APPARATUS FOR SEEDING

Abstract

A brush arrangement of an apparatus includes a brush connected to a brush support. The brush support can be or include at least one four-bar linkage, trails the outlets of the seed metering device. The brush sweeps fine loose material over seeds placed on the soil surface allowing rocks to be left in place in/on the soil while the deposited seeds are lightly covered with soil by the brush. The brush arrangement can be coupled with soil manipulation apparatus, e.g., including a tool/tine support, onto which one or more soil engaging tools mount(s). The soil engaging tool may include or be at least one knifepoint, sweep, disc, blade, or other tillage equipment to engage into the soil and loosen compacted or crusted soil ahead of depositing the seeds. Brush breakout can be accommodated by a breakout coupler and optional adjustable breakout force.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in seeding, the apparatus comprising: a soil manipulation apparatus; and a brush arrangement comprising at least one brush arranged to follow the soil manipulation apparatus, wherein, in use, the at least one brush sweeps soil particles over seed distributed onto a surface of soil or into a channel, recess, furrow or hole in the soil created by the soil manipulation apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a structure to mount to a vehicle or be self-powered or to attach to a vehicle as a trailer for towing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the brush arrangement comprises at least one brush height mechanism accommodating upward and downward motion of the at least one brush.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one brush height mechanism comprises at least one linkage arrangement.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one linkage arrangement comprises at least one four-bar linkage mechanism.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one four-bar linkage comprises laterally spaced four bar linkage mechanisms.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, claims, comprising at least one seed delivery outlet provided to deliver seeds ahead of a respective one of the at least one brush.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one seed delivery outlet receives seeds from a seed delivery device, a seed metering device or an air seeder.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the seed delivery device, seed metering device or air seeder is vehicle mounted or mounted on a support frame of the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the seeds are provided as loose seeds, or in seed carriers, pellets, pats, pucks or balls bearing the seeds.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the soil manipulation apparatus comprises at least one soil engaging tool on a tool support to loosen rocky, compacted or crusted soil to provide loose fines for sweeping by a respective one of the at least one brush.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one soil engaging tool comprises at least one of a grader blade, plough blade or disc, disc opener, ripper tooth, tiller blade, or a combination selected from at least two or more thereof

13. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, wherein the soil manipulation apparatus comprises a breakout with adjustable preload or lift mechanism to lift the at least one soil engaging tool and/or the tool support.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, comprising a breakout coupler that couples breakout motion of the at least one brush to the soil manipulation apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the breakout coupler enables the brush arrangement to lift or fall, matching motion of the at least one tool support and/or the soil engaging tool.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus comprises multiple breakout coupler attachment positions.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising rest position means for controlling a rest position of the brush mechanism and/or the at least one brush.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising at least one biasing means to control the rest position of the brush mechanism as well as controlling down force provided by the at least one brush to the soil.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the biasing means comprises at least one spring, at least one weight, at least one elastomer member, or a combination of any two or more thereof.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a position lock for locking the position of the brush mechanism to restrict a degree of freedom of movement of a respective one of the at least one brush.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a motion limiter for limiting or restricting range of motion of at least one four bar mechanism that controls height/position of the at least one brush.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a seed spreading device, a seed delivery device or seed diffuser to regulate distribution of the seeds across a width of the at least one brush.

23. A method of seeding comprising: travelling a vehicle over terrain; using a soil manipulation apparatus to loosen soil particles; depositing seeds onto a soil surface or into a channel, furrow, recess or hole in soil; and using at least one brush to sweep particulates of the soil over the seeds.

24. The method of claim 23, comprising providing a seed delivery outlet which delivers the seeds between a ground engaging tool of the soil manipulation apparatus and the at least one brush.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the seed is delivered via a seed delivery device and/or a seed metering device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the seed delivery device performs delivery of the seed and/or the seed metering device performs metering of the seed by air or gravity seeding onto the soil surface or into the channel, furrow, recess or hole in the soil.

27. The method of claim 23, comprising sweeping the soil particulates over the seed on the soil surface or in the channel, furrow, recess or hole to a seed depth of up to 25 mm from the swept soil surface over the channel, furrow, recess or hole.

28. The method of claim 23, comprising controlling a rest position of the at least one brush.

29. The method of claim 28, comprising using at least one biasing means to control the rest position of the at least one as well as controlling down force provided by the at least one brush to the soil.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one biasing means comprises at least one spring, at least one weight, at least one elastomer member, or a combination of any two or more thereof.

31. The method of claim 23, comprising locking the position of the at least one brush to restrict a degree of freedom of movement of a respective one of the at least one brush.

32. The method of claim 23, comprising limiting or restricting range of motion of at least one four bar mechanism that controls height/position of the at least one brush.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] One or more embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0076] FIG. 1 shows an example of a known seeding arrangement.

[0077] FIG. 2 shows examples of known seeding techniques.

[0078] FIG. 3 shows a chart of probability of emergence for Australian native seeds vs seed depth compared against varying concentrations of rock content.

[0079] FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a brush arrangement and brush height mechanism for mounting to a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] FIG. 4B shows a partial view of the apparatus in FIG. 4 with seed metering device outlet mounted immediately above and leading the brush according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] FIG. 4C shows a side view of an apparatus according to FIGS. 4A and 4B arranged and configured to mount to a ripper box mount of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of apparatus incorporating multiple arrangements according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0083] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5.

[0084] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a track deployed apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a vehicle with rear equipment mount and showing the option to replace ripper tines with an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] FIG. 9 shows the vehicle of FIG. 8 with the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention mounted to a ‘ripper box’ mount.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0087] It is to be appreciated that each of the embodiments is specifically described and that the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to any specific feature or element of any one of the embodiments. Neither is the present invention to be construed as being limited to any feature of a number of the embodiments or variations described in relation to the embodiments.

[0088] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic example of a seed broadcaster arrangement 1 utilising a blower fan 2 to blow seeds from a number of hoppers 3a, 3b, 3c by venturi effect via a venturi tube 4 to an outlet 5 to supply seeding hoses for final delivery to the ground. Seed delivery depth and spacing is poorly controlled due to the randomness of seed flow and lack of control of number of seeds and timing of seed delivery.

[0089] FIG. 2 provides, for background purposes, examples of seeding options, such as manual and machine delivered broadcasting and precision placement.

[0090] The chart (Tukey boxplot) of FIG. 3 shows predicted probability of emergence for Australian native seeds (Triodia pungens: T pungens) vs seed depth at each of 7 experimental depths. The horizontal black band in each box plot represents the median prediction of the probability of emergence for each treatment. The lower and upper hinges represent the first and third quartile, respectively, whilst whiskers represent 1.5 times the interquartile range and outliers are represented by circles. Treatments are represented as seeds/florets—soil type e.g. seeds (S), florets (F) sown in soil sieved to 2 mm, 25 mm or left unsieved.

[0091] At shallow burial depths of <15 mm, rock content of the soil did not significantly affect emergence. However, strong evidence exists for a trend towards a reduction in emergence with increasing rock content in the soil when burying seeds to greater than or equal to 15 mm. When buried >15 mm, the probability that seeds in soil sieved to 2 mm exhibit greater emergence than seeds in soil sieved to 25 mm, which also exhibit greater emergence than seeds in unsieved soil, is 0.87. This probability increases with increasing burial depth and the trend is not present when buried shallower than 15 mm. For 25 mm sieved and unsieved soils, burial to 30 mm or deeper yielded a predicted emergence of near zero (<0.006). In soil sieved to 2 mm, however, the predicted emergence was 0.026 and 0.016 when buried to 30 mm and 40 mm respectively, indicating that the presence of rocks truncated the maximum emergence depth (FIG. 3).

[0092] An example of employment of an embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described. However, the breadth and scope of the present invention is not to be limited by this particular example. Other embodiments are considered to fall within the breadth and scope of the invention as would be understood by the relevant person skilled in the art.

[0093] Commercial and industrial earth moving vehicles, such as bulldozers are a typical means for carrying air seeding equipment. Air seeding equipment uses a flow of air to deliver seeds from one or more hoppers to prepared ground across mine site areas to be rehabilitated or restored. Tracked vehicles are preferred for working on steep slopes common to mine site restoration.

[0094] Embodiments of the present invention include a vehicle mountable seeding apparatus 10 (such as mountable on a bulldozer) arranged and configured for aiding seed placement by managing seed burial depth while minimizing rock obstacles in the path of seed growth.

[0095] A brush arrangement 11 of the apparatus 10 includes a brush 12 connected to a brush support 14. The brush support can be or include at least one four-bar linkage, trails the outlets of the seed metering device. The brush sweeps fine loose material over seeds placed on the soil surface. This approach is in contrast to the traditional agricultural approach where seeds are sown into the soil profile by opening a furrow and placing seeds into a furrow which is then closed.

[0096] Embodiments of the present invention allows rocks to be left in place in/on the soil whilst the deposited seeds are lightly covered with soil by the brush. Preferably the brush does not move rocks and thereof does not cover the seeds with rocks that would otherwise reduce likelihood of germination and/or emergence. Seeds can be sown to depths <20 mm.

[0097] Apparatus 10 embodying the present invention includes a brush arrangement 11. The brush arrangement can be coupled with soil manipulation apparatus 13 (e.g. soil conditioning apparatus, soil manipulation apparatus or soil agitation apparatus), which may include a tool support 18 (which may be termed a tyne or tine), onto which one or more soil engaging tools 19 mount(s). The soil engaging tool 19 may include or be at least one knifepoint, sweep, disc, blade,or other tillage equipment to engage into the soil and loosen compacted or crusted soil ahead of depositing the seeds. It will be appreciated that herein the term ‘tine’ or ‘tyne’ can be used to refer to the tool support or the ground engaging tool, or both in combination. This soil manipulation, such as tilling, provides loose fines for sweeping before seed placement occurs.

[0098] It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be readily integrated into known restoration or agricultural practices.

[0099] A brush support 14 of the brush arrangement 11 can be controlled to compensate for pitch movements of the vehicle to which the apparatus is mounted. Thus, soil engaging tool depth into the soil and/or brush sweep height acting on the particles of soil can be controlled to aid optimal seed depth coverage.

[0100] The brush support can include at least one four bar linkage mechanism arrangement. FIG. 4A shows an embodiment with two parallel four bar linkage mechanisms 14a, 14b.

[0101] The brush 12 in the embodiment of FIG. 4A is supported by brackets 14c, 14d. A seed delivery tube 24 is provided between the four bar linkage mechanisms 14a, 14b. Height and direction of seeding can be controlled by the location and outlet direction of the delivery tube 24. It will be appreciated that the seed delivery tube is connected in use to a seed metering device or air seeder device to supply the seeds for sowing.

[0102] The brush height mechanism can mount to a vehicle or support on a vehicle via a mount device 16, such as by mounting brackets shown.

[0103] The brush height mechanism can be used in conjunction with other soil manipulation (agitation) apparatus 13, such as soil engaging tools. It will be appreciated that the brush height mechanism/ brush support can be mounted in conjunction with other tillage and soil manipulation (agitation) apparatus, such as a spring tine or disc opener mechanism.

[0104] For example, one or more soil engaging tools can be provided/supported on (e.g. attached to) a tool support, such as a tine 18. The tool support or each support, e.g. the tine(s) 18, can be configured to ‘break out’ of engagement with the soil when the respective soil engaging 19 tool hits a large rock. Such breakout can be damped/controlled by a tine breakout damper arrangement 26 providing a preload force.

[0105] In the event that the soil engaging tool 19, and therefore the tine 18, strikes a rock and overcomes the preload force, the soil engaging tool 19 and tine 18 breaks out of engagement with the soil and pivots upwards. The tine 18 can contact a breakout coupler 20 and cause the brush support 14 (and therefore the attached brush 12) to lift.

[0106] It will be appreciated that reference to a ‘tyne’ or ‘tine’ in this specification can be a tool support, such as an arm, for the soil engaging tool or the tool, or both. The tool support and the soil engaging tool can be separate components connected together or a one-piece (unitary) component.

[0107] For example, in the event that the soil engaging tool strikes a large rock, soil engagement and brush sweeping can be disengaged from contact with the soil to protect the soil manipulation apparatus and brush height mechanism.

[0108] Likewise, if the vehicle moving forwards with the brush and soil engaging tool mounted to the rear thereof pitches upward at the front, the brush and soil engaging tool will tend to be biased to engage deeper with the soil by the rear of the vehicle tending to bias downwards as the vehicle rotates about its centre of mass. The breakout arrangement and the brush support can operate to compensate for such adverse pitching.

[0109] Preload of the brush support 14 can be adjusted/controlled by selecting the resilience of resilient means, such as spring force and/or number of springs, connected across one or more linkage mechanisms 14a, 14b, such as four bar linkage mechanisms.

[0110] It will be appreciated that preload and height control can be provided by active control, such as one or more rams operated by pneumatic or hydraulic action.

[0111] The breakout couple 20 can be positioned at one of a selection of positions 28 (see FIG. 4C), such that breakout of the soil engaging tool from the soil acting via the support/tine on the brush support can be preset. For example, the breakout coupler 20 can include a member connected between the parallel four bar linkage mechanism arrangements 14a, 14b, and the position of that member can be moved to one of a selection of positions 28. Selection of the breakout coupler 20 position 28 can determine no breakout (upper position, partial breakout (mid position), or full breakout (lower position).

[0112] The brush arrangement 11 and soil manipulation apparatus 13 can be mounted to a vehicle via a vehicle mount 30, such as a box mount 46 (FIG. 8) e.g. multi-shank ripper box mount).

[0113] Breakout damping can be provided via one or more accumulators 32 connected to the tool support/tine breakout damper 26.

[0114] As shown by way of example in FIGS. 5 and 6, an apparatus 10.1 embodying the present invention can be provided multiple brush height mechanisms 11, e.g. brush height mechanisms 11 arranged transversely inline on a support member 34, such as connects to a box mount (multi ripper box mount) 46.

[0115] Multiple brush height mechanisms 11 can have a brush support 14 to accommodate breakout motion. Each of the brush supports 14 can include resilient damping for breakout damping, such as resilient means 22 e.g. springs. Linkage arrangements 14a, 14b accommodate breakout motion for each respective brush 12. One or more of the linkage arrangements can include a four-bar linkage accommodating up-down motion of the respective brush 12.

[0116] A breakout coupler 20 can be provided for one or more of the brush arrangements 11. The respective breakout coupler 20 can be acted on by a tine 18 of a soil manipulation (agitation) apparatus, such as a soil engaging tool.

[0117] Position of the breakout coupler can be adjusted, such as by selecting a position 28 on the respective brush arrangement 11 (e.g. spanning between adjacent linkage arrangements 14a, 14b of a particular brush support 14). It will be appreciated that each brush height mechanism can operate independently whilst providing part of a whole seed sowing arrangement.

[0118] Breakout damping for the soil manipulation apparatus can be provided for one or more soil engaging tool, such as by a respective damper acting to dampen upward motion of a respective soil engaging tool/tyne 18 should the soil engaging tool impact a rock or meet sufficient resistance to cause the tool support/tyne to lift.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 7, embodiments of the apparatus 10 can include one or more brush height mechanisms 11 and one or more soil manipulation apparatus 13. As shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus 10.2 can be vehicle mounted, and may be provided on a support frame 38. The vehicle may be a trailer 39 or may be self-moving/powered. The vehicle can have multiple ground engaging means, such as wheels or tracks 40A, 40B. One or more brush height mechanisms and one or more soil manipulation apparatus can be provided as a combined apparatus for soil manipulation apparatus and seed positioning.

[0120] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the vehicle may be provided as an earth moving vehicle 42, such as a dozer. The apparatus can be mounted in place of other ground conditioning devices, such as removal of ripping tines and mounting of the apparatus to the ripper box 46.

[0121] The apparatus preferably travels behind the vehicle, such as a dozer 42, and can be lowered, such as by a powered mount 48 connected to the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle may provide height control for the apparatus, such that the brush(es) 12 sweep particulate at a preferred height/depth.

[0122] 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” is 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.