MACHINE FOR SPREADING FERTILIZERS, SEEDS, SALT, SAND AND THE LIKE

Abstract: The machine comprises a hopper (1) supported on a frame (2), having a horizontal portion supporting a centrifugal spreader (15) below the hopper (1) and an upright portion, upwardly supporting a U-shaped element (7) and laterally supporting wings (8). The U-shaped element (7) is connected to the hopper (1) and the wings are rigidly associated with upwardly inclined arms (9, 10) which are in turn externally connected to the hopper (1) at diametrically opposite points (11,12) defined thereon. A pre-mixer (22) is arranged inside the hopper (1), and a reinforcement element (13) is located above the pre-mixer (22) inside the hopper (1). The reinforcement element (13) is rigidly associated with end plates (14) which are connected to the diametrically opposite points (11,12) at the inside of the hopper (1).

Description: The present invention relates to a machine for spreading fertilizers, seeds, salt, sand etc. Various kinds of machines for spreading the above mentioned materials are already known, including machines of the type comprising a hopper which feeds a centrifugal bladed spreader, adapted for rotation in a horizontal plane. Machines of this kind are usually connected to the three-point coupling of a tractor and power for driving the spreader is derived from the tractor's power take-off or auxiliary drive shaft. The hoppers of such machines are supported by frames from which they can be disassembled for storage or for transport. However, while such machines are satisfactory in some aspects, they are not devoid of inconveniences, not least of which is the fact that the structures of said frames, even when disassembled, are nonetheless extremely bulky and therefore scarcely practical, and create significant problems regarding their transport and storage. Another inconvenience encountered in the use of the known types of machines resides in the fact that the frames often lack strength when disassembled from the hopper and cannot be stacked with other similar frames for storage and/or transport purposes. A further disadvantage encountered in the known types of machines is the fact that the frames often interfere with the ejection areas of the centrifugal spreader causing uneven spreading and/or a reduced effective operating range, with an inherent reduction in operating efficiency. Accordingly, an aim of the present invention is to provide a machine for spreading fertilizers, seeds, salt, sand and the like, having a frame which can be disassembled from the hopper so as to occupy a reduced storage space and a minimal volume for transport. Within the above aim, an object of the invention is to provide a machine having a supporting frame which is extremely strong and which can be stacked with others for storage and transport purposes. Another important object of the invention is to provide a machine structure which is capable of spreading fertilizers, seeds etc. with a considerable spreading range without the frame interfering with the ejection areas. A further object of the invention is to provide a machine structure characterized by great overall strength, avoiding any collapse of the hopper. Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple machine which achieves high work yields. A not least object of the invention is to have low costs obtainable with conventional production systems. This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a machine for spreading fertilizers, seeds, salt, sand and the like, comprising a hopper which feeds a centrifugal bladed spreader adapted for rotation in a substantially horizontal plane, characterized in that it comprises a substantially chair-shaped supporting frame fixed to said hopper at an upper portion thereof and at least two arms extending from said frame and being coupled to diametrically opposite points of said hopper, at least one diametrical stiffening element being fixed inside said hopper between said diametrically opposite points. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine structure according to the invention; figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the structure of figure 1. With reference to the above described figures, the machine structure according to the invention comprises a hopper 1 which is substantially constituted by an inverted truncated cone mounted on a frame 2 which, according to the invention, is substantially chair-shaped or L-shaped and is expediently made of a tubular element 3 folded and shaped so as to define two planes which are substantially orthogonal to one another. More precisely, one upright portion of the frame 2 lies in a substantially vertical plane and defines an inverted U-like shape having downwardly extending branches, and from each of the branches there extends in an essentially perpendicular direction with respect to said vertical plane, a suppport member. The ends of said tubular element 3 defined by the free ends of the support members are arranged on a substantially horizontal plane and are rigidly associated, e.g., welded, to a single joining plate 4. As indicated in the above described figures, said frame 2 is downwardly provided with two pins, indicated respectively by the reference numerals 5 and 6, rigidly associated with the upright portion of the frame lying in said substantially vertical plane, and is upwardly provided with a substantially U-shaped coupling element 7 having axially aligned holes formed therein in order to associate the frame 2 with the three-point coupling of a tractor. An upper portion of said hopper 1 is advantageously releasably fixed, e.g., by being bolted, to said U-shaped coupling element 7, thus defining a strong coupling point for said hopper. Wings 8 are welded or otherwise rigidly associated with the sides of said frame 2, defined by the downwardly extending branches of the inverted U-shaped element, above the pins 5 and 6. Supporting arms, indicated respectively by the reference numerals 9 and 10, advantageously made of a pressed steel, are rigidly connected, e.g., through bolts, to said wings 8. The two supporting arms 9 and 10 are expediently inclined upwards and are rigidly associated through fixing means such as bolts, at the ends opposite to said frame 2, with diametrically opposite points 11 and 12 of said hopper 1, and thus complete said hopper's supporting structure. A stiffening element 13 is fixed, e.g., by bolting, between the diametrically opposite internal points of said hopper 1 and may be constituted by a reinforcement member such as a metal tube welded or otherwise connected to end plates 14. Advantageously, common fixing means, such as bolts located at through-holes formed at said diametrically points 11, 12 of said hopper 1, may be used for contemporaneously connecting both the ends of the upwardly inclined arms 9, 10, and the end plates 12 of the stiffening element 13 to said hopper 1. A known centrifugal bladed spreader 15 is arranged on the substantially horizontal portion of said frame 2 below said hopper 1 and is rigidly associated with a shaft 16 of an angle joint 17 the opposite shaft 18 whereof is connected to the tractor's power take-off. Said spreader 15 rotates on a substantially horizontal plane and is fed by said hopper through a double shutter 19 the opening whereof can be adjusted by means of lever mechanisms 20 having an actuation rod 21 pivotally connected to said frame 2. A pre-mixer 22, having a plurality of blades, is axially coupled to said centrifugal spreader 15 and extends axially inside the hopper 1. A housing 23, which may be made for instance of L-shaped sheet metal is rigidly connected to the substantially vertical part of the frame 2, e.g., by being bolted thereto. According to the invention, the particular constructive configuration of said frame 2 provides an extensive range of ejection for the spreader 15, with no blind spots. Thus, the hopper 1 is connected to the frame 2 at three main points, defined by the U-shaped element 7 and the connection points of the upwardly inclined arms 8, 9, and is even further strengthened by the presence of the stiffening element 13, the end plates 14 whereof are connected to the same diametrically opposite points 11,12 of the hopper as the ends of the arms 9,10 located remote from the wings 8. The external three-point support of the hopper 1, combined with the presence of the internal stiffening element 13, gives the assembly extreme strength and rigidity which effectively overcomes the hopper's tendency to become oval and collapse when it is filled with material, with consequent detrimental effects both on the hopper itself and on all of the mechanisms arranged below it. An equally important characteristic of the invention resides in the fact that the particular shape of the frame gives it high strength and allows a rapid disassembly, with consequent reduced storage and transport space. From what has been described and illustrated it is therefore apparent that all the intended aims and objects have been achieved. The invention thus conceived is susceptible to modifications and variations; thus, for example, in another embodiment the two supporting arms 9 and 10 may be stably coupled between the frame 2 and the hopper 1, for example by welding, and equally perform their primary function. In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: Machine for spreading fertilizers, seeds, salt, sand and the like, comprising a hopper (1) which feeds a spreader (15) with centrifugal blades adapted for rotation, in a substantially horizontal plane, and a supporting frame (2), said hopper (1) being supported by said frame (2) at three points including two side points (11,12) and a forward point (7) of said hopper (1), said machine characterized in that said frame (2) comprises a supporting element (3) substantially in the shape of an upstanding L which defines by its longer side a substantially U-shaped frame portion which is inverted and lies, in use, in a substantially vertical plane, said inverted U-shaped frame portion thereby defining two downwardly extending vertical branches and a horizontal middle portion joining said two vertical branches, said horizontal middle portion being connected to said forward point (7) of said hopper, and that at least first and second supporting arms (9,10) are connected respectively at one end to one of said vertical branches of said inverted U-shaped frame portion, and at the other end to one of said two side points (11,12) of said hopper (1), said two side points (11,12) being diametrically opposite side points of said hopper (1) and said machine further comprising a stiffening element (13) arranged inside said hopper (1) and interconnected between said diametrically opposite side points (11,12), said supporting arms (9,10) and said stiffening element (13) and said middle portion of said inverted U-shaped frame portion all being dismountable from said hopper (1). Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting element (3) is a shaped tubular supporting element which further defines two substantially horizontal support members extending respectively from said two downwardly extending vertical branches of said inverted U-shaped frame portion, said two horizontal support members being rigidly associated at their ends by means of a joining plate (4). Machine according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that elements in the form of pins (5,6) and a U-shaped coupling element (7) for connecting to a three-point coupling of a tractor are connected respectively to said two downwardly extending vertical branches at a downward position thereof and said horizontal middle portion at a middle position thereof of said inverted U-shaped frame portion, said U-shaped coupling element (7) further being connected to said forward point of said hopper. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that wings (8) are welded on said two downwardly extending vertical branches of said inverted U-shaped frame portion at a middle area thereof, said first and second supporting arms (9,10) being bolted to said wings (8) and extending upwardly and rearwardly where they are furthermore bolted to said diametrically opposite points (11,12) of said hopper (1). Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first and second supporting arms (9,10) are defined by a pressed metal structure. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stiffening element (13) is constituted by a tube having end plates (14) welded to its ends which are bolted at said diametrically opposite points (11,12) of said hopper (1). Machine according to claim 6, characterized in that common bolt fixing means are provided for simultaneously connecting said end plates (14) of said stiffening tube (13) and said first and second supporting arms (9,10) to said diametrically opposite points (11,12) of said hopper (1).

Inventors: BARBIERI, SILVANO
Applicants: B.S. BARBIERI DI BARBIERI SILVANO
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A01C15
IPC codes: A01C15, A01C17