WO1990010376A1

WO1990010376A1 - Improvements relating to fodder distribution devices

Info

Publication number: WO1990010376A1
Application number: PCT/GB1990/000372
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Wallis Marriage; Stephen David Methven; Robert Alfred Price
Original assignee: Votex Hereford Limited
Priority date: 1989-03-10
Filing date: 1990-03-12
Publication date: 1990-09-20
Also published as: IE900873L; JPH04503751A; GB2250905A; IE64056B1; GB9119219D0; AU5184590A; GB2250905B; GB8905588D0

Abstract

A tub (1) supports a large round bale (19). Rotation of a drum (3) (provided with cutting blades, not shown) feeds cut portions of the bale over the top of the drum and out through a side wall (5). A roller (6) acts as a deflector to limit the amount of cut fodder which tends to be thrown upwards. If the torque of the drum (3) increases due to an excess amount of fodder being fed, a lever (14) rotates and operates a spool valve (17) which controls operation of a piston and cylinder device (18). This in turn controls the position of an arm (9) carrying the roller (6) and brings the roller down on to the bale (19), thus pushing the bale away from the drum (3). Once the pressure on the drum (3) is relieved, the spool valve (17) closes again and the roller (6) returns to its normal position at a controlled slow speed so that the bale is reintroduced slowly to the drum.

Description

Improvements relating to Fodder Distribution Devices

This invention relates to apparatus which is suitable for processing big round silage bales. Apparatus of this type needs to unroll or divide the bale and then slice or chop the long stalks of the grass silage into shorter lengths for subsequent discharge. Shorter silage is more palatable to ruminants, especially if it is offered in a well aerated and freshened condition rather than being supplied in the form of the complete bale or in a lumpy state. This results in faster growth, more milk etc. The apparatus will, of course, be suited to distributing hay or straw and could, in addition, be used with such materials as sugar beet which needs to be chopped and discharged.

Accordingly, from one aspect this invention provides apparatus for distributing fodder, comprising a container for holding a supply of fodder and having a feed outlet in a side wall thereof, a rotatable drum positioned across the lower part of the feed outlet, drive means for rotating the drum in a direction such that fodder will be directed upwardly over the drum, and deflector means provided above the drum to cause any fodder thrown upwardly to be deflected out through the feed outlet.

Directing the fodder over the drum substantially reduces the possibility of jamming of the drum which could occur if the drum is rotated in a conventional manner to feed the material underneath. The deflector means ensures that the cut material is supplied to the side of the container rather than flying out through the top.

The deflector means could comprise or include a deflector plate. Preferably however the deflector means will be provided by a rotatable roller defining, with the drum, a feed outlet path. The roller could possibly carry longitudinally extending ribs to help feed the fodder, but for some situations a smooth roller may be preferred. The roller is ideally adjustably mounted on support arms on a pivot axis concentric with or lying parallel to the rotational axis of the drum. It can then be raised or lowered to vary the rate at which fodder is supplied to the drum. This is most preferably achieved automatically by providing means for sensing the torque applied to the rotation of the drum and linked to control means determining the extent of raising or lowering of the support arms for the roller as a function of the torque sensed.

Thus from another aspect the invention provides apparatus for distributing fodder, comprising a container for holding a supply of fodder and having a feed outlet in a side wall thereof, a rotatable drum positioned across the lower part of the feed outlet, drive means for rotating the drum, a rotatable roller above and defining, with the drum, a feed outlet path, the roller being adjustably mounted on support arms on a pivot axis concentric with or lying parallel to the rotational axis of the drum, and means for sensing the torque applied to the rotation of the drum and linked to control means determining the extent of raising or lowering of the support arms for the roller as a function of the torque sensed. This type of construction ensures that there is a relatively even feeding of the fodder since adjustment of the supply of the fodder to the drum occurs automatically.

With all versions of apparatus having a position control for the roller, the drum may be mounted in a bearing with a degree of play, the torque sensing means comprising a lever linked to the bearing for the drum^'and mounted on an offset pivot, together with a sensing device for sensing movement of the lever. Alternatively the sensing means could comprise an arm located against a belt or chain for driving the drum and connected to a sensing device for sensing movement of the arm. The sensing device could possibly be a spool valve whose output controls operation of the control means. The lever or arm will preferably include a shock absorber for damping movements of the arm or lever.

The control means for the support arms is ideally in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic piston and cylinder arrangement linked to the support arms, and preferably includes a restrictor valve in the fluid circuit to the piston and cylinder arrangement for limiting the rate of movement thereof in a direction controlling raising of the roller. The roller is preferably driven independantly of the drive for the drum. Advantageously the drum carries helically arranged paddles or cutting blades which direct the fodder towards the longitudinal centre of the drum. The invention further extends to a method of distributing fodder from a container through a feed outlet in a side wall, wherein a rotating drum across the lower part of the feed outlet is rotated to direct fodder upwardly over the drum, and deflector means is provided above the drum to cause any fodder thrown upwardly to be deflected out through the feed outlet.

The invention may be performed in various ways and preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a general view of one form of fodder distribution device of this invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of a slightly modified arrangement to that shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view of the other side of the arrangement shown in Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate stages of operation of the device shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 6 is a side view of an alternative form of fodder distribution device of this invention; and Figure 7 illustrates part of a drive mechanism of the arrangement shown in Figure 6.

The device in Figure 1 comprises a tub 1 having a large storage space 2 for receipt of a large round bale. In operation the bale is fed towards a chopping rotor drum 3 by an apron chain (not shown) and the bale is chopped by the blades 4 on the drum 3 which are set in a helical pattern so as to direct the cut material towards the longitudinal centre of the drum 3. The drum is rotated in such a way that the cut fodder is fed over the top of the drum and out through the open side wall 5 of the tub 1. A roller 6 is, in this version, suspended by support arms 7 carried by a pivoting bar 8 and rests against a top portion of the bale. The roller 6 also acts as a deflector to limit the amount of cut fodder tending to be thrown upwards. A deflector plate could be mounted on the top of the tub to stop material flying up, if desired. A sensing mechanism determines the torque applied to the drum 3 and, when this increases, a control mechanism acts to lower the roller 6 (by moving arms 7) on to the bale to push it away from the drum 3 and thus relieve the pressure. When the torque decreases again, the roller 6 is caused to raise so that the bale is brought closer to the cutting blades 4 on the drum 3.

In the slightly modified arrangement shown in Figures 2 to 4 the roller 6 is mounted on arms 9 which are supported about a bearing member 10, within which is housed a drive 11 for the drum 3. The drive 11 is operated by a chain 12 and a main drive member 13 connected to a power take-off from a tractor. The bearing 10 for the drum 3 is supported in the wall of the tub 1 as a loose fit so that, when pressure on the drum increases due to a build up of cut fodder, the pull on the chain 12 tends to carry the drive 11 and bearing 10 down towards the left (as shown in Figure 3) . This causes a lever 14, associated with the bearing 10 and mounted about an offset pivot 15, to move in a clockwise direction against the bias of a return spring 16. As the other end of the lever 14 is lowered, a spool valve 17 is operated and this causes a piston and cylinder device 18 (Figure 2) to be retracted so that the roller 6 is brought down to bear on the bale and thus move it away from the drum 3. When the pressure on the drum 3 decreases, the drive 11 will move back to the normal position and the free end of the lever 14 will rise again, thus closing the spool valve 17 so that the device 18 is operated to lift the roller 6. The limits of operation of the movement of the roller 6 are illustrated clearly in Figures 4 and 5 to show how the pressure on the drum 3 is relieved when necessary. In order to prevent a sudden application of pressure of the bale 19 on to the drum 3 when the roller 6 is raised, a one-way restriction valve 20 (Figure 2) is provided to ensure that there is a slow raising of the roller 6, although it will be lowered quickly when required.

Figure 2 also illustrates the drive arrangement for rotating the roller 6 (independantly of the drum 3) . This comprises a drive member 24 (which also drives the apron chain 23) linked by chain drives 25, 26 to a drive member 27 for the roller 6, with suitable idler gears. As shown in Figure 3 a manual over-ride device is provided in the form of a lever 29 which can be rotated about a pivot 30 to press an arm 31 down on to the free end of the lever 14. This depression of the lever 14 causes the roller 6 to be lowered initially on to the bale 21, prior to starting up the machine, so that the bale will be fed gradually towards the drum 3 at the commencement of the feeding operation. A spring 32 acts to return the lever 29 to the normal position. A spool valve could be provided to create an automatic initial operation of the lever 29 once the machine is switched on. If desired, a shock absorber 33 can be provided to damp vibratory movements of the lever 14.

In the alternative form of construction shown in Figures 6 and 7 the torque applied to the drum 3 is sensed by an arm 21 which presses against the drive chain 12 and operates a spool valve 22 which controls the operation of the piston and cylinder device 18. In this arrangement an apron chain 23 (angled down to the drum 3) , which feeds the bale 19 down on to the drum, is clearly shown. A further, separate, chain extension part could be provided on the outside of the tub 1 if desired to feed the cut fodder down to the ground. The apron chain 23 is also generally indicated in Figures 4 and 5.

It will be appreciated that the design of the drum 3 could be modified. The blades 4 could be replaced by flails or there could be a helical blade arrangement as in a conventional lawnmower.

Claims

l. Apparatus for distributing fodder, comprising a container for holding a supply of fodder and having a feed outlet in a side wall thereof, a rotatable drum positioned across the lower part of the feed outlet, drive means for rotating the drum in a direction such that fodder will be directed upwardly over the drum, and deflector means provided above the drum to cause any fodder thrown upwardly to be deflected out through the feed outlet.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the deflector means is or includes a deflector plate and/or a rotatable roller defining, with the drum, a feed outlet path, the roller possibly carrying longitudinally extending ribs.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the roller is adjustably mounted on support arms on a pivot axis concentric with or lying parallel to the rotational axis of the drum.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein means are provided for sensing the torque applied to the rotation of the drum and is linked to control means determining the extent of raising or lowering of the support arms for the roller as a function of the torque sensed.

5. Apparatus for distributing fodder, comprising a container for holding a supply of fodder and having a feed outlet in a side wall thereof, a rotatable drum positioned across the lower part of the feed outlet, drive means for rotating the drum, a rotatable roller above and defining, with the drum, a feed outlet path, the roller being adjustably mounted on support arms on a pivot axis concentric with or lying parallel to the rotational axis of the drum, and means for sensing the torque applied to the rotation of the drum and linked to control means determining the extent of raising or lowering of the support arms for the roller as a function of the torque sensed.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the drum is mounted in a bearing with a degree of play and the torque sensing means comprises a lever linked to the bearing for the drum and mounted on an offset pivot, together with a sensing device for sensing movement of the lever, or wherein the sensing means comprises an arm located against a belt or chain for driving the drum and connected to a sensing device for sensing movement of the arm, the sensing device possibly being a spool valve whose output controls operation of the control means, the lever or arm preferably including a shock absorber for damping movements of the arm or lever.

7. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the control means is a hydraulic or pneumatic piston and cylinder arrangement linked to the support arms, and preferably including a restrictor valve in the fluid circuit to the piston and cylinder arrangement for limiting the rate of movement thereof in a direction controlling raising of the roller .

8. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, wherein the roller is driven independantly of the drive for the drum.

9. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the drum carries helically arranged paddles or cutting blades which direct the fodder towards the longitudinal centre of the drum.

10. A method of distributing fodder from a container through a feed outlet in a side wall, wherein a rotating drum across the lower part of the feed outlet is rotated to direct fodder upwardly over the drum, and deflector means is provided above the drum to cause any fodder thrown upwardly to be deflected out through the feed outlet.