IES20070106A2

IES20070106A2 - A fence post driving apparatus

Info

Publication number: IES20070106A2
Application number: IE20070106A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Cornelius Horgan
Original assignee: Cornelius Horgan
Priority date: 2006-02-21
Filing date: 2007-02-19
Publication date: 2007-09-19
Also published as: GB2435292A; GB2435292B; GB0703046D0; IE20070105A1

Abstract

A post driving apparatus 1 is mounted on a tractor (T) and has a frame (2) mounted on the tractor three-point linkage. The frame (2) has a pillar supporting a weight (3) and an impact plate (20). A low-level post guide (5) has a front guide plate (6) a pair of brackets (10) and a hinged rear guide plate (7). Double acting hydraulic rams (8,9) within box sections of the frame (2) are pivotally connected to the front guide plate (6) at opposite transverse ends thereof. The rams (8,9) are driven by the tractor hydraulic system with individual ram control. They allow rotation of the guide (5) about a vertical axis through a large range of angles. In addition, they allow translational movement of the guide (5) forwards and backwards. The guide allows post driving where the fence line is at any of a range of angles with respect to the tractor direction, and so fencing along a narrow road is possible, the tractor facing along the direction of the road. It also allows individual post orientation control from the spool valves, and excellent post support during driving.

Description

The invention relates to fence post driving.

GB2050476 describes a tractor-driver apparatus for post-driving. Such a type of 10 apparatus is known for some time. It suffers from the problem of difficulty of alignment of the post during post driving. It is often the case that a guide is held by a person, with the attendant safety problems.

US3700047 also describes fence post driving apparatus of this type.

The invention is therefore directed towards providing a post driving apparatus having improved fence post movement control and/or improved automation, and/or improved operator safety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is provided a post driving apparatus comprising a frame having a post pillar, a post impacting mechanism on the frame, a post guide to surround part of a post during driving to prevent post twisting, and an adjustment mechanism to set orientation of the guide.

In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism comprises means for rotating the guide with respect to the frame.

In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism comprises an hydraulic ram means connected to the guide. -2W0iO6 Ifc070106 In one embodiment, the ram means comprises at least two rams linked to the guide whereby differential movement of the rams causes rotation of the guide about a substantially vertical axis.

In one embodiment, the rams are linked with the guide at opposed transverse sides.

In one embodiment, the ram means comprises at least one double acting ram.

In one embodiment, the ram means comprises means for coupling to a tractor hydraulic system.

In one embodiment, the guide comprises a guide member which may be opened to allow a post to be inserted and locked for use.

In one embodiment, the opening guide member is hinged for rotation about a substantially vertical axis.

In one embodiment, the opening guide member is arranged to slide into position engaging opposed slots In one embodiment, separation of opposed guide members of the guide is adjustable to accommodate a desired post widths.

In another embodiment, the guide comprises a member which is removable and means for securing said member at one of a plurality of selected positions each providing a different guide width in a dimension.

In one embodiment, the removable member is arranged to be hinged at any of a plurality of positions.

In one embodiment, the removable member is arranged to slide into engagement with opposed slots at any of a plurality of positions. -3ί(07<Ηβ.β IE 07 0 1 0 6 In a further embodiment, the guide comprises a guide member which is driven by an actuator for opening and closing the guide.

In one embodiment, the actuator comprises an hydraulic ram means.

In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism comprises means for retracting the guide to an inoperative position out of alignment with the impacting mechanism.

In one embodiment, the guide is mounted at a lower end of the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a post-driving apparatus of the invention in which different hydraulic post guide alignment positions are shown; and Figs. 3 to 6 are perspective views showing the apparatus in use.

Referring to the drawings a post driving apparatus 1 is mounted on a tractor T. It comprises a frame 2 mounted on the tractor three-point linkage. The frame 2 has a pillar supporting a weight 3 and an impact plate 20 operated by a conventional hammer mechanism the details of which, for clarity, are not shown. The impact plate 20 is linked with the weight 3 by chains when not in use, but de-coupled from the impact plate 20 so that it can remain on top of the post when not in use.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a low-level post guide 5 comprising:a front (with respect to tractor direction) guide plate 6; a pair of brackets 10 extending rearwardly from the plate 6; -4fc»70l0e IE 0 7 υ ? 0 6 a rear guide plate 7 hinged on the brackets 10 and having a hinge pin 12 and a lock pin 11; and hydraulic drive rams 8 and 9 within box sections of the frame 2 and pivotally connected to the front guide plate 6 at opposite transverse ends thereof.

The separation of the front and rear guide plates 6 and 7 matches the depth in one dimension of a standard-sized fence post to be driven.

The rams 8 and 9 are double acting, and are driven by the tractor hydraulic system with individual ram control from a spool valve chest 15 on the post driver frame 2. Hydraulic lines are within the box sections within which the rams are located. The rams 8 and 9 allow rotation of the guide 5 about a vertical axis through a large range of angles, up to c. 150°. In addition, the rams 8 and 9 allow translational movement of the guide 5 forwards and backwards. At a forward-most position the guide 5 may be brought out of the way of a large post which does not require the guide. This adds to versatility of the apparatus 1, and avoids need to manually remove the guide. The arrangement of the rams 8 and 9 allow particularly versatile movement of the guide, as they allow both rotational and translational movement.

Fig. 1 shows rotation of the guide 5 in a clockwise direction as viewed in plan, whereas Fig. 2 shows rotation inn the anti-clockwise direction.

As shown in Figs. 3 to 6, a fence post P is stood vertically so that it abuts the front guide plate 6. This may be at any desired orientation because differential driving of the rams 8 and 9 allows rotation of the guide 5 in plan view. Therefore, for example, if a post is being driven at a location beside a narrow road or lane the tractor may be directed along the road with the guide 5 at close to 70° with respect to it. The apparatus 1 is therefore very versatile. Of course, the rams 8 and 9 may be operated so that the guide 5 is in-line with the tractor direction, the rams 8 and 9 being extended equally.

The rear guide plate 7 is opened to easily insert a post P. Alternatively, the plate 7 may remain closed and the post P dropped in. When the guide plate 7 is closed the W070 Κ»/ IE 0 7 υ 1 0 6 -5post P can not twist, being abutted on opposed faces by the guide plates 6 and 7. The driving mechanism is then operated in conventional manner to repeatedly drop the weight 3 onto the top of the impact plate 20 on the post P to drive it into the ground. As the post is driven into the ground there is no twisting because of the guide 5. Thus, for a line of fence posts the front and back faces will be aligned, allowing easy completion of erection of a fence. Because of the low position of the guide 5, it is particularly effective, and reduces chance of post breakage. Also, damage of the guide 5 by impact of the weight 3 is avoided because it is so far from it.

It will be appreciated that the invention allows the post to be put in exact position as governed by movement of two double-acting hydraulic rams. The rams are operated (together with other functions) from the spool-valve 15 on the post-driver by an operator standing on the ground. The apparatus prevents any undesired movement, including twisting, of the post and keeps the post vertical while being driven. Alignment can be altered when the post is partly being driven, if desired. Also, the apparatus increases speed and safety of fencing as the post is held near the ground, which is the main pressure point, and this very much reduces risk of the post breaking.

It will also be appreciated that the guide 5 may be operated for orientation of the post differently from that illustrated. For example, it may be in the opposite sense to that shown, or it may be at a centre position aligned with the direction of the tractor. This allows the tractor to be aligned at any desired direction and angle with respect to the line of the fencing. This is very advantageous for alignment of the tractor on narrow roads or laneways.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail.

There may be only one ram for rotating the guide, a side opposed to a ram joint being pivoted. The guide may be mounted higher up on the post driver pillar, possibly close to the impact plate. Also, the guide may not be openable, taking the form of a sleeve of square or rectangular cross-section. -6^¢70^0,8 It I.7v 1 06 Where it is openable, the clamp plate may be arranged to drop in to opposed slots, and there may be a number of pairs of opposed slots to provide different guide depths.

An opening side of the guide may be controlled an actuator such as one or more hydraulic rams.

The guide may incorporate an adjustment mechanism to allow the user to select the separation to suit the particular posts. This may take the form of a hinge having a pin engagable in slots at a desired position. This sets a desired separation between opposed faces of the guide.

The clamp plate may have a tapered surface to provide a wedge action to engage a surface of the post.

One or more sides of the guide may be provided by a roller, which would allow a smooth downward movement of the post. If a roller is used, it may be arranged to drop in, or it may be hinged, or it may not be removable.

Further the apparatus may comprise a hood under the impact plate, the hood engaging the post to ensure that the impact is correctly on the centre.

In a further embodiment, the adjustment mechanism may be arranged to rotate the frame and guide with respect to the tractor instead of the guide with respect to the frame.

The apparatus may be arranged for driving posts other than fence posts.

Claims

1. A post driving apparatus comprising a frame having a post pillar, a post impacting mechanism on the frame, a post guide to surround part of a post 5 during driving to prevent post twisting, and an adjustment mechanism to set orientation of the guide.

2. A post driving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises means for rotating the guide with respect to the frame.

3. A post driving apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an hydraulic ram means connected to the guide.

4. A post driving apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ram means 15 comprises at least two rams linked to the guide whereby differential movement of the rams causes rotation of the guide about a substantially vertical axis; and wherein the rams are linked with the guide at opposed transverse sides; and wherein the ram means comprises at least one double acting ram; and wherein the ram means comprises means for coupling to a tractor hydraulic system; and 20 wherein the guide comprises a guide member which may be opened to allow a post to be inserted and locked for use.

5. A post driving apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.