GB2025758A

GB2025758A - Silage Cutter

Info

Publication number: GB2025758A
Application number: GB7924263A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: C Van der Lely NV
Current assignee: C Van der Lely NV
Priority date: 1978-07-18
Filing date: 1979-07-12
Publication date: 1980-01-30
Also published as: FR2431248A1; GB2025758B; FR2431248B1; NL7807656A; DE2928613A1

Abstract

A silage cutter for hitching to a tractor comprises a frame (1) on which a cutter member (28) is mounted. To cut a silage block from a bulk mass of silage, the cutter member (28) is lowered into the bulk mass, travelling on a curved path. The path is such as to sever the silage block cleanly from the bulk mass and to form an undercut in the remaining silage, so providing shelter from precipitation for the freshly cut wall. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A Silage Cutter This invention relates to a silage cutter.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a silage cutter comprising a frame adapted to be hitched to a lifting device of a tractor, the frame frame carrying a cutting member which is movable downwardly over a curved path, as viewed in a direction transverse of the intended direction of operative travel of a tractor to which the silage cutter is hitched, to sever a block from a bulk mass of silage, the curved path having at least one radius of curvature which is significantly greater than the dimension, in the intended direction of operative travel of the tractor, of the largest silage block that can be severed by the cutting member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a silage cutter comprising a frame which is adapted to be hitched to a tractor, and a cutter member which is movable relatively to the frame to sever a silage block from a bulk mass of silage, the movement of the cutter member being such as to undercut the bulk mass of silage to provide, on the remaining bulk mass of silage, an overhanging portion to shelter the cut surface from precipitation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of servering a silage block from a bulk mass of silage using a silage cutter, the method comprising undercutting the bulk mass of silage to leave an overhinging portion in the region of the top remaining bulk mass of silage, to shelter the cut surface from precipitation.

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 silage cutter hitched to the three-point lifting device of a tractor; Figure 2 is a view in the direction of the arrow II in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of a cutter; and Figure 4 is a side elevation of a third embodiment of a cutter.

The silage cutter shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises an upwardly extending framework 1 which is substantially rectangular as viewed in the intended direction A of operative travel. The framework 1 constitutes a frame of the silage cutter. The framework 1 comprises two substantially horizontal hollow beams 2 and 3, interconnected by hollow beams 4 and 5 at the ends of the beam 2. For operation, the silage cutter is hitched to a tractor as illustrated in Figure 2 and the frame-work 1 is preferably inclined forwardly from bottom to top, so that the beam 2 is nearer to the vertical plane containing the rear axle of the tractor than is the beam 3. The beams 4 and 5 are preferably at an angle of about 5 to the vertical.Between the lower and upper beams 3 and 2 are arranged pairs of tie elements 6, 7 and 8, 9 (Figure 1) which are preferably parallel to the beams 4 and 5. Between the tie elements 7 and 8 there are two transverse connections 10 and 11, which are preferably also hollow beams and are preferably parallel to the beams 2 and 3. The upper transverse connection 11 is provided with tags 12, receiving a pin 1 3 for coupling to the silage cutter a top rod 1 4A of the lifting device of the tractor. Near the lower side of the hollow beams 4 and 5 there are pairs of tags 14 and 1 5 which receive pins 16 for coupling to the silage cutter the lower lifting arms 1 7 of the three-point lifting device of the tractor.

To the front sides of the tie elements 6 and 9, with respect to the direction A, are fastened arms 1 8 which extend forwardly and substantially horizontally away from the respective tie element in the operative condition illustrated. Beneath the places where the arms 1 8 are connected to their tie elements 6 and 9, arms 1 9 are connected to the tie elements 6 and 9. Each arm 1 9 is preferably substantially parallel to the respective arm 18 and is longer than the arm 18. In the embodiment shown the length of each arm 1 9 is about one and a half times the length of the respective arm 1 8.Through the front ends of the arms 1 8 and 1 9 which are fastened rigidly to the frame-work 1, pass stub shafts 20 and 21 respectively, which provide substantially horizontal pivotal axes extending transversely of the direction A. The stub shafts 20 and 21 constitute two corners of a polygonal linkage comprising two upper rods 22 and two lower rods 23. The rods 22 are shorter than the rods 23, each rod 23 being preferably about 30% longer than the respective rod 22. In the downturned position of the polygonal linkage, shown in full outline in Figures 1 and 2, the rods 22 and 23 are substantially parallel but in the upturned position, indicated by broken lines, the rods are at an angle of about 200 to one another.At its end away from the stub shaft 20, each of the rods 22 is provided with a stub shaft 24 and the corresponding ends of the rods 23 are provided with stub shafts 25.

The rods 22 and 23 are laterally supported by the tie elements 6, 7 and 8, 9 respectively as they turn about the stub shafts 20 and 21 respectively.

The stub shafts 24 and 25 provide pivotal axes of the polygonal linkage and pass through bores in two channel section carrier members 26, which interconnect each pair of rods 22 and 23. The carrier members 26 extend substantially vertically in the downturned position shown of the polygonal linkage, but they can be turned by the polygonal linkage through an angle of about 1 30 in this embodiment. The upper positions of the carrier members 26 are indicated by broken lines in Figure 2.

The lower ends of the carrier members 26 are secured to a guide 27 having a substantially rectangular shape, as viewed on plan, in which is arranged a cutter in the form of a circulating cutting chain 28, shown only schematically. The cutting chain is driven by a hydromotor 29, to which power is supplied from the tractor through hoses (not shown). Viewed on plan, this cutting chain 28 cuts along a straight line as a result of which, despite the fact that viewed from the side the path of the cutting chain 28 is curved, lumps will not break away from the silage in the silo. The hollow beam 3 covering the whole effective width of the silage cutter acts as a support for a large number of tines 30 extending rearwardly away from the beam 3, preferably parallel to the direction of movement.These tines 30 are located, in the working position, substantially on or just above the ground surface. Viewed on pian, the free ends of the tines 30 are located at the level of the hindmost run of the cutting chain 28.

At their free ends, the tines 30 preferably terminate in points. On the front of the transverse connection 10 there are tags 31, and between the upper rods 22 there is a transverse beam 32. The tags 33 are secured to the lower side of the beam 32 and a hydraulic ram 34 is arranged between the tags 31 and 33. The hydraulic ram 34 serves to turn the rods 22 and 23 and communicates in a conventional manner with a hydraulic controlsystem (not shown) of the tractor.

In operation; the silage cutter shown in Figures 1 and 2 is attached to the lifting device of the tractor and is transported into a position directly in front of the wall of a silo from which silage is to be cut. The tines 30 are lowered by the threepoint lift on to, or just above, the ground surface and the hydraulic ram 34 is operated to raise the cutting chain into the position indicated by broken lines. The tractor is then driven backwards with respect to the direction A to insert the tines 30 into the bulk mass of silage in the silo. The cutting chain 28 is then driven by the hydromotor 29 and it is lowered by controlling the ram 34 to cut off a silage block. The silage block is finally severed when the cutting chain 28 reaches a position just above the tines 30.In order to support the severed silage block, the cutting chain 28 can be moved into an intermediate position and after raising the silage block using the three-point lifting device, the block can be removed.

The movement of the cutting chain during the cutting operation, as viewed in a direction transverse of the direction A, takes place along a curve having at least two radii of curvature which are significantly longer than the dimension in the direction A of the silage block. These radii of curvature are at least 50%, and in the embodiment shown are at least 70%, longer than that dimension of the block. The largest parcel of silage that can be cut off is determined by the length of the tines 30 and the position of the hollow beams 4, 5. The cutting chain 28 turns about at least two pivotal axes which are spaced from a vertical plane containing the fastening points 13 and 16 of the threepoint lifting device.

The arc described by the hindmost end of the cutting chain 28 is preferably such that the uppermost part of the arc is nearer to the vertical plane containing the lower fastening points 1 6 than is a lower portion of the arc. This has the advantage that, when a block is cut from the silage, an undercut is formed which results in a kind of awning being left in the silo, which protects the freshly cut wall against rainfall and other precipitation. This may make it unnecessary to cover the silo. A further advantage of the form of curve described by the cutting chain driven by the ram 34 is that the centre of gravity of the severed silage block will be sufficiently forwards with respect to the tractor for the silage block to be stable on the tines 30.This facilitates the transport of the silage block without the degree of filling or compaction of the severed block being adversely affected.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, parts corresponding with those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

The framework 1 of this embodiment comprises two slide bars 35 instead of the hollow beams 4 and 5. The slide bars 35 are inclined forwardly with respect to the direction A and are at an angle of preferably about 100 to a vertical plane transverse of the direction of movement. On the slide bars 35 are mounted sliders 36 performing the bearing function of the upper rods 22 of the first embodiment. For this purpose the sliders 36 are connected by means of a carrier 37 with the stub shafts 24 at the top of the carrier member 26. At the rear, the sliders 36 are interconnected by a transverse connection 38, which is connected with a hydraulic ram 39 simiiar to the ram 34 of the first embodiment. The hydraulic ram 39 is preferably of the telescopic long type.

Otherwise, the carrier members 26 are fastened at their lower ends to the lower rods 23 as in the first embodiment. In this second embodiment the cutting chain 28 can also move upwardly and downwardly along a curve having different radii of curvature. In this embodiment the difference in orientation between the upper and lower positions of the cutting chain 28 is about 80. As in the previous embodiment, the centres of the parts of the curve are located in front of the vertical plane containing the fastening points 13 and 16, this distance being at least 50%, and in this embodiment 70%, longer than the dimension in the direction A of the silage block severed by the cutting chain. The curve described provides the same advantages as in the first embodiment, whilst the slide bars 35 have a simple construction, can sustain heavy loads and occupy a comparatively small space, viewed in the direction A.

In the third embodiment of Figure 4, parts previously referred to are again designated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment the frame comprises a framework 40 comprising slide bars 41 and 42. The lower pair of slide bars 41 occupy a position corresponding to that of the hollow beams 4 and 5 of the first embodiment, whereas the upper slide bars 42 are connected to the slide bars 41 and are inclined to the front from bottom to top at an angle of about 400 to the vertical. The lower slide bars 41 have sliders 43, which are pivotally connected by a carrier 44 with a channel-section carrier member 45 comparable with the carrier member 26. The upper slide bars 42 have sliders 46, which are pivotally connected to the carrier member 45 by a carrier 47. The operative portions of the slide bars 41 and 42 preferably have substantially equal lengths.

Owing to the construction of the slide bars, the carrier members 45 have a greater length than the carrier members 26 of the preceding embodiments. As in the preceding embodiments, the cutting chain 28 describes a curve during operation, this curve having different radii of curvature, at least one of which in this embodiment is preferably about five times the dimension in the direction A of the silage block severed by the cutting chain 28. The cutting chain 28 turns, in dropping from the top position to the lower position, through an angle of about 330. An advantage of the embodiment shown in Figure 4 is the simple and reliable construction.Owing to the location of the imaginary pivotal axes of the cutting chain at a very large distance in front of the three-point lifting device of the tractor, the cutting chain describes a very shallow curve, whilst the protection of the silo wall against the penetration of moisture and the advantageous position of the centre of gravity of the fodder parcel are retained.

It should be noted that by the choice of the lengths and the angles in the support arrangement of the cutting chain 28, many variants of the embodiments shown are possible, all of which may have the advantages described above. For example, the location of the pivotal axes may be altered to obtain a desired shape and desired dimensions of the silage block. It should also be noted that it is possible for part of the path of the cutting chain 28 to be straight. For example, the lower portion of the path of the cutting member 28 may be straight, while the upper portion is curved. Again, this arrangement would provide protection of the fresh silo wall against penetrating moisture.

With respect to the curved path of a cutting member it will be remarked that in the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 the curved path B has a radius C and a centre of radius D. The radius C is formed by drafting a circle through the three points B" B2 and B3, wherein B2 is intermediate to B, and B3. This circle segment through B" B2 and B3 corresponds to a large extent with the curve B shown in Figure 4.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 the curved path E exists of two parts F and G. The part F has a radius H and a centre of the radius J, found by the drafting circle segment through the three points F" F2 and F3. In this embodiment the point F3 is the point between the two curved paths F and G, whereas the point F2 is situated intermediate to F1 and F3.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the curve K has a radius L with a centre outside the sheet of paper. This radius is found by drafting a circle through the points K1, K2 and K3.

Whilst various features of the silage cutters that have been described, and that are illustrated in the drawings, will be set forth in the following claims as inventive features, it is to be noted that the invention is not necessarily limited to these features and that it enconipasses all of the features that have been described both individually and in various combinations.

Claims

1. A silage cutter comprising a frame adapted to be hitched to a lifting device of the tractor, the frame carrying a cutting member which is movable downwardly over a curved path, as viewed in a direction transverse of the intended direction of operative travel of a tractor to which the silage cutter is hitched, to sever a silage block from a bulk mass of silage, the curved path having at least'one radius of curvature which is significantly greater than the dimension, in the intended direction of operative travel of the tractor, of the largest silage block that can be severed by the cutting member.

2. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 1, in which the centre of curvature of the path is located on a substantially horizontal axis extending transversely of the intended direction of operative travel of the tractor.

3. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 2, in which the said axis constitutes an imaginary pivotal axis.

4. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 3, in which the frame is provided with hitching locations for hitching the silage cutter to a tractor, and in which the pivotal axis is located on the opposite side of a plane passing through the hitching locations from the cutting member.

5. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the orientation of the cutting member relative to the frame changes by an acute angle during movement over the curved path.

6. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 5, in which the angle is smaller than 400.

7. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 6, in which the angle is about 80.

8. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the radius of curvature is at least one and a half times the said dimension of the largest silage block.

9. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the frame is provided with upper and lower hitching locations for hitching the silage cutter to a tractor, and in which the upper part of the curved path is located nearer to a vertical plane passing through the or each lower hitching location than is a lower part of the curved path.

10. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the curved path has at least two radii of curvature.

11. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 10, in which the cutting member is pivotable about two substantially horizontal pivotal axes extending transversely of the intended direction of operative travel of the tractor.

12. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 11, in which the pivotal axes are axes of a polygonal linkage between the frame and the cutting member.

13. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 12, in which, as viewed in a direction transverse of the intended direction of operative travel of the tractor, the polygonal linkage comprises at least one lower rod and a shorter upper rod.

14. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 12 or 13, in which the upper and lower rods extend from the cutting member towards the tractor and their ends away from the cutting member are fastened to arms which extend substantially horizontally during operation.

15. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 14, in which the arm to which the lower rod is fastened is longer than the arm to which the upper rod is fastened.

16. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 14 or 15, in which the rods are pivotally connected to the respective arms and to the cutting member.

17. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, in which a hydraulic ram is arranged between the frame and the upper rod or at least one of the upper rods.

18. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17, in which the ends of the rods away from the tractor are connected to the cutting member by a rigid carrier member.

19. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 18, in which, in the lowermost position of the cutting member, the carrier member is substantially vertical.

20. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 1 8 or 19, in which the cutting member is substantially perpendicular to the carrier member and is rigidly secured thereto.

21. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the frame comprises a substantially rectangular framework.

22. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 21, in which, as viewed in a direction transverse of the intended direction of operative travel, the framework in the working position is inclined to the vertical by an acute angle.

23. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 22, in which the frame comprises upper and lower hitching locations for hitching the silage cutter to a tractor, and in which a higher point of the framework is located nearer to a vertical plane passing through the or each lower hitching location than is a lower point of the framework.

24. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, in which a set of tines is provided at the bottom of the framework, the tines extending, in a working position, substantially horizontally and parallel to the intended direction of operative travel.

25. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 24, in which, with respect to the intended direction of travel and viewed on plan, the tines cover the whole working range of the cutting member.

26. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the cutting member is supported at least partly on at least one slide bar.

27. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 26, in which the slide bar is part of the framework.

28. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 26 or 27, in which the cutting member is fastened to a carrier member, an upper end of which is connected with a slider which is movable along the slide bar.

29. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 28, in which the slider is coupled with a hydraulic ram.

30. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 29, in which the cutting member is movable on two slide bars.

31. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 30, in which an upper one of the slide bars is inclined to a lower one of the slide bars.

32. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 30 or 31, in which the two slide bars together constitute the framework.

33. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 32, in which the lower end of the carrier member is connected to a slider which is movable along the slide bar.

34. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 33, in which, as viewed in a direction transverse of the intended direction of operative travel, the upper slide bar is inclined towards the tractor from bottom to top.

35. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the cutter member is hydraulically driven.

36. A silage cutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the cutter member comprises a cutting chain which is drivable to circulate in a substantially rectangular guide.

37. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 36, in which the cutting chain is driven by a hydromotor.

38. A silage cutter comprising a frame which is adapted to be hitched to a tractor, and a cutter member which is movable relatively to the frame to sever a silage block from a bulk mass of silage, the movement of the cutter member being such as to undercut the bulk mass of silage to provide, on the remaining bulk mass of silage, an overhanging portion to shelter the cut surface from precipitation.

39. A silage cutter as claimed in claim 38 and as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 37.

40. A silage cutter substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

41. A method of severing a silage block from a bulk mass of silage using a silage cutter, the method comprising undercutting the bulk mass of silage to leave an overhanging portion in the region of the top remaining bulk mass of silage, to shelter the cut surface from precipitation.