Apparatus for preparing soil for the placement of seed and additive

An apparatus for preparing soil for the placement therein of at least one of seed and additive, said apparatus comprising:

• a frame having a front and rear;
• first means on the frame for penetrating the soil to create an opening for at least one of seed and additive as the frame is advanced in a travel direction;
• and
• second means on the frame overlapping the first means in a fore and aft direction and extending rearwardly beyond the first means for at least one of a) stripping soil clods from the first means, and b) loosening soil downstream of the first means,
• whereby a loosened bed of soil can be defined for receipt of at least one of seed and additive,
• wherein the second means comprises a first wheel with there being means mounting the first wheel to the frame so that the first wheel traces a path in rotation bounded by a plane that intersects the first means,
• wherein the first means comprises a second wheel that is rotatable about a horizontal axis,
• wherein said second means includes a third wheel with there being means mounting the third wheel to the frame so that the third wheel traces a path in rotation bounded by a plane that intersects the first means,
• wherein the first and third wheels comprise toothed wheels and the means mounting the first and third wheels to the frame each mounts the first and third wheels for rotation about axes that are angled both with respect to each other and the rotational axis of the second wheel.

An apparatus for preparing soil for the placement therein of at least one of seed and fertilizer, said apparatus comprising:

• a frame having a front and rear;
• first means on the frame for continuously parting soil in an intended line of introduction of at least one of seed and fertilizer as the apparatus moves in a travel direction;
• and
• second means on the frame for loosening soil adjacent to the intended line of introduction of at least one of seed and fertilizer,
• whereby a loosened bed of soil can be defined for receipt of at least one of seed and fertilizer,
• said first means comprising a first wheel that is rotatable about a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the intended line of introduction of at least one of seed and fertilizer,
• said second means comprising a toothed wheel that overlaps the first wheel in a fore and aft direction and resides entirely rearwardly of the first axis.

An apparatus for preparing soil for the placement therein of at least one of seed and additive, said apparatus comprising:

• a frame having a front and a rear;
• first means on the frame for penetrating the soil to create an opening for at least one of seed and additive as the frame is advanced in a travel direction;
• said first means comprising a rotary element having a rotary axis;
• and
• second means on the frame overlapping the first means in a fore and aft direction for at least one of a) stripping soil clods from the first means, and b) loosening soil downstream of the first means,
• said second means comprising a first wheel,
• there being means mounting the first wheel to the frame for rotation relative thereto about an axis and so that the first wheel resides entirely rearwardly of the rotary axis of the rotary element.