GB2145912A - An agricultural apparatus comprising a combination of agricultural implements - Google Patents

Abstract

An agricultural apparatus comprising a ground cultivating implement (1)-which is mountable on the three-point coupling of a tractor (11) and is connected to the power take-off shaft of the tractor (11) by means of a universally jointed shaft (12) and a material delivery machine (4) which is connected to the ground cultivating implement through the intermediary of coupling members (6,7) which form a lifting frame (5), the delivery machine (4) being raisable by means of the lifting frame (5). When the combination needs to be turned at the end of a field, stop members (19) limit the lifting range of the lifting frame (5) in such a manner that the maximum permitted angle ( alpha ) for the pivotal shaft (15) is not exceeded, with the result that the delivery machine (4) is continuously drivable, even when it is in its intermediate raised position for turning. The stop members may be removed to raise the machine further, for transport. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An agricultural apparatus comprising a combination of agricultural implements The present invention relates to a self-contained combination of agricultural implements, including a ground cultivating implement-which is connectable to a three-point hydraulic lift of a tractor and is connected orconnectable to the power take-off shaft of the tractor by means of a pivotal shaft-and a furthertreatment or material delivery machine which is connected to the ground cultivating implement through the intermediary of coupling members which form a lifting frame, the material delivery machine being raisable by means ofthe lifting frame.

Acombination has been described in German Gebrauchsmuster (Utility Model) No. 81 04 256 which has already proved to be highlysatisfactory in practice. The particular advantage achieved with this combination resides in the factthatthe lifting frame permitsthetilling or material delivery machine to be raised or displaced in a forwardly and upwardly direction into atravelling position. This arrangement permits the amount of lifting force required by the hydraulic lift ofthe tractor to be reduced by up to 30%.

It has now become apparent that, when using combinations which include a material delivery machine driven by the powertake-offshaftofa tractor, problems arisewhenthe combination needsto be raised to enablethe combination to be turned (atthe end of afield. In such cases, the pivotal shafts are at a very steep angtewhen the combination is in its raised position,withthe resultthatthe pivotal shafts become damaged. Becausethis delivery machine, which is driven by the powertake-off shaft, is of a lightweight construction and may be in the form of, for example, a pneumatic implement for sowing individual grains or a pneumatic sowing machine, it is not necessary to reducetheamount of power required; that is to say, it is not necessary to effect forward displacement of the overall centre of gravity. However, in order to permit the combination to be equipped with a heavy tilling machinealso and to use as few parts as possible, relatively lightweight delivery machines are also connected to a lifting frame.

The present invention seeks to achieve considerable improvement in raising a plurality of serially disposed implements or machines which are driven by the pwertake-off shaft when the combination needs to beturned at the end of a field.

According to the present invention, there is provided a combination of agricultural implements, including a ground cultivating implement-which is connectable to a three-point hydraulic lift of a tractor and is connected or connectable to the power take-off shaftofthetractor by means of a pivotal shaft-and a furthertreatment or material delivery machine which is connected to the ground cultivating implement through the intermediary of coupling members which form a lifting frame, the material delivery machine being raisable by means ofthe lifting frame; wherein the material delivery machine is drivable by the power take-off shaft of the tractorthrough the intermediary of a pivotal shaft which is connected between the driven output shaft of the ground cultivating imple ment andthe delivery machine, and wherein stop members limitthe lifting range ofthe lifting frame during operation of the combination in such a manner thatthe maximum permitted angle (our) of the pivotal shaft is not exceeded, with the result that the material delivery machine is continuously drivable, even when it is in its raised position.

Because of these measures which are described here, the entire combination is controllably raised, on the one hand, to ensurethatthe permitted drive interconnection angles of pivotal shafts are not exceeded, but, on the other hand, to ensure that the individual implements and machines are raised to such an extent that there is sufficient space between the implements and the ground to permitthe com bination to be turned atthe end of a field. It is hereby possible to raise the leading ground cultivating machine -- d riven by the powertake-offshaft-to only just above the ground, but it is possible to raise the delivery machine, which is driven bythe power take-off shaft, approximately 0.5 m above the ground.

Damage to the machines is thus avoided.

In order to permit the combination to be brought into a compacttravelling position, the stop members are detachably disposed or can be brought into an inoperative position. Once the stop members have been detached and the combination has been brought into itstravelling position, the delivery machine may be fully raised in a forwardly and upwardly direction.

The pre-requisitefor achieving this, however, is that the powertake-offshaft is shut-offordisenaged.

So that the lifting range of the lifting frame can be adapted to different sowing machines or implements for sowing individual grains on the basis of the various vertical positions of the powertake-off shaft connections, stop members are provided for a plurality of positions.

Avery simple means of controlling the lifting or hydraulic cylinders is achieved when the lifting cylinder of the lifting frame is connected to the same hydraulic circuitto which the hydraulic cylinder ofthe three-point hydraulic lift of the tractor is also connected.

In addition, the invention provides that an openable hydraulic check valve is disposed in the pressure line extending to the lifting cylinder, and this hydraulic check valve co-operates with the stop members. This arrangement provides a particularly simple means of limiting the lifting range (ofthe lifting frame).

In such a case, there is initiallythe advantage that no additional forces occur in the bearings of the lifting frame when the limited raised position is reached for turning the combination atthe end of a field, sincethe excess pressure in the pressure line is shut-off by the hydraulic check valve. In addition, this hydraulic check valve may also be subsequently attached at various locations on the combination. The invention should also include actuation of the hydraulic check valve The drawing(s) originally filed was (were) informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

through the intermediary of a tension cable or a linkage or lever system. This solution according to the invention requires very little structural design and is verysimpletooperate. It is also possible for the limited lifting heightto beveryeasilyadaptedtoa variety of delivery machines which have their power take-offconnections disposed at different locations. A high degree of operational reliability is even achieved by the use ofjust one stop member.

In a preferred arrangement, the hydraulic check valve is a mechanically openable non-return valve. To permitthe limited height of liftto be adapted to a variety oftilling machines, an adjustable stop-mem berco-operates with the non-return valve.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention can be achieved when a spring co-operates with the non-return valve, and the spring keeps the non-return valve in its throughflow or open position when the delivery machine is in its operative position.

This is advantageous because the stop member brings the non-return valve into its closed position when the limited lifting heightforthe tilling machine is reached.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. lisa side view of an agricultural apparatus including an implement or machine combination according to the invention, shown in its operative position; Fig. 2 is a side view ofthe combination of Fig. 1 but shown in the position which corresponds to the position when the apparatus is being turned at the end of a field; Fig. 3 is a side view of the combination of Fig. 1 but shown in its travelling position; Fig. 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the combination according to the invention, shown in the position which corresponds to the position when the apparatus is being turned atthe end of a field; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side view, on an enlarged scale, ofthe arrangement ofthe mechanically openable non-return valve on the combination of Fig. 4, representing the delivery machine in two different positions.

An agricultural apparatus comprising a combination of implements or machines according to the invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, and includes a ground cultivating implement-which is driven by the powertake-offshaftofatractor 11 and is in the form of rotor or rotary-type cultivator -a ground roller 3, which is connected to the rotary-type cultivator 1 through the intermediary ofthe arms 2, and a furthertreatment machine such as a material distribution or delivery machine which is driven by the power take-offshaftandthe material delivery machine is in theform of a pneumatic sowing machine 4. The sowing machine 4 is connected to the rotary-type cultivator 1 through the intermediary of coupling members which form a lifting frame 5.The lifting frame 5 includes two lower arms 6 and two upper arms7-onlyoneofeach being visible.The lifting frame5 is pivotable in a vertical plane by means of a hydraulic cylinder 8 which, through the intermediary of hydraulic line 9, is connected to the hydraulic circuit to which the hydraulic cylinder ofthree-point hyd raulic lift 1 O 10 ofthetractor 11 is also connected, so that the sowing machine 4 can be raised and lowered.

The rotary-type cultivator 1 is driven by the power take-offshaftofthetractorthroughthe intermediary of a pivotal shaft 12 (universallyjointed). A pivotal shaft 15 (universallyjointed) drivesthe pneumatic sowing machine 4 and is connected to a power take-off drive 13 of gear 14 ofthe rotor-type cultivator 1.

During operation ofthecombination,thecombina- tion assumes the position shown in Fig. 1, in which there are practically no angles formed between the pivotal shafts 12 and 15; as a consequence ofthis,the pivotal shafts 12 and 15cannot become damaged.

In orderto turn the combination at the end of a field, the combination is brought into the position shown in Fig. 2. The lower arms 6 of the lifting frame 5 are pivotally connected to attachment frame 16 at their front ends. The lugs 18 are disposed on the attach ment frame 16 adjacent each of the two lower arms 6 ata distance from the point 17 atwhich the lower arms 6 are pivotally connected to the attachment frame 16.

Detachable stop members are mounted on the lugs 18 and are in the form of bolts or pins 19. Because of the appropriate dimensioning ofthe hydraulic cylinder8 and ofthe connection of the hydraulic line 9 to the hydraulic circuitto which the hydraulic cylinderofthe three-point hydraulic lift 10 is also connected, the sowing machine 4 is initially raised by actuation ofthe control valve of the three-point hydraulic lift 10 until the lower arms 6 abut againstthe stop members 19; the entire combination is then raised until the threepoint hydraulic lift has reached the position set by the position ofthe control lever ofthe control valve.In such a case, both the stop members 19 and the position of the control lever ofthe control valve limit the lifting movement of the combination, or the lifting ranges, in such a mannerthatthe maximum permitted angles aoforfororbetweenthe the pivotal shafts 12 and 15 are not exceeded, with the result that the sowing machine 4 is continuously drivable, even when it is in its raised position.For the first time, therefore, the stop members formed by the pins 19 permit a sowing machine 4-driven bythe powertake-off shaft-to be attached to the lifting frame 5 and to be driven furtheratfull speed or, alternatively, ata speed which deviates onlyslightlyfrom the prescribed speed, even during the turning procedureforwhichthecombina- tion has to be raised at least partially. It is absolutely essential to drive pneumatic sowing machines, especially machinesforsowing individual grains, because of the special construction of these implements, so that these implements can function and operate accurately.

In the position provided for the turning procedure, the sowing machine 4 is raised approximately 0.5 m above the ground, and the rotary-type cultivator 1 is only just raised above the ground 20. Becausethe machine is spaced 0.50 m above the ground, damage to the delicate parts ofthe sowing machine 4 is avoided.

After the turning procedure has been completed, the combination is lowered once again, so thatwork can be continued without interruption. This is achieved because the drive for the sowing machine 4 does not need to be interrupted during the turning procedure.

In orderto bring the combination into the travelling position shown in Fig. 3, the powertake-offshaftofthe tractor is initially shut-off or disengaged so that, in the event of there being extreme angles between the pivotal shafts, the pivotal shafts 12 and 15 do not become damaged. In addition, the bolts or pins 19 which act as stop members have to be removed, so thatthesowing machine 4 can be brought fully into its travelling position in a forwardly and upwardly direction. Subsequently, by actuating the control lever ofthe control valve for controlling the three-point hydraulic lift 10 of the tractor 11 ,the sowing machine 4 is initially raised into its travelling position by means of the lifting frame 5 before the entire combination is raised bythethree-point hydraulic lift.

In order that the lifting range ofthe lifting frame 5 can be adapted to correspond to the actual sowing machine 4 coupled thereto whilst the sowing machine 4 is being raised into its turning position, various positions for the pins 19 are provided in the lugs 18.

For this purpose, the lugs 18 are provided with the bores 21 in a variety of regions. This is necessary because sowing machines of differenttypes of construction and manufacture are to be connected to the lifting frame Sand the powertake-off connections ofthese sowing machines are located at different levels.

Fig.4 illustrates a combination having an alternative means for limiting the lifting movement.

In order to turn this combination atthe end of a field, the combination is brought into the position shown in Fig. 4. The lowerarms6ofthe lifting frame 5are pivotallyconnectedtotheattachmentframe 16at their front ends. The hydraulic checkvalve,which is in the form of a mechanically openable non-return valve 22, is disposed in the pressure line 9. The non-return valve 22 is mounted on a connection-piece 23 of the rotary-type cultivator 1 forthe upper arm 7 ofthe lifting frame 5, and said valve 22 hasa pin 24to permit itto be opened. An arm 25 is disposed on the pin 24.A tension spring 26 is disposed between the arm 25 and the connection-piece 23 and pullsthe arm 25 downwardly, therebydrawing the pin 24 into the throughflow or open position of the non-return valve 22. In addition, an adjustable screw 27-provided with a stop member 28-is attached tothe arm 25.

When the combination is in its operative position, thetinesofthe rotary-type cultivator 1 are located in the ground 20, the ground roller3 lies on the ground surface 20, and the sowing machine 4 is supported on the ground 20 by its running wheels. To raise the sowing machine, a control valve is actuated on the tractor 11.Because of the appropriate dimensioning of the hydraulic cylinder 8 and ofthe connection ofthe hydraulic line 9to the hydraulic circuit, to which the hydraulic cylinder of the three-point hydraulic lift 10 is also connected,the sowing machine 4 is initially raised by actuation of the control valve ofthe three-point hydraulic lift 10 until the upper arm 7 ofthe lifting frame 5 abuts against the stop member 28 and has pushed the stop member28 upwardly until it has lifted the arm 25 of the pin 24ofthe non-return valve 22 into the closed position ofthe non-return valve 22, so that no more oil can be urged into the hydraulic cylinder 8.The upper arm 7 hasthus assumed the position shown in Fig. 4 orthe position 7' shown by dash-dot lines in Fig. 5; and the lower arm 6 has thus assumed the position shown in Fig. 4 or the position 6' shown by dash-dot lines in Fig. 5. The arm 25 has thus assumed the position 25 shown by dash-dot lines in Fig. 5. The combination is then raised until the three-point hydraulic lift has reached the position set bythe position of the control leverofthe control valve.

In such a case, both the stop member 28 and the position ofthe control lever of the control valve limit the lifting movement of the combination or, alterna tively,the lifting range in such a mannerthatthe maximum permitted angle aforthe pivotal shafts 12 and 15 is not exceeded, with the resultthatthe sowing machine 4 is continuously drivable, even while it is in its raised position.As a consequence thereof, the non-return valve 22 and the stop member 28 which co-operates therewith make it possible, forthe first time, to attach a sowing machine 4-driven by the powertake-off shaft-to the lifting frame 5 and to drive itfurther atfull speed or, alternatively, at a speed which deviates only slightly from the prescribed speed, even during the turning procedure forwhich the combination has to be raised at least partially. It is absolutely essential to drive pneumatic sowing machines, especially machines for sowing individual grains, because of the special construction of these implements, so that these implements can function and operate accurately.

In the position provided forthe turning manoeuvre, the sowing machine 4 is raised approximately 0.5 m above the ground, and the rotary-type cultivator 1 is only just raised above the ground 20. Because the machine 4 is spaced 0.5 m above the ground, damage to the delicate parts of the sowing machine 4 is avoided.

Aftertheturning manoeuvre has been completed, the combination is lowered once again, so thatwork can be continued without interruption. This is achieved because the drive of the sowing machine 4 did not need to be interrupted during the turning procedure.

In order to bring the combination into its travelling position, that is to say, in order to raise the sowing machine 4fully in a forwardly and upwardly displaced direction, the powertake-offshaft of the tractor needs to be initially disengaged or stopped so that, in the event ofthere being extreme angles between the pivotal shafts, the pivotal shafts 12 and 15 do not become damaged. In addition, the stop member 28 needs to be pivoted laterally and upwardly so that the sowing machine 4 can be broughtfully into its travelling position in a forwardly and upwardly direction. Subsequently, by actuating the control lever ofthe control valve for controlling the three-point hydraulic lift 10 O or the tractor 11 ,the sowing machine 4 is initially raised into its travelling position relative to the other components by means ofthe lifting frame 5 before the entire combination is raised by the threepoint hydraulic lift.

In order that the lifting range ofthe lifting frame 5 can be adapted to correspond to the actual sowing machine 4 coupled thereto whilstthe sowing machine 4 is being raised into its turning position, the stop member 28 needs to be adjusted through the intermediary of the screw 27. This is necessary because sowing machines of different types of construction and manufacture are to be connected to the lifting frame Sand the powertake-offconnections of these sowing machines are located at different heights.

Claims (12)

1. A combination of agricultural implements including a ground cultivating implement (1)which is connectable to a three-point hydraulic lift (10) of a tractor(11) and is connected orconnectableto the powertake-off shaft of the tractor (11) by means of a pivotal shaft (12)-and a further treatment or material deliverymachinewhich is connected to the ground cultivating implement (1) through the intermediary of coupling members (6,7) which form a lifting frame (5), the material delivery machine being raisable by means ofthe lifting frame (5); wherein the material delivery machine (4) is drivable by the powertake-off shaftofthetractorthroughthe intermediary of a pivotal shaft (15) which is connected between the driven output shaft of the ground cultivating implement (1) and the delivery machine (4), and wherein stop members (19) limitthe lifting range ofthe lifting frame (5) during operation ofthecombination in such a mannerthatthe maximum permitted angle (cc) ofthe pivotal shaft(15) is not exceeded, with the resultthat the material delivery machine (4) is continuously drivable, even when it is in its raised position.

2. Acombination as claimed in claim 1, in which the stop members (19) aredetachablydisposedorcan be brought into an inoperative position.

3. A combination as claimed in claims 1 or2, in which stop members (19) are providedfora plurality of positions.

4. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which a lifting cylinder (8) ofthe lifting frame (5) is connected orconnectableto the same hydraulic circuitto which the hydraulic cylinder ofthe three-point hydraulic lift (10) ofthetractor (11) is also connected.

5. A combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting frame (5) is provided with at least one lifting cylinder (8) which is connected or connectable to the hydraulic system of the tractor (11) through the intermediary of a pressure line, and wherein a releasable hydraulic check valve (22) is disposed in the pressure line (9) extending to the lifting cylinder (8), and this hydrauliccheckvalve (22) co-operates with the stop members (28).

6. Acombination as claimed in claim 5, in which the hydraulic check valve (22) is a mechanically openable non-return valve (22).

7. A combination as claimed in claim 6, in which an adjustable stop member (28) co-operates with the non-return valve (22).

8. A combination as claimed in claim 6, in which a spring (26) co-operates with the non-return valve (22), and the spring (26) keeps the non-return valve (22) in its throughflow position when the delivery machine (4) is in its opei ative position.

9. Acombination as claimed in anyofclaims 5two8, in which the stop member (28) bringsthe non-return valve (22) into its closed position when the limited lifting heightforthe delivery machine (4) is reached.

10. A combination as claimed in one of claims 5to 9, in which the stop-member (28) co-operates with the upper guide arm p) ofthe lifting frame (5).

11. A combination as claimed in any of claims 5to 9, in which the stop member co-operates with one of the lower guide arms (6) ofthelifting frame (5).

12. An agricultural implement combination substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 or as modified in Figs. 4 and 5 ofthe accompanying drawings.