WO1984004121A1

WO1984004121A1 - Tractor attachment

Info

Publication number: WO1984004121A1
Application number: PCT/AU1984/000054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reginald Francis Johnson; Trevor Maurice Payne
Original assignee: Johnson Reginald F
Priority date: 1983-04-08
Filing date: 1984-04-09
Publication date: 1984-10-25
Also published as: AU1567783A

Abstract

A multi-purpose implement for attachment to a tractor comprises a plurality of tynes (20) and a tipping bucket (22) mounted on a three-point linkage (10) for the tractor. The tynes are mounted on supporting brackets (21) and can pivot forwards and upwards when the tractor is reversed and the implement is lowered. The position of the tipping bucket (22) is controlled by hydraulic movement of a mechanical linkage (14) connected between the bucket (22) and the tractor linkage (10). The bucket (22) is preferably formed as three components (60, 61, 62) which are pivotally connected to convert from a bucket configuration to an open box configuration.

Description

TITLE: "TRACTOR ATTACHMENT"

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention concerns implements which, in use, are carried by a tractor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-purpose implement which is constructed as a tractor attachment. BACKGROUND ART

There are many farm implements and the like which are adapted to be carried or towed by a tractor. Each implement is designed to perform a specific function. It is normal practice to use an implement, then replace it with the next implement that is required to perform the work that is in progress. This means that time is lost while the tractor moves to the implement storage area, the used implement is disconnected from the tractor, the new implement is attached to the tractor, and the tractor returns to the work area. The amount of time lost can be considerable if the implement storage area is not close to the work area. DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a single implement which is capable of performing the tasks of

(a) moving earth, sand, gravel, rocks or other materials;

(b) tilling soil;

(c) excavating soil and the like;

(d) levelling;

(e) scarifying; (f) pushing; and

(g) general carrying, and which is also adapted to be mounted on and carried by a tractor. This objective is achieved by providing a tool bar which is mounted on a standard three-point tractor linkage, with ripping tynes attached to the tool bar and a tipping bucket (which is hydraulically controlled by the tractor hydraulics) mounted on the tool bar. The ripping tynes are attached to the tool bar using an arrangement whereby each tyne is pivoted near its upper end so that its lower end may move forward and upwards when, the tractor is reversed with the tynes extending downwards from the tool' bar and the implement is lowered. When the tynes are not in use, they can conveniently be positioned to be substantially horizontal or, preferably, to be located substantially vertically with their non-pivoted ends uppermost. The bucket is preferably attached to the tool bar by pins which pass^' through bushes which are mounted on brackets that are welded to the tool bar. The bucket is adapted to be moved in a conventional manner by a mechanical linkage arrangement that is moved using the tractor's conventional hydraulic control system. A preferred form of the bucket is one which is formed as three parts, which can be moved relative to each other about pivot points to change the bucket configuration into a carrying tray or into a box with a tailgate. Thus, according to the present invention, a multi-purpose implement for use with a tractor comprises: a) a three-point linkage; b) a substantially horizontal bar extending across the three-point linkage at or near the bottom thereof, the horizontal bar being rigidly affixed "to the three-point linkage; c) a plurality of ripping tynes mounted on said horizontal bar in spaced-apart relationship, each tyne being adapted to move about a pivot point in a respective support bracket mounted on the horizontal bar from a position in which the tyne extends downwards from the horizontal bar to a position in which the tyne extends substantially horizontally and forwards of the bar; d) a pair of rearwardly extending bucket-mounting brackets, each bucket-mounting bracket being rigidly affixed at or adjacent to a respective end of the horizontal bar; e) a bucket pivotally mounted on said bucket-mounting brackets with the mouth of the bucket remote from the horizontal bar; and f) a mechanical linkage connected between the back of the bucket and the top of the three-point linkage, the mechanical linkage being hydraulically controlled to cause the bucket to move relative to its pivotal mounting on said bucket-mounting brackets. Preferably the bucket is formed by an open box construction that comprises

1. a partial box member which has a) a planar_., rectangular base member having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges; b) a pair of side members extending upwards from the opposed side edges of said base member, at right angles to said base member; said side members being provided with means for pivotal connecton to the bucket-mounting brackets which extend from the horizontal bar; and c) a rectangular, planar back member which extends upwards from the front edge at right angles to the base member, to form, with the base member and the side members, box corners for the partial box member; said back member being provided with means for its connection to the hydraulically controlled mechanical linkage; 2. a three-plate member having a) a planar, rectangular base with forward and rear edges and two side edges; and b) a pair of planar side walls extending upwards from and at right angles to the side edges of the planar base, the side walls being coplanar with respective side members of the partial box member; each of said side walls and their associated side members being pivotally secured to each other at their adjacent upper regions by securing means; and 3. a substantially rectangular and planar gate member hingedly connected to the rear edge of the base of the three-plate member, and adapted to form, with said partial box member and said three-plate member, a box-like structure; said three-plate member, with the gate member connected thereto, being rotatable about said securing means to be positioned above said partial box member to form a bucket with the gate member coplanar with said back member.

Normally, clamping means will be provided to secure the open box construction in its carrying box configuration or in its folded, bucket configuration.

It will also be normal practice to affix a cutting blade, a scraper blade or the like along the rear edge of the base member of the partial box member.

These and other features of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with the bucket and tynes omitted.

Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the unit of Figure 1 with tynes and the preferred form of bucket attached.

Figure 4 illustrates one form of pivotal mounting arrangement for the tynes of the present invention. Figure 5 is a section view at A-A of Figure 4. Figure 6 shows one way in which the upper end of a tyne may be shaped to enable the tyne to be stored vertically when the bucket is in use. Figures 7, 8 and 9 show different configurations that may be achieved with the preferred form of the bucket of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 shows a standard three-point tractor linkage 10, adapted to be connected to a tractor by bolts or pins through apertures 11 (only two of which are shown in Figure 1). -horizontal bar 12 - which has been termed a tool bar - is welded to the lower edges of support arms 10A of the three-point linkage 10. Typically, the tool bar will be of steel, with a rectangular cross-section. A bracket 13 extends rearwards from each end of tool bar 12. Each bracket 13 has a bush 13A mounted thereon at the end remote from the tool bar 12. Each bush 13A is adapted to receive a pin, axle or the like of circular cross-section for rotational movement therein.

A mechanical linkage 14 comprises a pair of triangular arms 14A which are pivotally connected to a pair of links 14B. The links 14B are pivotally mounted relative to bar 17, which is adapted to be clamped to the back plate of a tipping bucket. The triangular arms 14A are also linked pivotally connected by pin 15 to a pair of brackets 16 which are mounted on top of the three-point tractor linkage 10, above its upper support arm 10B. When the implement of the present invention is in use, the length of linkage 14 is controlled by a hydraulic ram 18, which is adapted to be connected to the external hydraulic control system of the tractor. The hydraulic connection to the tractor has not been shown in the accompanying drawings.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a plurality of tynes 20 are pivotally connected to respective supporting brackets 21 which are welded to (or are otherwise rigidly attached to) the front surface of tool bar 12.

A bucket 22 is connected by short axles 23 to the bushes 13A at the rearmost end of brackets 13. The back plate of bucket 22 is connected to the tipping bar 17. Using hydraulic ram 18, the bucket can be moved from the position shown in Figure 2 (with the ram fully retracted) to the tipping position shown in Figure 3

(with the ram fully extended) . In a prototype of the present invention, this range of bucket positions corresponded to a tilt of the bucket floor of 10 up when the ram was fully retracted, to 70 down when the ram was fully extended.

It will be clear that although the preferred form of bucket has been shown in Figures 2 and 3, and that other types of tipping buckets may be used in the present invention.

One way in which the tynes 20 may be connected to their respective support brackets 21 is shown in

Figures 4 and 5, where the supporting bracket 21 for each tyne comprises a pair of parallel side plates 2lA • which are joined for part of their length by a web plate 21B. The web plate 21B is welded to, or bolted to, the tool bar 12. An alternative construction for this general form of supporting bracket 21 is a pair of plates which are welded to tool bar 12 along part of their edges (corresponding to the edges of plates 21A which are adjacent to the web plate 2IB). The tyne 20 is supported within bracket 21 by a pin 40 which passes through the side plates 2lA and also through a clearance aperture in the tyne.

To facilitate the pivoting of a tyne 20 about its associated pin 40, the top of the tyne is arcuately shaped rearwards from a point above the clearance aperture through which pin 40 passes. The arcuate shape 42 curves downwards until it reaches approximately the level of the clearance aperture, where it terminates at an inward step 41 in the rear surface of tyne 20. The inward step 41 bears against the lower surface of web plate 2IB when the bottom of the tyne is forced backwards - such as when the tyne is being used to rip or chisel through soil. If the step 41 is a long step at web plate 2IB has its lowest edge at the level of the bottom face 12A of tool bar 12, step 41 may also bear against the bottom face 12A of the tool bar 12. If the supporting bracket 21 does not have ^ja web plate 21B, the step 41 will always bear against the bottom face 12A of the tool bar 20. When the step 41 bears against the web plate 21B or the bottom face 12A of the tool bar 12, the tyne cannot rotate further rearwards about pin 40. Preferably, the arcuate shape 42 is a quarter circle having a centre of curvature which coincides with the centre of pin 40.

It will be apparent that the tyne 20 shown in Figures 4 and 5 can move about pin 40 from a position where the tyne extends downwards from tool bar- 12, to a position where the tyne extends horizontally. If it is desired to store the tynes 20 in a vertical position when the bucket is being used, the top end of each tyne may be shaped as shown in Figure 6.

The tyne illustrated in Figure 6 has the same inward step 41 and arcuate surface 42 as the tyne of Figures 4 and 5, but in addition it has an upwards step

43 at the top of curve 42, and also an arcuately curved surface 44 forward of up step 43 and an elongated clearance aperture in the form of slot 45. In the aforementioned prototype of the present invention, tynes were each of the type shown in. Figure 6, with the elongate direction of slot at an angle of 13 relative to the vertical when the tyne was extending downwards, but this angle is not critical for a tyne of this type. The shape of arcuately curved surface 44 is also preferably quarter-circular. When the tyne of Figure 6 extends downwards from the tool bar 12, the pin 40 will be located at the upper end of slot 45. When the tyne is rotated about 40 to the position where it is vertically above pin 40, the weight of the tyne and the angle of slot 45 combine to ensure that the tyne is held in this "vertically upwards" position, with the forward edge 20A of the tyne bearing against web plate 21B (or the front face of tool bar 12). However, it is a relatively simple matter for the user of the implement to lift a tyne in this position and rotate it about pin 40 to bring the tyne to the position shown in the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3.

The preferred form of the bucket of the present invention, is depicted in more detail in Figures 5, 6 and 7. As shown particularly in Figure 6, the bucket has three components, namely (i) a partial box member 60, (ii) a "three-plate" member 61 and (iii) a tailgate member 62.

The partial box member 60- has a rectangular base member 64, a rectangular back 66, and side members 65. Each side member 65 is provided with a short axle 66 for mounting the partial box member 60 in the bushes 13A of bucket-mounting brackets 13. The back 66 is adapted to be connected to the bar 17 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The "three-plate" member 61 has a planar, rectangular base 67 and side walls 68. The base 67 is of the same width as base member .64, so that side members 65 and side walls 68 are coplanar. The three-plate member 61 is pivotally connected to the partial box member 60, using connecting brackets 69.

The tailgate member 62 is connected to three-plate member 61 by hinges 70.

As will be apparent from the drawings, the structure illustrated in Figure 6 can be formed into a carrying tray as shown in Figure 5, or into a bracket as shown in Figure 7. Means to lock the tailgate in the position shown in Figure 5 will normally be provided, as will means to lock the three components in the bucket configuration of Figure 7. Such locking means may be any suitable known form of locking means, including a clamping bar held in position by bolts and wing nuts, the bolts passing through holes in the adjacent members that are to be held rigidly together.

A scraper blade or a cutting edge 71 may be affixed to the base member 64 of partial box member 60.

Variations of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the present inventive concept.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention may be used for any of the purposes mentioned in the background art section at the beginning of this specification. It will be apparent that modifying the implement to perform a different function can be performed quickly and easily, thus enabling work which would otherwise require several implements carry it out to be completed with the minimum of delay. The implement of the present invention is particularly useful to the landscape gardener, and to the farmer who possesses a small-holding or farm of limited acreage, which has to be managed on a small budget.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose implement for use with a tractor comprising: a) a three-point linkage (20); b) a substantially horizontal bar (12) extending across the three-point linkage at or near the bottom thereof, the horizontal bar (12) being rigidly affixed to the

. - three-point linkage (10); c) a plurality of ripping tynes (20) mounted on said horizontal bar (12) in spaced-apart relationship, each tyne (20) being adapted to move about a pivot point in a respective supporting bracket (21) mounted on the horizontal bar from a position in which the tyne (20) extends downwards from the horizontal bar (12) to a position in which the tyne extends substantially horizontally and forwards of the bar; d) a pair of rearwardly extending bucket-mounting brackets (13), each bracket being rigidly affixed at or adjacent to a respective end of the horizontal bar (12); e) a bucket (22) pivotally mounted on said bucket-mounting brackets (13) with the mouth of the bucket remote from the horizontal bar (12); and f) a mechanical linkage (14) connected between the back of the bucket and the top of the three-point linkage (10), the mechanical linkage being hydraulically controlled to cause the bucket to move relative to its pivotal mounting on said bucket-mounting brackets (13).

2. An implement as defined in claim 1, in which: a) each said tyne supporting bracket (21) which is rigidly attached to the said horizontal bar (12) has a pin (40) which passes through the supporting bracket and also through an aperture formed near to the end of said tyne, said pin (40) providing the pivot point for the tyne; and b) when the tyne extends downwardly from said supporting bracket (21), the rear of the tyne has an inward step (41) at approximately the level of said pin and above the inward step, the rear of the tyne has a forwardly curving arcuate surface (42) until the uppermost end of the tyne is reached, said arcuate surface (42) being substantially quarter-circular, the inward step (41) being adapted to bear against the lower surface (12A) of said horizontal bar or against a back plate (21B) forming part of said supporting bracket.

3. An implement as defined in claim 2, in which: a) said arcuate surface (42) terminates substantially vertically above said pin (40) and there is step up (43) to the uppermost end of said tyne; b) the front of the tyne (44) is curved arcuately downwards, substantially quarter-circularly, from said step up (43) until the normally vertical front face (20A) of the tyne is reached; and c) the aperture in said tyne is a slot (45),- said slot (45) extending longitudinally at an acute angle relative to the vertical.

4. An implement as defined in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, in which the bucket (22) is formed by an open box construction that comprises: i) a partial box member (60) which has a) a planar, rectangular base member (64) having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges; b) a pair of side members (65) extending upwards from the opposed side edges of said base member (64), at right angles to said base member; said side members (65) being provided with means for pivotal connection to the bucket-mounting brackets (13) which extend from the horizontal bar (12); and c) a rectangular, planar back member (66) which extends upwards from the front edge at right angles to the

OMPI ^' base member (64), to form, with the base member and the side members, box corners for the partial box member (60); said back member being provided with means for its connection to the hydraulically controlled mechanical linkage (14); ii) a three-plate member (61) having a) a planar, rectangular base (67) with forward and rear edges and two side edges; and b) a pair of planar side walls (68) extending upwards from and at right angles to the side edges of the planar base (67), the side walls (68) being coplanar with respective side members (65) of the partial box member (60); each of said side walls (68) and their associated side members (65) being pivotally secured to each other at their adjacent upper regions by securing means (69) ; and iii) a substantially rectangular and planar gate member (62) hingedly connected to the rear edge of the base of the three-plate member (61), and adapted to form, with said partial box member (60) and said three-plate member (61), a box-like structure; said three-plate member (61), with the gate member (62) connected thereto, being rotatable about said securing means (69^') to be positioned above said partial box member (60) to form a" bucket with the gate member (62) coplanar with said back member (66).

5. An implement as defined in claim 4, including a cutting edge or a scraper blade (71) affixed to the rear edge of the base member (64) of the partial box member (60).

6. An implement as defined in claim 4 or claim 5, including clamping means to secure the bucket in either an open box configuration or the bucket configuration.

7. An implement as defined ift any one of claims 4, 5 and 6, in which the means for pivotal connection of the side members (65) of the partial box member (60) comprise short axles which fit into respective bushes (13A) at the ends of the bucket-mounting brackets (13) which extend rearwardly from the horizontal bar (12).

OMPI