Grapevine chipper attachment assembly

Abstract

The present invention is broadly directed to a grapevine chipper attachment assembly (10) associated with a grapevine chipper (12) operatively coupled to a tow vehicle (14). The grapevine chipper (12) is of a conventional construction including a chassis (20) hitched to tow bar (18) of the tow vehicle (14). The chipper attachment assembly (10) broadly comprises: 1. a mobile framework (30); 2. a pair of ground engaging tools (32a and 32b) mounted to the mobile framework (30) and adapted to disrupt roots of a grapevine (not shown) from within the ground; 3. extraction means in the form of a pair of counter-rotating extraction wheels (34a and 34b) arranged to cooperate with the ground engaging tools (32a / b) for extraction of the grapevine from the ground; 4. conveyor means in the form of a pair of conveyor belt assemblies (35a and 35b) associated with the extraction means (34a / b) and configured to convey the extracted grapevine for delivery to the grapevine chipper (12). The mobile framework (30) is pivotally mounted to the chassis (20) of the grapevine chipper (12) and thus in an operative position is towed alongside the chassis (20) via the tow vehicle (14). The mobile framework (30) connects to a guide wheel (38) configured to contact the ground and support the chipper attachment assembly (10) in its operative position.

Description

GRAPEVINE CHIPPER ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLYTechnical Field

[0001] The present invention is broadly directed to a grapevine chipper attachment assembly.Background

[0002] Conventional practice for grapevine removal involves cutting the vine above ground and thereafter removing its root system. The root system may be separately extracted by digging around the associated root ball and lifting the root system from the ground. These known techniques are time consuming and in some instances ineffective in complete removal of the root system. For these reasons the root system may instead be removed by chemicals such as aggressive herbicides or in-situ burning of the root system. It will be understood that both of these alternative methods are expensive and damaging to the environment, particularly burning which produces greenhouse gas emissions.Summary of Invention

[0003] According to the present invention there is provided a grapevine chipper attachment assembly comprising: a mobile framework adapted for towing via a tow vehicle; one or more ground engaging tools mounted to the mobile framework and adapted to at least partly disrupt roots of a grapevine from within the ground; extraction means operatively coupled to the mobile framework and arranged to cooperate with said ground engaging tools for extraction of the grapevine from the ground; conveyor means associated with the extraction means and configured to convey the extracted grapevine for delivery to a grapevine chipper operatively coupled to the tow vehicle.

[0004] Preferably the conveyor means includes a pair of laterally spaced conveyor belt assemblies each including a head pulley and a tail pulley at respective of theiropposing ends. More preferably each of the conveyor belt assemblies also includes a conveyor belt associated with the head and tail pulleys where either of the head or tail pulleys is driven for contra-rotation thereby providing sliding movement of the conveyor belts in the same longitudinal direction to enable conveyance of the extracted grapevine for delivery to the grapevine chipper. Even more preferably each of the pair of conveyor belts is in the form of an endless chain belt having a series of teeth adapted to grip the extracted grapevine thereby promoting its conveyance.

[0005] Preferably one of the pair of conveyor belt assemblies is mounted in a fixed relationship to the mobile framework whereas the other of the pair of conveyor belt assemblies is movable thereby permitting adjustment of lateral separation between said pair of conveyor belts thus facilitating conveyance of different sized of the extracted grapevines. More preferably the conveyor means includes biasing means operatively coupled to the other of the pair of conveyor belt assemblies thereby automatically adjusting the lateral separation between said conveyor belts thus compensating for different sized of the extracted grapevines. Even more preferably the biasing means includes a plurality of air bags each coupled to the other of the conveyor belt assemblies to promote lateral movement of the associated conveyor belt for automatic adjustment of the lateral separation between said conveyor belts.

[0006] Preferably the extraction means includes a pair of counter-rotating extraction wheels operatively coupled to respective of the pair of tail pulleys of the conveyor means. More preferably each of the extraction wheels includes a series of perimeter spikes adapted to grab the disrupted grapevine to promote its extraction from the ground. Even more preferably the pair of conveyor belt assemblies include respective of a pair of discharge wheels operatively coupled to the pair of contrarotating head pulleys to promote discharge of the extracted grapevines from the conveyor means to the grapevine chipper.

[0007] Preferably the ground engaging tools include a pair of ripper tynes located either side of the extraction means. More preferably each of the ripper tynes is mounted to an adjustment leg slidably mounted to the mobile framework for depth adjustment of the ripper tynes. Even more preferably the adjustment leg is moved vertically via a telescopic ram coupled between said leg and the mobile framework.Still more preferably the adjustment leg is one of a pair of adjustment legs connected to a stabilising boom actuated at each of its opposing ends via two (2) of the telescopic rams. Still even more preferably the chipper attachment assembly also comprises a pair of guide plates connected to respective of the adjustment legs and configured to direct the grapevine toward the extraction means.

[0008] Preferably the chipper attachment assembly further comprises cleaning elements mounted to the framework and arranged to cooperate with the conveyor means to at least partly remove dirt and other debris from the extracted grapevine prior to its delivery to the grapevine chipper. More preferably the cleaning elements include a plurality of spring-loaded prongs configured to contact roots of the extracted grapevine and being spring-loaded for dislodgement of dirt from the associated grapevine.

[0009] Preferably the mobile framework connects to a guide wheel configured to contact the ground and support the chipper attachment assembly in an operative position. More preferably the mobile framework is pivotally mounted to a chassis of the grapevine chipper for tilting movement between the operative position and a travelling position. Even more preferably the chipper attachment assembly also comprises one or more hydraulic rams connected to the framework and operatively coupled to the chassis whereupon actuation of said hydraulic rams effects said tilting movement. Still even more preferably the chassis of the chipper is hitched or otherwise coupled to the tow vehicle whereby towing of the mobile framework is effected via the coupling of the mobile framework to the chipper chassis.Brief Description of Drawings

[0010] In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention a preferred embodiment of a grapevine chipper attachment assembly will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which:Figure 1 is a perspective view of a grapevine chipper attachment assembly of a preferred embodiment of the invention together with part of a tow vehicle and an associated grapevine chipper;Figure 2 is a front view of the grapevine chipper attachment assembly of the embodiment of figure 1 without the tow vehicle and associated grapevine chipper;Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the grapevine chipper attachment assembly of the embodiment of figure 2;Figure 4 is an enlarged front perspective view of one of ground engaging tools removed from the grapevine chipper attachment assembly of the embodiment of the preceding figures;Figure 5 is an enlarged front view of extraction means and conveyor means removed from the grapevine chipper attachment assembly of the embodiment of the preceding figures;Figure 6 is a perspective view of the grapevine chipper attachment assembly of the embodiment of the preceding figures shown in its travelling position in association with part of the tow vehicle and grapevine chipper;Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing hydraulic rams connected to the framework of the grapevine chipper attachment assembly of the preferred embodiment together with part of chassis of the grapevine chipper.Detailed Description

[0011] As seen in figure 1, there is a grapevine chipper attachment assembly designated generally at 10 associated with a grapevine chipper 12 operatively coupled to a tow vehicle 14. The tow vehicle 14 is shown in part only with its rear wheels 16 and tow bar 18 of in this example a tractor. The grapevine chipper 12 is of a conventional construction including a chassis 20 hitched to the tow bar 18 of the tractor 14. The grapevine chipper 12 otherwise includes an in-feed bin 22 associated with a wood chipper designated generally at 24 and a wood chip discharge 26.

[0012] For clarity purposes, the grapevine chipper attachment assembly 10 of figures 2 and 3 of the preferred embodiment is removed from the associated grapevine chipper 12 and tow vehicle or tractor 14. In this embodiment the chipper attachment assembly 10 broadly comprises:1. a mobile framework 30;2. a pair of ground engaging tools 32a and 32b mounted to the mobile framework 30 and adapted to disrupt roots of a grapevine (not shown) from within the ground;3. extraction means in the form of a pair of counter-rotating extraction wheels 34a and 34b arranged to cooperate with the ground engaging tools 32a / b for extraction of the grapevine from the ground;4. conveyor means in the form of a pair of conveyor belt assemblies 35a and 35b associated with the extraction means 34a / b and configured to convey the extracted grapevine for delivery to the grapevine chipper 12.

[0013] In this example, the mobile framework 30 is pivotally mounted to the chassis 20 of the grapevine chipper 12 and thus in an operative position is towed alongside the chassis 20 via the tow vehicle or tractor 14. The mobile framework 30 connects to a guide wheel 38 configured to contact the ground and support the chipper attachment assembly 10 in its operative position.

[0014] In this embodiment, each of the laterally spaced conveyor belt assemblies 35a / b includes a conveyor belt 36a / b associated with a head pulley such as 40a and tail pulley such 42a located at respective of opposing ends of the belt assembly 35a. In this example the head pulleys 40a and 40b are driven via respective hydraulic motors 44a and 44b for contra-rotation. This provides sliding movement of the conveyor belts 36a / b in the same longitudinal direction to enable conveyance of the extracted grapevine for delivery to the grapevine chipper 12.

[0015] In this embodiment and as best seen in figure 5, each of the pair of conveyor belts 36a / b is in the form of an endless chain belt having a series of teeth such as 46aa and 46ab adapted to grip the extracted grapevine thereby promoting its conveyance. In this example the pair of counter-rotating extraction wheels 34a / b each include a series of perimeter spikes such as 48ba and 48bb adapted to grab the disrupted grapevine to promote its extraction from the ground. The counter-rotating extraction wheels 34a / b are operatively coupled to respective of the tail pulleys 42a and 42b for contra-rotation dragging the grapevine inward of the pair of spaced conveyor belts 36a / b. Each of the conveyor belts 36a / b is associated with anadjusting bolt 50a / b for adjusting tension in each of the conveyor or chain belts 36a / b to maintain rotation of the tail pulleys 42a / b and their associated extraction wheels 34a / b.

[0016] In this example and as best seen in figures 1 and 2, the conveyor belt assemblies 35a / b each include discharge wheels 37a / b operatively coupled to respective of the pair of contra-rotating head pulleys 40a / b. The discharge wheels 37a / b may be of a similar construct to the extraction wheels 34a / b including perimeter spikes such as 39aa which assist in promoting discharge of the extracted grapevine from the conveyor means 35a / b. It is understood that the spiked discharge wheels 37a / b which counter-rotate outward are effective in flicking the extracted grapevine clear of the conveyor means 35a / b. The attachment assembly 10 may also include a deflector bar such as 41a connected to the conveyor belt assembly 35a and arranged to catch and turn extracted grapevines released from the conveyor means for accurate delivery into the in-feed 22 of the chipper 12.

[0017] Returning to figures 2 and 3, it is to be understood that one of the pair of conveyor belt assemblies 35a is mounted in a fixed relationship to the mobile framework 30 whereas the other of the conveyor belt assemblies 35b is moveable. This permits adjustment of lateral separation between the pair of conveyor belts 36a / b thus facilitating conveyance of different sized of the extracted grapevines. In this embodiment the conveyor belt assemblies 36a / b include a conveyor frame 52 pivotally mounted inside the framework 30 to enable rocked movement of the conveyor belt assemblies at different incline. In this example the conveyor frame 52 includes a pair of parallel and laterally spaced conveyor beams 54a and 54b interconnected by a pair of bridging members 56a and 56b. The bridging members 56a / b are in an inverted U-shaped form thereby providing for passage of the extracted grapevines along the conveyor means 35a / b. The assembly 10 may also include a lubricant tank 57 mounted to one of the beams 54a / b. The tank 57 contains oil which via compressed air periodically runs oil or other lubricant onto the chain belts 36a / b to keep them lubricated.

[0018] As schematically depicted in figure 2, the other of the conveyor belt assemblies 35b includes biasing means in the form of three (3) airbags 58a, 58b, 58coperatively coupled to the associated conveyor belt 36b to promote its lateral movement for automatic adjustment of the lateral separation between the conveyor belts 36a / b. It will be understood that this arrangement automatically compensates for different sized of the extracted grapevines travelling along the conveyor means 35a / b. Typically, the airbags 58a / b / c or other biasing means allow up to ground 150mm in lateral movement of the conveyor belts 36a / b relative to one another

[0019] In this embodiment and as best seen in figure 3, the conveyor frame 52 pivots inside the framework 30 for rocking of the conveyor belts 36a / b depending on the required incline. Amongst other factors, the required incline may depend on the height of the grapevines to be extracted. The chipper attachment 10 is provided with a pair of lifting rods such as 60a for this purpose. In anticipation of moving the chipper attachment assembly 10 into a travelling position, it will be understood that actuation of the lifting rams 60a moves the conveyor belt assemblies 35a / b into a substantially vertical disposition.

[0020] In this embodiment, the chipper attachment assembly 10 further comprises cleaning elements designated generally at 59 mounted to the framework 30. The cleaning elements 59 in this example include a hydraulic motor 61 and associated radially-extending flaps 63. The rotating flaps 63 are arranged to cooperate with the conveyor means 35a / b to at least partly remove dirt and other debris from the extracted grapevine prior to its delivery to the grapevine chipper. The motor 61 is clamped to the framework 30 whereby roots associated with the extracted grapevine are contacted by the radial flaps 63 which flick or otherwise dislodge dirt from the grapevine.

[0021] In this embodiment and as best seen in figures 2 and 4, the pair of ground engaging tools 32a / b each include a ripper tyne such as 62b mounted to an adjustment leg 64b. The adjustment legs 64a / b each slidably locate within respective of elongate housing supports 66a and 66b rigidly mounted to the framework 30. The adjustment legs 66a / b project upwardly and are connected to a stabilising boom 68 which extends outward of the legs 64a / b. The stabilising boom 68 is actuated at each of its opposing ends via respective of telescopic rams 70a and 70b. The telescopicrams 70a / b are mounted to the framework 30 outside the adjustment legs 64a / b and effect their vertical movement in association with respective of the ripper tynes 62a / b.

[0022] In this embodiment, the chipper attachment assembly 10 also comprises a pair of guide plates 72a and 72b connected to respective of the adjustment legs 64a and 64b. The guide plates 72a / b diverge outward in the direction of travel and thus are configured to direct the grapevine toward the extraction means or counter rotating extraction wheels 34a / b. In this example and depending on the firmness of the soil, the adjustment legs 64a / b provide up to approximately 600mm of travel in the ripper tynes 32a / b relative to the framework 30. Optionally the ripper tynes such as 62b may include replaceable tips 74b.

[0023] As seen in figure 6, the grapevine chipper attachment assembly 10 is pivotally mounted to the chassis 20 via pivot mounts 80a and 80b for tilting from its operative position (figure 1) to its travelling position (figure 6). As seen in figure 7, the attachment assembly 10 includes a pair of hydraulic rams 82a and 82b connected to the framework 30 and operatively coupled to the chassis 20 to promote tilting movement between the operative and travelling positions. The chassis 20 includes a pair of anchor mounts 84a and 84b to which respective of the hydraulic rams 82a and 82b are detachably connected. In this example the chipper attachment assembly 10 also includes a retractable pin 86a associated with the pivot mounts 80a / b which enables detachable connection of the attachment assembly 10 to the chassis 20. It will be understood that detachment of the chipper attachment assembly 10 from the chassis 20 is made possible by this construct where both the retractable pin 86a and the hydraulic rods 82a / b are released from the chassis 20.

[0024] Although not illustrated, the chipper attachment assembly 10 may include one or more cameras mounted to the tow vehicle or chassis of the chipper for capturing video images of the attachment assembly, for example live video of operation of the ground engaging tools, extraction and / or conveyor means. The cameras could in this instance be arranged to communicate with monitor(s) inside a cab of the tow vehicle enabling accurate control of the attachment assembly or (when lit) operation at night.

[0025] Now that an embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the grapevine chipper attachment assembly has at least the following advantages:1. the attachment assembly can detachably mount to a conventional grapevine chipper and be towed and operated in conjunction with the chipper via a tractor or other tow vehicle;2. the attachment assembly can be arranged in the operative position for extraction of grapevines or alternatively moved into a travelling position where it locates behind the tow vehicle and as such can be transported by road;3. the attachment assembly is effective in extraction of grapevines enhanced by disruption of their ground roots;4. the attachment assembly can be adjusted for effective operation under different soil conditions and different sized plants;5. the attachment assembly provides rapid extraction and delivery of the grapevine to an associated grapevine chipper.

[0026] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention as described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For example, the chipper attachment assembly may be towed independent of a grapevine chipper in which case the mobile framework of the attachment assembly is hitched directly to the tow vehicle. The construction of the ground engaging tools and extraction means may vary from the embodiments described provided effective disruption of the roots and extraction of the associated grapevine is effected. The extraction means may in an alternative embodiment form part of the conveyor means where the counter-rotating extraction wheels are redundant and extraction is effected via for example the endless chain belt of the conveyor means.

[0027] All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

Claims1. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly comprising: a mobile framework adapted for towing via a tow vehicle; one or more ground engaging tools mounted to the mobile framework and adapted to at least partly disrupt roots of a grapevine from within the ground; extraction means operatively coupled to the mobile framework and arranged to cooperate with said ground engaging tools for extraction of the grapevine from the ground; conveyor means associated with the extraction means and configured to convey the extracted grapevine for delivery to a grapevine chipper operatively coupled to the tow vehicle.

2. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conveyor means includes a pair of laterally spaced conveyor belt assemblies each including a head pulley and a tail pulley at respective of their opposing ends.

3. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of the conveyor belt assemblies also includes a conveyor belt associated with the head and tail pulleys where either of the head or tail pulleys is driven for contrarotation thereby providing sliding movement of the conveyor belts in the same longitudinal direction to enable conveyance of the extracted grapevine for delivery to the grapevine chipper.

4. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in either of claims 2 or 3 wherein each of the pair of conveyor belts is in the form of an endless chain belt having a series of teeth adapted to grip the extracted grapevine thereby promoting its conveyance.

5. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein one of the pair of conveyor belt assemblies is mounted in a fixed relationship to the mobile framework whereas the other of the pair of conveyor belt assemblies is movable thereby permitting adjustment of lateral separation betweensaid pair of conveyor belts thus facilitating conveyance of different sized of the extracted grapevines.

6. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the conveyor means includes biasing means operatively coupled to the other of the pair of conveyor belt assemblies thereby automatically adjusting the lateral separation between said conveyor belts thus compensating for different sized of the extracted grapevines.

7. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the biasing means includes a plurality of air bags each coupled to the other of the conveyor belt assemblies to promote lateral movement of the associated conveyor belt for automatic adjustment of the lateral separation between said conveyor belts.

8. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the extraction means includes a pair of counter-rotating extraction wheels operatively coupled to respective of the pair of tail pulleys of the conveyor means.

9. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein each of the extraction wheels includes a series of perimeter spikes adapted to grab the disrupted grapevine to promote its extraction from the ground.

10. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the pair of conveyor belt assemblies include respective of a pair of discharge wheels operatively coupled to the pair of contra-rotating head pulleys to promote discharge of the extracted grapevines from the conveyor means to the grapevine chipper.

11. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the ground engaging tools include a pair of ripper tynes located either side of the extraction means.

12. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein each of the ripper tynes is mounted to an adjustment leg slidably mounted to the mobile framework for depth adjustment of the ripper tynes.

13. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the adjustment leg is moved vertically via a telescopic ram coupled between said leg and the mobile framework.

14. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the adjustment leg is one of a pair of adjustment legs connected to a stabilising boom actuated at each of its opposing ends via two (2) of the telescopic rams.

15. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14 also comprising a pair of guide plates connected to respective of the adjustment legs and configured to direct the grapevine toward the extraction means.

16. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein further comprising cleaning elements mounted to the framework and arranged to cooperate with the conveyor means to at least partly remove dirt and other debris from the extracted grapevine prior to its delivery to the grapevine chipper.

17. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the cleaning elements include a plurality of radially-extending flaps mounted to a motor for rotation and thus configured to contact roots of the extracted grapevine for dislodgement of dirt from the associated grapevine.

18. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mobile framework connects to a guide wheel configured to contact the ground and support the chipper attachment assembly in an operative position.

19. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the mobile framework is pivotally mounted to a chassis of the grapevine chipper for tilting movement between the operative position and a travelling position.

20. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in claim 19 also comprising one or more hydraulic rams connected to the mobile framework andoperatively coupled to the chassis whereupon actuation of said hydraulic rams effects said tilting movement.

21. A grapevine chipper attachment assembly as claimed in either of claims 19 or 20 wherein the chassis of the chipper is hitched or otherwise coupled to the tow vehicle whereby towing of the mobile framework is effected via the coupling of the mobile framework to the chassis.

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