Tillage point having variable ground engaging structure
The present invention provides a tillage point having a ground engaging structure configured to adjust with respect to the ground so that the tillage point can flexibly adapt to various field conditions. The ground engaging structure can comprise wings for increasing soil fracture below the ground surface and/or a cover board for moving soil along the ground surface. The ground engaging structure can variably adjust using an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, connected to linkage which can move the ground engaging structure through multiple angles about a pivot point during tillage operations. In addition, a controller can adjust the actuator to maintain an angle of the ground engaging structure according to a location on a prescription map.
1. A tillage tool, comprising:
a shank mount including a shank connected at one end thereof;
a body connected to a free end of the shank and configured to engage soil along a direction of travel;
a nose connected to and extending from the body in the direction of travel;
a ground engaging structure disposed above the nose, the ground engaging structure extending outwardly relative to the body in lateral directions with respect to the direction of travel;
linkage including a plurality of links connected together, more than one link of the plurality of links positioned over a portion of a lateral surface of the shank, the linkage connected to at least one of the body and the ground engaging structure; and
an actuator connected to the linkage, the actuator and the linkage being configured to actuate the ground engaging structure to move with respect to at least one pivot point positioned on at least one of the body and the ground engaging structure to adjust an orientation of the ground engaging structure with respect to the ground.
2. The tillage tool of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a hydraulic cylinder having a rod configured to extend and retract from a base, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is configured to adjust the ground engaging structure in a plurality of positions.
3. The tillage tool of claim 2 , wherein a first end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the shank mount, and a second end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the linkage.
4. The tillage tool of claim 1 , wherein the ground engaging structure comprises wings extending from a top surface of the body, the wings being configured to increase soil fracture below the ground surface.
5. The tillage tool of claim 4 , wherein the ground engaging structure includes a cover board disposed above the wings, the cover board configured to move soil along the ground surface, wherein the cover board extends upward from a top surface of the body and from the top surface of the shaft in lateral directions with respect to the direction of travel, and wherein an orientation of the cover board is non-adjustable.
6. The tillage tool of claim 4 , wherein the at least one pivot point includes at least a lower pivot point and an upper pivot point, the lower pivot point positioned between the body and a lower portion of the wings and the upper pivot point positioned at an upper edge of the wings, so that an orientation of an upper portion of the wings can be angled with respect to the ground.
7. The tillage tool of claim 1 , wherein the ground engaging structure comprises a cover board including a lower end extending upward from a top surface of the body and a front surface of the shaft, the cover board being configured to move soil along the ground surface.
8. The tillage tool of claim 7 , wherein the ground engaging structure includes wings positioned below the cover board, the wings being configured to increase soil fracture below the ground surface, wherein the wings extend from the top surface of the body in lateral directions with respect to the direction of travel, and wherein an orientation of the wings is non-adjustable.
9. The tillage tool of claim 7 , wherein the at least one pivot point includes at least a lower pivot point and an upper pivot point, the lower pivot point positioned between the body and a lower portion of the cover board and the upper pivot point positioned at an upper edge of the cover board so that an orientation of an upper portion of the cover board can be angled with respect to the ground.
10. The tillage tool of claim 1 , further comprising a controller in communication with the actuator, wherein the controller controls the orientation of the ground engaging structure according to a location on a prescription map.
11. An agricultural implement, comprising:
a tillage tool framework configured to be towed behind a vehicle in a direction of travel, including a plurality of tillage tools mounted to the tool framework, each tillage tool of the plurality of tillage tools including
a shank mount configured at one end to mount to the tool framework and including a shank connected to an opposite end thereof;
a body connected to a free end of the shank and configured to engage soil along the direction of travel;
a nose connected to and extending from the body in the direction of travel;
a ground engaging structure disposed above the nose, the ground engaging structure extending outwardly relative to the body in lateral directions with respect to the direction of travel;
linkage including a plurality of links connected together, more than one link of the plurality of links positioned over a portion of a lateral surface of the shank, the linkage connected to at least one of the body and the ground engaging structure; and
an actuator connected to the linkage, the actuator and the linkage being configured to actuate the ground engaging structure to move with respect to at least one pivot point positioned on at least one of the body and the ground engaging structure to adjust an orientation of the ground engaging structure with respect to the ground.
12. The agricultural implement of claim 11 , wherein the actuator is a hydraulic cylinder having a rod configured to extend and retract from a base, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is configured to adjust the ground engaging structure in a plurality of positions.
13. The agricultural implement of claim 12 , wherein a first end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the shank mount, and a second end of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the linkage.
14. The agricultural implement of claim 11 , wherein the ground engaging structure comprises wings extending from a top surface of the body, the wings being configured to increase soil fracture below the ground surface.
15. The agricultural implement of claim 14 , wherein the ground engaging structure includes a cover board positioned above the wings, the cover board configured to move soil along the ground surface, wherein the cover board extends upward from the top surface of the body and a front surface of the shaft in lateral directions with respect to the direction of travel, and wherein an orientation of the cover board is non-adjustable.
16. The agricultural implement of claim 14 , wherein the at least one pivot point includes at least a lower pivot point and an upper pivot point, the lower pivot point positioned between the body and a lower portion of the wings and the upper pivot point positioned at an upper edge of the wings, so that an orientation of the wings can be angled with respect to the ground.
17. The agricultural implement of claim 11 , wherein the ground engaging structure comprises a cover board including a lower end extending from a top surface of the body and a front surface of the shaft, the cover board being configured to move soil along the ground surface.
18. The agricultural implement of claim 17 , wherein the ground engaging structure includes wings positioned below the cover board, the wings configured to increase soil fracture below the ground surface, wherein the wings extend from the top surface of the body in lateral directions with respect to the direction of travel, and wherein an orientation of the wings is non-adjustable.
19. The agricultural implement of claim 17 , wherein the at least one pivot point includes at least a lower pivot point and an upper pivot point, the lower pivot point positioned between the body and a lower portion of the cover board and the upper pivot point positioned at an upper edge of the cover board, so that an orientation of an upper portion of the cover board can be angled with respect to the ground.
20. The agricultural implement of claim 11 , further comprising a controller in communication with the actuator, wherein the controller controls the orientation of the ground engaging structure according to a location on a prescription map.