FR2741507A1 - Agricultural implement for shredding and distributing fodder, - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine is constructed within a casing (1), which receives the bale of fodder, which is fed into the casing via the opening in the upper surface of the case. The bale is fed, by (2) a conveyor belt (21), mounted on two rollers with horizontal axes, through to a blower fan (4), which is the means of distribution. A third section (3) is for shredding the fodder and for transferring it between the feed system and the distributor. The shredder consists of at least one roller, which is driven in rotation about the vertical axis (YY'), by the motor (34). The roller is fitted with cutters (35), which project radially from the surface of the roller.

Description

MACHINE FOR DISTRIBUTING FORAGE
The present invention relates to a machine for dispensing fodder.

 This kind of machine is very widespread and generally called, in terms of the trade, straw spreader / silage distributor.

 This machine makes it possible to distribute fodder such as straw or hay in particular in places of animal husbandry, for example in a manger or even on the ground, with a view to their use as litter.

 This type of machine is generally towed by a vehicle such as a tractor. The machine comprises an enclosure for receiving the fodder to be distributed, means for feeding it to the distribution means, as well as transfer and disentangling means arranged between the supply means and the distribution means. .

 By way of example, the supply means can consist of a horizontal moving belt and the disentangling means a rotary drum with a horizontal axis. The distribution means consist of a turbine, or a transverse endless screw arranged in the lower part of the machine and projecting on one of its sides. It can also be a movable belt or any other known conveyor means.

 The rotary unraveling drum is arranged in such a way that it partially overhangs the downstream end of the feed supply means in such a way that the feed is taken up directly by the drum to be directed towards the distribution means.

 Of course, the products must be treated regularly and in not too large quantities so as not to cause jamming at the level of the distribution means. This is also the function of the untangling roller.

 For forages which are not too compact and whose fibers are not too long, this type of arrangement works perfectly. However, some operational problems arise when the fodder consists of products in long stems such as hay, straw, or a whole plant grass silage.

 The problem is particularly acute when dealing with fodder supplied in the form of cylindrical bales. Inside such bales, the forages are arranged a little bit like a ball of string, that is to say wound in a spiral around the axis which materializes the center of the bale.

 Thus, when the fodder conveyed by the feeding means arrives at the level of the horizontal unraveling roller, the bale is unwound little by little. However, the fodder tends to come again to become entangled around the untangling roller. This causes jams both at the roller and the distribution means.

 A similar problem is encountered with bales of parallelepepedic shape which, in a way, consist of agglomerated "plates" and juxtaposed with fodder. In particular when the fillings are a little damp, the unraveling roller does not gradually take fibers from the boot but separates one by one the said "pads", thereby causing jams.

 The main objective of the present invention is to provide a solution to this problem.

 It therefore aims to provide a machine for distributing the fodder which makes it possible to work regularly, that is to say without the problem of jamming at any level whatsoever.

 The present invention also aims to provide a machine of simple and economical design.

 It is a machine for distributing fodder, which comprises a enclosure for receiving fodder, first means of supplying this fodder to second means of distribution, as well as third means of disentangling and transfer. disposed between the first and second means and capable of disentangling and transferring the fodder from one to the other, these third means consisting of at least one roller driven in rotation about its own axis.

 According to the invention, said axis extends substantially vertically.

 In this way, and particularly when the fodder is supplied in the form of cylindrical bales, the axis around which the fodder of the bale unwinds is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the roller. In this way, it can be seen that said forages no longer become entangled around the unraveling roller.

 The same advantage is provided when dealing with parallelepiped balls.

 According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the roller is equipped with a series of cutting blades arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis of the roller. In this way, the forage fibers, during their transfer, are sectioned transversely. This further improves the operation of the device and considerably limits the risks of jamming.

Furthermore, according to other advantageous but non-limiting characteristics of the invention:
- when the machine has two rollers, they are rotated in the same direction;
- When the machine has more than two rollers, at least two neighboring rollers are rotated in the same direction;
- Said roller is provided with a series of cutting blades arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis of said roller;
- The lower part of said roller is provided with a disc centered on the axis of the roller, the downstream part of the feed means partially overhanging said disc, so that the feed brought by the first means is transferred to the second means, either through the roller or through the disc; - Said roller is stripped of cutting blades in the region adjacent to the means for feeding the fodder;
- The first means of feeding fodder consists of an endless conveyor with moving belt;
- Said roller is equipped with at least one comb-forming tool, provided with counter-knives capable of cooperating with the cutting blades of said roller to ensure better regularity of the distribution of the fodder.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic view, in longitudinal section, of a machine according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a partial view, also in longitudinal section, of a second embodiment of this machine;
- Figure 3 is a simplified front view of the disentangling rollers and the turbine which equip the machine according to the invention.

 The machine shown succinctly in FIG. 1 consists of a trailer which comprises a fodder receiving enclosure 1, of substantially parallelepiped shape. It is mounted on wheels 12 and can be towed using a drawbar 11 located at its front part which occupies the right part of the figure.

 In an alternative embodiment, it could be carried by a vehicle.

 Note that the enclosure is open in its upper part. This opening is designed to be able to load the fodder to be distributed. It comprises in its lower part, substantially parallel to its bottom wall 14, means 2 for feeding fodder to a ventilation and distribution turbine 4.

 In the case illustrated here, these supply means consist of a movable conveyor belt 21 mounted on two drive rollers with a horizontal axis 20, of which at least 1 is a motor. The movable belt 21 is provided with elements 22, here in the form of "U" profiles arranged transversely, the function of which is to allow the gripping and the driving of the fodder in the direction of the turbine 4. The movement of the strand top of the mat is illustrated by the arrow l.

 In an alternative embodiment, this belt could be replaced by chains, by a pushing tool, or by any other known means capable of moving the fodder in the direction of the front wall 10 of the enclosure.

 Parallel to this wall 10 is provided a turbine 4 movable about a horizontal axis XX ', which extends perpendicular to said wall. In the case illustrated here, the turbine comprises a disc-shaped element 40 on which is mounted a series of blades 41.

 It will be noted that the moving elements of said enclosure can be driven for example using hydraulic means connected to the tractor vehicle, or by mechanical means such as the PTO of said vehicle.

 In the upper part of the enclosure and more precisely above the turbine 4, a small tubular conduit 6 with a vertical axis is provided, the upper part of which forms a crown, and on which is mounted, with the possibility of rotation around said axis. , a mobile distribution line 5.

 This distribution pipe extends above the turbine either above its right side or its left side. Such an arrangement is of a generally known type.

 Between the downstream end of the feed means 2 and the ventilation turbine 4 are arranged two rotary untangling and transfer rollers 3 and 3 'of generally cylindrical shape. In terms of the profession these rollers are generally called "hedgehogs". A single roller 3 is visible in Figures 1 and 2.

 According to a particularly important characteristic of the invention, these rollers extend along a vertical axis YY '. Its shaft 33 is adequately guided in appropriate bearings at the lower 14 and upper 16 walls of the enclosure. A motor 34, for example of the hydraulic type, makes it possible to drive them in rotation. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, they comprise at their lower end a disc 32 centered on the axis YY '.

 It will also be noted that the downstream end of the conveying means 2 overhangs the peripheral part of the discs 32.

 According to another characteristic, each roller is lined with a series of cutting blades or knives, for example of steel, which are arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis of the roller, which means that they extend in substantially planes horizontal. These blades can for example have a triangular shape.

However, they are absent from the lower part 31 of the rollers which borders the supply means 2.

 In the case illustrated here, the machine comprises two untangling rollers.

However, it could include a lower or higher number, for example three. When it has a single roller, it is preferably placed in the vertical median plane of the machine.

 The machine illustrated in Figure 2 differs from the previous only by the fact that the turbine 4 is replaced by an Archimedes screw movable around a horizontal axis ZZ '. It is guided in rotation in a trough 17, integral with the bottom wall 14 of the enclosure.

 There is shown in this figure in broken lines a cylindrical bundle of fodder B which arrives partly downstream of the supply means 2 and whose fibers will be gradually untangled and transferred to the Archimedes screw by means of rotary untangling rollers 3 and 3 '.

 As shown in FIG. 3, the machine is equipped with two parallel rollers 3 and 3 ′, disposed on either side of the axis of rotation of the turbine 4. Cutting blades 35 are shown on these rollers only in the form of lines and simply along two of its opposite generatrices, for the purpose of simplification.

 On the opposite sides of the two rollers and parallel to their axis of rotation YY 'are provided two sections 8 and 8'. These profiles are movable in rotation about their own axis and are provided with a series of cutting blades or knives 80, 80 ', for example of the same type as those which equip the rollers 3 and 3'.

The profiles constitute, with the associated blades, sorts of combs. These combs are brought back to the rest position by means of springs 90 respectively 90 ', fixed to fixed elements 9, 9' of the machine.

 In an alternative embodiment, the sections 8 and 8 'can be fixed.

 We will explain below how the fodder is transported to the turbine, with reference to this figure 3. To do this, we assume that the rollers 3 and 3 'are rotated in the direction illustrated by the arrow h, that is to say in the same direction.

 The fodder conveyed by the supply means 2 arrives at the level of the rollers 3 and 3 ′ in the direction of the arrow f, that is to say longitudinally relative to the enclosure 1. The rotation of the rollers tends to driving the fodder in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the direction of advance of the supply means 2. In this way the stuffing phenomena are reduced.

 In addition, the cutting blades 35 which equip the rollers 3 transversely shear the forage fibers. This further limits stuffing phenomena.

 The direction of rotation of the turbine 4 has been identified by the arrow g. Because the rollers 3 and 3 ′ rotate in the same direction, the fodder will be received in substantially the same region of the turbine, that is to say that is to say in its lower left part when we consider FIG. 3. This contributes to regular and smooth operation of the turbine 4.

 However, in an alternative embodiment, the rollers could be driven in the opposite direction.

 In order to avoid that the fodder is brought in a jerk towards the distribution turbine, the combs 8 and 8 'ensure in combination with the rollers 3 and 3', a better separation of the fodder and thus thus a better regularity in brought them to the turbine. The use of springs (or other elastic means) allows these combs to be able to retract if the forces to which they are subjected are too great.

 If it is found that the fodder conveyed by the supply means 2 is not taken up by the rollers, at the cutting blades 35, this fodder falls by gravity onto the discs 32 at the bottom of the rollers. The discs, by centrifugal effect, then transport said forages to the turbine 4.

 There is therefore no loss and no routing of materials under the means of supply, which would be difficult to dislodge.

 With this machine, it can be seen that the distribution of fodder, whether it is in the form of cylindrical or parallelepiped bales, does not pose any problem.

This type of machine is also suitable for the distribution of granular feeds such as corn.

 As an indication, the rotation speed of the rollers is of the order of 100 to 500 revolutions per minute.

Claims (8)

 1. Machine for distributing fodder, which comprises an enclosure (1) for receiving said fodder, first means (2) for feeding the latter to second distribution means (4, 7), as well as third disentangling (8) and transfer means (3, 3 ') arranged between the first (2) and the second means (4, 7) and capable of transferring the fodder from one to the other, these third means consisting of at least a roller (3, 3 ') driven in rotation about its axis (YY'), characterized in that said axis (YY ') extends substantially vertically  2. Machine according to claim 1, which comprises two rollers (3, 3 '), characterized in that they are rotated in the same direction.  3. Machine according to claim 1, which comprises more than two rollers (3, 3 '), characterized in that at least two neighboring rollers are rotated in the same direction.  4. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said roller (3) is provided with a series of cutting blades (35) arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis (4, 4 ') of said roller.  5. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lower part (31) of said roller (3, 3 ') is provided with a disc (32) centered on the axis (YY') of the roller (3, 3 '), the downstream part of the feed means (2) forages partially overhanging said disc (32), so that the feeds brought by the first means (2) are transferred to the second means ( 4, 7), either through the roller (3, 3 '), or through the disc (32).  6. Machine according to claims 4 and 5 taken in combination, characterized in that said roller (3, 3 ') is devoid of cutting blades (35) in the region adjacent to the feed means (2).  7. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first feed means (2) forages consist of an endless conveyor conveyor belt.  8. Machine according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said roller is equipped with a tool (8, 8 ') forming a comb, provided with counter knives (80, 80'), able to cooperate with the cutting blades (35) of said roller to ensure better regularity of the distribution of fodder.