Output unit and agricultural implement
By pivotably mounting a press wheel and furrow closer on a shared axle, the agricultural implement achieves a compact design that enhances product distribution and reduces lateral forces, addressing space constraints on the output unit frame.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VAEDERSTAD HOLDING AB
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing agricultural implements face challenges in mounting a press wheel and furrow closer on an output unit frame where space is limited, necessitating a solution that allows for compact and efficient integration of these components.
The press wheel and furrow closer are mounted on pivotable arms that share a common axle, enabling them to be pivotable relative to each other, reducing the space required on the output unit frame.
This configuration allows for a more compact output unit design, minimizing the risk of product miss and reducing lateral forces, while maintaining effective ground compliance and product distribution.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025083036_21052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] OUTPUT UNIT AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
[0002] Technical field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to agricultural implements and in particular to agricultural implements having output units for dispensing a product, in particular a granular product, such as seeds, fertilizer and / or pesticide, to ground over which the agricultural implement travels. The disclosure particularly relates to such agricultural implements having a stop wheel and a furrow closer, both of which are movably supported by an output unit frame.
[0004] Background
[0005] Agricultural implements are known which include output units, such as row units, having a furrow opener and a gauge wheel for controlling a working depth of the furrow opener. The furrow opener may comprise a disc, a seed knife or any similar structure that is configured for disposing the product at a predetermined depth in the ground.
[0006] It is also known to provide such agricultural implements with a stop wheel (which may also be known as a "press wheel"), that may be configured for catching product which is being disposed and / or for pressing the product, in particular seeds, to provide proper contact with the soil.
[0007] It is further known to provide such agricultural implements with a furrow closer, which may comprise a scraper, one or two wheels, configured for closing a furrow formed by the furrow opener.
[0008] It is desirable to keep the output unit as short as possible along the working direction of the agricultural implement, as this reduces the risk of the product not "missing" the press wheel and also reduces the lateral forces acting on the output unit during turning. It is desirable to provide improved ground compliance of the press wheel, and also of the furrow closer. Hence, it is desirable to mount the press wheel and the furrow closer such that they are movable relative to the output unit frame. However, space on the output unit frame is limited and so it is difficult to fit the components necessary for providing such mobility of the press wheel and of the furrow close to each other onto the output unit frame.
[0009] Hence, there is a need for a solution which enables mounting of the press wheel and of the furrow closer, also on an output unit frame where space is limited.
[0010] It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide solutions which eliminate or alleviate at least some of the disadvantages mentioned above. A particular objective is to enables mounting of the press wheel and of the furrow closer, also on an output unit frame where space is limited.
[0011] The invention is defined by the appended independent claims. Embodiments are set forth in the appended dependent claims, in the following description and in the attached drawings.
[0012] According to a first aspect, there is provided an output unit for an agricultural implement, for outputting a product to ground over which the agricultural implement travels. The output unit comprises an output unit frame,
[0013] a furrow opener, supported by the output unit frame, a press device, which is mounted on a press wheel arm, and a furrow closer, which is mounted on a furrow closer arm. The press wheel arm is pivotably mounted to the output unit frame about a press wheel arm pivot axis. The furrow closer arm is pivotably mounted to the output unit frame about a furrow closer arm pivot axis. The press wheel arm and the furrow closer arm are pivotable relative to each other. The press wheel arm pivot axis is coaxial with the furrow closer arm pivot axis. The furrow opener may be directly supported by the output unit frame, or indirectly supported by the output unit frame, e.g. by being mounted on a furrow opener arm, or the like.
[0014] The press device may comprise a press wheel, which may be rotatably supported by to the press wheel arm and configured to roll as the agricultural implement travels.
[0015] Alternatively, the press device may comprise a press body, which may be fixedly or resiliently supported by the press wheel arm and configured to slide relative to the ground as the agricultural implement travels.
[0016] The furrow closer may comprise one or more furrow closer wheels which may be rotatably supported by the furrow closer arm.
[0017] Alternatively, the furrow closer may comprise a scraper device, which may be fixedly or resiliently supported by the furrow closer arm.
[0018] The press wheel arm and the furrow closer arm are rotatable about the same axis, such that they can be mounted on a single axle, which reduces the mounting space needed on the output unit frame. Hence, the output unit frame can be made more compact.
[0019] The press wheel arm may support the press device horizontally below and / or longitudinally in front of, relative to a working direction, the press wheel arm pivot axis.
[0020] The press wheel arm may extend forwardly and / or downwardly from the press wheel pivot axis.
[0021] In the particular case where the press device is a press wheel, the press wheel arm may support the press wheel such that a rotation center of the press wheel is provided horizontally below, and / or longitudinally in front of, the press wheel arm pivot axis. The furrow closer arm may support the furrow closer horizontally below and / or longitudinally behind, relative to a working direction, the furrow closer arm pivot axis.
[0022] The furrow closer arm may extend rearwardly and / or downwardly from the furrow closer arm pivot axis.
[0023] In the particular case where the furrow closer is a furrow closer wheel, the furrow closer arm may support the furrow closer wheel such that a rotation center of the furrow closer wheel is provided horizontally below, and / or longitudinally behind, the furrow closer arm pivot axis.
[0024] The furrow closer arm and the press wheel arm may be mounted on a common axle.
[0025] The common axle may be connected to the output unit frame by a first bearing, such that the common axle is pivotably supported by the output unit frame.
[0026] The first bearing may be a roller bearing. A first part of the roller bearing may be fixedly connected to the unit frame and a second part of the roller bearing may be fixedly connected to the common axle.
[0027] One of the furrow closer arm and the press wheel arm may be fixedly connected to the common axle.
[0028] In particular, the press wheel arm may be fixedly connected to the common axle.
[0029] The other one of the furrow closer arm and the press wheel arm may be connected to the common axle via a second bearing, such that said other one of the furrow closer arm and the press wheel arm may be pivotably supported by the common axle.
[0030] For example, the second bearing may be a slide bearing.
[0031] The second bearing may comprise a first sleeve, which may be arranged on the common axle and a second sleeve, to which said other one of the furrow closer arm and the press wheel arm may be fixedly connected, wherein a bearing surface may be provided at an interface between the first sleeve and the second sleeve.
[0032] Alternatively, bearing members, such as rollers or the like, may be provided between the sleeves of the second bearing.
[0033] The second sleeve may be non-rotatably connected to the other one of the furrow closer arm and the press wheel arm.
[0034] The first sleeve may comprise a first axial spacer portion, configured for axially spacing the bearing surface from the first bearing.
[0035] The second sleeve may comprise a second axial spacer portion, configured for axially spacing said other one of the furrow closer arm and the press wheel arm from the first bearing.
[0036] The output unit may further comprise a first biasing device configured for biasing the press wheel arm downwardly.
[0037] In particular, the press wheel arm may be biased towards a position which is below a lowermost portion of the furrow opener.
[0038] The output unit may further comprise a second biasing device configured for biasing the furrow closer arm downwardly.
[0039] The output unit may further comprise a first press wheel arm pivot limit for limiting a maximum downward stroke of the press wheel arm.
[0040] The output unit may further comprise a second press wheel arm pivot limit for limiting a maximum upward stroke of the press wheel arm.
[0041] According to a second aspect, there is provided an agricultural implement comprising at least one output unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, preferably a plurality of such output units, distributed over a width of the agricultural implement.
[0042] Fig. 1 is a schematic top view of an agricultural implement. Figs 2a-2b schematically illustrate side views of an output unit.
[0043] Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of the output unit in figs 2a-2b.
[0044] Fig. 4 is a sectioned perspective view of the output unit.
[0045] Fig. 5 is a detail view of the press wheel arm.
[0046] Fig. 6 is a sectioned perspective view of the press wheel attachment.
[0047] Fig. 7 is a schematic partial perspective view of the press wheel attachment, as seen from a laterally opposite side relative to figs 2a-2b and 4.
[0048] Detailed description
[0049] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
[0050] The terms "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, "an element" means one element or more than one element.
[0051] In the context of this specification, modifying terms, such as "about", "approximately", "substantially", and other approximators, are understood to refer to a range of numbers that a person of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value in the context of achieving the same function or result. Any value, range or term thus modified is to be understood as being disclosed also without the modifying term.
[0052] In the following description, the concept will be described with reference to an agricultural implement 1 comprising output units configured for distributing a product, in particular seeds, to relatively closely spaced rows. However, the concept may also be used for other types of output units, including row units. The agricultural implement 1 may comprise an implement frame 10, which may comprise a main frame section 11, a coupling 12 and a tool carrying frame. Optionally, ground supports 15a, 15b, such as wheels or rollers, may be provided for supporting the agricultural implement towards the ground over which it travels, e.g. in order to provide a predetermined vertical distance between the frame and the ground.
[0053] The frame 13 may be formed by one or more beams, and may comprise at least one transversely (relative to the working direction Dw) extending beam, along which tools, such as output units 14a-14j, may be attached. Each tool, and in particular each output unit, may be movably connected to the frame 13 by a linkage arrangement 141.
[0054] The agricultural implement 1 may, by means of the coupling 12, be configured for being towed, or wholly or partially carried by a traction vehicle (not shown). The agricultural implement 1 may also be designed for being used with a gantry type traction vehicle, or as a self-propelled autonomous implement.
[0055] In orderto enable the agricultural implement 1 to follow undulations of the ground over which the agricultural implement 1 travels, the tool carrying frame may be divided into two or more side frame sections, which may be pivotably connected to each other about an inter-frame pivot joint (not shown), which may provide an inter-frame pivot axis that is horizontal and approximately parallel with a working direction Dw of the agricultural implement 1.
[0056] A plurality of output units 14, 14a-14j are distributed over the width of the frame 13. Each output unit 14, 14a-14j may be connected to the frame 13 by a parallel linkage 141. A biasing device 142, such as an actuator or a spring may be provided for biasing the output unit 14, 14a-14j towards the ground. The biasing device 142 may also be used to control a force by which the output unit is pressed towards ground, and / or to lift the output unit out 14, 14a-14j of the ground, if desired. Referring to figs 2a-2b, each of the output units 14, 14a-14j may comprise an output unit frame 140, to which the links forming the parallel linkage 141 may be pivotably connected. Alternatively, the output unit frame 140 may be integrated with e.g. the lower links, such that the entire output unit frame 140 is pivotable relative to the frame 13.
[0057] The output unit 14, 14a-14j, and in particular the output unit frame 140, may support a furrow opener 143, which has the form of one or a pair of discs, as illustrated, and / or which may be provided as a seed knife or other type of coulter.
[0058] Referring to fig. 3, in the case of a single disc, this disc may be rotatable about a disc axis Ad that is transverse of the working direction Dw. The disc may be oriented with a convex disc surface facing slightly forwardly and slightly downwardly.
[0059] In projection on a horizontal plane (i.e. as seen in fig. 3), the disc axis Ad may present a small angle to a direction that is perpendicular to the working direction Dw. This angle may be on the order of 1-15 degs, preferably 5-10 degs.
[0060] In projection on a vertical plane perpendicular to the working direction Dw, the disc axis Ad may present a small angle to a direction that is horizontal and perpendicular to the working direction Dw. This angle may be on the order of 1-15 degs, preferably 5-10 degs.
[0061] In the case of a pair of discs 1431 and gauge wheels 1451, which is illustrated in fig. 3, these may be rotatable about disc axes Ad which both meet the above criteria and which are non-parallel with each other. For example, the discs may be arranged symmetrically about a vertical plane containing the working direction Dw.
[0062] Referring to figs 2a-2b, the output unit 14, 14a-14j may further comprise a seed tube 144, which, as illustrated, may be connected to a coulter 1441, or which may be merely a tube, which may be rearwardly bent and protected by the seed disc(s). The output unit 14, 14a-14j comprises one or more gauge devices 145, such as gauge wheels 1451, configured for limiting a working depth of the furrow opener 143. The gauge device 145 comprises a gauge wheel 1451, which may be supported by a gauge wheel arm 1452.
[0063] The gauge wheel 1451 is rotatable about a gauge wheel axis Ag. The gauge wheel axis Ag may be parallel with its corresponding disc axis Ad, i.e. the disc axis of the disc abutted by the gauge wheel. Alternatively, a small angle between the axes Ag, Ad may be provided, such that effectively a point contact is achieved between the gauge wheel and the disc.
[0064] The output unit 14, 14a-14j may further comprise a press device 146 configured for pressing the product into contact with the soil. The press device 146 may be formed as a press wheel 1461, which may be supported by a press wheel arm 1462.
[0065] The press wheel arm 1462 may be biased downwardly and / or forwardly, e.g. by a biasing device 1463, which may be provided as any type of spring. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring was selected as a helical spring operating in tension mode.
[0066] The output unit 14, 14a-14j may further comprise a furrow closer 147 configured for closing a furrow formed by the furrow opener. The furrow closer 147 may be formed as one or a pair of wheels 1471, which may be supported by a furrow closer arm 1472.
[0067] The furrow closer arm 1472 may be biased downwardly and / or forwardly, e.g. by a biasing device 1473, which may be provided as any type of spring. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring was selected as a helical spring operating in tension mode.
[0068] The output unit 14, 14a-14j may further comprise a metering device 148, which may be configured to meter product that is output through the seed tube 144, such that a precise amount of the product is provided, e.g. a precise number of seeds, or an even volume flow of seeds.
[0069] Fig. 4 is a horizontally sectioned perspective view of the output unit, illustrating the lower portion of the output unit 14, and sectioned along a center axis of an axle on which the press wheel arm 1472 and the furrow closer arm 1472 are mounted, hence providing a pivot axis Ax, which serves as press wheel arm pivot axis Axl and furrow closer arm pivot axis Ax2.
[0070] A mounting hole 1401 is provided in the output unit frame 140 and sized and adapted for receiving a first bearing 1402, which may be a roller bearing, a glide bearing or any other type of bearing deemed suitable for the purpose. An outer part of the bearing 1402 may be fixedly attached in the mounting hole 1401 and an inner part of the bearing 1402 may be fixedly attached to an axle 1404.
[0071] The press wheel arm 1462 may comprise a proximal portion 14621 which is configured for being connected to the axle 1404 and a distal portion 14622, which is configured for rotatably supporting the press wheel 1451.
[0072] The distal portion 14622 may be provided longitudinally in front of the axle 1404, relative to a working direction Dw.
[0073] The distal portion 14622 may be provided horizontally below the axle 1404. The furrow closer arm 1472 may comprise a proximal portion 14721 which is configured for being connected to the axle 1404 and a distal portion 14722, which is configured for supporting the furrow closer 1471.
[0074] The distal portion 14722 may be provided longitudinally behind the axle 1404, relative to a working direction Dw.
[0075] The distal portion 14722 may be provided horizontally below the axle 1404. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the press wheel arm 1462 and part of the press wheel 1451, with the bearings 1402, 1403 mounted to the proximal portion 14621 of the press wheel arm 1462. Fig. 6 is a schematic sectioned perspective view of the axle 1403, the bearings 1402, 1403 and the arms 1462, 1472.
[0076] An outer part, which may be an outer ring of a roller bearing, of the first bearing 1402 is fixedly connected to the output unit frame 140, e.g. by press fitting or by use of suitable fastener(s).
[0077] The axle 1404 is connected to an inner part of the first bearing 1402, which may be an inner ring of a roller bearing.
[0078] The axle 1404 may comprise an axle head 14041 that may form an axial counterhold, and a nut 14042 may be threadingly connected at an opposite end of the axle 1404. Shims 14043 may be provided axially inside of the axle head 14041 and of the nut 14042.
[0079] The axle 1404 may thus be pivotably connected by the first bearing 1402 to the output unit frame 140.
[0080] The proximal portion of the furrow closer arm 1472 may be fixedly connected to the axle 1404, such that the furrow closer arm is pivotably connected by the first bearing 1402 to the output unit frame 140.
[0081] A second bearing 1403 may be provided between the axle 1404 and the press wheel arm 1462. As a non-limiting example, this second bearing 1403 may comprise an inner sleeve 14031, which may be fixedly connected to the axle 1404 and an outer sleeve 14032, which may be fixedly connected to the proximal portion of the press wheel arm 1462. Consequently, a bearing surface 14033 is provided between the inner and outer sleeves 14031, 14032.
[0082] The inner sleeve 14031 may provide an axial spacer 140311 that spaces the bearing surface 14033 axially from the first bearing 1402 and thus also from the output unit frame 140.
[0083] The inner sleeve 14031 may also provide axial spacing axially outwardly to the furrow closer arm 1472, such that the furrow closer arm 1462 is axially spaced from the first bearing 1402, from the output unit frame 140 and from the press wheel arm 1462.
[0084] The outer sleeve 14032 may provide an axial spacer 140321 that spaces the press wheel arm 1452 axially from the first bearing 1402 and thus also from the output unit frame 140.
[0085] It is understood that the press wheel arm 1462 and the furrow closer arm 1472 may swap places relative to each other, such that the press wheel arm 1462 may be fixedly connected to the axle 1404 and the furrow closer arm 1472 may be connected via the second bearing 1403.
[0086] Referring to fig. 7, there is illustrated a partial perspective view of the output unit 14 as seen from its left side relative to the working direction Dw.
[0087] In fig. 7 (and also in fig. 5), there is illustrated how the press wheel arm 1462 may present a lever 1464 which may extend from the joint provided by the common axle 1404 and in a different direction compared with a direction of extent of the press wheel arm 1462.
[0088] Moreover, the output unit frame 140 may provide a first press wheel arm pivot limit 1405, which is configured to limit a downward stroke of the press wheel arm 1462. The first press wheel arm pivot limit 1405 may be provided as an abutment surface against which the press wheel arm 1462 strikes when it reaches its lowermost position.
[0089] The abutment surface may be provided on a separate part which may be mounted to the output unit frame 140.
[0090] In the illustrated example, this first press wheel arm pivot limit 1405 may be formed as an integral part of the output unit frame 140.
[0091] In either case, the abutment surface may be provided on a part which protrudes from the output unit frame 140.
[0092] Also in the illustrated example, this first press wheel arm pivot limit 1405 may be configured to interact with the press wheel arm 1622, rather than with the lever 1464.The output unit frame 140 may also provide a second press wheel arm pivot limit 1406, which may be configured to limit an upward stroke of the press wheel arm 1462.
[0093] The second press wheel arm pivot limit 1406 may be provided as an abutment surface against which the lever 1464 strikes when it reaches the uppermost position.
[0094] The abutment surface may be provided on a separate part which may be mounted to the output unit frame 140.
[0095] In the illustrated example, this second press wheel arm pivot limit 1406 may be formed as an integral part of the output unit frame 140.
[0096] In either case, the abutment surface may be provided on a part which protrudes from the output unit frame 140.
[0097] Also in the illustrated example, this second press wheel arm pivot limit 1406 may be configured to interact with the lever 1464, rather than with the press wheel arm 1462.
Claims
1. CLAIMS1. An output unit (14, 14a-14j) for an agricultural implement, for outputting a product to ground over which the agricultural implement travels, the output unit (14, 14a-14j) comprising:3.an output unit frame (140),4.a furrow opener (1431), supported by the output unit frame (140), a press device (1461), which is mounted on a press wheel arm (1462), and a furrow closer (1471), which is mounted on a furrow closer arm (1472), characterised in that5.the press wheel arm (1462) is pivotably mounted to the output unit frame (140) about a press wheel arm pivot axis (Axl),6.the furrow closer arm (1472) is pivotably mounted to the output unit frame (140) about a furrow closer arm pivot axis (Ax2),7.the press wheel arm (1462) and the furrow closer arm (1472) are pivotable relative to each other, and8.the press wheel arm pivot axis (Axl) is coaxial with the furrow closer arm pivot axis (Ax2).
2. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the furrow closer arm (1472) and the press wheel arm (1462) are mounted on a common axle (1404).
3. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the common axle (1404) is connected to the output unit frame (140) by a first bearing (1402), such that the common axle (1404) is pivotably supported by the output unit frame (140).
4. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein one of the furrow closer arm (1472) and the press wheel arm (1462) is fixedly connected to the common axle (1404).
5. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the other one of the furrow closer arm (1472) and the press wheel arm (1462) is connected to the common axle (1404) via a second bearing (1403), such that said other one of the furrow closer arm (1472) and the press wheel arm (1462) is pivotably supported by the common axle (1404).
6. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second bearing (1403) comprises a first sleeve (14031), which is arranged on the common axle (1404) and a second sleeve (14032), to which said other one of the furrow closer arm (1472) and the press wheel arm (1462) is fixedly connected, wherein a bearing surface (112) is provided at an interface between the first sleeve (14031) and the second sleeve (14032).
7. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second sleeve (14032) is non-rotatably connected to the other one of the furrow closer arm (1472) and the press wheel arm (1462).
8. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the first sleeve (14031) comprises a first axial spacer portion (140311), configured for axially spacing the bearing surface (112) from the first bearing (1402).
9. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in any one of claims 6-8, wherein the second sleeve (14032) comprises a second axial spacer portion1616.(140321), configured for axially spacing said other one of the furrow closer arm (1472) and the press wheel arm (1462) from the first bearing (1402).
10. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a first biasing device (1463) configured for biasing the press wheel arm downwardly.
11. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second biasing device (1473) configured for biasing the furrow closer arm downwardly.
12. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a first press wheel arm pivot limit (1405) for limiting a maximum downward stroke of the press wheel arm (1462).
13. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second press wheel arm pivot limit (1406) for limiting a maximum upward stroke of the press wheel arm (1462).
14. The output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the press wheel arm (1462) extends forwardly and downwardly from the press wheel pivot axis (Axl).
15. An agricultural implement comprising at least one output unit (14, 14a-14j) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, preferably a plurality of such output units (14, 14a-14j), distributed over a width of the agricultural implement (1).