GB2535281A

GB2535281A - A trailer and a method for operating a trailer

Info

Publication number: GB2535281A
Application number: GB1520907.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frederick Malone Michael; James Sweeney John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-27
Filing date: 2015-11-26
Publication date: 2016-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-26
Also published as: GB201520907D0; IE87320B1; GB2535281B; IE20150418A1

Abstract

A trailer 1 comprising compacting means 18 and conveying means 49 transporting compressed material away from the crusher. Preferably, the compacting means is located at one end and the conveying means transfers material toward the other end of the trailer. The conveying means may be a slatted belt. The compacting means may be moveably or pivotally mounted and may be a first bulkhead which compacts material against the floor of the container. The compactor may be moved by a hydraulic ram (28, fig 8). The conveyer may be responsive to a pressure sensor in the compactor, and may be moved by a hydraulic motor. A second bulkhead 19 may be pivotally joined 40 to the side walls 15. The second drive means and conveyor may be responsive to a pressure sensor that monitors the pressure of the material against the second bulkhead. The trailer may have a sloping base (fig 11). A method for operating a trailer is also claimed.

Description

"A trailer and a method for operating a trailer" The present invention relates to a trailer, and to a method for operating a trailer.

Trailers, typically high walled trailers, are commonly used in harvesting crops. For example, in the harvesting of silage, grass is cut by a mowing machine, and the cut grass, as the grass is being cut, is blown from the cutting blades of the mowing machine through an upwardly extending duct into a trailer. Typically, the mowing machine is hitched to and operated by one tractor, while a second tractor towing the trailer drives alongside the tractor to which the mowing machine is hitched for collecting the cut grass which is ducted from the mowing machine into the trailer. A problem with such trailers is that the grass on being blown through the duct and delivered into the trailer is relatively loosely contained in the trailer, and thus, the quantity of grass which can be contained in such trailers, even although they are high walled trailers, is relatively low.

The present invention is directed towards providing a trailer which addresses this problem.

According to the invention there is provided a trailer comprising a compacting means, and a conveying means configured to convey compacted material away from the compacting means.

Preferably, the conveying means is configured to convey the compacted material towards an end of the trailer. Advantageously, the compacting means is located adjacent one end of the trailer, and the conveying means is configured to convey the compacted material towards an opposite end of the trailer.

In one aspect of the invention the compacting means is located adjacent one of a front end and a rear end of the trailer relative to the direction of normal forward motion of the trailer, and preferably, the conveying means is configured to convey the compacted material from the compacting means towards the other one of the front end and the rear end of the trailer.

In one embodiment of the invention the compacting means co-operates with a base of the trailer for compacting the material therebetween. Preferably, the compacting means comprises a movably mounted compacting element extending transversely across the trailer. Advantageously, the compacting element is moveable from a rest state towards the base for compacting the material therebetween, and preferably, is moveable towards the base to a compacting state.

In another aspect of the invention the compacting element is moveable in a generally inwardly downwardly direction into the trailer towards the base. Preferably, the compacting element comprises a lower portion and an upper portion, and preferably, when in the rest state the lower portion extends in a generally upwardly outwardly direction away from the base, and advantageously, the upper portion extends in a generally upwardly direction, and ideally, the upper portion extends from the lower portion.

Preferably, the compacting element is pivotally mounted, and is pivotal from the rest state towards the base for compacting the material. Advantageously, the compacting element is pivotally mounted adjacent the base, and preferably, the compacting element is pivotal relative to the base about a first pivot axis extending transversely of the base, and transversely of the normal forward direction of motion of the trailer. Ideally, the first pivot axis extends substantially horizontally.

In another aspect of the invention the compacting element is configured in the rest state to form a portion of a load carrying container of the trailer.

In one embodiment of the invention the compacting element comprises a first bulkhead located adjacent one of the front end and the rear end of the load carrying container, and preferably, the first bulkhead comprises one of a front end bulkhead and a rear end bulkhead of the load carrying container, and advantageously, comprises the front end bulkhead of the load carrying container.

Preferably, a first drive means is provided for urging the compacting element from the rest state towards the base, and advantageously, the first drive means comprises a first drive ram, which ideally, comprises a first hydraulic ram. Preferably, a pair of first hydraulic rams are provided.

In another aspect of the invention the conveying means comprises a conveyor, and preferably, the conveyor is moveable along a top surface of the base in a direction away from the compacting means, and preferably, the conveyor is moveable in a direction towards the one of the first end and the second end of the trailer opposite to the one of the first end and the second end of the trailer adjacent which the compacting means is located.

Preferably, the conveying means comprises a slatted conveyor, and advantageously, the conveying means extends substantially the length of the base of the trailer, and ideally, the conveying means extends the width of the base of the trailer.

In another aspect of the invention a second drive means is provided for driving the conveying means, and preferably, the second drive means comprises an hydraulic motor.

In one aspect of the invention the pressure exerted by the compacting means on the material being compacted is monitored, and the second drive means is operated in response to the pressure exerted by the compacting means on the material being compacted reaching a first predefined pressure for urging the compacted material from the compacting means. Preferably, a first pressure sensing means is provided for monitoring the pressure at which the material being compacted is compacted by the compacting means, and advantageously, the second drive means is responsive to the first pressure sensing means for operating the conveying means.

In one aspect of the invention the trailer comprises a second bulkhead located adjacent the one of the front end and the rear end of the trailer opposite to the one of the front end and rear end of the trailer adjacent which the compacting means is located, and preferably, the second bulkhead forms a portion of the load carrying container, and preferably, the second bulkhead comprises the rear end bulkhead of the load carrying container.

Preferably, the second drive means is deactivated in response to the pressure with which the compacted material is being urged against the second bulkhead by the conveying means reaching a second predefined pressure.

Preferably, a second pressure sensing means is provided for monitoring the pressure with which the compacted material is being urged by the conveying means against the second bulkhead, and advantageously, the second drive means is responsive to the second pressure sensing means detecting that the pressure with which the compacted material is being urged against the second bulkhead has reached the second predefined pressure for deactivating the conveying means.

In a further aspect of the invention the trailer comprises a pair of opposite spaced apart side bulkheads extending upwardly from the base and defining with the base and the first and second bulkheads the load carrying container. Preferably, the first bulkhead extends between the side bulkheads, and is moveable from the rest state towards the base for compacting the material between the base and the first bulkhead.

In another aspect of the invention the second bulkhead is pivotally mounted to the load carrying container about a second pivot axis, and preferably, depends downwardly from the second pivot axis, and preferably, the second bulkhead is pivotal about the second pivot axis between a closed state extending downwardly from the second pivot axis closing a discharge opening of the load carrying container, and an open state extending outwardly from the load carrying container providing access to the load carrying container through the discharge opening. Advantageously, the discharge opening of the container is defined between the side bulkheads, and between the base and the second pivot axis.

Preferably, the second pivot axis extends substantially transversely of the trailer and substantially transversely of the normal forward direction of motion of the trailer, and advantageously, the second pivot axis extends substantially horizontally.

In one embodiment of the invention an urging means is provided for urging the second bulkhead between the closed state and the open state.

In another aspect of the invention the second bulkhead is pivotally coupled to the side bulkheads adjacent the top thereof.

In another aspect of the invention the side bulkheads of the trailer are relatively high side bulkheads, and advantageously, the first and second bulkheads are also relatively high bulkheads.

In another embodiment of the invention a portion of the base extending towards the compacting means inclines in a generally downwardly direction towards the compacting means. Preferably, the inclined portion of the base of the trailer comprises between a quarter and a half of the length of the base of the trailer, and preferably, approximately one-third of the length of the base of the trailer. In another aspect of the invention the downwardly inclined portion of the container is of length less than the height of the first bulkhead.

In a further embodiment of the invention the trailer is supported on at least a pair of spaced apart ground engaging wheels, and advantageously, the trailer comprises a chassis supported on the ground engaging wheels. Advantageously, a hitch arm extends forwardly from the chassis, and preferably, the hitch arm is pivotally coupled to the chassis about a third pivot axis extending substantially transversely of the normal forward direction of motion of the trailer, and advantageously, substantially horizontally, so that by pivoting the chassis of the trailer downwardly relative to the hitch arm, the forward portion of the trailer is lowered relative to the rearward portion of the trailer.

In another embodiment of the invention a third drive means is provided for pivoting the chassis relative to the hitch arm, and advantageously, the third drive means comprises a second drive ram.

The invention also provides a method for loading material into the trailer according to the invention, the method comprising loading the material into the trailer adjacent the compacting means thereof, operating the compacting means to compact the loaded material, and then operating the conveying means to convey the compacted material from the compacting means.

Additionally, the invention provides a method for operating a trailer, the method comprising loading material into a load carrying container of the trailer adjacent a compacting means, compacting the material in the load carrying container of the trailer by the compacting means, and urging the compacted material away from the compacting means. Preferably, the compacting means is located towards one end of the trailer, and advantageously, the material is loaded into the container adjacent the end at which the compacting means is located. Preferably, the compacted material is conveyed from the compacting means towards the other end of the trailer.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the trailer of Fig. 1 illustrating a portion of the container in a different state to that of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the trailer of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the trailer of Fig. 1 on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the trailer of Fig. 1 on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3, illustrating a portion of the trailer in the state of Fig. 2, Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view of a detail of the trailer of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is a block representation of an hydraulic circuit of the trailer of Fig. 1, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a trailer according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the trailer of Fig. 8, Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 of the trailer of Fig. 8 with a portion of the trailer of Fig. 8 in a different state to that of Fig. 9, Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9 of the trailer of Fig. 8 but with another portion of the trailer in a different state to that of Fig. 9, Fig. 12 is another side elevational view of the trailer of Fig. 8, Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of a detail of the trailer of Fig. 8, and Fig. 14 is a block representation of an hydraulic circuit of the trailer of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 7 thereof, there is illustrated a trailer according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, which is particularly suitable for receiving and transporting grass from a mower as the grass is being cut by the mower for silage. The trailer 1 comprises a chassis 3 on which two pairs of spaced apart ground engaging wheels 5 are rotatably carried. A hitch arm 6 extends forwardly from the chassis 3 and carries a hitch 7 for hitching the trailer 1 to a towing vehicle, for example, a tractor. A high-wall load carrying container 9 is supported on the chassis 3 and extends from a front end 10 to a rear end 12 of the trailer 1. The container 9 comprises a base 14 and a pair of opposite spaced apart side bulkheads 15 extending upwardly from the base 14. A first bulkhead, in this case a front end bulkhead 18 extends upwardly from the base 14 between the side bulkheads 15. The front end bulkhead 18 is configured as a compacting means and is pivotally coupled to the chassis 3 adjacent a front end 16 of the base 14 about a first pivot axis 20. The front end bulkhead 18 is pivotal inwardly into the container towards the base 14 from a rest state illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 extending generally upwardly from the base 14 between the side bulkheads to a compacting state illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5 for compacting the grass or other material adjacent the front end 10 of the container 9 between the front end bulkhead 18 and the base 14. A second bulkhead, namely, a rear end bulkhead 19, which is pivotally coupled to the side bulkheads 15 about a second pivot axis 41 adjacent the top thereof, extends downwardly from the second pivot axis 41 between the side bulkheads 15 to the base 14 in a closed state for closing a discharge opening 17 defined between the side bulkheads 15, the base 14 and the second pivot axis 41 adjacent the rear end 12 of the trailer 1. The rear end bulkhead 19 is pivotal upwardly rearwardly from the closed state illustrated in Fig. 4 to an open state illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 4 for discharging grass or other material from the container 9. The rear end bulkhead 19 and its pivotal connection to the side bulkheads 15 will be described in more detail below.

Turning initially to the front end bulkhead 18, the front end bulkhead 18, as discussed above, is configured as a compacting means for compacting material, for example, grass from a mowing machine which is delivered into the load carrying container 9 adjacent the front end 10 thereof. The front end bulkhead 18 is pivotally coupled to the chassis 3 adjacent the base 14 at the front end 16 of the base 14 about the first pivot axis 20, which extends substantially horizontally and transversely of the base 14 and of the normal forward direction of motion of the trailer 1. The front end bulkhead 18 is pivotal about the first pivot axis 20 from the rest state illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 extending in a generally upwardly direction from the base 14 between the side bulkheads 15 to the compacting state illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5 for co-operating with the base 14 for compacting material between the front end bulkhead 18 and the base 14.

The front end bulkhead 18 comprises a lower portion 24 which is rigidly coupled to a transversely extending pivot shaft 25, which is pivotally carried in the chassis 3 and defines the first pivot axis 20. The lower portion 24 of the front end bulkhead 18 when the front end bulkhead 18 is in the rest state extends from the pivot shaft 25 in a generally upwardly forwardly direction. An upper portion 26 of the front end bulkhead 18 extends from the lower portion 24 in a generally upwardly direction when the front end bulkhead 18 is in the rest state.

A first drive means comprising a pair of spaced apart first hydraulic rams 28, only one of which is illustrated in Fig. 2, act between the chassis 3 and the front end bulkhead 18 for urging the front end bulkhead 18 from the rest state to the compacting states for compacting the material between the front end bulkhead 18 and the base 14. Lower mounting brackets 29 on respective opposite sides of the chassis 3 pivotally couple cylinders 30 of the respective first hydraulic rams 28 to the chassis 3, while upper mounting brackets 32 carried on the upper portion 26 of the front end bulkhead 18 at respective opposite sides thereof pivotally couple piston rods 33 of the respective first hydraulic rams 28 to the front end bulkhead 18.

By shaping the front end bulkhead 18 with the lower portion 24 thereof extending in a generally upwardly forward direction and the upper portion 26 thereof extending in a generally upwardly direction when the front end bulkhead 18 is in the rest state, the compacting capacity of the front end bulkhead 18 is optimised.

Turning now to the rear end bulkhead 19, the rear bulkhead 19 is configured as a door 35 and comprises a closure panel 36 which closes the discharge opening 17 which is defined between the side bulkheads 15, the base 14 and the second pivot axis 41. A pair of mounting members 38 extend forwardly from the closure panel 36, and are pivotally coupled to the respective side bulkheads 15 adjacent the top thereof by corresponding pivot pins 39 which are in turn carried on pivot mounting brackets 40 mounted adjacent the top of the side bulkheads 15 adjacent but spaced apart inwardly from the rear end 12 of the container 9. The pivot mounting brackets 40 are mounted on the side bulkheads 15 and carry the pivot pins 39 so that the pivot pins 39 define the second pivot axis 41 which extends substantially horizontally and transversely relative to the base 14 and transversely relative to the normal forward direction of motion of the trailer 1. Upper and lower web plates 43 and 44, respectively, welded to the mounting members 38 and the closure panel 36 reinforce and strengthen the mounting members 38. The closure panel 36 depends downwardly from the mounting members 38 in the closed state to close the discharge opening 17, and is pivotal about the second pivot axis 41 rearwardly outwardly from the closed state illustrated in full lines in the drawings to the open state illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 4, with the closure panel 36 extending rearwardly outwardly from the container 9 and substantially horizontally to provide access to the container 9 through the discharge opening 17 for discharging material therefrom.

An urging means, comprising a pair of second hydraulic rams 47 acting between the mounting members 38 of the rear end bulkhead 19 and the side bulkheads 15 are provided for urging the closure panel 36 between the closed state and the open state. The second hydraulic rams 47 are operated for retaining the closure panel 36 in the closed state until the material in the container 9 is to be offloaded.

A conveying means for conveying compacted material which has been compacted by the front end bulkhead 18 from the front end 10 of the container 9 towards the rear end 12 comprises a slatted conveyor 49 which extends the length of the base 14 from the front end 16 thereof to a rear end 48. A pair of rotatably mounted shafts, namely, a front shaft 50 and a rear shaft 51 extend transversely of the base 14 adjacent the front and rear ends 16 and 48, respectively, of the base 14, and carry respective pairs of sprockets 52. A pair of spaced apart endless chains 53 of the slatted conveyor 49 are carried on the sprockets 52. The sprockets 52 are rigidly mounted on the front and rear shafts 50 and 51 adjacent respective opposite sides of the base 14, so that the chains 53 of the slatted conveyor 49 extend along the respective opposite sides of the base 14. Slats (not shown) of the conveyor 49 are carried on and extend between the chains 53, and in turn extend the width of the base 14. The rear shaft 51 is a driven shaft, while the front shaft 50 is an idler shaft.

A second drive means comprising an hydraulic motor 55 which is mounted on the chassis 3 drives the rear shaft 51 so that the slats (not shown) of the slatted conveyor 49 are urged in the direction of the arrow A along an upper surface 56 of the base 14 from the front end 16 to the rear end 48 for in turn urging the compacted material from the front end 10 towards the rear end 12 of the container 9. The slats are returned in the direction of the arrow B beneath the base 14 from the rear end 48 to the front end 16 of the base 14.

The slatted conveyor 49 is also driven by the hydraulic motor 55 for offloading the contents of the container 9 through the discharge opening 17 when the closure plate 36 is in the open state.

Referring now to Fig. 7, there is illustrated a block representation of an hydraulic circuit for controlling operation of the first hydraulic rams 28, the second hydraulic rams 47 and the hydraulic motor 55. The hydraulic circuit comprises an hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 which powers the first and second hydraulic rams 28 and 47 and the hydraulic motor 55. The first and second hydraulic rams 28 and 47 are double-acting rams. Pressurised hydraulic fluid is supplied to and returned from the first hydraulic rams 28 by the power supply and control circuit 58 through hydraulic pipes 59 and 60, while pressurised hydraulic fluid is supplied to and returned from the second hydraulic rams 47 by the power supply and control circuit 58 through hydraulic pipes 61 and 62. Pressurised hydraulic fluid is supplied from the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 to the hydraulic motor 55 through an hydraulic pipe 63, and is returned from the hydraulic motor 55 to the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 through an hydraulic pipe 64.

A first pressure sensing means comprising a first pressure sensor 65 is located in the hydraulic pipe 59 for monitoring the pressure of the hydraulic fluid during operation of the first hydraulic rams 28 for pivoting the front end bulkhead 18 from the rest state to the compacting state, and the monitored pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the pipe 59 is read by the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58. A first pilot operated valve 66 in the hydraulic pipe 59 is operated under the control of the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 into the closed state in response to the pressure read from the pressure sensor 65 reaching a first predefined pressure in order to prevent over-compacting of the material. Thereafter the pilot valve 66 is operated into the open state and the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 operates the first hydraulic rams 28 for in turn operating the first end bulkhead 18 from the compacting state to the rest state.

A pressure plate 67 is mounted on the inner side of the closure panel 36 of the rear end bulkhead 19 and is coupled to a second pressure sensing means, namely, second pressure sensor 68 mounted between the pressure plate 67 and the closure panel 36 for monitoring the pressure with which the compacted material is urged by the slatted conveyor 49 from the forward end 10 of the container 9 towards the rear end 12. Pressure signals from the pressure sensor 68 are read by the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58. A second pilot operated valve 69 is located in the hydraulic pipe 63 for controlling the supply of pressurised hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 to the hydraulic motor 55. The second pilot operated valve 69 is operated by the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 in the closed state for deactivating the hydraulic motor 55 in response to the pressure sensed by the second pressure sensor 68 reaching a second predefined pressure, thus indicating that the compacted material is being urged against the closure plate 36 of the rear end bulkhead 19 by the hydraulic motor 55 at the maximum desirable pressure.

The hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 holds the second pilot operated valve 69 in the closed state until the next batch of the material which is loaded into the front end 10 of the container 9 has been compacted by the front end bulkhead 18. On the first hydraulic rams 28 being operated for pivoting the front end bulkhead 18 from the compacting state to the rest state, the second pilot operated valve 69 is operated into the open circuit state so that the hydraulic motor 55 is again powered for urging the just compacted batch of the material from the front end 10 of the container 9 towards the rear end 12 thereof. The second pilot operated valve 69 is retained in the open circuit state until the pressure sensed by the second pressure sensor 68 reaches the second predefined pressure, indicating that the most recently compacted batch of material has been conveyed by the slatted conveyor 49 from the front end 10 of the container 9 towards the rear end 12 thereof.

The respective first and second predefined pressures at which the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 operates the first pilot operated valve 66 from the open circuit state to the closed circuit state in response to the pressure sensed by the first pressure sensor 65 and the second pilot operated valve 69 from the open circuit state into the closed circuit state are selectable and are set in the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58. The first predefined pressure at which the first pilot operated valve 66 is operated into the closed circuit state determines the degree to which the material is to be compacted by the front end bulkhead 18. The second predefined pressure at which the second pilot operated valve 69 is to be operated into the closed circuit state determines the degree of pressure with which the compacted material may be urged from the front end 10 of the container 9 to the rear end 12 against the rear end bulkhead 19, and is set to avoid any danger of damage to the rear end bulkhead 19 or any danger of the rear end bulkhead 19 being urged from the closed state against the pressure in the second hydraulic rams 47 with which the rear end bulkhead 19 is being held in the closed state.

In use, with the trailer 1 hitched to a tractor or other suitable towing vehicle by the hitch 7, and with the rear end bulkhead 19 in the closed state and the front end bulkhead 18 in the rest state, the trailer 1 is ready for use. The trailer 1 is towed by the towing vehicle alongside, for example, a mowing machine, so that grass cut by the mowing machine is ducted into the front end 10 of the container 9. When the material delivered into the front end 10 of the container 9 has reached the level of the top of the side bulkhead 15, delivery of material into the container is temporarily suspended, and the first hydraulic rams 28 are operated for urging the front end bulkhead 18 from the rest state to the compacting state for compacting the material in the front end 10 of the container 9. During operation of the front end bulkhead 18 from the rest state to the compacting state, the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 monitors the pressure sensed by the first pressure sensor 65. On the pressure sensed by the first pressure sensor 65 reaching the first predefined pressure, the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 operates the first pilot operated valve 66 into the closed state in order to avoid over-pressurising the front end bulkhead 18, in order to avoid overloading of the front end bulkhead 18. Once the pressure monitored by the first pressure sensor 65 reaches the first predefined pressure, thus indicating completion of compacting, the first hydraulic rams 28 are operated in reverse for returning the front end bulkhead 18 from the compacting state to the rest state.

The hydraulic motor 55 is then powered for operating the slatted conveyor 49 to urge the compacted material from the front end 10 of the container 9 to the rear end 12.

On the compacted material acting on the pressure plate 67 and on the pressure monitored by the second pressure sensor 68 reaching the second predefined pressure, the second pilot operated valve 69 is operated into the closed circuit state, thereby deactivating the hydraulic motor 55.

Once the first end bulkhead 18 has been returned to the rest state, delivery of the material into the front end 10 of the container 9 is recommenced and continues until the level of material in the front end 10 reaches the level of the top of the side bulkheads 15. At which stage the first hydraulic rams 28 are again operated to operate the front end bulkhead 18 from the rest state to the compacting state for compacting the material in the front end 10 of the container 9. On completion of compacting, the first hydraulic rams 28 are operated again in reverse to return the first front end bulkhead 18 to the rest state. The second pilot operated valve 69 is operated into the open circuit state for in turn activating the hydraulic motor 55 to drive the slatted conveyor 49 for in turn transferring the just compacted material from the front end 10 towards the rear end 12 of the container 9. On the pressure sensed by the second pressure sensor 68 reaching the second predefined pressure, the second pilot valve 69 is operated into the closed state, thereby deactivating the hydraulic motor 55, and so operation of the trailer 1 continues until the trailer 1 is full.

The trailer 1 is then towed to a site at which the material is to be stored, and the second hydraulic rams 47 are operated for in turn operating the rear end bulkhead 19 from the closed state to the open state. The second pilot operated valve 69 is operated into the open circuit state for activating the hydraulic motor 55 for in turn operating the slatted conveyor 49 with the slats on the upper surface 56 of the base 14 of the container 9 being urged in the direction of the arrow A for in turn discharging the material from the container 9 through the discharge opening 17 to the desired storing site. On completion of the discharge of the material from the container 9, the second pilot operated valve 69 is operated into the closed state for deactivating the hydraulic motor 55, and in turn the slatted conveyor 49. The second hydraulic rams 47 are operated for urging the rear end bulkhead 19 from the open state to the closed state. The trailer 1 is then ready for receiving the next load of material.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to 14, there is illustrated a trailer according to another embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 70. The trailer 70 is substantially similar to the trailer 1 and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The trailer 70 is also suitable for receiving and transporting grass as it is being cut by a mower for silage. The main differences between the trailer 70 and the trailer 1 lie in the base 14, the mounting of the hitch arm 6 to the chassis 3 and the hydraulic system which controls the operation of the front end bulkhead 18, the closure panel 36 and the hydraulic motor 55.

Turning initially to the base 14, in this embodiment of the invention a forward portion 72 of the base 14 inclines in a generally downwardly direction towards the front end 16 of the base 14 at an angle a relative to the remainder of the base 14 of approximately 15°, although the angle a may range from 10° to 25°. In this embodiment of the invention the inclined forward portion 72 of the base 14 constitutes approximately one-third of the overall length of the base 14 from the front end 16 to the rear end 48. It has been found that by inclining the forward portion 72 of the base 14 of the container 9 towards the front end 10 thereof provides two advantages. Firstly, the downward inclining of the forward portion 72 of the base 14 increases the capacity of the container 9 adjacent the front end thereof where the front end bulkhead 18 acts to compact the material, which thereby increases the capacity of the material which can be compacted in each compacting operation of the front end bulkhead 18. Secondly, the downward inclining of the forward portion 72 of the base 14 provides an improved working angle between the front end bulkhead 18 and the base 14, thereby retaining the material to be compacted during compacting and minimising the possibility of material falling away as the front end bulkhead 18 is urged from the rest state to the compacting state.

Turning now to the hitch arm 6 of the trailer 70, the hitch arm 6 in this embodiment of the invention is pivotally coupled to the chassis 3 about a horizontal third pivot axis 74 which extends substantially transversely of the normal forward direction of motion of the trailer 70. A third drive means, namely, a third hydraulic ram 75 acting between the chassis 3 and the hitch arm 6 pivots the hitch arm 6 about the third pivot axis 74, and retains the hitch arm 6 in a desired angular orientation relative to the chassis 3. By pivoting the hitch arm 6 in the direction of the arrow C relative to the chassis 3, the front end 10 of the trailer 70 is lowered relative to the rear end 12 thereof. It has been found that by lowering the front end 10 of the trailer 70 during loading of the trailer results in grass or other material being blown into the trailer from a harvester, mower or other such source tending to settle more easily towards the front end of the trailer 70, thereby facilitating compacting of the material.

Pivoting of the hitch arm 6 in the direction of the arrow D results in the front end 10 of the trailer being raised relative to the rear end 12 thereof for facilitating discharging of the material from the container 9 through the discharge opening 17.

Turning now to the hydraulic system of the trailer 70, and referring in particular to Fig. 14, the operation of the second rams 47 for pivoting the closure plate 36 between the open and closed states is similar to that described with reference to the trailer 1 of Figs. 1 to 7. The third ram 75 is supplied with hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 through hydraulic pipes 76 and 77, and operation of the third ram 75 is controlled by the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58.

Turning now to the operation of the front end bulkhead 18 and the slatted conveyor 49, the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58 for operating the hydraulic motor 55, and for operating the first rams 28 for in turn operating the front end bulkhead 18 from the rest to the compacting state is supplied through a pressure sequence valve 80. The pressure sequence valve 80 is pre-set to a specific pressure, so that when the first rams 28 are being operated for pivoting the front end bulkhead 18 from the rest state to the compacting state should the system pressure in the hydraulic pipe 59 exceed a pre-set predefined pressure value, the pressure sequencing valve 80 directs the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor 55 for in turn operating the slatted conveyor 49 for urging material being compacted rearwardly along the base 14 of the container 9. Hydraulic fluid continues to be supplied to the hydraulic motor 55 until the pressure in the hydraulic pipe 59 falls below the pre-set predefined pressure value, at which stage the pressure sequencing valve 80 redirects hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic motor 55 to the first rams 28 so that travel of the front end bulkhead 18 continues from the rest state to the compacting state.

On the front end bulkhead 18 having reached the compacting state, the first rams 28 are operated for returning the front end bulkhead 18 from the compacting state to the rest state by the hydraulic power supply and control circuit 58. The hydraulic motor 55 is then operated for urging the slatted conveyor 49 in the direction of the arrow A for urging the just compacted material from the sloping forward portion 72 of the base 14 rearwardly from the forward portion 72. Loading of the material into the container 9 adjacent the front end thereof then continues, until that material is ready for compacting again, and the operation of the first rams 28 and the hydraulic motor 55 are again operated as already described under the control of the pressure sequencing valve 80 during compacting of that batch of material.

In this embodiment of the invention when the compacted material has been eventually urged sufficiently rearwardly by the slatted conveyor 49 to engage the pressure plate 67 of the closure plate 36, the action of the material on the pressure plate results in termination of the operation of the hydraulic motor 55. Thereafter loading of the container continues until the container is filled to its full capacity.

When it is desired to discharge the material from the container 9, the second rams 47 are operated for pivoting the closure plate 36 from the closed to the open state.

The third hydraulic ram 75 is operated for raising the front end 10 of the trailer 70, and the hydraulic motor 55 is then operated for urging the slatted conveyor 49 in the direction of the arrow A for urging the material from the container 9 through the discharge opening 17.

Otherwise, the trailer 70 and its operation is similar to that already described with reference to the trailer 1 of Figs. 1 to 7.

While the compacting means has been described as comprising the front end bulkhead of the container, the compacting means could, if desired, be formed by the rear end bulkhead of the container. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that both the front and rear end bulkhead could be configured as compacting means. It will also be appreciated that while the compacting means has been described as comprising the front end bulkhead, it is envisaged that in certain cases, the compacting means may be provided by a separate compacting plate extending transversely across the container, which would be independent of the front and rear end bulkheads.

While the compacting means has been described as comprising a movably mounted bulkhead, be it a front end bulkhead, a rear end bulkhead or a compacting plate other than the front and rear end bulkheads, while it is desirable, it is not essential that the movably mounted bulkhead or compacting plate be pivotally coupled. The movably mounted bulkhead or compacting plate may be moveable in any manner relative to the base besides being pivotally moveable. Needless to say, other suitable compacting means besides the front or rear bulkheads or a movably mounted compacting plate may be provided.

While the conveying means has been described as comprising a slatted conveyor, any other suitable conveying means may be provided. For example, in certain cases, one or more conveying belts may be provided, and in which case, the one or more conveying belts may in fact act as the base of the container. Alternatively, the base of the container may be moveable. It is also envisaged that the conveying means may be provided by a vibrating means, which would induce vibrations into the base of the container for urging the compacted material from the compacting means.

Needless to say, while it is desirable that the compacting means be located at the front end of the container, the compacting means may be located at any desirable location in the container, and where the compacting means is located at the rear end of the container, then it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the conveying means would be operated for urging the compacted material from the rear end of the container towards the front end thereof.

It is also envisaged that the trailer may in fact be provided with its own motive power for driving one or more of the ground engaging wheels for driving the trailer, in which case, it is envisaged that the trailer would be provided with a driver's cab, and could be driven independently without the need for a towing vehicle.

While the trailer has been described for use in conjunction with a mowing machine for collecting grass ducted from the mowing machine into the container, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the trailer may be used in conjunction with any material.

While the trailer has been described as comprising a high-wall trailer, it is not essential that the trailer be provided with high bulkheads. In certain cases, the trailer may be provided with bulkheads of any suitable or desirable height.

Claims

Claims 1. A trailer comprising a compacting means, and a conveying means configured to convey compacted material away from the compacting means.
2. A trailer as claimed in Claim 1 in which the conveying means is configured to convey the compacted material towards an end of the trailer.
3. A trailer as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the compacting means is located adjacent one end of the trailer, and the conveying means is configured to convey the compacted material towards an opposite end of the trailer.
4. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the compacting means is located adjacent one of a front end and a rear end of the trailer relative to the direction of normal forward motion of the trailer.
5. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the conveying means is configured to convey the compacted material from the compacting means towards the other one of the front end and the rear end of the trailer.
6. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the compacting means co-operates with a base of the trailer for compacting the material therebetween.
7. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the compacting means comprises a movably mounted compacting element extending transversely across the trailer.
8. A trailer as claimed in Claim 7 in which the compacting element is moveable from a rest state towards the base for compacting the material therebetween.
9. A trailer as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 in which the compacting element is moveable towards the base to a compacting state.
10. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 9 in which the compacting element is moveable in a generally inwardly downwardly direction into the trailer towards the base.
11. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 10 in which the compacting element comprises a lower portion and an upper portion.
12. A trailer as claimed in Claim 11 in which the compacting element when in the rest state the lower portion extends in a generally upwardly outwardly direction away from the base.
13. A trailer as claimed in Claim 11 or 12 in which when the compacting element is in the rest state the upper portion extends in a generally upwardly direction.
14. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13 in which the upper portion extends from the lower portion.
15. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 14 in which the compacting element is pivotally mounted, and is pivotal from the rest state towards the base for compacting the material.
16. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 15 in which the compacting element is pivotally mounted adjacent the base.
17. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 16 in which the compacting element is pivotal relative to the base about a first pivot axis extending transversely of the base, and transversely of the normal forward direction of motion of the trailer.
18. A trailer as claimed in Claim 17 in which the first pivot axis extends substantially horizontally.
19. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 18 in which the compacting element is configured in the rest state to form a portion of a load carrying container of the trailer.
20. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 19 in which the compacting element comprises a first bulkhead located adjacent one of the front end and the rear end of the load carrying container.
21. A trailer as claimed in Claim 20 in which the first bulkhead comprises one of a front end bulkhead and a rear end bulkhead of the load carrying container.
22. A trailer as claimed in Claim 20 or 21 in which the first bulkhead comprises the front end bulkhead of the load carrying container.
23. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 22 in which a first drive means is provided for urging the compacting element from the rest state towards the base.
24. A trailer as claimed in Claim 23 in which the first drive means comprises a first drive ram.
25. A trailer as claimed in Claim 23 or 24 in which the first drive means comprises a first hydraulic ram.
26. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 25 in which the first drive means comprises a pair of first hydraulic rams.
27. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the conveying means comprises a conveyor.
28. A trailer as claimed in Claim 27 in which the conveyor is moveable along a top surface of the base in a direction away from the compacting means.
29. A trailer as claimed in Claim 27 or 28 in which the conveyor is moveable in a direction towards the one of the first end and the second end of the trailer opposite to the one of the first end and the second end of the trailer adjacent which the compacting means is located.
30. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the conveying means comprises a slatted conveyor.
31. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the conveying means extends substantially the length of the base of the trailer.
32. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the conveying means extends the width of the base of the trailer.
33. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which a second drive means is provided for driving the conveying means.
34. A trailer as claimed in Claim 33 in which the second drive means comprises an hydraulic motor.
35. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the pressure exerted by the compacting means on the material being compacted is monitored, and the second drive means is operated in response to the pressure exerted by the compacting means on the material being compacted reaching a first predefined pressure for urging the compacted material from the compacting means.
36. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which a first pressure sensing means is provided for monitoring the pressure at which the material being compacted is compacted by the compacting means.
37. A trailer as claimed in Claim 36 in which the second drive means is responsive to the first pressure sensing means for operating the conveying means.
38. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the trailer comprises a second bulkhead located adjacent the one of the front end and the rear end of the trailer opposite to the one of the front end and rear end of the trailer adjacent which the compacting means is located.
39. A trailer as claimed in Claim 38 in which the second bulkhead forms a portion of the load carrying container.
40. A trailer as claimed in Claim 38 or 39 in which the second bulkhead comprises the rear end bulkhead of the load carrying container.
41. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 38 to 40 in which the second drive means is deactivated in response to the pressure with which the compacted material is being urged against the second bulkhead by the conveying means reaching a second predefined pressure.
42. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which a second pressure sensing means is provided for monitoring the pressure with which the compacted material is being urged by the conveying means against the second bulkhead.
43. A trailer as claimed in Claim 42 in which the second drive means is responsive to the second pressure sensing means detecting that the pressure with which the compacted material is being urged against the second bulkhead has reached the second predefined pressure for deactivating the conveying means.
44. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the trailer comprises a pair of opposite spaced apart side bulkheads extending upwardly from the base and defining with the base and the first and second bulkheads the load carrying container.
45. A trailer as claimed in Claim 44 in which the first bulkhead extends between the side bulkheads, and is moveable from the rest state towards the base for compacting the material between the base and the first bulkhead.
46. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 38 to 45 in which the second bulkhead is pivotally mounted to the load carrying container about a second pivot axis.
47. A trailer as claimed in Claim 46 in which the second bulkhead depends downwardly from the second pivot axis.
48. A trailer as claimed in Claim 46 or 47 in which the second bulkhead is pivotal about the second pivot axis between a closed state extending downwardly from the second pivot axis closing a discharge opening of the load carrying container, and an open state extending outwardly from the load carrying container providing access to the load carrying container through the discharge opening.
49. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 46 to 48 in which the discharge opening of the container is defined between the side bulkheads, and between the base and the second pivot axis.
50. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 46 to 49 in which the second pivot axis extends substantially transversely of the trailer and substantially transversely of the normal forward direction of motion of the trailer.
51. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 46 to 50 in which the second pivot axis extends substantially horizontally.
52. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 46 to 51 in which an urging means is provided for urging the second bulkhead between the closed state and the open state.
53. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 46 to 52 in which the second bulkhead is pivotally coupled to the side bulkheads adjacent the top thereof.
54. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 46 to 53 in which the first and second bulkheads are also relatively high bulkheads.
55. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 44 to 54 in which the side bulkheads of the trailer are relatively high side bulkheads.
56. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 55 in which a portion of the base extending towards the compacting means inclines in a generally downwardly direction towards the compacting means.
57. A trailer as claimed in Claim 56 in which the inclined portion of the base of the trailer comprises between a quarter and a half of the length of the base of the trailer.
58. A trailer as claimed in Claim 56 or 57 in which the inclined portion of the base of the trailer comprises approximately one-third of the length of the base of the trailer.
59. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 56 to 58 in which the downwardly inclined portion of the container is of length less than the height of the first bulkhead.
60. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the trailer is supported on at least a pair of spaced apart ground engaging wheels.
61. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the trailer comprises a chassis supported on the ground engaging wheels.
62. A trailer as claimed in Claim 61 in which a hitch arm extends forwardly from the chassis.
63. A trailer as claimed in Claim 62 in which the hitch arm is pivotally coupled to the chassis about a third pivot axis extending substantially transversely of the direction of normal forward motion of the trailer.
64. A trailer as claimed in Claim 63 in which the third pivot axis extends substantially horizontally, so that by pivoting the chassis of the trailer downwardly relative to the hitch arm, the forward portion of the trailer is lowered relative to the rearward portion of the trailer.
65. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 62 to 64 in which a third drive means is provided for pivoting the chassis relative to the hitch arm.
66. A trailer as claimed in Claim 65 in which the third drive means comprises a second drive ram.
67. A trailer substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
68. A trailer substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 8 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.
69. A method for loading material into the trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the method comprises loading the material into the trailer adjacent the compacting means thereof, operating the compacting means to compact the loaded material, and then operating the conveying means to convey the compacted material from the compacting means.
70. A method for operating a trailer, the method comprising loading material into a load carrying container of the trailer adjacent a compacting means, compacting the material in the load carrying container of the trailer by the compacting means, and urging the compacted material away from the compacting means.
71. A method as claimed in Claim 70 in which the compacting means is located towards one end of the trailer.
72. A method as claimed in Claim 70 or 71 in which the material is loaded into the container adjacent the end at which the compacting means is located.
73. A method as claimed in any of Claims 70 to 72 in which the compacted material is conveyed from the compacting means towards the other end of the trailer.
74. A method for operating a trailer, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
75. A method for operating a trailer, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 8 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.