Depth control device for ground working agricultural implements

A depth control device for earth working agricultural implements such as seed drills, discers, underground harvesters, planters and the like and which includes supporting framework, ground engaging wheels supporting said framework, said implements including a plurality of spring loaded gangs of furrow opening components mounted in said framework and means to raise and lower said gangs relative to the supporting framework, to set the depth of penetration of said components within the ground;

• said device comprising in combination at least one surface engaging sensing member pivoted by one end thereof to said framework and extending in advance of said components, means operatively connected between said surface engaging sensing member and said means to raise and lower said gangs, to operate said last mentioned means thereby maintaining said gangs at a predetermined depth of penetration relative to the surface of the ground, and further means operatively connected between said gangs and said means operatively connected between said surface engaging sensing member and said means to raise and lower said gangs, also to operate said last mentioned means thereby maintaining said gangs in a predetermined depth of penetration relative to the surface of the ground, said further means including a sensing rod for each of at least two of said gangs and means operatively connecting said sensing rods with said means operatively connected between said surface engaging sensing member and said means to raise and lower said gangs, to average out the movement of said gangs required to operate said last mentioned means, said means operatively connected between said surface engaging sensing member and said means to raise and lower said gangs to set the depth of penetration of said component, including at least one switch assembly operatively connected to said means to raise and lower said gangs, said switch assembly including a first switch for increasing the depth of penetration and a second switch for decreasing the depth of penetration and an actuator assembly extending from said surface engaging sensing member for operating said first and second switches responsive to movement of said surface engaging sensing member, said means to average out the movement of said gangs required to operate said last mentioned means including a connecting member secured by the ends thereof to said sensing rods, said switch assembly being mounted to said connecting member intermediate the ends thereof.

In an earth working agricultural implement which includes a supporting framework and ground engaging wheels supporting said framework, a plurality of spring loaded gangs of furrow opening components mounted in said framework and means to raise and lower said gangs relative to said supporting framework to set the depth of penetration of said components;

• a depth control device for maintaining said depth penetration, said depth control device comprising in combination at least two surface engaging sensing members mounted upon said framework in spaced apart relationship and extending forwardly of said gangs and a gang movement sensing member operatively connected to at least one of said gangs whereby said gang movement sensing member moves an amount corresponding to the movement of said gangs, means operatively connecting said surface engaging sensing members and said gang movement sensing member together and to said means to raise and lower said gangs whereby (A) movement of said surface engaging sensing members actuates said last mentioned means and (B) movement of said gangs also actuates said last mentioned means, in order to maintain a predetermined setting of said depth penetration of said gangs, means operatively connected between said surface engaging sensing members to average out the vertical movement required to operate said means to adjust said depth of penetration, said means operatively connected between said ground engaging sensing members including a connecting bar secured by one end thereof to one of said surface engaging sensing members and by the other end thereof to the other of said surface engaging sensing members, said means operatively connecting said surface engaging sensing members to said gang movement sensing member being connected to said connecting bar intermediate the ends of said connecting bar.