GB2447403A

GB2447403A - A multi unit soil cultivation device incorporating a swivel based plough

Info

Publication number: GB2447403A
Application number: GB0704693A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jim Tarry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-12
Filing date: 2007-03-12
Publication date: 2008-09-17
Also published as: GB0704693D0

Abstract

A soil cultivation device 100, incorporating a swivel plough element 150 in which a plurality of plough bits 142 are affixed to the underside of a beam 141 which is supported from a support bar 140 by a pivot bolt 146. The support bar is fixed to a frame 101. The plough element is therefore free to swivel in relation to the frame allowing the device to go up and down the field like a reversible plough. The implement may also include subsoiler elements 103, compactor means 110, 180, spring tines 160 and a leveller bar 172. The device is fitted with a conventional coupling means for pulling with a tractor. The frame may also be adapted to include a seed drill.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

MULTI-PLOUGH

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A farming implement compnsing a subsoiler, a packer roller, a swivel plough, spring tines, level board, packer roller, and an optional drill, for single-pass soil tilling to produce a drilled seed bed or a seed bed ready for drilling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this implement is to save time by obtaining a clean seed bed by means of reducing the number of passes over the land and therefore reducing the compaction of the soil.

Conventional operations can require several passes over the field, which include subsoiling, ploughing, pressing, conditioning the soil and drilling. Each time the individual machinery goes over the land compaction occurs, thereby reducing drainage and reducing root establishment. Nearly all minimum till machines cannot work in wet or damp, trashy conditions to accomplish a seed bed in one pass. The implement ploughs soil to a depth of about 5" (125ml) thereby turning over the soil and burying the stubble and straw even in wet conditions. Conventional no-till implements tend to accumulate trash and other crop residue. This needs to be cleared by stopping the machinery and manually removing the trash which is time consuming.

Minimum till and direct drilling can cause weeds to grow and this will in turn create competition for crops. This has the disadvantage that further spraying is required, which incurs further expense. This is also time consuming and rcquires yet a further pass over the land. This implement has the advantage that weed seeds are buried to a depth of 5" (125m1).

This implement has the advantage that a drill could be adapted to the frame in front of or to the rear of the last packer roller.

A need has arisen for a one pass tillage machine which will bury the stubble and trash, reduce compaction and prepare the land for drilling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1. Left side elevational view of the multi-pough of the invention.

Figure 2. Left side view of the multi-plough of the invention.

Figure 3. Top view of the multi-plough of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A farm implement is provided comprising, in a unitary apparatus, designed for use in either dry or wet conditions: (a) a sub-soiler which penetrates 8"-l 0" in the ground to allow drainage and to allow roots to spread and grow; (b) a packer roller to consolidate the ground and to make the operation of the plough moleboards/discs work more efficiently; (c) a swivel-plough element comprising (i) moleboards, for use in dry conditions, or (ii) discs optionally comprising individual scrapers to keeps the discs clean and running freely, for use in wet, muddy conditions; the design of the swivel plough allows the implement to go up and down the field like a reversible plough; the moleboards/disc are the main parts of the implement which will turn over 4"-5" soil in order to bury the stubble and chopped straw; this helps to increase organic matter in the soil which, in turn, leaves soil free to drain; (d) spring tines to work the top 2" of soil, in order to break down clods and for seed bed preparation; (e) a level board for even seed bed; and (f) a rear packer roller to firm the soil prior to drilling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The farm implement according to this invention provides an apparatus which has significant advantages over known farm implements. Referred to herein for convenience as the multi-plough, this apparatus permits the farmer in a single pass through a field to achieve what currently requires multiple passes.

Referring now to the figures, in which like elements are shown from different perspectives herein with identical numbering applied to the same elements shown in the different views. With reference now to Figure 1, the multi-plough 100 is shown as a side elevational view. A frame 101 comprises a left side frame member lOla, a right side frame member lOib, a front cross-bar member Ic, and a rear cross-bar member lOld, said front and rear cross-bar members lOIc and lOld connecting said left side frame member lOla and said right side frame member lOib, such that said frame members in combination form a substantially rectangular frame 101 to which all other elements of said multi-plough 100 are either directly or indirectly connected. By "substantially rectangular", it is not intended to exclude, for example, a square shape wherein the dimensions of each described frame member is identical in length. Nonetheless, in practice, due to the various elements included within and upon said frame 101 in a typical embodiment, the frame side elements lOla and lOib are longer than said cross-bar frame elements lOic and bid, such that the frame element 101 of the multi-plough in a typical embodiment is rectangular. It should fUrther be noted that said frame elements lOla, bib, lOic, and lOld may comprise curvature either in the entirety of each such element or in portions thereof. Thus, for example, in one embodiment of the invention, the frame elements lOla and lOib are each curved outwardly from the front of each such element, where each such element is joined, by welding, bolts, rivets, or any other conventional means known in the art, to the front cross-bar element lOic, to where they meet and are joined, by welding, bolts, rivets or any other conventional means known in the art, to said rear cross-bar element lOld. In such an embodiment, the multi-plough 100 may have an almost circular circumference. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, therefore, that the precise shape and dimensions of the frame 101 is not a limiting feature of the invention, and for particular utilities, different shapes and dimensions may be of benefit. Thus, for example, in figure 3, the front frame element lOic is shown in an alternate configuration as a substantially "V" shaped element, with the apex of the "V" extending forward, and the arms of the "V" joining the left and right side frame elements lOla and lOib. For ease of description, without intending to thereby be limited, unless otherwise specified, the remainder of this disclosure treats the frame as a substantially rectangular apparatus element of the invention.

Without wishing or intending to be bound thereby, but rather for the purpose of assisting those skilled in the art to understand the invention, exemplary dimensions are provided for said left and right frame elements lOla and bib, of 8 meters, said front and rear cross-bar elements lOic and lOld, of 3 meters. Once again, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the apparatus may be constructed with variant dimensions without departing from the intended scope and heart of the invention described herein. It will also be understood that the frame 101 and each element thereof, including left and right side frame elements lOla and lOib and front and rear cross-bar elements lObe and bid, may be constructed from any number of preferred materials. Typically, these elements will be comprised of steel, iron, various alloys, composite materials, plastics, wood and the like. Preferably, these elements are constructed from hardened steel and are painted, coated or treated in another way known in the art to prevent rusting or other forms of oxidative decomposition or degradation thereof Similar considerations apply to all elements of the apparatus of the present invention, with it being understood that each such element is preferably composed of hardened steel, with alternative materials being used as desirably known and understood by those skilled in the art.

At the front end 102 of the multi-plough 100, optionally attached to said front cross-bar element lOic of said frame 101, are provided a plurality of subsoiler elements 103, which are elements well known in the art. For completeness, however, the subsoiler elements are generally described herein without intending to be bound to the specifics of the description provided for such elements. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any appropriate structure which achieves the function of breaking up compacted soil may be utilized in combination with or as part of the present invention. For exemplary purposes only, as shown in figure 1, each subsoiler element of said plurality of subsoiler elements 103 comprises a vertical element 103a by means of which each such subsoiler element is affixed by welding, bolts, rivets or other conventional means known in the art to said front cross-bar element lOic. At the base of each such vertical element 103a, there is provided a subsoiler structure 103b adapted for optimally breaking up compacted earth. In one preferred embodiment, each subsoiler element 103 penetrates eight to ten inches into the ground to allow drainage and to allow roots to spread and grow.

While in one preferred embodiment of this invention, the subsoiler elements 103 described herein are incorporated into a unitary multi-plough apparatus 100 as described herein, by being affixed, as described above, to said front cross-bar element lOic, it will be appreciated that alternatively, said subsoiler elements 103 may be attached to an additional cross bar element not specifically shown in the figures, or they may even be incorporated into a separate unitary apparatus to be connected to the multi-plough of the present invention. It will also be appreciated that while it is stated that the invention optionally but preferably comprises a plurality of subsoiler elements, it is not intended that a specific number of such elements be included or utilized in combination with this invention. In figure 1, six subsoiler elements 103 are exemplified, while in figure 3, five subsoiler elements 103 are exemplified. However, more or less such elements may be included in various embodiments of the invention, and for particular applications. Optionally, such elements may be detachably incorporated into the invention, by bolts or otherwise, such that, for a particular set of conditions, more or less such elements may be included. The primary consideration with respect to said subsoiler elements is that enough such elements are provided to ensure that the width of the field over which the multi-plough is drawn is sufficiently broken up to permit the remaining elements of the apparatus to be described below to efficiently and adequately perform their intended functions. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that each subsoiler element 103 is adapted to penetrate during operation of the multi-plough 100 to a sufficient depth below the surface of the earth to permit adequate preparation of the soil for subsequent efficient drilling of seeds, such that healthy and efficient germination of crop seedlings may be achieved. Typically, each subsoiler element 103 is adapted to bite into the surface of the earth about eight to ten inches. This is typically sufficient to prevent seeds from rotting, and is not so shallow a depth that seeds are washed away or easily removed by foraging animals, wind, water and the like. It will also be appreciated that each subsoiler clement 103 may be adapted to bite into the earth to differing extents. These are all considerations well known to those skilled in the art.

Extending disclosure of this invention rearward of said subsoiler elements 103, there is preferably provided according to this invention a compactor means 110. Such compactor means may, in various embodiments, comprise a packer roller in the form of a barrel, a series of closely packed disk elements or the like. The compactor means 110 is preferably a substantially cylindrical, rotatable element which compacts the soil broken up by said subsoiler elements 103. Said compactor means 110 preferably comprises a central axle means 112 extending between the left side frame element lOla and the right side frame element bib, and is preferably rotatably supported by an axel 112 support means 111 affixed to each side frame element lOla and lOib Once again, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the rotatable compactor means 110 may be provided in a separate unitary device, connected to a frontward separate apparatus comprising said subsoiler elements 103, but in a preferred embodiment according to this invention, said compactor element is included, as shown in figure 1, as part of a unitary multi-plough apparatus 100 according to this invention. The composition of said compactor means 110 may be metallic, a cylindrical metallic drum or the like, filled or unfilled with an appropriate filler material, although such filling is not required as the weight of the multi-plough is sufficient to achieve adequate soil compaction. Alternatively, a series of closely distributed metallic disk elements, or any other appropriate material known by those skilled in the art to be appropriate to the intended function may be utilized Extending the disclosure and discussion of the multi-plough 100 according to this invention further rearward, there is next described a series of elements 120-145, referred to collectively herein as the swivel-plough element 150, which forms an essential heart of the invention, with the understanding that in addition to this element forming a heart of the invention, it is also the combination of other elements, either as separate unitary elements or as a combined unitary multi-plough apparatus, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of this invention, which forms the invention as disclosed and claimed herein.

The swivel-plough element 150 of the invention is formed substantially by a portion of the left frame element lOla, the right frame element bib, a forward cross-guide element 120 and a rear cross-guide element 130. The front cross-guide element 120 extends from the left frame element lOla to the right frame element lOib, and is attached to each said frame element by means well known in the art selected from, but not limited to, welding, bolts, rivets and the like. The front edge 121 of said forward cross-guide element 120 is preferably a substantially linear element which optionally is juxtaposed with respect to said compactor means 110 sufficiently closely such that any mud, debris or the like which might be adhered to the surface of said compactor means 110 is removed on the underside of said front-cross-guide element 120 as the surface of said compactor rotates past the lower surface of said front cross-guide element. The rear edge 122 of said front cross-guide element 120 provides a curved guide surface, the function of which will be described below. The surface is a substantially smoothly curved concave surface with the apex of the curvature extending toward the front end of the multi-plough 100.

A similar but inversely oriented rear cross-guide element 130 is provided on the most rearward aspect of the swivel-plough element 150 of the invention. The cross-guide element 130, like the front cross-guide element 120, extends from the left frame element lOla to the right frame element 10th, and is attached to each said frame element by means well known in the art selected from, but not limited to, welding, bolts, rivets and the like. The front edge 131 of said rear cross-guide element 130 provides a curved guide surface, the function of which will be described below. The surface is a substantially smoothly curved concave surface with the apex of the curvature extending toward the rear end of the multi-plough 100. The rear edge 132 of said rear cross-guide element 130 is preferably a substantially linear element extending between and affixed at ninety degrees to each of the left and right frame elements lOla and lOib.

Extending between the left frame element lOla and right frame element lOib is provided a swivel plough support bar 140, at a position halfway between said cross-guide elements 120 and 130 as measured along the linear edges lOla and lOlb of said left and right frame elements. Each end of said swivel plough support bar 140 is affixed to said left and right frame elements lOla and lOib by means well known in the art, including, but not limited to, by welding, bolts, rivets and the like. In one optional embodiment, said swivel plough support bar 140 is removably affixed between said left and right frame elements lOla and lOib such that, if desired, the working elements of said swivel plough may be removed in a unitary fashion from said multi-plough 100 by detaching said swivel plough support bar 140 and lifting all elements attached thereto from said multi-plough 100. Rotatably affixed to the underside of said swivel-plough support bar 140, for example by means of pivot bolt 146, is provided a swivel plough beam 141, having a forward terminus 144 and a rearward terminus 145. To the underside of said swivel plough beam 141 are affixed a plurality of plough bits 142. Each said plough bit 142 is affixed to the underside of said swivel plough beam 141 by means of plough bit linkage 143. Each such linkage may be a permanent linkage, such as a weld between said plough bit and said swivel plough beam 141. Of course, the size of such linkage is appropriately adapted such that each plough bit during operation of the multi-plough 100 is appropriately disposed and oriented such that it bites into the surface of the earth a desired and optimal distance to achieve the intended function of producing a ploughed field ready for seeding. In an optional embodiment according to the invention, the linkage 143 between each plough bit 142 and said swivel plough beam 141 is a detachable linkage, such as, for example, eye and boll linkages known in the art. In this manner, depending on conditions, each plough bit may be removed and replaced by another plough bit, by a disc, or by any other means known in the art which may be utilized to plough a field. Thus, for example, in particularly muddy conditions, each plough bit, or a select number of plough bits from said plurality of plough bits 142 may be removed and replaced by a plough disk which is less susceptible to fouling by clay or mud. These are considerations well known to those skilled in the art.

In another optional embodiment, the swivel plough beam 141, to which are attached the moleboards, is detachably affixed in swivel permissive fashion to the swivel plough support bar 140.

In this embodiment, swivel plough support bar 140 is, for example, welded to lOla and lOib In this embodiment, swivel plough beam 141 is detached, providing the option of removing all of the moleboards at once on one beam, to be replaced by another beam with, for example, discs attached.

Reasons for removing the whole swivel plough beam 141 and replacing it with an alternate beam would be because the attachments of the moleboards and discs to the frame could be at different angles This embodiment, therefore, would provide a convenient, time-saving means by which to swap out the entire set of plough or disc elements, depending on field conditions, fouling, need for different groove formation and the like. In this embodiment, as shown in figure 3, with the swivel plough support bar welded to frame side elements lOla and lOib, a set of lifting wheels may be attached via appropriate axle means known in the art to allow the multi-plough to be put in and out of work. The wheels are also used for transporting the multi-plough, as discussed further below.

Desirably, each plough bit 142 is oriented such that the plane of the face of each plough bit is substantially oriented at ninety- degrees to an imaginary plane running lengthwise through the centre of said swivel plough beam 141. The swivel plough beam 141, rotatably affixed and supported as it is to the underside of said swivel plough support bar 140 is adapted for rotation such that the front terminus 144 of said swivel plough beam 141 may be oriented at any position between a position all the way adjacent to the right frame element lOib to a position adjacent to the left frame element lOla. As the swivel plough beam 141 in at least one embodiment of the invention is a rigid bar, when said front terminus 144 of said swivel plough beam 141 is adjacent to said right frame member lOib, the rear terminus 145 of said swivel plough beam 141 is positioned adjacent to the left frame member lOla.

Likewise, when said front terminus 144 of said swivel plough beam 141 is positioned adjacent to the left frame element lOla, the rear terminus 145 of said swivel plough beam 141 is positioned adjacent to said right frame element lOIb. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, conceivably, said swivel plough beam 141 may not be a linear element. It may comprise curvature, it may comprise one or more linkages along portions of a linear expanse thereof such that different portions of said swivel plough bar 141 may be positioned at settable orientations as required or desired for particular applications. Such variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention, although it is considered to be the case that such modifications would only be required for relatively unusual and esoteric applications. Such modifications would, of course, naturally, also require appropriate modifications of other elements of the swivel plough element 150 of this invention, including but not limited to the front and rear cross-guide elements 120 and 130, but these are considered to be modifications and adaptations that could easily be made by those skilled in the art upon reading and appreciating the remainder of this disclosure, and are therefore not addressed in further detail here.

Such modifications and variations should, however, be considered equivalents of the specific linear embodiment of the swivel plough bar 141 disclosed in detail herein.

With the plane of the face of each plough bit substantially oriented at ninety-degrees to an imaginary plane running lengthwise through the centre of said swivel plough beam 141, it will be appreciated that if said swivel plough beam 141 is oriented such that its long axis is parallel to said left and right frame members lOla and lOib, then the plane of the face of each plough bit 142 would be at ninety degrees to the direction of motion of the multi-plough 100 of the invention. In that event, each plough bit wouJd merely dig into the earth and would impede forward progress. Accordingly, to accommodate this orientation of the swivel plough beam 141, it is desirable that each plough bit 142 may be independently rotatable about each linkage 143. Of course, however, this is a special case, and in general, even if each plough bit linkage 143 was a welded, non-rotatable linkage, by merely orienting the swivel plough beam to the right of the centre line, i.e. with the front terminus 144 closer to the right frame element lOIb than to the left frame element lOla, immediately the plane of the face of each plough bit would no longer be at ninety degrees to the direction of motion, and earth churned up by the plough would be forced to the right. In optimal conditions under which this invention is utilized, the swivel plough beam is either disposed all the way or a substantial portion of the way to the right, such that the front terminus J44 of the swivel plough beam 141 abuts or is close to the right frame element lOib, or it is disposed all the way or a substantial portion of the way to the left, such that the front terminus 144 of the swivel plough beam 141 abuts or is close to the left frame element lOla. As the swivel plough beam 141 is moved from one position to another along the full curvature provided by edges 122 and 131, the front terminus 144 and rear terminus 145 of the swivel plough beam 141 is in guided and slidable contact with each said edge 122 and 131. Various means known in the art for permitting translatable guidance of the front and rear termini 144 and 145 of the swivel plough beam 141 are known in the art. Thus, without intending to be limited to these possibilities, each terminus of the swivel plough beam 141 may comprise a substantially "U" shaped groove, such that the upper an lower surfaces of the curved front cross-guide 120 and rear cross-guide 130 are disposed within said substantially "U" shaped groove. Greased bearings and the like would, of course, aid in the smooth translation of the swivel plough beam from one side to the other of said guide-edges 122 and 131 of said cross-guides 120 and 130. In addition, due to the gritty conditions under which this apparatus is required to operate, it is desirable for the mating surfaces between the termini of the swivel plough beam 141 and the guide edges 122 and 131 of said cross guides 120 and 130 to be sealed or self-cleaning. In alternate embodiment, the front and rear termini 144 and 145 of said swivel plough beam 141 may comprise a projection such that each terminus is supported on the lower edge of each such projection by the curved upper surface of said guide edges 122 and 131. It will also be appreciated that, in a preferred embodiment, the swivel plough beam 141 is lockable in any desirable position along the edges 122 and 131 of said front and rear cross-guide elements 120 and 130. Further, it will be appreciated that in a preferred embodiment, the swivel plough beam 141 is positionable by manual, mechanical, hydraulic or other means known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the swivel plough beam 141 is both positioned and locked into position by hydraulic means described in further detail below. It should be noted that the length of the swivel plough beam 141 and the curvature of the edges 122 and 131 of the front and rear cross-guides 120 and 130 are adapted such that the termini 144 and 145 of the swivel plough beam 141 can smoothly transition from a position all the way to the left (i.e. with the front terminus 145 adjacent the left frame element lOla) to a position all the way to the right (i.e. with the front terminus 145 adjacent the right frame element bib). It will be appreciated that in an embodiment of the invention in which the width of the multi-plough 100 is three meters, with the swivel plough beam 141 positioned all the way to the left or the right as described above, a swath of earth three meters wide would be ploughed on each pass of the multi-plough 100 over that portion of earth. The length of the swivel plough beam 141 must, therefore, be greater than the width of the multi-plough.

In one exemplary embodiment, the swivel plough beam 141 with a working width of 3 metres, a beam length of about 4.3metres is utilized to accommodate the angle between frame side elements lOla and bib. The swivel beam 141 optionally operates under hydraulic rams 149 (see figure 3) attached between swivel plough cross bar 140 and swivel plough beam 141. In one embodiment, two rams 149a and 149b are provided, one on each side of swivel plough beam 141 positioned near the centre pivot point thereof. The rams push swivel plough beam 141 such that terminus 144 is driven to adjacency with frame element lOla and terminus 145 is driven to adjacency with frame element lOib.

Once the swivel plough beam 141 is in a desired position, it is optionally locked in place against a steel stop. The hydraulic rams 149a and 149b lock the beam in place. These mechanisms are well known by those skilled in the art and are not described in detail here, as the field of hydraulics, involving servo motors, hydraulically driven pistons, swivel linkages and the like, is well developed and easily applicable to this aspect of the invention to achieve automatic positioning of the swivel plough beam 141. By orienting the swivel plough beam 141 in this manner, a central advantage of the multi-plough of this invention is achieved in that the swivel plough beam 141 allows the operator to work a field up and down in a fashion analogous to that achieved for known reversible ploughs.

On the rear edge 132 of the rear cross-guide 130, there is desirably affixed a plurality of spring tines 160. Each spring tine 160 is preferably affixed by means of welding, bolting, riveting or like means known to those skilled in the art. The spring tines perform the function of breaking up the earth churned up by the plough bits 142 of said swivel plough means 150. To the rear of the plurality of spring tines, there is preferably affixed a level board 170, to level the earth churned up bysaid plough means 150 and broken up by said spring tines 160. The level board 170 is conventional in the art, and therefore is not described in detail here. However, generally, this element comprises a rigid member 171 affixed to both the left and the right frame side elements lOla and lOib, by means of welding, bolts, rivets or like means known in the art. Extending downwardly from said rigid member 171 are a series of metal bars, spacers or the like, 173 affixed at one end to said rigid member 171 and at the other, lower end thereof, to a leveller bar 172, which performs the desired levelling function.

In a preferred embodiment according to this invention, similar to the element shown as 110, there is provided a further compactor 180, which, again like the element 110, comprises an axel 182 and an axel support 181 extending from the left frame element lOla and the right frame element lOib, with the axel 182 extending therebetween. Said element 180 may have similar structure and performs the function of recompacting the now ploughed earth in readiness for drilling.

As shown in figures 2 and 3, the substantially rectangular or alternately shaped frame element comprising left and right side frame elements lOla and lOib, and front and rear cross frame elements lOic and lOld, is preferably extended in a forward direction by a conventional coupling means 190, preferably including a hitch 191 or like element for coupling to a tractor or other source of power for pulling the apparatus 100 across a field to be ploughed. A coupling 192 such as any known and conventional coupling for linkage of the apparatus of this invention to a tractor may be utilized. Such coupling means may include electrical and hydraulic systems for raising and lowering the front end of the multi-plough 100 such that the various elements thereof are brought into contact with the earth at the appropriate height to achieve the desired functions described above.

In figure 3, an optional set of wheels 147a and 147b are provided with axe! means 148a and 148b provided affixed for example to said side frame elements lOla and lOib or alternatively to said swivel plough support bar 140. These wheels 147a and 147b preferably may be raised or lowered, by conventional mechanical, electrical or hydraulic means, in order to facilitate transport of the multi-plough apparatus 100 when the working parts thereof are intended not to make operational contact with the earth. In that event, the coupling means 190-192 for coupling said apparatus to a means of propulsion, such as a tractor, is co-ordinately raised or lowered so that the entire apparatus may be transported at a desired height without damaging roadways or any of the working parts. Naturally, the coupling means 190-192 may also be coordinated in height with the wheels 147a and 147b during operation in a field being ploughed, to thereby provide added control over the height of operation for each of the working elements of the apparatus.

In operation, either several unitary and independent implements are coupled in operational relationship to each other to achieve the same total effect as described herein, or, preferably, a single unitary apparatus comprising all or selected component parts as described above is utilized. Without excluding the coupling of multiple independent apparatuses, the description here focuses on a preferred embodiment in which subsoiler means 103 are engaged with the soil to break up previously harvested but unprepared land. The compactor 110 recompacts the broken soil so that the swivel plough element may then optimally plough the compacted earth. The spring tines 160 then break the ploughed earth into smaller clumps of soil, which is levelled by the leveller bar 170 ready finally for recompacting by the rear compacting element 180. After each pass down a field, the swivel plough element 150 is then repositioned such that the swivel plough beam is swung from left to right, alternately, permitting single pass preparation of soil ready for drilling with seed. Indeed, it is conceivable that a seeding apparatus may be combined with the apparatus of this invention, and such modification would not be considered to be outside the scope of the present invention. In that case, in a single pass, land would be prepared and seeded. Naturally, however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that with each added element to an apparatus, there is the possibility for added complexity, need for maintenance to prevent breakage and the like Accordingly, since there are already well adapted seeding implements available in the market, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a significant advance is provided by the multi-plough of the present invention as described, whether or not seeding is incorporated into a unitary device according to the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED L

I. A plough component comprising a plurality of plough bits affixed to a swivel plough beam, wherein the position of said plough bits with respect to a direction of motion imposed on said plough bits may be modified based on the position at which said swivel plough beam is set.
2. A plough apparatus comprising the plough component according to claim 1.
3. A plough apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a plurality of subsoiler elements oriented such that soil is contacted by said subsoiler elements before said soil is contacted with said plough bits.
4. The plough apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising, between said subsoiler elements and said plough bits, a soil compacting means.
5. The plough apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising, to the rear of said plough bits, a plurality of spring tines.
6. The plough apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising, to the rear of said plurality of spring tines, a leveller bar.
7. The plough apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising, to the rear of said leveller bar, a soil compacting means.
8. The plough apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising, either between said leveller bar and said compacting means, or the rear of said compacting means, a seed drilling implement.
9. A farm implement comprising, in a unitary apparatus, designed for use in either dry or wet conditions: (a) a sub-soiler which penetrates 8"-lO" in the ground to allow drainage and to allow roots to spread and grow; (b) a packer roller to consolidate the ground and to make the operation of the plough moleboards/discs work more efficiently; (c) a swivel-plough element comprising (i) moleboards, for use in dry conditions, or (ii) discs optionally comprising individual scrapers to keeps the discs clean and running freely, for use in wet, muddy conditions; the design of the swivel plough allows the implement to go up and down the field like a reversible plough, wherein the moleboards/disc turn over 4"-5" soil in order to bury the stubble and chopped straw; thereby helping to increase organic matter in the soil which, in turn, leaves soil free to drain; (d) spring tines to work the top 2" of soil, in order to break down clods and for seed bed preparation; (e) a level board for even seed bed; and (f) a rear packer roller to firm the soil prior to drilling.
10. A farm implement, referred to as a multi-plough 100, comprising: (i) a frame 101 comprised of a left side frame member lOla, a right side frame member lOib, a front cross-bar member lOic, and a rear cross-bar member lOld, said front and rear cross-bar members lOic and lOld connecting said left side frame member lOla and said right side frame member bib, such that said frame members in combination form a substantially rectangular frame 101 to which all other elements of said multi-plough 100 are either directly or indirectly connected; at a front end 102 of the multi-plough 100, optionally attached to said front cross-bar element lOic of said frame 101, a plurality of subsoiler elements 103, each subsoiler element of said plurality of subsoiler elements 103 comprising a vertical element 103a by means of which each such subsoiler element is affixed to said front cross-bar element lOic, and at the base of each such vertical element 103a, a subsoiler structure 103b adapted for optimally breaking up compacted earth; (ii) a compactor means 110 which compacts the soil broken up by said subsoiler elements 103, said compactor means 110 comprising a central axle means 112 extending between the left side frame element lOla and the right side frame element lOib, rotatably supported by an axel 112 support means 111 affixed to each side frame element lOla and 10th; (iii) a swivel-plough element 150 formed substantially by a portion of the left frame element lOla, the right frame element bib, a forward cross-guide element 120 and a rear cross-guide element 130, said cross-guide element 120 extending from the left frame element lOla to the right frame element lOib, and is attached to each said frame element; the front edge 121 of said forward cross-guide element 120 comprising a substantially linear element which optionally is juxtaposed with respect to said compactor means 110 sufficiently closely such that any mud, debris or the like which might be adhered to the surface of said compactor means 110 is removed on the underside of said front-cross-guide element 120 as the surface of said compactor rotates past the lower surface of said front cross-guide element; the rear edge 122 of said front cross-guide element 120 providing a curved guide surface; the cross-guide element 130, like the front cross-guide element 120, extends from the left frame element lOla to the right frame element bib, and is attached to each said frame element, the front edge 131 of said rear cross-guide element 130 providing a curved guide surface, and the rear edge 132 of said rear cross-guide element 130 providing a substantially linear element extending between and affixed at ninety degrees to each of the left and right frame elements lOla and lOib; extending between the left frame element lOla and right frame element lOib is provided a swivel plough support bar 140. at a position halfway between said cross-guide elements 120 and 130 as measured along the linear edges lOin and lOib of said left and right frame elements, each end of said swivel plough support bar 140 being affixed to said left and right frame elements lOla and lOib; rotatably affixed to the underside of said swivel-plough support bar 140, by means of pivot bolt 146, a swivel plough beam 141, having a forward terminus 144 and a rearward terminus 145, to the underside of said swivel plough beam 141 are affixed a plurality of plough bits 142, each said plough bit 142 being affixed to the underside of said swivel plough beam 141 by means of plough bit linkage 143; said swivel plough beam 141, being rotatably affixed and supported as it is to the underside of said swivel plough support bar 140 being adapted for rotation such that the front terminus 144 of said swivel plough beam 141 may be oriented at any position between a position all the way adjacent to the right frame element lOib to a position adjacent to the left frame element lOla; (iv) on the rear edge 132 of the rear cross-guide 130, there are affixed a plurality of spring tines 160; (v) to the rear of the plurality of spring tines, there is affixed a level board 170, to level the earth churned up by said plough means 150 and broken up by said spring tines 160; and (vi) a further compactor 180, comprising an axel 182 and an axel support 181 extending from the left frame element lOla and the right frame element lOib, with the axel 182 extending there between.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising, extended in a forward dircction by a conventional coupling means 190, preferably including a hitch 191 for coupling to a tractor or other source of power for pulling the apparatus 100 across a field to be ploughed
12. The apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising a set of wheels 147a and 147b with axel means 148a and 148b provided affixed to said side frame elements lOla and lOib or alternatively to said swivel plough support bar 140.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said wheels 147a and 147b may be raised or lowered, by mechanical, electrical or hydraulic means, in order to facilitate transport of the multi-plough apparatus 100 to permit modification of the height of the working parts thereof with respect to the earth.