IES86402B2 - A hopper - Google Patents

Abstract

A trailed hopper for spreadable materials having a bottom; first and second sidewalls upstanding from the bottom; a front wall upstanding from the bottom; a mounting for receiving a mounted spreader; and conveying means for feeding material from the trailed hopper to a mounted spreader. <Figure 9>

Description

This invention relates to a hopper and more particularly to a trailed hopper adapted to allow use of a conventional mounted spreader as a high capacity bulk spreader.

Background of the Invention io In general, agricultural spreaders for spreading fertiliser, seeds and the like fall into two main classes - trailed high capacity bulk spreaders drawn by tractors and the like and lower capacity tractor mounted spreaders. Being low to the ground, trailed bulk spreaders are generally employed to distribute fertiliser before sowing or when a crop is young as the bulk spreader can damage more mature crops. Accordingly, the tractor mounted spreaders must be used for more mature crops. However, being tractor mounted, mounted spreaders cannot have high capacities or the safety and stability of the tractor is compromised. The use of tractor mounted spreaders is therefore time consuming due to the need to re-fill the spreader at frequent intervals. Moreover, the cost of purchasing a trailed high capacity bulk spreader and tractor mounted spreader can be prohibitive for farmers.

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

S S 6 4 02 Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a trailed hopper for spreadable materials comprising: s a bottom; first and second sidewalls upstanding from the bottom; a front wall upstanding from the bottom; a rear wall upstanding from the bottom; a mounting for receiving a mounted spreader and io conveying means for feeding material from the trailed hopper to a mounted spreader.

Preferably, the hopper is mounted on a chassis. More preferably, the chassis comprises a pair of wheels. Most preferably, the wheels are mounted on a steerable axle.

Advantageously, the hopper comprises a weight distribution system for controlling weight distribution of material in the hopper.

Preferably, the weight distribution system comprises at least one sensor.

More preferably, the weight distribution system comprises a conveyor disposed in the bottom of the hopper Advantageously, the conveyor is adapted to convey material to an auger communicable with a mounted spreader.

Suitably, the conveyor comprises an endless conveyor belt.

Preferably, the hopper further comprises a sump for receiving material from the conveyor located between the conveyor and the auger, The invention also extends to a bulk capacity spreader comprising a hopper as hereinbefore defined In a further embodiment, the invention extends to a bulk capacity spreader 10 comprising a hopper as hereinbefore defined having a mounted spreader mounted thereon.

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 the front end of an embodiment of a trailed hopper of the invention adapted to receive a mounted spreader to form a trailed bulk spreader (the hopper cover and mounted spreader are omitted for clarity); Figure 2 is perspective view from above and the rear end of the trailed hopper of Figure 2; Figure 3 is a front elevation of the trailed hopper; Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the trailed hopper; s Figure 5 is a side elevation of the trailed hopper; Figure 6 is a side elevation of the trailed hopper showing the location of the conveyor sensor of the fertiliser level detection system and of the conveyor belt motor: io Figure 7 is a plan view of the trailed hopper from above; Figure 8 is a plan view of the trailed hopper from below, and Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view from above and the front end of the traiied hopper.

Detailed Description of the Invention As shown in the drawings, a trailed hopper in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 and is adapted to receive a conventional mounted spreader (not shown) to form a high capacity trailed bulk spreader 1. Accordingly, by attaching a conventional mounted spreader to the trailed hopper 1 an accurate and efficient bulk spreader is formed without requiring the purchase of a separate trailed bulk spreader The trailed hopper 1 is also dimensioned to have sufficient ground clearance as to suitable for use with mature crops.

The trailed hopper 1 is made up of a hopper proper 2 mounted on a chassis 3 fitted with a pair of wheels 4, The hopper 2 has a bottom 5 having a first inwardly inclined sidewail 6 and a second inwardly inclined sidewall 7 upstanding therefrom. The hopper 2 is also provided with a front wall 8 and a rear wall 9. A bottom endless conveyor 10 is disposed at the bottom 5 of the hopper.

A tractor mounting 11 extends forwards from the chassis 3 beneath the front wall 8 while the chassis is adapted to receive a PTO shaft at a point indicated by the reference numeral 12. The PTO shaft can communicate with the mounted spreader in use to power the mounted spreader on the trailed hopper 1. A mounted spreader mounting 18 is provided on the chassis 3 adjacent the rear wall 9 of the hopper 2.

An auger 13 powered by a hydraulic motor 19 extends upwards from the hopper 2 towards the mounted spreader at the rear wal! 9 to convey fertiliser from the hopper 2 to the mounted spreader. Internally, the rear wall 9 is provided with an auger housing 14 to accommodate the auger while the auger 13 has an auger opening 15 disposed towards the bottom 5 of the hopper for receiving fertiliser into the auger 13 from the hopper 2 as shall be explained more fully below.

The bottom endless conveyor 10 can be of any suitable construction. However, in the present embodiment, the bottom endless conveyor 10 is made up of a conveyor belt 16 powered by a hydraulic motor 16a. As shall be explained more fully below, the bottom endless conveyor 10 is co-operable with the auger 13 to define a fertiliser weight distribution mechanism to ensure stability of the trailed bulk spreader formed by the combination of the trailed hopper 1 of the invention fitted with a mounted spreader.

The chassis 3 is provided with a steerable axle 17 for the wheels 4 so that the trailed hopper 1 can be easily manoeuvred in use for accurate spreading and minimal damage to crops. The steerable axle 17 and wheels 4 can also be powered by the PTO shaft 12 of a tractor drawing the trailed hopper 1. io The trailed hopper 1 of the invention is provided with a fertiliser level detection system made up of a top level sensor and an intermediate level sensor mountable in the mounted spreader to monitor fertiliser levels in the mounted spreader. The top level and intermediate level sensors are communicable with the auger motor 19 to activate the auger 13 and draw fertiliser from the hopper 2 into the mounted spreader as required. Similarly, a conveyor sensor 21 at the bottom 5 causes the conveyor belt motor 16a to be activated on demand so that the conveyor belt 16 feeds fertiliser towards the auger 13, Accordingly, the weight of the fertiliser is only transferred as required.

In use, a conventional mounted spreader (not shown) is mounted on the spreader mounting 18 of the chassis 3 via a universal rear hydraulic linkage The hopper 2 is filled with fertiliser in the usual way. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the hopper 2 can also be filled with seed or other materials as requi red25 The fertiliser is fed to the mounted spreader via the auger 13 as follows. Upon actuation of the auger 13 as described above, fertiliser is drawn into the auger 13 at the auger opening 15 from the hopper 2 via a sump 22 fed by the bottom endless conveyor 10. The level of fertiliser in the sump 22 is automatically detected by the conveyor sensor 21 so that the sump 22 is only filled from the hopper 2 by the bottom endless conveyor 10 as required to control weight distribution. More particularly, fertiliser not required by the mounted spreader therefore remains towards the front wall 8 of the hopper 2 (and hence the tractor) until required to counterbalance the weight of the trailed hopper 1 and mounted spreader and prevent io destabilisationofthetractor.

In short, the fertiliser levels in the mounted spreader are detected by the top levei and intermediate level sensors in the mounted spreader to automatically activate the auger 13 to draw fertiliser from the sump 22 and hopper 2 into the mounted spreader The trailed hopper 1 of the invention can have any desired capacity. However, a capacity of eight tonnes has been found to be optimal.

The advantages of the invention are many. The trailed hopper 1 of the invention facilitates the use of a mounted spreader as a high capacity trailed bulk spreaderthe need for a separate bulk spreader in dispensed with. Accordingly, fertiliser, seed and the like can be spread quickly and easily at reduced cost. Due to the fertiliser (or seed etc) detection system and the weight distribution system provide by the bottom endless conveyor and the auger, the trailed hopper 1 is extremely stable and s safe when fitted with the mounted spreader Moreover, the steerable axle 17 allows for easy manoeuvrability and accuracy when spreading. The trailed hopper 1 of the invention can also be used with crops at all stages of maturity.

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 trailed hopper for spreadable materials comprising: a bottom; first and second sidewalls upstanding from the bottom , a front wall upstanding from the bottom; a rear wail upstanding from the bottom; a mounting for receiving a mounted spreader; and conveying means for feeding material from the trailed hopper to a mounted spreader.

2. A trailed hopper according to Claim 1 wherein the hopper is mounted on a chassis, optionally comprising a pair of wheels, for example on a steerable axle. A trailed hopper according to any preceding claim further comprising a weight distribution system for controlling weight distribution of material in the hopper optionally composing at least one sensor,

3. 4, The trailed hopper according to claim 3 wherein the weight distribution system comprises a conveyer, for example comprising an endless conveyor belt, disposed in the bottom of the hopper and is optionally adapted to convey material to an auger communicable with a mounted spreader, the hopper optionally further comprising a sump for receiving material from the conveyor located between the conveyor and the auger,

4.

5. A bulk capacity spreader comprising a trailed hopper according to any preceding claim having a mounted spreader mounted thereon.