FR3059204A1 - AGRICULTURAL APPARATUS FOR SPREADING MANURE OR PELLETS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an agricultural spreading machine comprising a spreader receiving hopper (3) comprising at least two opposite side panels (7) and a movable bottom (6) driving the products to an outlet opening (9). . According to the invention, the two lateral panels (7) are movably mounted in relative spacing so that their lower edges (7a) can occupy either a first spacing position or a second position in which they are located above the movable bottom (6) for decreasing the passage section of the outlet opening (9), the machine having a mechanism (19) for symmetrically moving the side panels (7).

Description

Holder (s): GRV Simplified joint stock company.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): CABINET BEAU DE LOMENIE Civil society.

(64 / AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY FOR APPLYING MANURE OR GRANULES.

FR 3 059 204 - A1 (6 // The invention relates to an agricultural spreading machine comprising a hopper (3) for receiving products to be spread comprising at least two opposite side panels (7) and a movable bottom (6) driving the products to an outlet opening (9). According to the invention, the two side panels (7) are mounted movable in relative spacing so that their lower edges (7a) can occupy either a first spacing position or a second position in which they are located overhanging the movable bottom (6) to reduce the passage section of the outlet opening (9), the machine comprising a mechanism (19) for symmetrically moving the side panels (7) .

The present invention relates to agricultural machinery in the general sense and it relates more specifically to an agricultural machine for spreading products.

In the state of the art, it is known to use a manure spreader to distribute solid manure effluents, green waste compost and sewage sludge. Conventionally, the manure spreader is an agricultural machine comprising a frame supporting a manure receiving hopper. This hopper has a movable bottom such as a belt provided with chains, driving the manure towards an outlet opening at the level of which is positioned a manure distribution system composed for example of hedgehogs. The advance of the moving floor and the hedgehogs are adapted for regular spreading according to a determined dosage per hectare. Typically, the dose of manure is between 5,000 and 10,000 kg per hectare.

In the state of the art, it is also known to use for fertilizing the soil, a fertilizer spreader which is also in the form of an agricultural machine comprising a chassis supporting a hopper whose movable bottom drives the fertilizer to an outlet opening at which a generally centrifugal distribution system is placed. This agricultural machine requires being able to precisely control the dose of product delivered, in particular to maximize their use and optimize the impact on the environment. Typically, such an agricultural machine delivers a dose of fertilizer of between 40 and 60 kg per hectare.

To carry out such agricultural work, a farm must have a manure spreader and a fertilizer spreader, namely two agricultural machines, which represents in particular a high investment.

The present invention aims to remedy this drawback by proposing a new agricultural machine capable of spreading as needed, manure or fertilizer while respecting the dosage prescribed for each product distributed.

To achieve such an objective, the agricultural spreading machine comprises a chassis supporting at least one hopper for receiving products to be spread comprising at least two opposite side panels and a movable bottom driving the products towards an outlet opening. According to the invention, the two side panels are mounted movable in relative spacing so that their lower edges can occupy either a first spacing position or a second position in which they are located overhanging the movable bottom to reduce the passage section of the outlet opening relative to the outlet opening delimited in the first spacing position, the machine also comprising a mechanism for symmetrically moving the side panels in order to place them in the first position for spreading manure or in the second position for spreading a granular product.

The agricultural spreading machine according to the invention also comprises, in combination, one and / or the other of the following additional characteristics:

- Each side panel is pivotally mounted at its upper edge with a possibility of displacement in spacing-approximation relative to the movable bottom to remain substantially tangent relative to the movable bottom;

- the distance between the side panels between the first position and the second position can vary by a value from 1 to 12;

- The chassis has at its upper part, cross members mounted to extend, relative to the loading volume, at the front of a side panel so as to maintain an identical loading height;

- The mechanism for moving the side panels comprises at least one mechanism for transforming a rotary control movement into a transverse movement to move the side panels from one position to the other and vice versa;

- The movement mechanism comprises for each side panel, a mechanism for transforming a rotary control movement into a transverse movement to move said panel;

- the hopper has a frustoconical shape defined by the side panels and whose large base overhangs the small base, each side panel delimiting externally at its lower part, a mounting volume for a mechanism for transforming a control movement into rotation into a transverse movement to move the associated side panel;

- the movement transformation mechanism comprises an endless screw mounted externally and parallel to a side panel and cooperating with a nut guided in translation by an axis on which is articulated in rotation a first end of a link while the second end is hinged on the side panel;

- The movement mechanism of the side panels includes a device for synchronizing the movement of the side panels;

- the chassis is equipped at the level of the hopper outlet opening, hedgehogs for dispersing manure or centrifugal distribution systems for the granulated product.

Various other characteristics will emerge from the description given below with reference to the appended drawings which show, by way of nonlimiting examples, embodiments of the object of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an agricultural spreading machine according to the invention comprising a hopper suitable for spreading manure.

FIG. 1A is a view of the characteristic detail A illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B is a rear view of the agricultural spreading machine illustrated in FIG. 1.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an agricultural spreading machine according to the invention comprising a hopper adapted to spread a product in granules.

FIG. 2A is a view of the characteristic detail A illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2B is a rear view of the agricultural spreading machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

As is apparent from the drawings, the object of the invention relates to an agricultural spreading machine 1 comprising a chassis 2 supporting at least one hopper 3 for receiving products to be spread. In the drawings, only part of the chassis 2 has been shown for illustration. Conventionally, this chassis 2 is intended to be mounted directly on a tractor or to be fitted with wheels and a drawbar for coupling it to a tractor.

This hopper 3 internally delimits a loading volume 4 for the products to be spread introduced from an opening 5 located at the upper part of the hopper. This volume 4 is delimited by a movable bottom 6 surmounted by two side panels 7 mounted opposite one another and by a front wall 8 extending at the front ends of the side panels 7. The bottom 6 is movable to drive the products to be spread towards an outlet opening 9 of the hopper extending opposite the front wall 8 and substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the movable bottom 6. In the example illustrated, this opening outlet 9 is delimited by the rear ends of the side panels 7, by the movable bottom 6 and a closing plate there extending to the upper part of the hopper and to the rear ends of the side panels 7.

The movable bottom 6 can be produced in any suitable manner for conveying the products to be spread to the outlet opening 9. For example, the movable bottom 6 is a chain belt or a band, animated by a movement of movement oriented from the front wall 8 towards the outlet opening 9.

According to the invention, the two side panels 7 are mounted movable in relative spacing so that their lower edges 7a can occupy either a first position (Fig. 1 and 18) or a second position (Fig. 2 and 28) in which they are located overhanging the movable bottom to reduce the passage section of the outlet opening 9 relative to the passage section of the outlet opening 9 delimited by the side panels 7 occupying their first position.

The hopper 3 according to the invention can thus have, in its first position, a passage section making it possible to deliver a high dose of the product to be spread while in its second position, the passage section delivers a reduced dose of the product to be spread. Typically, the hopper is suitable for spreading in the first position of the side panels, manure and in the second position of the panels, a product in granules such as fertilizer. The object of the invention thus makes it possible to produce a mixed agricultural machine for spreading on demand, manure or granules.

In the example illustrated in Figs. ί and IB, the lower edges 7a of the side panels 7 extend on either side of the movable bottom 6 when they occupy the first position to optimize the loading volume 4. Advantageously, the lower edges 7a of the side panels 7 are substantially tangent to the longitudinal edges of the movable bottom 6 when they occupy the first position to avoid the passage of the products to be spread, between the bottom 6 and the side panels 7.

Of course, in their first position, the side panels 7 can also be located overhanging the movable bottom 6. As explained, the spacing between the side panels 7 is greater when these side panels occupy their first position relative to the spacing of the side panels occupying their second position. This spacing between the side panels 7 is taken for example perpendicular to the direction of movement of the movable bottom 6.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the spacing between the side panels 7 between the first position and the second position can vary by a value from 1 to 12. Thus for example, for a movable bottom of width equal to 1200 mm, the spacing between the movable panels 7, taken at the lower edges 7a, is substantially equal to this value when they occupy their first position (Fig. 1 and IB) while the spacing between the movable panels 7 is equal to 100 mm when they occupy their second position (Fig. 2 and 2B). In this second position (Fig. 2B), the passage section of the outlet opening 9 is less than the passage section of the outlet opening 9 delimited by the movable panels occupying their first position (Fig. IB). Of course, the hopper 3 has in its first position, a loading volume 4 greater than its loading volume corresponding to the second position of the side panels 7.

It should be noted that FIGS. 2 and 2B only show a side panel 7 in its second position. Advantageously, the two side panels 7 are moved symmetrically relative to the center of the hopper located in the middle of the movable bottom 6. Thus, in the second position, the two side panels 7 are positioned above the movable ceiling 6 so symmetrical with respect to the middle of this movable bottom 6.

According to a characteristic of the invention, each side panel 7 is pivotally mounted at its upper edge with a possibility of displacement in spacing-approximation relative to the movable bottom 6 so that the lower edges 7a remain substantially tangent to the movable bottom 6 As illustrated in the drawings, each side panel 7 comprises at the upper part of the front and rear ends, a pin 13 engaged in a groove 14. The pins 13 located at the front ends of the side panels cooperate with a groove 14 arranged in the wall front 8 while the axes 13 located at the rear ends of the side panels cooperate with a groove 14 formed in a cheek 15 belonging to the chassis 2 and extending substantially in the plane containing the outlet opening 9 of the hopper.

The grooves 14 have a guide contour for the axes 13 adapted to move the lower edges 7a transversely relative to the movable bottom while remaining tangent to the movable bottom to prevent the passage of the products to be spread, between the bottom 6 and the side panels 7 In the example illustrated, the grooves 14 are rectilinear and inclined towards the inside of the hopper. It should be noted that the front ends of the panels 7 define with the front wall 8 a clearance adapted to allow the panels to pivot while avoiding the passage of the product to be spread. Likewise, the rear ends of the panels 7 define with the cheeks 15 a clearance adapted to allow the panels to pivot while preventing the passage of the product to be spread.

It should be understood that each side panel 7 pivots and descends between its first position and its second position. To keep the hopper 3 its identical loading height between the first and second positions, the chassis 2 has cross members 17 fixed to the upper part of the front wall 8 and on the cheeks 15. Each cross member 17 is mounted to extend , relative to the loading volume, at the front of a side panel 7 so as to obtain a surface continuity at the level of the upper part of the hopper, whatever the position of the side panels.

Advantageously, the hopper 3 has a frustoconical shape defined by the side panels 7 and whose large base overhangs the small base. As can be seen from the figures, each side panel 7 has, from its upper edge, a part inclined towards the inside of the loading volume and extending by a lower part which is substantially perpendicular to the movable bottom in its second position ( Fig. 2B), and inclined towards the outside of the loading volume in its first position (Fig. IB).

According to another characteristic of the invention, this machine 1 comprises a mechanism 19 for symmetrically moving the side panels 7 in order to place them in the first position for spreading more specifically manure or in the second position for spreading in particular a product in granules such as a fertilizer. In fact, in its first position, the hopper has a large passage cross-section making it possible to deliver the products to be spread according to a large dosage while in the second position, the hopper delivers the products to be spread according to a more reduced dosage.

According to a preferred embodiment, the movement mechanism 19 for the side panels 7 comprises at least one mechanism 21 for transforming a rotary control movement into a transverse movement for moving the side panels from one position to the other and reciprocally. Preferably, the movement mechanism 19 comprises for each side panel 7, a mechanism 21 for transforming a rotary control movement into a transverse movement for moving said panel. Thus, each mechanism 21 is adapted to move a side panel transversely with respect to the movable bottom 6, that is to say in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the movable bottom.

According to an advantageous characteristic of embodiment, each side panel 7 delimits externally at its lower part due to its frustoconical shape, a mounting volume V for a mechanism 21 for transforming a control movement into rotation into a transverse movement to move the associated side panel.

Advantageously, each movement transformation mechanism 21 comprises an endless screw 22 mounted externally and parallel to a side panel 7. One end of an endless screw 22 passes through the front wall 8 so as to be driven in rotation preferably by a motor member. 24. This endless screw 22 driven by this motor member is advantageously coupled in rotation with the other endless screw 22 by any appropriate means such as by a chain, playing a role of device for synchronizing the movement of the side panels. Each endless screw 22 is guided in rotation by bearings 25 supported by a shelf 26 forming part of the frame 2 and extending between the front wall 8 and the cheeks 15. Each endless screw 22 cooperates with a nut 27 guided in translation by an axis 28 engaged in a guide groove 29 arranged in the shelf 26. A first end of a link 31 is articulated in rotation on the axis 27 while the second end of this link is articulated on the side panel 7 around an axis 32.

The movement of the link 31 is subject to a counter-arm 33 made in the form of a yoke, and articulated at one end to the link 31 according to a pin 35 and at the opposite end, along a supported pivot axis 37 by the shelf 26 in alignment with the groove

29. Such a toggle type mechanism has a limited size while allowing lateral movement of each movable panel.

7.

Of course, the frame 2 is intended to be equipped at the outlet opening 9 of the hopper 3, with various accessories for spreading or distributing the product to be spread according to the nature of the product to be spread and of its dosage. For example, the chassis 2 is equipped, when the panels 7 occupy their first position, hedgehogs for dispersing the manure or centrifugal distribution systems for the granular product when the panels 7 occupy their second position.

The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown since various modifications can be made without departing from its scope.

Claims (9)

1 - Agricultural spreading machine comprising a frame (2) supporting at least one hopper (3) for receiving products to be spread comprising at least two opposite side panels (7) and a movable bottom (6) driving the products towards an opening outlet (9) characterized in that the two side panels (7) are mounted movable in relative spacing so that their lower edges (7a) can occupy either a first spacing position or a second position in which they are located in overhang of the movable bottom (6) to reduce the passage section of the outlet opening (9) relative to the outlet opening defined in the first spacing position and in that it comprises a mechanism (19) for move the side panels (7) symmetrically to place them in the first position for spreading manure or in the second position for spreading a granular product. 2 - Agricultural spreading machine according to claim 1 characterized in that each side panel (7) is pivotally mounted at its upper edge with a possibility of displacement in spacing-approximation relative to the movable bottom (6) to remain substantially tangent to the moving floor. 3 - Agricultural spreading machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacing between the side panels (7) between the first position and the second position can vary by a value from 1 to 12. 4 - Agricultural spreading machine according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the frame (2) has at its upper part, cross members (17) mounted to extend, relative to the load volume, to the front of a side panel (7) so as to maintain an identical loading height. 5 - Agricultural spreading machine according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the movement mechanism (19) of the side panels (7) comprises at least one mechanism (21) for transforming a control movement into rotation into a transverse movement to move the side panels (7) from one position to another and vice versa. 6 - Agricultural spreading machine according to claim 4 characterized in that the displacement mechanism (19) comprises for each panel 5 lateral (7), a mechanism (21) for transforming a rotary control movement into a transverse movement for moving said panel. 7 - Agricultural spreading machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hopper (3) has a defined frustoconical shape 10 by the side panels (7) and whose large base overhangs the small base, each side panel (7) delimiting externally at its lower part, a mounting volume (V) for a mechanism for transforming a control movement into rotation in a transverse movement to move the associated side panel. 15 8 - Agricultural machine according to claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the movement transformation mechanism (21) comprises an endless screw (22) mounted externally and parallel to a side panel (7) and cooperating with a nut (27 ) guided in translation by an axis (28) on which is articulated in rotation a first end of a link (31) 20 while the second end is articulated on the side panel (7). 9 - Agricultural spreading machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement mechanism (19) of the side panels comprises a device for synchronizing the movement of the side panels. 25 10 - Agricultural spreading machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chassis (2) is equipped, at the outlet opening (9) of the hopper (3), with hedgehogs for dispersing the manure or centrifugal distribution systems of the granulated product. 1/2 2/2 ^F 'G ₂