GB2309622A - An agricultural earth working implement - Google Patents

Abstract

The soil working apparatus comprises chisel ploughs 22,26 mounted on a primary frame 2 adapted to be mounted to a three point linkage on a tractor. Rake tines 52 are mounted behind the chisel ploughs on a secondary frame, pivotally mounted on the primary frame 2 and adjustable by means of a hydraulic cylinder 62 to adjust the working depth of the tines 52. A crumbling roller is pivotally mounted on the primary frame 2 by means of tertiary frame 70. A hopper 110 may be mounted to the tertiary frame 70 for spreading fertilizer or seed onto the prepared soil. The combination of chisel ploughs, rake tines and crumbling roller allows several earth working and tilling operations to be carried out simultaneously.

Description

AN AGRICULTURAL EARTH WORKING MACHINE This invention relates to earth working machines of the type used in agriculture and is particularly, but not exclusively concerned with ploughing and tilling machinery adapted to be drawn by a tractor or other towing equipment.

For many years it has been common practice in agriculture to first plough in the top 15cm or so of soil and then later rake the upper most 6cm or so to a finer tilth. This is followed at a later stage by rolling the soil with a so-called crumbles roller which lightly firms the soil ready for sowing with the selected seed.

Generally, each of the above operations has been carried out individually, necessitating several journeys along the crop area. It is an object of the invention to provide an agricultural earth working machine which is capable of performing several earth working and tilling operations in sequence simultaneously, in order to reduce the number of journeys across the crop area and to provide improvements in earth working and tilling techniques generally.

In accordance with the invention there is provided apparatus for use in agriculture comprising means for deep ploughing soil, and further means for raking part of the ploughed soil to a predetermined depth simultaneously with the deep ploughing operation. The means for raking part of the ploughed soil may be adjustable with respect to the means for deep ploughing of the soil.

Supplementary means for subsequently crumbling the raked soil may be provided preparatory to sowing seed and the supplementary means may be in the form of a crumbling roller of a conventional type adapted to be towed along with the ploughing means and the raking means.

The deep ploughing means may be rigidly or removably secured to a primary frame, part of which may be adjustably secured to a hitch provided on a towing vehicle.

The raking means is preferably mounted on a secondary frame which is pivotally mounted on pivot pins secured in the primary frame.

The crumbling roller is preferably mounted on a third frame which is pivotally mounted on pivot pins on the primary frame. The secondary frame may be angularly adjustable about its pivotal mounting on the primary frame by a hydraulic piston and cylinders mechanism between part of the primary frame and the secondary frame.

The third frame may be angularly adjustable about its pivot pins on the primary frame by means of a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit mounted between the primary frame and the third frame.

A hopper and feeder adapted for sowing seed or fertilisers or other granular matter may be attached to the third frame to the rear of the crumbling roller, or may be supported on or from the main frame.

The above and other features of the invention will become clear from the following description which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1. is a side elevation of an earth working agricultural. machine according to the invention, in a parked position, Figure 2. is a side elevation similar to Figure 1. but in operative condition, Figure 3. is a plan view, Figure 4. is an isometric view of a primary frame including a set of chisel ploughs, Figure 5. is an isometric view of a secondary frame including a set of raking tines, Figure 6. is an isometric view of a third frame including a crumbling roller, Figure 7. is a section view illustrating one form of crumbling roller, Figure 8. is a diagramatic plan view illustrating the relevant positions of chisel ploughs and raking tines, Figure 9. is a scrap view partly in section of a mounting arrangement for a diverter.

As seen in the drawings, Figures 1 to 4, a main primary frame 2, fabricated from rigid box sections, comprises longitudinal side sections 4 joined by front and rear transverse sections 6 and 8, and an intermediate section 10. Further longitudinal sections 12 extend between the sections 6 and 10, being welded thereto and more longitudinal sections 14 are welded between transverse sections 8 and 10.

The transverse section 6 is joined by welding to a generally vertical structure 16 which is adapted to be connected to tractor hitch connections 18.

Thus, the primary frame 2 with its welded longitudinal and transverse box sections and the structure 16 form a rugged construction appropriate to the environment in which it is required to work.

Removably secured to the side sections 4 and the longitudinal sections 14 are four downwardly depending arms 20 to which are removably secured so-called chisel ploughs 22. Further downwardly depending arms 24 are removably secured to the longitudinal sections 12 and further chisel ploughs 26 are removably secured to the arms 24. The removable facility of the chisel ploughs enables ready and speedy replacement in the event of damage during use.

As seen in the plan views of Figures 3 and 8, the four rearmost chisel ploughs 22 lie intermediate the longitudinal plane of the three foremost ploughs 26.

The interconnection of the tractor hitch and the structure 16 is such as to allow vertical adjustment of the structure and frame 2 with respect to the tractor and ground level as will be clear on comparing Figures 1 and 2.

Bolts are used to secure the downwardly depending arms 24 to the sections 12 and the rearmost of those bolts is provided with a plain diameter portion 30 which forms a pivot on which is rockably mounted a secondary frame 32 comprising three longitudinal arms 34 which are joined together by a rearwardly positioned transverse section 36 and an intermediate transverse section 38. The arms 34, 36 and 38 are welded together to provide a rigid structure appropriate to its use.

The longitudinal sections 34 are formed at their foremost portions with downwardly depending arms 40, each provided with holes 42 adapted to fit over the plain portion 30 of the bolts 28, as seen clearly in Figure 3.

The rearmost section 36 is formed with lugs 44 and clamping blocks 46 in each of which is removably secured one end 47 of a spring tine 48. Each tine extends rearwardly from its clamping block 46 to be formed as a spring coil 50, from which it extends rearwardly and downwardly to return forwardly at its lower most end portion where it is provided with a wearpiece 52.

The configuration of the tines is seen clearly in Figure 5 and although only one convolution of the coil 50 is illustrated, two or more such convolutions may be utilised. Such a configuration provides the necessary springiness necessary in their use in agricultural tillage working.

The middle one of the three sections 34 has an upstanding lug 54 which is bifurcated at 56 to receive one end 58 of a piston rod 60 which is reciprocable within a cylinder 62 pivotally mounted at 64 on a pivot pin in a bifurcated portion 66 at the uppermost portion of the structure 16.

Actuation of the piston cylinder unit will cause the secondary frame 32 to rock about the pivots 30 with resultant raising or lowering of the tines with respect to the main frame 2 and to ground level. When the desired level of the tines is obtained the hydraulic fluid within the cylinder 62 is locked to maintain the piston rod 60 and hence the tines in position.

A suitably graduated scale (not shown in the drawings) may be affixed to the main primary frame 2 adjacent part of the secondary frame 32 in order to give a visual indication to the operator of the setting of the depth of penetration of the tines into the ground.

A third frame 68 comprising longitudinal side members 70 and a transverse bar 72 is located rearwardly of the main frame 2. The side members 70 and the bar 72 are welded together to form a rigid rugged structure which is rockable about pins 74 fast in the side members 4 of the frame 2, and strengthening struts 75 are welded to join the members 70 and bar 72.

Depending downwardly from the rearmost end portion of the side members 70 are arms 74 which may form a right angle with the side members as seen in Figures 1 and 2. However, that angle may be adjusted by first releasing a bolt 72 which secures the arm to the side member and then repositioning a locating pin 78 through one of the series of holes formed in a tiebar 80. This action effectively lengthens or shortens the length of the tiebars to rock the arms 74 after which the bolt 76 is tightened again.

A socalled cruller roller 82 extends between the arms 74 and is freely rotatable about a central shaft 84 mounted at the lower end of the arms.

The crumbler roller is well-known in the industry and needs no detailed description here. However, in a modification illustrated in Figure 7.

laterally extending rods 86, supported on spaced apart disc members 87, are provided with rectangular section bars 89 welded thereto. This arrangement is found to lightly firm the raked topsoil preparatory to seed sowing whilst the bars 89 eliminate the tendency for the soil and any extraneous matter to build up around the rods 86.

As seen clearly in Figures 1, 2 and 3 piston cylinder units 88 extend between a bifurcated lug 90 on the side members 4 and a lug 92 on the side members 70 of the frame 68. Actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 88 to withdraw the piston is effective in rocking the frame 68 in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in Figures 1 and 2 about its pivot 74 to cause the crumbling roller to rise relative to the ground level (compare Figure 1 with Figure 2).

Freely pivoted at 93 to the longitudinal side sections 4 of the primary frame 2 are deflector units 94. These units comprise arms 96 formed at their lower end portions with inturned blades 98. The arms extend upwardly at 100 beyond the pivot 93, and the weight of the blades 98 causes the arms to rotate in a clockwise direction until the extensions 100 abut against stops 102 on the side sections 4 when in the parked position. In the operative position the blades 98 rest on the surface of the topsoil as seen clearly in Figure 2, and act to deflect any soil into the path of the rake tines and the crumbler roller.

To allow the deflector units to yield freely when thqcontact relatively immovable objects, e.g. stones, strong roots, they are loosely mounted on the side sections 4 as seen clearly in Figure 9. Thus, each pivot pin 93 passes through an oversize hole 104 in the side section and a compression spring 106 fits between a nut 108 threaded on the inner end portion of the pivot pin. The arms 96 may yield outwardly from the side section 4 compressing the spring 106 between the nut 108 and the section 4, the pivot pin 93 tilting within the oversize hole 104.

Figure 8 illustrates diagramatically the relative configuration of the chisel ploughs and raking tines as seen in plan.

Thus the rearmost chisel ploughs 22 are transversely aligned with each other. The ploughs 26 are also transversely aligned with each other, forwardly of the row of ploughs 22, but longitudinally in line with a median line extending between the ploughs 22. The rake tines 52 are transversely aligned with each other in a row rearwardly of the ploughs 22 and 26. Each tine is in line with a median line M struck between adjacent ploughs 22 and 26.

As an additional feature a bolt-on accessory may be mounted on the rearmost parts of the earth working machine according to the invention.

For example there is shown diagramatically in chain lines on Figure 2 a conventional hopper 110 and seed drill 112 mounted by links 114 to the member 72 and arms 74. The additional accessory may be other than a seed drill, e.g. a device for applying granulated fertilisers and for spraying chemical fungicides or selective herbicides, and may be mounted on or from the main frame. The rods 86 and bars 89 are effective in pressing the seed into the surface of the soil.

In use, the illustrative machine is coupled to a conventional tractor hitch, the hydraulic systems of the machine being connected to those of the tractor, and towed to the crop area which is to be worked. The various operative parts of the machine are substantially in the positions shown in Figure 1, although the hydraulic piston cylinder units may be actuated to raise the crumbler roller and the secondary tines clear of the ground level to avoid damage from contact with metalled roads.

On site, the tractor hitch is adjusted to lower the main frame, and hydraulic piston and cylinder units 62 and 88 are actuated to raise the crumbler roller 82 and the tines 48.

The relative heightwise position of the crumbler roller 82 with reference to the tractor sets the depth to which the ploughs 26 penetrate the soil.

Having set the crumbler roller at its desired heightwise position the hydraulic fluid is locked in the cylinder 88.

The depth of penetration of the tines is next set by means of hydraulic piston and cylinder units 60, 62 and the hydraulic fluid locked within the cylinder.

It is to be understood that actuation of the hydraulic piston and cylinder units is, of course, done by the operator from within the tractor unit and these various actuations may be effected during use if desired.

As ploughing takes place the divertor blades 98 act to divert any soil into the path of the rake tines and crumbler roller.

Thus, it is possible by the use of the machine according to the invention to deep plough, rake and crumble roll simultaneously, effectively saving time and power consumption compared with conventional individual operations performed hitherto. With the addition of seed drills appended to the rear of the mashine it is possible to deep plough, i.e. work the subsoil, harrow and crumble and lightly firm the surface and sow seed in one combined operation.

Claims (18)

1. An agricultural apparatus for working soil, the apparatus comprising: means for deep ploughing soil, and means for raking a predetermined depth of the deep ploughed soil; wherein the means for deep ploughing soil and the means for raking soil comprise a single piece of equipment and are capable of being operated simultaneously.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the means for raking soil is adjustable with respect to the means for deep ploughing soil so as to vary the predetermined depth to which the ploughed soil is raked.

3. An apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the deep ploughing means is secured to a primary frame.

4. An apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the deep ploughing means is removable from the primary frame.

5. An apparatus according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein a portion of the primary frame is adjustably securable to a hitch provided on a towing vehicle.

6. An apparatus according to any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the raking means is mounted on a secondary frame, the secondary frame being pivotally mounted on the primary frame.

7. An apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the secondary frame is angularly adjustable about its pivotable mounting on the primary frame by a hydraulic piston and cylinder connected between portions thereof.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, comprising malls for crumbling the raked soil, wherein the means for crumbling soil, the means for raking are adapted to be operated simultaneously.

9. An apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the means for crumbling raked soil is a crumbling roller.

10. An apparatus according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the means for crumbling soil is mounted on a tertiary frame.

11. An apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 10 when dependent on any of Claims 3 to 7, wherein the tertiary frame is pivotably mounted on the primary frame.

12. An apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the tertiary frame is angularly adjustable about its pivotable mounting on the primary frame by a hydraulic piston and cylinder connected between portions thereof.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, comprising a hopper and feeder adapted for sowing seed or fertilizer or the like.

14. An apparatus according to Claim 13 when dependent on Claim 10, wherein the hopper and feeder are attached to the tertiary frame behind the means for crumbling raked soil.

15. An apparatus according to Claim 13 when dependent on Claim 3, wherein the hopper and feeder are attached to the primary frame.

16. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the means for deep ploughing soil and the means for raking soil each comprise a plurality of spaced blades, the blades of the raking means being arranged to be substantially coincident with spaces between the blades of the deep ploughing means.

17. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim. comprising means for directing soil into the path of the raking means.

18. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figures.