Closing wheel equalizer
A furrow closing apparatus is used with a planter that opens a furrow and deposits seeds as the planter moves in a forward direction over the ground. The furrow closing apparatus includes a frame attached to the planter and first and second closing wheels rotatably mounted on respective first and second closing wheel axles. A pivot axle extends from the frame generally transverse to the direction of travel of the planter and an equalizer bracket pivotably connected to the pivot axle. The equalizer bracket receives the first closing wheel axle in a position aft of the pivot axle and receives the second closing wheel axle in a position forward of the pivot axle such that the equalizer bracket pivots as the closing wheels traverse uneven ground to cause the first closing wheel and the second closing wheel to apply a substantially equal force in closing the furrow.
1. A furrow closing apparatus for use with an agricultural planter that opens a furrow in the ground and deposits seeds in the furrow as the planter moves in a forward direction of travel over the ground, the furrow closing apparatus comprising:
a frame attached to the planter;
first and second closing wheels rotatably mounted on respective first and second closing wheel axles;
a pivot axle extending from first and second sides of the frame generally transverse to the direction of travel of the planter;
an equalizer bracket pivotably connected to the pivot axle, the equalizer bracket receiving the first closing wheel axle in a position aft of the pivot axle and receiving the second closing wheel axle in a position forward of the pivot axle such that the equalizer bracket pivots as the closing wheels traverse uneven ground to cause the first closing wheel and the second closing wheel to apply a substantially equal force in closing the furrow, the equalizer bracket comprising first and second sidewalls, wherein each of the first and second sidewalls has a lock pin opening having a shape comprising elongated slot portions and a larger-diameter center hole portion in between the elongated slot portions; and
a lock pin having a sleeve along a portion of the lock pin, the sleeve having a diameter sized to fit into the larger center hole portions but too large to fit into the elongated slot portions of the lock pin openings in the first and second sidewalls, the lock pin passing through aligned openings in the first and second sides of the frame and also passing through the pin openings in the first and second sidewalls of the equalizer bracket, wherein the lock pin is configured to lock the equalizer bracket by moving the sleeve such that the sleeve is positioned in the larger center hole portion in at least one of the first and second sidewalls.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lock pin can be positioned to permit the equalizer bracket to pivot by moving the sleeve inward along the lock pin out of the lock pin opening and securing the sleeve between the first and second sidewalls.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the equalizer bracket comprises a first axle receiver, and a second axle receiver, the first axle coupled to the first axle receiver, the second axle coupled to the second axle receiver.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the equalizer bracket is configured to equally distribute a downward force applied by the frame to the first closing wheel and the second closing wheel.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein both the first axle and the second axle comprise a plurality of mounting locations for mounting the first closing wheel and the second closing wheel.