GB2253774A

GB2253774A - Yard scraper

Info

Publication number: GB2253774A
Application number: GB9105716A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alistair Neal Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-03-18
Filing date: 1991-03-18
Publication date: 1992-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-18
Also published as: GB2253774B; GB9105716D0

Abstract

A yard scraper for use in an agricultural environment comprises a ground engaging scraper member 11 connected to a supporting frame. The frame includes hollow channel members 3, 4, 5 arranged to receive respective lower tines of a silage/manure grab such that the scraper may be used in conjunction with the silage/manure grab. Typically the support frame is provided with a connecting member 7 extending transversely between the channel members and spaced from the scraper member such that when the upper tines of the silage/manure grab are lowered they may lie adjacent to or contiguous with the connecting member. <IMAGE>

Description

Yard Scraper This invention relates to a yard scraper for use in an agricultural environment, and more particularly to a yard scraper attachment for use with existing farm machinery.

According to the invention, there is provided a yard scraper comprising a support frame having at least two hollow laterally spaced elongate channel members open at least one end thereof, and arranged to extend substantially parallel to one another, and a scraper member connectable to said frame such that said scraper member can extend at least between said channel members with a lowermost ground-engaging edge.

The spacing of the channel members is such that respective lower tines (i.e. those substantially parallel to the ground) of a silage/manure grab may be received in respective channel members.

Advantageously, the channel members are open at both ends thereof, such that the tines of the silage grab may enter the channel members from either end.

It is preferred that the channel members are of box section construction, and advantageously further channel members may be provided to aid stability of location of the yard scraper in position on the lower tines of the silage/manure grab.

Preferably, at least the lowermost ground-engaging edge of the scraper member is of a resilient material, such as a rubber. In a preferred embodiment, the scraper member comprises a rubber blade element secured to the frame by means of an elongate metal fixing bar. In this embodiment, the rubber blade element may be removed and inverted, if the lowermost ground engaging edge thereof becomes worn, to provide a "new" ground-engaging edge (which would before inversion have been the uppermost edge of the blade element).

Advantageously, the scraper member is provided with a mid portion extending substantially perpendicularly between the channel members, and respective end portions which extend transversely away from the mid portion.

It is preferred that a connecting member in the form of a connection bar is provided arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to the channel members.

Advantageously the connection bar is spaced from the scraper member such that when the silage grab lower tines are in position located in the channel members, the upper tines of the silage grab may be lowered and lie adjacent a longitudinally extending face of the connection bar.

The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of an exemplary yard scraper according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a side view of the yard scraper of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the yard scraper, generally designated 1, comprises a frame 2 of welded mild steel construction. Box section members 3,4,5 extend parallel to one another and have respective open ends 3a,4a,5a, and 3b,4b,5b through which respective lower tines of a silage grab may pass. The lower tines of a silage grab are arranged in a row, and extend generally parallel to the ground surface. The upper tines of a silage grab are provided in a row on a pivotal arm and extend in a generally downward direction such that by pivotal movement of the arm, the tips of the upper tines may be brought into the vicinity of the tips of the lower tines.

The frame 2 of the yard scraper 1 is held rigid by the welding of cross bar 6 and connection bar 7 to the upper surface of box section members 3,4,5. Welded to the underside of the box section members is a back plate 8 having a straight mid-portion 9 and end portions 1Oa, lOb which extend away from the plane of the mid-portion 9.

A rubber scraper blade 11 is fixed to the back plate 8 by means of securing plates 12 which are bolted to the back plate 8 by means of bolts 13. The scraper blade 11 may therefore be removed when the lowermost ground engaging edge 14 of the blade is worn. The blade may then be inverted to provide a "fresh" ground engaging edge.

In use, since the box section members are open at both ends, the lower tines of the silage/manure grab may enter and be received in respective box section members 3,4,5 via either open ends 3a,4a,5a or 3b,4b,5b. Thus the scraper may be used with the silage grab in either of two orientations relative thereto.

Furthermore, in either of the two orientations relative te the silage grab, one of either the cross bar 6 or connection bar 7 is arranged to be located behind the upper tines of the silage grab, such that if the silage grab moves in a reverse direction, the upper tines contact with either the connection bar 7 (or cross bar 6) and pull the yard scraper in the reverse direction.

In this way, the yard scraper may be used in either of the two orientations relative to a silage grab, and pushed or pulled therewith.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A yard scraper comprising a support frame having at least two hollow laterally spaced elongate channel members upon at least one end thereof, and arranged to extend substantially parallel to one another, and a scraper member connectable to said frame such that said scraper member can extend at least between said channel members with a lowermost ground-engaging edge.

2. A yard scraper according to claim 1, wherein the spacing of the hollow channel members is such that respective lower tines of a silage/manure grab may be received in respective channel members.

3. A yard scraper according to claim 2, wherein the hollow channel members are open at both ends thereof, such that said tines of said silage grab may enter the channel members from either end.

4. A yard scraper according to any preceding claim, wherein further hollow channel members are arranged to receive respective further tines of said silage/manure grab so as to aid stability of location of said yard scraper in position on the lower tines of said silage/manure grab.

5. A yard scraper according to any preceding claim, wherein the scraper member comprises a resilient ground engaging blade element secured to said frame.

6. A yard scraper according to claim 5 wherein the blade element is removable from said frame and reversible such that a secured edge of said blade element may act as the ground engaging edge.

7. A yard scraper according to any preceding claim, wherein said scraper member is provided with a mid portion extending substantially perpendicularly between said hollow channel members, and respective end portions which extend transversely away from said portion.

8. A yard scraper according to any preceding claim, wherein a connecting member is provided extending transversely between the channel members, connecting member being spaced from the scraper member such that when the silage grab lower tines are in position located in the channel members, the upper tines of the silage grab may be lowered and lie adjacent or contiguous with a longitudinally extending portion of the connecting member.

9. A yard scraper substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.