Patent Application
20230180647
Cultivators are a commonly-used type of agricultural implement that are designed to weed, root, and aerate topsoil both before and after the crop planting process has taken place. Cultivators can accomplish these tasks by disturbing topsoil using a variety of different implements, including sweeps, discs, and shanks. Cultivators traditionally struggle with changing topographies, soil conditions, and obstacles (e.g., rocks) within fields, as these obstructions have a tendency to lift and rotate the cultivator relative to the vehicle pulling the cultivator (e.g., a tractor). Rotation of the cultivator can result in tillage at varying depths, which can reduce the cultivator’s effectiveness.
One exemplary embodiment relates to a machine. The machine includes a trailer frame, a mounting assembly, a plurality of wheels, and an implement assembly. The tongue extends away from the trailer frame and supports a coupling. The plurality of wheels are coupled to the trailer frame. The implement assembly is coupled to the trailer frame, and includes a plurality of independent implement mounting assemblies coupled to a mounting rail. The independent implement mounting assemblies each include an arm, an implement, and a spring. The arm is selectively coupled to the mounting rail. The implement is coupled to a first end of the arm. The spring is coupled to a second end of the arm opposite the first end. The spring is configured to oppose movement of the implement relative to the mounting rail.
Another exemplary embodiment relates to an implement mounting assembly for use on a machine. The implement mounting assembly includes a pair of mounting plates, an arm, an implement, and a leaf spring. The arm is received between the pair of mounting plates and is selectively coupled to the pair of mounting plates. The implement is coupled to a first end of the arm, opposite the pair of mounting plates. The leaf spring is coupled to a second end of the arm opposite the first end. The leaf spring is configured to oppose movement of the implement relative to the pair of mounting plates.
Another exemplary embodiment relates to an implement assembly. The implement assembly includes a mounting rail and several independent implement mounting assemblies coupled to the mounting rail. Each of the independent implement mounting assemblies include at least one mounting plate, an arm, at least one implement, and a leaf spring. The arm is selectively coupled to the mounting plate. The at least one implement is coupled to a first end of the arm, opposite the mounting plate. The leaf spring is coupled to a second end of the arm opposite the first end. The leaf spring is configured to oppose movement of the implement relative to the mounting plate.
The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried out in various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be recited herein.
The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:
Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Referring to the FIGURES generally, the various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods for mounting an agriculture implement to a machine (e.g., a cultivator or tiller). The mounting systems provide an independent spring system that provides more consistent and resilient implement positioning to better handle obstructions within fields. The biasing force of the independent spring systems returns the attached implements to the desired heights quickly upon overcoming obstacles or obstructions in a field that might otherwise cause the machine supporting the implement to raise or lower, which in turn can raise or lower the implements relative to the ground, causing inconsistent, ineffective, and/or potentially damaging engagement with the topsoil. The mounting systems also provide increased durability relative to conventional systems, while also providing connections that allow implements attached to the machine to be readily replaceable.
Referring now to
The trailer frame 102 supports one or more implements 112. The implements 112 can include a variety of different agricultural tools including disc assemblies 114, rolling baskets 116, and the like to agitate and cultivate topsoil while cutting and sizing weeds, roots, soil clods, and other items that might otherwise inhibit crop growth. As depicted in
With additional reference now to
The disc assembly 114 can be mounted to the brackets 122 using a third or bottom plate 140. The bottom plate 140 can extend through a channel 142 formed upon the mounting rail 120. The channel 142 is formed from plate steel, for example, and defines a pocket 144 that can receive the bottom plate 140. With the bottom plate 140 positioned within the pocket 144, the bolts 128 and nuts 130 can be tightened so that a clamping force is generated between the middle plate 136 and the bottom plate 140. The clamping force is applied to a top surface 146 of the channel 142, which then secures the channel 142 within the bracket 122. The quick-release pins 132 can provide further securement and can help limit rotational movement of the mounting rail 120 relative to the trailer frame 102. The use of fasteners 124 and quick-release pins 132 creates a removable coupling between the trailer frame 102 and the disc assembly 114 that can allow for complete removal of the disc assembly 114, which can be useful for a variety of reasons. For example, the removable coupling can allow the disc assembly 114 to be replaced with another implement 112 to perform a different task. The removable coupling also allows an operator to more easily access components of the disc assembly 114 for maintenance purposes.
With additional reference to
The mounting plates 152 define a series of holes 156, 158, 160 to receive and secure an implement (e.g., a disk, tiller, plow, aerator, etc.), shown as the disc 162, to the mounting rail 120. For example, and as depicted in
The leaf spring 164, shown in isolation in
The second end of the leaf spring 164 is secured to an arm 172 using a clevis 174. The clevis 174 is rigidly coupled to the arm 172 at a first end and cantilevers away from arm 172 at a second end. As depicted in
The arm 172 is also coupled to the mounting plates 152 to help position the leaf spring 164 relative to the mounting rail 120. As depicted in
The bolt and bushing assembly can also be secured into place using a separate tab 192 and fastener 194 (e.g., a bolt and nut) that extend through the hole 158 formed within the mounting plates 152. The tab 192 can be rigidly secured to the bolt 186, such that securing the tab 192 to the mounting plate 152 using the fastener 194 serves to secure the bolt and bushing assembly into position relative to the mounting plate 152 as well. Using the tab 192 and fastener 194, a removable coupling is created between the arm 172 and the mounting plates 152, and between the arm 172 and the independent implement mounting system 150, more generally. This removable coupling between the arm 172 and the mounting plates 152 can allow a user to readily exchange worn or damaged components, which improves the maintainability of the overall machine 100.
The multiple-point coupling formed by the leaf spring 164, the clevis 174, the mounting plates 152, and the bolt 186 and bushing 188 creates a structure that biases the arm 172 (and attached implement 162) downward, toward the ground below, yet allows the arm 172 to rotate upwardly (e.g., rearwardly) relative to and about an axis defined by the mounting rail 120 if the implement 162 encounters an obstacle. Despite this allowable range of motion, the spring force and generally rigid structure of the leaf spring 164 restricts the arm 172 from twisting motion that may otherwise occur in traditional systems. Further, the leaf spring 164 is designed such that a nearly uniform spring force is applied to the arm 172 regardless of its positioning and deflection. While traditional torsion cord assemblies are prone to snapping and failure, the structure of the leaf spring 164 of the independent implement mounting system 150 provides a near constant force as it deflects relative to the mounting rail 120, resulting in a far more robust mounting system.
The independent implement mounting systems 150 also provide each implement 162 with a separate connection, which creates a number of distinct advantages over traditional systems. First and foremost, the independent implement mounting system allows each implement 162 to move and rotate independently of one another about the mounting rail 120. As obstacles may only impact one single implement 162, providing independent mounting systems for each implement 162 prevents a small obstacle from interfering with the ground engagement of other implements 162 mounted to the mounting rail. Conventional cultivators include two or more implements mounted to a single support structure on a disc assembly, which could at times amplify that damage and/or displacement caused by encountering an obstacle. For example, a large rock or root could cause the entire cultivator to lift out of the ground, rotating and in extreme cases even overturning the entire machine. Similarly, the rotation could cause damage to the coupling between the trailer frame and the tractor. The independent nature of each implement mounting system 150 is such that only the implements 162 directly interacting or encountering the obstacle within the topsoil will be impacted, keeping the other implements 162 within the disc assembly 114 appropriately engaged with the ground. Damaging twisting motion is avoided to each of the trailer frame and the tractor.
The structure of the independent mounting systems 150 also provides additional advantages over conventional systems. For example, the independent and removable nature of each independent implement mounting system 150 is such that individual components can be readily replaced and maintained. For example, any combination of the arm 172, bolt 186 and bushing 188, and implement 162 can be readily replaced without performing a full overhaul of the machine 100. While traditional cultivators often include rigidly mounted implements that require full-scale replacement in the event of individual component failure, the independent mounting systems 150 allow replacement on an individualized level, reducing the cost of maintenance substantially.
The narrow frame of the independent mounting systems 150 also increases the number of implements 162 that can be mounted to a single disc assembly 114. The robust nature of the leaf spring 162 and the additional mounting features permits a large number of independent mounting systems 150 to be placed on a single mounting rail 120. Reduced spacing can provide increased productivity in tilling and cultivating. Additionally, the shape of the leaf spring 164 is such that the leaf spring 164 can help obstruct dirt and other debris passing rearward, toward the bolt 186 and bushing 188 and toward the clevis 174. Accordingly, less build up will occur over time, which can again reduce the frequency in which maintenance needs to be performed to keep the machine 100 operating at or near full capacity.
The independent mounting system 150 is configured to support a variety of different implements, including the disc 162. As depicted in
Although shown as a disc 162, a variety of different implements can be readily coupled to the arm 172 to create multiple uses for the machine 100. For example, the hub 202 can be decoupled from the arm 172 and replaced with another implement that is fastened or otherwise secured into position on a distal end of the arm 172. In some embodiments, a plow or tiller can be coupled to the arm 172 in place of the disc 162. In some examples, the tiller is a rotary tiller that can be coupled to the hub 202. Various other types of implements can be mounted to the arm 172 as well. Additionally or alternatively, multiple arms 172 can be configured to support a single implement that spans across multiple independent mounting systems 150. For example, rakes spanning multiple implement mounting assemblies 150 can be coupled to a plurality of the arms 172.
Using the foregoing independent implement mounting system 150, a more resilient and reliable machine 100 can be created. The independent mounting and structural rigidity of the leaf spring is such that obstacles encountered by the machine 100 are far less damaging and have a significantly lower impact on the effectiveness of the machine 100 than traditional systems. The machines 100 are much more easily maintained, and can be customized to perform specific jobs during different parts of the growing season.
Although this description may discuss a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is outlined. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.
As utilized herein, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.
It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent, etc.) or moveable (e.g., removable, releasable, etc.). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “between,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the agricultural implement as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the components described herein may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from scope of the present disclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims.
