AU2013254900A1 - Improved post driver - Google Patents

Abstract

A post driver attachment consists of main frame that is attached to the support vehicle a sliding frame attached to the main frame , an intermediate swing frame attached to the sliding frame and an outer swing frame attached to the intermediate 5 swing frame. The main frame has rails that support the sliding frame which is moved by way of a horizontal cylinder between the main frame and the sliding frame. The intermediate swing frame is supported by a vertical pivot on one side of the sliding frame. When closed the intermediate swing frame is parallel to the sliding frame. When open it is at right angles to the sliding frame. The outer Swing frame is the 10 post driver support frame and carries the post driver on its post driver (or outer) face. The outer swing frame is supported by a vertical pivot at the end of the intermediate swing frame remote from the pivot point of the intermediate swing frame and the sliding frame. When closed the outer swing frame is nested and parallel to the intermediate swing frame. When open, the outer swing frame is at 15 right angles to the intermediate swing frame. ri t o*- ---. F=o oE Ea

Description

1 IMPROVED POST DRIVER This invention relates to a an improved post driver particularly for farm fencing which improves the positioning of the post driver when attached to a vehicle such as an agricultural tractor front end loader, skid steer loader. 5 Background to the invention. Mechanized post drivers have been proposed. Post drivers are typically mounted on the rear of a truck or tractor or on a trailer and have feet which stabilize the machine on the ground over the post. These 10 devices usually use a drop hammer to impact the top of the post to drive into the ground. It can be difficult in uneven terrain to position the post driver in position and this can require intricate manouvring of the vehicle. It has been recognized that it is convenient if the post driver could be operated from either side of the vehicle as 15 well as in line with the vehicle. USA patent 4050526 discloses a hammer slidable within a barrel and a chain driven carriage that carries the anvil and post cap and the hammer lifting mechanism. This patent also discloses a turntable mounted post driver which can position the post driver on either side or to the rear of the vehicle. 20 UK patent 2485918 discloses a post driver on a tracked vehicle where the post driver may be positioned on either side or to the rear of the vehicle by using a turntable. It is an object of this invention to overcome or ameliorate the shortcomings of the prior art in relation to easily positioning the post driver on either side of the vehicle 25 or in line with the vehicle.. Brief Description of the Invention To this end the present invention provides a post driver for use with a powered vehicle 30 a) a main frame attachable to a vehicle b) a post driver support frame attached to the main frame , said post driver support frame having a post driver support face and an inner face and pivot pins at each end of said support frame so that the post driver support frame 2 can be positioned parallel to the main frame or at an angle to the main frame from either end of the support frame c) a post driver machine attached to the post driver support face of said post driver support frame. 5 The support system of this invention is designed to attach a post driver (of any design, drop hammer or accelerated hammer) to the rear linkage of an agricultural tractor (in the case of the design revealed in the video) or to a front end loader or skid steer loader or telehandler or similar powered wheeled or tracked vehicle. 10 This invention provides a dual off set side shift device which allows the post driver to be positioned for setting of posts on either side of the tractor as well as behind (or in front for a front mount) the tractor. This is a significant improvement in the flexibility of use of the post driver over existing arrangements. It allows posts to be driven on the left hand or right hand side of the tractor with preferably, only the 15 action of three hydraulic cylinders to achieve the transfer of the machine from one side to the other. It also allows posts to be driven directly behind (or in front for front mount) the tractor. This is a significant benefit as the tractor and machine can be more easily maneuvered into position when working in tight spaces or up against walls. This is achieved while minimising any overhung loads which if they 20 are excessive will result in possible overbalancing of the support vehicle. Further it is desirable that the side positions of the support frame be moveable relative to the main frame. To do this a preferred embodiment uses a main frame that has rails that support a sliding frame which is moved by way of a horizontal cylinder between the main frame and the sliding frame. The post driver support 25 frame is pivotally attached to the slide frame. In a preferred embodiment the attachment consists of four main parts. A main frame that is attached to the support vehicle. The main frame has rails that support the sliding frame which is moved by way of a horizontal cylinder between the main frame and the sliding frame. 30 The other two parts are pivoting frames. The intermediate swing frame is supported by a vertical pivot on one side of the sliding frame. A cylinder between the sliding frame and the intermediate swing frame controls its position. When closed the intermediate swing frame is parallel to 3 the sliding frame. When open it is at right angles to the sliding frame or the angle may be greater than right angles if desired depending on the selection of the hydraulic cylinder. The intermediate swing frame has a pivot at each end. The outer Swing frame is the post driver support frame and carries the post driver 5 on its post driver (or outer) face. The outer swing frame is supported by a vertical pivot at the end of the intermediate swing frame remote from the pivot point of the intermediate swing frame and the sliding frame. A cylinder between the intermediate swing frame and the outer swing frame controls its position relative to the intermediate swing frame. When closed the outer swing frame is nested and 10 paralell to the intermediate swing frame. When open, the outer swing frame may be at right angles or greater to the intermediate swing frame. For both the intermediate and outer swing frames. When nested together and closed the opposite end of the frame to the pivot is seated such that vertical loads and clearances plus some horizontal loads between the two frames are taken 15 through the seating pads rather than through the pivot pins. In this way rigidity of the assembly is increased. The swing frames are permanently connected together via their respective pivot pins, thus eliminating any possibility that the frames could become separated due to adverse or non normal circumstances. 20 The attachment of this invention has three operation positions at which the post driver is intended to be operated. A. Post driver swung to left and side shifted to the left. B. Post driver swung to right and side shifted to the right. C. Post driver in the middle (both swing frames closed). 25 Of course it is possible that the frames maybe placed in any position using a swing angle from 00 to 90 0. The side shift position may be any distance within the stroke length of the side shift hydraulic cylinder. It is preferred that the post driver be operated in these three normal positions A, B and C. A hydraulic circuit is incorporated in the attachment that preferably includes a single 30 double acting directional control valve and two sequence valves to control the action of the two swing frame cylinders in such a way that their movements are mutually exclusive so that one cylinder closes before the other opens and visa versa. Other means of achieving mutually exclusive operation may be used. It is also possible that 4 in some applications operators may wish to not have the mutually exclusive cylinder operation. The components may be sized to take the extra loads. The main negative result of both swing frames being partially or fully open at the same time would be the overhung loads on the tractor which just means it would be limited to larger tractors. 5 The agricultural post driver of this invention has a vertical mast and carry beam designed to fit to a variety of transport machines including Tractors, Skid steer loaders, excavators. Vehicle or hydraulic motors allow accurate positioning and levelling of the machine. These include positioning along and across the fence line. Tilts are provided 10 to allow levelling of the mast in hilly conditions. The hammer can be any type of hammer including accelerated and high frequency hammers. The machine of this invention may have an integrated auger system for drilling pilot holes. The auger is stowed on the mast when not in use and supported by the hammer carriage during hole drilling. The auger, when in it's operating position , operates along 15 the same vertical axis as the hammer and uses the hammer mass to assist in drilling. The auger may semi automatically engage and disengage by means of a cam system of the kind disclosed in Australian patent 746198. The contents of that patent are incorporated herein by reference Preferably the hydraulic controls are arranged to allow the mass of the hammer 20 assembly to be applied progressively to the auger assembly to improve digging performance in hard ground. The hydraulic controls preferably allow the application of a portion of the mass of the machine frame and the support vehicle to the hammer assembly to assist in providing backup mass for the hammer thus increasing the proportion of energy transferred to 25 the post. Preferably the hammer body is low profile and allows the setting of posts up against existing fences or buildings. Preferably the hydraulic controls allow easy variation of blow frequency and energy for sensitive driving situations The machines uses an enclosed hydraulically accelerated hammer that does not allow any access to the impact producing parts or the impact zone at the post top. Preferably 30 the hammer has a large area anvil that contacts the post continuously thus not allowing access to the hammer impact area.

5 Detailed description of the invention A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view of the post driver assembly of this invention attached to the rear 5 of an agricultural tractor; Figure 2 is a view of the assembly of figure 1 positioned for use on the left hand side of the vehicle; Figure 3 is a view of the assembly of figure 1 positioned for use at the rear of the vehicle; 10 Figure 4 is a view of the assembly of figure 1 positioned for use on the right hand side of the vehicle; Figure 5 is a plan view of the machine in figure 4; Figure 6 is a view of the main frame; Figure 7 is a front view of the assembly without the post driver; 15 Figure 8 is a view of the slider frame and the intermediate swing frame and the outer swing frame in partly opened positions; Figure 9 is a plan view of figure 8. The post driver used for this invention may be any conventional post driver but 20 preferably the construction is as described in patents 2007308744, 2007254634, 2010101083 and 2010226950 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The post driver assembly is attached to the tractor 5 by the conventional three 25 point linkage 7. The assembly consists of the main support frame 10, the sliding frame 20 the intermediate swing frame 30 , the outer swing frame 40 and the post driver 50 mounted on the outer face 41 of the outer swing frame 40. The main frame 10 has feet 11 to provide ground support for the attachment and post driver 50 and rails 12 on which is mounted the slider frame 20. The hydraulic 30 cylinder 13 and rod 14 acts to move the slider frame 20 relative to the main frame 10. The slider frame 20 has pivot shaft 21 to which the intermediate frame 30 is connected to the slider frame 20. The hydraulic cylinder 23 moves the intermediate 6 frame 30 about the pivot 21 from being parallel to the slider frame 20 to being at right angles to the slider frame 20 as in figure 2. The intermediate swing frame 30 has at its end remote from pivot 21 a pivot 31 which connects the outer swing frame 40 to the intermediate swing frame 30. The 5 hydraulic cylinder 33 moves the outer swing frame 40 about the pivot 31 from being parallel to the intermediate frame 30 as in figure 2 or 3 to being at right angles to the intermediate frame 30 as in figure 4. On the face 41 of outer swing frame 40 is mounted the post driver 50. The mast 60 of post driver 50 has a foot 62 for supporting the weight of the post driver. The 10 mast 60 is attached to the cross beam 43 of outer swing frame 40 and its vertical orientation is adjusted using the hydraulic cylinder 54 attached to the mast 60 and to the anchor point 44 on the outer swing frame 40 and by the pair of side hydraulic cylinders 56 extending between the mast 60 and the cross beam 43. The post driver 50 may be any conventional post driver but preferably the 15 construction is as described in patents 2007308744, 2007254634, 2010101083 and 2010226950. The post driver 50 includes the usual hammer 70 and auger 80. When the vehicle manouvres the attachment into position the feet 11 of the main frame10 are adjusted to take the load of the attachment. The slide frame 20 is 20 then moved to the appropriate side of the machine. The swing frames are the moved about pivot shaft 21 for the left hand side deployment or about pivot shaft 31 for right hand side deployment. Once the post driver 50 is in position the foot 62 is deployed to take the weight of the post driver and the inclination of the mast 60 is adjusted using the hydraulic cylinders 54 and 56. The post driver 50 is now able 25 to be operated in the conventional manner. It is within the scope of this invention to provide a wireless remote control for the machines with Dual Offset side shift. One reason for this is that the swing function may be operated while the machine is travelling between post setting jobs. When 30 the distance between jobs is short eg. 6 - 50 meters, this allows an increase in efficiency as the swing function and side shift function can be operated while the tractor is travelling. This saves time when the posts are close together.

7 Those skilled in the art will realize that the post driver of this invention is safe to use and easy to manouvre into position and provides maximum flexibility for the operator in the field. 5 Those skilled in the art will also realize that this invention may be implemented in embodiments other than those shown without departing from the core teachings of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A post driver attachment frame for use with a powered vehicle which includes a) a main frame attachable to a vehicle b) a post driver support frame attached to the main frame , said post driver support 5 frame having a post driver support face and an inner face and pivot pins at each end of said support frame so that the post driver support frame can be positioned parallel to the main frame or at an angle to the main frame from either end of the support frame 10

2. A post driver attachment frame as claimed in claim 1 in which a post driver machine is attached to the post driver support face of said post driver support frame.

3. A post driver attachment which includes a main frame that is attached to a 15 support vehicle; a sliding frame attached to the main frame for relative sliding movement with said main frame; an intermediate swing frame pivotally attached at one end to the sliding frame and 20 an outer swing frame pivotally attached to the end of said intermediate swing frame remote from the pivotal attachment of the intermediate frame to the sliding frame.

4. A post driver attachment as claimed in claim 2 or 3 in which weight bearing 25 feet are deployed from the main frame and or the post driver to take the weight of the attachment and post driver.

5. A post driver attachment as claimed in claim 3 or 4 in which the post driver is mounted on the outer face of the outer swing frame. 30