Assembly used in farm implements to clear mulch for minimum tillage

In an assembly for use in conservation tillage over soil having residue of former crops remaining thereon, and including a planting assembly for opening a seed furrow, for depositing seed therein and for closing the coil over the seed;

• a frame operatively connected to the planting assembly for placement in front of the planting assembly;
• a unit mounted on the frame and engageable with the soil sufficiently to cut the remaining residue and to define a path therebetween for planting, the path having a centerline extended in plan longitudinally of the unit;
• a residue clearing device comprising:
• rotatable means mounted on the frame between the unit and the planting assembly, said rotatable means disposed angularly across the path;
• said rotatable means engageable with the soil sufficient only to move the residue remaining on the path to one side thereof whereby to clear the residue from in front of the planting assembly and further wherein the said rotatable means comprises a single wheel having peripheral outward teeth and rotatable about a generally horizontal axis, and extended angularly in plan completely across the path;
• said wheel engageable with the soil sufficiently only to provide rotation of said wheel, and said wheel disposed with its center aligned in plan with the centerline of the path,
• whereby providing minimal penetration into mulch and soil while clearing the center of the path.