GB2528564A

GB2528564A - Improvements in agricultural equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2528564A
Application number: GB1509274.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Spurgeon
Original assignee: GT Bunning and Sons Ltd
Current assignee: GT Bunning and Sons Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-30
Filing date: 2015-05-29
Publication date: 2016-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-29
Also published as: GB201409651D0; GB2528564B; GB201509274D0

Abstract

A linkage 18 for a chain-driven box-section slat in a manure spreader comprises a mounting tab 11, slidably-mountable within the interior of the box-section 2, and having a generally planar section 12 to engage with a top interior face 21 of the box-section, a connection face to allow the tab to be welded to a chain link such that the mid-line of the chain link is above the mid-line of the slat, and a lower box-engaging portion 14 to engage with a bottom interior face 22 of the box-section. Also provided is a manure spreader using such a linkage, and which might be provided with a plastics floor 23.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AGRICULTURAL EOUIPMENT

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to improvements in manure spreaders, and in particular to improvements in conveying systems used with such spreaders, and linkages therefor,

Backgi-ound and Prior Art

Organic material such as animal manure is often added to soils to improve their nutritional composition and sti-ucture, for example to ineiease water-holding capacity. On a large agricultural scale, this is usually accomplished by the use of mechanical manure spreaders.

Such spreaders are typically towed behind a tractor and comprise a container for holding the organic material to be spread. The containers on large spreaders may hold up to 35 Tonnes or more of manure. On rear dischai-ge spreaders, the matei-ial is conveyed towards the rear of the box where it is broken up and discharged onto the field by use of means such as flails or spinning discs.

In one particular design of manure spreader, the organic material is conveyed towards the rear of the container by the use of horizontally-mounted slats, oriented parallel to the rear face of the box. The slats are typically made of steel box-section and are mounted to a chain drive by welding a steel peg onto links of the chain, the peg has approximately the same dimensions as the interior of the box section slats and serves to provide a coupling between the chain and the slats. The chain is driven by engagement with a rotating chainwheel. known in the UK as a "gypsy wheel" and in the US as a "wildcat". In order to accommodate the chain links, a galley is provided at each side of the container.

For reference, Figures 1 and 2 show linkage arrangements of the prior art, used to connect slats to a chain drive. Elements in common with other illustrations and embodiments that follow are numbered accordingly.

Figure 1 illustrates a section through a linkage system used with a gully 5. The tab 11 is located within a box-section sleeve 28 that is inserted within the box-section slat 2 and secured there by means of a puddle weld 29. The tab 11 is slideable within the sleeve 28, hut does not engage with the slat 2. Also, the tab arrangement is such that the midline of chain 9 is at the same vertical level as the midline of the slat 2. The tab 11 is also a relatively tight fit within the slat 2, thereby preventing rotational movement. In this arrangement the gulley 5 is used to accommodate the chain drive mechanism.

The inventors have found that, in some situations, the organic material to be spread can stick s to the Iloor of the containcr. thereby preventing it bcing moved towards thc rcar of the spreader. This situation can occur especially in extremes of temperature: in hot weather, the usually wet material can dry and stick onto the steel floor; in cold weather, it can freeze onto thc stcel floor. One solution to this problcni is to providc a low-friction plastics liner mounted on thc floor of the containcr. A typical material might be high dcnsity polyethylene (HDPE).

Jo However, a problem arises because it is necessary to clamp down the edges of the plastics sheet to stop it buckling, whilst allowing for differential expansion of the steel floor and the plastics sheet. This is not possible if such a gulley arrangement is used.

Figure 2 illustrates an alTangement for an "offset tab" that has been used in the prior art, in an attempt to dispense with the gulley 5 of Figure 1. In this arrangement. a box-section sleeve 28 having a vertical height significantly smaller than the internal vertical height of the box-section slat 2, is attached to the upper interior lace 21 of the slat 2, and secured there by means of a puddle weld 29. A tab 11 slides within the sleeve, and is welded to a chain link 3.

The otherwise open portion of the slat is closed by means of a plate 30 having a cut-away portion to accommodate the sleeve 28. This arrangement has a lot of parts. and is complex to manufacture. The linkage also does not allow the system to be used with "retro-fitted floor coverings".

It is amongst the objects of the present invention to provide a solution to the problem.

Sunrnmry of the Invention Accordingly, the invention provides a linkage for a chain-driven elongate box-section slat in a manure spreader comprising: a mounting tab, slidably-mountable within the interior of the box-section, and having: (a) a generally planar section engageahle with a top interior face of the box-section; (b) a connection face, adjacent said planar surface, to allow said tab to be welded to a chain link such that the mid-line of the chain link is above the mid-line of the slat; and (c) a lower box-engaging portion extending downwards from said generally planar section engageahle with a bottom interior face of the box-section.

Preferably said linkage is part of such a chain-driven elongate box-section slat arrangement in a manure spreader.

I

This arrangement allows for the gulley on conventional manure spreaders to be dispensed with, thei-ehy offering the possibility of installing a plastics floor covering within the container of the spreader. The linkage is also simple and less costly to manufacture than s linkagcs of thc prior art, and performs at lcast as well.

In preferred embodiments, the distance between the respective mid-lines of the slat and the (horizontally-oricntated) chain link is at Icast Snun. and prcferably at least 10. 15, 2Oor 25nmi.

In preferred embodiments, said lower box-engaging section is so sized as to allow said tab to pivot about a point of contact between said lower box-engaging section and the bottom interior face of said box-section about a horizontal (in use) axis perpendicular to the elongate axis of said box-section. This gives the linkage the ability to allow the slat to "float" in a vertical direction relative to the chain link. In this way, it is possible to use the same slat-linkage and drive mechanism in spreader with or without a tioor covering (e.g. a plastics floor covering), and to allow such a floor covering to be retro-litted to a spreader.

In this embodiment, the distance between the respective mid-lines of the slat and the (horizontally-orientated) chain link is calculated when the tab is in its horizontal orientation as illustrated in Figure 1 lB.

In either embodiment it is preferred that said tah is provided with one or more outwardly-extending lugs to engage an end lace of said box-secdon, thereby holding the chain link and box-section in a spaced-apart relationship. This allows the slat to beheld away from the chainwheel drive mechanism, a function that might otherwise have to be provided by the use of an additional sleeve, as illustrated in Figure 2.

In any embodiment, it is thither preferred that said tab is formed by bending a piece of sheet steel. This makes manufacture more cost-effective, and provides a rounded end to the lower box-engaging portion of the tab, thereby aiding its rotational pivoting movement, where such movement is provided for.

In any embodiment of the invention it is also preferred that the area of contact between the lower box-engaging section and the bottom interior face of the box section is smaller than the area of contact of the planar section and the top interior face of the box section. This aids the pivoting characteristics of the tab-slat arrangement.

Also included within the scope of the invention is a manure spreader having a manure container provided with slats linked to a chain drive by a linkage as described herein.

s Preferably, the tloor of the spreader container is essentially flat across its width, i.e. no gulley is provided. This reduces manufacturing costs, and allows for a variety of floor coverings to be fitted (and replaced).

The scope of the invention therefore also includes a manure spreader as described above, in further compi-ising a plastics floor covering extending to the wall of the container, and slidably clamped thereto.

Also included within the scope of the invention is a linkage for a chain-driven box-section slat in a manure spieader substantially as described herein, with i-efei-ence to and as illustrated any appropriate combination of Figures 4-11.

Also included within the scope of the invention is a manure spreader substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated any appropriate combination of Figures 4-I 1.

Brief Description of the Figures

The invention will he described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 illustrate, in vertical cross-section, linkages of the prior art; Figure 3 illustrates, in plan view, a section of a conveyor system for a manure spreader; Figure 4 illustrates, in elevational view, part of a conveyor system for a manure spreader using a linkage system of the present invention; Figures 5-6 illustrate in plan view, a tab forming part of a linkage of the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates, in vertical cross-section view, the tab of Figures 5-6 in place within a slat of a manure spreader conveyor; Figures 8-10 illustrate in vertical eross-seedon view, linkages of the present invention within a portion of a conveyor system of a manure spreader; Figures II A-I lB illustrate rotation of a tab within a slat forming a linkage of the present invention; Figure 12 illustrates, in elevation view, a tab forming part of a linkage of the present invention; and Figures 13A and 13B illustrate the rotation of the tab of Figure 12 within a slat forming a linkage of the present invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figure 3 illustrates, in plan view, an arrangement of box-section slats 2 connected to a drive mechanism comprising two chains 9. driven by an arrangement such as a chainwheel (not illustrated). Each of the slats 2 is connected at each end to the edgc of a horizontally-orientated link 3 of the chain 9. The connection is effected by use of a slidably-niounted peg in 2 that locates within the inner space of the box-section slats 2. The end face of the peg is welded to the edge of a chain link. In typical arrangements. slats might he connected to each alternate horizontally-orientated link 3. This plan view is illustrative of both conveying systems of the prior art, and the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates, in elevation view, a conveying system for a manure spreader using a linkage of the present invention. The chain 9 is shown, passing above the floor 8 of the spreader container, rather than within a gulley, as found in the prior art. The chain passes over a chainwheel (or "gypsy wheel") whose position is indicated by the dotted circles 10, thereafter passing under the tloor 8 of the container. A similar chainwhcel arrangement is provided at the other end of the manure spreader's container, at least one of the chainwheels being driven. Rotation of the chainwheel, as illustrated, drives the slats 2 in order to convey the manure, or other material to be spread, which is loaded into the container on top of the slats 2, towards the distribution mechanism at the rear of the spreader. The position of the slats 2 is indicated, and shows how the off-set linkage allows the horizontal mid-line of the slats 2 to he positioned below the horizontal mid-line of the chain, thereby allowing the gulley to be dispensed with. Again, the slats 2 are illustrated as being connected to each horizontally-orientated link 3. In practice, slats might be connected to alternate horizontally-orientated link 3, or spaced-apart even further depending on the partiduhir nature of the material to he spread.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate, in plan and elevation view respectively, a mounting tab for use in a linkage of the present invention, generally indicated by 11. The tab 11 comprises a generally planar section 12 to engage with a top interior face of a box-section slat 2. The tab 1 1 also has a connection face 13 to allow the tab 11 to he welded to a chain link of the drive niechanisni. A lower box-engaging portion 14 is provided by bending the initially flat tab at the lines 15 to form the shape illustrated in Figure 6, Stress-relieving cut-outs 16 are provided to aid fabrication. The tab is also provided with outwardly-extending logs 17 that can engage with an end face of the box-section slats 2 to eflsure that the slats 2 are spaced-apart from the chain links 3. This is illustrated in Figure 7 which shows, in horizontal cross-section, a linkage of the present invention, generally indicated by 18-The linkage comprises the tab 11, with its generally-planar section to engage the top inner surface of a box-section slat 2. and s lower box-engaging section 14. The Figure illustrates how the lugs 17 engage with an end face 19 of the slat 2 to space the slat away from the chain by the distance illustrated by the arrow 20.

Figure 8 illustrates, in a vertical cross-section view, a linkage 18 of the present invention in position within a manure spreader. The linkage cornpnses the box-section slat 2 mid a tab 1 1, as illustrated in Figures 5-7, slideably-mounted within the interior of the box-section slat 2.

The generally planar section 12 of the tab engages with the top interior face 21 of the box-section slat 2, whilst the lower box-engaging section 14 engages with the bottom interior lace 22 of the box section slat 2. The connection face 13 of the tab 11 is connected to a horizontally-orientated link 3 of the chain by means of a weld 4. The slat 2 is held in a spaced-apart relationship to the horizontally-orientated link 3 by means of the lugs 17. Such a linkage is provided at each end of the slat 2. but only one end is illustrated, for clarity. In this ernhodirnent, the floor of the cmtaher is provided with a plastics floor covering 23 that extends below the chain 9 to a point adjacent the wall 24 of the container. The edge of the plastics floor covering can then be held in place by means of a clamp 25. thereby keeping the plastics floor covering 23 in place whilst allowing for differential expansion of the covering 23 with the typically steel structure of the nmtainer.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate alternative configurations of tabs 11 in use in a linkage within a manure spreader. Elements colTesponding to those illustrated iii Figure 8 al-c coiiespondingly numbered. In Figure 9. the tab 11 comprises a cast or machined member, preferably made from steel, and again having a generally planar section 12 to engage with a top interior face 21 of the box-section slat 2. The tah is also provided with a lower box-engaging portioii 14 to engage with a lover internal face 20 of the box-section slat 1 Spacing lugs 17 are again providcd. In Figure 10, the tab II has a similar arrangcrncnt, hut is of two-part wcldcd construction.

In Figures 8-10, it can he seen that the liiikage arrangement allows the horizontal mid-line 27 of the chain 9 to he positioned above the horizontal mid-line 26 of the slat 2. In each case, it casi also be seen that the area of contact of the lower box-engaging section 14 of the tab 11 and the bottom interior face 22 of the box-section slat 2 is smaller than the area of contact of the planar section 14 and the top interior face 21 of the slat 1 Figure 11 (A-C) illustrates an embodiment of a linkage of the present invention, in which the lower box-engaging section 14 of the tab 11 is so sized as to allow a limited degree of rotation of the tab 11 within the box-section slat 2. This is readily achieved by making the distance between the generally planar surface 12 and the furthest extent of the lower box-engaging s section 14 of the tab 11 (indicated by the height "h" in Figure 5) slightly less than the vertical (in use) interior dimension of the box-section slat 2. In a typical arrangement, for a box section with a vertical interior dimension of 42mm, the dimnension "h" of the tab might be 39±0.5mm. For a box-section with a vertical interior dimension of 32111111. the dimension "If' of the tab might be 29±0.5mm. Clearly, the difference between the height "h" of the tab and in the vertical interior dimension may he varied to achieve the desii-ed extent of rotation. Figui-e 11 B illustrates the linkage in its horizontal configuration. In the configuration shown in Figure 1 IA. the rotation has allowed the slat to move upwards relative to the point of attachment 13 to a chain (not illustrated). In Figure 1 1C, the rotation has allowed the slat to move downwaids relative to the point of attachment 13 to a chain (not illustrated). By giving this degree of flexibility to the linkage, different thickness floor liners (e.g. the plastics liners described above) may be refto-fitted to existing manure spreaders. Also the same slat linkage and drive mechanism may be used for lined and unlined containers, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and required stock-holding within the factory.

The inventors have also found that the degree of rotation of the tab within a box section can be controlled by varying the shape of the tab profile. Figure 12 illustrates, in elevation view, a further embodiment of a tab 11 of the invention. The tab 11 is of the same basic form, and plan construction as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, and corresponding reference numerals refer to the corresponding portions of the tab as described above. The tab is modified by the introduction of an elongate, and preferably flat, lower box-engaging surface 31. This creates two spaced-apart pivot points 32A. 32B. Variation of the length of the box-engaging surface 31 allows the extent of rotation to be varied for the same height tab (indicated by distance h').

Figures 1 3A and I 3B illustrate the comparison of the tab of Figure 5. and that of Figure 12, respectively. Both tabs have the same height, "h". It can he seen that by usc of the elongate tab-engaging surface 31. the extent of rotation of the tab 11 within the box section 2 has been reduced, thereby leading to a reduction of the size of the gap between the tab and the upper interior surface of the box section when the tab 1 1 is in its downward configuration. This reduces the likelihood of debris accumulating between the tab and the upper interior surface of the box section. thereby preventing subsequent rotation. This can be particularly problematic when soft organic material lodges within this space and then either dries out and hardens, or freezes, thereby preventing rotation of the tab 1 1 within the box section 2.

Claims

CLAIMSL A linkage for a chain-driven elongate box-section slat in a manure spreader comprising: a mounting tab. slidably-mountable within the interior of the box-section, and having: (a) a generally planar section engageable with a top interior face of the box-section; (h) a connection face, adjacent said planar surface, to allow said tab to he welded to a chain link such that the mid-line of the chain link is above the mid-line of the slat; and (c) a lower box-engaging portion extending downwards from said generally planar section eiigageahle with a bottom interior face of the box-section.
2. A linkage according to Claim 1 wherein said lower box-engaging section is so sized as to allow said tab to pivot about a point of contact between said lower box-engaging section and the bottom intei-ioi-face of said box-section about a horizontal (in use) axis perpendicular to the elongate axis of said box-section.
3. A linkage according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said tab is provided with one or more outwardly-extending lugs to engage an end face of said box-section, thereby holding the chain link and box-section in a spaced-apart relationship.
4. A linkage according to any of Claims I to 3 wherein said tab is formed by bending a piece of sheet steel.
5. A manure spreader having a manure container provided with slats linked to a chain drive by a linkage according to any of Claims I to 4.
6. A manure spreader according to Claim 5, and wherein the floor of the spreadcr container is essentially flat across its width.o
7. A manure spreader according to Claim 6, further comprising a plastics floor covering extending to the wall of the container, and slidably clamped thereto.
8. A linkage for a chain-driven box-section slat in a manure spreader substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated any appropriate combination of Figures 4-13.
9. A manure spreader substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated any appropriate combination of Figures 4-13.