US Patent 10010025 Opener attachment for an agricultural row unit

An opener attachment for an agricultural row unit including a frame, an arm pivotally coupled to the frame, an opener disc coupled to the arm and configured to excavate a trench into soil, and a gauge wheel coupled to the arm and configured to block movement of the opener disc into the soil to control a depth of the trench. The opener attachment also includes a mechanical stop coupled to the frame and configured to block the gauge wheel and the opener disc moving toward the soil. In addition, the opener attachment includes an air bag configured to urge the gauge wheel and the opener disc toward the soil.