GB2272625A

GB2272625A - Slurry scraper system.

Info

Publication number: GB2272625A
Application number: GB9305582A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Andrew Brewerton; Edmond Patrick Harty
Original assignee: MONKSHILL FARM SYSTEMS Ltd; Edmond P Harty & Co Ltd
Current assignee: MONKSHILL FARM SYSTEMS Ltd; Edmond P Harty & Co Ltd
Priority date: 1992-11-21
Filing date: 1993-03-18
Publication date: 1994-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-18
Also published as: GB9224422D0; GB9305582D0; GB2272625B

Abstract

A slurry scraper (6) is guided by a track (5) along a passage (2) to deposit slurry into a channel (4) transverse to the end of the passage (2). The channel (4) is bridged by hinged plates (8) and the scraper (6) has fingers (10) that engage elements (9) on the plates and wedge them up as the scraper (6) completes its working traverse. The channel (4) is thus opened up to the scraped slurry only as it arrives. When the scraper (6) is withdrawn, the plates (8) fall back to close over the channel (4) again. <IMAGE>

Description

"Improvements relating to Slurrv Scraper Systems" This invention relates to slurry scraper systems.

Modern cow houses are normally laid out with parallel rows of cubicles to which there is access from passages which naturally accumulate slurry and have to be cleared regularly. This has usually been done by tractorborne scrapers, but now permanently installed scraper systems have been developed which can be automated to sweep the passages at pre-set intervals.

Generally the passages open into a cross road, and in the floor of this there is sunk a channel to receive the slurry scraped from the passages. It is then conveyed along this channel outside the building to a slurry pit, for example. For safe human, animal and vehicular access, the channel is covered by slats with quite narrow spacing, and the slurry is deposited onto these slats and falls through into the channel. However, especially if it is mixed with too much long straw, it tends not to do this, and then it has to be manually poked down between the slats. This is tiresome and time-consuming, and largely negates the advantages of an automatic scraper system.

It is the aim of this invention to overcome this problem of getting rid of the slurry at the ends of the passages.

According to the present invention there is provided a slurry scraper system in which a guided scraper progresses along a passage to dump a load of slurry at one end into a channel transverse to the passage, the system comprising a horizontal platform across the channel to provide a substantially level bridge to the passage, and means associated with the scraper to cause the platform, as the scraper approaches the end of its progress, to be lifted and thereby open the channel to the slurry conveyed by the scraper.

Conveniently, the platform is hinged at or near the edge remote from the passage as is raised to open the channel. Preferably the associated means is a part of the scraper arranged to co-operate directly with the platform.

Thus, the co-operating part on the scraper may include a member projecting towards the channel and forming a wedge that engages the platform or an element thereon to lift the platform. As the scraper is withdrawn, so the platform falls back.

The platform may have an element standing proud at or near the edge adjacent the passage, this element being arranged to be engaged by said member on the scraper.

Alternatively, the edge of the platform adjacent the passage may have an upturned portion to be engaged underneath and lifted by said member, or the passage could have a dip at the end adjacent the channel, and said member could then be arranged and adapted to follow this dip to move under the platform and lift it.

In the preferred system, the scraper is guided by a track substantially central of the passage, and extending across the channel. This means that the platform will be in two parts, one on either side of the track. Both parts will be raised by the scraper, which will carry two forwardly projecting fingers, on opposite sides of the track.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of part of a cow house, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a scraper at the end of its forward travel, adjacent a cross channel.

The cow house has parallel arrays of cubicles 1 backing on to a common passage 2. There may be many of these in a single building, and generally all the passages 2 will be parallel, although that is not essential. The passage 2 opens at one end into a cross road 3 and sunk into this there is a channel 4 which will lead at one end out of the building. A track 5 extends down the centre of the passage 2 and across the channel 4. It carries a scraper 6 of E-form in plan, the fingers pointing towards the road 3, and the outer ones being splayed to engage the sides of the passage 2, where it steps up into the cubicles 1. Behind these, there may be horizontal plates to ensure that, when the scraper moves over the channel 4 as described below, there is no open gap making a hazard for cows.The central finger of the scraper projects further forward than the outer ones and is an elongate body 7 which co-operates with the track 5 to be guided thereby and by which the forward and reverse motion is transmitted. The preferred installation is that known as our Dairymaster Scraper System. The scraper 6 can be progressed from one end of the passage 2 to the other, conveying slurry to the channel 4. When it reaches the end of this forward progress, it can be automatically reversed and taken back to the other end of the passage 2.

Referring now to Figure 2, at the end of the passage 2, the channel 4 is bridged on either side of the track 5 by hinged plates 8, the hinge axes being on the side of the channel 4 remote from the passage 2. Preferably, the plates will have studded or ribbed upper surfaces for a good grip. Near the corners adjacent the track 5 and the passage 2 each plate has an L-shaped bar 9 projecting up and then horizontally towards the track 5. These are low and do not create any dangerous obstruction, particularly as they are largely shielded by the higher track 5 between them.

On each side of the central body 7 of the scraper 6 there is a forwardly projecting finger 10. At the extreme tip, each finger 10 is horizontal and almost at ground level, but then it slopes upwardly and bends again to run as a ledge alongside the upper surface of the body 7.

In operation, as the scraper 6 approaches the channel 4, the tips of the fingers 10 engage under the bars 9. As the scraper continues to move forward, the bars 9 meet the sloping parts of the fingers 10 and are wedged upwards. The plates 8 therefore swing up about their hinges, opening the channel 4 to the slurry being pushed towards it by the scraper 6. The scraper carries on, the fingers 10 keeping the plates raised, until its main transverse portion is at the lip of the channel 4. It is then stopped and reversed, and as it moves away the plates 7, released by the fingers 10, fall back again.

Instead of the bars 9, which have to be welded or otherwise secured to the plates 8, each corner where they are fitted in the example shown could instead simply be upturned at a shallow angle. Then the fingers 10 would be inserted beneath the plates themselves and wedge them up by engagement with the underside of the edges adjacent the track 5.

Alternatively the plates could be kept flat, and the fingers 10 could be sprung or have limited pivoting capability so that their tips would slide down shallow ramps leading into the channel 4 on either side of the track 5.

Then they would wedge the plates 8 up as before.

The system described is believed to be the simplest way of carrying out the invention. But it will be understood that, bearing in mind that the scraper is remotely controlled and that its position is known to a control unit, there could be other means for raising the platform, or for shifting it in some other mode such as horizontally sliding it for example. These means could also be governed by the control unit, in synchronism with the scraper movement.

Claims

1. A slurry scraper system in which a guided scraper progresses along a passage to dump a load of slurry at one end into a channel transverse to the passage, the system comprising a platform across the channel to provide a substantially level bridge to the passage, and means associated with the scraper to cause the platform, as the scraper approaches the end of its progress, to be lifted and thereby open the channel to the slurry conveyed by the scraper.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the platform is hinged at or near the edge remote from the passage and is raised to open the channel.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the associated means is a part of the scraper arranged to co-operate directly with the platform.

4. A system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the co-operating part on the scraper includes a member projecting towards the channel and forming a wedge that engages the platform or an element thereon to lift the platform.

5. A system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said platform has an element standing proud at or near the edge adjacent the passage, this element being arranged to be engaged by said member on the scraper.

6. A system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the edge of the platform adjacent the passage has an upturned portion to be engaged underneath and lifted by said member on the scraper.

7. A system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the passage has a dip at the end adjacent the channel, and said member on the scraper is arranged and adapted to follow this dip to move under the platform and then lift it.

8. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 7, wherein the scraper is guided by a track substantially central of the passage and extending across the channel, the platform then being in two parts, one on either side of the track, and the scraper having two said co-operating parts to engage and lift both said parts.

9. A slurry scraper system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.