Vertical tillage scraper

An agricultural tillage implement has a disk frame assembly connected to a pull hitch extending in a travel direction with frame members extending generally laterally with respect to the travel direction. At least one disk blade is connected to and supported by the frame members to till soil over which the agricultural tillage implement traverses. A disk scraper mounting member is connected to at least one frame member. A channel shaped disk scraper is connected to the disk scraper mounting member using a bolted joint connection. The channel shaped disk scraper has a square mounting end adjoining an inner perpendicular surface of the disk scraper mounting member. The channel shaped disk scraper is operable to scrape residue from the at least one disk blade and deflect it away from the travel direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to agricultural implements, and, more particularly, to agricultural field tillage implements.

2. Description of the Related Art

Farmers utilize a wide variety of tillage implements to prepare soil for planting. In one type of tilling operation, rows or gangs of circular disk blades are pulled through the soil at variable depths to break up clods or lumps of soil, as well as old plant material to provide a more amenable soil structure for planting and to level the soil surface. The gangs of disks are arranged on frames that extend generally laterally with respect to the direction of movement through a field and more particularly are angled with respect to the direction of movement. Such tillage operations may include disk harrows, disk rippers, or vertical tillage.

As tillage operations have been developed to be more efficient, the implements are called upon to operate in increasingly extreme conditions. At the same time, the tillage implements are being expanded in size to provide greater efficiency in processing the soil. Tillage implements are often expected to operate in wetter conditions to minimize the effect of weather on the farming operation. Under these conditions, there is a tendency for soil and residue to accumulate on the disk blades. Accumulation of this type of material prevents smooth flow of soil and residue through the equipment, and more particularly between adjacent disk blades and between associated equipment structures, such as frame members. Operators then have to remove the obstructions by raising the implement out of the ground or removing the accumulated soil and residue by hand. All these factors result in making the tillage operation less efficient and cost effective.

In order to prevent soil accumulation within and between rows or gangs of circular disk blades, it is known in the prior art to utilize disk scrapers of various configurations, including in some cases channel shaped disk scrapers. However, each of these prior art configurations shares certain detrimental characteristics. In particular, prior art disk scrapers must be manually oriented to the individual disk blades of the gangs of disk blades, and after significant use tend to turn away from the disk blades, thereby reducing the efficiency of the scraping action, or even interfere with the disk blades resulting in breakage. Also, during heavy or muddy use, the prior art disk scrapers tend to bend backwards or otherwise deform, particularly at their mounting locations, thereby eliminating effective scraping action and resulting in soil-plugged disk gangs and even loss of the disk scraper part from the machine.

What is needed therefore in the art is a tilling implement that minimizes build up of soil and residue on the gangs of disk blades without additional and complicated mechanisms. What is further needed in the art is a more robust disk scraper solution which maintains correct orientation between the disk scraper and the individual disk blades of the gangs of disk blades and eliminates excessive disk scraper failure. The disk scraper solution needs to be simple and cost effective, while providing a rigid disk scraper that can be manufactured efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides channel shaped disk scrapers mounted in such a way as to provide a robust disk scraper solution that maintains correct orientation between the disk scraper and the individual disk blades of the gangs of disk blades, while eliminating excessive disk scraper failure. The disk scraper solution is simple and cost effective, while providing a rigid disk scraper that can be manufactured efficiently.

The invention in one form is directed to an agricultural tillage implement having a disk frame assembly connected to a pull hitch extending in a travel direction. The disk frame assembly has at least one frame member extending generally laterally with respect to the travel direction. At least one disk blade is connected to and supported by the at least one frame member to till soil over which the agricultural tillage implement traverses. At least one disk scraper mounting member is connected to the at least one frame member. At least one channel shaped disk scraper is connected to the at least one disk scraper mounting member using a bolted joint connection. The at least one channel shaped disk scraper has a square mounting end adjoining an inner perpendicular surface of the at least one disk scraper mounting member. The at least one channel shaped disk scraper is operable to scrape residue from the at least one disk blade and deflect it away from the travel direction.

The invention in another form is directed to a disk scraper assembly for an agricultural tillage implement. The agricultural tillage implement has a disk frame assembly connected to a pull hitch extending in a travel direction. The disk frame assembly has at least one frame member extending generally laterally with respect to the travel direction. At least one disk blade is connected to and supported by the at least one frame member to till soil over which the agricultural tillage implement traverses. At least one disk scraper mounting member is connected to the at least one frame member. At least one channel shaped disk scraper is connected to the at least one disk scraper mounting member using a bolted joint connection. The at least one channel shaped disk scraper has a square mounting end adjoining an inner perpendicular surface of the at least one disk scraper mounting member. The at least one channel shaped disk scraper is operable to scrape residue from the at least one disk blade and deflect it away from the travel direction.

The invention in another form is directed to a method of connecting clearing field residue from an agricultural tillage implement. The agricultural tillage implement has a disk frame assembly connected to a pull hitch extending in a travel direction. The disk frame assembly has at least one frame member extending generally laterally with respect to the travel direction. At least one disk blade is connected to and supported by the at least one frame member to till soil over which the agricultural tillage implement traverses. The method has several steps. The first step is connecting at least one disk scraper mounting member to the at least one frame member. The second step is connecting at least one channel shaped disk scraper to the at least one disk scraper mounting member using a bolted joint connection. The at least one channel shaped disk scraper has a square mounting end adjoining an inner perpendicular surface of the at least one disk scraper mounting member. The at least one channel shaped disk scraper is operable to scrape residue from the at least one disk blade and deflect it away from the travel direction.

An advantage of the present invention is that the disk blades and their support elements are kept substantially free of soil and residue. A further advantage of the present invention is that the disk scraper is firmly oriented and located relative to the individual disk blades of the gangs of disk blades, while preserving the ability to replace the disk scrapers as they wear out. No manual orientation or readjustment of the disk scrapers is required, and movement of the disk scrapers away from or towards the individual disk blades, or bending, deformation, and loss is minimized. Operating loads upon the disk scrapers are efficiently transferred to their mountings without overly stressing bolted joint connections, thereby minimizing deformation at the bolted joint connections and resultant movement or loss of the disk scrapers. Thinner material can be used, along with more production friendly forming processes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly toFIG. 1, there is shown a tillage apparatus10which generally includes a tractor12and an agricultural tillage implement14for tilling and finishing soil prior to seeding.

Now, additionally referring toFIG. 2, an agricultural tillage implement14shown is configured as a multi-section field disk ripper14, and includes a carriage frame assembly16. Carriage frame assembly16is the section that is directly towed by a traction unit, such as agricultural tractor12. Although for the sake of illustration the agricultural tillage implement14is shown as a multi-section field disk ripper, an agricultural tillage implement14contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention may take the form of any disk harrow, disk ripper, in-line ripper, strip-till, or vertical tillage implement using disk blades.

Carriage frame assembly16includes a pull hitch18generally extending in a travel direction20, and forward and aft directed carrier frame members22which are coupled with and extend from pull hitch18. Reinforcing gusset plates24may be used to strengthen the connection between pull hitch18and carrier frame members22. Carriage frame assembly16generally functions to carry a shank frame26for tilling the soil, and a rear implement28for finishing the soil. Rear implement28includes a secondary frame30, leveling blades32and rolling (aka, crumbler) basket assemblies34, which co-act with each other to finish the soil in preparation for planting. Leveling blades32and rolling basket assemblies are both attached to secondary frame30. Wheels36, only one of which is shown, are actuated from tractor12to raise or lower the carrier frame members22to place the tillage apparatus in a transport position with the wheel assemblies36supporting the implement above the ground and an operating position in which the tillage equipment is used to till the soil.

A disk frame assembly38provides support for gangs of disk blades40. The disk frame assembly38includes forward and aft inner frame members42and54, respectively, and includes forward and aft outer frame members46and48, respectively. Forward and aft inner frame members42and54are structurally interconnected by a central frame element44. Forward and aft inner frame members42and54, and forward and aft outer frame members46and48are structurally interconnected by longitudinal stringers50to reinforce the frame members42,46,48, and54to establish the disk frame assembly38in substantially a single plane when in operation. A plurality of pivot joints51are positioned between forward inner frame members42and forward outer frame members46, and between aft inner frame members54and aft outer frame members48, so as to provide pivoting support for wing sections52. Wing sections52are pivoted between a field operating position in which they are generally horizontal with respect to the disk frame38and a transport position in which they are pivoted out of the plane for appropriate road clearance during the transport mode. The gangs of disk blades40each have individual disk blades56having a concave side58and convex side60. As can be seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, the gangs of disk blades40are at an angle with respect to the travel direction20. This promotes a more effective tilling of the soil.

Now, additionally referring toFIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3Banother agricultural tillage implement114is shown, this time configured as a vertical tillage implement114, again including a carriage frame assembly116with a pull hitch118generally extending in a travel direction20, and forward and aft directed carrier frame members122which are coupled with and extend from pull hitch18. Reinforcing gusset plates124may be used to strengthen the connection between pull hitch118and carrier frame members122. Wheels136are again actuated from tractor12to raise or lower the carrier frame members122to place the tillage apparatus in a transport position with the wheel assemblies136supporting the implement above the ground and an operating position in which the tillage equipment is used to till the soil.

A disk frame assembly138again provides support for gangs of disk blades140, and again includes forward and aft inner frame members142and154, respectively, and forward and aft outer frame members146and148, respectively, structurally interconnected by longitudinal stringers150to reinforce the frame members142,146,148, and154to establish the disk frame assembly138in substantially a single plane when in operation. A plurality of pivot joints151are positioned between forward inner frame members142and forward outer frame members146, and between aft inner frame members154and aft outer frame members148, so as to provide pivoting support for wing sections152. The gangs of disk blades140each have individual disk blades156having a concave side158and convex side160. The gangs of disk blades140are again at an angle with respect to the travel direction20.

Turning now toFIGS. 4 through 6, being recited for the sake of simplicity as applicable to the agricultural tillage implement shown inFIG. 2but also analogously applicable to the agricultural tillage implement shown inFIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the individual disk blades56of each of the gangs of disk blades40are spaced apart on a central shaft assembly62, which interconnects the individual disk blades56and allows them to rotate about a common axis64. At periodic intervals along the gangs of disk blades40, there are positioned bearing hanger assemblies66mounted to and supported from the frame members42,46,48, and54including C-shaped structures68. The C-shaped structures68provide a degree of flexibility resiliency for the gangs of disk blades40to improve tillage operations.

In accordance with the present invention, channel shaped disk scrapers70are positioned between each individual disk blade56rearward of the central shaft assembly62upon which the individual disk blades56rotate, with respect to travel direction20. Each channel shaped disk scraper70is attached to a disk scraper mounting member76by way of a bolted joint connection78. There may be a separate disk scraper mounting member76for each gang of disk blades40or of which there may be one disk scraper mounting member76for more than none gang of disk blades40or for each frame member42,46,48, and54. Each disk scraper mounting member76is connected to a frame member42,46,48, or54. The connection of the disk scraper mounting members76to the frame members42,46,48, or54, may be through part of the bearing hanger assemblies66, either at the connection between the bearing hanger assembly66and the frame member42,46,48, or54, as shown inFIG. 6, or through a bracket (not shown) connecting the disk scraper mounting members76to the lower portion of the C-shaped structure68where it connects to the bearing hanger assembly66. Alternately, the connection of the disk scraper mounting members76to the frame members42,46,48, or54may be directly to the frame members42,46,48, or54. In this way, the disk scraper mounting member76and channel shaped disk scrapers70may be rigidly connected to the frame members42,46,48, or54, or may be resiliently mounted by the C-shaped structures68to move along with the gangs of disk blades40.

Each disk scraper mounting member76is mounted such that the channel shaped disk scrapers70attached thereto describe an acute angle “A” of attack between the channel shaped disk scrapers70and the tangent line between the individual disk blades56and the connection78of the channel shaped disk scrapers70to the disk scraper mounting member76. Further, each disk scraper mounting member76may be mounted so that the angle “A” of attack is adjustable. As a result, the movement of the agricultural tillage implement14through the field causes the individual disk blades56to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed inFIG. 4so that the channel shaped disk scraper scraping ends74of the channel shaped disk scrapers70scrape any accumulated soil and residue from the concave and convex sides58,60of individual disk blades56and deflect it away from the travel direction20.

Each channel shaped disk scraper70is connected to the disk scraper mounting member76using a bolted joint connection78, as noted previously. Further, each channel shaped disk scraper70is provided with a square mounting end72which adjoins to the inner surface of the disk scraper mounting member76. In this way, the channel shaped disk scraper70is firmly oriented and located relative to the disk scraper mounting member76and thus firmly oriented and located relative to the individual disk blades56of the gangs of disk blades40, while preserving the ability to replace the channel shaped disk scrapers70as they wear out. This mating of the square mounting ends72of the channel shaped disk scrapers70with the inner surface of the disk scraper mounting member76thereby prevents the problems of having to manually orient the disk scrapers, movement of the disk scrapers away from or towards the individual disk blades, and bending, deformation, and loss associated with prior art disk scrapers. Note that the disk scraper mounting member76is shown as an angle shaped mounting member, although other shapes of mounting members76are contemplated, such as channel shaped, Z shaped, or hat shaped, provided that the square mounting end72adjoins an inner perpendicular surface of the mounting member76.

The disk scraper mounting member76, the channel shaped disk scrapers70, and the bolted joint connections78wherein the square mounting end72of the channel shaped disk scraper70adjoins the inner surface of the disk scraper mounting member76further provides additional design advantages. Operating loads upon the channel shaped disk scrapers70along their lengths are efficiently transferred to the disk scraper mounting member76without overly stressing the bolted joint connections78due to the greater surface area of contact at the square mounting ends72. This minimizes deformation at the bolted joint connections78and resultant movement or loss of the channel shaped disk scrapers70. As a result, the relative bending and torsional rigidity of the channel shaped disk scrapers70can be utilized to greater advantage, allowing the use of thinner material and more production friendly processes such as stamping the channel shaped disk scrapers70or forming them on progressive dies. Making the channel shaped disk scrapers70out of thinner material also allows for a sharper disk scraper scraping end74.

Finally, while the bolted joint connections78with the square mounting end72of the channel shaped disk scraper70adjoining the inner surface of the disk scraper mounting member76provides the firm orientation and location of the channel shaped disk scrapers70and efficiently transfers operating loads from the channel shaped disk scrapers70to the disk scraper mounting member76, the relative torsional compliance of the disk scraper mounting member76itself helps to absorb impacts, further minimizing the potential for deformation at the bolted joint connections78.