EP3171686A1

EP3171686A1 - Agricultural roller apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP3171686A1
Application number: EP15738459.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: John Norman COUSINS
Original assignee: Cousins Of Emneth Ltd
Current assignee: Cousins Of Emneth Ltd
Priority date: 2014-07-25
Filing date: 2015-07-14
Publication date: 2017-05-31
Also published as: GB2523609B; GB201413182D0; GB2530154B; GB2530154A; GB2523609A; GB201512259D0; WO2016012752A1

Abstract

An agricultural roller apparatus (10) including a frame (11); an axle or several axles and a plurality of rolling elements (14) mounted on the axle(s); wherein the rolling elements (14) are provided in at least two significantly different weights. The invention enables the possibility to construct an agricultural roller with multiple roll elements where an even distribution of weight can be achieved across the axle or multiple axles by the selection of the at least two different roller weights. For example, adjacent where the frame and the axle are connected (18), lighter weight rollers may be employed, compared to heavier rollers positioned further along (e.g. toward the centre of) the axle. Furthermore, in a typical arrangement where there is a heavier central frame/axle with lighter outlying axles (15/16), the invention provides for substituting rollers of a greater weight on outer axles in order to achieve an even weight distribution across the total width of the apparatus.

Description

AGRICULTURAL ROLLER APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a soil consolidation implement or, particularly, an agricultural roller apparatus of the type used in the process of preparing a seedbed for arable crops (wheat, peas, oil seeds, etc.) grass lands and grazing. Rollers are also known to be used for compacting soil in golf courses, parks and sports grounds etc.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Agricultural rollers are commonly found in use for the purpose of flattening land or breaking up large clumps of soil, especially after ploughing. Typically such a device is comprised of one or more rollers made of thick steel or made from/filled with concrete to achieve a greater effective weight, where the resulting device is adapted to be pulled by a tractor with a suitable coupling. A common variation is a segmented roller, e.g. a "Cambridge roller" where many small roller segments are mounted onto one axle so that each can individually rotate at local ground speed. The surface of the rollers may be smooth or textured dependent on the intended use.

In the known Cambridge configuration the rolling elements are typically rings cast from iron or steel and mounted to a shaft on bearings within a framework to carry it. The frame can be a single section or multiple axle sections to make a machine of the required width that also has the flexibility to be folded for storage and transportation. The required weight of an implement would typically be about 600 to 800 kg per metre, said weight including the rings, axle(s) and frame.

A heavier overall implement can be achieved by either making the rings individually heavier in their construction, by increasing the weight of the frame and/or adding ballast to the implement via the frame. As mentioned, wider agricultural roller implements (say between six and eighteen metres wide) are constructed to fold for transport into sections that are less than about three metres. In such a configuration the centre section tends to be heavier than the outer (wing) sections because the mechanism required for transport, i.e. wheels, hydraulic rams, drawbar etc., are grouped around the centre section only. The fact that the centre section is heavier means that the wing sections are obviously relatively lighter, with the consequence that the overall weight distribution imparted to the soil surface is not consistent across the width of the machine. The weight across a machine can be evened out by transferring some weight from the centre section to the wings and/or by loading the wings hydraulically via the rams which enable folding of the sections. Another way of evening out the weight distribution would be to add weight, e.g. ballast, onto the frame of the wings. This is a known solution. A further observation made in connection with agricultural rollers of the Cambridge type is that the weight of the frame (which could be approximately 50% of the total implement weight) is imparted onto the ground surface by its contact via the bearings associated with the axle carrying the aforementioned rings. However, as the weight of the frame is imparted mainly onto the ends of the axle via the bearings, the axle tends to bend under the vertical load pushing down on the axle. As a result, the rings nearest to the bearings at the ends of the axle receive more of the load compared to the less loaded centre rings due to the deflection of the axle. It follows that this deflection causes inconsistency in available consolidation across the width of the machine. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to address the above problems by proposing an agricultural roller apparatus according to the appended claims. In a broad aspect of the invention there is provided an agricultural roller apparatus including: a frame; an axle mounted from the frame; and a plurality of rolling elements mounted on the axle and an optional additional axle or plurality of axles; wherein the rolling elements are provided in at least two significantly different weights. The meaning of "significant" should be clear in the context of the invention, namely that a "light" and "heavy" rolling element (or "medium" or other iteration) should be clearly distinguished by their respective weights, but the relative ground contacting surface area, e.g. width and diameter, is otherwise the same. For clarity it may be determined that the claim term "significant" or equivalent (such as "substantially") should be removed entirely. It may also be appropriate to substitute "weight" for another relevant term such as "density" because one rolling element that is more dense than another rolling element, with otherwise the same general dimensions, will be heavier.

According to the invention, it is possible to construct an agricultural roller with multiple roll elements where an even distribution of weight is able to be achieved across the axle or axles by the selection of at least two different roller weights. For example, adjacent where the frame and the axle are connected, lighter weight rollers may be employed, compared to heavier rollers positioned further along (e.g. toward the centre of) the axle. The invention does not necessarily require that all rollers positioned at a particular place along the axle be either light or heavy, just that the average weight of rollers is sufficient to more evenly distribute weight across the entire agricultural roller apparatus. Such distribution reduces bending of the axle when loaded by the frame via suitable bearings.

In a second related aspect there is provided an agricultural roller apparatus including: a frame; a first axle mounted from the frame and at least a second axle located beside the first axle; there being a first set of rolling elements mounted on the first axle and a second set of rolling elements mounted on the second axle; wherein the weight distribution of respective rolling elements is chosen so as to compensate for differences in loading on the first axle and at least second axle, such that the total weight of each respective frame, axle and rolling elements is approximately equivalent. In practice the frame is often comprised of at least two sections, each mounting an axle, wherein one of the frame sections also accommodates ground transport wheels. Additional hydraulic and associated equipment may also be accommodated by one of the frame sections.

As mentioned the agricultural apparatus may have multiple axle sections. When multiple axle sections are used it is preferable that a similar average weight is achieved across each of the multiple axles so that the total distribution over all sections is approximately even. In practice, this may mean that the outer, at least second axle, sections (known as "wings") of the agricultural roller apparatus includes a series of rollers that are, in total, heavier than the rolling elements mounted on the centre section, since the centre section also typically accommodates transporting wheels and hydraulics which contribute to its overall weight.

In a specific embodiment of the invention there is provided an agricultural roller apparatus including a frame, a first axle mounted from the frame with a first set of rolling elements mounted thereon, at least a second axle with a second set of rolling elements mounted thereon and locatable beside the first axle, wherein the rolling elements of the first and/or second set of rolling elements are selected from at least two significantly different weights so as to compensate for differences in loading between the first axle and the at least second axle, such that the total weight per width distribution of each respective frame, axle and rolling elements is approximately equivalent. There is a corresponding method of constructing an agricultural roller apparatus including providing a frame, providing a first axle mounted from the frame with a first set of rolling elements mounted thereon, calculating a total weight per width of the frame plus first axle and rolling elements plus any additional/optional components mounted on the frame, providing at least a second axle with a second set of rolling elements mounted thereon and locatable beside the first axle, wherein the rolling elements are arranged in respective sets by selecting from at least two significantly different weights of rolling element so as to compensate for differences in loading between the first axle and the at least second axle, such that the total weight per width distribution of each respective frame, axle and rolling elements is approximately equivalent.

In another specific embodiment of the invention there is provided an agricultural roller apparatus including a frame, a first axle mounted from the frame with a first set of rolling elements mounted thereon, wherein the rolling elements are provided in at least two significantly different weights.

There is a corresponding method of constructing an agricultural roller apparatus including providing a frame, providing a first axle mounted from the frame via bearings with a first set of rolling elements mounted thereon, wherein the rolling elements are arranged across the axle by selection from at least two significantly different weights, where proportionally greater weights are selected for the rolling elements distant from the bearings in order to compensate for loading on the axle at the bearings.

The present invention results in an improved rolling machine (consolidator) by the provision of increasing the weight of individual rings or elements mounted onto the axle. By mounting heavier rings onto a wing section of the machine a balancing function is achieved which normalises the per metre weight of the entire machine width. Furthermore, on any given axle using individually heavier rings, the weight distribution along the axle can be made more even by adding extra weight toward the centre of the axle as opposed to the conventional solution of adding extra weight (ballast) to the frame.

The invention results in an improvement because weight is added where it is actually needed without modifying the frame of the implement. According to the invention the axle undergoes less deflection leading to more consistency and a longer life expectancy due to reduced fatigue. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of an agricultural roller apparatus which is able to incorporate the present invention; and

Figure 2 illustrates a side elevation view of the agricultural roller apparatus from

Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the typical appearance of an agricultural roller apparatus that is capable of implementing the present invention. The roller apparatus 10 features a centre frame section 11 for mounting transport wheels 12 and a drawbar 13 for connection to a motorised vehicle, e.g. tractor. The centre frame section 11 includes a series of roller elements 14 which, in use, contact a ground surface to perform the required consolidator role of the apparatus. The centre roller section width 14 is shown as extending between two vertical dotted lines, whereas outside the dotted lines is where "wing" sections 15 and 16 begin. When in consolidator mode it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the ground contacting roller elements are effective not just by their own weight, but also the weight of all the components mounted to the frame 11 ultimately loading the rollers.

As illustrated, the agricultural roller apparatus includes outlying wing frame sections 15 and 16, each supporting an axle and multiple rolling elements. While it is not clear from the illustration, the wing sections are generally hydraulically actuated using suitable equipment mounted on the centre frame 11. For example, when the apparatus is to be transported on a public road, the respective wing sections 15 and 16 will be raised toward vertical in the known way. During that operation all weight is supported by the centre frame section 11 and, in turn, wheels 12 during transport. The advantages of the present invention are realised by the weight profile of the roller elements across the total width of the apparatus when it is engaged onto a ground surface for use. By way of example, for a three section machine as illustrated, if the centre section 11 weighs 200 kg in total more than each wing, then a total of 200 kg needs to be added to each wing section in order to provide consistency across the entire ground contacting collection of rollers. If a "standard" 24 inch (60 cm) diameter ring weighs 25 kg, then a portion of the rings need to be replaced by a heavier alternative. For example, in accordance with the invention a heavier 24 inch (60 cm) ring may weigh 50 kg which is, obviously, 25 kg heavier than the standard ring. Accordingly, eight of the standard rings on each wing (15 and 16) could be replaced by eight "heavy" rings for a total increase in weight of 200 kg. Depending on the configuration and number of rings this might mean that all of the rings are replaced or a few 25 kg rings may still remain. Also of consideration according to the invention is the provision to replace rings that are distant from the axle bearings (denoted 18 in Figure 1) with a heavier ring. This is particularly the case in the centre section 11 which could mean that additional heavy rings should be substituted in the wing sections to compensate for the increase in weight in the centre section.

It is noteworthy that, in the illustration, outlying wing sections 15 and 16 comprise more rollers than the centre section 11. This also must be taken into account to ensure that the average per metre weight of the total roller apparatus is consistent. In order to achieve even loading a formula such as below can be used:

(centre weight / centre width * wing width) - wing weight = additional weight required An alternative expression of the formula is: ((first axle weight / first axle width) * second axle width) - second weight = weight required

To use the illustrated example, if a centre section was 400kg with 11 wheels (as a "unit of width") and a wing section was ordinarily 250kg with 15 wheels:

(400/11 * 15) - 250 = 295.45 kg additional weight needed. Appropriately weighted rollers can be substituted on the wing to amount to an additional approx. 300kg each wing. The above formula gives the correct answer if the number of wheels is the same; e.g.:

(400/15 * 15) - 250 = 150kg additional weight

This is a total of 400kg for each wing, so all sections weigh the same which is what you would expect. In theory the calculation could give a negative value if the starting wing weight happened to be disproportionately highly loaded with some extra accessory.

The conceptual example requires only two different ring types which are significantly different in weight. Of course, it would be possible to introduce multiple roller types that provide for less abrupt changes in weight distribution across the roller elements, but the invention disclosed herein is considered sufficient to illustrate the possibilities for improving manufacture of an agricultural roller apparatus.

It is generally intended that the total area of a roller element which contacts the ground is the same regardless of whether it is a standard or heavy ring as described above. The additional weight is achieved by casting the roller with thicker spokes or additional concrete etc. There are a variety of ways to manufacture like-sized roller elements which have different relative weights. As such, construction of the present invention is possible using conventional manufacturing techniques and materials.

Claims

Claims:

1. An agricultural roller apparatus including:

a frame;

a first axle or plurality of axles mounted or extending from the frame; a plurality of rolling elements associated with the first or plurality of axles;

wherein the rolling elements are provided in at least two different weights so as to compensate for differences in weight per width load distribution across the apparatus.

2. The agricultural roller apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first axle is mounted from the frame with a first set of rolling elements mounted thereon and there is at least a second axle with a second set of rolling elements mounted thereon and locatable beside the first axle;

wherein the rolling elements of the first and/or second set of rolling elements are provided in at least two different weights.

3. The agricultural roller apparatus of claim 2 wherein there is a third axle with a third set of roller elements, locatable beside the first axle.

4. The agricultural roller apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is a first axle only, mounted from the frame, with a first set of rolling elements mounted thereon; and wherein the rolling elements are provided in at least two different weights.

5. The agricultural roller apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the axle(s) is/are mounted from the frame via a bearing.

6. The agricultural roller apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the at least two different weights of rolling elements is achieved by providing different sizes of spokes and/or additional material on an inner part of a rolling element.

7. The agricultural roller apparatus of any preceding claim, further including one or more of the following mounted on the frame: ground contacting transport wheels, hydraulics, a drawbar.

8. A method of constructing an agricultural roller apparatus including:

providing a frame;

providing a first axle mounted from the frame with a first set of rolling elements mounted thereon;

calculating a total weight per width of the frame plus first axle and rolling elements plus any additional/optional components mounted on the frame;

providing at least a second axle with a second set of rolling elements mounted thereon and locatable beside the first axle;

wherein the rolling elements are arranged in respective sets by selecting from at least two different weights of rolling element so as to compensate for differences in loading between the first axle and the at least second axle, such that the total weight per width distribution of each respective frame, axle and rolling elements is approximately equivalent.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein a weight difference needed for the at least second axle and rolling elements compared to the first axle and rolling elements is calculated using the formula:

((first axle weight / first axle width) * second axle width) - second weight = weight required A method of constructing an agricultural roller apparatus including:

providing a frame;

providing a first axle mounted from the frame via bearings with a first set of rolling elements mounted thereon;

wherein the rolling elements are arranged across the axle by selection from at least two different weights.

The method of claim 10 wherein proportionally greater weights are selected for the rolling elements distant from the bearings in order to compensate for loading on the axle at the bearings.

The method of any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the at least two different weights of rolling elements is achieved by forming different relative sizes of spokes and/or including additional material.