Technical Field

The invention relates to an agricultural machine, specifically to the rotating wheels of an agricultural machine for sowing or the application of fertiliser with at least one longitudinal hopper, at least one sowing element and at least four wheels, which, in the working mode are a working cylinder and transport wheels in the transport mode.

State of the Art

Currently, agricultural machinery for sowing and fertiliser application is known which is usually towed by a tractor, and which is equipped with a satellite navigation system that allows the position of the machine to be pinpointed so that very precise sowing is made possible. A tractor equipped with a satellite navigation system can be navigated through a field with a great accuracy of up to 2 cm.

Current state-of-the art agricultural machinery for sowing and fertiliser application usually do not have any means of independently altering direction. The aggregation of such a machine with a tractor-controlled satellite navigation system is relatively effective on very level fields.

The problem arises when the field is on an incline or in some way undulated. In such a case, when driving along a hillside, the rig slides down the slope. A tractor equipped with a satellite navigation system can, unlike an agricultural machine for sowing and fertiliser application without such a system, correct this slip. Uneven sowing or crossed rows can result from such a slip. The slide effect, in some cases, is possible to eliminate by driving up and down in the direction of the slope. In this case, the rows are in the direction of the slope and at high risk of erosion by rainfall and the washing away of fertile top soil. Therefore, this solution is unsatisfactory.

A possible known solution is sowing machines which allow a certain measure of independent correction of direction. Changing direction is usually achieved by using discs which cut relatively deeply into the ground and serve to guide the machine. These discs can be rotated to be in the direction of travel and so with this, correct the direction of travel. A great disadvantage of this solution is that when the direction is corrected by tilting blades the machine experiences side slipping toward the wheel axles, and possibly significantly increase tensile resistance of the sower. Moreover, due to shearing of the axle or cylinder, the structure of the machine bears intense stress. Such steering discs cut fairly deep into the earth and, as they are grooved, resist pulling of the machine themselves.

From the above state-of-the-art, it is apparent that the major disadvantage of current technology is that there is no agricultural machine for sowing and fertiliser application that comprises a device which provides flexible and accurate correction of the direction of its movement.

The aim of the invention is to design agricultural machinery for sowing or fertiliser application that is able to correct the direction of its path so that the maximum accuracy of its movement over any field surface will be possible.

Principle of the Invention

The invention largely eliminates these deficiencies and the invention fulfils the objective by an agricultural machine, specifically an agricultural machine for sowing or the application of fertiliser with at least one longitudinal hopper, at least one sowing element and at least four wheels, which, in the working mode are a working cylinder and transport wheels in the transport mode, characterised by that at least four wheels are mounted on at least two longitudinal bars, which are, at the same time, connected to a pair of cross-bars, which are aligned with each other so as to be mutually movable. Mutual movement of the transverse bars leads to rotation of the longitudinal bars, on which the wheels are mounted, thereby also turning the wheels, and thus leading to very precise guidance of the whole machine.

It is to advantage that at least one of the transverse bars be arranged so that it is fixed to the supporting frame of the agricultural machine, and the other of the transverse bars be arranged so that it is movable relative to the supporting frame of the agricultural machine, and to greatest advantage that the other of the transverse bars be arranged so that it is movable in a direction transverse to the supporting frame of the agricultural machine. In advantageous arrangement the cross-bar, which is movable, is mounted in front of the fixed transverse bar in the working direction of the agricultural machine. This design arrangement is the simplest and least expensive to produce and, it is fully functional.

It is also to advantage if the cross-bar, which is movable, with the linear drive means is connected to the supporting frame of the agricultural machine, wherein in the most advantageous arrangement, the linear means is a hydraulic cylinder. The linear drive means carries out a forced shift of the transverse bar. The degree of angle of the wheel can easily be infinitely varied by regulating the output of the hydraulic cylinder so that it is possible to perform minute changes in movement, and so it is possible to control the motion of the machine very accurately.

Alternately, the transverse bar may be movable, with the linear drive means connected to a fixed transverse bar. This option is possible, but is structurally more complicated to produce and so more expensive.

According to the first most advantageous variant, the longitudinal beam is made in a pliable shape. Such a longitudinal bar is fixedly mounted between the cross beams, and the relative movement is made possible by the flexibility of the longitudinal bar. Displacement of the cross-bars leads to deflection of the longitudinal bars and with this the rotation of all of the wheels.

According to the second variant, the longitudinal bar is connected to the front cross-bar and rear crossbars by joints. According to the third variant, the longitudinal bar is connected to the front cross-bar and rear crossbars by a flexible device. This flexible device can be made based on plastic or rubber. Deflecting the bars, in both versions leads to to the rotation of the longitudinal bars and the rotation of all of the wheels.

In the most advantageous embodiment, two wheels are mounted to one longitudinal bar.

It is also advantageous if on the support frame is a longitudinal hopper.

An agricultural machine according to the invention, bearing the above described mounting of its rows of wheels, allows, thanks to the fluid rotation of its wheels, very precise sowing and very precise application of fertiliser. Because there are sowing units situated behind the fixed cross-bar they are constantly precisely maintained. It is also to great advantage if, while correcting the direction of movement of the machine, the wheels do not slip sideways on the axle. From the viewpoint of the operation costs, it is advantageous that while correcting the direction of movement of the machine, there is no increase in tensile resistance, thereby not increasing fuel consumption while eliminating an increase to the load bearing structure of the machine. With respect to known technology, it is further preferred that there are no grooves from the guide disc.

This complete mechanism for rotation is simply integrated into the design of the machine and is part of the wheel cylinder, and, it is not necessary to add additional components, which saves material and reduces the weight and with this, reduces overall production costs.

Overview of the Figures

The invention will be further illustrated by drawings in which Fig. 1 is an axonometric side view, Fig. 2 shows an axonometric top view and Fig. 3 shows an axonometric front view, all of an agricultural machine for sowing or the application of fertiliser, and, further, Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the arrangement of the wheels, transverse cross-bar and dimensionally deflecting longitudinal bar before and after rotation, Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the arrangement of the wheels, transverse cross-bar and longitudinal bar, which are articulated and mounted to the transverse bar before and after rotation, and Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of the arrangement of the wheels, transverse cross-bar and longitudinal bar, which are mounted to the transverse bar by a flexible device before and after rotation.

Examples of the Performance of the Invention

The agricultural machine 10 for sowing or the application of fertiliser (Fig. 1 , Fig. 2, Fig. 3) comprising a longitudinal hopper 5, multiple seeding units 7 and in a row 9 mounted wheels 1, arranged so that in the working mode they are a working cylinder and transport wheels in the transport mode. The seeding units 7 are arranged in the direction of the working movement of the agricultural machine 10, behind the row 9 of wheels 1

The wheels 1 are mounted in pairs on the longitudinal bars 2, which are simultaneously connected to a pair of cross bars 3,4, which are aligned with each other as to be mutually movable. By deflection, the cross-bars 3,4 will be turning the longitudinal bars 2 and thereby rotating the wheels 1 by an angle of a. The front mounted in the direction of travel cross-bar 3 is arranged as to be transversely movable relative to the supporting frame 6 of the agricultural machine. The rear mounted in the direction of travel cross-bar 4 is arranged as to be fixed to the supporting frame 6 of the agricultural machine. On the supporting frame 6 is a longitudinal hopper 5.

The cross-bar 3, which is movable, is by a linear drive means 8, which is a hydraulic cylinder, connected to the supporting frame 6 of the agricultural machine.

The linear means 8 is connected to the driver control system of the machine, which includes a navigation system.

In a variant not shown, the cross-bar 3, which is movable, a linear drive means 8 is connected to the fixed transverse bar 4.

According to the first variant (Fig. 4), the longitudinal beams 2 are made in a pliable shape, and are fixedly mounted between the cross bars 3, 4. By deflection, the cross-bars 3, 4 will be turning the longitudinal bars 2 and thereby rotating all the the wheels 1 arranged in a row 9 by an angle of a.

According to the second variant (Fig. 5), the longitudinal bars 2 and the front transverse bar 3 and rear transverse bar 4 are connected by joints 11.

According to the third variant (Fig. 6), the longitudinal bars 2 and the front transverse bar 3 and rear transverse bar 4 are connected by a pliable device 12.

In both preceding variants the cross-bars 3, 4 will be turning the longitudinal bars 2 and thereby rotating all the the wheels 1 arranged in a row 9 by an angle of a.

Industrial Application

An agricultural machine, specifically an agricultural machine for sowing or the application of fertiliser according to the invention can be used for high-precision sowing and high-precision fertiliser application. List of Reference Marks

1 Wheel

2 Longitudinal bar

3 Transverse bar I

4 Transverse bar II

5 Longitudinal hopper

6 Frame

7 Sowing unit

8 Linear drive means

9 Row

10 Agricultural machine

11 Joint

12 Flexible means