AU2011200880A1

AU2011200880A1 - Wheel track renovator

Info

Publication number: AU2011200880A1
Application number: AU2011200880A
Authority: AU
Original assignee: Oregon House Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Oregon House Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-03-02
Filing date: 2011-03-01
Publication date: 2011-09-22
Also published as: CA2733217A1; CA2733217C; AU2016228218B2; AU2016228218A1

Abstract

This invention relates to an assembly and an appratus for renovating wheel tracks created by vehicles on earthen 5 paths. The assembly comprises coupling means enabling the assembly to be connected to and towed by a prime mover. Ground-cutting discs are linked to the coupling means and are substantially laterally aligned with respect to the direction of travel of the assembly to displace earth into 10 the wheel tracks from adjacent regions. Collection means is linked to the coupling means or the ground-cutting discs and is disposed aft the ground-cutting discs. The collection means directs and presses at least some of the earth displaced by the ground-cutting discs into the wheel 15 tracks. 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11 '-0 'Ai

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant: OREGON HOUSE PTY LTD Invention Title: WHEEL TRACK RENOVATOR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 WHEEL TRACK RENOVATOR Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates to an assembly for, at least partly, renovating wheel tracks created by vehicles on earthen vehicle paths. Background 10 Heavy vehicles, such as tractors and machinery, are used on farm land for spraying, sowing and harvesting crops. The movement of vehicles around farm land typically 15 follows established paths in order to avoid crop plots to minimise ground compaction. Accordingly, vehicle traffic is concentrated on these paths which are typically bare earth. 20 Over time, however, the weight of the vehicles causes sections of the paths where the wheels run to be compacted so that wheel track depressions are formed in the path. This effect is accelerated by wet weather which tends to 25 soften the ground. Additionally, the depressions may collect water to form puddles which can cause the depressions into mud. In this event, the mud can be pushed to the sides of the depressions by vehicles so the path becomes deeply rutted. This is particularly problematic in 30 winter months when there is considerable vehicle activity on farm land involved with spraying insecticides and herbicides. As the depressions deepen, a ridge is formed at the side 35 of the wheel tracks and becomes more pronounced. While the depressions are relatively shallow, there will be sufficient clearance between the undercarriage of the 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11 - 3 vehicle and the ridge. However, as the ridge becomes more pronounced, the path will become increasingly difficult to drive vehicles and/or equipment over. 5 It is, therefore, desirable to reform the path to reduce the depth of wheel tracks Summary of the Disclosure 10 There is provided in a first aspect an assembly for renovating wheel tracks created by vehicles on earthen paths, the assembly comprising: (a) coupling means enabling the assembly to be connected 15 to and towed by a prime mover; (b) ground-cutting discs that are linked to the coupling means and that are substantially laterally aligned with respect to the direction of travel of the 20 assembly to displace earth into the wheel tracks from regions adjacent to the wheel tracks; and (c) collection means for directing and pressing at least some of the earth displaced by the ground-cutting 25 discs into the wheel tracks, the collection means being linked to the coupling means or the ground cutting discs and disposed aft the ground-cutting discs. 30 The applicant recognises that filling in the wheel track with earth from regions adjacent the wheel tracks serves to reduce the depth of wheel track depression, thereby raising the position of a vehicle travelling on the path relative to the ridge. According, the clearance between 35 the vehicle undercarriage and the ridge is improved. The applicant further recognises that the earth directed 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11 - 4 into the wheel track from the adjacent regions has the effect of improving the earth level across the path. This means that water will be less likely to form puddles, but if so, the puddles will be shallower and smaller. 5 The applicant further recognises that forming the assembly with ground-cutting discs in combination with the collection means improves overall performance of the assembly. Specifically, the ground-cutting discs enable 10 the assembly to move faster than if it were fitted with spikes that rip up the ground. This is because the spikes chatter and bounce at relatively high speeds, thus causing the assembly to vibrate during operation. The result is that an assembly fitted with spikes must be operated at 15 relatively low speeds. The ground-cutting discs do not have the same chatter and bounce problems, so the assembly can be run at higher speeds, typically around 15km/h. Additionally, in damp conditions, spikes have a tendency 20 to collect earth during operation. This causes them to become clogged. Operation can only continue after the assembly is stopped and after the collected earth is cleaned out. 25 The alignment of the ground-cutting discs plays an important role in displacing earth into the wheel tracks. Specifically, the ground-cutting discs have a tendency to throw earth up in the air. The trajectory of the earth is determined by the speed of the assembly and the angle of 30 attack of the ground-cutting discs for directing earth into the wheel tracks. However, the applicant has recognized that aligning the ground-cutting discs such that the trajectories of earth from discs on each side of a wheel track intersect causes the earth from each side to 35 collide in the air and to fall in the wheel track. This is a distinct advantage over longitudinally off-set (with respect to the direction of travel) ground-cutting discs 2587791_1 (GHMattera) 1/03/11 - 5 which will displace some earth into a wheel track, but will also throw some earth clear over the wheel track if the angle of attack or the speed of the assembly is not reduced. This means that longitudinally off-set ground 5 cutting discs must be run at a set low speed. The assembly according to the first aspect, however, can be run at a variety of speeds without concern of earth over-shooting a wheel track. This is facilitated by the collection means which captures thrown earth and deposits it in the wheel 10 track. Specifically, earth that is thrown into the air will generally be captured by the collection means before the earth passes along its trajectory and outside the wheel track. The combination of the substantially laterally aligned ground-cutting discs and the collection 15 means enables the assembly to be run at higher speeds than spiked renovators. Additionally, it is thought that the assembly according to the first aspect results in less earth being displaced outside the wheel tracks and, therefore, is more efficient at renovating wheel tracks. 20 Additionally, the position of the ground-cutting discs may be adjustable to control the cutting depth of the ground cutting discs. The ground-cutting discs includes two sets of discs and 25 the collecting means includes two rollers and each set of ground-cutting discs is aligned with a roller for renovating one wheel track. The sets of ground-cutting discs and the rollers are 30 linked to the coupling means and their position may be adjustable to renovate wheel tracks of varying widths. Each set of ground-cutting discs may comprise two gangs of discs that are configured to cut into the regions of earth 35 adjacent the wheel tracks and to direct the earth into the wheel tracks. 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11 -6 The configuration of the gangs of discs may be adjustable to control the volume of earth being displaced. In practice, there is a tendency for the gangs of discs to 5 project loose earth into the air a short distance above the ground. The angle of attack of the ground-cutting discs directs the projected earth toward a centre-line extending between the gangs of discs. The earth projected from each gang of discs is generally intercepted by earth 10 projected from an associated opposing gang so that it accumulates along the centre-line leaving a ridge and shallow troughs on either side. The rollers may, therefore, be configured to intercept the trajectory of some earth and direct it into the wheel tracks where the 15 rollers press the displaced earth into the wheel tracks. The intercepted earth, therefore, does not concentrate along the centre-line and is spread move evenly across the wheel tracks so the renovated path is more level. 20 A leading portion of each roller preferably is positioned in the range of 400 to 1800mm from the centre of the ground-cutting discs. Preferably, the leading portion is positioned in the range of 600 to 1500mm from the centre of the ground-cutting discs. 25 Below 400mm, the rollers become clogged with earth so that they no longer operate to collect and deposit displaced earth in the wheel tracks. However, if the rollers are located greater than 1800mm from the cutting discs, they 30 will be outside the trajectory of displaced earth and, again, will be ineffective at directing the earth into the wheel tracks. The rollers may each comprise a hollow drum formed by a 35 series of elements spaced about the perimeter of the drum to define collectively a rolling perimeter of the drum. 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11 The spacing of the elements is important because it allows loose earth to be captured by the roller and directed to the wheel track. This is assisted by the hollow nature of the roller which allows the loose earth, once captured to 5 be directed substantially downwardly into the wheel track. Additionally, the position of the rollers close behind the gangs of discs means that the elements on the roller adjacent the discs are moving generally downwardly in use and will tend to intercept loose earth kicked up by the 10 discs and deflect the loose earth into the wheel tracks. The coupling means may comprise an elongate mounting bar to which the ground-cutting discs and the collection means are linked. 15 The mounting bar may be up to 4 metres in length to enable positioning of the ground-cutting discs and the collections means to suit a range of wheel track widths. 20 The assembly may further comprise a signage mounting, for example, to alert approaching vehicles to the oversize shape of the assembly. The vertical position of the collection means relative to 25 the ground-cutting discs may be adjustable to control the extent of penetration of the ground-cutting discs. There is provided in a second aspect an apparatus for renovating wheel tracks created by vehicles on earthen 30 paths, the assembly comprising: (a) coupling means enabling the assembly to be connected to and towed by a prime mover; 35 (b) ground-cutting discs that are substantially laterally aligned with respect to the direction of travel of the assembly to displace earth into the wheel tracks 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11 - 8 from regions adjacent to the wheel tracks; and (c) collection means for directing and pressing at least some of the earth into the wheel tracks; 5 whereby the earth displaced and pressed into the wheel tracks reduces the depth of the wheel tracks. Brief Description of the Drawings 10 An embodiment of the assembly will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an 15 assembly according to the second aspect for renovating wheel tracks. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in Figure 1. 20 Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the assembly shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a front elevation view of the assembly shown 25 in Figure 1. Detailed Description An assembly 10 for renovating wheel tracks is shown in 30 Figure 1 as having a coupling means in the form of a mounting assembly 20, ground-cutting discs in the form of gangs of discs 40 and collection means in the form of rollers 60. 35 The mounting assembly 20 includes an elongate mounting bar 22 in the form of a spread bar 22 which is around 4 metres in length to enable the gangs of discs 40 and the rollers 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11 - 9 60 to be positioned at desired locations along the length of the spread bar so that they can be aligned with wheel tracks of varying sizes. 5 The mounting assembly 20 also includes a hitch 24 for connecting the assembly 10 to a prime mover, such as a tractor. The hitch 24 may be any suitable conventional hitch. 10 A sign mount 28 is further included on the mounting assembly 20 to enable display of placards. Typically, the sign mount 28 will be used to warn approaching vehicles that the prime mover is slow moving or that the prime mover is an oversize vehicle. 15 While the assembly is hitched to a prime mover, the assembly is supported by the hitch 24 from tipping over. However, when uncoupled, the weight distribution of the assembly will result in it tipping over forwardly. To 20 avoid this, a stand 26 is included in the mounting assembly 20. The stand 28 projects from the spread bar 22 to contact the ground on the side of the spread bar 22 opposite to the gangs of discs 40. When the assembly is hitched to a prime mover, the stand 28 is retracted to a 25 position that avoids contact with the ground so that the assembly can be operated without interference from the stand 28. The assembly 10 includes four gangs of discs 40, with each 30 gang 40 including three discs of the type that are found on disc ploughs. Each gang 40 is connected to the spread bar 22 by a link assembly that includes a bracket 46 and a clamp 48. The clamp 48 includes bolts which may be loosened to enable the position of the gangs of discs 40 35 along the length of the spread bar 22 to be adjusted by sliding the gangs of discs 40. 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11 - 10 The angle of attack of the discs 42 partly controls the extent to which earth is displaced when the assembly 10 is operated. The angle of attack is adjusted by changing the angle of the bracket 46 relative to the clamp 48. 5 The rollers 60 include a hollow barrel 61 which is connected to a bracket 62 and a clamp 64 for linking the barrel 61 to the spread bar 22. As with the gangs 40, the position of the rollers 60 along the spread bar 22 can be 10 changed by loosening bolts in the clamp to enable the rollers to be slid along the spread bar 22. Each barrel 61 includes spacer plates 66 with a series of elements, in the form of bars 68, disposed in spaced 15 positions about the perimeter of the spacer plates 66. The bars 68, therefore, define the rolling perimeter of the barrel 61. While the angle of attack of the discs 42 contributes 20 partly to controlling the volume of each that is displaced by the assembly, the depth to which the discs cut into the ground also contribute. This depth is affected by the difference in vertical position of the discs 40 and the barrel 61. Accordingly, adjusting the barrel 61 upwardly 25 relative to the discs 42 will increase the penetration of the discs and will result in more earth being displaced by the assembly into the wheel tracks. The extent of penetration is controlled by the bracket 62 30 being pivotably connected to the clamp 64 to enable the vertical position of the barrel 61 relative to the discs 42 to be changed. Drive means, in the form of a hydraulic ram 70, extends between the bracket 62 and the clamp 64 so that adjustment of the ram 70 causes the vertical position 35 of the barrel 61 to be changed. In operation, the apparatus 10 is pulled so that the discs 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11 - 11 42 lead the rollers 66. In this manner, the gangs of discs 42 are located on opposite sides of a wheel track which correspond with an incline in the earth. The discs 42 cut into the incline and, owing to the angle of attack of the 5 discs 42, displace the earth in a direction toward and into the wheel track. The discs 42 are rotatably mounted in the gangs and therefore have a tendancy to some earth into the air along a trajectory consistent with the angle of attack of the discs 42. 10 The gangs of discs 40 are arranged so that at least some of the projected earth intersects in the air along their respective trajectories and falls into the wheel track, thereby partially filling the wheel track. 15 Other earth projected into the air is captured between the bars 68 of the barrel 61 and is directed downwardly into the wheel track. It will be appreciated, however, that this earth typically does not reach the centreline of the 20 wheel track and falls in a region between the centreline and an outer edge of the wheel track. This means that the total earth displaced into the wheel track is not concentrated along the centreline, but is spread out relatively evenly across the wheel track. This is 25 important for reducing the extent to which puddles form in renovated wheel tracks. The barrels 61 also compress the displaced dirt. This compression facilitates surface water run off and reduces 30 the extent to which precipitation mixes with loose earth to form mud that is easily displaced by vehicles subsequently moving through the wheel tracks. In the claims which follow and in the preceding 35 description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as 25877911 (GHMatters) 1/03/11 - 12 "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 5 Many modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment of the present invention as described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 10 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11

Claims

1. An assembly for renovating wheel tracks created by vehicles on earthen paths, the assembly comprising: 5 (a) coupling means enabling the assembly to be connected to and towed by a prime mover; (b) ground-cutting discs that are linked to the coupling 10 means and that are substantially laterally aligned with respect to the direction of travel of the assembly to displace earth into the wheel tracks from regions adjacent to the wheel tracks; and 15 (c) collection means for directing and pressing at least some of the earth displaced by the ground-cutting discs into the wheel tracks, the collection means being linked to the coupling means or the ground cutting discs and disposed aft the ground-cutting 20 discs.

2. The assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the position of the ground-cutting discs is adjustable to control the cutting depth of the ground-cutting discs. 25

3. The assembly defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ground-cutting discs and the collection means are linked to the coupling means and their position may be adjustable to renovate wheel tracks of varying widths. 30

4. The assembly defined in any claims 1 to 3, wherein the ground-cutting discs comprise two gangs of discs that are configured to cut into the regions of earth adjacent the wheel tracks and to direct the earth into the wheel 35 tracks. 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11 - 14 5. The assembly defined in claim 4, wherein the configuration of the gangs of discs is adjustable to control the volume of earth being displaced.

5

6. The assembly defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein A leading portion of each roller is positioned in the range of 400 to 1800mm from the centre of the ground cutting discs. 10

7. The assembly defined in claim 6, wherein the leading portion is positioned in the range of 600 to 1500mm from the centre of the ground-cutting discs.

8. The assembly defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, 15 wherein the ground-cutting discs includes two sets of discs and the collecting means includes two rollers and each set of ground-cutting discs is aligned with a roller for renovating one wheel track. 20

9. The assembly defined in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the collection means comprises rollers in the form of a hollow drum formed by a series of elements spaced about the perimeter of the drum to define collectively a rolling perimeter of the drum. 25

10. The assembly defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the coupling means comprises an elongate mounting bar to which the ground-cutting discs and the collection means are linked. 30

11. The assembly defined in claims 10, wherein the mounting bar may be up to 4 metres in length to enable positioning of the ground-cutting discs and the collections means to suit a range of wheel track widths. 35

12. The assembly defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the assembly further comprises a signage mounting, 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11 - 15 for example, to alert approaching vehicles to the oversize shape of the assembly.

13. The assembly defined in any one of claims 1 to 12, 5 wherein the vertical position of the collection means is adjustable to control the extent of penetration of the ground-cutting discs.

14. An apparatus for renovating wheel tracks created by 10 vehicles on earthen paths, the assembly comprising: (a) coupling means enabling the assembly to be connected to and towed by a prime mover; 15 (b) ground-cutting discs that are substantially laterally aligned with respect to the direction of travel of the assembly to displace earth into the wheel tracks from regions adjacent to the wheel tracks; and 20 (c) collection means for directing and pressing at least some of the earth into the wheel tracks; whereby the earth displaced and pressed into the wheel tracks reduces the depth of the wheel tracks. 25

15. An assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures. 2587791_1 (GHMatters) 1/03/11