IE51000B1 - Soil working apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a soil working implement which can harrow and grade soil in a single operation, for example to prepare a level seed-bed of fine tilth. The implement comprises a rigid horizontal frame (1) having three rows of downwardly projecting tines (9) extending transversely of the frame (1), the rows being spaced one behind the other, and a soil grader (11) mounted rearwardly of the tines. The soil grader includes a blade (12) which is pivotably mounted on the frame (1) and can be raised or lowered to adjust its working height. A single acting hydraulic ram (18) is used to raise the blade (12) which is free to float upwardly should it strike an obstruction. At least one further row of tines (33) may be located behind the grader. The frame (1) is provided at its front end with mounting brackets (34, 38) adapted to engage with the three-point linkage of a tractor, and at its rear end with wheels (29).

Description

The invention relates to a soil working implement.

It is an object of the invention to provide a soil working implement which can harrow and grade soil in a single operation to leave a sub5 stantially level seed-bed or the like having a fine tilth.

Accordingly, the invention provides a soil working implement comprising a substantially horizontal rigid frame, a plurality of downwardly projecting tines supported by the frame and spaced transversely across the frame, and a soil grader mounted on the frame rearwardly of the tines and having a transverse grader blade projecting downwardly from the frame, the soil grader being adapted to grade soil previously harrowed by the tines. Preferably, means are provided to adjust the operating height of the grader blade. Suitably, the grader blade is pivotally mounted on the frame, for example by means of a pair of end cheeks which project forwardly from each end of the blade and are pivotally connected to the frame, such that a ground engaging edge of the grader blade may be raised or lowered relative to the frame. The means for raising the blade may comprise a hydraulic ram, and preferably the hydraulic ram is a single acting ram and is so arranged that the blade is free to move upwardly should it strike an obstruction during operation of the implement.

In a preferred embodiment, the front end of the frame is provided with mounting points to enable the implement to be attached to the threepoint linkage of a tractor, and the rear end of the frame has groundcontacting wheels. Preferably, the wheels are adjustable in height. The tines may be bolted to transverse support bars mounted on the underside of the frame, and suitably there are three rows of tines spaced one behind the other forwardly of the grader. The implement may be provided with one or more rows of tines disposed rearwardly of the grader.

One embodiment of the invention is hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a soil working apparatus according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a soil working apparatus comprises a rigid frame 1 which may be manufactured from steel box sections welded together. The frame 1 comprises two parallel side members 3 which are joined by front and rear transverse members 4 and 5, respectively.

The frame 1 is strengthened by means of a centre transverse member 6 and a pair of intermediate longitudinal members 7 connected between the front transverse member 4 and the centre transverse member 6.

Three transverse support bars 8, which may be of spring steel, are welded to the undersurfaces of the side members 3 and intermediate longitudinal members 7. The support bars 8 are disposed parallel to the front transverse member 4, and to each other, and are spaced one behind the other along the intermediate longitudinal members 7. A plurality of tines 9 are bolted to each support bar 8. In the embodiment shown there are seven tines spaced apart across each support bar 8, but it will be appreciated that the number of tines in each row, and the number of rows of tines can be altered as desired.

The tines 9 are preferably spring steel tines. The free end of each tine 9 is curved to incline forwardly in the direction of 000 travel of the implement, and is provided with a replaceable wearing tip 10.

A soil grader 11 is mounted rearwardly of the tines 9 and is located substantially between the centre transverse member 6 and the rear framework member 5. The soil grader comprises a downwardly projecting grader blade 12 extending across the width of the frame and having a transverse ground engaging edge 13. A pair of side cheeks 14 are welded one to each end of the grader blade 12. The side cheeks 14 project forwardly of the blade 12. The end of each cheek 14 remote from the blade 12 is pivotally connected to a bracket 15 which depends from a corresponding side member 3. The blade 12 can thus pivot in an arc as shown in broken lines in Figure 2 to alter the height of the blade relative to the ground. The blade 12 is strengthened in the region of the edge 13 by means of a transverse member 16 of angle section welded to the rear of the blade and in the region of its top edge by a transverse member 17 of box section.

The working height of the grader blade 12 is controlled by means of a single acting hydraulic ram 18. The piston rod 19 of the ram is pivotally connected by a pin 20 to a bracket 21 attached to the top of the grader blade. The hydraulic cylinder 22 is pivotally connected by a pin 23 to an upstanding bracket 24 fixed to the centre transverse member 6. The pivot pin 23 is removably held in an aperture 25 in the bracket, and a second aperture 26 is provided in the bracket to permit adjustment of the working position of the hydraulic ram. If desired, a second aperture for the pivot pin 20 may be provided in bracket 21 to provide for adjustment of the connection of the piston rod.

The hydraulic ram 18 is powered, in well known manner, from the hydraulic pump of a tractor. Hydraulic fluid is fed through lines (not shown) into the cylinder 22 through an inlet nozzle 27 located at the top end of the cylinder remote from the pivot 23. The hydraulic pressure is thus applied behind the piston head 28 to raise the grader blade 12 to the desired height. The grader blade may be lowered by releasing the hydraulic pressure on the piston head 28 so that the grader blade 12 falls under its own weight. This arrangement has the advantage that in operation the grader blade 12 is free to float upwards should it strike an obstruction such as a rock or the like because, of course, the piston head 28 is free to move towards the pivot 23. The soil grader 11 is shown in a lowered position in full lines, and in a raised position in broken lines, in Figure 2.

A pair of ground engaging wheels 29, fitted with pneumatic or solid tyres, are located rearwardly of the grader 11. The wheels 29 are rotatably mounted at the lower ends of support members 30, which are suitably fabricated from lengths of box section steel. The support members 30 are vertically slidable in sleeves 31 welded to the inner face of each side member 3. The height of the frame 1 may be adjusted relative to the ground by raising or lowering the wheel support members 30 in the sleeves 31. The support members 30 may be locked in position in the sleeves by means of pinch bolts 32 or other suitable means.

A plurality of spring tines 33 are bolted to, and spaced along, a support bar 41 disposed rearwardly of the rear transverse member 5.

The tines 33, which may be pigtail tines, extend vertically downwards beneath the bar 41, and are intended to remove wheel marks from the soil and to impart a fine tilth to the graded soil. Instead, or in addition to the tines 33, trailing chains (not shown) may be provided behind the wheels 29. The implement is adapted for mounting on the three-point linkage of a tractor (not shown) by means of attachment points 34 on the front transverse member 4 which engage with the lower two mounting points of the three-point linkage . A pair of inwardly inclined members 35 forming an upstanding support structure are welded midway of the front transverse member 4, and have a top link bracket 36 pivotally connected to the top portion thereof by means of a pivot pin 37. The top link bracket 36 has an attachment point 38 for engagement with the top linkage point of the tractor. The support structure is reinforced by means of a pair of inclined struts 39 which are welded at one end to the members 35 and at their other ends to the longitudinal members 7. A tension spring 40 is connected between the top link bracket and a cross-bar on the struts 39 and serves to absorb any shocks imparted to the implement, and permits the implement to float relative to the tractor and so ensures that the tines remain in contact with the ground while the tractor is negotiating undulating or uneven ground.

In use the implement is mounted on the three-point linkage of a tractor and is partly supported by the linkage and by the wheels 29. The implement is towed behind the tractor. The tines 9 break-up and harrow the soil, while the grader blade 12 levels the harrowed soil.

The side cheeks 14 of the grader prevent soil from escaping at the ends of the grader blade 12 and assist in spreading the soil to fill any holes or undulations in the ground. The tines 33 impart a fine tilth to the graded soil and remove any wheel marks. The working depth of the tines can be adjusted by raising and lowering the three-point linkage and by making suitable adjustments in the wheel height. The working depth of the grader can be adjusted during operation by means of the hydraulic ram 18.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described which may be varied in constructional detail without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, rigid or other forms of tines may be used, and other suitable mounting means may be used for attaching the implement to a tractor or the like.

Claims (10)

1. A soil working implement comprising a substantially horizontal rigid frame, a plurality of downwardly projecting tines supported by the frame and spaced transversely across the frame, and a soil grader mounted on the frame rearwardly of the tines and having a transverse grader blade projecting downwardly from the frame, the soil grader being adapted, when the implement is in use, to grade soil previously harrowed by the tines. v

2. A soil working implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided for adjusting the operating height of the grader blade.

3. A soil working implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjusting means comprises a hydraulic ram.

4. A soil working implement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the grader blade is pivotably mounted on the frame by means of end cheeks which project forwardly from each end of the blade and are pivotally connected to the frame, such that the ground engaging edge of the blade may be raised and lowered relative to the frame, and the hydraulic ram is pivotably connected between the frame and the top of the grader blade.

5. A soil working implement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hydraulic ram is a single acting ram adapted to raise the blade upwardly under hydraulic pressure but is so arranged that the blade is free to move upwardly should it strike an obstruction during operation of the implement.

6. A. soil working implement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the front end of the frame is provided with mounting points for attachment to the three-point linkage of a tractor, and the rear end of the frame has ground-contacting wheels.

7. A soil working implement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the wheels are adjustable in height.

8. A soil working implement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein there are three transverse rows of tines, each row being spaced one behind the other forwardly of the grader.

9. A soil working implement as claimed in any of the preceding 5 claims, having at least one row of tines disposed rearwardly of the grader.

10. A soil working implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.