FLAIL SOIL CULTIVATOR CONDITIONER

Abstract: The cultivator conditioner has a plurality of flexible flails (6) attached to a shaft (4) which is rotatable on a horizontal axis. The flails (6) impinge on the soil with the greater part of their length, shattering soil lumps to form a tilth. A levelling action is performed by the action of the flails (6) as they are drawn under the rotor.

Description: Flail Soil Cultivator Conditioner • The invention relates to a rotary flail soil cultivator conditioner for preparation an levelling of soil for seed sowing or planting- Conventional cultivators and conditioners act within the soil on a horizontal plane, either being drawn through the soil in a direct line as with tined cultivators, or rotating within the soil on a vertical axis whilst they are drawn through the soil as with power harrows. Further conventional cultivators use fixed blades or spikes which rotate on a horizontal axis and enter the soil in a cutting or stirring action. Such cultivators have either limited effect in the case of tines, when lumpy soil flows round' the tines thereby creating the need for repeated passes, or in the case of rotating tines, blades and spikes, there is a heavy power requirement together with movement of fine surface soil in a downwards direction. There is generally rapid moisture loss under dry conditions. 'Flail' machines exist for purposes other than cultivations and in those cases the operative area is the tip of the flail rather than the larger part or length of the flail. The invention as claimed is intended to remedy these drawbacks. Soil is shattered by flails rotating on a horizontal axis, the axis being at approximately 90° to the direction of travel and the rotor being positioned near to the soil surface to allow maximum flail area to impinge on the soil. When the flails strike the soil they collapse and are drawn backwards from the direction of travel, underneath the rotor shaft in a flicking levelling action. The rotor being positioned near the soil but with sufficient space between rotor and soil to allow free movement of the flails as they are drawn under as previously described. The flails are flung into operating position by centrifugal force, the motivating power being provided by the tractor via a power take off shaft, a hydraulic motor or from land driven wheels or roller. The advantages offered by the invention are mainly that a level seedbed is achieved surface action, lumps being trapped between the flails and the soil and thereby shattere When the flails are in a collapsed state they act as a surface levelling harrow. Fine soil retained largely on or near the soil surface and some consolidation is achieved by the flail thereby reducing moisture loss. Larger particles and lumps are retained beneath the surfac so assisting drainage. The flails impinge on the soil rather than being moved through it a consequently have a low operating power requirement; this allows the machine to be attache behind a conventional primary cultivator and produce a seedbed in one pass. One way of carrying out the invention is described in detail below with reference t drawings which illustrate only one specific embodiment, in which:- Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic right hand side elevation of a flail cultivator condition with flails shown in operating position, and showing an example of a primary cultivator wit which it may suitably be combined. Figure 2 is a schematic overhead view showing helical attachment of flails, the relationshi with the primary cultivator and the direction of travel. * In the drawings the flail soil cultivator conditioner includes a main-frame as indicated by a rotatable shaft 4 to which flails 6 are attached, a canopy 8 and point of attachment 10 to tractor or primary cultivator 16. In figure 1 the flails 6 are shown in the operating position, those flails which are not i contact with the soil being extended by centrifugal force and the flail which is in contact wit the soil has collapsed and is being drawn along the soil surface. Direction of rotation of th flail shaft is indicated by 14. Figure 2 shows the helical pattern of attachment of a plurality of flails 6 to the rotatabl shaft 4. Direction of travel is indicated by 12.

Claims: Claims 1. A soil cultivator conditioner comprising at least one shaft drivable about a horizont axis on which flexible flails are mounted, the shaft being rotatable by a suitable power sourc including land wheels, and constructed in such a way that it may be drawn along in nea proximity to the soil with the axis at approximately 90° to the direction of travel. 2. A cultivator conditioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flails may be constructed o hardened steel chain. 3. A cultivator conditioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flails may be constructed o linked steel bar. 4. A cultivator conditioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flails may be constructed o flexible steel rope. 5. A cultivator conditioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flails may be constructed o woven fibre, reinforced with metal wire or fibres and to which steel strips are attached across the width of the flail, so providing suitable weight and soil contacting surface. 6. A cultivator conditioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flails may be attached to the rotor in a helical pattern. 7. A cultivator conditioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flails may be attached to the rotor in straight lines along the length of the rotor. 8. A cultivator conditioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flails may be attached to the rotor in any suitable pattern. 9. A cultivator conditioner as claimed in claim 1), 2), 3), and 4) wherein the flails may have a heavy object attached at their outer end. 10. A cultivator conditioner substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: BROWN BENJAMIN MARRIOTT, BROWN, BENJAMIN, MARRIOTT
Applicants: BROWN BENJAMIN MARRIOTT, BROWN, BENJAMIN, MARRIOTT
Application year: 1981
Main classification: A01B33
IPC codes: A01B33