U.S. patent application number 16/009202 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-11 for agricultural implement with treader-reel finishing attachment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mark Hennes. Invention is credited to Mark Hennes.
Application Number | 20180288931 16/009202 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56923367 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180288931 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hennes; Mark |
October 11, 2018 |
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WITH TREADER-REEL FINISHING ATTACHMENT
Abstract
An agricultural tillage implement has a main frame with a
plurality of ground support wheels, and a finishing attachment
arranged behind a group of primary seedbed preparation tools. The
finishing attachment includes a reel assembly having an over-frame
tube to which reel standards are attached, and reel arms that
connect the over-frame tube to the implement frame. The reel arms
are attached to the over-frame tube by a flex pivoting connection
that allows at least one degree of freedom movement when the reel
encounters an obstruction. The reel assembly includes a rolling
reel basket having slats made from half-round material. The slats
are oriented with leading edges that provide clod breakage and
residue pinning action during their descent, and rounded surfaces
for firming soil at their lowest quadrant position. A push
configuration treader assembly with multiple operation modes can be
mounted compactly close to and ahead of the reel assembly.
Inventors: |
Hennes; Mark; (Salina,
KS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hennes; Mark |
Salina |
KS |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56923367 |
Appl. No.: |
16/009202 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15072650 |
Mar 17, 2016 |
10021821 |
|
|
16009202 |
|
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|
62134535 |
Mar 17, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B 49/027 20130101;
A01B 61/046 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01B 49/02 20060101
A01B049/02; A01B 61/04 20060101 A01B061/04 |
Claims
1. An agricultural tillage implement, comprising: a main frame with
a plurality of ground support wheels, a group of primary seedbed
preparation tools supported by the main frame, and a finishing
attachment arranged behind the seedbed preparation tools, said
finishing attachment comprising: a rolling reel assembly connected
to the main frame by reel arms, said rolling reel assembly having
an over-frame tube connected to said reel arms, reel standards
attached to said over-frame tube, and a rolling reel basket
supported by said reel standards; and said rolling reel arms having
a flex pivoting connection arrangement with said over-frame tube to
allow at least one degree of freedom movement when the rolling reel
basket encounters a one-sided obstruction, said flex pivoting
connection arrangement comprising a connection axis having a
vertical component and aligned along a pin or bolted
connection.
2. The implement according to claim 1, wherein a clamp plate
assembly is attached to the over-frame tube, and a flex pivot tube
and connecting axis is affixed to said clamp plate assembly, and
wherein said flex pivot connection and said reel arms are arranged
to provide a full surround enclosure around the over-frame
tube.
3. The implement according to claim 2, wherein a rubber spacer
plate is mounted inside the clamp plate assembly to allow a
secondary degree of freedom flex movement needed for greater
flexibility and improved contour following during obstruction
encounters.
4. An agricultural tillage implement, comprising: a main frame with
a plurality of ground support wheels, a group of primary seedbed
preparation tools supported by the main frame, and a finishing
attachment arranged behind the seedbed preparation tools, said
finishing attachment comprising: a rolling reel assembly connected
to the main frame by reel arms, said rolling reel assembly having
an over-frame tube connected to said reel arms, and a rolling reel
basket supported by said over-frame tube; and wherein said rolling
reel basket has slats made from lengths of material having a
rounded side, a flat side, and an edge between said rounded and
flat sides, and said slats are oriented so that said edge is a
leading edge relative to a direction of rotation during operation
to provide clod breakage and residue pinning action during a
descent of said edge, and so that said rounded side provides a soil
firming action at its lowest quadrant position.
5. The implement according to claim 4, wherein said lengths of
material have a shape of a truncated cylinder cut along a plane
parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.
6. The implement according to claim 4, wherein an angle measured
between a radial axis of the reel basket and the flat side of the
material is 35 to 50 degrees.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/072,650 filed on Mar. 17, 2016, which
claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/134,535
filed on Mar. 17, 2015. The contents of these prior applications
are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to tillage
equipment, primarily used for soil cultivation, residue management
and seedbed preparation.
Description of Related Art
[0003] In the past 15 years a new class of tillage tools has
evolved that has been classified and marketed as "vertical tillage
tools." Although many different forms of "vertical tillage" tools
are in use and are being developed, the most common and most widely
used are the tillage tools with two primary gangs of rotatable soil
engagement tools that follow each other along a same line of
travel, with some form of trailing attachment to provide secondary
tillage, field leveling, chemical incorporation, clod sizing and
seedbed firming.
[0004] Most of these "vertical tillage" tools use gangs of straight
coulters or shallow concavity disc blades spaced 7-10'' apart
running at gang angles generally below 5 degrees, to perform
residue management and to create no-till and min-till seedbeds. The
unworked soil left between the primary gang blades is usually
tilled by a treader or rolling harrow attachment running behind the
two primary gangs. This attachment works best if it selectively
targets the unworked soil strips between the blades by its lateral
spacing and positioning of the attachment relative to the primary
gangs. This prevents overworking areas that the primary gangs have
already tilled and generates a more uniform tillage pattern and
more consistent working depth across the machine. Treader
attachments that selectively target the un-tilled soil is found in
the prior art. The prior art treader gangs are pull-type trailing,
spring or hydraulic down pressure induced, with high pivot points
and steep standard angles to minimize front to rear implement
distance and reduce negative tongue weight. Trailing, spring-biased
treader or rolling harrow gangs are susceptible to damage when
operated in a reverse direction of travel. Because these tools run
in wet and adverse conditions, gang lodging and mud buildup in
gangs around mud scrapers is common. The easiest clean out process
for a lodged gang is to reverse the machine travel direction and
slowly lower the machine to the ground to reverse the gang rotation
direction in order to dislodge the mud and residue buildup from the
gangs. This may cause component damage or breakage to the trailing
treader/rolling harrow gangs or components from gangs wanting to
buckle under.
[0005] Most related art "vertical tillage" tools have a rolling
finishing reel attachment mounted independently behind the
treader/rolling harrow attachment to smooth and firm the seedbed
surface. The finish reel normally has spring-biased down pressure
with some manufacturers having a float setting for wet conditions.
Some related art reel attachments have adjustable down pressure
also. Most manufacturers offer finishing reel designs with flat-bar
or round-rod slats. The flat-bar slats are marketed as having
better clod breakage action and better residue pinning action over
the round-bar slat. The round-bar slat is marketed as having better
firming action over flat bar slats. Manufacturers offer both types,
but owners have to choose one over the other at the time of
purchase.
[0006] Some manufacturers are starting to offer a heavier "soil
conditioning" reel attachment in the 14''+diameter range instead of
the more common 11-13'' diameter "finishing reel" attachment. These
"conditioning reels" break dry clods better and make leveler,
firmer seedbeds. The extra weight and down pressure of the heavier
reels induce greater bolt connection loads when tripping over
one-sided obstructions. Manufacturers have had to increase bolt
strength and bolt numbers at the reel over-frame tube connection to
prevent bolt failures. This solution does not address the
overloading of the reel bearings due to the lack of reel gang
flexibility.
[0007] There is a need in the industry for a better, more compact,
more versatile treader-reel attachment configuration that does not
incur damage from repeated reverse travel directions and provides
additional benefits and tillage options not previously
available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A vertical tillage tool as described above is used to do
light min-till tillage, no-till residue management and seedbed
preparation. The tool is used in all seasons in a wide variety of
field and residue conditions.
[0009] A common rear attachment found on seedbed preparation
tillage tools is the finishing reel, whose purpose is to break up
and resize clods, tuck and anchor residue, and firm and level the
seedbed surface. Due to the wide variety of field conditions and
soil types, it has become common in the industry to provide either
a "flat bar" or a "round rod" slatted reel option, at the time of
purchase, where you are allowed to only choose one type. The flat
bar reel slat is typically made of 1/4''.times.11/4'' flat bar
material, bent into a helical shape and welded into the reel
support plates. This "flat bar" slat configuration provides good
clod breakage with adequate residue pinning and some soil firming.
Alternatively, a "round rod" slat, typically 3/4'' or 7/8''
diameter, reel may be chosen which provides lesser clod breakage
action, very minimal residue pinning but better ground firming
action than flat bar slats due to the larger soil contact area. A
feature of the present invention provides a new reel design that is
made from "half-round" stock material that provides better clod
breakage and residue tucking action than the flat bar slat and
better soil firming action than the round bar slat reel all in one
design. The "half-round" slats are positioned in the reel support
plates in a manner to allow the sharp edge of the slat material to
engage residue and clods on its leading edge decent motion, thus
providing a cutting/pinning action to the clods and residue. As the
slat rotation is progressed to the lowest possible position, the
rounded part of the "half-round" material is then in full contact
with the soil when the weight/down pressure of the reel assembly is
at its greatest, thus providing an equivalent soil firming action
as a round rod slat.
[0010] Finishing reel/soil conditioning attachments that provide
higher levels of down pressure action have experienced increased
bolt stresses and bolt failure rates in the bolted connection
between the reel arm and the reel over frame tube. This is
primarily due to the binding action placed on the connection bolts
when the reel encounters a one-sided field obstruction or mounded
soil structure that lifts one side up while the down pressure
spring on the other side prevents its side from also moving up. The
common solution has been to increase the size, number and strength
of the connection bolts to prevent breakage. This may cause reel
arm pivot pin binding and excessive bearing and component loads
when a one-sided obstruction occurs. A flexible connection between
the reel arm and the reel over frame tube is needed to allow the
reel to freely flex over obstacles without creating excessive
loading of components. A feature of the present invention provides
a reel arm to over frame connection design that occupies a very
narrow amount of over frame tube yet allows two degrees of flex
freedom when encountering one-sided obstacles. The narrow design is
beneficial when used in conjunction with another invention feature,
where treader mounting brackets are attached to the same over frame
tube. The third degree of freedom movement is held rigid, namely,
twist along the axis of the over frame tube, to prevent the reel
from pivoting forward or backward which is in the same direction as
its normal field loading to provide stable operation.
[0011] In a no-till, "true vertical" minimal soil disturbance
farming operation, the primary tillage tools are arranged to
provide the absolute minimal amount of lateral soil disturbance in
order to maintain the present soil integrity and soil structure.
With gang angles set to very low values, full soil cutout is not
possible and un-touched residue and soil is left in-between the
tillage paths of the primary tillage tools. It is common in the
industry, with this type of tillage operation, to use a rear
attachment for the purpose of tilling the soil and residue left
between the primary tillage blade paths. Selective targeting of the
un-tilled soil bands by lateral spacing and placement of treader
soil engagement teeth, provides a fairly consistent tillage
operation across the full width of the tillage tool without over
working the areas where the primary tools have already ran. A
trailing, spring biased, rolling treader gang set at a slight angle
perpendicular to the line of travel, has been used successfully in
the industry to achieve this tillage objective. As mentioned
before, some not-so-obvious problems are inherent in the prior art
trailing treader configuration. The steep angle of the trailing
treader standards, with their high pivot points make them very
susceptible to damage if the implement is backed up with the
tillage tools on the ground.
[0012] To avoid the backup damage problems associated with
trailing-type treader gangs, and to provide greater treader/reel
combination versatility, a push configuration treader is featured
in the present invention that has benefits and features over a
trailing configuration. No treader damage will occur when backing
up with tillage tools lowered to the ground. The treader and reel
arrangement is more compact front to back due to treader gang trip
being near vertical. The treader generates its own dynamic, draft
induced down pressure because of its push configuration. Active
spring load requirement is lower than a trailing configuration due
to self-induced down pressure, resulting in quick trip intervals
and better rock protection. A treader float mode is feasible with a
push configuration due to the draft-induced down pressure. This
float mode can significantly reduce treader damage and tooth
breakage in rocky conditions and can prevent treader mud buildup in
wet conditions. A pin-up mode allows the treader to run completely
off the ground when field conditions are very wet or to gain extra
firming action to the reel, such as in seedbed preparation.
[0013] A unique skim mode allows residue tucking, clod sizing and
field leveling with minimal bearing loading while adding some of
its weight to the finishing reel. Finishing reel can then be
operated in float mode with the extra weight of the treader in skim
or pin up mode. Treader pivot points use ball joint connections to
prevent pin binding during one-sided trip conditions. Quick
disconnect arms allow treader gangs to be removed fast and easily
to lighten the implement for spring time dry-out operations.
Another benefit is that an "after-the-sale" treader purchase can be
added to the implement with minimal changes to the existing reel
setup. Conventional/min-till farmers will want the reel only setup
but not likely need a treader attachment. If the machine is later
sold to a no-till farmer, the treader gang can be easily added to
the existing reel setup with minimal changes.
[0014] Numerous other objects of the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in this art from the following
description wherein there is shown and described exemplary
embodiments of the present invention. As will be realized, the
invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its
several details are capable of modification in various obvious
aspects without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the
drawings and description should be regarded as illustrative in
nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a shallow working
tillage tool with a reel-only finishing reel attachment operating
in a min-till configuration.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a shallow working
tillage tool with a treader and finishing reel attachment operating
in a no-till configuration.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a partial orthographic side view of the reel-only
finishing attachment with half-round slat basket assembly,
featuring a flexible bolt connection between the reel arm and reel
over frame tube.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a partial section side view of the of the reel
basket weldment assembly with half round slats 77S contacting the
surface clod 18C and slat 77S contacting the ground at lowest
quadrant position 77Q.
[0019] FIG. 5 is partial perspective front view of the reel-only
finishing attachment encountering a one-sided field obstruction
showing reel assembly flex connection trip arrangement.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective top rear view of the treader
and finish reel attachment with narrow over frame tube flex
connections and lateral adjustable treader mounting brackets 81S
and 81L attached to reel over frame tube 76.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the treader and finish reel
attachment showing treader gang positioning relative to finish
reel, with treader gang in active spring mode.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of the treader and
finishing reel attachment with flexible reel over frame tube bolt
connections.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a partial orthographic side view of the four
different treader operation modes with the various operating mode
pin settings shown.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of an enhanced flex
connection between the reel arm 71 and the reel over frame tube 76
using a rubber spacer plate 73R to provide an additional joint flex
degree of freedom.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a partial comparison side view between the two
types of prior art rolling reels, namely round rod and flat bar,
and the rolling reel of the present invention, showing the
rotational engagement with a field surface clod 18C and the soil
contact area of each type of rolling reel.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a partial comparison side view between the
half-round rolling reel slat 77S and an equivalent weighted round
rod slat RR, where the cross section area of both slat types are
equal, thus being equally weighted, and showing the difference in
radial geometry in contact with the soil area at the reel's lowest
quadrant position 77Q for the slat angle of .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] An agricultural implement according to the present invention
will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12 of
the accompanying drawings.
[0028] A shallow working tillage implement 10 according to the
present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The implement 10 is
connected to a towing vehicle 17 by a hitch assembly 16. The
implement 10 is a three section configuration with a center section
21 and lateral wings sections 25 on each side. Each section has a
main frame 21F and 25F to which tillage tools 12 and 13 and wheel
assemblies 14 and 15 are attached. At the trailing edge of the main
frames 21F and 25F, a finishing attachment 60 and 65 is mounted to
level, smooth, firm and condition the soil and residue for the next
farming operation.
[0029] The implement in FIG. 1 is a "min-till" shallow working
tillage tool having two gangs of rotatable tillage tools, 12 and
13, that follow each other along a line of travel where the lateral
soil displaced by the front gangs is laterally returned by the rear
gangs. The gang angles are set to approximately 12 degrees from a
line perpendicular to the line of travel, and the gang blade
spacing is approximately 7.5''. In this "min-till" configuration,
with a ground speed of 7-8 mph, the implement will provide a full
soil cutout operation in favorable conditions. A reel-only
attachment 60, is shown trailing behind the two primary tillage
gangs 12 and 13. With adequate gang angle and soil cutout, the
reel-only attachment 60 is a preferred attachment.
[0030] The implement in FIG. 2 can be classified more as a "no-till
true-vertical" shallow working tillage tool having two gangs of
rotatable tillage tools, 12 and 13, which follow each other along a
line of travel. The gang angles are set to a very low angle, less
than 4 degrees from a line perpendicular to the line of travel, and
the gang blade spacing is approximately 7.5''. In this "no-till
nearly true-vertical" configuration, even with ground speeds
greater than 8 mph, the implement will not provide full soil cutout
operation. A reel and treader attachment 65, is shown trailing
behind the two primary tillage gangs 12 and 13. The treader gang is
needed to till and manage residue left un-touched between the two
primary tillage gangs. To minimize front to back implement distance
and to make the attachments work on multiple types of machines, a
compact, versatile, universal mounted, reel and treader system is
needed. The present invention provides these benefits along with
extra flexibility and modes of operations not found on prior art
finishing attachments.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a partial view of the reel-only min-till
attachment. The rear attachment mounting head 70 is secured to the
trailing edge of the main frames 21F and 25F as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2. The reel arm 71 is pivotally attached to the mounting head
70 at the reel arm pivot 71P. A down pressure spring assembly 72
provides varying working down pressure to the rolling reel basket
77 through the setting of the adjustments positions 71A and the
reel spring release pin 72P. A reel arm stop 71S is engaged when
the machine is in its raised lift position.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a partial section view of the rolling reel
basket 77 encountering a field surface clod 18C during its leading
edge decent and forward travel rotation 77R. The half-round slat
77S has a flat side, a rounded side, and an edge between the flat
and rounded sides. The half-round slat 77S has the shape of a
truncated cylinder cut along a plane parallel to a longitudinal
axis of the cylinder. The slat 77S is oriented so that the edge
between the flat and rounded sides is a leading edge relative to a
direction of rotation during operation. The half-round slat 77S is
angularly arranged, by angle in FIG. 11, within the basket assembly
77, to best penetrate clods and residue during the leading edge
decent and forward rotation 77R. The half-round slat 77S is also
shown at its lowest quadrant position 77Q. The slat 77S is oriented
in this position to provide a soil firming action with its rounded
curved surface against the soil surface as shown.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective view of the reel-only
finishing attachment 60 shown on the implement 10 in FIG. 1. The
finishing reel attachment 60 is shown encountering a one-sided
field obstruction 18. A feature of the present invention is a
narrow flexible connection between the reel arms 71 and the reel
over-frame tube 76. A reel arm pivoting bolt arrangement 71B, with
a 4-hole clamp plate 73P allows the flex connection one-degree of
freedom movement when encountering an obstruction as shown. The
clamp plate assembly 73 and 73P, shown in FIG. 8, maintains a rigid
connection to the reel over frame tube 76 without slippage during
flexing.
[0034] Another feature of the present invention is a
push-configuration treader and reel attachment 80 as shown in FIGS.
6 and 7. The narrow flex pivoting connection arrangement between
the rolling reel attachment arms 71 and the reel over-frame tube 76
provides optimum lateral arrangements of the treader gangs and
allow both the rolling reel baskets 77 and the push configuration
treader gangs 84 to flex more easily over one-sided obstructions.
This prevents rigid connection assembly bolt breakage and reel arm
pivot pin 71P binding problems that are increased by the extra
weight of the combination treader and reel assembly. The treader
gangs attach to the reel over-frame tube 76 to provide a very
compact treader and reel arrangement to reduce overall implement
length and reduce unsafe tail heavy implement conditions. The
treader mounting brackets 81S and 81L are made to adjust laterally
to selectively target the soil and residue left between the two
primary tillage gangs. The treader gangs are mounted at an angle
.alpha., relative to the reel over-frame tube 76 by using variable
length mounting brackets 81S and 81L and arms 82 that can be made
in different lengths to accommodate various gang sizes and
placements. This angle provides necessary staggering of gangs and
to enhance tillage action. An angle of 5 to 10 degrees provides
good tillage action and staggering.
[0035] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the push-configuration treader
in an active spring mode setting. The treader mode spring lever 86
is held down by the placement of pin 86P in the active spring
setting hole. The compression springs 85 are compressed as the
treader gang 84 and treader arms 82 pivot upward at pivot points
82B. The treader trip action is near vertical due to the low
positioning of the pivot point 82B, at or slightly below the reel
over frame tube height, thus making the overall arrangement of the
treader and reel assembly very compact front to back which is very
beneficial to reducing tail heavy implement situations. The low
positioning of the pivot points 82B also provide self-draft induced
dynamic downforce loading of the treader while also providing quick
vertical trip and efficient obstacle damage protection. The ball
joint connection 82B also provides multiple degrees of flex freedom
during one sided obstacle encounters while providing better soil to
treader contact and function with enhanced rock trip protection.
This helps prevent pivot pin binding and reduced treader teeth
breakage, while allowing the treader gang assembly to flex and work
independently of the rolling reel baskets 77 during one-sided field
obstructions.
[0036] FIG. 8 shows a perspective exploded view of the treader and
reel assembly. The exploded view shows the individual parts of the
treader mounts, arms, spring, brackets and level assemblies. A
short and long set of treader mounting brackets 81S and 81L are
shown creating the angle alpha .alpha., for the treader gangs.
Treader pivot arms 82 are pivotally connected to the treader
mounting brackets 81 with a ball joint connection 82B. The treader
bearing brackets 83 are bolted to the treader gang 84 with the
front 3-hole pattern shown.
[0037] Another feature of the present invention is a quick
attachment design that allows quick and easy attachment/removal of
the treader gang 84 with brackets 83 from the machine when it is
not needed, especially in very wet field dry out operations. The
quick attach points 82Q allow positioning aid during the
re-attachment process. Also shown in FIG. 8 are the spring
assemblies 85 and mode spring levers 86 that facilitate different
mode settings by the placement of spring mode pin 86P as shown in
detail in FIG. 9.
[0038] Four different treader modes are shown in the side view of
FIG. 9, namely, Float 80F, Active Spring 80A, Pin Up 80P, and Skim
mode 80S to allow for different performance characteristics in
varying field conditions ranging from wet and soft to hard and dry.
With the treader mode pin 86P placed in the top hole of the treader
mounting bracket 81, the treader is placed in a "float mode" 80F,
where the spring assembly 85 and mode spring lever 86 are not
restricted in their upward travel. The float mode arrangement will
disable the active down pressure springs and take advantage of the
push-configuration self-draft induced down pressure. This provides
better treader tooth protection and quicker rock trip performance.
With the treader mode pin 86P placed in the second highest hole,
the treader mode is set to an "active spring" mode 80A. The treader
mode spring lever 86 is limited in its upward travel, thus causing
spring compression during field working operations. In active
spring mode, the treader downforce is a combination of spring
pressure and self-draft induced rotation. A lighter spring can be
used on a push-configuration treader to achieve the same results as
a trailing treader arrangement, which provides better treader tooth
protection and quicker rock trip performance.
[0039] The "pin up" mode 80P is also shown in FIG. 9. When the
treader action is not needed, the mode pin 86P can be placed under
the mode spring lever 86 and in the third hole down from the top.
The treader gang is then held up from the soil surface and
deactivated to prevent excessive wear and reduce tractor draft
loads. In this mode, the treader gang weight is transferred to the
finishing reel for extra firming action and can allow the rolling
reel to run in a preferred float mode, by moving spring release pin
72P from position 70S to position 70F, to prevent high trip damage
and spring overloading.
[0040] A unique "skim mode" 80S is another featured treader mode of
the present invention. This mode is set by placing the treader mode
pin 86P in the lowest hole on the treader mounting bracket 81 to
hold up the treader gangs slightly off the soil surface. The
treader gangs will still level ridges and break clods while adding
some weight to the finishing reel. The extra weight may allow the
finishing reel to be run in a more preferred float mode, by moving
spring release pin 72P from position 70S to position 70F, to
prevent high trip damage and spring overloading.
[0041] Another feature of the present invention is illustrated in
FIG. 10, showing a narrow enhanced flex bolt connection between the
reel arm 71 and the reel over-frame tube 76. A second degree of
flex freedom movement is accomplished by adding a rubber spacer
plate 73R inside the 4-bolt clamp plate assembly. The clamp plate
assembly 73 and 73P holds the over-frame tube 76 securely in place
without slippage. The exploded view shows the full surround
enclosure of the over frame tube 76 by the shape of reel arm 71.
The 4-bolt clamp plate assembly, including 73, 73P, 73R 73B and
73N, is captured in the surround enclosure of the reel arm 71, thus
to provide draft load rotational support of the over frame tube 76
(rotation along is own axis), while allowing flex movement in the
other two degrees of freedom axis movement. The enclosure can
provide friction against the top and bottom of the clamp plates 73
and 73P, to prevent constant loose rattling and wear while still
allowing one-sided obstruction flex movement if needed.
[0042] FIGS. 11 and 12 show the comparison features between the
prior art round rod slatted reel RR and the flat bar slatted reel
FB with the present invention half-round slatted rolling reel 77S.
FIG. 12 shows the difference in radial geometry of the two
equivalent weighted types of rounded reel slats in contact with the
soil area at the reel's lowest quadrant position 77Q for the slat
angle of . Both slats have the same cross-section areas, thus
having the same linear weight per foot. The half round slat 77S
provides a larger soil to reel slat surface contact area than the
equivalent weighted round rod slat can provide. The larger slat
surface contact area is beneficial to distribute the extra weight
transferred from the treader gangs in pin-up or skim mode.
[0043] The industry has been offering the choice of prior art
round-rod or flat-bar rolling reel designs for many years, but
owners have to choose which type to buy that is best for their
farming practice and their soil and residue conditions. Apparently
it hasn't been obvious to those skilled in the art to use a half
round slatted material to accomplish the task of both types of
reels in one design. If so, manufactures would be offering a single
design that achieves the benefits of both designs with no draw
backs.
[0044] While the invention has been specifically described in
connection with specific embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that this is by way of illustration and not of
limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be
construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.
REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST
[0045] The following is a list of reference numerals used in the
drawings of this application, along with the name of the labeled
part:
[0046] .alpha. Treader gang angle
[0047] Reel slat angle
[0048] G Ground
[0049] RR Prior art round rod slat (equivalent weighted)
[0050] FB Prior art flat bar slat
[0051] 10 FIG. 1 shallow working 3-section implement with finishing
reel-only attachment.
[0052] 10 FIG. 2 shallow working 3-section implement with finishing
reel & treader attachment.
[0053] 12 Primary front gang assembly
[0054] 13 Primary rear gang assembly
[0055] 14 Main lift & transport assembly wheels
[0056] 15 Wing lift assembly wheels
[0057] 16 Hitch assembly
[0058] 17 Tractor or Towing vehicle
[0059] 18 Field obstruction
[0060] 18C Field surface clod
[0061] 21 Center frame assembly
[0062] 21F Center frame
[0063] 25 Wing frame assembly
[0064] 25F Wing frame
[0065] 60 Reel-only finishing attachment
[0066] 65 Reel and treader finishing attachment
[0067] 70 Rear attachment mounting head
[0068] 70F Down pressure spring float position
[0069] 70S Down pressure active spring position
[0070] 71 Reel arm
[0071] 71A Reel down pressure adjustment
[0072] 71B Reel arm flex pivot bolt
[0073] 71P Reel arm pivot
[0074] 71S Reel arm stop
[0075] 72 Reel down pressure spring
[0076] 72P Reel spring release pin
[0077] 73 Reel 4-hole clamp plate
[0078] 73B Clamp plate bolt
[0079] 73N Clamp plate nut
[0080] 73R Rubber spacer plate
[0081] 73P Clamp plate pivot
[0082] 76 Reel over frame tube
[0083] 77 Rolling reel basket
[0084] 77A Reel slat soil contact area at lowest quadrant
position
[0085] 77Q Reel slat lowest quadrant position
[0086] 77R Reel forward rotation
[0087] 77S Reel slat
[0088] 78 Reel standard
[0089] 80 Treader assembly
[0090] 80A Treader Mode Active Spring
[0091] 80F Treader Mode Float
[0092] 80P Treader Mode Pin up
[0093] 80S Treader Mode Skim
[0094] 81L Treader mounting bracket long
[0095] 81S Treader mounting bracket short
[0096] 82 Treader pivot arm
[0097] 82B Treader pivot ball joint
[0098] 82Q Treader quick attach
[0099] 83 Treader bearing bracket
[0100] 84 Treader gang
[0101] 85 Treader Spring assembly
[0102] 86 Treader mode spring lever
[0103] 86P Treader mode pin
* * * * *