GB2222756A - Limiting depth of agricultural seeding - Google Patents

Abstract

In seeding apparatus seeds are delivered to sins which are cut in the ground by a plurality of discs (27, 28), and the slits with seeds implanted in them are closed by rollers (34). At least some of the discs (28) are provided with annular flanges or bands (30), and each flange or band is spaced inwardly from the peripheral cutting edge of its disc by a distance which determines the depth of the slit cut by that disc. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVED METHOD AND MEANS FOR AGRICULTURAL SEEDING This invention relates to agricultural sowing of seeds by the technique of slit sowing in which seeds are implanted in slits or narrow slots cut in the ground, not necessarily cultivated or otherwise prepared except, in suitable cases, where vegetation is killed by the application of suitable chemicals.

Essentially our invention is concerned with apparatus for preparing and seeding ground in which seeds from a seedbox mounted on a frame assembly for connection to a towing vehicle are delivered through tubes to slits which are cut and opened in the ground by a plurality of discs mounted on the frame assembly for rotation about generally transverse axis is adapted to compact the ground and close the slits after seeds have been implanted therein.

In my G.B. Patent No. 1 218 785 I have disclosed apparatus of the kind set forth in which the frame assembly comprises first and second relatively movable frames of which the first frame comprises a draw bar for connection to a towing vehicle and the second forms a mounting for a plurality of spaced substantially parallel longitudinally extending arm assemblies carrying the discs, which are of generally planar outline, the arm assemblies being located below the frames and being urged downwardly away from the second frame by resilient means, and a connection is provided between the second frame and the draw bar by adjustment of which the loading on the apparatus applied to the discs can be varied to control penetration of the disc into the ground and the depth of the slits thus produced.

When the apparatus of G.B. Patent No. 1 218 785 is being used for seeding, or re-seeding, flat or substantially flat areas, suitably sports fields and the like, the slits in the ground can be maintained at substantially a constant depth by adjustment of the connection between the two frames since the angle between the towing vehicle and the apparatus in a vertical sense is substantially constant.

When the apparatus is being used over undulating terrain, such as may be found on golf courses and the like, the undulations cause changes in the angle between the towing vehicle and the apparatus, with the result that the loading on the apparatus may increase which, in turn, will cause the discs to penetrate the ground to greater depths. This is undesirable since seeds will then be planted at depths which prevent them from germinating efficiently.

According to my present invention in apparatus of the kind set forth at least some of the discs are provided with projection means which, in use, co-operates with the ground substantially to limit the depth to which the respective disc can penetrate the ground.

Conveniently the projection means comprises an annular flange or band which is concentric with the disc and is spaced inwardly from the peripheral cutting edge of the disc by a distance which determines the depth of a respective slit.

Preferably the flange or band is detachably secured to the disc so that it may be readily interchangeable with a number of similar bands of different diameters to enable slits of different depths to be cut.

In one construction the band is upstanding from the peripheral edge of a circular mounting plate by which is adapted to be clamped against one face of the disc by releasable means, conveniently screw-threaded bolts.

When the discs are incorporated in apparatus in which the frame assembly comprises first and second frames, the discs are carried from one of the frames by arm assemblies which are urged downwardly by resilient means.

Adequate penetration of the discs into the ground at least to the depth permitted by the location of the depth bands can be ensured by hanging weights on the frame from which the arm assemblies are carried.

The weights are adapted to be hooked on either or both of a pair of rails which are defined by spaced parallel transverse members located at the front and rear ends of the frame.

One embodiment of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of apparatus for seeding ground in an operational position; Figure 2 is a section through a cutting disc of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus in a mode for road transit between sites.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings comprises a first frame 1 of rectangular outline which is oblong in a transverse direction and which comprises spaced parallel front and rear members 2 and 3 interconnected by longitudinally extending side members 4. A second frame 6 in the form of a draw-bar is pivotally connected at one end between a pair of spaced brackets 7 which depend downwardly from the front member 2. The front member 2 is also connected to the frame 6 by means of an hydraulic ram 9 of which the effect length is adjustable to alter the relative angular positions of the frames 1 and 6.

A transverse shaft 10 is journalled in a plurality of transversely spaced brackets 11 which depend downwardly from the side members 4. A plurality of spaced longitudinal arm assemblies 12, each comprising a pair of members 13 and 14 pivotally connected at adjacent ends, are journalled at their forward ends on the shaft 10. Adjacent arm assemblies 12 are spaced from each other by distance pieces 15 carried by the shaft 10.

Each member 14 is constructed in accordance with the assembly forming the subject of any GB-A-2 191 923 to form pairs of arms which are cranked at intermediate points in their lengths to provide staggered mountings for a pair of cutting discs 27,28 which are journalled for rotation on opposite sides of each arm assembly.

The apparatus is therefore provided with two rows of front discs 28 and rear discs 27 with the discs in each row spaced transversely from each other.

Some of the discs, and at least the two outermost of the discs 28, are provided with depth bands 30. As illustrated each depth band 30 comprises an upstanding radial flange 31 at the outer peripheral edge of a circular mounting plate 32 which is adapted to be secured to the outer face of the disc by bolts 33 with the flange 31 concentric with and spaced inwardly from the cutting edge of the disc.

In the preferred construction illustrated, each front disc 28 is provided with a depth band, but no depth bands are attached to the rear discs 27.

Ground compacting rollers 34 are journalled for rotation at the rear end of each arm assembly 12, and each roller 34 is arranged rearwardly of the discs carried by a respective arm assembly.

A pair of road wheels 35 are journalled for rotation about a transverse axis located to the rear of the ground compacting roller 34.

In operation, before seeding commences, the effective length of the hydraulic ram 9 is reduced so that the ram is fully floating. The whole weight of the apparatus is therefore taken by the first frame 1 and no weight is transferred to the draw-bar 6. The weight of the apparatus is therefore transferred both to the discs 27 and 28 and the rollers 34 with the road wheels 35 raised above the ground.

On relatively soft terrain the weight of the apparatus itself may be sufficient to cause the disc to penetrate the ground until the bands 30 contact the ground.

Seeding can then commence with seeds first implanted in the slits cut by the discs 27, 28, and the slits then being closed by the rollers 34.

The bands 30 act to limit the distance by which the discs can penetrate the ground, for example which might otherwise occur to an excessive extent when the apparatus is used over undulating terrain.

In a modification the bands 30 can be replaced with similar bands having flanges 31 of different diameters. The enables slits of different depths to be cut When the terrain is relatively harder, the apparatus is provided at its front and/or rear end with weights 40, 41 which increases the effective weight of the apparatus. This assists penetration of the discs 27, 28 into the ground to the required depth.

It will be appreciated that the number of weights, and the arrangement of the weights themselves, is chosen to suit the nature of the particular terrain.

To enable the apparatus to be transferred between operational sites, the - effective length of the hydraulic ram 9 is increased so that the apparatus is tilted at its rear onto the road wheels 35 as shown in Figure 3, and the rollers 34 and the discs 27 and 28 are raised above the ground. The apparatus can then be towed along a road by a tractor 50 with the weight shared between the road wheels 35 and the tow-bar 51 of the tractor.

Claims (10)

1. Apparatus of the kind set forth in which at least some of the discs are provided with projection means which, in use, co-operates with the ground to limit the depth to which the respective disc can penetrate the ground.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the projection means comprises an annular flange or band which is concentric with the disc and is spaced inwardly from the peripheral cutting edge of the disc by a distance which determines the depth of a respective slit.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the flange or band is detachably secured to the disc.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the flange or band is interchangeable with a number of similar bands of different diameters, whereby slits of different depth can be cut.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1-4, in which the flange or band is upstanding from the peripheral edge of a circular mounting plate, and the plate is adapted to be clamped against one face of the disc by clamping means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the discs are incorporated in apparatus in which the frame assembly comprises first and second frames, and the discs are carried from one of the frames by arm assemblies, resilient means acting to urge the discs downwardly relatively away from the frame.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which weights are adapted to be hung on the apparatus to increase the penetration of the discs into the ground, at least to depths permitted by the projection means.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the frame from which the arm assemblies are carried is provided with spaced parallel front and rear transverse rails, and weights adapted to be suspended from the front and/or the rear rails are adapted to increase the penetration of the discs into the ground by increasing the effective weight of the apparatus which acts on the frame.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the other frame comprises a draw-bar by means of which the apparatus is coupled to a towing vehicle, and the apparatus is provided with ground engaging road wheels which are spaced above the ground when the apparatus is in a operation mode with substantially none of the weight of the apparatus taken by the draw-bar, the effective length of an hydraulic ram acting between the two frames is adapted to be altered to move the two frames relatively away from each other whereby the apparatus can be tilted onto the road wheels for transit between different sites.

10. Apparatus for preparing and seeding ground substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.