One pass seedbed preparation device and system

A seedbed preparation apparatus for use with a planter adapted to be towed by a prime mover, the planter having a frame including a horizontally disposed member and disposed normal to the direction of movement of the planter;

• a first coulter wheel assembly, a second coulter wheel assembly and a third coulter wheel assembly, each said assembly adapted to be adjustably secured to the planter frame member by means for mounting said assemblies;
• said first coulter wheel assembly being furthest towards the front relative to said second and third coulter wheel assemblies, said first coulter wheel assembly being located laterally between said second and third coulter wheel assemblies;
• said second coulter wheel assembly mounted laterally offset from said first coulter wheel assembly;
• said third coulter wheel assembly being furthest towards the rear of said frame in a trailing position behind said second coulter wheel assembly, said third coulter wheel assembly partially facing in at least a partial a mirror image relationship and laterally offset from said second coulter wheel assembly, said second and third coulter wheel assemblies thereby operable to form a seedbed therebetween;
• and
• means mounted on said third coulter wheel assembly for applying fertilizer behind said third coulter wheel assembly and onto the seedbed.

A process of preparing a seedbed having a predetermined width within soil covered by residue from previous plantings, comprising the steps of:

• (a) moving and rotating a first implement into engagement with the soil in a first path;
• (b) simultaneously moving and rotating a second implement into engagement with the soil in a second path laterally to one side of said first path relative to the direction of movement of said implements;
• (c) simultaneously moving and rotating a third implement into engagement with the soil in a third path laterally to an opposite side of said first path thereby forming a seedbed between said second and third paths;
• (d) simultaneously moving a first substance applicator in tandem with said third implement;
• and
• (e) applying substance from said first applicator onto the seedbed.

An apparatus for tilling and fertilizing the soil comprising:

• a frame for movement in a predetermined direction;
• a blade rotatably mounted on said frame for rotation within a generally vertical plane, and upon movement of said frame, rotatable upon engagement with the soil about a generally horizontal axis substantially normal to the direction of movement of said frame, said blade having an irregular surface;
• and
• means for directing a seed growth enhancing substance against said irregular surface prior to said substance falling onto the soil to one side of said blade.

A coulter blade assembly for use with a farm implement comprising in combination:

• a first means adapted to be mounted on the implement and having a fluted, circular blade biased toward the ground and rotatable about a normally horizontal axis, said blade in plan inclined slightly off the centerline of the coulter blade assembly, which centerline is normally aligned with the direction of travel of the coulter blade assembly;
• and
• a second means adapted to be mounted on the implement and having a fluted, circular blade biased toward the ground and rotatable about a normally horizontal axis, said blade in plan inclined slightly off the centerline of the coulter blade assembly, which centerline is normally aligned with the direction of travel of the coulter blade assembly, said second blade adapted to be mounted to one side of and in a trailing relationship with said first blade, and wherein portions of said first and second blades face each other in at least a partial mirror image relationship to each other;
• and further wherein said blades of said first means and said second means are inclined toward each other in plan such as to have a converging relationship with each other relative to the direction of travel of the coulter blade assembly.