GB2163932A

GB2163932A - Soil cultivating implements

Info

Publication number: GB2163932A
Application number: GB08511579A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie William Moseley; Alan Grimshaw
Original assignee: Edwards & Co Lawrence
Current assignee: Edwards & Co Lawrence
Priority date: 1984-05-16
Filing date: 1985-05-08
Publication date: 1986-03-12
Also published as: GB2163932B; GB8511579D0; GB8412426D0

Abstract

A cultivator comprising a frame (10), a first plurality of soil working tines (26), arranged in a row that extends transversely to the intended direction of operative travel of the implement (D), a first soil working roller (80), rotatable about a horizontal axis that extends transversely to said direction and disposed behind the first plurality of soil working tines (26), relative to said direction, a second plurality of soil working tines (81), arranged on a row that extends transversely to said direction (D), and disposed behind the first soil working roller relative to the direction, and a second soil working roller (82) rotatable about a horizontal axis that extends transversely to said direction and disposed behind the second plurality of soil working tines relative to said direction. Frame section (14) carrying tines (81) and the rollers (80, 82) is height adjustable relative to front frame section (12), and each frame section is constituted by a central part (12a, 14a) and two parts (12b, 12c, 14b, 14c) which are pivotable via rams (36, 36a) to transport positions. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Soil cultivating implements This invention relates to soil cultivating implements.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved soil cultivator comprising a frame, a first plurality of soil working tines arranged in a row that extends transversely to the intended direction of operative travel of the implement, a first soil working roller rotatable about a horizontal axis that extends transveresely to said direction and disposed behind the first plurality of soil working tines relative to said direction, a second plurality of soil working tines arranged in a row that extends transversely to said direction and disposed behind the first soil working roller relative to said direction, and a second soil working roller rotatable about a horizontal axis that extends transversely to said direction and disposed behind the second plurality of soil working tines relative to said direction.

The implement may be provided with a clod breaker bar that extends transversely to said direction and disposed in front of said first plurality of soil working tines relative to said direction.

The clod breaker bar may be mounted, for movement thereof against resilient bias in a direction generally rearwardly relative to said direction.

The clod breaker bar may be adjustable to vary the height of the breaker bar relative to the frame.

The frame may comprise two sections, a front section, relative to said direction, carrying the first plurality of soil working tines and having a coupling means to couple the section to a rear section, relative to said direction, carrying said soil working rollers and said second plurality of soil working tines. Ther may be means to adjust the height of the rear section relative to the front section and/or the angular orientation of the rear section relative to the front section about a horizontal axis and/or means which are preferably adustable resiliently to bias the rear end of said rear section towards the aground.

Resilient biasing means may comprise a spring means which may be located adjacent the front of the front section and be engaged with a part of the rear section which projects forwardly of the first soil working roller. The height adjustment means may be disposed rearwardly of the resilient biasing means and may be disposed at the rear of the front section and engaged with a part of the rear section rearwardly of the part engaged by the resilient biasing means.

The first plurality of soil working tines may comprise heavy duty spring tines to give primary cultivation, whereas the second plurality of soil working tines may be configured to give a seed bed tilth.

The first soil working roller may be a crumbler roller for secondary clod elimination and to control the depth of penetration of the first set of soil working tines.

The second soil working roller may be a pressurised crumbler roller to provide a desired compaction of the seed bed.

The cultivator may be provided with laterally projecting extension parts to increase the working width of the implement.

The extension parts may be pivoted to the frame so as to be movable from an operative position in which crumbler rollers and tines carried thereby provide an extension of the crumbler rollers and tines provided on the main frame, and an inoperative position in which the extension parts are pivoted upwardly and hence inwardly.

Each frame section may be provided with an associated extension part.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a soil cultivating implement embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the implement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view, to an enlarged scale, showing a tine of a first set of soil working tines of the implement of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view, to an enlarged scale, of a tine of a second plurality of soil working tines of the implement of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a resilient biasing means provided at the front of the main frame as shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a soil working implement comprises a frame 10 comprising a front section 12 disposed in front, relative to the intended direction of operative travel of the implement D, of a rear section 14. Each section 12, 14 comprises a central main part 12a, 14a respectively and a pair of handed extension parts 12b, 12c and 14b, 14c respectively pivotally connected to their associated main parts 12a, 14a. The main part 12a of the front section comprises front and rear members 16, 18 which extend transversely relative to said intended direction of operative travel D interconnected by six longitudinally extending members 20.

Welded to the undersides of the members 20 are intermediate transversely extending bars 22, 24 to which heavy duty spring tines 26 are clamped, as shown in Figure 3, at staggered positions as best shown in Figure 2, so as to provide a row of tines 26 which extend transversely of said direction D in which the tines are staggered.

The members 16, 18 carry upstanding trunnions 28 on the member 16 and 30 on the member 18 which carry a pivot pin 32 to pivotally connect parts 34 of the extension parts 12b, to the main part 12a. The extension parts 12b, 12c comprise front and rear members 16b, 16c, 18b, 18c respectively, interconnected by members 20b, 20c and thus form a continuation of the structure of the main part 12a and have transversely extending bars 22b, 22c, 24b, 24c welded thereto, and have further tines 26 clamped thereon to provide a continuation of the staggered row provided on the main part 12a A hydraulic ram 36 is connected to trunnions 38 provided on the rear of the members 34 of the extension parts so that retraction of the piston rod thereof causes upward pivotal movement of the extension parts 12b, 12c from their operative position shown in Figure 1, to an inoperative position in which they extend generally upwardly.

Fixed to the front member 16 of the main part and 16b, 16c of the extension parts 12b, 12c brackets 40 to mount adjustor arms 42 of a clod breaker bar 44a, 44b, 44c on the main and extension parts respectively.

The adjustor arms 28 are provided with a plurality of apertures in a selected pair of which pins 46 are engaged as well as in apertures 48 in the brackets to mount the bars 44a - 44c at a desired height relative to the frame. The bars 44a - 44c are pivotally mounted by means of pivot pins 50 on the adustor arms 42 and torsion springs 52 are provided normally to bias the bars 44a , 44c to the operative position shown in Figure 1, but to permit pivotal movement thereof about the pins 50 if the bars encounter an obstruction.

The main part 12a carries a three-point link assembly 56 for hitching to a tractor. The lower linkage is a Cat 2 quick-hitch, the lower linkage bar B being fixed to the tractor, in use, although not so shown in Figure 1, and is automatically connected to the implement, after the tractor has been reversed towards the implement, when the tractor's lower linkage (to which the bar B is fixed) is r3ised, by virtue of a spring-loaded catch C. The upper linkage U is attached manually to the tractor using pin P which is retained by linch pin L.

The main part 12a is also provided with two height adjustors 58 at the rear thereof, which comprise conventional screw jacks pivotally connected at their lower ends to permit variation of the height of the main part above forwardly projecting parts 60 of the main part 14a of the rear section, so that the relative heights can be adjusted. The screw jacks 58 are pivotally connected at their lower ends to the forwardly projecting part 60 and are fixed at their upper ends to the main part 12a. At the front of the main part 12a of the front section are provided resilient biasing means comprising springs 66 connected at their lower ends to a spacer bar 68 which extends between the forward end of the forwardly projecting part 60.At their upper ends the springs engage a conical nut 69 threadedly er.gaged with a bolt 69a, the upper end of which is fastened to an adjustor bush 69b by a set screw 69c. The adjustor bush 69b is in abutment with a surface 67 of the frame and is provided with a bore 69d in which a tommy bar 69e can be engaged to rotate the bolt 69a and thereby move the bolt axially relative to the nut 69 to adjust the bias of the spring. Thus the pressure with which the rear crumbler roller, hereinafter to be described, is pressed into engagement with the ground can be adjusted.

The main part 14a of the rear section 14 comprises two transversely extending members 70, 72 interconnected by a pair of longitudinally extending side members 74 and four intermediate members 76. Welded to the top of the member 76 are transverse bars 78 which carry a second plurality of soil working tines 81 which are of a configuration shown in Figure 4, and pass more easily through the soil than do the tines 26 of the first plurality and which are clamped to the members 78 as shown in Figure 4.

The extension parts 14b, 14c are of essentially similar construction to the main part 14a and hence comprise transversely extending front and rear members 70b, 70c, 72b, 72c respectively, interconnected by longitudinally extending side members 74b, 74c and two intermediate longitudinally extending members 76b, 76c, as well as transverse bars 78b, 78c, on which further tines 81 are clamped thereon, to provide a continuation of the row provided on the main part 14a. The extension parts 14b, 14c are pivotally mounted on the main part 14a in the same way as the front section extension parts 12b, 12c are mounted on the main part 12a and a further hydraulic ram 36a is provided to provide the extension part 14b, 14c.

Journalled between the side members 74, 74b, 74c forwardly of the transverse members 70, 70b, 70c is a first soil working or cradle roller 80, 80b, 80c on the main part and extension parts respectively, whilst second soil working or cradle rollers 82, 82b, 82c are jouralled between the members 74, 74b, 74c rearwardly of the transversely extending members 72, 72b, 72c. The rollers 80, 80b, 80c and 82, 82b, 82c are of similar construction comprising generally frusto-conical end plates 84 and parallel longitudinally extending strips 86. In the present example, twelve such strips are provided at equiangular positions.

By virtue of the end plates 84 being of frustoconical configuration, jamming of clods or stones between the rollers and the members 74, 74b, 74c is avoided.

In use, the implement is hitched to a tractor in conventional manner using a hitch 56. The first section 12 is adjusted to a level position by means of the top link of the hitch 56. The rams 36, 36a are actuated to move their associated extension parts to operative positions. shown in Figure 1. The breaker bars 44a, 44b 44c are then adjusted by engaging pins 46 in appropriate holes in the arms 42 so that the breaker bar is just above the mean soil level, so as to make contact with the clods protruding from the surface.

The working depth of the spring tines 26 of the first plurality is controlled by the hydraulic depth draught control of the tractor so as to engage in the soil, in the present example a distance lying in the range 50mm to 200mm.

The front crumbler rollers 80, 80b, 80c are adjusted for pressure by weight transference from the front frame by adjusting the jacks 58 until the optimum position is found, depending upon soil conditions.

The tines 81 of the second plurality and the rear crumbler rollers 80, 82b, 82c are pressurised by means of the coil tension springs 66, the spring pressure of which can be adjusted to achieve greater compaction of the rear rollers 82, 82b, 82c by tensioning the springs to urge the rear section to pivot about the pivotal connection to the jacks 58.

The soil working implement of the present invention thus provides at the front of the implement a spring loaded depth adjustable clod breaker bar which meets the virgin ploughing and breaks large clods lying on the surface, the spring loaded bars giving a shattering effect.

The staggered row of heavy duty spring tines 26 give a uniform primary cultivation up to a depth of 200mm. The first crumbler rollers 80, 80b, 80c provide secondary clod elimination and a uniform depth of penetration of the tines 26.

The staggered row of easiflow tines 81 provide a required tilth for the seed bed whilst the rear crumbler rollers 82, 82b, 82c give desired compaction of the seed bed for retention of moisture in the soil which provides for quicker germination of seedlings.

Claims

1. A soil cultivator comprising a frame, a first plurality of soil working tines arranged in a row that extends transversely to the intended direction of operative travel of the implement, a first soil working roller rotatable about a horizontal axis that extends transversely to said direction and disposed behind the first plurality of soil working tines relative to said direction, a second plurality of soil working tines arranged in a row that extends trans- versely to said direction and disposed behind the first soil working roller relative to said direction, and a second soil working roller rotatable about a horizontal axis that extends transversely to said direction and disposed behind the second plurality of soil working tines relative to said direction.

2. A cultivator according to claim 1 provided with a clod breaker bar that extends transversely to said direction and disposed in front of said first plurality of soil working tines relative to said direction.

3. A cultivator according to claim 2 wherein the clod breaker bar is mounted for movement thereof against resilient bias in a direction generally rearwardly relative to said direction.

4. A cultivator according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the clod breaker bar is adjustable to vary the height of the breaker bar relative to the frame.

5. A cultivator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame comprises two sections, a front section, relative to said direction, carrying the first plurality of soil working tines and having a coupling means to couple the section to a tractor, and a rear section, relative to said direction, carrying said soil working rollers and said second plurality of soil working tines.

6. A cultivator according to claim 5 wherein means are provided to adjust the height of the rear section relative to the front section.

7. A cultivator according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein means are provided to adjust the angular orientation of the rear section relative to the front section about a horizontal axis.

8. A cultivator according to claim 5, or claim 6, or claim 7 wherein means are provided to resiliently bias the rear end of said rear section towards the ground.

9. A cultivator according to claim 8 wherein the resilient biasing means are adjustable.

10. A cultivator according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the resilient biasing means comprise a spring means.

11. A cultivator according to claim 10 wherein the spring means is located adjacent the front of the front section and is engaged with a part of the rear section which projects forwardly of the first soil working roller.

12. A cultivator according to any one of claims 8 to 11 when dependent upon claim 6, or claim 7 when dependent on claim 6, wherein the height adjustment means is disposed rearwardly of the resilient biasing means.

13. A cultivator according to claim 12 wherein the height adjustment means is disposed at the rear of the front section and is engaged with a part or the rear section rearwardly of the part engaged by the resilient biasing means.

14. A cultivator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first soil working tines comprise heavy duty spring tines.

15. A cultivator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second plurality of soil working tines are configured to give a seed bed tilth.

16. A cultivator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first soil working roller is a crumbler roller for secondary clod elimination and to control the depth of penetration of the first set of soil working tines.

17. A cultivator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second soil working roller is a crumbler roller to provide a desired compaction of the seed bed.

18. A cultivator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein laterally projecting extension parts are provided.

19. A cultivator according to claim 18 wherein the extension parts are pivoted to the frame so as to be movable from an operative position in which crumbler rollers and tines carried thereby provide an extension of the crumbler rollers and tines provided on the main frame, and an inoperative position in which the extension parts are pivoted upwardly and hence inwardly.

20. A cultivator according to claim 18 or claim 19 wherein each frame section is provided with an associated extension part.

21. A cultivator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

22. Any novel feature, or novel combination of features, disclosed herein andior shown in the accompanying drawings.