GB2560492A

GB2560492A - Combined animal bedding dispenser and slurry scraper

Info

Publication number: GB2560492A
Application number: GB1701148.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Cleasby Ian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-01-24
Filing date: 2017-01-24
Publication date: 2018-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-24
Also published as: GB201701148D0; GB2560492B

Abstract

An animal bedding dispenser 1,2,3 which is mounted on a box scraper 4a and 4b, which in turn is mounted on a tractor (figure 1). The device may comprise: a hopper la, which may have a moving rear part thereof 1b which is able to be tipped to move the material it contains onto a dispensing mechanism 2b; the dispensing mechanism 2b may be a hydraulically driven belt or auger and spreading discs arrangement. The bedding material flow may be controlled by a rotating plate mechanism which also contains an agitating method, preferably comprising protruding finger like structures which rotate with the control plate movement.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Combined animal bedding dispenser and slurry scraper Abstract Title: Combined Scraper and Bedding Devise (57) An animal bedding dispenser 1,2,3 which is mounted on a box scraper 4a and 4b, which in turn is mounted on a tractor (figure 1). The device may comprise: a hopper la, which may have a moving rear part thereof 1b which is able to be tipped to move the material it contains onto a dispensing mechanism 2b; the dispensing mechanism 2b may be a hydraulically driven belt or auger and spreading discs arrangement. The bedding material flow may be controlled by a rotating plate mechanism which also contains an agitating method, preferably comprising protruding finger like structures which rotate with the control plate movement.

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Combined animal bedding dispenser and slurry scraper

Field of Invention

Since as early as the 1950’s dairy cattle have been encouraged to lie in cubicles to keep themselves clean and healthy. Cubicles are raised areas where cows lie perpendicular to the walkway between divisions which are designed to make the cow lie with its rear end facing the walkway to keep the raised area clean. Walkways are cleared of slurry daily with a scraper blade mounted on a tractor.

Many farms now use what is known as box scraper, utilising two scraper blades to remove the animal waste more efficiently.

For dairy cows to stay clean and comfortable in cubicles a good amount of fresh bedding, usually sawdust is required to be spread into the raised area daily. This was originally done manually with a barrow and shovel, spreading sawdust with long swinging motions. Laterly machines have been developed to be mounted on tractors which spread sawdust and other dry materials into the cubicles without manual labour. This is much faster than the manual method but still necessitates a separate journey through the cubicle shed.

The present invention is intended to combine the operation of a tractor clearing a cubicle shed passageway of slurry, and the operation of bedding said cubicles with bedding material, by mounting or combining a bedding dispenser with a tractor or materials handler mounted slurry scraper.

Advantages

Combining the act of spreading bedding material with the task of clearing the passageway of dung, will save the operator a great deal of time and fuel.

The present invention can be mounted on the farmers existing slurry scraper to save extra investment or bought as a combined unit benefiting from a combined frame design. Visibility impairment is minimized by the low sided two part hopper.

In a prefered embodiment of the present invention, the bedding dispenser and slurry scraper are design to be one single unit with a shared chassis. In this form it would also be possible to make a self loading machine.

Statement of Invention

According to the invention there is a bedding dispenser in conjunction to a double bladed slurry scraper, comprising a hopper, a metering mechanism, an agitation mechanism, a hydraulically driven belt and a frame.

In one embodiment of the the present invention the dispenser is mounted directly to the top of an existing slurry scraper. Held in place with U bolts pacing around the frame of the scraper.

In one embodiment of the the present invention the dispensing mechanism may be a hydraulically driven belt.

In a prefered embodiment of the invention the rear section of the hopper tips up to move material onto said dispensing device.

In a prefered embodiment of the invention the scraper and dispenser are integrated as one unit.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 shows a “box” scraper attached to a tractor using a 3 point linkage

Figure 2 shows the present invention mounted onto a box scraper

Figure 3 shows the present invention mounted onto a box scraper

Figure 4 shows the present invention with the rear section tipping material onto the dispensing mechanism

Figure 5 section showing flow regulator in the closed position with an arrow to show its direction and possible extent of travel

Figure 6 section showing flow regulator in the open position with an arrow to show its direction and possible extent of travel

Figure 7 shows a combined dispenser and scraper unit with self loading hopper section in load position

Figure 8 shows a combined dispenser and scraper unit with self loading hopper section in work position

Figure 9 shows a combined dispenser and scraper unit with self loading hopper section in part tipped position

Figure 10 shows a combined dispenser and scraper unit with self loading hopper section and rear hopper part in a fully tipped position

Detailed Description of Invention

The invention relates to an animal bedding dispenser combined with a slurry scraper.

Figure 1 shows a “Box” scraper attached to the rear three point linkage of a standard tractor, before a dispenser is mounted. This is a standard piece of equipment for removing slurry from animal cubicle sheds. Consisting of frame 4a, the attachment point of the box scraper to the three point linkage of the tractor, end plates 4b which are able to move vertically independent of the the main frame and blades 4c, which contact the ground and scrape the slurry and are also hinged along the top edge. The scraper can be used in forwards or reverse direction as the leading blade 4c being hinged along its top edge and allows the slurry to enter the scraper box, then being contained by the rear blade which is held in a vertical position.

Figure 2 and 3 show a perspective view from the front left and rear right angles respectively. The present invention, hopper 1a,b, & c, conveyor 2a,b & c, and flow regulator & agitator 3a, b & c are mounted as one unit onto a box scraper 4a, b & c, and secured using “U” bolts 5 to scraper frame 4a.

Material, most usually sawdust, but any other bedding material may be used, is stored in the hopper. Hopper front part 1a remains stationary and may be fixed to scraper frame 4a and fixed or possibly be part of conveyor frame 2a, or may form part of the frame or chassis of a preferred embodiment of the present invention where the dispenser is an integral part of the scraper. Hopper rear part 1b is movable in a rotational movement about hinge 1c, which may run full length of said hopper, in relation to hopper front part 1a. This allows the rear part of the hopper to tip all of the bedding material in the rear part of the hopper into the front part of the hopper and onto the the conveyor mechanism. The hopper having low side walls is thus kept low and allows for good visibility over said hopper. The tipping action can be controlled by manual or hydraulic means or any other suitable method

Conveyor belt 2b travels continuously when in use to throw the bedding material into the bedded area. The conveyor is driven by a hydraulically driven motor 2c, which is powered from the tractor or materials handler.

Shaft 3a which runs horizontally through the front part of the hopper, carries the flow regulator plate 3b and agitator fingers 3c. Shaft 3a can be rotated by any means including manually or by a hydraulic motor or ram. In a prefered embodiment of the invention the shaft rotates through approximately 90 degrees (see figures 4 and 5), whereby the flow regulator plates can be moved gradually from covering the conveyor, allowing bedding material to drop onto the conveyor belt. If material sticks or bridges the plates can be opened further or reversed backwards and forwards to loosen the material. Also agitator fingers 3c are positioned on the shaft to disturb settled material which does not freely drop when the flow regulator plates have been moved away from restricting flow of material onto the belt.

Hopper parts 1a and 1b are sized and positioned to cover the whole horizontal area of the scraper and allow the maximum amount of material to be stored without reducing visibility over the top of the hopper. Although the sides of the hopper are allowed to be made to any desired height.

Figures 4 seek to demonstrate the tipping motion of the rear part 1b of the hopper. In this figure it is shown in the tipped position, whereby all the material it stores is tipped into the front part of the hopper 1a, where it can be agitated and controlled by 3a, 3b & 3c before dropping onto conveyor belt 2b. In Figure 4 curved arrows are used to demonstrate the path and approximate limit of movement, although movement may be allowed further.

Figures 5 and 6 are cross sections and seek to demonstrate the movement of the flow regulation plate 3b and agitator fingers 3c which are attached to agitator shaft 3a. In Figures 5 & 6 curved arrows are used to demonstrate the path and approximate limit of movement, although movement may be allowed further.

Figures 7, 8 & 9 show a preferred embodiment of an integral design of the dispenser and scraper with some of the the frame being common to both parts and may or may not be also equipped with a self loading mechanism. Figure 7 shows the self loading bucket of the hopper 1e in the down or loading position. Loading is achieved by lowering the bucket down to the floor, rotating on hinge 1d which in turn is attached to modified rear hopper part 1b. In this position the bucket 1e can be filled by reversing the dispenser scraper into the stockpile of bedding material. Once filled the bucket can be raised by any means, preferably hydraulic, to scoop up the material and raise it up to the working position shown in Figure 8. To enable filling of the front section of said hopper 1a the bucket is able to tip forwards firstly on to the rear part of the hopper 1 b as shown in Figure 9 which in turn is able to tip forwards around hinge 1c to deposit bedding material into the front part of the hopper and onto the conveyor belt as shown in Figure 10.

A disinfectant applicator may be added to the machine to apply powder or liquid into the bedding material or directly onto the bedded area.

Figures 7, 8 & 9 all show the flow regulator plate in the open position.

Claims

1, A machine which dispenses bedding material which is mounted on a double bladed “box” slurry scraper which is in turn mounted on a tractor, materials handler or any self propelled machine, with the said invention being completely supported by the scraper device.

2, A machine as mentioned in claim 1 which uses a hydraulically driven belt to throw the bedding material into the bedding area

3, A machine as described in claim 2 which has a hopper for storage of bedding material

4, A machine as described in claim 3 which said hopper may be in two parts and have a section which is movable, may be hinged, manually or hydraulically powered to control the transfer of material to the belt area

5, A machine as mentioned in claim 4 which can be fit as a retrofit to existing scrapers and may be bolted to frame with U bolts

6, A machine as mentioned in claim 5 which is self loading via a tipping hopper or part thereof

7, A machine as mentioned in claim 6 which has an integrated frame in common with the scraper.

8 A machine as described in claim 7 which has a belt which can be driven in either direction to dispense material left or right

9, A machine as described in claim 8 which has rotating flow regulating blade on a horizontal axis, which may be flat, bevelled or curved in profile, may or may not extend full length of machine and be enabled manually or by any mechanical means

10 A machine as described in claim 9 which has a rotary agitator, which may or may not rotate or be fixed to or around the same axis as said flow regulating

11, A machine as described in claim 10 where the hopper tipping function may also agitate or operate the material agitating mechanism

12, A machine as described in claim 11 which has rotary hydraulically driven brushes to clean the raised areas

13, A machine as mentioned in claim 12 which has additional apparatus which can dispense liquid or powder hygiene chemicals into the bedding or separately

14, A machine as described in claim 13 which can spread material to both sides at same time possibly by the use of spreading discs and/or augers

15, A machine as described in claim 14 whose movement and function may be controlled remotely or automatically

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1701148.7 Examiner: Mr Tom Harris