Abstract:
Disclosed is a cultivator mounted to roll about a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel of the machine in combination with a hopper. The cultivator and hopper are mounted on a frame which is adapted to be connected to a three-point hitch of a tractor. The cultivator is connected to the frame under and behind the hopper and by a pivotal shaft which interconnects bearings confined fore and aft by U-profiles. The cutivator is thus tiltable within limits relative to the frame and hopper and is also turnable within limits so that the cultivator turns with the tractor. It also provides support for the hopper. A centrifugal air pump is mounted on the hopper which, via a pair of venturi-type devices, draw in granular material, such as seed, from the hopper for distributing same on the soil, the hopper having a pair of metering devices which meter granular material received by the venturi-devices. The venturi-type devices are mounted at the bottom of the metering devices to be hingeably or slidably removable so that granular material can be collected in buckets or the like directly from the metering devices to ascertain the rate that granular material is being dispensed by the metering devices.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an agricultural machine, in particular a soil cultivating machine, such as a seed drill whether or not combined with a cultivator, which is provided with a supporting implement for coupling to the front lifting hitch of a tractor, the implement, for the purpose of being supported on the ground being provided with a roller that is connected with a frame. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Such machines are generally known, They are intended for further crumbling soil which has been previously worked, usually by plowing, at least in the upper part of the worked soil layer. As primary cultivation has particularly for its object to turn the upper soil layer, the latter is usually broken up roughly and contact with the soil layer which has not been touched is considerably reduced. Known machines are intended to press the primarily cultivated soil, prior to crumbling, in such a manner that the contact between soil which has been turned and soil which has not been touched is established at least to some extent. This contact is required for the growth of plants in view of the capillary supply of water from relatively deep soil layers. During pressing, considerable forces may occur in the frame of the machine or in the connection thereof with the tractor. This often leads to a relatively heavy construction of the frame. The present invention has for its object to provide a construction in which such forces are avoided or act on the frame construction to a lesser degree. 
     SUMMARY OP THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, the above objective is achieved when suitable supporting means and are provided between the frame and the roller for a mutual pivoting movement about an imaginary or real axis which is orientated in the direction of travel. With such a construction it is usually possible for the roller to follow unevenness in the field without torsion forces occurring between the tractor and the frame or in the frame itself. The construction also facilitates the movement of the tractor during operation. Moreover, by avoiding to a significant extent torsion forces occurring in the implement, a relatively lighter and consequently cheaper construction of the frame is possible. 
     In a favorable embodiment, the supporting means comprise a real pivotal axis, at the ends of which roller bearings are provided, which roller bearings are included in the frame with little clearance between an upper and a lower horizontal guide face. In an alternative embodiment, the frame is supported on the roller via at least two spring elements, such as compression springs or shock absorbers, whether or not hydraulic ones, each disposed on a lateral side outside the transverse center of the roller. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, the pushing forces of the tractor are transferred to the roller via the frame of the implement by means of arms arranged between the frame and the roller construction, which arms, at connecting points, are provided with ball-and-socket joints. In accordance with the invention, in view of the forward movement of the roller, the arms may be included in the machine both in a pushing and in a pulling position. 
     A further particular aspect of the invention relates to an implement in which such arms extend for the greater part above the roller, substantially horizontally, and from the frame towards the roller while having a downward directional component. Such a machine is compact in height in the direction of travel, so that maneuvering the machine is facilitated and the center of gravity is located close to the tractor. 
     The present invention is particularly advantageous when the agricultural machine is constituted by a combination of a cultivator and a sowing or broadcasting machine having a hopper which is supported on the frame of the implement. With such an agricultural machine, by means of the construction according to the present invention, an advantage is obtained that in case of a local unevenness or a local slope in the soil surface, the frame and hopper are able to maintain their position relative to the lifting hitch of the tractor. In particular, when the hopper is completely filled, this has the advantage that no additional forces as a result of tilting of the hopper will occur in the construction. 
     The invention furthermore comprises a construction in which a centrifugal air pump is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the trestle of the implement, the drive shaft thereof being orientated in the direction of travel and the shaft of the centrifugal air pump, via transmission means, being in driving connection with a drive shaft which is located in the transverse center of the implement. Such a construction is very compact and advantageous because of the possibility of a relatively short and simple transmission via a universal joint shaft which is connected to the front power take-off shaft of a tractor. 
     The invention further comprises an agricultural machine including a metering device, the discharge opening of which is released by means of a sliding device, e.g. for testing purposes. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding, the invention will further be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of an implement relating to an agricultural machine according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the implement of FIG. 1 as seen from the direction of arrow II of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line III—III in FIG. 1, which line coincides with an imaginary center plane M of the machine; 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of part of the implement according to the arrow IV in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line V—V in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of a part of the implement according to FIG. 2 in an alternative embodiment; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial front elevational view of a second alternative embodiment of the implement; 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of part of the machine which shows a third alternative embodiment of the implement; and 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on a line IX—IX in FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     Corresponding elements in the drawings are indicated by the same reference numerals. The invention is not, however, restricted to the embodiments shown and described which illustrate the invention conceptively as well as to meet the written descriptive requirements of 35 U.S.C. §112. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows an implement  1  supported on the ground via a roller  2 . Implement  1  constitutes parts of an agricultural machine, in the present embodiment a machine for broadcasting granular material, such as a seed drill or a fertilizer broadcaster. For that purpose, in this embodiment, the implement is provided with a hopper  10 . Roller  2  and hopper  10  are interconnected via a frame  3 . Implement  1  is intended for coupling to the front lifting hitch of a tractor. To that end, implement  1  comprises a trestle  4  provided with required coupling means which are well known in the art. The shown trestle  4  is a so-called quick-coupling trestle. Frame  3  comprises a pair of lower girders  5  and an upper girder  6 , extending substantially horizontally and forwardly from trestle  4 . Upper girder  6  is designed in this case as a plate part which, in a cross-sectional view, is bent into an inverted V-shape and the lower girders  5  are designed as hollow right-angled profiles. The longitudinal girders  5  and  6  are coupled near their front ends with a framework consisting of a lower transverse girder  7  and an upper transverse girder  8 , which are intercoupled by a pair of struts  9  converging in upward direction. The framework is included in the frame at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees for a proper abutment and proper connection with the rear wall of hopper  10  which is V-shaped in side view. Hopper  10 , which has a shape well known, as such, in the art comprises a larger lower part including two right-angled funnel-shaped portions the inner side walls of which, extending in the direction of travel A, are interconnected at least near their upper edges. Below the lower longitudinal girders  5 , frame  3  is provided with two horizontal U-sections  11  extending transversely to the direction of travel and facing each other with their open sides. The foremost one of these U-sections  11  is located substantially over the front boundary of roller  2  and is connected with the lower transverse girder  7  via supporting lugs  12  closing off the ends of the U-sections. In an analogous manner, via supporting lugs  13 , the rearmost U-section  11  is connected with a cross-beam  14  provided between the lower longitudinal girders  5 . The legs  15  and  16  of the U-sections  11  extend horizontally. U-sections  11  are both included in implement  1  at the same level. Roller  2  is supported against U-sections  11  inter alia via a central support  18 . For this purpose roller  2  comprises a supporting element  19 , which, in the present embodiment, is designed as a single, vertically arranged plate. On the upper side of element  19  are axle portions  20  extending transversely relative to the lateral disposition of roller  2  to be received between lower legs  15  and upper legs  16  of U-sections  11 . At the forward and aft ends of axle portions  20 , substantially between lower leg  15  and upper leg  16  of each U-section  11 , fitting bearings  21  are received. In the embodiment shown, the front and the rear axle portions  20  together constitute an integral whole that reinforces supporting element  19 , which is plate-shaped in the present embodiment. For that purpose the central portion is thicker than the end portions on which bearings  21  are disposed. In an embodiment (not shown) supporting element  19  is constituted by two plate parts disposed in an inverted V-shaped arrangement. In side view, such a supporting element  19  has a substantially triangular shape, the rear and lower angle of which coincides with a horizontal cross-beam  23  of the roller frame. Cross-beam  23  is in an imaginary plane outside the upper and rear quadrant of roller  2 , and is connected with the axle shaft  25  of roller  2  via roller frame portions  24  extending towards the axle of shaft  25 . According to the invention, any roller may be applied. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a packer roller, whereas FIG. 7 shows an embodiment comprising a so-called segment roller. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 7 comprising roller segments  22 , in this case in the form of tires, frame portions  24  extend between segments  22  towards the axis of shaft  25 . In an embodiment in the form of a packer roller, i.e. a roller having a closed cylinder circumferential wall on which there are provided protrusions, frame portions  24  are disposed at the ends of roller  2 . 
     Roller  2  is furthermore connected with frame  3  of implement  1  via a quadrangle hinge construction having substantially upwardly directed pivotal threaded studs  29 . To this end, in the present embodiment on the outside of supporting lugs  12 , frame  3  is provided with pairs of lugs  27  in which there may be included a pivotal stud  29  at an angle of approximately fifteen degrees upward and rearward as well as upward and sideward. In an analogous manner, the roller frame comprising cross-beams  23  and frame portion  24  is provided with pairs of lugs  28 , e.g. disposed on the inside of a roller frame portion  24 . Between each foremost pair of lugs  27  and each rearmost pair of lugs  28  provided on the relevant side of the machine, extends a connecting arm  30 . Near its two ends, arm  30  is coupled with the pivotal stud  29  via a ball-and-socket joint  26 . The two arms  30  extend downwardly in rearward direction, which enables a mutual pivoting movement of frame  3  and roller  2  about the pivotal axle  20 ; the front sides of the arms have a fixed position just below frame  3 , whereas the rear ends of arms  30  have to be located at some distance from the frame to be able to pivot along with roller  2 . This construction favors the compactness of the implement and forms a separate subject of the invention. For limiting the mutual pivotability, frame  3  is provided with stops  31  constituted by plate parts which extend from a lower longitudinal girder  5  in outward direction and which are reinforced by means of at least one rib  32 . Stop  31  being made of plate material ensures the arrest of a rear pivotal stud  29  whereby movement of roller  2  relative to frame  3  is thus limited. 
     The function of the machine is as follows: 
     During operation, frame  3  is pushed forward by the front lifting hitch of a tractor and the lifting hitch is fixed in a position in which the weight of the front side of the tractor, and that of implement  1 , is distributed over roller  2  and the front wheels of the tractor. In particular, when for example after a primary soil cultivation, such as plowing, the soil is crumbled in a secondary working run by means of a rotary harrow to a depth which is, for cereal crop, usually relatively shallow, this results in the lower layer of primarily cultivated soil being properly forced against the uncultivated underlayer for the purposes of capillary supply of water. Nevertheless, for example when the primary objective is to support the weight of implement  1  including hopper  10  only to a minimum extent on the ground via the tractor, it is possible to fix the lifting hitch of the tractor in a floating position. 
     The specific supporting means in the machine, constituted by guide faces  15  and  16 , axle  20 , bearings  21  and the quadrangle hinge construction  29  and  30 , enables in a favorable manner a simultaneous pivoting movement of roller  2  relative to frame  3  about an imaginary vertical pivotal axis when steering the front tractor wheels. Such a construction facilitates the steering of the tractor-machine combination during operation, in particular when the latter comprises a soil cultivating implement,such as the combination of a rotary harrow or cultivator with a seed drill. 
     During operation, roller  2  adapts itself to unevenness in the soil surface by pivoting about the horizontal axle  20 , which pivotal movement is also allowed by means of the ball-and-socket joint construction  26  near pivotal studs  29  of connecting arms  30 . In view of an ample fitting in the connecting points of the quadrangle hinge construction, which also allows a mutual pivotability of roller  2  and frame  1 , a ball-and-socket joint  26  has the advantage that bearings  21  are positioned exactly relative to the guide faces  15  and  16 , thus enabling a minimum width thereof. In a more expensive embodiment, guide faces  15  and  16  provide a curved path equal to the curve defined by the quadrangle hinge construction. The construction shown which comprises a standard U-section  11  having relatively wide legs  15  and  16  has the advantage, however, of being produced in a quick and cheaper manner. The pushing force of the tractor is substantially transferred to roller  2  via steering arms  30 , while the two bearings  21  and supporting element  19  ensure a fixed and correct position of roller  2 . Due to the indicated position of bearings  21 , both the foremost and the rearmost bearing  21  bear against the upper guide face  16  during operation. Upon lifting the machine, bearings  21  rest on the lower guide faces  15 . In an alternative for guide faces  15 , a support  18  is suspended in frame  3  by means of one or more flexible connecting elements, such as chains. The position of bearings  21  relative to roller  2  also constitutes a favorable compromise between the moments occurring when implement  1  is being supported on the one hand, and the magnitude of the curve described by bearings  21  when roller  2  is being operated on the other hand. The mutual pivotability of roller  2  and frame portion  3  has the advantage that torsion forces, occurring during operation in implement  1  and in the connection thereof with the tractor, are limited. 
     In the specific embodiment of the invention in which implement  1  constitutes parts of an agricultural machine designed as a sowing or broadcasting machine, implement  1  is provided with a hopper  10  including metering devices  34  connected to the outlets thereof. Said metering devices  34 , driven by means of an electromotor  35 , supply the metered sowing seed to a venturi-device  36  by means of which the metered seed is fed to an air current for the purpose of transport to sowing or broadcasting elements. 
     FIG. 4 shows a metering wheel  33  and a rebound plate  47 , via which metered seed is fed to an air current supplied via supply hose  37  and accelerated by means of a venturi-element  48 . The air-seed mixture is supplied via discharge hose  38  to a sowing or broadcasting unit (not shown). The discharge hose  38  is connected to a discharge cone  49  constituting part of the venturi-device  36 . The supply opening of discharge cone  49  is located at some distance from the discharge opening of venturi-element  48  in a housing  50  which constitutes partially a unit with discharge cone  49 . The housing portion connected with discharge cone  49  is capable of being removed via clamping elements  51  from the housing portion which is connected with venturi-element  48 , after detaching the clamping elements  51  and after displacement of the housing portion connected with discharge cone  49  through a right-angled open slotted hole  52 . The housing portion connected with venturi-element  48  is rigidly connected to metering device  34  by means of clamping elements disposed at the points  53 . For the purpose of a correct mutual positioning of the housing portions, the detachable housing portion is provided with a stop  54  disposed on a bottom of housing  50 . The release of the discharge opening of metering device  34  as above described provides means for a simple calibration of metering device  34 . 
     FIG. 6 shows an alternative construction for the release of said opening with the aid of a horizontally disposed pivotal hinge  56 . For this purpose, in an alternative construction, a venturi-element  57  is provided with a flange  58  which is pivotable on one side about a horizontal pivotal axis  56 , orientated transversely to the direction of travel, relative to a flange disposed on metering device  34 . During operation, venturi-element  57  is capable of being fixed to metering device  34  by means of flange  58  operating as a clamping element which can be pivoted from a clamping position about a pivotal hinge  59 , which is also disposed horizontally and transversely to the direction of travel. The alternative construction  57  has the advantage that the release can be effected quickly and without the risk of contamination of a venturi-portion and that a correct and quick mutual positioning of metering device  34  and a venturi-device  57  is guaranteed. 
     For generating the air current that transports the metered seed, the machine is provided with a centrifugal air pump which is part of an air supply unit  39  including a carrier beam  41  on which air pump  40  is arranged. Carrier beam  41  extends transversely to the drive shaft of air pump  40 , which, with an outer end and near its drive shaft, is connected by a fastening member  42  via lugs, with the upper transverse girder  8  and, at the other end near the vertical imaginary center plane M of the machine extending in the direction of travel, is connected by fastening means  43 , also via lugs, with cross-beam  14 . Air supply unit  39  is operatively connected to a bearing supported drive shaft  44  which intersects the said center plane M of the machine and which is connected via a support  45  with carrier beam  41 . Via a grooved end, drive shaft  44  is capable of being coupled with a universal joint shaft for being driven from the front power take-off shaft of a tractor. In a stable initial position, drive shaft  44  is located over pivotal axis  20 . Via driving wheels accommodated in a guard element  46  and one or more endless drive elements, preferably V-belts, disposed therebetween, drive shaft  44  is in a driving connection with air supply unit  40 . Carrier beam  41  has such dimensions that air supply unit  40  can be arranged on a lateral side of the coupling trestle  4 , even when the dimensions of air supply unit  40  are relatively large, i.e., having approximately the same height as coupling trestle  4 . This has the advantage that, when the drive shaft of air pump  40  and the drive shaft  44  are orientated in the direction of travel A, the most rearwardly located tangents of air pump  40  and coupling trestle  4 , extending transversely to the direction of travel, can coincide, thus placing air pump  40  at a minimum distance from the center of gravity of implement  1  and that of the tractor. Nevertheless, the shown construction provides a simple and effective drive of air pump  40 . Air pump  40  delivers air, drawn in via a central opening covered with gauze, into and through a flexible line  37 , which is split via at least one T-piece (not shown), to the venturi-devices  36  or  57 . According to a preferred embodiment, the venturi-devices  36  or  57  are mounted in the machine so as to extend horizontally and transversely to the direction of travel A and debouch into conveyor hoses  38 , which extend along the tractor in rearward direction and debouch into a sowing or broadcasting unit included in the machine. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a second alternative construction for releasing a discharge opening  61  of a metering device  34  which is known, per se, for e.g. a test. By means of a test the metered quantity of seed is calibrated at a given number of revolutions of the metering wheel  33 . The metering wheel  33  constitutes part of the metering device  34 . During the rotating movement, the metering wheel  33  picks up seed between its radial blades, which seed falls down in the direction of opening  61  which provides access to a venturi-device such as venturi-device  36  described above. 
     FIG. 8 shows in a front view the left one of at least two discharge openings in hopper  10 . In the present embodiment, housing  50  of venturi-device  36  is not detachable and venturi-device  36  is connected with the slidable portion of a sliding device  62 . Sliding device  62  comprises a fastening plate  63 , which is provided near its lower side with guide strips  64  made of synthetic material, and a recess in which a slide  65 , which may be composed of metal plate material, is capable of being guided. Slide  65  is provided with a handle  66  and bears preferably with only four ridge-shaped protrusions  67  on the recesses in guide strips  64  constituting a straight guide means for slide  65 . The recess in the guide strips preferably equals the thickness of the material of which slide  65  is made. Near the rear side fastening plate  63  is provided with a rear lug  68  at the lower side of which is a stop for the slide  65 , e.g., in the form of a nut and bolt connection or lug  68  may constitute a stop itself by being bent over 90° in a downward direction. Both slide  65  and fastening plate  63  are provided with an aperture which equals opening  61  in metering device  34 . More in particular slide  65  and fastening plate  63  may be designed as rectangular frameworks composed of plate material. Halfway along the framework of the carrier is disposed a transverse connecting means including an opening  69  through which a locking pin can be passed for locking slide  65  into its operative position by means of a locking pin  70 . Near its front end fastening plate  63  is provided with a foremost stop  73  which prevents slide  65  from being pulled from straight guide means  64  when releasing discharge opening  61 . 
     The length of fastening plate  63  and guide strips  64  is double the length of slide  65 . Thus proper guiding or support is obtained upon moving fastening plate  63  between the operative and inoperative positions relative to the venturi-device. FIG. 9 shows the slide in the operative position in which the opening in the housing of venturi-device  36  is located under opening  61 . 
     In the present embodiment, a carrier rod  72  in the form of a ring is disposed against venturi-device  36 , which carrier rod  72  supports the other discharge hose  38  of the venturi-device under the right discharge opening of machine (as seen in FIG.  1 ). Also, in the present embodiment, carrier rod is ring-shaped and discharge hose  38  is received through the ring. As a result, upon release of discharge opening  61 , making use of the clearance or movability in discharge hose  38 , the discharge hose of the neighboring discharge opening is moved out of the way, so that the space under metering device  34  remains available for disposing receptacle, such as a measuring cup or a bucket. 
     Furthermore, the present embodiment has the advantage that opening  61  can be exposed by the user in a simple manner in that handle  66  is or may be provided at a small distance from the front side of the machine and in that upon uncovering opening  61  at the venturi-device, one is not hampered by the gravity acting on the venturi-device and the supply and discharge hoses  37  and  38  connected thereto. This is of all the more importance since the venturi-device, because of its position under the hopper, will necessarily be relatively far from the user when said hopper is being maneuvered. Slide  65  has been designed to bear preferably with only four ridges  67  on guide strips  64 , to reduce friction which may occur as a consequence of contamination of the strips, to a minimum and to counteract the occurrence of same in an effective manner during operation of the slide. 
     The invention is not restricted to the above disclosure, as such, but also relates to all details in the drawings, in particular to the components contributing to the invention. The invention further relates to alternatives in the construction which, of course, are within the scope of the following claims.