FR2706734A1 - Agricultural machine which makes it possible to pick up plastic films for mulching covering the cultivation beds - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an agricultural machine which makes it possible to pick up the plastic films for agricultural mulching, of the type comprising a rolling frame 10 which is towed behind a tractor and on which there are arranged successively in relation to the axis of advance A of the machine: - digging-out means 20a and 20b, - a running carriage 40, - a first station, known as an extraction station, 50, - a second station, known as a recovery station 60, for the plastic film extracted, which is constituted by an endless-belt conveyor 61 including a horizontal part 610 and a vertical part 611 mounted in an articulated manner (arrow A1) in relation to the horizontal part 610 between a first position in which it is situated in the prolongation of the first part so as to be capable of carrying out the ejection of a winding-up mandrel 62 wound with plastic film and a second position in which it is situated in a vertical plane so as to carry out drawing of the film around the winding-up mandrel 62.

Description

- 1 - 2706734

  AGRICULTURAL MACHINE FOR COLLECTING FILMS

  PLASTICS FOR STRETCHING COVERING THE

CULTURE

  The present invention relates to agricultural mulching using flexible plastic films which are either transparent for the precocity of the sown plants (retaining the moisture in the soil and retaining the heat received from the sun during the day) or color

  black to suppress weeds.

  1l exist today many machines towed at the rear of a tractor and allowing to unroll and deposit on the ground said flexible and plastic films such as

  that proposed in patent application No. 2,617,674 in the name of the applicant.

  However, at the end of the season, there is the problem of removing and collecting plastic films on culture boards in order to be able to re-prepare and

  recultivate the field for the next harvest.

  In general, the invention relates more particularly to a machine for picking up plastic films of the type comprising that of a rolling frame towed behind a tractor. On this frame are successively adjusted relative to the axis of advancement of the machine in the direction of the length of the culture boards covered with mulch: - means for digging up the edges of the buried plastic film, a running gear consisting of two carrying wheels arranged parallel on each side of the frame so as to transport the machine, - a first so-called extraction station constituted by a rotary drive cylinder provided with movable peripheral teeth moving radially so that they are protruding of the surface of the cylinder during its lower half-revolution to allow the

  penetration of the teeth in the plastic film, and that they are retracted during the half

  superior revolution to escape from the above filnim,

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  - a second station called recovery of the extracted plastic film constituted by a conveyor belt without end min adopting a horizontal part and a vertical part of

  so as to entrain the plastic film at the outlet of the extraction station around a mandrel

  reel mounted in free rotation inside the belt conveyor so that the above film wraps around said mandrel. The object of the present invention is the study of a machine relating to improvements of this type of machine, reconciling the use of working members in the extraction and recovery of plastic films with the criteria of adaptation to the use of

  simplification of design, great adaptability to the terrain and its inequalities.

  According to the main characteristic of the invention, the machine of the type mentioned above and comprising digging up means, a running gear, an extraction cylinder and a belt conveyor associated with a winding mandrel, is remarkable. in that the vertical part of the conveyor belt of the above-mentioned plastic film recovery station is mounted articulated with respect to the horizontal part of

  so that you can move from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa.

  Thus, in the first position where it is situated horizontally, it can easily assume the role of ejecting the mandrel wound with plastic film towards an appropriate evacuation means and in the second position it is situated in a vertical plane, the conveyor can then conventionally assume its role of driving the film around the winding mandrel. Such an arrangement avoids the use of a lifting arm to release the winding mandrel while allowing downstream adaptation of an automatic system.

evacuation of said mandrel.

  According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the machine comprises a first roller brush suspended upstream of the extraction station so as to ensure the cleaning of the plastic film laid. This roller brush is advantageously arranged at an inclined angle relative to the cylinder of the station

  extraction to ensure the evacuation of waste to the outside of the machine.

  The bristles of this brush will be arranged helically on this brush roller so as to

  facilitate the evacuation of waste to the outside.

  According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the machine comprises a second brush roller driven in rotation between the cylinder of the extraction station and the belt conveyor of the second station so as to ensure cleaning of the cylinder and to avoid a jam. In addition, this roller brush with a speed of rotation greater than that of the cylinder, will also ensure the guiding of the film of the cylinder towards the belt conveyor, and a cleaning of said film on its internal face which is in contact.

with the earth.

  According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned means for digging up the edges of the buried plastic film are constituted by two discovery plowshares mounted parallel on the frame and adopting the shape of a V with two unequal branches, the greatest length of which is directed towards the interior of the frame. The adequate preform of these discoverer coulters makes it possible to easily clear the edges of the film from the bead of earth which held it in place, and this avoiding as much as possible the risk of tearing said film. For this purpose, the point of the V is positioned in the center of the earth bead. In addition, the props ensuring the suspension of the coulters relative to the frame of the machine are bent outwards according to the so-called "crank" preform so as to

  ensure the scrolling of each edge of the film which has just been dug up by said plowshares.

  According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, this machine comprises means for detecting the penetration height of the teeth of the cylinder of the extraction station, in the plastic film laid. To this end, these detection means preferably consist of a wheel defining a feeler and which, associated with an arm mounted articulated on the frame at the recovery station, rests on the ground, to determine the tilting angle of the frame around its undercarriage. These detection means have the advantage of adapting the height of the machine frame with respect to the unevenness that may exist between the plastic film and the strip of

  ground on which the undercarriage of the frame evolves.

  According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the horizontal part of the belt conveyor is pivotally mounted relative to the frame of the machine so as to be able to maintain the horizontality of this part of the conveyor whatever the angle of inclination of the machine frame around the undercarriage. Indeed, so that the plastic film can be routed under good conditions on the belt conveyor, it is important that the horizontality of this part of the conveyor is maintained whatever the angle of inclination of said frame, especially when that -this evolves on

mounds or mounds of earth.

  Although the general characteristics of the invention considered to be new have been expressed in their entirety above, more details concerning a preferred method of making the machine of the invention will be better.

  understood with reference to the detailed description below and to the accompanying drawings.

  In these drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine respecting the fundamental concepts of the invention;

  Figures 2a and 2b are front and top views of the front of the machine.

  Figure 3 is a schematic side view illustrating the kinematics of

  operation of the rear of the machine.

  As can be seen in the drawing in FIG. 1, the machine referenced M as a whole, intended to pick up a plastic film for agricultural mulching, comprises in particular a frame 10 which, formed by an assembly of sleepers 101 and spars 101la and 101lb defining the logical structure of the machine M, is not detailed in the context of the invention because its design does not add anything more to a good understanding of the invention: its only role being to serve as a support for different parts of the machine M. On this frame 10, three preformed anchoring points 11, 12, 13 are positioned to receive the three attachment points of the "three point" coupling and lifting system of a tractor, allowing the whole M machine to be towed behind the latter. The axis and the direction of advance of the machine M are symbolized by the arrow A. The various working members arranged on this frame 10 will be described below in chronological order of their position and their role, by relative to the advancement axis A. The first of these members is constituted by two share coulters 20a and 20b suspended by props 21a, 21b from the frame 10 installed adjustable in height (arrow V) in flanges 22a, 22b which are sliding mounted (arrow C) along a cross 101 of the frame 10 as can be seen in more detail in the drawings of Figures 2a and 2b. These discovery coulters 20a and 20b oriented upwards at the rear adopt the shape of a V with two unequal branches, the greatest length of which is directed towards the interior of the frame and are positioned so that the point of the V penetrates in the middle of the bead of earth covering the edge of the film. On the other hand, it will be noted that the props 21a and 21b supporting the plowshares 20a and 20b are preformed according to a configuration of the "crank" type so as to ensure a movement of continuous lifting of the films started by the plowshares 20a and 20b. By their preform the props 21a and 21b also have for

  advantage of ejecting the bead of earth covering the edges of the film which has just been dug up.

  Behind these discoverer coulters 20a and 20b, is arranged a first brush roller 30 driven in rotation (arrow R1) around an axis suspended horizontally from the side members

  101a and 101b of the frame 10 and so as to form an inclined angle relative to the crosspiece 101.

  The bristles of this brush roller 30 are arranged so as to form a helical turn around said roller so that they can ensure the cleaning of the plastic film placed

  and the ejection of the waste towards the outside of the machine M. The drive R1 of this roller-

  brush 30 can be provided independently or synchronized with the training of others

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  rotary members of the machine M. At the same level as this brush roller 30 is fitted the undercarriage 40 which, consisting of two carrying wheels 40a and 40b, ensures the transport of the machine M and possibly the motor drive of certain members of the machine. These carrying wheels 40a and 40b are positioned at the front of the frame 10 so that by acting on the anchor point 13 of the tractor coupling and lifting system, it is possible to tilt (arrow)

  B) the frame 10 around the pivot axis constituted by the hub of the wheels 40a and 40b.

  At the rear of this undercarriage 40 is positioned the extraction station 50 essentially constituted by a cylinder 51 mounted in rotation (arrow R2) between the two longitudinal members 101la and 101b of the frame 10. This cylinder 51 has on its peripheral surface longitudinal rows of slots 52 in which move teeth 53, which are movable radially (arrow L) so that they project from the surface of the cylinder 51 during the lower half-revolution of the latter, directly above the ground, in order to impale the film

  plastic and drag it around said cylinder and that they are retracted during the half

  higher revolution, in order to disengage from said plastic film. A brush roller 54 driven in rotation in the same direction as that of the cylinder 51 (illustrated by the arrow R2), and preferably at a speed greater than that of the cylinder 51, is disposed between the two beams 101a and 101b of the frame 10 and parallel to the cylinder 51 on which it rests, so as to ensure cleaning of the latter while propelling the plastic film released from the teeth 53, towards the rear of the frame and in particular towards the recovery station 60. The presence of the roller -brush 54 also avoids the problem of jamming between the two stations. Note also the presence of a probe 55 made from a roller 55a associated with an arm 55b mounted articulated (arrow A) on the spar 101a. This probe 55, the wheel 55a of which rests on the ground, makes it possible to determine the suitable tilting angle (arrow B) of the frame 10 around the undercarriage 40 so that the penetration height of the peripheral teeth 53 of the cylinder 50 in the plastic film placed on the ground, is always adequate. In order to adjust this tilting angle B as a function of the height determined by the probe 55, the anchor point 13 of the frame 10 is connected to the corresponding anchor point of the

  coupling and lifting system, by a jack, not shown, adjustable in length.

  The recovery station 60 is located at the rear of the frame 100 and consists of an endless belt conveyor 61 and a winding mandrel 62 mounted in free rotation on two support arms 62a and 62b, such that the film leaving the extraction station 50 and more particularly the brush roller 54 is entrained via the endless bands of the conveyor 61 towards the winding mandrel 62 around which it is wound. The conveyor 61 consists of a first horizontal part 610 situated in the extension of the frame 10 -6- and a second extreme vertical part 611. The first part is intended to facilitate the routing of the film towards the reel-mandrel 62 and the second part to authorize

  wrapping the film around it.

  According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the vertical part 611 is mounted articulated (arrow A1) around its connecting axis on the horizontal part 610. This articulation movement A1, actuated by means of two parallel jacks 611la and 61 lb allows to tilt the vertical part 611 in the horizontal part 610 so

  to facilitate the ejection of the winding mandrel 62 towards the outside.

  On the other hand, the horizontal part 610 of the belt conveyor 61 is also mounted articulated (arrow A2) relative to the frame 10 in order to adjust the horizontality of the part 610

  of the conveyor 61, whatever the tilt angle B of the frame 10 detected by the probe 55.

  In fact, when the machine operates on mounds or mounds of earth, it will be important to maintain the horizontality of the belt conveyor 61 so that the film leaving the brush roll 54 of the extraction station 60 can be conveyed properly towards the winding mandrel 62. The kinematics of the different positions of the endless belt conveyor 61 authorized by the double articulations A1, A2, is illustrated in more detail in the drawing

in Figure 3.

  Note the presence of tensioning means 63 of each belt of the conveyor 61, arranged at the end of the vertical part 611. These tensioning means 63 constituted by rollers 63a held by means of an arm 63b mounted articulated on the chassis of the vertical part 611. These rollers are kept under pressure on the endless bands by return springs 63c to adjust the tension of the endless bands in order to make up for the unevenness of the film.

  plastic wrapped around the winding mandrel 62.

  The operation of the machine M which has just been described above is simple and the following: Once the three anchoring points 11, 12 and 13 of the frame 10 are coupled to the lifting system of the tractor, the driver acts on the actuator actuating the third anchor point 13 so as to adjust the tilt angle B of the frame 10 determined by the probe 55, in

  function of the height of the cylinder 51 relative to the plastic film laid.

  As the machine A moves forward A, the share coulters 20a and 20b dig up the edges of the plastic film which are lifted by the bent parts of the props 21a and 21b. The rotary drive R1 of the helical brush roller 30 allows

  clean the plastic film of the plants and evacuate them to the outside of the frame 10.

  The Efilm is then sucked into the cylinder 51 of the extraction station 52 by means of the peripheral teeth 52 so as to wind in the upper half-revolution around the cylinder, to be ejected, via the brush roller 54, towards the conveyor endless belts 61

  the vertical part 611 of which is erected so as to wind said film around the mandrel 62.

  Once this winding mandrel is full, the vertical part 611 rocks so as to be

  in the extension of the horizontal part 612 thus authorizing the ejection of said mandrel.

  It is understood that the agricultural machine for picking up plastic films for mulching covering the cultivation boards, which has just been described and represented above, has been for the purpose of disclosure rather than limitation. Of course, various arrangements, modifications and improvements could be made to the above example, without going beyond the ambit of the invention taken in its aspects and in its spirit most

wide.

  In order to allow a better understanding of the drawings, a list of

  references with their legends is listed below.

  M ............................................. Machine 10 .. .............

  .......... Frame 11, 12, 13 ............... DTD: .......... Three anchor points 101. ................................ Traverse 101a, 101b .............. .......... Longerons a, 20b ............. DTD: ..................... .. Discovery shares 21a, 21b ....................... DTD: .... Shoring 22a, 22b .......... ................ Flanges 30 ................................ ............ First brush roller 40 ................................. ........... Undercarriage a, 40b ........................... Load wheels 50 ... ......... DTD: ................................ Extraction station 51 .. ................................. Rotating cylinder 52 .............. .. DTD: .................. Lights 53 .......................... ....... Teeth 54 .................................. Brush roller 55 ... ........... DTD: ................... Probe 55a .............. DTD: ........... Roulette b ......................... Arm 60 .......... ...... DTD: ............................ Recovery station 61 ... ................ DTD: ................ Endless belt conveyor 610 .......... .............. DTD:. Horizontal part 611 .................... DTD: ..... Vertical part..DTD: -8- 2706734

  611a, 611b ......... Cylinders actuating the vertical part 62. Winding mandrel 62 ............................. ....... Winding mandrel 62a, 62b ................... Support arm 63 ................ ................... Voltage medium 63a ................

  ...... Roller 63b ........................ Arm 63c ................ ..DTD: ........ Return spring Arrow A ................................. .DTD: .... Direction of advancement of the frame I Arrow C .................. DTD: .............. ..... Horizontal sliding movement of the flanges 22a, 22b along the crosspiece 101 Arrow V ............................ ... .DTD: ..... Vertical sliding movement of the props 21a and 21b Arrow Ri ............................ ....... Rotational movement of the first brush roller 30 Arrow R2 ........................... .DTD: .. ..... Cylinder rotation movement 51 Arrow L ....... DTD: ............................ .. Displacement of teeth 53 Arrow A ..................................... Articulation movement of the arm b of the probe 55 Arrow Ai ................................... Articulation movement of the vertical part Belt conveyor 611 61 Arrow A2 ................................... Articulation movement of the part horizo ntale 610 du..DTD: belt conveyor 61.

  Arrow B .................................... Tilting movement of frame 10 around the undercarriage

bearing 40.

Claims (13)

  1. Agricultural machine making it possible to pick up plastic films for agricultural mulch covering the cultivation boards, of the type comprising that of a rolling frame (10) towed at the rear of a tractor and on which are arranged successively with respect to the advancement axis (a) of the machine: - means for digging up (20a and 20b) the edges of the buried plastic film, - a running gear (40) consisting of two supporting wheels (40a and 40b) arranged parallel to each side of the frame (10) so as to transport the machine, - a first so-called extraction station (50) consisting of a cylinder (51) with rotary drive provided with mobile peripheral teeth (53) moving radially (arrow   L) so that they protrude from the surface of the cylinder (51) during the half   lower revolution of the latter to allow the teeth (53) to penetrate into the plastic film and to be retracted during the upper half-revolution in order to free themselves from the above film, - a second so-called film recovery station (60) extracted plastic constituted by an endless belt conveyor (61) adopting a horizontal part (610) and a vertical part (611) so as to entrain the plastic film at the outlet of the extraction station (50) around a mandrel reel (62) mounted in free rotation inside the belt conveyor (61) so that the above film wraps around said mandrel, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the vertical part (611) of the belt conveyor (61 ) of the aforesaid recovery station (60) of the plastic film is mounted articulated (arrow A1) relative to the horizontal part (610) between a first position where it is located in the   extension of the first part so as to be able to eject the mandrel-   reel (62) wound with plastic film and a second position where it is located in a   vertical plane so as to ensure the entrainment of the film around the winding mandrel (62).   2. Machine according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it comprises a first brush roller (30) suspended upstream of the extraction station (50) so as to clean the plastic film placed, which brush roller (30) is arranged at an angle inclined with respect to the cylinder (51) of the extraction station (50) so as to   ensure the evacuation of waste to the outside of the machine.   3. Machine according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it comprises a brush roller (54) rotatably mounted between the cylinder (51) of the extraction station (50) and the conveyor belt (61) of the second station (60) so as to ensure   cleaning the cylinder and ensuring the ejection of the film to the conveyor (61).   -10- -1ty - 2706734 4. Machine according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the aforesaid means of digging up (20a and 20b) of the edges of the buried plastic film are constituted by two coulters (20a and 20b) mounted parallel adjustable in height (arrow V) and sliding (arrow C) on the frame (10) and adopting the shape of a V with two unequal branches, the greatest length of which is directed towards the inside of the frame (10). 5. Machine according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it comprises detection means (55) of the penetration height of the teeth (53) of the cylinder (51) of the extraction station (50) in the plastic film buried to control the tilting angle (arrow B) of the frame (10) around its undercarriage   (40) to compensate for uneven ground.   6. Machine according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it comprises tensioning means (63) of each belt of the conveyor (61) arranged at the end of the vertical part (611) of the latter to ensure tension individual of said strips and each constituted by a roller (63a) kept under pressure on the endless strip by means of an articulated arm (63b) retained on the frame of the vertical part (611) by a return spring (63c).   7. Machine according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the articulation (arrow A1) of the vertical part (611) of the aforesaid belt conveyor (61) is   provided by at least one hydraulic cylinder (61 la and 61 lb).   8. Machine according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the horizontal part (610) of the belt conveyor (61) is mounted articulated (arrow A2) relative to the frame (10) of the machine, so as to be able to maintain its horizontality whatever   or the angular expansion (B) of the frame (10) around the undercarriage (40).   9. Machine according to claims 1 and 2, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT   THAT the bristles of the first brush roller (30) are arranged on the latter so as to form a helical turn.   10.Machine according to claims 1 and 3, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT   THAT the second brush roller (54) is rotated in the same direction as that of the cylinder (51) of the extraction station (50) and at a speed greater than that of the last.   11. Machine according to claims 1 and 4, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT   THAT the above-mentioned coulters (20a and 20b) are kept suspended from the frame (10) by props (21a and 21b) bent outwards in the form of a "crank" so as to ensure the lifting of the edges of the said plastic film unearthed by the discovery coulters - 1 1-.2706734 (20a and 20b).   12. Machine according to Ies claims 1 and 5, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the tilting movement (B) of the frame (10) around its undercarriage (40) is   ensured by a cylinder adjustable in length and ensuring the connection of the high anchor point (13) to the "three point" lifting system of the tractor.   13. Machine according to claims 1 and 5, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the aforesaid means of detection (55) of the penetration height of the teeth (53) of the   cylinder (51) of the extraction station (50) sounds constituted by a roller (55a) defining a feeler and which, associated with an arm (55b) articulated (arrow A) on the frame (10) at the level of the station d 'evacuation (50), is supported on the ground.