WO2013182700A1

WO2013182700A1 - Trailed hopper with mounting for a spreader

Info

Publication number: WO2013182700A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/061850
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Carpenter
Original assignee: Ezy Technology Innovations Limited
Priority date: 2012-06-08
Filing date: 2013-06-07
Publication date: 2013-12-12
Also published as: IES86402B2; IES20120264A2

Abstract

A trailed hopper (2) for spreadable materials having a bottom (5); first and second sidewalls (6, 7) upstanding from the bottom; a front wall (8) upstanding from the bottom; a mounting (18) for receiving a mounted spreader (50); and conveying means (13) for feeding material from the trailed hopper (2) to a mounted spreader (50).

Description

Title

TRAILED HOPPER WITH MOUNTING FOR A SPREADER Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a hopper and more particularly to a trailed hopper adapted to allow use of a conventional mounted spreader as a high capacity bulk spreader.

Background to the Invention

[0002] In general, agricultural spreaders for spreading fertiliser, seeds and the like fall into two main classes - trailed high capacity bulk spreaders drawn by tractors and the like and lower capacity tractor mounted spreaders. Being low to the ground, trailed bulk spreaders are generally employed to distribute fertiliser before sowing or when a crop is young as the bulk spreader can damage more mature crops. However, being tractor mounted, mounted spreaders cannot have high capacities or the safety and stability of the tractor is compromised. The use of tractor mounted spreaders is therefore time consuming due to the need to re-fill the spreader at frequent intervals. Moreover, the cost of purchasing a trailed high capacity bulk spreader and tractor mounted spreader can be prohibitive for farmers.

[0003] An object of the invention is to overcome at least some of the problems of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, the present invention provides a trailed hopper for spreadable materials comprising:

a bottom;

first and second sidewalls upstanding from the bottom;

a front wall upstanding from the bottom;

a rear wall upstanding from the bottom;

a mounting for receiving a mounted spreader and

conveying means for feeding material from the trailed hopper to a mounted spreader.

[0005] Preferably, the hopper is mounted on a chassis. More preferably, the chassis comprises a pair of wheels. Most preferably, the wheels are mounted on a steerable axle. [0005] Advantageously, the hopper comprises a weight distribution system for controlling weight distribution of material in the hopper.

[0006] Preferably, the weight distribution system comprises at least one sensor.

[0007] More preferably, the weight distribution system comprises a conveyor disposed in the bottom of the hopper. Advantageously, the conveyor is adapted to convey material to an auger communicable with a mounted spreader.

[0008] Suitably, the conveyor comprises an endless conveyor belt.

[0009] Preferably, the hopper further comprises a sump for receiving material from the conveyor located between the conveyor and the auger.

[0010] The invention also extends to a bulk capacity spreader comprising a hopper as hereinbefore defined having a mounted spreader mounted thereon.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and the front end of an embodiment of a trailed hopper of the invention adapted to receive a mounted spreader to form a trailed bulk spreader (the hopper cover and mounted spreader are omitted for clarity);

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view from above and the rear end of the trailed hopper of Figure 2;

[0014] Figure 3 is a front elevation of the trailed hopper;

[0015] Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the trailed hopper;

[0016] Figure 5 is a side elevation of the trailed hopper;

[0017] Figure 6 is a side elevation of the trailed hopper showing the location of the conveyor sensor of the fertiliser level detection system and of the conveyor belt motor;

[0018] Figure 7 is a plan view of the trailed hopper from above;

[0019] Figure 8 is a plan view of the trailed hopper from below,

[0020] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view from above and the front end of the trailed hopper;

[0021] Figure 10 is a side elevation of the trailed hopper with a mounted spreader; and

[0022] Figure 11 is a perspective view from above and the front end of the trailed hopper with a mounted spreader. Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0023] As shown in the drawings; a trailed hopper in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 and is adapted to receive a

conventional mounted spreader 50 (see Figures 10 and 1 1 ) to form a high capacity trailed bulk spreader 1. Accordingly, by attaching a conventional mounted spreader 50 to the trailed hopper 1 an accurate and efficient bulk spreader is formed without requiring the purchase of a separate trailed bulk spreader. The trailed hopper 1 is also dimensioned to have sufficient ground clearance so as to be suitable for use with mature crops.

[0024] The trailed hopper 1 is made up of a hopper 2 mounted on a chassis 3 fitted with a pair of wheels 4. The hopper 2 has a bottom 5 having a first inwardly inclined sidewall 6 and a second inwardly inclined sidewall 7 upstanding therefrom. The hopper 2 is also provided with a front wall 8 and a rear wall 9. A bottom endless conveyor 10 is disposed at the bottom 5 of the hopper.

[0025] A tractor mounting 1 1 extends forwards from the chassis 3 beneath the front wall 8 while the chassis is adapted to receive a PTO shaft at a point indicated by the reference numeral 12. The PTO shaft can communicate with the mounted spreader in use to power the mounted spreader on the trailed hopper 1 . A mounted spreader mounting 18 (see Figure 9) is provided on the chassis 3 adjacent the rear wall of the hopper 2. The mounting 18 may take the form of a conventional three point linkage as is the case in the assembly of the trailed hopper 1 .

[0026] An auger 13 powered by a hydraulic motor 19 extends upwards from the hopper 2 towards the mounted spreader 50 at the rear wall 9 to convey fertiliser from the hopper 2 to the mounted spreader. Internally, the rear wall 9 is provided with an auger housing 14 to accommodate the auger while the auger 13 has an auger opening 15 disposed towards the bottom 5 of the hopper for receiving fertiliser into the auger 13 from the hopper 2 as shall be explained more fully below.

[0027] The bottom endless conveyor 10 can be of any suitable construction. However, in the present embodiment, the bottom endless conveyor 10 is made up of a conveyor belt 16 powered by a hydraulic motor 16a. As shall be explained more fully below, the bottom endless conveyor 10 is co-operable with the auger 13 to define a fertiliser weight distribution mechanism to ensure stability of the trailed bulk spreader formed by the combination of the trailed hopper 1 of the invention fitted with a mounted spreader.

[0028] The chassis 3 is provided with a steerable axle 17 for the wheels 4 so that the trailed hopper 1 can be easily manoeuvred, in use, for accurate spreading and minimal damage to crops. The steerable axle 17, and wheels 4, can also be powered by the PTO shaft 12 by a tractor drawing the trailed hopper 1 .

[0029] The trailed hopper 1 of the invention is provided with a fertiliser level detection system made up of a top level sensor and an intermediate level sensor mountable in the mounted spreader to monitor fertiliser levels in the mounted spreader. The top level and intermediate level sensors are communicable with the auger motor 19 to activate the auger 13 and draw fertiliser from the hopper 2 into the mounted spreader as required. Similarly, a conveyor sensor 21 at the bottom 5 causes the conveyor belt motor 16a to be activated on demand so that the conveyor belt 16 feeds fertiliser towards the auger 13. Accordingly, the weight of the fertiliser is only transferred as required.

[0030] In use, a conventional mounted spreader 50 is mounted on the spreader mounting 18 of the chassis 3 via a suitable linkage such as a universal rear hydraulic linkage. The hopper 2 is filled with fertiliser in the usual way. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the hopper 2 can also be filed with seed or other materials as required.

[0031] The fertiliser is fed to the mounted spreader via the auger 13 as follows. Upon actuation of the auger 13 as described above, fertiliser is drawn into the auger 13 at the auger opening 15 from the hopper 2 via a sump 22 fed by the bottom endless conveyor 10. The fertiliser exits the auger 13 at any suitable point, for example through a port provided in the upper end of the auger to fall under gravity through an open mouth 51 of the mounted spreader. In this way the mounted spreader can be filled as desired. It will be appreciated that the auger 13 may be fitted with an enclosed chute such as a funnel to guide fertiliser toward and into the mounted spreader 50. The spreader 50 is powered by the tractor and spreads fertiliser in its usual manner, the difference being it is attached to the trailed hopper 1 instead of directly to the tractor.

[0032] The level of fertiliser in the sump 22 is automatically detected by the conveyor sensor 21 so that the sump 22 is only filled from the hopper 2 by the bottom endless conveyor 10 as required to control weight distribution. More particularly, fertiliser not required by the mounted spreader therefore remains towards the front wall 8 of the hopper 2 (and hence the tractor) until required to counterbalance the weight of the trailed hopper 1 and mounted spreader and prevent destabilisation of the tractor.

[0033] In short, the fertiliser levels in the mounted spreader are detected by the top level and intermediate level sensors in the mounted spreader to automatically activate the auger 13 to draw fertiliser from the sump 22 and hopper 2 into the mounted spreader. [0034] The trailed hopper 1 of the invention can have any desired capacity. However, a capacity of eight tonnes has been found to be optimal.

[0035] The advantages of the invention are many. The trailed hopper 1 of the invention facilitates the use of a mounted spreader as a high capacity trailed bulk spreader - the need for a separate bulk spreader is dispensed with. Accordingly, fertiliser, seed and the like can be spread quickly and easily at reduced cost. Due to the fertiliser (or seed etc) detection system and the weight distribution system provided by the bottom endless conveyor and the auger, the trailed hopper 1 is extremely stable and safe when fitted with the mounted spreader. Moreover, the steerable axle 17 allows for easy manoeuvrability and accuracy when spreading. The trailed hopper 1 of the invention can also be used with crops at all stages of maturity.

[0036] The invention is not limited to the embodiments herein described which may be varied in construction and detail without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0037] The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0038] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims

1 . A trailed hopper for spreadable materials comprising:

a bottom;

first and second sidewalls upstanding from the bottom; a front wall upstanding from the bottom;

a rear wall upstanding from the bottom;

a mounting for receiving a mounted spreader; and

2. A trailed hopper according to Claim 1 wherein the hopper is mounted on a chassis, optionally comprising a pair of wheels.

3. A trailed hopper according to Claim 2 wherein the chassis comprises a pair of wheels that are mounted on a steerable axle.

4. A trailed hopper according to any preceding claim further comprising a weight distribution system for controlling weight distribution of material in the hopper.

5. A trailed hopper according to Claim 4 wherein the weight distribution system comprises at least one sensor.

6. The trailed hopper according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the weight

distribution system comprises a conveyer, for example comprising an endless conveyor belt, disposed in the bottom of the hopper.

7. The trailed hopper according to Claim 6 wherein the conveyor is adapted to convey material to an auger communicable with a mounted spreader.

8. The trailed hopper according to Claim 7 wherein the hopper further comprising a sump for receiving material from the conveyor, located between the conveyor and the auger.

9. A bulk capacity spreader comprising a trailed hopper according to any

preceding claim having a mounted spreader mounted thereon.