Row unit suspension system and method

A planter for use in an agricultural operation comprising:

• a toolbar supported above an underlying surface;
• a row unit coupled to the toolbar and configured to distribute commodity to the underlying surface;
• a linkage assembly including an upper arm and a lower arm positioned below the upper arm, the upper arm including a forward end pivotably coupled to the toolbar at a first coupling point and a rearward end pivotably coupled to the row unit at a third coupling point, and the lower arm including a forward end pivotably coupled to the toolbar at a second coupling point and a rearward end pivotably coupled to the row unit at a fourth coupling point;
• and
• an actuator including a first end pivotably coupled to the row unit and a second end pivotably coupled to the lower arm at a fifth coupling point located between the second coupling point and the fourth coupling point;
• wherein the actuator is configured to retract to urge the row unit downward relative to the underlying surface;
• and
• wherein the first end of the actuator is pivotably coupled to the row unit at a location that is nearer to the third coupling point than to the fourth coupling point.

A planter for use in an agricultural operation comprising:

• a toolbar supported above an underlying surface;
• a row unit coupled to the toolbar and configured to distribute commodity to the underlying surface;
• a linkage assembly including an upper arm and a lower arm positioned below the upper arm, the upper arm including a forward end pivotably coupled to the toolbar at a first coupling point and a rearward end pivotably coupled to the row unit at a third coupling point, and the lower arm including a forward end pivotably coupled to the toolbar at a second coupling point and a rearward end pivotably coupled to the row unit at a fourth coupling point;
• and
• an actuator including a first end pivotably coupled to the row unit and a second end pivotably coupled to the lower arm at a fifth coupling point located between the second coupling point and the fourth coupling point;
• wherein the actuator is configured to retract to urge the row unit downward relative to the underlying surface;
• and
• wherein the first end of the actuator is pivotably coupled to the upper arm.