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Pneumatic Downforce Soil Recovery Module (Prototype Concept)

Work in Progress

TL;DR

What: Pneumatic downforce disc recovery module behind a tine + press wheel

Why: Explore controlled reconsolidation vs passive covering tines/chain

Status: Rev A layout + concept; Rev B focuses on pivot/serviceability/off-the-shelf parts

Next: Load cases → drawings → test fit → field trial

Prototype Log:

Problem

A tine disturbs soil and can leave a loose, uneven finish. That can mean inconsistent reconsolidation before the packer and, in some conditions, a mess of ridges that the following implements have to deal with.

A common industry approach is covering/levelling tines. On our home farm, we’ve also experimented with a simple loop of chain behind selected tines on a Horsch CO4, which has worked well at recovering disturbed soil before the packer wheels.

That led to a question: Could a compact disc-based module “capture and return” displaced soil more consistently than a passive tine or chain?

Whiteboard concept drawings (2024).

Goal

Design a simple module that sits directly behind a tine to recover and press soil back into the slot.

Key design principles:

Simple, fabrication-friendly construction
Repeatable, adjustable disc downforce
Uses the tine’s draft force and geometry to self-engage in work

Requirements

Mount behind a tine within a compact envelope (target envelope to be defined)
Survive impact loading and sustained vibration
Adjustable downforce (target range to be defined once load cases are set)
Wear components replaceable (discs, bearings, pins/bushes)
Service access and grease points designed-in
Fabrication friendly: laser cut + folded + welded parts, minimal machining

Wheel_bearing_Hub_0A.pdf

The First Assembly (Rev A)

This Rev A assembly is a proof-of-concept focusing on layout, kinematics, and adjustability. All components are modelled from scratch (fasteners excluded) as part of skills development and design ownership.

Concept Overview

Two staggered, angled discs sit behind the tine to capture displaced soil and guide it back towards the slot.
Disc downforce is applied via a pneumatic cylinder. Regulated air pressure provides a simple method of adjustment and, because air is compressible, offers a degree of compliance as the discs ride over variations in terrain.
A trailing press wheel follows to consolidate and set final depth, with the assembly designed so the forward pull and geometry encourage the unit to run in work rather than skip across the surface.

Why bearings matter:

Given the amount of rotation and abrasive environment, the discs are intended to run on proper bearing arrangements for service life and consistent performance. Final design will use off-the-shelf hubs/bearing units where practical.

Scaling concept:

While the Rev A concept is shown as an individual module behind a tine, the same approach could be developed at section level (shared adjustment and fewer components per metre).

What’s Next (Planned for Rev B / Rev C)

This Rev A model is intentionally not “finished product” detail. The next iterations will focus on making it manufacturable, serviceable, and testable.

To add / refine:

Grease points and proper service access
Redesign around off-the-shelf components (discs, hubs/bearing housings, seals)
More robust and user-friendly adjustment method for disc downforce (including consideration of a section-level control approach)
Improved press wheel depth adjustment (faster and more operator-friendly)
Load case definition + basic hand checks, followed by targeted FEA for comparison of bracket/arm concepts
Initial drawing pack: key weldments, pivot pin/bush, BOM and cut list

Reference / inspiration:

I’ve captured video at LAMMA of similar adjustment concepts; that will inform a more practical and operator-friendly mechanism in the next revision.

Google Sites

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