AGRICULTURAL SPRAY APPARATUS

Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural sprayer comprises a land vehicle (10) having a chassis (12), ground engaging wheels (14) on the chassis, a prime mover (for example, a diesel engine) (16) mounted in the chassis to drive the vehicle, preferably disposed substantially centrally thereof and a liquid spray tank (30) disposed adjacent to the prime mover. The spray tank (30) may have a saddle tank configuration, with portions disposed laterally to both sides of the prime mover (16). The spray tank may be mounted on a frame (40) that can be moved, for example by pivoting, to lift the tank clear of the prime mover and associated components e.g. for maintenance access. A spray boom (24) is also carried on the frame (40).

Description: AGRICULTURAL SPRAY APPARATUS Technical Field The invention relates to agricultural and the like spray apparatus and more particularly to self-propelled spray apparatus . Background It is known to provide self-propelled agricultural spray apparatus usually based on a modified agricultural tractor. With known devices it is normal for the tractor engine and ancillaries to be at the front of the tractor and the tank of liquid spray to be at the rear of the tractor. Such an arrangement is not ideal since in use, as the liquid in the spray tank is consumed, the weight distribution on the tractor wheels change detrimentally to the performance of the tractor. Extra weight may be added to the tractor to act as a counterweight and to reduce the weight of the spray liquid as a proportion of the total weight of the sprayer. However, it is undesirable to add extra weight to the tractor since this might tend to increase soil compaction, and generally reduce performance. It is an aim of the invention to mitigate the above- described problem with known sprayers. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to the invention, a self-propelled agricultural sprayer comprises a land vehicle having a chassis, ground engaging wheels on the chassis, a prime mover mounted m the chassis to drive the vehicle and a liquid spray tank disposed adjacent to the prime mover. In this way the weight distribution of the sprayer may be substantially unaffected by the amount of the liquid spray m the tank. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the prime mover is longitudinally disposed between front and rear axle lines of the vehicle, for example, m a position substantially centrally of the chassis. This arrangement is advantageous m providing a preferred distribution of weight between the wheels of the sprayer. The liquid spray tank may be m the form of a saddle tank at least partially surrounding the prime mover. Such an arrangement also allows the centre of gravity of the sprayer to be low to improve the stability of the sprayer. Preferably, the spray tank will be mounted on the chassis for movement between its operative position adjacent to or surrounding the prime mover and a raised position which allows access to the prime mover and to associated components e.g. for maintenance and repair. Movement of the tank may be wholly or principally pivoting movement, typically about an axis extending generally transversely of the vehicle. Such movement of the spray tank may be achieved by jack means, e.g. in much the same way as the cab of a truck is tilted for access to the truck engine . The spray tank may be mounted on a frame which is carried on the chassis. In typical embodiments, the frame is mounted for pivotable movement with respect to the chassis. The sprayer will normally include a spray boom and preferably this is also mounted on the frame. The boom may be mounted on lift arms on the frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention is diagrammatically illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side view of a self-propelled agricultural spray apparatus; Figure 2 is a front view of the spray apparatus of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a rear view of the spray apparatus of Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a side view generally corresponding to that of Figure 1, and showing the spray apparatus m a maintenance position. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the drawings, a self-propelled agricultural sprayer 10 comprises a land vehicle having a chassis 12, ground engaging wheels 14 on the chassis 12. A vehicle suspension 26 may be provided between the wheels 14 and the chassis; the suspension 26 may be conventional or may comprise air bags. This embodiment, as is conventional, includes four wheels 14 mounted n pairs at front and rear transverse axle lines (which may include actual axles or may be hypothetical lines in a vehicle with independent suspension) . The vehicle further comprises a prime mover 16 (m this embodiment, a diesel internal combustion engine) mounted in the chassis 12 and disposed substantially centrally thereof, between the axle lines. A transmission 18 is mounted m the chassis and is connected to the prime mover to drive the vehicle wheels 14. A cab 20 for the driver/operator is mounted towards the front of the chassis 12 and a spray boom 24 is mounted towards the rear of the chassis 12. The spray boom 24 may be of generally conventional foldable form. A spray liquid tank 30 is mounted on the chassis and is in the form of a saddle tank positioned over and straddling the prime mover 16 in a fore-and-aft location that places it between the wheels 14. As can be seen in Figure 2, the tank extends above the prime mover 16, and has downward extensions that extend laterally on both sides of the prime mover 16. In this way the weight distribution of the sprayer remains substantially unaffected by the amount of the liquid spray in the tank 30. The saddle tank configuration of such a tank also allows the centre of gravity of the sprayer 10 to be low to improve the stability of the sprayer 10. The saddle tank 30 may comprise a separate compartment 30' for clean water, or for washings as desired. The spray tank 30 is mounted on a frame 40 which is pivotally mounted on the rear of the chassis (at 42) . The tank 30 can be moved between its operative position adjacent to and surrounding the prime mover 16, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, by pivoting the frame upwardly and rearwardly to a raised position as shown in Figure 4 which allows access to the prime mover e.g. for maintenance and repair. Such movement of the spray tank can be achieved by hydraulic jack means 50 connected between the tank frame 40 and chassis 12 e.g. m much the same way as the cab of a truck is tilted for access to the truck engine. The spray boom 24 is carried on lift arms 44 mounted on the spray tank frame 40. The vehicle transmission shown m the drawings is mechanical, but could, if desired, be any other suitable type, for example, it may be hydrostatic. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The invention thus provides a simple way of maintaining a desired weight distribution m a self- propelled sprayer which is unaffected by the quantity of liquid in the spray tank and which avoids problems with access to the vehicle engine and transmission e.g. for maintenance or repair.

Claims: Claims 1. A self-propelled agricultural sprayer comprising a land vehicle having a chassis, ground engaging wheels on the chassis, a prime mover mounted in the chassis to drive the vehicle and a liquid spray tank disposed adjacent to the prime mover. 2. A self-propelled agricultural sprayer according to claim 1 in which the prime mover is longitudinally disposed between front and rear axle lines of the vehicle . 3. A self-propelled agricultural sprayer according to claim 2 in which the prime mover is disposed in the chassis substantially centrally thereof. 4. A self-propelled agricultural sprayer according to any preceding claim in which the liquid spray tank is in the form of a saddle tank at least partially surrounding the prime mover . 5. A self-propelled agricultural sprayer according to any preceding claim in which the spray tank is mounted on the chassis for movement between its operative position adjacent to or surrounding the prime mover and a raised position which allows access to the prime mover . 6. A self-propelled agricultural sprayer according to claim 5 m which movement of the tank between its operative position and its raised position is wholly or principally pivoting movement. 7. A self-propelled agricultural sprayer according to claim 6 m which the pivoting movement is about an axis extending generally transversely of the vehicle. 8. A self-propelled agricultural sprayer according to any one of claims 5 to 7 further comprising jack means operable to move the spray tank between its operative position and its raised position. 9. A self-propelled agricultural sprayer according to any one of claims 5 to 8 m which the spray tank is mounted on a frame that is carried on the chassis. 10. A self-propelled agricultural sprayer according to claim 9 m which the frame is mounted for pivotable movement with respect to the chassis. 11. A self-propelled agricultural sprayer according to claim 10 further comprising a spray boom also mounted on the frame. 12. A self-propelled agricultural sprayer according to claim 11 m which the boom is mounted on lift arms on the frame .

Inventors: MCAVOY PAUL, MCAVOY, PAUL
Applicants: MCAVOY PAUL, MCAVOY, PAUL
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A01M7
IPC codes: A01M7