GB2161683A - Cultivating implement - Google Patents

Abstract

A cultivating implement comprising plough means (4) for engaging and breaking up the soil surface and rotary means (5) for simultaneously pulverising the soil broken up and incorporating any surface vegetation with this thorough mixing. The implement preferably also comprises a seed distributor (6) downstream of the rotary means for re-seeding the cultivated soil, followed by a crumbler (7) for rolling the ground after re-seeding. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cultivating implement The present invention relates to a cultivating implement for use in pulverising the soil and imparting a mixing action.

The present invention provides a cultivating implement comprising plough means for engaging and breaking up the soil surface and rotary means for simultaneously pulverising the soil broken up and incorporating any surface vegetation with this through mixing. The present invention has particular application in the ploughing back of straw stubble after chopping with a combine harvester, and has the particular advantage that both the breaking up of the soil and its mixing with the straw stubble is accomplished in one pass of the implement.

The present cultivating implement is preferably adapted to be coupled with a vehicle e.g. a tractor, for towing.

In a preferred embodiment, a seed distributor is located downstream of the rotary means for reseeding the cultivated soil. This seed distributor is intended for the broadcasting of, for example, mustard or rape seed which, as it grows, accelerates the rotting of the ploughed in straw by carrying bacteria into the straw. In one embodiment, the seed distributor comprises a hopper and means for feeding seed from this hoppertoan outlet during travel ofthe cultivating implement.

In addition, a "crumbler" is preferably mounted downstream of the seed distributor for rolling the ground after re-seeding. This embodiment has the advantage of permitting the processes of breaking up and pulverising the soil, the mixing of this soil with straw stubble, re-seeding and rolling to be accomplished in a single operation, thereby conserving the moisture in the soil. Previously, the processes of cultivation, straw mixing, re-seeding and rolling were accomplished in separate operations over a number of days which in addition to being time consuming, led to considerable loss of moisture from the surface layers of soil. Such loss of water inhibits seed germination and prolongs the time taken for the straw to rot.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 illustrates schematically, a partially cut away side elevation of an embodiment of a cultivating implement of the present invention, in which the seed distributor has been omitted, Figure 2 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 1 shown in plan from above, Figure 3a illustrates, in side elevation, an embodiment of a tine; Figures 3b and 3c illustrate a clamping arrangementforthe tine of Figure 3a; Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a tiller shaft; Figures 5a and 5b illustrate an end mounting for the tiller shaft;; Figures 6a and 6b illustrate, in plan and cross section respectively, an embodiment of a cutter mixing element of the rotary tiller; Figure 7 illustrates schematically, an apparatus for distributing seeds; Figure 8 illustrates a crumbler shown in longitudinal section.

Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a cultivating implement for towing behind a vehicle, e.g. a tractor. The cultivating implement comprises a framework 1 having a coupling lug 2 at its forward end (in the direction of travel of the cultivating implement) for connection with the tractor. This framework 1 is mounted on a pair of wheels 3 towards its rear, and supports, in succession, tines 4, rotary tillers 5, a seed distributing apparatus 6 and a crumbler 7.

A total of ten tines 4 are arranged adjacent the forward end of the framework 1 and depend from three transversely arranged beams 8 at intervals along their lengths; four on the first beam and three on each of the other two. Figure 3a illustrates a preferred form of the tines 4 and Figures 3b and 3c a method by which they are mounted to the beams 8.

Four rotary tillers 5, each consisting of a tiller shaft 9 carrying seven propeller shaped cutter/mixing elements 5a, are arranged behind the tines 4 in the direction of travel of the cultivating implement. As can be seen from Figure 2, the tiller shafts 9 extend obliquely to the direction of travel of the cultivating implement, from one side of the framework 1 to its centre line. The ends of each shaft are supported in bearings carried by struts 10 which depend from the framework 1 (see Figures 1, 2, 5a and 5b).

Each cutter/mixing element 5a consists of four easily replaceable blades 11 arranged at equal angles about the tiller shaft 9. These blades 11 are bolted to one of seven collars 12 (see Figure 4) fixed to the tiller shaft 9 at equal intervals along its length.

Figures 6a and 6b illustrate such an element 5a mounted to a tiller shaft 9. As can be seen from Figure 6a, the leading or cutting edge 13 of each blade is longerthan the trailing edge. A projecting rib or fin 14 is provided on the face of each blade 11 and extends from the shaft along its centre line for a portion of the blade length. This rib 14 is designed to impact with the surface soil and debris, thereby combining a soil pulverising action with a mixing action.

The seed distributing apparatus 6 is mounted to the framework downstream of the rotary tillers 5 and behind the pair of wheels 3. In the present embodiment this apparatus takes a form similarto that shown in British Patent No. 205535 and illustrated in Figure 7.

The apparatus comprises a hopper 25 for seed having opposed walls of which the bottom portions converge towards the bottom of the hopper. The hopper extends transversely across the entire width of the framework 1 and has an outlet opening running the full length of the hopper. A shaft 26 rotates in the outlet opening, the shaft having at one end a drive pulley, not shown, connected by a drive belt or chain with the one of the wheels 3 so as to be rotatable as the cultivating implement moves over the ground. Alternatively, the apparatus may have a spider wheel which runs on the ground and is connected with the shaft. The shaft 26 carries along its length a plurality of fluted rollers 27. The spacing between these fluted rollers 27 can be adjusted as desired. The spacing between adjacent rollers 27 controls the rate of flow of seed 28 through the outlet opening of the hopper.A spreader or deflector plate 30 is associated with the hopper and is arranged so that material discharging from the outlet opening of the hopper passes downwards over the plate 30 and thence onto the ground. A cover 31, preferably of fabric, is also associated with the hopper 25 and has a lip or check-plate 32 which is so arranged with respect to the edge of the plate 30 as to define an opening 23 through which the seeds can pass to the ground, as shown in the drawing. This lip 32 is arranged to deflect the seeds and helps in the spread of the seed over the ground.

The crumbler 7 extends transversely to the direction of travel of the implement and is rotatably mounted at each end to a respective arm 29 pivotably mounted to the framework 1 so that the crumbler 7 maintains contact with the ground no matter the terrain.

As can be seen from Figure 8 the crumbler consists of a shaft 34 from which a plurality of equal length radial spokes 35 extend to support, in this case, twelve longitudinally extending slats 36.

When the cultivating implement is drawn behind a tractor, the tines 4 engage the soil surface to break it up. This broken up soil is then pulverised and simultaneously mixed with the straw stubble by the rotary tillers 5 which rotate as the cultivating implement advances due to engagement of the blades 11 with the aground. Seed from the seed distributor 6 is deposited on the cultivated soil and the crumbler 7 rolls and smooths the soil so as to incorporate the seeds distributed.

It will be appreciated that as an alternative to tines 4, discs or shares may be employed. Similarly, the seed distributor may take other forms from that shown in Figure 7.

Claims (11)

1. A cultivating implement comprising plough means for engaging and breaking up the soil surface and rotary means for simultaneously pulverising the soil broken up and incorporating any surface vegetation with this through mixing.

2. A cultivating implement as claimed in claim 1 adapted to be coupled with a vehicle for towing.

3. A cultivating implement as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the plough means comprise a plurality of tines which depend from a beam which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the implement.

4. A cultivating implement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the axis of rotation of the rotary means is oblique to the longitudinal axis of the implement.

5. A cultivating implement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rotary means comprise a plurality of rotary tillers each comprising a propeller shaped cutter/mixing element.

6. A cultivating implement as claimed in claim 5 wherein a rib is provided on each of the blades of the propeller shaped cutter/mixer elements for impacting with the surface soil and debris.

7. A cultivating implement as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a seed distributor located after the rotary means, with respect to the direction of travel of the implement, for re-seeding the cultivated soil.

8. A cultivating implement as claimed in claim 7 wherein the seed distributor comprises a hopper and means for feeding seed from this hopper to an outlet during travel of the cultivating implement.

9. A cultivating implement as claimed in claim 7 or 8 further comprising crumbler means located after the seed distributor, with respect to the direction of travel of the implement, for rolling the ground after re-seeding.

10. A cultivating implement as claimed in claim 9 wherein the crumbler means comprise a rotary shaft pivotally mounted to said implement and supporting a plurality of slats which define a cylindrical surface.

11. A cultivating implement substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.