WO2002041689A1

WO2002041689A1 - Light trimmer with double-size angled cutting edge and adapted blade for same

Info

Publication number: WO2002041689A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/003725
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louis Tordable
Original assignee: Industrie Et Nature De Navarre
Priority date: 2000-11-27
Filing date: 2001-11-26
Publication date: 2002-05-30
Also published as: FR2817116B1; FR2817116A1; AU2002222045A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a light trimmer comprising at least a lateral module (14, 16) for sucking and cutting tied plants so as to provide additional cutting of plants within a safe distance D. The invention also concerns a blade adapted to be mounted on said light trimmer. The invention is applicable to vine trimming.

Description

TRIMMER WITH INCLINED AND DOUBLE-SIZED ATTACK AND BLADE SUITABLE FOR SUCH A TRIMMER

The present invention relates to a trimmer with inclined attack and double size.

The invention also covers a profile blade adapted to be mounted on such a trimmer and to ensure this double cut. In the cultivation of the vine, trimmers are used to prune the vine in vegetation.

Pruning consists in reducing the foliage in width and in height. The vine transfers part of its nourishing power not to the branches and leaves but to the clusters, making it flourish in the sense of quality and quantity. In addition, the fact that the foliage is thinned, allows the clusters to better take advantage of the sun which penetrates more to the heart and phytosanitary treatments to be more effective.

We also know that this trimming action improves the sanitary aspect in an ecological way since the shaded and humid areas favorable to the development of diseases are reduced.

Finally, the work of the pickers and / or the harvesting machine is greatly facilitated.

Known trimmers of a known type include a frame attached to a carrier vehicle, tractor or straddle. On this frame, three pruning modules are provided, two lateral modules coming from either side of the vine row in the working position and an upper module. Each module is mounted articulated with respect to the frame in order to be able to adjust the position of the module with respect to the row of vines. Each module includes cutting means which differ according to the manufacturers but which are generally cutting blades. These blades are multiple and overlap to have a continuous cutting action over the entire width and over the entire height of the row. The movement of the vehicle parallel to the row of vines makes it possible to prune the vegetation very regularly along the entire length of the row.

The motorization is of the hydraulic motor type, with at least one motor for each module, with a distribution of the drive towards each blade of the same module.

These motors are generally powered by the hydraulic unit of the carrier vehicle.

The problem of work done in detail must now be tackled.

Indeed, the operator adjusts the spacing of the two lateral modules and the height of the upper module in relation to the type of vine and in relation to requirements. Nevertheless, there is always a limit which prohibits approaching too close to the row because on the one hand, one should not remove too much vegetation and one should not risk risking the bunches either.

However there is a problem with certain woods produced by the vine which are useless and well known under the name of "gourmands" or "entrecoeurs". These woods are not only useless but they are very often attacked first by the disease, constituting foci. It is therefore necessary to eliminate them as quickly as possible, but they have a weaker structure and they come from the heart of the vegetation, which makes them difficult to reach for cutting them. They are therefore cut at their ends, like the rest of the vegetation, following the same cutting plane. This size may be insufficient to eliminate the sources of disease. Numerous and systematic phytosanitary treatments must therefore be carried out as recommended. Another disadvantage of existing trimmers is the work itself.

Generally, the trimmer is placed in front of the vehicle or under the straddle to facilitate the reading of the work by the operator who is able to correct the initial cutting settings. Very often two sets are coupled to work two rows simultaneously. Likewise, means are provided for controlling the slopes of the various slopes of the different modules and maneuvering means for entering and leaving a row.

Such machines have the drawback of causing large projections of the cutting debris from the vegetation and if the covers provide rough protection, it can be seen that the raw cutting debris is of fairly large size and ricochet on the structures of each module and of the frame. The operator must take precautions.

Also the present invention provides a trimmer which makes it possible to treat gourmands more effectively, which thereby reduces the need for certain phytosanitary treatments, which ensures a double cut therefore a reduction in the size of the cutting debris, which makes it possible to drive debris rejected and which does not require any modification of vehicles or work habits. The present invention also covers a blade adapted for such a trimmer.

To this end, the trimmer according to the invention, for the maintenance of the trellised vegetation, in particular of the rows of vines, comprises a support frame adjustable in height, with three modules including two lateral modules, arranged to form an inverted jJ, each module comprising at least one cutting blade driven by a motorization, and is characterized in that at least one of the lateral modules comprises a casing forming a channel, arranged at least partially in line with the cutting blade so as to cause a aspiration of the vegetation and a size of the part sucked in the cutting area. According to another characteristic, the casing partially covers the cutting blade, behind with respect to the direction of advance, so as to produce, in upstream of the housing, a first cutting zone ensuring a pre-pruning of the vegetation without suction.

Suitably, the blade has a cutting profile capable of creating a vacuum during its rotation under the action of the drive means. According to another characteristic, the cutting plane P of the blade is inclined at an angle relative to the direction of advance.

The casing forming the channel specifically comprises an inlet opening E parallel to the cutting plane of the blade and an outlet opening S perpendicular to the direction of advance, open towards the front. It extends over the entire height of the module.

As for the blades, they are stepped relative to each other so as to allow an overlap of the cutting surfaces.

The invention also covers the trimmer blade which comprises a central disc comprising at least two teeth, the first edge being inclined on one side of the disc and the second edge being inclined on the other. In addition, the end of each tooth is truncated.

The present invention is now described in detail according to a particular, non-limiting embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings which show in the different figures: - Figure 1, a front view, in perspective, of a trimmer according to the 'invention,

- Figure 2, a rear view, in perspective, of the same trimmer,

- Figure 3, a front view of a module showing the arrangement of the blades, - Figure 4, a side elevational view of the interior of the same module,

FIG. 5, a schematic view of the work of a lateral module with respect to the vegetation of a row of vines,

FIGS. 6A to 6D, a view of a block diagram of the operation and work of the trimmer according to the invention, compared with the prior art,

FIG. 7, a perspective view of a blade according to the invention, and

- Figure 8, a view in the plane of the blade to bring out the profiles. Figures 1 and 2 taken simultaneously, there is shown a frame 10 relative to the direction of travel represented by the arrow 1 2, supporting three modules 14, 1 6, 1 8 respectively right side, left side and upper. The upper module is arranged upstream of the assembly. This frame is designed to be supported by a carrier vehicle of the tractor type and more particularly a straddle tractor.

A vertical beam 20 with a jack 22, visible in FIG. 2 makes it possible to adjust the height of the three modules simultaneously, relative to a fixed, coaxial beam 24. Thus, the inverted U_, formed by these three modules, is positioned so as to cover the vegetation which must be trellised, for example a row of vine stocks.

A horizontal beam 26 is attached to this vertical beam 20. It is this beam which directly supports the three modules. The upper module 1 8 is fixed in translation relative to the horizontal beam and simply positioned in front while the two lateral modules are suspended from means 28 for adjusting the translation of the two modules 1 and 1 6 one relative to the other thanks to a jack 30.

The upper module comprises two rotary blades 32 in the embodiment shown. These blades are oriented in a plane inclined relative to the horizontal by a small angle but sufficient to make the cutting action more aggressive. These blades are stepped relative to each other so as to allow an overlap of the cutting surfaces. Each blade 32 consists of a full disc 34 with four teeth 36 distributed around the periphery, the assembly being described in more detail later. The blades are driven in a known manner by a hydraulic motor 38 and references of known type which are not of direct interest to the present invention.

These blades are clear and free, without protective casing since the module is arranged upstream. In addition, the shape of the blades which cut only in one direction as will be explained in detail later, avoid projections towards the operator. The two side modules are specific and a detailed view as shown in Figures 3 and 4 allows to better describe their constitution.

Each module comprises three blades 32. These blades are arranged substantially in a vertical plane P with a staging to allow an overlap of the cutting surfaces.

Referring to Figure 5 which is stripped of the accessory elements, we see that this plane P makes an angle α with respect to the direction of advance shown by the arrow 1 2, which is also visible in Figure 3. This angle leads to having a larger opening opening upstream than downstream of the cut.

This set of blades is surrounded by a complex casing 40 and in order to appreciate the contours of the covers which constitute it, it is advantageous to refer to all of FIGS. 1 to 4.

A first cover 42, called the outer cover, has an L-shaped section and extends over the entire height of the module. The branch 44 of the L is positioned at the rear and the branch 46 of this L is lateral and external.

This cover partially surrounds all of the blades, on the outside.

A second cover 48, called the interior, surrounds all of the blades inside, substantially with an L-shaped profile, in a homothetic manner. Bars 50 ensure the connections of these two covers to each other and the attachment to the frame.

This casing is in the form of a channel 52, over the entire height of the module which forms a reference substantially at 90 °, towards the front.

Note that the entry plane E of the channel 52 is parallel to that of the plane P, therefore making an angle α with the direction of advance.

The exit plane S of this channel is perpendicular to the direction of advance. We find the geometry on the diagram in Figure 5.

Another important feature of the arrangement is that the blades protrude from the front of the casing 40, as is particularly visible in FIG. 4.

This makes it possible to define a first cutting zone 54 without suction outside the channel and a second cutting zone 56 under suction. To achieve both cutting and aspiration, there are several ways of designing the blades, but a particularly effective mode is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The blade comprises four teeth 36 regularly distributed around the disc 34. This disc has a central bore 58 which allows centering and fixing holes of the disc 34 on the shaft of the drive motor.

The blade is symmetrical with respect to its cutting plane so that it is reversible and can therefore have a double duration of use before a new sharpening. The first edge 60 of each tooth is inclined relative to the disc, this on the same side relative to the direction of rotation and upwards. In the same way, the second edge 62 of each tooth is inclined but downwards.

This makes it possible to cause a cutting effect and simultaneously a depression. The blade is described with four teeth but two would be enough. Without this being an obligation, it is advisable to provide an even number of teeth.

The tips of the teeth are truncated to avoid areas of weakness.

The operation of the trimmer according to the present invention is now described.

The operator positions the entire frame in height so that the cutting plane of the blades 32 of the upper module 1 8 is at the desired height relative to the row, inclined at the front so as to achieve an effective size.

The two side modules are linked to the positioning of the upper module and are self-positioned in height. The operator adjusts the position of the side modules in relation to the row depending on the work and the desired cutting rate.

The blades are rotated and the operator advances the carrier vehicle in the row, parallel to the alignment of the rows.

The upper module blades cut in the upper part and because of their advanced positioning, they attack the vegetation first.

Debris is thrown forward freely. Immediately behind, the blades of each of the lateral modules provide a first attack cut on an area 54, during which a roughing occurs which corresponds to the cut of the devices of the prior art. The interior cover 48 constitutes a shield against any debris projected towards the rear.

Figures 6A and 6B show these two rough and rough stages. The roughed stage corresponds to the cut proposed by the devices of the prior art while respecting a safety distance D which avoids any attack of the vines, carpenter branches and clusters. During advancement, the same roughed area comes to the right of the second cutting area 56. At this level, the blades, by rotation at high speed and positioning in front of the channel 52, cause a suction of the vegetation, comprising leaves and gourmands. Advantageously, the shape of the blades will be adapted to cause sufficient depression. It would also be possible to provide a specific blade of the type with two stepped blades having the first an action of size and the second, behind and closer to the motorization or the drive, a vacuum function.

The leaves are light and articulated with respect to the branch therefore very mobile. Gourmands have a natural tendency to push with an upward orientation but they are flexible and bend easily under the action of depression.

These elements are thus attracted and placed in a more horizontal position than their natural position. Therefore, these elements are cut by the blades for the sucked part which extends beyond the distance D. The cutting debris is small and is propelled through the channel 52 forward. This leads to an additional cut X, beyond the safety distance D.

When the module passes beyond the zone having undergone the two cuts, the gourmands and the leaves linked to their branches, for the part which has not been cut, are recalled towards the heart of the row by a recall effect natural elastic with a reminder on a distance X below the safety distance.

The row then has a width of a value D-X, substantially, while the blades have never approached less than a distance D from the row. The vertical alignment of FIGS. 6B and 6D makes it possible to visualize the gain in cutting with the trimmer arranged according to the present invention.

Gourmets are then exposed to the sun's rays, wetlands are limited, treatment products penetrate more efficiently, unnecessary wood is greatly eliminated, the working time is identical to that necessary for operations with devices of the prior art and the grape clusters are more exposed for better ripening.

In addition, the protection of the physical integrity of the operator is improved. The description which has just been made was done with a trimmer carried on the front of the vehicle but by construction, it is quite possible to arrange it at the rear, each module having its channel oriented towards the back.

Claims

1. Trimming machine for the maintenance of trellised vegetation, in particular rows of vines, comprising a frame (10) support adjustable in height, comprising three modules (14,1 6,1 8) including two lateral modules (14, 1 6), arranged to form an inverted U, each module comprising at least one cutting blade (32) driven by a motorization, characterized in that at least one of the lateral modules (1 4, 1 6) comprises a casing (40) forming a channel (52), arranged at least partially in line with the cutting blade (32) so as to cause a suction of the vegetation and a size of the part sucked into the cutting zone (56).

2. Trimming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (40) partially covers the cutting blade (32), behind with respect to the direction (1 2) of advancement, so as to produce, upstream of the casing , a pre-cut of the vegetation without aspiration in this first cutting zone (54).

3. Trimming machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blade (32) has a cutting profile capable of creating a depression during its rotation under the action of the drive means.

4. Trimming machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plane P of cutting of the blade is inclined at an angle α with respect to the direction of advance.

5. Trimming machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casing (40) forming a channel (52) comprises an inlet opening E parallel to the cutting plane of the blade and an outlet opening S perpendicular to the direction (1 2) of advancement, open towards the front.

6. Trimming machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casing (40) extends over the entire height of the module.

7. Trimming machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises blades (32) stepped one by compared to the others so as to allow an overlap of the cutting surfaces.

8. Blade for trimmer according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a central disc (34) comprising at least two teeth (36), the first edge (60) being inclined on one side of the disc and the second edge (62) being inclined on the other.

9. Blade for trimmer according to claim 8, characterized in that the end of each tooth is truncated.