GB1601893A

GB1601893A - Crop working machines

Info

Publication number: GB1601893A
Application number: GB1614478A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Patent Concern NV
Current assignee: Patent Concern NV
Priority date: 1977-08-10
Filing date: 1978-04-24
Publication date: 1981-11-04
Also published as: BE869630A; NL7708802A; FR2399791A1; DE2834830A1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CROP WORKING MACHINES (71) We, PATENT CONCERN N.V., of Willemstad, Curaçao, The Netherlands Antilles, a Limited Liability Company organised under the laws of The Netherlands Antilles, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to a crop working machine, and particularly, although not exclusively to a mowing machine.

According to the present invention there is provided a crop working machine comprising a crop working assembly which is mounted for rotation about an upwardly extending main axis and which carries a crop working element, the crop working element being mounted for rotation about an upwardly extending axis which is spaced from the main axis, the speed of rotation of the crop working element about its axis, in operation of the machine, being at least double the speed of rotation of the crop working assembly about the main axis.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a crop working machine, constituted by mowing machine, hitched to a tractor; Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of part of the mowing machine taken on the line Il-Il in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partly sectional view taken on the line III--III in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a plan view of part of an alternative embodiment of mowing machine.

The mowing machine shown in Figure 1 comprises a main frame beam 1, which is connected by an intermediate frame 2 and a trestle 3 to a three-point lifting device 4 of a tractor 5. The trestle 3 has a substantially triangular shape, as viewed in the intended direction of operative travel, indicated by an arrow A, and is provided near its lower side with a substantially horizontal supporting plate 6, on which the intermediate frame 2 is arranged. The intermediate frame is furthermore connected with the three-point trestle 3 by means of a shear-pin device (not shown) 7 in a manner such that, if the machine encounters excessive resistance during operation, the intermediate frame 2 can turn relatively to the trestle 3 about an upwardly extending pivotal shaft. The intermediate frame 2 accommodates two pulleys 8 with Vbelts 9 passing over them. On the rear side of the intermediate frame 2 is disposed a supporting rod 10, whose end away from the intermediate frame 2 is connected to a pivotal shaft 11. The pivotal shaft 11 coincides with the rotary axis of the outermost pulley 8 (i.e. the one furthest from the trestle 3); this outermost pulley 8 is connected to a bevel gear wheel 12 forming part of a bevel gear wheel transmission located in a gear box 13 fastened to the top side of the main frame beam 1. From the gear box 13 is driven an underlying, substantially straight cylindrical gear wheel 14, journalled in a gear box, which is enclosed by the main frame beam 1.

The gear wheel 14 is the first of a series of four gear wheels 14 to 17 lying side-by-side and being all rotatably arranged in an oil bath. The rotary axis of the gear wheel 14 constitutes the rotary axis 18 of a first crop working assembly constituted by a mowing assembly 19. In a similar manner the rotary axis of the gear wheel 17 constitutes a substantially vertical rotary axis 20 of a second mowing assembly 21. The transmission through the gear wheels 14 to 17 results in the mowing assemblies 19 and 21 rotating in opposite senses, as indicated by arrows B and C respectively.

The mowing assemblies 19 and 21 are structurally identical and so only the mowing assembly 21 will be described in detail. The rotary axis 20 of the mowing assembly coincides with the centreline of a shaft 22, which is supported near the top of the beam 1 in a fastening portion 23. This fastening portion 23 is fastened by bolts to a cover 24 of the main frame beam 1. The reduced diameter portion 25 of the shaft 22 located in the beam I supports a bearing 26 at its lower end, this bearing 27 being disposed in the gear wheel 17. An externally partly cylindrical sleeve or ring 27 is bolted to the lower side of the gear wheel 17 concentrically shaft 22, this sleeve extending bene@@ the beam 1, the lower part being directed butwardly. The ring 27 is surrounded at the circumference by an oil arrester to the bottom of the beam 1. The ring 27 constitues the suspension part for the res. of the mowing assembly 21, and to this end the outwardly directed lower part of the @@@ 27 is fastened to the top of @ substantially conical casing 29. The vertex cf flîe conical surface of the casing 29 is located on the rotary axis 20 just above the fastening portion 23. The angle hat tnis surface makes with the rotary preferably about 20 .

Near its lower side, the easing @ is connected with a housing 30 which supports the shaft in a bearing 31 and which fiares downwardly from the bearing 31. The angle between the surface of the housing 1 the main axis 20 is preferably about @.

Near the circumference of the mowie @@- sembly the housing 30 is directed downwardly to form a cylindrical portion 32 @@@@@ housing 30. Beneath the portion 32 the housing 30 has an outwardly directed rim@@ serving as a fastening means for a cover@@@@ 34, which closes the housing 30 at the @@@@@ and extends substantially perpendi@@ the rotary axis 20. The cover plate 34 @@@ four arcuate segments or screening plates 35 which constitute upper covers for respective crop working elements constituted by @@@ ing elements 36 to 39, which are @@@@@@ structure to each other, and so on mowing elements 36 will be described @@ detail. The mowing element 36 is @@@@@@ about a substantially vertical rotary axis 40 which coincides with the centreiine of a @@ shaft 41. This stub shaft 41 is journall the cover plate 34 by means of two bee.

42 disposed one above the other. The composi- tion is such that dirt or soil cannot @@@@ into the housing. The rotary axis 40 @@@@@@@ the conical upper wall of the housing 30 approximately midway along the radial tance between the cylindrical part 32 @@ place where the conical surfa- e ot 29 meets the upper wall of the housh The four shafts 40 are preferably local tcircle centred on the shaft 20. On the @op end of the stub shaft 41 is arranged a subs 2 tially cylindrical, straight gear whe which is drivably connected with ì 44. The ring gear 44 has a hub 46. while fitted by means of a wedge just @@@@@@ @@ bearing 31 on the shaft 22. The ring @@@ 44 comprises an internally toothed cylindrical part 46 which is drivably in mesh with @@@@ on the gear wheel 43. Since the housing @@ closed by the plate 34, the gear whee@@ 42 end the wheels 44 can rotate in an oil @@@ Bene@@@ the cover plate 34 the stub shaft @@@@@@@@ with a carrier 47 shapped as a substantially circular disc being provided at the @@@ next the circumference with two substantially diametrically oppositely disposes @@@@ members 48 comprising steel knives. The drives 48 are pivotable about @@@@@ @ending pivotal shafts 49 so that @@@@@@ can turn freely through an angle of @@@@@@@ shown in Figure 2, the arcuate serring plate 35 extends outwardly so that as viewed on plan, the outer edge of the plate 35 substantially coincides with the circumfer ence @ the Cise 47, preferably it slightly projected beyond the disc 47. Thus the knives @ are revered vertically over substantially @@@ @@@ length by the plate 35. The @@@@@@ of the mowing element 36 is prefer ably @@@@ 3 @@@ and the diameter of the @@@@ @@wing assembly 21 is preferably @@@@@ Im bottom end of the stub shaft 41 @@@@@@@@ 50 which serves to carry a @@@@@ member comprising a convex @@@@@ supporting dish 51. The dish 51 exten substantially to the circumference of the @@@ 47 and is covered on top by a flat @@@ 52 which surrounds the bearing @@@@ The mowing machine shown in Figures 1 @ 3 @@@@ as follows.

During operation the mowing machine is @@@@@ the power take-off shaft 53 of a @@@ @@@ an intermediate shaft 54, so @@@@@@@@ casing 29, the housing 30 @@@@ cover plates 34 rotate in the direction @@@@ the arrows B and C respectively.

@@@@@ of rotation is preferably about 500 @@@@@@ Thus the ring wheel 44 is rigidly @@@@@@ stationary shaft 22 and the @@@@ members 36 to 39 rotate bodily with @@@@@ or casing 29, the respective gear @@@@@ all roll along the teeth of the part @@@@@@ whell 44. The rotation of the @@@@@ @@@@@ of each mowing assembly the direction of the arrows D @@@@@@ (Figures 1 and 3), this @@@@ being in the direction opposite rotation of the casing 29 of that assembly.For satisfactory opera @@@@@ of each mowing element last twice of the casing 29. preferably at least 1:8 and most @@@@ 3. Thus a preferable speed is r - nin. By the choice of the @o the housing 30 with respect to the @er of the mowing elements 36-39, the @@@ @@@@@ wheel system comprising the @@ @@@ 46 provides, in absolute terms, @@@@@ @ring speed for the cutting members so @@ for example, grass-like crops can be @eised in the upright state by the casings @ v@@@@ convey the crop upwardly in the direction of ---e arrow C by virtue of the @@@@@@ @@@@ If desired, unevennesses (not @@@@ @ provided on the outer surface of the casing. The cutting members act with a scything action, i.e. there are no countermembers to provide a scissor action. The relative dispositions of the conical outer surfaces of the housing 30 and of the casing 29 may be advantageous. The opposite directions of rotation of the mowing elements with respect to the directions of rotation of the casings may be advantageous in mowing downcast, long-stalk crop, since under given conditions an elevating effect can be obtained. At the rear of the mowing machine the crop is deposited in an airy, yet sharply defined swath. The mowing machine shown permits of using small and comparatively light mowing elements with a comparatively large mowing assembly for high-speed operation. The disposition of the four mowing elements 36 to 39 provides satisfactory balancing of each mowing assembly. The comparatively simple planetary driving system permits, in addition of using a considerably slower, crop conveying rotary drum.

The plan view of Figure 1 shows that the mowing elements of the neighbouring mowing assemblies are relatively off-set through an angle of about 45 so that the mowing elements has a satisfactory overlap.

The mowing elements are each supported in an effective manner by a separate supporting dish, which is preferably freely rotatable on the stub shaft 41 of the mowing element.

Owing to the presence of this light support readily matching the unevennesses of the ground in the region where the cutting effect takes place that is to say, near the circumference of the mowing assembly, a uniform cutting effect can be obtained even on an irregular ground surface.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 only one mowing element is provided on each mowing assembly, this mowing element being preferably constructed as shown in the preceding embodiment; corresponding parts are therefore given the same reference numerals.

In the cover plate 34 are arranged two shafts 55, the shafts 55 and the stub shaft 41 being regularly disposed about the main shaft 20, the arc between the two shafts 55 being, therefore, about 120 . Beneath the shafts 55 are provided supporting dishes 51 which are freely rotatable in the manner illustrated in Figure 2 but do not have cutting members. During operation the embodiment of the mowing machine shown in Figure 4 operates in the manner described for the first embodiment. The variant shown in Figure 4 is particularly suitable for very high speed use, whilst the regular disposition of the shafts 41 and 55 ensures satisfactory balancing of the mowing assembly. As a further alternative (not shown) two mowing elements may be disposed diametrically opposite each other, one on each side of the main shaft 20, and two diametrically oppositely disposed supporting dishes 51 may be arranged in positions off-set from the mowing element by 90 .

It is furthermore possible to use the con struction which a planetary gear wheel transmission in mowing machines having a row of three, four, or more mowing assemblies, whilst it is also possible to attach the mowing machine not to the rear but to the front of a tractor, or to both the front and the rear.

Machines such as described above are also described and claimed in Applications Nos 16147/78 and 8024369 (Serial Nos 1601894 and 1601896), to each of which reference is accordingly directed.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM ISt

1. A crop working machine comprising a crop working assembly which is mounted for rotation about an upwardly extending main axis and which carries a crop working element, the crop working element being mounted for rotation about an upwardly extending axis which is spaced from the main axis, the speed of rotation of the crop working element about its axis, in operation of the machine, being at least double the speed of rotation of the crop working assembly about the main axis.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the ratio between the speeds of rotation is at least 1:8.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which, in operation, the crop working assembly rotates about the main axis in the opposite sense to the rotation of the crop working element about its axis.

4. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the crop working element is drivable through a driving gear which is spaced from the main axis.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4, in which the driving gear is at least partly concentric with the main axis.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 4 or 5, in which the driving gear is located wholly above the operative part of the crop working element.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 6, in which the driving gear comprises a casing having a wall which is inclined to the main axis.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 7, in which the casing covers the crop working element on the top side.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 7 or 8, in which the casing accommodates a ring wheel which is fixed against rotation about the main axis and is provided with teeth along which, in operation, rolls a gear wheel connected with the crop working element.

10. A machine as claimed in claim 9, in which the gear wheel rolls, in operation, along internal teeth of the ring wheel.

11. A machine as claimed in claim 9 or 10, in which the ring wheel is rigidly secured to a main shaft, embodying the main axis, at a location just beneath a bearing supporting the casing on the main shaft.

12. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, in which the casing is connected at the top with a gear wheel located in a gear box and in which the main shaft embodying the main axis passes through the gear wheel and is rigidly secured to the top side of the gear box.

13. A machine as claimed in claim 12, in which the casing, together with the gear wheel, is journalled on the main shaft at the top of the casing.

14. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the crop working element is supported on the ground by a freely rotatable supporting member.

15. A machine as claimed in claim 14, in which the supporting member comprises a convex supporting dish extending to the periphery of the crop working element.

16. A machine as claimed in claim 15, when appendant to claim 7, in which the supporting member extends beyond the periphery of the casing.

17. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, in which the supporting member is mounted on a shaft embodying the axis of the crop working element.

18. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17, in which the shaft of the supporting member is spaced from the main axis and from the axis of the crop working element.

19. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the crop working element is one of a plurality of similar crop working elements on the crop working assembly.

20. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is a mowing machine, in which the crop working assembly is a mowing assembly and in which the or each crop working element is a mowing element and is provided with a cutting member.

21. A machine as claimed in claim 20, in which the cutting member is mounted pivotably on its mowing element.

22. A machine as claimed in claim 20 or 21, in which the or each cutting member comprises a freely pivotable blade.