EP1508665A1 - Earth working apparatus for drilling and planting - Google Patents

Abstract

The equipment has a mast carried by a base (2) mounted on a vehicle and carrying a movable truck (3) that includes a slide equipped with reception units. A chassis mounted on the slide includes transversal rails and an actuator. A movable frame connected to the actuator has a motorized tool holder (4) for receiving a tool that operates in parallel with a displacement axis of the slide along the mast.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a working equipment of the ground for drilling or planting work, intended to be installed on a transport vehicle such as a tractor.

State of the art

There are many forms of equipment for work of the ground.

In particular, there are machines equipped with an auger for make piles of concrete in the ground. In the case of these machines, the auger is an Archimedean screw going directly up the ground as you go of his progress. Such a screw rotates in the hole and produces its screwing.

Such screws are generally used for work foundation.

There are also manual augers.

Purpose of the invention

The present invention aims to achieve equipment working soil to perform drilling or planting in a simple and effective way with equipment allowing multiple applications.

Description and advantages of the invention

• un mât porté par une embase se montant sur le véhicule, ce mât, réglable en inclinaison (AV-AR et G-D) ainsi qu'en longueur, recevant un chariot mobile sur sa longueur,
• ce chariot comprenant
  • un traíneau coulissant sur le mât et muni d'organes de réception,
  • un châssis monté sur le traíneau ayant
    • des rails transversaux,
    • un actionneur,
  • un cadre mobile monté sur les rails transversaux, relié à l'actionneur et muni d'un porte-outil motorisé pour recevoir un outil destiné à travailler parallèlement à l'axe de déplacement du traíneau le long du mât.

For this purpose, the invention relates to equipment of the type defined above, characterized in that it comprises:

• a mast carried by a base mounting on the vehicle, this mast, adjustable in inclination (AV-AR and GD) and in length, receiving a carriage movable along its length,
• this cart including
  • a slide sliding on the mast and provided with receiving members,
  • a chassis mounted on the sled having
    • transverse rails,
    • an actuator,
  • a movable frame mounted on the transverse rails, connected to the actuator and provided with a motorized tool holder for receiving a tool intended to work parallel to the axis of movement of the sled along the mast.

This equipment makes it possible to carry out drilling or planting, that is to say, especially precisely oriented holes whatever the inclination of the soil. This orientation can be vertical as is often the case. But it is also possible to achieve work on a different axis. This work axis can be set from automatically or by the operator.

This equipment offers a great flexibility of use because of the simplicity and robustness of its structure. This structure simple allows the equipment to be used in difficult conditions, example in areas of difficult access. Because of this simplicity, the equipment is very easily controllable and the driver of the equipment can work precisely so as to position the location of the work, ie the tool at the precise location that to control the evolution of work. The positioning of the tool is done precise way even in irregular terrain since the driver can not only to orient the mast but also once the vehicle stopped near the work site, move the tool holder by the moving frame transversely.

The equipment may be mounted on a vehicle such as a tractor, in particular an agricultural tractor, on its coupling in three points, either at the front or at the back. It is however preferable for make the work easier that the tool is perfectly visible from driving position and that the vehicle equipped with the equipment is a vehicle particular, either wheeled or chain.

This equipment can also be installed on a platform rotation carried by the vehicle and in this case the flexibility of use is even greater because the driver will not only have the translation of the mobile frame relative to the mast to position the tool but it can also combine this possibility with a pivoting.

• le mât comprend une embase en forme de traverse munie de moyens d'attelage à un véhicule portant le pied du mât par une liaison articulée,
• le mât formé d'au moins deux tubes télescopiques est réglé en longueur et en inclinaison par deux vérins latéraux reliés à l'embase et par un vérin médian relié à l'engin, l'embase avec le mât est inclinable par rapport à l'engin.

Advantageously:

• the mast comprises a cross-shaped base provided with coupling means to a vehicle carrying the foot of the mast by an articulated connection,
• the mast formed of at least two telescopic tubes is adjusted in length and inclination by two lateral cylinders connected to the base and a median jack connected to the machine, the base with the mast is tiltable relative to the machine.

Although the mast may consist of a single piece telescopic for some applications, it is interesting to have a greater working height than that offered by a single mast whose height is necessarily reduced to comply with the regulations or to facilitate the movement of the vehicle on not necessarily cleared at the top, so it is interesting that the mast is a telescopic mast.

• des supports latéraux montés sur les organes de réception du traíneau par des moyens de fixation et portant des rails formés par deux tubes reliés aux supports par leurs extrémités,
• un actionneur en forme de vérin parallèle aux rails.

Advantageously, the chassis comprises:

• lateral supports mounted on the receiving members of the sled by fixing means and carrying rails formed by two tubes connected to the supports by their ends,
• a cylinder-shaped actuator parallel to the rails.

The separation of the trolley into a installed sled so final on the mast and a frame carrying the translation frame as well that the tool holder offers flexibility of use of the equipment. In dismantling the frame, other tools or accessories can be installed on the sled such as a fork to lift and carry loads.

• des manchons de coulissement montés sur les rails,
• un point d'articulation pour l'extrémité du vérin,
• une plaque de base et des goussets de renforcement pour le porte-outil motorisé.

Advantageously, the moving frame comprises:

• sliding sleeves mounted on the rails,
• a point of articulation for the end of the cylinder,
• a base plate and reinforcing gussets for the motorized tool holder.

This realization of the frame is particularly simple and robust since it is limited to the functional elements. This robustness also makes it possible to effectively absorb the forces transmitted by the tool to the tool holder.

Advantageously, the toolholder comprises an engine hydraulic axis rotation parallel to the axis of movement of the sled along the mast.

This hydraulic motor is powered by the hydraulic system of the vehicle.

• un élément de raccordement (manchon) pour une liaison amovible avec le porte-outil,
• un corps tubulaire muni d'un joint de cardan relié à l'élément de raccordement, le corps tubulaire portant un filet hélicoïdal terminé par une tête de forage.

In a very advantageous way, the tool is an auger having:

• a connecting element (sleeve) for a removable connection with the tool holder,
• a tubular body provided with a universal joint connected to the connecting element, the tubular body carrying a helical thread terminated by a drill head.

The liftable and adjustable equipment in translation and, where appropriate, even pivoting if the equipment is carried by a platform rotating of the vehicle, allows a very efficient use of the auger to carry out plantations.

This auger is characterized in that the tool has a diameter of the helical thread linked to its pitch by the relation: D = Π • P (Π = 3.14 ...).

Thanks to this very particular structure of the auger, it is possible to make planting holes with excellent conditions of implantation since the earth of the hole is evacuated not as measured by the rotation of the auger but in the form of a plug which is ripped off. Indeed, thanks to these special features and freedom of movement given to the auger by the toolholder and the movable carriage along the mast, the auger does not dig a hole by loosening the earth she works and by chilling the outline of the cylindrical hole but, at contrary, this auger is screwed into the ground to the required depth. AT this moment the auger and the plug of earth in which is screwed, can be torn off by the lift of the truck. The earthen stopper can then be dropped next to the hole where at an appropriate place downhill again the auger and laying it on the ground. The evacuation of the land of the auger is done simply and naturally and if the earth is agglutinated, especially if it is a wet or clayey earth, a reverse rotation of the auger supported on the ground allows to evacuate the earth.

The universal joint connecting the body of the auger to the tool holder (via the connecting element of the auger to the tool holder) offers a great flexibility of use both during screwing the auger in the ground, in case it encounters an obstacle passenger on its way, the auger could slightly deflect. Similarly, to evacuate the auger, the universal joint allows to support the auger loaded, on the ground, so as to tilt it and evacuate more naturally the earthen plug.

In this position, thanks to the universal joint it is even possible to turn the auger and its plug, in the direction of screwing, or in the direction of unscrewing so as to evacuate the cap.

Finally, as the earth cap is torn off, the wall of the hole is not icy or compacted but remains in its natural state. when planting is done in such a hole, the roots will progress naturally in this wall without being prevented by the surface iced and compacted as is the case with the usual augers turn in the hole they make and do not screw themselves talk in the ground.

drawings

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un équipement selon l'invention avec son porte-outil mais sans l'outil,
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté de l'équipement de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue de face de l'équipement de la figure 1, le véhicule étant en position horizontale,
• la figure 4 est une vue de face de l'équipement de la figure 1, le véhicule étant installé dans une pente,
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de l'embase du mât,
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective du châssis et du cadre du chariot,
• la figure 7 est une vue de côté du chariot,
• la figure 8 montre l'équipement selon la figure 1 muni d'un outil en forme de tarière selon l'invention,
• les figures 9A, 9B sont des vues de côté de deux tarières,

The present invention will be described in more detail below with the aid of embodiments shown schematically in the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an equipment according to the invention with its toolholder but without the tool,
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the equipment of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a front view of the equipment of FIG. 1, the vehicle being in a horizontal position,
• FIG. 4 is a front view of the equipment of FIG. 1, the vehicle being installed in a slope,
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base of the mast,
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the frame and the frame of the carriage;
• FIG. 7 is a side view of the carriage,
• FIG. 8 shows the equipment according to FIG. 1 provided with an auger-shaped tool according to the invention,
• Figures 9A, 9B are side views of two augers,

Description of embodiments

According to FIGS. 1 to 7, the invention relates to a device tillage for excavation or planting work. This equipment is intended to be installed on a transport vehicle for example on the three-point hitch of a tractor or preferably on a vehicle designed for this purpose so that the driver can see the equipment for the execution of the works.

This equipment is equipped with a tool holder for a tool drilling such as a drill or auger to make holes in the soil and extract the load.

In general the axis of the drilling / hole is vertical but it can also be inclined; the rotary tool rotates about this axis along which he must also perform a translational motion for to sink and to extract the earth.

According to Figures 1 and 2, the equipment consists of a mast 1 carried by a base 2 connected to the vehicle not shown. The mast 1 tilting door carries a carriage 3 provided with a rotary tool holder 4 whose axis of ZZ rotation is parallel to the axis of movement of the carriage 3 along the mast 1. The carriage 3 is formed of a sled 31 movable along the mast and of a frame 32 with a frame 33 movable transversely to the movement of the sled 31. The various angle settings of the mast 1 and translation of the frame 33 make it possible to place the axis of the tool (or the axis of the tool holder ZZ) according to the work to be performed, the carriage 3 moving on the mast according to the progress of the work.

The telescopic mast 1, carried by the base 2 installed on the vehicle not shown, is formed of a fixed lower portion 11 and a top part 12 deployable.

The lower part 11 is completed by a double clevis 11-1 which overlaps a cross member 21 of the base 2 while being connected thereto by an axis 22.

• deux vérins latéraux 5, 6 reliés d'une part à la patte 13 et d'autre part à chaque côté de l'embase 2 pour pivoter le mât 1 vers la droite ou vers la gauche (D-G) suivant leur extension/rétraction combinée et
• un vérin médian 7 dont une extrémité 7-1 est reliée au véhicule portant l'équipement, l'autre 7-2 est relié à la patte. Ce vérin 7 dont la longueur est choisie notamment en fonction de son point d'articulation 7-1 sur le véhicule, commande l'inclinaison d'avant AV vers l'arrière AR du plan contenant le mât 1 et l'ensemble de l'équipage avec l'embase 2.

The upper part 12 of the mast is engaged on the lower part 11 and carries near its upper end a tab 13 for receiving the end of adjustment cylinders 5, 6, 7,

• two lateral cylinders 5, 6 connected on the one hand to the lug 13 and on the other hand to each side of the base 2 to pivot the mast 1 to the right or to the left (DG) according to their combined extension / retraction and
• a median cylinder 7, one end 7-1 is connected to the vehicle carrying the equipment, the other 7-2 is connected to the tab. This jack 7, the length of which is chosen in particular as a function of its point of articulation 7-1 on the vehicle, controls the inclination of the front plane AV towards the rear AR of the plane containing the mast 1 and the whole of the vehicle. crew with the base 2.

The combination of the movements of the three adjustment cylinders 5, 6, 7 makes it possible to lengthen / retract the mast 1 and to incline it according to any orientation relative to the vehicle, to the left-right side (G-D) and front to back (AV-AR).

It is thus possible to adjust the ZZ axis of the toolholder 4 and its tool following a specific orientation. In general it will be the direction vertical.

The orientation movement of the mast 1 is preferably controlled by a single joystick, mobile around a kneecap and control the combined movement of the three cylinders for the orientation of the mast, another joystick controls the extension or retraction movement of the mast.

The adjustment of the orientation of the mast can also be done automatically by servoing on a direction of instruction especially the vertical direction. The different means driving the cylinders mast adjustment can be controlled by a microprocessor.

These control and adjustment means are not represented.

So in summary the mast 1 pivots around the axis XX relative at the base 2, and with the base 2, around the axis YY relative to the vehicle, the carriage 3 moving along the axis ZZ, along the mast 1.

The carriage 3 is movable along the mast 1 in particular along of its extensible portion 12 via its slider 31 sliding / rolling on the mast by being restrained by cables passing over a pulley 14 at the top end of the mast 1. The other end of the cables is connected to an unrepresented jack housed inside the mast and whose the extension / retraction controls the lowering / raising of the sling 31 that is to say, the carriage 3.

The sled 31 comprises guiding means 31-1 on the mast and it is provided with receiving members 31-2, 31-3 receiving the frame 32 by its fasteners 32-2; 32-3.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the equipment of which the base 2 is horizontal and the mast 1 vertical. Figure 4 shows a situation analogous except that the vehicle is in a slope and so the base 2 is inclined. In this case we control the tilt cylinders to put the mast 1 in the vertical position or give it the desired inclination.

According to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the base 2 carrying the mast 1 is formed of a main cross member 21 on which is articulated the mast 1, two triangular flanges 23 at the end of cross-member 21 and a cross-member 24 bearing the bearings 25, 26 for the lateral cylinders 5, 6.

At the main transom 21 and behind it, the base 2 comprises two coupling members 27, 28 for the vehicle. These bodies are formed by the base of the flanges 23 and a respective tab 27-1, 28-1, connected to the cross member, carrying two aligned axes 27-2, 28-2 on the YY direction allowing the pivoting movement referred to above around the YY axis.

The main cross member 21 is provided with a bearing orifice 22 for the passage of the axis provided at the lower end of the mast 1. The axis XX of this orifice 22 is situated in the longitudinal plane of the equipment and consequently that of the vehicle while the two axes of connection and articulation 27-2, 28-2 of the base 2 in the vehicle bearings are transversely oriented (YY) according to the orientation convention chosen here.

The flanges 23 of the base connected at the top by the upper crossbar 24 are reinforced by two side gussets 29 connecting the main cross member 21 to the flanges 23 and the lower cross member 21 to form a rigid frame. The upper crossbar 24 comprises each end a bearing formed of two legs and a hinge axis to each receive the lower end of one of the lateral cylinders of tilt adjustment.

According to FIG. 2, the tab 13 of the mast to which is connected the upper end 5-2, 6-2 of the two lateral cylinders 5, 6 and the crossbar 24 of the base are offset relative to the mast 1 so that the side cylinders 5, 6 do not interfere with the movement of the carriage 3 and the passage from his rear roller 31-1. Cylinders 5, 6 and their joints end are preferably located in a plane parallel to the mast 1.

Figures 6 and 7 show the structure of the carriage 3 without the 31. As already indicated, the trolley 3 consists of a trolley provided with receiving means for receiving the frame 32. In this example the frame 32 has two upper hooks 32-2 and two hooks lower 32-3. The upper brackets 31-1 simply come engage over the upper edge 31-2 of the sling 31 and the two lower hooks 32-3, cover a bar or lower tab 31-1 of the 31. The locking of the chassis 32 to the sling 31 is done by a pin 32-4 blocked by a pin in each of the lower hooks 32-3.

The frame 32 has two lateral supports 32-5, 32-6 carrying the fasteners 32-2, 32-3. These two lateral supports are connected by two 32-7 transverse guide rails and one 32-5 of them carries actuator 32-8 cylinder-shaped parallel to guide rails 32-7. The rails receive the movable frame 33. The movable frame 33 is connected to the actuator 32-8 to move along the rails, that is to say transversely to the mast 1.

The vertical movement of the sled 31 combined with the movement transversal mobile frame 33 allows to position exactly the ZZ axis of the motorized tool holder 4.

The mobile frame 33 comprises a high sleeve 33-3and a bottom sleeve 33-4 connected to the sides 33-1, 33-2 of the frame and sliding on the respective rail 32-7. The rails are tubes of round section of the same than the sleeves. The bottom 33-5 of the frame is extended forward beyond sleeves 33-3, 33-4 and is connected by gussets 33-6 to the sides 33-1, 33-2 of the frame. This creates a location for the tool holder 4.

Actuator cylinder 32-8 is connected to one of the supports 32-5 of the chassis 32 by a hinge 32-9 offset to the outside, on the side of the chassis. Two 32-10 clevises, one of which is reinforced by a gusset 32-11, wear this hinge 32-9. It crosses the 32-5 side with The end of the rod 32-12 of the jack is hinged to the 33-2 side of the frame located near the other support 32-6 of the frame 32, so as to arrange of a cylinder stroke sufficient to move the frame all over the length of the rails 32-7. For this, the 32-8 cylinder also crosses the side opposite 33-1 of the frame 33.

The motorized tool holder 4 equipping the mobile frame 33 is preferably constituted by a hydraulically powered motor controlled by the hydraulic circuit of the vehicle.

The output shaft 41 of the tool holder 4 is a spline shaft straight on which a coupling sleeve is locked in rotation of complementary shape belonging to the tool.

The different hydraulic lines of the engine and the cylinder of the actuator as well as the adjusting cylinders for the orientation of the mast and the control means are not shown.

Figures 8, 9A, 9B show the equipment combined with a auger 5.

The auger 15 is composed of a tubular body 151 carrying a helical thread 152. The upper end of the body comprises an organ in the form of a sleeve 153 internally corrugated with grooves parallel to the axis (ZZ), complementary to those of the tip 41 of the output shaft of the tool holder 4. The sleeve 153 comprises also one or two orifices 153-1 for passing a needle or pin for locking in translation, the sleeve 153 on the output shaft of the tool holder. This pin is put in place once the sleeve 153 engaged on the output shaft 41of the tool holder 4.

The tubular body 151 of the auger is connected to the sleeve coupling with a universal joint 154.

The lower end of the tubular body carries a tip reinforced perforation 155 optionally provided with treated wafers, like a drill bit of puncher to attack the hard parts of the ground and in particular the possible pieces of rock encountered.

The net 152 of the auger has particular dimensions: its pitch P is related to the diameter D (outside diameter) by the following relation: (FIG. 9A) D = Π • P (Π = 3.14 ...).

The leading edge 152-1 of the net that enters the ground is a reinforced edge preferably lined with 152-2 teeth to promote penetration and protect the edge of the net against wear.

The number of turns of the helical thread 152 of the auger 15 depends in particular on the use of the auger and the depth of the hole to achieve as well as the nature of the soil.

The equipment of Figure 8 with the auger 15 is used to preferably under the following conditions:

After positioning the auger 15 at the appropriate place by the movement of the vehicle and the translation of the chassis on the carriage, and after orienting the working axis ZZ, that is to say the mast 1, it rotates the auger 15 which is screwed gradually in the ground, the beginning of the hole being made by the reinforced tip 155 of the tubular body 151. For this screwing operation is allowed down the carriage 3 along the mast 1. The weight of the carriage 3 with that of the toolholder 4 and the auger 15 are supported then on the point 155 and then on the net 152 when it enters the ground.

The articulation of the universal joint 154 makes it possible to absorb the possible slight deviations of trajectory of the auger 15 meeting an obstacle in the ground.

When the auger 15 is at the desired depth, it raises the carriage 3 with the auger 15 without moving the mast 1 to extract the earth plug held between the turns 152 of the auger.

With the vehicle, we can then transport this cap to the place where the earth of the hole must be deposited. One can also the case simply need to control a translation movement of the tool holder 4 with its frame 33 relative to the frame 32 to stand next the hole. Then the auger 15 is let down so that the tip 155 leans on the ground. It can thus bow and drop the retained earth between the turns of the net 152. This clearance is promoted by turn the auger slightly in the opposite direction to that of the screwdriver.

The tearing of the earth plug with the auger is very interesting for plantations, because the auger has simply screwed in the ground without shearing the wall of the hole, the earth will be torn off and the wall will not be icy, significantly promoting recovery and development plantations made in this hole.

Claims (7)

Tillage equipment for drilling and planting work intended to be installed on a transport vehicle such as a tractor,
characterized in that
He understands a mast (1) carried by a base (2) mounted on the vehicle, the mast, adjustable in inclination (AV-AR and GD) and in length, receiving a carriage (3) movable along its length (1) , this carriage (3) comprising a sled (31) sliding on the mast and provided with receiving members, a frame (32) mounted on the sled having transverse rails (32-7), an actuator (32-8), a movable frame (33) mounted on the transverse rails (32-7), connected to the actuator and provided with a motorized tool holder for receiving a tool intended to work parallel to the axis of movement of the sled along the mast. Equipment according to claim 1,
characterized in that the mast (1) comprises a cross-shaped base (2) provided with means for coupling to a vehicle and carrying the foot of the mast (1) by an articulated connection (22), the mast (1) consisting of at least two telescopic tubes (11, 12) being adjusted in length and inclination by two lateral cylinders (5, 6) connected to the base (2) and a median cylinder (7) connected to the machine, the base (2) with the mast (1) being tiltable relative to the machine. Equipment according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the frame (32) comprises lateral supports (32-5, 32-6) mounted on the receiving members of the sled (31) by fixing means (32-2, 32-4) and carrying rails (32-7) formed by two tubes connected to the supports by their ends, an actuator (32-8) in the form of a jack parallel to the rails (32-7), Equipment according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the movable frame (33) comprises sliding sleeves (33-3, 33-4) mounted on the rails (32-7), a point of articulation for the end (32-12) of the jack (32-8), a base plate (33-5) and reinforcing gussets (33-6) for the motorized tool holder (4). Equipment according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the tool holder (4) comprises a hydraulic axis motor (ZZ) parallel to the axis of movement of the sled (31) along the mast (1). Equipment according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the tool is an auger (15) having a connecting element (sleeve) (153) for a detachable connection with the tool holder (4), a tubular body (151) having a universal joint (154) connected to the connecting member (153), the tubular body carrying a helical thread (152) terminated by a drill head (155). Equipment according to claim 6,
characterized in that
the diameter (D) of the helical thread (152) of the auger is related to its pitch (P) by the relation D = Π • P (Π = 3.14 ...)

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