AU2007201385A1

AU2007201385A1 - A Cultivating and Planting Machine

Info

Publication number: AU2007201385A1
Application number: AU2007201385A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Keith Handley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-29
Filing date: 2007-03-29
Publication date: 2008-10-16

Description

A Cultivating Apparatus SField of the Invention.

The present invention relates to a cultivating apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a cultivating apparatus operable in heavy stubble.

00 M Background Art.

O The harvesting of many common crops, including wheat, barley, rye, oats, canola, corn (maize) and sunflowers, involves manually or mechanically cutting the stalk of the crop at a point just above the ground and collecting the cut portion for processing.

Crops harvested in this way leave behind short stumps in the ground, known as "stubble".

In many conventional farming methods, the stubble left behind during harvesting will be removed, prior to planting the next crop, in order to prevent crop sowing devices becoming tangled in, or clogged with, stubble during operation. Traditionally, stubble has been removed by burning. However, this method is increasingly falling out of favor due to its environmental impact. Another method for removing stubble is slashing. The stubble may be slashed using specialized equipment. Slashing breaks the stubble into small enough pieces to allow a crop sowing machine to operate effectively. However, this technique is expensive and labour-intensive, as it requires working the paddock or field once to slash the stubble and then a second time to sow the new crops. In addition, the slashing process tends to drive broken pieces of stubble into the soil, where decomposition takes place. The decomposition process consumes nitrogen from the soil, thus reducing the amount of nitrogen available for use in crop production.

The removal of stubble from land also has a number of significant drawbacks. By removing stubble, there is an increased risk of soil erosion. In addition, land with stubble will better resist the evaporation of moisture from the soil than land from which the stubble has been removed.

A number of farming methods are now used and advocated, particularly in drought prone regions and where soil quality is low, where the stubble is retained on the land to promote water retention. Such methods may also employ minimum or no till cultivating of crops.

Summary of the Invention.

We have now found a cultivating apparatus which permits the land to be cultivated 00 M with the stubble being retained and which may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages, or provide a useful or commercial choice. In one form, the present invention resides in a cultivating apparatus comprising a stubble collector, at least one cultivator wherein the at least one cultivator is positioned rearward of the stubble collector and in use forms cultivated rows, a shroud extending over the stubble collector whereby in use stubble collected by the stubble collector is fed to the rear of the cultivating apparatus along a stubble path at least partly bounded by the shroud, and baffles positioned in the stubble path to deposit the stubble between the cultivated rows.

In use, as the cultivating apparatus moves across a paddock, the stubble collector removes stubble from the ground. In addition to picking up loose stubble lying on the ground, the stubble collector may also remove stubble by cutting, breaking, uprooting, or otherwise removing the stubble from the ground. In some embodiments of the invention, the stubble collector may be provided with one or more projections adapted to remove stubble from the ground. The one or more projections may take any suitable form, such as, but not limited to, a blade, paddle, scoop, hook or tine. Typically, the body of the stubble collector will be disposed approximately parallel to the ground, with the one or more projections extending outwardly from the body of the stubble collector. Advantageously, there may be some clearance between the ground and the projections of the stubble collector in order to prevent the projections making contact with the ground or other debris such as rocks when in use, thereby damaging the projections. While it is envisaged that the clearance required between the ground and the projections may be between 5 and 10 centimetres under most conditions, the amount of clearance between the projections and the ground may be either increased or decreased depending on the conditions encountered.

QIt is preferred that, in use, stubble removed by the stubble collector is fed to a stubble ;path within the cultivating apparatus. The means by which this is achieved is not narrowly critical, although in some embodiments it is achieved by providing the stubble collector with a suitable shape to encourage the flow of stubble to the stubble path.

00 MO Typically, the stubble path will extend from the front of the cultivating apparatus to O the rear of the cultivating apparatus. The stubble is transported along the stubble path by any suitable means for transporting removed stubble from the front to the rear of the cultivating apparatus, such as from momentum imparted by the stubble collector, pneumatically, by transportation under gravity or via a conveyor or any combination.

The stubble exits at the rear of the cultivating apparatus. The rear of the cultivating apparatus may be shaped so as to ensure that the flow of stubble exiting the cultivating apparatus is directed downwards towards the ground.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the stubble collector may rotate when in use in order to lift, flick or otherwise carry the removed stubble into the stubble path. Rotation of the stubble collector may be achieved using any suitable method.

Conveniently, the stubble collector may be driven by a power take-off of a tractor or the like pulling the cultivating apparatus. Alternatively, the cultivating apparatus may be provided with independent drive means for driving the rotation of the stubble collector. In some embodiments of the invention, the rotation of the stubble collector may be caused by the movement of the cultivating apparatus across the ground.

During the rotation of the stubble collector, the stubble collector or the at least one projection extending outwardly from the body of the stubble collector will come into contact with stubble as the cultivating apparatus moves across the ground. The rotating action of the stubble collector will break, cut, uproot or otherwise remove the stubble from the ground while, at the same time, carrying the removed stubble into the stubble path.

The stubble path may comprise a passageway extending from the front to the rear of the cultivating apparatus. The stubble path may consist of a variety of configurations, such as, for instance, being partially or completely defined by walls. Preferably, the stubble path is at least partially defined by a shroud extending over at least part of the 4 cultivating apparatus. In some embodiments of the invention, the interior of the shroud may serve to define a passageway along which stubble may flow above the stubble collector and at least one cultivator.

t The shroud may fulfill several purposes in addition to defining the stubble path along

OO

00 M which the removed stubble may travel. Firstly, the shroud may protect the user by covering any moving parts of the cultivating apparatus, such as the stubble collector.

Secondly, the shroud prevents or at least reduces the quantity of removed stubble from becoming airborne and scattering across the paddock. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shroud extends over the stubble collector and the at least one cultivator.

In some embodiments of the present invention the movement of stubble along the stubble path may be at least partly achieved due to the rotation of the stubble collector inducing a flow of air from the front to the rear of the cultivating apparatus along the stubble path. Stubble that has been picked up by the rotation of the stubble collector may be lifted into the stubble path and the flow of air through the stubble path blows the stubble towards the rear of the cultivating apparatus. In this embodiment of the invention, the shroud may be shaped so as to provide the stubble path with optimal airflow for entraining the stubble and ensuring the smooth flow of stubble along the stubble path.

In some embodiments of the invention, the stubble path may be adjusted depending on the nature of the stubble. To achieve this, the cultivating apparatus may be provided with means for adjusting the height of the shroud. The means for adjusting the height of the shroud may comprise any suitable form, such as selecting from a series of bolt holes or hydraulic struts. Raising or lowering the shroud serves to change the distance and direction the removed stubble will take in the stubble path.

The cultivating apparatus further comprises baffles located in the stubble path. These baffles may be adapted to divert or channel stubble flowing along the stubble path.

Typically, the baffles will channel the stubble exiting the cultivating apparatus in such a way as to form rows of stubble on the ground behind the cultivating apparatus and ;between the cultivated rows.

The baffles may be of any suitable shape, size or configuration. The exact nature of the baffles is not narrowly critical, and may be determined at least in part by the type in and number of cultivators associated with the cultivating apparatus. In some 00 M embodiments of the invention, the baffles may comprise a substantially V-shaped 0 body that widens towards the rear of the cultivating apparatus.

The baffles are positioned in the stubble path and may be connected to the cultivating apparatus using any suitable method. Advantageously, where the shroud defines the stubble path the baffles are connected to an inner surface of the shroud in the stubble path. The baffles may be located at any point within the stubble path, although it is preferred that the baffles are located towards the rear of the cultivating apparatus to direct the stubble away from the cultivators. The baffles may be connected to an inner surface of the shroud using any suitable method, such as by being formed integrally with the shroud. Alternatively, the baffles may be formed separately from the shroud and may be bolted, screwed or otherwise attached to an inner surface of the shroud.

The cultivating apparatus may further comprise at least one cultivator disposed towards the rear of the cultivating apparatus. The at least one cultivator may comprise any suitable form, such as, but not limited to, a tine, fork, blade, disc or the like. The at least one cultivator is disposed in such a way as to form furrows in the ground as the cultivating apparatus moves. The at least one cultivator may be formed integrally with the cultivating apparatus, or may be formed separately and connected to the cultivating apparatus using any suitable method. Typically, the at least one cultivator will be positioned so that it forms a furrow between the rows of stubble created by the baffles.

The at least one cultivator may further comprise at least one planting device. The at least one planting device may comprise any suitable device, and the exact type of plating device is not narrowly critical. For instance, the at least one planting device may comprise a sowing tube. The at least one planting device may be connected to the at least one cultivator in such a way that seeds may be planted in the furrows created ;by the at least one cultivator during use of the cultivating apparatus. In this way, the cultivating apparatus may remove stubble, cultivate and sow simultaneously.

The cultivating apparatus may further comprise protective means disposed toward the t front of the cultivating apparatus to prevent unwanted debris from entering the 00 M cultivating apparatus and to assist with the removal of the stubble. The protective means may take any suitable form, such as a curtain extending along the length of the front of the cultivating apparatus, or a row of fingers extending downwardly from the front of the cultivating apparatus. The protective means may be manufactured from any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material.

The cultivating apparatus may be operated using any suitable method. For instance, the cultivating apparatus may be battery or motor driven and able to operate as a stand-alone piece of equipment. Alternatively, the cultivating apparatus may be provided with connection means adapted to connect the cultivating apparatus to a vehicle, such as a tractor. The nature of the connection means is not narrowly critical, but may comprise a standard tow hitch. In this embodiment of the invention, the cultivating apparatus may be pulled behind, or pushed ahead of, the vehicle. In addition, the working parts of the cultivating apparatus, such as the stubble collector and the at least one cultivator, may be raised or lowered in order to lift the working parts clear of the ground. This may be particularly useful when the cultivating apparatus is being transported when not in use, or across broken or uneven ground..

The cultivating apparatus may be fabricated from any suitable material. However, given the environment in which it is to be used, it is preferred that the cultivating apparatus be made from steel or other metal for strength of construction and to minimise the risk of damage or breakdown.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Q) Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cultivating apparatus according to a ;preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a side elevation of a cultivating apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

V)Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments.

00 M€3 Figure 1 illustrates a cultivating apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the 0 present invention. The cultivating apparatus comprises a stubble collector 11 consisting of an elongate member and a number of paddles 13 extending outwardly from the elongate member. The stubble collector 11 comprises a number of sets of paddles 13 spaced apart along the elongate member 12. During operation of the cultivating apparatus 10, the stubble collector 11 rotates, causing the paddles 13 to break or cut any stubble (not shown) in the path of the cultivating apparatus 10. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, the elongate member 12 is connected to a gearbox 14 which, in turn, is connected to an input shaft 15 which may be connected to the power take-off of a tractor (not shown) in order to cause rotation of the stubble collector 11. The height of the paddles above the ground 18 may be changed depending on the particular stubble conditions encountered by adjusting the height of a pair of front wheels 23.

The cultivating apparatus 10 further comprises a shroud 16 which covers the working parts of the cultivating apparatus 10. The shroud 16 is shaped so that a stubble path 17 is formed from the front to the rear of the cultivating apparatus 10. The rotation of the stubble collector 11 will cause broken or cut stubble to be flicked, lifted or blown upwards into the stubble path 17. The shape and position of the shroud 16 ensures that the stubble entering the stubble path 17 will flow along the stubble path 17 before exiting onto the ground 18 at the rear of the cultivating apparatus.

The shroud 16 may be provided with a hinged section 19 to allow the user to gain access to the stubble collector 11 without the need to remove the shroud 16 from the cultivating apparatus 10. This allows the user to carry out simple maintenance on the cultivating apparatus 10 without needing to first dismantle it, which is of particular advantage when using the cultivating apparatus 10 at a location remote to a workshop, 8 Sas is often the case on large farms. In addition, the height of the shroud 16 above the stubble collector 11 may be adjusted by raising or lowering the shroud 16. This may Sbe done to change the shape and angle of the stubble path 17 to optimize the flow of stubble under different conditions.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, the cultivating apparatus 00 M further comprises a series of spaced-apart baffles 20 located in the stubble path 17.

O The baffles 20 consist of a V-shaped body which may be screwed or bolted to the internal surface of the shroud 16. Stubble flowing along the stubble path 17 comes into contact with the baffles 20 and is channeled between adjacent baffles 20. Thus, stubble exiting the cultivating apparatus 10 is channeled into neat rows which are deposited on the ground 18 between cultivated rows (not shown). By forming rows of stubble between cultivated rows, weed growth in cultivated rows is reduced, and, as they are not covered by stubble, crop seedlings have access to sunlight to promote their growth.

The cultivating apparatus 10 comprises a number of cultivators 21 disposed rearward of the stubble collector 11. In the embodiment of the invention shown, the cultivators 21 comprise tines that form cultivated rows (not shown) in the ground 18. The cultivators 21 are screwed or bolted to an implement frame 22. The height of the implement frame 22 above the ground 18 may be adjusted depending on the desired depth of cultivated rows (not shown), or lifted well clear of the ground 18 for transportation of the cultivating apparatus Sowing tubes 24 may be connected to the cultivators 21. In use, the sowing tubes 24 would contain crop seeds that would be periodically dropped into the cultivated rows (not shown) formed by the cultivators 21. In this embodiment of the invention, the cultivating apparatus 10 serves to remove stubble, form cultivated rows and plant crop seeds all in the one action, providing a significant improvement in efficiency, and significant savings in terms of labour, time and equipment capital costs.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in which the cultivating apparatus is provided with protective means in the form of a series of downwardly angled fingers 25 disposed across the front edge of the cultivating apparatus. These ;4 fingers 25 serve to protect the internal parts of the cultivating apparatus 10 (such as Sthe stubble collector) from being damaged by debris (stones, sticks etc) kicked up by the tractor (not shown). Any debris will be deflected by the fingers 25 and will not enter the cultivating apparatus 10. Furthermore, the fingers 25 serve to loosen the Vt' stubble, making removal of the stubble by the stubble collector (not shown) simpler 00 M and more efficient.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.

Claims

2.
3.
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5.
6. A cultivating apparatus comprising a stubble collector, at least one cultivator wherein the at least one cultivator is positioned rearward of the stubble collector and in use forms cultivated rows, a shroud extending over the stubble collector and the at least one cultivator whereby in use stubble collected by the stubble collector is fed to the rear of the cultivating apparatus along a stubble path at least partly bounded by the shroud, and baffles positioned in the stubble path to deposit the stubble between the cultivated rows. A cultivating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the stubble collector is shaped to cause stubble collected by the stubble collector to be fed to the stubble path. A cultivating apparatus according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the stubble collector is rotatable. A cultivating apparatus according to any one of claims I to 3 wherein the shroud extends over the stubble collector and the at least one cultivator. A cultivating apparatus according to any one of claims I to 4 wherein the shroud is adapted to be raised or lowered in order to improve the flow of stubble along the stubble path. A cultivating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the stubble collector and at least one cultivator are adapted to be raised or lowered for use in a variety of conditions. A cultivating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the cultivating apparatus is adapted for connection to a vehicle. A cultivating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the cultivating apparatus is adapted to form cultivated rows and sow crops simultaneously.