Help identify the function of these parts - combine seeder

[Vernonv]

Hi all,
I bought an old combine seeder and I'm trying to figure out what the purpose/function of these parts are.

The photo's are probably a little difficult to grasp, so I'll try and explain:

1. There are 4 rows of tynes. The two middle sets have seed droppers on they, the front and back sets don't.
2. There is a rod and chain that connects one of the seed dropper tynes to one of the front or back tynes, via a pulley.
3. So it looks like if one of the tynes hits something hard and gets pulled back, it's partner tyne gets pulled forward/deeper.
4. There is also a large spring attached to the whole pulley system.

Can anyone enlighten me on what this system actually does?

Thanks in advance.

Vernon.

 

[paul]

That would maybe be a very early version of what we call a hoe drill here in North America?

Never really seen anything like it, a grain drill smashed together with a field cultivator.

I would expect the spring setup deal you are asking about would help deal with hitting rocks, but can’t figure much out from the pictures as to how it works exactly.

Paul

 

[DanielW]

A spring setup like that with a limiting chain running through the center is usually done so the spring (in extension) takes some of the weight of the implement, so it floats a little better. If your tooth bar, for instance, weight 600 lb., the spring might be taking 400 lb. so you onlyefdectocely have 200 lb. smashing into every rock/bump. But that's admittedly a bit of a guess for your drill. Never seen anything like that - it's pretty cool.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Onlyefdectocely….. I think our president used that word a time or two….

 

[DanielW]

Onlyefdectocely….. I think our president used that word a time or two….

A damned fine word too - needs to make it's way back into my daily lexicon more often...

Guess that's what happens when I try typing on a cell phone. I meant, "only have 200 lb..."

 

[Vernonv]

Thanks for the input guys.
I'm in Australia and we seem to have a lot of these old combine seeders around. This is the smallest one I have seen. They are normally much bigger (wider).

I kind of get why the big spring is there (to allow the tynes to kick back if it hits something hard), it's the linking of all of the tynes in pairs via the chain and rod arrangement, that confuses me a bit.

Note that the tynes will swing fully back if they didn't have the chain/rod attached. But why not have them connected just to the big spring, rather than to another tyne?

Thanks again.

Cheers.

Vernon.