FR2811197A1 - Tractor-drawn vine planting and staking machine follows cord with spaced markers and includes stake aligning and hammering mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The tractor drawn machine includes an automatic storage system (5) carrying stakes to present them vertically so that they can be hammered in to the ground. Plants are stored on a palette and are presented by an operator (8) in order to be put into the furrow traced by the ploughshare (9). The tractor drawn machine follows a furrow which is parallel to a cord (4) which is stretched between the two ends of the row. Fixed contacts (41) attached to the cord activate different characteristic elements of the machine. An automatic storage system (5) carries stakes to present them vertically so that they can be hammered in to the ground with a mechanism which compensates for the movement of the tractor. Plants are stored on a palette and are presented by an operator (8) in order to be put into the furrow traced by the ploughshare (9). A tank (13) placed on the roof of the tractor provides water to water the plants as they are put into the ground. An Independent claim is also included for the method for using the tractor drawn machine.

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic towed machine intended for

  bury plants and / or stakes in the ground.

  It is more particularly suitable for planting vine plants but

  can be used for planting shrubs and other plants.

  This type of machine used for planting vines has been known for several years. These machines generally include a burial system which opens the soil and closes it again after having deposited a plant and a stake; an operating sequence control device measures the WI distance traveled by the machine. This measurement is usually made using

  of a cord stretched on the ground and on which are spaced studs.

  Guidance along a straight line is carried out in different ways,

  manually, stretched wire, laser beam.

  However, electronic devices, sometimes used, do not withstand a harsh environment. They are therefore less reliable than mechanical devices. In addition, agricultural operators traditionally prefer simple mechanical systems on which, in the event of a breakdown, they can quickly intervene. In this field, the following prior art can be cited: The DOLS.FR.A.2 patent. 441.997 concerns an agricultural planter making it possible to plant and water the plan with precision relating to the spacing and alignment of the plants. A planting palette supplied with seedlings by an operator as well as watering are automatically triggered by the presence of metal studs previously crimped on a cord aligned with the ground. The FONTAN patent. FR.A.2.554.669 protects a machine for burying plants and / or stakes in the ground according to an alignment, constant spacing and precise squaring between regularly parallel rows. Said machine 3 () comprises, a burier assembly which opens the soil, deposits the plant and the stake and closes the soil, a device for controlling the operating sequences of the burier assembly comprising a means of measuring the distance

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  traversed by the machine, a lateral reference tracer device and

  a reader of the alignment with the reference path previously drawn.

  Despite the evolution of these machines, many problems have not been satisfactorily resolved. We can quote: The correction of the irregularities of the ground causing errors on the distances

between stakes.

  The installation of stakes, driven into the ground in a vertical.

  The consumption of water to carry out a significant renewed watering in

  very short time intervals.

  The present invention proposes to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and

  to resolve, in a certain way, the problems not entirely resolved.

  To this end, the machine, according to the invention, intended for burying seedlings, in particular vines, and / or stakes in the ground comprising: r A device for their alignment and their spacing actuated by X5 of the contacts fixed on a cord beforehand arranged on the ground, r. A device opening a furrow and closing it after placing the plant and / or the stake, i. A pallet for storing the plants, which will be buried manually in the furrow,

  r A device for placing stakes from a loading bin.

  A device for watering the plant before it is buried in the ground It is characterized in that: The device allowing the alignment and spacing of the plants and / or stakes comprises an assembly intended to lift the cord previously disposed on the ground , to detect the passage of crimped contacts on the cord and to correct the measurement between stakes resulting from ground irregularities so as to trigger automatic operating sequences, The device for placing stakes fully automated from the loading bin includes means for detecting the progress of the) tractor with respect to the ground intended to control means of transport of the stakes, a destacker, means for placing the stakes vertically, means

  driving stakes into the ground.

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  The plant sprinkler system is of the flush type comprising a valve fitted with a spring actuated by a cam pushing the valve and releasing the passage of sufficient water, of the order of 4 liters, very little time, renewed, every 2 seconds or so. Advantageously, the assembly intended for lifting the cord, detecting the passage of the contacts, triggering automatic operating sequences consists of a compass articulated on the chassis, the lower branch of which is articulated in rotation along a fixed axis A comprises a pressure roller of the cord on the ground, the upper branch of which is articulated in rotation about a movable axis B 1o comprises two diabolo-shaped guides lifting the cord between which a tensioner is arranged and a cell intended to detect the passage of the contacts. According to a preferred embodiment, the upper branch articulated in rotation about a movable axis B forming a stirrup rocks around the fixed axis C on the chassis JI, said stirrup being controlled by a cam so as to compensate for the compass effect and to advance the cell on the line when the roller is lifted by a bump in the ground and back when the roller passes over a

  hollow of the ground, so as to maintain it on a vertical plane.

  Thus constituted the set of guides - tensioner - cell moves in a vertical whatever the ground, bump or hollow, so that the distance between

stake remains constant.

  Advantageously, the cord is stretched between its ends by two self-tightening pliers releasing the cord in the absence of tension, and between these two pliers, two or three self-opening guide pliers release the cord when the roller passes so that in the end by relaxing the cord

  the operator can retrieve it to position it on a next row.

  Preferably, the device for automatically placing the stakes from the loading bin comprises conveyors with unloading chains for bringing the stakes to a destacker made up of concentric pinions "Jo two by two driving chains rotating at speeds different and increasing, of a separation roller provided with slide as well as a roller of

  blocking intended to separate the stakes presenting separately.

  The destacker consisting of pinions, concentric two by two, separation rollers, blocking allows the separation of the stakes so as to

  present later in a vertical position to drive them into the ground.

  This mechanical system with pinions and rollers can be replaced by an extendable plate made up of several coil springs lifted by a

  cam system when the springs retract.

  This extendable plate constitutes a means equivalent to the pinion system and

  rollers, it is within the scope of the present invention.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the stakes stored one by one at the blocking roller are transported vertically by a chain conveyor provided with clamps articulated in rotation, which conveyor is intended to present

  each of the vertical stakes under the driving system.

  Advantageously, the clamps for holding each stake in a vertical position on the transport chain include automatic devices opening ji of the branches of the clamp for gripping each stake arranged horizontally at the level of the locking roller and then releasing the stake, when it comes under the sinking system, these automatic devices are actuated by a

  finger provided with a roller arranged on the clamp actuated by a stop fixed to the frame.

  According to another characteristic, the maintenance in vertical position under the driving system consists of a jack intended to push the stake, released from the transport clamp, in a clamp similar to the latter, the branches of which

  will open when the stake is inserted.

  Preferably the stake driving system is made up of horizontal, vertical and oblique guides so that the driving head driven by a jack has an oblique stroke allowing this head to move back to compensate

the advancement of the tractor.

  The stake driving system thus defined keeps the stake stationary relative to the ground. To do this, the sinking head moves back by an equivalent value

  when moving the towed machine forward.

  no Advantageously, the means for detecting the progress of the tractor relative to the ground intended to control the means for driving stakes into the ground are made up of speed measurement systems such as radar or

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  mechanisms linked to the vertical slide which is stationary relative to the ground

while driving the stake.

  Advantageously, the method used for the towed machine comprises the following phases during a cycle renewed with each installation of a

stake and a plant.

  At the beginning of the row: * A - Installation on the ground of a cord provided with contacts allowing the alignment and spacing of the plants. Tensioning the cord and

clamping.

  * B- Supply of water to a tank placed on the tractor * C Supply of stakes from the loading tank and plants on a pallet * D - Placement of the line on the diabolos - Guidance of the tractor aligned with the line During cycle: * E - Opening of the furrow by a ploughshare * F - Automatic installation of a stake * G - Manual installation by an operator of a plant in the ground * H - Automatic watering * I Closure of the furrow by skimmers. End of cycle At the end of the row: * J Recovery of the cord by opening the clamp available for a

  another row, depending on the cycle renewal.

  Thus the process using the machine according to the invention makes it possible to reduce strictly manual operations since, in addition to the driver, a single positioning of the plants in the furrow is sufficient after the stake has been

automatically pressed.

  The machine responds well to the objectives set.

  Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which follows

  of an embodiment of the present invention given by way of illustrative but nonlimiting example with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the towed machine FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are schematic views of the stake transport system

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  FIG. 5 is a schematic profile view of the staking system for stakes. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the principle for correcting irregularities in the soil. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the system for watering the plants. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the machine during operation FIG. 1 shows in a schematic plan view the configuration of the elements constituting the towed machine. The machine 1 is towed by a tractor 2, the driver 3 drives the tractor following a parallel represented by a cord 4 stretched between the two ends of the rows. An automated system 5 stores, transports the stakes 52 to present them under a sinking system 6. The plants are stored on a pallet 7 and presented by an operator 8 in the furrow drawn by the ploughshare 9. From a tank 13 placed on the roof of the tractor watering 10 is carried out after positioning of the 1 plant synchronized with the closing of the furrow by skimmers 11. The operating sequences of the elements of the machine are triggered by contacts 41 arranged on the cord 4 whose position is detected by a

inductive sensor 12.

  In Figure 2 is shown in a schematic view in longitudinal section the storage and transport system 5 of the stakes. This system comprises a loading tray 51 on which the stakes 52 are stored. This tray consists of loading chains 53 bringing the stakes in bulk onto unloading chains 54 which transport the stakes to a destacker 55. 2. This destacker has function to separate the stakes to present them one by one under a driving head. It consists of sprockets 55a driving chains 55b rotating at different and increasing speeds depending on the progress of the stakes. A separation roller 55c provided with fins and slides 55d continues to carry out the separation of the stakes which is finished after passing through a blocking roller 55e. The transport of FIG. 3 shows in a schematic plan view

  each stake towards the sinking head.

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  The separation of the stakes being made it is necessary on the one hand to rotate each stake from the horizontal position to the vertical position and transport it in position

  vertical to present it under the driving head.

  The device ensuring these functions consists of sprockets 55f driving a transport chain 55g provided with clamps 55h. These clamps are articulated in rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the chain and open according to a

  axis orthogonal to the axis of rotation.

  The clamp in vertical position, actuated by a finger opens when it is presented in front of a horizontal stake, the weight of the stake is enough to tilt it 1o in vertical position so as to present the stake in vertical position under the

sinking head.

  In FIG. 4 according to a schematic plan view, the presentation of the stake under the driving head 61 is shown. A jack 56j pushes the stake into a clamp 56m for the stake during the driving phase, a cable 56k fixed to the

  ] 5 frame 561 opens the clamp after insertion of the stake 52 shown in dotted lines.

  The system is shown in FIG. 5 according to a schematic profile view.

driving 6 of the stakes 52.

  The purpose of this system is to keep the stake 52 in a vertical position and

  drive it into the ground as the machine advances.

  It is therefore necessary that the driving head 61 moves horizontally and vertically, in a way following the result of the composition of these

  two displacements indicated in A on the figure.

  To obtain this displacement, the system comprises a frame 62 linked to the towed machine 1 and horizontal 63 vertical 65 and oblique 64 slides which slide in sleeves. A jack 66 linked to the horizontal slide 63 ensures the displacement of the sliding assembly in the sleeves so that the driving head 61 is driven by an oblique movement according to the result shown in A. In FIG. 6 is shown a diagram of principle of the system for correcting the 3o irregularities of the ground which consists in advancing the cell 42 by detecting the passage of a contact 41 when a bump in the ground presents itself and moving back when there is a trough so that the cell always stays on the same vertical plane. A compass mounted on the chassis has a lower branch 43

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  articulated along a fixed axis A provided with a pressure roller 44 of the cord 4, an upper branch 45 articulated along a mobile axis B forming a stirrup rocking around the fixed axis C linked to the chassis. Said stirrup is controlled by a cam 46 actuated by a finger linked to the lower branch 43. The upper branch 45 comprises two guides 47 in the form of a diabolo and a pressure roller 48 intended

  to stretch the cord 4 between the guides 47.

  Figure 7 shows a block diagram of the plant watering system. A tank 1 of approximately 18001 supplies a pipe 13a and a cylinder 13b provided with a two-stage valve 13c. A cam 13d synchronized with the 0o descent of the driving head opens the valve delivering by the nozzle 10 approximately

  41 of water every 2 seconds to each of the plants deposited by the operator 8.

  In Figure 8 there is shown in a schematic plan view the machine according

the invention during operation.

  The cord 4 provided with contacts 41 separated from each other by the distance provided between: 5 stakes 52 is stretched between two self-tightening pliers 49b placed at the ends of the row. These clips release the cord in the absence of tension between these clips. Two or three guide clips 49c are placed along the length of the cord. These pliers are also self-opening releasing the cord during the passage of the roller, so that at the end of the line, the cord being relaxed

  the operator can retrieve it to position it on a next row.

  The towed machine draws a groove parallel to the taut line. To do this, the driver has a pole 49a attached to the tractor. A simple finger is enough to position the tractor. However, it is possible to trigger signals as soon as

  let the pole with his finger move away from the cord.

  The plot of land to be planted must be prepared beforehand, for example by plowing 45 cm deep. An adjustment of the depth of the groove is obtained by acting on the digging wheels to take into account the nature

ground.

  The distance between stake varies according to the designations from 80 to 120cm; the cadence o is given by the speed of movement of the tractor and by the speed of the operator. For a distance of 100cm, a cadence of 2s, it takes about 3

mn 20s for a row of 100m.

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  The modifications likely to be made by those skilled in the art to the above process and device which, without altering the original provisions, would be mere technical equivalents, also fall within the scope of the

part of the present invention.

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Claims (10)

  1) Automatic towed machine intended to bury seedlings, in particular vines, and / or stakes in the ground comprising a device allowing their alignment and their spacing actuated by contacts fixed on a cord previously disposed on the ground, a device opening a furrow and closing it after placing the plant and / or the stake, a pallet for storing the plants, which will be buried manually in the furrow, a device for placing the stakes from a loading tank, a device watering the plant before it is buried in the ground. Said machine is characterized in that the device allowing the alignment and spacing of the plants and / or stakes (52) comprises an assembly intended to lift the cord (4) previously disposed on the ground, to detect the passage of contacts (41) crimped on the cord and to correct the measurement between stakes resulting from ground irregularities so as to trigger automatic operating sequences, the device for placing stakes fully automated from the loading bin (51) includes means for detecting the progress of the tractor with respect to the ground intended to control means of transport (53-54) of the stakes, a destacker (55), means of placing the stakes vertically, driving means ( 6) stakes in the ground, the plant watering device is of the flush type comprising a valve (13c) provided with a spring actuated by a cam (13d) pushing the valve and releasing the passage of the water in q sufficient quantity, of the order of 4 liters, in a very short time, so   renewed, approximately every 2 seconds.   2) Automatic machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the assembly intended for lifting the cord (4), detecting the passage of the contacts (41), triggering automatic operating sequences consists of a compass articulated on the chassis, the lower branch (43) of which is articulated in rotation along a fixed axis A comprises a pressure roller (44) of the cord on the ground, the upper branch (45) of which is articulated in rotation along a movable axis B has two guides (47) in form of diabolo lifting the cord between which are arranged a tensioner (48) and a cell (42) intended to detect the passage of the contacts (41).   1Jn 2811197 3) Automatic machine according to claim 2 characterized in that the upper branch (45) articulated in rotation along a movable axis B forming a stirrup (45a) rocks around the axis C fixed on the chassis, said stirrup being controlled by a cam (46) so as to compensate for the effect of compass and to advance the cell on the cord when the roller (44) is lifted by a bump in the ground and to retreat when the roller passes over a hollow in the ground,   so as to keep it on a vertical plane.   4) Automatic machine according to any one of the claims   previous characterized in that the cord 4 is stretched between its ends jo by two self-tightening pliers (49b) releasing the cord in the absence of   tension, and between these two clamps, two or three self-guiding clamps (49c)   openers release the cord when the roller passes so that at the end of the line by relaxing the cord the operator can retrieve it to position it on a next row.   5) Automatic machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the device for automatically placing stakes from the bin   loading (51) comprises conveyors with unloading chains (53-   54) to bring the stakes to a destacker (55) consisting of concentric rollers (55a) driving chains (55b) rotating at different and increasing speeds, a separation roller (55c) provided with slide (55d ) as well as a blocking roller (55e) intended to separate the stakes presenting groups.   6) An automatic machine according to claim 5 characterized in that the stakes stored one by one at the level of the blocking roller (55e) are transported vertically by a chain conveyor (55f-g) provided with articulated grippers (55h) in rotation, which carrier is intended to present each   vertical stakes under the driving system (61).   7) Automatic machine according to claim 6 characterized in that the holding clamps (55h) of each stake in a vertical position on the 0o transport chain comprise automatic devices for opening the branches of the clamp to grip each stake arranged horizontally at level of the blocking roller (55e) then release the stake, when it comes under the 12 2811197   sinking system (61), these automatic devices are actuated by a   finger fitted with a roller arranged on the frame of the locking roller.   8) Automatic machine according to claim 7 characterized in that the maintenance in vertical position under the driving system, age (61) consists of a jack (55d) intended to push the stake, released from the transport clamp, in pliers (56k) similar to the latter whose branches will open when the insertion of the stake.   9) Automatic machine according to one of claims 6, 7, 8 characterized in   that the driving system (61) of the stakes is made up of horizontal, (63) vertical (65) and oblique (64) slides so that the driving head (61) driven by a jack (66) has a oblique stroke allowing this head to   back off to compensate for the tractor advance.   ) Automatic machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the means for detecting the progress of the tractor with respect to the ground intended to control the means for driving the stakes into the ground consist of speed measurement systems such as radar or mechanisms (67) linked to the vertical slide (65) which is stationary relative to the ground for the insertion of the stake.   11) Method for using the machine towed by a tractor defined by   the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises the phases   following during a cycle renewed with each installation of a stake and a plan At the beginning of the row: A - Installation on the ground of a cord provided with contacts allowing alignment and plant spacing. Tensioning the cord and holding it by pliers.   B- Water supply from a tank placed on the tractor C Supply of stakes from the loading tank and plants on a pallet D Placement of the line on the dolly - Guidance of the tractor aligned with the line During the cycle E - Opening of the furrow by a F share - Automatic placement of stakes 1 3 2811197   G - Manual placement of plants in the soil by an operator H Automatic watering I - Closure of the furrow with skimmers. End of cycle At the end of the row: D J - Recovery of the cord by opening the clamp available for another   row, according to the renewal of the cycle.