Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TONGUE MOUNTED FERTILIZER TANK FOR FERTILIZER APPLICATOR
[0001] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to farm implements and, more
particularly, to an
apparatus for mounting a liquid fertilizer tank to the tongue or hitch frame
of a fertilizer
applicator.
[0003] Pre-plant fertilizer implements, such as the Case New Holland Nutri-
Placer 940, are
designed to apply fertilizer and specifically anhydrous ammonia during seed
bed preparation.
The fertilizer implement generally consists of a tool bar or main frame that
can be hitched to a
tractor other towing vehicle. Working tools, or combinations of working tools,
such as shanks,
coulters, knives, banders, and the like, can be mounted to the main frame and
are designed to
manage crop residue, improve soil tilth, and band plant food in the root zone.
As the working
tools are pulled through the soil, fertilizer, such as anhydrous ammonia, is
routed from a tank
hitched to the trailing end of the implement to fertilizer outlets integrally
formed or mounted
adjacent the working tools.
[0004] Farming practices continue to demand larger ("wider") implements to
reduce the time
needed to cultivate or prepare or plant a seedbed. This is also true of
fertilizer applicators or
implements. For instance, it is not uncommon for a fertilizer implement to
have more than
twenty working tools. The aforementioned Nutri-Placer 940, for example, can be
fitted to have
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more than fifty shanks on fifteen inch centers across its sixty-five foot
frame. A fertilizer hose is
typically routed to each working tool and to ensure fertilizer consistency
("even application")
across the width of the implement, each hose is preferably the same length.
This can result in
several hundred feet of hose being routed from the fertilizer tank, which is
typically towed
behind the implement, to the working tools. Needless to say, this can create a
relatively
congested fertilizer applicator. Adding to the congestion is that a fertilizer
applicator will
typically include manifolds and other items required to move fertilizer from a
rearward towed
fertilizer tank.
[0005] Many farmers prefer to mix the fertilizer stabilizer with the
fertilizer, e.g., anhydrous
ammonia, before the fertilizer is applied to the seedbed. Stabilizers, such as
N-Serve from
ConAgra, improve fertilizer attachment to the soil and thus fertilizer
retention. Better retention
reduces fertilizer consumption and costs without sacrificing plant
performance. A common
approach is to mix the stabilizer with the fertilizer in the fertilizer tank;
however, many
stabilizers are highly corrosive and can damage the fertilizer tank over time.
Another approach
is to mount a liquid stabilizer tank to the implement frame itself; however,
the congestion of the
hoses, manifolds, valves, pumps, and the like can make that difficult. As many
applicators are of
the fold-up or front-folding type, the number of available frame-mounted
positions is limited. It
is also imperative that the stabilizer tank not interfere with operation of
the tractor, such as
during headland turns.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is generally directed to a fertilizer
stabilizer tank and tank
mounting system for mounting the tank to the tongue or hitch frame of a
fertilizer applicator in a
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manner that does not interfere with operation of the tractor or
reconfiguration of the applicator as
the applicator is folded/unfolded.
[0007] Other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention
will become apparent to
those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings. It
should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific
examples, while
indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of
illustration and
not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope
of the present
invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention
includes all such
modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in
the accompanying
drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout.
[0009] In the drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a farming system having a fertilizer
applicator; and
[0011] FIGS. 2-4 are views of fertilizer stabilizer tank and tank mounting
system according to
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Turning now to FIG. 1, the present invention will be described with
respect to a farming
system 10 having a fertilizer applicator 12 that is hitched to a tractor 14.
It is understood
however the present invention could be used with other types of farming or
construction
implements and that other types of towing vehicles could be used to tow the
implement. The
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fertilizer applicator 12 generally consists of a frame 16 formed by a series
of interconnected, i.e.,
welded, frame members 18, to which one or more types of working tools are
mounted. In the
illustrated embodiment, the working tools include coulters 20, knives 22, and
cultivators 24. As
known in the art, the working tools are designed to manage crop residue and
prepare the soil bed
for an upcoming seeding.
[0013] In addition to managing crop residue, preparing the seed bed
commonly includes adding
plant food and other nutrients to the soil. In this regard, the fertilizer
applicator 12 includes a
hose arrangement 26 that consists of a number of preferably equal-length hoses
28 extending
from a fertilizer source, which is not shown but is typically towed behind the
fertilizer applicator
12, to respective ones of the working tools. In the illustrated embodiment,
the outlet (not shown)
of each hose 28 sits generally adjacent a respective knife 22 so that
fertilizer is deposited into the
soil as the knives 22 cut through the soil and the crop residue.
[0014] With additional reference to FIGS. 2-4, the fertilizer applicator 12
includes a liquid
stabilizer tank 30 that is attached to the hitch frame 32 ("tongue") of the
fertilizer applicator 12
by a mount 34. The mount 34 is positioned along the length of the hitch frame
32 so as to not
interfere with operation of the tractor 14 or the fertilizer applicator 12
when it is being folded to a
transport or stowed position.
[0015] The mount 34 generally consists of four legs 36, 38, 40, 42
extending obliquely from
respective feet 44, 46, 48, 50, which are secured to the hitch frame 32 using
clamps 52, 54, 56,
58 or other fasteners. The legs 36, 38, 40, 42 support a generally planar
lower frame 60 that is
attached to a convex upper frame 62 extends to form a saddle onto which the
tank 30 sits. The
lower frame 60 has a central opening 64 to enable pumps and the like
associated with operation
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=
of the tank 30 to extend below the tank 30 in a conventional manner. In the
illustrated
embodiment, crossbars 66, 68 extending from the forward feet 44, 48 to the
upper portions of the
forward legs 36, 38 to provide additional stability for the tank 30. In one
embodiment, the tank
is a fifty gallon tank. As shown in the figures, the mount 34 is configured so
that the tank 30 sits
parallel to the direction of travel.
[0001] As noted above, the mount 34 is secured to the hitch frame 32 and
thus sits between the
tractor 14 and the frame 16 to which the working tools are mounted. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the length of the legs 36, 38, 40, 42 elevates the upper frame 62
and thus the tank
30 to allow clearance for the hydraulic actuator 70 used for leveling the
frame 16.
[0002] Many changes and modifications could be made to the invention
without departing from
the scope thereof. The scope of these changes will become apparent from the
appended claims.
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