GB2137463A

GB2137463A - Soil cultivating machine

Info

Publication number: GB2137463A
Application number: GB08409036A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jan Jacobus Steketee
Original assignee: STEKETEE MACHINE BV
Current assignee: STEKETEE MACHINE BV
Priority date: 1983-04-08
Filing date: 1984-04-06
Publication date: 1984-10-10
Also published as: DE3413248A1; GB2137463B; GB8409036D0; NL8301254A; FR2543786A1

Abstract

A soil cultivating machine adapted to be moved across a field comprises a frame 1, a first roller extending transversely of the intended direction of movement of the machine, a second roller 9 arranged parallel to and behind in the intended direction of movement the first roller, both rollers being suspended in the frame so as to be freely rotatable, and transmission means 14 arranged between the first roller and the second roller for transferring rotational movement of the first roller to the second roller. The second or hindmost roller is formed by a plurality of parallel vertical discs, the circumferences of which are joined by angle irons or like members, whereby a light, rigid roller is formed without a heavy central shaft. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Soil cultivating machine The invention relates to a soil cultivating machine to be moved across the field mainly comprising a frame, a first roller extending transversely of the direction of movement and freely rotatably suspended in said frame, a second roller arranged behind the first roller with respect to the direction of movement, parallel thereto and freely rotatably suspended in said frame and transmission means arranged between the first and the second roller for transferring the rotational movement of the first roller to the second roller.

Soil cultivating machines of the kind set forth in the preamble owe their success to the omission of a drive from, for example, the power take-off shaft of a tractor. The rotation of the rollers is produced by the forward run fthe machine on the ground, the first roller being rotated with a transmission ratio other than 1 so that the hindmost roller will assume a different speed and perfom an effective cultivation of the ground surface.

The problem involved in such machines is that the driven, hindmost roller should have as light a weight as possible, whereas it should be as rigid as possible in order to be easily rotatable, whilst maintaining a maximum ground striking effect for breaking up the lumps of earth.

The machine according to the invention is distinguished in that the hindmost roller is formed by a plurality of parallel discs, along the circumference of which open angular profiles are arranged, one flange of the angular profile being directed radially.

Thanks to this disposition the conventional, heavy central shaft of the hindmost roller can be dispensed with. The radially directed flanges of the profiles impart sufficient rigidity to the roller even in great lengths. Sticking of earth to the profiles readily occurring in the case of heavy soil is practically avoided by this position of the angular profiles so that the hindmost roller need not be heavy whilst nevertheless the impact on lumps remains at the optimum.

According to the invention said effect is further improved by providing a sawtooth-shaped circumference of the inner discs, in the cavities of which angular profiles are arranged.

Since with the construction of the hindmost roller embodying the invention lumps of earth are readily slung rearwards, it is preferred to arrange a transverse beam parallel behind said roller as a second breaking-up member. This beam may be formed by a tube, which improves breaking up of the lumps.

The aforesaid and further features will be explained more fully in the following description of an embodiment.

The drawing shows in Figure 1 a perspective rear view of the soil cultivating machine embodying the invention, Figure 2 a side elevation of the machine in the direction of the arrow II in Figure 1, Figure 3 a perspective view of the hindmost roller in the machine of Figure 1, Figure 4 a vertical sectional view of the roller of Figure 3, Figures 5 and 6 a perspective view and a vertical sectional view respectively corresponding to Figures 3 and 4 of an alternative construction of the roller.

Referring to the drawings reference numeral 1 designates the main frame of the machine. This frame comprises a rectangular beam set, the top and front sides of which are provided with means for hitching the machine to the lifting rods 2 and the top rod 3 of a three-point attachment of a tractor (not shown). On both sides the main frame 1 is provided with a vertical tubular profile 4, in which a vertical frame beam 5 of a likewise rectangular subframe 6 is vertically slidable up and down and adjustable.

Setting may be performed by any suitable means, for example, a screw spindle with a handle 7.

On the front side, viewed with respect to the direction of movement P1 the subframe 6 carries a first roller 8 freely rotatably journalled therein. On the rear side the subframe 6 carries a freely rotatable, second roller 9. Each roller is provided with stub shafts 10 and 11 respectively projecting beyond the sides of the subframe 6. The stub shafts are provided with sprockets 12 and 13 respectively along which a transmission chain 14 is passed. The pitch circle of the foremost sprocket 12 exceeds that of the hindmost sprocket 13 so that in the embodiment shown the hindmost roller 9 will perform more revolutions during one revolution of the foremost roller.

For each roller is provided a group of soil cutivating tines 15 and 16 respectively, each tine being fastened to the transverse beam of the main frame 1 so as to be adjustable in a direction of height.

The cultivating tines 15 at the front of the machine are alternately fastened to the front and to the rear side of the beam. In this way an off-set arrangement is obtained, which faciitates the passage of earth between the tines.

On the rear side of the subframe 6 a beam 17 is arranged parallel to the hindmost roller 9 by means of vertical arms 18 welded thereto near height setting means 19.

To the arms 18 is welded a transverse beam 20 to which a group of levelling-out spring tines 21 are fastened.

The machine shown in Figures 1 and 2 operates as follows: When the machine is running in the direction of the arrow P1 across the field, the foremost roller 6 is rotated in the direction of the arrow P2 (see Figure 2) owing to the ground contact of the roller circumference. Owing to the chain transmission 12, 13,14 the hindmost roller9 will rotate more rapidly in the direction of the arrow P3 and will crumble up the surface of the ground 3. Owing to the fast rotation of the hindmost roller 9 as compared with the speed of movement lumps of earth will be slung towards and against the beam 17 so that these lumps break up. Owing to the slinging speed lumps may even be reflected against the hindmost roller 9 so that additional crumbling is obtained. The levell ing-outtines 21 on the rear side provide a uniform seed bed.

In front of each roller the ground surface can be broken up by the groups oftines 15 and 16 respectively, the working depth of which is adjust able by means of the height setting mechanism 7. If necessary the groups of tines 15, 16 can be put out of operation by moving them above the ground.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that with regard to the fast rotation of the hindmost roller 9 this roller should preferably have as light a weight as possible with maximum rigidity. For this purpose the invention proposes a roller as shown in Figure 3, which comprises two end discs 22, to the outer sides of which the stub shafts 11 are centrally welded.

Between the end discs one or more intermediate discs 23 are provided and retained only by the circumferential profiles 24. These profiles are prefer ably angular profiles disposed so that at least one flange 25 thereof (see Figure 4) extends in a radial direction. In this way maximum rigidity is imparted to the roller 9 forming a cage structure. From Figures 3 and 4 it is apparent that the intermediate discs 23 have a sawtooth-like circumference, each cavity of which receives a profile 24. Owing to this construction the roller does not require a heavy, central shaft.

Such a disposition of the angular profiles 24 reduces, moreover, adhesion of earth to the profiles, since with respect to the direction of rotation P3 the profiles occupy a self-discharging position. The rigidity of the profiles in the direction of impact is nevertheless ensured owing to the tangential flange 26 at right angles to the radial flange.

Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative structure in which the radially directed flange of each profile or of a number thereof is provided with tine-shaped extensions which contribute to fragmentation of the lumps, since the lump becomes notched and breaks up more readily along the notch. For the same purpose the roller shown is equipped with ten longitudinal profiles.

The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the device comprising the two rollers need not be provided with the groups of breaking-up tines 15, 16 so that the main frame may be dispensed with and the three-point attachment can take place directly at the subframe 6.

Claims

1. A soil cultivating machine to be moved across a field mainly comprising a frame, a first roller extending transversely of the direction of movement and freely rotatably suspended in said frame, a second roller arranged behind the first roller with respect to the direction of movement parallel thereto and freely rotatably suspended in said frame and transmission means arranged between the first and the second roller for transferring the rotational movement of the first roller to the second roller characterized in that the hindmost roller is formed by a plurality of parallel, vertical discs, the circumference of which is provided with open angular profiles, one flange of which extends in a radial direction.

2. A machine as claimed in Claim 1 characterized in that the inner discs have a sawtooth-like circumference for receiving an angular profile in each cavity.

3. A machine as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the radially directed flange is provided with tine-shaped, outwardly directed extensions.

4. A machine as claimed in Claims 1 to 3 characterized in that with respect to the direction of movement behind the hindmost roller an uninterrupted beam is arranged parallel thereto.

5. A machine as claimed in Claim 4 characterized in that the beam is tubular.

6. A machine as claimed in Claims 4 and 5 characterized in that with respect to the hindmost roller the beam is adjustable in a direction of height.

7. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in Claims 1 to 6 characterized in that levelling-out spring tines are provided behind the hindmost roller or the continuous beam, viewed with respect to the direction of movement.

8. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims characterized in that the foremost and the hindmost roller are arranged in a subframe, which is adjustable in a direction of height with respect to a main frame carrying one or more groups of soil cultivating tines.

9. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in Claim 8 characterized in that the main frame carries one or more rows of soil cultivating tines extending transversely of the direction of movement, whilst at least in the foremost row the tines are relatively off-set.

10. A soil cultivating mchine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 alone or as modified by Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.