GB2128861A - Harrow support structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Support structure (6) is provided for mounting on a tine carrying frame or frame section (1) of a harrow for longitudinally strengthening and stiffening the section (1) and/or providing support for one or more weights (7) for weighted engagement of the tines (2) with the ground. The support structure (6) consists of side members (61) bolted to cross members (10) of the section (1) and carrying an upstanding plate (60) for receiving one or more weights (7), e.g. tractor front end loading weights (7). The harrow draw-bar frame (4) has rearwardly extending jibs (8) connected (81) to corresponding harrow sections (1) for raising the latter as the frame (4) is lifted by the tractor linkage (5). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in harrows The object ofthe invention is to provide improvements in harrows for obtaining their more effective operation and also more economic construction and practical advantages in these and other respects will be apparentfrom thefollowing description.

According to one aspect ofthe invention the tine carrying frame or a frame section of a harrow is provided with support structure mounted on its upperside for receiving one or moreweights located thereon for obtaining and maintaining more effective engagement of the tines with the ground.

In accordance with another aspect ofthe invention tines of the harrowframe or frame section thereof are provided with a flanged head which is clamped between frame membersoftheframe orsection,the tine itself or a head member thereat being further arranged to abut the underside of frame memberfor support against bending or deflecting movement.

Apractical example of a harrow incorporating features ofthis invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which FIGURES 1 and 2 are plan view and side elevation of a typical arrangement of the harrow, FIGURE 3 is a detail view on an enlarged scale of weight securing means, FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one ofthe tines on a further enlarged scale and, FIGURE 5 is a detailed elevation of tine mounted in position of use.

The harrow shown in the drawing comprisesthree side by side sections 1 each providing eight rows of downwardly directed tines or spikes 2 but the number of sections and rows may be varied according to requirements.

Each section 1 is ofthe usual lattice framework comprising a series of cross members 10transverseto the direction of travelling movement ofthe harrow, which cross members 10 are connected in spaced apart relationship by inclined longitudinal members ortie bars 11.

Each section 1 is connected, e.g. by chain 3to a drawbar or, as shown, to the lower members 40 of a rectangularframe 4 provided with brackets 45 for connection to the three point implement linkage 5 of an agricultural tractor. To assist movement over the ground the drawbarframe 4 is provided with skids 44 at its underside.

Forthe purpose of one feature ofthis invention each harrow section 1 is provided at its centre part with supportstructure6shown consisting of a transverse plate 60 upstanding from side members 61 bolted or otherwise secured to cross members 10 ofthe harrow section 1 .The side members 61 are shown extending longitudinally over the four central cross members 10 and in this way serve to strengthen or stiffen the lattice framework ofthe harrow section 1.

The upstanding plate 60 is adapted to receive one or moreweights7 mounted on it, the weights 7 shown being of the kind used fortractorfront end loading for convenience as regards availability and further use of such weights. The slot 70 in each weight 7 engages overthe upstanding plate 60 and a retaining member 76 secured by a bolt 71 to the underside of the weight 7 extends underthe lower edge of the plate 60 to retain theweightin position.

Any suitable retaining or clamping means may be employed to hold each weight on a plate 60 whilst each support structure 6 is shown provided with side plates 62 to reinforce the plate 60 from the side members 61 and also ensure retention of a weight or weights 7 against side movementoffthe plate 60.

The number of weights 7 employed can be selected according to requirements and for obtaining suitable weight distribution with each weight 7 readily fitted in position of use or removed as necessary.

The drawbarframe 4 is shown provided with rearwardly extending jibs 8 one over each harrow section 1 and from which a flexible member such as wire cord 81 is connected between the rear end of each jib 8 and a rear part ofthe corresponding harrow section 1, e.g. to the rear of a weight support structure 6 as shown.

The arrangement enables the complete harrowto be raised from the ground by appropriate operation of thetractorthree point linkage5 and when the harrow is lowered, each section 1 is free to follow ground undulation. In this connection the wire cord 81 preferably has some stiffness so that it does not drop when slackthus avoiding entanglement with the tines 2 which might otherwise occur.

The central jib 8 is also shown provided with a pivoted stay or prop 80 which can be swung over the rear end ofthe jib to a more or less vertical position with its foot 800 in contact with the ground in order to supportthe drawbarframe 4 and jibs 8 in the position shown, i.e. on hydraulic fluid pressure supply to the three point linkage 5 of the tractor being released when the harrow is not in use.

Referring to a fu rtherfeature ofthe invention each tine 2 has a head in the form of an offsetflange 21 conveniently provided by a short length of an angle section 20 having its downwardly directed flange 22 welded transversely to a side ofthe upper end of the tine 2. The flange head 21 is provided with a bolt hole 210 and in position of use the flange 21 is sandwiched between harrow frame members, i.e. between a cross member 10 and an inclined tie bar 11 ,the bolt 9 passing through the frame members 10,11 and flange 21 to secure them together in the general assembly of the framework ofthe harrow section 1.

The rigid mounting of the flange head 21 in the frame and its rigid attachmentto the tine 2 supports or locates the latter against backward deflection and also against side deflection in the direction oftheflange 21.

In order to support the tine 2 against side deflection in the opposite direction, the upper end ofthe tine is shown abutting the underside of an upper frame member, viz: the associated cross member lOso as to resist side deflection awayfrom the flange head 21.

In some instancestheflange head 21 is bolted The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

between the rear end of an inclined shorttie bar member 111 and a rear cross member 10 which tie bar 111 is suitably downwardly cranked forth purpose.

The tines 2 can be readily replaced when worn or damaged andtheirconstruction is such thatthey can be more cheaply produced than the conventional round section tine having a threaded mounting head.

The lower end of each tine 2 is shown relieved by rear chamfering or chisel point formation at 23.

Each tine 2 is shown of square cross section e.g. 13 mm or 16 mm (1/2''0r5/s'')square butmaybe of round or other suitable cross section. The head of the tine 2 may be of T-section forsupport againstside deflection in either direction.

CLAIMS (filed 26/10/83) 1. Support structure secured, oradpatedtobe secured, to a tine carrying frame or a frame section of a harrow in ordertostrengthen orstiffenthe latter longitudinally and/or provide supportfor one or more weights for weighted engagement of the tines of the frame orframe section with the ground.

2. Supportstructureaccordingtoclaim 1 wherein the structure comprises side members extending, or adapted to extend, longitudinally of the tine carrying frame orframe section, said side members carrying an upstanding cross member or plate for receiving one or more weights mounted on it.

3. Support structure according to claim 3 wherein the cross member or plate is adapted to receive mounted thereon one or moreweights ofthe kind used fortractorfront end loading.

4. Support structure according to claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the structure is bolted or otherwise secured, or adapted to be secured, to cross members ofthe tine carrying frame orframe section.

5. Support structure secured, or adapted to be secured, to a tine carrying frame orframe section of a harrow in order to strengthen or stiffen the latter longitudinally and/or provide supportfor one or more weights, wherein the support structure is substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2 ofthe accompanying drawings.

6. Aharrowcomprising one or more tine carrying frame sections provided, or each provided, with supportstructure according to anyofthe preceding claims wherein theframe section orsections is or are attached or linked to a transverse draw bar frame adapted for connection to a tractor such as to three point implement linkage of the latter.

7. A harrow according to claim 6 wherein the draw barframe carries one or more rearwardly extending jibs having a connection with the tine carrying frame section or corresponding frame sections in order to raise the latter on lifting ofthe draw barframe e.g. by a tractor.

8. A harrow according to claim 7 wherein the connection ofthe jib or jibs with the tine carrying frame section orwith corresponding frame sections is flexible to enable the section or sections when lowered tofreelyfollow undulation ofthe ground when drawn over the latter.

9. A harrow according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the jib or jibs is or are connected to aforesaid support structure on the tine carrying frame section oron corresponding frame sections.

10. A harrow according to any one of claims 6to 9 wherein stay or prop means is provided for supporting the draw bar frame in a substantially upright at rest position in relation to the tine carrying frame section or sections.

11. A harrow according to claim 10 wherein the stay or prop means is arranged in useto dependfrom at least one of the jibs.

12. Aharrowaccordingto claim 11 wherein the stay or prop means isfoldable againstthe jib when not required for use.

13. A harrow according to any of claims 6 to 12 wherein the underside ofthe draw barframe is provided with ground contacting skid means.

14. Aharrowcomprising one or more rinecarrying frame sections provided, or each provided, with support structure according to any claims 1 to 5 when substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2 ofthe accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (14)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. between the rear end of an inclined shorttie bar member 111 and a rear cross member 10 which tie bar 111 is suitably downwardly cranked forth purpose. The tines 2 can be readily replaced when worn or damaged andtheirconstruction is such thatthey can be more cheaply produced than the conventional round section tine having a threaded mounting head. The lower end of each tine 2 is shown relieved by rear chamfering or chisel point formation at 23. Each tine 2 is shown of square cross section e.g. 13 mm or 16 mm (1/2''0r5/s'')square butmaybe of round or other suitable cross section. The head of the tine 2 may be of T-section forsupport againstside deflection in either direction. CLAIMS (filed 26/10/83)

1. Support structure secured, oradpatedtobe secured, to a tine carrying frame or a frame section of a harrow in ordertostrengthen orstiffenthe latter longitudinally and/or provide supportfor one or more weights for weighted engagement of the tines of the frame orframe section with the ground.

2. Supportstructureaccordingtoclaim 1 wherein the structure comprises side members extending, or adapted to extend, longitudinally of the tine carrying frame orframe section, said side members carrying an upstanding cross member or plate for receiving one or more weights mounted on it.

3. Support structure according to claim 3 wherein the cross member or plate is adapted to receive mounted thereon one or moreweights ofthe kind used fortractorfront end loading.

4. Support structure according to claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the structure is bolted or otherwise secured, or adapted to be secured, to cross members ofthe tine carrying frame orframe section.

5. Support structure secured, or adapted to be secured, to a tine carrying frame orframe section of a harrow in order to strengthen or stiffen the latter longitudinally and/or provide supportfor one or more weights, wherein the support structure is substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2 ofthe accompanying drawings.

6. Aharrowcomprising one or more tine carrying frame sections provided, or each provided, with supportstructure according to anyofthe preceding claims wherein theframe section orsections is or are attached or linked to a transverse draw bar frame adapted for connection to a tractor such as to three point implement linkage of the latter.

7. A harrow according to claim 6 wherein the draw barframe carries one or more rearwardly extending jibs having a connection with the tine carrying frame section or corresponding frame sections in order to raise the latter on lifting ofthe draw barframe e.g. by a tractor.

8. A harrow according to claim 7 wherein the connection ofthe jib or jibs with the tine carrying frame section orwith corresponding frame sections is flexible to enable the section or sections when lowered tofreelyfollow undulation ofthe ground when drawn over the latter.

9. A harrow according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the jib or jibs is or are connected to aforesaid support structure on the tine carrying frame section oron corresponding frame sections.

10. A harrow according to any one of claims 6to 9 wherein stay or prop means is provided for supporting the draw bar frame in a substantially upright at rest position in relation to the tine carrying frame section or sections.

11. A harrow according to claim 10 wherein the stay or prop means is arranged in useto dependfrom at least one of the jibs.

12. Aharrowaccordingto claim 11 wherein the stay or prop means isfoldable againstthe jib when not required for use.

13. A harrow according to any of claims 6 to 12 wherein the underside ofthe draw barframe is provided with ground contacting skid means.

14. Aharrowcomprising one or more rinecarrying frame sections provided, or each provided, with support structure according to any claims 1 to 5 when substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2 ofthe accompanying drawings.