FR2900536A1 - Grinder-rotor type plant cutting machine e.g. forestry shredder, has movable assembly including panels on both sides of axis and pivoting between two angular positions, and cylinder pivoting assembly around axis - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine (M) has a movable assembly (100) with a flap forming solid lower panel (110) and a locker forming upper panel (120) on both sides of a horizontal axis. The assembly pivots between an angular position in which the panel (110) is removed by disengaging an inlet of a passage tunnel and the panel (120) pulls down the plant toward the passage and another position in which the panel (110) delimits a confined space with a fixed deflector and the panel (120) is inactive. A hydraulic cylinder (115) pivots the assembly around the axis and maintains the assembly in the positions.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of cutting machines of

  plants, and more particularly machines comprising a rotor with rotating knives. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Plant-cutting machines, in particular, forestry mills, generally comprise a U-shaped carter consisting of a horizontal plate supporting coupling means serving to drive in rotation, around its axis, at least one rotor with cutting members disposed under said horizontal plate, and two lateral plates enveloping said rotor and defining a passage tunnel for the vegetation to be cut and / or grinded, the horizontal sheet further extending towards the rear by a fixed deflector to facilitate the penetration of vegetation in the passage tunnel during operation in reverse. Forest crushers of this type are generally towed, and rest on the ground by means of pads provided at the free end of the side plates.

  The coupling means allow a drive connection to motorized means such as the tractor power takeoff. When it is vertical axis the rotor then drives the cutting members, for example knives mounted rotating around the periphery of said rotor, which knives can fade and turn freely in case of hard obstacles encountered during work cutting and / or grinding performed outside the movement of the mill. When it is horizontal axis, the rotor then drives the cutting members, for example knives or hammers mounted on the periphery of said rotor. When the vegetation is relatively high, the user then moves the tractor backward, to de-

  2 Place the mill in reverse towards this vegetation. It is then that the fixed deflector (often referred to as an entamor by the specialists) intervenes, by folding the vegetation in such a way that the lower part of the latter is affected by the action of the cutting elements, and undergoes penetrating in the passage tunnel, a cutting action, followed by grinding. Such a fixed deflector provided behind the housing is thus widely used in practice. However, when the mill works forward for low-height vegetation work, the deflector has the disadvantage of considerably widening the exit of the tunnel passage, so that there is no real protection towards the back against throwing stones or obstacles di-verses which are thrown violently by the cutting organs. However, if we want to set up a means of protection, we lose the opportunity to use a rear baffle. To remedy this drawback, the Applicant has proposed a movable flap arrangement arranged behind the housing of the machine so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis between a raised up position in which the entrance of the tunnel passage is cleared , and a folded down position in which said flap delimits with the fixed deflector a confined space whose lower zone is subjected to the action of the cutter members of the rotor, in this case rotating knives. We can refer to the document FR-A-2685993 of the applicant which illustrates such a cutting machine.

  The aforesaid arrangement is of interest in that it is possible to use the movable flap to push the vegetation towards the zone of action of the cutting members and to reduce the risk of jamming at the entrance of the passage tunnel. . However, when the movable flap is raised up position, it is an inconvenience for the operator by masking the vision of the area behind the cutting machine. In addition, when the movable flap is raised up position for work in reverse, it constitutes an extension upward of the fixed deflector without possibility of adjustment of inclination, so that it may be unsuitable for certain types of vegetation. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to improve the cutting machine of the aforementioned type, by allowing a better adaptation to the type of work concerned as a function of the vegetation encountered to be cut and / or grinded, and without harming the the visibility of the area behind the cutting machine so that the operator can maneuver easily and safely. GENERAL DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION The abovementioned problem is solved according to the invention by means of a plant cutting machine, in particular a forestry crusher, comprising a U-shaped casing composed of a horizontal plate supporting coupling means serving to drive in rotating, about its axis, at least one rotor with cutting members disposed under said horizontal plate, and two lateral sheets enveloping said rotor and defining a passage tunnel for the vegetation to be cut and / or grinded, the horizontal plate further extending to the rear by a fixed deflector to facilitate the penetration of

  4 the vegetation in the tunnel passage lo = rs a running in reverse, said cutting machine being characterized in that it further comprises a movable assembly arranged behind the housing of the ma-chine so as to be able to pivoting about a horizontal axis, the moving assembly comprising, on either side of said horizontal axis, a solid bottom panel forming a flap and a perforated top panel forming a reel, said movable assembly being able to pivot unitarily between a first position in which the lower pane panel is erased by clearing the entrance of the tunnel passage, the upper panel then acting to fold the vegetation to said passage tunnel, and a second position in which the lower pane panel delimits with the fixed deflector a space confined whose lower and / or rear zone is subjected to the action of the rotor cutting members, the upper panel being then ina Furthermore, actuating means are further provided for pivoting the movable assembly about its horizontal axis to its first or second position and holding said movable assembly in position. Thus, when operating in reverse, the upper panel flaps the vegetation to the passage tunnel without impairing the visibility for the operator of the area behind the machine and, during operation in operation before, the lower panel acts as a closing shutter, providing optimum protection for the surrounding area. Preferably, the movable assembly is articulated in the upper part of the fixed deflector.

  Advantageously, the lower panel vo-let is arranged to come to press against the fixed deflector when the mobile assembly is in its first position. In particular, the lower pane panel has a free edge which covers the lower zone of the fixed deflector when the moving assembly is in its first position. Thus, in this position, the lower shutter panel constitutes a true doubling wall of the fixed deflector, without restricting the entrance section of the passage tunnel. Advantageously, the lower flap panel has on each side a cut which cooperates with the rear ends of the side plates of the housing to close the confined space when the moving assembly is in its second position. This ensures full protection of the surrounding rear area when working forward. According to another particularly advantageous feature, the upper drum panel is mounted on the lower panel forming a base so as to be pivotable relative thereto about a horizontal axis. Preferably then, the top panel can be secured to the bottom panel in a plurality of respective angular positions. This then makes it possible to take into account the type of work concerned according to the nature of the vegetation to be cut and / or crushed. According to a particular embodiment, the upper panel comprises two lateral uprights whose lower end passes between two vertical flanges which are rigidly secured to the lower panel. In particular, each pair of vertical flanges has a plurality of holes facing each other.

  6 inserting a pin passing into an appendage of the top panel to lock said upper panel in the desired angular position. More preferably, each pair of vertical flanges is connected to the casing by a hydraulic jack, said cylinders constituting the actuating means provided for pivoting the movable assembly. In a particular embodiment, the or each rotor is vertical axis, and it is equipped on its periphery with cutting members arranged in the form of rotating knives. In another particular embodiment, the or each rotor has a horizontal axis, and is equipped on its periphery with cutting members arranged in the form of knives or hammers. Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly in the light of the following description and the accompanying drawings, relating to a particular embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a cutting machine according to the invention, produced here according to a vertical axis single axis rotor-driven timber shredder; equipped with a single stage of cutting members arranged in the form of rotating knives, with a pivoting movable assembly arranged behind the machine, in a position corresponding to operation in the forward direction;

  7 - Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the aforementioned cutting machine, in the same position of the pivoting rear mobile assembly; FIG 4 is an elevational view illustrating the same machine with its mobile assembly whose upper panel has a different inclination; - Figures 5 to 8 are respectively homologous to Figures 1 to 4 above, and illustrate the same cutting machine for another position of the pivoting rear moving assembly, which corresponds to a reverse operation; FIG. 9 is a partial view of the rear zone of the abovementioned mill in the position of the pivoting rear moving assembly which corresponds to FIGS. 1 to 4, and FIG. 10 illustrates, on a larger scale, the detail X of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a partial view of the rear zone of the abovementioned mill in the position of the pivoting rear moving assembly which corresponds to FIGS. 5 to 8, and FIG. 12 illustrates, on a larger scale, detail XII of FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a (partial) perspective view of another cutting machine according to the invention, the rotor of which has a horizontal axis and is equipped on its periphery with cutters arranged in the form of knives or hammers; FIG. 14 is an elevational view illustrating the machine of FIG. 13, in which the pivoting mobile assembly arranged behind the machine is in a position which corresponds to operation in the forward direction; and FIG. 15 illustrates the same machine for another position of the pivoting rear moving assembly, which corresponds to operation in reverse. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 to 8 illustrate a cutting machine M which conforms to the invention, produced here according to a forest crusher towed by a tractor not shown here, said machine being in this case a single rotor single-stage vertical axis of cutting members arranged here in the form of rotating knives, and sliding on the ground by associated pads. Conventionally, the cutting machine M comprises a U-shaped casing 10 composed of a horizontal plate 11 and two lateral plates 12 defining a passage tunnel 13 for the vegetation to be cut and / or grinded. As best seen in Figures 5 and 8, the horizontal plate 11 supports coupling means. 15 for driving, around a vertical axis X here, a single rotor 18 disposed under said horizontal sheet, said rotor being here equipped with a single stage of rotating knives 19. The plate 20 of the rotor 18 knives rotating, has a central hub 21 for coupling to the associated drive means, for the rotation of said rotor about the vertical axis X. The invention is of course in no way limited to the type and number of rotors or at the arrangement of the cutting members of said rotor or rotors. In particular, it will be seen later that the invention also applies to cutting machines of the rotor-mill type, whose rotor is horizontal axis. The training chain is provided by a

  9 coupling member 17 on which is plugged a shaft (not shown here) by the tulip reception 16, which shaft is then connected at its other end to the PTO of the tractor, this is quite conventional. The cutting machine M is connected to the tractor by a delta linkage of conventional type 14, with three attachment points 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 for connection to a three-point system of said tractor.

  Strings 24 connecting the triangle connecting member 14 to rear fasteners 25 which are attached to a raised rear extension 26 of the housing 10 of the machine are also provided. These chains 24 are associated with the lifting of the cutting machine in case of traveling on the road or crossing an obstacle. There are also vertical chains 27 provided at the entrance of the passage tunnel 13 for the operation of the machine in the forward direction. Finally, as is more clearly visible in FIGS. 5 and 8, the horizontal plate 11 of the U-shaped casing is extended rearwardly by a fixed baffle 22, also known as a taper, which serves to facilitate the penetration of vegetation into the passage tunnel 13 when operating in reverse of the cutting machine. According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the cutting machine further comprises a movable assembly 100 arranged behind the housing 10 so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis 101, said movable assembly comprising, on both sides other of the horizontal axis 101, a lower solid panel 110 flap and a perforated upper panel 120 forming a reel.

  As best seen in FIGS. 9 to 12, the pivot axis 101 of the moving assembly 100 is embodied by bushes 102 which are arranged in the vicinity of the upper end of the fixed deflector 22. The assembly Mobile 100 is thus articulated in the upper part of the fixed deflector 22. In the configuration illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the movable assembly 100 is ready for operation in the forward direction, as indicated by the arrow AV). The moving assembly 100 then occupies a position in which the lower flap panel 110 delimits with the fixed deflector 22 a confined space 30 whose lower zone is subjected to the action of the knives 19 of the rotor 18. As is better visible on 3, the lower flap panel 110 perfectly closes the rear space of the passage tunnel, which is bordered laterally by flanges 2: 3 extending rearwardly the side plates 12 of the housing 10. The lower panel flap 110 has a reinforced free edge 111 and, on each side, a cut 119 which cooperates with the rear ends of the flanges 23 to close the confined space 30. In this position, the shutter constituted by the lower panel 110 is closed. , which makes it possible to obtain both a protection of the rotary knives of the cutting rotor, and also to limit backward projections of pebbles or other obstacles dangerous to people when operating the machine in forward motion.

  In this position, the top panel 120 is inactive. The upper panel 120 has lateral uprights 121 whose lower end passes between two vertical flanges 113 which are rigidly rigid with the lower panel 110. The lateral uprights 121 are joined by two superposed crosspieces 122 interconnected by small vertical uprights. 123. It should be noted that the upper panel 120 thus formed is perforated, so that it does not interfere with the visibility of the rear area for the operator. The lower flap panel 110 is itself a solid panel to fully perform its function of closing the confined space and protection against projections. Each pair of vertical flanges 113 is connected by a hydraulic cylinder 115 to the casing 10 of the machine. In the present case, it is provided that the body of each cylinder 115 is hinged at 116 between two appendices 117 of the horizontal plate 11, while the rod of the cylinder is hinged at 114 on the pair of vertical flanges 113 concerned. The actuation of the hydraulic cylinders 115 then makes it possible, by acting on the vertical flanges 113, to modify the position of the moving assembly 100 by rotating it unitarily about its horizontal axis 101. In the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 the rod of the hydraulic cylinders 115 is fully retracted, which corresponds to an active position of the bottom flap panel 110 and an inactive position of the upper panel 120. If the operating cylinders 115 are now actuated to rotate unitarily the moving assembly 100 about its horizontal axis 101, said movable assembly is passed into another position which is illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8, and which corresponds to operation in reverse of the machine (as indicated by the arrow AR) .

  In this new position, the bottom flap panel 110 is erased by completely clearing the entrance of the passage tunnel 13. In this case, the flap bottom panel 110 is arranged to press against the fixed deflector 22, thus forming a true doubling wall of said deflector, so without limiting the passage section for vegetation. The reinforced free edge 111 then covers the lower zone of the fixed deflector 22. The upper panel 120 is instead against it in an active position by being able to act to fold the vegetation to the passage tunnel 13. Thus, the upper panel openwork 120 forms a reel for vegetation. There is further provided a possibility of modifying the configuration of the moving assembly 100 by varying the angle of the dihedron formed by the two panels 110 and 120. For this purpose, the upper panel forming a reel 120 is mounted on the bottom flap panel 110 rotatable relative thereto about a horizontal axis 125, which in this case is arranged between each pair of flanges 113 extending upperly the flap lower panel 110. A fastener 124 provided at the base of each post 121 at the axis 125, thus allowing the upper panel 120 to pivot about the axis 125. Preferably, the upper panel 120 can be secured to the lower panel 110 in a plurality respective angular positions. For this purpose, each pair of vertical flanges 113 has a plurality of facing orifices 1118 for inserting a pin 127 passing through an appendage 126 of the top panel 120 to lock said top panel into the desired angular position.

  Of course, the pivoting of the upper panel 120 about its axis 125 is independent of the pivoting of the lower panel 110 about its horizontal axis 101.

  FIGS. 1 and 4 thus illustrate two extreme positions of the upper panel 120 while the lower flap panel 110 is in its active closing position, while FIGS. 5 and 8 illustrate the same extreme positions of the upper panel 120 while the panel lower flap 110 is in its inactive position cleared. The angular adjustment of the upper panel 120 pre-sent all its interest during operation in reverse. Indeed, the operator can choose the inclination of the upper panel forming a reel 120 depending on the type of vegetation encountered. In case of large vegetation, so difficult to bend, the operator will prefer a position slightly inclined relative to the vertical for the upper panel forming a reel 120 as shown in Figure 8; on the other hand, in the case of small vegetation, and therefore easier to fold, the operator will prefer a more inclined position of the upper panel 120 forming a reel, this inclination being able to go to the extreme position illustrated in FIG. here illustrated a set of nine holes 118 for each pair of flanges 113, which allows the operator to select one of the nine possible positions for the inclination of the upper panel forming a flapper 120.

  Note also the presence of platelets 112 which extend the bottom panel flap 110 in the upper part, at the side areas thereof. These plates 112 thus make it possible to protect the hinge zones at the level of the axis 101 and at the axis 125 during a reverse operation, so that no vegetation can penetrate between the base of the pairs. In practice, it will be avoided that the upper reed panel does not abut against these pads 112, so that the position of Figures 1 and 5 corresponds to a depression. the connecting pin 127 in the first of the orifices 118 for a substantially planar configuration of all the two panels 110 and 120. It will of course be possible to provide for rapid disassembly of the hinge of the panel 120 forming a reel on the pairs of flanges 113 if one wants to be able to disassemble this panel during prolonged work in forward, work during which said panel is inactive. Another variant of the cutting machine according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, the references remaining unchanged for the identical members. The cutting machine concerned M 'is of the rotomilling mill type, and has a rotor 18' horizontal X axis. This rotor 18 ', which is here analogous to a roller, is equipped on its periphery knives or hammers. In FIG. 13, only pairs of stirrups 19 'are shown which symbolize the cutting members, which are mounted on said stirrups but have not been shown here.

  In FIGS. 14 and 15, the circle of action of the cutting elements mounted on the rotor 18 'is symbolically illustrated at 19'.

  This type of cutting machine, also towed, is well known to those skilled in the art. In order not to overload the figures, the coupling means which make it possible to drive in rotation the rotor 18 'with a horizontal X axis, which are similar to those of the cutting machine M previously described and illustrated, have not been illustrated. with further a transverse shaft whose lateral end is attached to a vertical plate 28 secured to the frame (only shown in Figure 13), and engaged with an end of the cutting rotor 18 'whose hubs are denoted 21'. As for the cutting machine M, and according to a feature of the invention, the machine M 'comprises a movable rear assembly 100, mounted on the housing to be able to pivot about a horizontal axis 101, with, on both sides, other of said axis, a solid lower panel 110 forming a shutter and a top panel 120 perforated forming a reel.

  In Figures 13 and 15, the movable assembly 100 is in its operating position in reverse (arrow AR in Figure 15). In this position, the flap lower panel 110 is cleared by clearing the entrance of the passage tunnel 13, the upper panel forming the reel 120 then acting to fold the vegetation towards said pas-sage tunnel, and thus to the zone action of the knives or hammers 19 'of the rotor 18'. The lower panel 120 is again pressed against the deflector 22, which is the underside of the horizontal plate 11. As above, the angular position of the upper reel panel 120 can also be adjusted so as to adapt its action to the type of vegetation encountered. In Figures 13 and 15, the position is the most inclined to the horizontal, which corresponds to a vegetation easy to bend. If the operator wants to change this position, it is sufficient to remove the pins 127, and put them in other holes 118 pairs of vertical flanges 113 which correspond to the desired inclination (other position not shown here). For operation in the forward direction (arrow AV in FIG. 14), the mobile assembly 100 is pivoted about its horizontal axis 101 by means of the actuating cylinders 115. The lower flap panel 110 then delimits with the fixed deflector 22 and the side plates 12 a confined space 30 whose lower and rear zone is subjected to the action of the knives or hammers 19 'of the rotor 18', the upper panel forming a reel 120 then being inactive. It was thus possible to achieve a cutting machine both of simple structure, and which allows an efficient work, both in forward and reverse, with the further possibility of tarnishing the type of vegetation to cut and / or or grind when operating in reverse. The invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described, but on the contrary covers any variant using, with equivalent means, the essential characteristics mentioned above.

Claims (12)

  1. A plant cutting machine, especially a forest crusher, comprising a U-shaped casing composed of a horizontal sheet supporting coupling means for driving in rotation, about its axis, at least one cutting rotor disposed under said horizontal plate, and two lateral plates enveloping said rotor and defining a passage tunnel for vegetation to be cut and / or grinded, the horizontal sheet extending: further backwards by a fixed deflector to facilitate the penetration of the vegetation in the tunnel passage during operation in reverse, characterized in that it further comprises a movable assembly (100) arranged behind the housing (10) of the machine so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis (101), the moving assembly (100) comprising, on either side of said horizontal axis, a solid lower panel (110) forming a flap and a perforated upper panel (120) forming a reel said movable assembly being pivotable unitarily between a first position in which the flap lower panel (110) is cleared by disengaging the entrance of the passage tunnel, the upper panel (120) acting. then to fold the vegetation towards said passage tunnel, and a second position in which the lower flap panel (110) de-limits with the fixed deflector (22) a confined space (30) whose lower and / or rear zone is subjected to the action of the rotor cutting members, the upper panel (120) then being inactive, actuating means (115) being furthermore provided for pivoting the mobile assembly (100) about its horizontal axis; zontal (101) to its first or second position and hold said movable assembly in position.   2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable assembly (100) is articulated at the top of the fixed deflector (22).   3. Machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the bottom flap panel (110) is arranged to be pressed against the fixed deflector (22) when the mobile assembly (100) is in its position. first position.   4. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the lower flap panel (110) pre-sente a free edge (111) which covers the lower zone of the fixed deflector (22) when the movable assembly (100) is in his first position.   5. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the vo-let bottom panel (110) has on each side a cutout (119) which cooperates with the rear ends of the side plates of the housing (10). to close the confined space (30) when the moving assembly (100) is in its second position.   6. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper drum panel (120) is mounted on the lower flap panel (110) so as to be pivotable relative thereto a horizontal axis (125).   Machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper panel (120) can be rotatably probed to the lower panel (110) in a plurality of respective angular positions.   8. Machine according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the upper panel 19 (120) comprises two lateral uprights (121) whose lower end passes between two vertical flanges (113) which are rigidly secured to the lower panel (110).   9. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that each pair of vertical flanges (113) present a plurality of orifices opposite (118) allows to insert a pin (127) passing through an appendage (126). ) of the upper panel (120) to lock said upper panel in the desired angular position.   10. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that each pair of vertical flanges (113) is connected to the housing (10) by a hydraulic cylinder (115), said cylinders constituting the actuating means provided for pivoting the assembly mobile (100).   11. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the or each rotor (18) is vertical axis (X), and it is equipped on its periphery with cutting members (19), arranged under the shape of revolving knives.   12. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the or each rotor (18 ') is horizontal axis (X), and it is equipped on its periphery with cutting members (19') arranged in the form of knives or hammers.