Flexible Ground-Driven Residue Management Wheel

Technology Description:

The invention is a ground-driven residue management wheel attachment for seeding equipment comprising a fingered wheel, an inner ring, and a spring-loaded arm for conservation tillage through heavy residue in minimum-till or no-till applications. The fingered wheel and inner ring pin crop residue to the ground surface and prevent residue from lodging on the furrow-opening device of the seeding unit. The fingered wheel and inner ring also act as a shield and prevent soil disturbed by the furrow-opening device from being thrown out of the seed furrow. The adjustable spring-loaded arm is able to pivot about the vertical and horizontal axes and provides downpressure to keep the fingered wheel in contact with the ground surface. The attachment prevents, or at least substantially reduces, seeder plugging in heavy crop residue conditions. The attachment also helps to reduce the number and size of piles which form behind the seeding device and controls the soil so that it stays within the seed row.

Reference:

Please refer to Patent Number 6,345,671, which issued February 12, 2002.

Inventors:

Mark C. Siemens Soil and Water Conservation Research 48037 Tubbs Ranch Road Pendleton, OR 97810-0370 (541) 278-4403 / Fax: (541) 278-4372 mark.seimens@orst.edu	Robert F. Correa (Same as first inventor) (541) 278-4422 / Fax: (541) 278-4372 robert.correa@orst.edu
Dale E. Wilkins (Same as first inventor)  (541) 278-4391 / Fax: (541) 278-4372 dale.wilkins @orst.edu