An earth cutting apparatus, system and method

Abstract

There is disclosed an earth cutting apparatus (200) comprising a plurality of articulated elements (210, 212) including at least a first element (210) having a mounting structure (214) thereon and an adjacent second element (212) hingedly connected to the first element (210). An earth cutting member (216) is provided including a proximal end (216.1) which is pivotally mounted to the mounting structure (214) of the first element (210) and an earth cutting end (216.2). The earth cutting member (216) is slidably connected (218) to the adjacent second element (212) and moveable between an extended position (220) and a retracted position (222), such that hinged movement of the adjacent second element (212) relative to the first element (210) causes the earth cutting member (216) to slidably extend from the adjacent second element (212) to the extended position (220) for operatively cutting earth. Hinged movement of the adjacent second element (212) in an opposite direction causes the earth cutting member (216) to slidably retract to the retracted position (222).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from South African provisional patent application number 2017 / 07797 filed on 17 Nov. 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to earth cutting, an earth cutting apparatus, an earth cutting system and an earth cutting method.[0003]More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to deep working of earth or soil for preparation and treatment of the soil for agricultural use.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0004]The tilling or ploughing of soil for agricultural purposes involves various techniques and equipment, many of age-old origin. These techniques and equipment have evolved in modern times to include a wide variety, or sets, of working tools such as ploughs and rippers of various design and construction and additional working tools such as shears and toes which work through the soil. These ploughs and rippers are dragged through the soil ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a system that includes a power source to drive the driver wheel, and a secondary drum that can rotate either in the same or opposite direction. The secondary drum has projections or paddles that can be used to clean the earth cutting members. The secondary drum is smaller than the driver wheel and rotates faster than it. The technical effects of this system are improved cleaning efficiency and faster speed of operation.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, the effectiveness of soil loosening and turning as well as the effectiveness of introducing various substances including fertilizers into the soil have been improved over time, however these improvements were of limited extent.

Even in conservation tillage systems, including minimum or no-till practices, the negative effects of compaction may accumulate over time.

These negative effects may occur even in virgin soils.

A problem encountered in the field is that the amount of energy needed to provide the draft, pulling or pushing force required by conventional tillage implements increases at a rate greater than a proportionate increase in tilling depth.

This has the effect of limiting deep tilling as a result of increased operating costs and also increased wear on tilling equipment.

These increased pulling or pushing forces have the result that the power needed increases exponentially.

However, a side effect of working below the critical depth is a reduction in soil disturbance with an increase in soil compaction.

The known devices, systems and methods are not able to perform tilling beyond the critical depth.

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