Agricultural implements with supporting roller

A combined supporting and soil compressing member comprising an elongated substantially horizontal central axis shaft and a plurality of radial supports mounted along the length of said shaft at substantially regular intervals, a plurality of elongate elements mounted on said compressing member and said elements extending generally in the same longitudinal direction as said shaft, said elements being positioned adjacent the peripheries of said supports and forming an outer ground engaging periphery of said compressing member, said elements being included in at least two groups and each group comprising at least one pair of said elements, the elements of one group differing in length from the elements of a second group and bridging at least two adjacent intervals of said compressing member, the elements of said second group bridging at least three adjacent intervals, each of the elements of said two groups having a length that is substantially less than the length of said axis shaft and the elements of each pair being diametrically opposed to one another around said shaft, said two groups being angularly offset with respect to one another around said axis shaft by about 90.degree. and located in different but adjoining regions of said member, each of said regions spanning at least one interval and two supports that are not common to an adjoining region.

A combined supporting and soil compressing roller member comprising an elongated substantially horizontal central axis shaft and a plurality of generally circular supports mounted along the length of said shaft at substantially regular intervals, said roller member having a central region that spans three adjacent intervals between two end regions that each span two respective adjacent intervals, each of said supports having holes adjacent its outer periphery, a plurality of elongate elements detachably mounted on said supports and extending through the holes of said supports, said elements being included in at least two groups of elements, the elements of one group having different lengths than the elements of a second group and said groups being located in adjoining regions of said member, each of said regions spanning at least one interval and two supports that are not common to an adjoining region, said elements having lengths that are at least equal to twice the distance of an interval between neighboring supports but substantially less than the length of said shaft, said elements extending helically around said shaft and forming an outer ground engaging periphery of said compressing member.