U.S. patent application number 12/570711 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-21 for reducing build up of crop residue on shanks.
Invention is credited to Peter DILLON.
Application Number | 20100263579 12/570711 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42229370 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100263579 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DILLON; Peter |
October 21, 2010 |
REDUCING BUILD UP OF CROP RESIDUE ON SHANKS
Abstract
A residue clearing apparatus for a shank of an agricultural
implement includes a spoked wheel adapted for attachment to the
implement such that the spoked wheel rotates about a wheel axis
oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to an operating
travel direction of the implement and forward of the shank. The
spoked wheel is oriented such that ends of spokes of the spoked
wheel are above the ground forward of the shank, and such that the
ends of the spokes of the spoked wheel are located adjacent to a
front face of the shank. A drive is operative to rotate the spoked
wheel.
Inventors: |
DILLON; Peter; (Virden,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Husch Blackwell Sanders, LLP;Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP Welsh & Katz
120 S RIVERSIDE PLAZA, 22ND FLOOR
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
42229370 |
Appl. No.: |
12/570711 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
111/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B 19/10 20130101;
A01C 7/006 20130101; Y02P 60/20 20151101; A01C 5/062 20130101; Y02P
60/23 20151101 |
Class at
Publication: |
111/139 |
International
Class: |
A01B 35/28 20060101
A01B035/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 15, 2009 |
CA |
2673265 |
Claims
1. A residue clearing apparatus for a shank of an agricultural
implement, the apparatus comprising: a spoked wheel adapted for
attachment to the implement such that the spoked wheel rotates
about a wheel axis oriented substantially horizontal and
perpendicular to an operating travel direction of the implement and
forward of the shank; wherein the spoked wheel is oriented such
that ends of spokes of the spoked wheel are above the ground
forward of the shank, and such that the ends of the spokes of the
spoked wheel are located adjacent to a front face of the shank; and
a drive operative to rotate the spoked wheel.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spokes are resiliently
mounted to the spoked wheel such that the spokes can flex with
respect to the spoked wheel.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drive is operative to
rotate the spoked wheel in a forward direction such that the ends
of the spokes move downward adjacent to the front face of the shank
and such that residue dragging on the shank and contacted by the
spokes is moved downward and forward off the shank.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shank is mounted to the
implement by a bracket extending laterally from an upper portion of
the shank, and wherein the drive is operative to rotate the spoked
wheel in a rearward direction such that the ends of the spokes move
upward adjacent to the front face of the shank and such that
residue dragging on the shank and contacted by the spokes is moved
upward and rearward over a top end of the shank.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drive comprises one of a
ground drive and a hydraulic motor drive.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spoked wheel comprises a
plurality of spring teeth extending from a central wheel
portion.
7. An agricultural implement apparatus comprising: an implement
frame mounted for movement along the ground in an operating travel
direction; a shank extending downward from the implement frame, and
a ground engaging tool mounted on a bottom end of the shank; a
spoked wheel rotatably attached to the implement frame such that
the spoked wheel rotates about a wheel axis oriented substantially
horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction of
the implement frame and forward of the shank; wherein the spoked
wheel is oriented such that ends of spokes of the spoked wheel are
above the ground forward of the shank, and such that the ends of
the spokes of the spoked wheel are located adjacent to a front face
of the shank; and a drive operative to rotate the spoked wheel.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the spokes are resiliently
mounted to the spoked wheel such that the spokes can flex with
respect to the spoked wheel.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 comprising a drive shaft mounted to the
implement frame and rotatable about a shaft axis oriented
substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the operating
travel direction, the drive shaft connected to drive the spoked
wheel, and wherein the drive is operative to rotate the drive
shaft.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the shaft axis coincides with
the wheel axis and the spoked wheel is fixed to the drive
shaft.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 comprising: a trailing arm connected
at a front end thereof to the drive shaft by at least one bearing
such that the trailing arm can pivot up and down with respect to
the drive shaft; a packer wheel rotatably mounted to the trailing
arm at a rear portion thereof; and a bias element connected to the
implement frame and operative to exert a downward bias force on the
trailing arm; wherein the shank extends downward from the trailing
arm forward of the packer wheel.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the wherein the shank is
mounted to the trailing arm by a bracket extending laterally from
an upper portion of the shank to the trailing arm, and wherein the
drive is operative to rotate the spoked wheel in a rearward
direction such that the ends of the spokes move upward adjacent to
the front face of the shank and such that residue dragging on the
shank and contacted by the spokes is moved upward and rearward over
a top end of the shank.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the shank is oriented to
slope rearward and upward from the ground engaging tool.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the drive is operative to
rotate the spoked wheel in a forward direction such that the ends
of the spokes move downward adjacent to the front face of the shank
and such that residue dragging on the shank and contacted by the
spokes is moved downward and forward off the shank.
15. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the shank is mounted to the
implement frame by a bracket extending laterally from an upper
portion of the shank, and wherein the drive is operative to rotate
the spoked wheel in a rearward direction such that the ends of the
spokes move upward adjacent to the front face of the shank and such
that residue dragging on the shank and contacted by the spokes is
moved upward and rearward over a top end of the shank.
16. The apparatus of claim 7 herein the drive is operative to
rotate the spoked wheel in a forward direction such that the ends
of the spokes move downward adjacent to the front face of the shank
and such that residue dragging on the shank and contacted by the
spokes is moved downward and forward off the shank.
17. A method of reducing buildup of crop residue on a shank of an
agricultural implement comprising an implement frame mounted for
movement along the ground in an operating travel direction, a shank
extending downward from the implement frame, and a ground engaging
tool mounted on a bottom end of the shank, the method comprising
rotatably attaching a spoked wheel to the implement frame such that
the spoked wheel rotates about a wheel axis oriented substantially
horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction of
the implement frame and forward of the shank; rotating the spoked
wheel such that ends of spokes of the spoked wheel pass above the
ground forward of the shank, and such that the ends of the spokes
of the spoked wheel pass along and adjacent to a front face of the
shank.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the spokes are resiliently
mounted to the spoked wheel such that the spokes can flex with
respect to the spoked wheel.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the spoked wheel is rotated in a
forward direction such that the ends of the spokes move downward
adjacent to the front face of the shank and such that residue
dragging on the shank and contacted by the spokes is moved downward
and forward off the shank.
20. The method of claim 17 comprising mounting the shank to the
implement frame by a bracket extending laterally from an upper
portion of the shank, and rotating the spoked wheel in a rearward
direction such that the ends of the spokes move upward adjacent to
the front face of the shank and such that residue dragging on the
shank and contacted by the spokes is moved upward and rearward over
a top end of the shank.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the shank is oriented to
slope rearward and upward from the ground engaging tool.
Description
[0001] This invention is in the field of agricultural implements
and in particular a trash clearing apparatus and method for
agricultural implements, such as seeders.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Excessive crop residue or trash left on a field after a crop
is harvested can hamper field operations. Often it is required to
turn the residue under the soil with a disc or plow in order to
conduct field operations. It is also common to harrow the field to
spread the crop residue evenly to facilitate field operations. It
has also been known to burn the residue off the field or chop the
residue with a rotary mower. Such discing, harrowing, and chopping
is costly, and burning is harmful to the environment, and also
wasteful of plant nutrients present in the crop residue.
[0003] Recently as well, minimum or zero tillage farming practices
have become popular to preserve moisture and reduce erosion. In
such practices no tillage is done to turn crop residues under the
soil, and residue management has become increasingly important in
agriculture.
[0004] Seeding implements generally include a ground engaging
furrow opener mounted on the bottom end of a shank extending down
from a seeding implement frame. Where the furrow opener is a knife
or hoe type opener, the furrow opener is pulled through the soil to
create a furrow, and crop residue flows around the shank. Longer
crop residue pieces such as straws and vines are problematic as
they often will hang on the shank with a portion dragging along on
each side of the shank. These dragging pieces tend to pick up more
pieces such that a sizable clump of residue can grow on the shank,
increasing draft and interfering with penetration of the furrow
opener into the ground. Often the seeder must be raised to clear
the residue, and sometimes the clumps must be manually removed.
[0005] In addition to seeding, other ground engaging tools such as
cultivator shovels are used in cultivation of agricultural fields,
and are subject as well to residue build up on shanks mounting the
tools to the implement frame.
[0006] Where the furrow opener is a rotating disc, the residue does
not build up on the shank because the disc rolls over heavy
residue, interfering with disc penetration and seed placement.
[0007] For these reasons various trash clearing mechanisms have
been developed to clear residue off a path along the ground ahead
of the furrow opener, for example such as that disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,640,914 to Rawson and 5,477,792 to Bassett et al. Such
mechanisms provide one or more spoked wheels or discs running at an
angle ahead of the furrow opener and kicking the residue to the
side. U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,671 to Siemens et al. discloses a
fingered wheel located adjacent to the furrow opener that pins crop
residue to the ground surface and prevents the residue from lodging
on the shank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide shank
residue clearing for agricultural implements that overcomes
problems in the prior art.
[0009] In a first embodiment the present invention provides a
residue clearing apparatus for a shank of an agricultural
implement. The apparatus comprises a spoked wheel adapted for
attachment to the implement such that the spoked wheel rotates
about a wheel axis oriented substantially horizontal and
perpendicular to an operating travel direction of the implement and
forward of the shank. The spoked wheel is oriented such that ends
of spokes of the spoked wheel are above the ground forward of the
shank, and such that the ends of the spokes of the spoked wheel are
located adjacent to a front face of the shank. A drive is operative
to rotate the spoked wheel.
[0010] In a second embodiment the present invention provides an
agricultural implement apparatus comprising an implement frame
mounted for movement along the ground in an operating travel
direction, a shank extending downward from the implement frame, and
a ground engaging tool mounted on a bottom end of the shank. A
spoked wheel is rotatably attached to the implement frame such that
the spoked wheel rotates about a wheel axis oriented substantially
horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction of
the implement frame and forward of the shank. The spoked wheel is
oriented such that ends of spokes of the spoked wheel are above the
ground forward of the shank, and such that the ends of the spokes
of the spoked wheel are located adjacent to a front face of the
shank. A drive is operative to rotate the spoked wheel.
[0011] In a third embodiment the present invention provides a
method of reducing buildup of crop residue on a shank of an
agricultural implement comprising an implement frame mounted for
movement along the ground in an operating travel direction, a shank
extending downward from the implement frame, and a ground engaging
tool mounted on a bottom end of the shank. The method comprises
rotatably attaching a spoked wheel to the implement frame such that
the spoked wheel rotates about a wheel axis oriented substantially
horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction of
the implement frame and forward of the shank, and rotating the
spoked wheel such that ends of spokes of the spoked wheel pass
above the ground forward of the shank, and such that the ends of
the spokes of the spoked wheel pass along and adjacent to a front
face of the shank.
[0012] The invention provides an effective mechanism for preventing
buildup of residue on a shank by providing spokes that move along
the face of the shank to contact residue and move it upward off the
shank before problematic clumps can form on the shank. It is
contemplated that the spokes could also rotate so they move
downward with respect to the shanks, moving the residue forward off
the shank.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions
hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying
detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction
with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the
several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of a
residue clearing apparatus of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic front perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of a residue clearing apparatus of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of FIG.
3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate an embodiment of an
agricultural implement apparatus 1 of the present invention. The
apparatus comprises an implement frame 3 mounted for movement along
the ground in an operating travel direction T. A shank 5 extends
downward from the implement frame 3, and a ground engaging tool 7
is mounted on a bottom end of the shank 5.
[0019] A spoked wheel 9 is rotatably attached to the implement
frame 3 such that the spoked wheel 9 rotates about a wheel axis WA
oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the
operating travel direction T and forward of the shank 5. The spoked
wheel 9 comprises a plurality of spokes 11 extending from a central
wheel portion 13. In order to reduce breakage and stress on the
spoked wheel 9, the spokes 11 are resiliently mounted to the
central wheel portion 13 such that the spokes 11 can flex with
respect to the central wheel portion 13. Spring teeth, such as are
used on agricultural equipment for picking hay and like off the
ground, provide a convenient and economical resiliently mounted
spoke.
[0020] The spoked wheel 9 is oriented such that the ends of the
spokes 11 are above the ground 15 forward of the shank 5, and such
that the ends of the spokes 11 are located adjacent to the front
face 5F of the shank 5. A drive 17 is operative to rotate the
spoked wheel 9.
[0021] In the illustrated apparatus 1, the shank 5 is mounted to
the implement frame 3 by a bracket 19 extending laterally from an
upper portion of the shank 5. The drive 17 is operative to rotate
the spoked wheel 9 in a rearward direction R such that the ends of
the spokes 11 move upward adjacent to the front face 5F of the
shank 5. Because the shank is mounted offset by the bracket 19, the
top of the shank 5 is open such that residue dragging on the shank
5 and contacted by the spokes 11 is moved upward and rearward over
a top end of the shank 5. The shank 5 is also oriented as
illustrated to slope rearward and upward from the ground engaging
tool 7, so that the residue flows more readily up the front face 5F
of the shank 5.
[0022] It is also contemplated that the drive 17 could be operative
to rotate the spoked wheel 9 in an opposite forward direction F
such that the ends of the spokes 11 move downward adjacent to the
front face 5F of the shank 5 such that residue dragging on the
shank 5 and contacted by the spokes 11 is moved downward and
forward off the shank 5. With the spoked wheel rotating in the
forward direction F, the shank 5 can be a conventional shank
instead of the illustrated offset shank 5, since the residue is
moved forward off the shank and does not need to pass over the top
end of the shank, which conventionally is attached to the implement
frame so that the residue cannot pass freely over the top end
thereof.
[0023] It is contemplated that with such a forward rotation
increased power will be required to drive the spoked wheel since
the spokes will be moving against the flow of the residue as
opposed to the case where the spoked wheel rotates rearward and the
spokes move with the flow of the residue. The spoked wheel may also
need to rotate at increased speed.
[0024] The schematically illustrated apparatus 1 is of the type
where the implement frame 3 moves down to engage the tool 7 in the
ground 15, or up to raise the tool out of the ground. The spoked
wheel 9 and shank 5 are fixed to the implement frame 3 and are thus
maintained in the same orientation as the implement frame 3 moves
up and down. The spoked wheel 9 will be located so that when the
ground engaging tool is in the deepest contemplated position, the
ends of the spokes will be one to two inches above the ground 15.
As seen in FIG. 2, the spoked wheel will be located so the ends of
the spokes 11 will typically be closest to the front face 5F of the
shank 5 at the upper portion of the shank.
[0025] In another popular type of seeding implement, the frame
remains at a fixed height above the ground, and the shanks are
moved up and down individually, typically by individual hydraulic
cylinders on each shank assembly. FIGS. 3-4 schematically
illustrate an agricultural implement apparatus 101 of the present
invention where the shank 105 is mounted on a trailing arm 125 with
a packer wheel 127 rotatably mounted to the rear end thereof in
alignment with the shank 105.
[0026] A drive shaft 129 is mounted to the implement frame 103 and
is rotatable about a shaft axis SA oriented substantially
horizontally and perpendicular to the operating travel direction T.
The spoked wheel 109 comprises a central wheel portion 113 fixed to
the drive shaft 129, and spring teeth providing the spokes 111. The
drive 117 is illustrated as a ground drive comprising a chain 131
driven by a ground wheel 133 of the implement and connected to a
sprocket 135 on the end of the drive shaft 129 such that the ground
wheel 133 rotates the drive shaft 129 and the spoked wheel 109.
Thus while it is contemplated that other arrangements would work as
well, in the illustrated apparatus 101 the shaft axis SA coincides
with the wheel axis WA.
[0027] The trailing arm 125 comprises a pair of arm segments 137
connected at front ends thereof to the drive shaft 129 by bearings
139 such that the trailing arm 125 can pivot up and down with
respect to the drive shaft 129. The drive shaft 129 is designed to
have sufficient strength to support the front ends of the trailing
arm segments 137.
[0028] The shank 105 is mounted to the trailing arm 125 by a
bracket 141 extending laterally from an upper portion of the shank
105 to the trailing arm 125. In the illustrated embodiment the
bracket 141 extends laterally between the arm segments 137 and the
shank 105 extends downward from the bracket 141 forward of the
packer wheel 127 mounted on the rear end of the trailing arm
125.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a bias element, provided by
hydraulic cylinder 143, is connected to the implement frame 103 and
is operative to exert a downward bias force on the trailing arm 125
when the implement is working to force the furrow opener 107 at the
bottom of the shank 105 into the ground, and allow the trailing arm
125 to move up and down to follow the terrain of a field. The
hydraulic cylinder 143 also serves to raise the trailing arm 125 to
a transport position where the furrow opener 107 and packer wheel
127 are above the ground. The upper lateral frame member 145 to
which the hydraulic cylinder 143 is mounted is removed in FIG. 3 to
allow clearer illustration of the spoked wheel 109 and attachment
of the trailing arm 125 to the drive shaft 129.
[0030] In the illustrated apparatus 101 the drive 117 is operative
to rotate the spoked wheel 109 in a rearward direction such that
the ends of the spokes 111 move upward adjacent to the front face
105F of the shank 105 and such that residue dragging on the shank
105 and contacted by the spokes 111 is moved upward and rearward
over a top end of the shank 105 between the arm segments 137. As in
the apparatus 1 described above, the shank 105 is oriented to slope
rearward and upward from the furrow opener 107 to facilitate
passage of residue up and over the shank.
[0031] It is contemplated that it could be possible to configure
the spoked wheel 109 such that the tips of the spokes 111 engage
the ground such that movement over the ground will cause the wheel
109 to rotate, but this arrangement would limit the rotational
speed of the wheel, and could cause other unforeseen
complications.
[0032] The above describes and illustrates only a single shank,
however it is contemplated that rows of shanks will be provided in
the manner as is well known in the art. The invention thus provides
an effective mechanism for preventing buildup of residue on a shank
by providing spokes that move along the face of the shank to
contact residue and move it upward or forward off the shank before
problematic clumps can form on the shank.
[0033] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous changes and
modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable
changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be
resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed
invention.
* * * * *