Abstract:
A tilling apparatus and a method of tilling soils which includes the use of a rotational shaft having a number of cutter assemblies located at spaced apart locations on the shaft in which each cutter assembly has a multitude of blades which rotate as the rotary shaft rotates to form a plurality of spaced apart trenches having the same spacing as the spacing of the cutters, and a width caused by the width of the blades. As the blades dig the trench, the soil contacted by the blades is granulated and is tossed about by the spinning blades so that some soil falls back into the trench and some falls along the periphery of the trench to form rows of aerated granules which promote enhanced growth of plants or seeds in the trench and along the edge of the trench to improve the yield of pasture having the trenches. Various attachments can be provided on the tilling apparatus, either in front of or towards the rear of the spinning blades for different purposes, such as rippers, seeders, levelers, or similar. The advantage of the tilling apparatus is that the soil is formed into granules which are used to form an aerated array of soil granules having enhanced growing properties for plants.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT/AU2012/001048, filed Sep. 5, 2012, which claims priority to Australian Application 2011903588, filed Sep. 5, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application 61/535,555, file Sep. 16, 2011, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to tilling and/or renovating apparatus for use in cultivating soil and/or renovating soil. 
     In one form the present invention relates to a tilling apparatus for tilling, cultivating or renovating the soil to enhance the growth of both existing plants and newly sown or planted plants in the soil which has been worked upon by the apparatus. 
     In one form, the present invention relates to a one pass tilling system using a tilling apparatus as one part of the system so that the soil being worked upon by the tilling apparatus is renovated or rejuvenated by a single pass of the tilling apparatus. 
     In one form, the present invention relates to a tilling apparatus which aerates the soil in close proximity to where the soil has been tilled by the apparatus so that the tilled aerated soil promotes growth of plants occurring in close proximity to the tilled soil formed by the apparatus. 
     The present invention finds particular application as a tilling system having a number of different components which till, cultivate or renovate the soil so as to aerate the soil in close proximity to the tilled soil to enable plants to more readily access nutrients in order to enhance the growth of plants within the tilled soil. 
     Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to one or more embodiments of the present invention it is to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments but rather the scope of the invention is more extensive so as to include other forms and arrangements of the various components of the tilling system and the use of the variable forms and arrangements of the apparatus and components of the apparatus and of the system for purposes other than specifically described. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Compaction of soil is undesirable since the compaction of the soil inhibits growth of plants located within the compact soil. Compact soil retards the development of roots of plants already growing in the soil and prevents correct root development of newly planted plants or seeds which leads to less than optimal plant growth and thus less than expected yields of the plants growing in the compacted soil. Therefore, there is a need to reduce compaction of soils. 
     Compaction of soil often occurs as a result of multiple passage of farm machinery over the soil, such as for example, repeated passes of farm machinery towing individual components such as ploughs, cultivators, seeders, and the like over the same ground. The weight of the farm machinery, poor soil, grazing and fertiliser management adds to the compaction. 
     One of the effects of compaction of soil is that there is reduced access to nutrients and oxygen for plants grown or planted in the soil. The lack of access to oxygen and/or nutrients within the soil reduces the value of pasture or crop or the like being produced in the fields or paddocks having the compacted soil. Thus there is a need to have a system of working the land which results in less compaction of the soil. 
     Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a tilling apparatus which results in less compaction of the soil. 
     Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a cultivation or renovation system which requires less passes of farm machinery over the soil when being worked by providing a system and/or apparatus having multiple components. 
     Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a tilling apparatus and/or a tilling system which produce improved aeration of the soil in use. 
     Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a tilling apparatus and/or a tilling system which produces improved access to nutrients within the soil and enhances geological epimorphism and soil mineral hydrolysis. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one form of the present invention there is provided a cutter for a tilling apparatus suitable for working soil, said cutter comprising a first part capable of being fixedly connected to a part of the tilling apparatus so as to allow the cutter to rotate in use, and a second part capable of working the soil in use to form a worked portion of soil, in which one dimension of the worked portion of soil corresponds to one dimension of the second part of the cutter, the second part being located at or towards one end of the first part to extend from the first part on one or on both sides of the first part for contacting the soil, wherein rotary movement of the first part of the cutter causes corresponding rotary movement of the second part of the cutter such that when the second part of the cutter contacts the soil is granulated to form soil particles, wherein a first part of the granulated soil forms a layer of soil particles interspersed with cavities and voids to form an aerated array of soil particles within the worked portion of the soil and a second part of the granulated soil is deposited to at least one side of the portion of worked soil formed by the action of the cutter such that the first part and the second part of the granulated soil provides enhanced growth of plants in the worked portion of the soil. 
     According to one form of the present invention there is provided a cutting assembly for forming a portion of worked earth or soil, said cutting assembly including a multitude of cutters mounted for simultaneous rotation wherein each cutter comprises a first part which is fixedly connected to the cutting assembly to rotate in use, and a second part which is capable of working soil to form a worked portion of soil having a dimension which corresponds to one dimension of the second part of the cutter, the second part of the cutter being located at or towards one end of the first part to extend from the first part on at least one side of the first part for contacting the soil wherein rotary movement of the first part of the cutter causes corresponding rotary movement of the second part of the cutter such that when the second part of the cutter contacts the soil, the soil is granulated to form soil particles wherein a first part of the granulated soil forms a layer of soil particles interspersed with cavities and voids to form an aerated array of soil particles within the worked portion of the soil and a second part of the granulated soil is deposited to at least one side of the worked portion of soil formed by the action of the cutter such that the first part and the second part of the granulated soil provides enhanced growth of plants in the worked portion of soil. 
     According to one form of the present invention there is provided a tilling apparatus comprising a cutting assembly having a multitude of individual cutters mounted for rotation about a rotary shaft in groups at spaced apart locations along the length of the rotary shaft to form a multitude of spaced apart rows of worked earth or soil wherein the cutter comprises a first part fixedly connected to the tilling apparatus so as to rotate in use, and a second part for contacting soil to form a worked portion of soil which has one dimension corresponding to one dimension of the second part of the cutter, the second part of the cutter being located at or towards one end of the first part of the cutter to extend from the first part on at least one side of the first part of the cutter for contacting the soil wherein rotary movement of the first part of the cutter causes corresponding rotary movement of the second part of the cutter such that when the second part of the cutter contacts the soil, the soil is granulated to form soil particles wherein a first part of the granulated soil forms a layer of soil particles interspersed with cavities and voids to form an aerated array of soil particles within the worked portion of soil and a second part of the granulated soil is deposited to at least one side of the worked portion of soil formed by the action of the cutter such that the first part and the second part of granulated soil provides enhanced growth of plants in the worked portion of soil. 
     According to one form of the present invention, there is provided a method of cultivating soil to increase the productivity of soil when cultivated comprising the steps of using a tilling apparatus having a multitude of rotatable cutters to form rows of spaced apart cultivated soil by travelling over the soil, wherein the rotating cutter comprises a shank capable of being fixedly connected to the tilling apparatus so as to allow rotary movement of the cutter, and a blade capable of contacting soil to be worked to form a worked row of soil, in which the width of the row is about at least as wide as the length of the blade, the blade being located at or towards one end of the shank to extend substantially perpendicularly from the shank to one or both sides of the shank for contact with the soil, wherein rotary movement of the shank of the cutter causes corresponding rotary movement of the blade of the cutter such that the action of the blade on contacting the soil causes granulation of the soil to form substantially discrete soil particles in which a first part of the granulated soil forms a layer of soil particles interspersed with cavities and voids to form an aerated array of soil particles within the row of worked soil and a second part of the granulated soil is deposited to the side or sides of the row being formed by the action of the cutter so as to extend along the row, said first part and second part of the granulated soil providing enhanced growth of plants along the sides of the row and within the row. 
     According to one form of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for tilling soil by forming at least two spaced apart rows of worked soil comprising a frame for supporting a rotatable shaft capable of being driven in rotary motion, a multitude of discs fixedly mounted to the shaft at spaced apart locations along the length of the shaft for rotation with the shaft, each disc having a multitude of tines fixedly mounted to the disc so that part of the tine extends outwardly from the plane of the disc wherein rotation of the shaft causes movement of the tines to form a row of worked soil, such that the action of the tines on the soil causes granulation of the soil within the row of worked soil to form substantially discrete particles of soil wherein a first part of the granulated soil forms a layer of soil particles intermixed with cavities or voids to form an aerated array of soil particles within the row and a second part of the granulated soil is deposited to the side or sides of the row formed by the action of the tines to extend along the edge of the row to provide for enhanced growth of plants along the edge of the row and within the row. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Typically, the tilling apparatus is a renovator, cultivator, plough, tilling device, renovator/planter, renovator/seeder, renovator/smudger or similar for cutting and working the soil to break up the soil to form small size particles of soil such as pieces, clumps, granules, aggregates or the like by repeatedly working the soil, particularly the particles of soil cut from the earth during working of the soil in a one pass operation. It is to be noted that the term, tilling apparatus, is not to be restricted to tilling devices but also includes other similar devices for working the soil and the like, including any device for comminuting the soil into pieces of a size allowing aeration of the soil to take place, and includes combinations of operations such as levelling the soil with a leveller, or smudging or smoothing the soil after cutting or planting or the like. 
     Typically, the portion of worked soil is a piece, tract, section, stretch or similar of land containing soil which has been treated or worked by the various form of the tilling apparatus. More typically, the portion of worked soil is in rows which are arranged as substantially parallel spaced apart rows corresponding to the width of the working implements of the tilling apparatus. 
     Typically, the implement for working and/or cutting the soil is a cutter or cutting device or similar for cutting, slicing, tearing, or similar, the soil to aerate the soil. The implement can take any suitable, convenient or applicable form for forming the rows of worked soil and/or granules of worked soil, particles of soil or the like. 
     In one form, the cutter is provided with a blade. Typically, the blade of the cutter is a cutting blade, plough blade or similar for comminuting the soil into particles. In one form, each cutter has a single blade or each cutter has two or more blades. In one form, the blade extends from the one side of the cutter, whereas in other forms, the blades extend from both sides, and where the cutter has two blades, the blades extend from both sides of the cutter, such as for example, the blade is a substantially T-piece blade which can cut the soil on both sides of the cutter to form the row or trench. 
     In one form, the row of worked soil is or includes, a groove, trench, channel, furrow, concavity, rut, score, slot, ditch, trough, dip, hollow, depression, seedbed or the like. 
     In one form, the trench or furrow includes an edge of the trench or furrow or the like including an apron, verge, brink, brow, brim, margin, border, rim, skirt or the like. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One example of one form of a tilling apparatus will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear side perspective view from above of one form of the tilling apparatus connected to a tractor showing the tilling apparatus in situ connected to a power take off shaft for driving the tilling apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear side perspective view of the form of the tilling apparatus of  FIG. 1  in isolation showing one form of the cutters. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the form of the tilling apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of one form of the rotary shaft of the tilling apparatus of  FIG. 1  without attached cutters. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of one form of the manner in which two oppositely directed cutters are mounted to one disc of the rotary shaft. 
         FIG. 6  is a top perspective schematic view of one form of the rows being formed by the tilling apparatus when towed by a tractor. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the cutters and the unworked soil after the formation of the rows by the passage of the tilling apparatus. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view showing the direction of rotation of the cutters during operation of the tilling apparatus to work the soil so as to cut a trench and to granulate and lift the soil as the trench is being cut. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a stylised trench containing soil formed after passage of the tilling apparatus showing the structure of the soil including the trench and fissures in the side walls of the trench so as to aerate the soil. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of the tilling apparatus showing a seeder and related hardware mounted to the rear of the tilling apparatus for conveying seeds for planting into the rows formed by passage of the tilling apparatus over the surface of the soil. 
         FIG. 10A  is an enlarged view of one form of the distributor of the seeder for distributing seed into the various chutes of the seeder shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the tilling apparatus suitable for low pass tilling showing one combination of different implements. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic top perspective view of one form of a spreader for spreading and/or levelling the granulated soil after planting. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic side view of one form of a deflector valve for controlling a flow of air to the respective delivery hoses of the planter for planting seeds. 
         FIG. 14  is a rear perspective view of another form of the tilling apparatus having a seeder and a leveller for levelling soil after passage of the tilling apparatus. 
         FIG. 14 a    is an enlarged perspective view of the form of the leveller of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic cross-sectional view of another form of a row before passage of the leveller over the top of the row. 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the row of  FIG. 15  after passage of the leveller showing granulated soil particles returned to the trench. 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic end cross-sectional view of the formation of rows using a further embodiment of the tilling apparatus having a protective shear. 
         FIG. 18  is a side cross-sectional view of the form of the tilling apparatus of  FIG. 17  having the protective shear prior to contacting a solid foreign object. 
         FIG. 19  is a side cross-sectional view of the form of the tilling apparatus of  FIG. 17  having the protective shear after contacting the solid foreign object. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One form of a tilling apparatus and/or tilling system will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     In one form, tractor  2 , typically of a conventional configuration for general farm work, is provided with a power takeoff arrangement, including a power takeoff shaft  4  for driving a tilling apparatus, generally denoted as  20 , through a suitable gearbox  6  and transmission, including a shaft  8  and chain  10 . Chain  10  is engaged around an upper gear wheel  12  and a lower gear wheel  14 . It is to be noted that any suitable power takeoff shaft, gearbox, transmission or components thereof or any motive arrangement or power may be used for driving tilling apparatus  20  in whatever form the tilling apparatus takes, such as for example, the transmission can include a set of gears in meshed relationship for transmitting power to the tilling apparatus. The power source and transmission is illustrative of the manner of driving tilling apparatus  20 . 
     Tilling apparatus  20  includes a main framework arrangement  22  comprising, in one form, two transversely extending front and rear frame members  24 , 26  and two longitudinally extending side frame plates  28 , 30  interconnecting both of the two transverse front and rear members  24 ,  26  to form the generally rectangular rigid framework arrangement  22  to which the other components of tilling apparatus  20  may be mounted or connected as will be described in more detail below. A pair of inboard longitudinally extending braces  31   a, b  are provided to extend between transverse framework members  24 , 26  inboard of side plates  28 , 30  to provide increased strength and rigidly to framework arrangement  22 . As shown in phantom in  FIG. 1 , movable flap  16  is hingedly connected to transverse framework member  26  by hinges  18  which are located at spaced apart locations along the length of rear transverse member  26 . Flap  16  is movable between a raised position as shown in phantom in  FIG. 1  and a lowered position as shown in phantom in  FIG. 10 . 
     In usual operation of tilling apparatus  20 , flap  16  is in the lowered position allowing rotational operation of apparatus  20 . When flap  16  is in the raised position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , less of the particles of soil being granulated by the cutters fall back into the trench and when flap  16  is in the lowered position as shown in  FIG. 10 , more of the particles of soil fall into the trench. Also, when flap  16  is in the lowered position, flap  16  acts on the particles of soil to assist in breaking up any clumps of soil and/or to spread the particles more evenly over the sides of the row and in the trench. In this position, flap  16  acts like a smoother or smudger to spread and/or level the soil particles evenly over the width of the tilling apparatus. 
     When flap  16  is in the raised position, rotation of the tilling apparatus allows the soil to be granulated into small substantially spherical pieces or the like and thrown from the apparatus. In this configuration, the flap assists in deflecting the granules into the trench or to the side of the trench as the particles are being raised by the rotary action of the tilling apparatus as will be described in more detail later in this specification. 
     When flap  16  is in the lowered position, as the tilling apparatus  20  travels over the surface of the soil, the granules of soil on the surface are redistributed by the action of the flap being dragged through the granules which has a tendency to spread the granulated soil particles over the seeds, both to the sides of the trench and in the trench, to cover the seeds in order to promote germination of the seeds and other germination development of the roots of the plant and growth of the plant. 
     Optionally, apparatus  20  is provided with guides or shrouds connected to the rear of apparatus  20  for providing a permanent fitting to deflect said particles back onto the ground into the trench and sides of the trench. In one form, the shroud is a one piece construction whereas in other forms, the shroud is a two piece constructions. 
     In one form, the shroud is provided with a generally T-shaped cut-out or aperture through which the shank and blade of a cutter can pass when rotating. In one form, shroud takes the place of flap  16  to retain and/or deflect soil particles being thrown up by the rotation of the cutters. It is to be noted that the shroud or housing at the rear of the tilling apparatus can have any suitable or convenient shape or arrangement. 
     Returning now to the description of the tilling apparatus, rotary shaft  32  is journalled in bearings  33  located within suitable housings at or towards either transverse side of apparatus  20 , such as for example on or near to side plates  28 ,  30  for mounting rotary shaft  32  for rotation during use of tilling apparatus  20 . One end of rotary shaft  32  is connected to lower gear wheel  14  permitting rotation of rotary shaft  32  in the direction of arrow A of  FIG. 1  in use of tilling apparatus  20 . Although the rotation is in the direction of arrow A of  FIG. 1 , it is to be noted that the direction of rotation can be either direction, i.e. in direction A or in the opposite direction. 
     Shaft  32  is provided with a multitude of rotary discs  34  fixedly connected to shaft  32  located at regularly spaced apart locations on shaft  32 . Each rotary disc  34  is provided with a multitude of spaced apart apertures  36  located circumferentially around the edge of disc  34 . In one form, there are four rotary discs  34  located at 500 mm centres on shaft  32 . However, it is to be noted that any number of discs  34  can be provided on shaft  32  depending upon the width of tilling apparatus  20  and the length of shaft  32 , and the amount of working required of the soil and the nature and type of the soil to be cultivated. Additionally, the spacing between adjacent discs  34  can be any suitable spacing to suit requirements. Further, it is to be noted that in some embodiments, rotary discs  34  can be replaced with any suitable connector or the like for connecting the cutters to the tilling apparatus. 
     The distance between adjacent discs  34  can be any suitable spacing, such as for example, between from about 200 mm to about 2000 mm, with a typical spacing being about 500 mm. Additionally, the diameter of disc  34  can extend from being about 200 mm to about 4000 mm with diameters typically being in the range of from about 250 mm to 3000 mm and preferably from about 300 mm to about 2000 mm. Typically, the diameter of the disc is from about 400 mm to 2000 mm depending upon the depth of cut of the trench required when cultivating the soil using tilling apparatus  20  as will be described in more detail later in this specification. 
     In one form, a multitude of cutters in the form of tines  40 , are fixedly connected to each rotary disc  34  such as for example by bolts  38  received through apertures  36  located around the periphery of each disc  34  at or towards the circumference of each disc as shown in the drawings, particularly  FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 . 
     It is to be noted that the number of separate tines  40  connected or mounted on each disc  34  can vary from about 2 to about 60 depending upon the size of disc  34  and the types of soil being worked, as well as the size, shape or type of tine being used as well as the size of the trench being formed. However, depending upon the diameter of the disc  34 , the number of individual tines is typically from about 4 to about 12, with 6 being typically the preferred number of tines as illustrated in the drawings. In one embodiment of tilling apparatus  20 , tines  40  can be connected directly to shaft  32  or any other form of suitable intermediate connector can be used between rotary shaft  32  and tines  40  to mount the tines. 
     In one form, tines  40  are generally of an L-shaped configuration having a connecting shank  42  which is substantially straight or planar and a blade  44  which is arranged to extend transversely of the plane of shank  42 , such as for example, preferably to extend substantially perpendicularly from connecting shank  42  as illustrated in the drawings. However, tines  40  can have any suitable or convenient shape. One other possible shape is that other forms of tines  40  can be generally T-shaped in which the blades extend substantially perpendicularly outwardly from the shank on both sides of the plane of the shank. In other forms, the cutters can be of either type attached to rotary disc  34  so that the apparatus has a combination of different types or orientations of tines. 
     Other forms of the blades include straight blades having a cutting surface or edge located at one end, i.e. the distal end and/or along one side edge, i.e. the leading edge when rotating. In one form, the blade is a spike or similar having a substantially straight shaft extending radially from rotating shaft  32  and/or disc  34  provided with a sharpened end in the form of a point or the like. 
     In another form, the blade is a curved blade, typically curved in the lengthwise extending direction or in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis or both. 
     In another form, the blade is a twisted or bent blade having a cutting surface, edge or end out of the plane of the blade in a manner similar to the blade of a lawn mower or similar cutting tool. In another form, the blade is twisted out of the plane of the blade in the lengthwise extending direction so that the cutting surface, edge or end is arranged to extend transversely to the plane of the shaft of the blade. 
     Shank  42  is provided with a pair of spaced apart apertures  43  for receiving bolts  38  therethrough to attach tines  40  to discs  34  as shown more particularly in  FIG. 5 . In one form, tine  40  is of a generally rectangular or trapezium-like shape having two substantially parallel straight sides, one side at right angles to the two parallel sides and one side being angularly inclined to both parallel sides, as shown in the drawings. One lengthwise extending edge of shank  42  which is the cutting edge  47 , is substantially straight, whereas the other edge of shank  42  being the tailing edge  45  is also substantially straight so that shank  42  has a generally quadrilateral shape. However, any suitable or functional shape is possible, such as curved blades, truncated blades, trapezium-like blades or the like, including blades having straight cutting edges, twisted cutting edges, serrated cutting edges, or having curved cutting edges. Blade  44  is typically of a truncated form and extends for about 70 mm from shank  42 . However, the end of the tine can have any length or width as required as well as having any orientation or shape. It is to be noted that the purpose of tine  40  is to cut, chop or otherwise disturb the soil and reduce the soil to granules or other smaller sized particles, i.e. to comminute the soil so as to allow aeration of the soil or the like when the soil particles collect in the trench or to the sides of the trench. 
     It is also to be noted that the position, location or orientation of the blades is such that there are overlapping cuts from two adjacent blades  44  on the one side or on both sides of shank  42  to further work the soil being cut to form granulated particles of soil. 
     In one form, blades  44  of adjacent tines  40  are arranged to extend in alternately opposite directions to one another so as to be capable of forming a row or trench of cut earth or soil having a width which is about twice the length of the blade  44  located at the end of tine  40  in use of tilling apparatus  20 . In one form (not shown), the width of the trench being formed by the tilling apparatus is twice the length of blade  44  plus the width of disc  34  shown more particularly in  FIG. 7 . 
     In one form, tine  40  is connected to disc  34  by a suitable connector in the form of a fastener. In one form, the suitable fastener includes a main bolt of a size and strength to fixedly connect tine  40  to disc  34 , such as for example, of a size and strength comparable to bolt  38 , and a second part of the fastener, which in one form is a shear bolt (not shown), which is received through aligned apertures of shank  42  of tine  40  and apertures  36  of disc  34 . The shear bolt is of a size and type that ruptures when subjected to a force or impact greater than a threshold amount of force or impact. During operation, if tine  40  contacts a foreign object such as for example, a hard object or immovable object, such as for example a rock embedded under the surface of the soil being worked, the force or impact of blade  44  contacting the rock causes the shear bolt to break, allowing tine  40  to pivot about the main bolt so that blade  44  can swing out of contact with the rock and the tilling apparatus can continue operating, thereby preventing unnecessary damage to tine  40 , disc  34  or tilling apparatus  20 . When convenient, a replacement shear bolt can be inserted through the aligned apertures of tine  40  and disc  34  to fully reattach tine  40  to disc  34  so that tilling apparatus  20  is ready for further work once again. However, it is to be noted that other forms of arrangements for preventing damage to the tilling apparatus and/or to deflect the tilling apparatus away from the solid foreign object. One such arrangement is shown in  FIGS. 17 to 19  which will be described later in this specification. 
     Operation of tilling apparatus  20  and the tilling system involving the use of tilling apparatus  20  will now be described. 
     In operation, rotation of power takeoff shaft  4  causes rotation of discs  34  and tines  40  to enable blades  44  to cut a trench or row as will now be described in more detail with particular reference to  FIGS. 6 to 9 . Typically, the speed of rotation of shaft  32  is from just above zero to about 2000 rpm, usually in the range of about 50 to 400 rpm and preferably in the range of about 100 to 300 rpm. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 6 , as tractor  2  travels along the surface of soil  50 , such as for example, traversing a paddock, field, or other tract of land, tines  40  are caused to rotate typically in the direction of arrow A of  FIG. 1 , so that blades  44  cut the soil to form four substantially parallel rows  52  of worked earth or worked soil caused by the rotation of blades  44  at the respective ends of tines  40  cutting through the earth in order to till or otherwise cultivate the soil to form rows  52 . It is to be noted that in this configuration, flap  16  is in a partially raised position as shown in phantom in  FIG. 6 . 
     In forming rows  52 , the soil in the immediate vicinity of tines  40  is granulated to form small lumps or particles of soil of typically, a generally spherical shape which can be loosely stacked or packed with each other to form a well ventilated or aerated array of spherical lumps or particles of soil within trench  54  as trench  54  is being formed within row  52 . 
     The formation of trench  54  will now be described with particular reference to  FIGS. 7  to  9 . 
     As tractor  2  travels over the surface of the earth or land  50 , tines  40  rotate to form trenches  54  which is the central longitudinally extending part of row  52 . Trench  54  has a width in accordance with the length of blade  44  or blades  44  of tine  40 , as shown more particularly in  FIG. 7 . In particular, the width of trench  54  is about or slightly greater than twice the length of blade  44 . In addition to forming trench  54 , blades  44  impact the soil within trench  54  to work the soil within the trench so as to form small soil granules  60  by the repeated cutting action of blades  44  against the soil in the trench as blades  44  rotate within trench  54 . It is to be noted that the speed of rotation of shaft  32  is very much greater than the speed of travel of tractor  2 , and hence tilling apparatus  20 , over land  50  so that there are repeated cuts of substantially the same soil by blades  44 . 
     Soil granules  60  are moved around within trench  54  in a manner such that some of the granules are lifted out of trench  54  by the rotary action of blades  44  contacting the undersurface of the granules which are deposited at or along the longitudinally extending side edges  56  of trench  54  so as to form a layer of granulated soil  57  along the periphery, rim or apron of the trench, and other of the granules  60  are lifted and tumbled over one another within trench  54  by blades  44  so as to fall back into trench  54  so as to remain within trench  54  to form an aerated array or stack of granules  59  in trench  54 . In one form, it is noted that the granules from the top soil and subsoil are mixed which allows water infiltration and retention which results in increased oxygen detoxification of gas build up in the soil. 
     It is to be noted that some of soil granules  60  are not lifted fully out of the trench but rather fall back into the trench so as to remain in the trench to form an array or assemblage  59  of granules or particles  60 . However, granules  60  remaining in trench  54  are not hard packed or clumped together within the trench, but are loosely arranged within the trench in a stacked array with voids, cavities or the like  61 , formed between them so as to form an aerated mixture of granules  60 , and cavities  61 , or voids allowing air to access the interior of the trench and allowing seeds deposited in the trench to germinate and grow within the trench by having access to nutrients in the granules and soil within the trench more easily than if the soil was compacted or packed. Also, it is to be noted that seeds planted simultaneously with cutting and spreading the soil particles within and to either side of the trench, are also provided with an enhanced chance of flourishing and growing after germination without competition from other plants until the root systems of the plants develop from the recently planted seeds are well established. 
     It is to be noted that typically, about 50% of the soil remains in the trench in the form of granules and about 50% of the granules are lifted from the trench and deposited on one or both sides, typically on either side, of the trench to a distance of up to about 300 mm from the edge of the trench on both sides of the trench because of the arrangement of blades  44  extending in opposite directions alternately to each other to form an aerated layer of granules  56  on the surface of the soil which provides suitable conditions for increased or improved growth of plants along the sides, edges or aprons of rows  52  formed by tilling apparatus  20  and/or suitable conditions for colonisation by beneficial insects, soil biota, or the like, such as for example soil organisms, worms or similar, which further improves the health and development of plants either growing in the vicinity of the rows, such as along the layer of granules  56 , or about to be planted within trench  54 . 
     Simultaneously with the formation of granules  60  from the soil within the trench, the rotary action of blades  44  lifts the soil in the immediate vicinity of the side walls  58  of trench  54  as illustrated schematically in  FIG. 8 , so as to separate the side walls of the trench into segments  64  by forming a multitude of cracks, fissures or other elongate cavities  66  in the strata of soil at and/or towards either edge  58 , or side wall of the trench. Thus, rotary action of the blades of the tines within the trench not only granulates the soil within the trench but also lifts and separates the soil in segmented layers  64  to form fissures or cracks  66  alternately with layers of soil at the sides of the trench. Although any number of cracks or fissures can be formed within the sidewalls of the trench, typically, about three or four separate cracks or fissures  66  are formed in either sidewall of the trench, depending upon factors, such as for example, the diameter of disc  34 , the length of shank  42 , the length, orientation and number of blades  44  and the like, including the type of soil and the condition of the soil, atmospheric condition and the like. Cracks or fissures  66  allow air to penetrate the strata of soil to increase the aeration of the soil. Typically, each crack or fissure extends up to about 150 mm from the edge of the trench and to a height of up to about 6 mm. Further, it is to be noted that each fissure or crack is substantially tapered in cross-section profile from a relatively wider gap at or towards the opening in the edge  58  of the trench to a relatively narrow gap at the blind end of the crack or fissure in the body of the soil profile, depending on the nature and condition of the soil. The lifting of the granules out of the trench, depositing the granules along the edges of the trench and the formation of the fissures at the sides of the trench are all illustrated schematically in  FIG. 9 . 
     It is to be noted that the more open structure of the soil adjacent the edges of the trench and the aerated granules within the trench promote improved growth of plants or seeds in the trench and in close proximity to the trench because of the increased access of air, particularly oxygen to the roots of the plants located within the soil, including existing plants and newly planted plants such as plants developing from seeds lodged within the trench. 
     Operation of the tilling apparatus  20  therefore promotes improved growth and health of plants located within the trench and immediately adjacent the edges of the trench by providing increased access to nutrients within the soil close to the plants and increased access to oxygen which are allowed to penetrate into and within the trench and to the soil immediately adjacent the trench having the cracks or fissures. It is to be noted that the aerated structure of the soil promotes green manure cropping with its attendant benefits both within the trench and between the trenches. 
     It is to be noted that the depth of the trench can extend from about 10 mm to about 2000 mm with a depth of about 100 mm being typical. 
     Further, it is to be noted that the width of the trench can be from about 2 mm to about 600 mm wide, with typical widths being in the range from about 25 mm to 250 mm, and preferably widths of about from 75 mm to 150 mm. 
     Furthermore, it is to be noted that distance between the centrelines of adjacent trenches can be from about 100 mm to about 3000 mm with typical widths being about from 200 mm to about 2000 mm, and preferably widths of about 250 mm to about 1500 mm, with widths of about 450 mm being usual. 
     A further embodiment of the tilling apparatus will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 10A  which illustrate a form of the tilling apparatus as previously described but with one form of an additional component or subassembly in the form of a seeder, generally denoted as  70 , mounted or otherwise connected to the top of the tilling apparatus, such as for example, fixedly connected to the front transverse frame  24 , or front and rear transverse frame members  24 ,  26  of tilling apparatus  20 . 
     In one form, seeder  70  comprises a generally rectangular framework arrangement  72  comprising a transversely extending frame member  74 , a longitudinally extending frame member  76 , and a number of upwardly extending frame members  78   a ,  78   b ,  78   c  so as to form a box-like structure having open sides. 
     A hopper  80 , is provided at or towards the top of open framework arrangement  72  for storing seeds of desired crops or plants being sown using tilling apparatus  20 , optionally with other additives, such as for example, fertilisers, nutrients, growth enhancers, or the like, since a range of different plants can be sown simultaneously from a mixture of seeds. Hopper  80  is provided with a pair of oppositely inclined sloping walls  82   a ,  82   b  along which seed deposited in hopper  80  can slide in a downwards direction. A slot  84 , or chute or similar, is provided intermediate the two oppositely inclined sliding walls  82   a ,  82   b  along the lower surface or base of hopper  80 . In one form, slot  84  extends transversely from one longitudinal side of hopper  80  to the other longitudinal side, whereas in other forms, the slot is a chute or similar. The opening of intermediate slot  84  allows individual seeds to fall through the slot intermediate the sloping walls so as to be delivered from hopper  80  into a distributor  86  located underneath hopper  80 . 
     Distributor  86  is located immediately below slot  84 . In one form, distributor  86  is provided with four individual chutes  90  forming four individual pathways for seeds to travel along after being received from slot  84 . Individual chutes  90  are formed from divider walls  92  located in spaced apart relationship to one another to define the four pathways. A movable conveyor belt  94  in the form of an endless loop, having a width approximating the width of the seeder and accordingly, the four individual pathways is arranged to rotate immediately beneath distributor  86  to convey seed received through slot  84  to distributor  86  by moving the seed along the four chutes  90  forming the four individual pathways of the distributor. The direction of movement of conveyor belt  93  is shown by arrows B of  FIG. 10 . 
     Each individual pathway formed by divider walls  92 , is provided with a generally perpendicular discharge portion  94  in fluid communication with the pathways respectively. An intermediate conduit, typically in the form of a cylindrical hollow tube  96  is connected at one end to discharge portion  94  of each pathway for receiving seed deposited onto the pathway by hopper  80 . One end of a flexible hose  98  is fixedly connected to downstream end of discharge tube  96  and is arranged to be mounted on apparatus  20 , such as for example on flap  16 , so as to form a delivery pipe for seed directed into this pathway by distributor  86 . Each of the four individual pathways is provided with a dedicated flexible hose  98  so that there are four flexible hoses  98  spanning the width of tilling apparatus  20 , particularly the width of flap  16 . 
     It is to be noted that any number of flexible hoses  98  can be provided depending upon the width and size of tilling apparatus  16 . Further, it is to be noted that the number of delivery hoses  98  corresponds to the number of trenches formed by the tilling apparatus so that a mixture of seeds is deposited in and along the margins of each respective trench. 
     The other end of each flexible hose  98  is provided with an outlet, in the form of a drop tube  100  or fitting through which seed conveyed through flexible hose  98  is passed so as to be deposited within the corresponding trench  54  being formed by the respective blades  44  as tilling apparatus  20  moves forward over the surface of land  50 . Thus, in this embodiment, the soil is tilled and/or cultivated immediately prior to seed and/or fertiliser being planted within the trench so as to reduce the number of passes machinery must make over the surface of the land to cultivate the land, including planting of seed and/or fertiliser so as to further reduce compaction of the soil. This assists in low-till working of the soil by requiring a single pass only. 
     In this embodiment, conveyor  94  is driven by a transmission connected to the gearbox or other parts of tilling apparatus  20  so as to rotate as the tilling apparatus is in operation. In one form, the speed of rotation of conveyor belt  94  as shown more particularly in  FIG. 10 , is independent of the speed of rotation of the tilling apparatus, whereas in other forms, the speeds of the conveyor and apparatus correspond to one another. In one form, the engine speed determines the speed of movement via the power take off, whereas in other forms, the speed of movement is determined by the ground speed of the tilling apparatus, or rather the speed of the ground wheels of the apparatus. In still other forms, the speed of the conveyor is determined by the speed provided by an adjustable speed electric motor dedicated to driving the conveyor. 
     It is to be noted that the tilling apparatus in whatever form or configuration it is used, can be employed to rejuvenate any type of soil or pasture. In particular, the apparatus can be applied to pasture, to cropping, to over sowing existing pasture or barren ground. The soil in whatever form it is treated, can be conditioned to improve the soil. 
     It is to be noted that other forms of the planter are possible. 
     In a still further embodiment of the present invention, the tilling apparatus includes further components for treating and/or cultivating the soil. In one form, such as the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the combined apparatus which is generally denoted as  110 , comprises a coulter cutter  112  located immediately after and adjacent to tractor  2  for cutting or mulching stubble or vegetation growing on the surface of soil which is about to be cultivated and/or worked so as to reduce the chances that vegetation will collect around tilling apparatus  110  which could prevent tilling apparatus  110 , or any of the individual components of the combination of components of a particular tilling apparatus  110  from working correctly or efficiently thereby resulting in inefficient operation of the tilling apparatus. Thus, coulter cutter  112  reduces the length of vegetation immediately prior to be cultivated by cutting or shredding the vegetation. 
     Immediately behind coulter cutter  112  is a ripper  114 , or similar, such as for example a spade or chisel head plough, or the like for forming a preliminary cut or groove in the surface of soil  50  in preparation for forming trench  54 . In one form, ripper  114  is used to increase the depth of trench  54  by forming a channel of narrower width then trench  54  prior to the formation of the trench, but at a depth that is greater than the depth of trench  54  so that the bottom of trench  54  is a narrow channel or slot extending further into the subsoil or soil profile than is the usual depth of the trench. 
     Ripper  114  or chisel plough can have any suitable or desirable shape or configuration or size. Although one configuration is shown in  FIG. 11 , in which ripper  114  is curved forwardly, in other configurations ripper  114  is curved rearwardly. However, it is to be noted that the width of the cutting or ripping element of ripper  114  can be greater or less than, usually less than, the corresponding width and/or diameter of disc  34  and tines  40 , particularly of the alternately oriented blades  42 , so that a preliminary groove or cut formed by ripper  114  is located in alignment with corresponding disc  34  and tine  40  arrangement of tilling apparatus  20  so as to form a generally deeper but narrower cut immediately preceding the formation of the trench, but in the same location to assist tines  40  in being able to form trench  54  particularly to allow blades  44  to contact the soil in order to form trench  54  with granulated soil and fissures at the side of the trench as described previously in alignment with the preliminary cut or groove. In one form, ripper  114  could be located in between adjacent rotating rotor discs  34 . 
     Immediately behind ripper  114 , is located tilling apparatus  20  having a multitude of rotary discs  34  and tines  40  arrangements for forming the trench as described previously. 
     Optionally, the tilling apparatus has a seeder  80  located at or towards the rear of the tilling apparatus to plant seed and/or apply fertiliser simultaneously as the tractor moves forward. 
     Use of this form of tilling apparatus  110  results in low till of the soil by reducing the number of separate passes of the tractor and other farm machinery over the same stretch or tract of land thereby reducing the amount of compaction of the soil and allowing increased amount of aeration to be formed by the tines when cutting the trench and forming the fissures at the side of the trench. 
     The seeder section of the tilling apparatus is optionally provided with a valve or deflector for metering the distribution of air and/or seed and/or fertiliser to one or more of the delivery hoses for planting the seed and/or fertiliser mixture so as to achieve a more or less uniform distribution of the mixture into each of the trenches. With particular reference to FIG.  13 , in one form, the valve is a pendulum valve, generally denoted as  120 , or similar, for use when the tilling apparatus traverses uneven ground. Alternatively, the valve could be a hinged valve having a hinged deflector, more typically, a weighted hinged deflector or be a weighted deflector that is pivotally mounted for swinging movement from side to side. In one form, the seed mixture is pneumatically conveyed from the individual pathways of the conveyor into each respective delivery hose by a stream of air formed by an electrically controlled fan and motor combination in the form of a blower, typically a low cost 12 volt blower for ease of operation. As the apparatus traverses uneven ground, one side will be at a higher level than the other, particularly as the apparatus crosses contours or travels along contours of a field or paddock being worked. As one side of the apparatus raises, the pendulum valve  122  will swing to the opposite side of plenum chamber  124  or similar as shown in position “X” of  FIG. 13 , to restrict the flow to the exits  128   a ,  128   b  located on that side, i.e. the lower side, of the apparatus due to the pendulum valve being pivotally mounted about pivot  126 , whilst simultaneously opening the exits  128   c ,  128   d  of plenum chamber  124  leading to the upper side hoses in order to even out the flow of seed mixture to all delivery hoses in an attempt to have a uniform flow of seed mixture in all of the separate delivery hoses despite the orientation of the tilling apparatus. Alternatively, if the other side of the apparatus raises, the pendulum valve will swing to the other side denoted as position “Y” in which exits  128   a ,  128   b  are opened more and exits  128   c ,  128   d  are restricted. 
     One form of a spreader that is optionally included as another component of the combination of components of the tilling apparatus will now be described with reference to  FIG. 12  which shows the spreader in the form of a smudger, generally denoted as  140 , having a multitude of panels  142  fixedly angularly inclined to one another to form a generally boustrophedonic shape or generally zig-zag shape in which adjacent panels extend in opposite directions about drop pipe  100 . A hinge  144  is located at the inboard end  146  of the junction of two adjacent panels to connect smudger  140  to the hinges  18 , of the tilling apparatus in place of flap  16  which is substituted by smudger  140 . Tubes  100  at the distal end of delivery hoses  98  are located at or towards the internal apexes  148  of the outboard junctions to plant the seed mixture in the respective trenches so that as tractor  2  travels further, the lower edges  150  of each of panels  142  of smudger  140  spreads the granulated soil within trench  54  over the seed mixture or spreads the granular particles of soil from the margins of the trench along the edges of the trench and/or into the trench. 
     In one form, the tilling apparatus smudger  140 , replaces flap  16  whereas in another form, smudger  140  is located at or towards the rear of the tilling apparatus in addition to flap  16  remaining in place such that smudger  140  is located outboard of flap  16  towards the rear of the tilling apparatus. 
     Other optional forms of the tilling apparatus include the following: 
     In the embodiment of the tilling apparatus shown in  FIG. 14 , the apparatus  20  is provided with a leveller or similar in the form of ridge forming bar or similar,  160 , for levelling the edges of trench  54  to reduce the height of the soil deposited on the apron to the trench and/or to fill in trench  54  so that the row of worked soil is substantially even over the area of the worked portion of soil by passage of tilling apparatus  20 . In one form, leveller  160  is of a generally bent rod configuration having a first substantially straight portion  162  pivotally connected to the outside surface of flap  16  or of the shroud or housing optionally located at the rear of the tilling apparatus by a pivot connector  166  allowing leveller  160  to move up and down over the surface of the worked soil. In one form, the pivot connector provides a spring loaded connector so that each leveller  160  is capable of independent up and down movement which is biased downwards as the tilling apparatus moves forward. A second substantially straight portion  164  is located to extend transversely to first portion  162 , typically about perpendicularly to the first portion  162 . Second portion  164  is in contact with the soil so that movement of the second portion over the surface of the soil spreads the soil to level the soil and to push soil into the top of the trench after the seeds have been planted, as shown more particularly in  FIG. 16 . It is to be noted that levellers  160  are arranged in pairs on either side of drop pipe  100  in opposed face-to-face relationship with the respective second portions  164  directed towards one another. 
     Another component that can be provided optionally on tilling apparatus  20  is a shear or similar for protecting the rotating blades  44  against contact with a solid foreign object such as for example, a buried rock  168  or the like as the apparatus moves over the surface of the ground in operation. The purpose or function of the shear is to strike the rock in preference to the rotating blades to lift the apparatus including the rotating blades over rock  168  thereby preventing contact between the rock and the blades. 
     One form of the shear and its operation is illustrated in  FIGS. 17 to 19  and will now be described. 
     Shear, generally denoted as  170 , includes a generally arcuate member  172  extending in an arc from being fixedly connected at one end to front transverse member  24  in front of rotating cutter  40  at one end to being fixedly connected to downwardly depending strut  174  located at or towards the rear of rotating shaft  32  and cutters  40 . It is to be noted that shear  170  has a thin cross-section and a sharpened leading edge  173  so as to cut through the soil ahead of rotating cutters so as to form a groove in the soil. As the shear  170  is located directly in front of and in alignment with disc  34 , shear  170  clears a path for the rotating blades located immediately rearward thereof. A flute arrangement  176  in the form of individual flutes  178   a ,  178   b  are provided on either side of the rear end of shear  170  to guide movement of shear  170  through the soil to cut the groove in front of cutters  40  by applying a downwardly directed force to shear  170  so as to maintain shear  270  beneath the surface of the soil so as to provide protection for blades  44 . It is to be noted flutes  178   a ,  178   b  also lift and aerate the soil at a lower level than the trench formed by blades  44  so that aeration of the soil can occur at a level which is deeper than the floor of the trench. 
     During operation of the tilling apparatus, if there is a buried rock or similar in the path of one of the cutters, because individual shears  170  are located forwardly and in alignment of each of the respective cutters, the front edge of shear  170  contacts the rock to force shear  170  in an upwards direction as indicated by arrows “C” of  FIG. 19  as the apparatus moves forward thereby lifting the apparatus over the rock so that the rotating blades of the cutter are clear of rock  168  thereby avoiding damage to the blades. It is to be noted that there is a shear  170  located forwardly and in alignment with each of the rotating cutters  40  as shown more particularly in  FIG. 17 . Shears  170  are located in spaced apart relationship over the width of apparatus  20  in which the spacing corresponds to the spacing of cutters  40  on shaft  32  so that every cutter is protected by a shear. Although shear  170  is shown as being a generally arcuate thin cutting blade for forming a groove in the soil ahead of cutters, shear  170  can have any suitable or convenient form which provides protection for the rotating blades in use. 
     ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
     Advantages of the present invention include the following: 
     The use of forms of the tilling apparatus saves time, saves fuel costs, and increases crop yields and the like. 
     The soil being worked is aerated which promotes improved pasture increasing yield for farmers. 
     The various forms of the tilling apparatus of the present invention assist in the physical processes for the formation and/or conversion of soils, chemical and physical processes, such as for example, including weathering, leaching, new mineral formation or similar. In particular, the tilling apparatus rejuvenates the soil by not only physically disturbing the soil to reduce compaction, but also exposing the soil particles to other processes, including chemical processes, such as for example, hydrolysis, oxidation, chelation, leaching or the like, which can take place more efficiently because of the formation of granules of soil. Hydrolysis is enhanced by improved water holding capacity. Oxidation is increased by aeration taking place and exposing some soil and sub soil elements to atmosphere. Chelation increases the amount of minerals or nutrients which can bind to the soil particles to provide for, and/or increase the volume and diversity of plants, micro-organisms and decaying organic matter that not only produces the chelating agents, but also that can be bound by the chelating agents. The amount of leaching is reduced which maintains mineral and nutrient elements in an available form for use by plants by eliminating oxygen deficiency and water logging. 
     The above chemical reactions, and other chemical reactions for changing rock materials into soil can occur, in addition to other chemical reactions for changing one soil type into another soil type, such as for example, converting a silicate material obtained from weathering of rock material into clay type materials by weathering, such as for example, kaolin materials, including kaolinite. Further examples of weathering processes include hydration/dehydration, biological activity, solubilisation in aqueous solutions, and other beneficial processes.