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A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the down pressure exerted by an actuating device on a seed channel opener of a planting implement in order to maintain the seed channel opener at a predetermined depth. The method and apparatus includes a depth control device which senses the load o

A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the down pressure exerted by an actuating device on a seed channel opener of a planting implement in order to maintain the seed channel opener at a predetermined depth. The method and apparatus includes a depth control device which senses the load on the depth control wheel of the planting implement and transmits a sensed load output to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit includes a micro-controller which receives, monitors and analyzes the sensed load output and compares it to the predetermined depth value. When the micro-controller detects a change between the predetermined depth value and sensed output value, a signal is transmitted to a regulating control valve which adjusts the down pressure exerted by the actuating device on the seed channel opener to maintain the proper cutting depth.

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A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the down pressure exerted by an actuating device on a seed channel opener of a planting implement in order to maintain the seed channel opener at a predetermined depth. The method and apparatus includes a depth control device which senses the load o

A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the down pressure exerted by an actuating device on a seed channel opener of a planting implement in order to maintain the seed channel opener at a predetermined depth. The method and apparatus includes a depth control device which senses the load on the depth control wheel of the planting implement and transmits a sensed load output to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit includes a micro-controller which receives, monitors and analyzes the sensed load output and compares it to the predetermined depth value. When the micro-controller detects a change between the predetermined depth value and sensed output value, a signal is transmitted to a regulating control valve which adjusts the down pressure exerted by the actuating device on the seed channel opener to maintain the proper cutting depth. e of the first side wall section which extends upwardly from the base wall, an intermediate side wall section which extends outwardly from the first side wall section, and a second side wall section which extends upwardly from the intermediate side wall section. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a tank having a first side wall spaced from a second side wall, the tank defining at least one brining cell and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the cell having brine therein, and the flume being connected to the fluid inlet; a frame positioned within the tank; a looped belt which extends in a continuous path around the frame and which extends into the brine within the tank; a drive mounted to advance the belt within the cell, and to drive the belt downwardly along a downward run, and then to advance the belt along an upward run as the belt is returned to its original starting location; a plurality of flights which protrude outwardly from the belt, the flights being positioned to engage floating cheese blocks introduced into the cell at the fluid inlet, and the cheese blocks are positioned by the flights between the belt and the tank first side wall along the downward run, and the cheese blocks are positioned between the belt and the tank second side wall along the upward run, wherein each flight projects away from the belt towards the first wall along the downward run, and each flight projects away from the belt toward the second wall along the upward run. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first side wall converges towards the second side wall as the side walls extend towards a bottom wall. 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the belt as it extends along the downward run converges toward the belt extending along the upward run, and wherein the flights are angled downwardly from the horizontal as they are moved along the downward run and the upward run. 6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each flight is cylindrical, and cheese blocks are restrained inside the cylindrical flights. 7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each flight comprises a first segment fixed to the belt, and a second segment pivotably connected to the first segment, the second segment being pivotable between a first position substantially parallel to the first segment for conveying cheese blocks of a first size, and a second position approximately perpendicular to the first segment for conveying cheese blocks of a second, smaller, size. 8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the belt is comprised of a plurality of rigid plastic links which are pinned together, and the flights are formed as portions of selected links. 9. A cheese brining apparatus comprising: a tank having a first side wall, and an opposed second side wall, with a brining cell defined therebetween and having brine therein; a frame supported on the tank and having portions which are submerged within the tank; at least one continuous looped belt mounted to the frame and encircling the frame, the belt having a plurality of cylindrical tubular flights which project outwardly from the at least one belt toward a tank side wall, wherein cheese blocks are engaged within each of said cylindrical tubular flights as the at least one belt is moved in a continuous looped path through the brine within the tank; a drive mounted to engage the at least one belt to rotate it and to advance cheese blocks submerged within the brine in the tank along said path. 10. A cheese brining apparatus which is adaptable to treating cheese blocks of different dimensions, the apparatus comprising: a tank having a first side wall, and an opposed second side wall, with a brining cell defined therebeween and having brine therein; a frame supported on the tank and having portions which are submerged within the tank; a continuous looped belt mounted to the frame and encircling the frame, the belt having a plurality of hinged segmented flights which project outwardly from the at least one belt a way from the frame, wherein cheese blocks are engaged by the hinged segmented flights as the belt is moved in a continuous looped path through the brine within the tank, each hinged segmented flight having a first segment which projects from the belt toward a side wall, and a second segment hinged to the first segment, the second segment being pivotable between a first position lying adjacent the first segment, and positioned to engage a cheese block of a first size, and a second position extending generally perpendicular to the first segment for engaging a cheese block of a second size which is smaller than the first size; a drive mounted to engage the belt to rotate it and to advance cheese blocks submerged within the brine in the tank along said path. 11. The cheese brining apparatus of claim 10 further comprising at least one guide bar mounted to the tank first side wall and extending vertically within the tank, the at least one guide bar being selectably positionable between a first position which does not engage the second segments, and a second position which retains the second segments in the second position. 12. The cheese brining apparatus of claim 11 wherein the at least one guide bar is mounted on pivoting arms to the first tank side wall. 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the tank has portions defining a fluid inlet, and further comprising a flume connected to the fluid inlet, the flume having a base wall with upwardly extending first side wall sections which are spaced a first distance apart of an appropriate width for conveying the cheese blocks of the first size; and second side wall sections extend upwardly from the first side wall sections and are spaced a second distance apart which is substantially greater than the first distance spacing of the first side wall sections, the second distance being suited for conveying the cheese blocks of a second size which is larger than the first size, such that first size cheese blocks are conveyed when the flume is filled with brine to a level below the second side wall sections, and second size cheese blocks are conveyed when the flume is filled with brine to a level above the first side wall sections. 14. A cheese brining apparatus comprising: a tank having a fluid inlet, a first side wall, and an opposed second side wall, with a brining cell defined between said side walls, and having brine therein; a frame supported on the tank and having portions which are submerged within the tank; at least one continuous looped belt mounted to the frame and encircling the frame, the belt having a plurality of tubular flights which project outwardly from the at least one belt toward a tank side wall, wherein cheese blocks are engaged within each of said tubular flights as the at least one belt is moved in a continuous looped path through the brine within the tank; a drive mounted to engage the at least one belt to rotate it and to advance cheese blocks submerged within the brine in the tank along said path; a flume connected to the fluid inlet, the flume having a base wall with upwardly extending first side wall sections which are spaced a first distance apart of an appropriate width for conveying cheese blocks of a first size; and second side wall sections extend upwardly from the first side wall sections and are spaced a second distance apart which is substantially greater than the first distance spacing of the first side wall sections, the second distance being suited for conveying cheese blocks of a second size which is larger than the first size, such that first size cheese blocks are conveyed when the flume is filled with brine to a level below the second side wall sections, and second size cheese blocks are conveyed when the flume is filled with brine to a level above the first side wall sections. 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein one of the first side wall sections is continuous with one of the second side wall sections to define a continuous wall which