GB2200826A

GB2200826A - Cultivator blade mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2200826A
Application number: GB08725973A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Vernon Roge Dowdeswell
Original assignee: DOWDESWELL ENG CO Ltd
Current assignee: DOWDESWELL ENG CO Ltd
Priority date: 1986-11-07
Filing date: 1987-11-05
Publication date: 1988-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2007-11-05
Also published as: GB2200826B; GB8626626D0; GB8725973D0

Abstract

Each blade (1) has a tang (11) at its upper end at approximately a right angle to the blade portion (10). In use each tang (11) is clamped to a mounting head (2) rotatably driven about a vertical axis. The clamping means is shown consisting of a clamping plate (6) bolted (7, 70) to the head (2) for clamping the tangs (11) between them, slackening of the nuts (70) being sufficient to permit withdrawal or insertion of a tang (11) for blade removal or replacement. Each tang (11) is shown located against relative side or turning movement by a corresponding diametrical recess (60) in the plate (6) (and/or similarly in the head (2)). <IMAGE>

Description

Cultivator Blade Mounting This invention has reference to agricultural cultivators of the kind in which depending blades for working or tilling the land are rotatably driven about a generally vertical axis. The blades are usually mounted in pairs and a transversely arranged series of such blade mounting are driven by a gear-or other suitable drive from a central power d.rive input gearbox of the cultivator.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive mounting of each blade whereby replacement can be readily effected on the blade becoming worn or broken. Practical advantages of the mounting in this and other respects will be apparent from the following description.

According to this invention a cultivator blade mounting in or for a cultivator of the kind referred to is characterised by each blade having a tang at its upper end at an angle to the depending blade portion which tang is received by clamping means carried by a mounting member adapted to be rotatably driven about a generally vertical axis from the cultivator.

A practical construction and arrangement of the blade mounting is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 & 2 are elevational views in axial plane section and at right angles to one another of the mounting of a pair of blades, Figures 3 & 4 are detail cross sectional views on an enlarged scale of the clamping means, and Figure 5 is a cross sectional view similar to Figure 3 but showing a modification.

Each blade I comprises a depending blade portion 10 for penetration into the ground at its lower end and an integral tang 11 at its upper end. The tang 11 is of flat blade-like form and is approximately at right angles to the blade portion 10 preferably such that the blade portion 10 is at an outward obtuse angle beyond a right angle from the tang 11 as shown in Figure 1. However, such an angle may be varied according to requirements.

The tang 11 of each blade 1 is received by clamping means of a mounting member or head 2 which latter is carried for rotation about a substantially vertical axis by a' shaft 3 mounted in a bearing 4 secured in a channel section cross member 5 of support or frame structure of the cultivator.

The shaft 3 is usually gear driven such that adjacent mounting heads 2 with their blades 1 rotate in opposite directions in a contra-rotating arrangement. A boss 20 on the head is shown rotatably locating in a depending skirt 80 of the bearing housing 8.

As shown the underside of the head 2 receives a transverse clamping plate 6 secured to it by bolts 7 and each tang 11 is received between a corresponding end portion of the plate 6 and the underside of the head 2 and is securely clamped in position by tightening the nuts 70 of the bolts 7.

The upperside of the clamping plate 6 is longitudinally recessed at 60 i.e. diametrically of the head 2 in order to locate the tang 11 against side or turning movement and prevent similar movement of the blade portion 10 relative to the head 2. Alternatively or additionally the underside of the head 2 may be similarly recessed. The outer ends of the plate 6 are radiussed at 61to provide a seating for the bend of the blade portion 10 from the t.ang 11.

The bolts 7 are shown constrained against rotation by square or non-circular portions 77 in holes of corresponding form in the clamping plate 6 so that the bolts 7 do not turn with tightening or untightening of the nuts 70. Thus it is only necessary to slacken the nuts 70 to withdraw a blade tang 11 from between the head 2 and plate 6 and then tighten the nuts 70 after refitting or replacing a blade 1. As a result such operation can be quickly carried out and the risk of mislaying bolts 7 or nuts 70 is avoided or minimised especially under working conditions.

In addition to the abovementioned advantage the provision of bolt holes or slots in the tangs 11 is avoided especially having regard to the fact that the blades 1 are of hardened steel whilst the whole arrangement is ot simple but robust construction well able to withstand hard usage.

The plate 6 is'provided with a central clearance opening 63 for access to a nut 30 which secures the head 2 on the shaft 3. If desired separate clamping plates may be employed one to each tang 11 whilst more than two blades 1 may be mounted in the same manner from a suitably formed head 2 and clamping plate 6 or plates.

Tn a development shown in Figure 5 each tang 11 is positively retained against withdrawal from between the head 2 and plate 6 until the latter is sufficiently released by slackening the nuts 70. For this purpose the free end of each tang 11 is downwardly cranked or bent at 111 and engages a recess or groove 611 of corresponding or suitable form across the plate 6. Alternatively the free end of the tang 11 may be upturned i.e. by upward cranking to engage a cross groove or recess in the underface of the head 2.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cultivator blade mounting in or for a cultivator of the kind referred to characterised by each blade having a tang at its upper end at an angle to the depending blade portion which tang is received by clamping means carried by a mounting member adapted to be rotatably driven about a generally vertical axis from the cultivator.

2. A cultivator blade mounting according to claim 1 wherein the tang is approximately at a right angle to the blade portion which angle may include some outward obtuse angling of the blade portibn beyond a right angle from the tang.

3. A cultivator blade mounting according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the clamping means comprises at least one clamping member adapted to be releasably secured to the rotatable mounting member, each blade tang being received between the clamping member or a corresponding clamping member ard said mounting member for clamping thereby.

4. A cultivator blade mounting according to claim 3 wherein the or each clamping member is releasably secured by bolting or the like to said mounting member for tang clamping by tightening said bolting or the l-ike or permitting tang and blade removal or replacement by at least slackening of said bolting or the like.

5. A cultivator blade mounting according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the or each clamping member and/or said mounting member is or are recessed in order to correspondingly receive and locate each tang against side or turning movement relative to said mounting member.

6. A cultivator blade mounting according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein outer parts or ends of the or each clamping member are radiussed to provide a sealing for the bend of each blade portion from its tang when the latter is clamped in position of use.

7. A cultivator blade mounting according to any of the preceding claims wherein the free end portion of each tang is formed such as by cranking to engage corresponding formation in the clamping means for providing positive retention of the tang therein against withdrawal when the tang is clamped in position of use i.e. until the clamping means is released.

8. A cultivator blade mounting according to any of claims 2 to 7 wherein the formation or cranking of the free end portion of each tang engages a cooperating recess or groove in the clamping member or corresponding clamping member and/or in the mounting member.

9. A cultivator blade mounting in or for a cultivator of the kind referred to when substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.