AU2004203623B2 - A Disk Cutter Which Has One Moving Arm and One Fixed Arm - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant Actual Inventor Address for Service: Invention Title: Lindon Smith Lindon Smith CULLEN CO Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 239 George Street Brisbane Qld 4000 Australian A Disk Cutter Which Has One Moving Arm and One Fixed Arm Details of Associated Provisional Applications: 2002951923 filed 9 October 2002 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it, known to us: A DISK CUTTER WHICH HAS ONE MOVING ARM AND ONE FIXED ARM FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to an agricultural disk cutting apparatus which comprises two discs which can rotate, each disk being mounted to a separate arm, one arm being fixed to a toolbar and the other arm being movable towards an away from the fixed arm. The disk cutter assembly allows trash/debris etc to be more readily removed between the discs. The invention will be described with reference to its use in cutting post harvested cotton plants, but it should be appreciated that the invention is not meant to be limited thereby.

BACKGROUND ART Once cotton is picked from the plants, the plant is mulched or slashed usually to 75 100 mm above the surface of the soil. Thereafter, the roots of the plants are cut. This process is carried out with cotton root cutters usually 4 6 8 row units or 4 6 units mounted on the rear of cotton mulches. The cotton stalk is cut-off below ground typically at a depth of between 30 50 mm, the depth depending on soil conditions and the like.

The process of mulching or slashing leaves a heavy trash blanket on the ground surface with a large quantity of uncut stalks ranging in length from 75 mm 300 mm. As well, foreign objects such as stones, sticks and tree roots may be present. The trash blanket and the existence of foreign objects in the soil causes extensive problems with existing roots cutter discs.

Root disc cutting apparatus are well-known and well used in the cotton industry. The apparatus typically consists of a pair of spaced apart disc cutting assemblies. Each assembly has a lower steel cutting disc, and the two discs slightly overlap each other to provide a cutting action. The discs are caused to rotate either by relying on ground pressure and/or by the use of a hydraulic drive. Typically, one disc is driven while the other disc is an idler disc.

The trash blanket and/or foreign objects can cause the cutting discs to become jammed and to block up. When the discs block up, it is necessary to clear away the obstruction, either by hand or by a mechanical process. One way to clear the discs is to reverse the disc rotation to make the obstruction fall out. In either case, having to clean jammed cutting discs is a time-consuming process.

The apparatus moves over the ground surface at a constant speed and a t prime mover (typically a tractor) propels the entire apparatus forwards. The driver will often not immediately spot jamming of a pair of discs. Once a pair of discs are jammed, they stop rotating, and will just act as a bulldozing blade to bulldoze the trash into hard to manage clumps. It may be a considerable period of time before the driver notices the problem and stops the vehicle to free the discs.

IThe present invention is directed to an apparatus which uses a pair of cutting discs, but where the incidence of jamming or blocking up of the cutting discs can be reduced and possibly even eliminated.

My earlier Australian patent described a disk cutting apparatus which contained a pair of spaced apart disc cutting assemblies. Each assembly comprised a rotatable disc and a support arm. Each support arm was mounted for movement towards and away relative to the other support arm. That is, each arm could swing in a left and right motion when viewed in plan. Although this apparatus was quite efficient in cleaning trash, it did suffer from some disadvantages. One disadvantage was that if a toolbar contained a number of pairs of such units (that is, each unit containing a pair of spaced apart disc cutting assemblies), the units had to be spaced apart by quite a distance to prevent the arm of one unit striking the arm of an adjacent unit, this being the problem because each arm could swing. Thus, the toolbar needed to support quite a number of such units with an excessive spacing between the units.

This placed unnecessary wear and tear on the entire apparatus. A further disadvantage was that if blockage occurred, both arm members would swing away which meant that both discs would stop working. It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a disk cutting apparatus which may overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a disk cutting apparatus, the apparatus comprising a first arm member mountable to a toolbar and substantially incapable of movement in a sideways direction, a first rotatable disc supported by the first arm member, a second arm member, a second rotatable disc supported by the second arm member and movable in a sideways direction towards and away from the first rotatable disc, and a controlling means, wherein if there is a trash buildup or other type of blockage, the controlling means will operate to swing the second disc away from the first disc to clear the blockage.

In this manner, a more compact unit can be obtained as the first arm member does not swing (move sidewardly). Thus, a number of such units can be placed more closely to each other on a common toolbar, for instance, by placing the fixed arm members substantially next to each other. As the fixed arm members do not substantially adopt sideways movement, the arm members can be placed quite closely to each other. This provides a definite advantage over the existing arrangement where each arm member could swing.

The second arm member may be attached to the first arm member.

Suitably, the second arm member is attached to the first arm member via a pivot pin.

The controlling means may comprise a ram. The ram may be powered by an accumulator.

It is preferred that a stop member is provided to limit the amount of movement of the second rotatable disc towards the first rotatable disc. The stop member may comprise an abutment. The abutment may be attached to the first arm member. If desired, the stop member can be made adjustable to adjust the limit of the movement of the second rotatable disc relative to the first rotatable disc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1. Illustrates an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2. Illustrates a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 3. Illustrates a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 4. Illustrates a rear view of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 5. Illustrates a front view of the apparatus.

BEST MODE Referring to the drawings and initially to figure 1, there is illustrated an apparatus 10, which comprises a first arm member 11I having a first rotatable disc 12, and a second arm member 13 having a second rotatable disc 14.

Specifically, first arm member ItI is made of box steel and can have a length of between 40-150 cm., and a width of between 10-30 mm. This can of course vary to suit. Arm member 11I is attached to a toolbar 15 via a clamping arrangement.

The clamping arrangement comprises a clamp 16 which extends about toolbar 15, and a strong steel bracket 17 which is profiled at 18 to extend partially about toolbar Bracket 17 comprises a pair of spaced apart bracket plates 19, 20. Each bracket plate 19, 20 supports a bearing assembly 21, 22 (assembly 22 illustrated in figure 2) which supports a strong pin 23. Pin 23 pivotally attaches the rear end of first arm member 11I to the clamping arrangement. Thus, first arm member 11I can move up and down but is prevented from moving sideways. The first arm member I11 is spring biased by a strong helical spring 24. One end of spring 24 is attached to a cross member which extends between plates 19 and 20, while the lower end of spring 24 is pivotally attached to a small upstanding bracket 26 which is on top of arm member 11. The tension of the spring 24 can be adjusted by a small nut 27.

The first arm member supports the first disc 12. Disc 12 is a conventional root cutting disc. Trash paddles 28 extend above disc 12 as is known.

Disc 12 is mounted to a vertical shaft (not illustrated) which sits inside housing 29.

The assembly of the disc, shaft and housing 29 comprises a separate assembly which is bolted to the free and of first an-n member 11 via a mounting plate assembly 3 1.

Second arm member 13 is pivotally mounted to first arm member 11 to allow the second arm member 13 to move towards and away from first arm member 11. Second arm member 13 has a second disc 14 which is substantially the same as first disc 12 except that it is powered by a hydraulic motor 30 and is a drive disc.

Again, the second disc is attached to an internal vertical shaft which sits within an outer housing and the entire arrangement is bolted to second arm member 13 via a mounting assembly 33.

Second arm member 13 is attached to first arm member 11 as follows.

First arm member 11 is provided with a small sidewardly extending lug 34. The end of second arm member 13 is provided with a pair of spaced apart mounting plates being an upper plate and a lower plate. Lug 34 extends between the spaced apart mounting plates 35. A bearing 36 is positioned on each plate and supports a vertical pivot pin (not illustrated). The vertical pivot pin extends through an opening in lug 34 to pin second arm member 13 to first arm member 11. The arrangement allows the second arm member 13 to move sidewardly towards and away from first arm member 11.

A controlling means in the form of a ram 37 moves second arm member 13 relative to first arm member 11. Ram 37 has one end attached to a small lug attached to first arm member 11, and has the other end attached to a small lug which is attached to second arm member 13. Operation of ram 37 therefore operates second arm member 13.

A stop means 38 (see figure 2) is provided to limit the movement of second arm member 13 towards first arm member 11. In the particular embodiment, stop means 38 comprises a metal tube extending from first arm member 11 and towards second arm member 13. The length of the metal tube limits the movement of second arm member 13 to first arm member 11. The stop means can be adjusted in length. In the particular embodiment, the end of the stop means is provided with a small rubber plug 39 which is attached to a threaded rod 39A. Threaded rod extends into the metal tube and engages with an internal nut (not illustrated). Rotation of plug 39 thereby causes the plug to extend from the end of the metal tube thereby providing a small degree of length adjustment. The adjustment length is typically about 100mm.

The arrangement is such that the second disc 14 can move from the position illustrated in figure 1 where the second disc slightly overlaps and extends above the first disc 12. However, if there is a trash buildup or other type of blockage, the ram 37 will operate to swing the second disc 14 away from the first disc 12 to clear the blockage. This release arrangement is similar to that described in my earlier patent and requires the ram to be operated by an accumulator.

Each disc assembly is adjustable relative to the support arm 11, 13.

Thus, the assembly which comprises disc 12 is adjustable relative to arm 11 and the assembly which comprises disc 14 is adjustable relative to support arm 13.

Referring initially to the assembly which comprises disc 14, this assembly is adjustable relative to support arm 13 via the mounting plate 33.

Specifically, the assembly can pivot about a horizontal axis and about a pivot pin which is illustrated in figure 1 and figure 5. Mounting plate 33 is of a relative complex design and comprises a pair of spaced apart plate brackets 41, 42 (bracket 42 not illustrated). Pin 40 extends through a boss 43 which is attached to second arm member 13. The amount of pivoting movement is controlled by an adjustment member. The adjustment member comprises a threaded rod 44 one end of which is mounted to brackets 41, 42 via a cross member 45, and the other end of which passes through a plate member 46 which is attached to second arm member 13. Adjustment of the nuts 47 on threaded rod 44 will adjust the pivoting movement of the entire disc assembly relative to arm member 13. Typically, the disc assembly can pivot by an angular distance of between 5-50 mm.

Referring now to arm member 11, the disc assembly on this arm member is also adjustable relative to the arm member and the adjustment is achieved by a particularly designed mounting plate 31. Specifically, disc 12 can be adjusted vertically relative to disc 14 by a distance of between 0-50 mm, and disc 12 can be adjusted horizontally relative to disc 14 by a distance of between 0-60 mm.

The vertical adjustment is achieved as follows. Support arm 11 terminates in a vertical support plate 50 which is best illustrated in figure 1 and figure Attached to support plate 50 is another support plate 51, this plate ultimately being attached to the disc assembly 12. Support plate 51 is provided with vertical longitudinal slots 52 which are not illustrated in figure 1 but some of the slots are illustrated in figure 5. The slots have a length of about 50 mm. Bolts 53 passes through support plate 50 and through slots 52. The nuts on the bolts can be loosened to allow plate 51 to be adjusted vertically relative to plate 50. This allows disc 12 to be adjusted vertically relative to disc 14. The vertical adjustment is carried out by an adjustment member which comprises another threaded rod 54 which has a lower end which abuts against the top of plate 50. Rotation of threaded rod 54 will cause adjustment to be achieved.

The horizontal adjustment is achieved in a quite similar manner.

Specifically, there is provided another vertical support plate 55 (see figure 1) which is mounted relative to arm member 11. Support plate 55 is clamped against another support plate 56 (illustrated in figure 1 and figure Support plate 56 is provided with horizontal slots 57. The slots have a length of about 60 mm. Bolts and nuts are provided to clamp support plate 55 to support plate 56. The bolts passes through the slots which allows plate 56 to be adjusted horizontally or in a sideways manner to bring disc 12 towards or away from disc 14. The horizontal adjustment is carried out by an adjustment nut 57.

One advantage of the apparatus according to the invention is that numbers of such units can be more closely spaced together on a toolbar 15 because first arm member 11 does not move. The unit is more compact. The depth wheel (which forms part of the entire toolbar assembly) can be placed more closely to the apparatus with no likelihood of the depth wheel being struck by a moving arm member. Finally, with the apparatus according to the invention, one of the discs (12) is always in the ground and working. Previously, if there was a blockage, both discs would swing away.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. A disk cutting apparatus comprising a first arm member mountable to a toolbar and substantially incapable of movement in a sideways direction, a first rotatable disc supported by the first arm member, a second arm member, a second rotatable disc supported by the second arm member and movable in a sideways direction towards and away from the first rotatable disc, and a controlling means, wherein if there is a trash buildup or other type of blockage, the controlling means will operate to swing the second disc away from the first disc to clear the blockage.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second arm member is attached to the first arm member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second arm member is attached to the first arm member by a pivot pin.

4. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controlling means comprises a ram.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the ram is powered by an accumulator.

6. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further includes a stop member for limiting the amount of movement of the second rotatable disc towards the first rotatable disc.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the stop member comprises an abutment.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the abutment is attached to the first arm member.

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the stop member is able to be adjusted to thereby adjust the limit of movement of the second rotatable disc relative to the first rotatable disc. A disk cutting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.