Symmetrically mounted mower bucket for mowing trenches etc.

Abstract

Device, commonly referred to as mowing basket, arranged to be coupled securely to a mobile driving machine, such as a digging machine or tractor, in particular for the purpose of mowing ditches, embankments, etc. The device comprises an elongate, substantially partially cylindrical basket (1) which, during operational use, extends in a transverse direction and which is provided on its bottom side with an elongate mowing mechanism (2). The basket, by means of a basket frame (3), is connected to the driving machine (4) and is mounted in such a way that, by means of a drive mechanism (5), the basket can be driven in an upward direction and a downward direction about an axis of rotation (6), which also extends in the transverse direction. According to the invention, all this is arranged in such a way that the axis of rotation (6) lies within the space surrounded by the basket and preferably substantially coincides with the virtual axis of symmetry of the partially cylindrical basket.

Description

[0001] Title: SYMMETRICALLY MOUNTED MOWER BUCKET FOR MOWING TRENCHES ETC.

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The invention relates to a device, commonly referred to as mowing basket, which is intended and arranged to be coupled securely to a mobile driving machine, such as a digging machine or tractor, in particular for the purpose of mowing ditches, embankments, etc., said device comprising an elongate, substantially partially cylindrical basket which, during operational use, extends in a transverse direction and which is provided on its bottom side with an elongate mowing mechanism, said basket, by means of a basket frame, being connected to the driving machine and being mounted in such a way that, by means of a drive mechanism, the basket can be driven in an upward direction and a downward direction about an axis of rotation, which also extends in the transverse direction.

[0004] A device of said type is known inter alia from Dutch patents NL120675C, NL8200162A and NL1009593C2. The mowing-basket devices presented therein comprise a transversely extending basket and basket frame that, during operation, are moved “up and down” about a horizontal axis of rotation, which axis of rotation is outside or on the periphery of the (more or less partially cylindrical) basket. Thus, during operation, the basket is rotated in its entirety about the axis of rotation.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a “mowing basket” which, when viewed in a vertical plane, performs a smaller “swinging movement” about its (horizontal) axis of rotation while work is being carried out than the hitherto known mowing baskets, whereby the work requires less kinetic energy and can therefore be carried out more efficiently.

[0006] To this end, according to the invention, provision is made of a device, commonly referred to as mowing basket, which is intended and arranged to be coupled securely to a mobile driving machine, such as a digging machine or tractor, in particular for the purpose of mowing ditches, embankments, etc., said device comprising an elongate, substantially partially cylindrical basket which, during operational use, extends in a transverse direction and which is provided on its bottom side with an elongate mowing mechanism, said basket, by means of a basket frame, being connected to the driving machine and being mounted in such a way that, by means of a drive mechanism, the basket can be driven in an upward direction and a downward direction about an axis of rotation, which also extends in the transverse direction, all this being arranged and designed in such a way that said axis of rotation lies within the space surrounded by the basket and preferably substantially coincides with the virtual axis of symmetry of the partially cylindrical basket, in other words with the central axis of symmetry of the virtual surrounding cylinder that surrounds the basket (on the front side open and provided with a mowing mechanism).

[0007] Whereas in the known devices the basket is moved about an externally or peripherally positioned axis of rotation during operation, according to the invention, it is provided that the basket rotates about its own axis since the position of the (physical) axis of rotation coincides with the (virtual) axis of rotation of the (partially) cylindrical basket. Thus, the cylindrical basket, when viewed in the (partially) circular cross section of the basket, rotates substantially about its centre of gravity, which, in terms of energy, is much more desirable than the point of rotation (when viewed in cross section) being away from the centre of gravity of the basket (which is the case in the known constructions).

[0008] The invention will now be discussed in more detail on the basis of the following description of the figures.

[0009] Figure 1 schematically shows, in cross section, an exemplary embodiment of a mowing-basket device according to the invention.

[0010] Figure 1 schematically shows, in cross section, an exemplary embodiment of a mowing-basket device according to the invention, comprising an elongate, substantially partially cylindrical basket 1 which, during operational use, extends in a transverse direction (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in Figure 1) and which is provided on its bottom side with an elongate mowing mechanism 2.

[0011] The basket 1 is coupled securely to the manipulation arm 4 of a mobile driving machine, such as a digging machine or tractor, by means of a basket frame 3. The basket frame 3 is mounted in such a way that, by means of a hydraulic drive mechanism 5, the basket 1 can be driven in an upward direction and a downward direction about an axis of rotation 6, which also extends in the transverse direction, in order thus to be able to clear ditches and sides of ditches of unwanted vegetation that would obstruct the passage of water.

[0012] The configuration is arranged and designed in such a way that said axis of rotation 6 extends within the (virtual surrounding cylinder of the) space of the basket 1 , wherein the position of the axis of rotation 6 substantially coincides with the position of the virtual axis of symmetry of the partially cylindrical basket (in other words the central axis of symmetry of the virtual surrounding cylinder of the basket 1).

[0013] The present invention thus provides a mowing-basket device which, when viewed in a vertical plane, performs a smaller “swinging movement” about its (horizontal) axis of rotation while work is being carried out than the hitherto known mowing baskets, whereby the work requires less kinetic energy and can therefore be carried out more efficiently.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Device, commonly referred to as mowing basket, intended and arranged to be coupled securely to a mobile driving machine, such as a digging machine or tractor, in particular for the purpose of mowing ditches, embankments, etc., said device comprising an elongate, substantially partially cylindrical basket (1) which, during operational use, extends in a transverse direction and which is provided on its bottom side with an elongate mowing mechanism (2), said basket, by means of a basket frame (3), being connected to the driving machine (4) and being mounted in such a way that, by means of a drive mechanism (5), the basket can be driven in an upward direction and a downward direction about an axis of rotation (6), which also extends in the transverse direction, all this being arranged and designed in such a way that said axis of rotation (6) lies within the space surrounded by the basket.

2. Device according to Claim 1 , wherein said axis of rotation (6) substantially coincides with the virtual axis of symmetry of the partially cylindrical basket.

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