AU2020273283A1

AU2020273283A1 - Applicator for applying fertiliser into subsoil

Info

Publication number: AU2020273283A1
Application number: AU2020273283A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Moerman
Original assignee: Border Cad Service Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Border Cad Service Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-27
Filing date: 2020-11-18
Publication date: 2021-06-10

Abstract

A subsoil applicator for supplying granular solids into subsoil, the applicator comprising: a hollow tine having a passage defined by spaced apart tine walls having a length (I) and spaced apart by a distance (d), the tine walls extending from a leading portion of the tine towards a trailing portion of the tine, an inlet opening positioned in an in-use upper portion of the tine for receiving the granular solids from a supply line; and an outlet opening positioned in an in-use lower portion of the tine for allowing the granular solid to flow out of the hollow tine under gravity.

Description

APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING FERTILISER INTO SUBSOIL TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention relates to tillage equipment more particularly a subsoil

applicator for injecting a granular fertilizer composition into a furrow in the subsoil

preferably without or minimising disturbance of the soil surface.

BACKGROUND

[002] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to

be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of

the common general knowledge.

[003] Cultivator machines for vertical gravity-fed delivery of agrochemicals into the

ground are known of. Such machines generally comprise a chassis bearing a number

of tines, each tine having a pipe running down its rearward, in use, face for vertical

delivery of the agrochemicals into the furrow directly behind the tine. One of the issues

associated with such known tines is that the openings for the outlets in such

implements are particularly small and are susceptible to getting clogged. Moreover,

the discharge tubes which are located towards a rear portion of the tines are

excessively exposed to abrasion and wear which in turn shortens the life span of such

implements.

[004] In view of the above, it is desirable to provide a subsoil applicator which

minimises blockage of the discharge outlets whilst also reducing the instances of premature wear. Of course, it is also desirable to enhance soil flow and achieve enhanced subsoil tilling without causing excessive disturbance to the top soil.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[005] In an aspect, the invention provides a subsoil applicator for supplying granular

solids into subsoil, the applicator comprising:

a hollow tine having a passage defined by spaced apart tine walls having a length (I)

and spaced apart by a distance (d), the tine walls extending from a leading portion of

the tine towards a trailing portion of the tine,

an inlet opening positioned in an in-use upper portion of the tine for receiving

the granular solids from a supply line;

an outlet opening positioned in an in-use lower portion of the tine for allowing

the granular solid to flow out of the hollow tine under gravity.

[006] In an embodiment, the hollow tine is rectangular with the length (1) of the tine

walls being substantially greater than the distance (d) between the tine walls.

[007] In an embodiment, the upper portion of the tine comprises a hopper for

receiving and holding the solid material from the supply line and directing the received

solid material towards the opening of the hollow tine.

[008] In an embodiment, the hopper comprises a funnel shaped or convergent bottom

section for directing the granular material into the inlet of the tine.

[009] In an embodiment, the subsoil applicator further comprises lateral wing

members extending in a laterally outwardly and downwardly direction relative to the

tine walls to define a hollow internal space below the outlet of the hollow tine such that

during use, edges of the wing members when moved through the ground form a furrow

below the outlet of the tine.

[010] In an embodiment, each of the lateral wing members comprises a leading

portion extending in a forwardly direction relative to the hollow tine and a trailing portion

extending in a rearwardly direction relative to the hollow tine.

[011] In an embodiment, the subsoil applicator further comprises a strengthening

member extending across the hollow internal space from an underside of the leading

portion of the wing members to the trailing portion of the wing members.

[012] In an embodiment, the strengthening member extends in a downwardly

direction to engage subsoil positioned thereunder during use thereby providing

additional support to the subsoil applicator.

[013] In an embodiment, the strengthening member comprises a planar structure and

lies in a vertical plane relative to the direction of motion of the hollow tine.

[014] In an embodiment, the strengthening member is positioned substantially in

between the underside portions of the lateral wing members.

[015] In an embodiment, the strengthening member is located below the outlet of the

hollow tine.

[016] In an embodiment, thickness of the strengthening member is less than or equal

to the distance (d) between the tine walls.

[017] In an embodiment, the strengthening member comprises a cut-out section for

allowing the granular product to pass through the strengthening member.

[018] In an embodiment, the subsoil applicator further comprises:

a leading shank member having a leading edge extending along the height of

the hollow tine in a generally downwardly and forwardly direction, the leading shank

member being located at a forwardly location relative to the hollow tine; and

a trailing shank member with a trailing edge extending in a downwardly and

rearwardly direction, the trailing shank being located at a rearwardly location relative

to the hollow tine.

[019] In an embodiment, a lower part of the leading shank member is attached to one

or both of the wing members.

[020] In an embodiment, a lower part of the trailing shank member is attached to one

or both of the wing members.

[021] In an embodiment, the subsoil applicator further comprises a spreader tooth

located below an underside of the lateral wing members to spread granular material

flowing out of the outlet of the hollow tine.

[022] In an embodiment, the spreader tooth is positioned below an underside of the

trailing portion of the wing members.

[023] In an embodiment, the spreader tooth is angled in a forwardly and downwardly

direction such that a leading portion of the spreader tooth is located rearwardly relative

to the outlet of the hollow tine to contact and spread granular material flowing out of

the outlet of the hollow tine.

[024] In an embodiment, a frontal portion of the spreader tooth is located at a

rearwardly location relative to the outlet of the hollow tine.

[025] In an embodiment, the spreader tooth comprises a pair of triangular spreader

plates, each triangular spreader plate extending from a rear corner portion of a

respective wing member towards the outlet of the hollow tine with a slanting edge of

the triangular spreader tooth extending in between the rear corner portion of the wing

member towards a frontal corner portion of the spreader tooth.

[026] In an embodiment, each of the spreader plates extend in opposite lateral

directions relative to a direction of motion of the hollow tine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[027] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be

discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information

for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to

be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any

way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1 is a frontal perspective view of a subsoil applicator 100 in accordance with an

embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the subsoil applicator 100.

Figure 3 is a frontal end view of the subsoil applicator 100.

Figure 4 is a side view of the subsoil applicator 100.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the subsoil applicator along axis B-B (shown in Figure

4).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[028] Figures 1 to 5 illustrate several views of a subsoil applicator 100 for supplying

fertilisers including but not limited to granular solid fertilisers into subsoil. The subsoil

applicator 100 includes a hollow tine 110 having a hollow rectangular passage with a

height (h) to allow the granular solids to flow therethrough under gravity during use.

The passage of the hollow tine 110 is defined by spaced apart tine walls having a tine

length (I) which extend from a forward or leading portion of the hollow tine 110 towards

a trailing or rearwardly located portion of the hollow tine 110. The tine walls are spaced

by a distance (d).

[029] In the preferred embodiment, the tine walls may have a length in the range of

300mm to 400mm and the tine walls may be spaced apart by a distance of approximately 50mm. The inventors have found that providing a rectangular passage defined by the tine walls which are spaced apart by at least 50mm allows material, particularly granular solids to easily flow through the rectangular passage under gravity and flow out of an outlet 115 which is located at in-use lower portion of the hollow tine

110.

[030] The upper portion of the hollow tine 110 includes a hopper 120 for receiving

fertiliser from a supply line such as a hose (not shown) which can be directed into the

hopper 120 through an inlet opening 122 provided in an upper section of the hopper

120 holding material (such as the granular fertiliser material). The hopper 120 also

includes spaced apart walls with a spacing that is greater than the spacing between

the tine walls to provide a slightly enlarged holding volume for the hopper 120 which

assists with regulating flow of the fertiliser material through the hollow tine 110 during

use. A lower portion of the hopper 120 comprises a convergent or funnel shaped

configuration which further assists with directing flowable material from the internal

volume of the hopper 120 into the rectangular passage defined by the tine walls for

the hollow tine 110.

[031] The subsoil applicator 100 is also provided with lateral wing members 150A

and 150B extending in a laterally outwardly and downwardly direction relative to the

tine walls to define a hollow internal space below the outlet 115 of the hollow tine 110

such that during use, outer edges of the wing members 150 when moved through the

subsoil form a furrow below the outlet 115 of the tine 110. A pair of left and right wings

150A and 150B respectively that serve to lift and fluff the subsoil as the applicator

moves along in a forwardly direction. Wings 150A and 150B are generally thin and flat

and present a pair of side edges 152 that diverge rearwardly from a leading edge 154 that is located at a forwardly location relative to the hollow tine 110 and continue to form a pair of parallel edges 155 and terminate at the rearmost extremity of the applicator 100 at a rearwardly location relative to the hollow tine 110 such that the overall shape of wings 150A and 150B is generally in the shape of an arrowhead as viewed in Figure 5. The aforementioned configuration of the wing members 150A and

150B is useful for forming a hollow space within the subsoil directly below the outlet

115 of the applicator 100 that provides pockets of spaces within the subsoil and allows

the material from outlet 115 to be easily released into the subsoil.

[032] The structure of the wing members 150 is further strengthened by the provision

of a strengthening member 170 extending across the hollow from an underside of the

leading portion of the wing members 150 A and 150B to the trailing portion of the wing

members 150A and 150B. The strengthening member 170 comprises a metallic plate

which is approximately 15mm thick and is positioned substantially along a central

horizontal axis (along the direction of travel) of the hollow tine 110 in between the

underside portions of the wing members 150A and 150B. The strengthening member

170 extends in downwardly direction from an underside portion of the wing members

150A and 150B. The strengthening member 170 provides additional support for the

wing members 150 and the applicator and avoids the action of large forces on the

outer edges of the wing members 150A and 150B during use. The strengthening plate

170 comprises a planar structure and lies in a vertical plane relative to the direction of

motion of the hollow tine 110.

[033] Importantly, the strengthening member 170 is located directly below the outlet

115 and is therefore required to be thinner than the overall width of the opening 115

in order to allow the granular flowable fertiliser to flow out of the outlet 115. The strengthening plate 170 is also provided with a cut-out opening to allow the material flowing out of the outlet 115 to pass through.

[034] The subsoil applicator 10 also includes a leading shank member 130 located at

a forwardly location relative to the hollow tine 110. The leading shank member 130

comprises a leading edge 132 extending along the height of the hollow tine 110 in a

generally downwardly and forwardly direction. A trailing shank member 140 is also

provided at a rearwardly location relative to the hollow tine 110. The trailing shank 140

comprises a trailing edge extending in a downwardly and rearwardly direction.

[035] A lower part of each of the leading shank member 130 and the trailing shank

member 140 is attached (preferably welded) to the wing members 150A and 150B. A

lower portion of the leading shank member 130 also extends in forwardly direction to

form a nose before terminating in the frontal portion of the wing members 150. The

trailing shank member 140 also extends in a rearwardly direction to terminate in a rear

portion of the lateral wing members 150A and 150B.

It would be appreciated by the skilled person that as the applicator 100 moves through

the subsoil, leading edge 132 of the leading shank 130 makes the initial contact with

the frontal soil boundary and commences a vertical slice in the soil, which is widened

by the divergent frontal structure of the wings 150 as the body of shank 130 then

passes through. As the rear portion of the wings 150 moves through the soil, the soil

flows up and over such areas so as to tend to leave a void immediately below the wing

members 150. Thus, fertilizer and other substances being discharged through outlet

115 are relatively unhindered as they flow outwardly into the void created below the

underside portion of the wing members 150. The outlet 115 is also protected from being plugged because the outlet is situated at an elevated position relative to the side edges 155 of the wing members 150. Advantageously, a spreader tooth 160 is located rearwardly relative to the outlet 115 below the underside trailing portion of the wing members 150 to spread granular material flowing out of the outlet 115 of the hollow tine 110. The spreader tooth 160 comprises a pair of triangular spreader plates, each triangular spreader plate extending from a rear corner portion of a respective wing member towards the outlet of the hollow tine with a slanting edge of the triangular spreader tooth extending in between the rear corner portion of the wing member towards a frontal corner portion of the spreader tooth. The spreader tooth 160 is angled in a forwardly and downwardly direction such that a leading portion of the spreader tooth 160 is located rearwardly relative to the outlet 115 of the hollow tine 110 to contact and spread granular material flowing out of the outlet 115 of the hollow tine

110.

[036] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language

more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and

its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of' is used throughout in an

inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

[037] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown

or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting

the invention into effect.

[038] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within

the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in

the art.

Claims

1. A subsoil applicator for supplying granular solids into subsoil, the applicator

comprising:

a hollow tine having a passage defined by spaced apart tine walls having a

length (I) and spaced apart by a distance (d), the tine walls extending from a leading

portion of the tine towards a trailing portion of the tine,

the granular solids from a supply line;

the granular solid to flow out of the hollow tine under gravity.

2. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the hollow tine is

rectangular with the length (I) of the tine walls being substantially greater than the

distance (d) between the tine walls.

3. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the upper

portion of the tine comprises a hopper for receiving and holding the solid material from

the supply line and directing the received solid material towards the opening of the

hollow tine.

4. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 3 wherein the hopper comprises

a funnel shaped or convergent bottom section for directing the granular material into

the inlet of the tine.

5. A subsoil applicator in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further

comprising lateral wing members extending in a laterally outwardly and downwardly

direction relative to the tine walls to define a hollow internal space below the outlet of

the hollow tine such that during use, edges of the wing members when moved through

the ground form a furrow below the outlet of the tine.

6. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of the lateral wing

members comprises a leading portion extending in a forwardly direction relative to the

hollow tine and a trailing portion extending in a rearwardly direction relative to the

hollow tine.

7. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 6 further comprising a

strengthening member extending across the hollow internal space from an underside

of the leading portion of the wing members to the trailing portion of the wing members.

8. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 7 wherein the strengthening

member extends in a downwardly direction to engage subsoil positioned thereunder

during use thereby providing additional support to the subsoil applicator.

9. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 8 or 9 wherein the strengthening

member comprises a planar structure and lies in a vertical plane relative to the

direction of motion of the hollow tine.

10. A subsoil applicator in accordance with any one of claims claim 7 to 9 wherein

the strengthening member is positioned substantially in between the underside

portions of the lateral wing members.

11. A subsoil applicator in accordance with any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the

strengthening member is located below the outlet of the hollow tine.

12. A subsoil applicator in accordance with any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein

thickness of the strengthening member is less than or equal to the distance (d)

between the tine walls.

13. A subsoil applicator in accordance with any one of claims 11 or 12 wherein the

strengthening member comprises a cut-out section for allowing the granular product

to pass through the strengthening member.

14. A subsoil applicator in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further

comprising: a leading shank member having a leading edge extending along the height of the hollow tine in a generally downwardly and forwardly direction, the leading shank member being located at a forwardly location relative to the hollow tine; and a trailing shank member with a trailing edge extending in a downwardly and rearwardly direction, the trailing shank being located at a rearwardly location relative to the hollow tine.

15. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 14 when dependent upon claims

or 6 wherein a lower part of the leading shank member is attached to one or both of

the wing members.

16. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 14 when dependent upon claims

or 6 wherein a lower part of the trailing shank member is attached to one or both of

the wing members.

17. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 5 or claims 6 to 16 when

dependent upon claim 5 further comprising a spreader tooth located below an

underside of the lateral wing members to spread granular material flowing out of the

outlet of the hollow tine.

18. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 17 wherein the spreader tooth is

positioned below an underside of the trailing portion of the wing members.

19. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 17 or 19 wherein the spreader

tooth is angled in a forwardly and downwardly direction such that a leading portion of

the spreader tooth is located rearwardly relative to the outlet of the hollow tine to

contact and spread granular material flowing out of the outlet of the hollow tine.

20. A subsoil applicator in accordance with claim 19 wherein a frontal portion of the

spreader tooth is located at a rearwardly location relative to the outlet of the hollow

tine.

21. A subsoil applicator in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the

spreader tooth comprises a pair of triangular spreader plates, each triangular spreader

plate extending from a rear corner portion of a respective wing member towards the

outlet of the hollow tine with a slanting edge of the triangular spreader tooth extending

in between the rear corner portion of the wing member towards a frontal corner portion

of the spreader tooth.

22. A subsoil applicator in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 21 wherein each

of the spreader plates extend in opposite lateral directions relative to a direction of

motion of the hollow tine.

122 122 130 2020273283

110

100

140 132

154

160 155 152 150

FIGURE 1

2020273283

110 130 100

140

150B 172 150A

160 170 115

FIGURE 2

2020273283

110

100

170 150A 150B

160

FIGURE 3

120

100

110 130

140

150 160 FIGURE 4

120

100 150B

110

170

150A

FIGURE 5