WO1994024851A1

WO1994024851A1 - A mixer feeder wagon

Info

Publication number: WO1994024851A1
Application number: PCT/IE1994/000022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oliver O'neill; Thomas Foley
Original assignee: Salford Engineering Limited
Priority date: 1993-04-28
Filing date: 1994-04-27
Publication date: 1994-11-10
Also published as: AU6544694A; EP0699025A1

Abstract

A mixer feeder wagon (1) for hitching to a tractor comprises a chassis (2) carrying ground engaging wheels (3). A container (8) forming a mixing compartment (9) and a discharge compartment (10) is carried on the chassis (2). A mixing rotor (30) mixes animal feed in the compartment (9) and a discharge auger discharges animal feed through a discharge outlet (38) in a rear end wall (19) of the mixing compartment (9). A dispensing conveyor (51) is slidably carried on a rear support framework (50), and receives animal feed from the dispensing outlet (38). The dispensing conveyor (51) is movable from side to side between two extreme positions for dispensing animal feed on respective first and second opposite sides (16) and (17) of the wagon (1), and may be positioned intermediate the extreme positions for dispensing animal feed from both sides (16) and (17) of the wagon (1).

Description

"A mixer feeder wagon"

The present invention relates to a mixer feeder wagon, and in particular, though not limited, to a mixer feeder wagon of the type generally used for mixing and dispensing animal feed.

Such mixer feeder wagons are known, and in general, are used for mixing ingredients of animal feed and for dispensing the animal feed. The ingredients of such animal feed may typically be fodder, such as, for example, silage, hay, straw or the like, root vegetables, and vitamin, trace elements and other supplements. The mixer feeder wagons, in general, comprise a mixing compartment within which a mixing rotor is located for mixing the animal feed. A dispensing outlet is provided to one side of the mixing compartment through which mixed animal feed is dispensed.

A typical mixer feeder wagon is disclosed in British Patent Specification No. GB-A-2,139,911. This mixer feeder wagon comprises a mixing compartment and a dispensing compartment. A mixing rotor rotatably mounted in the mixing compartment is rotatable about a longitudinally extending central axis which extends parallel to the normal direction of travel of the wagon. A discharge compartment is located to one side of the mixing compartment, and a discharge auger is rotatably located in the discharge compartment for discharging mixed animal feed through a dispensing outlet. The dispensing outlet is located in a side wall of the discharge compartment to one side of the wagon, and towards the front end thereof. The mixing rotor rotates in a direction for urging the mixed animal feed from the mixing compartment into the discharge compartment.

However, while such mixer feeder wagons have many advantages, one disadvantage is the fact that animal feed can be dispensed from one side only of such wagons. In certain circumstances, this can present difficulties, in particular where the mixer feeder wagon is to be used in a relatively confined space, typically, in an intensive animal rearing house. In general, such intensive rearing houses are provided with a slatted floor on which the animals are housed. A service passageway runs along one side of the slatted floor, and in general, a row of animal feeding troughs is provided along the side of the passageway adjacent the slatted floor. Where the passageway runs through the centre of the animal house, a row of feeding troughs is generally provided on both sides of the passageway. In cases where a row of troughs is only provided on one side of the passageway, if the discharge outlet from the mixer feeder wagon is not on the side of the wagon which corresponds to the side of the passageway on which the feeding troughs are located, it may be necessary to reverse the mixer feeder wagon along the service passageway, and this can be inconvenient, and in relatively confined spaces can be difficult and dangerous. Additionally, where feeding troughs are provided on both sides of the passageway, it is necessary to make two passes along the service passageway with the mixer feeder wagon, which is time consuming and inconvenient. Indeed, in certain cases, the second pass along the service passageway may have to be carried out by reversing the mixer feeder wagon, and this, as mentioned above, can provide certain difficulties, particularly in a relatively confined service passageway. In a dead end passageway where troughs are provided on both sides of the passageway, it is not possible to dispense animal feed from the wagon into the trough on one side of the passageway towards the dead end, due to the fact that on one pass of the wagon the tractor towing the wagon is located between the dead end of the passageway and the wagon.

Because of the construction and rotational direction of the mixing rotor, it is not feasible to provide a dispensing outlet on both sides of such known mixer feeder wagons.

There is therefore a need for a mixer feeder wagon which overcomes the problems of known mixer feeder wagons and facilitates the discharge of animal feed on both sides of the wagon. The present invention is directed towards providing such a mixer feeder wagon.

According to the invention, there is provided a mixer feeder wagon for mixing and dispensing animal feed or other materials, the wagon defining a main central axis extending in the direction of travel of the wagon, and having a first side and a second side on respective opposite sides of the main central axis, the wagon comprising a mixing compartment for mixing the material, a discharge outlet communicating with the mixing compartment through which mixed material is discharged from the mixing compartment, the discharge outlet being located to one side of the main central axis towards the first side of the wagon wherein an elongated dispensing means extends transversely of the main central axis and extends from a receiving end for receiving mixed material from the discharge outlet to a dispensing end towards the second side of the wagon for dispensing mixed material from the second side of the wagon, the dispensing means being movable in a direction transversely of the main central axis from a first extreme position with the receiving end positioned for receiving substantially all the mixed material from the discharge outlet and substantially all of the material being dispensed from the dispensing end from the second side of the wagon, to a second extreme position with the receiving end receiving substantially none of the mixed material from the discharge outlet so that mixed material from the discharge outlet is dispensed from the first side of the wagon, and the dispensing means being further movable to at least one intermediate position intermediate the first and second extreme positions whereby the receiving end of the dispensing means receives some of the mixed material from the discharge outlet so that mixed material is dispensed on both sides of the wagon.

The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that mixed material can be dispensed from both sides of the mixer feeder wagon simultaneously, or can be selectively dispensed from one or other side as desired. Accordingly, the mixer feeder wagon can be used without difficulty in relatively confined spaces.

Preferably, the dispensing means is movable to a plurality of intermediate positions for varying the ratio of the quantities of the material being dispensed from both sides of the wagon.

In one aspect of the invention, a drive means is provided for moving the dispensing means between the first and second extreme positions and to the at least one intermediate position. Advantageously, the drive means comprises an hydraulic ram, and preferably, a double acting hydraulic ram. The advantage of providing the drive means by way of a double acting ram is that the dispensing means may be moved into any desired intermediate position between the two extreme positions by the double acting ram, and retained in the desired intermediate position by the double acting ram.

Ideally, the dispensing means comprises an elongated conveying means extending between the receiving end and the dispensing end, and preferably, the conveying means comprises an elongated endless dispensing conveying belt. The advantage of providing the dispensing means as a conveying means, and in particular, as a conveying belt, is that a particularly versatile mixer feeder wagon is provided, and the mixer feeder wagon is relatively simple to operate and can be provided at a relatively low cost.

Advantageously, a plurality of spaced apart transversely extending slats are located on the dispensing conveying belt for facilitating transfer of material by the conveying belt.

In one embodiment of the invention, the direction of travel of the dispensing conveying belt is reversible to further facilitate dispensing of mixed material on either or both sides of the mixer feeder wagon. Ideally, the dispensing means comprises a trough-shaped dispensing housing, the conveying means forming a base of the trough-shaped dispensing housing. This provides a particularly convenient construction of mixer feeder wagon.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing housing is enclosed, a receiving opening being provided adjacent the receiving end thereof for communicating with the discharge outlet for receiving mixed material from the discharge outlet, and a dispensing outlet being provided towards the dispensing end of the dispensing housing through which the mixed material is dispensed from the second side of the wagon.

Advantageously, a discharge cowling extends from the discharge outlet for directing mixed material through the receiving opening of the dispensing housing. Preferably, a support framework is mounted on the wagon for slidably supporting the conveying means for movement between the respective first and second extreme positions. This provides a particularly convenient and advantageous construction of the wagon. Advantageously, spaced apart skid tracks are mounted on the support framework for slidably engaging the conveying means, the skid tracks extending transversely of the main central axis, and advantageously, the skid tracks are of a material having a relatively low co-efficient of friction. This facilitates smooth movement of the dispensing means relative to the support framework.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, a guide means co-operating with the conveying means and the support framework is provided for guiding the conveying means between the respective first and second extreme positions. Preferably, the guide means comprises an elongated guide member mounted on the support framework and extending transversely of the main central axis, and an engagement means mounted on the conveying means and slidably engagable with the guide member. Advantageously, the engagement means comprises a sleeve slidably mounted on the guide member. In one aspect of the invention, a mixing means is located in the mixing compartment for mixing the material therein. Preferably, the mixing compartment is formed by an elongated mixing container extending parallel to and defining the main central axis, the mixing container comprising a base, spaced apart first and second opposite side walls extending upwardly from the base corresponding to the respective first and second sides of the wagon, and spaced apart front and rear end walls extending upwardly from the base between the first and second side walls, the discharge outlet being located in one of the front and rear end walls towards the first side wall. Advantageously, the discharge outlet is located in the rear end wall.

In another aspect of the invention, a discharge means is provided for discharging the mixed material from the mixing compartment through the discharge outlet. Preferably, the discharge means is located in a discharge compartment located adjacent the mixing compartment and communicating with the mixing compartment for receiving mixed material from the mixing compartment. Advantageously, the discharge compartment extends substantially parallel to the mixing compartment and adjacent the first side wall of the mixing compartment. Preferably, the discharge means extends through the discharge outlet and into the cowling extending from the discharge outlet. In a particularly convenient form of the invention, the discharge means comprises a discharge auger.

For convenience, the dispensing means is located below the level of the discharge outlet.

In a convenient embodiment of the invention, a display means is provided for indicating the position of the dispensing means relative to the first and second extreme positions. Preferably, the display means is operably connected to the dispensing means. Advantageously, the display means comprises a display dial, and an indicating means movable relative to the display dial is operably connected to the dispensing means. Ideally, the indicating means is operably connected to the dispensing means by a connecting means.

The advantage of providing a display means for indicating the position of the dispensing means is that the display means may be located remotely of the dispensing means, for example, where the dispensing means is provided to the rear of the mixer feeder wagon, the display means may be provided adjacent the front of the mixer feeder wagon, and may be located to be visible to a driver of the tractor which is towing the mixer feeder wagon. In this way, the tractor driver can readily easily ascertain the appropriate location of the dispensing means to provide the required dispensing of material from the mixer feeder wagon without having to dismount from the tractor.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mixer feeder wagon according to the invention for mixing and dispensing animal feed,

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of a portion of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a typical transverse cross sectional view of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a rear portion of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1,

Fig. 7 is a partly cut-away partly sectional end view of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1 with a portion of the mixer feeder wagon in a different position to that of Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a sectional end elevational view of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1 on the line IX-IX of Fig. 6,

Fig. 10 is a sectional side elevational view on the line X-X of Fig. 9,

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a detail of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1,

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another detail of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1,

Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the detail of Fig. 11,

Figs. 14 to 16 are schematic plan views of portion of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1 in three respective different positions,

Fig. 17 is a plan view of another detail of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1,

Fig. 18 is a sectional end elevational view on the line XVIII-XVIII of Fig. 17,

Fig. 19 is a side elevational view of a portion of the detail of Fig. 17,

Fig. 20 is an end view of the portion of Fig. 19, and

Fig. 21 is a transverse cross sectional view of another detail of the mixer feeder wagon of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a mixer feeder wagon according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for mixing and dispensing animal feed, although it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the mixer feeder wagon may be used for mixing and dispensing materials other than animal feed. The mixer feeder wagon 1 comprises a chassis 2 supported on two ground engaging wheels 3 which are rotatably carried on an axle 4 mounted on the chassis 2. A tow hitch 5 is provided at the front of the chassis 2 for hitching the wagon 1 to a towing vehicle (not shown), typically, a tractor.

An elongated container 8 is mounted on the chassis 2 and forms a mixing compartment 9 within which ingredients of the animal feed are mixed, and a discharge compartment 10 through which mixed animal feed is discharged from the mixing compartment 9 as will be described below. The discharge compartment 10 extends the length of the mixing compartment 9 and is parallel to the mixing compartment 9. The container 8 is mounted on the chassis 2 by four electronic load cells 11 for enabling ingredients of the animal feed being loaded into the wagon 1 to be weighed. A suitable display unit (not shown) is mounted to the front of the container 8 for displaying the recorded weights.

The container 8 comprises a base 12 of semi-cylindrical shape and first and second side walls 14 and 15, respectively, extending upwardly from the base 12 which define respective first and second sides 16 and 17, respectively, of the wagon 1. Front and rear end walls 18 and 19, respectively, extend upwardly from the base 12 between the first and second side walls 14 and 15 and define with the base 12 and the first and second side walls 14 and 15 a hollow interior region 20 which forms the mixing compartment 9. The container 8 defines a main central axis 21 which extends longitudinally of the container 8 and in the general direction of motion of the wagon 1. The central axis 21 defines the axis of generation of the cylindrical base 12.

The discharge compartment 10 is formed by a discharge housing 22 which extends outwardly from the mixing compartment 9 on the first side 16 of the wagon 1 between the base 12 and the first side wall 14. The discharge housing 22 comprises a partly cylindrical side wall 23 which is joined to the base 12 by a lower horizontal wall 24 and to the first side wall 14 by an upper inclined wall 25. The side wall 23 and lower and upper walls 24 and 25 extend the length of the container 8. The front end wall 18 extends at 26 for closing the front end of the discharge compartment 10, and the rear end wall 19 extends at 27 for partly closing the rear end of the discharge compartment as will be described below.

A communicating opening 28 formed between the base wall 12 and the first side wall 14 extends the length of the mixing and discharge compartments 9 and 10 for accommodating the transfer of mixed animal feed from the mixing compartment 9 into the discharge compartment 10 for subsequent discharge as will be described below. An isolating means, namely, an isolating plate 45 located within the mixing compartment 9 is slidable in tracks 46 from a lower closed position (see Fig. 5) closing the communicating opening 28 for isolating the mixing and discharge compartments 9 and 10, respectively, to an upper open position (see Fig. 4) with the two compartments 9 and 10 communicating for accommodating the transfer of mixed animal feed from the mixing compartment 9 into the discharge compartment 10. An hydraulic ram (not shown) mounted on the container 8 raises and lowers the isolating plate 45 between the open and closed positions. The operation of the isolating plate 45 is substantially similar to a similar type plate described and illustrated in GB-A-2,139,911.

A mixing means comprising a mixing rotor 30 is rotatably mounted in the mixing compartment 9 for mixing the animal feed. The mixing rotor 30 comprises a main shaft 31 which is rotatably carried in bearings 29 in the front and rear end walls 18 and 19 and defines the rotational axis of the mixing rotor 30 which co¬ incides with the main central axis 21. Four mixing paddles 32 are carried on carrier members 33 which extend radially from the main shaft 31 for mixing the animal feed in the mixing compartment 9. A drive transmission 34 at the front of the container 8 as will be described below is provided for transferring drive from a power- take-off shaft of a tractor to the main rotor 30 for rotating the main rotor 30 in the direction of the arrow A. The rotational action of the mixing rotor 30 in the direction of the arrow A also urges mixed animal feed into the discharge compartment 10.

A discharge outlet 38 is formed in the portion 27 of the rear end wall 19 through which animal feed is discharged from the discharge compartment 10. The discharge outlet 38 is at the downstream end of the discharge compartment 10, and the discharge outlet 38 is located to one side of the main central axis 21 towards the first side 16 of the wagon 1.

A discharge means, namely, an auger 36 is rotatably mounted in the discharge compartment 10 for urging mixed animal feed along the discharge compartment 10 in a downstream direction towards the rear of the wagon 1 through the discharge outlet 38. A cowling 39 extends from the rear end wall 19 above and to both sides of the discharge outlet 38 and terminates in an end wall 40. The discharge auger 36 comprises an auger shaft 42 which is rotatably carried in bearings 41 in the front end wall 18 and in the end wall 40 of the cowling 39. An auger flight 43 is carried on the auger shaft 42. The drive transmission 34 drives the auger shaft 42 in the direction of the arrow B for urging the animal feed through the discharge compartment 10 towards and through the discharge outlet 38.

A support framework 50 is mounted on the chassis 2 and extends rearwardly therefrom for slidably carrying a dispensing means, namely, a dispensing conveyor 51 for facilitating dispensing of animal feed from both the first side 16 and the second side 17 of the wagon 1. The dispensing conveyor 51 is located below the level of the discharge outlet 38, and extends from a receiving end 52 which receives mixed animal feed from the discharge outlet 38 to a dispensing end 53 from which mixed animal feed is dispensed from the second side 17 of the wagon 1. The dispensing conveyor 51 is slidable in a direction transversely of the main central axis 21 between a first extreme position illustrated in Figs. 7 and 14 with the receiving end 52 below the discharge outlet 38 for receiving substantially all the animal feed from the discharge outlet 38 and for discharging substantially all of the animal feed from the second side 17 of the wagon 1, and a second extreme position illustrated in Figs. 8 and 16 with the receiving end 52 offset from the discharge outlet 38 towards the second side 17 of the wagon 1 for allowing substantially all of the mixed animal feed discharged through the discharge outlet 38 to be dispensed directly from the discharge outlet 38 from the first side 16 of the wagon 1. The dispensing conveyor 51 may also be located in any number of a plurality of intermediate positions between the first and second extreme positions to facilitate simultaneous dispensing of animal feed from both the first and second sides 16 and 17 of the wagon 1 as will be described below. The dispensing conveyor 51 is illustrated in one intermediate position in Figs. 9 and 15. The ratio of animal feed to be dispensed on the respective first and second sides 16 and 17 of the wagon 1 is varied by selecting the appropriate intermediate position of the dispensing conveyor 51 as will be described below. The dispensing conveyor 51 is of length L, see Fig. 7, such that when the receiving end 52 is directly below the discharge outlet 38, the dispensing end 53 of the dispensing conveyor 51 is substantially adjacent the second side 17 of the wagon 1. Referring in particular to Fig. 7, in general, where the overall width W of the wagon 1 ranges between 2.35 M and 2.64 M, the length L of the dispensing conveyor 51 is 1.98 M. Wagons 1 of width W ranging between 2.12 M and 2.1 M, in general, are provided with a dispensing conveyor 51 of length L approximately 1.2 M.

The support framework 50 comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel support members 55 of channel section steel which extend rearwardly from the chassis 2 and are secured thereto by bolts 56, see Fig. 11. A pair of spaced apart side members of I-section steel, namely, a front side member 57 and a rear side member 58 extend transversely of the main central axis 21 and between the support members 55 and are secured thereto by welding. A pair of skid tracks 59 of low co-efficient of friction material, namely, polypenco material are mounted on the front and rear side members 57 and 58 for slidably carrying the dispensing conveyor 51.

The dispensing conveyor 51 comprises a pair of side members, namely, front and rear side members 62 and 63, respectively, joined by a pair of cross members 60 and a pair of cross members 61 all of steel. The side members 62 and 63 are slidably carried on the respective skid tracks 59. A pair of rollers, namely, a driven roller 64 and an idler roller 65 are rotatably carried in bearings 66 at respective opposite ends of the side members 62 and 63. The rollers 64 and 65 which are described in more detail below carry an endless dispensing conveying belt 67 for conveying the animal feed from the receiving end 52 to the dispensing end 53 of the dispensing conveyor 51. An hydraulic drive motor 69 mounted on the front side member 62 by a bracket 68 drives the driven roller 64 for driving the conveying belt 67. The hydraulic drive motor 69 is powered through a control valve (not shown) to facilitate reversing of the motor 69 so that the belt 67 can be driven in both directions. This also facilitates dispensing of animal feed on both sides of the wagon 1 as will be described below. The drive motor 69 and control valve (not shown) of the drive motor 69 are supplied with hydraulic fluid from the tractor or other suitable high pressure hydraulic fluid source.

A plurality of spaced apart transverse slats 70 are provided on the belt 67 for carrying the animal feed along the belt 67. A _Λ front side wall 74 and a rear side wall 75 are secured to and ύ extend upwardly from the front side member 62 and the rear side member 63, respectively, of the dispensing conveyor 51, see Fig. 12. Accordingly, the side walls 74 and 75 form with the dispensing conveyor 51 a trough shaped dispensing housing 73, the base of which is formed by the dispensing conveyor 51. A top wall 0 76 extending between the side walls 74 and 75 extends part of the length of the dispensing housing 73 from the dispensing end 53. The top wall 76 defines with the front and rear side walls 74 and 75 at the dispensing end 53 of the dispensing conveyor 51 a dispensing outlet 77 through which animal feed is dispensed from the second side 17 of the wagon 1. An edge 78 of the top wall 76 defines with the front and rear side wall 74 and 75 a receiving opening 79 through which animal feed is received into the dispensing housing 73 from the dispensing outlet 38 when the dispensing conveyor 51 and in turn the dispensing housing 73 are in the first extreme position. The bottom of the cowling 39 is open at 80 for permitting animal feed to drop from the discharge outlet 38 through the receiving opening 79 into the dispensing housing 73 and onto the conveying belt 67. A chute 84 extending from the portion 27 of the rear end wall 19 below the discharge outlet 38 directs mixed animal feed from the discharge outlet 38 into the dispensing housing 73, see Fig. 10. A shielding plate 81 extends sidewardly from the cowling 39 for preventing the ingress of materials into the dispensing housing 73 other than animal feed discharged through the dispensing outlet 38 irrespective of the position of the dispensing conveyor 51 and the dispensing housing 73. The auger flight 43 of the discharge auger 36 extends through the discharge outlet 38 and into the cowling 39 for delivering the mixed animal feed onto the dispensing conveyor 51.

A flap 82 of flexible plastics material depends downwardly from the cowling 39 at the first side 16 of the wagon 1 for directing animal feed from the first side 16 of the wagon 1 generally downwardly. A flap 83 similar to the flap 82 extends downwardly from the top wall 76 of the dispensing housing 73 at the dispensing end 53 of the dispensing conveyor 51 likewise for directing animal feed downwardly from the dispensing outlet 77 from the second side 17 of the wagon 1. The flap 82 also prevents animal feed being dispensed from the first side 16 of the wagon 1 when the dispensing conveyor 51 is in the first extreme position.

A guide means for guiding the dispensing conveyor 51 and the dispensing housing 73 to move transversely of the main central axis 21 on the skid tracks 59 comprises an elongated guide member 85 of box section steel which extends between and is carried on a pair of brackets 86 which extend downwardly from the support members 55, see in particular Figs. 11 and 13. An engagement means, namely, an engagement sleeve 87 of box section steel which is carried on a sub-frame 88 secured to the dispensing conveyor 51 slidably engages the guide member 85. The sub-frame 88 comprises a cross member 89 of box section steel which extends between and is carried by a pair of brackets 90 which extend downwardly from the respective front and rear side members 62 and 63 of the dispensing conveyor 51. A gusset plate 91 secures the sleeve 87 to the cross member 89. Two guide rollers 97 rotatably mounted on the support framework 50 rollably engage the front and rear side members 62 and 63 of the dispensing conveyor 51 for further guiding and constraining the dispensing conveyor 51 and dispensing housing 73 to move transversely relative to the main central axis 21 between the respective first and second extreme positions.

A drive means for moving the dispensing conveyor 51 and the dispensing housing 73 between the first and second extreme positions and to any desired intermediate position between the first and second extreme positions comprises a double acting hydraulic ram 92 which is mounted between the support framework 50 and the sub-frame 88. The ram 92 comprises a cylinder 93 which is connected to one of the brackets 86 by mounting brackets 94. A piston rod 95 extending from the cylinder 93 is connected by a mounting bracket 96 to the sleeve 86. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to a control valve (not shown) from the hydraulic system of the tractor or other suitable pressurized hydraulic fluid source for controlling the operation of the ram 92. Operation of the ram 92 may be controlled by suitable controls (not shown) located in the tractor cab or in any other suitable location.

A display means for displaying the position of the dispensing conveyor 51 relative to the first and second extreme positions comprises a dial display 100 mounted on the front end wall 18 of the wagon 1 to be visible from a tractor cab. A needle 101 radially extending from a drum 106 indicates the relative position of the dispensing conveyor 51 by moving over a scale 102 on the dial display 100. The drum 106 is rotatably mounted on the front end wall 18 and is operably connected to the dispensing conveyor 51 by a connecting means, namely, a wire rope 103. The wire rope 103 is connected to the sub-frame 88 of the dispensing conveyor 51 at 104 and is led over a plurality of pulleys 105 to the drum 106. One loop of the wire rope 103 is wrapped around the drum 106 before the wire rope 103 is connected to one end of a tension spring 107. The other end of the tension spring 107 is anchored to an anchor bracket 108 which is mounted on the front end wall 18 so that the spring 107 takes up any slack in the rope 103 as the dispensing conveyor 51 is moving towards the second side 17 of the wagon 1. As the dispensing conveyor 51 moves in the direction of the arrow C towards the second side 17 of the wagon 1, the drum 106, and in turn the needle 101, rotate in the direction of the arrow D. Reverse movement of the dispensing conveyor 51 in the direction of the arrow E rotates the needle 101 in the direction of the arrow F. When the needle is pointing vertically upwardly, this is the central position of the needle 101, and corresponds to an intermediate position of the dispensing conveyor 51 when the dispensing conveyor 51 is midway between the two extreme positions. Movement of the needle 101 from the central position in the direction of the arrow F indicates movement of the dispensing conveyor 51 into the first extreme position, and movement of the needle 101 from the central position in the direction of the arrow D indicates movement of the dispensing conveyor 51 in a direction towards the second position.

Returning now to the dispensing conveyor 51, the construction of the dispensing conveyor 51 will now be described in more detail, and in particular with reference to Figs. 17 to 21. The two cross members 60 which join the front and rear side members 62 and 63 are of box section steel. The two cross members 61 are of flat stock steel. Five belt supporting members 125 also of flat stock steel extend between the cross members 60 for supporting the conveying belt 67 towards the receiving end 52 where the mixed material drops onto the conveying belt 67 below the discharge outlet 38. A scraper member 126 extends diagonally between and beneath the cross members 60 for scraping an inner surface 127 of the conveying belt 67 to prevent material building up between the belt 67 and the rollers 64 and 65. Each roller 64 and 65 comprises an elongated shaft 128 which carries a pair of spaced apart end discs 129 of steel which are rigidly mounted on the shaft 128. An intermediate disc 130 also of steel is rigidly mounted on each shaft 128 halfway between the end discs 129. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart rods 131 extend between the intermediate disc 130 and the respective end discs 129 for defining a roller surface for carrying and engaging the conveying belt 67. A V-groove 132 extends circumferentially around the intermediate disc 130 of each roller 64 and 65 for engaging a corresponding V-ridge on the inner surface 127 of the conveying belt 67 for locating and aligning the conveying belt 67 on the rollers 64 and 65. Scraper members 135 are carried on the cross members 61 and extend into the adjacent V-grooves 132 in the intermediate discs 130 of the respective rollers 64 and 65 for maintaining the V-grooves 132 clean. The roller shafts 128 are rotatably carried in the bearings 66 in the front and rear side members 62 and 63. The roller shaft 128 of the driven roller 64 extends at one end 136 for coupling to the drive motor 69, for driving the conveying belt 67.

Returning now to the drive transmission 34, the drive transmission 34 comprises a splined input shaft 111 which is rotatably carried in a mounting bracket 110 which is mounted on the chassis 2 adjacent the front end wall 18 of the container 8. The input shaft 111 receives a drive shaft from the power-take-off shaft of the tractor which is towing the wagon 1. The input shaft 111 carries a sprocket 114 which through a chain drive 115 drives a sprocket 116 rigidly mounted on the auger shaft 42 for driving the discharge auger 36 in the direction of the arrow B. A sprocket 117 also rigidly mounted on the auger shaft 42 transmits drive through a chain 118 to a sprocket 119 which is rigidly mounted on the main shaft 31 of the mixing rotor 30 for in turn driving the mixing rotor 30 in the direction of the arrow A. The gear ratio of the drive transmission 34 between the auger shaft 42 and the main shaft 31 is approximately 9:1 so that the discharge auger 36 rotates at a speed approximately nine times faster than the mixing rotor 30. Typically, where the power-take-off shaft of the tractor is rotating at a speed of approximately 540 revs, per minute the discharge auger 36 is rotated at a speed of approximately 90 revs, per minute and the mixing rotor 30 is rotated at a speed of approximately 11 revs, per minute.

In use, the wagon 1 is hitched to a tractor, and the power-take- off shaft of the tractor is connected by a suitable drive shaft

(not shown) to the input splined shaft 111 for rotating the mixing rotor 30 and the discharge auger 36 in the directions of the arrows A and B, respectively. Using suitable hydraulic hoses, the control valves (not shown) for controlling the drive motor 69 and the ram 92 and other operating rams of the wagon 1 are connected to the hydraulic system of the tractor or other suitable high pressure hydraulic fluid source. With the isolating plate 45 in the lower closed position isolating the mixing compartment 9 from the discharge compartment 10, and with the mixing 30 rotating in the direction of the arrow A, ingredients of the animal feed are loaded into the wagon 1. If desired, the ingredients can be metered into the wagon 1 by reading the weight of each ingredient as it is loaded into the mixing compartment 9 on the display (not shown) recorded from the load cells 11. As will be appreciated, the discharge auger 36 rotates while the mixing rotor 30 is rotating, however, since the isolating plate 45 is in the lower closed position no load is applied to the discharge auger 36 while the ingredients are being mixed in the mixing compartment 9.

On the animal feed being thoroughly mixed, and when one is ready for dispensing the animal feed from the wagon 1, the dispensing conveyor 51 with the dispensing housing 73 are moved into the desired position by the ram 92 for dispensing the animal feed from the wagon 1 on the desired side, or on both sides 16 and 17 as the case may be. When the animal feed is to be dispensed exclusively from the second side 17 of the wagon 1, the dispensing conveyor 51 is moved into the first extreme position with the drive motor 69 driving the conveying belt 67 in the direction of the arrow G, see Fig. 7. In the first extreme position, substantially all the animal feed discharged by the discharge auger 36 through the discharge outlet 38 falls onto the dispensing conveyor 51 and is dispensed by the belt 67 through the dispensing outlet 77 from the second side 17 of the wagon 1.

When it is desired to dispense the animal feed exclusively from the first side 16 of the wagon 1, the dispensing conveyor 51 is moved by the ram 92 into the second extreme position so that the receiving end 52 of the dispensing conveyor 51 is offset from the discharge outlet 38 towards the second side 17 of the wagon 1, see Fig. 8. In this position, the animal feed is discharged directly from the discharge outlet 38 from the first side 16. When it is desired to dispense the animal feed from the first side 16 away from the wagon 1, the dispensing conveyor 51 is moved into an intermediate position between the first and second extreme positions and the drive motor 69 is reversed for driving the dispensing conveying belt 67 in the direction of the arrow H, see Fig. 8. In this way, the dispensing conveying belt 67 imparts a horizontal component of motion to some of the animal feed in the direction of the arrow H as some of the animal feed falls onto the dispensing conveying belt 67 and thus the animal feed is dispensed in a general direction away from the first side 16 of the wagon 1. In certain cases, it is envisaged that with the conveying belt 67 moving in the direction of the arrow H the dispensing conveyor 51 may be positioned in the first extreme position for dispensing animal feed from the first side 16 of the wagon 1, although, in general, it is envisaged that this would only be a rare requirement, since in this case a horizontal component of motion would be imparted to all the animal feed, and in which case, it is envisaged that the momentum with which the animal feed would be discharged from the first side 16 would be too great.

When it is desired to dispense animal feed from both the first side 16 and the second side 17 of the wagon 1, the dispensing conveyor 51 is positioned in an intermediate position between the first and second extreme positions, see Fig. 9. The drive motor 69 is operated to drive the conveying belt 67 in the direction of the arrow G. The intermediate position will be determined by the ratio of the quantities of animal feed which are to be dispensed on the respective sides 16 and 17 of the wagon 1. If equal quantities are to be dispensed on both sides, then in general, it is envisaged that the dispensing conveyor 51 will be positioned substantially halfway between the first and second extreme positions. In this position, part of the animal feed being discharged through the discharge outlet 38 falls onto the receiving end 52 of the dispensing conveyor 51 and is dispensed through the dispensing outlet 77 by the conveying belt 67 from the second side 17 of the wagon 1. The other part of the animal feed falls downwardly and clears the receiving end 53 of the dispensing conveyor 51, and thus is dispensed on the first side 16 of the wagon 1. Should it be desired to dispense more animal feed from the second side 17 of the wagon 1 than from the first side 16 of the wagon 1, the dispensing conveyor 51 is moved towards the first extreme position, and vice versa, when more animal feed is to be dispensed on the first side 16 than on the second side 17. The drive motor 69 may also be speeded up or slowed down, depending on the horizontal force which is to be imparted to the animal feed for directing the animal feed from the first and second sides 16 and 17, depending on the direction in which the conveying belt 67 is being driven. By virtue of the fact that the flaps 82 and 83 are of flexible plastics material, the action of the animal feed against the flaps being discharged from the respective sides 16 and 17 is sufficient for urging the flaps 82 and 83 into a position to permit the animal feed to be dispensing from the respective sides 16 and 17 in the desired trajectory.

The tractor driver by observing the dial display 100 can identify the position of the dispensing conveyor 51. It is envisaged that the tractor driver will make a record of the position of the dispensing conveyor 51 which gives the desired ratio of the quantities of animal feed from the respective side of the wagon 1 for future reference.

With the dispensing conveyor 51 and the dispensing housing 73 in the desired location for dispensing the animal feed on the selected first or second sides 16 or 17 or both, the isolating plate 45 is raised into the open position. With the mixing rotor 30 continuing to rotate in the direction of the arrow A, animal feed is urged into the discharge compartment 10, and is in turn urged through the discharge outlet 38 by the discharge auger 36. The animal feed falls from the discharge outlet 38 through the cowling 39, and depending on the position of the discharge conveyor 51 and the direction of movement of the conveying belt 67, the animal feed is dispensed from the first side 16 or the second side 17, or both. It is envisaged that when the animal feed is being dispensed on both sides 16 and 17 of the wagon 1, initially fine adjustment of the position of the dispensing conveyor 51 may be required to ensure that the desired ratios of quantities of animal feed are being dispensed on both sides 16 and 17 of the wagon 1. Additionally, fine tuning of the speed of the hydraulic motor 69 may also be carried out during dispensing to ensure that the conveying belt 67 is being driven at the desired speed so that the animal feed is discharged from the respective side or sides of the wagon 1 in the desired trajectory.

While the wagon 1 has been described as comprising a container 8 which forms a mixing compartment and a discharge compartment, it will be appreciated that in certain cases the discharge compartment may be omitted. In which case, the animal feed would be discharged directly from the mixing compartment onto the dispensing conveyor 51. It will also be appreciated that other suitable mixing means besides a mixing rotor may be provided.

Needless to say, other suitable discharge means besides a discharge auger may be provided for discharging the animal feed through the discharge outlet. Indeed, it is envisaged that where the discharge compartment is omitted, the mixing means may act as a discharge means for discharging the animal feed through the discharge outlet.

It is envisaged that in certain cases the dispensing housing may be omitted, and it will of course be appreciated that dispensing means other than a dispensing conveyor may be provided. It is envisaged that where the dispensing means is provided by a dispensing conveyor, or other elongated dispensing means, dispensing conveyors or other dispensing means of length other than those described may be provided. The dispensing conveyor, for example, may extend the entire width of the mixer feeder wagon, or may extend for a length longer than the width of the mixer feeder wagon, or may extend for a length considerably less than the width of the mixer feeder wagon. However, where the dispensing conveyor extends the entire width of the mixer feeder wagon, or is longer than the width of the mixer feeder wagon, when the dispensing conveyor is in the second extreme position, the dispensing end of the dispensing conveyor will extend considerably beyond the second side of the wagon. On the other hand, where the length of the dispensing conveyor is considerably less than the width of the mixer feeder wagon, in the first position, the dispensing end of the dispensing conveyor would not extend to the second side of the wagon, however, in such cases, it is envisaged that the trajectory of the animal feed leaving the conveying belt of the dispensing conveyor from the dispensing end thereof would be sufficient to carry the animal feed to a location at or beyond the second side of the mixer feeder wagon.

While the front and rear side members 57 and 58 of the support framework 50 have been described as being of I-section steel, they could be of any other suitable section, for example, channel section, box section or the like.

It is also envisaged that instead of providing the display means as a dial display, other suitable display means may be provided. For example, in certain cases, it is envisaged that a linear scale display could be provided, and needless to say, the display means may be provided in any other suitable or desired location on the mixer feeder wagon. However, it is preferable that the display means should be provided on the mixer feeder wagon to be visible to a driver of the towing vehicle.

Claims

1. A mixer feeder wagon (1) for mixing and dispensing animal feed or other materials, the wagon (1) defining a main central axis (21) extending in the direction of travel of the wagon (1), and having a first side (16) and a second side (17) on respective opposite sides of the main central axis (21), the wagon (1) comprising a mixing compartment (9) for mixing the material, a discharge outlet (38) communicating with the mixing compartment (9) through which mixed material is discharged from the mixing compartment (9), the discharge outlet (38) being located to one side of the main central axis (21) towards the first side (16) of the wagon (1) characterised in that an elongated dispensing means (51) extends transversely of the main central axis (21) and extends from a receiving end (52) for receiving mixed material from the discharge outlet (38) to a dispensing end (53) towards the second side (17) of the wagon (1) for dispensing mixed material from the second side (17) of the wagon (1), the dispensing means (51) being movable in a direction transversely of the main central axis (21) from a first extreme position with the receiving end (52) positioned for receiving substantially all the mixed material from the discharge outlet (38) and substantially all of the material being dispensed from the dispensing end (53) from the second side (17) of the wagon (1), to a second extreme position with the receiving end (52) receiving substantially none of the mixed material from the discharge outlet (38) so that mixed material from the discharge outlet (38) is dispensed from the first side (16) of the wagon (1), and the dispensing means (51) being further movable to at least one intermediate position intermediate the first and second extreme positions whereby the receiving end (52) of the dispensing means (51) receives some of the mixed material from the discharge outlet (38) so that mixed material is dispensed on both sides (16,17) of the wagon (1).

2. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the dispensing means (51) is movable to a plurality of intermediate positions for varying the ratio of the quantities of the material being dispensed from both sides (16,17) of the wagon (1).

3. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 characterised in that a drive means (92) is provided for moving the dispensing means (51) between the first and second extreme positions and to the at least one intermediate position.

4. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 3 characterised in that the drive means (92) comprises an hydraulic ram (92).

5. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the dispensing means (92) comprises an elongated conveying means (51) extending between the receiving end (52) and the dispensing end (53).

6. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 5 characterised in that the conveying means (51) comprises an elongated endless dispensing conveying belt (67).

7. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 6 characterised in that a plurality of spaced apart transversely extending slats (70) are located on the dispensing conveying belt (67) for facilitating transfer of material by the conveying belt (67).

8. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 characterised in that the direction of travel of the dispensing conveying belt (67) is reversible.

9. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 8 characterised in that the dispensing means (51) comprises a trough-shaped dispensing housing (73), the conveying means (51) forming a base of the trough-shaped dispensing housing (73).

10. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 9 characterised in that the dispensing housing (73) is enclosed, a receiving opening (79) being provided adjacent the receiving end (52) thereof for communicating with the discharge outlet (38) for receiving mixed material from the discharge outlet (38), and a dispensing outlet (77) being provided towards the dispensing end (53) of the dispensing housing (73) through which the mixed material is dispensed from the second side (17) of the wagon (1).

11. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 10 characterised in that a discharge cowling (39) extends from the discharge outlet (38) for directing mixed material through the receiving opening (79) of the dispensing housing (73).

12. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 11 characterised in that a support framework (50) is mounted on the wagon (1) for slidably supporting the conveying means (51) for movement between the respective first and second extreme positions.

13. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 12 characterised in that a pair of spaced apart skid tracks (59) are mounted on the support framework (50) for slidably engaging the conveying means (51), the skid tracks (59) extending transversely of the main central axis (21).

14. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 characterised in that a guide means (85,87) co-operating with the conveying means (51) and the support framework (50) is provided for guiding the conveying means (51) between the respective first and second extreme positions.

15. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 14 characterised in that the guide means (85,87) comprises an elongated guide member (85) mounted on the support framework (50) and extending transversely of the main central axis (21), and an engagement means (87) mounted on the conveying means (51) and slidably engagable with the guide member (85).

16. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 15 characterised in that the engagement means (87) comprises a sleeve (87) slidably mounted on the guide member (85).

17. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that a mixing means (30) is located in the mixing compartment (9) for mixing the material therein.

18. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the mixing compartment (9) is formed by an elongated mixing container (8) extending parallel to and defining the main central axis (21), the mixing container (8) comprising a base (12), spaced apart first and second opposite side walls (14,15) extending upwardly from the base (12) corresponding to the respective first and second sides (16,17) of the wagon (1), and spaced apart front and rear end walls (18,19) extending upwardly from the base (12) between the first and second side walls

(14,15), the discharge outlet (38) being located in one of the front and rear end walls (18,19) towards the first side wall (14).

19. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 18 characterised in that the discharge outlet (38) is located in the rear end wall (18).

20. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that a discharge means (36) is provided for discharging the mixed material from the mixing compartment (9) through the discharge outlet (38).

21. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 20 characterised in that the discharge means (36) is located in a discharge compartment (10) located adjacent the mixing compartment (9) and communicating with the mixing compartment (9) for receiving mixed material from the mixing compartment (9).

22. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 21 characterised in that the discharge compartment (10) extends substantially parallel to the mixing compartment (9) and adjacent the first side wall (14) of the mixing compartment (9).

23. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in any of Claims 20 to 22 characterised in that the discharge means (36) extends through the discharge outlet (38) and into the cowling (39) extending from the discharge outlet (38).

24. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in any of Claims 20 to 23 characterised in that the discharge means (36) comprises a discharge auger (36).

25. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the dispensing means (51) is located below the level of the discharge outlet (38).

26. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that a display means (100,101) is provided for indicating the position of the dispensing means (51) relative to the first and second extreme positions.

27. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 26 characterised in that the display means (100,101) is operably connected to the dispensing means (51).

28. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 26 or 27 characterised in that the display means (100,101) comprises a display dial (100), and an indicating means (101) movable relative to the display dial (100) is operably connected to the dispensing means (51).

29. A mixer feeder wagon as claimed in Claim 28 characterised in that the indicating means (101) is operably connected to the dispensing means (51) by a connecting means (103).