GB2075322A

GB2075322A - A centrifugal spreader

Info

Publication number: GB2075322A
Application number: GB8105039A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Amazonen Werke H Dreyer SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Amazonen Werke H Dreyer SE and Co KG
Priority date: 1980-04-23
Filing date: 1981-02-18
Publication date: 1981-11-18
Also published as: GB2075322B; DE3015486C2; DE3015486A1

Abstract

The centrifugal spreader has a storage container (1) provided with at least one adjustable and closable discharge aperture (4), and a rotatable spreading disc (10) disposed below the container. The disc (10) is provided with ejection elements (9) and the ejection angle of the disc (10) is variable by means of one or more radial extension member (17) of the disc. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A centrifugal spreader The invention relates to a centrifugal spreader, and more particularly but not exclusively to such a spreader for distributing fertilizer.

A centrifugal spreader is known (see Fed. Rep. of Germany Patent Specification No. 28 05 879) which has a storage container provided with adjustable and closable discharge apertures and a rotatable spreading disc equipped with ejection elements and disposed below the storage container.

This known spreader has proved itself in practical operation when used for late-season fertilizing of cereal crops. The ejection angle of this centrifugal spreader is changed by exchanging the disc or by pivoting outer parts relative to inner parts of the ejection elements which are in two parts.

However, it has been found that it is still relatively awkward to change the ejection angle. In the one case, it is necessary that the transmission is pivoted downwards to enable the spreading disc to be exchanged. In the other case, the outer parts of the ejection elements must be individually pivoted with respect to the inner parts and must be accurately adjusted by means of setting gauges, protractors or the like to the values specified by the manufacturer for the different kinds of use. (Normal or late-season fertilizing).

The invention provides a centrifugal spreader comprising a storage container having at least one adjustable and closable discharge aperture, a rotatable spreading disc disposed below the container, the rotatable disc being provided with ejection elements and the ejection angle of the rotatable disc being variable by means of one or more radial extension members of the rotatable disc.

In one embodiment, the or each radial extension member is in the form of a ring and, therefore, the spreading disc will project all particles at the same ejection angle. Preferably, more than one ring is provided so that the different spreading widths can be obtained for different conditions of use. In another embodiment, the or each radial extension element is in the form of a plate.

Advantageously, the or each radical extension element can be moved between at least one operating position and an inoperative position. The method of operation of the spreader can thus be changed in a simple manner from normal fertilizing to late-season fertilizing or vice versa, without the need for performing changes on the spreading disc itself.

Preferably, the or each radial extension element is connected to the spreading disc for rotation therewith to prevent the particles to be spread being decelerated by the or each radial extension element of the spreading disc.

It is a consequence of the increase in the dimensions of the spreading disc by the radial extension element(s) that the particles to be spread leave the spreading disc later; i.e. the spreading pattern is pivoted and displaced in the direction of rotation of the centrifuging discs. To avoid this disadvantage, the position of the discharge aperture(s) can be varied; i.e., the feed point of the material onto the disc is shifted against the direction of rotation of the spreading disc. To avoid further detrimental changes to the spreading pattern due to the radial extension elements of the spreading disc, one or more ejection elements are provided on the or each extension element.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa sectional view of part of one embodiment of a centrifugal spreader according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a sectional view of another spreading disc for use with the spreader shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1,the centrifugal spreader shown therein is provided with a storage container 1 in the bottom 2 of which there is provided a discharge aperture 4 which can be adjusted and closed by means of a closure member 3. A drive shaft 6, which is supported by a transmission 5, is driven in known manner by a tractor (not shown) which draws the centrifugal spreader. The drive shaft 6 projects upwards into the storage container 1 and a stirring finger 7 is non-rotatably mounted on the upper end of the shaft 6 by means of a snap fastener 8.

A spreading disc 10 is disposed below the storage container 1. The disc 10 is provided with ejection elements 9 and is connected by means of screwfasteners 11 and a bush 12 to the drive shaft 6. A sleeve 13 is axially slideably supported on the bush 12 and is coupled to the spreading disc 10 for rotation therewith by means of known locking elements (not shown) which engage with a recess 14 or 15 on the drive shaft 6. Spokes 16 which support a radial extension element in the form of a ring 17, are welded to the bush 12.

As shown in Figure 1, the ring 17 is in an operating position 18, i.e. in a position for late-season fertilizing, in which fertilizer particles are discharged by the ring 17 at an ejection angle ain the direction of arrow 10. Disengagement ofthe locking elements from the recess 14 and downward sliding of the sleeve 13, so that the locking elements engage with the recess 15, causes the ring 17 to be moved into an inoperative position 20 which is shown in broken lines. The ring 17 is moved to the position 20 when the centrifugal spreader is to be used for normal fertilizing. In this position, the fertilizer particles are discharged by the disc 10 in the direction of arrow 21 at an ejection angle d.

The outer edges 23 of ejection elements 22, shown in broken lines on the ring 17, are preferably arranged pivoted in the direction of rotation of the centrifuging disc 10. Such an arrangement of the ejection elements avoids a negative change of the spreading pattern.

In the embodiment of the disc shown in Figure 2, radial extension elements of the spreading disc 10 are in the form of plates 24. These plates are pivotably connected to the spreading disc 10 by means of arms 25 and mounting members 26 through frictional connections 27. If the centrifugal spreader is used for late-season fertilizing of cereal crops, the plates 24 are moved into operating positions 28 shown in solid lines, in which positions the fertilizer particles are discharged by the plates 24 in the direc tion of arrow 10 at an ejection angle cr However, if the centrifugal spreader is to be used for normal fer tilizing, the plates 24 are pivoted with the arms 25 into an inoperative position 29 indicated by broken lines. The fertilizer particles will then be discharged by the spreading disc 10 in the direction of arrow 21 at an ejection angle '.

Claims

1. Acentrifugal spreader comprising a. storage container having at least one adjustable and closable discharge aperture, a rotatable spreading dise dis- posed below the container, the rotatable disc being provided with ejection elements and the ejection angle of the rotatable disc being variable by means of one or more radial extension members of the rotatable disc.

2. A centrifugal spreader as claimed in Claim I, wherein the or each radial extension member is in the form of a ring.

3. A centrifugal spreader as claimed in Claim 2, wherein more than one ring is provided.

4. A centrifugal spreader as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the or each radial extension member is in the form of a plate.

5. A centrifugal spreader as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the or each radial extension element can be moved between at least one operating position and an inoperative position.

6. A centrifugal spreader as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein means are provided for connecting the or each radial extension element to the spreading disc for rotation therewith.

7. A centrifugal spreader as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the position of the discharge aperture or apertures is variable.

8. Acentrifugal spreader substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figure 1 or Figure 1 as modified by Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.

8. A centrifugal spreader as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein one or more ejection elements are provided on the or each radial extension element.

9. A centrifugal spreader substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figure 1 or Figure 1 as modified by Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 15/7/81 Superseded claims 1,5,6,7,8,9 New or amended claims:

1. A centrifugal spreader comprising a storage container having at least one adjustableand closable discharge aperture, a rotatable spreading disedis- posed below the container and provided with ejection elements, the ejection angle ofthe rotatable disc being variable by means of one or more radial extension members of the rotatable disc, which extension members can be moved between at least one operating position and an inoperative position.

5. A centrifugal spreader as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided for connecting the or each radial extension element to the spreading disc four rotation therewith.

6. A centrifugal spreader as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the position of the discharge aperture or apertures is variable.

7. A centrifugal spreader as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more ejection elements are provided on the or each radial extension element.