BREEDSPOORTRACTOR

Abstract

This invention concerns a wide-track tractor (1), comprising a frame (2) extended in a width direction (B), where the frame (2) is equipped with one or more longitudinal transport elements (3), designed to be movable in a longitudinal direction (L), transverse to the width direction (B), where the frame (2) is further equipped with a holder (4), designed for attaching an agricultural implement (5), where the holder (4) is rotatably positioned in relation to the frame (2) in order to rotate an agricultural implement (5) attached to the holder (4) between a first and second position, where an agricultural implement (5) is respectively designed in the first position to perform an operation in a first direction along the length direction (L) and in the second position designed to perform an operation in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the length direction (L).

Description

2 for example, to drive on public roads between fields. A first solution for this is to provide a foldable frame, as in EP0827684A2, so that the wide frame, to which implements can be attached, can be folded up before the tractor drives on the road. However, with such a system it is very difficult to make the frame wider, since it must still be possible to fold everything up correctly. Moreover, it is not possible to use such a tractor for every type of agricultural implement, since some agricultural implements are too heavy or too unwieldy to be folded up compactly as in EP0827684A2.Wide-track tractors, such as the wide-track tractor shown in WO9007866A2, do not have this disadvantage because these wide-track tractors can be driven in two different orientations: a longitudinal orientation where such a wide-track tractor can be driven along the longitudinal direction to cultivate the field, and a transverse orientation where the wide-track tractor can be driven along the transverse direction to, among other things, transport the wide-track tractor between fields. Since the frame extends mainly along the transverse direction, the frame will therefore be much narrower in the longitudinal direction, allowing the wide-track tractor to be easily driven on the road in the transverse direction. When cultivating the field, it can be moved along the longitudinal direction, allowing the field to be cultivated over a wider section. Compared to a standard tractor, such a wide-track tractor therefore has the advantage that it is possible to sum more to work adjacent crop rows with the same movement of the wide-track tractor.In EP0793411B1, a similar wide-track tractor is described in which the wheels can also very easily switch between the width orientation and the length orientation, making it even easier to switch between these orientations. More recent wide-track tractors, such as in EP3661345B1, even use steerable tracks to be able to switch between the width orientation and the length orientation even more easily. 30 BE2025 / 5021 3 However, a field is usually provided with many rows of crops, making it necessary even for a very wide broad-track tractor to work a field in multiple row movements. As a result, the field is divided into a number of transport rows, whereby such a broad-track tractor is driven along each transport row to work the field. At the end of such a transport row, the broad-track tractor must turn between the transport rows to ensure that the implements always have the correct orientation to the frame of the broad-track tractor to successfully work the crop rows.This actually ensures that wide-track tractors, despite their many advantages, are only used on very extensive fields, as it is often very difficult or impossible to make this turning maneuver in smaller fields because obstacles such as ditches, trees, or posts are often located next to the fields. Furthermore, the wider the wide-track tractor, the more difficult it becomes to practically execute this turning maneuver. The time gained from working multiple crop rows then does not outweigh the time lost due to these difficult turning maneuvers. Additionally, the soil at the ends of the transport rows will be heavily loaded locally by the turning of the wide-track tractor. As a result, the crops and / or the soil itself are damaged by these turning maneuvers. 20 The goal of this invention is to provide a wide-track tractor that makes it possible to cultivate a field more easily and efficiently, while the soil is stressed as little as possible.The objective of this invention is achieved by providing a wide-track tractor,25 comprising a frame that is mainly extended in a width direction, where the frame is provided with one or more longitudinal transport elements, which are provided to be movable in a longitudinal direction, transverse to the width direction, where the frame is further provided with a holder, which is provided for attaching an agricultural implement to the frame, where each agricultural implement is provided30 to perform an operation in a specific direction according to the longitudinal direction where BE2025 / 5021 4 the holder is rotatably positioned relative to the frame in order to rotate an agricultural implement attached to the holder between a first position and a second position, where an agricultural implement in the first position is provided to perform an operation in a first direction according to the longitudinal directions and where an agricultural implement indetweedestandvoorzienissomeenbewerkinguittevoerenineentweedezin,5 tegengesteldaandeeerstezin, volgens delengterichting.Due to the rotatable holder, which allows an agricultural implement attached to the holder to rotate between the first and second positions, it is possible to ensure that the aforementioned problematic reversing movement10 is avoided, since it becomes easy to always orient the implements correctly with the aid of such a rotatable holder. This makes working a field, which for example consists of a single transport row or multiple transport rows, much easier with the aid of such a wide-track tractor. In addition, avoiding reversing movements ensures that the soil of the field is subjected to much less stress than is the case with known wide-track tractors. The frame of the broad-track tractor can have any known shape, such as a beam-shaped frame or a more asymmetrical frame as in EP3661345B1. This frame can be made of a metal, such as aluminium or steel, or any other material from which, for example, tractor parts are manufactured or which is suitable for this purpose.The one or more holders provided to the frame are preferably also made of similar material. 25 In special designs, the frame is preferably provided with multiple holders which can, for example, be arranged side by side on the frame in the width direction in order to process three rows of crops with a single transport movement. The longitudinal transport elements may consist of one or more wheels or tracks or any other transport elements. Furthermore, in BE2025 / 5021 5, these transport elements are preferably symmetrically equipped on the wide-track tractor. The wide-track tractor is furthermore preferably equipped with drive devices to power these transport elements, whereby these drive devices preferably power each transport element individually, but alternatively it is also possible to power these transport elements synchronously. The drive devices are preferably electric or hydraulic drive devices but may alternatively or additionally include pneumatic or any other form of drive device.In alternative configurations, it is also possible that the wide-track tractor does not include any means of propulsion, and that this wide-track tractor is always towed or pushed by an auxiliary tractor or other auxiliary system. Naturally, it is also possible that the wide-track tractor can be towed or pushed and itself includes means of propulsion. To this end, the wide-track tractor is preferably further equipped with a drawbar or similar system. Preferably, the one or more rotatable holders are equipped to be freely rotatable.15 As a result, when the field consists of crop rows that are not straight but, for example, include curves, these one or more rotatable holders and the corresponding one or more agricultural implements attached to the holder will be passively rotated over corresponding angles and by driving movement through the curves.20 The wide-track tractor is furthermore preferably equipped with means of rotation to actively rotate these rotatable holder(s). These means of rotation are preferably also equipped to rotate an agricultural implement attached to a holder between the first and second positions.Generally, a rotation at an angle of approximately 180°25 is required to rotate between the first and second positions. If there is an additional passive rotation due to the movements of the wide-track tractor, as described above, this angle may deviate from 180°. Preferably, the rotation devices are equipped to allow rotation at an angle of nearly 360°, making virtually all rotation angles possible.30 BE2025 / 5021 6 Furthermore, the holder is preferably movable at least relative to the frame along the width direction. This gives the wide-track tractor extra flexibility, and makes it possible to adjust, for example, the distance between the agricultural implements, so that the wide-track tractor can be used on different fields with a different row spacing between the crop rows. Furthermore, it is thus possible, for example, to use the wide-track tractor on fields where the wide-track tractor is in a single transport row comprises multiple processing rows, where the holders can be easily moved in the width direction to switch between processing rows.To this end, the frame may be equipped with a means of movement such as rails or a cable system or the like to move this holder relative to the frame, and the wide-track tractor may in addition be equipped with means of drive for moving one or more holders. Preferably, the aforementioned agricultural implement is a first agricultural implement and the holder is, in a preferred design form, further equipped for the attachment of a second agricultural implement, which is intended to be positioned on a different side of the frame than the first agricultural implement, whereby this second agricultural implement is equipped to perform an operation in the same direction along the length as the first agricultural implement. The wide-track tractor will thereby, for example, be able to perform successive operations on the same crop rows with the same movement. Preferably, this first agricultural implement and this second agricultural implement are provided on either side of the frame.The combination of a first and a second agricultural implement on either side of the frame ensures that the holders can be kept well balanced, making the wide-track tractor extra stable. During the rotation of the holder, both agricultural implements will then be rotated together between the first and second positions. In certain configurations, it is also possible for the holder to be provided for attaching a counterweight in place of the second agricultural implement. In this way, the counterweights and the second agricultural implement can be exchanged, depending on the situation, to always ensure that the wide-track tractor remains extra stable.BE2025 / 5021 7 In a specific design form, the holder, which is provided for attaching a second agricultural implement to another side of the frame, comprises first attachment means for attaching the first agricultural implement, and second attachment means for attaching the second agricultural implement, whereby the first and / or second attachment means are movable relative to the holder in order to compensate for a weight difference between the agricultural implements. These first and / or second attachment means may, for example, be movable relative to each other by means of a telescopically extendable arm or hinged arm or a pneumatic or hydraulic piston or a mechanically adjustable linkage system or the like. This makes it possible, for example, to attach a heavier agricultural implement and a lighter agricultural implement to the holder simultaneously and to use them during field cultivation.Moreover, this also makes it possible to use the wide-track tractor in more hilly areas, where the agricultural implements can always be moved optimally to optimize the stability of the wide-track tractor in all environments. This movement is preferably also automatically adjustable using the control devices provided for this purpose, so that this optimal movement can be performed dynamically. Preferably, the holder is further equipped to compensate for this weight difference between the agricultural implements during the rotation of the holder. This makes it always possible to perform this rotation easily.In a preferred load-bearing design, the holder is furthermore positioned at least partially movable relative to the frame in a vertical direction, transverse to the longitudinal direction and transverse to the transverse direction, in order to move an agricultural implement attached to the holder between a rotating position and a working position, whereby an agricultural implement in a rotating position is rotatable between the first position and the second position, and whereby an agricultural implement in the working position is provided in the first position or the second position to perform an operation. The wide-track tractor BE2025 / 5021 8 is preferably equipped for this purpose with a lifting system or hoisting system to move the holder relative to the frame in the vertical direction.The ability of the holder to move along the vertical direction makes it possible to make the wide-track tractor much more flexible, which, for example, also makes it possible to rotate agricultural implements that are only partially rotatable during the working positions to follow curves in the crop rows, but would normally not be rotatable between the first and second positions, because an agricultural implement, for example, performs tillage in the working position, making rotation between the first and second positions impossible without tilling the soil in an undesirable turning circle. Preferably, the holder described above is a first holder on the frame and the frame is equipped with a second, similar holder, whereby the first holder is at least partially movable to above the frame and the second holder is at least partially movable to below the frame in order to move an agricultural implement attached to the holder to the rotation position.Preferably, the wide-track tractor is further convertible between a longitudinal configuration, in which the wide-track tractor is designed to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and a width configuration, in which the wide-track tractor is designed to be movable in the width direction. It is primarily the combination of this convertibility with rotation of the holders that allows the wide-track tractor to cultivate a field very efficiently. This makes it easily possible to switch between different transport rows, without the aforementioned reversing movements. This wide-track tractor is preferably convertible by equipping the frame with one or more width transport elements, which are designed to be movable in the width direction. Preferably, the length transport elements for this purpose are more specifically rotatable between the length position, which corresponds to the aforementioned length orientation, and the width position, which corresponds to the aforementioned width orientation, so that in the width position they are designed as such width transport elements.This can be achieved, for example, by making these longitudinal transport elements rotatable, so that they can rotate 90° between the longitudinal and width positions, as known from EP0793411B1. This makes the wide-track tractor particularly efficient.5 In alternative design forms, the wide-track tractor may consist of one or more wide-track transport elements that are not longitudinal transport elements. These wide-track transport elements may still be manufactured identically to the longitudinal transport elements and / or be steerable identically.10 In this case, the wide-track transport elements and / or the longitudinal transport elements may be vertically adjustable, for example by being foldable, so that the wide-track tractor is easily convertible between the longitudinal and width positions. It is also possible to equip the wide-track tractor with a drawbar or a similar system to drive the wide-track tractor in the width direction.15 Preferably, a transport element, whether one of the width transport elements or one of the length transport elements, is movable relative to the frame along the width direction. To this end, the frame may be equipped with a means of movement, such as the above-mentioned possible movement of a holder relative to the frame along the width direction. This allows the wide-track tractor to be changed more flexibly between a position in which it is used on a field and a position in which the wide-track tractor can be transported between fields. This also allows the wide-track tractor to be better stabilized in hilly areas. To this end, the wide-track tractor may also preferably be equipped with means of drive for moving one or more transport elements that are arranged to be movable along the width direction of the frame.The provision of a so-called transport element, movable in the width direction relative to the frame, also has comparable advantages for wide-track tractors where the holder is not rotatable in relation to the frame, but is provided, for example, as with wide-track tractors according to the aforementioned standard of the BE2025 / 5021 10 technique, whereby one or more transport elements of such a wide-track tractor can be positioned movable in the width direction for this purpose. Preferably, the frame comprises multiple parts that are movable relative to one another to adjust the dimensions of the frame in the width direction. This makes the wide-track tractor even more flexible to use. These multiple parts can, for example, be movable relative to one another by providing these parts to be telescopically movable relative to one another, or by the use of folding parts or the like. Furthermore, the frame is preferably equipped with a cab that is movable relative to the frame.This displacement can be a displacement along the width direction, the length direction, the height direction, or a rotation around any rotation axis, or even a combination of one or more of these displacements and / or rotations. To this end, the frame may be equipped with a previously mentioned means of rotation, displacement, lifting system, or the like. This gives the operator of the wide-track tractor more possibilities to operate the wide-track tractor effectively. To this end, the wide-track tractor may in addition, preferably, be equipped with means of drive for moving the cab along one or more of the aforementioned directions and / or for rotating this cab. In addition, the objective of the invention is also achieved by providing a method for working a field using a wide-track tractor as described above, whereby this method comprises the following steps:25 a. rotating the holder to rotate an agricultural implement attached to the holder to the first position; b.the movement of the wide-track tractor along the longitudinal direction with the longitudinal transport elements in the first sense to cultivate the field; c. the rotation of the holder for rotating the agricultural implement30 to the second position; and BE2025 / 5021 11 d. the movement of the wide-track tractor along the longitudinal direction with the transport elements in the second sense to cultivate the field. The wide-track tractor may of course also comprise multiple holders and / or multiple agricultural implements which are preferably all rotatable according to this method5. The wide-track tractor may have any characteristics or combination of characteristics according to the invention as described above.Preferably, the holder of the wide-track tractor is at least partially movable according to the height directions relative to the frame as described above10 and the rotation of the holder for rotating the agricultural implement is always done by: - ​​moving the holder for moving the agricultural implement to the rotation position; - rotating the holder for rotating the agricultural implement; and15 - moving the holder for moving the agricultural implement to the working position. Preferably, the holder of the wide-track tractor is movable along the width directions relative to the frame as described above; comprises step b of the aforementioned method: working the field with an agricultural implement in a first working row; comprises step d of the aforementioned method: working the field with this agricultural implement in a second working row; furthermore, the method comprises moving the holder relative to the frame in the width direction from the first working row to the second working row.Preferably, the wide-track tractor is further convertible between the width and length positions and includes step b of the aforementioned method of driving into a first transport row and includes step d of the aforementioned method of driving into a second transport row and further includes the method: BE2025 / 5021 12 e. moving the wide-track tractor along the width direction from the first transport row to the second transport row. Preferably, the wide-track tractor is further equipped with one or more width transport elements and further includes as described above: f. converting the wide-track tractor from the length position to the width position; g. driving the wide-track tractor along the width direction with the width transport elements; and h. converting the wide-track tractor from the width position to the length position.10 Preferably, the broad-track tractor comprises longitudinal transport elements that can be rotated into broad-track transport elements, and step or step of the aforementioned method further comprises the transformation of the broad-track tractor between the longitudinal and broad-track positions by rotating the longitudinal transport elements so that they are executed as broad-track transport elements in the broad-track position. 15 This invention is now further explained on the basis of the detailed description below of some preferred designs of a broad-track tractor according to this invention. The purpose of this description is solely to provide clarifying examples and to indicate further advantages and particulars of this invention, and therefore cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the scope of application of the invention or of the patent rights claimed in the claims.In this detailed description reference is made by means of reference figures25 to the attached drawings, in which: -figure 1 a design of a broad-track tractor according to the invention is schematically shown in front view; -figure 2 the design of the broad-track tractor from figure 1 is schematically shown on a field in top view; and in BE2025 / 5021 13 -figure 3 an alternative design of a broad-track tractor according to the invention is schematically shown in side view. In the figures, designs of a broad-track tractor(1) according to the invention are schematically shown in front view, top view5 and side view respectively. This wide-track tractor(1) each contains a frame(2) that is mainly extended in a width direction(B). This frame(2) can take on many forms and can mainly be constructed as an I-beam as in figure 1, or with a box-section 10 profile, as in figure 3, but can also take on many alternative forms, such as a truss girder, etc.The frame(2) can be symmetrically constructed with respect to an axis extending in the width direction and / or with respect to an axis extending in the length direction, but can also, for example, comprise one or more transverse legs that extend transversely to the width direction.15 The frame(2) can, for example, in the most extended state have a width in the width direction(B) of 12 m and can, for example, in the most compact state have a width in the width direction(B) of 3 m. In the illustrated design, the frame(2) has a fixed dimension in this width direction(B). Alternatively, the frame(2) can be movable relative to one another by comprising several parts in order to adjust the dimension of the frame(2) in the width direction(B). For example, the frame(2) can be designed as a chassis that is extendable along the width direction(B) or that includes folding parts, etc.25 In the configuration shown, the frame(2) is equipped with four transport elements(3) each containing a tractor tire(13) for moving the respective transport element(3) over a surface. Preferably, at least one such transport element(3) is provided, or preferably at least one such transport element(3) at both ends viewed in the width direction and furthermore BE2025 / 5021 14 preferably two such transport elements(3) are provided per said end. Instead of the said tractor tires(13), crawler tracks can also be provided, for example. In the configuration shown, the wide-track tractor(1) is convertible between a length setting and a width setting. The longitudinal configuration of the wide-track tractor(1) is shown in the figures. In this configuration, the transport elements(3) are designed to be movable in a longitudinal direction(L), perpendicular to the width direction(B), as a result of which the transport elements(3) are designed as longitudinal transport elements(3) in the longitudinal configuration of the wide-track tractor(1).10 In the illustrated configurations, the transport elements (3) are rotatable around a rotation axis (R) between the longitudinal and transverse positions, so that in the transverse position they are designed as transverse transport elements (3), which are designed to be movable in the transverse direction (B). In the longitudinal position, the tractor wheels (13) are arranged on either side of both ends of the frame (2) when viewed in the width direction (B), as shown in Figure 1, so that the total dimension of the wide-track tractor (1) in this width direction (B) is more than 12 m. In the width position, the tractor wheels (13) are arranged on either side of the frame (2) within this dimension of the wide-track tractor (1) when viewed in the width direction (B), so that this dimension of the wide-track tractor (1) remains within the legally permitted length for normal transport.In alternative configurations, the transport elements (3) are not movable between the stated length positions and the stated width positions, and separate width transport elements can be provided to make the wide-track tractor (1) movable in the width direction (B). In the configuration shown, the transport elements (3) are also movable relative to the frame (2) in the width direction (B). 30 BE2025 / 5021 15 The frame(2) is in the configuration shown, and is also equipped with a cabin(9), which is itself movable relative to the frame(2). The cabin(9) is movable relative to the frame(2) in both the vertical direction(H) and the horizontal direction(B), and is also rotatable relative to the frame(2) around an axis in a vertical direction(H), transverse to the longitudinal direction(L) and transverse to the horizontal direction(B). The frame(2) is further equipped with a holder(4), which contains first fastening devices(7) and second fastening devices(8).A first agricultural implement (5) can be attached to the first attachment points (7) on the first side of the frame (2)10 and a second agricultural implement (5) or a counterweight to the second side of the frame (2) on the second attachment points (8). The first attachment points (7) and the second attachment points (8) are each movable relative to the holder (4) using telescopically extendable arms (12) to compensate for a weight difference between the agricultural implements (5)15 or between an agricultural implement (5) and a counterweight. The first agricultural implement(5) and the second agricultural implement(5) are both designed to perform an operation in a specific direction along the longitudinal direction(L). These agricultural implements(5) can be existing agricultural implements(5), such as an agricultural implement for soil cultivation20 such as the aforementioned plow, harrow, cultivator, roller, weeder, or an agricultural implement for a fertilization operation or a sowing operation or a harvesting operation or an irrigation operation, etc.These agricultural implements(5) may also be agricultural implements specially manufactured to be incorporated into a wide-track tractor according to the invention.25 In alternative designs a holder(4) may be provided for attaching only one agricultural implement(5) or a holder(4) may be provided for attaching more agricultural implements(5). According to the invention, the holder(4) is rotatably positioned relative to the frame30 (2), allowing one or more (here two) agricultural implements(5) to be rotated between a first position, in which the agricultural implements(5) are designed to perform an operation in a first direction along the longitudinal direction(L), and a second position, in which the agricultural implements(5) are designed to perform an operation in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the longitudinal direction(L).5 The holder shown(4) is also movable relative to the frame(2) along the transverse direction(B).In addition, the holder(4) is at least partially movable relative to the frame(2) in the vertical direction(H) to move the agricultural implements(5) between a rotating position and a working position, whereby the agricultural implements(5) in the rotating position are rotatable between the first position and the second position, and whereby an agricultural implement(5) in the working position is equipped in the first or second position to perform an operation. In the design shown in Figure 3, the arms (12) with which the fastening devices(7,8) are mounted are hinged relative to a rotation axis(T) that extends in the horizontal direction(B).15 Alternatively, these could also be attached to the wide-track tractor(1) with a lift system or another lifting mechanism. In alternative designs, multiple holders (4) can also be provided on the frame (2), which should preferably be at least partially movable in the height direction (H) so that they can also be rotatably positioned between a respective first position and a respective second position.These holders(4) can be provided with analog movable and rotatable features and are then always arranged next to each other on the same side when viewed in the width direction(B). More specifically, in an alternative design of a wide-track tractor25 (1) not shown, it is also possible to provide holders(4) in alternative ways that can be moved and / or rotated in the wide-track tractor(1). For example, the holder(4) shown can be a first holder(4) on the frame(2), with a second holder(4) also provided on the frame(2). The first holder(4) can be moved above the frame(2) and the second holder(4) can be moved below the frame(2) in order to be able to change the position of these holders(4) in the width direction(B) seen BE2025 / 5021 17 and / or to move one or more agricultural implements(5) attached to the holder(4) to the rotation position, so that these two holders (4) on either side of the frame (2) can be rotated between the respective first and second positions when viewed in the height direction (H).5 In order to provide one or more transport elements (3) and / or one or more holders (4) and / or the cabin (9) that can be moved in relation to the frame (2) along the width direction, it is possible, for example, to provide them, as schematically shown, with the aid of a tubular guide element (15) that is fitted around the frame (2), to make them movable in relation to the frame (2). This tubular guide element (15) can, for example, be provided with guide wheels that can be made movable in relation to the frame (2). However, there are also many alternative ways known to provide elements that can be moved in a guiding manner relative to a frame(2).15 Preferably, the respective drive devices are also provided to easily realize the said movements in the longitudinal direction(L) and / or the transverse direction(B) and / or in the vertical direction(H) and / or the said rotations. Such drive devices may include electric and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic, etc. drive devices.These can be equipped to be operated from the cab(9) and / or they can be equipped to be operated remotely. To be able to move the wide-track tractor(1) on the road, the transport elements(3) are preferably driven so that tractor wheels(13) are steered in pairs, as with a normal vehicle. To move this wide-track tractor(1)25 in the field, this is preferably controlled by regulating the speed, whereby tractor wheels(13) on one side of the frame(2) can be steered faster or slower than tractor wheels(13) on the other side of the frame(2). The broad-track tractor shown (1) is designed to be movable both in the width direction (B) and in the length direction (L) using the aforementioned 30 drive means BE2025 / 5021 18. Alternatively, such a broad-track tractor (1) can also be equipped with a drawbar or similar system to be able to pull or push it. The principle of the invention can be explained using figure 2.Figure 5 2 shows the broad-track tractor(1) moving along the longitudinal direction(L) across a field(6). The transport elements(3) drive in transport rows(10) i.