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Title:
ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSPORTING MATERIAL ON A VEHICLE IN A SIDEWAYS TIPPABLE MANNER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2008/012778
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
The invention provides a transport arrangement (10) for transporting material on a load bed of a vehicle in a sideways tippable manner. The transport arrangement has a container (12), a loading formation (28) to load the container onto and unload it from the load bed, a pivot arrangement (34,36) defining a pivot axis about which the container is pivotable to discharge material contained therein, and a lifting arrangement (38) to pivot the container about the pivot axis. The invention also provides a transport system for transporting material, comprising transport arrangements. The invention still further provides a transport vehicle for transport arrangements and a discharge installation where material is discharged from transport arrangements. The invention extends also to a method of transporting using transport arrangements and corresponding transport vehicles.

Inventors:
RIVETT-CARNAC JOHN EDWARD (ZA)
MACDONALD KENNETH ROBERT (ZA)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2007/052983
Publication Date:
January 31, 2008
Filing Date:
July 27, 2007
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
DUNCANMEC PROPRIETARY LTD (ZA)
RIVETT-CARNAC JOHN EDWARD (ZA)
MACDONALD KENNETH ROBERT (ZA)
International Classes:
B60P1/16; B60P1/64; B65D88/56; B65G65/23
Foreign References:
US4826386A1989-05-02
GB2091206A1982-07-28
DE29500941U11995-05-04
DE4100100A11992-07-09
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
LEWIS, Alan (Suite 122 - 1st FloorKillamey Mall Office Towers,Killamey Mall, 60 Riveira Road, Killamey 219, Johannesburg Gauteng Province, ZA)
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Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A transport arrangement for transporting material on a load bed of a vehicle in a sideways tippable manner, which includes a container having a body for receiving material to be transported; at least one loading formation for engagement by a loading mechanism during loading of the container onto and unloading thereof from the load bed; a pivot arrangement defining a pivot axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the load bed about which the container is pivotable to discharge material contained therein; and at least one lifting arrangement for engagement by a lifting mechanism which lifts the container, in use, to pivot the container about the pivot axis.

2. A transport arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the or each loading formation is secured to a body of the container, the pivot arrangement is fast with the body and the or each lifting arrangement is attached to the body.

3. A transport arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the body includes an elongated, generally rectangular floor and a peripheral wall extending along and projecting upwardly from edges of the floor.

4. A transport arrangement according to claim 3, which further includes at least one roller secured to the body and located on an underside thereof for rollingly supporting the container during loading thereof onto and unloading thereof from the load bed.

5. A transport arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the floor has two opposed end edges and two opposed side edges, the peripheral wall comprising two end walls respectively extending along and projecting upwardly from the respective end edges of the floor and first and second side walls extending along and projecting upwardly from the respective side edges of the floor.

6. A transport arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the floor has two opposed end edges and two opposed side edges and the or each roller is located at or adjacent one of the end edges of the floor and is oriented for rotation about a rotational axis normal to the pivot axis of the body.

7. A transport arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the pivot arrangement includes two pivot pins, each pivot pin being fast with and projecting normally away from one of the end walls of the body, the pivot pins being located on their respective end walls adjacent the second side wall of the body.

8. A transport arrangement according to Claim 7, in which the pivot pins are located proximate an upper edge of the end walls.

9. A transport arrangement according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the or each lifting arrangement is a securing formation to which a component of the lifting mechanism can be secured, the or each lifting formation being located on the underside of the floor of the body.

10. A transport arrangement according to Claim 9, wherein each lifting formation is located close to the second side wall.

1 1 . A transport arrangement according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein each lifting arrangement includes: a pocket-defining formation for receiving a hook-like member forming part of the lifting mechanism, each pocket-defining formation being releasably attached to the first side wall of the body at an attachment position at or adjacent an upper edge thereof; and an elongated flexible element secured, at one end thereof, to the pocket-defining formation and, at the other end thereof, to the underside of the floor of the body adjacent the first side wall.

12. A transport arrangement according to Claim 1 1 , wherein the or each lifting arrangement also includes an urging mechanism arranged to urge its pocket-defining formation towards its attachment position on the first side wall.

13. A transport arrangement according to Claim 6, wherein the or each loading formation is located at one end of the body, with the or each roller being located at or adjacent the other end of the body.

14. A transport arrangement according to Claim 6, wherein a loading formation is located at both ends of the body and a roller is also located at or adjacent both ends of the body.

15. A transport arrangement according to any one of claims 2 to 14, which further includes a guide formation projecting from the underside of the floor of the body for guidingly interacting with a complementary longitudinally extending guide formation provided on the load bed of the vehicle when the container is loaded onto or unloaded from the load bed.

16. A transport arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 , which includes a support frame pivotally supporting the container for pivoting about the pivot axis.

17. A transport arrangement as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the container has two pivot pins and the support frame has a base and two upright supports fast with and projecting upwardly from ends of the base, the upright support having support formations in which the pivot pins are pivotally supported, such that the container is pivotable about the pivot axis relative to the support frame.

18. A transport arrangement according to Claim 17, wherein the or each loading formation is fast with one of the upright supports of the support frame.

19. A transport arrangement according to claim 17 or 18, which includes a roller secured to an underside of the base of the support frame.

20. A transport arrangement according to any one of claims 17 to 19, which includes a guide formation fast with the base of the support frame.

21 . A transport arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the body of the container includes an elongated, generally rectangular floor and a peripheral wall extending along and projecting upwardly from edges of the floor, and wherein the floor has two opposed end edges and two opposed side edges, the peripheral wall comprising two end walls respectively extending along and projecting upwardly from the respective end edges of the floor and first and second side walls extending along and projecting upwardly from the respective side edges of the floor.

22. A transport arrangement according to Claim 21 , wherein the pivot pins are fast with and project normally away from the end walls of the body, the pivot pins being located on their respective end walls adjacent the second side wall of the body.

23. A transport arrangement according to Claim 22, in which the pivot pins are located proximate an upper edge of the end walls.

24. A transport arrangement according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the or each lifting arrangement is a securing formation to which a component of the lifting mechanism can be secured, the or each lifting formation being located on the underside of the floor of the body.

25. A transport arrangement according to Claim 24, wherein each lifting formation is located close to the second side wall.

26. A transport arrangement according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein each lifting arrangement includes:

a pocket-defining formation for receiving a hook-like member forming part of the lifting mechanism, each pocket-defining formation being releasably attached to the first side wall of the body at an attachment position at or adjacent an upper edge thereof; and an elongated flexible element secured, at one end thereof, to the pocket-defining formation and, at the other end thereof, to the underside of the floor of the body adjacent the first side wall.

27. A transport arrangement according to Claim 26, wherein the or each lifting arrangement also includes an urging mechanism arranged to urge its pocket-defining formation towards its attachment position on the first side wall.

28. A transport system for transporting material, the system including: a plurality of transport vehicles, each transport vehicle having a load bed; a plurality of transport arrangements according to any one of claims 1 to 27; and a loading vehicle provided with a loading mechanism for loading the transport arrangements onto and from the load bed of a said transport vehicle.

29 A transport system according to Claim 28, wherein the load bed of each transport vehicle includes a guide formation for guiding longitudinal movement of a transport arrangement relative to the load bed during loading of the transport arrangement onto and unloading of the transport arrangement from the load bed.

30. A transport system according to claim 28 or claim 29, wherein the loading vehicle includes a load bed for receiving a transport arrangement, with its loading mechanism being mounted on its load bed.

31 . A transport system according to claim 30, wherein the loading vehicle includes a roller formation mounted on and positioned at or adjacent a rear and of the load bed for rollingly supporting a transport arrangement as it is being loaded onto and unloaded from the load bed.

32. A transport system according to any one of claims 19 to 22 wherein the loading mechanism is an articulated arm which has, at or adjacent its free end, a loading formation for engaging the loading formation of a container.

33. A transport system according to any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein at least some of the transport vehicles are motorized vehicles, and at least some of the transport vehicles are trailers.

34. A transport system according to claim 33 which further includes at least one towing vehicle for towing the trailers.

35. A transport system according to Claim 28, wherein the loading vehicle is a motorized vehicle.

36. A transport system according to Claim 28, wherein the loading vehicle is a trailer which, in use, is towed by a towing vehicle.

37. A transport system according to Claim 28, wherein each transport vehicle has upright supports mounted on its load bed, each upright support being provided with support formation for rotatably supporting the pivot pins of a container, as claimed in Claim 7, on the load bed.

38. A transport system according to Claim 37, wherein the supports are moveably mounted on the load bed for movement between an operative support position, in which they rotatably support the pivot pins and an inoperative position, in which unobstructed loading of a container onto and unloading of a container from the load bed is permitted.

39. A transport system according to Claim 38, wherein the supports are hingeably mounted on the load bed for hinging about an upright hinge axis between their operative and inoperative positions.

40. A transport system according to any one of claims 37 to 39, wherein each upright support includes a displacing mechanism for raising and lowering its support formation to raise and lower, in use, a container relative to the load bed.

41 . A transport vehicle for transporting a transport arrangement as claimed in claim 7 or 8, which includes two upright supports mounted on its load bed, each upright support being provided with a support formation for rotatably supporting the pivot pins of a container on the load bed.

42. A transport vehicle according to Claim 41 , wherein the supports are moveably mounted on the load bed for movement between an operative support position, in which they rotatably support the pivot pins and an inoperative position, in which unobstructed loading of a container onto and unloading of a container from the load bed is permitted.

43. A transport vehicle according to Claim 42, wherein the supports are hingeably mounted on the load bed for hinging about an upright hinge axis between their operative and inoperative positions.

44. A transport vehicle according to any one of claims 41 to 43, wherein each upright support includes a displacing mechanism for raising and lowering its support formation to raise and lower, in use, a container relative to the load bed.

45. A discharge installation which includes a parking bay for a transport vehicle having a load bed with a transport arrangement according to Claim 7 thereon; and two support mechanisms located adjacent the parking bay and spaced along the length of the parking bay, the support mechanisms being moveable between support positions in which, in use, they engage and lift the pivot pins of a container on the load bed of a transport vehicle parked in the parking bay, rotatably to support the pivot pins,

and a released position in which they are clear of the container, to permit unobstructed movement of the transport vehicle into and out of the parking bay.

46. A discharge installation according to claim 45, which further includes a shield located adjacent and extending along the length of the parking bay, the support mechanisms being between the parking bay and the shield.

47. A discharge installation according to claim 46, which further includes a conveyor system arranged for catching discharged material guided by the shield and for conveying said discharged material away from the shield.

48. A method of transporting a farm product from a farm to a processing facility, the method including: loading harvested farm product at the farm into a plurality of transport arrangements as claimed in Claim 1 ; moving the transport arrangements to at least one collection point at or adjacent the farm; transporting the transport arrangements from each collection point by means of transport vehicles to the processing facility; and tipping each container, whilst it is on the load bed of the transport vehicle, at the processing facility, to discharge the farm product therefrom.

49. A method according to Claim 48 which further includes the steps of: returning each discharged transport arrangement to a collection point in or adjacent to the farm; and unloading the empty transport arrangements from the transport vehicle.

50. A method of discharging harvested farm product contained in a container of a transport arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 , located on a load bed of a vehicle, the method including tipping the container to discharge the farm product whilst the container is located on or above the load bed of the vehicle.

Description:

TRANSPORTATION OF MATERIAL

THIS INVENTION relates to the transportation of material. It more particularly relates to a transport arrangement for transporting material, to a transport system for transporting material, to a transport vehicle, and to a discharge installation. The material may be bulk products such as farm products, waste, or the like. The invention relates also to a method of transporting farm products from a field or orchard or the like to a processing facility. In particular the product may be sugar cane, which is harvested from a sugar cane field or sugar cane plantation to a sugar mill. It will be appreciated from what is said below that the transport arrangement may be in the form of a container on its own or a container together with a support frame.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a transport arrangement for transporting material on a load bed of a vehicle in a sideways tippable manner, which includes a container having a body for receiving material to be transported; at least one loading formation for engagement by a loading mechanism during loading of the container onto and unloading thereof from the load bed; a pivot arrangement defining a pivot axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the load bed about which the container is pivotable to discharge material contained therein; and at least one lifting arrangement for engagement by a lifting mechanism which lifts the container, in use, to pivot the container about the pivot axis.

In a first form the or each loading formation may be secured to a body of the container, the pivot arrangement may be fast with the body and the or each lifting arrangement may be attached to the body. In a second form a support frame may be provided for pivotally supporting the container for pivoting about the pivot axis, with the

loading formation then being secured to the support frame and the or each lifting arrangement being attached to the body.

The support frame may include an elongated base and two upright supports fast with and projecting upwardly from ends of the base, each upright support being provided with a support formation rotatably supporting one of the pivot pins, such that the body is pivotable about its pivot axis relative to the support frame.

The transport arrangement may have one or more rollers to assist in loading and unloading thereof onto and off the load bed. The roller(s) may be secured to an underside of the body in the first form, or to an underside of the base of the frame, in the second form.

The body may comprise an elongated generally rectangular floor and a peripheral wall extending along and projecting upwardly from edges of the floor. The floor may thus have two end edges and two side edges, the peripheral wall comprising two end walls respectively extending along and projecting upwardly from the respective end edges of the floor, and first and second side walls respectively extending along and projecting upwardly from the respective side edges of the floor.

The roller(s) may be located at or adjacent one of the end edges of the floor or an end edge of the base of the frame, being oriented for rotation about a rotational axis normal to the pivot axis of the body, i.e. the rotational axis of each roller is normal to a longitudinal axis of the body and parallel to the end edges of the body or the base. The container is thus longitudinally moved when loaded onto or unloaded from a load bed of a vehicle.

The pivot arrangement may include two pivot pins, each pivot pin being fast with and projecting normally away from one of the end walls of the body, the pivot pins being located, on their respective end walls, adjacent the second side wall of the body. The pivot pins may be located proximate an upper edge of the end walls. The

pivot axis of the body thus extends longitudinally along the length of the body, such that the body is pivotable or tippable sideways to discharge material therefrom.

In one embodiment, each lifting arrangement may be in the form of a securing formation to which the end of a flexible element, or a securing mechanism fast therewith, forming part of a lifting mechanism can be secured, each lifting formation being located on the underside of the floor of the body, preferably being located close to the second side wall of the body.

In another embodiment, each lifting arrangement may include a pocket- defining formation for receiving a hook-like member forming part of the lifting mechanism, each pocket-defining formation being releasably attached to the first side wall of the body at an attachment position at or adjacent an upper edge thereof, and an elongated flexible element secured, at one end thereof, to the pocket-defining formation and, at the other end thereof, to the underside of the floor of the body adjacent the first side wall. The or each lifting arrangement may also include an urging mechanism arranged to urge its pocket-defining formation towards its attachment position on the first side walk

In use, when the lifting mechanism is operated to lift the container body, its hook-like member causes its associated pocket-defining formation with which it is engaged to lift away from the first side wall of the body, against an urging force exerted thereon by the urging mechanism, and the flexible element is pulled tight, with further movement of the lifting mechanism causing the body to be lifted and pivoted or tipped to its side about its pivot axis.

Each loading formation may be located at an end of the body or at an end of the frame. In one embodiment, the loading formation(s) may be located at one end with the roller(s) being located at or adjacent the other end of the body or frame. In another embodiment, loading formations and rollers may be provided at both ends so that the transport arrangement may be loaded onto the load bed from both ends.

The transport arrangement may also have a guide formation projecting from the underside of the floor of the body or the base of the frame for guidingly interacting with a complementary longitudinally extending guide formation on the load bed of a vehicle, such that longitudinal movement of the transport arrangement relative to the load bed is guided during loading and unloading thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a transport system for transporting material, the system including a plurality of transport vehicles, each transport vehicle having a load bed; a plurality of transport arrangements as described above; and a loading vehicle provided with a loading mechanism for loading the transport arrangements onto and from the load bed of a transport vehicle.

The load bed of each transport vehicle may be provided with a guide formation or formations for guiding longitudinal movement of a container relative to the load bed during loading of the container onto and unloading of the container from the load bed. Each guide formation may thus extend longitudinally along at least part of the load bed of a transport vehicle.

Each loading vehicle may also have a load bed for receiving a transport arrangement. The loading mechanism of each loading vehicle may be mounted on its load bed. Each loading vehicle may also be provided with at least one roller formation mounted on and provided at or adjacent a rear and of the load bed for rollingly supporting a transport arrangement as it is being loaded onto and unloaded from the load bed. Each roller formation may extend transversely across the load bed. The loading mechanism, in one embodiment, may be in the form of an articulated arm provided with a loading formation, at or adjacent its free end, for engaging the loading formation of a transport arrangement.

If desired, the load bed of each loading vehicle may also be provided with a guide formation or formations. In use, a transport arrangement can thus be loaded onto the load bed of a loading vehicle from where it can be loaded onto the load bed of a transport vehicle. Naturally, if required, the transport arrangement can prior to loading thereof onto the load bed of a transport vehicle be transported by the loading vehicle.

At least some of the transport vehicles may be motorized vehicles, and at least some of the transport vehicles may be in the form of trailers which are, in use, towed by said motorized transport vehicles. The system may also include at least one towing vehicle for towing the trailers. Likewise, in one embodiment, each loading vehicle may be a motorized vehicle. Instead, each loading vehicle may be in the form of a trailer which in use is towed by a towing vehicle.

In one embodiment which is arranged to be used with transport arrangement without support frames, the transport vehicles which are in the form of trailers may each be provided with upright supports mounted on their load beds, each upright support being provided with a support formation for rotatably supporting one of the pivot pins of a container received on the load bed. At least one of the supports may be moveably mounted on the load bed for movement between an operative support position in which it rotatably supports one of the pivot pins of a container loaded onto the load bed, to permit pivoting or tipping of the container without its base fouling the load bed, and an inoperative position in which it permits unobstructed loading of a container onto and unloading of a container from the load bed. In a particular embodiment, each of the moveably mounted supports may be hingeably mounted on the load bed for hinging about an upright hinge axis between its operative support position and its inoperative position. Each upright support may include a displacement mechanism arranged for lifting its support formation or at least part thereof, and accordingly the container, relative to the load bed, to permit unobstructed pivoting or tipping of the container about its pivot axis. Each displacement mechanism may be in the form of a telescopically extensible and retractable piston-and-cylinder assembly, the assembly

being extensible to effect said lifting, and being retractable to lower its support formation and, accordingly, the container supported thereby.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention there is provided a transport vehicle, the vehicle having a load bed for receiving at least one container type transport arrangement as hereinbefore described, and at least two upright supports as hereinbefore described mounted on the load bed of the vehicle, at least one of the upright supports being moveable between an operative support position and an inoperative position.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a discharge installation which includes, a parking bay for a transport vehicle having a load bed with a container type transport arrangement as described above thereon; and two support mechanisms located adjacent the parking bay and spaced along the length of the parking bay, the support mechanisms being moveable between support positions in which, in use, they engage and lift the pivot pins of a container on the load bed of a transport vehicle parked in the parking bay, rotatably to support the pivot pins, and a released position in which they are clear of the container, to permit unobstructed movement of the transport vehicle into and out of the parking bay.

The discharge installation may further include a shield located adjacent and extending along the length of the parking bay, the support mechanisms being between the parking bay and the shield. The discharge installation may still further include a conveyor system arranged to catch discharged material guided by the shield and for conveying the discharged material away from the shield. The shield thus also acts to guide discharged material away from the parking bay.

Each support mechanism may include at least one telescopically extensible and retractable piston-and-cylinder assembly, each piston-and-cylinder assembly being extended when the support mechanism is in its support position, and

each piston-and-cylinder being retracted when the support mechanism is in its release position.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of transporting a farm product from a farm to a processing facility, the method including: loading harvested farm product at the farm into a plurality of transport arrangements as described above; moving the transport arrangements to at least one collection point at or adjacent the farm; transporting the transport arrangements from each collection point by means of transport vehicles to the processing facility; and tipping each container, whilst it is on the load bed of the transport vehicle, at the processing facility, to discharge the farm product therefrom.

The method may include returning each discharged transport arrangement to a collection point in or adjacent a plantation, field or orchard of the farm and unloading it from the transport vehicle, so that the transport arrangement can again be loaded with harvested farm product. Each transport arrangement, after unloading thereof from the transport vehicle, may be moved into the plantation, field or orchard to get loaded with further farm product.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, broadly, there is provided a method of discharging harvested farm product contained in a transport arrangement as described above, located on a load bed of a vehicle, the method including tipping the container of the transport arrangement to discharge the farm product whilst the transport arrangement is located on or above the load bed of the vehicle.

The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows, schematically, a side elevation of a transport arrangement in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows, schematically, and end elevation of the transport arrangement shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows, schematically, a side elevation showing one side of another embodiment of a transport arrangement in accordance with the invention

Figure 4 shows, schematically, a side elevation showing the other side of the transport arrangement shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows, schematically, an end elevation showing one end of the transport arrangement shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 shows, schematically, an end elevation showing the other end of the transport arrangement shown in Figure 3; Figure 7 shows, schematically and in part, a sectional end elevation, taken at VII

- VII in Figure 3 of the transport arrangement shown in Figure 3;

Figure 8 shows, schematically and in part, an end elevation of a discharge installation in accordance with the invention;

Figure 9 shows, schematically, a three-dimensional view of a transport vehicle in accordance with the invention, the transport vehicle being in the form of a trailer which includes a plurality of upright supports at least some of which are moveable and are shown in their operative support positions;

Figure 10 shows, schematically and in part, a rear elevation of the transport vehicle shown in Figure 9, with a visible upright support thereof being shown in its inoperative position;

Figure 1 1 shows, schematically and in part, a top plan elevation of the transport vehicle shown in Figure 9, the visible upright support thereof also being shown in its inoperative position;

Figure 12 shows, schematically, a side elevation of part of the upright support shown in Figures 10 and 1 1 ;

Figures 13 - 17 show, schematically and in side elevation, operation of a loading vehicle, having a load bed, during loading of a transport arrangement in accordance with the invention onto the load bed of the loading vehicle;

Figure 18 - 20 show, schematically, side elevations taken at different stages during transfer of a transport arrangement from the load bed of a loading vehicle onto the load bed of a transport vehicle;

Figure 21 shows, schematically and in side elevation, a transport vehicle during transportation of transport arrangements;

Figures 22 - 24 show, schematically, side elevations taken at different stages during loading and transportation of an in-field vehicle for loading harvested sugar cane into a transport arrangement in accordance with the invention;

Figure 25 shows, schematically and in side elevation, operation of the sugar cane loading vehicle shown in Figures 22 - 24;

Figure 26 shows, schematically, a side elevation taken during transfer of a transport arrangement from the load bed of a loading trailer onto the load bed of an infield transport trailer;

Figure 27 shows, schematically, a side elevation taken during transport of transport arrangements from one zone to another; and

Figure 28 shows, schematically, a side elevation taken during transportation of transport arrangements containing sugar cane, from a loading zone, where transport arrangements are loaded onto the load bed of a transport truck and transport trailer, to a sugar mill.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, one embodiment of a transport arrangement is generally designated by reference numeral 10. The transport arrangement 10 has a container with an elongated open-topped body 12. The body 12 comprises an elongated rectangular floor 14, and a peripheral wall extending along and projecting operatively upwardly from edges of the floor 14. Said peripheral wall includes two end walls 16, 18 respectively extending along end edges of the floor 14, and a first side wall 20 and a second side wall 22 respectively extending along the side edges of the floor 14.

The transport arrangement 10 further includes two rollers 24, 26 rotatably mounted on and projecting from an underside of the floor 14, the rollers 24, 26 being arranged for rotation about co-axial rotational axes parallel to the end edges of the floor 14. The rollers 24, 26 are located at that end of the body 12 having the end wall 18, and are transversely spaced from each other across the width of the floor 14. In use, the rollers 24, 26, as will become more apparent hereunder, rollingly support the body 12 as the transport arrangement 10 is loaded onto and unloaded from a load bed of a vehicle.

By virtue of the orientation of the rollers 24, 26, the container is in use longitudinally moved when loaded onto and unloaded from the load bed of a vehicle.

The transport arrangement 10 further includes a loading formation in the form of a loading pin 28 fast with the body 12. In use, as will become more apparent hereunder, the loading pin 28 is engaged by a loading mechanism which loads and unloads the container onto and from a load bed of a vehicle. In particular, the rollers 24, 26 and the loading pin 28 are secured to the body 12 by means of a reinforcing framework including two limbs 30, 32. The limbs 30, 32 are secured to the end wall 16, and project downwardly from the floor 14 to provide guide formations for interacting with complementary guide formations (described hereunder) provided on a load bed of a vehicle during loading of the container onto and unloading thereof from the load bed of such vehicle. The loading pin 28 extends between the limbs 30, 32 and is spaced from the end wall 16, to permit engagement thereby by a loading mechanism.

The transport arrangement 10 further includes two pivot pins 34, 36 respectively fast with and projecting longitudinally away from the respective end walls

16, 18 of the body 12. The pivot pins 34, 36 are located adjacent the second side wall

22 proximate an upper edge of the body 12. The pivot pins 34, 36 define a pivot axis of the container, the pivot axis thus extending longitudinally along the length of the body

12. In use, the container is pivotally or tippably supported by means of the pivot pins 34, 36, such that it is pivotable or tippable sideways about its pivot axis (as shown in broken lines in Figure 2) to discharge material therein.

The transport arrangement 10 further includes lifting formations in the form of eyes 38 mounted on the underside of the floor 14. In use, when the pivot pins 34, 36 are rotatably supported, as hereunder described with reference to a discharge installation, and the container is to be pivoted or tipped, one end of a hinged rod 42 (shown in broken lines in Figure 2) is secured, by means of a shackle 40 (also shown in broken lines in Figure 2) secured to the end of the hinged rod 42, to each of the eyes 38. The hinged rods 42 and their associated shackles 40 form part of a lifting mechanism (not shown) located at a discharge point where material received in the container is to be discharged. In particular, as described hereunder, the transport arrangement 10 is intended to transport harvested sugar cane from sugar cane plantations to sugar mills. The aforementioned lifting mechanism is thus located at a sugar mill, where harvested sugar cane transported by means of the transport arrangement 10 is to be discharged. In use, the lifting mechanism is operated, which causes the hinged rods 42 to lift and eventually tip the container 10 to its side. Upon sufficient pivoting or tipping of the container (see broken lines in Figure 2), harvested sugar cane contained in the container is discharged from the container under gravity.

Figures 3 - 7 show another embodiment of a transport arrangement in accordance with the invention. The transport arrangement shown in these figures is generally designated by reference numeral 50. The transport arrangement 50 includes a container having an elongated roughly box-shaped open-topped body 52 having a floor 54, which is rectangular when viewed from above, and a peripheral wall extending along and projecting operatively upwardly from edges of the floor 54. More particularly, the peripheral wall comprises two end walls 56, 58, a first side wall 60 and a second side wall 62.

In this embodiment, the transport arrangement 50 includes also a support frame 64 which, as will become apparent hereunder, pivotally supports the body 52. The support frame 64 includes a base 66, and two upright supports 68, 70 respectively fast with and projecting upwardly from ends of the base 66.

The transport arrangement 50 further includes two rollers 72, 74 mounted on the base 66 of the support frame 64, and located adjacent the upright support 70.

The rollers 72, 74 are transversely spaced and project downwardly from the support frame 64. The rollers 72, 74 serve the same purpose as the rollers 24, 26 of the transport arrangement 10.

The transport arrangement 50 further includes a loading pin 76, the loading pin 76 being mounted on the upright support 68. The loading pin 70 serves the same purpose as the loading pin 28 of the transport arrangement 10.

The transport arrangement 50, like the transport arrangement 10, includes two pivot pins, respectively designated by reference numerals 78, 80. The pivot pin 78 is fast with and projects longitudinally away from the end wall 56 of the body 52, whilst the pivot pin 80 is fast with and projects, co-axially with the pivot pin 78, longitudinally away from the end wall 58. The pivot pins 78, 80 define a pivot axis of the body 52, about which pivot axis the body 52 is pivotable or tippable to discharge harvested sugar cane received in the body 52.

Three longitudinally spaced lifting formations 82 are mounted on the body

52. Each lifting formation 82 includes a pocket-defining formation 84 releasably seated on an upper edge of the side wall 60, and a flexible element in the form of a chain 86 secured, at one end thereof to the pocket-defining formation 84, and at the other end thereof to the floor 54 of the body 52. In particular, each pocket-defining formation 84 is provided with an eye 88 to which said one end of the chain 86 is secured, and another eye 90 is mounted on the floor 54, the other end of the chain 86 being secured to the eye 90. Each chain 86, between its respective ends, is looped and is short-circuited by means of a resilient spring 92 which is under tension in use. The working of each lifting formation 82 is described in more detail hereunder.

Each upright support 68, 70 is provided with a support formation, the support formations respectively being designated by reference numerals 68, 70, for rotatably supporting the pivot pins 78, 80 of the body 52. Thus, the body 52 is pivotable or tippable sideways relative to the support frame 64, to discharge harvested sugar cane received in the body 52.

In use, in order to pivot or tip the body 52, a hook-like member forming part of a lifting mechanism located at a sugar mill, is hooked into the pocket defined by each pocket-defining formation 84. The three pocket defining formations 84 are fast with a beam (not shown). Lifting of the said lifting mechanism causes the three pocket- defining formations 84 to be separated and moved away, in a direction indicated by arrow 98, from the upper edge of the side wall 16 which, consequentially, results in extension of each of the chains 86. As each chain 86 becomes taught, the body 52 starts pivoting, about its pivot axis, relative to the support frame 64. As will be appreciated, sufficient lifting of the lifting mechanism causes the body 52 (as shown in broken lines in Figure 5) to pivot to a position which causes harvested sugar cane contained in the body 52 to be discharged under gravity. After discharge of the sugar cane and upon lowering of the lifting mechanism, the pocket-defining formations 84 are, by virtue of a tensile force exerted on their associated chains 86 by the springs 92, and gravity, returned to the position in which they are seated on the upper edge of the side wall 60.

A discharge point at a sugar mill will typically be provided with restriction formations located adjacent a parking bay in which a transport vehicle having a transport arrangement 50 on its load bed is received, which restriction formations restrict movement of the support frame 64 of the transport arrangement 50 relative to the load bed in the direction in which the body 52 is pivoted.

Each of the transport arrangements 10, 50 is hereinbefore described as having a single loading pin located at one end of the transport arrangement 10, 50, and two rollers located at the other end of the transport arrangement 10, 50. This means

that each of the transport arrangements 10, 50 can only be loaded, from one end of the transport arrangement 10, 50, onto a load bed of a vehicle, i.e. a loading mechanism can only engage and lift one end of the transport arrangement 10, 50. In other embodiments (not shown), each transport arrangement 10, 50 is, at each end thereof, provided with a loading pin and with two rollers, such that the transport arrangement can be loaded from either end onto a load bed of a vehicle.

With reference to Figure 8 of the drawings, a discharge installation in accordance with the invention is generally designated by a reference numeral 1 10. The installation 1 10 is installed at a sugar mill where harvested sugar cane is to be discharged.

The installation 1 10 includes an elongated parking bay 1 12 in which a trailer 1 14 (shown in concept only) is parked when transported harvested sugar cane is to be discharged. The parking bay 1 12 is in the form of a drive-thru parking bay. The trailer 1 14, broadly, includes a load bed 1 16 on which a transport arrangement 10 in accordance with the invention is received. The container is filled with harvested sugar cane. The installation 1 10 further includes two support mechanisms 1 18 (only one of which is visible) located adjacent the parking bay 1 12. The support mechanisms 1 18 are longitudinally spaced from each other along the length of the parking bay 1 12, and located such that when the trailer 1 14 is parked in the parking bay 1 12, each of the support mechanisms 1 18 is located on one of the ends of the transport arrangement 10 received on the load bed 1 16 of the trailer 1 14. Further, as mentioned above, the load bed 1 16 is provided with longitudinally extending guide formations in the form of guide rails 1 19, which guide rails 1 19 guide longitudinal movement of a transport arrangement 10, 50 along the load bed 1 16.

The installation 1 10 further includes a shield in the form of a sloping, flat wall 120 located adjacent and extending longitudinally along the length of the parking bay 1 12.

Each support mechanism 1 18 includes a telescopically extensible and retractable primary piston-and-cylinder assembly 122, each piston-and-cylinder assembly 122 being provided, at a free end thereof with a support formation for rotatably supporting one of the pivot pins 34, 36 of the container, and each piston-and-cylinder assembly 122, at its other end, being pivotally mounted on the floor of the parking bay 1 12. Each support mechanism 1 18 further includes a secondary telescopically extensible and retractable piston-and-cylinder assembly 126 arranged to effect pivoting of the primary piston-and-cylinder assembly 122 in the directions indicated by arrow 128. Each secondary piston-and-cylinder assembly 126 is pivotally mounted, at one end thereof, on the guide wall 120, and at the other end thereof, is pivotally mounted on the primary piston-and-cylinder assembly 122 for effecting the aforesaid pivoting in the directions of arrow 128.

In use, when harvested sugar cane received in the container is to be discharged, and with the trailer 1 14 operatively parked in the parking bay 1 12, each secondary piston-and-cylinder assembly 126 is extended to pivot its associated primary piston-and-cylinder assembly 122 more or less into alignment with the associated pivot pin 34, 36 of the container. The primary piston-and-cylinder assemblies 122 are then extended such that their support formations 124 engage and lift the associated pivot pins 34, 36. Consequentially, that side of the container on which the pivot pins 34, 36 are provided is lifted from the load bed 1 16. With the container in said lifted condition, unobstructed pivoting thereof, by means of the aforedescribed lifting mechanism located at the sugar mill is permitted. Pivoting of the container takes place in a direction indicated by reference numeral 130. The container is pivoted such that it assumes a position as indicated in broken lines in Figure 8. Sugar cane contained in the container is then discharged, under gravity, in the direction indicated by arrow 132, the discharged sugar cane being guided away from the parking bay 1 12 by means of the wall 120.

The installation 1 10 further includes a conveyer assembly 134 arranged to convey the discharged sugar cane in a direction indicated by arrow 136, i.e. away from the parking bay 1 12.

After harvested sugar cane has been discharged from the container, the container is pivoted back, in a direction counter to that indicated by arrow 130, onto the load bed 1 16. The primary piston-and-cylinder assemblies 122 are then retracted to lower the container onto the load bed 1 16, whereafter the secondary piston-and-cylinder assemblies 126 are also retracted to clear the support mechanisms 1 18 from the trailer

1 14 and the container. The trailer 1 14 can now be moved from the parking bay 1 12. In some embodiments, the trailer 1 14 will receive more than one container, in which case it can be driven forward or backward such that one of the other containers received on its load bed 1 16 is operatively positioned relative to the support mechanisms 1 18, to permit discharge of harvested sugar cane received in said container or containers.

Referring now to Figures 9 - 12 of the drawings, a trailer in accordance with the invention is generally designated by a reference numeral 140. The trailer 140 includes an elongated load bed 142 for receiving two transport arrangements 10. In this embodiment, unlike the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the trailer 140 is provided with its own support formations for rotatably supporting pivot pins 34, 36 of containers received on its load bed 142.

More particularly, the trailer 140, on one side of its load bed 142 is provided with four upright supports for rotatably supporting the pivot pins 34, 36 of two containers received on its load bed 142. Two of the upright supports are located, on said one side, at corners of the load bed 142, these upright supports being moveable upright supports which are generally designated by reference numeral 144. The other two upright supports are located between the moveable upright supports 144 and are fixed supports which are designated by reference numerals 145. As will be described in more detail hereunder, each of the upright supports 144 is moveable between an operative support position in which it rotatably supports one the pivot pins 34, 36 of a container received on the load bed 142, and an inoperative position, in which it is clear of the load bed 142 to permit loading of a container onto and unloading thereof from the

load bed 142. In use, one container is received between each of the upright supports 144 and one of the upright supports 145.

Referring now in particular to Figures 10 and 1 1 , each upright support 144 includes an A-frame 146 which is fixedly mounted on the load bed 142 and projects latterly away therefrom. Each A-frame 146 comprises two elongated beams 148, 150 which are joint together at their ends remote from the load bed 142. An upright structure, generally designated by a reference numeral 152, is pivotally mounted on the

A-frame for pivoting, towards and away from the load bed 142, about an upright pivot axis 154. To permit said pivoting, the A-frame 146 and the upright structure 152 are secured together by means of a securing pin 156 received through complimentary vertically oriented openings (not shown) provided in the A frame 146 and in a horizontal beam 158 forming part of the upright structure 152.

The upright structure 152 further includes two laterally spaced upright beams 160, 162 fast with a projecting upwardly from the horizontal beam 158. The upright beams 160, 162 are secured together by three longitudinally or vertically spaced crossbars 164, 166, 168. A further horizontal beam 170 is fast with a free end of the horizontal beam 158 and projects, at a right angle, therefrom. Pivoting of the upright structure 152 between its operative support position and its inoperative position is effected in a direction indicated by arrow 174 (see Figure 1 1 ).

A bolt-and-nut assembly 176 is received through an aperture (not shown) provided in a free end of the horizontal beam 170, and the load bed 142 is provided with a securing structure 178 provided with a similar aperture 180. The aperture through which the bolt-and-nut assembly 176 is received and the aperture 180 are located such that they are aligned when the upright structure 152 is pivoted into its operative support position. With the upright structure 152 in its operative support position it is secured to the load bed 142 by means of the bolt-and-nut assembly 176 which is received through the opening in the horizontal beam 150 and the aperture 180. To this end, the nut of the

bolt-and-nut assembly 176 is provided with a handle which facilitates easy securing and release of the upright structure 152 from the load bed 142.

The upright structure 152 further includes a support formation 182 for rototably supporting the associated pivot pin 34, 36 of the container received on the load bed 142. The support formation 182 is constituted by a fixed jaw 184 fixedly secured at an operatively upper end thereof, to the upright beam 162, and a moveable jaw 186, which is longitudinally moveably mounted on the upright beam 162 and is located below the fixed jaw 184. Movement of the moveable jaw 186 along the length of the upright beam 162 is effected by means of a piston-and-cylinder assembly 188 mounted on the upright structure 152. In particular, a lower end of the piston-and-cylinder assembly 188 is secured to and rests on an upper end of the beam 162, and an upper end of the piston-and-cylinder assembly 188 is secured to the moveable jaw 186.

The fixed upright supports 145 located between the ends of the trailer 140 are, as foreshadowed above, not pivotable between operative support positions and inoperative positions, but are fixed in operative support positions. Apart form the aforementioned distinction, the fixed upright supports 145 closely resemble the moveable upright supports 144, so that each of them too includes a support formation 182, which functions in exact similar fashion as the support formations 182 of the moveable upright supports 145.

In use, with reference to Figure 12, prior to loading of a transport arrangement 10 onto the load bed 142, the moveable jaws 186 of both upright supports 144, 145 associated with the container are moved downwardly away from their associated fixed jaws 184. The upright structure 152 of the moveable upright support 144 is pivoted away from the load bed 142 into its inoperative position, and a container is loaded onto the load bed 142. The upright structure 152 of the moveable support 144 is now pivoted into its operative support position. By virtue of the moveable jaws 186 being positioned away from their associated fixed jaws 184, the pivot pins 34, 36 of the container are, during loading of the container and pivoting of the upright structure 152

into its operative support position, respectively received between the respective jaws 184, 186. With the trailer 140 operatively located at a sugar mill to discharge harvested sugar cane received in the container, the moveable jaws 186 of the supports 144, 145 are, by means of their associated piston-and-cylinder assemblies 188, moved upwardly thereby lifting that side of the container on which the pivot pins 34, 36 are provided from the load bed 142. Upon sufficient lifting, the pivot pins 34, 36 are moved into contact with the fixed jaws 184. The pivot pins are now rotatably supported between their respective associated jaws 184, 186. Pivoting of the container to discharge harvested sugar cane received therein is now permitted. Said pivoting takes place as hereinbefore described. Lowering of the pivoted container onto the load bed 142 is the reverse of the aforedescribed lifting thereof. Likewise, when the transport arrangement 10 is to be unloaded from the load bed 142, the pivoting of the upright structure 152 into its inoperative position is the reverse of the aforementioned described procedure for pivoting it into its operative support position and securing it to the load bed 142.

Referring now to Figures 13 - 17 of the drawings, a loading vehicle in the form of a trailer is generally designated by a reference numeral 190. The trailer 190 is towed by a towing vehicle in the form of a tractor 192. The trailer 190 includes an elongated load bed 194 on which is mounted a loading mechanism 196 for loading transport arrangements 10, 50 onto the load bed 194, and for unloading them from the load bed 194.

The loading mechanism 196 includes an elongated articulated arm 198 and a piston-and-cylinder assembly 200 arranged longitudinally to move the articulated arm 198 radially over the length of the load bed 194. One end of the piston-and-cylinder assembly 200 is pivotally connected to the load bed 194, and the other end thereof is connected to the articulated arm 198.

As will become more apparent hereunder, the trailer 190 is not only used to load transport arrangements 10, 50 onto its load bed 194 and to unload transport arrangements 10, 50 from its load bed 194, but is also used to transfer transport

arrangements 10, 50 received on its load bed 194 onto the load beds of other vehicles. The aforementioned loading, unloading and transferring, of transport arrangements 10, 50 takes place in exactly the same fashion for both types of transport arrangements 10, 50 and, accordingly, for ease of reference, the loading, unloading and transferring process is hereunder described only with reference to a transport arrangement 10. The same applies to the description which follows about transporting of the transport arrangements.

When a transport arrangement 10 is to be loaded onto the load bed 194 of the trailer 190, the trailer 190 is more or less longitudinally aligned with the transport arrangement 10, such that a rear end of the trailer 190 is closely spaced from an end of the transport arrangement 10 on which its loading pin 28 is provided. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the transport arrangement 10 can be provided with loading pins 28 at each of its ends, such that the transport arrangement 10 can be loaded onto the trailer 190, from either end of the transport arrangement 10. The articulated arm 198 is then moved over the rear end of the load bed 194 by means of the piston-and-cylinder assembly 200 into a position in which a free end thereof, which free end is provided with a hook-like loading formation operatively engages the loading pin 28 of the transport arrangement 10. The articulated arm 198 is then, by means of the piston-and-cylinder assembly 200, moved towards the front end of the trailer 190, which results in lifting of the end of the transport arrangement 10 onto the rear end of the load bed 194. To facilitate movement of the transport arrangement 10 along the length of the load bed 194, the trailer at the rear end thereof, is provided with two transversely spaced rollers 202 (only one of which is visible) which are arranged for rotation about axes transverse to the length of the load bed 194. As can be seen in the drawings, the rollers 202 project operatively upwardly from the load bed 194. In turn, during loading and unloading of the transport arrangement 10 onto and from the load bed 194, a ground engaging end of the transport arrangement 10 is rollingly supported by means of the rollers 24, 26 of the transport arrangement 10. Unloading of the transport arrangement 10 from the load bed 194 is the reverse of the aforedescribed loading process as illustrated in Figures 13 - 17.

Referring now to Figures 18 - 20 of the drawings, a transfer process in which the transport arrangement 10, received on the load bed 194, is transferred from the load bed 194 onto the load bed 206 of an elongated trailer 204 is shown.

The load bed 206 of the trailer 204 is of suitable length to accommodate two transport arrangements 10 in end-to-end fashion, as can be seen in Figure 21 . Further, the trailer 204 has a front end at which it is provided with a drawbar 208, and a rear end opposite its front end.

In order to transfer the transport arrangement 10 received on the load bed 194 of the trailer 190, the trailer 190 is brought into longitudinal alignment with the load bed 206 of the trailer 204, the two trailers being closely spaced from each other, as can be seen in Figure 18. The articulated arm 198 is now pivoted towards the rear end of the trailer 190, whereafter, as can be seen in Figure 20, the rollers 24, 26 of the transport arrangement 10, as the transport arrangement 10 moves onto the load bed 206, rollingly support the roller 10 as it is moved longitudinally along the load bed 206. Longitudinal movement of the transport arrangement 10 along the load bed 206 is guided by means of the aforementioned guide formations 1 19 (not visible in Figure 20) provided on the load bed 206 of the trailer 204. Once the transport arrangement 10 is loaded onto the load bed 206, the articulated arm 198 is released from the loading pin 28 of the transport arrangement 10.

Another transport arrangement 10 is now, in similar fashion as hereinbefore described, loaded onto the load bed 194 of the trailer 190, whereafter such transport arrangement 10 is, from the front end of the trailer 204, transferred onto the load bed 206 in similar fashion as hereinbefore described.

After two transport arrangements 10 are loaded onto the load bed 206, as shown in Figure 21 , the tractor 192 or some other vehicle, can now be used to tow the trailer 204.

Referring now to Figures 22 - 25 of the drawings, an in-field vehicle for loading harvested sugar cane into a transport arrangement 10 is generally designated by reference numeral 210. The loading vehicle 210 is a motorized vehicle provided with a loading mechanism 212 including an articulated arm provided at a free end thereof with a mechanical claw. The vehicle 210 is of conventional construction and, accordingly, is not described further.

As is the case with the transport arrangement 10, the vehicle 210 can be transported by means of the trailer 190. To accommodate said transportation of the vehicle 210, a loading platform 214 is provided. Briefly, the loading platform includes a flat floor, and an upright structure provided with a loading pin and two rollers located at an end of the floor opposite to that end at which the loading pin is provided. Loading of the platform 214 onto and unloading thereof from the load bed 194 of the load vehicle 190 is effected in similar fashion as hereinbefore described with reference to the transport arrangement 10. In use, as can be seen in Figures 22 - 24, when the vehicle

210 is to be transported, it is driven onto the platform 214, whereafter the platform 214 is loaded onto the load bed 194 of the trailer 190.

Referring now to Figure 25 of the drawings, operation of the in-field loading vehicle 210 is illustrated. As can be seen, a transport arrangement 10 which typically, is received on a trailer 216 is loaded with harvested sugar cane by means of the loading vehicle 210. Said loading is typically done in a cane field or plantation where sugar cane is being or has been harvested. Once the transport arrangement 10 is filled with harvested sugar cane it is then transported, by means of the tractor 192, to a loading zone (described in more detail here under), from where it is transported to a sugar mill.

In another embodiment, where sugar cane harvesters/choppers are used, the tractor 192, including its trailer 216 having the transport arrangement 10 loaded on its load bed 218, is driven alongside the sugar cane harvester/chopper in the plantation during harvesting, such that the transport arrangement 10 is filled as sugar cane is being

harvested. Once the transport arrangement 10 is filled with harvested and chopped sugar cane, it is then transported by means of the tractor 192 to the aforementioned loading zone.

Once the filled transport arrangement 10 is at the loading zone, it is, as shown in Figure 26, transferred from the trailer 216 onto the load bed of the trailer 190, from where it can be transferred to the load bed 206 of the trailer 204, or to the load bed of any other transport vehicle suited for transporting the filled transport arrangement 10 to a sugar mill.

The aforementioned loading zone is located at or adjacent a sugar plantation, typically close to an access road to the plantation, which access road is accessible by a transport truck 222 and trailer 204 combination such as shown in Figure 28. The transport truck 222 has a structure similar to that of the trailer 140 described above with reference to Figures 9 to 12. Transport arrangements 10 which have been filled with harvested sugar cane are thus transported, either by means of the trailer 196 or by means of the trailer 216 to the loading zone where they are either unloaded or kept on the load bed 194 of the trailer 190 or the load bed 218 of the trailer 216. The transport truck 222 and trailer 204 combination, such as the one shown in Figure 28, arrives at the loading zone at which stage the filled transport arrangements 10 are transferred or loaded onto the load bed 206 of the trailer 204 and the load bed 224 of the truck 222 by a loading truck 220 such as is shown in Figure 27, or directly from the trailer 196. The loading truck 220 is provided with a loading mechanism 196, such that it can load, unload and transfer transport arrangements 10 from the trailer 216, the trailer 204 and the transport truck 222.

Once filled transport arrangements 10 have been loaded onto the load bed

206 of the trailer 204 and onto the load bed 224 of the transport truck 222, the transport truck 222 and trailer 204 combination transports the three filled transport arrangements 10 to a sugar mill, where the harvested sugar cane is discharged, as hereinbefore described. Naturally, as is shown in Figure 27, if there are not sufficient filled transport

arrangements 10 at one loading zone, the transport truck 222 and trailer 204 combination drives on to another loading zone where a further filled transport arrangement or transport arrangements 10 can be loaded onto either the load bed 206 of the trailer 204 or the load bed 224 of the transport truck 222.

The configuration shown in Figure 21 , i.e. a tractor towing a trailer 204 containing two filled transport arrangements 10 can also, depending on the route from a plantation to a sugar mill, be used to transport the filled transport arrangements 10 to a sugar mill.

After discharge of harvested sugar cane at a sugar mill, the emptied transport arrangements 10 are then transported back to a loading zone or loading zones where they are either unloaded or transferred onto the loading beds 194, 218 of trailers 190, 216. The emptied transport arrangements are then filled with harvested sugar cane in any of the aforedescribed ways, and are taken back to a loading zone.

By having transport arrangements filled with harvested sugar cane ready at the aforementioned loading zones, idle time at sugar plantations of truck and trailer combinations for transporting harvested sugar cane to sugar mills are reduced. As will be appreciated, said reduction in idle time results in increased productivity, which, in turn, translates into lower transport costs.

Further, a farmer may fill transport arrangements during normal daylight working hours, and these filled transport arrangements may then be transported to a mill over a 24 hour period.




 
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