GB2616403A - Agricultural roller apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An agricultural roller apparatus 10 has a frame 11 defining a fixed working width (W, figure 2), a plurality of axles 15 each individual and resiliently mounted to the frame, a plurality of roller elements 12, each associated with an axle of the plurality of axles, such that a roller element mounted on an axle is configured to move independently from an adjacent rolling element, thereby enabling greater compaction force upon locally uneven ground, across the working width W. Each axle of the plurality of axles may be located at the distal end of a strut 13, the strut mounted at its proximal end for resilient movement relative to the frame. The strut mounting at its proximal end may be comprised of a plurality of resilient elements 19, figure 3) clamped by a bracket (16) against a portion of the frame. Also disclosed is a method of constructing an agricultural roller and use of an agricultural roller towed behind a vehicle over a ground surface.

Description

AGRICULTURAL ROLLER APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a soil consolidation implement, particularly an agricultural roller apparatus of the type used during the process of planting arable crops (e.g. wheat peas, oil seeds, etc.).

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is common for pressing elements to be attached to an axle and used for firming and cultivating the soil. Typically, such a device is comprised of one or more rollers made of thick steel or made from/filled with concrete to achieve a greater effective weight, where the resulting device is adapted to be pulled by a tractor with a suitable coupling. A common variation is a segmented roller, e.g. a "Cambridge roller" where many small roller segments are mounted onto an axle so that each can individually rotate at local ground speed. The surface of the rollers may be smooth or textured dependent on the intended use.

In the known Cambridge configuration, the rolling elements are typically rings, cast from iron or steel, mounted to a common shaft on bearings within a framework to carry it. The frame can be a single section (i.e. working width) or extended to multiple axle sections to construct an implement of a greater width that also has the flexibility to be folded for storage and transportation.

Such machines have been used for many years after drilling a crop to increase seed to soil contact and therefore germination, while retaining valuable moisture in the soil. The design relies on having a relatively level soil surface to enable it to produce a good firming result, due to the fact that the rolling elements are mounted on a common shaft and have a typical length greater than two metres.

However, there is a current trend towards no till/environmental farming practices and, subsequently, Cambridge rollers can be increasingly ineffective behind "no-till / min-till" drills and shallow working cultivators that produce a more uneven surface than traditional farming practices. In other words, conventional rollers are ill equipped for effective operation upon locally uneven surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to overcome or ameliorate the issues outlined above, namely to provide an agricultural implement that is better suited to operation over locally uneven ground and still capable of performing the required role of flattening/closing a cut/drilled ground surface to increase seed to soil contact and therefore germination, while retaining valuable moisture in the soil.

In one broad aspect of the invention there is provided an agricultural roller apparatus according to claim 1. The roller includes: a frame defining a working width; a plurality of rolling elements; wherein, across the working width, each rolling element (or a functionally equivalent pair of rolling elements) is mounted on an individual axle that is independently movable compared to an adjacent rolling element.

In a practical implementation according to the invention, the rollers (typically termed "wheels" or "rings") are individually mounted on axles associated with the distal end of struts that extend from a suspension means (e.g. resilient element(s) that provide a reaction/feedback force) associated with the frame. This allows for each wheel to follow the ground closely as required in that particular area of a field.

Each rolling element preferably has a relatively heavy weight so that each can act/apply force under its own weight rather than relying on a total imposed weight of the implement as a whole, across its working width, to achieve a firming action upon soil over 30 which it moves. In this way, on uneven ground, when a first wheel passes over a relatively higher ground contact surface, compared to an adjacent second wheel that passes over a relatively lower ground contact, the effect of the force applied by the suspension is greater on the relatively higher ground surface and, hence, it is compacted to a greater degree than the lower surface, resulting in the ground surface as a whole being more even/level after the apparatus has passed over.

In certain forms of the invention, wheels can be offset/angled so as to encourage a self-cleaning action. Furthermore, the device may be supplied with or without a mounted scraper blade to separate soil from its rolling elements.

The apparatus may be used in combination with other soil working elements, e.g. as an implement trailing behind a seed drilling apparatus.

The rolling elements may be made of any material e.g. fabricated from steel, cast, concrete or concrete-filled, or a multi-material ballasted design. Each wheel could be made of plurality of components. Typically, an individual wheel may be 100mm in width, but any suitable width or diameter is possible.

For the purposes of interpretation, the phrase "each rolling element is mounted on an individual axle" includes any embodiment that features multiple pairs of rolling elements, e.g. each pair mounted on a common axle at the distal end of a strut, provided across the working width. In a practical implementation, there will be a plurality of individually suspended wheels across the working width, e.g. six or more.

The working width may comprise a plurality of rows of rolling elements, e.g. staggered and/or interlacing.

In a preferred form the suspension means comprises individual mounting for each strut utilising a bracket that encloses rubber bushes sandwiched against the support frame, 30 e.g. rubber cylinders located at each corner of a square/diamond (or any even sided -3-polygon) shaped bracket. A suspension method of this general type is known from machines for mounting tines/discs/small rollers. However, it is believed that such a system is not known in the context of covering the full working width of an implement or with heavy individual rollers. In practice, as mentioned, the inherent weight of each of the individual roller sections pulls under gravity against the rubber mounting unit which allows an individual roller/axle to move down into any depressions in the soil to achieve a consolidation effect across the working width in places in the field where this would otherwise be impossible to achieve. Conventionally, a large cluster of rings are mounted on a common axle of the working width and the weight/downward force is necessarily evenly distributed, which can result in a level appearance, but the ground surface itself is not evenly compressed after the implement has passed over.

As is known, a heavier overall implement can be achieved by either making the rings individually heavier in their construction, by increasing the weight of the frame and/or adding ballast to the implement via the frame.

As is also known, wider agricultural roller implements (say between six and eighteen metres wide) can be constructed to fold for transport into sections that are less than about three metres. Such configurations are possible in connection with the present 20 invention.

According to the invention, it is possible to construct an agricultural roller with multiple roll elements where an even compaction force is able to be achieved across a working width upon uneven local ground.

In a related aspect there is provided an agricultural roller apparatus including: a frame defining a working width; a plurality of axles each individually mounted by a suspension means from the frame. In practice, the plurality of axles comprises at least six axles each mounted for individual suspension from the frame, so that rolling elements mounted on the axles are configured to move independently from each other across the working width. The working width effectively provides a cluster of individually mounted/suspended rolling elements.

Multiple working widths/frames, each with an associated roller cluster, may be mounted 5 on a superstructure for greater lateral ground coverage and/or in succession relative to the direction of travel of the agricultural implement.

The present invention results in an improved rolling machine (consolidator) by the provision of individually mounting the rings or elements for multiple ground contact points, i.e. of variable force, across a working width.

The invention results in an improvement because force is appliable where it is actually needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an agricultural roller apparatus that incorporates the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates an end elevation view of a roller of the invention mounted from an agricultural roller apparatus; Figure 3 illustrates a side elevation view of roller from Figure 2; Figure 4 illustrates a partial plan view of a roller apparatus according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a pictorial overview of the agricultural roller apparatus in use; and Figure 6 shows a pictorial view of rollers of the agricultural apparatus in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description presents exemplary embodiments and, together with the drawings, serves to explain principles of the invention. However, the scope of the 5 invention is not intended to be limited to the precise details of the embodiments or exact adherence with all steps, since variations will be apparent to a skilled person and are deemed also to be covered by the description. Terms for components used herein should be given a broad interpretation that also encompasses equivalent functions and features. In some cases, several alternative terms (synonyms) for structural features have been 10 provided but such terms are not intended to be exhaustive.

Descriptive terms should also be given the broadest possible interpretation; e.g. the term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of" such that interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner. Directional terms such as "vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "upper" and "lower" may be used for convenience of explanation usually with reference to the illustrations and are not intended to be ultimately limiting if an equivalent function can be achieved with an alternative dimension and/or direction.

The description herein refers to embodiments with particular combinations of steps or features, however, it is envisaged that further combinations and cross-combinations of compatible steps or features between embodiments will be possible. Indeed, isolated features may function independently as an invention from other features and not necessarily require implementation as a complete combination.

Figure 1 (and pictorial view Figures 5 and 6) illustrates the typical appearance of an agricultural roller apparatus configured according to the present invention. The roller 30 apparatus 10 features a main frame section 11 for mounting ground contacting rollers 12 via struts 13 that are resiliently attached to the frame by a suspension means 14 that is shown in more detail by reference to Figure 3. A drawbar 17 is provided for connection to a motorised vehicle, e.g. tractor T. The apparatus is configured to be pulled in the general direction denoted D. The apparatus may feature various actuators for suspension of the frame itself, however, these are outside the scope of the invention.

In the illustrated form (from the point of view of Figure 1) there are two rows of wheels 12 across the short length of the apparatus relative to the direction of travel D. The "working width" W of the device is transverse to the direction of travel D and upon a plane parallel to the ground (not visible in Figure 1, but shown partially by Figure 4 and in totality by Figure 5).

As summarised above, the invention relates to a system of individually mounting a plurality of axles 15, each from the support strut 13, such that each wheel/roller 12 is able 15 to adapt to the ground surface and compact it to a different extent dependent on its surface contours.

Detail of the suspended mounting 14 is best shown by Figure 3. Particularly, in an exemplary form the suspension means 14 comprises individual mounting for each strut 13 utilising a bracket 16 that encloses rubber bushes 17 sandwiched against a laterally mounted box section (extending across the working width) of the support frame 11. In the illustrated form, rubber cylinders 19 are located at each corner of a square/diamond (or any even sided polygon) shaped bracket 16. Strut 13 is angled slightly backward such that axle 15 is located behind frame 11 relative to the direction of travel D. The bracket encloses the bushes and presses these against frame 11 (via clamping action from a nut and bolt -not shown) to provide resilient movement of the strut 13 relative to frame 11 as indicated by arrow M. Tension/feedback force is supplied by the firmness of the bushes 19 and/or how tightly the bracket 16 is clamped against box section 11.

In practice, when drawn in the direction of travel D, the weight of the collective wheels and frame provides an overall downward force F, however, the inherent weight of each of the individual roller sections falls separately under gravity against its rubber mounting unit 14 which allows an individual roller/axle to move further down into any depressions in uneven soil to achieve a consolidation effect across the working width W in places of the field where this would otherwise be impossible to achieve.

In one form of the invention, as shown in Figure 4, the working width W may comprise a plurality of rows A, B of rolling elements 12 / axles 15, e.g. staggered and/or interlacing, 10 to best provide gapless contact/coverage over the entire working width W in the working direction D. In further forms (not shown), the rollers may be angled relative to the ground surface so as to encourage a self-cleaning action. Furthermore, the device may be supplied with or 15 without a mounted scraper blade to separate soil from its rolling elements.

As shown in Figure 5, the frame 11 may be supplied with retractable pneumatic wheels 18 for road transport and incorporated in combination with other soil working elements, e.g. as an implement trailing behind a seed drilling apparatus S. To summarise, the invention can be described as an agricultural roller apparatus that includes a frame 11 defining a working width W; and a plurality of rolling elements 13; wherein, across the working width, each rolling element 13 or a functionally equivalent pair of rolling elements being mounted on an individual axle 15 that is independently movable compared to an adjacent rolling element 13. Alternatively, the invention could be analogously defined as a ground contacting implement for soil consolidation, including: a frame defining a working width; and a plurality of axles each individually mounted by a suspension means from the frame. In practice, the plurality of axles comprises at least six axles each mounted for individual suspension from the frame. In practice the rolling elements mounted on the axles are configured to move independently from each other across the working width. The working width effectively provides a cluster of individually mounted/suspended rolling elements.

In a further alternative definition of the invention, an agricultural roller apparatus may comprise: a frame defining a working width; a plurality of axles each individually mounted by a suspension means from the frame; a plurality of roller elements, each associated with an axle of the plurality of axles. Accordingly, a respective rolling element mounted on a corresponding axle is configured to move independently from an adjacent rolling element, thereby enabling greater compaction force upon a higher contact surface of locally uneven ground, across the working width. The effect of the individual suspension could alternatively, or in addition, be described as allowing a roller to extend further from the frame to contact a lower contact surface of locally uneven ground.

In an alternative form of the invention, a suspension means may be built into a distal end of the strut at the axle, and/or the strut element itself may include a resilience that enables its associated roller to follow a ground surface independently of another roller.

In a further alternative or supplemental form, the axles may not be strictly "resiliently" mounted in that the rollers may be free to hang under their own weight against a lowermost local ground surface. In such a case the rollers are pivotally mounted relative to the frame but may not be biased toward a particular position that is less than the maximum extension. The strut may be configured to pivot between a minimum and maximum extension relative to the frame.

In the various forms of the invention, by way of example, the actual weight of a two metre section of fourteen rings with mounting plates and fixings is approximately 1200kg. The estimated weight of a 6.3m complete machine is approximately 4900kg.

There are a variety of ways to manufacture roller elements and a corresponding 30 suspension system according to the invention. As such, construction of the present invention is possible using conventional manufacturing techniques and materials, as well as according to any future techniques that become available.

Claims (10)

1. An agricultural roller apparatus, including: a frame defining a fixed working width; a plurality of axles each individually and resiliently mounted relative to the frame; a plurality of roller elements, each associated with an axle of the plurality of axles; such that a rolling element mounted on an axle is configured to move independently from an adjacent rolling element, thereby enabling greater compaction force upon a higher contact surface of locally uneven ground, across the working width.

2. The agricultural roller apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of rows of roller elements, each including a plurality of axles that are individually and resiliently mounted relative to the frame.

3. The agricultural roller apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein each axle of the plurality of axles is located at the distal end of a strut, said strut mounted at its proximal end for reliant movement relative to the frame.

4. The agricultural roller apparatus of claim 3, wherein the strut mounting at its proximal end is comprised of a plurality of resilient elements clamped by a bracket against a portion of the frame.

5. The agricultural roller apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the plurality of axles is mounted at an angle to a ground surface.

6. The agricultural roller apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a scraper device located proximate at least one of the plurality of roller elements.

7. The agricultural roller apparatus of any preceding claim, further including one or more of the following mounted on or from the frame: ground contacting transport wheels, raising and lowering hydraulics, a drawbar, a seed drilling apparatus.

8. An agricultural roller apparatus comprising: a frame defining a working width; a plurality of rolling elements; wherein, across the working width, each rolling element or proximate pair of rolling elements of the plurality of rolling elements is mounted on an individual axle that is independently movable compared to an adjacent rolling element or proximate pair.

9. A method of constructing an agricultural roller apparatus including: providing a frame to define a fixed working width; providing a plurality of rolling elements; and arranging each rolling element, or proximate pair of the plurality of rolling elements, across the fixed working width such that each is independently moveable relative to the frame and able to provide greater compaction force upon a higher contact surface of locally uneven ground, across the working width.

10. Use of an agricultural roller apparatus of any preceding claim 1 to 8, towed behind a vehicle and over a ground surface.