production of any particular crop and can readily be adapted to
virtually all crops
generated by in-ground placement of seed and/or fertilizer. The illustrated
opener 14b
broadly includes a drawbar assembly 16, a disc assembly 18 including a coulter
disc 20 and
a gauge wheel 22, a seed boot 24, a fertilizer injector wing 26, a firming
wheel assembly 28,
and a closing wheel assembly 30.
Turning initially to FIGS. 1 and 3, the illustrated seeder 10 is a two gang,
double winged seeder configured to draw sixty-four openers 14 spaced on seven
and one-half
inch centers. However, and as will be further described below, the layout of
the plurality of
openers 14 could be variously configured in any manner known in the art,
including any
alternative suitable numbers, spacing, and ranking of the openers. In one
manner well known
in the art, the seeder 10 includes a two gang, winged frame assembly 32
adjustably supported
by a plurality of road wheels 34 and coupled to the tractor T by a floating
hitch 36. As will
become apparent, virtually any conventional seeder could be modified with the
inventive
openers 14 described in detail below. One exemplary seeder suitable for
modification in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is the No-Till
Air Drill
available from John Deere as Model No. 1890. However, the seeder 10 could be
variously
alternatively configured and virtually any commercially available no-till
seeder will suffice.
It will be appreciated that the seeder 10 could be pulled by any suitable
power source known
in the art.
Turning now to FIGS. 2-11, the representative right opener 14a is shown in
FIGS. 2 and 10 with the representative left opener 14b being shown in FIGS. 3-
9 and 11.
The right opener 14a is a mirror image of the left opener 14b, but is
otherwise virtually
identically configured. Accordingly, only the left opener 14b will be
described in detail with
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the understanding that the other openers 14, left and right, are similarly
constructed. It will
be appreciated that the opener 14b includes several conventional components in
one manner
well known in the art, including the drawbar assembly 16, the disc assembly
18, the seed boot
24, the firming wheel assembly 28, and the closing wheel assembly 30,
therefore, these
conventional components will only be briefly described with the understanding
that they
could be configured in any suitable manner.
The drawbar assembly 16 brackets to one of the toolbars of the frame
assembly 32 and thereby pulls the other components of the opener 14b behind
the toolbar
while yieldably biasing the components downwardly into firm engagement with
the ground
G. The disc 20 of the disc assembly 18 is rotatably supported (e.g., by an
axle, etc.) on the
drawbar 16 and engages the ground G when in an operating position, i.e., when
the guage
wheel 22 engages the ground G. When in the operating position, as the disc 20
is pulled in
a forward direction (e.g., left-to-right as viewed in FIG. 1 and in the
direction of the arrow
as shown in FIG. 3), the disc 20 cuts through the field G thereby fracturing
the ground and
creating an elongated furrow F therein (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The disc 20 is
adjustable relative
to the gauge wheel 22 to adjust the depth of the bottom dead center of the
disc 20 relative to
the surface of the ground G. In this manner, the depth of the furrow F, as
controlled by the
bottom dead center position of the disc 20, can be adjusted to several
different depth settings
between zero to deep settings. For example, in the illustrated opener I 4b, in
a shallow
setting, the bottom dead center position may be one and one-half inches below
the surface
of the ground G and three and one-half inches below the surface G when in a
deep setting.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the leading edge of the disc 20 is angled relative
to the forward
direction of travel preferably being offset therefrom between one and ten
degrees, and most
preferably about seven degrees offset. In this regard, when the disc 20 opens
the furrow F,
it creates a zone of disturbed soil Z, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, within the
furrow F trailing
the leading edge of the disc 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the offset orientation of
the disc 20
creates a shadow area SA behind the disc 20 as the disc 20 is pulled in the
forward direction.
The seed boot 24 is fixed relative to the disc 20, for example fixed to the
drawbar 16, and preferably rides in the shadow SA of the disc 20 to prevent
excessive wear
of the boot 24. As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the seed boot 24 presents a lower-most
margin 38
that is configured to engage the disturbed soil zone Z as the boot 24 is
pulled there through
to thereby form a seed bed BS in the furrow F (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The seed
boot 24 defines
a seed tube 40 presenting a terminal seed port 42. As the boot 24 is pulled in
the forward
CA 02574250 2007-01-16
direction, seed S is deposited along the seed bed BS (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The
seed boot 24
is adjustably fixed relative to the disc 20 and can be adjusted between
shallow, medium, and
deep settings, as further described below. The illustrated seeder 10 is an air
seeder and in this
regard the seed tube 40 is in air communication with a seed tank 44 by a hose
46 (see FIGS.
1 and 4). However, the seed delivery could be alternatively configured,
including metered
delivery such as singulation or otherwise. Additionally, the seed boot 24
could be variously
configured, such as including a seed deflector, and need not include, for
example, the one-
piece configuration as illustrated. Seed boot, as that term is used herein,
refers to the seed
delivery structure that forms the seed bed and deposits the seed therein in
single disc openers
and is not limited to any particular manufacturer's equipment, regardless of
the terminology
assigned to the delivery structure by the manufacturer. For example, the term
seed boot
includes the combination of a scraper and seed tube as disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 6,386,127
assigned to Case Corporation and incorporated herein by reference. As
described in detail
below, the fertilizer injector wing 26 places fertilzers N and P adjacent the
seed bed BS.
Once the seed S and has been deposited along the seed bed BS, the firming
wheel 28 is pulled along the seed bed BS to firmly press the seed S into the
top soil along the
seed bed BS. After the seed S and fertilizers N and P have been properly
placed in the furrow
F, the closing wheel 30 is pulled adjacent the furrow F to thereby close the
furrow F. As
previously indicated, the illustrated opener 14b could be any conventional
opener that is
modified with the inventive fertilizer injector wing 26 as will be
subsequently described in
detail. Exemplary suitable openers for modification are the openers
commercially available
on the John Deere 1890 No-Till Air Drill. However, the utilized opener could
be variously
configured and could include more or less components in any suitable manner
known in the
art.
The inventive fertilizer injector wing 26, perhaps as best illustrated in
FIGS.
4-8 and 11, is configured for fixed attachment to the seed boot 24 and when
affixed thereto
places fertilizer, including a toxic charge of fertilizer N, in close
proximity with the seed row
S at an optimal geometric position relative thereto without damaging the
germination of the
seed S or disrupting the seed bed BS. Particularly, the illustrated wing 26
includes a body
48, a toxic fertilizer injector 50, and a non-toxic fertilizer injector 52. In
more detail, the
illustrated body 48 includes an upper inline portion 54 and a lower outboard
portion 56. The
inline portion 54 is generally linearly extending with a flat, low profile and
is configured to
couple to the outboard, or trailing wall of the seed boot 24 by a pair of
allen-type screws 58.
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The inline portion 54 preferably closely engages the side of the boot 24 and
rides in the
shadow of the seed boot 24. That is to say, the inline portion 54 preferably
does not extend
below the lower-most margin 38 of the boot 24 or stick out beyond the leading
edge of the
boot 24 when the opener 14b is pulled in the forward direction. In this
manner, the inline
portion 54 preferably is protected from engaging the soil and/or debris in the
field G by the
boot 24.
For purposes that will subsequently be described, the outboard portion 56 is
configured to extend below the margin 38 of the boot 24 so as not to ride in
the shadow of
the seed boot 24. In this regard, the body 48 is configured to adjustably
affix to the outside
of the boot 24 and includes a pair of upper screw-receiving apertures 60 and a
pair of lower
screw-receiving apertures 62 formed in the inline portion 54. In this manner,
the inline
portion 54 can be affixed to the boot 24 in either a low position,
corresponding to the screws
58 being in the upper apertures 60 (as shown in FIG. 5) or a high position,
corresponding to
the screws 58 being in the lower apertures 62, to thereby adjust the depth of
the outboard
portion 56 relative to the lower-most margin 38 of the boot 24. The
illustrated body 48
enables the wing 26 to be attached to the seed boot 24 after factory
manufacture to provide
an easy field modification. However, the body 48 could be alternatively
configured, for
example, manufactured with the seed boot, such as with an integral, cast
construction or the
like. As will become apparent, whatever configuration is utilized preferably
enables the body
of the wing to be adjustable so that the depth of the outboard portion
relative to the boot 24
can be adjusted in some manner.
The outboard portion 56 of the wing 26 presents a leading edge 64 that leads
the outboard portion 56 as the wing 26 is pulled in the forward direction of
travel. As
previously indicated, the outboard portion 56 of the body 48 preferably
extends below the
margin 38 of the boot 24 and thus does not ride in the shadow of the boot 24.
In this regard,
as the opener 14b is pulled through the ground G, the leading edge 64 engages
the soil (either
in the disturbed soil zone Z within the furrow F and/or outside of the zone Z
as further
detailed below) to thereby form a fertilizer bed BF, as shown in FIGS. 8 and
9. The
illustrated outboard portion 56 is preferably about three-eighths inches thick
and thus the
fertilizer bed BF is also preferably about three-eighths inches wide. For
purposes that will
be further detailed below, the outboard portion 56 of the body 48 preferably
angles outward
from the inline portion 54 and thus the boot 24 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In this
regard, the
outboard portion 56 preferably angles outward relative to the inline portion
54¨ and thus
12
CA 02574250 2007-01-16
relative to vertical ¨ between about five and thirty degrees and more
preferably about fifteen
degrees. In this manner, as the opener 14b is pulled through the ground G, the
fertilizer bed
BF is laterally spaced from the seed bed BS. The outboard configuration of the
portion 56
and the angled configuration thereof cooperate to create a berm B, as shown in
FIGS. 8 and
9, between the seed and fertilizer beds BS,BF. As will be further detailed
below, the berm
B functions to desirably isolate the seed and fertilizer beds BS,BF.
Because the outboard portion 56 engages the soil to form the fertilizer bed
BF,
it will be appreciated that the portion 56 is subject to heavy wear.
Accordingly, the body 48
is preferably formed from a strong, durable material such as steel or other
iron alloys.
Additionally, the illustrated outboard portion 56 is configured to resist
and/or reduce the
affects of wear. In this regard, the illustrated wing 26 presents a low
profile, with lower and
upper cutout sections 66a and 66b and includes a carbide insert 68 positioned
along the
leading edge 64 to strengthen the portion 56.
Once the fertilizer injector wing 26 forms the fertilizer bed BF, the wing 26
is configured to inject the fertilizers N and P into the bed BF. Particularly,
the toxic fertilizer
injector 50 is configured to inject the toxic fertilizer N into the fertilizer
bed BF and the non-
toxic fertilizer injector 52 is configured to inject the non-toxic fertilizer
P into the bed BF.
In more detail, the toxic fertilizer injector 50 includes a nozzle 70, a
supply line 72, and a
protective sheath 74 (see FIGS. 5-7 and 11). As further detailed below, the
preferred toxic
fertilizer N is anhydrous ammonia placed in the BF in liquid form. In this
regard, the
illustrated nozzle 70 includes a terminal orifice 76 that is configured to
inject liquid
anhydrous ammonia. That is to say, the orifice 76 alters or maintains the
pressure of the
fertilizer N below and/or above the vapor pressure of the fertilizer N. One
such suitable
nozzle with the requisite terminal orifice is disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
6,360,681 (the
"Swanson '681 patent") and 6,283,049 (the "Swanson '049 patent"), both issued
to the
inventor of the current application and both incorporated herein by reference.
In the
illustrated wing 26, the outboard portion 56 is bored out adjacent the lower
cutout 66a to
receive the nozzle 70. In this manner, the nozzle 70 is recessed relative to
the leading edge
64 of the wing 26 to facilitate the prevention of the terminal orifice 76 from
becoming
clogged with soil and/or debris in the field G.
As previously indicated, the toxic fertilizer injector 50 injects the toxic
fertilizer N, preferably anhydrous ammonia, into the fertilizer bed BF. In
this regard, the
supply line 72 fluidly communicates the nozzle 70 with a fertilizer tank 78
stored on the cart
13
CA 02574250 2007-01-16
12. In one manner known in the art, the illustrated tank 78 stores a quantity
of anhydrous
ammonia N (either gas or liquid) and delivers it through a manifold 80
disposed along the
supply line 72 under a controlled pressure to the nozzle 70 where it is
injected as liquid
anhydrous ammonia N into the fertilizer bed BF. The Swanson '681 and '049
patents
previously incorporated by reference disclose a suitable anhydrous ammonia
delivery system
including a manifold. The supply line 72 is preferably a nylon-type line that
facilitates
assembly of the nozzle 70 into the line 72 within the bored opening in the
outboard portion
56. Because the nylon line 72 is susceptible to damage from debris in the
field G, such as
stalks and stubble, the illustrated wing 26 includes the metal sheath 74, as
well as a stock
shield 82 bolted over the leading side of the upper cutout 66b (see FIGS. 5
and 6). The
protective sheath 74 also functions to keep the line 72 out of the working
components of the
opener 14b. Additionally, in the illustrated wing 26, the sheath facilitates
anchoring the line
72 to prevent unwanted movement of the line 72. In this regard, the sheath 74
is coupled to
the body 48 by a hose mount portion 84 (see FIGS. 5 and 6), such as by welding
or the like.
The non-toxic fertilizer injector 52, similar to the previously described
injector
50, includes a nozzle 86 and a supply line 88 (see FIGS. 5-7). The illustrated
injector 52 is
preferably configured to inject liquid ammoniated phosphate, for example 10-34-
0, into the
ground G. In this regard, in one manner known in the art, the nozzle 86
includes a terminal
orifice 90 configured to inject liquid ammoniated phosphate under pressure.
The terminal
orifice 90 presents a larger cross-sectional area than the previously
described anhydrous
ammonia injector orifice 76 to accommodate the different pressure requirements
of the
fertilizers N and P. In the illustrated wing 26, the nozzle 86 is positioned
to trail the nozzle
70 and be inline therewith so as to place the fertilizers N and P in a single,
dedicated fertilizer
band DB (see FIG. 3). When the fertilizers N and P comprise anhydrous ammonia
and
ammoniated phosphate, respectively, the double shot single band application
facilitates the
desirable formation of the highly plant available tri-ammonium phosphate in
the soil. The
nozzle 86 is also preferably recessed from the leading and lower edges of the
outboard
portion 56 of the wing 26 to prevent undesired clogging of the terminal
orifice 90.
As previously indicated, the non-toxic fertilizer injector 52 injects the non-
toxic fertilizer P, preferably ammoniated phosphate, into the fertilizer bed
BF. In this regard,
the supply line 88 fluidly communicates the nozzle 86 with a fertilizer tank
92 stored on the
tractor T. In one manner known in the art, the illustrated tank 92 stores a
quantity of
ammoniated phosphate and delivers it through a manifold 94 disposed along the
supply line
14
CA 02574250 2007-01-16
88 under a controlled pressure to the nozzle 86 where it is injected as liquid
ammoniated
phosphate P into the fertilizer bed BF. The illustrated supply line 88
includes a lower metal
leader 88a that is connected to an upper synthetic line portion 88b by a valve
96 (see FIG. 7).
The metal leader 88a prevents damage to the line 88 from stubble and field
debris and
facilitates keeping the line 88 from undesired movement into the operating
components of
the opener 14b. In this regard, the leader 88a is coupled to the hose mount 84
of the body 48
(see FIGS. 5 and 6).
Turning now to FIGS. 3, 8-9, and 10, the illustrated opener 14b with the
unique fertilizer injector wing 26 is configured to place the seed row S and
the dedicated
fertilizer band DB at an optimum geometric positional alignment relative to
the seed row S,
in a single, low soil disturbing planting pass without disrupting the seed bed
BS. That is to
say, the inventive wing 26 enables a toxic charge TC (see FIGS. 9 and 10) of
the fertilizer
N,P ¨ a charge containing the optimum nutrient package to sustain season long
growth of
the crop ¨ to be placed sufficiently close to the seed S while minimizing soil
disturbance so
that weed growth and moisture loss are minimized and crop yield is maximized.
While close
placement of the dedicated band DB is highly desirable, the optimal placement
of the band
DB must be such that the germination of the seed S is not damaged by the toxic
charge TC
of fertilizer N,P. In this regard, it will be appreciated that some crops can
sustain some
nitrogen in the seed bed itself without damaging the germination, however,
these nitrogen
levels must be severely restricted. For example, with no-till farming, even
the most heartiest
of crops, such as cereal grains (e.g., wheat, barley, oat, etc.), cannot
sustain more than thirty
pounds of nitrogen per acre in the seed bed without germination damage.
However, with no-
till farming, most crops require substantially more placed nitrogen than the
restricted levels
that can be placed in the seed bed, for example, depending on the soil
conditions, some cereal
grains can require as much as two-hundred pounds of placed nitrogen per acre.
Accordingly,
the toxic charge TC of nitrogen, as that phrased is used herein refers to a
charge of nitrogen
that would cause germination damage if placed in the seed bed BS. It has been
determined
that the toxic charge TC of the fertilizer N,P can be placed much closer to
the seed row S
than heretofore conventionally thought acceptable before without the harmful
affects of
germination damage from seed burn.
In this regard, the fertilizer injector wing 26 enables the toxic charge TC of
fertilizer N,P to be placed closely adjacent the seed bed BS, preferably
laterally spaced
therefrom and at or slightly below the seed bed BS. In more detail, the
illustrated wing 26,
CA 02574250 2007-01-16
with the angular oriented outboard portion 56, preferably places the toxic
charge TC laterally
spaced from the seed bed BS between at least about one-half inch to less than
about two and
one-half inches, and most preferably about one and one-half inches. That is to
say, the berm
B isolating the seed and fertilizer beds BS,BF is at least about one-half
inches thick.
However, in order to minimize soil disruption, and to a lesser extent to
minimize equipment
wear, the berm B is preferably no greater than about two and one-half inches
thick. In this
regard, at least a portion of the leading edge 64 of the outboard portion 56
of the wing 26
preferably engages the soil inside the disturbed soil zone Z (i.e., the entire
body 48 riding in
the shadow of the disc 20) or at least at the event horizon -- i.e., the
schism or demarcation
between disturbed and undisturbed soil. It will be appreciated that the exact
engagement of
the edge 64 relative to the furrow F will vary depending on several factors,
such as the depth
setting of the disc 20, the depth setting of the boot 24, the depth setting of
the wing 26, the
topography of the terrain, the maneuvering of the seeder 10, and it is within
the ambit of the
present invention to draw the wing 26 entirely through either disturbed or
undisturbed soil,
or both. However, it is believed that the efficiency and effectiveness of the
opener 14b is
maximized if the leading edge 64 engages the soil inside the zone Z or least
at the event
horizon. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the illustrated wing 26 cuts through the
soil generally
at the event horizon and therefore the fertilizer bed BF communicates with the
disturbed soil
zone Z of the furrow F at least partly below the surface of the ground G.
As previously indicated, the fertilizer bed BF is preferably vertically spaced
from the surface of the ground G so that the bed BF is at or slightly below
the seed bed BS.
As shown in FIG. 10, in the illustrated opener 14b, the seed bed BS is
vertically spaced from
the surface of the ground G a seed bed dimension DBS and the fertilizer bed BF
is vertically
spaced from the seed bed BS a fertilizer bed dimension DBF. The dimension DBS
is
dependent on the depth setting of both the disc 20 and the boot 24 relative
thereto and
accordingly will vary as these depths are varied. However, a representative
depth DBS is
one-half to one inch, corresponding to a medium disc 20 depth of two to two
and one-half
inches and a medium boot 24 setting of one and one-half inches above bottom
dead center
of the disc 20. The dimension DBF only varies according to whether the body 48
is affixed
to the boot 24 in the low or high position. A representative depth DBF is one-
half inch in the
high position and one inch in the low position. It will be appreciated that
the use of firming
wheel 28 could affect the spacing DBF by slightly lowering the depth DBS of
the seed bed
BS when finning the seed S into the soil.
16
CA 02574250 2007-01-16
As shown in FIG. 10, when the fertilizer N,P is placed in the ground G, it
defines a burn dimension DB, typically greater than the sum of the depths DBS
and DBF.
The burn dimension DB is a product of the fertilizer N,P, particularly the
toxic fertilizer N,
burning into the soil. When anhydrous ammonia N is delivered in liquid form,
it will burn
into the ground creating a burn zone approximately one and one-half to two
inches deep
below the fertilizer bed BF. Accordingly, a representative DB is between three
and four
inches beneath the surface of the ground G. The angled configuration of the
outboard portion
56 of the wing 26 enables the fertilizer bed BF to be placed in close
proximity to the seed bed
BS and at or slightly there below without enabling the burn zone to damage the
germination
of the seed S. It is believed the preferred fifteen degrees angle of the
outboard portion 56 is
sufficient to prevent the burn zone from damaging the dedicated seed row S, or
burning
through to any adjacent seed rows.
In the manner described above, the unique fertilizer injector wing 26 fixedly
attached to the seed boot 24, with the angled outboard portion 56, enables the
dedicated
fertilizer band DB containing the toxic charge TC to be placed at a consistent
and maintained
optimum geometric positional alignment relative to the seed row S. in a
single, low soil
disturbing planting pass without disrupting the seed bed BS. It is believed
such optimum
alignment maximizes the crop yield by enabling seminal hair roots to access
the nutrients in
a more timely manner as they are forming while also minimizing weed growth and
moisture
loss by minimizing soil disturbance. Additionally, the consistent and uniform
relationship
maintained between the boot 24 and the wing 26 ensures a constant and accurate
placement
of the dedicated fertilizer band DB that does not suffer from the misalignment
problems ¨
and attendant seed burn ¨ associated with turning and hillside terrains
experienced with the
prior art banders, particularly, the midrow banders.
It is within the ambit of the present invention to utilize various alternative
configurations for the fertilizer injector wing suitable for various
fertilizer placement
applications. For example, the leading edge could be configured as a cutting
blade (e.g.,
beveled, etc.), or the body could be configured to keep bouncing seed out of
the line of
fertilizer injector (e.g., with a seed guard, etc.). The fertilizer injectors
could be variously
configured to inject virtually any type of fertilizer, or any combination
thereof, for example,
a single injector, three injectors, etc. Additionally, one or more injectors
could be configured
to deliver fertilizer in various forms, for example, gaseous, granulized
fertilizer, control
agents, nurse crop seeds, or the like. The wing could also be used for
fertilizer applications
17
CA 02574250 2007-01-16
wherein seed is not simultaneously placed therewith. However, for some aspects
of the
present invention, it is important that the wing include an angled outboard
portion forming
a fertilizer bed and be affixed to the seed boot. Additionally, it is
important that the fertilizer
bed be sufficiently spaced from any seed bed to enable a toxic charge of
fertilizer to be placed
therein. If a toxic charge of fertilizer is placed, it need not be anhydrous
ammonia, but could
be for example, aqua ammonia, liquified urea, Solution 32, Solution 28, etc.
Additionally,
if a second fertilizer is double shot, it need not be ammoniated phosphate,
but could be any
type of suitable fertilizer.
In operation, the fertilizer injector wings are affixed to the seed boots and
the
openers 14 are set to the desired depth. The seeder 10 is then pulled through
the field F in
the forward direction. As the seeder 10 is pulled through the field F, the
discs open the
furrows F. The seed boots then form the seed beds BS in the disturbed soil
zone Z and
deposit the seed S therein. At the same time, the wings form the fertilizer
beds BF, spaced
from the seed beds by berms B, and inject toxic charges TC of fertilizer N,P
as dedicated
bands DB into the beds BF. The finning wheels then firm the seeds S into the
soil and then
the closing wheels close the furrows F.
As previously indicated, the fertilizer injector wing of the present invention
could be alternatively configured. One suitable alternative is the fertilizer
injector wing 200
illustrated in FIG. 12. The fertilizer injector wing 200 is similar in many
respects to the
previously described wing 26 and is thus configured for fixed attachment to a
seed boot of
a disc opener. However, unlike the wing 26, the wing 200 includes a seed guard
202. The
seed guard 202 is a plate-like structure affixed to the body of the wing 200
in any suitable
manner and configured to prevent bouncing seed from entering the fertilizer
bed or engaging
the fertilizer being injected by the wing 200. The guard 202 is particularly
well suited for
hillside operation. Additionally, the wing 200 includes a control agent
delivery tube 204.
The tube 204 is configured to deliver a granulized agent A into the fertilizer
bed. For
example, the agent A could include mustard meal for controlling insects, or
various other
biological control agents. Additionally, the agent A could comprise seed for a
nurse crop
planted along side the primary crop. However, if a nurse crop seed is being
deposited, it is
preferably done with a charge of fertilizer that is non-toxic to the nurse
crop seed or done on
a pass without fertilizer.
As previously indicated, the fertilizer injector wing could be alternatively
configured; however it is important that whatever configuration is utilized
provides sufficient
18
CA 02574250 2007-01-16
geometric positional spacing between the seed bed and the fertilizer band to
enable a toxic
charge of fertilizer to be simultaneously placed with the seed in a single
pass. One suitable
alternative is the fertilizer injector wing 300 illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14
with a disc 302
and a seed boot 304 of a suitable disc opener. The disc 302 and seed boot 304
are virtually
identically configured as the disc 20 and the seed boot 24 of the disc opener
14b described
in detail above. However, the fertilizer injector wing 300 includes some
differences from the
previously described wing 26 and will be described primarily with regard to
these differences.
Similar to the previously described wing 26, the illustrated wing 300 includes
a body 306, a toxic fertilizer injector 308, and a non-toxic fertilizer
injector 310. However,
unlike the wing 26, the illustrated wing 300 does not utilize the body 306 to
create a fertilizer
bed and isolate that bed from the seed bed. In the wing 300, this geometric
spacing of the
seed bed and the fertilizer band is accomplished with the angle of, and the
force of, the
delivery of the fertilizer out of the injectors 308, 310. Accordingly, there
are some
differences in the body 306 and injectors 308, 310 relative to the body 48 and
injectors 50
and 52 detailed above. In more detail, the illustrated body 306, similar to
the previously
described body 48, bolts on to the outboard wall of the seed boot 304. The
illustrated body
306 is generally flat and low profile so as to reduce its engagement with
field debris during
use. Unlike the body 48 detailed above, the illustrated body 306 does not
extend below the
lower-most margin of the seed boot 304 and thus the entire body 306 preferably
rides in the
shadow of the seed boot 304. The illustrated body 306, like the body 48, is
configured to
adjustably affix to the seed boot 304. In this manner, the body 306 can be
positioned on the
boot 304 so that the entire body 306 is positioned at or above the lower-most
margin of the
seed boot 304. In this regard, the body 306 preferably does not engage the
soil, disturbed or
otherwise, and thus does not form a fertilizer bed therein. However, the body
306 may still
be subject to wear ¨ for example, from engaging field debris, such as stubble,
rocks, and the
like ¨ and therefore includes carbide inserts 312 and 314 to strengthen the
body 306 and
protect the injectors 308, 310. For purposes that will subsequently be
described, the
illustrated body 306 includes chambers, or cutouts, 316 and 318 configured to
receive
portions of the injectors 308, and 310. Additionally, as will be further
detailed below, the
illustrated body 306 includes a pair of nozzle-receiving collars 320 and 322,
as well as a line-
receiving collar 324.
Similar to the injector 50 detailed above, the illustrated toxic fertilizer
injector
308 is configured to inject the toxic fertilizer N and includes a nozzle 326,
a supply line 328,
19
CA 02574250 2007-01-16
and a protective sheath 330. However, unlike the injector 50, the injector 308
injects the
toxic fertilizer N into, or adjacent to, the furrow F rather than into a
fertilizer bed. The
preferred toxic fertilizer is anhydrous ammonia placed in or near the furrow F
in liquid form.
In this regard, the illustrated nozzle 326 includes a terminal orifice 332
that is configured to
inject liquid anhydrous ammonia. For purposes that will subsequently be
described, the
terminal orifice 332 is preferably configured for high pressure delivery, such
as less than
about .05 ounces of liquid fertilizer per minute, and more preferably about
.035 ounces per
minute. In this manner, the nozzle 326 is configured to pressurize the toxic
fertilizer N up
to as much as about three-hundred psi above the pressure of the fertilizer N
in the tank 78 and
inject the liquid fertilizer N into, or adjacent, the furrow F at about one-
hundred and eighty
mph. In this manner, a fertilizer band 334 (see FIG. 14) is implanted in or
near the furrow
F where it "bums" into the soil. Suitable nozzles and fertilizer delivery
systems are disclosed
in the previously incorporated Swanson '681 and '049 patents. The nozzle 326
is received
in the collar 322 so that the terminal orifice 332 is recessed relative to the
lower-most margin
of the seed boot 304.
As indicated above, in the wing 300, the geometric spacing of the seed bed
and the toxic fertilizer band is accomplished with the angle of, and the force
of, the delivery
of the fertilizer out of the injector 308. In more detail, the nozzle 326 is
positioned in the
collar 322 so that the terminal orifice 332 defines a fertilizer injection
axis AF (illustrated in
FIG. 14), and injects the liquid fertilizer N coaxially along the injection
axis AF. The seed
boot 304 includes a seed outlet 336 through which the seed S is discharged in
the seed bed
BS. The seed outlet 336 defines an outlet axis Ao (illustrated in FIG. 14)
extending generally
parallel to the direction the seed S is discharged. The wing 300 is configured
so that the
fertilizer injection axis AF is offset from the seed outlet axis Ao by an
offset angle OA
(illustrated in FIG. 14). This offset angle OA, cooperates with the high rate
of delivery of the
liquid fertilizer N to geometrically space the fertilizer band 334 from the
seed bed BS at a
safe positional distance so that the toxic charge of fertilizer can be
simultaneously placed
with the seed S. In this regard, the offset angle OA is preferably between
about five and
about thirty degrees, more preferably between about ten and about twenty
degrees, and most
preferably about fifteen degrees.
The non-toxic fertilizer injector 310 is similarly configured to the toxic
fertilizer injector 308 just described, but like the injector 52 detailed
above, is configured to
inject non-toxic fertilizer P, such as liquid ammoniated phosphate, in a
double shot single
CA 02574250 2007-01-16
band application with the toxic fertilizer N. Unlike the wing 26 detailed
above, the illustrated
wing 300 places the non-toxic fertilizer P in front of the toxic fertilizer N.
In this regard, the
toxic fertilizer injector 308 is positioned in a trailing relationship to the
non-toxic fertilizer
injector 310. It has been determined that when anhydrous ammonia is placed
with
ammoniated phosphate in this manner, crystals of tri-ammonium polyphosphate
sulfate are
formed in, or near the furrow F. It is believed this crystalline form is the
most usable by the
plant; however, it is not commercially available and cannot be premixed, for
example in the
tank 78, because the supply line would freeze during delivery of the crystals
there through.
Another suitable alternative is the fertilizer injector wing 400 illustrated
in
FIGS. 15 and 16 with a disc 402 and a seed boot 404 of a suitable disc opener.
In one
manner known in the art, the seed boot 404 includes the combination of a
scraper 406 and
a seed tube 408 having a seed guard 410. On suitable such seed boot is
disclosed in the
previously incorporated Case '127 patent. The illustrated wing 400 is similar
in many
respects to the wing 300 detailed above and includes a body 412, a toxic
fertilizer injector
414, and a non-toxic fertilizer injector 416. However, unlike the body 306,
the body 412 is
permanently affixed ¨ such as by a weldment, or integrally formed therewith,
or the like ¨
to the trailing edge of the scraper 406 so that at least a portion of the seed
tube 408 is
positioned between the wing 400 and the disc 402. The body 412 includes
carbide inserts
418, 420, and 422, with the insert 420 extending adjacent the lower-most
margin of the
scraper 406. Additionally, the body 412 includes a bracket 424 for securing
the sheaths 426
and 428 of the injectors 414, 416, respectively, to the body 412. In the
illustrated wing 400,
the sheath 428 is also affixed to the body 412, such as by weldment or the
like. Similar to
the injectors 308 and 310 detailed above, the toxic injector 414 is in a
trailing relationship
with the non-toxic injector 416 and are configured to form an offset angle OA
between the
fertilizer injector axis AF and the seed outlet axis Ao, as illustrated in
FIG. 16.
The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as
illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in
interpreting the scope of the
present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as
hereinabove set
forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing
from the spirit of
the present invention.
The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents
to
determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as
pertains to any
apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the
invention as set
21
CA 02574250 2007-01-16
forth in the following claims.
22
