GB2205472A

GB2205472A - Adjustable plough draft linkage arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2205472A
Application number: GB08800912A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric James Barrett
Original assignee: DOWDESWELL ENG CO Ltd
Current assignee: DOWDESWELL ENG CO Ltd
Priority date: 1987-01-16
Filing date: 1988-01-15
Publication date: 1988-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 2008-01-15
Also published as: GB2205472B; GB8700916D0; GB8800912D0

Abstract

In a draft linkage in which a parallelogrammic linkage (3) is operable for effecting side or offset adjustment of the plough beam (1), the linkage (3) is adjustable relative to a tractor mounting cross member (4) for imparting angular adjustment to the plough beam (1) according to required furrow width (FF or F). For this purpose, a variable length actuator such as a ram (5) and/or screw mechanism acts between the cross beam (4) and linkage (3) at pivotal connections (54) and 323). For obtaining corresponding automatic angular adjustment of pivotally mounted plough body brackets (20), the foremost of such interconnected brackets is pivotally linked (at 23, 24) to the cross member (4), the linking including toggle linkage (23) acting between the foremost bracket (20) and the beam (1) for imparting angular adjustment to the brackets on the beam (1). The link (24) is generally parallel with the parallelogrammic linkage (3) for side movement therewith. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Adjustable plough draft zit linkage arrangement.

This invention relates to an adjustable plough draft linkage arrangement of the kind in which the plough beam or frame is connected by linkage of parallelogrammic or similar form from a tractor mounting member or assembly, which linkage is operable for adjusting offset or side movement of the plough beam and/or the angle of the latter relative to the direction of travel of a tractor drawing t in order to suit ploughing requirements such as maintaining required front furrow width and variation in burrow width of a multi-furrow plough. A parallelogrammic linkage for the above purpose is disclosed in published Dowdeswell British patent application o. 2 166 932 A.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and compact arrangement of such draft linkage and actuating mechanism therefor.

According to the invention plough draft linkage of the kind referred to and in which the parallelogrammic or like linkage is operable for effecting side or offset adjustment of the plough beam or frame, is characterised by the linkage being adjustable relative to a tractor mounting member or assembly to which it is connected in use in order to impart by the linkage angular adjustment of the plough beam or frame relative to the direction of travel of a tractor drawing it.

The invention has particular, but not exclusive, practical application to reversible ploughs.

Practical examples of the adjustable linkage arrangement are shown in the accompanyinq diagrammatic drawinqs in which: Figures 1 to 5 are p]an views of onso form of the linkage showing the adjust ments obtainable and Figures 6 and 7 are plan views of alternative arrangements.

Like parts are referred to by the same or similar reference numerals throughout the drawings.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings the plouqh beam 1 carries brackets 20 for the legs (@@@ visible) of plough bodies 2 and any discs 7 in the usual manner of a multi-furrow reversible plough and tor th' purpose of this invention is carried by parallelogrammic draft linkage 3 from a mounting support cross member 4 having a tubular bearing 40 which receives a horizontal shaft (not shown) extending rearwardly from mounting support or towing hitch structure of a tractor Such shaft mounting of the support member 4 enables the plouqh beam 1 to be turned over for plough reversal purposes by a hydraulic ram 44 i.e. about the fore and aft axis X. Tn somp cases the tubular bearirjq 40 may be laterally offset on the support member 4 from the central position shown.

The brackets '20 are angularly adjustable at 21 on the beam 1 as later described.

The linkage 3 comprises a main longitudinal drag link 30 pivotally connected at its leading end at 34 to the support member 4 and at its rear end at 13 to the beam 1, and a secondary parallel longitudinal link 32 pivotal connected at its forward end at 323 to a cross link 33 ancl at its rear end at 12 to a bracket 10 on the beam 1, the cross link 33 being pivotally connected at its other end at 34 to the main link 30 and support member 4. Th,, pivotal connection 323 of the links 32 and 33 is conncctcd by a variable length link or actuator such as a hydraulic ram 5 and/or screw adjust- ment means 50- (Figures 6 and 7) to the cross rrember 4 by a pivotal connection 54 for angle adjustment of the bcam -l as later described.

The links 30 and 32 are parallel and of equal effectives length and the spacing apart of the pivotal connections 12, 13 to the bracket 10 and the beam 1 is the same as that ot the pivotal connections 323 and 34 so that the linkage 3 is of true parallelogrammic form that part of the bracket 10 and beam 1 between the pivotal connections 12, 13 serving in effect as a rear cross link 31 of the same effective length as the link 33.

Thus as the linkage 3 is actuated to move it aterally, lateral movement of the beam 1 is effected so thai t is; moved or oftset sideways and maintains the same angle to the fore and aft axis X and direction of travel unless suc anqle is varied as -later described. Such offset or side shift adjustment effects variation of front furrow width FF i.e. of that furrow adjacent the wall W of the last furrow previously ploughed against the unplouqhed land.

Tn order to operate the parallelogrammic linkage 3 tor this purpose actuating means in the form of a linear. actuator such as a fluid pressure operated (e.g. hydraulic) ram 6 is pivotally connected diagonally between the m.(in anrj secondary links 30, 32 i.e. from the pivotal connection 13 to the pivotal connection 323 or if desired in the opposite diagonal manner. Whereas connection of the diagonal ram 6 to the corner pivotal connections of the linkage 3 is convenient, it may, instead, be pivotally connected to opposite links at points on the latter adjacent to diagonally opposite corner pivotal connections.

Tn the arrangement shown extension of the ram 6 actuates the linkage 3 to move the beam 1 laterally to the left (as viewed from the front of the plouqh at A) to decrease front furrow width FF and vice vrsa.

Once operated and set for rPquired beam angle te ram 5 maintains the beam 1 at the selected angle during operation of the plough regardless of offset adjustment. by actuation of the linkage 3 by the ram 6 but such angle and resulting furrow width F can be readily altered by short length adjustment of the ram 5, the angle adjustment of the beam 1 usually being a matter of a few degrees.

Having-regard to its location and short stroke operation the ram 5 is of short length compact torm as shown, but if a large ram and/or screw means is required it may be pivotally mounted from the li.nk 32 so as to bc:- externally alongside the latter and arranged to operate toggle or other suitable linkage connected between the linkage 3 and support or cross member 4 at pivots 323 and 54.

On pre-set angular adjustment of the beam 1 the brackets 20 are angularly adjusted accordingly either individually or automatically as later described, the ram 6 being operated as necessary during ploughing to maintain front furrow width FF e.g. against the rudder action of the plough bodies 2 and, in particular, to counteract the tendency of the plough to fall away from or towards the furrow wall W during hillside ploughing.

In Figure 1 the setting of the plough is for example for a furrow width F and front furrow width FF of 16" (405mm) and in Figures 2 and 3 such furrow width has been reduced to 14 (335mm) and 12" (305mm) respectively by appropriate operation of the ram 5. In such settings som small approximation may occur between front furrow FF and furrow width F. In Figures 4 and 5 the maintenance of furrow width F e.g. at 16" (405mm) is shown despite considerable lateral offset operation of the beam 1 by the ram 6 and linkage 3.

Having regard to the angle adjustment action of the raw- 5 through the linkage 3 to the beam 1, the link 33 in conjunction with the link portion 31 maintains the parallelogrammic action of the linkage 3 at all tis.

On angular adjustment ot the beam 1 it is necessary to effect corresponding setting of the relative angle of the plough bodies 2 and any discs 7 by adjustmen1- Of the brackets 20 on the beam 1. This may be carried out by individual adjustment ot the brackets 20 as indicated in Figures 6 and 7 or the adjustment may be effected automatically as shown in Figures 1 to 5 . For this latter purpose each bracket 20 is pivotaliy mounted at 21 on the beam 1 and the brackets are pivotally connected by a push/ pull rod 22 for equal angular movement togther.

The foremost bracket 20 is pivotally linked to the cross member 4 at 42by alink 24 through toggle linkage 23 connected between the corner pivotal connectiorl 13 of the parallelogrammic linkage 3 to the beam 1 and a forward pivotal connection 223 to the front bracket 20, the link 24 being generally parallel with the linkage 3. As will be seen in Figures 1 to 3 and as angular adjustment of the beam 1 is effected by operation of the ram 5 through the linkage 3, the links 24, 23 impart corresponding angular movement to the front bracket 20 and by the rod 22 to th following brackets 20.However, the parallel action of the pivoted link 24 with the linkage 3 is such that beam and bracket angles are substantially maintained as the linkage 3 is operated by the ram 6 for beam offset or alignment adjustment (see Figures 4 an 5).

Angular movement of the brackets 20 is shown limited b pin and arcuate slot location 211 relative to the beam 1 at the forward end of each bracket 20.

Referring to Figure 6 a screw 50 is shown in place of the ram 5 for effecting angular adjustment of the beam 1 through the linkage 3. In this simplified arrangement the brackets 20 are individually adjustable about their pivotal mountings 21 on the beam 1 by bolt a.nd arcuate slot (or selective hole) setting at 212 or by a serrated washer and plate adjustment means as per pnblish < ,Wn SWn British patent application number 2190456 In Figure 7 a generally similar arrangement is .hri'jn except that an external ram 60 for operatinq the Ilinkag 3 of beam oft set adjustment is arranged alongside the main link 30 and is pivotally connected at 63 to the lattir and at 64 to the cross member 4. The forward part 16 of the beam 1 is formed to accommodate the ram 60 in a compact arrangement which enables a substantial ram 60 to be employed.

In both of the arrangements of Figures 6 and 7 ti)(- brackets 20 may be pivotally mounted at their forward ends on thf- beam 1 and adjustable relative to the latter at their rear ends.

Whereas the use ot hydraulic rams at 5, 6 or 60 1. prefered for convenient operation from the tractor driving position other linear actuator means may be employed such as turn- buckle or similar screw mechanism (as at 50) or by th: combination of the latter and a ram.

As will be evident from the drawings the whole arrangement is not only of simple and compact close coupled form but is capable of robust construction to withstand heavy working conditions.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Plough draft linkage of the kind referred to and in which the parallelogrammic or like linkage is operable for effecting side or offset adjustment of the plough beam or frame, characterised by the linkage beinq adjustable relative to a tractor mounting member or assembly to which it is connected in use in order to impart by the linkage angular adjustment of the plough beam or frame relative to the direction of travel of- a tractor drawing it.

2. Plough draft linkage according to claim 1 wherein a forward part of the parallelogrammic or like linkage is adjustably connected by a variable length actuator or linkage to the tractor mounting member or assembly.

3. Plough draft linkage according to claim 2 whereina forward pivotal connection of the parallelogrammic or like linkage is adjustably connected by the variable length actuator or linkage to the tractor mounting member or assembly.

4. Plough draft linkage according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the variable length actuator or linkage consists of fluid pressure operated (e.g. hydraulic) ram means and/or screw mechanism.

5. Plough draft linkage arcording to claim 2 lnr .3 wherein the variable length actuator or linkage onsists of togqle or like linkage connected between tho forward part or pivotal connection of the parallelogrammic or like linkage and the tractor mountinq member or assembly and arranged for variable length operation by ram means and/or screw mechanism carried by an adjacent part such as by said parallelogrammic or like linkage.

6. Plough draft linkage of the kind referred te in which the parallelogrammic or like linkage is operable for effecting side or offset adjustment oF the plough a o frame wherein the parallelogrammic or like linkage i adjustable relative to a tractor mounting membor or assembly for effecting angular adjustment of the plough beam or frame in the manner substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or to Fiqures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawIngs.

7. Plough draft linkage according to any of the preceding claims wherein a plough body mounting bracket or a foremost bracket of interconnected such brackets pivotally mounted on the plough beam or frame for angular adjustment thereon according to required furrow width, is linked in use to the tractor mounting member or assembly whereby said angular adjustment of the bracket or brackets is correspondingly effected on angular adjustment of the plough beam or frame

8.Plough draft linkage according to claim 7 wherein the linking of the plough body mountinq bracket or foremost of such brackets to the tractor mounting member or assembly includes a toggle or like linkage connected between the bracket and the plough beam or frame and/or to a part connected to said beam or frame whereby on angular adjustment of the beam or frame the action of th toggle or like linkage is to impart correspondinq angular adjustment to the bracket and to any further pivotally mounted brackets interconnected therewith.

9. Plough draft linkage according to any of claims 1 tr 6 wherein linking of a pivotally mounted plough body mounting bracket or foremost bracket of interconnected such brackets to a tractor mounting member or assembly for angular adjustment of said bracket or brackets according to required furrow width is effected in the manner substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

10. Plough draft linkage arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the linking of the plough body mounting bracket or foremost bracket of interconnected such brackets to the tractor mounting member cr assembly according to any of claims 7 to 9 is generally parallel with the parallelogrammic or like linkage for side movement therewith.