WO2016195489A2

WO2016195489A2 - Self-propelled mixer feeder

Info

Publication number: WO2016195489A2
Application number: PCT/NL2016/050390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Petrus Marie Peeters
Original assignee: Peeters Landbouwmachines B.V.
Priority date: 2015-06-01
Filing date: 2016-05-31
Publication date: 2016-12-08
Also published as: WO2016195489A3; NL2014900A; NL2014900B1

Abstract

The invention provides a self-propelled mixer feeder which comprises a chassis which can be moved in a driving direction, an elongated tub provided on the chassis, at least one mixing auger provided in the tub, being rotatable about a respective vertical axis of rotation, at least three ground wheels, at least one of which is steerable, driving means for driving at least one ground wheel, and loading means provided on the chassis at one end of the elongated tub for picking up feed from the direct surroundings of the mixer feeder and loading the tub with the picked-up feed. The loading means comprise a base which is provided on the chassis in such a manner as to be capable of pivoting at least 180 degrees about a vertical pivot axis, a support arm provided on the base, which is pivotally provided about a first horizontal pivot axis relative to the base at a first end, a loading element which is provided at a second end opposite the first end of the support arm, which loading element is configured for picking up feed therein and loading the tub from the loading element.

Description

Title: Self-propelled mixer feeder

Description

The present invention relates to a self-propelled mixer feeder comprising a chassis which can be moved in a driving direction, an elongated tub provided on the chassis, at least one mixing auger provided in the tub, being rotatable about a respective vertical axis of rotation, at least three ground wheels, at least one of which is steerable, driving means for driving at least one ground wheel, and loading means provided on the chassis at one end of the elongated tub for picking up feed from the direct surroundings of the mixer feeder and loading the tub with the picked-up feed.

Such a mixer feeder is described in German publication DE 10 2012 107508 B3. The loading means are fitted with a milling roller that is configured for milling off feed from a feed pit and with a conveyor belt that extends between the milling roller and the tub, which conveyor belt conveys the material that has been milled off by the milling roller from the milling roller to the tub. An important drawback of such a mixer feeder is that the structure of the feed is affected by the milling thereof. This takes place at the expense of the quality of the feed being mixed by the auger in the mixer feeder. In particular the portion of the milled-off feed that is loaded into the tub first and on top of which further milled-off feed is deposited is adversely affected by the aforesaid drawback, on the one hand on account of the weight of the feed present on top thereof and on the other hand on account of the relatively long time the feed portion in question is subjected to the action of the auger. The fact is that the auger, too, damages the structure of the feed. Eventually, the feed at the bottom of the tub may even turn mushy. The above-mentioned drawbacks in particular played a part in the case of larger mixer feeders comprising a tub which has a capacity of at least 15 m³ and which is equipped with two or more augers. The object of the invention is to provide a mixer feeder in which the above-mentioned problems are at least less manifest. In order to achieve that object, the invention provides a mixer feeder as described in the introduction, wherein the loading means comprise a base which is provided on the chassis in such a manner as to be capable of pivoting at least 180 degrees about a vertical pivot axis, a support arm provided on the base, which is pivotally provided about a first horizontal pivot axis relative to the base at a first end, a loading element which is provided at a second end opposite the first end of the support arm, which loading element is configured for picking up feed therein and loading the tub from the loading element. The invention thus provides the advantage that the structure of the feed is retained to a greater extent because the feed is not milled by the loading means. In addition, the invention makes it possible to pick up feed other than from a feed pit. Thus, the loading means can pick up feed in the form of a round bale, for example, and deposit it into the tub. Loading can thus take place more quickly. The use of the pivotable base furthermore makes it possible to configure the loading means to be relatively compact. Another additional advantage is that the total power needed for loading the tub is relatively limited.

The above advantages can in particular play a part if according to a possible embodiment of the invention the loading element comprises a scoop which is pivotally connected to the support arm about a second horizontal pivot axis and an engaging element which can pivot about a third horizontal pivot axis between an open position and a closed position relative to the scoop for retaining picked-up feed in the scoop in the closed position and releasing food present in the scoop in the open position.

To make it easier to operate the mixer feeder in a safe manner, the mixer feeder preferably comprises a cabin for a driver of the mixer feeder.

In order to provide the driver with an uninterrupted view of the loading element, and that in an economically advantageous manner, it is preferable if the cabin is provided on the base for joint rotation with the support arm about the vertical pivot axis.

Preferably, the cabin is disposed completely eccentrically relative to the vertical pivot axis, so that space is provided for the support arm close to the vertical pivot axis, making it possible to keep the mechanical load on the base and, for example, the bearings that enable the base to pivot about the vertical pivot axis, within bounds.

For reasons of constructional simplicity it may alternatively also be advantageous for the cabin to be rigidly provided on the chassis.

If the cabin is provided between the vertical pivot axis and the tub, the arm cannot obstruct the driver's view of the tub, which would be disadvantageous in particular during the loading of the tub with the feed picked up by the loading means. In addition, the driver can have a good view of the loading means from the cabin when picking up feed therewith.

The dimensions of the arm can in particular be kept within bounds if the first horizontal pivot axis is located between the level of 25% of the height of the tub and 75% of the height of the tub and/or if the support arm has a bent shape.

In order to give the mixer feeder greater stability, in particular while feed is being picked up, it may be preferable for the mixer feeder to be provided with support means under the base for supporting, together with the ground wheels, the mixer feeder on a ground surface.

A practical embodiment is obtained if the support means comprise at least one additional ground wheel, preferably two additional ground wheels.

Another advantageous embodiment is obtained if the mixer feeder is provided with at least one sweeping means, preferably two sweeping means, for sweeping together feed lying on the ground. The at least one sweeping means in question is capable of pushing and/or sweeping the feed together, for example.

A practical embodiment is obtained if the at least one sweeping means is at least substantially disc-shaped and rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation. Such a disc-shaped sweeping means is capable of pushing as well as more or less sweeping the feed.

The sweeping of feed on a ground surface can take place in an efficient manner in particular if the mixer feeder is provided with two sweeping means which, seen in the driving direction, are provided beside each other, so that said sweeping can take place on two longitudinal sides of the vehicle.

If use is made of at least one additional ground wheel and at least one disc-shaped sweeping means, it may be advantageous if the at least one additional ground wheel is rotatably provided on the end of a stub axle, which stub axle can pivot 90 degrees between a driving position, in which the central axis of the ground wheel extends horizontally, transversely to the driving direction, and a sweeping position, in which the central axis of the at least one additional ground wheel extends vertically and the underside of the at least one additional ground wheel, which forms a longitudinal side of the ground wheel in the driving position, is in line with the undersides of the four ground wheels, so that the at least one additional ground wheel can function as the at least one sweeping means. The latter variant can also be used advantageously with prior art self-propelled mixer feeders. In that case the mixer feeder is a self-propelled mixer feeder comprising a chassis which can be moved in a driving direction, an elongated tub provided on the chassis, at least one mixing auger provided in the tub, being rotatable about a respective vertical axis of rotation, at least three ground wheels, at least one of which is steerable, driving means for driving at least one ground wheel, and loading means provided on the chassis at one end of the elongated tub for picking up feed from the direct surroundings of the mixer feeder and loading the tub with the picked-up feed, wherein the mixer feeder is provided with support means under the base for supporting, together with the ground wheels, the mixer feeder on a ground surface, which support means comprise at least one additional ground wheel, preferably two additional ground wheels, and wherein the mixer feeder is provided with at least one sweeping means, preferably two sweeping means, for sweeping together feed lying on the ground, which at least one sweeping means is at least substantially disc-shaped and which is rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, and wherein furthermore the at least one additional ground wheel is rotatably provided on the end of a stub axle, which stub axle can pivot 90 degrees between a driving position, in which the central axis of the ground wheel extends horizontally, transversely to the driving direction, and a sweeping position, in which the central axis of the at least one additional ground wheel extends vertically and the underside of the at least one additional ground wheel, which forms a longitudinal side of the ground wheel in the driving position, is in line with the undersides of the four ground wheels, so that the at least one additional ground wheel can function as the at least one sweeping means.

The number of applications of the mixer feeder can be increased in practice if the loading element is connected to the support arm by means of a quick change system. In this way also tools other than the loading element can be quickly connected to the support arm, such as a pushing board/disc or other type of loading element.

The advantages of the invention are in particular obtained with relatively large mixer feeders, for example mixer feeders which are provided with at least two augers which are rotatable about a respective vertical axes of rotation in the tub and/or mixer feeders whose tub has a capacity of at least 15 m³. The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of a description of two possible embodiments of mixer feeders according to the invention, not to be interpreted as limiting the invention, in which reference is made to the following figures:

Figures 1 -4 are isometric views showing a first embodiment of a mixer feeder according to the invention in different positions thereof;

Figures 5-7 are side views showing a second embodiment of a mixer feeder according to the invention in different positions thereof;

Figures 8-10 are side views showing a third embodiment of a mixer feeder according to the invention in different positions comparable to the positions shown in figures 5-7, respectively;

Figure 1 1 is a front view showing the mixer feeder according to the invention during use in a cowshed with the additional ground wheels 27 in the driving position;

Figure 12 is a front view showing the third embodiment of the mixer feeder during use in a cowshed with the additional ground wheels 27 in the sweeping position;

Figures 13 and 14 are front views showing a fourth embodiment of a mixer feeder according to the invention in different positions comparable to the positions shown in figures 1 1 and 12, respectively;

Figures 15 and 16 are side views showing the fourth embodiment of the mixer feeder in the positions shown in figures 13 and 14, respectively;

Figures 17A-17c are more detailed views showing successive stages of the tilting of an additional ground wheel from the driving position to the sweeping position.

Figures 1 -4 show a self-propelled mixer feeder 1 according to the invention in different positions thereof. The mixer feeder 1 comprises a chassis 2 with two front wheels 3 and two rear wheels 4. The front wheels 3 are of the steerable and driven type. Alternatively it is also possible to configure the mixer feeder 1 with three wheels or, for example, with four driven and steered ground wheels. The driving means for the front wheels 3, which are not shown in the figures, may comprise a combustion engine, a hydromotor or an electric motor. Such driving motors may also be used for the other parts (yet to be discussed) of the mixer feeder 1 to be driven. The chassis 2 has the shape of a swan's neck with a low load- bearing part 5 at the rear of the mixer feeder 1 and a high load-bearing part 6 at the front of the mixer feeder 1. The front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 4 are provided at opposite ends of the low load-bearing part 5.

On the low load-bearing part 5, the mixer feeder 1 is provided with a mixing tub 7. Although this is not shown in the figures, two mixing augers rotatable about a vertical axes of rotation as known per se to the skilled person are provided in the mixing tub 7. Provided in the wall of the mixing tub 7 is a feed hatch 8, which in practice is opened while feed is being unloaded from the mixing tub 7 to livestock, as a rule in a livestock building.

On the high load-bearing part 6 of the chassis 2, the mixer feeder 1 comprises a base configured as a compound turntable 9, which is pivotable about a vertical pivot axis relative to the high load-bearing part 6. More specifically, starting from the situation shown in figure 1 , the turntable can pivot 45 degrees to the left and 180 degrees to the right (see also figures 3 and 4).

Provided on the turntable 9 are loading means 10 as well as a cabin 1 1 , which pivot jointly with the turntable 9 about the vertical pivot axis. The loading means 10 comprise a bent support arm 12, which is pivotally connected to the turntable 9, more specifically to upright mounting plates 19 thereof, about a first horizontal pivot axis at one end. The pivot axis 13 is located at approximately half the height of the mixing tub 7.

At the opposite end of the support arm 12, the loading means 10 are provided with a loading element 14. The loading element 14 is connected to the support arm 12 via a quick-exchange system. The loading element 14 comprises a bucket-shaped scoop 15 and an engaging element 16. The engaging element 16 is pivotally connected to the scoop 15 about a second horizontal pivot axis 18, being pivotable between a closed position as shown in figures 1 , 2 and an open position as shown in figure 4. The length of the scoop 15 more or less equals the spacing between the two front wheels 3 or the spacing between the two rear wheels 4.

The cabin 1 1 is provided on the outer side of (i.e. eccentrically relative to) the vertical pivot axis for the turntable 9, so that space is provided for positioning the support arm 12 centrally, or at least more centrally, on the turntable 9. A driver can fully operate the mixer feeder 1 from the cabin 1 1. The mixer feeder 1 can be used as follows. A driver in the cabin 1 1 drives the mixer feeder 1 to a stock of feed, such as a feed pit. Having arrived there, the driver will open the loading element 14 by pivoting the engaging element 16 to the open position. The driver will then drive the mixer feeder 1 in the direction of the feed and pivot the support arm 12 about the pivot axis 13, if necessary, so as to place feed, for example from the feed pit, into the scoop 15. The driver 1 1 will then close the loading element 14 again by pivoting the engaging element 16 back about the pivot axis 18 to the closed position, so that the feed will be retained in the scoop 15. The driver will then pivot the support arm 12 up about the pivot axis 13, if necessary, and rotate the turntable 9 clockwise, via the position shown in figure 3, to the position shown in figure 4, thus positioning the loading element 14 above the open side of the mixing tub 7. The driver will then open the loading element 14, so that the contents of the scoop 15 will fall into the mixing tub 7. The mixing augers in the mixing tub 7 proper mix and, insofar as necessary, cut up the feed. When subsequently the loading element 14 is closed again and the turntable 9 is pivoted back, the mixer feeder 1 is ready for picking up a next amount of feed again. The structure of the feed is not affected, in any case not until the feed falls into the mixing tub 7.

Using sensors, such as optical sensors, it would also be possible to carry out the above-describe method in an automated process.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of a mixer feeder 21. Insofar as parts of the mixer feeder 21 correspond to those of the mixer feeder 1 , the same numerals will be used to indicate said parts. The mixer feeder 21 has a chassis 22 with a low load-bearing part 23, comparable to the local load-bearing part 5, and a high-bearing part 24, which is longer than the high load-bearing part 6. On the front side of the higher load-bearing part 24, a turntable 25 is provided, which turntable is pivotable about a vertical pivot axis 26 relative to the higher load-bearing part 24. Loading means 10 are provided on the turntable 25.

Provided on the lower load-bearing part 23 is a mixing tub 7. A cabin 1 1 is rigidly mounted on the higher part 24, between the mixing tub 7 and the loading means 10, which cabin thus cannot pivot jointly with the loading means about the vertical pivot axis 26 in the case of the mixer feeder 21 .

At the front side of the front wheels 3, the mixer feeder 21 is provided with two additional ground wheels 27, which have a smaller diameter than the front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 4. The ground wheels 27 are mounted to be freely rotatable about their respective central axes on respective stub axles 28, which can each pivot 90 degrees between a driving position as shown in figures 5 and 6 and a sweeping position as shown in figure 7. In the sweeping position, the central axes of the respective ground wheels 27 extend vertically. The stub axle 28 is shown schematically in figure 7. The manner in which the above-mentioned pivoting can be carried out will be explained in more detail yet with reference to figures 17a- 17c. The ground wheels 27 are non-driven wheels, although they could be configured to be driven both in the driving position and in the sweeping position, for example by building an electric driving motor into the hub of the ground wheels 27.

The loading of the mixing tub 7 with feed, for example from a feed pit 29, can take place in a manner comparable to the manner described with reference to the mixer feeder 1 . Reference is made in this regard to figures 5 and 6. Figure 7 further shows how the additional ground wheels 27 can be used as sweeping means for pushing/sweeping feed together on the floor, for example in an aisle of a livestock building, so that a ridge 32 of feed is formed to which the livestock 33 present behind fences 34 in a livestock building will have easy access again. The ground wheels 27 are to that end tilted 90 degrees about a tilt axis that extends parallel to the driving direction, so that the central axes of said wheels will extend ( at least substantially) vertically. Reference is also made in this connection to the front views of figures 1 1 and 12, and to figures 13 and 14 for mixer feeders which are configured differently but which are also provided with comparable additional ground wheels 27. Reference is also made to figures 17a-17c, which show in more detail how the additional ground wheels tilt from the driving position to the sweeping position. The mixer feeder 41 shown in figures 8-12 is different in particular from the mixer feeder 21 as regards the positioning of the loading means 10 relative to the cabin 1 1. The support arm 12 is mounted to the upper side of the cabin 1 1 for pivoting about the pivot axis 13. This makes it possible to configure the high load-bearing part 24 shorter and to position the front wheels 3 and the additional ground wheels 27 closer together.

The mixer feeder 51 shown in figures 13-16 is different in particular from the mixer feeder 41 in the first place as regards the position of the loading means 10 relative to the cabin 1 1. In fact, the position of the loading means is identical to the position of the loading means of the mixer feeder 1 . A second difference is that the mixer feeder 41 has a single central front wheel 52 which is mounted between the downwardly extending legs of the inverse U-shaped bracket 53 for rotation about its central axis. The bracket 53 is mounted to the underside of the turntable 54. The turntable 54 is pivotally connected to the chassis 59 about a vertical pivot axis and is controlled by steering movements of the driver 51 in the cabin 1 1 , so that the front wheel 52 is a steered wheel. The additional ground wheels are provided close behind the central front wheel 52.

Figures 17a-17c show the manner in which the additional ground wheels 27 of the mixer feeder 51 , and also of the other mixer feeders 21 and 41 , can pivot 90 degrees from the driving position to the sweeping position. A more detailed view is shown of the wheel suspension for the ground wheels 27. The wheel suspension comprises a suspension arm 57 which is pivotally connected to the chassis 59 of the mixer feeder 51 about a horizontal pivot axis that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mixer feeder 51 . To cause the suspension arm 57 to pivot relative to the chassis 51 , a hydraulic cylinder 56 is provided between the chassis 59 and the suspension arm 57. The stub axle 28 is pivotally connected to the suspension arm 57 about a horizontal pivot axis that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mixer feeder. A hydraulic cylinder 60 is provided between the suspension arm 57 and the stub axle 28 for pivoting the stub axle 28 about the aforesaid pivot axis relative to the suspension arm.

To cause the ground wheel to pivot from the driving position (figure 15) to the sweeping position (figure 16), the cylinder 56 is retracted, so that the suspension arm 57 with the stub axle 28 and the ground wheels 28 will pivot upward to the position shown in figures 17a. In this way space is created for the next pivoting movement of the ground wheels 27. From the situation shown in figures 17a, the cylinder 60 extends until the central axis of the ground wheels 27 is substantially vertical (for example extending at an angle of 10° with the vertical). Finally, the cylinder 56 extends until the central axis of the ground wheels 27 is vertical and the underside of the ground wheels 27 (which forms the outer side of the ground wheels 27 in the driving position) is level with the ground surface.

In the driving position, the cylinders 56 can be slightly retracted when going through a bend. Furthermore, the cylinders 56 can also be used for causing the ground wheels 27 to press down on the ground surface with more force during the loading of the tub of the mixer feeder 51 so as to obtain increased stability of the mixer feeder 51 .

Claims

1. A self-propelled mixer feeder comprising a chassis which can be moved in a driving direction, an elongated tub provided on the chassis, at least one mixing auger provided in the tub, being rotatable about a respective vertical axis of rotation, at least three ground wheels, at least one of which is steerable, driving means for driving at least one ground wheel, and loading means provided on the chassis at one end of the elongated tub for picking up feed from the direct surroundings of the mixer feeder and loading the tub with the picked-up feed, characterised in that the loading means comprise a base which is provided on the chassis in such a manner as to be capable of pivoting at least 180 degrees about a vertical pivot axis, a support arm provided on the base, which is pivotally provided about a first horizontal pivot axis relative to the base at a first end, a loading element which is provided at a second end opposite the first end of the support arm, which loading element is configured for picking up feed therein and loading the tub from the loading element.

2. A mixer feeder according to claim 1 , characterised in that the loading element comprises a scoop which is pivotally connected to the support arm about a second horizontal pivot axis and an engaging element which can pivot about a third horizontal pivot axis between an open position and a closed position relative to the scoop for retaining picked-up feed in the scoop in the closed position and releasing food present in the scoop in the open position.

3. A mixer feeder according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mixer feeder comprises a cabin for a driver of the mixer feeder.

4. A mixer feeder according to claim 3, characterised in that the cabin is provided on the base for joint rotation with the support arm about the vertical pivot axis.

5. A mixer feeder according to claim 4, characterised in that the cabin is provided completely eccentrically relative to the vertical pivot axis.

6. A mixer feeder according to claim 3, characterised in that the cabin is rigidly provided on the chassis.

7. A mixer feeder according to claim 6, characterised in that the cabin is provided between the vertical pivot axis and the tub.

8. A mixer feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first horizontal pivot axis is located between the level of 25% of the height of the tub and 75% of the height of the tub.

9. A mixer feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support arm has a bent shape.

10. A mixer feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mixer feeder is provided with support means under the base for supporting, together with the ground wheels, the mixer feeder on a ground surface.

1 1. A mixer feeder according to claim 10, characterised in that the support means comprise at least one additional ground wheel, preferably two additional ground wheels.

12. A mixer feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mixer feeder is provided with at least one sweeping means, preferably two sweeping means, for sweeping together feed lying on the ground.

13. A mixer feeder according to claim 12, characterised in that the at least one sweeping means is at least substantially disc-shaped and rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation.

14. A mixer feeder according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the mixer feeder is provided with two sweeping means which, seen in the driving direction, are provided beside each other.

15. A mixer feeder according to claim 1 1 and according to claim 13, characterised in that the at least one additional ground wheel is rotatably provided on the end of a stub axle, which stub axle can pivot 90 degrees between a driving position, in which the central axis of the ground wheel extends horizontally, transversely to the driving direction, and a sweeping position, in which the central axis of the at least one additional ground wheel extends vertically and the underside of the at least one additional ground wheel, which forms a longitudinal side of the ground wheel in the driving position, is in line with the undersides of the four ground wheels, so that the at least one additional ground wheel can function as the at least one sweeping means.

16. A mixer feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the loading element is connected to the support arm by means of a quick change system.

17. A mixer feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mixer feeder is provided with at least two augers which are rotatable about a respective vertical axes of rotation in the tub

18. A mixer feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tub has a capacity of at least 15 m³.