WO1998042179A1

WO1998042179A1 - Crop conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO1998042179A1
Application number: PCT/IB1998/000434
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bjarne Jorgensen
Original assignee: Kverneland Taarup As
Priority date: 1997-03-26
Filing date: 1998-03-24
Publication date: 1998-10-01
Also published as: AU6307098A

Abstract

An agricultural machine (1, 200) for conditioning a mown crop (8) and which is intended to be towed behind a propelling vehicle in order to apply a working action to a mown crop, to condition the crop, prior to discharging the conditioned crop onto the ground and in which said machine comprises: a frame; a first rotatable conditioner device (2, 9, 12, 16, 201) extending transversely of the direction of travel P and rotatably mounted on the frame to rotate about an axis which is generally parallel to the surface of the ground over which the machine is travelling, said conditioner device having working elements (2a) extending outwardly of said axis and to make working contact with the crop (8); a co-operating guiding device (4, 11, 15, 18, 19, 204, 205) mounted on the frame and arranged to guide mown crop (8) into working contact with the working elements (2a) of the conditioning device; characterised by a second rotatable conditioner device (3, 10, 13, 17, 202) arranged to receive partly conditioned crop from the first conditioning device, and having working elements to apply additional working action on the crop, said second conditioner device being arranged adjacent to, but downstream of the first conditioner device so as to define therewith an aggressive working zone (100, 101, 102, 103, 206) in which partly conditioned crop is discharged from the first device (2) and is picked-up by the working elements of the second device (3), prior to being discharged by the second device.

Description

CROP CONDITIONER

This invention relates to an agricultural machine for conditioning a mown crop, and which includes a rotatable conditioning device which is operative to apply a mechanical working action to the outer surface of the crop to improve the conditioning of the crop.

The invention has been developed primarily in connection with the conditioning of grass, so as to speed-up the drying process and thereby allow subsequent crop handling equipment to be used sooner. Furthermore, it is desirable to reduce the length of the necessary drying time in which the conditioned crop is lying on the ground and is losing moisture content, until the grass reaches required proportion of dry matter content.

In the formation of silage from conditioned grass, the dry matter content has to be controlled within set limits, and the longer the length of the drying time, the greater the chance of the quality of the silage being impaired by adverse weather conditions e.g. sudden showers of rain falling on partly dried and conditioned crop lying on the ground.

Usually, a baler is used to pick-up the conditioned crop (when dried to a required dry matter percentage) , and to form the crop into tightly packed bales, and which are then wrapped with stretch-film wrapping which excludes atmospheric air and water, and allows the crop to mature to form silage in a relatively short period of time. Alternatively, the conditioned crop can be picked-up, and then transported to a silage tower or "clamp", for subsequent fermentation to form silage. However, the use of silage towers and clamps generates substantial quantities of effluent, which with current environmental laws, must be carefully stored, and then disposed of in approved manner only. Therefore, the formation of silage in wrapped bales of grass is becoming increasingly popular, since the generation of silage effluent is less of a problem.

With currently available crop conditioners, the operations of mowing, conditioning, drying and then lifting of the crop usually runs into two separate working days i.e. with exposure, of the crop lying on the ground to overnight weather

CΛFΛJTON COPY conditions, which will include, at the very least, wetting with overnight dew, and with consequent risk of reduction in quality of silage. In the formation of silage, it should be borne in mind that deviation of the dry matter content outside desired limits i.e. too wet or too dry, can result in loss of quality of silage formation.

Examples of known conditioning devices are disclosed in Danish patent No 150362, in which conditioning of the crop is effected between a rotating conditioning component and a cooperating holding component. This co-operation can be achieved in a number of different ways.

In one example, the conditioning equipment consists of a rotatable brush having relative soft bristles, but in another example the conditioning component comprises a rotor on which are mounted relative stiff or rigid radially projecting crop engaging elements or tines. The co-operating holding component can be designed either as a stationary element having stiff projecting elements which extend towards the conditioning component, or alternatively the holding component can take the form of a rotating unit rotating with, or against the conditioning component.

In the known examples, if it is desired to change the nature of the crop conditioning which is taking place, this can be done by altering the distance, or the relative speed, between the conditioning component and the holding component. Alternatively, required changes of conditioning can be achieved by altering the type of conditioning component and holding component .

However, in the known conditioners, regardless of the types of adjustments which are made, the conditioning of the crop takes place in one area only, namely the area between the conditioning component and the holding component, after which the conditioned crop leaves the conditioner and then falls under gravity onto the ground for subsequent drying.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a more effective working action on a mown crop, so that the waxy cover layers of the stems of grass are perforated, torn or otherwise damaged to a greater extent, thereby releasing the internal "juices" from the core of each stem. This juice therefore can be discharged under gravity onto the ground, after the conditioned grass has been discharged from the conditioner onto the ground for drying, but in addition the greater working action to the surfaces allows warm air and sunlight to penetrate the core of the stems.

The combination of gravity discharge of the juices, and improved drying efficiency, means that the conditioned crop will normally be dried in a shorter period of time than will be possible using existing conditioners (assuming the same weather conditions) , and this reduction of drying time can mean that the entire operation can be carried out in a single working day, with suitable weather conditions.

According to the invention there is provided an agricultural machine for conditioning a mown crop and which is intended to be towed behind a propelling vehicle in order to apply a working action to a mown crop, to condition the crop, prior to discharging the conditioned crop onto the ground, and in which said machine comprises: a frame ; a first rotatable conditioner device extending transversely of the direction of travel and rotatably mounted on the frame to rotate about an axis which is generally parallel to the surface of the ground over which the machine is travelling, said conditioner device having working elements extending outwardly of said axis and to make working contact with the crop; a co-operating guiding device mounted on the frame and arranged to guide mown crop into working contact with the working elements of the conditioning device; characterised by a second rotatable conditioner device arranged to receive partly conditioned crop from the first conditioning device, and having working elements to apply additional working action on the crop, said second conditioner device being arranged adjacent to, but downstream of the first conditioner device so as to define therewith an aggressive working zone in which partly conditioned crop is discharged from the first device and is picked-up by the working elements of the second device, prior to being discharged by the second device.

The first conditioner device therefore is able to carry out a preliminary working action on the crop, by co-operation with its guiding device, but a subsequent vigorous working operation can take place in the working zone defined between the first and second conditioner devices. An aggressive working action is achieved by reason of the way in which the working elements of the second conditioner device move into working contact with the partly conditioned crop after being discharged into the working zone by the working elements of the first conditioner device.

Preferably, the second conditioner device has a respective guiding device which co-operates with it to maintain the crop in contact with the working elements of the second conditioner device, so that still further crop conditioning can take place, before discharge of the conditioned crop.

The working action which is applied to the outer surface of the crop acts deliberately to perforate, tear, break or at least partly remove the waxy cover layer material of each crop stem, thereby allowing easy escape of the internal juices in the core of each stem, and which is discharged onto ground by gravity or other action, and in this state, the juices are benign, and do not have an adverse effect on the ground.

Any suitable outwardly extending working elements may be provided on the first and / or second conditioner device, and in one preferred arrangement, the conditioner devices comprise generally cylindrical brushes, having radially outwardly extending flexible bristles. However, this is merely one example, and other arrangements of outwardly extending working elements may be used, including so-called rigid Y-tines.

The invention therefore provides at least two separate working actions on the mown crop, in successive steps, one immediately following the other, which more than doubles the effectiveness of using a single conditioner device. Thus, not only does the second conditioner device apply a working action in co-operation with its own guiding device, which can effectively double the action achieved by the first conditioning device, but there is also the small aggressive working zone defined between the first and second conditioner devices, in which the working elements of the second conditioner device can make relatively violent contact with the partly conditioned crop after being discharged by the working elements of the first conditioner device into this zone.

Furthermore, by arranging first and second crop conditioner devices e.g. rotating brushes or the like, one immediately after the other, it is a simple matter to control the flow of crop in order to secure optimal conditioning. This would not be possible if the conditioning components were used as two completely separate parts, as the crop would then be present in a random order when the second conditioning component began its work.

In order to increase the aggressive nature of the working contact of the working elements of the second conditioner device, in the working zone, the first and second conditioner devices may be arranged to rotate in the same direction. Thus, the working elements of the first and second devices then are moving in relatively opposite directions, as they move through the working zone, and this greatly increases the vigorousness of the working contact of the working elements of the second device. However, it is not essential to the invention for the first and second devices to rotate in the same direction, and counter-rotating arrangements are possible.

A common guide plate arrangement may extend below the first and second devices, and may take an undulating form, so as to follow the contour of the outer peripheries of the conditioner devices, and also to define the working zone. This common guide plate arrangement may be located below the conditioner devices, in which case a suitable guide arrangement may be provided at the upstream end in order to guide mown crop first into contact with the working elements of the first conditioner device. Alternatively, a common guide plate arrangement may extend, in undulating manner, over the top of the first and second conditioner devices.

In the case of counter rotating conditioner devices, preferably split guide plate arrangements are provided, one for each conditioner device, and the flow path of the crop, as it undergoes successive conditioning steps, may be routed to follow a generally sinusoidal shape as the crop moves through the machine.

An agricultural conditioning machine according to the invention may be used to harvest an already mown crop lying on the ground, but in a preferred arrangement, the frame of the machine mounts a transversely extending mower device, e.g. a cutter bar, so that the machine can carry out cutting of a standing crop, and also apply conditioning action to the newly mown crop.

Preferred embodiments of agricultural machine according to the invention, for conditioning a mown crop, will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the invention, showing co-rotating first and second crop conditioner devices, and a common retaining or guide plate, extending in undulating or sinusoidal manner below the conditioner devices;

Figure 2 is a view, similar to Figure 1, of a second embodiment, also having co-rotating conditioner devices, but with a common undulating guide or retaining plate arranged above the conditioner devices;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment having counter rotating first and second conditioner devices, and a two part guide or retaining plate arrangement, with a first part being arranged below the first conditioner device, and a second part arranged above the second conditioner device, and defining a sinusoidal path of travel of mown crop through the machine, while it undergoes working actions in order to "condition" the outer surface layers of the stems of the crop material; Figure 4 is a side view of a fourth embodiment, also having counter rotating conditioning devices, and a two part guide or retaining plate arrangement, but in which the first part is arranged above the first conditioner device, and the second part is arranged below the second conditioner device, and again defining a sinusoidal path of travel through the machine;

Figure 5 is a detail side view, with parts omitted for clarity, of a fifth embodiment, and comprising a practical example of the invention;

Figure 6 is a side view, corresponding to Figure 5, but showing further components in detail, and in particular the working elements of the first and second conditioner devices.

Figure 7 is a side view of a still further embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic plan view illustration corresponding to Figure 7.

Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, an agricultural machine according to the invention is designated generally by reference 1, and is intended to be towed behind a tractor or other propelling vehicle (not shown) , and to receive power to operate its working components via the PTO shaft and a suitable drive train (not shown) . The machine 1 is intended to apply working actions to a mown crop, in order to "condition" the crop, and thereby promote the escape of internal "juices" from the stem of the crop, and thereby reduce the necessary drying time, to bring the crop to a required level of dry matter content e.g. for the subsequent formation of silage.

The machine 1 preferably is a combined machine, capable of carrying out both mowing of standing crop 7, and also conditioning, in a single pass along a field. The direction of travel is shown by reference P, and a transversely extending cutter bar 6 (which can be a cutter bar with longitudinally reciprocal blades, or mower discs, or any other grass cutting form) , and which cuts the standing crop of grass 7 at a suitable height above ground level. The mown crop then passes through conditioner apparatus of the machine, to undergo successive conditioner steps, and then is discharged rearwardly onto the ground for subsequent drying to required level of dry matter content, prior to subsequent picking-up of the crop. The subsequent picking-up can be by a pick-up device into a trailer, and then being transported to a silage tower or clamp. However, more preferably, the subsequent picking-up will be by means of a baler e.g. a round baler, and which forms the partly dried grass into tightly packed bales, and which are then wrapped with stretch film wrapping, to be allowed to mature or ferment to form silage, in well known manner.

The machine 1 has a general frame or housing (not shown in detail) , on which is mounted a first rotatable conditioner device which extends transversely of the direction of travel P, and is rotatably mounted on the frame to rotate about an axis which is generally parallel to the surface of the ground over which the machine is travelling. The first conditioning device is shown, by way of example only, as taking the form of a rotating brush 2 having outwardly extending working elements taking the form of radially extending flexible bristles 2a. A second conditioner device immediately follows the first conditioner device 2 , and takes the form of a second rotating brush 3, also rotatably mounted in the frame, and having outwardly extending working elements 3a. Each brush is mounted in bearings in a housing (not shown) , and rotates about a substantially horizontal axis (when on level ground) , and they are driven by a common drive, or by individual drives. The drive to the brushes can take any suitable form, as will be apparent to the man of ordinary skill in the art, and need not be described in detail herein.

The two rotating brushes 2 and 3 preferably comprise a cylindrical core or rotor, having radially outwardly extending and relatively soft bristles. However, many other types of outwardly extending working elements may be provided, and the conditioner devices may, for example, be formed by hollow rotor cylinders, having relatively stiff outwardly extending fingers or tines, such as so-called Y fingers or tines, again as will be well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The brushes 2 and 3 are rotatable in the same direction, and which in the illustrated example is clockwise, and a common guiding or retaining plate 4 is provided, to co-operate with the working elements of the brushes 2 and 3 , and also to guide mown crop from the cutter bar 6, and to discharge the conditioned crop 8 onto the ground. The retaining plate 4 is arranged below the brushes 2 and 3, and follows an undulating or sinusoidal path, so as to follow the lower peripheries of the tips of the working elements, and to set required radial clearance therebetween, to provide necessary working action in order to condition the crop.

The retaining plate 4 is preferably constructed of steel plate, pressed into required shape, and preferably provided on its underside with reinforcing ribs in the form of pipe sections 5, and which also are secured to the frame or housing of the machine.

As mentioned above, cutter bar 6 is provided at the forward part of the machine 1, and advantageously is mounted on the same frame or housing as the conditioning apparatus. Cutter bar 6 is shown with rotating knives, as shown, but it may alternatively be provided with linearly reciprocating cutter blades to cut the standing crop.

It should be understood, however, that the incorporation of a mower device into the machine 1 is merely a preferred option, and that it is within the scope of the invention for the mowing device to be omitted, and for a separate mower to be used to cut the standing crop. The conditioning device of the invention then may be used in order to pick-up a newly mown crop, and then to carry out conditioning of it.

The entire assembly may be provided with support wheels, and may follow a tractor in the manner of a trailer, or may be semi-mounted if required.

In use, the machine 1 is propelled in the direction of the arrow P, typically by a tractor, and standing crop 7 e.g. grass is then mown and conditioned for subsequent ensilage.

The crop 7 is cut by the cutter bar 6, and the cut or mown crop 8 is then guided towards an entry mouth of the first brush 2, and defined with the leading end of the plate 4, and is engaged by the working elements of the brush 2, rotating anti-clockwise, so as to apply working action on the crop between the tips of the working elements 2a and the retaining plate 4, to carry out a preliminary conditioning action. The partly conditioned crop is then discharged into a working zone 100, in which the partly conditioned crop is discharged by the first brush 2, and is then picked-up by the working elements of the second brush 3, prior to being discharged by the second brush 3. A vigorous working action takes place in the zone 100, and evidently, because the brushes 2 and 3 rotate in the same direction, the tips of the working elements, as they move through the working zone 100, will be moving in relatively opposite directions, and this means that the tips of the working elements of the brush 3 have a particularly vigorous working contact with the partly conditioned crop which has been discharged into the zone by the working elements of the first brush 2.

Bearing in mind that it is desirable to perforate, bruise, tear or otherwise damage the waxy outer cover layer of a stem of grass to the maximum possible extent, the tumbling and general working actions applied to the crop in the zone 100 considerably increases the effectiveness of the working actions which can be achieved by the two brushes.

Desirably, the second brush 3 rotates at a slightly higher rotational speed e.g. perhaps 10 to 15% faster than the first brush 2, so as to minimise the risk of blockage of crop occurring in the zone 100.

As will be seen in Figure 1, the undulations of the retaining plate 4 are such that it has a concave shape, defining a lower limiting region of the working zone 100, and the geometry of the arrangement, together with the general dynamics of the flow of crop, is such that the tips of the working elements of the second brush 3 catch the crop 8 while it is still in motion, after it has been discharged into the working zone 100 by the tips of the working elements of the f irst brush 2 .

The second rotating brush 3 also co-operates with a corresponding part of the retaining plate 4 , so as to carry out still further working action on the crop i.e. to apply a third stage of "conditioning" to the crop. The tips of the working elements 3a of the brush 3 therefore co-operate with the corresponding part of the retaining plate 4, to apply further working action on the outer waxy layers of the stems of grass. After completion of this third stage of conditioning, the crop is then discharged as a windrow on the field.

It is an important aspect of this embodiment of the invention that there are two rotary crop conditioners (brushes 2 and 3) mounted immediately adjacent to each other, but without making direct contact one with another i.e. the tips of the working elements do not interengage. The distance between the two rotary conditioners, and the shape of the retaining plate 4 play an important part in the conditioning of the crop 8, and these design parameters may be varied to provide any required alteration in the degree of conditioning of the crop 8. Thus, the optimum spacing apart of any co-operating pair of rotary conditioners can be determined by experiments, and similarly the shape of the retaining plate 4 co-operating with the rotary conditioners (and also defining part of the working zone between them) it will be varied by experiment to provide the optimum degree of conditioning for any particular crop, and any particular type of rotary conditioner which is used.

During operation of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, it is possible to achieve several different conditioning effects, depending on the setting of the parameters mentioned. Thus, it will be possible to "turn" the crop 8 in the working zone 100 between the two rotating brushes 2 and 3, whereby the crop 8 can be rubbed by the working elements 2a of the first rotating brush 2 on one side, and be rubbed on the opposite side by the working elements 3a of the second rotating brush 3. It is also possible to set the parameters such that the gap i.e. the working zone defined between the two rotating brushes 2 and 3 forms a "mixing chamber", in which the crop receives an aggressive intermediate "conditioning" in the working zone 100, after it has been pre-conditioned by the first rotating brush

2, and prior to final conditioning by the second rotating brush

3. The crop is discharged with some speed into the working zone by the tips of the working elements 2a of brush 2, and the flow of pre-conditioned crop is then caught by the tips of the working elements 3a of brush 3, which applies a vigorous working action, and also may cause the crop to tumble or mix within the chamber, so that repeated working operations take place, before the crop is then conveyed into the working passage defined between the part of the guide or retaining plate 4 and the lower arc of movement of the brushes 3 , to receive further working action and final conditioning of the crop, prior to discharge as a windrow onto the ground.

The nature of the crop 8 and the desired degree of conditioning will determine how the device 1 is set, but effective action depends in particular on the two rotating brushes being mounted immediately adjacent to each other so that the flow of crop 8 can be controlled and monitored. Although not shown in detail, preferably means is provided to permit adjustment in the radial spacing of the co-operating parts of the plate 4 from the lower arcs of movement of the working tips of the brushes 2 and 3, to suit different types of crop 8. In addition, means may be provided (not shown) to vary the spacing apart of the rotational axes of brushes 2 and 3, if it is desired to vary the volume of the working space 100 defined between them.

Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, this shows a second embodiment of the invention, which is generally similar to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1.

However, one significant difference is that, in the embodiment of Figure 2 , there is a common retaining or guide plate 11 which extends in undulating manner, to co-operate with each of first and second co-rotating brushes 9 and 10, but extends above them, rather than below then as per the plate 4 in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the mown crop 8, cut by cutter bar 6, is carried upwards by the first rotating brush 9, by virtue of the clockwise rotation of the brush, and then working action takes place on the crop as it moves through the narrow space defined between the plate 11 and the tips of the working elements of brush 9, as they move through the upper arc of movement below the plate 11. Brush 9 therefore exerts a preliminary working action on the crop, to apply an initial step of "conditioning" of the crop, before it is discharged from the tips of the working elements of brush 9 into working zone 101, which is defined between brushes 9 and 10, and below a downwardly curving undulation of plate 11.

A generally similar type of working action takes place in working zone 101, to that described above in respect of lower working zone 100 in the embodiment of Figure 1. However, since the effect of gravity will be greater in the working zone 101, there will be a tendency for crop to pass downwardly between the two brushes 9 and 10, and therefore it is important to maintain a correct spacing between the two brushes, so as to prevent, or at least minimise risk of crop passing downwardly between them. Apart from that, the working effect achievable with the second embodiment is generally similar to that which can be obtained with the first embodiment.

Thus, in the second embodiment, after the second conditioning treatment in zone 101, a third treatment takes place between plate 11 and the upper arc of movement of the tips of the working elements of brush 10, which applies a third conditioning treatment, prior to discharge of the conditioned crop to form a windrow on the ground.

Referring now to Figure 3, this shows a third embodiment, and having counter rotating brushes 12 and 13, with first brush 12 rotating anti-clockwise as shown in Figure 3 , and second brush 13 rotating clockwise. The retaining / guide plate in this embodiment comprises two parts, namely a first plate part 14 arranged below the first rotating brush 12, and a second plate part 15 mounted above the second rotating brush 13.

The machine of Figure 3 is again provided with a cutter bar 6 with rotating knives, which cut the standing crop 7. The cut crop is introduced between the first brush 12 and the lower plate part 14, and by virtue of the anti-clockwise rotation of the brush 12, it conveys the crop along the plate part 14 while carrying out working action on the crop in order to carry out a preliminary conditioning action. The part conditioned crop is then discharged by the working elements of brush 12 in a direction which is both upwardly, and also partly towards the second brush 13, and this movement is guided by the first plate part 14. The working elements of the second brush 13 then engage vigorously with the crop, as it is moving through the air following discharge from brush 12, and therefore in this embodiment also there is a working zone 102 in which vigorous further working action, and conditioning of the crop takes place. The crop is then conveyed below the upper plate part 15 by the working elements of brush 13, where a third working action and conditioning takes place, prior to discharge of the conditioned crop as a windrow on the field.

In this third embodiment, it is again possible to control the flow of the cut crop 8 between the two rotating brushes 12 and 13. This is particularly effective in causing the tips of the working elements of brush 12 to rub the crop 8 on one side, while the tips of the working elements of the second brush 13 rub the crop 8 on the other side. This achieves an optimal scoring of the crop, in that its surface or waxy coating can be removed, or destroyed partially or wholly, on both sides of the crop.

Referring now to Figure 4, this shows a fourth embodiment, which is somewhat similar to Figure 3, having counter-rotating brushes 16 and 17 arranged consecutively, but in which the first brush 16 rotates clockwise, and the second brush 17 rotates anti-clockwise. A two part guide plate is provided, comprising upper curved part 18 arranged above the first brush 16, and a lower curved part 19 arranged below the second brush 17. Cut crop from the cutter bar 6 is lifted by the tips of the working elements of brush 16 to pass upwardly and then rearwardly through the gap defined between the upper arc of movement of brush 16 and the upper plate part 18, and then the part conditioned crop is discharged in a downward direction, as it leaves the plate part 18, and also with a component of movement in a direction towards the second brush 17. The tips of the working elements of brush 17 then come into vigorous contact with the part conditioned crop, acting in a working zone 103 between brush 16 and 17, and then the further conditioned crop passes along the space defined between the lower arc of movement of brush 17 and the plate part 19, to receive a third working action and conditioning treatment, prior to rearward discharge to form a windrow.

In this embodiment, the same advantages are achieved as per the embodiment of Figure 3, namely that the first brush 16 rubs the crop 8 on one side, while the second brush 17 rubs the crop 8 on the other side. If desired, the distance between the two rotating brushes 12 and 13, or 16 and 17, and the construction of the retaining plates 14 and 15, and 18 and 19 in the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4 , may be set so as to form a mixing chamber between the two rotating brushes, so that conditioning can take place as described with reference to the embodiments shown in Figure 1 and 2.

The rotating brushes shown in the examples of the drawings comprise rotors having cylindrical cores with radially extending relatively soft bristles. However, other types of conditioning devices may be provided, having e.g. rotors with stiff radially protruding elements, such as so-called Y fingers.

The retaining plates (4, 11, 14, 15, 18, 19) may have a smooth surface, in which case conditioning is carried out solely by the scoring of the crop surface caused by the rotating brushes. However, if required, the engaging surfaces of the plates may be provided with ridges, or dimples, formed in the sheet material from which the retaining plates are formed. Alternatively, bolt-on crop engaging / working parts may be provided in the surfaces of the plates, to face towards the rotating brushes.

In order further to increase the range of activity of the conditioning device of the invention, it may be constructed so that the distance between the rotating brushes and their respective retaining / guide plates may be varied. Furthermore, the device may be fitted with different sizes of rotating brushes, and their speeds of rotation may be adjustable.

However, it is preferred that the circumferential speed of the tips of the working elements of the downstream conditioner devices is faster e.g. by 10 to 15%, than the circumferential speed of the working elements of the upstream conditioning device.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, this shows a practical example and in detail of a further embodiment of the invention. The embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6 is designated generally by reference 200, and some of the component parts have been omitted for clarity. In particular, the cutter bar at the front of the machine is not shown, and in Figure 5, the working elements of the rotary conditioners (brushes) have been omitted.

First and second rotary conditioners (brushes) are provided, designated by references 201 and 202 in Figure 6, and each is driven to rotate in a clockwise direction, and a two part retaining or guide plate arrangement 203 is arranged above the brushes 201 and 202, and co-operates with the upper arcs of movement of the working elements of the brushes. A first part 204 is arranged above first brush 201, and has a controlled setting to determine the radial clearance of the arcuate passage defined between the plate part 204 and the upper arc of movement of the tips of the working elements of brush 201. A second part 205 co-operates in a similar manner with the upper part of the arc of movement of the tips of the working elements of second brush 202.

A working zone 206 is defined between the brushes 201 and

202, and below a downwardly curved portion 207 of the plate

203. In the working zone 206, aggressive working engagement takes place with the partly conditioned crop, as the tips of the working elements of brush 202 move in relatively opposite direction to the movement of the tips of the working element of brush 201, in order to engage the flow of crop as it leaves the brush 201 and moves into the working zone 206.

The second part 205 of the co-operating plate arrangement is a fixed plate, preferably provided with dimples on its underside, to promote the rubbing action of the tips of the working elements of brush 202. The first part 204 is adjustable in height, to vary the radial clearance relative to brush 201, as shown by the arrows in Figure 5, and an adjusting handle 208 can be moved between a number of different positions, relative to adjuster plate 209, to cause the first part 204 to pivot upwardly or downwardly about pivot point 210. Figure 5 shows the hubs 211 and 212 only of the brushes 201 and 202, for clarity, and these are driven by a chain drive (not shown in detail) so as to rotate in the same direction, but preferably with the brush 202 rotating at an increased speed of revolution relative to brush 201 e.g. say 10 to 15% faster.

A mounting rod 213 is secured to the frame or housing of the machine, and projects rearwardly, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, and from which there is suspended guide baffles 214 and 215, which guide the rearward discharge of the conditioned crop to form a windrow on the ground.

Finally, reference will now be made to Figure 7 and 8, showing a preferred mown crop stream-diverting arrangement which may be provided in an agricultural machine according to the invention.

There is shown, by way of example only, the integration of an agricultural machine for conditioning a mown crop, into a combined mower / conditioning machine for mowing a standing crop, such as grass, clover and lucerne.

However, it should be understood that the invention may be applied to a crop conditioner on its own, as a separate piece of equipment, and which is used subsequently to pick-up swaths of mown crop, having been deposited on the ground by a mower .

The embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8 is therefore designated generally by the reference 300, and this is an integrated machine comprising a mower which is provided with a number of laterally spaced mower discs, arranged at suitable spacings along a cutter bar, and which comprise co-operating pairs of mower discs. As shown in Figure 8, a cutter bar 311 has eight mower discs 312, arranged along its length, and in which co-operating pairs of discs 312 rotate in relatively opposite directions. In the case of a drum type of mower, each disc 312 has an upstanding cylindrical guide, to assist in the guidance of mown crop rearwardly between the pairs of adjacent discs.

The cutter bar 311 extends generally perpendicular to the forward direction of travel, shown by arrow P, and the machine 300 will be mounted behind a propelling vehicle, (usually a tractor) , and can apply, in a single operation, a mowing action to cut a standing crop, and then apply a working action on the mown crop so as to condition the crop, prior to discharging the conditioned crop onto the ground.

The eight mower discs 312 shown in Figure 8 comprise, as referred to above, four co-operating pairs, and therefore each pair of discs forms a rearwardly discharging stream of mown grass, as shown by reference 313 in Figure 8. Therefore, having regard to the overall length of the cutter bar 311, it will be apparent that a standing crop which is cut undergoes separation into four narrow streams 313, which will be more densely packed, than would be the case for a known reciprocating blade type of mower, where the mown crop falls onto the ground directly behind the blade, and extending substantially throughout the length of the blade.

Therefore, as can be seen from Figure 8, the combined widths of the four separate streams of mown crop 313 is less than the overall length of the cutter bar 311.

With existing mower / conditioners, the four separate streams of mown crop 313 are then guided to a rotary conditioner, which acts in co-operation with a stationary holding or guiding component, and the rotation of the working elements of the conditioner, via its tips, applies a working action to the waxy outer layers of the crop, so as to "bruise" and / or perforate the outer layer, thereby allowing internal moisture to escape, and promoting drying of the conditioned crop after it has been returned to the ground.

The machine 300 has at least one rotatable conditioning device, which extends transversely of the direction of travel P, and which is rotatably mounted on the frame of the machine so as to rotate about an axis which extends generally parallel to the surface of the ground over which the machine 300 is travelling, in which the conditioning device has working elements extending outwardly of the axis and operative to make working contact with the crop when supplied thereto.

As shown in Figure 7, a first rotatable conditioning device 314 extends transversely of the direction of travel P, and is rotatably mounted on the frame, and has outwardly extending working elements 315 comprising so-called Y tines, which are rigidly mounted on a central rotor 316, and which are operative to make working contact with the crop when supplied thereto.

A stationary guiding device is also mounted on the frame, and takes the form of a guide plate 317, which guides the mown crop which is rearwardly discharged from between adjacent pairs of mower discs 312, and into working contact with the tips of the tines 315.

Evidently, the mown crop which is rearwardly discharged by the mower discs 312, takes the form of four separate and narrowed streams 313, and which would (in the absence of the diverting arrangement of this embodiment) be applied to the cylindrical outer surface defined by the tips of the working elements 315 in non-uniform manner i.e. whereby less than 100% of the conditioning surface would be utilised in order to condition the grass, and the concentrated streams 313 could exercise excessive drag load between each stream of grass and the guide plate arrangement 317 and the tips of the rotating conditioning elements 315.

However, the stationary guide plate 317 includes a diverting arrangement, shown schematically by references 318, which are operative to distribute the streams of mown crop 313 laterally of the direction of travel P, so as to be received substantially throughout the length of the conditioning device 314 .

Therefore, the streams 313 (which together have combined widths of less than the overall length of the cutter bar 311 and the conditioning device 314) are spread out laterally so as to be distributed substantially uniformly throughout the cylindrical surface defined by the tips of the working elements 315 of the conditioning device 314. This achieves more efficient utilisation of the conditioning surface, but also reduces the thickness of the streams of grass supplied to the conditioner whereby (a) frictional drag forces will be reduced and (b) more of the grass will be exposed to working action.

The diverting arrangement 318 may comprise simple V- shaped guide plates, provided on the underside of the guide plate arrangement 317, so as to effect required lateral separation of the material in each stream 313.

To provide an additional conditioning action, it is preferred, as shown in Figure 7, to provide a second conditioning device which is rotatably mounted on the frame, and which is designated generally by reference 319. The conditioning device 319 preferably comprises a rotating brush type of conditioner, having outwardly extending bristles 320, which apply a more gentle type of "conditioning" action on the crop.

Preferably, the guide plate arrangement 317 is projected rearwardly, in undulating manner as shown in Figure 7, so as also to co-operate with, and overlie at least part of the circumference of the second conditioning device 319, with the rearward projection of the guide plate arrangement being shown by reference 321.

In order to provide a further lateral separation of the crop material, prior to being further conditioned, a second diverting arrangement may be provided, and comprising profiled ribs 322 (Fig. 8) , provided on the underside of the cover plate arrangement.

The embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, therefore has first and second rotary conditioning devices 314, 319, with a common guide or holding plate arrangement co-operating therewith (317, 321), and in which a first diverting arrangement 318 is arranged at the upstream end of the guide plate arrangement 317, whereas the second diverting arrangement (formed by profiled ribs 322) is also arranged on the underside of the guide plate arrangement 317 where it overlies the first conditioning device 314.

The embodiment shown in the drawings comprises an integrated mower / conditioner. However, it should be understood that the diverting arrangement may be applied to a crop conditioner per se, which would be operated as a separate piece of equipment, to pick-up swaths of mown crop having been formed previously by a mower during a separate operation.

Also, while it is preferred that the crop conditioning machine has first and second rotary conditioning devices, it is a minimum aspect of this embodiment to provide one crop conditioning device only, provided that there is at least one, and preferably two separate diverter arrangements, in order to spread the streams of mown crop (being supplied to the conditioning device) laterally so as to increase the area of contact between the mown crop and the cylindrical surface of the crop conditioner defined by the rotating tips of the conditioning elements.

Claims

1. An agricultural machine (1, 200) for conditioning a mown crop (8) and which is intended to be towed behind a propelling vehicle in order to apply a working action to a mown crop, to condition the crop, prior to discharging the conditioned crop onto the ground, and in which said machine comprises: a frame; a first rotatable conditioner device (2, 9, 12, 16, 201) extending transversely of the direction of travel P and rotatably mounted on the frame to rotate about an axis which is generally parallel to the surface of the ground over which the machine is travelling, said conditioner device having working elements (2a) extending outwardly of said axis and to make working contact with the crop (8) ; a co-operating guiding device (4, 11, 15, 18, 19, 204, 205) mounted on the frame and arranged to guide mown crop (8) into working contact with the working elements (2a) of the conditioning device; characterised by a second rotatable conditioner device (3, 10, 13, 17, 202) arranged to receive partly conditioned crop from the first conditioning device, and having working elements to apply additional working action on the crop, said second conditioner device being arranged adjacent to, but downstream of the first conditioner device so as to define therewith an aggressive working zone (100, 101, 102, 103, 206) in which partly conditioned crop is discharged from the first device (2) and is picked-up by the working elements of the second device (3), prior to being discharged by the second device.

2. An agricultural machine according to claim 1, in which the second conditioner device (3 etc) has a respective guiding device (4 etc) which co-operates with it to maintain the crop in contact with the working elements of the second conditioner device, so that still further crop conditioning can take place, before discharge of the conditioned crop.

3. An agricultural machine according to claim 1 or 2 , in which a common retaining plate (4) extends continuously from a forward receiving end for receiving the mown crop, to a rear discharge end from which conditioned crop can be discharged.

4. An agricultural machine according to claim 3, in which the common retaining plate (4) extends below the first and second conditioner devices (2, 3 etc).

5. An agricultural machine according to claim 3, in which the common retaining plate (11) extends above the first and second conditioner devices (9, 10).

6. An agricultural machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in which the common retaining plate (4, 11) is of undulating shape, having an intermediate portion which bridges the gap between the first and second conditioner devices (2, 3; 9, 10), in order to define said working zone (100, 101) .

7. An agricultural machine according to claim 2, in which the retaining plate comprises two separate parts (14, 15; 18, 19), with one of said plate parts being arranged below one of the conditioner devices and the other of the plate parts being arranged above the other of the conditioner devices, and in which the first and second conditioner devices (12, 13; 16, 17) are rotatable in opposite directions.

8. An agricultural machine according to claim 7, in which a first retaining plate part (14) is arranged below the first conditioner device (12) , and a second retaining plate part (15) is arranged above the second conditioner device (13) .

9. An agricultural machine according to claim 7, in which a first plate part (18) is arranged above the first conditioner device (16) and second plate part (19) is arranged below the second conditioner device (17).

10. An agricultural machine according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second conditioner devices (2 etc; 3 etc) and their respective retaining plates are arranged to permit adjustment of the clearance between the tips of the working elements of the conditioner devices and the retaining plates.

11. An agricultural machine according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second conditioner devices are adjustably mounted on the frame so that the spacing apart of the axes of rotation of the conditioner devices can be varied when required.

12. An agricultural machine according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second conditioner devices have different sizes.

13. An agricultural machine according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second conditioner devices have adjustable speeds of rotation.

14. An agricultural machine according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second conditioner devices comprise rotatable brushes having outwardly extending flexible bristles.

15. An agricultural machine according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in which at least one of the first and second conditioner devices comprises a rotor having outwardly extending working elements formed by rigid Y shaped fingers.

16. An agricultural machine according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one retaining plate (4) etc is provided with crop-engaging protrusions to assist in applying working action to the outer surface of the stems of the crop.

17. An agricultural machine according to claim 16, in which the protrusions on the retaining plate comprise dimples, or resistance-creating elements applied to the surface of the plate.

18. An agricultural machine (300) according to any one of the preceding claims and arranged to condition a mown crop supplied in at least one stream (313) to the machine, in which the guiding device (317) is arranged to guide the stream(s) of mown crop (313) into working contact with the working elements (315) of the conditioning device (314), the guiding device (317) including a diverting arrangement (318) which is operative to distribute the stream(s) of mown crop (313) laterally of the direction of travel P so as to be received substantially throughout the length of the conditioning device (314) .

19. An agricultural machine according to claim 18 in which the diverting arrangement comprises shaped guides (318) on the underside of a stationary guide plate (317) which extends over the first conditioning device (314) , said guides (318) being operative to spread the mown crop laterally.

20. An agricultural machine according to claim 19, in which each shaped guide comprises a V-shaped guide (318) .

21. An agricultural machine according to claim 20, in which the stationary guiding device (317) extends also over the second conditioning device (319) via a rearward extension (321) of the guide plate.

22. An agricultural machine according to claim 21, in which a second diverting arrangement (322) is provided on the underside of the guide plate arrangement (317) , downstream of the first diverting arrangement (318) , to further spread the mown crop laterally.

23. An agricultural machine according to claim 22, in which the second diverting arrangement comprises profiled ribs

(322) provided on the underside of the guide plate (317) .

24. An agricultural machine according to any one of claims 21 to 23, in which the second conditioning device (319) comprises a cylindrical brush having outwardly extending bristles (320) .

25. An agricultural machine according to any one of the preceding claims, and constituted by a rotatable crop conditioning device.

26. An agricultural machine according to any one of claims 1 to 24, in which the agricultural machine is incorporated in an integrated mower / conditioner.