SOIL PROCESSING MACHINE

Abstract

A soil processing machine comprising a machine frame with two longitudinal beams arranged mutually spaced transverse to a longitudinal direction of the machine substantially extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine and two transverse beams arranged mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction of the machine substantially extending the transverse beams to the longitudinal direction of the machine, a soil-processing roller supported in the longitudinal direction between the transverse beams on the longitudinal beams so that it can rotate about an axis of rotation of the roller, a coupling arrangement for attaching the machine frame to a further machine frame of the soil-processing machine or to a further machine, a lifting/supporting arrangement provided on the machine frame for lifting and/or supporting the machine frame in relation to the ground, wherein one of the transverse beams is supported on the two longitudinal beams so that it can rotate about a swivel axis substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the roller.

Claims

1. Soil-processing machine, comprising: a machine frame with two longitudinal beams arranged mutually spaced transverse to a longitudinal direction of the machine, substantially essentially extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine and two transverse beams arranged mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction of the machine, substantially extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the machine, a soil-processing roller supported on the longitudinal beams so that it can rotate about an axis of rotation of the roller in a longitudinal direction of the machine between the transverse beams, a coupling arrangement for coupling the machine frame to a further machine frame of the soil-processing machine or to a further machine, a lifting/supporting arrangement provided on the machine frame for raising and/or supporting the machine frame in relation to the ground, wherein one of the transverse beams is supported on both longitudinal beams so that it can swivel about a swivel axis that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller.

2. Soil-processing machine according to claim 1, wherein one of the transverse beams is supported such that it can swivel in an upper region of a height direction on the longitudinal beams.

3. Soil-processing machine according to claim 1, wherein one of the transverse beams is allocated to a swivel drive driving the same to swivel about the swivel axis.

4. Soil-processing machine according to claim 3, wherein the swivel drive comprises at least one piston/cylinder unit.

5. Soil-processing machine according to claim 3, wherein one of the transverse beams is able to swivel by the swivel drive between a roller operational position and a roller installation position, wherein in the roller operational position one of the transverse beams is connected or connectable rigidly with the longitudinal beams and so that is immobile in relation to this and is swivelled upwards in the roller installation position in relation to its position in the roller operational position in a height direction.

6. Soil-processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the lifting/supporting arrangement comprises a chassis arrangement with at least one chassis unit supported on the machine frame so that it is height adjustable.

7. Soil-processing machine according to claim 6, wherein the chassis arrangement comprises a chassis unit allocated to each longitudinal beam, supported on the longitudinal beam so that it is height adjustable, optionally in which each chassis unit is supported on the allocated longitudinal beam so that it is height adjustable independently of the other chassis unit.

8. Soil-processing machine according to claim 7, wherein each chassis unit is connected in a connection region to the allocated longitudinal beam so that it can swivel and is supported by a height adjustment arrangement so that it is height adjustable in a height adjustment region in relation to the allocated longitudinal beam arranged spaced in relation to the connection region in the longitudinal direction of the machine.

9. Soil-processing machine according to claim 8, wherein the height adjustment arrangement comprises a piston/cylinder unit or a spindle unit.

10. Soil-processing machine according to claim 8, wherein each chassis unit comprises a chassis girder attached in the connection region to the longitudinal beam such that it can swivel and connected to the height adjustment arrangement in the height adjustment region.

11. Soil-processing machine according to claim 7, wherein each chassis unit exhibits a soil-processing machine support surface region extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine and that the axis of rotation of the roller is positioned in the longitudinal direction of the machine between a first longitudinal end of the support surface region and a second longitudinal end of the support surface region.

12. Soil-processing machine according to claim 7, wherein each chassis unit comprises a track chassis.

13. Soil-processing machine according to claim 10, wherein each chassis unit comprises a track chassis, and wherein the track chassis is connected to the chassis beam substantially freely able to swivel.

14. Soil-processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the soil-processing machine is able to be attached to a tractor for moving in the longitudinal direction of the machine by means of a coupling arrangement.

15. Soil-processing machine according to claim 14, wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a drawbar unit for attaching to a counter-coupling formation provided for a tractor.

16. Soil-processing machine according to claim 1, wherein on the further machine frame provided on the rear end of the soil-processing machine a drive unit is provided and that the coupling arrangement comprises a steering linkage arrangement for coupling the machine frame providing a front end of the soil-processing machine to the further machine frame so that it can swivel about a steering linkage axis.

17. Soil-processing train comprising a tractor and a soil-processing machine according to claim 1 attached to the tractor.

18. Process for removing a soil-processing roller from a soil-processing machine according to claim 1, comprising the measures: a) Positioning the lifting/supporting arrangement in such a way that the machine frame is supported with the soil-processing roller supported on a floor by the lifting/supporting arrangement in relation to the floor, b) After undertaking the measure a), releasing the soil-processing roller from the longitudinal beams; c) Before or after undertaking measure b), swivelling one of the transverse beams in a roller-installation position, d) After undertaking measures b) and c), moving the machine frame in relation to the soil-processing roller substantially in the longitudinal direction of the machine frame.

19. Process according to claim 18, wherein before undertaking the measure d), the machine frame may be raised by means of the lifting/supporting arrangement in such a way that when undertaking measure d) the machine frame can be moved away over the soil-processing roller with transverse beam swivelled into the roller installation position.

20. Soil-processing machine according to claim 4, wherein the at least one piston/cylinder unit is one allocated to the longitudinal beam in relation to a transverse beam and one supported on the longitudinal beams.

Description

[0031] The present invention will be described in detail in the following in relation to the appended figures. In which:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a soil-processing train with a soil-processing machine and a tractor pulling the same,

[0033] FIG. 2 shows the soil-processing train of FIG. 1 with a transverse beam swivelled in a roller installation position;

[0034] FIG. 3 shows the soil-processing train of FIG. 2 with a soil-processing roller removed from a machine frame of the soil-processing machine;

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a self-propelled soil-processing machine.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a soil-processing train generally designated 10. The soil-processing train 10 comprises a soil-processing machine 12 and a tractor 14 pulling or pushing a soil-processing machine 12.

[0037] The soil-processing machine 12 constructed as a non-self-propelled machine comprises a machine frame 16 with two longitudinal beams 18, 20 arranged mutually spaced transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the machine and extending in the longitudinal direction L of the machine. In both longitudinal end regions, the longitudinal beams 18, 20 are connected to transverse beams 22, 24.

[0038] In the inner space surrounded by the longitudinal beams 18, 20 and the transverse beams 22, 24, a soil-processing roller 26 is taken up. The soil-processing roller 26 is supported so that it can rotate on the longitudinal beams 18, 20 about an axis of rotation D of the roller. To do this, on both longitudinal end regions of the soil-processing roller 26 situated in the direction of the axis of rotation D of the roller supporting units 28 respectively recognisable in FIG. 3 are provided which may be fastened by screwing to the relevant allocated longitudinal beams 18, 20 and the soil-processing roller 26 is supported so that it can rotate about the axis of rotation D of the roller.

[0039] The soil-processing machine 12 furthermore comprises a chassis arrangement generally designated with 30. The chassis arrangement 30 essentially forms a lifting/supporting arrangement 31 and comprises in the arrangement on each of the two longitudinal beams 18, 20 a chassis unit 32, 34 respectively with a track chassis 36, 38. As can be recognisable using the chassis unit 32, the relevant track chassis 36, 38 is supported so that it can swivel on a chassis girder 40 in an approximately central coupling region 42 of the same in the longitudinal direction of the machine L about an axis of rotation D of the roller in the essentially parallel axis. In one if its two end regions positioned in the longitudinal direction L of the machine, the chassis girder 40 forms a coupling region 44, in which the chassis girder 40 is supported so that it can swivel on the allocated longitudinal beam 18 and 20 about an axis of rotation D in the essentially parallel axis. In its other end region, the relevant chassis girder 40 forms a height adjustment region 46. In this height adjustment region 46, the chassis girder 40 is supported in relation to the respectively allocated longitudinal beam 18, 20 by a height adjustment arrangement generally designated with 48. The height adjustment arrangement 48 may, for example, comprise a piston/cylinder unit that is supported on the one hand in the height adjustment region 46 of the chassis girder 40 and on the other hand at the allocated longitudinal beam 16, 18. By extending or even contracting the piston/cylinder unit, the height positioning of the height adjustment region 46 in relation to the machine frame 16 may be changed and thus with a chassis unit 32, 34 standing on the ground, the height of the machine frame 16 above the ground may be adjusted. The actuate the height adjustment arrangements 48 provided in the allocation to both chassis units 32, 34, in an operational state 50 of the tractor 14 controls may be provided that enable an operator to adjust the height position of both chassis units 32, 34 mutually independently. In the formation of the height adjustment arrangements 48 respectively with a piston/cylinder unit, the pressure fluids duly required may be provided by connecting the piston/cylinder units to the pressure fluid circuit of the tractor 14. It is to be noted that the height adjustment arrangements 48 may also respectively be formed with a spindle unit, for example. Such a spindle unit may comprise a spindle rod provided with an external thread and a spindle nut provided with an internal thread and engaging with the external thread of the spindle rod. A drive may be allocated to the spindle rod or the spindle nut, so that by rotating the spindle rod or the spindle nut, the spindle nut may be moved along the spindle rod and in this manner the height position of the machine frame 16 may be adjusted in relation to the chassis arrangement 30.

[0040] It is to be noted that the chassis units 32, 34 of the chassis arrangements may also even not be driven in the configuration as a relevant track chassis 36, 38, so that the soil-processing machine 12 is moved exclusively by the tractor 14. Alternatively, it is possible, in allocation to the chassis units 32 to be able to provide motors respectively driving these, for example, pressure fluid motors, to be able to supply supporting driving force. Furthermore, it can be recognised in the figures, that the axis of rotation D of the roller is positioned in the longitudinal axis of the machine approximately above the coupling region 32 and in the region of a supporting surface A of the relevant track chassis 36 or even 38 provided between a first support surface region longitudinal end 52 and a second support surface region longitudinal end 54. This ensures stable standing or even a uniform distributed load on the ground.

[0041] The chassis units 32, 34 may, instead of the track chassis, for example, also comprise a plurality of wheels positioned one behind the other. In such a formation, the support surface region is essentially defined in the longitudinal direction of the machine by an overall surface which is defined between the wheels or even their support surfaces standing on the ground respectively in the front and rear end regions in the longitudinal direction L of the machine.

[0042] For coupling the soil processing machine 12 to the tractor 14, for example, on the transverse beam 22, a coupling arrangement is provided, generally designated with 56. This comprises a drawbar unit 58 rigidly fastened to the transverse beam 22, for example. In the end region of the drawbar unit 58 not shown in the figure is provided, for example, a coupling arrangement formed in the shape of a coupling socket, that may be brought into coupling engagement with, for example, a trailer ball formed as a counter-coupling formation on the tractor 14. In the state attached to the tractor 14, via, for example, a transmission mechanism 60 attached to the power takeoff of the tractor 14, a drive torque may be supplied for a reciprocating mechanism arranged inside the soil-processing roller 26. This may comprise one or more out-of-balance masses, for example, able to be driven in rotation about the axis of rotation D of the roller so that, in soil-processing operation corresponding to the rotational speed of the out-of-balance masses, a force or even acceleration is exerted on the soil-processing roller 26 orthogonal to the axis of rotation D of the roller, preferably essentially oriented in a height direction H.

[0043] Whereas in the soil-processing machine 12 the transverse beam 22 also supporting the coupling arrangement 56 may also be connected rigidly and unremovably to both longitudinal beams 18, 20, for example, by welding, the supporting units 28 of the soil-processing roller 26 and the transverse beam 24 may are connected removably to the longitudinal beams 18, 20. To do this, in the longitudinal beams 18, 20 allocated to the supporting units 28 on the one hand and allocated to the transverse units 24 on the other hand, respective groups of breakthrough holes 62 or even 64 are provided. Fastening screws may be guided through these and screwed into groups of threaded holes 66 respectively allocated to these on the support units 28 on the one hand and 68 on the transverse beam 24 on the other hand. Thus, by a plurality of threaded bolts, a fastened connection of the supporting units 28 and the transverse beam 24 to the longitudinal beam 18, 20 may be assured. In particular, allocated to the supporting units 28, it may also be provided that the threaded bolts are guided through holes provided in these and connected with nuts screwed onto the same to produce a fastened connection.

[0044] The transverse beam 24 is also supported on this by connection produced by threaded bolts to the longitudinal beams 18, 20 on this such that it can swivel about a swivel axis S, for example, essentially parallel to the axis of rotation D of the roller. Also, for example, threaded bolts placed through the longitudinal beams 18, 20 and screwed into the transverse beams 24 or other non-removable swivel pins, may also be used for this. The swivel axis S is positioned in the height direction H in the upper region of the transverse beam 24 or even also the longitudinal beam 18, 20. For swivelling the transverse beam 24 from the roller operating position illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the transverse beam 24 may be firmly fastened in the manner described above to the longitudinal beams 18, 20, for example, with the screw connection, in the roller installation position illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the transverse beam 24 is swivelled upwards in the height direction H, the transverse beam 24 is generally allocated a swivel drive designated with 72. This comprises, in the example illustrated, two piston/cylinder units 74, 76, that engage on the one hand with the longitudinal beams 18, 20 and on the other hand the end regions of the transverse beam 24 positioned transverse to the longitudinal direction of the machine. By feeding or even discharging pressure fluid to or even from the piston/cylinder units 74, 76, these may be extended or even contracted so that the transverse beam 24 is adjustable between the two positions illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Also, the feed/discharge of pressure fluid to or even from the piston/cylinder units 74, 76 may be done by corresponding controls in the control panel 50. The pressure fluid duly required may be tapped from the pressure fluid circuit of the tractor 14.

[0045] With the soil-operating train 10 in operation, when the soil-operating machine 12 is to be transported to the soil to be processed, the chassis arrangement 30 is actuated in such a way that both chassis units 32, 34 are swivelled downwards in relation to the machine frame 16 or even the machine frame 16 is raised so that with this, the soil-processing roller 16 may also be raised and is not in contact with the ground. Only when the soil to be processed is reached may the machine frame 16 be lowered so that the soil-processing roller 26 comes into contact with the soil to be processed and alone or, as the case may be, with support by the chassis units 32, 34 the load supplied essentially by the weight of the entire soil-processing machine 12 is supported and directed into the soil. In this state, the soil-processing roller 26 may then be used, for example, to compact the soil, if it is formed essentially with a smooth external circumferential surface. If the soil-processing roller 26 is formed, for example, with structured external circumferential surface, it may also be used to break up solid ground.

[0046] To adapt the soil-processing machine 12 to various working requirements, it may be required to replace the soil-processing roller 26. Also for repair work, it may be required to remove the soil-processing roller 26 from the machine frame 16. This may be done in the soil-processing machine 12 illustrated in the figures by lowering both chassis units 32, 34 far enough that the soil-processing machine 12 rests on the ground on the one hand with the chassis units 32, 34 and on the other hand with the soil-processing roller 26. Already before or after positioning the chassis units 32, 34 in this state, the transverse beam 24 may be swivelled into the roller installation position illustrated in FIG. 2. Before and after swivelling the transverse beam 24 into the roller installation position, the supporting units 28 may be removed on the threaded pins connecting the longitudinal beams 18, 20, so that fundamentally, the soil-processing roller 26 supported on the ground is removed from the machine frame 16. Self-evidently, in so doing, also any mechanical drive connections activated mechanically or with pressure fluid, which is directed, for example, to drive the reciprocating mechanism in the soil-processing roller 26 are to be disconnected.

[0047] Subsequently, the machine frame 16 may then be raised by corresponding actuation of the chassis units 32, 34 or even the height adjustment arrangements 48 of the same, so that the transverse beam 24 already swivelled into its roller installation position is positioned in the height direction H completely above the soil-processing roller 26. As appropriate, swivelling the transverse beam 24 into the roller installation position may only be done if, after detaching the soil-processing roller 26 from the machine frame 16 this has been raised by corresponding actuation of the height adjustment arrangements 48.

[0048] Subsequently, by moving the machine frame 16 essentially in the longitudinal direction L of the machine, this is moved away with the transverse beam 24 swivelled into the roller installation position over the soil-processing roller 26 supported on the ground, so that, as this is illustrated in FIG. 3, the soil-processing roller 26 is freely resting and is accessible, for example for repair or maintenance work or the machine frame may 16 be coupled to another soil-processing roller.

[0049] To couple a soil-processing roller 26 with the machine frame 16, the previously listed working steps may be undertaken in the reverse order. This means that first the machine frame 16 is moved away with the transverse beam 24 swivelled in the roller installation position over the soil-processing roller 26. Before or after the transverse beam 24 is swivelled into its roller operational position illustrated in FIG. 1, the installation frame 16 may be lowered so that the supporting units 28 may be connected to both longitudinal beams 18, 20 and also the mechanical or hydraulic connection of the soil-processing roller 26 may be done to a corresponding drive system of the soil-processing machine 12 or even the tractor 14. Subsequently, the soil-processing machine 12 is then provided for guiding through the soil-processing processes again.

[0050] An alternative formation of a soil-processing machine 12 is illustrated in FIG. 4. In this formation, the soil-processing machine 12 is formed as a self-propelled soil-processing machine. The machine frame 16 forms the or one part of a front end 78. A rear end 80 provides a further machine frame 82 which is connected to the machine frame 16 or even the front end 78 through a steering linkage arrangement 84 so that it can be swivelled about a steering axis A. The steering linkage arrangement 84 essentially provides the coupling arrangement 56 by which the machine frame 16 supporting the soil-processing roller 26 is attached to the further machine frame 82.

[0051] On the rear end 80 a drive unit is provided, by which on the one hand the energy required for operating the soil-processing machine 12 is supplied and particularly also drive wheels 86 provided on the rear end 80 for forward motion of the soil-processing machine 12 may be driven. Instead of the drive wheels 86 provided on both sides on the rear end 80, in this alternatively a further soil-processing roller that can be driven in rotation by the drive unit may also be provided.

[0052] Allocated to the front end 78 or even to the machine frame 16 the chassis arrangement 30 is provided with its two chassis units, of which in FIG. 4 the chassis unit 34 provided for allocation to the longitudinal beam 20 is recognisable.

[0053] Recognisable is also the transverse beam 24 fundamentally concealed in this illustration which is in its roller operational position. To remove and install the soil-processing roller 26, as described above, firstly the front end 18 is set down with the soil-processing roller 16 and the chassis arrangement 30 on the ground. After detaching the soil-processing roller 26 from the longitudinal beams, as indicated on the right of FIG. 4 in a transitional phase, the machine frame 16 may be raised. Before or after removing the soil-processing roller 26 from the machine frame 16 or raising the machine frame 16, the transverse beam 24 may be swivelled into its roller installation position. Subsequently, the soil-processing machine 12 with front end 78 and rear end 80 may be moved in the illustration of FIG. 4 to the left, therefore backwards, to move the machine frame 16 away from the soil-processing roller 26.