AGRICULTURAL APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an agricultural machine according to the pre-characterising portion of claim 1. Such an agricultural machine is known from SE-B-458 007.

Agricultural machines, primarily machines for soil cultivation and sowing machines of various types, have for a long time had different forms of sprung working members. This applies to machines with both different forms of tines and different forms of discs, so-called disc shares.

The sprung mounting normally serves to give way when a stationary obstacle is run into and to improve ground adaptability, that is to say bring about automatic compensation when the working depth decreases or increases.

The sprung mounting is also intended to ensure that the working member vibrates during driving. The vibration contributes to earth, straw and plant remains being shaken off the working member. In many cases, the vibration is also desirable in order that the working member breaks up the earth better.

Great efforts have been made to find systems which achieve good ground adaptability and thus a precise working depth. This problem has been solved by dividing the frame into smaller sections and by providing each section with support members. Another known solution is to provide each sprung working member with support wheels. However, it has proved to be impossible to provide each sprung working member with support wheels and at the same time make all the working members work with the same force. If, moreover, a frame bearing a load of fertilizer or seed for sowing is arranged on the agricultural machine, a machine is obtained in which the frame height above the ground varies depending on how heavily loaded the machine is. This is a great inconvenience as the frame often bears other working members which have different conditions of action in the ground. The rebound of the working member is also affected by the driving speed as the earth resistance increases at increased driving speed.

Swedish patent SE-C-181 360 discloses an agricultural implement which comprises a number of share arms which are each mounted rotatably on a shaft on a frame. The share arms are interconnected in pairs by means of rods or links and to a swingle-tree. When one share arm collides with a stone, it is pivoted backwards, the other share arm then being pivoted forwards by means of the rods and the swingle-tree. This arrangement means that the risk is low that both share arms will simultaneously collide with an obstacle in the ground.

German patent DE-C-587 804 relates to an agricultural implement which comprises a number of share arms which are joined together by means of a rope. The rope runs via blocks arranged on each share arm and a block arranged on a lever. The lever is articulated on the one hand in a frame for the agricultural implement and on the other hand to a towing arrangement for the implement. When, for example, a tractor tows the agricultural implement, the lever 9 will tension the rope, so that the share arms will adopt an end position against a stop. If a share arm collides with a stone in the ground, the share arm is rotated backwards in the direction away from the tractor. The lever will then also be rotated backwards in order to relieve the load on the rope. The other share arms are not affected.

The object of the present invention is to produce an agricultural machine of the type indicated in the introduction, the working members of which absorb an essentially equal force against the ground.

Another object is to produce an agricultural machine, the working members of which essentially follow the shape of the ground.

A further object is to produce an agricultural machine, the position of which above the ground is independent of its weight.

Yet another object is to produce an agricultural machine, the working members of which are not affected by the speed of the machine.

This is achieved by the present invention by virtue of the fact that said working members are interconnected by means of elongate connecting parts which transmit movement and distribute force from one of said working members to another of said working members, so that when one of said working members moves from an initial position in one direction under the action of a force, another of said working members moves in another direction under the action of this force. The invention is characterized by the features of claim 1.

By virtue of the fact that the working members are connected by elongate connecting parts, such as a rope, the average setting of the working members remains unchanged under different load conditions, which affords the possibility of loading the machine with, for example, different types and sizes of seed containers without the height of the chassis part above the ground being changed. As a consequence of this, the agricultural machine offers a high degree of ground adaptability, which means that the working depth in the ground can be kept at an essentially constant level for all the working members irrespective of the type of ground or the driving speed.

The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the appended figures, in which

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an agricultural machine according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which is provided with a seed container and is towed by a tractor,
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the agricultural machine according to the first exemplary embodiment, in which the components of the machine are shown in greater detail,
• Fig. 3 is a side view of the agricultural machine according to the first exemplary embodiment,
• Fig. 4 is a side view of an agricultural machine according to a second exemplary embodiment,
• Fig. 5 is a side view of an agricultural machine according to a third exemplary embodiment,
• Fig. 6 is a side view of an agricultural machine according to a fourth exemplary embodiment,
• Fig. 7 is a side view of an agricultural machine according to a fifth exemplary embodiment,
• Fig. 8 is a top view of the agricultural machine according to the fifth exemplary embodiment,
• Fig. 9 is a detailed view from above of the agricultural machine according to the fifth exemplary embodiment,
• Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an agricultural machine according to a sixth exemplary embodiment,
• Figs 11 and 12 are detailed views of the agricultural machine according to the sixth exemplary embodiment,

Fig. 1 shows an agricultural machine 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The machine 1 comprises a chassis part 2 which forms a frame 2 for the components included in the machine. Fig. 1 indicates that a seed container 4 is arranged on the frame 2. The agricultural machine 1 is coupled to a tractor 6 in a conventional manner, which means that the tractor 6 tows the machine 1 over the ground.

A number of working members in the form of disc shares 8, 9 are arranged side by side and interconnected by means of an elongate connecting part in the form of a rope 10, which will be described in greater detail below. As shown in Fig. 1, two rows of disc shares 8, 9 are arranged parallel to one another. Arranged parallel to the two rows of disc shares 8, 9 is a row of support wheels 11.

Fig. 2 shows the agricultural machine 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment in greater detail. The first row of disc shares 8 is arranged on a first shaft 12 connected to the frame 2. The second row of disc shares 9 is arranged on a second shaft 13 connected to the frame 2. Each disc share 8, 9 is mounted on a leg 14, 15 which is arranged rotatably on the respective shaft 12, 13 by means of a split sleeve 16, 17. Arranged on the leg 14, 15 and the sleeve 16, 17 is an arm 18, 19 which extends in a direction essentially away from the disc share 8 and the leg 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the first and second shafts 12, 13 have an essentially square cross section. The split sleeve 16, 17 also has an essentially square cross section. The split sleeve 16, 17 is displaced in the circumferential direction in such a manner that four interspaces are formed, in which springing members 20 in the form of rod-shaped rubber elements are arranged. The rubber rods contribute to the disc shares striving to adopt an initial position.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the number of disc shares 8 on the first shaft 12 is the same as the number of disc shares 9 on the second shaft 13 and also the same as the number of support wheels 11. The support wheels 11 are arranged on a third shaft 21 which extends essentially parallel to the first and second shaft 12, 13. Seen in the direction of travel, indicated by an arrow P in Fig. 2, of the machine 1, each disc share 8, 9 and support wheel 11 is located on a line. The disc shares 8, 9 and support wheels 11 that are located on the same line in the direction of travel are interconnected in an articulated manner by means of first and second link stays 22, 23. The first link stay 22 connects the anns 18, 19 on the two disc shares 8, 9 arranged around the first and second shaft 12, 13. The second link stay 23 connects the arm 19 of the disc share 9 arranged on the second shaft 13 and an arm 24 arranged on the support wheel 11. It is possible for the support wheels 11 to be arranged with a bogie.

At the free end of each arm 18 of the disc shares 8 arranged around the first shaft 12, a block 26 is arranged, which comprises a bearing-mounted pulley 28, the periphery of which has a circumferential groove 30. The blocks 26 arranged on the arms 18 together form a first set of blocks 26 which are intended to interact with a second set of blocks 32 arranged on the frame 2, which have a bearing-mounted pulley 34 with a circumferential groove 36, via the rope 10 which runs via each block 26, 32 in the peripheral groove 30, 36 arranged in the respective pulley 28, 34. The ends of the rope 10 are connected firmly to the frame 2.

If the agricultural machine 1 happens to pass over, for example, a rise in the ground, the disc share(s) 8, 9 making contact with the rise is (are) pushed upwards. This means that the distance between the blocks 26 arranged on the arm 18 of the disc shares 8 that are acted on by the rise and the second set of blocks 32 arranged on the frame 2 will increase. On account of the fact that the rope 10 is tensioned firmly in the frame 2 and that the rope 10 is essentially inelastic, the distance between the blocks 26 arranged on the arm 18 of the disc shares 8 that are not affected by the rise and the second set of blocks 32 arranged on the frame 2 will decrease. This results in the disc shares 8, 9 that are not affected by the rise being pulled in the direction towards the ground by the rope 10. As the disc shares 8, 9 on the first and second shaft 12, 13 and also the support wheels 11 are connected by means of the first and second link stays 22, 23, the corresponding disc share 9 on the second shaft 13 and the corresponding support wheel 11 will also follow the movement of the disc share 8 on the first shaft 12.

In order to increase the stability of the agricultural machine 1 in the lateral direction, the rope 10 can be divided approximately half way along the length of the rope 10, so that the disc shares 8, 9 on one side of the agricultural machine 1 interact via one part of the divided rope 10 and the disc shares 8, 9 on the other side of the agricultural machine 1 interact via the other part of the divided rope 10. The ends of the rope 10 are connected on the one hand to the frame 2 at the sides of the agricultural machine 1 and on the other hand to a central region of the frame 2, which is shown in Fig. 2.

An adjustable force member, in the form of a hydraulic cylinder 25 or a spring, can be arranged on the rope 10. By means of a hydraulic cylinder 25, the force in the rope 10 can be regulated and also a vibration can be generated in the rope 10. Vibrations are then generated in the disc shares 8, 9, which shakes off earth, straw and other plant remains which have stuck to the disc shares 8, 9.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the agricultural machine 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. A tractor 6 is arranged so as to tow the agricultural machine 1 on the ground. The disc shares 8, 9 arranged around the first and second shafts 12, 13 are located at a given depth below the surface of the ground, which depth can be adjusted by interaction between the support wheels 11 and the towing coupling of the tractor. The arrangement for this adjustment is previously known per se and is therefore not shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 shows a side view of an agricultural machine 1' according to a second exemplary embodiment. This embodiment is very reminiscent of the first embodiment but differs in that the first set of blocks 26 are arranged on the arms 19 instead of on the arms 18 and also in that the second set of blocks 32 are arranged on the frame 2' at a fastening point located in the rear region of the agricultural machine 1'.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of an agricultural machine 1" according to a third exemplary embodiment. This embodiment is also very reminiscent of the first embodiment but differs in that the first set of blocks 26 are arranged on a projection on a leg 38 of the support wheel 11 instead of on the arms 18 and also in that the second set of blocks 32 are arranged on the frame 2" at a fastening point located in the rear region of the agricultural machine 1".

Fig. 6 shows a side view of an agricultural machine 1''' according to a fourth exemplary embodiment. According to this embodiment, the first and second link stays 22, 23 connect the legs 14, 15 of the disc shares 8, 9 and the leg 38 of the support wheel 11. A link arm 40 is arranged on the leg 15 of the disc share 9 arranged rotatably around the second shaft 13. The second set of blocks 32 are arranged on an arm 19''' of the respective disc share 9 arranged on the second shaft 13. The arm 19''' preferably extends in a direction which essentially coincides with the direction of extension of the respective leg 15. With the link stays 22, 23, the link arm 40 and the blocks 26, 32 connected together according to this embodiment, the disc shares 8, 9 and the support wheels 11 that are located on the same line in the direction of travel are permitted to move relative to one another.

Fig. 7 shows a side view of an agricultural machine 1^IV according to a fifth exemplary embodiment. In this case, the working members consist of sowing tines 42 arranged side by side on a number of parallel shafts 44, 45, 46, 47. Another name for a sowing tine 42 is a cultivator tine. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, four parallel shafts 44-47 are arranged in a row one following another. The agricultural machine 1^IV is intended to be towed by, for example, a tractor (not shown in Fig. 5) in the direction of the arrow P. As in the preceding exemplary embodiments, the sowing tines 42 are rotatable around the shafts 44-47. Rubber dampers are preferably also arranged between a split sleeve arranged around the shaft 44-47 and the shaft, as described in connection with Fig. 2.

An arm 48, 49 is arranged on each sowing tine 42. Each arm 48, 49 comprises a guide element for a rope 10, in the form of a bearing-mounted pulley 50, the periphery of which has a circumferential groove 52. The arm 48 on each sowing tine 42 mounted rotatably on a first shaft 44 at the very front in the direction of travel of the agricultural machine 1^IV is arranged above the shaft 44, seen from the side of the agricultural machine 1^IV in Fig. 7. The arm 49 on each sowing tine 42 mounted rotatably on a second shaft 45 seen in the direction of travel of the agricultural machine 1^IV is arranged below the shaft 45, seen from the side of the agricultural machine 1^IV in Fig. 7.

A rope 10 runs via the pulleys 50 arranged on the arms 48, 49, which rope 10 transmits movement and distributes force between the sowing tines 42 arranged on the shafts 44-47. If, for example, one of the sowing tines 42 on the first shaft 44 passes over a rise in the ground, this sowing tine 42 will move upwards, that is to say in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 7. The pulley 50 bearing-mounted on the arm 48, 49 will then tension the rope 10, so that the other sowing tines 42 arranged on the first and second shaft 44, 45 will be rotated in the clockwise direction around the first and second shaft 44, 45. The sowing tines 42 on the third and fourth shafts 46, 47 interact in the same way as described for the sowing tines 42 on the first and second shafts 44, 45.

In order further to improve the ground adaptability and to close the furrow formed in the ground by the respective sowing tine 42, a support wheel 54 can be arranged on each sowing tine 42. The dotted lines in Fig. 7 show the sowing tines 42 and the support wheels 54 in an angled-up position, which can result if a rise in the ground is passed over, as described above. The sowing tines 42 are provided with a share 51. For sowing, the share 51 can be designed in such a manner, for example asymmetrically with a projection 37, that an earth bank B is produced on one side of the furrow F formed by the share 51 on the sowing tine 42. The support wheel 54 arranged on the respective sowing tine 42 will then interact with the sowing tine 42, so that the earth bank B is levelled and fills in the furrow F again, and so that the support wheel 54 presses down on the filled-in furrow F. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the axis of rotation of the support wheel 54 is inclined at an oblique angle α in relation to the direction of travel, as is best shown in a top view in Figures 8 and 9. By virtue of the fact that the support wheel 54 rolls at an angle in relation to the direction of travel, the support wheel 54 will automatically clean itself in wet conditions when the earth is sticky. The sowing depth, that is to say the depth at which the share 51 will be set by making the support wheel 54 adjustable along the sowing tine 42. The angle of the support wheel 54 in relation to the direction of travel can be adjustable. The distance of the support wheel 54 from the sowing tine 42 can also be adjustable.

Fig. 8 shows a top view of the agricultural machine 1^IV according to the fifth exemplary embodiment. The rope 10 runs zigzag via the pulleys 50 arranged on respective arms in such a manner that the rope 10 is at one end 56 connected to in a frame 2^IV of the agricultural machine 1^IV and runs via the pulley 50 on the arm 49 of the sowing tine 42 arranged on the second shaft 45. The rope 10 then continues to the pulley 50 arranged on the arm 48 of the sowing tine 42 arranged on the first shaft 44, and then on to the pulley 50 of an arm 49 of a sowing tine 42 arranged next to the first-mentioned sowing tine 42 on the second shaft 45 etc., finally being anchored by its other end 58 in the frame 2^IV. As shown in Fig. 8, the sowing tines 42 on the first and second shaft 44, 45 are not arranged on a line, seen in the direction of travel of the agricultural machine 1^IV.

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of an agricultural machine 1^V according to a sixth exemplary embodiment. The agricultural machine 1^V comprises a seed container 4^V arranged on a frame 2^V of the agricultural machine 1^V. At the rear end of the frame 2^V, two wheels 39^V are arranged. On each side of a central part of the frame 2^V, which supports the seed container 4^V, two manoeuvrable frame parts 2^V are arranged, which are very reminiscent of the agricultural machine 1^IV according to the fifth embodiment but differ in that each working member in the form of sowing tines 42^V is provided with a parallel guide from the frame 2^V, which will be described in greater detail with the aid of Figures 11 and 12.

In sowing, the requirement for accuracy is great, the objective being to plant the seed at a depth measured from the surface of the ground of approximately 1-5 cm depending on the type of crops. The variation in depth between different seeds that are planted during the same sowing is to be minimal; less than 0.5 cm is desirable. As the surface of the ground is often uneven and the agricultural machine 1^V works over a great width, each individual sowing tine 42^V must be compensated for unevennesses in the surface of the ground if a constant sowing depth is to be obtained.

Figures 11 and 12 shows detailed views of the sowing tines 42^V according to the sixth exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 10. The sowing tine 42^V, which has a leg 14^V, is arranged rotatably around a shaft 44^V by means of a split sleeve 16^V which accommodates damping members 20^V in the form of rubber rods, as described in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 2. An arm 48^V, which at an outer end has a bearing-mounted pulley 50^V for a rope 10, is also arranged on the split sleeve 16^V. At that end of the sowing tine 42^V which faces away from the sleeve 16^V, a cultivating member in the form of a share 51 is connected in an articulated manner on the sowing tine 42^V. The share 51 can be of, for example, the goose-foot type, which share 51 strives to travel at the correct angle and thus requires minimum towing force. Also arranged on the share 51 is a sowing tube 53, on which a support wheel 54^v is adjustably arranged. At that end of the sowing tube 53 which faces away from the surface of the ground, a first end 55 of a parallel stay 57 is connected in an articulated manner. A second end 59 of the parallel stay 57 is connected in an articulated manner to a lever 61 connected firmly to the shaft 44^V around which the split sleeve 16^V is arranged.

Fig. 11 shows the agricultural machine 1^V in a normal position above the surface of the ground. If a rise in the surface of the ground is encountered, the sowing tine 42^V will rotate in the counterclockwise direction around the shaft 44^V. As the lever 61 is connected firmly to the shaft 44^V, the lever 61 will not be rotated around the shaft 44^V, which means that the parallel stay 57 will transmit a movement to the sowing tube 53 which in turn moves at an angle and adjusts the share 51 in relation to the sowing tine 42^V in order that the sowing depth is maintained.

In order to set the desired sowing depth d for the respective sowing tine 42^V, the parallel stay 57 can, for example, be length-adjustable (not shown) or the support wheel 54 can be moved along the sowing tube.

According to the exemplary embodiments shown above, the elongate connecting part 10 can comprise a rope, steel wire rope, carbon fibre rope, chain, chain cable or the like.