WO1992006581A1

WO1992006581A1 - Spreader apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1992006581A1
Application number: PCT/GB1990/001572
Authority: WO
Inventors: Samuel Herbert Watterson
Original assignee: S.H. Watterson (Engineering) Limited
Priority date: 1989-05-23
Filing date: 1990-10-12
Publication date: 1992-04-30
Also published as: GB8911870D0; GB2232049A; IE901855A1; GB9011490D0; IE901855L

Abstract

Spreader apparatus comprises an elongate tanker (10) having an outlet (12) provided closable by a gate valve (14). A boom assembly has two booms (16) in each of which an elongate chamber is formed with a series of outlet pipes (24) extending downwardly from each respective boom (16). The outlet (12) is connected to each chamber to convey slurry thereto from the tanker (10) on opening of the gate valve (14). A spiked roller (30) is provided depending from each boom (16) to be ground engaging when the boom (16) is in a lowered in-use position.

Description

SPREADER APPARATUS.

This invention relates to spreader apparatus, in the form of a mobile tanker, for use in spreading particularly, but not necessarily, slurry and is primarily concerned with distributing slurry onto the ground in an even manner or substantially so.

There are two main methods of distributing slurry presently used. The first method is from an open topped elongate tanker having a rotatable shaft mounted centrally of the opposed end walls and extending longitudinally thereof with a series of flexible flail elements mounted therearound, the slurry being distributed by the flailing of the elements. The second method is from an enclosed elongate tanker with the slurry normally under pressure and discharged rearwardly in the direction of travel in a spray distribution. Both those methods have two disadvantages: firstly it has been found that both the methods of distributing the slurry through the air, particularly the spray method, loses some nutritious benefits from the slurry in the form of nitrogen, and secondly an integral part of the airborne distribution methods is the obnoxious smell created during the act of distribution and its aftermath.

The former is disadvantagous for the farmer and the latter for the general public, particularly if they live in the vicinity of the distribution area.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages. Accordingly, the present invention is spreader apparatus comprising an elongate tinker having an outlet provided closable by a gate valve, a boom assembly having one or more booms in each of which at least one elongate chamber is formed with a series of outlet pipes extending downwardly from the or each respective boom, the outlet being connected to the or each chamber to convey slurry thereto from the tanker on opening of the gate valve.

Preferably, the boom assembly comprises two booms pivotally mounted to a central support structure provided adjacent to the outlet, the booms extending in opposite lateral directions of the tanker and being movable between in-use and out-of-use positions. A stay is preferably provided between each boom and the structure to support the boom in its respective position. Each stay is desirably a hydraulic operated piston and cylinder arrangement in communication with a hydraulic fluid supply.

A distribution box is desirably mounted at the outer end of the outlet, the box having two outlet ports to each of which respective hosing is connected, the

SUBSTITUTE SHEET other end of which being connected to a respective chamber. A cutting mechanism is preferably mounted in the box for operation to chop material fed through the box to the chambers.

Preferably also, each outlet pipe is rigid and extends downwardly in an upright position, but can be raked forwardly or backwardly. Each pipe is preferably provided with a flexible pipe extension.

Preferably further, a roller having a plurality of ground-penetrating elements therearound is provided depending from each boom to be ground engaging when the boom is in a lowered in-use position. The roller on each boom can be provided in advance of or trailing the outlet pipes of the respective boom. Alternatively, two rollers are preferably provided, one in advance of and the other trailing the outlet pipes of the respective boom.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

Fig. 1 is a rear view of a spreader apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the rear of the spreader apparatus shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of a spreader apparatus according to a second embodiment; Fig. 4 is a side view of the rear of the spreader apparatus shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a rear view of a modified spreader apparatus of that shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view on the line V-V of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a distribution box; and

Fig. 8 is a rear view of a modified spreader apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings , a spreader apparatus, according to both embodiments, has an elongate tanker 10 rearward, in the direction of travel, of which an outlet 12 is provided closable by a gate valve 14. A boom assembly is provided comprising two booms 16 pivotally mounted to a central support structure 18 provided adjacent to the outlet 12 as shown. The booms 16 extend in opposite lateral directions of the tanker 10 and project beyond the respective lateral side of the tanker 10. The booms 16 are movable between lowered in- use and raised out-of-use positions. A length-adjustable stay 20 (represented by a line) is provided between an anchorage 22 on each boom 16 and on the structure 18 to support its respective boom 16 in its respective positions. Each stay 20 is a hydraulic-operated piston and cylinder arrangement in communication with a hydraulic fluid supply (not shown). Each boom 16 has an elongate liquidtight chamber formed therein with a series of eight outlet pipes 24 extending downwardly from the boom. Each outlet pipe 24 is rigid and extends downwardly in an upright position, but can be raked forwardly or backwardly. Each pipe 24 can be provided with a flexible pipe extension (not shown).

The outlet 12 is connected through a distribution box 26 by hosing (not shown) to a surround for an inlet port 23 mid-way or substantially so of the length of each chamber to convey slurry from the tanker 10 on opening of the gate valve 14. The distribution box 26 has two outlet ports 25 (as shown in Fig.7) to each of which the respective hosing is connected. A cutting mechanism 27 is mounted in the box 26 for operation to chop material fed through the box 26 to the chamber. The cutting mechanism 27 (as shown in Fig. 7) comprises a rotatable head 44 mounted in the box 26 and carries four blades 46, each of which has two cutting edges 48. The head 44 is for connection externally to a shaft 50 on a plate 52 for connection to a power source (not shown).

In a second embodiment as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 , in which like parts are denoted by like numerals, a roller 30 having a plurality of ground-penetrating elements therearound is provided depending from each boom 16 to be ground-engaging when the boom 16 is in a lowered in-use position. The plurality of elements, in this embodiment in the form of spikes 32, extend outwardly from its surface in a series of circumferential arrangements. The rollers 30 can be provided in advance of or trailing the outlet pipes 24 of the respective boom 16. The rollers 30 are shown in the drawings trailing the outlet pipes 24. The rollers 30 are each mounted on a support arrangement 34 which is pivoted to the respective boom 16, there being spring- biasing in the form of springs 36 or dampers provided between the support arrangement 34 and an anchorage 38 provided at the outer end of an angled bracket 40 rooted to the boom 16 as shown. In a modification, the elements are in the form of blades 54 of quadrant shape or substantially so which are mounted around the rollers 30 in spiral arrangements as shown in Fig. 8. The plates 54 can be welded to the rollers 30 but can also be removably secured such that they can be replaced when worn. In use, the elements, ie. spikes 32 or blades 54, puncture and cut into the ground as the rollers 30 are moved thereover thereby allowing the slurry to enter the ground and be of more benefit than simply lying on top of the ground. The invention above-described in the first embodiment is beneficial since it allows the slurry to be distributed in an even manner without the attendant obnoxious smell, and the invention above-described in the second embodiment is beneficial since it allows the slurry to enter the ground much faster than hitherto so that all the nutrients in the slurry enter the ground rather than being dissipated in the air during distribution or while lying on the ground after distribution.

In a first modification of the second embodiment as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the outlet pipes 24 are at right angles to the boom 16 and a deflector plate 54 is provided to direct the slurry discharged from the pipes 24 towards the ground just in front of the rollers 30 i the direction of travel.

In a second modification of the second embodiment» two rollers 30 are provided, one in advance of and the other trailing the outlet pipes 24 of the respective boom 16. Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described above.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. Spreader apparatus comprising an elongate tanker having an outlet provided closable by a gate valve, a boom assembly having one or more booms in the or each of which at least one elongate chamber is formed with a series of outlet pipes extending downwardly from the or each respective boom, the outlet being connected to the or each chamber to convey slurry thereto from the tanker on opening of the gate valve.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the boom assembly comprises two booms pivotally mounted to a central support structure provided adjacent to the outlet, the booms extending in opposite lateral directions of the tanker and being movable between in- use and out-of-use positions.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein a stay is provided between each boom and the structure to support the boom in its respective position.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each stay is a hydraulic operated piston and cylinder arrangement in communication with a hydraulic fluid supply.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein a distribution box is mounted at the outer end of the outlet, the box having two outlet ports to each of which respective hosing is connected, the other end of which being connected to a respective chamber.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein a cutting mechanism is mounted in the box for operation to chop material fed through the box to the chambers.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein each outlet pipe is rigid and extends downwardly in an upright position.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 , wherein each outlet pipe is rigid and extends downwardly in a raked forwardly or backwardly attitude.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 , wherein each pipe is provided with a flexible pipe extension.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein a roller having a plurality of ground- penetrating_, elements therearound is provided depending from each boom to be ground engaging when the boom is in a lowered in-use position.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the roller on each boom is provided trailing the outlet pipes of the respective boom.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the roller on each boom is provided in advance of the outlet pipes of the respective boom.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein two rollers are provided, one in advance of and the other trailing the outlet pipes of the respective boom.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 10, 11 , 12 or 13, wherein a deflector plate is provided at the exit of the outlet pipes whereby to deflect any slurry therefrom in the direction of the rollers.

15. Spreader apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 , 2 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

16. Spreader apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

17. Spreader apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 5, 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.