AU2007216912A1 - An agricultural ground engaging chain and an agricultural implement - Google Patents

Description

21/09 2007 16:32 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA a007/076 57527 JOM:JW o P/00/011 SRegulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

0 0 Name of Applicant: HAIDNAY PTY LTD Actual Inventor: SHANE KELLY Address for Service: COLLISON CO.,117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A. 5000 Invention Title: AN AGRICULTURAL GROUND ENGAGING CHAIN AND AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Details of Associated Provisional Applications: Australian Patent Application No. 2006905212 dated 21 September 2006 The following statement is a full description of this Invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16:33 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA 00OO8/076 0 2 SAN AGRICULTURAL GROUND ENGAGING CHAIN AND AN AGRICULTURAL Cl

IMPLEMENT

tCl This invention relates generally to agricultural equipment and, more particularly, 6 to an agricultural implement that does not merely clear away material on top of a ground surface but rather is able to furrow the soil, break up the material so it can be incorporated into the ground or decomposed. The agricultural o implemeni also provides for the levelling of the soil and uprooting of weeds.

This invention also relates to a ground engaging agricultural chain and to a method, process and/or assemblage of said chain.

Farmed laid by its nature undergoes cyclic periods of sowing, growth and harvest. Sowing, growing and harvesting of crops all requires the certain conditioning of the soil if successful returns are going to be obtained from the worked area.

Conditions left over a farmed area particularly after harvest does not normally provide the ideal conditions in which further crops can be sowed- When the main crop is harvested the soil often still includes weeds that need to be destroyed as well as stubble and the like from previous crops requiring uprooting and cutting before any seed can be sowed.

Still further, not only does stubble require uprooting or cutting, weeds still need to be killed off, but also there is the further requirement of having the soil levelled such that sowing implements responsible for reintroducing a new crop into the field can do so efficiently and expeditiously.

Though in the past various agricultural implements have been provided for that attempt tc address certain of the above referenced ground engaging problems associated with uprooting or cutting of stubble, killing of weeds and also COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16:33 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA WJ009/076 o 3 levelling, as to date there is yet to be provided one multi purpose simple a) structural agricultural piece of apparatus that can achieve all these objectives when engaging a ground.

The prior art is filled with various simplistic agricultural implements that tend to focus on one aspect of the above listed problems, to an extent that if they are \O implemented they are likely to lead to an exaggeration of the remaining Ci problems 'eferred to above.

o For example, a Russian patent referred to as SU1523061 was able to establish that by having a heavy chain pulled along by a tractor or the like, this heavy io chain by virtue of simply being a sequence of inter connected links, was able to pick up any debris, stubble or other material left on the surface and as it worked its way ac-oss was able to drag this material like a rake, and slowly level out the ground left behind.

The problem with this construction is that as the chain had no special characteristics other than simply being inter connected links, with no set rotation or the like, the chain simply was like one large heavy broom or rake which would carry the material along in a sweeping action rather than have the material settle in situ as part of the levelling process.

The chain in this Russian invention had no capabilities of killing weeds that remained on the surface nor could it effectively uproot or cut stubble and leave such material there in place. As explained above rather than simply uprooting or cutting -he stubble left on the surface, the chain would pull and sweep this material away from the location from where it was originally derived from.

Hence it had not opportunity to decompose and return to the soil.

At best the agricultural implement was adapted to ground engage in SU1523061 for a raking effect of the ground by virtue of blades or spikes that COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16:33 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA 0100/076 04 e, preceded the chain, and thereafter a flattening or sweeping effect was provided

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for by the chain.

The raking of material on the land being tillaged is undesirable as it removes important nutrient derivable from the stubble and the like and also exposes fresh soil to wind erosion and the like.

Ci There have been further examples whereby chains have been used to address Ssome of the problems discussed above, but again each of these agricultural Simplements, in seeking to solve the problem of one aspect tend to exaggerate problems associated with the other problems.

For example, US document 4893682 provides for an agricultural implement whereby a rotating flexible chain can assist in soil erosion control. Nonetheless, the intended purpose of the invention is simply to slow down erosion by controlling water movement, which is done by the creation of dimples or miniature dams or the like across the ground surface as the chain is passed there along.

The creation of these dimple features result from the unique baffles or blades that extend out from longitudinal links. Though the chain is being pulled along by a tractor or the like, it still doesn't have a multi purpose whereby its able to provide ground levelling, weed control and stubble break up substantially insitu.

As with the chain provided for in the Russian document referred to above, all this chain simply does is provide a raking effect.

So to in Russian documents SU745395 and SU982551 whereby the referred to spikes and chains without further characterisation though potentially being able to provide some ground levelling effect, there is no mechanism for spikes or simple inter linked chains without more, to break up stubble, nor is there the ability to control the weed, by cutting up the weeds with the action of some further structural feature.

COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16,33 FAX COLLISON CO 2/ IP AUST CANBERRA 2011/076 o 0 US document 1897820 and others like it, in US2825983, RU2068226 and

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SSU973045 while employing chains as the main ground engaging implement still _suffer in that each effect a dragging across the ground surface to clear away the debris on the surface rather than any reworking.

An object of this invention is not simply having a chain dragged along by a O tractor or tme like to clear away debris on the surface. In fact the contrary is desired whereby the chain will be adapted such that it does not function to clear o away material on the ground which it is working, but is able to furrow the soil 0 and break up the material there in situ so it can be incorporated into the ground io or decompose therein rather than being cleared away.

At the same time this reworking by the chain can also provide for a levelling of the overall surface and the uprooting and killing of any weeds to which may have infiltrated that area of land being worked.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement for breaking up the ground, furrowing it, and depositing the broken up material back into the ground.

Another object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement, as aforesaid, that levels the ground by maintaining its flexible chain harrows in tension.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement, as aforesaid, that includes multiple chain harrows in diagonal configurations for breaking up soil and other material.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement, as aforesaid, that keeps its Chain harrows from becoming high centered.

COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16:34 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA a012/076 0 6 A further object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement, as V) aforesaid, in which its plurality of concave discs and chain links enable material to pass through rather than being dragged along.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement, as aforesaid, having chain and disc links that are rotatable about the longitudinal Sdirection of the chain so as to effect multi-purpose actioning of the soil by being able to level the surface rather than dragging material while also breaking up or Suprooting weeds or stubble.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement, as aforesaid, in which the main framework includes left and right folding members that may be folded both upwardly and inwardly for transport and storage.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

According-y, in one form of the invention, there is provided a ground engaging chain made up of a plurality of inter connected links adapted when passed over an area of land, to effect a digging action providing a mechanism to break up said ground surface and objects thereon or therein, without substantially dragging said material further along the point of contact with the chain, said chain including; communications between the inter connected links such that one link is able to move relative to the other, and wherein at least every second consecutive link includes a concave disc, COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16:34 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA I013/076 o 7 said chain with concave discs is characterised in being able to rotate

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Salong the ground and cut in to said ground thereby enabling to cut through weed, break up stubble and provide a ground levelling effect.

An advantage of such an arrangement is that by having each link being able to move relative one with the other, with the combination of having a concave disc \O present on at least every second consecutive link, means that rather than Ssimply dragging the chain across an area of land which would result in literally o sweeping or raking up of the surface, this chain is adapted to furrow the soil, o and thereby break up the material, such as the stubble on the surface to allow it to incorporate into the ground or decompose therein rather than be cleared away.

Advantageously, the rotating discs are able to cut in or uproot weeds that remain held to the soil, and still further the overall sweeping and pulling action of the chamn as it moves across the soil is able to settle and level the soil rather than simply rake or drag the top soil.

In preference, the concave disc is secured to each link within the alignment so as to have its circular periphery defines a plane, so that the plane will be transversed to a central axis passing along a direction of elongation of the respective link.

In preference, the plurality of links has each link which is a very heavy link integrally shaped to follow a closed path and inter connect in a traditional manner with other links.

In a furthe,' form of the invention, there is provided for a method of making a ground engaging chain as referred to above, whereby the concave discs are formed by pressing a circular sheet or plane of resilient material, the pressed disc is then symmetrically cut and then fastened around consecutive links.

COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16:34 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA l014/076 o 8 0 Preferably, symmetrically cut discs are welded onto consecutive links.

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SIn still a further form of the invention there is provided a ground engaging chain adapted to be rotatable about the direction of elongation of the chain to thereby effect a turning, cutting, and levelling effect over a ground surface as it is pulled along such surface; aO said chain including a plurality of links, each of the links being able to move relative one with the other, wherein each link includes a concave disc Scharacterised in one side of the disc there is a hook which is adapted to link with a socket or loop located on an opposing side of the concave disc to the hook on an adjacent link.

Preferably the hook, loop and concave disc are all integral such that the chain can be assembled simply by hooking the hook of one link into the loop of an adjacent o" preceding link.

In a further form of the invention there is provided an agricultural implement according to the present invention that includes a frame having a front end, a rear end, a left side, a right side, and a plurality of tires. Further, the implement includes a plurality of harrow members, each harrow member having plurality of discs and a chain with a plurality of links. The discs are coupled to the links and extend generally outwardly therefrom.

A first harrow is operatively coupled to the frame generally adjacent to the front end and said left side, wherein the first harrow member extends in a first diagonal d rection. A second harrow member is operatively coupled to the frame generally adjacent the front end and right side, wherein the second harrow member extends in a second diagonal direction.

26 A third harow member is operatively coupled to the frame generally adjacent the left side and the rear end, wherein the third harrow member also extends in COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/08 2007 16:35 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA 1015/078 o 9 the second diagonal direction. A fourth harrow member is operatively coupled to the frame generally adjacent the right side and the rear end, wherein the fourth harrow member extends in the first diagonal direction. Additional harrow members may be positioned to the interior of the harrows disclosed above and s may be situated at opposing diagonal configurations.

Each chain has a front end and a rear end with each chain front end being N relatively forward of the chain rear end. Further, each disc has a concave side o facing a respective chain front end and a convex side facing a respective chain Crear end. The first, second, third, and fourth harrows are outer harrow members.

Each outer harrow member chain has an end coupled to a tensioning assembly such that tMe harrow member remains flexible to conform to a ground surface but with tension not to either bottom out in low areas or to glide over high areas without digging in.

It is important that the concave portions of the discs generally face forward. This facilitates a greater ability to engage the soil and to furrow the soil. In essence, this orientation may actually contribute to a sharpening of the leading edge of the disc so as to allow it to more effectively cut and uproot weeds and improves the effect of mulching the stubble. In addition, the forward orientation of the concave portions more effectively turns the soil for creating a greater ability to level uneven fields. The greater movement of soil is also beneficial when using the harrow to incorporate beneficial seeds, manures, and fertilizers into the soil.

The agricultural implement also includes a pair of offset rear wheels that inhibit the harrow members from becoming high centered when one portion of the implement is situated over a low area, e.g. a water furrow, while another portion is over a high area. More particularly, the offset wheels assist in keeping the entire implement properly positioned over a ground surface while being dragged over uneven portions of a field.

COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16:35 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA 1@016/076 o 10 0 10 a For a better understanding of this invention it will now be described in relation to V) drawings wherein; Figure 1 is a perspective view of the link in one preferred embodiment of the invention looking at the hook side; O 5 Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the link of the chain in one preferred Ci embodiment of the invention; 0 SFigure 3 is a cross sectional view of the individual link shown in figures 1 and 2, in a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 3a shows the inter linking of the individual links shown in figures 1 to 2 in order to assemble a length of chain of which is then adapted to be pulled along by a tractor or the like in order to ground engage as shown in figure 3b; Figure 4a shows a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention whereby the loop and hook form an assemblage of the overall link as again shown perspectively in figure 4b; Figures 5a and 5b show a further way in which the chain can be assembled; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an agricultural implement according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention: Fig. 7 is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from a portion of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a' isolated view on an enlarged scale of the offset wheels as shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 9a is a top view of a chain harrow member removed from the agricultural implement as in Fig. 6; COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/03 2007 1G:35 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA a017/076 o 11 cil SFig. 9b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from a portion of the harrow member of Fig. 9a; Fig. 1 0a is a perspective view of the agricultural implement on a reduced scale as in Fig. 6 with the side members in an unfolded configuration; Fig. lOb is a perspective view of the agricultural implement as in Fig. 11 a with c the side members in an upwardly folded configuration; o Fig. 1 Oc is a perspective view of the agricultural implement as in Fig. 11 a with the side members in an upwardly and inwardly folded configuration; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a disc removed from a harrow member wherein the link is an open link; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a disc removed from a harrow member, wherein the link is a closed link; Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view of the disc; Fig. 14 is a side view of a portion of a harrow member; Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view of the disc showing the disc and link with a separated construction; Fig. 16 is an exploded view of the disc; and Fig. 17 is another perspective view of a chain harrow member.

Referring to the drawings now in greater detail where figure 1 a shows a perspective view of a link 10 whereby a hook member 12 is adapted to inter connect with a loop member 14 of an adjacent link COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16:35 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA 1j018/076 17o 12 SEach link includes a concave disc 16 such that when the links 10 are inter connected through the hook 12 and loop 14, the chain 18 as shown in figures 3a and 3b can be assembled, such that when a ground engaging vehicle, such as a tractcr 20 shown in figure 3b pulls the chain 18 along a farming field, the individual links 10 are adapted so as to be rotatable about the direction of elongation of the chain, such that the concave disc as arranged in figure 3b are NO able to effect multi purpose actioning of the soil by being able to level the Ssurface through the resettling of the top soil, rather than the dragging thereof, penetrate the soil such as to dislodge and cut off any weeds and also at the same time if required break up or uproot any stubble that may be on the top surface.

Nonetheless, advantageously and most importantly by virtue of the concave disc arrangement of the links, the action is carried out such that material is allowed to pass through the working chain rather than being dragged along as is one would expect from conventional pulling of a chain across a surface or running a series of spikes perpendicular to the area of land being worked.

In figures 4a and 4b an alternative embodiment of the individual links which are assembled to form the chain are provided for. In this embodiment rather than having the loop 14 and hook 12 of the disc 10 integrally assembled, the embodiment shown in figures 4a and 4b show that the hook member 22 as well as the loop member 24 is detachable by way of a fastening member 26 to the concave disc 28.

An advantage of such an arrangement is that should the concave disc 28 become damaged or deteriorate in condition, it can be conveniently replaced with another thereby avoiding the need to simply have to remachine or dispose of the original link that was responsible for forming part of the chain assemblage.

COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16:36 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA l019/078 o 13 t1 Figure 5a shows a further form of the linkages of which can be used to Sassemble the chain which is described with this invention.

Cl The chain 30 is made up of individual links 32 of which each consecutive link includes a circular concave disc 34 which is welded onto the link 32.

O 5 Figure 5b shows a schematic representation of the preparation of such a chain Swhich includes obtaining a sheet of metal 36 and pressing the metal into a concave disc shape 38 where it is cut symmetrically into two halves 40a, o where thereinafter the two halves 40a, 40b are then welded onto links 32.

An agricultural implement 100 (also referred to herein as a "harrow device") according 1o the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figs 6 through 17 of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, an agricultural implement 100 according to the current invention includes a frame 110 and a plurality of harrow members 120.

The frame 110 has a front end 112a, a rear end 112b, a left side 112c, and a right side 112d. A first folding member 113 riay define the left side 112c, and a second folding member 114 may define the right side 112d. The folding members 113, 114 may selectively fold upwardly relative to a remainder 111 of the frame 110 and inwardly relative to the remainder 111 of the frame 110.

Similarly, a folding member 115 may define the rear end 112b, and the folding member 115 may selectively fold upwardly relative to the remainder 111 of the frame 110. The folding described above may allow the frame 110 to travel on a roadway or in other areas having restricted widths and/or lengths.

The frame 110 may further include a plurality of tires 116. Two of the tires 116 may be coupled to the frame 110 in a generally central location 116a and may be generally coaxial, and two of the tires 116 may be coupled to the frame 110 in a generally rearward location 11 6b and have offset axes. The offset axes of COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16:36 FAX COLLISON 8 CO IP AUST CANBERRA R020/076 o 14 the tires 116 at the rearward location 116b may help keep the frame 110 from rC high-centering (or "bottoming out") when passing over a water furrow in a field or other similar obstacles, as one of the wheels 116 may remain on a higher side of the furrow even when the other does not.

Each harrow member 120 may include a plurality of discs 122 and a chain 124 \with a plurality of links 125. AS shown in Figs. 4a, 4b, and 6 through 12, the discs 122 may be coupled to the links 125 and extend generally outwardly o therefrom. Each chain 124 may have a front end 124a and a rear end 124b, (N each disc 122 may have a concave side 122b 5 facing a respective chain front end 124a, and each disc 122 may have a convex side 122a facing a respective chain rear end 124b.

The links 125 are preferably movable relative to one another and may be closed links 125a, such as links typically used in chains, or the links 125 may be open links 125b with hook and loop portions 126a, 126b. The discs 122 may be coupled to every link 125, to approximately every second link 125, or otherwise as appropriate- If open links 125b are used, the hook portions 126a may be configured to receive a -espective loop portion 126b of another link 125, and the loop portions 126b may be configured to receive a respective hook portion 126a of another link 125. In addition, the hook and loop portions 126a, 126b may be selectively separable. In other words, the hook and loop portions 126a, 126b may be screwed together or otherwise fastened to form loops 125.

A first harrow member 120 may be operatively coupled to the frame 110 generally adjacent the front end 112a and the left side 112c so that the first harrow member 120a extends in a first diagonal direction. A second harrow member 120 may be operatively coupled to the frame 110 generally adjacent the front end 112a and the right side 112d so that the second harrow member COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16:36 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA Ia021/076 0 120b exterds in a second diagonal direction generally opposite the diagonal C O direction of the first harrow member 120a.

SA third harrow member 120 may be operatively coupled to the frame 110 Sgenerally adjacent the left side 112c and the rear end 112b so that the third s harrow member 120c extends in generally the same diagonal direction as the 0 second harrow member 120b.

O- A fourth harrow member 120 may be operatively coupled to the frame 110 C generally adjacent the right side 112d 5 and the rear end 112b so that the fourth harrow member 120d extends in generally the same diagonal direction as the first harrow member 120a.

The first and second harrow members 120a, 120b may be spaced apart adjacent tbe front end 112a, and the third and fourth harrow members 120c, 120d may be spaced apart adjacent the rear end 112b. To ensure that all ground surfaces passing underneath the frame 110 contact at least two harrow members 120 extending in opposite diagonal directions, fifth and sixth harrow members 120 may be included. The fifth harrow member 120e may be operatively coupled to the frame 110 so that it extends in a diagonal direction over a space having a width that is as large as the space between the first and second harrow members 120a, 120b at the front end 112a and as large as the space between the third and fourth harrow members 120c, 120d at the rear end 112b.

Similarly, the sixth harrow member 120f may be operatively coupled to the frame 110 so that it extends in a diagonal direction over a space having a width that is as large as the space between the first and second harrow members 120a, 120b at the front end 112a and as large as the space between the third and fourth harrow members 120c, 120d at the rear end 112b. The diagonal direction of the sixth harrow member 120f may be opposite the diagonal direction of the fifth harrow member 120e.

COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/08 2007 16:38 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA i~lO22/O76 21/09 2007 16:36 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA la022/076 S16 ci For each harrow member chain 124, the front end 124a may be relatively V) forward of the rear end 124b so that the sides 122a of the discs 122 face forward. The chain 124 of each outer harrow member 120 the first, second, third, and fourth harrow members 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) may have an end 124a, 124b coupled to a tensioning assembly 130. Each tensioning assembly 130 may have a generally vertical shaft 132 passing through the frame 110.

<The shaft 132 may have upper and lower arms 134a, 134b that extend outwardly. The upper arm 134a may be coupled to the frame 110 by a spring C135, and tie lower arm 134b may be coupled to a respective chain end 124a, 124b. A bearing 136 may couple each lower arm 134b to the respective chain end 124a, 124b to allow the chain ends 124a, 124b to rotate relative to the lower arms 134b.

In use, the frame 110 may be pulled across a ground surface a field used for farming) by a tractor or another appropriate pulling device- The harrow members 120 may act to level the ground surface and additionally break up the ground surface without dragging and removing all of the top soil. More particularly, the links 125 of the chains 124 may rotate as they interact with the ground surface, causing the discs 122 to rotate and cut through the ground surface.

The arrangement of the concave discs 122 may allow parts of the ground surface to pass through the chains 124 rather than simply being dragged along, as typically results when conventional chains are pulled across a ground surface. By positioning the harrow members 120 as described above, two separate harrow members 120 may pass in opposite directions over every part of the ground surface under the frame 110, aiding the levelling and cutting effect of the harow members 120.

The bearings 136 may allow the chains 124 to rotate relative to the frame 110, and the tensioning assemblies 130 may keep the chains 124 in relative tension COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 18:37 FAX COLLISON 8 CO 2 IP AUST CANBERRA a023/076 S17 ci Sso that the chains 124 do not get forced too high over high spots of the ground surface or too low in low spots of the ground surface.

c N In other words, the tensioning assemblies 130 may ensure that the harrow members 120 dig into the ground surface only when appropriate. To allow the agricultural implement 100 to travel on a roadway or in other areas having Srestricted widths and/or lengths, the folding members 113, 114, 115 may be Ci folded as described above. Some or all of the harrow 5 members 120 may or 0 may not have to be removed from the frame 110 for the folding members 113, ci 114, 115 to be folded.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21

Claims (13)

1. An agricultural implement, comprising: a frame having a front end, a rear end, a left side, a right side, and a plurality of tires; a plurality of harrow Smembers; each said harrow member having plurality of discs and a chain with a plurality of links; said discs being coupled to said links and extending generally Ci outwardly therefrom; wherein a first said harrow member is operatively coupled o to said frame generally adjacent said front end and said left side, wherein said 0 first harrow member extends in a diagonal direction; wherein a second said harrow member is operatively coupled to said frame generally adjacent said front end and said right side, wherein said second harrow member extends in a diagonal direction; wherein a third said harrow member is operatively coupled to said frame generally adjacent said left side and said rear end, wherein said third harrow member extends in a diagonal direction; and wherein a fourth said harrow member is operatively coupled to said frame generally adjacent said right side and said rear end, wherein said fourth harrow member extends in a diagonal cirection.

2. The agricultural implement as in claim 1, wherein respective discs are coupled to approximately every second said link in each said chain.

3. The agricultural implement as in claim 1, wherein each said chain has a front end and a rear end, each said chain front end being relatively forward of said chain rear end; and each said disc has a concave side facing a respective chain front end and a convex side facing a respective chain rear end.

4. The agricultural implement as in claim 1, wherein: said first and second harrow members are spaced apart adjacent said frame front end; said third and fourth harrow members are spaced apart adjacent said frame rear end; a fifth said harrow member is operatively coupled to said frame and extends in a diagonal direction; a sixth said harrow member is operatively coupled to said COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/03 2007 16:37 FAX COLLISON CO 2 IP AUST CANBERRA [025/076 o 19 a frame and extends in a diagonal direction opposite said diagonal direction of C) r said fifth harrow member; and all ground surfaces passing underneath said frame conmact at least two said harrow members extending in opposite diagonal directions.

5. The agricultural implement as in claim 1, wherein two said tires are Scoupled to said frame in a generally central location and are generally coaxial; Ci and two said tires are coupled to said frame in a generally rearward location Oand have offset axes.

6. The agricultural implement as in claim 1, wherein said frame has a first lO folding member that defines said frame left side; said frame has a second folding member that defines said frame right side; and each said folding member selectively folds upwardly relative to a remainder of said frame and inwardly relative to said remainder of said frame.

7. The agricultural implement as in claim 1, wherein: said frame has a folding member that defines said frame rear end; and said folding member selectively folds upwardly relative to a remainder of said frame.

8. The agricultural implement as in claim 1, wherein said first, second, third, and fourth harrow members are outer harrow members; each said outer harrow member chain has an end coupled to a tensioning assembly; and each said tensioning assembly has a generally vertical shaft passing through said frame and having upper and lower arms extending outwardly therefrom, said lower arm being coupled to a respective said chain end, said upper arm being coupled to said frame by a spring.

9. The agricultural implement as in claim 8, wherein a bearing couples each said lower arm to each said chain end to allow rotation of said chain ends relative to said lower arms.

COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/03 2007 16:37 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA la026/078 o 02 The agricultural implement as in claim 1, wherein each said chain link is movable relative to each other said chain link.

11. The agricultural implement as in claim 1, wherein each said chain has a front end and a rear end, each said chain front end being relatively forward of said chain rear end; each said disc has a concave side facing a respective chain froni end and a convex side facing a respective chain rear end; said first, Ci second, third, and fourth harrow members are outer harrow members; each o said outer harrow member chain has an end coupled to a tensioning assembly; c-i and each said tensioning assembly has a generally vertical shaft passing through said frame and having upper and lower arms extending outwardly therefrom, said lower arm being coupled to a respective said chain end, said upper arm being coupled to said frame by a spring.

12. The agricultural implement as in claim 11, wherein said first and second harrow members are spaced apart adjacent said frame front end, said third and fourth harrow members are spaced apart adjacent said frame rear end; a fifth said harrow member is operatively coupled to said frame and extends in a diagonal direction; a sixth said harrow member is operatively coupled to said frame and extends in a diagonal direction opposite said diagonal direction of said fifth harrow member; and all ground surfaces passing underneath said frame contact at least two said harrow members extending in opposite diagonal directions.

13. A ground engaging chain made up of a plurality of inter connected links adapted when passed over an area of land, to effect a digging action providing a mechanism to break up said ground surface and objects thereon or therein, without substantially dragging said material further along the point of contact with the chain, said chain including; COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21 21/09 2007 16:38 FAX COLLISON CO IP AUST CANBERRA Ia027/076 0 21 Scommunications between the inter connected links such that one link is Sable to move relative to the other, and wherein at least every second consecutive link includes a concave disc, said chain with concave discs is characterised in being able to rotate along the ground and cut in to said ground thereby enabling to cut through \O weed, break up stubble and provide a ground levelling effect. S14. The ground engaging chain of claim 13 wherein the concave disc is 0 secured to each link within the alignment so as to have its circular periphery defines a plane, so that the plane will be transversed to a central axis passing along a direction of elongation of the respective link. A ground engaging chain of claim 14 wherein the plurality of links has each link which is a very heavy link integrally shaped to follow a closed path and inter connect in a traditional manner with other links. COMS ID No: ARCS-161993 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:20 Date 2007-09-21