Agricultural spreading machine

Abstract

The invention relates to an agricultural spreading machine (1) comprising a spreading device (3) for applying liquid or granular material, which spreading device comprises a frame (2) and blades (4) for spreading the material, which blades are arranged on the frame in at least one row. The blade comprises a first material guide (5) for applying granular material, wherein a second material guide (6) for applying liquid material is provided, which second material guide is integrated into the first material guide.

Description

[0001]

[0002] Agricultural spreading machine

[0003] The invention relates to an agricultural distribution machine according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0004] Agricultural distribution machines, in particular seed drills or precision seed drills, are used to spread seeds and / or fertilizers on or into the surface of arable soil.

[0005] German patent application DE1782477A1 discloses a seed drill for spreading seed and fertilizer. Seed is delivered from a first hopper to offset seed coulters by means of several metering units arranged side by side. The coulters create a furrow for depositing the seed into the soil. A further row of fertilizer coulters is positioned upstream of the coulter arrangement, which are supplied with granulated fertilizer from a second hopper by means of additional metering units arranged side by side. The fertilizer is also incorporated into the soil by means of the fertilizer coulters, preferably offset laterally and / or vertically from the seed furrows.

[0006] EP2374343A1 discloses a precision seed drill with a front-mounted fertilizer coulter for the simultaneous application of seed and granulated fertilizer. For the application of liquid fertilizer, the disclosure US20210251133A1 proposes a cutting coulter, followed by another tine coulter for opening a fertilizer furrow. A metering line for discharging liquid fertilizer into the soil runs under the cover of the tine coulter. This prevents the line from being subjected to abrasive wear from passing soil material, as would be the case if it were positioned directly behind the cutting disc. At the same time, the cutting disc bearings do not come into contact with the liquid fertilizer. The liquid fertilizer usually consists of a salty or alkaline solution, which would quickly oxidize the bearings. This would also be a concern if liquid fertilizer were supplied to the disc coulter of EP2374343A1 through the supply line shown.The object of the invention is to provide a spreading machine with spreading coulters for the simultaneous or alternative spreading of liquid and / or granulated or granular material, such as seeds and / or fertilizer in solid or granulated or granular form as well as liquid fertilizer, additives or other suspensions or solutions.

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of the characterising part of claim 1.

[0008] An agricultural spreading machine contains a distribution device for spreading liquid or granular material, as well as a frame and shares arranged on the frame in at least one row for distributing the material. The share has a first material guide for spreading granular material. According to the invention, the share has a second material guide for spreading liquid material, which is integrated into the first material guide. By selectively inserting the second material guide for spreading liquid material into the first material guide for spreading granular material, liquid and / or granular material can be spread alternatively or simultaneously with the same share with little replacement or assembly effort.

[0009] In a particular embodiment, the first and second material guides are designed as hollow bodies with an inlet region and an outlet region. The inlet region of the first material guide is detachably connected to a supply line for granular material. Instead of the supply line or together with it, the inlet region of the second material guide is inserted into the inlet region of the first material guide. Furthermore, securing means are provided which secure the second material guide against movement relative to the first material guide. This allows the outlet region of the second material guide to be fixed relative to the blade. The material guides have an axial extension. The securing means serve, in particular, as a displacement lock within the axial extension of the material guides. Furthermore, these can also be designed as axial anti-rotation locks.

[0010] In a further improved embodiment, the securing means are designed as a quick-release coupling. The quick-release coupling comprises an adapter for accommodating the inlet area of ​​the second material guide and / or a connection device for accommodating a fluid line. This significantly reduces setup times for installing the second material guide for liquid material into the first material guide.

[0011] In an optimized design of the agricultural distribution machine, the quick-release coupling has an opening for accommodating a material line for granular material or for alternatively accommodating the adapter. In particular, the supply line for granular material also features a matching quick-release coupling. This allows it to be quickly and tool-freely replaced with the adapter with the second material line for liquid material.

[0012] In a special form of agricultural distribution machine, the adapter has a quick-coupling coupling on the side opposite the second material guide for accommodating a material line for granular material. This achieves simultaneous supply of granular and liquid material to the coulter. The granular material is guided through the first material guide into the furrow created by the coulter. Liquid material can also be dispensed into the same furrow via the second material guide. This is particularly advantageous when sowing seed with simultaneous starter fertilizer application. By cleverly positioning the second material guide within the first material guide, blockage-free operation of the material dispensing can be achieved while simultaneously precisely depositing the materials in the furrow. In a further improved form of the invention, a metering orifice and / or a switching or drip-stop valve is assigned to the adapter.This provides flexible pipe routing for supplying the liquid material to the blade and prevents the pipes from running dry accidentally.

[0013] In a further embodiment, a liquid nozzle, particularly a point, flat, or conical jet nozzle, is arranged at the lower end of the second material guide, opposite the inlet of the second material guide. This allows for precise delivery of liquid into the furrow or for wetting the furrow cross-section with liquid. Examples include the application of a low-dose starter fertilizer or the in-situ application of pesticides or seed dressings.

[0014] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the first material guide and the second material guide have at least one section with a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axes are arranged parallel and preferably coaxially or eccentrically to one another. As a result, the first material guide forms a protective casing for the second material guide. Their central or concentric arrangement prevents contact between the second material guide or the material dispensed thereby and the adjacent cutting disks. An eccentric arrangement is advantageous if, parallel to the dispensing of liquid material through the second material guide, granular or grainy material is dispensed through the first material guide at the same time. This prevents blockages when larger dispensed quantities are involved.

[0015] For improved delivery and placement of the liquid material in the furrow drawn by the share, the first material guide and the second material guide each have a different cross-section. The cross-section of the first material guide is at least twice, more preferably at least three times, in particular at least four times larger than the cross-section of the second material guide. The extent of the cross-section is measured as the diameter, as the axes of the ellipse, or as the diagonal of a polygon of the cross-sectional shape. Particularly when liquid and solid material are delivered simultaneously, it is recommended to select a cross-section for the second material guide that is at least three times smaller, in particular at least four times smaller, than the first material guide in order to avoid blockages in the first material guide.

[0016] The invention is particularly distinguished by the fact that the integration of a second material guide for liquid material into a first material guide intended for the discharge of solid material creates a flexible blade system for the selective or simultaneous discharge of materials in various aggregate states. This system can be freely configured and adapted to the respective discharge purpose at any time. This can be done in the delivery state of the agricultural distribution machine, as a later retrofit, or at any time and immediately before its use.

[0017] Further details and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an embodiment with the necessary details and individual parts. They show:

[0018] Fig.1 an agricultural distribution machine in perspective view from the front,

[0019] Fig.2 a share for spreading granular material,

[0020] Fig. 3 a share for spreading liquid material,

[0021] Fig. 4 shows a cross section from Fig. 2,

[0022] Fig. 5 shows a cross section from Fig. 3,

[0023] Fig. 6 shows a combined embodiment of Fig. 2 and 3 and Fig. 7 shows a cross section of Fig. 6.

[0024] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an agricultural distribution machine 1, which is operated in a direction of travel F by a tractor (not shown) and moved over an agriculturally used soil surface. This is a precision seed drill with four of a total of eight precision seeding units 16, which are visible and spaced apart from one another on a frame 2 of the distribution machine 1. The precision seeding units 16 are supplied with seed from a container 20 by means of an air flow from a blower 19. At the same time, the air flow from the blower 19 serves to generate a pressure difference in the connected precision seeding units 16, with which the seed can be distributed individually into seed furrows. One or more depth guides 18, which are designed as rollers or rollers, are arranged in front of the precision seeding units 16.To promote field emergence and the subsequent growth of the seed and the resulting plants, a fertilizer band is placed near the created seed furrows. To introduce the fertilizer into the soil near the seed furrows, one or more distribution devices for distributing solid, granulated, or granular material, in particular fertilizer, are assigned to the precision sowing units 16. Alternatively, liquid material such as fertilizer or plant protection solutions, etc., can also be applied. The respective material is introduced into the soil with coulters 4. Each precision sowing unit 16 is assigned at least one coulter 4. Instead of the precision sowing units 16, another distribution device 3 with coulters 4 can also be arranged in the same or a further row on the distributor machine to enable volume-dosed drilling.The shares 4 are designed as double-disc shares, with two cutting discs 17 mounted in pairs on a rotatable holder. The shares 4 and their holders 22 are arranged on the frame 2 of the spreader at regular intervals along a path transverse to the direction of travel F. Additional, star-shaped clearing discs for removing plant residue from the working area are arranged on the holders 22. The rear segments of the cutting discs 17 of the shares 4 extend into a recess in the depth guide 18. This results in a self-cleaning effect of the cutting discs 17, as adhering soil material is scraped off by the following roller elements of the depth guide 18.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a single share 4 for spreading granular material, which is movably arranged with its holder 22 on the indicated transverse axis of the frame 2 by means of a pivot bearing 21. By an overload element also arranged between the frame 2 and the holder 22, the share 4 is held in position relative to the frame 2, but can deflect upwards if it encounters a foreign object in the ground. By turning a frame tube along the transverse axis of the frame 2, the working depth of the respective share 4 can be adjusted. Of the share 4 designed as a double disc share, only the right-hand cutting disc 17 in the direction of travel F is visible. The left-hand cutting disc has been omitted for the sake of clarity. The bearing 26 for the cutting discs 17 can be seen at the lower end of the holder 22.The bearing 26 is arranged at an angle and on both sides of the holder 22 so that the cutting discs are aligned in a V-shape relative to one another in the direction of travel and downwards. This cuts an approximately V-shaped furrow into the ground into which the material to be distributed can be deposited. In the rear area of ​​the share 4, the first material guide 5 extends from the upper circumference of the cutting discs 17 along the holder 22 to approximately below the bearing 26 of the cutting discs 17. The length of the first material guide 5 is thus at least equal to or greater than the outer radius of a cutting disc and ends at the lower outlet area 8. The inlet area 7 of the first material guide 5 is located on the upper circumference of the cutting discs 17. A hose-shaped material line 13 and a clamping ring 25 are inserted into this by means of a quick-action coupling 10 and are locked against withdrawal by means of a plug-in bracket 24.Granular material to be spread can be metered through the material line 13 by a metering device (not shown) and deposited into the furrow created in the soil by the share 4. The material can be transported by gravity or gradient in the material line 13, but preferably with the assistance of a transport air stream.

[0026] Figure 3 shows the arrangement from Figure 2 with largely the same reference numerals. However, the material line 17 has been removed by means of the quick coupling 10 and instead a second material guide 6 has been inserted and integrated into the inlet area 7.1 of the first material guide 5. The invisible inlet area of ​​the second material guide 6 is held in the upper area by an adapter 11 and with this the entire second material guide 6 is fixed in the first material guide 5 by means of a plug-in bracket 24 in the quick coupling 10. A valve 15 with the liquid line 14 connected to it extends upwards from the adapter 11. The other end of the liquid line 14 is connected to a frame-side distribution line with which the liquid to be dispensed is pumped or metered under pressure from a tank (not shown).The valve 15 is a drip-stop valve with a spring-loaded valve diaphragm, preventing accidental emptying of the fluid line 14. Only when a certain discharge pressure is reached does the valve 15 open, directing fluid through the second and first material guides 6, 5 into the furrow created by the share. By loosening the quick-release coupling 10, the adapter 11, including the valve 14 and the second material guide 6, can be removed and replaced or exchanged for the material line 13 at any time and without any additional assembly effort, as described in Figure 2.

[0027] Figure 4 shows a lateral cross-section of the arrangement from Figure 2 with identical reference numerals. The first material guide 5 is arranged directly behind the holder 22 of the share 4. On the upper circumference of the cutting share 17, which is dimensioned with the disc radius Rs, the material guide 5 has an inlet 7 with a quick-release coupling 10. The first material guide 5 preferably has a length L which is at least equal to or greater than the radius Rs. The outlet 8 of the first material guide 5 thus protrudes below the bearing 26 of the cutting discs 17, so that escaping material does not come into contact with the bearing 26. The material line 13 is inserted into the quick-release coupling 10 by means of a clamping ring 24 and is secured against withdrawal by a bracket 24, the material cross-sections of which can be seen.Instead of the bracket, plug pins can also be used, which are inserted through the openings of the quick coupling and form an axial positive connection with an annular groove of the clamping ring 24. Alternative plug-in coupling forms or bayonet locks can also be used as quick coupling devices.

[0028] Figure 5 shows a lateral cross-section of the arrangement from Figure 3. Instead of the material line from Figure 4, the second material guide 6 is inserted into the inlet 7.1 of the first material guide 5. The inlet 7.2 of the second material guide 6 is connected to the adapter 11, which is held in the plug-in coupling 10 of the securing means 9. The force-fitting or form-fitting connection of the second material guide 6 to the adapter 11 on the one hand and the adapter to the securing means 9 or the quick-action coupling on the other hand achieves a constant, defined position of the second material guide 6 relative to the first material guide 5. The two material guides 5 and 6 preferably run parallel to one another, and even more preferably coaxially to one another. This prevents contact between the second material guides 6 and the cutting disks 17 or other components of the share 4.The first material guide 5 thus forms a type of protective sheath over at least a partial section of the second material guide 6. Analogous to Figure 4, the adapter 11 is plugged into the quick-release coupling 10 and secured against withdrawal by a bracket 24, the material cross-sections of which can be seen. Instead of the bracket, plug pins can also be used, which are inserted through openings in the quick-release coupling and form an axial positive connection with an annular groove in the adapter 11. Alternative plug-in coupling shapes or bayonet locks can also be used as a quick-release coupling device. The valve 15 is arranged above the adapter and is supplied with liquid material via the liquid line 14, which is fed through the second material guide 6 to the furrow created by the share 4.The valve 15 can be screwed into a threaded seat formed in the adapter 11 or inserted and locked into a molded-in plug-in coupling seat, which is preferably designed as a bayonet lock. An elastic sealing ring and a metering orifice can be inserted into the adapter 11 below the valve 15. These can be put together from a commercially available range, only the adapter 11 is designed according to the components used. The second material guide 6 can also be screwed into a threaded seat formed in the adapter 11 or inserted into a molded-in plug-in coupling seat. Alternatively, the use of a cutting ring or sealing ring arrangement for movably securing the second material guide 6 relative to the adapter 11 is provided.

[0029] The blade 4 is mounted so as to be vertically movable and pivotable about at least one articulated bearing 21 relative to the illustrated cross tube of the frame 2 and is held in position by the overload element 23. Preferably, a distribution line is arranged along the frame 2, to which end of the liquid line 14 opposite the valve 15 is connected. This can also be done via a quick-action coupling or a union screw connection. The liquid line 14 is designed as an elastic hose or plastic line and is arranged in an arc shape. Preferably, the arc shape runs within an enveloping circle which extends with a radius Ru from the axis of the articulated bearing 21 to the valve 15 or to the securing means 9 or the adapter 11. Alternatively, the liquid line 14 extends in an S-shaped bend directly from the valve 15 in the direction of the distribution line, which is located near the frame 2 orthe axis of the spherical bearing 21.

[0030] An alternative embodiment for the simultaneous discharge of liquid and solid material is shown in side view in Figures 6 and 7, and in cross section in Figure 7. The adapter 11 is inserted into the inlet of the first material guide 5, as in Figure 5, and locked with the securing means 9 or the quick-release coupling. The adapter 11 is designed as a hollow body and has a further quick-release coupling 10' at its other end, opposite the inlet 7.1 of the first material guide 5. As already described in relation to Figure 4, a material line 13 for supplying solid material is assigned to this quick-release coupling. The inlet 7.2 of the second material guide is bent laterally and projects into a further lateral connection piece, on which the valve 15 and, continuing therefrom, the liquid line 14 are arranged, as otherwise described in relation to Figures 3 and 5.Unlike in Figure 5, the second material guide 6 is arranged parallel to, but eccentrically to, the cross-section of the first material guide 5. By arranging the second material guide 6, which has a significantly smaller cross-section, in the wall region of the significantly larger first material guide 5, clogging or blocking of the granular material supplied through the material line 13 is avoided, both in the cavity of the adapter 11 and subsequently in the first material guide 5. For the sake of clarity, the valve 15 and the line 14 are shown projecting rearward. The course of the line 14 is preferably arranged as shown in Figure 5.

[0031] Four pages of drawings follow.

Claims

PATENT CLAIM E 1. Agricultural spreading machine (1) with a spreading device (3) for spreading liquid or granular material, with a frame (2) and with shares (4) arranged on the frame (2) in at least one row for distributing the material, wherein the share (4) has a first material guide (5) for spreading granular material, characterized in that the share (3) has a second material guide (6) for spreading liquid material, which is integrated into the first material guide (5).

2. Agricultural distribution machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and the second material guide (5, 6) are designed as hollow bodies with an inlet area (7) and an outlet area (8), wherein the inlet area (7.2) of the second material guide (6) is inserted into the inlet area (7.1) of the first material guide (5), wherein securing means (9) are provided which secure the second material guide (6) against movement relative to the first material guide (5).

3. Agricultural distribution machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the securing means (9) are designed as a quick coupling (10), wherein the quick coupling (10) has an adapter (11) for receiving the inlet area (7.2) of the second material guide (6) and / or a connection device (12) for receiving a liquid line (14).

4. Agricultural distribution machine according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the quick coupling (10) has an opening for receiving a material line (13) for granular material or for alternatively receiving the adapter (11).

5. Agricultural distribution machine according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (11 ) has a quick coupling (10) on the side opposite the second material guide (6) for receiving a material line (13) for granular material.

6. Agricultural distribution machine according to the preceding claims, characterized in that a metering orifice and / or a switching or drip-stop valve (15) is associated with the adapter (11).

7. Agricultural distribution machine according to the preceding claims, characterized in that a liquid nozzle, in particular a point, flat or cone jet nozzle, is arranged at the lower end of the material guide (6) opposite the inlet (7.2) of the second material guide (6).

8. Agricultural distribution machine according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material guide (5) and the second material guide (6) have at least one partial section with a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axes are arranged parallel, and preferably coaxially or eccentrically to each other.

9. Agricultural distribution machine according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material guide (5) and the second material guide (6) each have a cross-section, wherein the cross-section of the first material guide (5) has an extent at least twice, more preferably at least three times, in particular at least four times larger than the cross-section of the first material guide (5).

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