SOIL PREPARATION EQUIPMENT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a soil cultivation device in the form of a roller for an agricultural machine.

[0002] In agriculture, rollers are typically used to reconsolidate the soil after previous tillage, either separately or in combination with other tillage equipment. Soil cultivation is achieved through the roller's weight, but also by profiling the roller's surface to create a specific effect. Such profiling can be achieved, for example, by constructing the roller from individual discs or rings. When combined with other tillage equipment, such as a seed drill with coulters, a roller can be positioned directly in front of the coulters to pre-compact the soil.Furthermore, rollers can also be used to control the depth of a soil cultivation implement, as they usually only sink slightly into the soil and essentially roll on the surface.

[0003] Such a soil roller is known from DE 195 17 184 A1, wherein the soil roller comprises a support tube and compaction rings arranged at intervals on it. Soil can accumulate between the compaction rings during soil cultivation, which can reduce the roller's optimal effectiveness. Furthermore, soil can be forced into the interior of the soil roller, leading to accelerated corrosion and a reduced service life. Scrapers are arranged on the rear side of the support tube, below the axis of rotation of the soil roller. These scrapers engage between the compaction rings and contact the roller, or at least extend very close to it. The scrapers serve to remove soil adhering to the roller, which accumulates between the compaction rings during field work. However, the scrapers and the soil adhering to the roller can impede its rolling motion, making it more difficult to pull.Similar floor rollers are also disclosed, for example, in DE102017113201A1, US2007 / 240888A1 or DE102016009433A1.

[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a roller for soil cultivation and an agricultural implement for soil cultivation which enables improved and easier soil cultivation and has an improved service life.

[0005] The problem is solved by a roller according to the features of claim 1 and by an agricultural implement for soil cultivation according to claim 15.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] A roller for agricultural soil cultivation comprises at least one support body rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation and several compaction rings arranged side by side on the support body at intervals from one another for compacting the soil, and intermediate rings arranged between adjacent compaction rings, wherein at least one first intermediate ring and a second intermediate ring are provided with different diameters and / or different widths. According to the invention, the roller has at least one ring unit which comprises at least one compaction ring and at least one, in particular a second, intermediate ring, wherein the intermediate ring is materially bonded to at least one adjacent compaction ring or formed integrally with the compaction ring.

[0008] The roller's support body can be rotatably mounted on a support frame or directly on a base frame, for example, a combination of several tillage implements such as a seed drill combination. The roller's compaction rings can be slid onto the support body in the axial direction, along the axis of rotation. The compaction rings mounted on the support body can be spaced apart from each other on the support body side or in contact with each other on the support body side. The compaction rings can be designed in the form of so-called trapezoidal rings for row pre-compaction for seed coulters of a seed drill combination. At least one intermediate ring can be arranged between each pair of adjacent compaction rings, whereby intermediate rings can have different widths in the axial direction and / or different diameters in the radial direction, relative to the support body and / or its axis of rotation.

[0009] Smaller diameter intermediate rings can allow for a high and easy passage of soil, but may result in less soil reconsolidation and leveling. Larger diameter intermediate rings, which extend closer to the soil, can allow for greater soil reconsolidation and leveling, but may have a lower and more difficult passage of soil due to their smaller radial clearance to the soil. By arranging intermediate rings with different diameters and / or widths along the support body between the compaction rings, a roller can be advantageously adapted to different operating conditions and equipment combinations.

[0010] This allows the roller, for example as a row pre-compaction roller of a seed drill combination, to be designed in such a way that it predominantly has a high, easy passage of soil and, in the necessary areas, the required reconsolidation and leveling of the soil.

[0011] At least one compaction ring is combined with an intermediate ring, particularly a second one, to form a ring unit by means of a bonded connection or a one-piece design. Alternatively, two compaction rings can be combined with an intermediate ring, particularly a second one, to form a ring unit. Due to the bonded connection or one-piece design, the ring unit offers the advantage of preventing the ingress of substances such as soil or water into the essentially dustproof and waterproof ring unit, thus preventing corrosion and improving the service life of the roller. Furthermore, the generally smooth-running design of the roller and the sufficient reconsolidation and leveling of the soil also improve and facilitate soil cultivation.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the roller comprises at least one first intermediate ring with a first diameter and a first width, and at least one second intermediate ring with a second diameter and a second width, wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter and / or the first width is smaller than the second width. The intermediate rings can be arranged coaxially with the compaction rings and / or the support body. In an assembled state, the first intermediate ring is arranged radially closer to the support body than the second intermediate ring. This has the advantage that the first intermediate ring can allow a higher soil passage than the second intermediate ring, and the roller can therefore be pulled more easily.The second intermediate rings, positioned further away from the main body in the radial direction, offer the advantage of improved soil reconsolidation and leveling between the adjacent compaction rings, thus providing, for example, an improved seedbed. The second intermediate rings can be wider than the first, allowing a larger area between the compaction rings to be reconsolidated and leveled. The first and second intermediate rings can be made of the same or different materials, such as plastic, metal, and / or an elastic material. For example, a first intermediate ring, subject to lower loads, could be made of plastic, while a second intermediate ring, due to its higher soil contact, could be made of metal.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the intermediate ring, especially the second one, has a protective ring around its circumference. The protective ring can be designed as a ring arranged radially on the outside of the intermediate ring. The protective ring can be connected to the intermediate ring by a material bond, a form-fit, and / or a force-fit connection. The protective ring can have the same or a slightly smaller width than the associated intermediate ring, with a slightly smaller width offering the advantage that the intermediate ring located under the protective ring remains accessible from the outside after assembly, for example, to create a material bond with a compression ring adjacent to the intermediate ring. It is also conceivable that the protective ring is manufactured integrally with the intermediate ring, for example, by a manufacturing process that allows the processing of two different materials.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the compression rings and / or the intermediate rings each have an internal profile for a force-fit and / or form-fit connection with the support body. The support body can be designed in the form of a substantially cylindrical or profiled body, such as a profile shaft. The compression rings and / or intermediate rings can be slid onto the support body in the axial direction. Advantages include the simplified assembly of the compression rings and / or intermediate rings on the support body and the fact that the compression rings and / or intermediate rings can be arranged on the support body in a rotationally secure manner, thereby increasing the reliability of their rotation and the operational reliability of the roller.The inner profile of the compression ring and / or the intermediate ring can be continuous along the axis of rotation, thereby creating a large contact area for force transmission and improving force transmission, for example, to the supporting body.

[0015] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the support body is in the form of a square tube, and the inner profile is in the form of a square profile adapted to the shape of the support body for the functional connection. This shape of the support body and the inner profile enables simple, rotationally secure mounting of the roller and a reliable functional connection between the support body and the ring unit, compression ring, and / or intermediate ring for force transmission. In addition to the simplified mounting of the ring unit, the compression rings, and / or intermediate rings on the support body, it is advantageous that the ring unit, compression rings, and / or intermediate rings can be arranged on the support body in a rotationally secure manner, thereby increasing the reliability of their rotation and the operational reliability of the roller. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the compression ring is composed of at least two half-shells, preferably joined by a material bond.The half-shells can each be placed axially onto the support body. Before mounting them on the support body, the half-shells can be bonded together to form a compression ring. Thanks to the half-shells, especially their symmetrical design, a compression ring can be manufactured cost-effectively and installed easily.

[0016] In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the compression ring has at least one substantially flat side surface for a metallurgical bond with an intermediate ring, in particular a second one. The flat side surface has the advantage that intermediate rings of different diameters can be metallurgically bonded to the side surface.

[0017] Preferably, the ring unit, the compression ring, the half-shells, and / or the intermediate ring are manufactured as injection-molded parts. Injection molding allows the ring unit, the compression ring, the half-shells, and / or the intermediate ring to be produced as plastic parts that are cost-effective to manufacture and also offer high corrosion resistance. It is also conceivable that an intermediate ring could be manufactured by extrusion as a cost-effective extruded component, particularly from plastic.

[0018] Preferably, the ring unit, the compression ring, the half-shells, and / or the intermediate ring have an internally formed ribbed structure and / or recesses. The recesses reduce the weight of the components. The internal ribbed structure of the ring unit, the compression ring, the half-shells, and / or the intermediate ring increases their strength while reducing weight and improves force transmission.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate ring, particularly the second one, has an outer profile along its circumferential side, which extends radially outward from the circumferential surface. The outer profile can be in the form of webs arranged radially outward on the circumferential side. The webs can be arranged at an angle to or parallel with the axis of rotation. The outer profile can improve the connection between the intermediate ring and the protective ring, for example, by means of a force-fit and / or positive-locking connection. The outer profile can also have radially inward-facing recesses, for example, for a positive-locking connection with a protective ring that is correspondingly designed on its inner side.

[0020] Preferably, a material-bonded connection between the half-shells and / or between the connecting ring and at least one intermediate ring is produced by at least partial bonding and / or welding, in particular by laser beam welding or hot plate welding. Hot plate welding can be carried out in the form of mirror welding, which also allows for planar connections, for example, between the side surface of the compression ring and an intermediate ring. This also allows, for example, two compression rings with an intermediate ring, in particular a second one, to be materially joined together to form a ring unit.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, a scraper is assigned to the first intermediate ring and / or a wiper to the second intermediate ring. The scrapers and wipers can each be assigned to an intermediate ring and project, at least partially, into the space between adjacent compaction rings to remove soil adhering to the respective space. The scrapers and wipers can be arranged on the support frame. The support frame is positioned behind the axis of rotation of the roller in the working direction, which allows for the use of shorter and therefore more stable scrapers and / or wipers. The first intermediate ring, with its smaller diameter, may accumulate less soil than the second intermediate ring with its larger diameter, so that a single scraper may be sufficient to remove soil adhering to the first intermediate ring.The scraper protrudes partially between the adjacent compression rings, but is positioned at a distance from the first intermediate ring, resulting in low frictional resistance. A scraper, on the other hand, can extend further into the space between the compression rings and make circumferential contact with the second intermediate ring or come very close to it. This can result in higher resistance during operation compared to the scraper. By using first and second intermediate rings with different diameters, the number of required scrapers can be reduced, thereby lowering overall friction and making the roller easier to pull.

[0022] Preferably, at least one bearing device is arranged at the end of the support body, which has an adjustable axial preload force that enables the application of a substantially axial force to the ring unit, the compression rings, and / or intermediate rings. The bearing device allows the support body, together with the ring unit, the compression rings, and / or intermediate rings, to be rotatably mounted on the support frame. Applying an axial preload force increases the stability and operational reliability of the roller.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the roller has several support bodies, each mounted on a base frame, which are connected to each other, in particular by means of hinges. By arranging several support bodies, especially each via a support frame, on the base body, the roller can be designed more compactly, thus enabling safe and compliant road transport even with large working widths.

[0024] The invention further relates to an agricultural implement for soil cultivation and / or the application of granular solids in the form of fertilizer and / or seed, comprising at least one roller as described and configured above. The agricultural implement can be configured as a seed drill combination, which, for example, has a plurality of seed coulters, each of which can be assigned to a compaction ring.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the agricultural implement, the implement has a plurality of soil-engaging elements in the form of tires and / or tracks in the working direction, in front of the at least one roller. The implement can also have a chassis in front of the roller, consisting of several soil-engaging elements such as tires arranged side by side, which essentially cover the working width of the implement, support the machine's weight, and are capable of re-compacting and leveling the soil. Following the roller, and in particular the compaction rings, the implement can have seed coulters for introducing seed into the soil behind the roller.

[0026] Due to the storage of the soil treatment agents, a distinction can be made between the

[0027] A gap or space is formed between each soil intervention device. This gap can lead to reduced soil reconsolidation during tillage between the devices, potentially resulting in the formation of a ridge of soil. A second intermediate ring can be assigned to each gap between two soil intervention devices in the direction of travel, while the remaining working area can be assigned first intermediate rings. This has the advantage that the second intermediate rings allow the area between the soil intervention devices to be reconsolidated and leveled, while the remaining areas have first intermediate rings, enabling the creation of an improved seedbed with a more easily pulled roller.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.

[0029] In the characters show: Figure 1 shows an agricultural implement in the form of a seed drill combination with a roller according to the invention in a schematic top view; Figure 2 shows a first intermediate ring, which is arranged laterally on a ring unit consisting of two compression rings and a second intermediate ring arranged between them; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the ring unit and the first intermediate ring made of Figure 2 Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a second intermediate ring with a ribbed structure and recesses; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a half-shell of a compression ring.

[0030] In Figure 1Figure 12 is an agricultural implement in the form of a seed drill combination for seed application, shown in a schematic top view. The implement 12 has soil-penetrating elements 30 in the form of tires arranged on a base frame 16. These tires are positioned side by side and essentially cover the working width of the implement 12. The soil-penetrating elements 30 can essentially support the weight of the implement 12 and can also serve to reconsolidate and level the soil for subsequent seed application. To prepare for seed application by seed coulters (not shown), a roller 10 is arranged in the working direction (arrow) following the soil-penetrating elements 30. This roller also extends over the working width of the implement 12 and is positioned in front of the seed coulters in the working direction.The roller 10 shown is designed in multiple parts and has support frames 14, each of which is attached to the base frame 16 and is designed to be foldable, for example for road transport.

[0031] The roller 10 comprises a plurality of compression rings 24, which are arranged side by side along a support body 18, with intermediate rings 26, 28 arranged between each compression ring 24. The compression rings 24 and intermediate rings 26, 28 are axially pre-tensioned by a bearing device 56 located at the end of the support body 18. The support body 18, designed in the form of a square profile, is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis 22 and connected to the support frame 14 via webs 20. The compression rings 24 are each positioned in front of a seed coulter (not shown) and serve to pre-compact the rows for the subsequent sowing of the crop by the seed coulters into the pre-compacted rows.Due to the storage of the soil intervention devices 30 on the base frame 16, a gap is formed between the soil intervention devices 30, so that the soil between the soil intervention devices 30 is less reconsolidated and leveled, and a dam of earth can be formed in each case.

[0032] The roller 10 has at least one first intermediate ring 26 and one second intermediate ring 28, which have different diameters d1, d2 and / or different widths b1, b2. The intermediate rings 26, 28 are configured as a first intermediate ring 26 with a first diameter d1 and a first width b1, or as a second intermediate ring 28 with a second diameter d2 and a second width b2. The diameter d1 of the first intermediate ring 26 is smaller than the diameter d2 of the second intermediate ring 28. The first intermediate ring 26 allows for easier passage of the soil between the adjacent compaction rings 24, whereas the second intermediate ring 28 has a smaller passage but enables greater reconsolidation and leveling of the soil.In the illustrated embodiment of the roller 10, each gap between two soil intrusion elements 30 is assigned a second intermediate ring 28 on the roller 10, while in the remaining working area a first intermediate ring 26 is arranged between the compaction rings 24. This allows the soil to be re-compacted and leveled at the required locations for seedbed preparation by means of the second intermediate rings 28, whereby the ease of operation of the roller 10 is essentially maintained by the predominant number of first intermediate rings 26.

[0033] Each of the second intermediate rings 28, arranged between the compression rings 24, is assigned a scraper 34, which essentially makes contact with the second intermediate element 28. The clearing elements 32 assigned to the first intermediate rings 26 engage less deeply into the respective space between the compression rings 24. The clearing elements 32 and scrapers 34 are each arranged on the support frame 14, which is located behind the axis of rotation 22 of the roller 10, allowing the clearing elements 32 and scrapers 34 to be designed to be shorter and more rigid.

[0034] According to the invention, the roller 10 has at least one ring unit 36, which comprises at least one compression ring 24 and at least one, in particular a second, intermediate ring 26, 28, wherein the intermediate ring 26, 28 is materially bonded to at least one adjacent compression ring 24 or formed integrally with the compression ring 24. Figure 1The illustrated ring units 36 each have two compression rings 24 and a second intermediate ring 28 arranged between them and connected to the compression rings 24 by a material bond.

[0035] To remove adhering soil, each of the first intermediate rings 26 is assigned a scraper 32, which is spaced apart from the first intermediate rings 26 and causes only low friction. Each of the second intermediate rings 28 is assigned a scraper 34, which contacts the second intermediate rings 28 or is at least arranged close to them and causes higher friction than the scrapers 32. The number of second intermediate rings 28 can depend on the number of soil intrusion devices 30 and the gaps formed between them.

[0036] In Figure 2Viewed from the rear in the working direction, a ring unit 36 ​​is shown, which is rotatably mounted on the support body (not shown) about the axis of rotation 22. The ring unit 36 ​​consists of two compression rings 24, which are both materially bonded to a second intermediate ring 28. A protective ring 42 is arranged radially on the outside of the second intermediate ring 28. The protective ring 42 can be made of metal and has a slightly smaller width than the second intermediate ring 28, so that a gap is formed between the protective ring 42 and the compression rings 24. This gap allows, for example, a materially bonded connection between the second intermediate ring 28 and the compression rings 24 to be created during assembly, despite the protective ring 42, for example by laser welding or mirror welding.

[0037] The compression rings 24 are each composed of a first half-shell 38 and a second half-shell 40. The half-shells 38, 40 can be symmetrical and are each slid onto the support body 18 for assembly. The compression rings 24 each have a flat side surface 44 to which an intermediate ring 26, 28 can be bonded. On one side, next to the ring unit 36, a first intermediate ring 26 is arranged along the axis of rotation 22, wherein the first diameter d1 of the first intermediate ring 26 is smaller than the second diameter d2 of the second intermediate ring 26. The widths b1, b2 of the first and second intermediate rings 26, 28 are essentially the same.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of ring unit 36 ​​from Figure 2and the first intermediate ring 26 arranged thereon. An inner profile 46 of the first intermediate ring 26 and the left compression ring 24 of the ring unit 36 ​​is shown. The inner profile 46 is designed in the form of a square profile corresponding to the (not shown) support body 18. The support body (not shown) is designed in the form of a square shaft or a square profile, which enables a positive-locking connection of the ring unit 36, the compression rings 24 and / or intermediate rings 26, 28 with the support body 18. The first intermediate ring 26 has an internal rib structure 50 and recesses 52, which increases the strength of the intermediate ring 26 while simultaneously reducing its weight.

[0039] The in Figure 4The second intermediate ring 28 shown also has an internal ribbed structure 50 and recesses 52. The internal profile 46 of the second intermediate ring 28 is designed as a square profile, corresponding to the support body (not shown), to enable a positive-locking connection with the support body. The second intermediate ring 28 has a circumferential surface 54 on its radial outer surface. An external profile 48 is formed on the circumferential surface 54, which is designed as radially outwardly rising ribs. The external profile 48 can improve a connection with the protective ring (not shown), for example, a force-fit, positive-lock, and / or material-locking connection.

[0040] A half-shell 38, 40 of a compression ring 24 is in Figure 5The half-shell 38, 40 is shown in a perspective view. It has an internal ribbed structure 50 and recesses 52. For a positive-locking connection with the support body (not shown), the half-shell 38, 40 also has an internal profile 46 in the form of a square profile. The half-shells 38, 40 are symmetrical and can be bonded together, particularly before mounting them on the support body or before assembling them into a ring unit. The ring unit 36, the half-shells 38, 40, the compression rings 24, and / or the intermediate rings 26, 28 can be manufactured as plastic parts, especially as injection-molded parts. This offers the advantage that the ribbed structure 50 and the recesses 52 can be produced cost-effectively. Reference sign

[0041] 10 roller d1 First diameter 12 Agricultural equipment d2 Second diameter 14 support frame b1 First Broad 16 Basic frame b2 Second width 18 Supporting body 20 web 22 axis of rotation 24 compression ring 26 First intermediate ring 28 Second intermediate ring 30 Soil treatment agents 32 Clearing out 34 scraper 36 Ring unit 38 First half-shell 40 Second half-shell 42 Protective ring 44 side surface 46 Inner profile 48 outer profile 50 Ribbed structure 52 Exclusions 54 Perimeter area 56 Storage device

Claims

1. A roller for agricultural soil cultivation having at least one support body (18) rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (22) and multiple compaction rings (24) arranged spaced apart next to one another on the support body (18) for compacting the ground and intermediate rings (26, 28) arranged between adjacent compaction rings (24), wherein at least one first intermediate ring (26) and a second intermediate ring (28) with different diameters (d1, d2) and / or different widths (b1, b2) are provided, characterised in that the roller (10) comprises at least one ring unit (36), which includes a compaction ring (24) and at least one, in particular second, intermediate ring (26, 28), wherein the intermediate ring (26, 28) is connected to at least one adjacent compaction ring (24) in a materially bonded manner or configured integrally with the compaction ring (24).

2. The roller according to Claim 1, characterised in that the roller (10) comprises at least one first intermediate ring (26) with a first diameter (d1) and a first width (b1) and at least one second intermediate ring (28) with a second diameter (d2) and a second width (b2), wherein the first diameter (d1) is smaller than the second diameter (d2) and / or the first width (b1) is smaller than the second width (b2).

3. The roller according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the, in particular second, intermediate ring (28) circumferentially comprises a protective ring (42).

4. The roller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the compaction rings (24) and / or the intermediate rings (26, 28) each have an inner profile (46) for the non-positive and / or positive connection to the support body (18).

5. The roller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support body (18) is designed in the form of a square tube and the inner profile (46) in the form of a square profile matched to the form of the support body (18) for the operative connection.

6. The roller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the compaction ring (24) is assembled from at least two half shells (38, 40) in particular in a materially bonded manner.

7. The roller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the compaction ring (24) comprises at least on a side a substantially flat lateral surface (44) for the materially bonded connection to a, in particular second, intermediate ring (26, 28).

8. The roller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ring unit (36), the compaction ring (24), the half shells (38, 40) and / or the intermediate ring (26, 28) are produced in the form of an injection moulded part.

9. The roller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ring unit (36), the compaction ring (24), the half shells (38, 40) and / or the intermediate ring (26, 28) have a rib structure (50) and / or recesses (52) formed on the inside.

10. The roller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the, in particular second, intermediate ring (26, 28) has an outer profile (48) along its circumferential side, which extends from the circumferential surface in particular radially to the outside.

11. The roller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a materially bonded connection between the half shells (38, 40) and / or between the connecting ring (24) and at least one intermediate ring (26, 28) through at least partial gluing and / or welding, in particular through laser beam welding or heated tool welding is established.

12. The roller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first intermediate ring (26) is assigned a clearer (32) and / or the second intermediate ring (28) is assigned a stripper (34).

13. The roller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one bearing device (56) is arranged on the support body (18) end side, which comprises an adjustable axial preload force which makes possible applying a substantially axial force onto the ring unit (36), compaction rings (24) and / or intermediate rings (26, 28).

14. The roller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the roller (10) comprises multiple support bodies (18) each mounted on a main frame (16), which are connected to one another in particular so as to be foldable.

15. An agricultural unit (12) for soil cultivation and / or application of granular solids in the form of fertiliser and / or seeds having at least one roller (10) according to any one of the Claims 1 to 14.

16. The agricultural unit according to Claim 15, characterised in that the agricultural unit (12) in the working direction in front of the at least one roller (10) comprises a plurality of ground engagement means (30) in the form of tyres and / or tracks.