GB2128066A

GB2128066A - A supporting device for an agricultural machine

Info

Publication number: GB2128066A
Application number: GB08326745A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Der Lely Cornelis Van
Original assignee: C Van der Lely NV
Current assignee: C Van der Lely NV
Priority date: 1982-10-07
Filing date: 1983-10-06
Publication date: 1984-04-26
Also published as: FR2534110A1; NL8203892A; IT8323171A0; GB8326745D0; IT1171721B; FR2534110B1; DE3336313A1; DE3336313C2; GB2128066B

Abstract

A supporting device comprises a frame (1) on which is mounted four wheels (2,3,4,5). The frame has coupling means (11,13) for hitching to a tractor (14) and a coupling device (16) for receiving an agricultural machine (35). The supporting device supports at least part of the weight of the machine (35), so relieving the tractor wheels (51) of some load. The device may also support some of the weight of the tractor. The wheels (2,3,4,5) of the device have wide tyres, so reducing contact pressures on the ground. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A supporting device for an agricultural machine This invention relates to a supporting device for an agricultural machine.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a supporting device for an agricultural machine, the device comprising at least one wheel, coupling means for coupling the device to a lifting device of a tractor or a similar vehicle, and a coupling device having a lifting member, for connection to an agricultural machine.

A supporting device in accordance with the present invention can advantageously transfer the weight of an agricultural machine to the ground so that during travel of the agricultural machine no deep, undesirable wheel tracks are formed and the ground structure suffers substantially no deterioration.

The coupling device may comprise at least one carrying arm which is pivotally connected to a frame of the device. In this way the agricultural machine to be attached can be adjusted upwardly and downwardly with respect to the device.

The supporting device may have a row of wheels with pneumatic tyres covering a width of about 3 metres. A large weight can thus be transferred through the wheels of the device to the ground to that the ground pressure is low. Consequently, the wheels will make substantially no tracks in the ground so that the ground structure is not adversely affected. The or each wheel is preferably provided with a low-pressuretyre.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a supporting device for an agricultural machine, the device comprising wheels and being provided with at least one member which is disposed so that at least part of the weight of a tractor or similar vehicle to which the device is coupled can be transferred to the wheels of the device.

With such a construction the wheel pressure of the tractor on the ground can be reduced so that the tracks of the tractor wheels can be shallower.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supporting device for an agricultural machine, the device comprising a row of wheels and a main beam disposed in front of the wheels with respect to the normal intended direction of operative travel, the main beam being provided with transverse arms, on which the wheels are mounted, and with coupling means by which the device can be coupled with the lifting device of a tractor or a similar vehicle.

With such a construction, the frame of the device and, in particular, the main beam is effectively capable of absorbing forces exerted thereon. As a result the construction of the device may be simple.

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, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of equipment hitched to a tractor; Figure 2 is a side view taken in the direction of the arrow II in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line Ill-Ill in Figure 2.

The equipment shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes a supporting device comprising a frame 1 provided with four ground wheels 2,3, 4 and 5. The ground wheels have equal diameters and widths and are arranged in a row with their rotary axes 47 aligned with each other, as shown in Figure 1.

The frame 1 comprises a substantially horizontal main beam 6, to the ends of which beams 7 and 8 are fixed. In the middle, a transverse beam 9 is fixed to the main beam 6. The beams 7,8 and 9 are substantially identical to and parallel to each other extending in the same direction transversely of the main beam 6. The frame 1 with the wheels 2 to 5 is symmetrical about the longitudinal central plane 10 of the supporting device.

The main beam 6 is provided on the underside with fastening lugs 11 by which the frame 1 can be fastened to the two lower lifting arms of a normal three-point lifting device 15 of a tractor 14. The top of the main beam 6 is provided with a mounting trestle 12 having lugs 13 at the top with which the top lifting arm of the lifting device 15 of the tractor 14 can be coupled. The lugs 11 and 13 constitute coupling means by which the device can be attached to the lifting device of a tractor or a similar vehicle.

The device has a three-point coupling device 16 mounted on the frame 1. The coupling device 16 comprises a carrying arm 17, which is pivotally connected bya horizontal pivotal shaft 18to lugs 19 rigidly secured to the transverse arm 9. The carrying arm 17 extends from the shaft 18 to the rear away from the main beam 6 and has at its end two lateral arms 20 extending one to each side of the carrying arm 17. The shaft 18 is situated near the front of the wheels 2 to 5. The lateral arms are disposed behind the wheels 2 to 5 and are provided at their ends with coupling plates 21 forming coupling means. The lateral arms 20 are situated on the side of the row of wheels 2 to 5 opposite the main beam 6 (Figure 2).

Nearthe pivotal shaft 18, the carrying arm 17 is provided with two spaced, parallel supports 22. A lifting arm 23 is pivotally mounted between the ends of the supports 22 by a pivotal shaft 24, this lifting arm 23 comprising two relative spaced plates 30.

The end of the lifting arm 23 away from the pivotal shaft 24 is pivotally connected to the piston rod 25 of a lifting cylinder 26. The lifting cylinder 26 is mounted between lugs 27 which are rigidly secured to a fastening arm 28 fixed to the trestle 12 and to a pin 53 fixed to the trestle 12. The lifting cylinder 26 is disposed between the plates 30 of the lifting arm 23.

The fastening arm 28 is rigidly secured near the lugs 13 to the top of the trestle 12 formed in a manner not shown in detail by strips and/or beams fastened to the top of the frame beam 6.

Atop rod 29 is pivotally connected to the end of the fastening arm 28 away from the trestle 12. The end of the top rod 29 and the coupling plates 21 constitute the three fastening points of the coupling device 16, to which an implement, shown, for example, as an agricultural machine 35, can be attached.

The agricultural machine 25 shown in the Figures is a soil cultivating machine, but other agricultural machines may be connected with the coupling device 16. The machine 35 comprises lower coupling arms 36, which can be connected to the coupling plates 21 of the carrying arm 17, and a top coupling arm 37 which can be connected to the top rod 29.

The coupling arms 36 and 37 constitute a normal three-point arrangement on the machine 35, by which it can also be directly coupled to the threepoint lifting device of a tractor in a conventional manner.

The supporting device comprises a bearing 31 fixed to the carrying arm 17 near the shaft 18. The bearing 31 receives a coupling shaft 32, which is provided at its ends projecting to both sides of the bearing 31 with coupling means by which an auxiliary shaft 33 and a drive shaft 34 can be pivotally coupled with the shaft 32. The auxiliary shaft 33 can be connected through a universal joint to the front end of the coupling shaft 32 and to the power take-off shaft of the tractor 14. The drive shaft 34 can be coupled by a universal joint with the shaft 32 and with transmission members of the agricultural machine, for example, with a stub shaft 45 of the transmission members in a gear box 46 for driving tines 44 of the soil cultivating machine 35.

Two members 38 and 39 are arranged on the tractor 14, and are capable of exerting a downward force on the lower lifting arms 40 of the lifting device. In the illustrated embodiment, the members 38 and 39 comprise hydraulic rams 41 with piston rods 42, which are pivotally arranged between the lifting arms 40 and a fixed point 54 of the tractor 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the point 54 is near the fastening area of the top rod 43 to the tractor.

In use, the supporting device is connected to a tractor or a similar vehicle in a manner such that the frame 1 can be held in a required position and is prevented from turning, particularly about the common rotary axis 47 of the wheels 2 to 5. For this purpose the device is advantageously coupled to the lifting device 15 of the tractor, by means of the fastening lugs 11 and 13. The cylinder 26, the lifting arm 23, the carrying arm 17 and the top rod 29 together constitute the coupling device of the supporting device. The cylinder 26 constitutes a lifting member for the coupling device so that the coupling device constitutes a three-point lift of the supporting device. The lifting member may be designed differently, for example it may be a pneumatic member to exert a force in the desired direction on the arm 23 and hence on the carrying arm 17.The cylinder 26 is connected in a manner not shown in detail by hydraulic ducts with the hydraulic system of the tractor. The cylinder 26 is preferably a double-acting cylinder so that the piston rod 25 can be forced both outwardly and inwardly of the cylinder. The supporting device comprising the frame 1, the wheels 2 to 5 and the coupling device 16 provides support for at least one implement, in particular an agricultural machine, which can be fastened to the three points of the coupling device constituted by the plates 21 and the top rod 29 in the manner shown for the agricultural machine 35 in the Figures. The wheels 2 to 5 of the device can support at least a large part, if not all, of the weight of the agricultural machine.

Because the wheels 2 to 5 of the device transfer to the ground some or all of the weight of the agricultural machine and of other forces exerted thereon, the tractor need not carry this weight so that the tractor wheels, and particularly the rear wheels, are relieved of substantial loads. It is thus possible to reduce the ground pressure applied by the tractor wheels so that the tractor wheels will make less deep tracks in the ground.

The weight of the supporting device and of the agricultural machine coupled to it bears on the ground with very low pressure because the wheels 2 to 5 are very broad and are provided with lowpressure tyres. The width of each of the four wheels is such that the four wheels together bear on the ground over a net width equal to a large part, for example more than half, of the working width of the agricultural machine, and preferably exceeding the width of the tractor. Clearly, the width 49 of the supporting device may be other than is indicated in the illustrated embodiment, where the width 49 amounts to 3 metres. However, the width 49 preferably exceeds the width of the tractor 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the width 48 of each wheel is 60 cms so that the wheels 2 to 5 together bear on the ground over a net width of 240 cms, that is to say, 4/5th of the total width 49.The net width of the wheels of the device is preferably substantially equal to or greater than the width of the tractor. In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels 2 to 5 have a diameter 50, which is substantially equal to the width 48. This ratio may be chosen diffferently, but preferably the wheels have a comparatively large diameter. The ratios between the dimensions 48, 49 and 50 may be chosen in dependence on the desired ground pressure, the weight of the machine, and the force exerted on the supporting device by the machine. In the illustrated embodiment, the agricultural machine carried by the device has a width equal to the width 49. The width of the agricultural machine to be attached may be larger or smaller than the width of the device, also in dependence on the width of the device itself.

When the supporting device is fastened to the lifting device of the tractor as is shown in the illustrated embodiment, the lifting device 15 can bear part of the weight of the supporting device so that the ground pressure of the wheels can be raised more or less above the tractor's own weight. In this way the ground pressure applied by the tractor wheels can be varied to provide an adequate tractive force between the tractor wheels and the ground to move the supporting device and the agricultural machine or other implement coupled to it. By controlling the ground pressure of the tractor wheels in this way, deterioration of the ground structure is avoided as far as possible. The ground pressure of the tractor wheels can also be reduced by transferring part of the weight of the tractor to the supporting device and through the wheels 2 to 5 to the ground. Owing to their size and to their low-pressure tyres the wheels 2 to 5 can transfer a heavy weight to the ground without producing a high ground pressure and without causing deep wheel tracks in the soil, so avoiding deterioration of the ground structure. In order to cause the wheels 2 to 5to carry part of the weight of the tractor, the members 38 and 39 are provided. These members can cause a downward force to be exerted on the lifting arms 40 of the lifting device so that the tractor can bear partly on the device. Thus the ground pressure of the rear wheels 51 of the tractor can be lower than would be the case where the tractor weight is carried solely by its own wheels. For this purpose it must be possible to couple the lifting arms 40 with the lugs 11 of of the device in an appropriate manner.The pressure of the wheels 51 on the ground must, of course, not be lower than is required for obtaining sufficient frictional resistance on the ground for moving the tractor with the supporting deviceand the agricultural machine. As in the embodiment shown it is advantageous for the wheels 2 to 5 together with the tractor wheels 51 to bear on the ground substantially throughout the width of the device. For this reason, the wheels 51 are disposed respectively in front of the spaces between the pairs of wheels 2,3 and 4, 5.

The members 38 and 39 are provided in addition to the normal components by which the lifting arms 40 can be lifted. However, the normal lifting device may be constructed so that the lifting arms 40 can be pressed downwards. In the illustrated embodiment the members 38 and 39 are hydraulic, single-acting cylinders connected with the hydraulic system of the tractor, which is not shown in detail. The hydraulic members 38 and 39 may, however, alternatively be double-acting cylinders in order than an upward force may be exerted on the lifting arms 40 as well as the downwardly directed force. This would make the lifting device 15 capable of fulfilling more or heavier functions so that its versatility is increased.

Because the device is constructed with the frame comprising a main beam 6 located in front of the wheels and fastening plates 21 located behind the wheels 2 to 5, with respect to the normal direction of travel 52, an advantageous distribution of the forces exerted on the device is obtained. As a result the device can be simple and the main beam 6 can readily transfer the forces to the wheels and can adequately withstand the forces which occur.

The broad wheels have an advantageous effect on the operation of the agricultural machine, particularly when the device is travelling on uneven ground, because the broad wheel support of the assembly promotes quiet running of the agricultural machine.

In particular on uneven land, the relatively spaced transverse arms 7 to 9 impose varying loads on the main frame beam 6, which is thus exposed to torsion. However, the arrangement of the transverse arms 7 and 8 each between two respective wheels has an advantageous effect on the loads on the various parts of the frame. Preferably the outermost wheels, for example the wheels 2 and 5, are located mainly outside the track of the tractor wheels 51. A satisfactory construction is obtained when the transverse arms 7 and 8 are located directly behind the wheels 51. An advantageous load on the device is furthermore obtained because the pivotal shaft 18 is located in front of the common wheel axis 47 with respect to the normal direction of travel 52. It is furthermore advantageous that the arm 17 and the top rod 29 are located in the middle of the device.

The agricultural machine 35 can be displaced upwardly and downwardly with respect to the frame 1 by turning the carrying arm 17 about the pivotal shaft 18. This can be performed by the control mechanism constituted by the cylinder 26 and the piston rod 25. Pressurized fluid can be passed to the cylinder 26 from the tractor to extend or retract the piston rod 25. By maintaining the cylinder rod 25 in a selected position relative to the cylinder 26, the carrying arm 17 can be maintained in a given position about the pivotal shaft 18. Thus the agricultural machine 35 can be held in a given position relative to the frame 1 and hence in a given position above the ground.It will be obvious that by passing fluid into the cylinder 26 to extend the piston rod 25 the arm 23 will exert such a force on the supports 22 that the carrying arm 17 will turn in an anti-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, about the shaft 18.

As a result the carrying arm 17 and hence the machine fastened thereto will move upwards. The arm 17 can be moved upwards far enough to lift the agricultural machine above the ground into a transport position as indicated by broken lines in Figure 2 for the agricultural machine 35. In this position the tines 44 of the soil cultivating machine are drawn out of the ground so that the agricultural machine can be transported while supported on the wheels 2 to 5. By releasing the pressure in the cylinder 26 the force exerted on the arm 17 by the weight of the agricultural machine 35 will cause the rod 25 to be urged into the cylinder 26.In this case a single-acting cylinder 26 may be used. when a double-acting cylinder 26 is used, the piston rod 25 can be forced into the cylinder 26 under pressure so that the arm 17 is pressed downwards, turning in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, about the shaft 18. In this way, for example, an agricultural machine fastened to the carrying arm 17 can be pressed with a given pressure against the ground. It will be obvious that by means of the top rod 29 the agricultural machine can be maintained in the desired orientations relative to the supporting device. For this purpose, as is common practice in the top rods of lifting devices of tractors, the length of the top rod can be adjusted.By controlling the lifting effect or, respectively, the downwardly directed force on the arm 17 by means of the pressure in the cylinder 26, the force by which the machine bears on the ground can be adjusted.

Since the bearing 31 is located close to the shaft 18, this bearing will not move over large distances when the carrying arm 17 is pivoted, so that a satisfactory location of the coupling shaft 32 is maintained and an advantageous transmission between the power take-off shaft of the tractor and the agricultural machine 35 is invariably ensured.

Whilst various features of the equipment 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 encompasses all of the features that have been described both individually and in various combinations.

Claims

1. A supporting device for an agricultural machine, the device comprising at least one wheel, coupling means for coupling the device to a lifting device of a tractor or a similar vehicle, and a coupling device having a lifting member, for connection to an agricultural machine.

2. A supporting device as claimed in claim 1, in which the coupling device comprises at least one carrying arm which is pivotally mounted on a frame of the device.

3. A supporting device as claimed in claim 2, in which the pivotal axis of the carrying arm is disposed in front of the rotary axis of the wheel with respect to the normal intended direction of operative travel of the devices.

4. A supporting device as claimed in claim 3, in which the pivotal axis is disposed near a vertical plane passing through the front of the wheel.

5. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 2, to 4, in which the carrying arm is provided with lateral arms which extend one to each side of the carrying arm and are provided with coupling means for engagement with the agricultural machine.

6. A supporting device as claimed in claim 5, in which the lateral arms are disposed behind the wheels, with respect to the normal intended direction of operative travel.

7. A supporting device as Icaimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the carrying arm is coupled to a lifting member by which the carrying arm can be moved with respect to the frame.

8. A supporting device as claimed in claim 7, in which the lifting member is a hydraulic member.

9. A supporting device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, in which the lifting member is coupled with the carrying arm by a coupling arm.

10. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, in which the lifting member is rigidly secured to the frame.

11. A supporting device as claimed in claim 10, in which the lifting member comprises a hydraulic ram secured to a mounting trestle of the frame.

12. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 11, in which the carrying arm is pivotally connected to a transverse arm of the frame, on which arm the wheel, or at least one of the wheels, is mounted.

13. A supporting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the coupling device comprises a top rod mounted on a frame of the device and provided with coupling means to which the agricultural machine can be attached.

14. A supporting device as claimed in claim 13, when appendant to claim 5, in which the coupling means on the top rod and the coupling means on the carrying arm constitute a three-point coupling for attachment to the agricultural machine.

15. A supporting device as claimed in claim 14, in which the coupling means on the top rod and on the carrying arm are disposed behind the wheel with respect to the normal intended direction of operative travel.

16. A supporting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the coupling device is disposed substantially centrally across the width of the device.

17. A supporting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the wheel is one of a plurality of wheels arranged in a row.

18. A supporting device for an agricultural machine, the device comprising a row of wheels with pneumatic tyres extending over a width of about3 metres.

19. A supporting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each wheel is provided with a low-pressure tyre.

20. A supporting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each wheel has a diameter of 60 cms.

21. A supporting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each wheel has a width of 60 cms.

22. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21, in which there are four wheels.

23. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 22, in which the wheels are identical to each other.

24. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 23, in which the wheels are disposed side by side transversely of the normal intended direction of operative travel, the rotary axes of the wheels being aligned with each other.

25. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 24 when coupled to a tractor or similar vehicle, in which the two outermost wheels are disposed substantially beyond the wheel track of the tractor or similar vehicle to which the device is coupled.

26. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 25 when coupled to a tractor or similar vehicle, in which the two inner wheels extend over a width which is substantially equal to the tractor wheel track.

27. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 26, in which the net width of the wheels is substantially equal to at least half the overall width over which the wheels extend.

28. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 27, in which the wheels extend over an overall working width of about 3 metres.

29. Asupporting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which means is provided for transferring to the device at least part of the weight of a tractor or similar vehicle to which the device is coupled.

30. A supporting device for an agricultural machine, the device comprising wheels and being provided with at least one member which is disposed so that at least part of the weight of a tractor or similar vehicle to which the device is coupled can be transferred to the wheels of the device.

31. A supporting device as claimed in claim 29 or 30, in which the member comprises a hydraulic ram with a piston rod for coupling to the lifting device of a tractor.

32. A supporting device as claimed in claim 31, in which the member extends between the lower lifting arm of the lifting device of the tractor and a fixed point on the tractor.

33. A supporting device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a main beam extends in front of the wheels of the device with respect to the normal intended direction of operative travel, the beam being provided with transverse arms, on which the wheels are mounted.

34. A supporting device for an agricultural machine, the device comprising a row of wheels and a main beam disposed in front of the wheels with respect to the normal intended direction of operative travel, the main beam being provided with transverse arms, on which the wheels are mounted, and with coupling means by which the device can be coupled with the lifting device of a tractor or a similar vehicle.

35. A supporting device as claimed in claim 33 or 34, in which the main beam is hollow.

36. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 35, in which the transverse arms are equal to and parallel to each other and each carry a wheel axle at the ends, on which the wheels are mounted.

37. A supporting device as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 36 when coupled to a tractor or similar vehicle, in which the ends of the main beam are disposed behind the wheels of the tractor or similar vehicle and are provided with transverse arms which each extend behind the respective wheels of the tractor and between two wheels of the device.

38. Asupporting device as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 37, in which the main beam is provided in the middle with a transverse beam disposed between the inner wheels of the row of wheels, to which beam is pivotally connected the carrying arm of the coupling device.

39. A supporting device substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

40. An assembly comprising a tractor, a supporting device and an agricultural machine, the supporting device being in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.