GB2516955A

GB2516955A - Coulter

Info

Publication number: GB2516955A
Application number: GB1314215.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shaun Wealleans; Robert Hight
Original assignee: Sumo UK Ltd
Current assignee: Sumo UK Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-08
Filing date: 2013-08-08
Publication date: 2015-02-11
Also published as: GB201314215D0

Abstract

A disc coulter for an agricultural distribution machine such as a seed drilling apparatus comprises a soil working disc 1 and a coulter formation provided in association with the disc, wherein the coulter formation comprises a mounting portion 3 mountable in fixed position relative to the disc and a tip portion 5 mounted upon a receiving surface of the mounting portion by means of at least three adjustable fastenings 7 which may include compressible spacers 4. An agricultural distribution machine having a distribution array comprising a laterally extending array of such disc coulters in distributed along a supporting beam extending transversely of an intended direction of forward motion of the distribution machine and supported on a chassis frame is also described.

Description

COULTER

The invention relates to a disc coulter for use in an agricultural distribution machine such as an agricultural seed drill and to an agricultural distribution machine such as a seed drilling apparatus incorporating such seed coulters.

In a variety of agricultural applications it is desirable to deliver material in particulate form onto or into a growing surface) in particular to distribute seed into a growing substrate. Seed is traditionally sown into cultivated soil or direct into untouched stubbles, grasses etc using an applicator known as a "coulter". Coulter designs vary significantly but typically consist of a coulter formation which, often in combination with a soil working means such as a disc, tine or other, creates a seed furrow in the soil into which seed is conducted through a rigid coulter seed pipe to the coulter tip. The coulter seed pipe is in its turn connected to a seed container via hoses or similar. A typical seed drill apparatus comprises of plural array of such coulters on a suitable support frame to drill a plurality of parallel furrows in use.

Metering can take place either mechanically or pneumatically.

The invention is concerned in particular with a disc based system. A coulter pipe and tip is provided in fixed relationship with a cutting disc. The coulter pipe and tip may be a two part formation or an integral whole. In a typical system in use the disc creates an opening or furrow. Running in the furrow and largely in the shadow of the disc is the coulter formation.

The leading edge of the coulter formation is designed to run in very close proximity to the back face of the disc. This is intended to prevent foreign bodies (stubble, stones, and soil) from entering the gap and causing blockages. In a typical arrangement, the coulter formation is fixedly mounted to the support frame that also supports and carries the disc, for example by welding or bolting.

Historically coulters have been quite blunt and very difficult to adjust accurately.

When seed drills are being used, coulter problems occur when the disc inevitably deflects when colliding with field/soil obstructions. When the disc deflects it can move the leading edge of the coulter formation away from the disc, temporarily or even permanently leaving a gap for the blockage-causing foreign objects.

Additionally, if the coulter collides with an object, permanent deformation is possible.

According to the invention in a first aspect a disc coulter for an agricultural distribution machine such as a seed drilling apparatus comprises a soil working disc and a coulter formation provided in association with the disc, wherein the coulter formation comprises a mounting portion mountable in fixed position relative to the disc and a tip portion mounted upon a receiving surface of the mounting portion by means of at least three adjustable fastenings.

The at least three adjustable fastenings are provided to be adjustable in the sense that they allow variation to at least some degree of the distance between the tip portion and the receiving surface of the mounting portion when the tip portion is mounted thereon.

For example, a part of the tip portion comprises a mounting surface disposed when so mounted in generally face-to-face relationship with the receiving surface of the mounting portion, and each of the at least three adjustable fastenings is separately adjustable to vary to some degree the distance between the said surfaces.

In this way, separate adjustment of one or more of the adjustable fastenings has the effect of varying to some degree the angle between the two faces.

The tip portion of the coulter formation is generally of conventional design, and in particular typically comprises a mountable part adapted to be mounted upon the receiving surface, and for example having a mounting face as above described, and an extending seed delivery part intended in use to deliver seeds onto or into a growing surface in conventional manner. It follows likewise that adjustment of one or more of the at least three adjustable fastenings had the effect of varying the angle that the tip portion makes with the mounting portion, and in consequence, because the mounting portion is mounted in fixed relationship to the disc, the angk made between the tip portion and the disc.

In particular, the provision of at east three adjustable fastenings which are not collinear allows two dimensions of freedom in the relative adjustment of the position and angie of the tip portion relative to the mounting portion, and hence relative to the disc.

The adjustment system of the invention ensures a good "meet" between disc and couker leading edge, and allows this to be fine-tuned and adjusted if necessary during use. Finite alteration to the coulter position relative to the disc can be made in any plane using a minimum of three non-collinear adjustable fastenings.

It is anticipated that the coulter will otherwise be generally conventional, including in particuhr a hollow delivery channel through its length to allow seed or other particulate material to be applied onto or into a growing surface via a supply aperture in the tip portion. The hollow delivery channel is for example defined by and between the mounting portion and the tip portion of the coulter and/or by a through aperture in the tip portion. A rigid coulter pipe may be provided in communication with the hollow delivery channel, in association with, and for example integral with or rigidly mounted with respect to, the mounting portion of the coulter. In use, each coulter pipe is connectable to a supply system, for examp'e including supply hoses, which supplies seed or other particuhte matter to be fed to the coulter from a central supply source, as will be conventionally familiar. In this way, seed or other particulate matter is supplied from a central source such as a hopper, via a suitable arrangement of pipes and a suitable supply system such as a pneumatic supply system, through the individual rigid coulter pipes and the internal channel in the tip portion through the aperture at the tip for distribution to the growing surface.

The disc coulter comprises a soil-working disc in conventional manner which serves as a soil-working portion, effecting a cuffing action on the growing surface, which may have been previously ploughed or deep worked, to create a pknting furrow into which seed can be delivered, acting in fixed spaced relationship and in conjunction with the coulter formation.

The disc is mounted for rotation on suitalMe mounting means, and rotates across the surface in use so that its edges penetrate the surface and effect the cutting action.

The edges of the disc may be specifically adapted for this, for example including Naded formations, serrations etc. In a typica' prior art system, the disc of a disc coulter is mounted for rotation but otherwise in fixed relative rehtionship to the coulter. In accordance with the invention, the disc is mounted for rotation in fixed relative relationship to the mounting portion of the coulter. In a typical envisaged arrangement for example, the disc is mounted for rotation on a common carriage member to which the mounting portion of the coulter formation is also fixedly connected. The carriage member may be for example a support leg which in use supports both the disc and coulter in suitable relative relationship and for example forms a downward extension of a support beam, a plurality of such disc, coulter and leg assemblies being typically provided arrayed along the support beam to provide a coulter array in familiar manner.

The mounting portion of the couker formation maybe mounted in fixed relationship with the rotating disc, for example on a common carriage member, by any suitalMe fixing mechanism, and is for example attached by mechanical fixings and for example bolted to the common carriage member. The disc is then rotationally mounted thereon. The spatia' rektionship between the mounting portion of the coulter and the disc is fixed during a given period of use. This does not preclude the mounting providing for relative positional adjustment between uses. Conveniently for example, the fixing is adjustable to move the coulter up and down and/or

S

backwards and forwards relative to he disc. For example, height adjustable bolted fixings are provided. Such arrangements will be generally familiar, but merely enable the coulter to be moved up and down or to and fro in a plane parallel to the plane of the carriage arm. They do not allow adjustment of the contact position or contact angle made between the leading edge of the coulter and the disc.

The invention is distinctly characterised in further providing such adjustment, by the provision of a two-part coulter formation including a tip portion which can have its position adjusted relative to the mounting portion, and hence relative to the disc) in any plane using the at least three adjustable fastenings.

An adjustable fastening in accordance with the invention comprises a fastening which can be adjusted by a user to vary the relative position, at the point of fastening, between a receiving surface of the mounting portion and that part of the tip portion in the vicinity of the mounting portion at the point of fastening. Separate and controlled adjustment of each adjustable fastening enables variation of the relative angle in the manner above described.

An adjustable fastening may conveniently comprise a mechanical fixing formation effecting an engagement between the mounting portion and the tip portion in distance adjustable manner.

A mechanical fixing formation may be provided as a separate structure cooperating with the tip portion and the mounting portion to attach the former to the latter in distance adjustable manner and/or may include structures integrally formed with the mounting portion and/or structures integrally formed with the tip portion.

Suitable mechanical fixing formations may include one or more of the following: complementary projections and recesses to locate and engage a tip portion on a receiving surface of the mounting portion; through apertures in a tip portion to receive a projection extending outwardly from a receiving surface of the mounting portion; through apertures in a tip portion to receive a separate fixing structure engageable upon the receiving surface of the mounting portion.

Fixing formations in accordance with the invention may include threaded structures) for example comprising combinations of nuts/boils, threaded recesses and like threaded connectors, which may be in whole or in part integrafly formed with and/or separate from the tip portion and mounting portion. Threaded connectors provide for particularly effective distance adjustment. In particular) threaded connectors offer the potential for each adjustable connection to be adjusted between uses and then fixed into a new position for use.

Prior art coulters have been relatively blunt) in particular presenting a relatively significant forward edge profile. A further advantage in accordance with the present invention accrues if the coulter tip portion is provided with as discrete a forward edge profile as possible. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the coulter tip portion has a bevelled forward face (as defined by the direction of travel in use] with an angle of no more than 300) more preferably still no more than 20°. This stealthy low-disturbance frontal profile, in combination with the method of adjustment) ensures that the coulter presents as discrete as possible a forward edge in use. The purpose of the coulter is not to work the soil to any substantial degree) and the arrangement ensures that the coulter gives the impression that the worked field is almost unmarked.

A further problem in prior art designs is that permanent deflection of and damage to the coulter can occur when the disc/coulter arrangement collides with field/soil obstructions. This can create a gap for blockage-causing foreign objects and/or otherwise lead to permanent deformation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, deflections of the disc relative to the coulter tip formation are also absorbed within the system. This is achieved in the preferred embodiment by the provision of a resiliently deformable member and for example a compressible spacer as part of the adjustable fastening system. For example, a compressible spacer is provided in association with each adjustable fastening in a location seated between the tip portion and the receiving surface of the mounting portion. Additionally or alternatively, an adjustable fastening may comprise a mechanical fixing including a head formation configured to engage on an outside surface of the tip portion and a shank formation configured to pass through an aperture therein) and a compressible spacer may be provided between facing surfaces of the tip portion and the head formation.

In this way) adjustment of the adjustable fastenings can be effected such as to apply a compression load to the compressible spacers. In particular, the system is configured for preferred operations such that a compression free-load is applied to the compressible spacers. This ensures a close contact and low profile) and additionally accommodates deflections more effectively.

A compressible spacer or other resiliently deformable member is for example a formation of flexibly resilient material.

In a convenient embodiment) an adjustable fastening includes a shank) and a compressible spacer comprises an annular disc fitting around the shank between the two surfaces which engage with it when the tip portion is mounted upon a receiving surface of the mounting portion in the manner above described.

In particular, the adjustable fastening comprises a combination of nut and bolt or the like, and a compressible spacer is a compressible washer.

According to the invention in a second more complete aspect an agricultural distribution machine such as a seed drilling apparatus comprises: a chassis frame; a distribution array comprising a laterally extending array of disc coulters in accordance with the first aspect of the invention distributed along a supporting beam extending transversely of an intended direction of forward motion of the distribution machine and supported on the chassis frame.

B

A distribution machine may include various other apparatus o facilitate the seed disribudon and planUng process or other material distribution process, for example including further furrow devices such as discs or tines to open a planting furrow, and other means to close and tamper the furrow after the seed is planted or the other particulate is deposited. The distribution machine is typicafly ground engaging and mounted on a suitable chassis which may be seif-propefled but is usually adapted to be towed behind a tractor or the like a'ong a fie'd in use.

Accordingly, the chassis is adapted to be drawn across a surface to be planted with seed or the like) for example being provided with means to attach a chassis frame to the rear of a tractor or the like, or with suitable self propulsion means.

For example, the chassis frame maybe adapted to be carried via a 3-point linkage at the rear of the tractor. In particular, the linkage is adapted so that the overall height of the frame an angle of inclination thereof relative to the ground can be adjusted in suitable manner and for example hydraulically.

Additional road whee's may be attached to the chassis frame and adapted to be raised or lowered as required to allow the apparatus to be driven on a road but to be stowed out of the way with the seed drilling apparatus in use. The road wheels may be removable. Deployment of these wheels may be by any suitable system.

More completely, the apparatus may comprise a seed or other particulate supply and delivery means, in communication with the drill coulter pipe to form a feed system. The communication can be achieved by any known means. A feed system can be provided individually for each drill coulter, or alternatively can be in a form having many delivery lines fed from one large hopper containing seed feedstock, mounted upon the apparatus frame, and positioned above the drill cultures. The latter arrangement is preferred. The feed system may be a gravitational feed system or a pneumatic feed arrangement, etc, as known in the art.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective view an embodiment of the invention comprising two-part drill couker and disc assembled on a carriage arm of a drilling system; Figure 2 shows the same in end elevation from the front; Figure 3 shows the same in end elevation from behind; Figure 4 shows the seed route through the system of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 in exp'oded view.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, a disc and coulter assembly is carried on a coulter drop arm 9 that extends from a supporting bar (not shown). In a more complete embodiment, a plurality of such assemblies would be provided, each carried on its own couker drop arm, the assemblies forming an array along a common support bar and carried on a suitaNe frame with the other necessary components of the drilling apparatus. This will be readily envisaged by the skilled person.

A coulter disc 1 is mounted on the coulter drop arm 9 by means of an aperture therein which receives a projecting portion of the bearing hub 10, the bearing hub being secured thereon by the bearing hub nut 8. The bearing hub enables the coulter disc to rotate during use.

The coulter itself is provided in two parts, comprising a couker mounting portion 3 with an integra' upwardly extending rigid tube and a couker tip portion 5. When so assembled, the two parts define a chann& extending from the tube to a delivery point at a distal end of the tip through which seed can be passed in use. A hose 12 attached to the tube by means of a hose clip 11 completes the delivery system, allowing seed to be delivered in the direction of the dotted line on Figure 4.

The mounting portion 3 of the coulter is mounted on to the coulter drop arm 9 in generally conventional manner by means of the bolts 7 which pass through apertures in the drop arm 9 to be received in threaded recesses provided in the coulter mounting portion 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures are elongate in a vertical direction, allowing for height adjustment This allows the coulter height relative to the disc to be adjusted between uses if desired in familiar manner. However, once the screws are tightened to fasten the coulter mounting portion into position on the coulter drop arm, and with the coulter disc similarly mounted in position, the relative positions of the coulter mounting portion and the coulter disc are fixed.

Such a height adjustable mount will be familiar from the prior art What distinguishes the invention is the provision of further adjustment, by virtue of the two-part form of the coulter, with separate tip formation 5, and by the way in which the tip formation S is attached to the mounting formation 3 by a plurality of separately adjustable fixings [three in the embodiment).

Specifically, three spaced apertures are provided in the coulter tip 5, to align with corresponding apertures in the coulter mounting 3. Threaded adjuster bolts 6 pass through the aligned apertures and are secured in position by adjuster nuts 2.

Relative adjustment of the nut and bolt arrangement allows relative variation of the distance between the two parts of the coulter at each fixing point separately. This allows the angle of the coulter tip relative to the disc to be fine-tuned and adjusted as required.

The adjustable attachment system also allows further resilience to be built into the assembly by means of provision of compressible spacers 4 which sit between the bolt head 6 and outwardly facing surface of the coulter tip 5 and additionally between the inner facing surface of the couker tip S and a receiving surface of the couker mounting portion 3 when the coulter assembly is put together. These components are illustrated in particular in Figure 5. Once the desired position of the coulter is achieved) a pre-stress is introduced by suitable tightening of the adjuster nut 2 and bolt 6 as the coulter is assembled to ensure constant close contact. Deflections of the disc are also absorbed by use of these compressible spacers either side of the coulter tip.

The three bolt design allows fine adjustment of the coulter tip position in any plane, ensuring a good fit between the disc and the coulter tip leading edge which can be adjusted with time to accommodate any deflection, and to ensure that the gap is minimised during use.

As is illustrated in Figure 2, the couker disc may be disposed at an angle to the vertical, of for example 3 to S degrees (5 degrees in the embodiment). The coulter disc as will be familiar comprises a thin rigid metal disc, mounted for rotation on the couker drop arm via the bearing hub 10. The outer edge is adapted to cut through the soil surface when drilling, in particular in the illustrated embodiment by the provision of serrated portions as iflustrated.

It is a particular advantage of the invention that it is applicable to a range of disc designs and configurations, and to a range of conventional drilling apparatus, and the skilled person will have no problem in inferring alternative arrangements of disc and coulter assembly, or more complete drilling or other distribution apparatus, from the illustrated embodiment and the foregoing description.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A disc coulter for an agricultural distribution machine such as a seed drilling apparatus comprises a soil working disc and a coulter formation provided in association with the disc, wherein the coulter formation comprises a mounting portion mountable in fixed position rektive to the disc and a tip portion mounted upon a receiving surface of the mounting portion by means of at least three adjustalile fastenings.
2. A coulter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least three adjustaNe fastenings are provided to be adjustaNe in the sense that they allow variation to at least some degree of the distance between the tip portion and the receiving surface of the mounting portion when the tip portion is mounted thereon.
3. A coulter in accordance with daim 2 wherein a part of the tip portion comprises a mounting surface disposed when the tip portion is mounted in generally face-to-face relationship with the receiving surface of the mounting portion, and each of the at least three adjustable fastenings is separately adjustable to vary to some degree the distance between the said surfaces.
4. A couker in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the tip portion of the coulter formation comprises a mountable part adapted to be mounted upon the receiving surface and an extending seed delivery part to deliver seeds onto or into a growing surface.
S. A couker in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the tip portion of the couker formation comprises a hollow delivery channel through its length to allow seed or other particulate material to be applied onto or into a growing surface via a supply aperture in the tip portion.
6. A coulter in accordance with claim 5 wherein the hollow delivery channel is defined by and between the mounting portion and the tip portion of the coulter and/or by a through aperture in the tip portion.
7. A coulter in accordance with claim 5 or 6 wherein a rigid couker is provided in communication with the hollow delivery channel.
8. A coulter in accordance with any preceding claim wherein a rigid coulter is provided integral with or rigidly mounted with respect to) the mounting portion of the couker.
9. A couker in accordance with any preceding claim comprising a soil-working disc.
10. A coulter in accordance with claim 9 wherein the disc is mounted for rotation.
11. A coulter in accordance with claim 10 wherein the disc is mounted for rotation but otherwise in fixed relative relationship to the mounting portion of the coulter.
12. A coulter in accordance with claim 10 or 11 wherein the disc is mounted for rotation on a common carriage member to which the mounting portion of the couker formation is fixedly connected.
13. A coulter in accordance with claim 12 wherein the carriage member is a support leg which supports both the disc and coulter in relative rehtionship and forms a downward extension of a support beam) a plurality of such disc) coulter and kg assemblies being provided arrayed along the support beam to provide a coulter array.
14. A coulter in accordance with any preceding claim wherein an adjustable fastening between the tip portion and the mounting portion comprises a mechanical fixing formation effecting an engagement between the mounting portion and the tip portion in distance adjustable manner.
15. A coulter in accordance with claim 14 wherein the mechanical fixing formation is selected from: complementary projections and recesses to locate and engage a tip portion on a receiving surface of the mounting portion; through apertures in a tip portion to receive a projection extending outwardly from a receiving surface of the mounting portion; through apertures in a tip portion to receive a separate fixing structure engageable upon the receiving surface of the mounting portion.
16. A coulter in accordance with claim 14 or 15 wherein the mechanical fixing formation comprises a threaded structure.
17. A coulter in accordance with any preceding claim further comprising a resiliently deformable member comprises as part of the adjustable fastening.
18. A coulter in accordance with claim 17 wherein a compressible spacer is provided in association with each adjustable fastening.
19. A coulter in accordance with claim 18 wherein a compressible spacer is provided in a location seated between the tip portion and the receiving surface of the mounting portion.
20. A coulter in accordance with claim 18 or 19 wherein an adjustable fastening comprises a mechanical fixing including a head formation configured to engage on an outside surface of the tip portion and a shank formation configured to pass through an aperture therein, and a compressible spacer is provided between facing surfaces of the tip portion and the head formation.
21. An agricultural distribuUon machine comprising: a chassis frame; a distribution array comprising a laterally extending array of disc coulters in accordance with any preceding claim distributed along a supporting beam extending transversely of an intended direction of forward motion of the distribution machine and supported on the chassis frame.
22. A machine in accordance with claim 21 further comprising a particulate supply and delivery means in communication with the coulter to form a feed system.