Dual Basket Tillage Attachment for Soil Leveling and Residue Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tillage tools struggle to effectively level soil convolutions and manage residue in high residue conditions without creating residue bunching or uneven leveling.
Innovation Solution
A dual basket attachment for tillage tools, comprising a front basket that reorients soil convolutions perpendicular to the travel direction and a rear basket that flattens these convolutions, using hydraulic cylinders for independent control and pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing tillage tools are used to level soil convolutions, then soil leveling is achieved, but residue bunching occurs and high residue conditions are not effectively managed
Solution Approach 1:
The harrow is divided into multiple independent baskets (front basket, rear basket, and intermediate baskets) that can be independently controlled. Each basket processes a specific portion of the soil-residue mixture, allowing differential action on residue versus soil. The front basket primarily handles residue distribution while rear baskets focus on soil leveling, preventing residue bunching through segmented functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The baskets are equipped with independent hydraulic cylinders that allow dynamic adjustment of each basket's depth and angle of operation. This enables real-time adaptation to varying residue conditions and soil types, optimizing the balance between residue management and soil leveling to prevent harmful residue bunching while maintaining leveling precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional harrows are used in high residue conditions, then soil can be worked, but effective residue management and even leveling are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Each basket can be independently adjusted via hydraulic cylinders to change depth, angle, and operational characteristics. This dynamic adjustability allows the harrow to adapt to various residue conditions (from low to high residue) while maintaining consistent leveling quality. The system transitions from static conventional harrows to a dynamically adaptable system that optimizes performance for each specific field condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The operational parameters of each basket (depth, angle, speed) can be independently modified to match specific residue conditions. By changing these parameters dynamically, the harrow maintains effective residue management and leveling quality across diverse conditions, from clean fields to high-residue post-harvest conditions.
3Productivity
If single-basket harrows are used, then device complexity is low, but productivity and residue management effectiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The harrow uses multiple baskets (front, rear, and intermediate) that can be independently controlled, with each basket contributing to different aspects of soil preparation and residue management. This segmentation increases productivity by processing more ground simultaneously and handling residue more effectively, while the modular design keeps individual basket complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Each basket is designed to perform multiple functions: soil leveling, residue distribution, and surface preparation. The intermediate baskets serve dual purposes by both leveling soil and managing residue that passes through them. This multi-functionality increases overall productivity without proportionally increasing complexity, as each component serves several purposes.
4Ease of operation
If hydraulic cylinders are used for independent basket control, then operational precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is designed to be self-regulating, where each basket's hydraulic cylinder automatically adjusts depth and angle based on resistance encountered in the field. The system uses feedback from operational conditions to self-adjust, reducing the need for complex manual control mechanisms and operators while maintaining high precision control.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic cylinders enable continuous adjustment of operational parameters (depth, angle, pressure) for each basket. This parameter variability provides precise control over basket operation, allowing operators to optimize performance for different soil and residue conditions without requiring completely different equipment configurations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively levels soil convolutions and manages residue, achieving a smoother soil profile with reduced height and depth of hills and valleys, improving planting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder operatively coupled to the first arm and/or the second arm and configured to lift and lower the respective basket with respect to the ground surface... The hydraulic cylinder is further configured to regulate a pressure of the respective basket against the portion of the ground surface
Data Source
AI summary
An implement has an implement frame and a wheel for supporting the implement frame on a ground surface for movement in a direction of travel. The implement also includes a first basket coupled to the implement frame by a first arm and configured to work a portion of the ground surface, and a second basket coupled to the implement frame by a second arm and positioned rearward of the first basket relative to the direction of travel. The second basket is configured to work the portion of the ground surface after the first basket. A hydraulic cylinder is operatively coupled to the first arm and/or the second arm and configured to lift and lower the respective basket with respect to the ground surface to and from a raised position for travel. The hydraulic cylinder is further configured to regulate a pressure of the respective basket against the portion of the ground surface.