GB1580917A

GB1580917A - Hitch attachment

Info

Publication number: GB1580917A
Application number: GB3263777A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: LELY SOUTHWEST Inc
Current assignee: LELY SOUTHWEST Inc
Priority date: 1976-08-09
Filing date: 1977-08-03
Publication date: 1980-12-10
Also published as: DE2735366A1; FR2361047B1; FR2361047A1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO HITCH ATTACHMENT (71) We, LELY SOUTHWEST INC. of P.O.

Box 1026, Temple, Texas 76501, U.S.A., an American Limited Liability Company, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to a hitch attachment for agricultural implements.

According to the present invention there is provided, in combination, a rotary harrow and a hitch attachment for connection to a further agricultural implement, the rotary harrow comprising a supporting structure, extending transversely of the intended direction of operative travel of the combination, in which a plurality of power driven soil working members are journalled for rotation about upwardly extending axes, coupling means being provided on the supporting structure for coupling the harrow to a three-point hitch of a tractor, the hitch attachment having at least one frame beam which extends substantially in the intended direction of operative travel of the combination and which is provided at the rear with coupling means for connection to a further agricultural implement, at least one ground engaging wheel being provided adjacent the coupling means, the frame beam being connected at its leading end to the supporting structure, at a location generally midway between the ends of the supporting structure, by an upwardly extending pivot shaft which is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rotary harrow in combination with a hitch attachment according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a partial plan view taken in the direction of the arrow II in Figure 1.

The rotary harrow has a supporting structure 1 which includes a plurality of horizontal frame beams that extend substantially transversely of, and normally perpendicular to, the intended direction of operative travel of the harrow which is indicated by an arrow A in the drawings. The frame beams are rigidly interconnected by a number of supports that all extend substantially parallel to the direction A.

The hollow box-shaped frame portions 2 are provided beneath the supporting structure 1 and extend in substantially longitudinal alignment with one another in a direction perpendicular to the direction A with their neighbouring ends in very close substantially adjoining relationship. Each frame portion 2 carries a group of rotary soil working members. The top of each frame portion 2 is provided at two locations which are spaced from its opposite ends with upright supports 3.

The lowermost edge of each support 3 extends throughout the width in the direction A of the corresponding frame portion 2 whilst its leading edge with respect to the direction A is substantially vertical. The supports 3 are generally triangular, tapering in an upward direction.

Horizontal pivots connect the ends of two arms 4 to the front of each support 3, with respect to the direction A, one arm 4 being near the top and the other near the bottom of that support.

The arms 4 extend more or less horizontally forwards from the corresponding supports 3 and their leading ends are pivotally connected by further substantially horizontal pivots to upright brackets 5 which are rigidly secured to one of the beams of the supporting structure 1.

As will be evident from Figure 1 of the drawings, each frame portion 2 is thus connected to the frame structure 1 by two parallelogram linkages, and the frame portions 2 are thus able to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the supporting structure 1 during the use of the harrow independently of each other. Chains 4A are provided to limit the downward displacement of each frame portion 2 that can take place relative to the supporting structure 1 during operation of the rotary harrow and during inoperative transport of the latter.

Each frame portion 2 rotatably supports by means of corresponding upper and lower bearings a row of twelve upwardly extending and normally substantially vertically disposed shafts 6, the axes of rotation of which are spaced apart from one another at regular intervals of preferably about 25 centimetres. Each shaft 6 affords the axis of rotation of a corresponding soil working member 7 that is secured to a portion of that shaft 6 which projects.beneath the respective frame portion 2. Each soil working member 7 comprises a substantially horizontal tine support 8 which is secured centrally to the corresponding shaft 6 and which carries at its ends two substantially vertical and substantially cylindrical tine holders 9 that are integral with or otherwise fixedly mounted on the support 8. The two holders 9 of each soil working member 7 receive the upper fastening portions of corresponding downwardly extending soil working tines 10. A lower portion of each tine 10 is an active or soil working portion which is arranged to penetrate into the soil in substantially the manner shown in Figure 1 of the drawings during operation of the harrow and which occupies a downwardly and rearwardly inclined trailing disposition with respect to its overlying fastening portion and with respect to the intended direction of rotation of the soil working member 7 concerned.

The tines 10 of each member 7 are a little further apart from one another than are the axes of rotation of adjacent shafts 6 so that the paths described by the lowermost free ends or tips of the active or soil working portions of those tines 10 overlap one another to produce, for each frame portion 2, a single broad strip of worked soil during the use of the harrow. Each shaft 6 is provided inside the corresponding hollow frame portion 2 with a toothed pinion 11 which has straight or spur teeth. The teeth of the twelve pinions 11 that correspond to each of the two groups of soil working members 7 are in intenncshing relationship in the manner which can be seen in outline in Figure 2 of the drawings. One shaft 6 of the central pair of the row of twelve shafts 6 of each frame portion 2 has an upward extension projecting into a gearbox 12 that is mounted on top of the frame portion 2 concerned. Each shaft extension is provided inside the corresponding gear-box 12 with a bevel pinion whose teeth are in driven mesh with those of a further bevel pinion carried by a substantially horizontal shaft that extends parallel to the length of the frame portion 2 concerned and thus substantially perpendicular to the direction A. One splined end of each substantially horizontal shaft extends into a corresponding change-speed gear 13 together with the splined end of an overlying parallel shaft.

Different transmission ratios between the two shafts whose ends project into the corresponding change-speed gears 13 can be obtained by exchanging and/or inter-changing on those ends cooperating pairs of straight or spur toothed pinions of different sizes. Each change-speed gear 13 comprises an openable cover which encloses the chosen pair of toothed pinions and keeps them free from contamination by dirt during the operation of the harrow. Each of the upper substantially horizontal shafts that have ends projecting into the change-speed gears 13 has its opposite end connected by way of an overload release dutch and a universal joint with one end of a corresponding shaft 14.

The opposite and closer ends of the two shafts 14 are connected by further universal joints to the ends of two output shafts of a central gear-box 15 that projects substantially horizontally from opposite sides of that gearbox in directions that are substantially perpendicular to the direction A. The central gear-box 15 is secured to the supporting structure I and has a rotary input shaft whose splined or otherwise keyed end projects forwardly from the front of that gear-box in substantially the direction A. The rotary input shaft is provided inside the gear-box 15 with at least one bevel pinion whose teeth are in mesh with further bevel pinions carried by the two output shafts of the gear-box. Coupling points 16, which are generally triangularly arranged with respect to each other, are secured to the supporting structure 1 at the front of that structure with respect to the direction A and enables said structure to be connected to the three point lifting device or hitch at the rear of a prime mover such as an agricultural tractor or other operating vehicle as illustrated in outline in Figure l of the drawings.

To the rear beam of the supporting structure I spaced at equal distances from the centre of said beam are connected two ground engaging wheels 17, the common axle 18 of which is pivotably connected by means of arms 19 to a bracket 20 on the beam. By means of a crank 21 each arm 19 can be adjusted in height. At the upperside of the supporting structure near the middle there is provided an upwardly preferably vertically extending shaft 22. The lower end of the shaft is pivotable about a horizontal axis which extends substantially perpendicular to the direction A and is afforded by a pin 23 that extends between two strips 24 which diverge towards the rear of the supporting structure. About the shaft 22 a tube 25 is turnable which tube is connected to the front end of a frame beam 26 of a hitch attachment 27. Between the uppermost part of the tube 25 and the frame beam 26 there is provided a strut 28. The frame beam 26 extends substantially horizontally to the rear and at its rear end is provided with a downwardly extending supporting structure 29. The supporting structure 29 comprises two substantially vertically extending beams 30 which at their upper ends are secured to a support 31 on the frame beam 26. Near their lower ends the beams 30 are connected to a horizontal axle 32 each wend of which is provided with a ground engaging wheel 33. Between the axle 32 and the frame beam 26 struts 34 are provided which from the axle extend obliquely upwardly and forwardly. Each beam 30 of the supporting structure 29 is provided at the rear with a bracket 35 which extends upwardly from the lower end of the beam. Each bracket 35 extends substantially parallel to the direction A. Between the brac kets 35 a support 36 is provided which is turnable about its longitudinal axis and, near each bracket carries an arm 37. The arms 37 are inter-connected by a beam 38 which near its middle has two coupling plates 39. The ends of the beam 38 each carry a pin about which one end of an arm 40 is pivotable. The other end of each of the arms 40 is pivotably connected to coupling arms 41 which are hingeably connected to the lower side of the brackets 35. Near the middle of the support 36 an arm 42 is secured which extends to the rear and slightly downwardly. The free end of the arm 42 is pivotably connected with one end of a hydraulic ram 43 which with its other end is pivotably coupled with the axle 32. The coupling plates 39 and the free ends of the coupling arms 41 constitute a three point hitch to which an agricultural implement 44 such as for instance a sowing machine, a planter, or a fertilizer distributor can be coupled. The hydraulic ram 43 can be actuated from the hydraulic system of the tractor to which the rotary harrow is connected. For the actuation of the hydraulic ram 43 there is provided a hose 45 which is connected to the frame beam and at its front side can be coupled with the hydraulic system of the tractor.

As is shown in the Figures the lower coupling points of the three point hitch of the implement 44 are coupled to the lower coupling arms 41 of the three-point coupling means at the rear of the supporting structure 29 of the hitch attachment 27 whereas the upper arm of the three point hitch can be coupled with the coupling plates 39 between the upper arms of the coupling means at the rear side of the supporting structure. During operation the combination described by means of the tractor can be moved in the direction A whereby the soil working members 7 of the rotary harrow work overlap- ping strips of soil and the working depth of the soil working members can be regulated by means of the ground engaging wheels 17 at the rear of the supporting structure 1.

During operation the sowing machine is coupled to the three point coupling means at the rear of the supporting structure 29 of the hitch attachment 27 in a way as described above and shown in the Figures. In case the combination has to be transported the rotary harrow can be lifted by means of the lifting device of the tractor and the ground engaging wheels 17 can be brought in a position whereby the harrow during transport also can be supported by means of these wheels. Further by means of the hydraulic ram 43 the coupling means at the rear of the supporting structure 29 of the hitch attachment 27 can be moved upwardly whereby the implement 44 is lifted free from the ground and supported by means of the hitch attachment so that it easily can be transported over the road.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. In combination, a rotary harrow and a hitch attachment for connection to a further agricultural implement, the rotary harrow comprising a supporting structure, extending transversely of the intended direction of operative travel of the combination in which a plurality of power driven soil working members are journalled for rotation about upwardly ex tending axes, coupling means being provided on the supporting structure for coupling the harrow to a three-point hitch of a tractor, the hitch attachment having at least one frame beam which extends substantially in the inten ded direction of operative travel of the combination and which is provided at the rear with coupling means for connection to a further agricultural implement, at least one ground engaging wheel being provided adjacent the coupling means, the frame beam being connected at its leading end to the supporting structure, at a location generally midway between the ends of the supporting structure by an upwardly extending pivot shaft which is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis.

2. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the coupling means of the hitch attachment is connected to an upwardly extending supporting structure at or near the end of the frame beam, this supporting structure comprising two substantially parallel upwardly extending beams which are con nected to the frame beam at or near their upper ends, the ground engaging wheel being one of two ground engaging wheels, one at each side of the supporting structure.

3. A combination as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the coupling means of the hitch attachment is a titree-point hitch, a remote control mechanism being provided for adjustment of the three-point hitch.

4. A combination as claimed in claim 3, in which the remote control mechanism is con nected for operation from a tractor and com prises at least one hydraulic ram by means of which an upper arm of the three-point hitch is adjustable.

5. A combination as claimed in claim 4, in which the upper arm is one of two upper arms, the upper coupling point of the hitch being disposed oetween the arms.

6. A combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one vertically adjustable ground engaging wheel is provided to the rear of the harrow.

7. A combination as claimed in claim 6, in which the vertically adjustable ground engaging wheel is one of two vertically adjustable ground engaging wheels, and in which the frame beam of the hitch attachment, as viewed on plan, lies between the vertically adjustable ground engag ing wheels.

8. In combination, a rotary harrow and a hitch attachment substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. kets 35 a support 36 is provided which is turnable about its longitudinal axis and, near each bracket carries an arm 37. The arms 37 are inter-connected by a beam 38 which near its middle has two coupling plates 39. The ends of the beam 38 each carry a pin about which one end of an arm 40 is pivotable. The other end of each of the arms 40 is pivotably connected to coupling arms 41 which are hingeably connected to the lower side of the brackets 35. Near the middle of the support 36 an arm 42 is secured which extends to the rear and slightly downwardly. The free end of the arm 42 is pivotably connected with one end of a hydraulic ram 43 which with its other end is pivotably coupled with the axle 32. The coupling plates 39 and the free ends of the coupling arms 41 constitute a three point hitch to which an agricultural implement 44 such as for instance a sowing machine, a planter, or a fertilizer distributor can be coupled. The hydraulic ram 43 can be actuated from the hydraulic system of the tractor to which the rotary harrow is connected. For the actuation of the hydraulic ram 43 there is provided a hose 45 which is connected to the frame beam and at its front side can be coupled with the hydraulic system of the tractor. As is shown in the Figures the lower coupling points of the three point hitch of the implement 44 are coupled to the lower coupling arms 41 of the three-point coupling means at the rear of the supporting structure 29 of the hitch attachment 27 whereas the upper arm of the three point hitch can be coupled with the coupling plates 39 between the upper arms of the coupling means at the rear side of the supporting structure. During operation the combination described by means of the tractor can be moved in the direction A whereby the soil working members 7 of the rotary harrow work overlap- ping strips of soil and the working depth of the soil working members can be regulated by means of the ground engaging wheels 17 at the rear of the supporting structure 1. During operation the sowing machine is coupled to the three point coupling means at the rear of the supporting structure 29 of the hitch attachment 27 in a way as described above and shown in the Figures. In case the combination has to be transported the rotary harrow can be lifted by means of the lifting device of the tractor and the ground engaging wheels 17 can be brought in a position whereby the harrow during transport also can be supported by means of these wheels. Further by means of the hydraulic ram 43 the coupling means at the rear of the supporting structure 29 of the hitch attachment 27 can be moved upwardly whereby the implement 44 is lifted free from the ground and supported by means of the hitch attachment so that it easily can be transported over the road. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. In combination, a rotary harrow and a hitch attachment for connection to a further agricultural implement, the rotary harrow comprising a supporting structure, extending transversely of the intended direction of operative travel of the combination in which a plurality of power driven soil working members are journalled for rotation about upwardly ex tending axes, coupling means being provided on the supporting structure for coupling the harrow to a three-point hitch of a tractor, the hitch attachment having at least one frame beam which extends substantially in the inten ded direction of operative travel of the combination and which is provided at the rear with coupling means for connection to a further agricultural implement, at least one ground engaging wheel being provided adjacent the coupling means, the frame beam being connected at its leading end to the supporting structure, at a location generally midway between the ends of the supporting structure by an upwardly extending pivot shaft which is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis.