GB2534121A

GB2534121A - Swath conditioning machine

Info

Publication number: GB2534121A
Application number: GB1421934.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dowson Walton John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-12-10
Filing date: 2014-12-10
Publication date: 2016-07-20
Also published as: GB201421934D0

Abstract

A swath conditioning machine having a main body of the machine 2 with a rotor 3 with tines, hinged, adjustable rear doors 4, and wheels 5 mounted on linkages 6. The rotor can be lifted and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder 7. An angled drawbar 1 allows a leading tractor to run alongside the swath to be worked rather than astride it. Attached to the draw bar with non-parallel links 11 and 13 is a pivotal arm 8 carrying rake wheels 9 mounted on independently suspended links 10. There is a hydraulic lift mechanism 14 to lift the arm into and out of contact with the ground, and adjustable stop mechanisms 15 and 16 to keep the arm and rotor at the desired height. In use, the machine turns over the swath onto new ground, and fluffs it up or spreads it out.

Description

SWATH CONDITIONING MACHINE

This invention relates to a machine that is intended to condition swaths of various materials commonly found as a product of agriculture.

With most crops the cut material is left out in the sun and wind to dry in order to make the material store without deterioration and reduce the harvest effort. Whilst the crop is in this swath there is a chance that it will get wetter as a result of precipitation or high humidity. Poor ambient conditions can result in slow drying rates and further deterioration of the crop. It is common practice to perform various tasks to improve drying rates in the small window of good drying conditions. These tasks can involve turning the swath over to reveal the wetter side to the sun and wind, moving the swath onto dry ground and fluffing the swath up improve the drying effect of the wind and sun.

In the invention described here we have a machine that uniquely combines all three actions into one pass. This machine turns the swath over onto new ground and fluffs it up into a condition more ready for drying.

There have been individual machines with components of a similar construction that will perform similar tasks individually but they exist as separate machines and not combined in the way I will describe. In addition, the particular manner in which I have combined the components will yield further symbiotic benefits. As swaths get much bigger it is less desirable to have to work astride the swath as there is limited clearance under the tractor and drawbar combinations. In the machine described there is no requirement for the tractor or the machine to straddle the swath.

Description

The machine consists of an angled drawbar (1) attached to the onside of the main body of the machine (2) Within the body is a rotor (3) with tines that is driven by some means, usually either hydraulic or mechanical. Hinged to the rear of the body are side doors (4) which are adjustable in angle. To the side of the body are wheels (5) mounted on linkages (6) such that the main body and rotor can be lifted or lowered into work via a mechanism or a cylinder (7) as in this case.

An arm (8) is pivotal on an axis substantially parallel to the direction of motion and this arm carries the rake wheels (9) on independently suspended links (10) such that all rake wheels contact the ground with equal balance force. Within the arm are non parallel links (11 & 12) and springs (13). A mechanism to lift the arm to the vertical exists and in this case is a hydraulic cylinder (14). This is used to lift the arm and wheels in line for transport or to raise a small amount to clear swaths.

An adjustable stop (15) and (16) will provide a means to pre-set the working height of the rake arm and the rotor respectively.

Operation The machine is normally hitched to the rear of a conventional agricultural tractor via the drawbar in a conventional manner. Power to the rotor can come from the tractor power take off shaft or from the auxiliary oil supply. Lift for transport and headlands will also be usually be facilitated by hydraulic connections to the tractor.

As the tractor stops at the side of the swath, the arm with rake wheels lowers from the vertical to engage with the swath. Simultaneously the body and rotor will lower to a pre-selected level.

The rotor begins to turn at an appropriate speed to match the intended forward speed of the combination. As the tractor moves forward the rake wheels engage with the crop at the side of the tractor and turn it over towards the rotor which is in line with the tractor. This has the advantage over other machines in so much that the swaths are not limited by the clearance under the tractor which can cause the swath to lodge under as the tractor progresses, nor does the tractor run over the swath which can cause contamination and poor drying conditions.

The over turned swath now enters the rotor where it is picked up and lifted by the spinning rotor with engaging tines. The swath is thrown out of the rear through the doors which help restrain the width of the new conditioned swath.

Within the rake arm are links with a spring which hold the rake wheels lightly in contact with the ground to prevent the inclusion of stones, weeds, clods or other undesirable elements. The links are un-parallel and adjustable to give a varying position of virtual hitch point which is normally below ground level. With this unique way of mounting the rake wheels there is a very light contact with the ground but as soon as there is contact with the swath the additional drag caused by the weight of the crop induces a proportional down ward response of the arm to ensure the rake wheels do not ride over the swath.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A swath conditioning machine that consists of rake wheels and a powered rotor within the same machine for a total conditioning of the swath. The rake wheels are mounted in such a way as to enable the tractor to run along-side the swath rather than astride as is current practice. The draw bar is so angled so that the swath does not have to pass under it.
2. A machine as in 1 where the rake wheels are mounted on an unparallel linkage to gain a virtual hitch point close to or below ground level.
3. A machine as in 1 and 2 where the rotor and/or rake wheels are fitted with a non metallic tine.
4. A machine as in 1, 2, and 3 where the rotor is driven hydraulically and is thus readily adjusted for speed.
5. A machine as in 1, 2, 3, and 4 where there are four wheels in tandem to give a smooth traverse of uneven ground.