Agricultural implements having row units with rotating supports

1 . An agricultural implement, comprising:

a frame carrying a toolbar; and

a plurality of row units coupled to the tool bar, each row unit comprising:

a tool support;

a rotating support coupled to the tool support and configured to rotate about an axis of rotation generally aligned in a forward-to-back direction of the implement; and

first and second ground-engaging tools carried by the rotating support and extending outward from the axis of rotation, wherein rotation of the rotating support about the axis of rotation moves the ground-engaging tools around the rotating support between a first position in which the first ground-engaging tool contacts the ground, a second position in which the second ground-engaging tool contacts the ground, and a third position in which neither of the first nor second ground-engaging tools contact the ground.

2 . The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein the first ground-engaging tool comprises at least one tool selected from the group consisting of a shank and a double-disc.

3 . The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein the first ground-engaging tool comprises a shank and the second ground-engaging tool comprises a double-disc.

4 . The agricultural implement of claim 1 , further comprising a locking pin configured to lock rotation of the rotating support about the axis of rotation.

5 . The agricultural implement of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator configured to cause rotation of the rotating support about the axis of rotation.

6 . The agricultural implement of claim 5 , wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, and a pneumatic actuator.

7 . The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein the toolbar is supported by at least one wheel.

8 . The agricultural implement of claim 1 , further comprising a hopper carried by the frame and configured to supply material to each of the row units.

9 . The agricultural implement of claim 8 , wherein each of the row units is configured to dispense solid material from the hopper.

10 . The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises: a first section configured to be towed by a tractor; and a wing section hingedly coupled to the first section.

11 . A method of adjusting an agricultural implement, the agricultural implement comprising:

a frame carrying a toolbar; and

a plurality of row units coupled to the tool bar, each row unit comprising:

a tool support;

a rotating support coupled to the tool support with an axis of rotation generally aligned in a forward-to-back direction of the implement; and

first and second ground-engaging tools carried by the rotating support and extending outward from the axis of rotation;

the method comprising:

disengaging the row units from a ground surface;

rotating at least one rotating support about a corresponding axis of rotation to move the ground-engaging tools around the rotating support between a first position in which the first ground-engaging tool contacts the ground, a second position in which the second ground-engaging tool contacts the ground, and a third position in which neither the first nor the second ground-engaging tool contacts the ground; and

re-engaging the row units with the ground surface.

12 . A method of adjusting an agricultural implement, the agricultural implement comprising:

a frame carrying a toolbar; and

a plurality of row units coupled to the toolbar, each row unit comprising:

a tool support;

a rotating support coupled to the tool support with an axis of rotation generally aligned in a forward-to-back direction of the implement; and

a plurality of ground-engaging tools carried by the rotating support and extending outward from the axis of rotation;

the method comprising:

disengaging the row units from a ground surface;

removing at least one locking pin from the at least one rotating support;

rotating at least one rotating support about a corresponding axis of rotation after removing the at least one locking pin to move the ground-engaging tools around the rotating support to change between a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions comprising one position in which no ground-engaging tool engages the ground surface while the row unit is engaged in the ground surface;

reinstalling the at least one locking pin to secure the rotating support to the tool support; and

re-engaging the row units with the ground surface.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein rotating the at least one rotating support about the corresponding axis of rotation comprises causing at least one actuator to rotate the at least one rotating support.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein rotating the at least one rotating support about the corresponding axis of rotation comprises causing at least one actuator to rotate the at least one rotating support.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of ground-engaging tools comprises two ground-engaging tools and the plurality of positions may be selected by rotating the rotating support approximately 120°.

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of ground-engaging tools comprises three ground-engaging tools and the plurality of positions may be selected by rotating the rotating support approximately 90°.