IE87025B1 - A multipurpose trailed agricultural implement frame - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention comprises a central frame (1A), two cantilevered arms (113,1C), a front headstock (1D), a rear axle (1E), pivot assemblies on left and right hand side (1F,1G). The implement is to be mounted to and powered via an agricultural tractor at the headstock. The tractor is to provide power to the associated implements via the tractors hydraulic and PTO power systems. The frame is to carry various types of agricultural implements including but not limited to agricultural forage mowers and agricultural forage mergers. These implements are to be mounted out of the frame pivot points and controlled via the tractors hydraulic system. The implements are to fold out to their operating position and fold rearwards to a transport position. <Figure 1>

Description

A Multipurpose Trailed Agricultural Implement Frame Field of Invention The invention relates to a trailed agricultural implement frame, this frame will be towed behind an agricultural tractor or similar vehicle. The frame consisting of a central main beam, with cantilevered beams on the left and right hand side will be mounted to the tractor via the frames headstock situated to the front of the main frame and supported at the rear via an axle. The purpose of the frame will be to mount various sets of agricultural implements including but not limited to an agricultural mower implements for the cutting of agricultural forage, and a forage merging implements for the merging of cut agricultural forage. These implements will flank either side of the central beam in working and transport position. The frame will also accommodate the power systems for these implements this includes but is not limited to hydraulic or mechanical power take off (PTO) systems.

Background Currently there are two separate types of implement frames in production for these types of implements. The first type relies solely on the tractors three point linkage to support the frame and its implements of which they are limited to one type for example a set of mowing beds or a raking implement. The second type is a trailed frame that again only accommodates one type of implement.

The three point linkage type generally folds upward when folding into a transporting position. This method can lead to the implements being high in the transport position which raises the centre of gravity of the work unit (tractor and implement), this can cause the tractor and work unit as a whole to become less stable, it can also lead the operator to be restricted in his/her choice of transport route. This type can also lead to excessive loading on the tractors three point linkage. Use of the machine can be cumbersome in operation as headland turning can be time consuming as free-flowing movements cannot be performed. /12/2018 The current trailed frame for mowing implements is of a low bed design. Again these frames are designed for one implement type and inter-changing implements is not accommodated. These can incorporate steering systems but again these can become cumbersome on inner headland operations, with the operator having to perform a three point turning manoeuvre.

Current trailed rake implements have a similar single beam frame, but these implements fold upwards to a transport position. Again this can be difficult for the operator where height restrictions are a concern. This again raises the centre of gravity of the machine which can cause the machine to be less stable in the transport position. Also these frames can only accommodate a single type of implement.

Current implement frames rely on either a 'break back' system or 'lift' system to protect the associated implements from damage due to foreign or unexpected objects in the work area.

Implements currently rely on a reactive suspension system at a ground loading force for following the contours of work areas. This reactive suspension means that there is a large downward force on the implement. This excessive downward force can lead to excessive wear on the implement ground contact parts or 'skids'.

The machines used for gathering or merging cut forage into a single swath are limited in the size swath they produce. Current raking and merging machines use a single central divider to stop crops crossing over from the left hand side to right and vice versa. But these can only vary the width of the swath by increasing or decreasing the working width of the machine. This method does not always suit the following machine as machines that require a narrower working area sometimes need a wide swath.

A problem associated with the machines currently available is the lack of efficiency in the production of the machines, as currently different implements need different implement frames and there are no modular units that fit various 30 types of implements. /12/2018 Statement of Invention The invention is as set out in the claims. Some of the features of the invention include: • The Main Frame ( beam and cantilevers), · The Headstock for mounting to agricultural vehicle, • Rear steering axle (mechanical / hydraulic steering), • Pivots at end of cantilevers, • Hydraulic implement control systems, • The associated implements, · Adjustable power systems, • Incorporated hydraulic oil reservoir, • Transport Support Beam.

The proposed inventions main central frame is supported at the rear via a steering axle and the front via the headstock which is mounted to the towing tractor.

The operator has an option of which pair of implements' are to be mounted to the frame including but not limited to agricultural forage mowing implements or agricultural forage merging implements. These implements are mounted to the frame via a pivot at the end of the cantilevered beam. These pivots have hydraulic cylinders mounted to control the movement of the associated implements including but not limited to the opening and closing or the implements, raising and lowering of the implements, and shock absorption systems for the associated implements.

The inventions main frame incorporates a hydraulic oil reservoir and associated 25 filtering and cooling systems for implements which require said equipment.

The proposed invention can be used for multiple implements via unpinning the implement from the pivots at the end of the cantilever frame and uncoupling the associated power systems. /12/2018 Different size implements may be used in conjunction with the frame as the drive system is adjustable fore and aft to allow for the larger or smaller swing radius of larger and smaller implements. The proposed invention would eradicate the difficulties associated with height machines as for road transportation implements 5 are rotated backwards to a locked position straddling the frame.

The frame of the invention is fitted with a unique hydraulic steering system to be used in conjunction with the standard mechanical or hydraulic steering systems. This hydraulic system gives the operator the option of Over steering’ for tighter turns on inner headland operations.

The machine is controlled via an electro-hydraulic system. The operator controls the pivoting to and from transport position using one of the tractors double acting hydraulic control valves. The operator controls the raising and lowering of the implements via the above mentioned electro-hydraulic system using another of the tractors double acting hydraulic control valves in conjunction with an electrical control circuit. With this system the operator has the option of raising or lowering both the left and right hand side implement simultaneously or, optionally raising or lowering the left or right hand side implement individually. This option is achieved via the use of an electrically controlled hydraulic diverter valve.

This hydraulic control system incorporates protection system for the associated 20 implements. This system uses a combination of a 'break back' and 'lift' type implement protection systems controlled hydraulically via the use of a variable pressure accumulator plumbed into the lift and fold systems. The operator has the option of setting the pressure of this system to suit the working conditions.

The implement is fitted with a variable ground pressure system which provides the operator with a system of setting the weight of the implement acting downwards on the work area. This system reduces unnecessary wear to the implement grounding plates or 'skids' The implements are powered via the tractors PTO system which provides power to a gearbox located centrally on the inventions main frame. This in turn provides /12/2018 power directly to the selected implements' or optionally can provide power to a hydraulic system to power hydraulically powered implements.

The proposed frame also incorporates a variable width central double divider which allows the operator vary the width of a central swath when using a forage 5 merging implement. This allows the operator to work at the appropriate working width of the machine and leave the correct swath for the following machine.

The invention also allows for greater efficiency in the production process. This is due to the implement frame's modular design. This allows for multiple frames to be produced and stored and used for various types of implements as and when 10 required.

Description of Drawings The present invention is described in the following drawing and these drawing are hereby described below; Figure 1 is an isometric view of the invention frame. It incorporates the main frame, the cantilever frame left and right hand side, the headstock, the rear axle, main implement pivots left and right hand side, the steering apparatus, the transport support frame, the main gearbox mount, and the associated hydraulic pivot control system.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the main frame with an implement attached to either side in the lower working position. It incorporates the invention frame, left and right hand side implement, the associated implement mounting booms, the associated operational hydraulics, the 'break away' protection system, and associated implement power system.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the frame of the invention with the identical implement system as that of figure 2 but in a raised working position. Showing both the left and right hand side work implement raised Figure 4 shows the front view or the frame of the invention with the identical implement system as figures 2 and 3 but with a singular implement raised. /12/2018 Figure 5 shows the frame of the invention with the same implement system as figures 2, 3 and 4 in an isometric view with the implements in the transport position.

Figure 6 presents an isometric view of the frame of the invention with a separate 5 optional implement system attached to the invention frame.

Figures 7 and 8 present the frame of the invention with an implement system as in figure 2, 3, 4 and 5 in an isometric view of the work protection position. Moved up and back away from the damaging foreign object.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a schematic of the hydraulic workings of the 'work protection' system presented in figures 7 and 8 Figures 11, 12, and 13 illustrate a schematic of the frame of the invention’s Over steer' steering system to be incorporated on mechanical steering systems.

Figures 14 and 15 show the implements variable ground pressure system in a front view and schematic respectively.

Figure 16 illustrates the incorporated variable width divider system attached to the implement frame in an isometric view.

Figure 17 shows a plan view of the variable swath divider system in a retracted position.

Figure 18 shows a plan view of the previously mentioned swath divider in an extended position. /12/2018 Detailed Description of Drawings Figure 1 illustrates the frame (1) of the invention in an isometric view. The invention frame (1) incorporates the main frame beam (1A) onto which are mounted the cantilever beam RHS (1B) and cantilever beam LHS (1C). These are supported at the fore of the frame (1) of the invention via the headstock (1D) which is attached to the towing tractor, and it is supported at the rear of the frame (1) of the invention via the rear axle assembly (1E). Implements are attached to the assembly via the main LHS pivot (1F) and main RHS pivot (1G). The frame (1) of the invention is fitted with steering mechanism (1H) which can be controlled 10 mechanically or hydraulically. The attached implements are supported in the transport position via the transport support beam (11). The associated implements are powered via the main gearbox mount (1J) which allows adjustment of the main gearbox forward and backward. The position of the implement is controlled via the hydraulic system represented via the RHS main pivot cylinder (1K) and LHS main pivot cylinder (1L).

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the frame (1) of the invention with forage mowing implements mounted on the left hand side (4) and right hand side (5) via mounting beams (2) and (3) in the working position. The implements are powered via the central gearbox (6) through PTO shafts (7). The implements are raised and lowered via the hydraulic lift control cylinders (8) Figure 3 illustrates the frame (1) of the invention as in figure 2 but from a front view and the implements (4) and (5) in a raised position. This is accomplished by operator utilising the electro-hydraulic system connected to tractors double acting hydraulic supply and electrical supply. The operator selects the function for raising both implements on the associated control box and operates the tractors hydraulic control valve.

Figure 4 illustrate the frame (1) of the invention as in figure 3 with implements (4) and (5) but with implement (4) in a raised position and implement (5) remaining in the working position, optionally this operation can work in the opposite format.

This operation is performed via the operator selecting the option of left hand side /12/2018 or right hand side function on the implements electrical control box and operating the tractors hydraulic control valve.

Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the frame (1) of the invention with the associated implements (4) and (5) in the transport position. This is accomplished via the operator raising the implements to their highest extent using a set of the pulling tractors hydraulic supply valves, and then rotating them rearward using a second set of hydraulic control valves supplying the pivot cylinders (1K) and (1L). Once the operator has rotated the implements to their rearmost extent the implement mounting beams (2) and (3) can be lowered on the transport support 10 beam (11).

Figure 6 shows the frame (1) of the invention with optional forage merging implements (11) and (12) on the left hand side and right hand side respectively, these are mounted on mounting beams (9) and (10) and are operated in a similar fashion to that of the implements in figures 2 to 5.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the implement protection system. The figures show an implement (4) meeting an obstruction (13). When the mower makes contact with the obstruction the pressure rearwards caused by said obstruction causes then LHS main pivot cylinder (1L) (shown in figure 1) to retract, this redirects oil flow to the main LHS Lift control cylinder (8) and allows the implement to move rear ward and upwards over the obstacle.

Figures 9 and 10 show a schematic of the system mentioned in figures 7 and 8.

The figures show the main 'flow' lines (14) to the main pivot cylinders (1K) and (1L) and to the main implement lift control cylinders (8). The figures also show the main variable pressure relief valve (15) which is set by the operator to the 25 operator's optimum setting, and variable accumulator (16). When the implement is set at its desired working position there is no flow going through the main 'flow' lines (14) as shown in figure 9, but when the implement contacts an obstacle it sends rearward pressure to pivot cylinder (1K) or (1L) which in turn causes the variable pressure relief valve (15) to send oil to the main lift control cylinder (8), /12/2018 hence the implement moves rearward and upwards when coming in contact with an obstacle which allows the implement to pass over the obstacle.

Figures 11,12 and 13 show a schematic of the operation of the frame (1) of the inventions Over-steer' system. Figure 11 shows the stub axles (17) going straight or at 0°. These are controlled via the connecting rods (18), the central pivot (19) and the main central connecting rod assembly (20) onto which is mounted the Over-steer' spring return hydraulic cylinder (21). Figure 12 shows the normal function of the steering system with the main central connecting rod (20) moving rearwards causing the central pivot (19) to turn through an angle of 'x'° which in turn causes the stub axles to turn through an angle of 'y'°. Figure 13 shows the steering system with the 'over-steer' hydraulic cylinder (21) extending this causes the central pivot (19) to rotate through an angle of 'x+a'° and in turn causes the stub axles to rotate through an angle of 'y+b'°. This operation is performed via the operator pressurising the hydraulic cylinder (21), to reverse the operation the operator is required to release the pressure from the cylinder (21) and the cylinder will contract automatically.

Figure 14 shows the implement suspension and variable ground pressure system incorporated into the frame (1) of the invention’s design. The figure shows the main lift control cylinder (8) attached to the main pivot (1F) and implement mounting beam (2) via bracket (22).Underneath the implement mounting beam is the 'float' hydraulic cylinder (23) connected to the main pivot (1F) and implement mounting beam (2) via bracket (24). Also shown is the associate variable hydraulic accumulator (25) which is connected to the 'float' cylinder (23).

Figure 15 shows a schematic of the system shown in figure 14. This figure shows 25 the hydraulic 'supply' lines (26) which supply both the main Lift control cylinder (8) and the 'float' cylinder (23), the variable accumulator (25) and hydraulic 'return' lines (27) from both the associated cylinders. The weight of the implement acting as a pressure acting downward on the work area can be controlled via varying the pressure in the associated hydraulic accumulator (25).

Figure 16 illustrates the invention frame (1) with a variable width divider system (28) incorporated into the frame on the underside of the frames main central beam (1A) Figure 17 shows a plan view of the variable swath divider system (28), consisting 5 of the side divider panels (28A), central divider hydraulic cylinder (28B) in a retracted position at a width of'm'.

Figure 18 shows a plan view of the variable swath divider system (28), consisting of the side divider panels (28A), central divider hydraulic cylinder (28B) in an extended position at a width of 'm+n'.

Claims (13)

Claims

1. A trailed agricultural implement frame, for being towed behind an agricultural tractor or similar vehicle, the frame comprising a central main beam, with cantilevered beams on the left and right hand side of the frame for mounting various sets of agricultural implements including but not limited to agricultural mower implements for the cutting of agricultural forage, and forage merging implements for the merging of cut agricultural forage, wherein the implements flank either side of the central main beam in both working and transport positions; and wherein the central main beam is supported at its rear by a rear axle, the rear axle is a steering axle and the steering axle allows for over steer of the trailed agricultural implement frame.

2. A trailed agricultural implement frame according to Claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a frame headstock situated to the front of the main frame for mounting the trailed agricultural implement frame to the tractor or similar vehicle.

3. A trailed agricultural implement frame according to any preceding claim wherein the implements are mounted to the frame via a pivot at the end of each cantilevered beam.

4. A trailed agricultural implement frame according to any preceding claim which incorporates a variable width central double divider which allows an operator to vary the width of a central swath when using a forage merging implement.

5. A trailed agricultural implement frame according to any preceding claim wherein the implements fold out to their operating position and fold rearwards to their transport position.

6. A trailed agricultural implement frame according to any preceding claim which allows the option of raising or lowering both the left and right hand side implement simultaneously or, of raising or lowering the left or right hand side implement individually.

7. A trailed agricultural implement frame according to any preceding claim comprising a drive system that is adjustable fore and aft to allow for the larger or smaller swing radius of larger and smaller implements.

8. A trailed agricultural implement frame according to any preceding claim comprising a hydraulic control system which incorporates a protection system for the implements.

9. A trailed agricultural implement frame according to claim 8 wherein the hydraulic control system uses a combination of a break back and lift type implement protection systems.

10. A trailed agricultural implement frame according to any preceding claim comprising a variable ground pressure system which provides an operator with a system of setting the weight of the implement acting downwards on a work area.

11. .A trailed agricultural implement frame according to any preceding claim wherein the steering system includes a hydraulic cylinder which causes the over steer.

12. A trailed agricultural implement frame according to Claim 11 wherein extending of the hydraulic cylinder causes the over steer.

13. A trailed agricultural implement frame according to Claim 11 or Claim 12 wherein the hydraulic cylinder is a spring return hydraulic cylinder.