GB2180133A - Mowing machine for embankments - Google Patents

Abstract

A mowing machine for mowing embankments having a main body 12 supported on first (hidden by main body in Fig.) and second caterpillar type tracks 26 and including forward drive means 14. Mowing apparatus 40, 71 and 90 is attached to the main body. The second support track 26 is moveable in relation to the first support track so as to enable the machine to move along the embankment with the first support track essentially horizontal on the top of the embankment and the second track located on the inclined surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mowing Machine The present invention relates to mowing machines and more particularly to a machine for cutting weeds on drainage ditch on river banks.

The known apparatus comprises a tractor equipped with a single cutting arm which is used to cut a swathe along the bank. Typically four or more passes of the tractor are required to cut the weeds on the bank of a drainage ditch. The tractor requiresapproximately two to two-and-a-half metres of flat top bank to be able to move along. Thus the tractor and cutting arm apparatus is inefficient in time and in the amount of top bank used which is of course not available for cultivation. In addition the tractor must be driven very carefully to avoid on the one hand its front or rear wheels going over the top edge of the bank and on the other hand the wheels must be kept close to the top edge to avoid undue destruction of the field crop.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mowing machine for weed cutting on drainage ditch banks which obviates the above disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a mowing machine for mowing an embankment including a main body, first and second support means for the main body, means for propelling the machine in a forward direction on the support means, at least one mowing apparatus attached to the main body, the second support means being movable in relation to the first support means so as to enable the machine to move along the embankment with the first support means located on top of the embankment and the second support means located on the inclined surface of the embankment.

Preferably the first and second support means comprise caterpillar type tracks, the first support track in use being situated on the top bank of a ditch and the second support track being situated on the bank at an angle to the first support track. Both tracks may be driven. The first track may be split longitudinally to form two independently driven tracks for steering the machine in particular to turn the machine on a slope.

The mowing machine is preferably provided with a first mowing apparatus attached to the main body of the machine at the forward end and a second mowing apparatus attached to the main body at the rear end for mowing the bank. Preferably a third mowing apparatus is attached to the front end of the main body of the machine for mowing weeds in the path of the main body.

The second support means is preferably hydraulically movable with respect to the first support means. Preferably each mowing apparatus is also hydraulically movable independently with respect to the main body.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a mowing machine according to the present invention in front perspective view; Figure 2 shows the machine of Figure 1 in front elevation illustrating the major features; Figure 3 shows the machine of Figure 2 in side elevation illustrating the major features; and Figure 4 shows the machine of Figure 1 in plan view illustrating the major features.

The mowing machine 10 includes a main support frame 11 on which is mounted a cab 12, and a combined engine 14, and hydraulic pump. The main support frame 11 is supported on the ground by a caterpillar (Registered Trade Mark) type track assembly 20 which includes a single continuous track 21. The track 21 is powered by a hydraulic motor in a conventional manner.

Hingedly connected to one side of the main support frame 11 is a subsidiary support frame 24 which at its terminal end supports a second caterpiller track assembly 26. The assembly 26 is powered by a hydraulic motor (not shown) in a conventional manner. A hydraulic ram 28 is connected at one end to the subsidiary support frame 24 and is connected at its other end to a bracket 29 secured to the main frame 11.

Extension and retraction of the ram causes the subsidiary frame 24 to pivot relative to the main frame and thereby enables the second caterpiller track assembly 26 to be moved from a normal position (as shown in broken lines in Figure 2) whereat the caterpillertrack assemblies 20 and 26 are in horizontal alignment to an inclined position as illustrated in solid lines in Figure 2. Accordingly it is possible for the machine to move along a normal roadway (with the second track assembly located in its normal position) and forth machine to also move along an embankment as shown in Figure 1 with the track assembly 20 running along the top of the embankment and the track assembly 26 running along the inclined surface of the embankment.

Accordingly, when running along an embankment the machine is stable and not inclined to tip and the cab remains substantially vertical, i.e. the main frame and cab retain the same attitude irrespective of whether the machine runs on flat ground or along an embankment.

Steerage of the machine is achieved by moving the caterpiller assemblies 20, 26 at different relative speeds. To assist steerage of the machine when moving along an embankment, it is envisaged that the track assembly 20 may be split longitudinally to provide two independently driven side by side tracks which can also be driven at different speeds.

The machine is preferably provided with three independent mowing means. A main mowing means 40 is located in front of the track assembly 26 and includes a mowing head 42 which is preferably of substantial length to provide a capability of mowing a wide band. The mowing head 42 may be of the flail or cylinder type.

The mowing head 42 is mounted on a frame 44 which is pivotally attached to the side of the main frame 11 in front of frame 24. The frame 44 is connected to the frame 24 via a ram 48 so that raising and lowering of frame 24 causes simultaneous raising and lowering of the frame 44 i.e. both frames 24 and 44 move in unison when ram 28 is operated. A relative height adjustment between frame 24 and frame 44 is achieved by ram 48 so that the mowing head 42 may be raised or lowered relative to the track assembly 26 during mowing. The head 42 is mounted on the frame 44 via a pivotal connection 50 and a ram 52 is provided for moving the head about pivotal connection 50. In this way the angular position of the head can be adjusted during mowing to accommodate for changes in inclination.In addition, the head 42 is preferably mounted on the frame 44 so that it niay be slidably moved sideways relative to the main frame 11. A ram 60 is provided to move the head 42 in this manner.

When the frame 24 is located in its normal position, the ram 52 may be operated to move the head to a substantially upright stowing position to thereby facilitate movement of the machine for normal transport.

A second mowing means 70 is provided at the rear of the machine. The mowing means 70 includes a mowing head 71, preferably of the flail or cylinder type, which is connected to the main frame 11 by a pair of pivotally connected arms 82, 84.

The arms 82, 84 are moved by a pair of rams 85, 86. The head 71 is pivotally attached to the end of arm 84 and a ram 87 is provided for rotating the head 71 about its pivot connection. When mowing the head 71 is arranged to operate beyond the mowing head 42 to mow an additional band adjacent to and possibiy overlapping the band mown by the head 42. In Figure 4, head 71 is shown in its fully extended mowing position in solid lines and in its fully retracted mowing position in broken lines.

Athird mowing means 90 is located in front of the main frame 11. The mowing means 90 includes a mowing head 91, conveniently of the rotary type, which is connected to the main frame 11 by a support frame 93. The support frame 93 is pivotally attached to the main frame 11 and is raised or lowered relative thereto by a ram 94.

The head 91 mows a band in front of the main frame on top of the bank and is preferably arranged to mow the band so as to overlap with the band mown by the head 42.

Preferably electronic sensors are provided (not shown) which sense obstacles in front of the mowing heads and serve to slow or stop the machine in order to prevent damage. Additionally sensors are preferably provided to sense the height of the mowing heads to ensure efficient cutting and to control the height of the heads so that the operator requires minimum supervision of the mowing heads.

Claims (9)

1. A mowing machine for mowing an embankment including a main body, first and second support means for the main body, means for propelling the machine in a forward direction on the support means, at least one mowing apparatus attached to the main body, the second support means being movable in relation to the first support means so as to enable the machine to move along the embankment with the first support means located on top of the embankment and the second support means located on the inclined surface of the embankment.

2. A mowing machine according to Claim 1 wherein the first and second support means comprise caterpillar type tracks, the first support track in use being situated on the top bank of a ditch and the second support track being situated on the bank at an angle to the first support track.

3. A mowing machine according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the main body includes a main frame and a subsidiary frame pivotally connected to one side of the main frame, the main frame being provided with the first support means and the subsidiary frame being provided with the second support means, motive means being provided for moving said frame relative to one another about their pivotal connection.

4. A mowing machine according to Claim 3 wherein a main mower head is located in front of the second support means, the main mower head being connected to the main frame by a support frame which is movably attached to the main frame.

5. A mowing machine according to Claim 4 wherein the support frame for the main mower head is pivotally attached to the main frame and is connected to the subsidiary frame so as to be movable in unison with the subsidiary frame.

6. A mowing machine according to Claim 5 wherein the connection between the support frame for the main mowing head and the subsidiary frame is adjustable so as to enable relative height adjustment between said frames.

7. A mowing machine according to any of Claims 3 to 6 including a further mowing head movably mounted on the main body and arranged to mow a band beyond the band mown by the main mowing head.

8. A mowing machine according to any of Claims 3 to 7 including a further mowing head movably mounted on the main body and located in front of the first support means.

9. A mowing machine substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings..