GB2140264A

GB2140264A - Improvements relating to vegetation cutting implements

Info

Publication number: GB2140264A
Application number: GB8314328A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael George Blake
Original assignee: Bomford and Evershed Ltd
Current assignee: Bomford and Evershed Ltd
Priority date: 1983-05-24
Filing date: 1983-05-24
Publication date: 1984-11-28
Also published as: GB8314328D0; GB2140264B

Abstract

A tractor 3 is fitted with a rotary cutter for trimming a hedge 11 along a roadside 9. A fan assembly 1 is arranged to produce an airstream 16 towards the roadside 9 so as to deflect the cut vegetation back to the roadside and off the road 10. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to vegetation cutting implements This invention relates to vegetation cutting implements and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to rotary implements for cutting vegetation along road sides.

Vegetation cutters by their action commonly reduce the vegetation to short lengths and throw the cut material back to the ground so eliminating the need to gather and burn the material.

A consequence of this action is that when operating with the rotary shaft in a vertical mode, for example when cutting the side of a hedge, material can be ejected away from the hedge. In circumstances where the hedge is between fields the distribution of the debris is of little consequence. Where the hedge is immediately adjacent to a road the debris can be potentially hazardous to subsequent road users.

Removal of this debris from the road is time consuming and is not normally undertaken as grass, leaves and small pieces of hedge do not lend themselves to being easily brushed off the road.

The invention provides a combination of a vegetation cutter and means for producing an airstream so as to deflect vegetation debris cut by the cutter.

Means may be provided for controlling the direction and/or speed of the airstream.

The invention also provides a vegetation cutting implement comprising the above combination. Means may be provided for mounting the implement on a vehicle.

The invention also embraces a land vehicle, such as a tractor, having such an implement.

In the case where the vehicle is for cutting vegetation along the roadsides, the airstream producing means is preferably arranged to direct the airstream, when the vehicle is travelling along a road, generally towards the roadside so as to urge the debris generally towards the roadside.

A further preferred arrangement is that the airstream producing means is arranged to direct the airstream towards the road at an acute angle thereto so that the airstream then travels over the surface of the road.

The vehicle may have means to drive the airstream producing means using power from the vehicle. The power supplied to the airstream producing means may optionally be derived from power supplied for driving the cutter.

The invention further provides an air blower assembly for a vegetation cutting implement, the assembly being provided with means for mounting the assembly on the implement so as to deflect vegetation debris cut by the cutter.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a plan view of a tractor fitted with a cutting implement according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the tractor and implement of Figure 1.

The implement comprises a conventional rotary flail cutter mounted in a housing 4 and driven to rotate for trimming the hedge 11 along the roadside 9. The cutter may have blades rather than flails.

The housing 4 with cutter is mounted adjustably on the rear of a tractor 3 in known fashion by means of pivoted arms 6.

Rotational energy for the cutter is provided from the tractor power take-off to provide an hydraulic drive to a rotary shaft enclosed in the housing 4 and on which the flails are mounted. Adjustment of the housing 4 is achieved by extension and/or retraction of the hydraulic ram actuators 5, causing arcuate movement of the arms 6, and housing 4.

A fan assembly 1 for producing an airstream 1 6 to deflect vegetation debris to a particular zone is mounted to the rear of the flail cutter mounting frame 2, which is mounted on the rear of the tractor 3. The assembly 1 comprises an adjustably mounted cowling 1 5 so as to give control over the direction of the airstream. As can be seen from the Figures, the airstream is blown generally transversely across the road 10 at an acute angle to the surface of the road 10 so that it then travels over the surface of the road.

The cowling 15 houses a rotary air impeller which may be driven by power supplied by any convenient means; direct from the tractor power take-off, from an electric motor or from an hydraulic motor connected into the hydraulic circuit of the cutter and actuators 5.

In operation, some material 7 ejected by the cutter will take approximate trajectories as shown by lines 8. The airstream directed towards this material by the fan 1, deflects the material back to the roadside 9 and off the road 10. In this way, the lighter material is blown back into the hedge before it reaches the road and the heavier debris is rolled into the side of the road.

1. A combination of a vegetation cutter and means for producing an airstream so as to deflect vegetation debris cut by the cutter.

2. A combination as claimed in claim 1 with means for controlling the direction of the airstream.

3. A combination as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 with means for controlling the speed of the airstream.

4. A vegetation cutting implement comprising a combination as claimed in any preced

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to vegetation cutting implements This invention relates to vegetation cutting implements and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to rotary implements for cutting vegetation along road sides. Vegetation cutters by their action commonly reduce the vegetation to short lengths and throw the cut material back to the ground so eliminating the need to gather and burn the material. A consequence of this action is that when operating with the rotary shaft in a vertical mode, for example when cutting the side of a hedge, material can be ejected away from the hedge. In circumstances where the hedge is between fields the distribution of the debris is of little consequence. Where the hedge is immediately adjacent to a road the debris can be potentially hazardous to subsequent road users. Removal of this debris from the road is time consuming and is not normally undertaken as grass, leaves and small pieces of hedge do not lend themselves to being easily brushed off the road. The invention provides a combination of a vegetation cutter and means for producing an airstream so as to deflect vegetation debris cut by the cutter. Means may be provided for controlling the direction and/or speed of the airstream. The invention also provides a vegetation cutting implement comprising the above combination. Means may be provided for mounting the implement on a vehicle. The invention also embraces a land vehicle, such as a tractor, having such an implement. In the case where the vehicle is for cutting vegetation along the roadsides, the airstream producing means is preferably arranged to direct the airstream, when the vehicle is travelling along a road, generally towards the roadside so as to urge the debris generally towards the roadside. A further preferred arrangement is that the airstream producing means is arranged to direct the airstream towards the road at an acute angle thereto so that the airstream then travels over the surface of the road. The vehicle may have means to drive the airstream producing means using power from the vehicle. The power supplied to the airstream producing means may optionally be derived from power supplied for driving the cutter. The invention further provides an air blower assembly for a vegetation cutting implement, the assembly being provided with means for mounting the assembly on the implement so as to deflect vegetation debris cut by the cutter. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a plan view of a tractor fitted with a cutting implement according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the tractor and implement of Figure 1. The implement comprises a conventional rotary flail cutter mounted in a housing 4 and driven to rotate for trimming the hedge 11 along the roadside 9. The cutter may have blades rather than flails. The housing 4 with cutter is mounted adjustably on the rear of a tractor 3 in known fashion by means of pivoted arms 6. Rotational energy for the cutter is provided from the tractor power take-off to provide an hydraulic drive to a rotary shaft enclosed in the housing 4 and on which the flails are mounted. Adjustment of the housing 4 is achieved by extension and/or retraction of the hydraulic ram actuators 5, causing arcuate movement of the arms 6, and housing 4. A fan assembly 1 for producing an airstream 1 6 to deflect vegetation debris to a particular zone is mounted to the rear of the flail cutter mounting frame 2, which is mounted on the rear of the tractor 3. The assembly 1 comprises an adjustably mounted cowling 1 5 so as to give control over the direction of the airstream. As can be seen from the Figures, the airstream is blown generally transversely across the road 10 at an acute angle to the surface of the road 10 so that it then travels over the surface of the road. The cowling 15 houses a rotary air impeller which may be driven by power supplied by any convenient means; direct from the tractor power take-off, from an electric motor or from an hydraulic motor connected into the hydraulic circuit of the cutter and actuators 5. In operation, some material 7 ejected by the cutter will take approximate trajectories as shown by lines 8. The airstream directed towards this material by the fan 1, deflects the material back to the roadside 9 and off the road 10. In this way, the lighter material is blown back into the hedge before it reaches the road and the heavier debris is rolled into the side of the road. CLAIMS

4. A vegetation cutting implement comprising a combination as claimed in any preced ing claim.

5. An implement as claimed in claim 4, means being provided for mounting the implement on a vehicle.

6. A land vehicle having an implement as claimed in either claim 4 or claim 5.

7. A vehicle as claimed in claim 6- for cutting vegetation along roadsides, wherein the airstream producing means is arranged to direct the airstream, when the vehicle is travelling along a road, generally towards the roadside so as to urge the debris generally towards the roadside.

8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 7 wherein the airstream producing means is arranged to direct the airstream towards the road at an acute angle thereto so that the airstream then travels over the surface of the road.

9. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 having means to drive the airstream producing means using power from the vehicle.

10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 9 wherein the power supplied to the airstream producing means is derived from power supplied for driving the cutter.

11. A vegetation cutting implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A land vehicle having mounted thereon an implement as claimed in claim 11.

1 3. An air blower assembly for a vegetation cutting implement, the assembly being provided with means for mounting the assembly on the implement so as to deflect vegetation debris cut by the cutter.