GB2140664A

GB2140664A - Fodder treatment machine

Info

Publication number: GB2140664A
Application number: GB08411263A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bruno Schulze-Selting
Original assignee: Kloeckner Humboldt Deutz AG
Current assignee: Kloeckner Humboldt Deutz AG
Priority date: 1983-05-04
Filing date: 1984-05-02
Publication date: 1984-12-05
Also published as: GB8411263D0; DK220984D0; DK220984A; FR2545318A1; NL8401433A; GB2140664B; DE3316304A1

Abstract

The fodder treatment machine has a movable frame (1) a pick-up device for the cut fodder and a fodder passage, as well as two treatment rotors (3, 4) which are arranged rotatably and parallel to one another about axles (5, 6) extending transversely to the direction of movement and which are each provided with a plurality of treatment flails (7) directed radially outwards, the upper treatment rotor (4) being pivotable, along a circle (8) concentric relative to the axle (5) of the lower treatment rotor (3), from a first position above an extendable limiting wall (9) located in front of the lower treatment rotor (3) to a second position above the lower treatment rotor (3). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fodder treatment machine The present invention relates to a fodder treatment machine having a movable frame, with a pick-up device for the cut fodder and a fodder passage, and with two treatment rotors which are arranged rotatably and parallel to one another about axles extending transversely to the direction of movement of the machine and which are each provided with a plurality of elastic or elastically fastened treatment flails directed radially outwards.

Green fodder such as, for example, meadow grass has to be treated after cutting, in order to reduce the drying time, for example to obtain silage or hay. It is necessary to reduce the drying time in this way, especially in the European climate, since the harmful influence of light, rain or even microorganisms can cause the quality of the fodder to be impaired. So that the drying time can be reduced,the evaporation-inhibiting wax layer on stalks and stems must be opened up, and it is generally customary to treat the green fodder mechanically by means of fodder treatment machines, in such a way that this wax layer is opened up, for example, by breaking the green fodder by means of the treatment rotors.For this purpose, different green fodders require different degrees of treatment and consequently different or adaptable fodder treatment machines, by means of which excessive damage to the green fodder, such as, for example, crushing, is reliably prevented.

The published European Patent Application No.

61,230 discloses a treatment machine for green fodder, which has a movable frame and a pick-up device for the cut crop which is fed to a passage for the fodder, after which it runs through two treatment rotors which are arranged rotatablyand parallel to one another about axles extending transversely to the direction of movement of the machine and which are each provided with a plurality of elastic treatment flails directed radially outwards. According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 9 of this publication, the two treatment rotors are driven in opposite directions or in the same direction, the green fodder to be treated passing through the fodder passage located between the treatment rotors. The distance between the axles of the two treatment rotors can be varied for the purpose of adaptation to different fodder qualities or degrees of treatment.However, such an adjustment of the distance between the axles of two treatment rotors only varies the depth to which the treatment flails penetrate into the stream of fodder, and varying influences of acceleration and deceleration in the stream of fodder cannot be taken into account in an adjustment system of this type.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved fodder treatment machine, in which the degree of treatment can be adjusted continuously between light treatment and intensive treatment and in which the acceleration or decelaration of the fodder when it flows through the fodder passage can be adjusted according to the fodder quality, so that the disadvantages mentioned above are avoided.

The present invention provides a fodder treatment machine comprising a movable frame, a pick-up device for the cut fodder, a fodder passage, upper and lower treatment rotors which are arranged rotatably and parallel to one another about axles extending transversely to the direction of movement of the machine and which are each provided with a plurality of elastic or elastically fastened treatment flails directed radially outwards, and a limiting wall of variable height which extends essentially vertically upwards and which limits the conveying channel, said limiting wall being in front of the lower treatment rotor in the direction of movement of the machine, the upper treatment rotor being pivotable along a circle concentric relative to the axle of the lower treatment rotor between a first position above the limiting wall to a second position above the lower treatment rotor.

The pivoting angle of the upper treatment rotor is advantageously 60 to 900.

It is especially advantageous if a limiting wall of variable height is provided on the front side of the lower treatment rotor, and if an angled discharge hood pivotable in the direction of movement of the machine is provided behind the upper treatment rotor.

The distance between the two axles of the treatment rotors is advantageously less than or equal to the diameter of the circles formed by the outer ends of the rotor flails.

In the fodder treatment machine according to the invention, the effects of accelerating or decelerating the stream of fodder in the fodder passage by pivoting the upper rotor along a concentric circle relative to the axle of the lower rotor are adjustable. By inclining the upper treatment rotor in the direction of movement of the machine, the stream of fodder is conveyed without deceleration, and light treatment is obtained as a result. By pivoting the upper treatment rotor to the rear into a position in which it is arranged vertically above the lower treatment rotor, the fodder to be treated is accelerated by the lower treatment rotor. Intensive treatment is obtained by accelerating the fodder in the opposite direction by means of the upper treatment rotor.Because of the greater slip between the stream of fodder and the rotor, caused by accelerating the stream of fodder in the opposite direction, the degree of treatment is increased correspondingly.

Furthermore, there is also the advantage that treatment is carried out on a larger rotor surface, with the result that more treatment flails participate in the treatment process.

Moreover, because the stream of fodder is deflected sharply by the upper treatment rotor, a more uniform treatment of the fodder is achieved; as a result of the change in the stalk direction in the stream of fodder, it is possible to iay down the swaths more effectively.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an advantageous exemplary embodiment and in which: Figure 1 shows diagrammatically a crosssection through a treatment machine according to the invention, in its position of relatively light treatment, and Figure 2 shows a section through this machine in its position of intensive treatment.

In the Figures, 1 indicates the movable frame of the fodder treatment machine, and the latter can be connected to a suitable cutting device, for example a rotary mower, or else can even be an independent machine drawn by a tractor (not shown). 2 designates the cut green fodder which can be fed to the treatment machine by means of a pick-up device (not shown) or else is picked up by the treatment rotor 3. This lower treatment rotor 3 is arranged rotatably about an axle 5 which extends transversely to the direction of movement of the fodder treatment machine. Furthermore, the treatment rotor 3 is provided with a plurality of elastic or elastically fastened treatment flails 7 which are arranged along its periphery and which engage into the stream of fodder 2 during the rotation of the treatment rotor 3.

4 denotes a second pivotable upper treatment rotor which is arranged rotatably about an axle 6 parallel to the axle 5 of the lower treatment rotor 3 and likewise extending transversely to the direction of movement of the treatment machine.

The second treatment rotor 4 is also provided with a plurality of suitable elastic or elastically fastened treatment flails 7 arranged along its periphery.

The distance between the two axles 5 and 6 is advantageously equal to or less than double the diameter of the circles formed by the outer ends of the rotor flails 7, so that the treatment flails 7 intermesh with one another, whilst the two treatment rotors 3 and 4 are driven in opposite directions or in the same direction.

9 designates a limiting wall of variable height, which is located on the front side of the lower treatment rotor 3 and which guides the stream of fodder 2 in the direction of the fodder passage between the two treatment rotors. Figure 1 shows the treatment machine according to the invention in the position in which the upper rotor 4 is inclined forwards, the limiting wall 9 being arranged in its shortened position, since it would otherwise collide with the treatment flails 7 of the upper treatment rotor 4. In this position, the stream of fodder 2 is conveyed without deceleration, so that relatively light treatment is achieved as a result of the intermeshing of the treatment flails 7 of the two treatment rotors 3 and 4.Figure 2 shows the position in which the upper treatment rotor 4 is arranged vertically above the lower treatment rotor 3, on the one hand the stream of fodder being accelerated by the lower treatment rotor 3, after which it experiences further acceleration in the opposite direction by means of the upper treatment rotor 4 and at the same time deflection in the direction of the rear discharge edge 1 0. In this position, the limiting wall 9' is shown extended, so that it guides the stream of fodder 2 in the direction of the upper treatment rotor 4 without loss.

To obtain the above-mentioned continuous variation in the degree of treatment and to take into account the acceleration and deceleration in the stream of fodder, according to the invention the upper treatment rotor 4 is pivoted along a circle 8 which is arranged concentrically relative to the axis 5 of the lower treatment rotor 3. The pivoting angle, that is to say the range over which the upper treatment rotor 4 can be pivoted along this concentric circle 8 in relation to the lower fixed treatment rotor 3, is at least 60 to 900.

Because of this continuous pivoting along the concentric circle 8 in relation to the axle 5, continuous adjustment between light treatment (Figure 1) and intensive treatment (Figure 2) is obtained, at the same time achieving the advantage that treatment is carried out on a larger rotor surface, so that more treatment flails 7 can participate in the treatment process. Because the stream of fodder 2 is deflected sharply in the position of the machine shown in Figure 2, a more uniform intensive treatment of the fodder is obtained. At the same time, as a result of the change in the stalk direction in the stream of fodder the swaths are laid down more effectively.

The discharge hood 1 0 is advantageously pivotable in the longitudinal direction of the machine and consequently follows the movements of the upper treatment rotor 4, so as to lay the treated fodder down in a swath behind the machine.

By means of the fodder treatment machine according to the invention, the degree of treatment of the fodder can be varied and adapted to individual fodder qualities considerably better and to a greater extent than is possible as a result of a mere axial displacement of the two treatment rotors relative to one another.

Claims

1. A fodder treatment machine comprising a movable frame, a pick-up device for the cut fodder, a fodder passage, upper and lower treatment rotors which are arranged rotatably and parallel to one another about axles extending transversely to the direction of movement of the machine and which are each provided with a plurality of elastic or elastically fastened treatment flails directed radially outwards, and a limiting wall of variable height which extends essentially vertically upwards and which limits the conveying channel, said limiting wall being in front of the lower treatment rotor in the direction of movement of the machine, the upper treatment rotor being pivotable along a circle concentric relative to the axle of the lower treatment rotor between a first position above the limiting wall to a second position above the lower treatment rotor.

2. Fodder treatment machine according to Claim 1, wherein the pivoting angle of the upper treatment rotor along the concentric circle relative to the axle of the lower treatment rotor is between 600 and 900.

3. Fodder treatment machine according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the limiting wall of variable length is extendable.

4. Fodder treatment machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein an angled discharge hood pivotable in the direction of movement of the machine is provided behind the upper treatment rotor.

5. Fodder treatment machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the distance between the axles of the upper and lower treatment rotors is less than or equal to double the diameter of the circles formed by the outer ends of the rotor flails.

6. Fodder treatment machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.