US225804A - Seed-planting machine - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. DART. Seed-Planting Machine.

Patented Mar. 23, 1880.

WITNESSES: INYBNTOR:

S Qj w I TTORNEYS.

ILFETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPNER, WASHINGTON. D. (L

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I AJDAR-T- Seed-Plafiting Machine.

. No. 225 804. Patented Mar..'2 3, 1880.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

70m- PZW" g? ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. PPIOTD-UTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D. Q

UNITE STATES ATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT DART, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

SEED-PLANTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 225,804, dated March 23, 1880.

Application filed October 18, 1879.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT DART, of Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented a new Improvement in Seed-Planting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention consists in combining with a seed-dropper mechanism a flat-rimmed wheel and rim-grooved roll; also, in a supporting wheel arranged on a two-part shaft between the two sections of a seeder, all as hereinafter described.

Figure 1 is a plan view, partially in sec tion, of my improved planter. Fig. 2 is a detail plan view of one dropping-slide. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the machine on line or w of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section on liney g of Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the form shown the machine is adapted for planting two rows simultaneously, the mechanism for each row being carried by an independent frame, A, and the machine adapted for planting two or three rows being an assemblage of frames A upon a forward and rear axle with adjustable connecting-braces. By this construction the machines may be used for extensive or limited work, according to the needs of the operator.

The forward axle, a, is fitted with the wheels I) b at its ends, which wheels are fast, and the axle is made in two portions, united between the frames A by a tubular coupling, a, into which the ends of the axle enter and are secured by set-screws.

The rear axle, c, is also made in two pieces, united at its mid-length by the tubular coupling c and set-screws, and carries between the frame A the broad-faced wheel d, that is fast upon the coupling 0 and supports the rear part of the machine.

At the forward part of the machine is a cross-brace, c, which passes through a socket, e, on each frame A, wherein it is held adjustably by a set-screw, and to this brace c the pole and drivers seatare attached.

At the rear of the machine is a curved brace, f, that is secured at its ends by screws f, which pass through slots in the brace f and the frames A. By this construction the frames A are firmly attached together, and their distance apart may be regulated according to the width the rows are to be planted.

Theframes may also be disconnected and used singly, or a third frame added by using axles of sufficient length and additional wheels.

The ridgiug, marking, dropping, and covering devices are similar upon each frame A, and the following description will apply to all.

At the forward end of frame A are two standards, g, carrying the ridging-plows h. The standards 9 pass through vertical apertures in frame A, in which they are held adjustably by screws 9'. The plows h consist of wide metal plates, widest at the forward end, attached so as to present one edge to the ground and inclined inward and upward from front to rear, whereby they gather the soil betweenthem at the forward end and turn it inward to form a ridge, the ridge being partially completed and leveled by the rear ends of the plows.

A short distance behind the plows h the tinishing-plows h are attached upon standards 2', which are secured to frame A. These plows h are similar in construction and attachment to h, except that the rear ends are closer together and higher than plows h, and they act to complete and level the ridge, their rear ends passing over the ridge to level the same and cover the fertilizing material, which is dropped by mechanism fitted behind the plows h, as next described.

Upon frame A, in bearings k, is a shaft, 70, carrying a gear-wheel, I, that meshes with a gear, I, on axle a. Upon shaft is a steel or iron cutting-roller, m, revolving in abox or curb, m, and formed with sharp cross-ribs. Upon the curb m is fitted a hopper, a, for receiving the guano, compost, or other fertilizing material, and from an opening at the bottom of curb m a tube, 0, projects downward for delivering the cut material. In front of the tube 0 an opener, p, is attached rigidly, the lower end of which terminates behind the plows h, and is made in the form of a double plow to run a furrow in the ridge to receive the fertilizer. The cutter on will act to break up and out the material, and is especially useful, when compost is used for fertilizing, to reduce the unrolled portions.

In the frame A, behind the plows h, is mounted a rotary marking-wheel, q, the same being a wheel with beveled edges that acts to press a furrow at the top of the ridge for the seed. This wheel q is preferable to a rigid marking-foot, as it will press weeds and grass into the soil instead of raising them up.

Behind and in line with the rotary marker q is the delivery-spout r of the seed-dropping mechanism, hereinafter described, and in the frame A, behind spout 1", is fitted a wheel, 8, which has a wide flat face and acts to press the seed to a uniform depth, according to the vertical adjustment of the axis of wheel 8, which may be fitted for adjustment by any suitable means.

At the rear end of frame A, between projecting forked arms, the covering-roller t is hung to revolve in bearings. This roller t is made with a concave face forming side flanges, and acts, as it rolls over the ridge, to cover the seed and compress the soil at the top of the ridge.

The dropping mechanism is shown by Figs. 1, 2, and 4, and is constructed as follows: The seed-box u is fitted with a hopper, u, and at the under side with a cross-slide, e, which is moved on the frame A above the opening to the delivery-spout 1" by a cam-grooved roller, w, on the axle c, acting on a pin which pro jects downward from the slide.

Upon the frame A, in suitable bearings, is a cross-shaft, t, which passes through the box a; and is rotated from axle c by gearings 0 e Within the box it the shaft 25 is provided with radial pins, which act as stirrers to keep the seed loose and prevent it from clogging. With some seed-corn, for instance-the shaft and stirrers may not be required.

The slide 1) is formed with an aperture, which is caused by the movement of the slide to register with the spout r at every revolution of wheel d. The movement may be made more frequently, if desired, and for drilling the slide will be removed, thereby permitting the seed to run out in a continuous stream.

The check-row marker is fitted at the outer ground, the frame A is formed in two parts,

aforward and a rear portion, jointed together so as to swing vertically by knuckle-joints k behind the forward axle. By this construction the rear part of the frame carrying the dropping and covering devices can adjust itself to uneven ground, and the machine is rendered more perfect in operation. Upon each frame A a handle, 0, is fixed at the inner side and extends to the back of the machine. These handles 0 are connected by an adjustable crossbar, 19, and are to be used in guiding the machine by an operator walking between the frame A.

This construction above described furnishes a complete and effective machine, the working parts of which are especially adapted for performing their particular office in an effective manner. The machine is adapted for work on the most extensive scale or for minor planting operations with small power.

The mechanism for supplying the fertilizer may be removed from the machine if desired, and the details of construction may be varied to adapt the machine for special soils and work Without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the seed-dropping mechanism, of the flatrimmed wheel 8 and the rim-grooved roll t, arranged as shown and described.

2. The supporting-wheel (1, arranged on a two-part shaft and coupling adj ustabl y between the two sections of a seeder, as and for the purpose specified.

ALBERT DART.

Witnesses WM. W. ANDRESS, DWIGHT MARCY.-

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