NL1043860B1 - Mower-chopper apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an mower-chopper apparatus (1) to be coupled via an attachment head (16) to a movable extension arm (30) on a tractor (28) or the like utility vehicle (29), for mowing, chopping, crushing and discharging grass and/or vegetation 5 material from roadside verges and other (semi)natural terrains comprising a primary housing (2), carrying a cutter bar (3) supporting a plurality of cutting elements for mowing grass and/or grass like vegetation and a secondary housing (6) which encloses a rotor axle (4) supporting a plurality of pendulously chopping elements (4) cooperating with stationary cutting blades (8) and a stationary crushing bar (15) mounted to said secondary housing 10 (6), operable to chop and crush cutted clippings and configured to accelerate and discharge the chopped and crushed material outside of the secondary housing outlet (11) of the apparatus (1). The present innovation is, normally, operating in cooperation with a movable extension arm (30) mounted to a tractor (28) or the like self-propelled utility vehicle (29) for collecting grass cuttings from roadsides verges, (semi)natural areas and/or airport terrains 15 where the secondary housing outlet (11) is connected by a hose (31) coupled to a suction mechanism (26) which draws the chopped material from the secondary housing (6) of the apparatus (1) and discharge it in a, to said tractor or other utility vehicle coupled, trailer wagon (25). 20 1043860

Description

Title: Mower-chopper apparatus Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus, to be coupled to a movable extension arm on a tractor or the like utility vehicle, for mowing, chopping, crushing and discharging residual grass and/or vegetation clippings, from landscape, (semi)natural areas and roadside verges or airport terrain management, in one work. The apparatus comprises a primary housing in which included a horizontal rotating cutter bar which cuts grass and other vegetation and transports it to a secondary housing carrying horizontal rotating rotor axle supporting a plurality of pendulously mounted chopping elements cooperating with a bed of stationary cutting blades and a stationary crushing bar to chop and crush the cutted residue clippings into smaller particle size of one to two centimeters, said rotor axle further accelerates the chopped and crushed residue material to an outlet opening for discharging outside the apparatus.

[0002] It is well known to fit a flail mowing apparatus to a moveable extension arm to mow, i.e. cut, and collect grass and other vegetation on landscape, (semi)natural areas and roadside verges or airport terrain management. It is also known that currently used flail mowing and collecting methods always leads to grass/biomass clippings being heavily polluted by sand and inorganic debris. Currently used method of flail mowing attachment head for mowing and collecting grass clippings where the mowed residue, fresh or dry grass clippings and/or other plant material, hereinafter generalized as ‘residue’, is discharged by a hose to a suction mechanism which draws the material from the housing of the said attachment head and discharge itin a, to or on a tractor or other vehicle coupled, trailer wagon. Depending on the requirements of the client, mostly municipalities, water authorities and governmental organizations who administer roadside verges and other terrains, the residue grass clippings are generally disposed to a composting facility or an incinerator. It is also known that grass clippings are a highly valuable material to utilize as feedstock in bio-energy plants for generating biogas through Anaerobic Digestion. Only, some important practical challenges related to the processes of Anaerobic Digestion are identified. This include management of soil and inorganic debris in the harvested grass residue and operational failures due to long grass particles getting stuck in the digester stirring equipment. Polluted and long grass particles therefore are less efficient in digestion process and thus produce a lower biogas output and higher operation costs in bio-energy plants.

[0003] Known flail mowing attachment heads generally comprising a driven horizontal rotating flail rotor assembly in a housing with a plurality of cutting members, referred to as ‘fails’, attached to the rotor. Grass fed into the housing is sucked up and beat off tangentially under the rotor whereafter the cuttings are discharged, by a hose coupled to a suction mechanism which is coupled to said trailer wagon.

[0004] Conventionally flail mowing attachment heads are commonly coupled to, a hydraulically driven, movable extension arm on a tractor or the like utility vehicle for mowing and collecting grass and/or vegetation clippings from landscape, (semi)natural areas, roadside verges or airport terrains.

[0005] Mentioned flail mowing attachment heads are known for a large suction power which causes considerable pollution of the residue grass clippings by soil and other inorganic debris. It is known that these contaminations cause considerable problems for, in particular, bio-energy plants and lowers the biogas-output. Secondly, known flail mowing devices do not chop the grass clippings in a, by bio-energy plants, desired particle size of smaller than five centimeters. Therefore, the flailed and collected residue clippings need a second processing step to be cleaned by sieving from unwanted pollution and, after sieving, to be chopped into a smaller one to two centimeters particle size before optimal usable in a bio-energy plant.

[0006] It goes without saying that pollution of grass clippings leads to lower output, more damage, higher service costs and unwanted down time of bio-energy plants. Also, too large particle size of the residue clippings causes a slower and inefficient Anaerobic Digestion and lower biogas output. So, polluted and non-conform particle size of grass clippings and/or vegetation add to the overall costs and inefficiency of bio-energy plants and are therefore less wanted for biogas-production.

[0007] It is known that Anaerobic Digestion is dedicated to the valorization of organic waste and energy crops grown on farmland as a source for renewable energy. However, more and more governments issuing that the use of energy crops grown on farmland as bio-energy plant feedstock should be limited. Where possible, biomass residues, such as grass clippings from roadside verges, should be used. Therefore, it's highly important to lower or prevent co-collection of grass clippings residue with soil and other inorganic debris (e.g. plastics and metals) and to chop the residue material into smaller fraction so the residue is useable to utilize as an effective feedstock, and substitution for energy crops, in bio-energy plants.

[0008] That is why, the objective of the present invention is to improve mentioned problems by a combination of a horizontal rotating cutter bar without suction effect which cuts the grass and/or vegetation, without collecting noteworthy pollution, combined with a horizontal rotor for chopping the residue cuttings into a, for bio-energy plants, desirable particle size of one to two centimeters.

[0009] Therefore, the apparatus, with characteristics from claim 1, aims to improve the quality of the residue grass and/or vegetation clippings from roadside verges and/or other (semi)natural terrains, i.e. less pollution and an optimal particle size, and make the residue more suitable and productive as biomass feedstock in bio-energy plants for production of biogas. For further characteristics of the invention is referred to claim 2-15.

[0010] In accordance with the present invention there is provided an apparatus, to be mounted to a movable extension arm, which combines mowing (i.e. cutting), chopping, crushing and discharging of grass and/or vegetation clippings, from roadside verges and other (semi) natural terrains, comprising a primary housing, with an flexible inlet opening, carrying a horizontal rotating cutter bar supporting a plurality of cutting elements, one or more adjustable guide vanes, a secondary housing which includes a chopping rotor supporting a plurality of pendulously mounted chopping elements cooperating with a, to the secondary housing mounted, bed of stationary cutting blades and a stationary crushing bar to chop and crush the mowed clippings. Further, the secondary housing comprises one or more air inlet openings, a trapezium shaped acceleration zone, one or more residue guide vanes, an inlet opening and an outlet opening aligned with the center of the chopping rotor.

[0011] Advantageously, the apparatus has no suction power that co-collect unwanted soil and inorganic wastes into the mowed clippings. Further details of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the following detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] in the following the invention will be discussed based upon the drawings, in which: Figure 1A & 1B are a schematic side view of the apparatus, coupled to a movable extension arm; Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 3 is a front view of the cutter bar installed in the primary housing section; Figure 4 is a front view of the chopping rotor secondary housing section Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the chopping section; Figure 6 is a plan view of secondary housing section including a bed stationary cutting blades, a stationary crushing bar, an acceleration zone and residue guiding vanes; Figure 7 is detail view of the secondary housing including one or more air inlet openings;

[0013] Figure 1A shows a movable, hydraulicly driven, extension arm 30, coupled to a tractor 28, including a hydraulic power-unit 27 which drives the apparatus 1. Although the movable extension arm is coupled to a tractor, it could also be coupled to another utility vehicle 29 shown in Figure 1B. Apparatus 1 is coupled via an attachment head 16 to said extension arm 30. Apparatus 1 is supported by a roller 5.

[0014] A suction turbine 26, coupled via a hose 31 to apparatus 1 and a following bulk trailer wagon 25, is used for depositing the cutted, chopped and crushed grass clippings residue from the secondary the apparatus 1.

[0015] The operation of the apparatus 1 is controlled from the, to the movable arm coupled, tractor 28 and/or other self-propelled utility vehicle 29 operators cab.

[0016] Although the invention is illustrated as being used as attachment head to a movable extension arm 30, the present invention can also be used as attachment to, or build in, other machines as mowing, chopping and crushing unit.

[0017] Referring to Figures 1A, 1B and 2, apparatus 1 includes a primary housing 2, an attachment head 16 for coupling the apparatus to a movable extension arm 30, a supporting roller 5, a horizontal rotating cutter bar 3 comprising a plurality of cutting elements 22, a secondary housing 6, a rotor axle comprising a plurality of pendulously mounted chopping elements 18, a bed of stationary cutting blades 8, a stationary crushing bar 15, a trapezium shaped top cover 9 and a round shaped outlet 11. In figure 2, the chopping rotor would rotate in a clockwise direction.

[0018] Cutter bar 3, shown in more detail in Figure 3, may be divided into two sections; namely, a center cutting section including two horizontal rotating cutter discs 23, comprising a plurality of cutting elements 22, of which one is rotating clockwise and one disc is rotating in a counter-clockwise direction for pivoting the residue clippings axially towards the center of the secondary housing inlet. The outward section of the cutter bar consists of two horizontal rotating cutter discs 21, comprising a plurality of cutting elements 22, of which one is rotating clockwise, and one disc is rotating in a counterclockwise direction. Both outside cutter discs include an extension drum 20 for pivoting the residue clippings axially towards the center of the secondary housing inlet. Secondary housing 2 is provided with a flexible inlet opening 12 for the cutter bar 3 to receive the grass and/or other vegetation material to be cut off. The cufted grass and/or vegetation residue clippings is received by the chopping rotor axle 4, via a fixed inlet opening in the secondary housing, by movement and acceleration speed of residue clippings material by means of the horizontal rotating cutter bar discs 21 and 23 and one or more adjustable residue guide vanes 14.

[0019] Rotor axle 4 is shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5. Rotor axle 4 is provided with a plurality of cutting blade joints 17 for pendulously mounting cutting elements 18.

Cutting elements 18 include a sharp, serrated, cutting edge. The pendulously mounted cutting elements 18 cooperate with a bed of stationary cutting blades 8 and a stationary crushing bar 15 to chop and crush the mowed residue grass and/or vegetation clippings. Rotor axle 4 also act as centrifugal force mechanism to propel the chopped and crushed residue materials towards the secondary housing outlet 11.

5 [0020] Residue guide vanes 32, shown in more detail in Figure 6, mounted on the inside of secondary housing 6 are shaped in a round form, to impart an axial force upon the, by the bed of stationary cutting blades 8 and stationary crushing bar 15, chopped and crushed residue clippings and direct residue towards outlet 11. Guide vanes 32 are adjustable and included on the inside of the trapezium shaped top cover 9 acceleration zone 10.

[0021] To assist in providing amplified air flow for enhanced suction and prevent clogging, trapezium shaped top cover 9 and secondary housing 6 include a plurality of air inlet openings 13 and 24 at opposite longitudinal ends of the secondary housing 6 and trapezium shaped top cover 9. Air inlet openings 13 and 24, shown in more detail in Figure 7, act as air flow amplifier for an enhanced efflux and anti-clogging mechanism as chopped and crushed residue materials move through the trapezium shaped top cover 9 towards round shaped outlet 11. When the secondary housing outlet 11 is coupled via a hose 31 to a suction turbine mechanism 26, shown in Figures 1A and 1B, chopped and crushed materials will be efficiently transported from the trapezium shaped top cover 9 and outlet 11, via a strong suction air flow, and deposit into a following bulk trailer wagon 25, shown in Figures 1A and 1B. Air is drawn, using suction power of turbine mechanism 26, axially into trapezium shaped top cover 9 and outlet 11, merge with, propelled by hydraulic motor 33 driven rotor axle, chopped and crushed residue material and induce a strong angled flow of residue material drawn towards outlet 11.

Claims (15)

Conclusions A mower-shredder (1) for mowing, chopping, crushing and removing grass and/or vegetation, comprising: a primary housing (2) and a secondary housing (6); Said primary housing (2), carried by a mounting head (16) and supported by a roller (5), carries a cutter bar (3) driven by a hydraulic motor (34) with horizontal rotating discs (21 and 23) with several cutting elements ( 22) and one or more clippings guide blades (14), the secondary housing (6) carries a rotor shaft (4) driven by a hydraulic motor (33), including a number! pendant mounted chopping elements (18) cooperating with a bed of stationary cutting blades (8) and a stationary crushing beam (15), one or more residual material guide fins (32) and one or more air inlet openings (13 and 24) received in the secondary housing ( 6) and attached trapezoidal top cover (9) consisting of an acceleration zone (10) and a round-shaped outlet opening (11). The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one bed of stationary cutting blades (8) and a stationary breaker bar (15) mounted on the inner surface of the secondary housing (6) between the inlet opening and the outlet opening (11), the blades and the crusher bar (15) are configured to work in conjunction with the rotating, pendant mounted chopper elements (18) to reduce the grass and vegetation mowed by the cutter bar (3) to a particle size of one to two centimeters. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotor shaft (4) upstream accelerates the chopped and crushed residual material towards the outlet opening (11). The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the outlet opening (11) is located in the upper rear quadrant of the secondary housing (6) and wherein the rotor shaft (4) rotates in a direction in which the chopping elements (18) move toward the outlet opening (11). ) to move. The device of claim 1, wherein a flexible inlet opening (12) is located in front of the cutter bar (3). The device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible inlet opening (12) is limited in width to the dimensions of the width of the cutter bar (3). The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cutter bar (3) having at least two discs, the outer discs (21) of which have drums (20) at the top for directing the swath of mowed grass and/or vegetation to the inlet opening of the secondary housing (6). The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening (11) of the secondary housing (6) are located centrally with respect to the width of the cutter bar (3) and the shaft (4) of the cutting rotor. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the primary housing (2) comprises one or more clippings guide blades (14) to direct and direct the cut material toward the center of the inlet opening of the secondary housing (6). The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising one or more air inlet openings (13 and 24) located in the acceleration zone (10) of the secondary housing (6) and the trapezoidal top cover (9). The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the acceleration zone (10) contains no chopping elements. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one adjustable set of residue guide fins (32) is mounted on the inner surface of the acceleration zone (10) of the top cover (9). The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the trapezoidal top cover (9) further comprises a trapezoidal acceleration zone (10) and at least one circular shaped outlet opening (11). The device of claim 1, wherein the secondary housing (6) is cylindrical. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has a mounting head (16) mounted on the primary housing (2) for attachment to a movable extension arm (30).