Seed drill with a steerable seed bar

Abstract

Seed drill with a seed bar (2) which runs ahead of a standard tractor (5), characterized in that the seed bar (2) is constructed with a pivot joint (1) and steering cylinder (6) which, by means of an active control by a steering impulse from the tractor (5), adjusts the angle (9) of the seed bar (2) to the tractor (5) and steers the seed bar (2) with the seed coulters (10) in the same direction of travel (8) as that of the tractor (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lightweight seed drill for spreading free-flowing materials for agricultural purposes, in particular with a front-mounted, steerable seed bar.

[0002] In this context, the term "seed" encompasses all granular or granular materials usable in agriculture. The term "sowing" will subsequently refer to the spreading of all such materials onto the cultivated area.

[0003] Due to the increasing lack of active ingredients or their resistance to weed control, weed control must be carried out or supported by other agricultural measures.

[0004] One suitable method for this is to prepare a field ready for sowing, as a so-called "pseudo-sowing". Sowing grain in autumn at a later date also offers advantages.

[0005] However, these measures can lead to the fine soil structure becoming saturated with water in a wet autumn, and furthermore, the soil may not dry out sufficiently if sowing dates are late. Driving heavy machinery and deeper soil disturbance then becomes problematic with regard to the soil structure.

[0006] Sowing summer cereals is another suitable measure. However, sowing these crops, especially spring barley, with heavy machinery is usually problematic in spring.

[0007] According to current technology, seed drills with their associated seed bar, mounted in the rear of a tractor, require tools to level and loosen the tracks left by the preceding tractor. This necessitates heavy machines with large tractors capable of delivering the high power demand, but often poses significant problems with regard to soil compaction in the aforementioned situations.

[0008] According to current technology, seed drills mounted at the front of the tractor, with their associated seeding bar, sow the seed into the soil before the tractor even drives over the field. Subsequent tillage operations for loosening and leveling the soil are therefore unnecessary.

[0009] These machines have a pivot point on the seed bar, but this pivot point is created by a cantilever arm extending forward of the seed bar in the direction of travel. A spring mechanism returns the seed bar to its starting position to avoid obstacles. This design, with the cantilever arm extending forward of the seed bar, results in a more stable seed bar support frame. However, this design is too heavy for standard lightweight tractors.

[0010] When cornering, force must be applied from the steering axle of the tractor unit to trigger the spring mechanism and rotate the pivot joint. This force cannot always be reliably applied by the front steering axle of a light tractor unit, and therefore, the front wheels may slip when cornering or driving on slopes.

[0011] Although the design of the seed drill with cantilever arm and spring mechanism reduces the soil pressure exerted by the seed drill, high soil compaction is still to be expected in the wheel tracks due to the required size of the carrier vehicle or system vehicle.

[0012] The costs for the large carrier vehicle are also high.

[0013] The invention described in claim 1 addresses the problem of creating a lightweight seed drill that can be attached to a lightweight tractor to minimize soil compaction. The invention is characterized in that the seed bar is steerable, allowing it to be actively guided around curves during sowing. The seed bar runs ahead of the tractor, thus eliminating the need for deeper tillage to level the tracks during sowing.

[0014] These problems are solved by the features listed in claim 1.

[0015] The invention makes it possible to operate the seed drill with a light tractor (5) and to attach it to the standard hitch points of a tractor.

[0016] For this purpose, the seed storage container (4) is located behind the tractor (5) in the direction of travel (8) and the seed drill (2) is located in front of the tractor (5) in the direction of travel (8), as shown in the sketch ( Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3) shown.

[0017] They show: Fig. 1 Side view, seed drill (2) in the front mounting area of ​​the tractor (5) and the seed storage container (4) in the rear mounting area of ​​the tractor Fig. 2 Top view, seed drill in working position, driving straight ahead Fig. 3 Top view, seed drill in working position, turning Fig. 4 Top view, support frame (3) with swivel joint (1) Fig. 5 Top view, seed bar (2) in folded transport position

[0018] In the front mounting area of ​​the tractor (5), a support frame (3) with a swivel joint (1) is constructed.

[0019] The support frame is located between the tractor (5) and the seed drill bar (2). This results in a lightweight and compact design for the seed drill.

[0020] Due to its short and lightweight design, it is possible to operate the seed drill (2) in the front hydraulics of a light standard tractor (5).

[0021] With the corresponding steering input at the front axle (7) of the tractor (5), an impulse is directed to the adjusting cylinder (6) of the support frame (3), whereupon the seed drill (2) pivots around the pivot point (1) in the same direction of travel (8) of the tractor (5).

[0022] The invention is characterized in that the saw bar (2) is actively steered by the pivot joint (1) and the adjusting cylinder(s) (6).

[0023] The seed drill with the steerable seed bar (2) makes it possible to be maneuverable in the field even when sowing curves and on slopes, even with a light tractor (5).

[0024] The seed drill with a steerable seed bar (2) prevents / reduces damage to the seed coulters (10) by actively adjusting the angle (9) of the seed bar (2) to the direction of travel (8).

[0025] By actively steering the seed bar (2) and attaching the seed bar (2) to the tractor (5) as in ( Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3) results in an optimal weight distribution, which also ensures the required avoidance of ground pressure and safe participation in road traffic even with large working widths using a small and light tractor (5).

Claims

[1] Seed drill with a seed bar (2) which runs in front of a standard tractor (5), characterized by , that the seed bar (2) is constructed with a pivot joint (1) and steering cylinder (6), which, through active control by a steering impulse from the tractor (5), adjusts the angle (9) of the seed bar (2) to the tractor (5) and steers the seed bar (2) with the seed coulters (10) in the same direction of travel (8) as that of the tractor (5). [2] Seed drill with a steerable seed bar according to claim 1, characterized by , that the seed drill (2) is supported by the support frame construction (3) in the direction of travel (8) in front of the tractor (5) and a swivel joint (1) is installed in the support frame construction (3). [3] Seed drill with a steerable seed bar according to claim 1, characterized by , that the adjusting cylinder(s) (6) are installed in the support frame (3) in the appropriate position for optimal force absorption. [4] Seed drill with a steerable seed bar according to claim 1, characterized by , that the number of cylinders (6) and the design of the support frame (3) depend on the working width of the seed bar and therefore on the force required to adjust the seed bar (2). [5] Seed drill with a steerable seed bar according to claim 1, characterized by , that hydraulic cylinders, but also electric actuators or other equivalent mechanical / pneumatic components may be used for the adjustment cylinder (6). [6] Seed drill with a steerable seed bar according to claim 1, characterized by , that the control of the adjusting cylinder is carried out by corresponding sensors on the steering axle (7) of the tractor (5), or by impulses through a steering system with the corresponding technology, or other suitable impulses. [7] Seed drill with a steerable seed bar according to claim 1, characterized by, that in order to avoid possible obstacles or to ensure collision protection, the adjusting cylinder (6) is equipped with an overload protection. [8] Seed drill with a steerable seed bar according to claim 1, characterized by , that the seed bar (2) is designed to be foldable from the working position to the road transport position.

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