Adjustable packer wheel seeding system and method
In one embodiment, a seeding implement includes a frame configured to couple to a tool bar, a parallel linkage coupled to the frame, and a ground engaging tool extending from a shank, wherein the shank is coupled to the parallel linkage. The implement also includes a packer wheel configured to control a position of the ground engaging tool, wherein the packer wheel is positioned directly behind the ground engaging tool when the ground engaging tool is engaging a soil region. Further, the implement includes an adjustment mechanism configured to shift the packer wheel rearwardly upon the ground engaging tool encountering an obstruction and to shift the packer wheel forwardly after the obstruction has been passed by the ground engaging tool.
1. A method of seeding, comprising:
opening a valley in a field with a hoe opener while the hoe opener is in a ground engaging position;
controlling a depth of the valley via a packer wheel assembly having a packer wheel mounted to a bracket, wherein the packer wheel is positioned directly behind the hoe opener in a first position while the hoe opener is in the ground engaging position, and the bracket is coupled to a packer wheel arm extending between the bracket and a linkage assembly;
shifting the packer wheel in a rearward direction relative to the packer wheel arm to a second position, via an adjustment mechanism, when the hoe opener encounters an obstruction and moves in the rearward direction toward a disengaged position; and
shifting the packer wheel in a forward direction relative to the packer wheel arm to the first position, via the adjustment mechanism, as the hoe opener transitions to the ground engaging position after the obstruction has been passed by the hoe opener:
wherein the packer wheel assembly comprises an axle rotationally supporting the packer wheel on the bracket via a coupling of the axle and a slot in the bracket, and a biasing member coupled to the axle for urging the packer wheel in the forward direction within the slot.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the packer wheel assembly comprises an axle rotationally supporting the packer wheel, and the bracket comprises a slot configured to support the axle and to facilitate movement of the axle in the rearward and forward directions.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein shifting the packer wheel in the rearward direction comprises driving the axle rearwardly within the slot via a linkage member extending between the axle and a shank coupled to the hoe opener.
4. The method of claim 2 , comprising urging the packer wheel in the forward direction via a biasing member coupled to the axle.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein shifting the packer wheel in the rearward direction comprises shifting the packer wheel rearwardly about 8 to about 12inches.
6. The method of claim 1 , comprising maintaining contact between the packer wheel and a soil surface while the packer wheel is in the first and second positions.