Combined depth gauge wheel and scraper for a planter

#Not applicable to this application.

#The described example embodiments in general relate to depth gauge wheels for row planters.

#A depth gauge wheel positions a disk opener of a row planter so the disk blades of the disk opener cut a furrow into the ground at the proper depth to plant a seed. Prior to use, the depth gauge wheel is positioned close to and may even touch one of the disk blades. In use, the tire of the depth gauge wheel bumps into and occasionally rubs against the disk blade resulting in wear of the tire. As a result of wear, the tire of the depth gauge wheel must be replaced annually or at least every other year. Further, a scraper must be attached to the disk blade to scrape mud off of the disk blade. Farmers would benefit from a depth gauge wheel whose tire experiences less wear during use so that they last more than one or two planting seasons. Further, farmers would benefit from a depth gauge wheel capable of scraping mud off of the disk blade thereby eliminating the scraper.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tractor pulling a multi-row planter.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a row planter.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a depth gauge wheel in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure with the ring separated from the rim for clarity of presentation.

#Some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a depth gauge wheel that can set the depth that a planter (e.g., row planter) plants a seed and scrape the mud from a disk blade of the disk opener of the row planter. A row planter includes a row cleaner, a depth gauge wheel, a disk opener (e.g., True V disk, seed opener), and a closer. The disk opener includes two disk blades that are positioned at an angle with respect to each other. The portions of the disk blades that are oriented in the forward direction are positioned close to each other while the portions of the disk blades that are oriented in the rearward direction are positioned further apart from each other thereby forming a V-shape.

#As a tractor pulls the row planter across a field, the row cleaner removes debris from the ground where the seeds are to be planted. The depth gauge wheel rolls (e.g., travels, rotates) over the surface of the ground along the side of the row where the seeds will be planted. The disk opener is positioned with respect to the depth gauge wheel and with respect to the surface of the ground over which the depth gauge wheel travels. While the depth gauge wheel contacts the surface, the disk opener is positioned a predetermined depth into the ground. As the tractor pulls the planter across the ground, the V-shape arrangement of the disk blades cut into the ground and form a furrow of the predetermined depth. Since the depth gauge wheel positions the disk opener with respect to the surface of the ground, the furrow formed by the disk opener is the pre-determined depth.

#Once the disk opener has opened the furrow, the planter drops a seed into the furrow. As the planter moves further forward, the closer closes the furrow so that the seed is covered with soil and positioned in the ground at the predetermined depth.