METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SPREADING SCRATCHING MATERIAL ON AGRICULTURAL AREA

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for spreading grit on agricultural land according to patent claim 1 and to an agricultural spreader according to patent claim 6. During the spreading of grit on agricultural land, the spreading of grit must be temporarily interrupted in the vicinity of spreading boundaries, which are crossed by the agricultural spreader during the spreading process, for example, to avoid spreading the grit outside the agricultural land or to prevent excessive spreading during the transition to the headland. In particular, the need to temporarily interrupt the spreading of grit regularly arises when entering and exiting the headland.

[0002] When leaving the headland, spreading material must be resumed at a predetermined start point in order to achieve the intended spreading material distribution on the agricultural land. Setting a suitable machine configuration close to a spreading boundary following an interruption in spreading material distribution continues to pose a significant problem in practice, which can result in significant deviations from the intended spreading material distribution on the agricultural land, particularly in boundary areas. To improve spreading material distribution in the transition area to the headland, the publication DE 10 2014 115 560 A1 proposes predictive quantity control while approaching the headland, so that when spreading material is resumed, a suitable quantity of spreading material is immediately available for application to the spreading discs.

[0003] Furthermore, EP 2 417 848 A2 discloses the setting of a standard configuration on an agricultural spreader for spreading material in the field. The standard configuration is set at transition points. The metering devices are also activated at these transition points, so that the standard configuration is set during spreading material application.

[0004] However, the measures known to date can only slightly improve the spreading of grit in border areas, so that significant deviations from the intended spreading of grit cannot yet be avoided, particularly in the transition to the headland.

[0005] The object underlying the invention is therefore to improve the spreading of grit in the vicinity of spreading boundaries of an agricultural area.

[0006] The object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the electronic control device within the scope of the method according to the invention automatically initiates a predictive setting of a start configuration predetermined for the switch-on point on the agricultural spreader when the spreading material feed is interrupted, before the agricultural spreader reaches the switch-on point.

[0007] The invention takes advantage of the knowledge that preparatory control measures are also performed when no spreading material is being applied to the spreading discs of the agricultural spreader. The start configuration specified for the switch-on point can thus be preset when the spreading material application is interrupted. When the spreading material application starts to the at least one spreading disc of the agricultural spreader at the switch-on point, the start configuration specified for the switch-on point directly leads to the intended spreading material distribution in the area of ​​the agricultural land adjacent to the application boundary.

[0008] The switch-on point and the start configuration depend on the spreading material to be spread and can be calculated before spreading. The switch-on point and / or the start configuration can be calculated internally or externally within the machine. The application boundaries can be internal application boundaries or external boundaries of the agricultural area. The internal application boundaries can be the boundaries between the headland and an interior area of ​​the agricultural area. In this case, when the agricultural spreader moves towards the switch-on point, the agricultural spreader is located on the headland of the agricultural area.If the application boundary toward which the agricultural spreader is moving is an outer boundary of the agricultural area, the agricultural spreader will be outside the agricultural area when moving toward the activation point. This situation arises, for example, when the spreader first enters the agricultural area at the beginning of the application process.

[0009] The electronic control device can, for example, be a component of the agricultural spreader. The electronic control device can comprise a terminal which can be used during the spreading process in the driver's cab of a tractor to which the agricultural spreader is attached. The terminal can be connected to a job computer of the agricultural spreader in a signal-conducting manner. The terminal can therefore be regarded as a functional component of the electronic control device of the agricultural spreader. The information on the spreading limits can be provided to the electronic control device, in particular the terminal, via a data packet. The data packet can be generated in various ways prior to the spreading process. The job computer of the spreader can receive switching commands from the terminal for setting the start configuration.

[0010] The spreader may have two spreading discs arranged side by side. The spreader may be a fertilizer spreader, in particular a two-disc centrifugal fertilizer spreader.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, when the start configuration on the agricultural spreader is set in advance when the spreading material application is interrupted, a starting speed predefined for the switch-on point is set on the at least one spreading disc. When the spreading material is applied to the at least one spreading disc at the switch-on point, the at least one spreading disc is therefore already rotating at the predefined start speed, so that no further speed adjustment is necessary after the spreading material application has been initiated. When the spreading material is applied to the at least one spreading disc at the switch-on point, the starting speed predefined for the switch-on point on the at least one spreading disc, in combination with the rest of the machine configuration, leads directly to the intended spreading material distribution in the area of ​​the agricultural land adjacent to the application boundary when the spreading material is started.

[0012] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, when the start configuration of the agricultural spreader is preemptively adjusted while the spreading material discharge is interrupted, a predetermined discharge point setting for the switch-on point is made on a discharge point adjustment device of the agricultural spreader. Thus, when the agricultural spreader reaches the switch-on point, the required discharge point setting has already been made on the discharge point adjustment device, so that no further adjustment of the discharge point adjustment device is necessary.The drop point setting specified for the switch-on point on the drop point adjustment device of the agricultural spreader, when the spreading material is started onto the at least one spreading disc, in combination with the rest of the machine configuration, immediately leads to the intended spreading material distribution in the area of ​​the agricultural land adjacent to the spreading boundary at the switch-on point. The drop point adjustment device can comprise an adjustment mechanism with which the position and / or shape of an outlet opening can be changed. The spreading material can leave a storage container via the outlet opening and fall under the influence of gravity onto a spreading disc arranged below the outlet opening. The adjustment mechanism can have a slide with which a spreading material passage can be partially or completely covered or closed in order to adjust the position and / or shape of the outlet opening.

[0013] It is also defined in the method according to the invention that, before moving the agricultural spreader in the direction of the switch-on point, the electronic control device automatically interrupts the spreading of spreading material onto the at least one spreading disc of the agricultural spreader upon reaching a predetermined switch-off point near the spreading boundary of the agricultural area. In this case, the agricultural spreader is therefore moved in the direction of the predetermined switch-off point near a spreading boundary of the agricultural area, at which the interruption of the spreading of spreading material onto the at least one spreading disc is intended. The agricultural spreader therefore moves, for example, from the interior of the field towards the headland. The switch-off point depends on the spreading material to be spread and can be calculated before the spreading material is spread.The switch-off point can be calculated internally or externally. Starting the spreading material application to at least one spreading disc at the switch-on point, for example, represents a continuation of the spreading material application in the adjacent tramline.

[0014] Furthermore, a method according to the invention is preferred in which the electronic control device initiates the proactive setting of the start configuration on the agricultural spreader immediately after the interruption of the spreading material feed onto at least one spreading disc of the agricultural spreader at the switch-off point. The preparatory setting measures for the re-feed of spreading material are therefore initiated, for example, when entering the headland. While driving over the headland, a turning maneuver usually takes place so that the adjacent tramline can be driven in the opposite direction. During the turning maneuver on the headland, the spreading material feed is interrupted. The time period in which the turning maneuver takes place within the headland can therefore be used to proactively set the start configuration.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the agricultural spreader has a section control system, by means of which several sections can be switched on and off to adjust the spreading width. In the start-up configuration of the agricultural spreader, the section control system is in a start-up state with several sections switched off. Thus, near the boundary, a spreading material distribution is initially implemented in which individual sections are switched on and individual sections are switched off.

[0016] In a further development of the method according to the invention, the electronic control device initiates a gradual activation of the deactivated sections of the section control after the activation point has been passed. After the activation point has been passed, the spreading material distribution is thus gradually adjusted, which is specified for spreading in the interior of the agricultural area during parallel runs. As the distance from the spreading boundary increases, the configuration of the agricultural spreader gradually deviates from the starting configuration.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, in the start switching state of the section control, one or more outer sections are switched on and several inner sections are switched off. The step-by-step switching on of the inner, switched off sections takes place from the outside to the inside after the switching point has been passed. The spreading fan of the agricultural spreader preferably has a sickle shape, with the outer sickle tips pointing forward, i.e. in the direction of travel. When crossing a spreading boundary, the outer sections located in the area of ​​the sickle tips must therefore be switched on first in order to continue spreading the spreading material. When entering the field from the headland into the interior, the sections are switched on from the outside to the inside. When exiting the field from the interior to the headland, the sections are switched off from the outside to the inside.In the start-up configuration of the spreader or in the start-up state of the section control, at least one spreading disc has a comparatively high speed, and the drop point adjustment device sets a drop point that is rotated relatively far outward. After passing the switch-on point, the drop point is then rotated inward by the drop point adjustment device to achieve the standard setting for the inside of the field.

[0018] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by an agricultural spreader of the type mentioned above, wherein the electronic control device is configured, when the spreading of spreading material is interrupted, to automatically initiate a predictive setting of a predefined start configuration on the agricultural spreader for the switch-on point in the vicinity of a spreading boundary of the agricultural area, at which the start of spreading material onto at least one spreading disc is intended, before the agricultural spreader reaches the switch-on point. The method according to the invention for spreading spreading material according to one of the embodiments described above can preferably be carried out with the agricultural spreader according to the invention.Thus, with regard to the advantages and modifications of the spreading machine according to the invention, reference is first made to the advantages and modifications of the method according to the invention.

[0019] The control device of the agricultural spreader can comprise a terminal, which can be located in the driver's cab of a tractor during spreading of the spreading material. The spreader is preferably an implement mounted on the tractor. During spreading of the spreading material, the terminal forms a functional component of the agricultural spreader. The terminal can be connected to a job computer of the agricultural spreader via a signal-conducting connection, for example via a bus system. The job computer of the agricultural spreader can receive switching commands from the terminal and, based on the received switching commands, initiate the setting of the start configuration on the agricultural spreader.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the agricultural spreader according to the invention, the electronic control device is configured to initiate the setting of a starting speed predefined for the switch-on point on the at least one spreading disc when the start configuration of the agricultural spreader is proactively adjusted while the spreading material feed is interrupted. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic control device can be configured to initiate the setting of a feed point setting predefined for the switch-on point on the feed point adjustment device of the agricultural spreader when the start configuration of the agricultural spreader is proactively adjusted while the spreading material feed is interrupted.The agricultural spreader is therefore designed to set a predefined starting speed and / or a predefined drop point setting on the drop point adjustment device when moving toward the application boundary with the spreading material application interrupted. Upon reaching the activation point, the intended spreading pattern is thus implemented directly, without the need for further adjustment of the spreading disc speed and / or the drop point adjustment device.

[0021] The agricultural spreader according to the invention is further configured in that the electronic control device is configured to initiate the predictive adjustment of the start configuration of the agricultural spreader at a switch-off point immediately after the interruption of the spreading material application to the at least one spreading disc of the agricultural spreader. The preparatory adjustment measures for the re-application of spreading material to the spreading disc are thus initiated, for example, already upon entering the headland.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment, the agricultural spreader according to the invention has a section control, by means of which sections can be switched on and off to adjust the spreading width. The electronic control device can be configured to initiate a gradual activation of deactivated sections of the section control after the activation point has been passed. A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 an agricultural spreader during the execution of the method according to the invention.

[0023] The Fig. 1shows a spreading process. The spreading material is spread by means of a vehicle 102 and an agricultural spreader 10. The vehicle 102 is a tractor, while the agricultural spreader 10 is a fertilizer spreader. The spreader 10 is designed as an attachment and is connected to the vehicle 102 via a three-point linkage.

[0024] The illustrated section of the agricultural land 12 shows a spreading boundary 14, which delimits the headland 16 from the inner area 18 of the agricultural land 12. Tramway 20 runs within the headland 16, toward which the tractor-trailer combination 100 initially moves when driving along the tramway 22 and later moves away again. Within the headland 16, the tractor-trailer combination 100 performs a turning maneuver.

[0025] The agricultural spreader 10 comprises two spreading discs arranged next to one another, with each spreading disc being assigned a drop point adjustment device. The drop point of the spreading material applied to the respective spreading disc can be adjusted using the drop point adjustment device. In addition, the agricultural spreader 10 has a section control by means of which sections 24 can be switched on and off to adjust the spreading width. The spreading fan 26 of the agricultural spreader 10 has a sickle shape, with the outer safety tips pointing forward, i.e. in the direction of travel. When moving out of the inner area 18 into the headland 16, the sections 24 are switched off from the outside to the inside. When moving into the inner area 18, the sections 24 are switched on from the outside to the inside.

[0026] The agricultural spreader 10 further comprises an electronic control device. The electronic control device can, for example, comprise a job computer and a terminal connected to the job computer via a signal-conducting connection. The terminal can be carried in the driver's cab of the vehicle 102 during the spreading process, as the terminal can provide the driver with additional information about the spreading process via a display. The operation of the spreading discs and the operation of the drop point adjustment device can be controlled by means of the electronic control device.

[0027] Information on the application boundaries 14 of the agricultural area 12 was provided to the electronic control system prior to the application situation shown. The information on the application boundaries 14 can, for example, be provided via a data package retrieved from the terminal. The data package includes information on the course of field-internal application boundaries, such as the application boundary 14 shown between the headland 16 and the inner area 18, and the outer boundaries of the agricultural area 12.

[0028] When driving along the tramline 22, the agricultural spreader 10 moves in the direction of a predetermined switch-off point in the vicinity of the spreading boundary 14. When the predetermined switch-off point in the vicinity of the spreading boundary 14 is reached, the electronic control device automatically interrupts the spreading of the spreading material onto the spreading discs of the agricultural spreader 10. Immediately after the interruption of the spreading material feeding, the electronic control device initiates a predictive setting of a start configuration on the agricultural spreader 10. The start configuration is predetermined and refers to a switch-on point in the vicinity of the spreading boundary 14, at which the spreading of the spreading material onto the spreading discs is to be continued after the turning process has been carried out.Thus, when the spreading material application is interrupted, the electronic control system automatically initiates the proactive setting of the start configuration specified for the switch-on point on the agricultural spreader before the agricultural spreader 10 reaches the switch-on point. Thus, the preparatory adjustment measures for the re-application of spreading material to the spreading discs are already initiated upon entering the headland 16. The start configuration specified for the switch-on point leads directly to the intended spreading material distribution in the area of ​​the agricultural land 12 adjacent to the application boundary 14 when the spreading material application to the spreading discs starts at the switch-on point.

[0029] When the start configuration is preemptively adjusted while approaching the headland 16, a predefined starting speed for the activation point is set on the spreading discs when the spreading material application is interrupted. Furthermore, when the start configuration is preemptively adjusted while approaching the headland 16, a predefined drop point setting for the activation point is made on the drop point adjustment devices of the agricultural spreader 10.

[0030] After passing the activation point, the electronic control system initiates a gradual activation of the deactivated sections 24 of the section control. Near the boundary, spreading material is initially applied to the outer sections 24. After passing the activation point, the spreading material distribution is then gradually adjusted, which is specified for application in the inner section 18 of the agricultural area 12 during parallel runs. For this purpose, the inner sections are gradually activated.

[0031] In the start configuration of the agricultural spreader 10, the section control is initially in a start-up state with several sections 24 switched off. In the start-up state of the section control, several outer sections 24 are switched on and several inner sections 24 are switched off. After passing the switch-on point, the inner sections 24 are switched on step by step from the outside to the inside. List of reference symbols

[0032] 10Spreader 12Usable area 14Spreading boundary 16Headland 18Inner area 20Tram lane 22Tram lane 24Part-width sections 26Spreading fan 100Trailer combination 102Vehicle

Claims

1. Method for applying spreading material on an agricultural area (12) by means of an agricultural spreader (10), having the steps of: - providing information on application boundaries (14) of an agricultural area (12) for an electronic control device, and - moving the agricultural spreader (10) in the direction of a predetermined switch-on point in the vicinity of an application boundary (14) of the agricultural area (12), at which point the application of spreading material onto at least one spreading disc is intended to begin, wherein the electronic control device, before the agricultural spreader (10) is moved in the direction of the switch-on point, automatically interrupts the application of spreading material onto the at least one spreading disc of the agricultural spreader (10) when a predetermined switch-off point is reached in the vicinity of the application boundary (14) of the agricultural area (12), wherein, when the application of spreading material is interrupted, the electronic control device automatically initiates a predictive setting of a start configuration predetermined for the switch-on point on the agricultural spreader (10) before the agricultural spreader (10) reaches the switch-on point, and wherein, during the predictive setting of the start configuration on the agricultural spreader (10) when the application of spreading material is interrupted, a start speed predetermined for the switch-on point is set on the at least one spreading disc, and / or wherein, during the predictive setting of the start configuration on the agricultural spreader (10) when the application of spreading material is interrupted, a application point setting predetermined for the switch-on point is carried out on a application point adjustment device of the agricultural spreader (10).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic control device causes the predictive setting of the start configuration on the agricultural spreader (10) immediately after the interruption of the application of spreading material onto the at least one spreading disc of the agricultural spreader (10) at the switch-off point.

3. Method according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the agricultural spreader (10) has a partial-width section control switch by means of which a plurality of partial-width sections (24) can be switched on and off to adjust the spreading width, wherein the partial-width section control, in the start configuration of the agricultural spreader (10), is in a start switching state with a plurality of partial-width sections (24) switched off.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the electronic control device causes the switched off partial-width sections (24) of the partial-width section control to be switched on step by step after the switch-on point has been passed.

5. Method according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that in the start switching state of the partial-width section control, one or more outer partial-width sections (24) are switched on and a plurality of inner partial-width sections (24) are switched off, wherein the step-by-step switching on of the inner switched off partial-width sections (24) takes place from the outside to the inside after the switching-on point has been passed.

6. Agricultural spreader (10), comprising - at least one spreading disc; - at least one application point adjustment device, by means of which the application point of the spreading material applied to the spreading disc can be adjusted; and - an electronic control device which is designed to process information on application boundaries (14) of an agricultural area (12) and by means of which the operation of the at least one spreading disc and the operation of the at least one application point adjustment device can be controlled; wherein the electronic control device is designed, when the application of spreading material is interrupted, to automatically initiate a predictive setting of a start configuration on the agricultural spreader (10) for a switch-on point in the vicinity of a spreading boundary (14) of the agricultural area (12), at which point the application of the spreading material onto at least one spreading disc is intended to begin, before the agricultural spreader (10) reaches the switch-on point, wherein the electronic control device is designed to initiate the predictive setting of the start configuration on the agricultural spreader (10) at a switch-off point immediately after the interruption of the application of the spreading material onto the at least one spreading disc of the agricultural spreader (10).

7. Agricultural spreader (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the electronic control device is designed, - when predictively setting the start configuration on the agricultural spreader (10), to cause the setting of a start speed predetermined for the switch-on point on the at least one spreading disc when the application of spreading material is interrupted; and / or - when predictively setting the start configuration on the agricultural spreader (10), to cause the setting of an application point setting predetermined for the switch-on point on the application point adjustment device of the agricultural spreader (10) when the application of spreading material is interrupted.

8. Agricultural spreader (10) according to either claim 6 or claim 7, further comprising: - a partial-width section control, by means of which partial-width sections (24) can be switched on and off to adjust the spreading width, wherein the electronic control device is designed to cause a step-by-step switching on of switched off partial-width sections (24) of the partial-width section control after the switch-on point has been passed.