SOIL WORKING IMPLEMENT

Abstract: A soil working implement, preferably a seed drilling implement (10) comprises a frame (17), a forward coupling arrangement on the frame for coupling the implement to the rear of a propelling vehicle (11), a transversely extending row of seed drills (15, 16) mounted on the frame (17), and a mounting (21) provided on the frame (17) at a position forwardly of the row of seed drills (15, 16) and which detachably receives a cultivator module (22) having at least one transversely extending row of tines (26) to provide additional soil cultivating action when required, in which the cultivator module comprises: a fixing clamp (23) for securing the module to a transversely extending frame beam (21) of the implement; mounting brackets (24) carried by the fixing clamp (23) and adapted to support at least one transversely extending row of cultivator tines (26); and an elongate tine carrier (25) having a number of tines (26) arranged along its length, and which is adjustably mounted on the bracket (24) for movement between lowered ground-engaging positions and raised inoperative positions of the tines.

Description: SOIL WORKING IMPLEMENT This invention relates to a soil working implement which is intended to be coupled with a tractor or other propelling vehicle, and one example of such an implement is a seed drilling implement which is operative to form drills m the ground into which seed can be introduced. The present invention, m one asnect, is an improvement in, or modification of, the seed drilling implement, described and claimed m International publication No WO97/16061, and to which reference is directed. In a seed drilling implement (which is usually towed behind a tractor via a semi-mounted coupling) , the seed drills are pulled through the ground with the drill tips located below ground level, and seed is fed to the drills so as to be distributed into the ground below ground level. Seed drills take many forms, and including so-called "wing point shares", but in essence all seed drills form planting rows or "drills" in the ground (the ground may be uncultivated ground m the case of di r ect drills, or already cultivated (ploughed / harrowed) g cund m the case of other seed drilling implements) . Seed distribution tubes feed the seed to the drills, and usually include distribution pipes / tubes which deliver the seed to below ground level. The present invention concerns an additional cultivator module which is adapted to be mounted on a frame of a soil working implement, at a mounting position forwardly of the soil working tools, so as to provide additional soil cultivating action for the implement, which is effective to carry out initial working / loosening of the ground surface, prior to operation of the following tools. Acco dmg to one aspect of t μ jd invention, there is provided an implement as defined m „laιm 1. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an implement as defined m claim 2. Preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the dependent claims. A preferred embodiment of soil working implement according to the invention will now De described m detail, by way of example only, with refeiei ce to the accompanying drawings, m which: Figure 1 is a perspective side and part rear illustration of a seed drilling implement semi-mounted at the rear of a tractor, and to which the invention may be applied; Figure 2 is a detail and side view of an additional cultivator module detachably mounted on the frame of the implement shown m Figure 1, to form an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a side illustration of part of the implement shown in Figure 1, and showing a row of cultivator tines of the cultivator module in a lowered ground engaging position; Figure 4 is a detailed side view, similar to Figure 3, showing one of the rows of cultivator tines adjusted to a raised inoperative position; and, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing more detail of the construction of the detachable cultivation module. The general type of seed drilling implement to which the invention may be applied will comprise a frame, a coupling arrangement on the frame for coupling the implement to a propelling vehicle, and one or more transversely extending rows of seed drills mounted on the frame. The implement frame will also be provided with a mounting, which m the illustrated embodiment comprises a transversely extending frame beam as described below, and to which a detachably mounted cultivator module can be attached when required, to provide additional soil cultivating action for the entire implement. Examples of seed drilling implement to which the invention may be applied include those disclosed in International publication Nos WO97/16061 and W096/29852. Referring first to Figure 1, this is a perspective side illustration of a seed drilling implement, designated generally by reference 10, mounted at the rear of a tractor 11, and having a main implement frame 12 supported at its forward end by a transversely extending row of wheels 13, and at its rear end by a transversely extending row of wheels 14. Two rows of seed drills 15 and 16 are mounted on the frame 12, and extend transversely of the general direction of forward movement, and seed is distributed to the drills 15 and 16 via distribution tubes 17 leading from a seed hopper 18. A row of transversely extending finger tines 19 is arranged behind the rear row of wheels L4, and forwardly of the seed drills 15 and 16 there is an arrangement of cultivator tines and disc coulters, of which the coulters are shown by reference 20 . Intermediate the row of disc coulters 20 and the forward row of ground wheels 13, a detachably mounted cultivator module is provided, which will be described m more detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Referring first to Figure 2, this is a detail side view of the cultivator module, and the means by which it is mounted on a mounting provided on the mam frame 12, and which is formed by a transversely extending frame beam, shown by reference 21 Figure 2. The cultivator module is designated generally by reference 22, and complies a fixing device 23 the form of a pan of spaced U-shdped clamps 23a which are securable on the frame beam 21, and locked thereto by any suitable means. (The clamps 23a are shown in more detail Figure 5) . The module 22 also includes forwardly extending mounting brackets, of which one is shown by reference 24, and which are adapted to support at least one transversely extending row of cultivator tines. Figure 2 shows three rows of cultivator tines, and different means of mounting and ad ustment of the rows of tines, by way of example only. The mounting brackets 24 are spaced apart laterally, with respect to the working direction (see also Figure 5), and each row of tines is carried by a respective el gate tine carrier, taking the form of a square or rectangular cross section carrier tube 25. Each carrier tube 25 carries a number of tines 26 along lts length, and each carrier tube is adjustably mounted on the brackets 24 for movement between lowered ground-engaging positions as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and raised inoperative positions, shown m respect of ore jf the row of tines m Figure . The brackets 24 have circular mounting holes 27 m which the carrier tubes 25 are mounted so as to be able to rotate about their axes for adjustment purposes. Each carrier tube 25 can rotate within the circular mounting holes 27 for adjustment purposes when required. Each carrier tube 25 is held by mounting clamps, shown by reference 28 for the first and second row of tines 26, and by reference 28a for the third and rearmost row of tines 26. The mounting clamps 28 for the first and second rows of tines 26 have relatively simple means of adjustment relative to the mounting brackets 24, comprising fixing screws (not shown) which can be taken through any one of a series of adjustment holes 29. The adjustment holes 29 allow the mounting clamps 28 to rotate through up to 90° of adjustment, by manual manipulation, so that the tines can be adjusted between different ground engaging positions, and also can be adjusted to raised inoperative positions. The mounting clamp 28a, shown for the rear row of tines 26, is provided on one end of a crank arm 30, which can be power operated e.g. by fluid pressure actuator cylinder 31, for the purposes of adjusting the rearmost carrier tube about its longitudinal axis, for adjustment purposes. The position of the cylinder 31 is also shown schematically m Figure 5. The fixing clamp 23, and the mounting clamps 28, 28a may be designed the way which is disclosed m more detail publication No WO95/17610, to which attention is directed. Evidently, the arrangement of the forward mounting clamps 28 provides a simple and low cost means of mounting and adjustment, whereas the mounting clamp 28a and its power operated mechanism is a more expensive, but automated version. The mounting clamps 28 and 28a therefore comprise U- U -J ■ • - 5- shaped cradles, into which the carrier tubes 25 can be slidably received against rotation, and then fixedly secured therein by clamping screws 27 taken across the entrance mouth to the U- shaped cradles. If required, individual tine carrier tubes may be individually adjustable, or arranged to be adjustable m common e.g. by a common power operated device and crank-arm interconnection between adjacent carrier tubes, if required. A disconnectable link arm 40 is shown Figure 5, which can be connected to each of the three rows of tines 26 for joint operation when required. Disconnec cii of the link arm 40 from the central row of tines (at 41) will allow power adjustment of one row only (the central row) . Disconnection of the link arm 40 from the rearmost row (at 42) will allow power adjustment of two rows only (the central and the foremost row) . Height adjustment means is provided, which connects the mounting brackets 24 to the fixing clamp 23, and which permit adjustment of the working height of the tips 32 of the cultivator tines 26. In the illustrated arrangement, the brackets 24 are carried by upright mounting tubes 33 which are upwardly and downwardly adjustable within mounting tubes 34 rigidly secured to fixing clamp 23. Adjustment screws 35 allow upward and downward adjustment of the height of the working tips 32 of the tines 26. Evidently, the height adjustment means (33, 34) form part of a rigid mounting assembly which couples the module frame (brackets 24 and carrier tubes 25) rigidly to the U-shaped clamps 23a via a bolted connection 24a. In turn, the clamps 23a have a rigid coupling with the mam implement frame 12 via the mounting beam 21. Also, the height adjustment takes place withm the module itself i.e. relative to the clamps 23a which mount the module frame on the mam mdeoendent frame 12, and therefore independent of the mounting of the module 22 on the ma frame 12. The cultivator module accordir J to the invention nas been described, and shown m the drawings, applied as an add-on component to the frame of a seed drilling implement i.e. to provide additional soil cultivating capability if required. It should be understood therefore that the cultivator module according to the invention may be applied as an add-on component to the frame of othe : types of soil working implements e.g. a harrow having one or more rows of soil cultivator tools.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A soil working implement (10) comprising a mam implement frame (12); a coupling arrangement for coupling the mam frame (12) to a propelling vehicle (11); a transversely extending row of soil working tools (15, 16) mounted on the mam frame (12); and a detachable cultivator module (22) having a module frame (23, 24) which is detachably mounted on said mam implement frame (12), and at least one row of transversely extending tines (26) mounted on said module frame (23, 24) via an elongate tine carrier (25) having a number of tines (26) arranged along its length, to provide additional soil cultivating action when required: characterised that the cultivator module (22) comprises : (a) a fixing device (23) for securing the module frame (23, 24) to the ma implement frame (12); (b) mounting brackets (24) carried by said fixing device (23) , and on which said elongate tine carrier (25) is adjustably mounted for movement between lowered ground-engaging positions and raised inoperative positions of the tines (26) ; and, (c) height aα ustment means (33, 34) which connects the brackets (24) to the fixing device (23) and which is adjustable to vary the height of th<> orackets (24) relative to the fixing device (23) in order to permit adjustment of the working height of the tips (32) of the cultivator tines (26), this adjustment being independent of the mounting of the module frame (23, 24) on the ma frame (12) of the implement. 2. A soil working implement (10) comprising a mam implement frame (12); a coupling arrangement for coupling the mam frame (12) to a propelling vehicle (11); a transversely extending row of soil working tools (15, 16) mounted on the mam frame (10); a detachable cultivator module (22) having at least one transversely extending row of tines (26) and which is detachably mounted on said mam implement frame (10) to provide additional soil cultivating action wnen required; and, a frame beam (21) of the mam implement frame (12) on which the cultivator module (22) is detachably mounted; characterised m that the cultivator module (22) comprises : (a) laterally spaced U-shaped clamps (23a) for securing the cultivator module (22) to said frame beam (21) of the ma implement frame (12); (b) respective mounting brackets (24) carried by each of said U-shaped clamps (23a) ; and, (c) an elongate tine carrier (25) having a number of tines (26) arranged along ts length, said carrier being adjustably mounted on said brackets (24) for movement between lowered ground-engaging positions and raised inoperative positions of the tines (26) . 3. An implement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised m that the coupling arrangement on the main implement frame (10) serves to couple the implement (10) to the rear of said propelling vehicle (11). 4. An implement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised that the cultivator module (22) is detachably mounted on the ma implement frame (12) at a position forwardly of the row of tools (15, 16) provided on the mam implement frame (12) . 5. An implement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised m that the mounting brackets (24) have circular mounting holes (27) which the elongate carrier (25) is mounted to be able to rotate about its axis for adjustment purposes . 6. An implement according to claim 5, characterised that the elongate carrier comprise.- a square or rectangular cross section member (25) which is able to rotate within the circular mounting holes (27) in the mounting brackets (24). 7. An implement according to claim 6, characterised that the carrier memoer (25) is held by mounting clamps (28, 28a) which are adjustable relative to the mounting brackets (24) . 8. An implement according to claim 7, characterised m that the mounting clamps (28) are adjustably connected to the mounting brackets (24) by releasable fasteners which can be taken through an arrangement of adjustment holes (29) to provide a range of angular adjustments of the carrier member (25) up to about 90°. 9. An implement according to claim 7, characterised m that a power operated mechanism (31) is provided to effect required angular adjustment of the mounting clamp (28a) . 10. An implement according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the mounting clamps (28, 28a) comprise U- shaped cradles into which the elongate carrier (25) can be slidably received against rotation, and including fixing devices (27) to secure the elongate carrier (25) in the cradle. 11. An implement according to any one of the preceding claims, including a number of rows of cultivator tines (26) each carried by a respective carrier (25) and mounted on said mounting brackets (24) of the frame of the module, and m which the rows are individually adjustable, or adjustable m common if required. 12. An implement according to claim 2, characterised by height adjustment means (33, 34) which connects the mounting brackets (24) to the U-shaped clamps ( 23a), and which permit adjustment of the working height of the tips (32) of the cultivator tines (26) . 13. An implement according to claim 1 or claim 12, characterised m that the height adjustment means (33, 34) connects the mounting brackets (24) rigidly to the fixing device or fixing clamps (23), said height adjustment means comprising two components which are relatively slidable for the purposes of height adjustment. 14. An implement according to claim 11, characterised in that the separate rows of cultivator tines (26) are linked together by a link arm (40) for joint actuation when required, such link arm being disconnectable when it is required to disable actuation of one or more of the rows of tines. 15. An implement according to any one of the preceding claims, characteriseα that the implement is a seed drilling implement and said soil working tools comprise one or more rows of seed drills (15, 16) . 16. An implement according to any one of claims 1 to 14, m which the implement comprises a barrow.

Inventors: LANGBAKK HANS PETTER, LANGBAKK, HANS, PETTER
Applicants: KVERNELAND KLEPP AS, LANGBAKK HANS PETTER, LANGBAKK, HANS, PETTER
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A01B49
IPC codes: A01B19, A01B49, A01C7