# US 2017/0280618 A1 · Independent closing system with adjustable down force

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- Number: US 2017/0280618 A1
- Document ID: US20170280618A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/623,039
- Filed: 2017-06-14
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2014-12-11
- Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC
- Applicants: CNH Industrial America LLC
- Inventors: Brian Anderson; Johnathon Dienst; Ryan Raetzman; Marvin Prickel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170280618A1

## CPC

- A01C 7/205: {comprising pressure regulation means}
- A01C 5/066: {Devices for covering drills or furrows}
- A01C: PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING (parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, in general A01B51/00 - A01B75/00)

## Abstract

A furrow closing system for an agricultural seed planter provides soil closing and soil pressing that are controlled by independent adjustable down force or pressure systems that react to a common frame element or backbone. The adjustable down force systems may be manually controlled, electronically controlled and/or part of a closed loop system. A down stop, which may also be adjustable, may be used to limit the maximum force of the adjustable down pressure systems.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for closing a furrow with an agricultural seed planter including a frame element, first and second adjustable down-force assemblies coupled to the frame element, a closing assembly coupled to the first adjustable down-force assembly, the closing assembly operable to contact a ground surface, and a press assembly coupled to the second adjustable down-force assembly, the method comprising:
(a) contacting a ground surface with the press and closing assemblies with the press assembly following the closing assembly;
(b) adjusting a first down force from the frame element to the closing assembly via the first adjustable down-force assembly without substantially affecting the press assembly; and
(c) adjusting a second down force from the frame element to the press assembly via the second adjustable down-force assembly without substantially affecting the closing assembly.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising the additional step of limiting the first down force using a down stop.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, comprising the additional step of adjusting the limit of the first down force by adjusting the down stop among a plurality of positions.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising the additional step of using an electronic controller to adjust at least one of the first and second adjustable down-force assemblies.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising the additional step of adjusting the first and second adjustable down-force assemblies while the closing and press assemblies are moving along the ground surface.

### Claim 6

A furrow closing system for an agricultural seed planter comprising:
a frame element;
a closing disc operable to contact a ground surface;
a closing arm pivotally coupled to the frame element and the closing disc;
a first adjustable down-force assembly pivotally coupled to the closing arm;
a press wheel;
a press arm pivotally coupled to the frame element and the press wheel;
a second adjustable down-force assembly pivotally coupled to the press arm; and
a down stop limiting a motion of the closing arm,
wherein the press wheel is operable to contact a ground surface following the closing disc, and
wherein the first adjustable down-force assembly is operable to provide a first adjustable down force from the frame element to the closing disc without substantially affecting the press wheel, and the second adjustable down-force assembly is operable to provide a second adjustable down force from the frame element to the press wheel without substantially affecting the closing disc.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The closing system of claim 6, wherein the first adjustable down-force assembly includes a pneumatic cylinder and the second adjustable down-force assembly comprises a coil spring and a hydraulic cylinder.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The closing system of claim 6, further including an electronic controller operable to adjust the first and second adjustable down-force assemblies while the closing disc and the press wheel are moving along the ground surface.