NZ244040A - Feed out tray with carriage assembly and interfering device for distributing feedstuff from tractor - Google Patents

Description

24 /* >/ A 1-NOV 7995 ^ A PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee No. 4: $260.00 ~~ PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION After Provisional No: 244040 Dated: 20 August 1992 IMPROVEMENTS IN & RELATING TO FEED TRAYS WE MICHAEL BRIAN OLIVER, a New Zealand citizen of Whitehall, R.D.4, Cambridge, New Zealand, and HARDING MANUFACTURING LIMITED, a New Zealand company of 8 Carters Crescent, Cambridge, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which I/We pray that a patent may be granted to me/us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 244040 technical field This invention relates to improvements in and relating to a feed tray for bales of hay and such like.

Background Art Most hay intended to be fed to stock is baled, either as the so-called square or round bales. The square bale, which is generally rectangular cuboid, typically comprises a number of discrete layers compacted to form the bale.

The feeding out of bales to stock has always represented somewhat of a 10 problem. It is not desirable to merely dump full bales around a paddock -for herds of livestock this means only a select few animals can access each bale. Instead it is preferable that each bale is broken up and scattered along the ground.

One way to achieve this is to place a bale on the deck of a tractor and as 15 the tractor progresses, a second person breaks up the bale and shifts each portion off the deck onto the ground. This is fine but uses the resources of two people, which is an inefficient use of manpower which may not always be available.

Another method is to set the tractor on its course while the driver gets off, 20 follows the tractor and performs the task of removing sections of bale. However it is easy for a person on foot to get crushed against the deck by the cattle, especially if some of the cows are on heat. Travelling on the deck of a tractor driving itself is not recommended for safety reasons and NOr 7.9.95 ?•} A 0 4 0 the stock milling about the tray may prevent the driver from reaching the controls of the tractor if need be.

Automatic feed wagons have been introduced to address the foregoing but have their own inherent disadvantages. Typical feed out trailers 5 generally have a capacity of one or two bales at a time. In the softer peat lands of the North Island, any greater size may cause bogging of the trailer.

Further, if the trailer is towed behind a tractor, the useful rear deck attachment cannot be present. This can be a hindrance as often, after 10 feeding out in a back paddock, the driver may wish to carry goods (e.g. dead stock, fence posts etc.) back on the return trip. While these may sometimes be placed into an empty feed wagon, the still remains the difficulty of getting the goods into the wagon. In contrast, the standard rear deck can be raised or lowered so many goods can be virtually rolled 15 on, rather than lifted.

Finally, the stability of a rear deck mounted to a tractor and carrying a load is often greater on sloping ground than for a trailer, such as those of the prior art. It is not unknown for a feed out trailer of the prior art to start sliding down a hill dragging the towing vehicle after it. 20 Consequently, in hilly terrain, the trailer embodiments of the prior art may not be most appropriate.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become 25 apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. 3 244040 15 Disclosure of Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a feed tray comprising: a body portion including a deck for supporting a load; moving means for horizontally moving a load across said deck; interference means positionable to interfere with a load at or near a edge of said deck, and means for attaching the tray to a tractor in a manner allowing its height above the ground to be altered.

Most embodiments of the present invention will resemble the conventional tray attachment to be coupled to the rear of a tractor, but need not be restricted to this form. Common to most embodiments will be a substantially flat, horizontal deck. Side rails or fences will not normally be provided but may be on some embodiments. Attachable fences and guards may be an option for some embodiments.

A fence may be provided along the front of the deck to prevent items falling forwardly. Also, this may be an ideal position to house any power means for shifting a load across the deck.

The construction of the deck may be according to known principles. A wooden deck over a frame may be used. However, in a preferred embodiment a steel deck cover over a frame is used. The greater strength of the steel means that a thinner deck portion can generally be constructed. This may be advantageous as it enables the top surface of a deck to be positioned closer to the ground - this in turn makes it easier to roll a load onto the deck or perhaps even make it possible to use the deck as a scoop. One preferred embodiment uses a steel mesh over a steel box frame, where the height of the frame has be back end. 4 244 040 The result is a deck portion which, when viewed from the side, has a tapering back end.

A steel mesh has been used in the preceding example to both improve traction for a person working on the deck, and for improved drainage and 5 cleaning. It has also been found that a bale will still readily slide across such a deck covering. It should be appreciated that other forms of deck coverings and construction are still possible within the scope of the present invention.

A wide range of methods may be used to move a load across the deck. The 10 typical range of movement is generally to push a load off an edge of the deck. Typically this will be the rear edge, though sideways orientated embodiments are still envisaged, and to a lesser extent embodiments which push a load forwardly. Some embodiments may offer a choice of directions. Some embodiments may also allow for a greater range of 15 movements for purposes such as loading the deck and for using the deck for other purposes. Consequently there may also be provided means for lifting or winching loads.

However, most embodiments will shift a load rearwards across the deck. Generally this will mean moving substantially an entire bale (or article of 20 the load) rather than gradually abrading the article and removing the abraded portions. For side unloading embodiments there may be one preferred direction of operation, necessitating the shifting means to be reset after each operation, or the arrangement may allow the shifting means to operate in both sideways directions. Other shifting means may 25 comprise components which swing in an arc to shift a load. Multiple 244 040 shifting means may be provided to, for instance, allow a load to be fed off both sides of the deck, and/or from the rear either independently or in unison.

Many mechanisms can be used to effect the various methods of shifting a 5 load. One possibility is a moving arm which sweeps across the deck driving a load before it. Hydraulic rams, motors and transmission assemblies, etc. may all be used to power it. Such means will be well known to a skilled engineer. Another embodiment could comprise dual pivoting arms sweeping in an outward arc towards the sides. In at least 10 one embodiment, a movable barrier can be provided able to drive a load before it. In most of these particular embodiments, any motive means is preferably located at the front of the deck - perhaps forwardly of or within a fence rising up from the forward end of the deck.

The interference means assists in breaking up the load. Typically the 15 load to be fed will be a square bale, many of which (as stated previously) comprise a layered structure. By providing an obstruction which interferes with a portion of a bale (for instance), the bale can be readily coerced into separating into these layers. Consequently the interference means will generally comprise at least one component or assembly 20 which can interact with a portion of a load, generally as it approaches the edge from which it is destined to fall. While the top edge of the load is generally preferred, the interference means may act substantially upon any other edge or portion of the load, and/or any combination of portions and edges.

In a preferred embodimert the obstruction comprises one or more tines placed in the path of a moving bale. These are generally supported, typically by an arm, arch or the deck and may be partially hooked so as to 6 24404 0 grab the leading or other face of a moving bale. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of partially hooked tines, extending downwardly ^ from a support arm, press against the leading face of the bale. As the bale reaches the edge of the deck, the action of the tines has usually 5 helped loosen the leading layer of hay from the remainder of the bale. As gravity prompts the layer to fall off the edge, the partial hook attempts to partially restrain the layer generally resulting in further disintegration of the layer than would normally occur if the bale had been merely pushed over the edge.

In this preferred embodiment, the tines are pivoted so as to deflect in deference to the progress of the bale. A bias, such as by a spring, is provided to resist this deflection and to return the tines to a substantially downward position once a layer has fallen free. It should be appreciated that these principles, which have been given by way of example only, may 15 be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

It should also be appreciated however, that other embodiments may rely upon other interference means. Moving and driven components may also find use in breaking up a load. These may be preferred where a square bale such as has been described, is not the usual load.

In use the feed tray embodiment is intended to be coupled to a tractor or suitable towing vehicle. Such embodiments, which may be coupled to a tractor in the manner of the ubiquitous rear deck, may be easier to load. This method of attachment enables the tray to be backed up to a pile of bales, and the bales toppled onto the tray. A rope and hook (the hook 25 fastened to a stacked bale and the free end of the rope attached to the tractor) may be used to promote toppling of a stack. For bales lower in the pile, or on the ground, the deck may be used to fully or partially scoop the 7 4 0 4 0 bale onto the deck. A winch assembly could also be provided to drag bales or other loads onto the deck. With conventional methods such as the feed wagon, it is generally necessary to use a front end loader attachment to load the wagon. This generally also means uncoupling and recoupling the wagon to the trailer during loading.

An average turn around for loading a bale according to conventional means is approximately 10-15 minutes. In developmental trials of a preferred embodiment of a present invention, a typical turn around time approaching a minute was possible.

Other potentially realisable advantages of most embodiments of the invention are that on the return load, the deck doubles as the conventional rear tray. The shifting means may also be used to assist in hauling loads onto the deck and removing them. In short most embodiments of the invention are not dedicated solely to the distribution of feed stuff. brief description of drawings Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the drawing accompanying the provisional specification and summarised as follows: Figure 1 is a rear diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the invention, and Figure 2 is a side diagrammatic view of the embodiment of Figure 1. 8 2 rest modes for carrying out the invention Example One With reference to the diagrams and by way of example only there is provided a feed tray (generally indicated by arrow 1) having a front (2), 5 rear (3) and sides (4,5), said feed tray 1 comprising: a body portion including a deck 6; means 7 for shifting a load 8 horizontally across said deck 6, and interference means 10 positionable to interfere with a top 11 or edge portion of a said load 8 positioned at or near an edge (4) of said deck 10 6.

For the illustrated embodiment 1, the deck 6 comprises a frame 12 of welded box steel covered with a steel mesh sheet 13. This represents the main load carrying portion.

At the forward end 2 of the deck is a frame 14 which also includes guide 15 rails 15 upon which carriages supporting the shifting means 7 ride. A carriage assembly 16 is powered by a suitable means such as a hydraulic or pneumatic ram 17. The shifting means 7 comprises a rearwardly extending frame 18 which will drive a load 8, such as a bale, before it towards side edge 4.

As the bale 8 approaches edge 4, the top portion 11 of the bale encounters interference means 10. This comprises a rearwardly extending arm 19 from which a plurality of partially hooked tines 20 extend downwardly. These tines 20 are constructed of a spring steel and are biased downwardly. They 20 will deflect upwardly by the progress of the load 8. 25 They help disrupt the edge layer of the bale (whigh^should be aligned, when loaded, accordingly) which will eventually fall free. The arm 19 may be able to be swung out of the way when the feed tray 1 is to be used for other purposes.

The feed tray 1 may be coupled to a tractor using conventional coupling 5 means. This will generally enable it (1) to be raised, lowered and/or tilted. For loading, the feed tray 1 may be backed up to a pile of bales, and a single bale (or more) toppled on. Some further handling may be necessary to satisfactorily align the bale, if it does not land suitably on the deck 6. For bales near the ground, the tray 1 may be lowered and tilted 10 downwardly towards its rear. In this position it may be possible to substantially scoop a bale onto the deck or make it easier to load thereon.

During feeding of hay from a bale, the shifting means 7 should be near the right hand side of the deck 6, as viewed in figure 1. The tractor driver will then operate the controls for the ram 17 so that the frame 18 15 gradually pushes the bale 8 to the left. The rest of the operation is as described substantially above. The driver may control the rate by which the bale is fed without leaving the controls of the tractor.

When all bales have been fed, the shifting means 7 may be positioned accordingly, the arm 19 swung out of the way, and the deck 6 used for 20 other purposes.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

.Y r t ' ":,v il't f.'j*; < ,,, *'!i M V I-NOV 1995 • 1.

Claims (20)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. A feed tray comprising: a body portion including a deck for supporting a load comprising feedstuff; moving means for horizontally moving the load across said deck and over an edge thereof; interference means positionable to encounter and interfere with the load at or near said edge of the deck, and means for attaching the tray to a tractor in a manner allowing its height above the ground to be altered.
2. A feed, tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein said deck can support a plurality of hay bales.
3. A feed tray as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 in which said deck is substantially planar and horizontal.
4. A feed tray as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said deck comprises a supported metal mesh.
5. A feed tray as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said moving means can horizontally move a load longitudinally with respect to the normal direction of travel of the tray.
6. A feed tray as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 4 in which said moving means can move a said load horizontally sideways, with respect to the normal direction of travel of said tray. 11 { 2
7. 7. A feed tray as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said moving means includes at least one movable arm or barrier capable of pushing a load ahead of it.
8. 8. A feed tray as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 7 in which at least one ram is used to drive the moving means.
9. 9. A feed tray as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the interference means comprises one or more tines.
10. 10. A feed tray as claimed in claim 9 in which said tines depend from a support such as an arch, arm or upright member.
11. 11. A feed tray as claimed in either claim 9 or claim 10 in which said tines can be deflected by a moving load.
12. 12. A .feed tray as claimed in claim 11 in which said tines are biased to resist deflection.
13. 13. A feed tray as claimed in any one of claims 9 through 12 which includes tines acting against the top portion of a load.
14. 14. A feed tray as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes side fences or guards.
15. 15. A feed tray as claimed in claim 14 in which said fences or guards are removable.
16. 16. A feed tray as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said deck is tapered to be lesser in height at its rear end.
17. 17. A feed tray substantially as described herein with/ reference to the drawings accompanying the provisional specification. f ' 12 \
18. 18. A method for feeding hay from bales comprising loading said bales onto the deck of a tray attached to a tractor, said deck having means for shifting said bales towards an interference means, the interference means comprising a plurality of members which interfere with the progress of said bale and contribute to its disintegration, the disintegrating portion of the bale being ejected or falling free from said deck, said method including raising the deck and transporting it with the tractor while shifting said bales towards said interference means.
19. 19. A method as claimed in claim 18 which makes use of tray as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 16.
20. 20. A method for feeding out feedstock from bales, substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings accompanying the provisional specification. MICHAEL BRIAN OLIVER & HARDING MANUFACTURING LIMITED by their attorneys 13 i * (2 i 1-NOV 1995