IE20020087A1 - Slurry tank adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

A kit of parts for fitting to a fluid agricultural material tanker is described. The kit comprises a pipe and an attachment means, whereby one end of the pipe is attachable to an outlet of the tanker, and the other end of the pipe is supported by the attachment means at a lower level than the outlet. The present invention provides a simple but effective kit of parts, easily suitable for retro-fitting to existing tankers, to allow a single user to use other piping equipment across a field without the tanker being on the field.

Description

The present invention relates to a kit, apparatus and methods of adapting agricultural tankers, particularly but not exclusively, slurry tankers.

Presently, the common method of spreading fluid agricultural materials such as slurry across agricultural fields involves a tractor pulling a slurry tanker from which the slurry is spread directly across the field. However, the traditional time for spreading slurry means that the ground is usually soft, such that the ground is easily damaged by the heavy slurry tanker going across it.

Recently, there has been introduced a piping system whereby slurry from a slurry pit on the farm can be transferred to the field and the tractor with a spreading plate. However, the piping system is heavy, and is limited to one mile in length.

Meanwhile, fitting the pipe to the outlet of a slurry tanker, which is at or near the top of the tanker, is IE 0 2 0 0 8 7 very difficult. It is not a 'one man job', requiring the user to have assistance.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate these disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts for fitting to a fluid agricultural material tanker, the kit comprising a pipe and an attachment means, whereby one end of the pipe is attachable to an outlet of the tanker, and the other end of the pipe is supported by the attachment means at a lower level than the outlet.

The term 'fluid agricultural material' includes any fluid material usually spread for agricultural purposes across fields. It includes, but is not limited to, semi-liquid manure such as slurry.

The kit could be retro-fitted to existing tankers, and may be permanently or separately attached to such tankers. Alternatively, the kit is formed wholly or substantially integrally with the tanker.

The attachment means may have any suitable size, shape or design. Preferably, the attachment means is moveable between an open position extending outwardly from the tanker, and a closed position being more closely aligned with the tanker for, e.g., storage and transport of the tanker.

JEO 2 0 0 g 7 The end of the pipe supported by the attachment means may include a connection port suitable for ease of attachment with other connectors. This may include, inherently or separately, means to secure the conjunction of the end of the pipe with another connector.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the kit includes a stand-frame adapted to be located intermediate of the pipe and another connector.

The stand-frame is preferably separable from the other parts of the kit. It is preferably a frame having a support base such as three or four legs, provided with a first connection port with conjunction with the pipe supported by the attachment means on the tanker, and a second connection port for fitting with a pipe or other connection piece.

The stand-frame may assist in providing a firmer base for supply of fluid agricultural material such as slurry. It may also help align the outlet with the proposed connection, piping held by a tractor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of modifying a liquid agricultural material tanker comprising fitting a kit of parts as hereinbefore described to the tanker.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid agricultural material tanker which includes an outlet means at a low level outside the tanker, and supported by an attachment means, and a pipe located between the tanker and the outlet means for transfer of the fluid material.

The present invention is particularly adaptable for use with tankers having their own pumps, such as 'sludgigator' tankers.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a kit of parts according to one embodiment of the present invention attached to a slurry tanker; Figures 2, 3 and 4 are side, top and front views of a stand-frame usable with the present invention; and Figure 5 is an enlarged front view of the outlet port of the arrangement in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a kit of parts fitted to the side of a slurry tanker 2. The kit comprises a pipe having an upper section 4 and a lower section 6. The two sections 4 and 6 have an intermediate rotatable fitting 7. The top end of the upper pipe 4 is connected to the outlet of the slurrytanker.

The pipe sections 4, 6 are supported by an attachment arrangement comprising two arms 10 weldable to the tanker 2, and a ram and piston arm 12.

The distal end of the ram and piston 12 is attached to a head 14. The head 14 receives the lower end of the lower pipe section 6, and has a first connection port 16. The head includes a hinged lid 18, which lid 18 is preferably biased closed, to close the first connection port 16 when required.

The ram and piston arrangement 12 is designed to move the lower pipe section 6 and head 14 from an open position (as shown in Figure 1) extending from the tanker 2, to a closed position (not shown) wherein the head 14 is closer to the tanker 2, and thus is more easily transportable and storable.

Figures 2-4 show a stand-frame having a support frame 20 with three adjustable legs 22. The legs 22 are journalled through hollow brackets on the frame 20, and are secured in place by butterfly bolts 24.

The frame 20 supports an intermediate coupling means 26 comprising a second connection port 28 for conjunction with the first connection port 16 of the head 14.

The intermediate means 26 has a third connection port for conjunction with suitable apparatus such as a four inch pipe of a field piping system, the other end of which is located with a tractor. At the end of the piping from port 28 is a non-return flap 32.

In use, the tanker 2 is loaded with slurry. The tanker 2 could be a 'sludgigator' tanker having its own pump for the pumping of slurry therefrom. The tanker 2 is located in a suitable location, possibly on or near a road. If not in the open position, the kit is moved to the open position shown in Figure 1.

The stand-frame is located near the tanker 2, such that its second connection port 28 conjoins with the first connection port 16 of the head 14. The interconnection of the port 16, 28 may use any known and suitable connection arrangement including any male-female connection, and also including, but not limited to, the use of 0 rings and the like.

Figure 5 shows the head 14 including a further hinged-clamp to additionally secure the ports 16, 28 together. The clamp 14 may be operated by a ram and piston means to provide additional mechanical security in use. The connection of ports 16 and 28, and indeed the third port 30 with its other coupling, may additionally involve an accumulator with a biased spring arrangement to provide additional securement of their interconnection.

Thereafter, one end of a pipe suitable for extending across a field and being supported by a tractor, is connected with the third connection port 30 of the stand-frame arrangement.

Once fully connected and secured, slurry from the tanker is pumped through its outlet and through the pipe sections 4, 6, through head 14 and then into a subsequent pipe through the final port 30, for spreading on a field.

The connections of the ports 16, 28 and 30 are preferably relatively quick and simple to allow rapid deployment, and rapid repositioning, of the slurry tanker and stand-frame in new fields. The position of the third port 30 is preferably at a relatively low level compared to the tanker 2, for ease of connection of a pipe.

The present invention provides a simple but effective kit of parts, easily suitable for retro-fitting to existing tankers, to allow a single user to use other piping equipment across a field without the tanker being on the field.

Claims (16)

1. A kit of parts for fitting to a fluid agricultural material tanker, the kit comprising a pipe and an attachment means, whereby one end of the pipe is attachable to an outlet of the tanker, and the other end of the pipe is supported by the attachment means at a lower level than the outlet.

2. A kit according Claim 1 wherein the fluid agricultural material is a semi-liquid manure.

3. A kit according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the kit is permanently attached to a fluid agricultural material tanker.

4. A kit according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the kit is separably attached to a fluid agricultural material tanker.

5. A kit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the kit is retro-fittable to a fluid agricultural material tanker.

6. A kit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the attachment means is moveable between an open position extending outwardly from a fluid agricultural material tanker, and a closed position being closely aligned with the fluid agricultural material tanker.

7. A kit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the end of the pipe supported by the attachment means includes a connection port for attachment of the pipe with other connectors .

8. A kit according to Claim 7 wherein the connection port includes means to secure it to an end of another pipe.

9. A kit according to Claim 8 wherein the connection port has separate means to secure it to an end of another pipe.

10. A kit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the kit includes a stand-frame is located between the pipe and another connector.

11. A kit according to Claim 10 wherein the standframe is separable from the other parts of the kit.

12. A kit according to Claim 11 wherein the standframe has a support base comprising three or four legs; a first connection port in conjunction with the pipe supported by the attachment means on the tanker; and a second connection port for fitting with a pipe or other connection piece.

13. A kit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the kit is formed wholly or substantially integrally with the fluid agricultural material tanker.

14. A method of modifying a liquid agricultural material tanker comprising fitting a kit according to Claims 1 to 12 to the fluid agricultural material tanker.

15. A fluid agricultural material tanker which includes an outlet means at a low level outside the tanker, and supported by an attachment means, and a pipe located between the tanker and the outlet means for transfer of the fluid material.

16. A kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 12. 11=02008 7 ί