IES86267Y1 - A spreader - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A universal connector (1) and band spreader (4) for a slurry tanker (2) comprising an access dish (1) attachable to the slurry tanker (2) and attachment means (23,24) on the access dish (1) for sealably attaching the access dish (1) to an access dish mounting (3) on the tanker (2), the attachment means (23,24) being made up of hook clamps (23) for securing the access dish to the tanker and stabilising bolts (24) for stabilising the seal between the access dish (1) and the tanker (2) so that the access dish (1) can be securely and safely retrofitted to a slurry tanker (2) to retrofit the band spreader (4) to a slurry tanker (2).

Description

Introduction This invention relates to a spreader and, in particular, to a universal connector for a slurry tanker, a universal band spreader for slurry and to a slurry tanker fitted with the universal band spreader.

Background of the Invention Slurry spreading is widely used in agriculture as a fertilisation method. Two main methods are used to spread slurry. in a commonly used first method, slurry is A spread from a. tanker being drawn by a tractor. The slurry is discharged from the A rear of the tanker under pressure and distributed through the air by a splash plate.

Use of asplash plate to distribute the slurry is inexpensive but suffers from a number of disadvantages. For example, much ofthe environmentally unfriendly ammonia (NH3) in the slurry is emitted to the air while undesirable strong odours are also emitted. In addition, up to about a third of the valuable nitrogen component of slurry can be lost employing the spread plate method whilst slurry (and hence nutrient) distribution can be uneven. in order to overcome the problems associated with splash plate distribution method, dribble bar or band spreaders (hereinafter referred to as band spreaders) were deveioped in which the slurry is distributed to a series of outlets spaced apart on a ‘boom attached to the tanker. The outlets can be formed in lay-flat hosing that 886267 reaches to the ground so that the slurry is placed directly on the ground without splashing and with reduced NH3'emissions and nutrient loss whilstodour isalso diminished. A variation of the band spreader is the trailing foot spreader where a crop parting shoe is located at each outlet to assist in targeting the slurry at the base of crops.

Both splash plate spreaders and band spreaders can be used without tankers where the spreaders are mounted directly on a tractor attached via an umbilical pipe or hose up to 2 km long to a stationary slurry containing tank.

Known band spreaders also suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, known band spreaders for use with slurry tankers are generally specific to the slurry tanker and are permanently fixed to the slurry tanker.

Slurry tankers vary in construction and dimensions from manufacturer to manufacturer. For example, slurry tankers have a capacity ranging from about 3.5 m3 to about 16 m3 while the fixtures and fittings and sizes thereof can vary considerably so that it is extremely difficult to retrofit band spreaders to existing slurry tankers.

Typically, slurry tankers are fitted with removable access dishes mounted towards the rear of the tanker at the slurry outlet. However, the dimensions and structure of the access dish and its associated mounting on the tanker can vary according to the tanker manufacturer so that it is impossible or extremely difficult to retrofit band ‘spreaders to tankers already fitted with known band spreaders or with splash spreaders, Moreover, for safety reasons, it is not recommended that tankers, which operate under pressure, be tampered with or altered with in any way to facilitate retrofitting.

Accordingly, it can be financially prohibitive for splash plate users to upgrade to a band spreader as existing tankers cannot be easily and/or safely retrofitted with a band spreader and a new tanker with band spreader must be purchased at considerable expense.

An object of the invention is to overcome at least some of the problems of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a universal connector for a slurry tanker comprising: an access dish attachable to a slurry tanker, and attachment means on the access dish for sealably attaching the access dish to an access dish mounting on the tanker.

Preferably, the attachment means comprises securing means for securing the access dish to the tanker. More preferably, the attachment means further comprises stabilising means for stabilising the seal between thegaccessdish and the tanker.

Most preferably, the securing means comprises at least one hook clamp and the stabilising means comprises a stabilising bolt.

Advantageously, the securing means and the stabilising means are radially mounted on the access dish. Preferably, the securing means and the stabilising means alternate on the access dish.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the access dish is retrofittable to the slurry tanker.

The invention also extends to a band spreader comprising a universal connector as hereinbefore defined. Preferably, the band spreader comprises a boom having a plurality of slurry outlets for spreading the slurry. More preferably, the boom comprises a pair of upwardly foldable arms. Most preferably, the foldable arms comprise a breakaway hinge to deflect the arm upon contact with an obstruction.

Suitably, the breakaway hinge comprises means for controlling movement of the arm upon Contact with an obstruction. Preferably, the means for controlling movement of the arm comprises movement limiting means. More preferably, the movement limiting means comprises a spring for biasing the arm in an operating position. Most preferably, the movement limiting means comprises stop means to limit deflection of the arm.

Advantageously, the spring comprises a torsion spring.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the foldable arms are tapered towards their ends. Preferably, the tapered arms are tapered towards their ends in a first plane to minimise material in the arms. More preferably, the arms are tapered towards their ends in a second plane to further reduce material in the arms.

Suitably, the arms are provided with a reinforcing wall. Preferably, the arms are formed from a pair of oppositely disposed C—shaped members to define a central reinforcing wall along the length of each arm.

Optionally, the access dish is also provided with a splash plate.

Suitably, the -band spreader is fitted with a stone gate valve. Preferably, the band spreader comprises a flow restrictor for controlling flow of slurry.

The invention also extends to a slurry tanker comprising a universal connector and/or a band spreader as hereinbefore defined.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the universal connector is mountable on a bracket attachable to an umbilical slurry spreading system.

The invention also extends to a method of spreading slurry comprising attaching a universal connector and/or band spreader as hereinbefore defined to a slurry tanker or umbilical slurry spreading system.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and one side of a slurry tanker retrofitted with a first embodiment of a universal connector and band spreader of the invention with the boom in the operating position and one arm of the lightweight boom deflected at the breakaway hinge; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the breakaway hinge of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view from above of the tanker, universal access dish and universal band spreader of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the tanker, universal access dish and universal band spreader of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an enlarged side perspective view of a hook clamp and securing bolt of the locking mechanism of the universal access dish locked in position on the tanker; Figure_6 is a front elevation of the universal band spreader with the two arms of the boom’ in the folded or non—operating position; Figure 7 is an enlarged end elevation of the universal access dish of Figure 6; Figure 8 is an enlarged side plan view of the securing bolt of the universal access dish; Figure 9 is a side perspective view of the universal band spreader of Figure 6; V Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side ofthe universal band spreader of Figure 1 with both arms of the boom in the fully extended or operating position; Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the optional splash plate spreader on the universal access dish of the band spreader of the invention; Figure 12 is a side elevation of the band spreader of Figure 10; Figure 13 is an enlarged partial perspective view from above and one side of the optional splash plate spreader; Figure 14 is a top plan view of the band spreader of Figure 10; Figure 15 is a perspective view from above and one side of the band spreader of Figure 10 with one arm removed at the breakaway hinge to illustrate the components of the breakaway hinge; ' Figure 16 is an enlarged exploded perspective view from above and one side of the components of the breakaway hinge of Figure 15; .

Figure 17 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the manually adjustable flow restrictor of the band spreader of Figure 15; Figure 18 is a perspective view from above and one side of a second embodiment of a band spreader of the invention in the operating position in which the band spreader is adapted for use with an umbilical slurry spreading system and is provided with a mounting bracket to attach the band spreader directly to a tractor; Figure 19 is a side partial perspective view of the band spreader of Figure 18; Figure 20 is side partial perspective view of the universal access dish and tractor mounting bracket of Figures 18 and 19 with the boom removed for clarity to show the slurry feeding pipe connected to the universal access dish; Figure 21 is a perspective view from above and the front side ofthe universal access dish and mounting bracket; Figure 22 is a perspective view from above and one side of the universal access dish and mounting bracket; Figure 23 is a side elevation of a lightweight arm of the boom of the band spreader of the invention; Figure 24 is a cross—sectional view of the lightweight arm along the line XXIV- XXIV of Figure 23 showing the tapering and reinforced structure of the lightweight arm; Figure 25 is atop plan view of the lightweight arm of Figure 23, and Figure 26 is a cross—sectional view of the lightweight arm along the line XXVI- XXVl of Figure 25.

Detailed Description of the Invention Figures 1 to 21 show a first embodiment of a universal connector in the form of a ‘ universal access dish 1 for slurry tankers 2. The access dish 1 is provided with mounting means for securely and safely retrofitting the universal access dish to the access dish mounting 3 to be found at the rear of slurry tankers 2. The access dish 1 is particularly adapted for use in the retrofit mounting of a slurry band spreader 4 fitted to the access dish 1 to a slurry tanker 2 previously fitted with a splash spreader. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the slurry tankers 2 can atso be manufactured with the universal access dish 1 and band spreader 4 of the invention if desired. The universal access dish 1 and band spreader 4 of the invention facilitate the economical and safe retrofitting of band spreaders 4 to existing slurry tankers 4.

As shown in the drawings, the slurry tanker 2 is of conventional construction while the band spreader 4 is generally made up of an upwardly-foldable boom 5 that extends laterally either side of the rear of the slurry tanker 2 in use. More particularly, the boom 5 is made up of a first upwardly foldable arm 6 and a second contiguous upwardly foldable arm 7.

The first and second foldable arms 6,7 are substantially identical in construction.

Accordingly, taking the first foldable arm 6 in detail, the arm 6 is made up of a proximate arm portion 6a disposed towards the access dish 1 and a distal arm portion 6b remote from the access .dish 1. The proximate and distal arm portions 6a/,6b meet at a folding hinge 8 in the arm 6 about which the arm 6 can fold in an upwards orientation for transport as shown in Figure 6.

A spring controlled breakaway hinge 9 to deflect the arm 6 upon contact with an obstruction, which shall be described in more detail below, is provided adjacent the folding hinge 8.

Each arm 6,7 of the boom 5 is provided with a series of slurry outlets in the form of lay flat hoses 10 dimensioned to contact the ground during slurry spreading operations so that slurry makes direct contact with the ground in use. The lay flat hoses 10 receive slurry from the slurry tanker 2 via flexible pipes ‘ll (not shown)- which extend between the lay flat hoses 10 and the slurry tanker 2 via a macerator 12 mounted on the access dish 1. The macerator 12 is lowly mounted to reduce the centre of gravity of the band spreader 4 to enhance the stability of the band spreader in use.

Movement of the first and second arms 6,7 about the folding hinges 8 between the operating position and folded position is controlled by respective first and second hydraulic cylinders 13,14 on the boom. The hydraulic cylinders 13,14 can be controlled from within a tractor connected to and pulling the slurry tanker 2 in conventional fashion. The first and second arms 6,7 are secured in the upward folded position at respective first and second arm clamps 15,16 mounted on the macerator 12.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the universal access dish 1 is also fitted with a splash plate fitting 17 so that splash spreading of slurry can be employed instead of band spreading if desired. However, the splash plate 17 fitting can be omitted if desired. The splash plate fitting 17 can be used as a fallback where for example the slurry to be spread is too viscous to be spread with the bandgspreader 4. Operation of the splash plate fitting is controlled by a splash plate handle 18.

The band spreader 1 is also provided with a stone trap gate valve 19 to facilitate the removal of obstructions such as stones which can obstruct the flow of slurry through the band spreader 4 and/or the splash plate fitting 17. The stone trap gate valve 19 can be opened and closed with a stone trap gate valve handle 20.

The band spreader 4 is further provided with an adjustable manual flow restrictor 21 to control flow of slurry from the slurry tank 2 through the band spreader 4 and/or the splash plate fitting 17.

As shown particularly in Figures 4 to 9, the access dish mounting 3 of the slurry tanker 2 has a cylindrical wall 22 extending rean/vardly from the slurry tanker 2. The universal access dish 1 is shaped and dimensioned to compliment the cylindrical wall 22 of the access dish mounting 3. More particularly, the access dish 1 is formed to be plate—like in shape having a sealing flange or rim 1a defining a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the cylindrical wall 22 so that the access dish 1 can be tightly secured to the access dish mounting 3 to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween.

The access dish 1 is attached to the access dish mounting 3 by attachment means that serve, firstly, to securely attach the access dish 1 to the access dish mounting 3 and, secondly, stabilise the access dish 1 in—situ to maintain a secure sealing relationship between the access dish 1 and the slurry tanker 2 i.e. the universal access dish 1 can be secured to the access dish mounting 3 of slurry tankers 2 without placing a strain on the seal between the access dish 1 and the access dish mounting 3. Any strain placed on the sealing relationship is minimised or indeed" eliminated.

The sealing and strain minimising attachment means are made up of four hook clamps 23 radially spaced about the sealing rim 1a and four stabilising bolts 24 also radially spaced about the sealing rim between the hook clamps 23.

The hook clamps 23 tightly secure the access dish 1 to the access mounting 3 at corresponding brackets 25 radially spaced about the cylindrical wall 22. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the hook clamps 23 are positioned as required on the accessdlsh 1 to correspond with the spacing of the brackets 25 on the access mounting 3.

Each hook clamp 23 is made up of a clamp portion 26 having a hooked head 27 at one end of a shaft 28 for engagement with its corresponding bracket 25. Towards its other end, the shaft 28 is provided with a lateratly extending bearing plate 29 to reinforce the clamp attachment having first and second side flanges 30,31 inclined towards the bracket and a transverse flange 32 between the side flanges 30,31 through which the shaft 28 passes.

At its other end, the hookclamp 23 is provided with a U—s.haped grip 33 and tightening nut 34 for securing the hook clamp 23 in position.

Each stability bolt 24 has a bolt bracket 35 defining a threaded bolt bore 36 on the access dish 1 in which the stability bolt 24 is received. More particularly, the bolt head 37 protrudes from the bolt bore 36 while the threaded bolt shaft 38 is inserted in the bolt bore 36 so that the stability bolt 24 can be tightened and loosened in the bolt bore 36 to bear against the cylindrical wall 22 of the access dish mounting to stabilise the access dish 1 in-situ and eliminate strain on the access dish 1 in-situ.

As shown in Figure 7, internally, the access dish 1 is provided with a slurry outlet 39 to receive slurry from the slurry tanker 2 through the access dish mounting 3.

Figures 2, 15 and 17 describe the spring controlled breakaway hinge 9 of the band spreader 4 of the invention in detail. As shown in the drawings, the breakaway hinge is formed between the proximate arm portion 6a and distal arm portion 6b. At the proximate arm portion 6a, the breakaway hinge 9 is made up of a proximate pin mounting 40 defining an upper bore 41 and a lower bore 42 spaced apart to receive a breakaway pin 43 therebetween. The breakaway pin 43 is made up of a pin head 44 and a pin shaft 45 depending from the pin head 44. The pin shaft 45 is inserted through the upper and lower bores 41,42.

A torsion spring 46 is mounted about the shaft 45.

The distal arm portion 6b is also provided with a complimentary pin mounting 47 defining upper and lower bores 48,49 for receiving the pin 43 so that the pin 43 holds the proximate and distal arms 6a,6b together and the proximate and distal arms 6a,6b can pivot about the pin 43 of the breakaway hinge 9 in a controlled manner as outlined below.

Movement of the proximate and distal arms 6a,6b at the breakaway hinge 9 is limited by an adjustable seat 50 in the form of a protruding threaded bolt 51 to one side of the upper bore 41 on the proximate arm 6a and an adjustable stop 52 also in the form of a protruding threaded stop bolt 53 on the opposite side ofthe upper bore 41.

The torsion spring 46 is biased on the pin 43 and the seat 50 adjusted so that the distal arm 6b is biased towards the seat 50 and contiguous with the proximate arm , 6a. However, where the distal arm 6b encounters an obstruction, the distal arm 6b pivots about the pin 43 against the bias of the torsion spring 46 and away from the seat 50 towards the stop 52. A protruding control head 54 located adjacent the upper bore 48 of the distal arm 6b then abuts the stop 52 to prevent excessive pivotal movement of the distal arm 6b.

Figures 18 to 22 show a second embodiment of a band spreader 4 of the invention in the operating position in which the band spreader 4 is adapted for use with an umbilical slurry spreading system and is provided with an umbilical mounting bracket 55 to attach the band spreader 4 directly to a tractor. The universal access dish 1 and band spreader 4 is broadly similar to the access dish 1 and band spreader 4 of Figures 1 to 17 and like numerals indicate like parts.

However, in the present embodiment, due to the absence of a slurry tanker access dish mounting 3, an umbilical mounting bracket 55 is provided with an access dish- like mounting 56 adapted to engage with the universal access dish 1. The mounting bracket 55 is therefore provided with a cylindrical side wall 57 having a closed end 58 and being secured to the access dish 1 at its other end. A slurry inlet 59 is provided in the side wall 57 for receiving slurry from an umbilical pipe inlet 60.

The slurry is then passed to the macerator 12 so that the band spreader 4 can function as outlined above.

Figures 23 to 26 show enlarged views of the distal arm portion 6b of a lightweight arm 6 of the boom 5 ofthe band spreader4 of the invention. As indicated above, both arms 6,7 of the boom 5 are substantially identical. As shown in the drawings, the arm 6 is made up of a bottom wall 61, a top wall 62 and first and second side walls 63,64 extending between the bottom and top walls 61,62. The arm 6 is provided with cut—outs 65 along its length to minimise weight.

The walls 61 ,62,63,64 of the arm 6 converge or taper in two planes from the proximate towards the distal end of the arm 6 in order to minimise the materials used in constructing the arm to minimise the weight of the arm. Firstly, the bottom wall 61 and the top wail 62 converge or taper towards each other towards the distal end of the arm 6 in a horizontal plane while, secondly, the first and second side walls 63,64 converge or taper towards each other towards the distal end of the arm 6 in a vertical plane.

Simultaneously, the arm 6 is reinforced along its length whilst maintaining the lightweight nature of the arm 6. More specifically, the walls 61,62,63,64 of the arm 6 are formed from oppositely disposed and mating elongate C-shaped members 66.

Each C-shaped member 66 is formed from an upright side wall 67, a bottom wall 68, an opposing top wall 69, a flange 70 upstanding from the bottom wall 68 and a flange 71 depending from the top wall 69 so that the oppositely disposed C-shaped members abut or mate at the flanges 70,71. The C-shaped members 66 are secured or welded to each other at the flanges 70,71 which’, in combination, define elongate upper and lower central reinforcing walls 72,73 along the length of the arm The invention enjoys many advantages and benefits over the prior art, The universal connector facilitates the safe and cost—efficient retrofitting of band spreaders 4 (and indeed other fittings) to slurry tankers 2 currently fitted with splash plates so that slurry can be spread in an environmentally friendly and economical way whilst minimising nitrogen losses.

Slurry tankers can also be manufactured with the band spreader 4 and universal access dish 1 of the invention if desired.

The universal access dish ‘I can be dimensioned as required in accordance with the slurry tankers 2 to which the access dish, and band spreader 4, is to be fitted. The universal access dish 1 of the invention also facilitates-a fluid tight but safe and seal—_ protecting attachment of the band spreader4 to existing splash plate slurry spreaders.

The band spreader 4 of the invention is also provided with lightweight arms of reduced weight but reinforced strength. In a typical configuration where each arm 6,7 of the boom 5 is provided with 11 lay flat hosing outlets, the weight is reduced from a typical 1000 kg in an equivalent band spreader of the prior art to approximately 400 kg.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments herein described which may be varied in construction and detail without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A universal connector for a slurry tanker comprising: an access dish attachable to a slurry tanker, and attachment means on the access dish for sealably attaching the access dish to an access dish mounting on the tanker, the attachment means having securing means for securing the access dish to the tanker and stabilising means for stabilising the seal between the access dish and the tanker.

2. A universal connector as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises at least one hook clamp and the stabilising means comprises a stabilising bolt.

3. A band spreader comprising a universal connector as claimed in any of Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. A band spreader as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the band spreader further comprises a boom having a pair of upwardly foldable arms, a plurality of slurry outlets in the arms for spreading slurry, a breakaway hinge in the arms to deflect the arms upon contact with an obstruction and movement limiting means for controlling movement of the arms.

5. A universal connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.