SOIL LOOSENING AND FURROWER ASSEMBLIES AND A BED RENOVATOR THEREFOR

Abstract

There is provided soil loosening and furrower assemblies and a bed renovator therefor. The soil loosening assembly comprises a blade assembly and wherein the blade assembly is horizontally pitched such that, when drawn beneath a soil surface at a fixed depth, the horizontally pitched blade assembly severs rootstock at the level of the blade assembly while retaining the rootstock substantially in place and loosens soil above the level of the blade assembly without substantial soil inversion. The furrower assembly comprises side plates extending rearwardly from a forward prow edge, wherein the side plates are approximately 25-45 with respect to the horizontal axis; and bottom edges of the side plates are approximately 20-40 with respect to a direction-of-travel axis.

Claims

1. A furrower assembly comprising: side plates extending rearwardly from a forward prow edge, wherein: the side plates are between 25-45 with respect to the horizontal axis; and bottom edges of the side plates are between 20-40 with respect to a direction-of-travel axis.

2. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side plates are tilted backward approximately 45 with respect to the horizontal.

3. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein bottom edges of the side plates are approximately 30 from the rear centreline of the direction-of-travel axis.

4. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prow edge is less than approximately 145 with respect to a vertical axis.

5. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the prow edge is approximately 135 with respect to the vertical.

6. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trailing edges of the side walls are configured to form furrow walls being steeper than approximately 70 from the horizontal.

7. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the trailing edges of the side walls are configured to form furrow walls being approximately 100 from the horizontal.

8. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walls are configured to form a furrow having a flat base.

9. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flat base is greater than 300 mm in width.

10. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flat base is greater than 400 mm in width.

11. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a shank.

12. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 36, wherein the width of the shank along a direction-of-travel axis is approximately 100 mm.

13. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the width of the shank widens to approximately 150 mm at approximately 400 mm above a lower end of the shank.

14. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the shank angles forwards at approximately 135 from the vertical at approximately 355 mm above a lower end of the shank.

15. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising vertical transitions at top edges of the side plates.

16. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a clamp for clamping the shank to a horizontal frame member.

17. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the clamp is releasable to transition the clamp laterally along the horizontal frame member.

18. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a shank height adjustment mechanism.

19. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the shank height adjustment mechanism comprises a pair of vertically orientated plates engaging the shank therebetween and wherein an edge of the shank comprises height adjustment notches configured for engaging bolts passing through the vertically orientated plates.

20. A furrower assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the height adjustment notches are located at a rearward edge of the shank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0116] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0117] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a bed renovator suited for engaging the soil loosening assembly and furrower assembly disclosed herein in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein FIG. 1 is an oblique three-dimensional view of the bed renovator engaging the soil loosening assemblies and furrower assemblies and the three-point linkage framework and hitches; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bed renovator showing the soil loosening assemblies in front of and between and furrower assemblies and FIG. 3 is a front-on view of the bed renovator, showing the positioning, depth of operation and span of the soil loosening assemblies relative to the furrower assemblies showing also how the blade looseners cut the roots of crops and loosen the full width of soil between the furrowers.

[0118] FIGS. 4 and 5A-C show the soil loosening assembly and attachment of such to a shank clamped to the frame of the bed renovator wherein, specifically, FIG. 4 is an oblique view of the soil loosening assembly, the mounting shanks and the adjustable mounting bracket that clamps the shank on to the bed renovator frame; FIGS. 5A-C are a set of three drawings comprising FIG. 5C showing an oblique view of the blades of the soil loosening assembly inner vertical plates used to clamp the blades onto the shank with bolts through the centre of the shank and to the adjacent blade behind the shank; FIG. 5B showing a plan view of the swept-wing shape of the blades; and Figure 5A showing a cross section view of the horizontal alignment and shank mounting plate; and

[0119] FIGS. 6A-C shows the furrower assembly comprising a depth adjustable shank and frame clamp wherein, specifically, FIG. 6C shows an oblique three-dimensional view of the furrower showing the depth adjustable shank and the clamp that holds the shank and furrower on the frame of the bed renovator, FIG. 6B shows a front-on view of the furrower showing its flat base and the angle of the rear edge of the furrower side plates that shape the steep walls of the furrow and FIG. 6A shows a side view of the furrowing assembly illustrating the backward tilt of the sideplates and their wear plates and overflow plates.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0120] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure.

[0121] Before the structures, systems and associated methods relating to the soil loosening assembly, furrower assembly and bed renovator are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the disclosure will be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

[0122] In describing and claiming the subject matter of the disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

[0123] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0124] As used herein, the terms comprising, including, containing, characterised by, and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0125] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

Bed Renovator

[0126] FIGS. 1 and 3 show a bed renovator frame (1) of tubular steel with a vertical sub-frame (2) on top of the front lateral of the rectangular frame for attaching the bed renovator to the three-point linkage mechanism on the rear of tractors.

[0127] The embodiment shown in these drawings shows a frame on which are mounted four soil loosening assemblies (3) and two furrowing assemblies (4).

[0128] Whereas the embodiment shown may be utilised for one-and-two-half beds application, a person skilled in the art would realise that such a frame and componentry could vary in width and the number of components. For instance, depending on farmer choice or the size of fields and machinery, bed renovators can be one-bed, one and two half beds, three-beds, and three-and-two-half beds wide, or any other mechanically feasible width.

[0129] In the embodiment shown, the bed renovator frame (1) is rectangular with the larger axis at right angles to the direction of travel.

[0130] The centrally located vertical sub-frame (2) has a bracket on a top bar (5) that hitches to the top arm of a three-point linkage mechanism at the rear of a tractor. This frame (2) is supported laterally by tubular steel struts (6) that run diagonally from its two top corners to the topside of the front bar of the rectangular frame. Similar diagonal struts extend from both top corners of the sub-frame to the rear lateral (7) of the rectangular frame as is best seen in FIG. 1. The two hitches for the two lower arms of a tractor's three-point linkage mechanism (8) are located on the front side of the main frame aligned immediately adjacent to the verticals of the vertical sub-frame.

[0131] A lateral cross-member (9) is located internally within the rectangular frame across the full width of the rectangular frame. The lateral cross-member provides a bar on which the blade loosener assemblies (1) are mounted as is best shown in FIG. 2. This internal bar may be strengthened by two cross-braces (10) extending either side to the front and back members of the rectangular frame.

[0132] The location of the lateral cross member within the main frame may be determined by the requirement that the outer, trailing edge of the swept-wing shaped blade looseners precede the leading edge of the shank on which the furrow assemblies (4) are mounted as is best shown in FIG. 2. The location of the internal front-to-back cross bracing is related to the size of the machine and can be altered by persons skilled in the art to provide the necessary strengthening, provided the cross bracing does not interfere with the correct positioning of either the blade loosener assemblies (3) and the furrower assemblies (4) mounted on the rear member of the rectangular bar.

[0133] The furrower assemblies (4) may be mounted on the rear member of the rectangular frame (1). The furrower assemblies (4) may be positioned on the bar to coincide with the tyre track of the tractor to which the bed renovator is attached, and as the bar is widened, persons skilled in the art will locate them evenly in multiples of the trackwidth of the tractor.

Soil Loosening Assembly

[0134] The soil loosening assembly (3) in FIG. 4 shows a clamp (11) for mounting and positioning the blade loosening assembly on the central cross member of the bed renovator (1). Welded on to the front side of this clamp (11) are two vertical plates (12) positioned just wide enough to snugly accommodate the shank (13) on which the blade assembly is mounted. These plates have two matching bolt holes (14) close to their upper and lower front corners.

[0135] The shank (13) on which the blades are mounted has notches (15) machined into the leading edge (16) that are large enough to accommodate one half the width of bolts that pass through the vertical plates on the bracket that clamps onto the central cross member of the bed renovator. These notches allow the shank (13) to be moved up or down.

[0136] The shank (13) is about 20 mm thick by about 100 mm deep. The leading edge (16) of the shank (13) below the height adjustment notches is bevelled on both sides of the centreline at about 45 so as to provide a tapered leading edge that reduces the compressive forces and soil disturbance as it moves through the soil. Wear may be further minimised on this leading edge by clipping a hardened steel shin guard over this tapered edge.

[0137] At the base of the shank (13) there may be a soil engaging point (17) that facilitates the downward penetration of the shank and blades to ensure that the blades operate at the desired depth setting.

[0138] The soil engaging point (17) may have a chisel-shaped point and may have a leading edge that is below the base of the swept wing blades as is best shown in FIG. 3.

[0139] Now, turning now to FIGS. 5A-C, the soil loosening assembly (3) may comprise blades (18) which, in the preferred embodiment shown, have a swept-wing profile.

[0140] The blades (18) are mounted and operated horizontally. The shape of the blades (18), thinness, single bevelled leading edge (19), angle of incidence of the leading edge with soil (20), and the front-to-back depth (21) were purposely chosen to minimise draft forces; minimise compaction and smearing forces on underlying soil; minimise disturbance of soil above the wing; and maximise the efficiency of cutting roots.

[0141] The mounting edge (22) of each blade (18) is shaped to complement the profile of the shank (13) as is best shown in FIGS. 5A-C. In this regard, the blades (18) may comprise vertical mounting plates (23) welded on the inner edge (22). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-C, the mounting plates (23) may comprise forward and rearward mounting plates (23a,b).

[0142] For the forward mounting plates (23a), bolts can pass through the forward mounting plates through the shank (13). The rearward mounting plates (23b) may be fastened together to hold the blades (18) together as is best shown in FIG. 4.

[0143] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the soil loosening assembly (3) may comprise a height adjustment mechanism comprising a railing within which the forward mounting plate (23a) is able to slide vertically and locked in place by a through hole fastener.

[0144] In embodiments, the mounting plates (23) are symmetrical and mirrored above and below the blades.

[0145] The portions of the mounting plates below the blades (18) may be protected from wear by the soil engaging point (17) of the shank (13) protruding below the lower edge of the mounting plates (23).

[0146] As can be best seen from FIG. 4, the soil loosening assembly (3) may comprise a ground penetrating point (17) located forward of the blade assembly.

[0147] Exemplary dimensions are given in FIG. 5B wherein, as can be seen, each blade (18) is trapezoid.

[0148] Furthermore each blade (18) may define a leading edge (19) angled at approximately 30 from the rear centreline of the direction-of-travel axis. Each blade (18) may comprise a rearward span of approximately 340 mm.

[0149] Each blade (18) defines an inner edge (24) aligned with a direction-of-travel axis and being approximately 340 mm.

[0150] Each blade (18) may define an outer edge (25) aligned with a direction-of-travel axis and being approximately 100 mm.

[0151] Furthermore, each blade (18) may have a length along a direction of travel axis of approximately 640 mm. Specifically, each blade (18) is trapezoid defining the leading edge and the outer edge (25). The outer edge (25) may have a length of approximately 100 mm and the leading edge may have a length along the direction of travel axis of approximately 540 mm.

[0152] Furthermore, inner edge (25) may have a length of approximately 340 mm and the trailing edge (26) may have a length along the direction of travel axis of approximately 300 mm.

[0153] Each blade (18) may have a thickness of substantially 10 mm.

[0154] Furthermore, the leading edge (19) may be bevelled with a single straightedge bevel progressing rearwardly from the lower side of the blade (18). In embodiment, the bevel may be approximately 45 with respect to the lower side of the blade (18).

Furrower Assemblies

[0155] Turning now to FIGS. 6A-C, there is shown the furrower assemblies (4) in further detail.

[0156] Now, and further with reference to FIG. 3, as can be seen, the furrower assemblies (4) may excavate a furrow having a flat base.

[0157] Furthermore, the furrower assemblies (4) may comprise side plates (27) wherein the side plates are long enough such that the base of the furrow is generally wider than the tyres of the tractors and other trailers that pass along the furrows so as to reduce the compaction of the lower walls of the furrows/beds. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the base of the furrow may be approximately 300 mm across.

[0158] Now, in a preferred embodiment, the side plates (27) are angled backwards at approximately 45 to the horizontal. Furthermore, each side plate (27) is angled outwardly from the rear centreline of travel by approximately 30.

[0159] As alluded to above, such a configuration reduces frictional forces when moving soil across the steel plates

[0160] Furthermore, such a combination displaces the soil outwardly and also substantially upwardly while reducing both soil inversion and lateral compaction of the furrow walls.

[0161] Furthermore, side plates (27) may define a trailing edge (28) angled at approximately 100 from the horizontal when viewed from the front of the furrower assembly (4) forming furrows having steep side walls.

[0162] Furthermore, the trailing edge transition (28) angled at approximately 100 outwards from the base of the furrow) has been found to shear (rather than smear) the soil in the furrow walls, leaving it open, to facilitate lateral infiltration of water to, or drainage of water from, the beds so created.

[0163] As is best shown in FIGS. 6, the furrower assemblies (4) may be mounted on the rear member of the bed renovator frame (1) by way of a clamp (29) that clamps around the bar.

[0164] The rear side of clamp (29) has two vertical plates (30) welded far enough apart to snugly accommodate the shank (31) on which the furrower is mounted. These plates (30) have bolts (32) in holes near the top and bottom that are one-half accommodated by a series of circular notches (33) machined into the rear edge of the furrower shank (31). The depth setting of the furrowers is adjusted by changing the position of the shank (31) relative to these bolts (32).

[0165] The furrower shank (31) may be approximately 20 mm thick. The notches (33) may begin at about 50 mm below the top end of the shank (31) for a distance of about 360 mm. The top section of the shank (31) may be about 500 mm long and 100 mm wide, front to back. Below 500 mm the rear side of the shank (31) may flare out another 50 mm, and at about 750 mm from the top of the shank (31), the shank may angle forwards at the leading edges at about 135 and 225 at the back and extend downwardly a vertical distance of approximately a further 400 mm.

[0166] The shank (31) may comprise lateral grooves for seating respective leading edges of the side plates (27) therein at the 30 degree outward angle. The plates (27) may be fastened onto the shank by matching gussets which are bolted together. The trailing sections of the plates (27) may be held in position by cleats (34) welded on the inside of each side plate (27) that are bolted on to spacing bars (35) cut to the length appropriate for the size of side plate/furrow width that is desired (FIGS. 6A-C).

[0167] An overflow plate (36) is optionally welded vertically to the top edge of the side plates (27). The overflow plate (36) may be wedge shaped and cut to match the top length of the side plates (27).

[0168] An optional hardened steel shin guard (37) may be screwed on to the leading edge of the shank (31), from the bottom to the top of the angled base of the shank (31).

[0169] Optional hardened steel wear plates (38) may be bolted on to the bottom edges of the side plates (27).

INTERPRETATION

EMBODIMENTS

[0170] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0171] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0172] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[0173] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives first, second, third, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

[0174] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

[0175] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as forward, rearward, radially, peripherally, upwardly, downwardly, and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including

[0176] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word comprise or variations such as comprises or comprising are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0177] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[0178] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[0179] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0180] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the both agricultural and horticultural irrigation industries and the dryland (rainfed) agricultural industry with furrowers where seasonal waterlogging occurs, or where the furrowers are replaced by defined traffic lanes and machinery is guided by GPS interfaced steering mechanisms.