GB2192773A - A landroller - Google Patents

Abstract

A landroller includes a first sub-frame 1 which supports a pair of end-to-end half-length rollers 2 and a second subframe 4 which supports a full-length roller 5 and is pivotally connected to the first sub-frame 1. The landroller is connected to a tractor (not shown) by an A-frame 14 and a draw bar 3. The sub-frames 1 and 4 may be disposed relative to one another and to the tractor in a number of different operational settings so as to allow the rolling pressure to be varied according to the ground being rolled. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A landroller The present invention relates to a landroller and particularly to a landroller for agricultural use.

Land rolling, as a farm improvement activity, has been carried on for many years. The earliest form of landroller was a horse-drawn landroller which consisted of a hollow metal cylinder with an axle passing through its centre and attached to a metal frame from which two shafts projected for attachment to a horse.

The earliest forms of tractor landroller were somewhat similar to the. horse-drawn landrollers with the exceptions of being sometimes wider than the horse-drawn type and having provision for attachment of weights to the frame which could be used when ground conditions suited or required the use of such weights. Typically these weights consisted of concrete blocks or metal bars. Such types of landroller could be termed as "first generation landrollers".

The "second generation landroller" differed from the first generation landroller by providing the landroller with closed end metal cylinders having a screw bung in the end so that the cylinder or "drum"--as it then became known-could be filled with water thus providing a dead weight that could be released easily by removal of the screw bung. The advantage of this type of "water filled landroller" over the first generation landroller, was the relative flexibility with which fields could be rolled depending on their capacity to carry the roller with the drums full of water, partially full of water or indeed completely empty.

Another advantage was that the landroller, when empty, could be attached to the tractor by the three point linkage means of attachment of a tractor and carried on the hydraulic lift, thus allowing greater speeds of travel on hard surfaces, such as for example on public roads, than was available with the first generation landrollers which were drawn along on hard surfaces in a manner similar to travel in the field and required low speed travel to prevent damage to the cylinder.

Unfortunately, there are a number of disadvantages associated with a water filled landroller.

Firstly, it takes a substantial amount of time to fill the drum with water and also to empty the drum for transportation purposes.

Secondly, because transporting the landroller from farm to farm by the three point linkage requires the drums to be empty or nearly so it is necessary to have a water tap at or near the working site to enable the drums to be filled.

Thirdly, because the ground conditions may vary within a field, due to, for example, drier ground conditions on higher levels within the field and wetter conditions on lower levels or undrained areas, a landroller having its drum or drums full of water for rolling dry ground may be unsuitable for the wetter ground. Often the conditions may vary so much that the tractor and/or landroller become "bogged down". Very often to use the landroller in such fields the amount of water in the drums is reduced, in which case the drier areas in the field do not receive an adequate rolling.

A further disadvantage is that a considerable frictional force or rolling resistance has to be overcome to start the landroller moving and sometimes, with full drums of water, the landroller causes the tractor to become "bogged down" and/or causes structural damage to the soil.

Also, to increase the weight of a landroller it is usual to use a drum having a larger diameter. The larger diameter drum can contain an increased volume of water and thereby provide an increased dead weight for the landroller. However, because the larger drum has a greater contact area with the ground, the increase in rolling intensity is disproportionate to the increase in volume of water contained in the drum.

Finally, the tractor effort required to keep the landroller in motion causes the rear wheels of the tractor to exert a considerable pressure on the ground. This pressure may cause damage to the ground.

An object of the invention is to alleviate the disadvantages associated with prior art landrollers.

The present invention provides a landroller comprising a frame having means for attaching the landroller to a prime mover, a plurality of mutually parallel rollers mounted in sub-frames which are connected to one another in an adjustable manner so that different relative settings of the sub-frames may be achieved so as to move one of the rollers out of contact with the ground whereby the weight of that roller is transferred partially or wholly to a roller in contact with the ground.

Advantageously, one sub-frame is adapted to be connected to an adjacent sub-frame so as to be pivotally movable relative thereto in a vertical plane so as to enable the roller to be moved out of contact with the ground.

Preferably, the landroller includes a first and second sub-frame, the second sub-frame having connecting means located at each end and having a roller mounted adjacent one of said ends whereby the relative distances between the rollers of the first and second sub-frames may be varied by connecting different ends of the second subframe to the first sub-frame.

Conveniently, a plurality of connecting points are provided between the first and second sub-frames, and between the prime mover and the first sub-frame whereby the selection of the respective connecting points determines the respective distances between the rollers of the first and second sub-frames and the prime mover.

Advantageously, the sub-frames are nestable one into another to enable the apparatus to be telescoped for transportation.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, on one embodiment of a landroller ac cording to the invention. The landroller com prises two sub-frames connected to one another and a securing frame for securing one of them to the back of a tractor. The subframes may be nested one into the other for transportation from place to place.In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the appa ratus in operation with one roller lifted out of contact with the ground; Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus; Figures 3, 4 and 5 are respectively a side elevation, front elevation and plan view of the apparatus in the transport mode; Figures 6, 7 and 8 are respectively a side elevation, rear elevation and plan view of the second sub-frame; and Figure 9 is a front elevation of the securing frame.

Referring initially to Figure 1, the apparatus comprises a first sub-frame 1 which supports two end-to end half-length rollers 2 and which is connected by means of a drawbar 3 to the back of a tractor (not shown) and a second sub-frame 4 which is pivotally connected to the first sub-frame 1 and which supports a single roller 5. The provision in the first sub frame 1 of two end-to-end half-length rollers 2 rather than a single longer roller is to facilitate turning the apparatus during rolling operations.

The rollers 2 and 5 typically are steel tubes having a diameter of between 200-400 mm.

The sub-frames 1,4 may be disposed rela tive to one another and relative to the tractor in a number of different operational settings with a view to applying different pressures to the ground being rolled.

The possible different operational settings arise as a result of various adjustments which may be made. A first adjustment comprises movement of the first sub-frame 1 longitudinally along the draw-bar 3. The first sub-frame 1 may be secured to the drawbar 3 at any one of a number of different locations by means of securing pins 6 passing through holes 7 in the sub-frame and through any one of a number of different corresponding holes 8 in the draw-bar 3. The holes 7 are provided in an outer sleeve 3a which forms part of subframe 1 and which may slide over the draw-bar 3. The internal face of the sleeve 3a is provided with a layer of plastics material to prevent formation of rust as a result of metal sliding on metal and also to provide a lubricat ing effect. Alternatively, the layer of plastics material may be provided on the draw-bar 3.

The draw-bar 3 is provided with a ring hitch for connection to a tractor and the other end of the draw bar is retained in the sleeve 3a by a bolt. A second adjustment comprises the movement of the second sub-frame 4 longitudinally relative to the first sub-frame 1, the second sub4rame being securable at either one of two different locations by means of securing pins 9 passing through holes 10 in the second sub-frame 4 and then through either one of two different sets of holes 11 in the first sub-frame.

A third adjustment comprises reversing the direction of the second sub4rame 4, which may be attached in either direction to the first sub-frame 1. It will be noted that the rollers are located nearer one end than the other of the second subframe 4. A fourth adjustment of a continuously variable nature is the pivoting of the second sub-frame 4 relative to the first sub-frame 1 about the axis of the securing pins 9. The pivotal movement is achieved by means of a single chain 12 connecting one of the cross members of the second subframe 4 to the apex of an A-frame 14 which is releasably secured to the tractor three point linkage. The feet 14a of the A-frame are mounted on the tractor lower iink arms.Operation of the tractor hydraulic lift causes the Aframe 14 to rise and the second sub-frame 4 to pivot, as may be appreciated from a consideration of Figure 1.

Various combinations of the above adjustments may be made to give different settings of the apparatus and correspondingly different weight distributions. The simplest setting is that in which both rollers 2,5 rest on the ground, each applying pressure to the ground corresponding to its own weight. In the other settings, the second roller 5 is lifted off the ground, as shown in Figure 1, and the weight is distributed between the first roller 2 and the tractor rear wheels, the distribution depending on the different adjustments. One particular setting which may be mentioned is that in which the weight of the second roller 5 is transmitted through the first roller 2. This occurs when only one of the two securing pins 9 at each side of the landroller passes through both a hole 10 and a hole 11. The other pin 9 passes through a hole 10 in the second sub-frame 4 and engages against the underside of arms 1a of the sub-frame 1 (as may be seen in Figure 1) when the tension of the chain 12 is released by lowering the tractor lift arms (not shown). Such an arrangement allows the second sub-frame 4 to be raised from the position shown during a landrolling operation, thereby altering the rolling effects.

Lugs 20 are provided on the second suchframe 4 to prevent the second set of pins 9 from withdrawing from the holes 10 during operation of the landroller.

To transport the apparatus, the two sub frames 1,4 may be telescoped together as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 and then lifted off the ground by the tractor lower lift arms.

Telescoping is possible because the second subframe 4 is narrower than the first subframe 1 and may be released, nested into the first subframe 1, and then secured in this nested position again making use of securing pins 6,9 and holes 7,8,11 and 10,13.

The second sub-frame 4 is provided with a tray 25 into which the chain 12 is placed when not required. One end of the chain is fixed to the sub4rame 4 by a bolt 30 being secured in one of the retaining brackets 35 and the other end of the chain is provided with a hook which goes through a shackle (not shown) on the A-frame 14 to allow the chain to be doubled back. The hook engages the required link so as to set the chain 12 at the desired length.

The second sub-frame 4 is provided with a prop stand 40 for supporting the second subframe 4 when it is disconnected from!the first sub-frame 1. The prop stand 40 is located on the inside of the second sub-frame 4 and preferably is an adjustable screw type propstand.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the rollers 2 and 5 are in the form of drums with closed ends having removable bungs for the filling and emptying of water, if required.

Claims (6)

1. A landroller comprising a frame having means for attaching the landroller to a prime mover, a plurality of mutually parallel rollers mounted in sub-frames which are connected to one another in an adjustable manner so that different relative settings of the subframes may be achieved so as to move a roller out of contact with the ground whereby the weight of that roller is transferred partially or wholly to a roller in contact with the ground.

2. A landroller as claimed in claim 1, in which one subframe is adapted to be connected to an adjacent subframe so as to be pivotally movable relative thereto in a vertical plane so as to enable the roller to be moved out of contact with the ground.

3. A landroller as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2, which includes a first and second sub-frame, the second sub4rame having con necting means located at each end and having a roller mounted adjacent one of said ends, whereby the relative distances between the rollers of the first and second sub-frames may be varied by connecting different ends of the second sub-frame to the first subframe.

4. A landroller as claimed in Claim 3, in which a plurality of connecting points are provided between the first and second subframes, and between the prime mover and the first sub-frame whereby the selection of the respective connecting points determines the respective distances between the rollers of the first and second subframes and the prime mover.

5. A landroller as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the sub-frames are nestable one into another to enable the apparatus to be telescoped for transportation.

6. A landroller substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.