AU703811B2 - Agricultural machine and implements therefor - Google Patents

Description

pivotally mounted arm, typically a trailing arm, with the blade at its free end. Means are provided for repetitively lowering and raising the arm as the machine travels over the ground. When the arm is lowered, the blade forms the hole for the plant. In this manner, a series of plant holes is formed along the line of travel of the machine.

The planting machine also includes control means for controlling the lowering and raising of the arm in response to the travel of the planting machine. The control means may be responsive to a ground-engaging metering wheel mounted to the carrier, to control the frequency and depth of lowering of the arm.

Typically, the arm is raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder, and the control means includes a computer, the hydraulic cylinder being controlled by the computer via a electrohydraulic circuit.

Advantageously, the blade is pivotally connected to the arm and resiliently biased to an orientation generally transverse to the arm. When the arm is lowered to insert the blade into the ground, the blade is able to pivot about its tip as the arm is advanced.

see In another embodiment, one or more blades are 0 provided on an endless chain associated with each 25 planting station, the chain being driven in response to travel of the machine. The chain is orientated vertically so that each blade moves up and down as the chain rotates. When each blade is at its lowest point, it forms a plant hole in the ground.

S 30 Preferably, each blade has holding means :associated therewith for holding a plant to be planted in the hole, the holding means being adapted to release the plant in the hole newly formed by the blade. The holding means suitably comprises a pair of flaps pivotally connected to the blade for holding the plant between the flaps and the blade.

4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To enable the invention to be fully understood, preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective front, view of an agricultural machine in the form of a self-powered carrier; Fig. 2 is a perspective rear view of the carrier; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the carrier; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the carrier; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the rear chassis of the carrier; Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of one of the carrier's steerable wheels; Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view taken on line 7-7 on Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view showing the machine operating along rows on an inclined surface; •Fig. 9 is an elevational rear view of the machine corresponding to Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a rear elevational view showing an optional mounting assembly for the rear suspension; .9 0 25 Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the mounting .system in more detail; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the operator's console on the carrier; Fig. 13 is a front perspective view of a remote 30 operator's console; 0. Fig. 14 is a side view of a three point linkage assembly for the carrier; Fig. 15 is a side view of a lifting arm system for the carrier; Fig. 16 is a perspective front view of a mulching implement module suitable for the carrier; Fig. 17 is a schematic sectional side view of the mulching implement;

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V. O C" Fig. 18 is a plan view showing the mulching discs and plates; Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing a first planting implement mounted on the carrier; Fig. 20 is a front elevational view corresponding thereto; Fig. 21 is a schematic sectional side view of the planting machine; Fig. 22 is a schematic sectional side view of a supply hopper for the planting machine; Fig. 23 is an end view of the furrow profiles for planting pineapples; Fig. 24 is a side view of an erosion control mechanism; Fig. 25 is a front view of the blade of the erosion control mechanism; Fig. 26 is a sectional side view of a gutter between the rows after the erosion control mechanism has passed; Fig. 27 is a plan view of an alternate layout of the operator's station for a planting implement; 9 Fig. 28 is a similar view of the operator's station for a second embodiment of the planting implement; 99 S 25 Fig. 29 is a schematic side view of the Sagitators for the supply hopper of the planting implement; Fig. 30 is a schematic view showing an operator placing the plants in the planting head of the planting 30 implement of the second embodiment; Fig. 31 is a perspective front view of the planting implement of the second embodiment; Figs. 32 to 39 show the planting sequence of the planting implement of Fig. 31; Fig. 40 shows the arrangement of the operator's :to station for a planting implement of a third embodiment; Fig. 41 is a perspective view of the planting equipment of the third embodiment; i es

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S S *55@ 0 Fig. 42 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus for discharging the plants from a tray; Figs. 43 and 44 are respective elevational views of the planting head of the third embodiment; Fig. 45 is a sectional view taken on line 45-45 on Fig. 43; and Figs. 48 to 51 show the planting sequence using the planting implement of the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, an agricultural implement carrier 10 has a substantially U-shaped main frame 11 defined by a pair of side beams 12, 13 interconnected by a rear cross-beam 14 and at least one intermediate cross-beam 15. Vertical mounting plates 16, 17 extend downwardly from the forward ends of the side beams 12, 13 and mount hydrostatic motors 18 within the hubs 19, 20 of the main driving wheels 21, 22 at the front of the carrier 10. A rocker arm 23 is pivotally mounted intermediate its length between a pair of brackets 24, 25 fixed to the rear cross-beam 14 and mounting blocks 26, 27 at the ends thereof receive and journal the king pin 28, 29 of a pair of steerable wheels 30, 31 which have their axles received in yokes 30, 32 25 fixed to the king pin 28, 29.

A steering ram 34 is mounted on the rocker arm 23 and is connected to a steering rod 35, each end of which (see Fig. 7) is connected to a lug 36 on a plate 37 which is rotatably journalled on the king pins 28, 29 and 30 spaced above a plate 30, fixed to the king pin 28, 29, having a notch 39 in its periphery. A finger 40, having a roller 51 is biased by a spring to urge the roller 51 into engagement with the notch 39 to provide steering connection between the steering rod 35 and the king pin 28, 29. A hydraulic ram 43, mounted on the plate 38, has a piston rod 44 with a nose 45 operable to engage the finger to urge it to a position where the roller 51 is Sreleased from the notch 39 to enable the steerable wheels

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31 to operate with a castor action. A block 36 has a notch to releasably retain the nose 45 in the extended position to prevent inadvertent engagement of the roller with the notch 39.

An operator's cabin 47 is mounted on the main frame 11 and is provided with a suitable control console 48 and the driver's seat 49. A diesel motor 50 and hydraulic pump 51 are provided within a power unit enclosure 52.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, the carrier may be required to operate between rows 50 of plants on an inclined surface 51. To compensate for the tendency of the carrier 10 to run down the inclined slope 31, a suitable "yaw" factor 39 may be provided to the steering of the machine by the mounting of the rocker arm 23 from a mounting block 52 slidably mounted on the rear crossbeam 14 and movable by a ram 53.

Referring now to Fig. 12, the operator's cabin 47 is mounted on the main frame 11 and is provided with the operator's console 48 and seat 49 to enable the .operator to have a clear view of the operation of the carrier and any implements fitted thereto.

With certain implements, including a planting g implement to be hereinafter described with reference to '9 25 Figs. 19 to 21, a remote operator's console 54 and seat may be mounted below the main frame where the remote operator's console 54 is connected to the main operating console 48 by suitable hydraulic lines and/or electric cables.

0@9e 30 At both the main console 48 and remote console 54, the drive of the carrier 10 and the implements are controlled by two stick controllers 55, while the carrier is steered by a pair of foot pedals 56 (operably connected to the steering ram 34) An isolation system is provided so that the carrier io can only be operated from one console 48, 54 at a time.

Referring now to Fig. 14, a removable three

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~9VrB point linkage assembly 60 can be provided at the front of the carrier 10 and is supported by a pair of side plates 61 which support a cross-frame 62 which pivotally supports a top link 63 and a pair of bottom links 64 to which an implement 65 may be releasably detached. A pair of rams 66 mounted on the frame 62 are operable to raise and lower the lower link 64.

Referring now to Fig. 15, a metering ground wheel 67 may be mounted via a linkage 68 on one of the plates 16, 17 to control the timing or operating speed of an implement mounted on the machine A bin 69, adapted to load a hopper 70 on the machine 10 may be releasably secured to a lifting head 71 pivotally mounted at the forward ends of pair of lifting arms 72 hingedly mounted on the side beams 12, 13. A first ram 73 raises each lifting arm 72 while a second ram 74 controls the tilt between the lifting head 71 and the lifting arm 72.

Referring now to Figs. 16 to 18, a mulching implement 80, to mulch pineapple plants after they have borne fruit, is mountable at the front of the machine •between the side plates 16,17 on the side beams 12, 13.

0The mulching implement 80 has a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel, upwardly inclined rake 25 bars and a plurality of discing tips 82 extend forwardly therefrom. A pair of side chains 83, 84 passing around upper and lower sprockets 85, 86 carry cross-bars 87 on which are provided a plurality of rake fingers 87. A hydraulic motor 88 is connected by a chain and sprocket S 30 drive 89 to the upper sprocket 85 to cause the rake S fingers to lift the pineapple plants up the rake bars 81 and to allow them to drop onto a plurality of spaced S.mulching plates 90 formed with notches 91, 92. A mulching head 93 has a plurality of mulching discs 94 mounted on a cross-shaft 95 and driving by a chain and sprocket drive p. S 96. Each mulching disc 94 is provided intermediate a pair of the mulching plates 90 and has substantially radially extending teeth 97 with angularly inclined tips 98 (see ell Fig. 18). The mulching discs 94 and mulching plates co-operate to smash the fibrous structure of the pineapple plants and the mulched plants are then deposited onto the ground to provide organic fertiliser for the next season's crop.

Figs. 19 to 22 illustrate a plant 100 mounted on the carrier 10 which enables four rows of pineapple plants to be planted for each pass of the machine.

The pineapple plants are placed within a supply hopper 101 mounted above the main frame 11 and provided with an agitator unit 102 having a series of vertically movable agitator rods 103 mounted on a drive drum 104 and a fourth agitating rod 103 mounted on a drive drum 105.

Three planting stations 106 are provides die by side across the planter 100 and a fourth station 106 is provided behind the station on the left hand side of the machine see Fig. 21. Each station 106 has an operator's seat 107 and a chute 108, connected to the supply bin 101, to supply the pineapple plants to the operator.

For each planting station 106, a digging arm 109 is hingedly mounted on the frame 110 of the planter and is provided with a hingedly mounted digging blade 111 at its distal end. A hydraulic ram 112, controlled by a *metering or timing wheel The metering wheel 67 25 shown in Fig. 15) connected to a computer, the latter determining the size of the hole dug, and the spacing between the adjacent holes. The ram 12 selectively raises and lowers the digging arm 109 to cause the digging blade to dig a hole in the ground to receive the plant. An S6 30 operator places the plant in the hole and a blade or 06 wheel (not shown) may pass over the hole to cover the plant with soil.

It is preferred that the digging blade 111 be provided with a biasing spring so that the point 113 will 35 remain stationary as the plant advances until the arm 109 09 is raised.

Preferably, one of the operator's stations 106 is arranged to operate as the remote control station -1' shown in Fig. 13.

As hereinbefore described, the carrier 10 is designed to span four rows of pineapples) where the rows are spaced apart at equal 60cm. spacings) in two row beds (see Fig. 23). As shown in Fig. 23, the rows X are spaced a distance R apart and two beds, of width d are provided between each pair of gutters at width D. A central gutter divides these; and the beds and gutters may be formed by a blade and gutter forming rollers on discs drawn by the carrier To prevent water erosion along the wheel tracks in the gutter 102, small transverse mounds 121 may be formed at regular intervals, as shown in Fig. 26.

An erosion control machine 122 has a digging arm 123 hingedly mounted on a post 124 and is raised and lowered by a ram 125. A blade 126, similar to shovel blade, is mounted on the digging arm 123. As the machine is advanced, the blade 126 is lowered and dragged until the mount 121 is formed, the arm 123 is raised and then lowered and the cycle repeated. The mounds 121 limit the run-off of water along the gutters 120.

The post 124 is mounted on a trailing arm 127 4 which, in turn, is mounted on a head 128 which can be connected to the three point linkage system shown in Fig.

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See, In the planter 100, shown in Figs. 19 to 21, the operator stations 106 are arranged three-abreast across the machine with the fourth station 106 behind the left hand station.

S: 30 Fig. 27 shows an optional arrangement where the f a% operator's stations are arranged in two rows of two stations each. However, in both this configuration and with planter 100, each operator only effects the planting of one row of plants.

Fig. 28 shows an arrangement of the operator's e• stations 106 where each operator can arrange the planting of two rows of plants.

To suit the configuration of the planting

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stations as shown in Figs. 28, the supply hopper 100 has its agitator system 102 replaced by four belt conveyors operation in alternate directions to advance the plants to chutes 130 which supply the plants to the operators, a chute 130 being provided for each row.

Fig. 30 shows an operator 131 stationed intermediate a pair of plants 140 to be described with reference to Figs. 31 to 39.

Each planter 140 ha a pair of spaced triangular side plates 141, 142 where sprockets 143 to 145 are provided at the apexes to guide perspective chains 146 abut a substantially horizontal loading run 148, a substantially vertical planting run 149 and a rearwardly inclined return run 150. The chains 146, 147 are interconnected by suitable sprocket and chain drives 151 and drive shafts 152 to operate in unison.

A plurality of plant heads 153 interconnect the chains 146, 147 at spaced intervals and each planting head has a digging blade 154 between a pair of spring loaded flaps 155, 156. A roller 157 is provided at the upper end of the digging blade for the purposes to be hereinafter described.

S SReferring to Fig. 32, the operator places the pineapple plant 160 on the digging blade 154 as it 25 advances along the loading run 148. The spring-loaded flaps 155, 156 then engage the plant 160 to locate it in position see Fig. 33.

Referring now to Fig. 34, the planting head 154 travels downwardly on the planting run until at the 30 bottom of the planting run, the digging blade 154 engages the soil and commences to dig a hole for the plant 160 see Fig. 35. As the digging blade 154 enters the soil, the spring-loaded flaps 155, 156 are moved apart to release the plant in the soil see Figs. 36 and 37. The planting head now moves up the return run 150 of the S 000 planter with the flaps as shown in the latter drawing.

i ::bAt the upper end of the return run 150, the blade 154 engages a cross-bar 161 (interconnecting the side plates 141, 142) to tilt the planting head so that the roller 157 will engage a second cross-bar 162, which will cause the planting head 153 to rotate relative to the chain 146, 147 so that the digging blade 154 is substantially horizontal to receive the next plant 160, as the planting head 153 advances along the loading run 148.

Figs. 40 to 51 shown an alternative planter module 170 which may be mounted on the carrier 10. The planter module is particularly suitable for the planting of seedlings 171, with their roots in a cube of hydroponic gel 172 arranged in columns and rows in trays 172 (see Fig. 41) One operator controls the machine while his assistant transfers the trays 173 from a storage area to respective planter units 174.

NB: While the planter units 174 are shown arranged transversely to the direction of travel in Fig.

they may be arranged parallel thereto and arranged to provide an inter-row spacing of e.g. 250mm.

Referring to Fig. 141, a plant unit 174 has a S horizontal table 174 which supports the top run 176 of a belt conveyor 177. Transverse slits 178 are provided in the belt 176 for the purpose to be hereinafter described.

25 A tray 173 is loaded between a pair of toothed rollers 179, 180 which are advanced by a stepping drive *"°181 to successively locate respective rows of plants 171 adjacent the to run of the conveyor belt 176. As shown in Fig. 42, the tray 173 is guided in its path by vertical o"0 30 guides 182 at each end and a plurality of pneumatic pusher units 183 causes the plants 171 to be discharged o S from the tray onto the top run of the conveyor belt 176.

S When a row of plants have been discharged from the tray, S"the conveyor belt is advanced and a slot 184 in the table allows the conveyor belt 176 to flex between slots 178 to cause the plants 171 to be discharged one at a time into a vertical tube 185 which conveys the plants 171 to the planting head 186.

As shown in more detail in Figs. 41 and 43 to the lower end of the tube 185 has a pair of vertical slots to receive inwardly directed fingers 187 on respective planting arms 188, 189. Each planting finger 188, 189 is pivotally mounted on a respective lug 190 on a sliding block in the supply tube 185 and has an outwardly directed extension 192 to which is secured a rubber mounted link 193. Each link 193 is fixed to the head of a T-shaped link 194, the leg of which is connected to a link 195 suspended from a post 196, which in turn is fixed to across-arm 197 on the tube 185. A hydraulic ram 198 is mounted on the tube 185 and its piston rod 199 is connected to the T-link 194 adjacent the head thereof.

Referring to Fig. 45, a plastic block 200 is provided in the sliding block 191 and a bolt 201 and spring 202 provide adjustable pressure on the plastic block 200 to vary the degree of friction between the sliding block 191 and the vertical tube 185. The operating sequence of the planter head 186 will now be described with reference to Figs. 46 to 49. The plant 141, with its cube of gel 142 falls down the vertical tube 185 and is retained by the inwardly convergent end portion 203 of the vertical rube 185. The ram 198 is 25 extended to cause the portion of the T-link 194 to move downwardly (the link pivoting about is connection with the link 195) causing the sliding block 191 to move downwardly relative to the vertical tube 185 and the links 193 cause the arms 188, 189 to swing inwardly to 30 engage the cube 172 to support the plant 171 see Fig.

47. As the piston rod 191 is further extended to push the head end of the T-link 194 downwardly, the arm 188, 189 push the cub 172 of hydroponic gel into the soil 210 to plant the plant 171. The plant 171 is planted in a preformed hole by a digging tool 220 (see Fig. 41) mounted in advance of the planting head 186. The digging tool 220 is mounted on a piston rod 221 of a ram (not S shown) which is electronically controlled, to determine @6 .6 *o 6 666o g o6 "o:'6 6'.

0 0 6 6666 6 66 6 666 6 66 66 S .66 6 14 the size and spacing of the holes, and is linked to the stepping drive 181 and ram 198. The piston rod 191 is then retracted to return the plant head 186 to its initial position while the seceding plant 191 is being delivered via the vertical tube 185 (see Fig. 49). A pair of trailing pressing wheels 211, 212 force the soil 210 inwardly about the sides of the cube 172 and then a tamper plant 213, having a hole 214 therethrough, and mounted on a pair of rods 215, 216 is advanced to tamp the soil 210 in front of, and behind, the plant 171.

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THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: i. A planting machine suitable for use in planting objects such as pineapple shoots or other plants, seeds or seedlings, the planting machine being adapted to be transported over the ground to be planted and including at least one planting station having a pivotally mounted arm associated therewith, the arm having a blade portion at its free end, means for repetitively lowering and raising the arm as the machine travels over the ground, such that when the arm is lowered, the blade portion forms a hole in the ground for receiving the object to be planted, whereby a series of spaced holes is formed along the line of travel of the machine, and control means for controlling the lowering and raising of the arm in response to the travel of the planting machine.

2. A planting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the planting machine is mounted to a self-powered carrier.

3. A planting machine as claimed in claim 2, S° wherein the carrier has a U-shaped frame, and the C: planting machine is located between the spaced arms of the U-shaped frame.

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:0 25 4. A planting machine as claimed in claims 2 or 3, further comprising a hopper on the carrier for storing Ue °q the objects to be planted, and delivery means for delivering the objects sequentially to a position adjacent each planting station.

S 30 5. A planting machine as claimed in any preceding r claim, wherein each planting station has a seat for an operator.

S6. A planting machine as claimed in any preceding S"claim, wherein the blade portion is pivotally connected to the arm, and is resiliently biased to an orientation generally transverse to the arm yet able to pivot about its tip as the arm is advanced.

7. A planting machine as claimed in any preceding

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Claims (8)

1. 8. A planting machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control means includes a computer for controlling the operation of the hydraulic cylinder.
2. 9. A planting machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means controls the frequency and/or depth of lowering of the arm. A planting machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means controls the time for which the arm remains in its lowered position, to thereby determine the size of the hole so formed.
3. 11. A planting machine as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a ground-engaging metering wheel mounted to the carrier, the control means being responsive to the movement of a metering wheel to control the lowering and raising of the arm.
4. 12. A planting machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the arm is a trailing arm located under the planting machine.
5. 13. A planting machine as claimed in claim 4 further comprising agitator means in the hopper. o+
6. 14. A planting machine suitable for use in planting pineapples and other plants, the planting machine being 25 adapted to be transported over the ground to be planted and comprising S"at least one planting station having at least one digging blade associated therewith, means for cyclically lowering the digging blade so that the blade forms a hole in the ground and then "raising the blade, and •holding means associated with the blade for holding the plant to be planted, the holding means being S"adapted to release the plant in the hole formed by the blade. A planting machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the holding means comprises a pair of flaps pivotally connected to the blade for holding the plant between the flaps and the blade.
7. 16. A planting machine as claimed in claim wherein the blade is mounted on an endless chain arranged in a vertical orientation, the chain being driven in response to travel of the planting machine.
8. 17. A planting machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the planting station has means for controlling the speed and direction of travel of the planting machine. go S S o 0* S* 0.@ ABSTRACT A pineapple planter (100) is mounted on a carrier having a U-shaped main frame (11) supported on a pair of driving wheels (21, 22) and a pair of steerable wheels (30, 31). The planter (100) has multiple planting stations (106) at which operators are seated. A digging arm (109) is hingedly mounted near each planting station (106), and has a digging blade (111) at its free end. The digging arm (109) is lowered hydraulically to form a hole in the ground, and then raised, cyclically, in response to travel of the carrier. The operator inserts the pineapple plant in the hole so formed. In an automated version, a digging blade (154) is cyclically lowered into the ground to form a hole and raised. The digging blade (154) has a pair of flaps (155, 156) associated therewith which hold a pineapple plant and release it in the hole so formed. *Oe 6 6@ 6 6 *666