Abstract:
A tillage implement equipped with a finishing attachment for chopping and leveling soil. The implement includes at least one soil engaging element (e.g., a shank) operable to form a trench with mounds on either side of the trench. The finishing attachment includes at least one soil chopping and leveling assembly that is operable to chop up clods of soil and crop remnants in the mounds and to level off the mounds by pushing the mounds at least partially into the trench.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to finishing attachments for tillage implements. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Many conventional tillage implements are equipped with chisel shanks, cultivator shanks, or other types of soil engaging elements that are designed to aerate the soil. When passed through the soil, these shanks typically create trenches in the field with mounds of soil on either side of the trenches. The existence of trenches and mounds in an agricultural field can be problematic because, for example, it can contribute to soil erosion and can also make proper planting more difficult due to the unevenness of the field surface. Consequently, it is generally desirable to fill in the trenches and level off the mounds left by conventional tillage implements equipped with shanks or other types of vertical soil engaging elements. 
         [0005]    A conventional soil leveling method includes mounting an elongated one-piece rotary reel behind the shanks in an attempt to shave off the top of the mounds formed by the shanks. However, the rotary reel merely compresses the soil, which prevents aeration, and does not adequately fill in the trenches formed by the shanks. Additionally, the rotary reel may become clogged with large clods and chunks of soil, which prevents operation of the rotary reel. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a finishing attachment for a tillage implement. The finishing attachment includes a lateral support bar configured for attachment to a rear of the tillage implement and a plurality of soil leveling assemblies coupled to the lateral support bar. Each of the soil leveling assemblies includes first and second independently rotatable chopper wheels and the axes of rotation of said first and second chopper wheels are skewed relative to one another. 
         [0007]    According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a tillage implement comprising an elevated frame, a plurality of soil engaging elements coupled to and extending downwardly from the frame, and a plurality of independently rotatable soil leveling chopper wheels coupled to a rear of the frame behind the soil engaging elements. The implement has a total number of the chopper wheels that is greater than the total number of the soil engaging elements located in a rear row of the soil engaging elements. 
         [0008]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a tillage implement comprising an elevated frame, a plurality of soil engaging elements coupled to and extending downwardly from the frame; and a plurality of leveling assemblies coupled to a rear of the frame behind the soil engaging elements. Each of the leveling assemblies includes first and second independently rotatable chopper wheels having axes of rotation that are skewed relative to one another. 
         [0009]    According to yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a field tillage method comprising the steps of (a) passing a rear soil leveling element of a tillage implement through a field to thereby form a trench and mounds of soil on either side of the trench; and (b) using a pair of independently rotatable chopper wheels to substantially fill in the trench with soil from the mounds. During step (b), each of the chopper wheels contacts a respective one of the mounds and pushes soil toward the trench. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0010]    Embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the following drawing figures, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a rear left side perspective view of an implement with a soil chopping and leveling system configured in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a left side elevated view of the implement with the soil chopping and leveling system illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevated view of a plurality of tools on the implement illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a plurality of tools on the implement illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a rear left side perspective view of a detachable portion of the implement illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a rear left side perspective view of a leveling assembly of the implement illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a leveling assembly of the implement illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a hub of a leveling assembly of the implement illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a rear left side exploded perspective view of a hub and a chopper wheel of a leveling assembly of the implement illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a left side elevated view of a chopper wheel of the implement illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The present inventive concept is susceptible of embodiment in many forms. While the drawings illustrate, and the specification describes, certain embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that such disclosure is by way of example only. The principles of the present inventive concept are not limited to the particular disclosed embodiments. 
         [0022]    With initial reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a chopping and leveling system  20  is illustrated in an exemplary embodiment with a towable implement  22  that is operable to be hitched to a towing vehicle, e.g., a tractor or the like (not illustrated). The implement  22  has an elongated, rectangular frame assembly  24  that is elevated by a set of left wheels  26  and a set of right wheels  28 . Each set of wheels  26 ,  28  has an axle  30  that joins each set of wheels  26 ,  28  to each other. 
         [0023]    The frame assembly  24  includes front and rear bars  32 ,  34  that are connected by left and right outer bars,  36 ,  38 , and left and right inner bars  40 ,  42 . The left and right inner bars  40 ,  42  are spaced from each other by a crossbar  44  that extends parallel to the front and rear bars  32 ,  34  and is operable to increase the structural integrity of the frame assembly  24 . 
         [0024]    Extending horizontally from the front bar  32  is a hinged neck  46  with a hitch coupler  48  at an end thereof. In the exemplary embodiment, the hitch coupler  48  is sized and shaped to connect to a standard towing vehicle, such as a tractor. The neck  46  is vertically adjustable and is operable to permit an operator of the implement  22  to raise only the neck  46  rather than the implement  22  in its entirety during a hitching/unhitching operation. Movement of the neck  46  is restricted by a shock  50  that is operable to dampen movement of the neck  46 . 
         [0025]    The wheels  26 ,  28  are respectively secured to the outer bars  36 ,  38  of the frame assembly  24  via hinged legs  52 ,  54  that depend therefrom. Each of the legs  52 ,  54  has a hydraulic piston  56 ,  58  secured thereto that is operable to define a distance between the wheels  26 ,  28  and the frame assembly  24 . Consequently, the operator of the implement  22  may set an elevation of the implement  22  by adjusting one or both of the hydraulic pistons  56 ,  58 . When the elevation of the implement  22  is set to its lowest elevation, the outer bars  36 ,  38  respectively nest between each set of the wheels  26 ,  28 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0026]    The hydraulic pistons  56 ,  58  are operable to raise and lower thee frame assembly  24  relative to the ground and respectively connect the legs  52 ,  54  to the frame assembly  24  via stabilizers  60 ,  62 . Each of the stabilizers  60 ,  62  include a first hinged portion  64  and a second hinged portion  66 . The first hinged portion  64  is secured to the front bar  32  of the frame assembly  24  and the second hinged portion  66 , which is secured to one of the outer bars  36 ,  38  of the frame assembly  24 . In this manner, the stabilizers  60 ,  62  are operable to stabilize the hydraulic pistons  56 ,  58 . 
         [0027]    Extending at a downward angle from the front bar  32  of the frame assembly  24  is a vertically-adjustable elongated support member  68  that supports a coulter assembly  70 . The support member  68  is connected to the front bar  32  via a plurality of hinged arms  72  that are operable to permit vertical adjustment of the support member  68  and the coulter assembly  70 . Vertical adjustment of the support member  68  is controlled by a linear actuator, illustrated as hydraulic cylinder  74 , that further connects the support member  68  to the front bar  32  of the frame assembly  24 . 
         [0028]    The coulter assembly  70  has a plurality of discs  76  with sharpened edges  78  that are arranged along an axle  80 . The plurality of discs  76  are operable to penetrate into a field surface or soil  81  while rotating about the axle  80 , as illustrated by  FIG. 2 . The axle  80  is elastically connected to the support member  68  via a spring  82  located adjacent to either end of the support member  68 . Each spring  82  is independently operable to provide a degree of movement between the axle  80  and the support member  68 , which facilitates operation of the plurality of discs  76 , e.g., when traveling over and/or through rough terrain. 
         [0029]    Two rows of primary shanks  84  depend from each one of the outer bars  36 ,  38  and inner bars  40 ,  42  between the wheels  26 ,  28  and the rear bar  34 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Each primary shank  84  has a point  86  that is operable to facilitate penetration of the primary shank  84  into the soil  81 . A spring  88  attached to a support  90  connects each primary shank  84  to the outer bars  36 ,  38  and inner bars  40  so that each primary shank  84  is independently capable of a degree of movement relative to the frame assembly  24 , which facilitates operation of the primary shank  84 , e.g., when traveling over and/or through rough terrain. 
         [0030]    A rear row of secondary shanks  92  depends from the rear bar  34  of the frame assembly  24 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Each secondary shank  92  has a point  94  that is operable to facilitate penetration of the secondary shank  92  into the soil  81 . A spring  96  attached to a support  98  connects each secondary shank  92  to the rear bar  34  so that each secondary shank  92  is independently capable of a degree of movement relative to the frame assembly  24 , which facilitates operation of the secondary shanks  92 , e.g., when traveling over and/or through rough terrain. 
         [0031]    The soil chopping and leveling system  20  can take the form of a detachable finishing attachment assembly  100 . The finishing attachment assembly  100  extends from a rear of the frame assembly  24  and has a lateral bar  102  that extends parallel to the rear bar  34  of the frame assembly  24 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 . The lateral support bar  102  has a plurality of longitudinally-extending arms  104  that are sized and shaped to be received by and partially secured within hinged receivers  106 . The receivers  106  extend longitudinally from the rear bar  34  to meet the arms  104  and are operable to pivot vertically. A spring  108  is attached to each of the receivers  106  so that the lateral support bar  102  is biased downwardly yet capable of a degree of movement relative to the frame assembly  24 , which facilitates operation of the implement  22 , e.g., when traveling over and/or through rough terrain. Each receiver  106  has a height-adjustment mechanism  110  to permit an operator of the implement  22  to control a height of the lateral support bar  102  with respect to the soil  81 , an operation that will be discussed further hereafter. 
         [0032]    The lateral support bar  102  has a plurality of chopping and leveling assemblies  112  spaced along a length thereof and positioned directly behind each of the secondary shanks  92 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Each chopping and leveling assembly  112  has a first and second rotatable chopper wheel  114 ,  116  that are operable to rotate independently from each other. As depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 8 , the chopper wheels rotate on separate axes of rotation  114   a,    116   a.  The axes of rotation  114   a,    116   a  are substantially horizontal, horizontally staggered, and skewed relative to each other by a skew angle (α). In the exemplary embodiment, the skew angle (α) of the first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116  is in a range of 5 to 40 degrees or in the range of 10 to 30 degrees. It is foreseen, however, that the first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116  may be skewed at any skew angle or not skewed without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0033]    The first and second independently rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116  are respectively connected via hubs  118 ,  120  mounted to either side of a central upright support  122 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Each hub  118 ,  120  is affixed to the central upright support  122  via bolts  124 , and the central upright support  122  is secured to the lateral bar  102  via a clamp  126 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The hubs  118 ,  120  are angled to position the first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116  at the skew angle (α), as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . As perhaps best illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , in the exemplary embodiment, the first hub  118  is horizontally offset forward of the second hub  120 , which positions the first rotatable chopper wheel  114  forward to the second rotatable chopper wheel  116 , thereby horizontally staggering the chopper wheels  114 ,  116 . In this manner, the first rotatable chopper wheel  114  is positioned closer to rear row of secondary shanks  92  than the second rotatable chopper wheel  116 . It is foreseen that the hubs  118 ,  120  may be horizontally offset in a reverse order, in an alternating order, and/or aligned horizontally without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , he first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116  each include a radial support member  128  that extends radially outward from its respective hub  118 ,  120 . Each radial support member  128  is affixed to its respective hub  118 ,  120  via bolts  130  that extend through apertures  132  circumferentially located about a center of the radial support member  128 . The radial support member  128  has a grooved circumferential edge  134  with an inner-most portion of each groove  134  adjacent to one of the apertures  132 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
         [0035]    A plurality of soil-leveling blade assemblies  136  are secured along the grooved circumferential edge  134  of each radial support member  128  at an outer-most portion of each groove  134  and extend radially outward from the axes of rotation of the first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116 . Each blade assembly  136  includes a support base  138  and a horizontally extending soil leveling blade  140  that is connected to the support base  138 . Each blade  140  has a sharpened horizontal edge  142  and a face surface  144  that faces a direction of rotation of the first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116 . The blade  140  is secured to the support base  138  via a set of screws  146  and nuts  148  with washers  150  therebetween, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0036]    Each blade assembly  136  nests within one of a plurality of slots  152  that extend from the grooved circumferential edge  134  toward the center of the radial support member  128  and are sized and shaped to engage a corresponding slot  154  of the blade assembly  136 . In this manner, each blade assembly  136  is spaced circumferentially relative to each other and defines a radial plane that is offset relative to a radial plane that passes through a center of the radial support member  128 . The slots  152 ,  154  secure each blade assembly  136  to the radial support member  128  via a friction-fit engagement. Additional support is provided to the blade assembly  136  by a reinforcement region  156  on one side of the slot  152  of the radial support member  128 . The reinforcement region  156  extends more radially from the radial support member  128  relative to the other side of the slot  152  and is operable to provide additional support to a side of the blade assembly  136  that is opposite to the face surface  144 . It is foreseen that the blade assemblies  136  may be secured to the radial support member  128  via other attachment means instead of the slots  152 ,  154 , e.g., bolting, welding, and the like, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0037]    The implement  22  is equipped with a plurality of safety and convenience features. Safety features include a safety bar  158  that projects vertically from an approximate center of the implement  22 . The safety bar  158  is supported by legs  160  that are connected to inner bars  40 ,  42 , and includes a reflective, triangular caution sign  162 . Additionally, a plurality of reflective, illuminable lights  164  are positioned on the safety bar  158  and outer bars  36 ,  38 . Convenience features include a hose and wire guide  166  on the neck  46  to facilitate routing and support of hydraulic hoses and electrical wires (not show) to be connected to the towing vehicle (not shown). The neck  46  additionally includes a telescoping stand  168  to support the neck  46  when the implement  22  is stored and not hitched to a towing vehicle. 
         [0038]    In use, the operator of the chopping and leveling system  20  secures the implement  22  to a towing vehicle, e.g., a tractor (not illustrated) by raising the neck  50 , which may be accomplished by extending the telescoping stand  168 . Once the neck  50  is sufficiently elevated, the hitch coupler  48  may be secured to a hitch (not illustrated) of the towing vehicle. 
         [0039]    Prior to moving the implement  22  from storage, the operator ensures that the coulter assembly  70 , the primary and secondary shanks  84 ,  92 , and the chopping and leveling assemblies  112  are elevated and not in contact with the ground. The operator may then maneuver the implement  22  to a starting position in a field via pulling the implement  22  with the tractor. 
         [0040]    At the starting position, the operator lowers the primary and secondary shanks  84 ,  92  to a desired penetration depth by lowering the frame assembly  24  via adjustment of the hydraulic pistons  56 ,  58  of the legs  52 ,  54 . As the frame assembly  24  is lowered, the outer bars  36 ,  38  are caused to respectively nest between the sets of wheels  26 ,  28 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The lowering of the frame assembly  24  also causes and the coulter assembly  70  and the chopping and leveling assemblies  112  to be lowered. 
         [0041]    It is desirable for the coulter assembly  70  to penetrate into the soil  81 . If additional lowering of the coulter assembly  70  is required after lowering of the frame assembly  24 , the coulter assembly  70  may be lowered by extending the telescoping arm  74  so that the coulter assembly  70  extends further into the soil  81  to the desired penetration depth. 
         [0042]    It is desirable for the chopping and leveling assemblies  112  to be biased against the soil  81  yet capable of rotating while traveling therealong. If adjustment of the chopping and leveling assemblies  112  is required after lowering of the frame assembly  24 , the chopping and leveling assemblies  112  may be lowered via adjustment of each height-adjustment mechanism  110  so that the chopping and leveling assemblies  112  are sufficiently pressed against the soil  81  yet capable of rotation. 
         [0043]    The operator may then begin to maneuver the chopping and leveling system  20  across the soil  81 . As the implement  22  travels over the soil  81 , the coulter assembly  70  rotates and slices through the soil  81  to prepare the soil  81  for further conditioning. The primary shanks  84  then penetrate through and churn the soil  81  to a degree that a primary trench is formed with irregular primary mounds on either side thereof. The secondary shanks  92 , which are staggered on either side of the primary shanks  84 , then penetrate through a center of each of the primary mounds and churn the primary mounds to a lesser degree than the primary shanks  84 . Secondary shanks  92  also pulverize any remnants in the primary mounds and causes the primary mounds to be reduced in size. The secondary shanks  92  form a secondary trench of reduced depth relative to the primary trench in the center of the primary mounds with secondary mounds of reduced size relative to the primary mounds on either side of the secondary trench. 
         [0044]    Directly behind each of the secondary shanks  92 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , are the chopping and leveling assemblies  112  that align the first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116  in a center of each of the secondary mounds. The first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116  pulverize any remnants in the secondary mounds and are skewed relative to each other so that the first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116  push soil  81  away from the secondary mounds and into the primary and secondary trenches. The skew angle of the first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116  forms a “V” shaped void therebetween that is operable to trap and pulverize remnants from the primary and secondary mounds. Additionally, if one of the first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116  becomes clogged with a large clod or chunk of soil, the other one of the first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116  will continue to rotate independently and is capable of dislodging the large clod or chunk of soil from the one of the first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116  due to the skewed configuration of the first and second rotatable chopper wheels  114 ,  116 . In this manner, the chopping and leveling assemblies  112  cause the primary and secondary mounds to be leveled-off and the primary and secondary trenches are filled yielding a generally uniform surface, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0045]    The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be used in a limiting sense to interpret the scope of the present inventive concept. Modifications to the exemplary embodiments, set forth above, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. 
         [0046]    The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present inventive concept as it pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.