GB2283893A

GB2283893A - Reversible plough support wheel

Info

Publication number: GB2283893A
Application number: GB9423338A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wilhelm Meurs
Original assignee: Lemken GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Lemken GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1993-11-19
Filing date: 1994-11-18
Publication date: 1995-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-18
Also published as: NL194713C; DE4339323B4; ITMI942339A0; CZ284294A3; BE1009079A3; DK176089B1; GB2283893B; DE4339323A1; FR2712455B1; NL194713B; IT1270711B; NL9401921A; FR2712455A1; CZ288294B6; DK132194A; ITMI942339A1; GB9423338D0

Description

2283893 1 REVERSIBLE PLOUGH The present invention relates to a reversible

plough of the type equipped with a pendulum support wheel assembly on the f rame, displaceable under the ef f ect of gravity, from one working position to another about a first axle, which is substantially horizontal and at right angles to the direction of travel and about a second axle substantially vertical in relation the first axle and in relation to the direction of travel. The pendulum support wheel assembly is composed of stem which carries a wheel and is also connected to a carrier bracket by means of a traction member.

Reversible ploughs of this kind are equipped with pendulum support wheels in order to ensure even working depth over the length of the plough frame in both working positions. After the plough frame has been lifted and reversed, the pendulum support wheel assembly falls away from a control stop around the second axle and then rotates about the first axle into the new working position. The rotatability of the second axle is restricted by the traction member. After the reversing process has been completed the pendulum support wheel assembly then swivels about its first axle into its new 2 working position and then under gravity lies against the depth cc.ntrol stop which prescribes the working depth, whereby it also swings about the second axle. This pendulum support wheel assembly has the disadvantage that it can only be attached to the rear end and thereby requires a great height in which to move, which in turn requires lift cylinders. In addition, the assembly can also be shifted from the control stop by uneven ground so that a precise working depth cannot be maintained. A further disadvantage is that this known pendulum support -ing wheel wheel assembly is not suitable as a transport and cannot easily be made to fulfil this function.

A main object of the invention is to develop an improved plough and plough frame with a stable and impact-free displaceable pendulum support wheel assembly which does not restrict freedom during the reversing process and stays safely on the control stop in the working position.

According to the invention there is provided a reversible plough with a pendulum support wheel assembly on a plough frame, displaceable under the effect of gravity, from one working position another about a first axle which is substantially horizontal and substantially vertical in relation to the first axle and in relation Z 3 to the direction of travel the pendulum support wheel assembly being composed of a wheel stem which carries a rotatable wheel for contacting the ground and is also connected to a carrier bracket by means of a traction member, wherein the pendulum supporting wheel assembly is positioned by the carrier bracket on a side on the plough frame, and the traction member is connected to a locking device mounted on to the carrier bracket or the plough frame which is adapted selectively to lock the second axle in one of the working positions.

The plough can be best reversed by swinging the pendulum support wheel assembly about the first axle and the second axle after lifting and reversing the plough. The first axle permits displacement of the assembly into the opposite working position, while the second axle permits a lateral rotation of the wheel so that it can swivel past a depth control stop. As already known the reversing process is thus restricted. Because of gravity and the traction member the wheel lies against the stop and is held in this position on ground contact by the locking device, so that the prescribed working depth is ensured even when the ground is uneven. A further advantage is that the pendulum support wheel assembly can rotate completely impact free, since the first axle is 4 held in an advantageous oblique position which favours continuous rotation. Thus, there are considerable advantages in using a plough with such a pendulum support wheel assemblv.

According to a suitable embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the locking device has the form of a swivel lever rotatable around a short axle which has a stop bar and a ring to connect it to the traction member. The locking device is automatically released when the plough frame is lifted by slightly rotating the swivel lever or stop bar around the short axle. The weight of the wheel assembly thereby acts on the locking device via the traction member. Thus the second axle has the necessary freedom and the wheel assembly can swing past the control stop. Once the new working position has been reached and when the wheel is in contact with the ground, the traction member is relieved and the stop bar is the re-engaged by withdrawing the swivel level so that the second axle remains locked in the new working position. The regulation of plough depth is thus ensured when operating in the working position whereby stop means determines the correct direction of travel of the wheel.

An engaging of the corresponding parts and a blocking of the second axle is ensured in that in the working position the first axle lying in a plane and the second axle arranged vertically in relation thereto are assigned a swivel member, which has a counter stop at a distance from the second axle formed to correspond with the stop bar. From the lever arm formed therefrom it is ensured that the swivel member and thereby the pendu'Lum support wheel assembly as such is brought into a position where the counter stop is pushed by the stop bar to lock the pendulum support wheel assembly. It is therefore an advantage if the tractive member is a chain, a elongate slide, a cable or a rope because in this way the prescribed freedom of the Dendulum support wheel assembly is determined in the unlocked phase, however, on the other hand, the engaging of the stop bar or the locking device is not restricted.

By loading the stop bar with a spring it is certain that the stop bar will be engaged in or against the counter stop, in a position of rest. The stop bar is thus always pushed by the spring and brought into or held in the position of rest, so that the pendulum support wheel assembly is necessarily reliably locked when used in one of the working positions, whereby the stop bar prevents a back swing and a base stop determines the 6 working position of the direction of travel of the wheel. The second axle can be most ef f ectively arranged in the direction of travel behind the first axle and the swivel member.

An adjustment of the working depth is possible if the carrier bracket has a control stop for maintaining depth on the side facing the wheel stem which corresponds with a control member on the wheel stem. In this way, the working depth of the plough can be adjusted and the wheel itself can be moved. To make things easier it is further proposed that the control member is slidable and thereby adjustable by a control device in the longitudinal direction of the wheel stem. By moving the control device the control member can be pushed along the wheel stem according to the depth required by the user.

The control member can have the form of a trapezium, with a long base side facing the wheel. Thus, only a short pushing distance is necessary to bring about an effective change in the working depth and to create effective adjustment.

The carrier bracket can be arranged in the working position next to the wheel on the plough frame in order to keep forces acting on the connecting points as low as possible and to make a stable connection.

7 Further according to the invention, the pendulum support wheel assembly or the reversible plough can also be prepared for transport by using an extension. Preferably the wheel stem which is connected to the first axle has a device with an additional third axle, which ensures an adjustment of the wheel through about 900 and is lockable. The whole wheel can thus be rotated about the third axle into a transport position without requiring additional means. It is lockable in both the transport position and the normal working position so that safe transportation is guaranteed. The plough can be brought into a semi-reversed position and then supports itself on the pendulum support wheel assembly correspondingly rotated about the third axle, so that the transportation of the whole plough is possible.

The device can consist of a divided wheel stem whose parts are connected by the third axle. In this way, a cost-effective and stable adjusting device is made which is also easy to use and permits safe transportation. This is true, in particular, when an extension of the axis of the third axle intersects an extension of the axis of the first axle preferably at an angle of 900-1150.The third axle can be locked in the 8 position as explained above if both parts of the wheel stem have plates in the connecting area which are linked by the third axle and by a releasable locking pin. The locking pin only needs to be pulled and reengaged in order to secure the wheel in the necessary position.

In the transport position of the plough the first axle and thereby the wheel rotated about the third axis is inclined towards the front, so that the wheel projects safely and ensures problem-free road transportation.

To ensure the rotation of the pendulum support wheel and the engaging of the locking device, or vice versa, its release, when the wheel touches the ground, the second axle has a lever arm forming a lateral offset in relation to the point of contact or the contact surface of the wheel with the ground. The lateral offset between the second axle and the wheel is large enough so that when the wheel contacts the ground on use of the plough a torque is produced which rotates the whole wheel with swivel member towards the plough until the rotating movement is delimited by the stop means and an engaging of the swivel lever is made possible. This particular embodiment significantly simplifies the locking and unlocking process.

An adjustment of the wheel to the various working 1 9 widths of the plough can be achieved if the carrier bracket is equipped with several groups of mounting bores on the plough frame side. It is then possible to fit the whole wheel assembly to the whole carrier bracket, e.g. with an alternation of the working width per unit, with respect to the direction of travel.

The invention is characterized in particular in that an impact-free rotating pendulum support wheel assembly is developed which ensures ample free space during the rotating process and is held in the relevant working position, so that it rests on the stop and thereby ensures an exact depth control for the plough. The whole reversing process of the plough is not hindered but is assisted in particular by the side attachment on the plough frame, The plough frame as such can be easily extended by attaching additional parts. The function of the pendulum support wheel remains unaffected by this.

Further details and advantages of the subject of the invention are included in the following description and the drawings in which a preferred embodiment is shown with the necessary features and parts. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a reversible plough constructed in accordance with the invention with a pendulum support wheel assembly in a working position; Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of part of the plough frame in the lifted position and the support wheel assembly unlocked; Figure 3 is an end view of part of the plough frame partly reversed with the support wheel assembly unlocked; Figure 4 is an end view of part of the plough frame in the working position with the support wheel assembly locked; Figure 5 is a side view of part of the plough frame with the support wheel assembly in the working position; Figure 6 is an end view of part of the plough frame in the working position with the support wheel serving as a transporting wheel, and Figure 7 is a side view of part of the plough frame and the support wheel assembly according to Figure 6 in the transport position.

Figure 1 shows a reversible plough in its working position. The plough has a frame 1 furnished with plough shares and a pendulum support wheel assembly 3 which can be swivelled about a first axle 2. This pendulum support wheel assembly 3 can also move about a second axle 4 1 11 during the reversing process and setting in a new working position, whereby the second axle 4 is then locked in the new working position by a locking device which is explained in more detail hereinafter.

The pendulum support wheel assembly 3 comprises a rotatably mounted wheel 6 on a wheel stem 5. This wheel stem 5 is connected to a carrier bracket 8 by the f irst axle 2 and is supported by a traction member 7, as seen in Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows the beginning of the reversing process. The wheel 6 and the whole pendulum support wheel assembly 3 has been lifted by raising the plough frame 1 from the ground 37. The reversing process can now commence. The traction member 7 is held in tension by the weight of the suspended wheel 6, which swivels downwards about axle 2, so that the locking device is effective.

Figure 3 shows the support wheel assembly 3 with the frame 1 raised and half reversed, whereby it is clear how the traction member 7 activates the locking device. The wheel 6 is thus still unlocked, i.e. the wheel 6 and the wheel stem 5 can swing about the second axle 4. This swivel movement enables a control member 18 to swing past a stop 17 so that the wheel's ability to rotate is 12 ensured. Both axles 2, 4 are mounted to a swivel member 9, whereby the first axle 2 is roughly in the plane of the swivel member 9 and the second axle 4 is at right angles thereto. A counter stop 10 is formed on this swivel member 9, which is at a distance from the second axle 4, so that a relatively large lever arm is formed. The locking device 11 described later acts upon this counter stop 10.

The locking device 11 comprises a swivel lever 13 with a stop bar 12 and an end ring 15, whereby the swivel lever 13 can be rotated about a short pivot joint 14. Thus the swivel lever 13 and the locking device 11 can be drawn out of the locking position by the traction member 7 when the wheel 6 is raised. As the stop bar 12 is loaded by a spring 16 it is certain that, when the wheel 6 touches the ground and when the released traction member 7 acts on the counter stop 10 in the working position, it causes the locking of the second axle 4 and thence the wheel 6. This position is shown in Figure 4 which shows the plough in the working position with the swivel lever 13 locked and the traction member 7 loose.

A stop 17 is formed onto the carrier bracket 8, which works together with a control member 18 fixed an to the wheel stem 5. By putting the stop 17 next to the 13 control member 18 the swivel movement of the pendulum support wheel assembly 3 and of the wheel 6, i. e. the working depth of the plough, is restricted about the first axle 2.

To adjust the working depth, or rather to determine a specific working depth, the provision is made that the control stop 18 is slidably arranged on the wheel stem 5 in a longitudinal direction. This adjustment is achieved by a control device 19 which permits a precise and fine adjustment.

Figures 2 to 5 show clearly that the traction member 7 is in the form of a chain 22, whereby Figures 2 and 5 show a special construction of the control stop 18. The control stop 18 has the form of a trapezium whereby the longer base side 25 faces the wheel 6. Pushing the control stop 18 to and fro along the wheel stem 5 enables a smooth adjustment of the working depth. The curved long side 27 serves here as a stop surface which is shown in particular in Figure 5. If the stop 18 has it narrow base side 26 against the stop 17 it is possible to plough deeply. If the stop 17 lies in the area of the broad base side 25 on the control stop 18 it is possible to effect shallow ploughing.

Figures 6 and 7 show how the wheel 6 of the 14 pendulum support wheel assembly 3 may also be used as a transporting wheel. Here the wheel stem 5 consists of two parts 30 and 31 which are pivotable interconnected by the third axle 20 may be locked by a pin 35 in the working and transport positions.

An extension 32 of the axis of the third axle 20 intersects the axis of the axle 2 at an angle a of about 900-1050.

The carrier bracket 8 is also equipped with corresponding mounting bores 39 which enable it to be f ixed to the plough frame 1. Several groups 40, 41 of bores 39 are provided so that an adjustment of the wheel 6 to various working widths of the plough is possible.

Figure 6 shows the pendulum support wheel assembly 3 in a working position which also serves for transport and in Figure 7 it is shown in the transport position. It is clear that at the ends of the stem parts 30, 31 plates 33, 34 are provided which enable both parts 30, 31 to be connected by the third axle 20 and by a locking pin 35. This locking pin 35 is equipped with a lever so that the swivel mounted wheel 6 can be swung by 900 into the position of Figure 7 about the axle 20. The locking pin 35 is then pushed in again and thus enables the operation of the pendulum support wheel assembly 3 as a transport is wheel.

36 designates the point of contact or the line of contact of the surface of the wheel 6 with the ground 37.

0 16

Claims

1. A reversible plough with a pendulum support wheel assembly (3) on a plough frame, displaceable under the effect of gravity, from one working position to another about a first axle which is substantially horizontal and substantially at right angles to the direction of travel and about a second axle (4) substantially vertical in relation to the first axle and in relation to the direction of travel, the pendulum support wheel assembly being composed of a wheel stem (5) which carries a rotatable wheel (6) for contacting the ground and is also connected to a carrier bracket (8) by means of a traction member (7), wherein the pendulum support wheel assembly (3) is positioned by the carrier bracket (8) on a side on the plough frame (1), and the traction member (7) is connected to a locking device (11) mounted on the carrier bracket (8) or the plough frame (1), which is adapted selectively to lock the second axle (4) in one of the working positions.

2. A reversible plough according to Claim 1, wherein the locking device (11) is in the form of a swivel lever (13) rotatable about a pivot joint (14) which has a stop bar (12) and an ring (15) to connect it to the traction member (7).

17

3. A reversible plough according to Claim 2, wherein the first axle (2) and the second axle (4) are mounted to a swivel member (9), which is spaced from the second axle (4) and has a counter stop (10) which is formed to cooperate with the stop bar (12).

4. A reversible plough according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein the stop bar (12) is loaded by a spring (16) which holds it in the rest position.

5. A reversible plough according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the traction member (7) is a chain (22), an elongate slide, a cable or a rope.

6. A reversible plough according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the second axle (4) is arranged behind the first axle (2) in the direction of travel.

7. A reversible plough according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein on the side facing the wheel stem (5) the carrier bracket (8) has a stop (17) which is formed to correspond with a sliding control member (18) on the wheel stem (5) to maintain the ploughing depth.

8. A reversible plough according to Claim 7, wherein the control member (18) is adjustably moved by a control device (19) in the longitudinal direction of the wheel stem (5).

18

9. A reversible plough according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the control member (18) has the form of a trapezium with a longer base side (25) facing the wheel (6).

10. A reversible plough according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein in either working position the carrier bracket (8) is arranged on the plough frame (1) next to the wheel (6).

11. A reversible plough according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the wheel stem (5) connected to the first axle (2) is provided with a further lockable device with an additional third axle (20) formed to enable adjustment of the wheel (6) through an angle of approximately 900 to permit the wheel (6) to be used for transportation of the plough.

12. A reversible plough according to Claim 11, wherein the wheel stem (5) is divided into parts (30,31) connected by the third axle (20).

13. A reversible plough according to Claim 12, wherein both parts (30, 31) of the wheel stem (5) have plates (33, 34) which are linked by the third axle (20) and by a detachable locking pin (35).

14. A reversible plough according to Claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein an extension of the axis of the third axle k 19 (20) intersects an extension of the axis of the f irst axle (2), at an angle, preferably at an angle (a) of 900 - 1150.

is. A reversible plough according to any one of Claims 11 to 14, wherein in the transport position of the plough the first axle (2) is inclined towards the front and thereby near the wheel (6) swivelled about the third axle (20).

16. A reversible plough according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, wherein when the wheel (6) touches the ground the second axle (4) has a lateral offset forming a lever arm to the contact (36) of the wheel with the ground (37).

17. A reversible plough according to Claim 16, wherein the lateral offset between the second axle (4) and the wheel (6) is such that on using the plough with the wheel contacting the ground the whole wheel with its swivel member (9) swings towards the plough frame until stop means is engaged with the swivel lever (13) to restrict the swinging movement.

18. A reversible plough according to any one of Claims 1 to 17, wherein the carrier bracket (8) is equipped with several groups (40, 41) of mounting bores (39) on the plough frame side.

19. A reversible plough or a frame therefor substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in any one or more of the Figures of the accompanying drawings.