A SOIL CULTIVATING MACHINE

Abstract: The invention relates to a soil cultivating machine, com­ prising a frame and cultivating members and at least one roller (10). The roller (10) comprises hollow elongate ele­ ments (12) having at least one projection (35), said hollow elongate elements (12) being mounted on the periphery of rings (11) that, together with the said elements (12) form a cage-shaped portion. Inside the cage-shaped portion there is provided a tube-like member (27, 27A) which is arranged pivotally and is lockable in at least one position. The tube­ like member (27, 27A) can be provided at its periphery ei­ ther with rib-like projections (28) or with synthetic material (42) or rubber. The hollow elongate elements (17) are folded from plate-like material.

Description: A SOIL CULTIVATING MACHINE The invention relates to a soil cultivating machine comprising a frame and cultivating members and at least one roller. With prior art machines of the kind set forth, most of the time the roller is heavy to ensure an uninterrupted rotation and to make it sufficient sturdy. The invention has now for its object to provide a roller of the kind set forth which can be manufactured cheaply and is lightweighty. In accordance with the invention, the roller comprises hollow elongate elements having at least one projection. This provides a light and yet rigid roller whose rotation may be highly continuously. A further aspect of the invention relates to a roller inside which a member is disposed which is lockable in at least one position. With this construction it is possible to effectively remove the soil there where the roller is most vulnerable to penetration of the soil and it is further possible to wholly or partly eliminate the resistance caused by the member during operation. A following aspect of the invention relates to a roller which, at its inner side, is provided with a member consisting at least partly of synthetic material or of rubber. Using this provision, sticking of the soil to the member itself can effectively be prevented. A further aspect of the invention relates to a roller which incorporates hollow elongate elements having at least one projection. Such a feature provides a light and yet rigid roller whose rotation may be highly continuously. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made. by way of example, to some embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a roller according to the invention, used in a soil cultivating member comprising motor-driven cultivating members; Figure 2 is, on an enlarged scale, a view taken on the line II-II in Figure 1, whilst Figure 3 is a view taken on the line III-III in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a view in accordance with Figure 3 of a second embodiment of a roller in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an elongate element present at the periphery of the roller; Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of an elongate element present at the periphery of the roller; ; Figure 7 illustrates a fourth embodiment of an elongate element of the roller, whilst Figures 8 and 9 illustrates a fifth embodiment of an elongate element which may be provided at the periphery of the roller. The arrangement shown in the Figures relates to a soil cultivating machine, more specifically a machine for preparing a seedbed. The machine comprises a frame portion 1 which extends transversely of the direction of operative travel A and in which upwardly, preferably vertically extending shafts 2 of cultivating members are bearingsupported at mutually equal distances of preferably 25 cms. In a manner not further shown, each cultivating member is provideda with an at least substantially horizontal carrier disposed on that end of the shaft 2 projecting from under the frame portion 1 and having near its ends downwardly extending cultivating elements which may be in the form of tines. The ends of the frame portion 1 are closed by means of upwardly directed plates 3 which extend at least substantially in parallel to the direction of operative travel A. Near its front end each plate 3 has a stub 4 which extends transversely of the direction of operative travel A and around with an arm 5, which extends rearwardly along the inner side of the plates, is pivotable. Each arm 5 can be adjusted in height to a plurality of positions by means of an adjusting device arranged near the rear end of a plate 3 and being constituted by a threaded spindle 6. As is shown in Figure 3, each arm 5 extends at the rear to its free end partially at a downward angle and to the rear. Near the lower end of. each obliquely downwardly and rearwardly extending portion of an arm 5 a roller 10 is arranged freely rotatably by means of a shaft 7 which extends transversely of the intended direction of operative travel A and is supported by a bearing 9 arranged in a hub 8. The roller 10 has a portion in the form of a cage, which portion is formed by rings 11 which are located equidistantly from each other near and between the ends of the roller and whose outer peripheries are provided with elongate elements 12 which are disposed through equal circumferential angles and extend helically relative to the rotary axis a of the roller. Figure 3 shows that there are a total of ten elongate elements 12. The elongate elements 12 extend to the ends of the roller to beyond the outermost rings 11 (Figure 2). Each one of the outermost rings is provided at its interior side with a disc 13 whose centre incorporates the hub 8 in which the bearing 9 is accomodated. The bearing 9 cooperates with a bushing 14 placed around the shaft 7 and forming part of an arm 15 which extends along the interior side of a disc 13. The arm 15 has a length equal to approximately 2/3 of half the diameter of the disc 13. At each free end each arm 15 has a pin 16 which is locked by a pin 17. The pin 17 extends at least substantially parallel with the shaft 7; the pin extending inwardly from the disc 13. A bushing 19 is placed around the pin 16 which can be positioned or removed through an aperture 18 in the disc 13. The bushing 19 which is pivotable relative to the pin 16, is enclosed between the arm 15 and a projection 20 provided near the end of the pin 16, which projection 20 is locked by means of a pin 21. The bushing 19 has an arm 22 which from the bushing extends at an upward angle and rearwardly relative to the intended direction of operative travel A (Figure 3). At its freee end the arm 22 is provided with a bearing housing 23 in which two spaced apart bearings 24 are accommodated which can cooperate with a shaft 25 which extends at least substantially parallel to the pin 16 and the shaft 7. The shaft 25 is positioned in the centre of a disc 26, which covers an end of a tubular member 27 located inside the cage-formed portion of the roller 10. In this situation, the disc 26 is positioned such that the tubular member 27 extends to beyond the disc and, as is shown in Figure 2, encloses for the greater part the bearing housing 23. At its periphery the tubular member 27, which substantially extends throughout the total, overall length of the roller 10, has rib-like projections 28 arranged at equal circumferential angles from each other and extending in parallel to the rotary axis of the tubular member. A total of eight rib-like projections 28 are provided on the outer periphery of the tubular member 27.The rib-like projections are interrupted each time in the region of the rings 11. The bushing 19 is surrounded by a spring 29 which, by means of one end, bears against the arm 22 and with the other end against the projection 20, the arrangement being such that by means of the spring 29 the tubular member 27 is pushed against the interior side of the rings 11 of the cage portion of the roller 10 (Figure 3). The end of the shaft 7 is provided, at the interior, with an arm 31 by means of a pin 30, the arm 31 having at its free end a projection 32 which bears against the bottom side of the arm 22 (Figures 2 and 3). The other end of the shaft 7 is provided with a lever 34 by means of a pin 33. The lever 34 has at its upper end a lug 35A having an aperture in which one end of a hook 36 can be hooked. The hook 36 forms part of a chain 37 whose lower end is accommodated in an aperture 38 of an arm 39. From that portion of an arm 5 which extends at a downward angle and rearwardly, the arm 39 extends horizontally to the rear. Initially, the arm 39 extends at least parallel to the disc 13 and is thereafter folded outwardly to pass into a portion which is located at least substantially below the lever 34, the chain 37 being connected to that portion. When the lever 34 is in the position shown in Figure 3 by means of solid lines, the tubular member 27 is pushed against the inner side of the rings 11 by means of the spring 29, the projections 28 extending to into the spacings between the rings 11. By moving downwardly the levers 34 at the ends of the roller 10 into the position indicated by the solid lines and fixing same in this position with the aid of the hook 36 and the chain 37, the tubular member 27 is adjusted to the inoperative position, indicated by the solid lines, by means of the arm 31 and the projection 32. The elongate elements 12 which, as mentioned in the foregoing, form together with the rings 11 a cage-shaped portion of the roller 10, are made of a plate, the plate being bent such that it has a profile as is shown in greater detail in Figure 3. The profile is such that, in a crosssectional view, the elongate elements are hollow and have an at least substantially rectangular, substantially square cross-section. At the side remote from the rings 11 there are two facing plate portions which, as is shown in Figure 3, form a projection 35 which relative to the direction of rotation B imparted to the roller during operation, is directed rearwardly and extends through a distance which is at least substantially equal to the height of the hollow, square portion of the elongate element. As Figure 3 further shows, a plate portion which, relative to the direction of rotation B, is positioned at the rear side, is shorter, consequently improving the soil penetrating power of the projection. By means of one side of the quadrangular profile the elongate elements are fastened to the outer side of the respective rings 11. Inside the frame portion 1, a pinion 36A is provided on each shaft 12, the arrangement being such that the pinions on neighbouring shafts 12 are in driven engagement with each other. Near its centre, the shaft 2 of a cultivating member is extended, and reaches into a gear box 37A in the interior of which the shaft is in driving connection via a bevel gear transmission and a speed regulator 38A at the rearside of the gear-box, with a shaft 39A which extends in the intended direction of operative travel A and can be coupled to the power take-off shaft of a tractor via an intermediate shaft 40. Near its centre the frame portion 1 includes a trestle 41 which constitutes a three-point connection for hitching the machine to the three-point lifting hitch of a tractor. The machine described in the foregoing operates as follows: During operation the machine is connected to the three-point lifting hitch of the tractor by means of the trestle 41 and each cultivating member is caused to rotate from the power take-off shaft of the tractor via the intermediate shaft 40 and the above-described transmission, the arrangement being such that neighbouring cultivating members rotate in opposite directions and thereby cultivating with their cultivating elements at least contiguous strips of soil. The working depth of the cultivating members can be set by means of the roller 10 by pivoting the respective arms 5 with the aid of the threaded spindles 6 around the journals 4 disposed near the front ends of the plates 3. Using the tubular member 27 disposed within the cage-shaped portion of the roller 10, constituted by the rings 11 and the elongate elements 12 made of plate material, it is possible, during operation to prevent earth from being forced to the interior of the roller, which is undesirable, thus negatively influencing the function of the roller. As is shown in Figure 3, the tubular member 27, when in its operating position, is located in the rearmost, lower quadrant of the roller. The efficiency of the tubular member 27 is still further increased by the rib-like projections 28 disposed on the outer periphery of the member, as a result of which the member which is caused to rotate because of its contact with the rings 11, can more effectively grip the soil to be removed. When stones or other hard objects such as roots, come into contact with the tubular member 27, the member can deflect inwardly against the action of the spring 29 so that damage is prevented. Hereby the member is pivotable around the pivotal points constituted by the pins 16, which points, as can be seen in Figure 3, are located in the foremost lower quadrant of the roller. The hollow elongate elements 12 folded from plate material enable a light-weight, robust construction, the projections 35, more specifically when the tubular member is used, increasing the continuity of the rotation. By means of the spring-loaded support near the pivotal point the tubular member 27 can, during operation, be given a slightly vibrating motion which still further increases the efficiency of its operation. If soils are being cultivated when there is no or hardly any risk of the roller 10. being clogged by earth penetrating into the roller between the elongate elements 12, it is possible to adjust the tubular member 27 in the manner already described in the foregoing to the position illustrated by the solid lines, by means of the adjusting member disposed at both ends of the rollers and being in the form of a lever 34, thus rendering the member inoperative. As a result thereof the roller can rotate more easily luring operation, so that unnecessary slip is prevented. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4 the tubular member 27A is disposed in exactly the same manner as in the first embodiment; however in this embodiment the tubular member is not provided with projections, but with a synthetic material or rubber layer 42 present at the outer periphery. Because of the presence of the synthetic material or rubber the tubular member is less prone to adhering soil. Figure 5 shows an elongate element 43 folded from plate material. The plate is folded such that, together with a projection 44, the hollow elongate element 43 forms a "d", and is arranged such that relative to the direction of rotation B imparted to the roller 10, the hollow portion is located before the projection 44. Also then the length of the projection 44, which is also directed rearwardly relative to the direction of rotation B, is at least substantially equal to the diameter of the hollow elongate element. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the elongate element 45 which is folded from plate material in such a manner that it forms a "six" is disposed such, relative to the direction of rotation B of the roller, that the hollow portion is located before the projection 46 which also in this embodiment extends rearwardly at an oblique angle relative to the direction of rotation. Figure 7 shows an elongate element 47 which is folded from plate material and is folded predominantly to an S-shape, the lower side of the S being curved to the greatest extent and being connected to the outer side of the rings 11, whilst the upper side of the S passes into an at least substantially straight portion which extends rearwardly at an oblique angle relative to the direction of rotation B of the roller and constitutes a projection 48. Finally, Figures 8 and 9 show an elongate element 49 formed by a T-section, which is disposed such that, relative to the direction of rotation B imparted to the roller during operation, the transverse leg 50 of the T is directed rearwardly at an oblique angle from the outer side of the rings 11. Connection of the T-shaped elongate elements 49 is obtained by creating, in the region of the rings 11, a pinched portion which in the manner shown in the Figures, is welded to the exterior side of the rings. The use of the above-described elongate elements folded from plate material provide a light-weight structure which nevertheless is adequately rigid, the projection of each elongate element, extending at a rearward angle and outwardly relative to the direction of rotation being capable of imparting an appropriately continuous rotation to the roller which preferably has a diameter of approximately 50 cms and a length of 3 mtrs in spite of the use of the respective tubular members 27 and 27A disposed within the cage portion. A similar effect is obtained when T-profiles are used which - disregarding the pinch deformation in situ of the connections - do not require any further processing. The invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described features, but also encompasses all the details shown in the accompanying drawings, whether they have been described or not.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A soil cultivating machine comprising a frame and cultivating members and at least one roller (10), characterized in that the roller (10) comprises hollow elongate elements (12) having at least one projection (35). 2. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elongate elements (12) are folded from plate material. 3. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the projections (35) are in the shape of fins and are disposed at equal circumferential angles from each other. 4. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in any one of the claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the roller (10) comprises rings (11) whose outer periphery is provided with profiled elongate elements (12), an elongate element (12) being folded from plate material, the elongate element having a rectangular cross-section and being connected by means of the rectangular cross-section to the outside of the rings (11) and the plate ends being projecting ends (35). 5. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that an elongate element (43) is folded from plate material, the elongate element having an at least substantially circular cross-section and the portion having the circular cross-section being located, relative to the direction of rotation imparted to the roller during operation, behind the projection (44) constituted by an end of the plate. 6. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the projection (35, 44) is directed outwardly and extends at a rearward angle relative to the direction of rotation of the roller (10). 7. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that inside the roller (10) a member (27) is disposed which is lockable in at least one position. 8. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the member (27) consists at least partly of synthetic material or rubber. 9. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the member (27) is capable of deflecting against the action of a spring. 10. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 7 - 9, characterized in that the member (27) is pivotable around a pivotal point (16) located before the member in the foremost and lower quadrant of the roller. 11. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 7 - 10, characterized by adjusting means for adjusting the member (27) to an inoperative position. 12. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a spring-loaded mechanism is provided against whose action the member (27) is capable of pivoting, the spring loaded mechanism comprising a spring (29) disposed around a journal (16) which constitutes the pivotal point. 13. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the adjusting means comprises a lever (34), one end of which is lockable in a plurality of positions and the other is capable of co-operating by means of a projection (32) with a pivotal supporting arm (22) of the member (27) 14. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 7 - 13, characterized in that the member (27) is a tubular member and freely rotatable. 15. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in any one of the claims 7 - 14, characterized in that, at its periphery, the member (27) is provided with projections (28). 16. A soil cultivating machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roller (10) is disposed behind a plurality of motor-driven cultivating members, whereby the working depth of the cultivating members can be adjusted by setting the height of the roller.

Inventors: VAN DER LELY, CORNELIS
Applicants: C. VAN DER LELY N.V.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A01B29
IPC codes: A01B29, A01B49