NL1042348B1 - Planting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Planting machine for planting seed material such as potatoes or other tubers or bulbs when moving the planting machine according to a direction of travel, comprising a feed device for supplying seed material to be planted and a transport element for supporting the feed device and for displacing the feed device according to the direction of travel, characterized in that the feed device is arranged hingedly relative to the transport element, around a hinge axis according to the direction of travel, comprises measuring means for determining the angular rotation of the feed device around said hinge axis and control means for rotating the feed device around the said hinge axis in function of the angular rotation determined with the measuring means.

Description

Patent center

The Netherlands

© 1042348 (21) Application number: 1042348 © Application submitted: April 20, 2017 © BI PATENT (51) Int. CL:

A01C 9/00 (2018.01) A01C 9/02 (2018.01)

(4 ^ Request registered: © Patent holder (s): November 5, 2018 DEWULF N.V. in ROESELARE, Belgium, BE. © Request published: - © Inventor (s): Willem Goffe Siderius in BEETGUM (BE). © Patent granted: Gert de Boe in LOCHRISTI (BE). November 5, 2018 Bart-Jan Rozema in GROOTEGAST. Siebe Meindertsma in FERWERT. © Patent issued: Joeri Van Iseghem in INGELMUNSTER (BE). February 5, 2019 © Authorized representative: ir. A. Ferguson in Amersfoort.

© Planting machine © Planting machine for planting seed material such as potatoes or other tuberous or bulbous plants when the planting machine is moved according to a direction of travel, comprising a feed device for supplying seed material to be planted and a transport element for supporting the feed device and for displacing the feed device feed device according to the direction of travel, characterized in that the feed device is arranged so as to be hinged relative to the transport element, around a pivot axis according to the direction of travel, comprises measuring means for determining the angular rotation of the feed device around said pivot axis and control means for rotating the feeding device around said pivot axis in function of the angular rotation determined with the measuring means.

NL Bl 1042348

This patent has been granted regardless of the attached result of the research into the state of the art and written opinion. The patent corresponds to the documents originally submitted.

P549NL

Planting machine

This invention relates to a planting machine for planting seed material such as potatoes or other tuberous or bulbous plants when the planting machine is moved according to a direction of travel, comprising a feed device for supplying seed material to be planted and a transport element for supporting the feed device and for moving the feed device according to the direction of travel.

Planting machines are used to plant tubers or bulbs such as potatoes or onions. Planting such crops is also referred to by the term legs. The seed potatoes can also be referred to as the general term poters. There are different types of planting machines. Commonly used planting machines are string planters, the feeding device comprising a string bed, and cup planters.

These planting machines usually also comprise forward tractors for forming furrows / trenches in the subsurface, the seed material falling from the feeding device into the formed furrows. A forward puller is often also referred to as the trench trigger or coulter. With these planting machines it is important that the poters to be planted fall well into the formed channels and certainly do not fall next to the channels. When these planting machines are used on sloping or sloping parcels and / or on uneven parcels, it happens that the pots that fall from the feeding device towards the parcel do not end up or do not end up properly in the formed channels.

Not all pots are therefore planted / planted properly on the plot, which naturally limits the yield of the crop. This is because in the case of sloping or sloping plots, the places where the pots leave the feeding device towards the plot are not always above the formed channels.

It is therefore an object of the invention to manufacture planting machines in which the pots are always well planted on the field.

This object is achieved by providing a planting machine for planting seed material such as potatoes or other tuberous or bulbous plants when the planting machine is moved according to a direction of travel, comprising a feed device for supplying the seed material to be planted and a transport element to support the feed device and for displacing the feed device according to the direction of travel, wherein the feed device is pivotally arranged with respect to the transport element, around a hinge axis according to the direction of travel, wherein the planting machine comprises measuring means for determining the angular rotation of the feed device around said hinge axis and wherein the planting machine comprises control means for rotating the feed device around said hinge axis in function of the angular displacement determined with the measuring means.

When a planting machine is advanced on a sloping or sloping plot, the transport element will follow the slope of the plot. With a sloping plot, this means that the transport element will be inclined with respect to the spirit level. With the existing planting machines, the feeding device follows the conveying element and thus also the feeding device is inclined with respect to the spirit level. The pots are provided to fall from the supply device into channels / furrows, which may or may not be formed by the planting machine. The supply device thus has the function of arranging the poters in the fore. For forming trenches / furrows in the subsurface, most planting machines comprise a trigger. Seen according to the direction of travel, the forward tractors are in front of the place where the pots leave the feeding device in the direction of the field. When the feeding device is inclined with respect to the spirit level, the pots fall less or do not fall into these fronts / channels. This means that certain poters will not or will not be planted properly.

Because the feed device here is pivotable relative to the transport element about a pivot axis in the direction of travel, and because the planting machine comprises measuring means for determining the angular rotation of the feed device around said pivot axis and comprises control means for rotating the feed device around said pivotal axis pivot axis in function of the angular rotation determined with the measuring means, it is possible here to adjust the position of the feed device relative to the spirit level such that the poters fall well into the fore. This control is done with the help of the control means. For example, it is possible to place the supply device almost level or at least less obliquely with respect to the level than the transport element. The supply device can therefore, if desired, be aligned horizontally here.

Since the feeding device has a certain weight and the seed material is arranged in this feeding device, the total weight of the feeding device 15 is high during use. Because this feed device can then be placed level, or at least less inclined, this improves the stability of the entire planting machine. Good stability of the planting machine also means that the planting machine can move over the field at a certain speed during planting. The supply device often forms a large part of the planting machine. In this way, most of the planting machine can remain horizontal, even when planting on a sloping plot.

An additional advantage that is achieved here because the feeding device can be placed less obliquely with respect to the spirit level or can be placed level, is that the feeding device can perform its function better. When supplying the poters to a channel, it is important that they end up one by one in the channel and always at the desired distance from each other. For this purpose the supply device comprises certain elements such as, for example, a string bed or cups, which cause the poters to sing. With an inclined position of the feeding device, this singulation proceeds less smoothly and it may also be that one channel receives more pots than another channel.

This pivot axis can always take the same position. However, embodiments are also possible where the hinge axis is arranged horizontally and / or vertically displaceable. This pivot axis can be a physical axis, but can also be a fictitious axis, whereby due to the specific suspension of the feed device, this feed device can be pivoted about an axis that deviates from its suspension points. The said pivot axis is preferably arranged in a fixed position. Even more preferably, this pivot axis is arranged centrally.

In a preferred embodiment, the planting machine comprises a furrow puller 10 for forming furrows for arranging the plants to be planted therein, wherein the furrow puller is arranged hingedly around a pivot axis in the direction of travel relative to the feed device. In order to be able to plant poters properly, it is important that the formed furrows always have virtually the same depth over their entire distance. This is because it is desirable that the poters are planted evenly and, therefore, that each poter is planted at substantially the same depth. It is therefore important that the forward tractor follows the parcel as closely as possible and therefore also the slope of the parcel. As the forklift truck is pivotally arranged around a pivot axis with respect to the feeding device, it is possible to adjust the position of the forklift truck as a function of the slope of the field, even after the feeding device is arranged less obliquely than the parcel or even level.

Variation of the depth of the channels formed is therefore limited here. The pivot axis of the fork puller can also always take the same position. However, embodiments are also possible where the hinge axis is arranged horizontally and / or vertically displaceable. This pivot axis can be a physical axis, but can also be a fictitious axis, whereby due to the specific suspension of the front puller, this front puller can be pivoted about an axis that deviates from its suspension points. This pivot axis is preferably arranged in a fixed position. Even more preferably, this pivot axis is arranged centrally. This pivot axis coincides extremely preferably with said pivot axis around which the feed device 30 can be pivoted relative to the transport element.

Furthermore, the front puller preferably comprises wheels for supporting this front puller, which are arranged on either side of the pivot axis. With the help of wheels it is very easy to follow the slope of the plot. Here, for example, the front puller can be pivotally arranged around said hinge axis and the tilt can only be determined by the wheels. Here, there is then an automatic tilting of the fork-puller since the fork-puller rests on the field under the influence of its weight with the aid of the wheels and the wheels follow the field. Optionally, alternatively or additionally, control means may be provided, such as actuators, which control the tilting of the front puller. Here, the planting machine can then for instance be provided with measuring means (sensors), wherein these control means are controlled on the basis of what these measuring means measure. These measuring means can, for example, measure the angular rotation of the feed device around said pivot axis. These measuring means can be additional measuring means and / or the same measuring means that are used to control said control means for rotating the supply device around said pivot axis. These wheels provide additional support for the planting machine and give the planting machine additional stability. In an alternative embodiment, the fork puller comprises tracks instead of wheels.

In another alternative embodiment, the planting machine comprises control means for rotating the fork puller about said pivot axis in function of an angular rotation determined with measuring means, wherein the planting machine does not comprise wheels for supporting the fork puller. This angular rotation is, for example, the angular rotation of the feed device around said hinge axis.

The control means preferably comprise one or more actuators. The one or more actuators can for instance be one or more hydraulic cylinders. The actuators can for instance comprise two hydraulic cylinders which are arranged on either side of the pivot axis, said hydraulic cylinders being mutually connected on their rod side or piston side as communicating vessels. One or more said measuring means can then measure the pressure on the rod side or the piston side of these hydraulic cylinders.

Furthermore, one or more of the said actuators are preferably arranged between the supply device and the transport element. In this way, the actuators can directly pivot the feed device around said hinge axis and this as a function of the movement of the transport element.

Still further preferably, at least one of said actuators is designed as a hydraulic cylinder which is provided with at least one pressure sensor that forms part of the measuring means. With the aid of a pressure sensor, the hinging of the supply device can be controlled with the control means in such a way that cadence movements are avoided. Thus, oscillation damping can be achieved with the aid of a pressure sensor 15.

In a preferred embodiment the transport element comprises a rear axle and at least two wheels which are attached to the rear axle on either side of the hinge axis. In this way a stable planting machine 20 is obtained in a simple manner. The hinge axis may or may not extend centrally between these at least two wheels. The wheels can be replaced by tracks if desired.

In a specific embodiment, the measuring means comprise an inclination sensor 25 for determining the angular rotation of the feed device relative to a spirit level. With the help of an inclination sensor it is very easy to determine angular displacements, making it simple to level the feed device and to hold it while using the planting machine. As soon as the angular displacement deviates from the spirit level, the control means can then be controlled to rotate the feed device until the angular displacement is equal to the spirit level.

Alternatively or additionally, the measuring means may comprise an inclination sensor for determining the angular rotation of the transport element relative to a spirit level. If this transport element comprises a wheel axle, then this slope sensor is preferably arranged on the wheel axle.

In a preferred embodiment the measuring means comprise an angle sensor for determining the angular rotation of the feed device relative to the transport element. With such an angle sensor, the operation of the control means of the feed device can be limited to a specific inclination of the feed device relative to the transport element. In this way it is avoided that the tilt between the two becomes too large and the planting machine no longer functions properly. The control means can, for example, at most allow an inclination between the supply device and the transport element of 5 °.

Said angular rotations can alternatively also be determined in a different way than with the aid of said slope sensors and / or angle sensor and / or above-mentioned pressure sensor.

In a preferred embodiment the supply device comprises a string bed. In order to have a very good working string bed, it is important that this string bed is not tilted and that this string bed is practically leveled during planting. In an alternative embodiment, the planting machine is a cup planter and the feeding device thus comprises cups.

In a preferred embodiment the supply device comprises a storage bunker. This supply device can also comprise a frame and / or a supply belt, etc.

The present invention is now further elucidated on the basis of the following detailed description of a planting machine according to the present invention. The purpose of this description is only to provide clarifying examples and to indicate further advantages and details of this invention, and thus cannot be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention or the patent rights claimed in the claims.

In this detailed description reference is made to the accompanying drawings by reference numerals, wherein

figure 1 is a perspective representation of a planting machine, being a string planter, according to the invention;

figure 2 is a perspective representation of the string planter shown in figure 1, wherein the part above the string bed is not shown so that the string bed is clearly visible;

figure 3 is a representation of figure 1, wherein the feed device and the earthing cap are not shown;

- figure 4 is a rear view of the string planter shown in figure 1, when planting on a horizontally running field;

Figure 5 is a rear view of the string planter shown in Figure 1 when planting on a sloping plot;

figure 6 represents a front view of the string bed and the front puller of a string planter according to the present invention, when planting on a horizontally running field;

figure 7 represents a front view of the string bed and the front puller of a string planter according to the present invention, when planting on a sloping plot.

The planting machine (1) shown in figures 1 and 2 is a string planter (1) for potatoes, which includes the following components:

- a supply device comprising a supply bunker (9), in which the potatoes to be planted are arranged and comprising a supply belt (15) and a string bed (8);

- a frame (11) carrying the feed device;

- a furrow puller (4) for forming furrows (channels) in which the potatoes are planted. This front puller (4) comprises a trim bar (4a), three tractors (4b) and support wheels (4c), wherein the trim bar (4a) carries the three tractors (4b) and is pivotally connected to the frame (11) at the height of a pivot point (10a) and this according to a pivot axis (B) which extends in the direction of travel (A). This direction of travel (A) is shown with an arrow in figures 1 and 2. The support wheels (4c) serve to support the fork puller (4) and to guide it over the field (12). With the aid of the support wheels (4c), the fork puller (4) always follows the slope of the field (12);

- a transport element for supporting the feed device and for moving the feed device according to the direction of travel (A). This transport element comprises a rear axle (6) with rear wheels (7), said rear axle (6) being pivotally connected to the frame (11) at the height of a pivot point (10b) and this according to a pivot axis (B) extending according to the direction of travel (A);

- earthing discs (14) for covering the formed channels and forming ridges;

- a grounding element (13), being a grounding cap (13), for further grounding the formed ridges.

The feed device is arranged here pivotally relative to the transport element, around a pivot axis (B) according to the direction of travel (A). Furthermore, the string planter (1) comprises measuring means (2), such as sensors (2), for determining the angular rotation of the feed device around said pivot axis (B) and the string planter (1) comprises control means (3) for rotating the feeding device around said pivot axis (B) as a function of the angular rotation determined with the measuring means (2). For this purpose, the transport element comprises a rear axle (6) with rear wheels (7), which is hingedly arranged according to this hinge axis (B), said rear axle (6) being hinged relative to the frame (11). The planting machine (1) further comprises two hydraulic cylinders (3) as control means (3), which are connected to the frame (11) and the rear axle (6), for rotating the feed device around said hinge axis (B) in function of the angular rotation determined with the measuring means (2).

The trim beam (4a) and therefore the fork puller (4) is also pivotally arranged around said pivot axis (B) relative to the feed device, so that the fork puller (4) can follow the slope of the field (12). Since the front-puller (4) is pivotally arranged around said pivot axis (B) relative to the supply device, the position of the front-puller (even after the supply device is less inclined than the parcel (12) or even level) can be adjusted. 4) adjust depending on the slope of the plot (12). Variation of the depth of the channels formed is therefore limited here. This front puller (4) comprises wheels (4c) for supporting this front puller (4), which are arranged on either side of the pivot axis (B). With the help of wheels (4c) it is very easy to follow the slope of the plot (12). Here there is an automatic tilting of the fork puller (4) as the fork puller (4) rests on the parcel (12) under the influence of its weight with the aid of the wheels (4c) and the wheels (4c) follow the parcel (12) .

With the aid of the measuring means (2) and the hydraulic cylinders (3), the feed device is placed substantially horizontally, and thus level, during the planting of the pots. When planting on a sloping field (12), this means that the feeding device is kept horizontal, so that planting can always take place optimally. These measuring means (2) can comprise one or more of the following sensors (2): an inclination sensor for determining the angular rotation of the feed device relative to a spirit level, an inclination sensor for determining the angular rotation of the conveyor element relative to a level spirit level, an angle sensor for determining the angular rotation of the feed device relative to the transport element, a pressure sensor that forms part of a said hydraulic cylinder (3), etc.

Figure 4 shows a rear view of the string planter (1) when planting on a field (12) that extends along a horizontal plane (5). Here it is visible that the feed device extends horizontally along the horizontal plane (5) and also the rear axle (6) extends horizontally. Both cylinders (3) 5 are in the same position.

Figure 5 shows a rear view of the string planter (1) when planting on a field (12) that makes an angle alpha (α) with the horizontal plane (5). Here it is visible that the feed device also extends horizontally along the horizontal plane (5), but that the rear axle (6) makes the same angle alpha (α) with the horizontal plane (5). Both cylinders (3) are not in the same position and so position the feed device horizontally.

The position of the fork puller (4) relative to the string bed (8) when planting on a horizontal plot (12) is shown schematically in Figure 6.

Here it is visible that the string bed (8) extends horizontally along the horizontal plane (5) and the plot (12) also extends horizontally and also the trimmings beam (4a) and thus the furrow puller (4) extends horizontally. As a result, the potatoes fall in the middle of the formed furrow (see dotted line).

The position of the fork puller (4) relative to the string bed (8) when planting on a slightly sloping plot (12) is shown schematically in Figure 7. The slope of the plot (12) relative to the horizontal plane ( 5) is represented here by the alpha (α) angle. Here it is visible that the string bed (8) extends horizontally, the parcel (12) extends inclined according to the angle a. The trim beam (4a) and thus the trigger (4) also extends here inclined according to the angle α so that 3 channels are formed with almost the same depth. Here the potatoes still fall well into the formed furrows (see dotted line).

Claims (14)

Conclusions Planting machine (1) for planting seed material such as potatoes or other tubers or bulbous plants when displacing the planting machine (1) according to a direction of travel (A), comprising a supply device for supplying planting material to be planted and a transport element for supporting the feed device and for moving the feed device according to the direction of travel (A), characterized in that the feed device is arranged pivotally relative to the transport element, around a pivot axis (B) according to the direction of travel (A), that the planting machine (1) measuring means (2) for determining the angular rotation of the feed device around said pivot axis (B) and that the planting machine (1) comprises control means (3) for rotating the feed device around said pivot axis (B) in function of the angular rotation determined with the measuring means (2). A planting machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the planting machine (1) comprises a fork puller (4) for forming furrows for arranging the seed to be planted therein, wherein the fork puller (4) is pivotable about a pivot axis ( B) is arranged according to the direction of travel (A) relative to the feed device. A planting machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the front puller (4) comprises wheels (4c) for supporting this front puller (4), which are arranged on either side of the pivot axis (B). Planting machine (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the pivot axis (B) around which the front puller (4) is pivotable with respect to the feed device coincides with the pivot axis (B) around which the feed device is pivotable with respect to the transport element. Planting machine (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the planting machine (1) comprises control means for rotating the fork puller about said hinge axis (B). Planting machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means (3) comprise one or more actuators (3). Planting machine (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that one or more of said actuators (3) are arranged between the feed device and the transport element. Planting machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one of said actuators (3) is designed as a hydraulic cylinder (3) which is provided with at least one pressure sensor that forms part of the measuring means (2). Planting machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport element comprises a rear axle (6) and comprises at least two wheels (7) which are on either side of the hinge axle (B) on the rear axle (6) confirmed. Planting machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring means (2) comprise an inclination sensor for determining the angular rotation of the feed device relative to a spirit level. Planting machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring means (2) comprise an inclination sensor for determining the angular rotation of the transport element relative to a spirit level. Planting machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring means (2) comprise an angle sensor for determining the angular rotation of the feed device relative to the transport element. Planting machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 5 that the feeding device comprises a string bed (8). Planting machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply device comprises a storage bunker (9). V