Method for applying at least one wear edge to an auger flight, device for mixing and / or cutting feed, and feeding system

Abstract

A feed-mixing wagon or other device for mixing and / or cutting feed for animals, such as cows, comprises a container for receiving feed. An auger is arranged in the container and is rotatable and driveable for mixing and / or cutting feed received in the container. The auger comprises a core body and an auger flight which extends around the core body, in particular in a helical manner. The auger flight is provided with an inner edge, which is attached to the core body, and a free outer edge opposite the inner edge. A wear edge is applied to the auger flight by forming a thickened edge on the outer edge of the auger flight. The thickened edge is formed by welding welding material on the outer edge of the auger flight.

Description

[0001] Method for applying at least one wear edge to an auger flight, device for mixing and / or cutting feed, and feeding system

[0002] The invention relates to a method for applying at least one wear edge to an auger flight of an auger for use in a device for mixing and / or cutting feed for animals, such as cows.

[0003] The Lely Vector® automatic feeding system is known. This feeding system comprises an autonomous feed-mixing wagon which is moveable over an underlying surface, such as a floor. The feed-mixing wagon comprises a mixing container for receiving a batch of feed. Fitted in the container is a mixing auger which is rotatably driveable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation for mixing and cutting feed received in the mixing container. The mixing auger comprises a core body which forms the auger shaft. An auger flight extends substantially in a helical manner around the core body. A plurality of cutting blades are fitted to the radial outer edge of the auger flight in order to cut the feed. The auger flight starts at the bottom of the mixing container with a front edge which picks up feed from the bottom upon rotation of the mixing auger, with the result that feed which has already been picked up is displaced upwards along the auger flight. At the upper end of the auger flight, the feed drops down again. During rotation of the mixing auger, the feed is mixed and cut in the mixing container.

[0004] The service life of the mixing auger is limited. The feed for animals, such as cows, is usually slightly acidic, for example silage, such as grass silage. This causes wear of the auger flight. The wear is also, and sometimes mainly, caused by sand or soil in the feed. The free outer edge of the auger flight is most subject to wear. Especially due to wear on the outer edge of the auger flight, the auger must be replaced over time.

[0005] A mixing auger for a feed-mixing wagon is known from DE 102021109033 A1. The mixing auger has an auger flight which is formed by a plate body. A strip-like wear protection edge is welded to a head face of the outer plate edge of the plate body. The wear protection edge has a rectangular cross section and a thickness that corresponds to the thickness of the plate body, with the result that the plate body on the upper and lower side of the auger flight runs substantially continuously into the wear protection edge. The wear protection edge is designed as a straight or flat widening of the plate body in the radial direction of the mixing auger. However, welding on the wear protection edge is difficult and laborious. In addition, the aggressive action of feed, and of sand and / or soil in the feed, can affect the welded connection, as a result of which there is the risk of the wear protection edge becoming detached due to weld breakage.

[0006] An object of the invention is to provide a simple and reliable method for applying a wear edge to an auger flight of an auger for use in a device for mixing and / or cutting feed for animals, such as cows.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for applying at least one wear edge to an auger flight of an auger for use in a device for mixing and / or cutting feed for animals, such as cows, in particular dairy cows or beef cows, wherein the method comprises manufacturing or providing an auger which is provided with a core body, for example a tubular or cylindrical shaft body, and an auger flight, wherein the auger flight extends around the core body, in particular substantially in a spiral or helical manner, i.e. according to a helix, and wherein the auger flight is provided with an inner edge, which is attached to the core body, preferably by welding, and a free outer edge opposite the inner edge, wherein the application of the wear edge to the auger flight comprises forming or applying a thickened edge on the outer edge of the auger flight, wherein the thickened edge is formed or applied by welding welding material on the outer edge of the auger flight.

[0008] In contrast to the above-described wear protection edge known from DE 102021109033 A1 , which is a separate component that is welded to the auger flight, according to the invention, the wear edge consists substantially of the welding material of the weld itself. The welding material is welded to the outer edge of the auger flight in such a way that the welding material forms a thickened edge on the outer edge of the auger flight. The thickened edge runs substantially in a spiral or helical manner, i.e. substantially according to a helix. The thickened edge of the welding material forms the wear edge. The wear edge comprises the thickened edge which is made of the welding material. The thickened edge on the outer edge of the auger flight protrudes from the surface of the auger flight. The thickened edge comprises a relatively large amount of sacrificial material that can wear away when using the auger, as a result of which the service life of the auger is extended considerably. In addition, it is easy to apply the wear edge by welding on the thickened edge. In addition, the thickened edge of the welding material is substantially fused with the material of the auger flight, with the result that the wear edge is very reliably connected to the auger flight.

[0009] According to the invention, it is possible for the thickened edge, when viewed in the axial direction of the auger, to have a height and, when viewed in the radial direction of the auger, to have a width, wherein the height is smaller than the width. The thickened edge protrudes from the surface of the auger flight, i.e. forms an upright edge. By making the thickened edge relatively low, i.e. the height of the thickened edge is smaller than the width thereof, the action of the auger for moving and mixing feed remains substantially ensured. In practice, it has surprisingly been found that the conveying and mixing action of the auger with welded-on thickened edge is even slightly improved. Because the thickened edge is relatively wide, also sufficient sacrificial material is added to increase the service life of the auger.

[0010] It should be noted that in the case of the above-described mixing auger known from DE 102021109033 A1 , the wear protection edge has a width that is greater than the thickness thereof. However, this wear protection edge relates to a completely different design in order to increase the service life of the auger, since the wear protection edge is a separate component and is not made of welding material. In addition, the thickness of this wear protection edge is determined by the thickness of the auger flight, since the auger flight on the upper and lower side of the auger flight must run substantially continuously.

[0011] According to the invention, the relatively low and wide thickened edge of welding material can be achieved in various ways. According to the invention, it is preferred for the welding of welding material on the outer edge of the auger flight to comprise welding a first strip of welding material on the outer edge of the auger flight, at least over a portion of the outer edge of the auger flight, and then welding a second strip of welding material in the longitudinal direction laterally adjacent to this first strip. The first and second strips of welding material form a double weld. The first and second strips of welding material are laterally contiguous, in particular fused, and together form the thickened edge on the outer edge of the auger flight.

[0012] By welding-on the thickened edge in two consecutive steps, i.e. as a first step the first strip of welding material is welded on and then as a second step the second strip of welding material is welded on, the thickened edge remains relatively low, with the result that the thickened edge does not adversely affect the movement of feed by means of the auger. At the same time, the thickened edge composed of two fused strips of welding material (double weld) contains sufficient sacrificial material to extend the service life of the auger.

[0013] In this case, according to the invention, it is possible for the auger to be a vertical auger, i.e. to be configured to be rotatable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation, wherein the first strip of welding material is applied substantially along a radial head end of the outer edge of the auger flight on the upper surface thereof, and wherein the second strip of welding material is applied to this upper surface on the radial inner side of the first strip of welding material. It is preferred for the first strip of welding material in cross section to be larger than the second strip of welding material.

[0014] The first strip of welding material is arranged adjacently to the head end of the outer edge of the auger flight, i.e. at the radially extreme outer end of the auger flight. This is the region of the auger flight that is most subject to wear due to the aggressive action of feed. The first strip of welding material forms sacrificial material in the most critical region of the auger flight. The second strip of welding material, which is radially on the inside of the first strip of welding material and welded against the first strip of welding material, forms additional protection against wear. In practice, the second strip of welding material will wear away first, and only then will the first strip of welding material, located radially on the outside thereof, wear away.

[0015] According to the invention, it is possible for the auger to be a vertical auger, wherein the auger flight extends around the core body from a lower front edge to an upper end, and wherein the thickened edge on the outer edge of the auger flight extends from this front edge to near the upper end, preferably substantially continuously. The distance between the upper end of the thickened edge and the extreme upper end of the auger flight is for example less than 50 cm, preferably less than 30 cm. Due to the fact in this case that the thickened edge has been welded substantially on the entire outer edge of the auger flight, the protection against wear is optimal, in particular if the thickened edge runs substantially continuously, with the result that the entire outer edge of the auger flight or as large as possible a portion thereof is provided with sacrificial material in the form of the welded-on thickened edge.

[0016] According to the invention, it is possible for the auger flight to be provided along the outer edge thereof with a plurality of bolt holes for fastening cutting blades by means of bolts, wherein the thickened edge, which is preferably substantially continuous, is interrupted at the bolt holes in such a way that bolt heads of bolts received in the bolt holes lie at a distance from the locally interrupted thickened edge. In this case, there is no overlap between the bolt heads and the thickened edge. In other words, the thickened edge is interrupted in such a way that the thickened edge does not obstruct the bolt heads. The cutting blades can be firmly and reliably fastened to the auger flight by means of the bolt connections, while the interruptions remain minimal in order to make the service life of the auger as long as possible.

[0017] According to the invention, it is in particular possible for an additional thickened edge to be formed by welding welding material on a lower side of the auger flight from the lower front edge. The additional thickened edge has, for example, a length of 1-50 cm, preferably 5-30 cm. The auger flight comprises, for example, an oblique scoop-up wing, which determines the front edge of the auger flight. The scoop-up wing is fastened to an adjacent, substantially flat receiving portion for feed, which is connected to a curved auger flight part, in particular by welding. The portion of the outer edge of the auger flight from the front edge to after the welded connection between the flat receiving portion and the adjacent curved auger flight part is a region that is most subject to wear due to the aggressive action of feed, and of sand and / or soil in the feed. Preferably, this region is provided with a welded-on thickened edge not only on the upper side but also on the lower side of the outer edge of the auger flight. This is particularly beneficial for the service life of the auger.

[0018] The auger flight is made of a material, for example steel or stainless steel. According to the invention, it is possible for the welding material to be substantially the same as the material of the auger flight. In this case, the welding material has substantially the same composition as the material of the auger flight. This results in a reliable and durable connection of the thickened edge, which is made of the welding material, to the auger flight.

[0019] By contrast, according to the invention, it is also possible for the auger flight to be made of a material which has a first hardness, and wherein the welding material differs from the material of the auger flight and has a second hardness which is greater than the first hardness. In this case, the welding material has a higher hardness, which is beneficial for the wear resistance of the thickened edge, which is made of the welding material.

[0020] The method according to the invention can be implemented for a newly manufactured auger and for a used auger. Preferably, the thickened edge according to the invention is applied in the manufacture of the auger (at the factory). After the thickened edge has been worn away, it is then possible to re-weld a thickened edge according to the invention to increase the service life of the auger. After wear of the thickened edge by use of the auger, a new thickened edge can be applied to the outer edge of the auger flight by welding welding material on the outer edge of the auger flight. If the new thickened edge is welded in a timely manner, i.e. before the material of the auger flight itself is affected, the service life of the auger as a whole can be extended considerably.

[0021] The invention also relates to a device for mixing and / or cutting feed for animals, such as cows, in particular dairy cows or beef cows, wherein the device comprises: a container for receiving feed, for example a batch of feed, - an auger which is fitted in the container and is rotatable and driveable for mixing and / or cutting feed received in the container, and wherein the auger comprises:

[0022] • a core body, for example a tubular or cylindrical shaft body,

[0023] • an auger flight which extends around the core body, in particular in a spiral or helical manner, i.e. according to a helix, wherein the auger flight is provided with an inner edge, which is attached to the core body, and a free outer edge opposite the inner edge, wherein the outer edge of the auger flight is provided with a wear edge which is formed by a thickened edge that is applied by welding welding material on the outer edge of the auger flight.

[0024] The device for mixing and / or cutting feed for animals, which is provided with a wear edge according to the invention, has the same technical effects and advantages as described above with respect to the method for applying a wear edge to an auger flight of an auger for use with such a device.

[0025] The features of the method according to the invention that are described above and in the dependent claims may accordingly be implemented for the device for mixing and / or cutting feed for animals according to the invention which is provided with a wear edge according to the invention. With reference to the technical effects and advantages described above in the case of the method, the following features may in particular be implemented for the device for mixing and / or cutting feed for animals which is provided with a wear edge according to the invention.

[0026] In an embodiment according to the invention, the thickened edge runs substantially in a spiral or helical manner, i.e. according to a helix. According to the invention, it is also possible for the thickened edge, when viewed in the axial direction of the auger, to have a height and, when viewed in the radial direction of the auger, to have a width, wherein the height is smaller than the width.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the thickened edge of welding material on the outer edge of the auger flight comprises a first strip of welded- on welding material over at least a portion of the outer edge of the auger flight, and a second strip of welding material welded on in the longitudinal direction laterally adjacent to this first strip.

[0028] In an embodiment according to the invention, the auger is a vertical auger, and the first strip of welding material is applied substantially along a radial head end of the outer edge of the auger flight on the upper surface thereof, wherein the second strip of welding material is applied to this upper surface on the radial inner side of the first strip of welding material.

[0029] According to the invention, it is also possible for the first strip of welding material in cross section to be larger than the second strip of welding material.

[0030] In an embodiment according to the invention, the auger is a vertical auger, wherein the auger flight extends around the core body from a lower front edge to an upper end, and wherein the thickened edge on the outer edge of the auger flight extends from this front edge to near the upper end, preferably substantially continuously.

[0031] In this case, it is possible for the auger flight to be provided along the outer edge thereof with a plurality of bolt holes for fastening cutting blades by means of bolts, wherein the thickened edge, which is preferably substantially continuous, is interrupted at the bolt holes in such a way that bolt heads of bolts received in the bolt holes lie at a distance from the locally interrupted thickened edge.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, an additional thickened edge is applied by welding welding material on a lower side of the auger flight from the lower front edge.

[0033] The welding material may be substantially the same as the material of the auger flight. However, according to the invention, it is also possible for the auger flight to be made of a material which has a first hardness, and wherein the welding material differs from the material of the auger flight and has a second hardness which is greater than the first hardness.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the auger flight of the auger has a curved feed-displacement surface for displacing feed over it. The feeddisplacement surface extends around the core body. The feed received in the container is conveyed along the feed-displacement surface for mixing and / or cutting this feed during rotation of the auger. In particular, the feed-displacement surface is in the shape of a spiral or helical blade. In addition, the feed-displacement surface may be substantially continuously curved, at least when viewed in the circumferential direction. It is also possible for the curved feed-displacement surface, when viewed in a radial cross section, to be substantially straight.

[0035] According to the invention, it is preferred for the auger to be a vertical auger. In this case, the auger is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation. The curved feed-displacement surface of the auger flight is then on an upper side, i.e. forms an upper surface. The container has a bottom and a circumferential side wall which extends from the bottom upwards. The vertical auger is fitted substantially upright in the container.

[0036] The auger flight starts at the bottom of the container with a front edge which picks up feed from the bottom upon rotation of the auger, with the result that feed which has already been picked up is displaced upwards over the upper surface of the auger flight. At the upper end of the auger flight, the feed drops down again. The feed dropping down forms a kind of enclosure that helps to keep the feed moving upwards over the auger flight on the auger flight. In the case of a vertical auger, the aggressive action of feed, and of sand and / or soil in the feed, has a greater adverse effect on the service life than in the case of a horizontal auger, and therefore the above-described advantages of the invention become particularly evident.

[0037] In an embodiment according to the invention, the core body and the auger flight are made of steel, in particular stainless steel. Stainless steel is particularly resistant to the aggressive action of feed for cows, for example grass silage, and also to sand and / or soil in the feed. The use of stainless steel increases the service life of the auger. The core body and the auger flight may also be made of steel and be coated with a corrosion-resistant coating, which for example comprises a hardening agent.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the device is a feedmixing wagon. The feed-mixing wagon is configured to mix and / or cut feed and to dispense and / or deposit the mixed and / or cut feed at a feeding location for animals, such as cows, in particular along a feed fence for the animals. According to the invention, it is possible for the feed-mixing wagon to be self-propelled, unmanned and / or autonomous. The advantages of the invention are particularly evident in the case of an autonomous feed-mixing wagon, which usually mixes smaller amounts of feed, but is used for a longer period of time on average per day, resulting in the auger wearing more rapidly.

[0039] However, the auger according to the invention also has advantages in the case of other mixing devices for feed for animals. The device according to the invention may be a conventional feed-mixing wagon which is, for example, self-propelled or configured to be towed, such as by a tractor. The device according to the invention may also form a stationary mixer which is used, for example, in a feeding system for feeding animals, such as an automatic feeding system.

[0040] The invention also relates to a feeding system for feeding animals, such as cows, wherein the feeding system comprises:

[0041] - a feed fence, for example in an animal shed with a dwelling space for keeping animals, and

[0042] - a feeding alley which extends along the feed fence, in particular on the side of the feed fence opposite the dwelling space, wherein the feeding system comprises a feed-mixing wagon as described above, and the feed-mixing wagon is preferably configured to move autonomously through the feeding alley and to dispense feed along the feed fence.

[0043] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a feeding system for feeding animals according to the invention.

[0045] Figure 2 shows a partially cut-away perspective view of a feed-mixing wagon of the feeding system according to the invention depicted in Figure 1.

[0046] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the auger of the feed-mixing wagon depicted in Figure 2.

[0047] Figure 4 shows a perspective view and an enlarged detail of a portion of the auger depicted in Figure 3, a first strip of welding material having been applied.

[0048] Figure 5 shows a perspective view and an enlarged detail of a portion of the auger depicted in Figure 3, a second strip of welding material having been applied adjacent to the first strip of welding material.

[0049] A feeding system for feeding animals, in particular cows 4, such as dairy cows or beef cows, is denoted as a whole by reference numeral 1 in Figure 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the feeding system 1 is fitted in an animal shed 2 with a dwelling space 3 for keeping the cows 4 which contains cubicles 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the dwelling space 3 comprises two feed fences 6. On the opposite side of each feed fence 6 from the dwelling space 3, a feeding alley 7 extends.

[0050] In this exemplary embodiment, the feeding system 1 forms an automatic feeding system. This feeding system comprises a feed supply system, which is located outside the animal shed 2 (not depicted). The feed supply system stores a plurality of feed types, such as grass silage, hay and maize. For example, the feed supply system contains an amount of feed for several days, for example 1-5 days, or for a longer period, such as a number of weeks or even months.

[0051] The feeding system 1 comprises an autonomous feed-mixing wagon 9. The feed-mixing wagon 9 is self-propelled and unmanned. The feed-mixing wagon 9 is configured to be loaded with feed from the feed supply system. The feed-mixing wagon 9 is also configured to mix and cut the loaded feed, and to dispense the mixed and cut feed to the cows 4. Therefore, the cows 4 are fed automatically.

[0052] The feed-mixing wagon 9 comprises a frame with wheels 11 , by means of which the feed-mixing wagon 9 is moveable over a floor of the feeding alley 7, the yard of a farm or another underlying surface. In this exemplary embodiment, the feed-mixing wagon 9 comprises one front wheel and two rear wheels. However, the feed-mixing wagon 9 may also be designed differently.

[0053] The feed-mixing wagon 9 comprises a drive and steering system for driving and steering the feed wagon (not depicted). The drive and steering system comprises at least one electric drive motor. An electronic control system is connected to the drive and steering system for the control thereof (not shown). The feed-mixing wagon 9 further comprises a battery system for storing electrical energy (not shown). The battery system is connected to the drive and steering system and the control system.

[0054] A charging station 8 is provided for charging the battery system of the feedmixing wagon 9. In this exemplary embodiment, the charging station 8 comprises a charging station coupling 10a that can be mechanically connected to a feed-mixing wagon coupling 10b in order to make a plug connection. Although the charging station 8 in Figure 1 is shown at the end of the feeding alley 7, in practice the charging station 8 is usually placed at the feed supply system. While the feed-mixing wagon 9 is arranged in the charging station 8 to charge the battery system, the feed-mixing wagon 9 can then be filled with feed. In this case, the charging station 8 forms a feed loading station at the same time.

[0055] Controlling the drive and steering system makes it possible to define the speed and the direction of the movement of the feed-mixing wagon 9. By means of the control system, the feed-mixing wagon 9 can autonomously move along a route in order to dispense feed to the cows 4. However, it is also possible for the feed-mixing wagon 9 to be suspended from a guide rail (not shown).

[0056] As depicted in Figure 2, the feed-mixing wagon 9 comprises a container 12 for receiving a batch of feed. The container 12 is fitted to the frame of the feed-mixing wagon 9. The container 12 comprises a bottom 14 and a circumferential side wall 15 which extends from the bottom 14 upwards. In Figure 2, the circumferential side wall 15 is partially cut away to make the inside of the container 12 visible.

[0057] To distribute the feed along one or more of the feed fences 6 in the animal shed 2, an elongate dispensing opening is provided in the side wall 15 of the container 12, said opening being able to be closed by an elongate sliding door (not depicted). The sliding door is displaceable between a closed and an open position. In the closed position of the sliding door, the dispensing opening is fully closed. In the open position, the dispensing opening is at least partially opened by opening of the sliding door in order to dispense the feed from the container 12.

[0058] The feed-mixing wagon 9 comprises a feed-pushing device for pushing remaining feed located along the feed fence 6 and feed dispensed from the container 12 in a direction transverse to the direction of travel T of the feed-mixing wagon 9, in particular for forming a windrow-shaped pile of pushed feed along a feed fence 6. In this exemplary embodiment, the feed-pushing device comprises a rotating skirt 18.

[0059] Fitted in the container 12 is an auger 13 for mixing and / or cutting feed received in the container 12. The auger 13 is driveable and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation 16, i.e. the auger 13 is a vertical auger. The auger 13 comprises a tubular core body 20 which forms the auger shaft. The core body 20 is substantially closed on the upper side by a flat closing plate 23 (see Figure 3) which is covered by a cover 19. In this exemplary embodiment, the core body 20 is made of stainless steel.

[0060] The auger 13 comprises an auger flight 21 that extends around the core body 20. The auger flight 21 starts at the bottom 14 of the container 12 with an oblique scoop-up wing 24 with a lower front edge 25 which picks up feed from the bottom 14 upon rotation of the auger 13. The scoop-up wing 24 is attached to an adjacent, substantially flat feed-receiving portion 29 of the auger flight 21 . The scooped-up feed ends up on the feed-receiving portion 29, which runs substantially horizontally. The feed-receiving portion 29 is connected to a curved auger flight part 32.

[0061] The curved auger flight part 32 runs substantially in the shape of a spiral or helical blade around the core body 20. As shown in the figures, the radius of the auger flight 21 , when viewed from the bottom up, becomes gradually smaller. In other words, the auger flight 21 becomes increasingly less wide towards the top. The received feed is displaced upwards over the upper surface of the auger flight part 32. At the upper end of the auger flight 21 , the feed drops down again. The feed dropping down forms a kind of enclosure that helps to keep the feed moving upwards over the auger flight 21 on the auger flight 21.

[0062] In this exemplary embodiment, the scoop-up wing 24, the feed-receiving portion 29 and the auger flight part 32 are made of stainless steel. The material of the auger flight 21 with the scoop-up wing 24, the feed-receiving portion 29 and the auger flight part 32 is the same as the material of the core body 20. The scoop-up wing 24, the feed-receiving portion 29 and the auger flight part 32 are welded to the core body 20 and to each other. The curved auger flight part 32 may be composed of a plurality of welded- together auger flight parts (not depicted). The core body 20 and the auger flight 21 with the scoop-up wing 24, the feed-receiving portion 29 and the auger flight part 32 form a single unit.

[0063] The auger flight 21 comprises an inner edge 26 welded to the core body 20. The auger flight further comprises a free outer edge 27 opposite the inner edge 26. The outer edge 27 runs substantially in a spiral or helical manner, i.e. according to a helix. As shown in Figure 2, a plurality of cutting blades 22 for cutting feed are fastened to the auger flight 21. The cutting blades 22 protrude radially with respect to the helical outer edge 27 of the auger flight 21 . The cutting blades 22 are fastened to the auger flight 21 by means of bolt connections.

[0064] In this exemplary embodiment, the auger flight 21 has two bolt holes 31 for each cutting blade 22 (see Figure 3). The cutting blades 22 each have two corresponding bolt holes (not shown). The bolt holes in the cutting blades 22 can be aligned with the bolt holes 31 in the auger flights 24, so that bolts can be inserted therein. The bolt holes 31 in the auger flight parts 24 are substantially square in cross section. The square bolt holes 31 make possible a particularly durable fastening of the cutting blades 22.

[0065] The auger flight 21 depicted in Figure 3 has a curved feed-displacement surface 28 for displacing feed over it. In the case of the vertical auger 13 according to this exemplary embodiment, the feed-displacement surface 28 of the auger flight part 24 forms a curved upper surface of the auger flight 21. As most clearly depicted in Figures

[0066] 3, 4 and 5, a thickened edge 30 is applied to the outer edge 27 of the auger flight 21. The thickened edge 30 forms a wear edge of sacrificial material. Using the auger 13 causes the thickened edge 30 to wear out slowly.

[0067] The free outer edge 27 of the auger flight 21 is most subject to wear due to the aggressive action of feed, and of sand and / or soil in the feed. By providing this outer edge 27 with the thickened edge 30, it is possible to extend the service life of the auger 13 considerably. According to the invention, the thickened edge 30 is formed by welding welding material on the outer edge 27 of the auger flight 21. In other words, the thickened edge 30 is made of the welding material.

[0068] In this exemplary embodiment, the welding material differs from the material of the auger flight 21. The welding material has a higher hardness than the stainless steel of the auger flight 21 . However, the welding material may also be the same material as the material of the auger flight, i.e. stainless steel with substantially the same composition.

[0069] The welding material is welded on in two steps. First, a first strip of welding material 33 is welded on the outer edge 27 of the auger flight 21. This is shown in Figure

[0070] 4. The first strip 33 of welding material is applied adjacently to the head end 37 of the outer edge 27 of the auger flight 21 , i.e. at the radially extreme outer end of the auger flight 21.

[0071] As a second step, a second strip 34 of welding material is then welded on in the longitudinal direction laterally adjacent to this first strip 33, as depicted in Figure 5. The second strip 34 of welding material is applied radially on the inside of the first strip 33 of welding material and welded against the first strip 33 of welding material.

[0072] The first and second strips 33, 34 of welding material form a double weld. The first and second strips 33, 34 of welding material are laterally contiguous and are fused together. The welded-on strips 33, 34 together form the thickened edge 30 on the outer edge 27 of the auger flight 21 . In practice, the second strip 34 of welding material will wear away first, and only then will the first strip 33 of welding material, located radially on the outside thereof, wear away.

[0073] By welding-on the thickened edge 30 in two consecutive steps, i.e. first the first strip 33 of welding material and then the second strip 34 of welding material, the thickened edge 30 remains relatively low. The welded-on thickened edge 30, when viewed in the axial direction of the auger 13, has a height / ? and, when viewed in the radial direction of the auger 13, has a width w (see Figure 5). The height h is smaller than the width w.

[0074] As a result, the thickened edge 30 has barely any or no effect on the action of the auger 13 to displace, mix and / or cut the feed. Surprisingly, it has been found in practice that the thickened edge 30 even has a positive effect. At the same time, the thickened edge 30 composed of two fused strips 33, 34 of welding material (double weld) contains sufficient sacrificial material to extend the service life of the auger 13.

[0075] The thickened edge 30 is of substantially continuous design from the front edge 25 up to a distance from the upper end (see Figure 3). The thickened edge 30 is welded substantially on the entire outer edge 27 of the auger flight 21. As depicted in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the thickened edge 30 is interrupted at the bolt holes 31 by interruptions 35 in such a way that bolt heads of bolts received in the bolt holes lie at a distance from the locally interrupted thickened edge 30.

[0076] In this case, there is no overlap between the bolt heads and the thickened edge 30. In other words, the thickened edge 30 is interrupted by the interruptions 35 in such a way that the thickened edge 30 does not obstruct the bolt heads. The free distance between the thickened edge 30 and the bolt heads is, for example, at least 3 mm. The cutting blades 22 can be firmly and reliably fastened to the auger flight 21 by means of the bolt connections, while the interruptions remain minimal in order to make the service life of the auger as long as possible. In this exemplary embodiment, an additional thickened edge 36 is applied to a lower side of the auger flight 21 from the lower front edge 25. The additional thickened edge 36 has, for example, a length of 1-50 cm, preferably 5-30 cm, so that the additional thickened edge 36 extends beyond the welded connection between the feed-receiving portion 29 and the curved auger flight part 32. The additional thickened edge 36 is formed by welding welding material on the lower side of the outer edge 27 of the auger flight 21 . In this exemplary embodiment, the additional thickened edge 36 is formed in the same way as the thickened edge 30 applied to the upper side by the application of two contiguous strips of welding material (not shown). The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures. For example, the feed-mixing wagon does not have to be autonomous, but can also be driven by a driver, such as a farmer. Instead of self-propelled, the feed-mixing wagon may also be designed to be towed by a tractor. In addition, the auger of the abovedescribed feed-mixing wagon can be used with a stationary mixer. Furthermore, it is possible for the radius of the auger flight 21 to not increase from top to bottom, but be constant.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method for applying at least one wear edge to an auger flight of an auger (13) for use in a device for mixing and / or cutting feed for animals, such as cows, wherein the method comprises:- manufacturing or providing an auger (13) comprising a core body (20) and an auger flight (21), wherein the auger flight extends around the core body, in particular substantially in a helical manner, and wherein the auger flight is provided with an inner edge (26), which is attached to the core body, and a free outer edge (27) opposite the inner edge (26), characterized in that the application of the wear edge to the auger flight comprises forming a thickened edge (30) on the outer edge of the auger flight, wherein the thickened edge is formed by welding welding material on the outer edge of the auger flight.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the thickened edge (30), when viewed in an axial direction of the auger (13), has a height and, when viewed in a radial direction of the auger (13), has a width, wherein the height is smaller than the width.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the welding of welding material on the outer edge of the auger flight comprises welding a first strip (33) of welding material on the outer edge of the auger flight, and then welding a second strip (34) of welding material in a longitudinal direction laterally adjacent to said first strip.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the auger is a vertical auger, and wherein the first strip (33) of welding material is applied substantially along a radial head end (37) of the outer edge of the auger flight on the upper surface thereof, and wherein the second strip (34) of welding material is applied to said upper surface on the radial inner side of the first strip of welding material.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first strip (33) of welding material in cross section is larger than the second strip (34) of welding material.

6. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the thickened edge (30) extends substantially in a helical manner.

7. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the auger is a vertical auger, and wherein the auger flight extends around the core body from a lower front edge (25) to an upper end, and wherein the thickened edge on the outer edge of the auger flight extends from said front edge (25) to near the upper end, preferably substantially continuously.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the auger flight is provided alongthe outer edge thereof with a plurality of bolt holes (31) for fastening cutting blades by means of bolts, wherein the thickened edge, which is preferably substantially continuous, is interrupted at the bolt holes in such a way that bolt heads of bolts received in the bolt holes lie at a distance from the locally interrupted thickened edge.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein an additional thickened edge (36) is formed by welding welding material on a lower side of the auger flight from the lower front edge.

10. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the welding material is substantially the same as the material of the auger flight.11 . The method according to one or more of claims 1 -9, wherein the auger flight is made of a material which has a first hardness, and wherein the welding material differs from the material of the auger flight and has a second hardness which is greater than the first hardness.

12. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein after wear of the thickened edge (30) by use of the auger, a new thickened edge is formed on the outer edge of the auger flight by welding welding material on the outer edge of the auger flight.

13. A device for mixing and / or cutting feed for animals (4), such as cows, wherein the device comprises:- a container (12) for receiving feed,- an auger (13) which is arranged in the container and is rotatable and driveable for mixing and / or cutting feed received in the container, and wherein the auger comprises:• a core body (20),• an auger flight (21) which extends around the core body, in particular in a helical manner, wherein the auger flight is provided with an inner edge (26), which is attached to the core body, and a free outer edge (27) opposite the inner edge (26), characterized in that the outer edge of the auger flight is provided with a wear edge which is formed by a thickened edge (30) that is applied by welding welding material on the outer edge of the auger flight.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the device is a feed-mixing wagon (9).

15. A feeding system for feeding animals (4), such as cows, wherein the feeding system (1) comprises:- a feed fence (6), for example in an animal shed (2) with a dwelling space (3) for keeping animals, and- a feeding alley (7) which extends along the feed fence, in particular on the side of the feed fence opposite the dwelling space, wherein the feeding system comprises a feed-mixing wagon (9) according to claim 14, and the feed-mixing wagon is preferably configured to move autonomously through the feeding alley and to dispense feed along the feed fence.

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