WO2022015271A1

WO2022015271A1 - Foldable stalk cutter with cylindrical cutter

Info

Publication number: WO2022015271A1
Application number: PCT/TR2021/050556
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gürkan İrsel
Original assignee: T.C. Trakya Üni̇versi̇tesi̇
Priority date: 2020-07-14
Filing date: 2021-06-08
Publication date: 2022-01-20
Also published as: TR202014499A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a stalk cutter with a cylindrical cutter used to separate the stalks of plants such as sunflower, corn and canola.

Description

FOLDABLE STALK CUTTER WITH CYLINDRICAL CUTTER

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a stalk cutter with a cylindrical cutter used to separate the stalks of plants such as sunflower, com and canola.

STATE OF THE ART OF THE INVENTION (PRIOR ART)

In the present art, sunflower stalks are collected, pushed into suitable spaces and burned. The time spent is higher depending on the size of the area compared to a general shredding process, the soil and living beings are damaged by the burning process and creates a fire hazard. High fuel consumption such as 2 lt/decare occurs for the process. Also, the stalks cannot be used as fertilizer. This process becomes much more problematic if the stalks become damp with the effect of precipitation.

In the state of the art, stalks are shredded by carrying out two operations that make an angle with each other with the machines that cultivate the soil with circular discs (disc machines such as disc harrow-goble) In this method, equipment wearing and high fuel consumption such as 41t/decare occur with long processing time.

In another method of the state of the art, the stalks are shredded by the action of the cutting blades attached to the constructive elements located on a bearing shaft. In this method, the system has a fixed construction and the surface contact does not occur evenly on the curved ground. Despite the changing tractor power, the width of the machine cannot be changed due to movement on the highways, it is 2.8 m. Therefore, the processing time and fuel consumption are high. Fuel value is at 1.6 lt/decare levels. Due to the 90-degree blade contact angle, the blades wear out in 500 decares and need sharpening. Blades cannot emboss the ground due to its angle. Weight setting is provided by the weight placed in an open sheet metal box by the user. Generally, weights such as stone and soil are used and this creates a danger in road movement. Existing machines are of poor construction and after 1000 decares of land operation, the system is often damaged due to vibration. The design of the blades on the shaft allows foreign materials such as grass etc. to stick to the machine. Work time creates problem. The machine cannot work even in lightly humid land. The ground must be completely dry. Blade outer diameter is around 400 mm. rolling resistance is high. This is the common cause of excess fuel consumption. It cannot work in moist and humid soil.

The invention related to the patent document numbered TR 2016/04817 of the state of the art, is related to a stalk cutter that shreds the stalks of plants such as sunflower and corn and leaves them on the land surface. It has a transmission and thus rotating elements. The blades mentioned here are small particles. This method is not economical in terms of fuel consumption and it has not been accepted in Turkey. It is not used in the Thrace region and throughout Turkey. It differs from the invention subject to application in terms of chassis, design and drive mechanism. The dimensions of the invention are fixed and there is no folding system. Also, the blades are placed vertically on said cylinder; there is no angled placement, so the blades need to be sharpened at certain intervals.

The invention related to the patent document numbered EP 3287001 A1 of the state of the art, relates to a stalk cutter used in the agricultural sector. In this invention, the process of shredding the body which is cut with the product for harvesting at a certain height from the ground, takes place. The product is shredded when the stalk is separated. However, this invention is not about shredding the part remaining on the ground. In the invention, it is aimed to cut corn stalks and use them as fertilizer. It does not include a system that allows the machine to be positioned parallel to the ground in the road position while working. The blades used in the said stalk shredding process need to be sharpened at certain times. During the stalk shredding process; due to the angled placement of the blades, there is no such feature as self-sharpening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSES OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stalk cutter with cylindrical cutter in order to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above and to bring new advantages to the related technical field.

In the invention, blades are positioned parallel to the cylindrical tube axis and at an angle on the outer surface of the tube. The blades on the cylinder rotating with the driving of the tractor, cut the stalks on the surface. With the determined dive angle, the blades sharpen themselves, aerate and refine the soil at the same time. Thus, sharpening process is not required. Sunflower stalks, which are seen as waste, are converted into organic matter while being destroyed and provide nitrogen equivalent to artificial fertilizer at 10 kg levels.

With flanges on both sides of this cylinder, both a construction and a closed volume are created. The cylinder in which the blades are positioned also acts as a water tank, allows to set the desired system weight by filling water.

The machine consists of one piece up to 3 meters wide, a foldable fixed single section and two folding sections for widths of 4.2 m and above for safe driving in traffic. With its folding feature and joint connection system with additional tolerance, each section provides maximum penetration into the curved land surface.

The cylindrical structure reduces the rolling resistance.

Fuel saving is provided by reducing fuel consumption by 50% compared to existing systems. Time is saved by increasing the processing speed by 2 times.

Fuel is at 400 mm/da levels. The ground is cultivated to a depth of 8 cm after process.

Water holding ability and soil aeration are provided.

Definitions of Figures Explaining the Invention

The figures used to better explain the stalk cutter with cylindrical cutter developed with this invention are below.

Figure 1 Machine Isometric View Figure 2 Machine General Detail View Figure 3 Machine Side View Figure 4 Machine Front View

Figure 5 Machine Balance View

Figure 6 View of Movement of Side Wings

Figure 7 Hang-On Type View/Blade Position and Angle

Figure 8 Stalk Cutter Road Position

Figure 9 Hang-On Type (12-inch tube) Side View

Figure 10 Sectional View of the Hang-On Type Model

Figure 11 Hang-On Type Model Connection View

Figure 12 Hang-On Type Machine

Figure 13 Hang-On Type Model Isometric Connections View

Definitions of Elements and Parts That Create the Invention

The parts and elements in the stalk cutter with cylindrical cutter developed with this invention are individually numbered and are given below.

1. Sheet Metal Cylinder

2. Blade

3. Bearing

4. Drawbar Mechanism

5. Chassis

6. Wheel

7. Conveyor System

8. Up-Down Motion Cylinder

9. Side Section Cylinder

10. Stopper

11. Balancing Cylinder

12. Tractor Drawbar Coupling

13. Wing Connection Joint

14. Side Wing Connection Joint

15. Side Wing Angle Limiter

16. Flange

17. Connection Plate 18. Blade Angle

19. Wing (folding section)

20. Adjusted axle mounting

21. Rubber chocks

22. Wing rest button

23. Blade rest brackets

24. Side wing cylinder section

25. Plate

26. Inboard axle tube

27. Chassis bearing connecting bolts

28. Upper suspension system

29. Tractor hydraulic arm coupling

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the innovation subject to invention is explained with examples that will not have any limiting effect for only a better understanding of the subject.

The sunflower plant consists of two physical main parts. These parts are the circular receptacle where they form their seeds and the skeleton (stalk part) that carries the leaves with this receptacle. In sunflower agriculture, there are an average of 5500 sunflower stalks in an area of 1000 m². In order to carry out an agricultural activity in the land where sunflower is harvested, sunflower stalks must be destroyed or mixed into the soil by breaking them into small pieces. Otherwise, existing sunflower stalks prevent the operation of soil working equipment. The area cannot be prepared for the next planting period. In addition, sunflower stalks on the surface of the planted area remain on small-sized seeds (e.g. canola plant 1-2 mm in diameter), preventing homogeneous plant emergence. Similar problems are seen after the harvest of corn and canola products. As a result, the stalks left on the surface of the land after sunflower harvesting are an obstacle for the next agricultural operation.

The machine for shredding the stalks of plants such as sunflower, com and canola includes; sheet metal cylinder (1) to which the blades are attached, the blade (2) that cuts the stalks on the ground, the bearing (3) with dust protection that enables the cylinders to rotate, the drawbar mechanism (4) providing tractor coupling, the chassis (5) to which all system components are connected, the wheel (6) providing transport in road position, the conveyor system (7) driven by hydraulic cylinders, up-down motion cylinder (8), providing machine movement, foldable cutter side section cylinder (9) providing machine movement, the stopper (10) that adjusts the amount of liquid in the cylinder, the chassis balancing cylinder (11) that makes a tilt adjustment when in road position, the tractor drawbar coupling (12) with the adjustable tractor coupling, the wing connection joint (13) that allows the wings to rotate 90 degrees in the road position, side wing connection joint (14) with side wing movable joint connection, side wing angle limiter (15) which enables the side wings to rotate by +/- 8 degrees and to be adjusted, the flange (16) welded for the bearing of the cylinder and the water tank, the connection plate (17), which is welded on the cylinder and where the blades (2) are connected with bolts, the blade angle (18), the wing (19) that turns 90 degrees upwards in road position, adjusted axle mounting (20), rubber chocks (21), wing rest button (22), blade rest brackets (23), side wing cylinder (24), blade contact plate (25), inboard axle tube (26), upper suspension system (28) for 3 meter wide hang-on type model, tractor hydraulic arm coupling (29) for hang-on type model.

Figure- 1 shows the machine front view, Figure-2 shows the machine top general detail view, Figure-3 shows the machine side view, Figure-4 shows the machine isometric view, Figure-5 shows the machine rear isometric view, Figure-6 shows the side wing detail, Figure-7 shows the blade position and angle, Figure-8 shows the road position of the machine, Figure-9 shows the hang-on type (12-inch tube) side view, Figure-10 shows the sectional view of the hang-on type model, Figure-11 shows the connections of the hang-on type model, Figure-12 shows the hang-on type model front view, Figure- 13 shows the isometric connections of the hang-on type model.

The distance between the sequential blades is selected as 164,53 mm and the cylinder diameter as 609,6 mm (24 inches) as an example in figure-7 (blade position and angle view), throughout the invention in question. In Figure-8, the width of the stalk cutter is determined as 2800 mm and the height as 3627 mm. Said dimensions may differ depending on the design change.

The basis of this invention is the angled positioning of the blades on a tube (1) (sheet metal cylinder). The number of blades (2) may vary depending on the diameter of the tube. Generally, the distance between the blades is 170 mm on average. The machine can consist of a single cylinder and three cylinders. If the machine width is over 3 m, the machine consists of three cylinders (1). While the middle cylinder remains fixed, the cylinder (24) connected to the two side wings (19) is moved 90 degrees upwards. These side wings are driven by the cutter side section cylinders (9) and are positioned leaning against the wing rest button (22).

In the stalk cutter; the blades (2) are positioned on the cylindrical metal tube/sheet metal cylinder (1) with a wall thickness of 8 mm (5mm ,6mm), an outer diameter of 12 inches or at least 8 blades (2) (may be 28cm or more), parallel to the tube axis (or angled) and angled on the outer surface of the tube. It is mostly used for chopping plants for fertilization in right-angled placement. Blades (2) are positioned around a 24-inch tube with a wall thickness of 8 mm of the sheet metal cylinder (1). The tube diameter width is 12 inches on the machine which is 3 m wide.

The blades (2) on this sheet metal cylinder (1), which rotates with the driving of the tractor, cut the stalks on the surface and compress them with pressure. The blades (2) sharpen themselves with the determined blade (dive) angle. In the invention, the blade (2) angle can be preferred between 6° and 14° depending on the ground structure.

The basis of this invention is the use of sheet metal cylinder. The invention includes the use of blades on tubes of different sizes. In the optimum design, a foldable model with a 24-inch sheet metal cylinder (1) and a hang-on type model with a 12-inch sheet metal cylinder (1) were created. The small diameter of the tube in the hang-on type is to reduce the weight. Increasing the tube diameter reduces the required drawbar force.

There are 16, 17 cutting blades (2) on a sheet metal cylinder (1) with a diameter of 24 inches in the system. The distance between the cutting blades (2) (Figure 9) can be 120 mm-200 mm. This causes the number of blades on the cylinder to vary. A blade angle of 9-10 degrees was preferred for the soil structure of the Edirne region. The blade (2) plunges into the ground with the machine weight. Approximately 8 cm of the 11 cm blade (2) enters into the ground. Since the blades (2) on the sheet metal cylinder (1) are angled by vertical, the blade does not come out of the ground at the angle it entered while the cylinder is moving. This is the act of loosening the ground. The blade (2), which is positioned at an angle of about 10 degrees with the center of the cylinder, also lifts some soil from the ground. Thus, while the blade (2) is sharpened, the ground is loosened at the same time by means of the angle.

When the blades are positioned as angled, they sharpen themselves while cutting the stalks, especially after harvesting plants such as sunflower, corn, canola, and loosen the ground at 8 cm height. If the blade is not angled, it cannot sharpen itself. The use of angled blades for post-harvest and green plant shredding provides many advantages.

In the invention, both sides of the circular cylinder are closed with flanges (16). There is a stopper (10) in the flanges (16). The two heads of the 24-inch (12 inch) diameter sheet metal cylinder (1) are closed with a metal plate and the machine pressure adjustment is made by filling water. It is a safe, ergonomic and ecological method in terms of weight.

The stalk cutter should be one-piece up to 2-3.2 meters wide, and foldable for a width of 3.2 m and above for safe driving in traffic. The fixed single section is 2m wide and consists of two folding sections (19). Folding sections machine width is increased as desired. In this design, it is 2 m.

The folding feature of the side wings provides maximum penetration to the curved land surface with the wing connection joints (13) and the joint connection with additional tolerance ((side wing connection joint (14) and the side wing angle limiter (15)) system. Cylindrical structure does not stick mud, wet ground structure and other materials on it. So, the system can work on the wet ground.

The objects on the ground are separated into their fibers by applying them pressure with the blades (2) fully plunged into the surface. The blade (2) bolt connection is covered with sheet metal guard plates so that the bolts do not collect foreign objects such as grass etc. These sheet metals help to crash the objects on the ground by the cylinder. Steel blades (1) with a width of 11 cm were used. However, it is possible to use blades of different widths when necessary. This value may change, provided that it is not less than 6 cm. Blades (2) with a width of 11 cm, are mounted on plates (17) welded on the tube with bolt coupling. Cover plates are mounted in the system so that these bolts do not collect grass. This design has an outside diameter of approximately 822 mm, including the blades on the cylinder.

There are two up-down motion cylinders (8) in the conveyor system (7). These up-down motion cylinders (8) press the wheels to the ground and the chassis moves upwards. There is one hydraulic cylinder in the wings. In addition, the machine is positioned parallel to the ground in the road position with the machine balancing cylinder (11).

The tractor drawbar coupling (12) can be either a fixed drawbar coupling or a hydraulic arm coupling.

The machine bearings (3) are supported in a dustproof felt double row roller bearing. The bearing (3) is made with shafts welded to the cylinder flanges.

There is ((up-down motion cylinder (8), side section cylinder (9) and balancing cylinder (11)) a hydraulic lock in the machine hydraulic cylinders.

Axle shafts are preferred in tubular form in order to reduce weight in the hang-on type model and the folded model (26). Tractor couplings have been created in hang-on type. These couplings are the upper suspension system (28) and the tractor hydraulic arm coupling (29).

The stalk cutter has two wheels (6). In addition to the machine that can be folded in this road position, the model directly connected to the tractor has the same features. By the way, the tube diameter is 12 inches. The tube diameter can be selected differently. If desired, smaller diameter and larger diameter tubes can be preferred, in ways that the distance between the blades is not bigger than 16 cm. As the optimum value, a 12-inch tube for the 3m wide machine and a 24-inch tube for the 6m wide foldable machine are preferred.

In the said invention, the blades (2) can be arranged vertically or at an angle on the tube. However, angled array is recommended. Because the angled blades (2) are self-sharpening by contact with the ground material. The blade angle is shown in figure-3 and figure-10.

In addition, the blades (2) can be arranged in such a way as to make an angle with the horizontal axis. In the foldable model, the wings (19) also have the feature of freely moving 10 cm up and down, according to the cylinder positioned in the middle section (20), in order to ensure full contact with the land surface in areas where the ground is not flat.

The cylindrical structure reduces rolling resistance. It also provides fuel savings by reducing fuel consumption by 50% compared to existing systems. It saves time by increasing the processing speed by 2 times. Fuel is at 400 mm/da levels. The ground is cultivated to a depth of 8 cm after the process. Water holding ability and soil aeration are provided.

Blade sharpening is not required.

Sunflower stalks, which are seen as waste, are converted into organic matter while being destroyed and nitrogen equivalent to artificial fertilizer at 10 kg levels is provided.

The following advantages are provided with the invention: S Sunflower stalks were mixed into the soil by shredding. S Weight setting can be done with water. S It can be folded for the road position so the width is less than 3m when in the road position. S The blades are self-sharpening and do not touch the ground at an angle of 90 degrees. S It does not require maintenance up to 5000 decares. S It consumes 50% less fuel than existing systems. S It can work on wet, dry and humid surfaces, rolling resistance is 50% less. S It provides maximum surface penetration with its divided structure. S With the design developed in the computer environment, the parts of the machine that will be damaged are positioned on the bolted connection elements. S Warranty conditions and duration have been determined. Approximately 10 kg of chemical fertilizer was obtained by converting the cut sunflower stalks into organic matter. Thus, a profit of 20 TL per decare was achieved. It has the characteristics of paying for itself in 1250 decares according to the stalk burning process. The standard widths of the machine of the invention, are 2.8 m, 4.2 m, 5.6 m and 6 m and can be designed on demand other than these sizes. The width of the machine has an adjustable design between 2 m and 20 m, and the dimensions can be changed according to the tractor power and demand. It is aimed to provide a width proportional to the drawbar power.

Claims

1. A stalk cutter, comprising;

• At least one blade (2) being able to self-sharpen by means of its angled positioning on the cylinder (1), which enables cutting the stalks on the grounds,

• Sheet metal cylinder (1) where the blades (2) are positioned,

• Bearing (3) which allows the sheet metal cylinder (1) to rotate and has dust protection,

• At least one hydraulic cylinder enabling the system to be driven,

• Up-down motion cylinder (8), which enables the chassis to move upwards by ensuring that the wheels are pressed to the ground,

• Conveyor system (7), which is driven by a hydraulic cylinder to trigger the up-down motion cylinder,

• Cutter side section cylinder (9) with foldable feature providing machine movement,

• Tractor drawbar coupling (12), which provides adjustable tractor coupling,

• Flange (16) welded for the bearing of the cylinders (1) and the water tank,

• At least one folding section (wing) (19) that can be opened 90 degrees upwards for the safe driving of the tractor in the road position.

2. A stalk cutter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that; it is a single piece with a width between 2 m and 3.2 m for safe driving in traffic.

3. A stalk cutter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that; it is foldable for a width over 3.2 m for safe driving in traffic.

4. A stalk cutter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that; it comprises a stopper (10) that allows the liquid amount to be adjusted by closing the two sides of the sheet metal cylinder (1) with a metal plate and filling with water.

5. A stalk cutter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that; it comprises a balancing cylinder (11) that controls the tilt adjustment of the machine when the machine is in the road position and ensures the machine is positioned parallel to the ground.

6. A stalk cutter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that; it comprises a hydraulic lock on the up-down motion cylinder (8), the side section cylinder (9) and the balancing cylinder (11) to ensure safety.

7. A stalk cutter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that; it comprises an adjustable side wing angle limiter (15) that allows the side wings to rotate angularly. 8. A stalk cutter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that; the positioning angle of the blades (2) on the sheet metal cylinder (1) is between 6° and 14° depending on the ground structure.

A stalk cutter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that; the foldable section (wings) (19) can move 10 cm up and down, according to the cylinder positioned in the middle section, in order to ensure full contact with the land surface in areas where the ground is not flat.

10. A stalk cutter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that; it includes a sheet protection plate to prevent the bolts from collecting foreign objects such as grass on the blades (2) attached to the sheet metal cylinder (1) with bolts.

11. A stalk cutter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that; the tractor drawbar coupling (12) has a fixed drawbar coupling.

12. A stalk cutter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that; the tractor drawbar coupling (12) has a hydraulic arm coupling.