AU640881B2

AU640881B2 - Improvements to bulk loaders and spreaders

Info

Publication number: AU640881B2
Application number: AU31064/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Noel William Fisher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-01-10
Filing date: 1993-01-07
Publication date: 1993-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2013-01-07
Also published as: AU3106493A

Description

41575 HKS:SJC:PFB 6 4 0 8 P 48 8 P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

C a- Name of Applicant: NOEL WILLIAM FISHER Actual Inventor: NOEL WILLIAM FISHER Address for Service: COLLISON CO.,117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A. 5000 Invention Title: IMPROVEMENTS TO BULK LOADERS AND SPREADERS Details of Associated Provisional Applications: AUSTRALIAN Patent Application No. PL0344 Dated 10th January 1992 AUSTRALIAN Patent Application No. PL5517 Dated 27th October 1992 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: This invention relates to improvements to the productivity or quality of agricultural land.

There are many factors that contribute to quality or productivity of agricultural land. For instance, climate, relief, altitude and soil type all have influence upon the productivity and primary use of land. Most of these variables are governed by nature and cannot be substantially changed by man, the exception being soil type.

If an area is primarily covered in a soil type known as non-wetting sand, then poor productivity will result due to the inability of the non-wetting sand to absorb moisture. It has been found that spreading clay onto non-wetting sands improves the sand's characteristics which in turn improves the :i productivity of the land.

Currently, there is no efficient means or method of spreading clay over areas of non-wetting sand such that the clay can be collected and spread in a So 15 controlled fashion.

It is an object of this invention to overcome the above problem or at least provide the public with useful alternative.

According to one form of this invention there is provided an apparatus for •collecting and distributing clay including: 20 a clay acquisition means; a clay processing means adapted to comminute the clay; a clay storage means adapted to store the comminuted clay; and a transfer means adapted to transfer the clay to a distribution means, the distribution means being adapted to distribute the clay over an area of land.

Alternatively, according to another form of this invention there is provided an apparatus for collecting and distributing clay including: a frame means; at least one ground engaging wheel or ground engaging track means attached to the frame means; an acquisition means adapted to remove clay from the ground, the acquisition means being connected either directly or indirectly to the frame means; a processing means adapted to crush or cut the clay, the processing means being connected to the frame means; a storage means adapted to store the processed clay, the storage means being attached to the frame means; a connection means adapted to connect the frame means to a propulsion means; and a distribution means attached to the frame means, the distribution means being adapted to distribute the clay onto the ground.

Alternatively, according to another form of this invention there is provided an apparatus for collecting and distributing clay including: a frame means; at least one ground engaging wheel or ground engaging track 15 means associated with said frame means; an acquisition means adapted to remove clay from the ground, said acquisition means being associated with the frame means; 0a processing means adapted to process the clay into portions of an approximate desired size, said processing means being associated with the frame means; and a storage means adapted to store the processed clay, the storage means being associated with the frame means.

In preference, the apparatus further includes a distribution means adapted to 25 distribute the stored processed clay onto the ground.

In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, the apparatus further includes a connection means adapted to connect the frame means to a propulsion means, the connection means being adjustably mounted on the frame means.

In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, the storape means is adapted to pivot about a horizontal transversal axis on the frame means so that the stored said clay can be poured onto the distribution means.

In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, the storage means Iconnected to one end of at least one first ram, the other end of the first ram being connected to the frame means, the first ram being adapted to move the storage means about the transversal axis so that the clay can be poured onto the distribution means, wherein the movement of the first ram is adapted to be variable in speed. This therefore controls the rate of clay being poured onto the distribution means.

In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, the distribution means includes two contra-rotating discs having a controllable rotational speed. This allows the desired area and amount of distributed said clay to be varied as required.

In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, the acquisition means includes at least one blade and an adjustment means adapted to adjust the depth of cut of the blade, wherein the adjustment means includes at least one second ram acting between and attached to the connection means and either said blade or support means.

9*o* In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, there is a pre-processing means located in front of the acquisition means, the pre-processing means has a ripping means and a cutting means, wherein the pre-processing means is adapted to pre-process the clay and then return the clay to the ground before it is collected by the acquisition means. The function of returning the :.20 clay to the ground is to reduce the probability of clogging the acquisition means or the processing means.

In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, the processing means includes a rotating drum or crusher having cutting blades and shearing blades, the shearing blades being adapted to shear the clay by interacting with a plurality of rub bars, wherein the rub bars further provide a crushing action by interacting with the rotating crusher.

In another preferred form, as in any of the above relevant forms, the processing means includes: a plurality of paddles and slicing blades positioned upon a drum adapted to rotate about an axis substantially at right angles to the ground engaging wheel or ground engaging track means, the paddles being adapted to throw the clay into the storage means; and a concave processing face adapted to interact with the paddles and slicing blades and thereby processing the clay.

In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, each of the paddles is attached to two of the slicing blades to provide a means of increasing the collecting capability of the paddles.

In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, there is a gap between the paddle and the rotating drum adapted to provide a clay overflow means.

In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, the processing means is adapted to be variable in speed so that various depths of cut and speed of the apparatus can be accommodated.

In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, the first ram, the second :i ram, the contra-rotating discs and the processing means are adapted to be controlled and powered from and by the propulsion means. For instance by o hydraulics.

In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, the storage means includes at least two apertures one being adapted to collect said clay from the said processing means and the other being adapted to unload the clay onto the distribution means.

In preference, as in any of the above relevant forms, there is a chute adapted ,to guide the clay onto the centre region of the two contra-rotating discs.

In preference, the contra-rotating discs are adapted to be removable or adjustable so that said apparatus can be used to dump the clay.

Alternatively, according to another form of this invention there is provided a method of collecting and distributing clay comprising the steps of: collecting clay from the ground of a first site with an acquisition means of a collection apparatus; comminuting the clay with a processing means of associated with the collection apparatus; storing the clay upon or within the storage means of the collection apparatus; and distributing the clay on a second site with a distribution means associated with the collection apparatus.

In preference, the is further characterised by the distributing means being such that the clay is distributed across the ground in a substantially even depth.

In preference, the method is further characterised by the step of preprocessing the clay and returning it to the ground before the collecting, the pre-processing being provided by the pre-processing means of the said apparatus.

For a better understanding of this invention it will now be described with the assistance of preferred embodiments in which:- FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first preferred embodiment,

S

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a first preferred embodiment of a processing means adapted to crush or cut clay, FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the first preferred embodiment of the processing means' cutting andc crushing blades adapted to crush or cut clay, FIG. 5 shows a second preferred embodiment of the invention, FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view through A-A' of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the processing means as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

Referring to the first preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. There are two wheels 1 attached at one enrid of a frame 2. At the opposite end of the frame 2 there is a rotary loader and crusher 3 in close proximity to a clay acquisition means 4. In addition to the clay acquisition means 4 there may be an adjustable pre-processor in the form of a cutting or ripping means (not shown) adapted to pre-process the clay before it is cut by the clay acquisition means 4. The ripping means can be either positioned to pre-process the clay or positioned such that it does not pre-process the clay, the actual positioning depends upon terrain and soil or clay conditions. Mounted on the frame 2 is a storage means (hopper) 5 which can be pivoted about a pivot 6 at the rear end of the frame 2. At one end of the frame 2 there are two contra-rotating disc distributors 7 powered by a tractor or other such vehicle, the power being converted to torque by the two hydraulic motors 18. The contra-rotating disc distributors 7 rotate on an approximately horizontal plane which can be adjusted with respect to the horizon to suit specific terrains or applications.

At the opposite end to the rotating disc distributors 7 there is a connection means 8 that can be connected to the tractor or other such vehicle. The depth of cut is adjusted by two hydraulic rams 9 one end of which it, connected to the 15 frame 2, the other end is connected to the connection means 8. The speed of the rotary loader and crusher 3 is governed by a hydraulic pump reservoir which is powered from the tractor or other such vehicle. This power is °°.converted to torque by two hydraulic motors 11 which are pivoted about an axis by pivots 12 and 13. At the rear of the storage means 5 there is an optional gate 16 adapted to open when the storage means 5 is rotated about the pivot 6. Furthermore, there are two chutes 17 adapted to guide clay stored the storage means 5 onto the contra-rotating disc distributors 7. The storage means 5 is moved around the pivot 6 by two hydraulic rams 14 and •powered by the tractor or other such vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 which shows a preferred embodiment of the rotary loader and crusher 3, there are a plurality of shearing blades 19 and a plurality of cutting blades 20. A portion of the clay acquisition means 4 is shown which in conjunction with the guide 21 forces clay into the rotary loader and crusher 3 due to the forward movement of the apparatus. The rub bars 22 have two functions, the first of which is that of causing a shearing action with the shearing blades 19, the second function being a crushing action in conjunction with the rotating crushers 23. Furthermore, the shearing blades 19 are formed such that they throw the processed clay out of the rotary loader and crusher 3 and into the storage means 8 Upon connecting the embodiment described in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 to the tractor or other sucn vehicle via the connection means 8, the clay acquisition means 4 can be adjusted by the hydraulic rams 9 so that the desired cut can be made.

The storage means 5 is in the position shown and the contra-rotating disc distributors 7 are stationary. Upon motion of the apparatus, clay is cut by the clay acquisition means 4 and forced into the rotary loader and crusher 3 which therefore breaks down the clay before it enters the storage means 5. Upon collecting a desired amount of clay the power is removed from the rotary loader and crusher 3 and power is applied to the hydraulic rams 9 such that the clay acquisition means 4 is raised above ground level. The tractor or other vehicle then tows the apparatus to a desired area of land which has poor quality soil such as non-wetting sand. Upon reaching this desired location power is applied to the rotary disc distributors 7 and to the hydraulic rams 14 and 15 which are connected to the storage means 15 As the apparatus moves along the selected site the power applied to the hydraulic rams 14 and 15 is such that a controlled flow of clay is tipped through the optional gate 16 and along the guiding chute 17 and onto the contra-rotating disc distributors 7. This facilitates a relatively even and constant spread of clay onto the land site. Once the storage means 5 is empty 20 power is removed from the contra-rotating disc distributors 7 and the storage :means 5 returns to the position shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The apparatus can then be towed back to the first site and the operation can be repeated S- again.

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 there is illustrated a second preferred 25 embodiment in which there is a ripping means 24 and a primary cutting blade attached to the connection means 27 which is preferably connected to the frame by the pivot 28. The ripping means 24 and primary cutting blade 25 are adapted to pre-process the clay and then drop the clay back onto the ground, wherein the guide 26 provides a means of guiding the clay back to the ground. The clay may be guided by the pre-processor guide means 34 before it is collected from the ground by the clay acquisition means 29. The rotary loader 32 has a plurality slicing blades 31 adapted to slice the clay by interacting with the concave cutting and slicing face 33. Furthermore, the rotary loader 32 also has a plurality of paddles 30 which further processes and then throws the clay into the storage means 5. In this preferred 9 embodiment each of the paddles 30 is attached to two of the slicing blades 31 to provide a means of increasing the collecting capability of the paddles Another feature that may be included is to provide a gap 34 between the paddle and the drum of the rotary loader 32. This provides an overflow means in which excessive clay can be discarded and collected by the next paddle 30 on the drum.

To improve the spreading requirements the contra-rotating disc distributors 7 may be positioned as shown in FIG. 5 in which the contra-rotating disc distributors 7 are close together. Furthermore, the operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 is similar to that described above in relation to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.

a a a

Claims

2. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay including: a frame means; at least one ground engaging wheel or ground engaging track means attached to the frame means; an acquisition means adapted to remove clay from the ground, the 15 acquisition means being connected either directly or indirectly to the frame means; a processing means adapted to crush or cut the clay, the processing means being connected to the frame means; a storage means adapted to store the processed clay, the storage 20 means being attached to the frame means; a connection means adapted to connect the frame means to a propulsion means; and a distribution means attached to the frame means, the distribution means being adapted to distribute the clay onto the ground. i 25 3. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay including: a frame means; at least one ground engaging wheel or ground engaging track means associated with said frame means; an acquisition means adapted to remove clay from the ground, said acquisition means being associated with the frame means; a processing means adapted to process the clay into portions of an approximate desired size, said processing means being associated with the frame means; and a storage means adapted to store the processed clay, the storage means being associated with the frame means.
4. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay as in claim 3, the apparatus further including a distribution means adapted to distribute the stored processed clay onto the ground.
5. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay as in any one of claims 2 to 4, the apparatus further including a connection means adapted to connect the frame means to a propulsion means, the connection means being adjustably mounted on the frame means.
6. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay as in any one of claims 2, 4 or 5, wherein the storage means is adapted to pivot about a horizontal transversal axis on the frame means so that the stored said clay can be poured onto the distribution means. 0 *00e S..o
7. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay as in claim 6 in o which the storage means is connected to one end of at least one first ram, the .I 15 other end of the first ram being connected to the frame means, the first ram being adapted to move the storage means about the transversal axis so that the clay can be poured onto the distribution means, wherein the movement of the first ram is adapted to be variable in speed. 4. 4.° 4 An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay as in claim 1 or claim 2 or any one of claims 4 to 7 in which the distribution means includes two contra-rotating discs having a controllable rotational speed.
9. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay as in any one of the claims in which the acquisition means includes at least one blade and an adjustment means adapted to adjust the depth of cut of the blade, wherein the adjustment means includes at least one second ram acting between and attached to the connection means and either said blade or support means. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay as in any one of the above claims in which there is a pre-processing means located in front of the acquisition means, the pre-processing means has a ripping means and a cutting means, wherein the pre-processing means is adapted to pre-process the clay and then return the clay to the ground before it is collected by the acquisition means.
11. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay as in any one of the above claims in which the processing means includes a rotating drum or crusher having cutting blades and shearing blades, the shearing blades being adapted io shear the clay by interacting with a plurality of rub bars, wherein the rub bars further provide a crushing action by interacting with the rotating crusher.
12. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay as in any one of claims 2 to 10 in which the processing means includes: a plurality of paddles and slicing blades positioned upon a drum adapted to rotate about an axis substantially at right angles to the ground engaging wheel or ground engaging track means, the paddles being adapted to throw the clay into the storage means; and a concave processing face adapted to interact with the paddles and slicing blades and thereby processing the clay. *Gooo 0 15 13. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay as in any one of the above claims in which the processing means is adapted to be variable in .9000: toospeed so that various depths of cut and speed of the apparatus can be accommodated.
14. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay as in any one of 20 claims 7 to 13 in which the first ram, the second ram, the distribution means and the processing means are adapted to be controlled and powered from and by the propulsion means. A method of collecting and distributing clay comprising the steps of: collecting clay from the ground of a first site with an acquisition means of a collection apparatus; comminuting the clay with a processing means of associated with the collection apparatus; storing the clay upon or within the storage means of the collection apparatus; and distributing the clay on a second site with a distribution means associated with the collection apparatus. 13
16. A method of collecting and distributing clay as in claim 15 further characterised by the distributing means being such that the clay is distributed across the ground in a substantially even depth.
17. A method of collecting and distributing clay as in claim 15 or claim 16 further characterised by the step of pre-processing the clay and returning it to the ground before the collecting, the pre-processing being provided by the pre-processing means of the collection apparatus apparatus.
18. A method of collecting and distributing clay for the purposes of later distribution over non wetting sands comprising drawing a collection means across a basin of clay so as to collect a top layer from the clay, causing the clay as it is being collected to be broken into smaller particles, collecting such clay particles in a storage means, transporting the storage means to a different location and then effecting through a tipping of the storage means a pouring of the clay particles onto distribution means to effect a distribution by broadcasting of the clay particles over the non wetting sands.
19. An apparatus for collecting and distributing clay substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by the •accompanyin g drawings. SC o A method of collecting and distributing clay substantially as :-oo 20 described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by the -accompanying drawings. Dated this 7th day of January 1993 NOEL WILLIAM FISHER By his Patent Attorneys, COLLISON CO.