Coupling for driving agricultural implements.

Abstract

Coupling for driving agricultural implements, implements in which a ribbed power take-off shaft (1) participates, characterized in that it is constituted from a motor-reducer group (3), whose housing is integral to a support (4) for fixing to the frame of the implement, in proximity to the power take-off shaft (1), the motor-reducer group (3) being electric or hydraulic, whose output shaft is materialized in a bushing (7) provided with an internal rib (8) complementary to the rib of the power take-off shaft (1) of the implement, with the particularity that the motor-reducer group (3) includes means of connection to the hydraulic or electric system of the tractor vehicle to which the implement is intended to be coupled.

Description

Coupling for driving agricultural implements TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention relates to a coupling for driving agricultural implements such as seeders, fertilizer spreaders, or other implements that are usually moved by a tractor vehicle, and are driven by means of a cardan connection associated with the power take-off of the tractor vehicle. The object of the invention is to provide an alternative to this type of mobile connection (cardan), which ensures a more homogeneous operation, without large vibrations, comfortable, safe, durable, versatile and with a greater capacity to adapt to the irregularities of the terrain, which by working more smoothly and efficiently allows for significant fuel savings. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the practical application of the invention, certain types of agricultural implements, such as seeders, fertilizer spreaders, etc., are moved by a tractor vehicle, to which they are connected to its power take-off by means of a cardan shaft, which transmits the power of the engine to the drive mechanism of the implement in question. These types of transmissions present a variety of problems, among which the following aspects stand out: • They generate strong vibrations and shocks. • Although the cardan shaft is designed to adapt to small angular offsets between the power take-off and the implement, its maneuverability is very limited, and it also performs worse (more vibrations) the greater the offset angle. • Premature wear and tear. • Unnecessary fuel consumption. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The proposed coupling for driving agricultural implements fully and satisfactorily resolves the aforementioned problems, based on a simple but highly effective solution. To this end, and more specifically, the device of the invention is made up of a motor-reducer group, which is linked to a fixing support to the chassis of the implement, corresponding to its power take-off, a motor-reducer group whose output shaft is associated with an internally ribbed bushing, which is fixed to said shaft and which is complementary to the ribbed shaft of the power take-off of the implement in question. In this way, the device of the invention is plugged directly into the ribbed shaft of the power take-off of the implement and is fixed to the frame of said implement to be rigidly attached to it, so that, in place of the cardan shaft, the device of the invention will be connected to the tractor vehicle through hydraulic hoses, in the case that the motor-reducer group includes a hydraulic motor, connecting to the respective hydraulic sockets of the tractor vehicle, or it will be connected by electrical wiring to the power socket that feeds its alternator, in the case that the motor-reducer group includes an electric motor. Based on this structure, the device of the invention offers much smoother and more efficient operation, resulting in fuel savings for the tractor unit through which it is powered. This is achieved with greater operational versatility, as it is not limited by the working angles of cardan shafts, and greater durability due to reduced vibrations and therefore fewer breakdowns. It offers a more comfortable and safe system, free of jerking, easy to install on any agricultural implement with a power take-off, and easily connected and disconnected by disconnecting and connecting the corresponding flexible hoses or electrical cables, which allow for greater maneuverability of the assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description that follows and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a coupling for driving sowing, fertilizing and similar implements from a tractor vehicle made in accordance with the object of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device properly installed on an agricultural implement. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the figures described, it can be observed how the coupling for driving agricultural implements is intended to replace the classic cardan connection that connects the power take-off of a tractor with the shaft (1) of the power take-off of an agricultural implement (2), such as a seed drill, a fertilizer spreader, etc. Well, according to the essence of the invention, the coupling of the invention consists of a motor-reducer group (3), whose housing is attached to a support (4) in the form of a reinforced bracket, which in the chosen embodiment is fixed by screws (6) to the lance (5) of the frame of the implement, but which will logically be intended to be fixed to the frame of said machine at that point where the motor-reducer group (3) is facing the shaft (1) of the power take-off of the machine in question. The output shaft of the motor-reducer group (3) is materialized in a bushing (7) provided with an internal rib (8) complementary to the rib of the shaft (1) of the power take-off of the implement. As previously stated, the motor-reducer group (3) can be implemented in a hydraulic group or an electric group. In the chosen embodiment, said motor-reducer group (3) includes a hydraulic motor, which is powered through respective connection valves (9) for the hydraulic hoses (10) connecting to the hydraulic sockets of the tractor vehicle. In an unrepresented embodiment, the gearmotor group (3) includes an electric motor, such that said electric motor is connected by the corresponding electrical wiring to the power socket associated with the alternator output of the tractor vehicle. This results in a device that is easy to install, durable, convenient, safe, and offers fuel savings compared to conventional cardan shaft coupling.

Claims

1. Coupling for driving agricultural implements, implements in which a ribbed power take-off shaft (1) participates, characterized in that it is constituted from a motor-reducer group (3), whose housing is integral to a support (4) for fixing to the frame of the implement, in proximity to the power take-off shaft (1), the motor-reducer group (3) being electric or hydraulic, whose output shaft is materialized in a bushing (7) provided with an internal rib (8) complementary to the rib of the power take-off shaft (1) of the implement, with the particularity that the motor-reducer group (3) includes means of connection to the hydraulic or electric system of the tractor vehicle to which the implement is intended to be coupled.