DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pruning residue shredding machine used particularly in agricultural sector.

PRIOR ART

Fruit trees should be pruned in the certain periods of year in vineyards and orchards works of the agricultural production. It appears woody residues as a result of pruning operations of orchards .

Pruning residues are removed from orchard by means of conventional methods in fruit-growing farms in Turkey. And this causes significant problems in terms of labor and costs. In particular, that operations cannot be completed on time in large-scale farms prevents the other operations from being carried out and causes them to be delayed. Again, importance of the timeliness concept is increased due to rains in spring. Farmers would like to remove residues on the ground among trees in a short time after pruning operation. Residues are removed by way of burning them, shredded and directly mixed in soil as an organic substance, or can be used as compost, mulch, biomass or raw material in industry by carrying and performing various processes after shredding process.

Leaving residues resulting from the pruning process on the ground after shredding them constitutes a positive contribution to soil structure. Therefore, methods, in which residues are mixed in soil, become more popular. To this, shredding machines are preferred which comprises blades attached to the rotor with free oscillation driven by tractor PTO shaft. The machine shredded residues taken from the ground and then leaves it directly on the soil. Shredded residues are then mixed in soil by means of a proper tillage machine.

It has been observed in studies conducted that it is experienced some problems in using a PTO shaft driven and mounted type of a present shredding machines of tractors in the stage of mixing residues in the soil. Residues should be formed into a windrow and run over said windrow so that machine at the rear side of tractor can perform shredding operation. In such cases, depending on the height of tractor's belly and windrow, it can be faced problems while taking materials in shredding unit during working. Further, thorns and knots may damage rubber wheels of tractor. So as to overcome this drawback, some companies may manufacture machine such that it can be operated by reverse gear of tractor by changing connection points of machine according to the tractor. However, it is thought that said method does not provide a sustainable solution in large-scale farms requiring long-lasting works.

Furthermore, operation capability of the machine depends on power and action transmission property in machines driven by tractor. Work performance can be limited while working with these types machines at different environmental conditions and different materials. As a result, all of the above-mentioned problems constitute an obligation to make an innovation in the related technical field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self-propelled pruning residue shredding machine so as to overcome the above- mentioned disadvantages and provide the related technical field with new advantages.

It is an objective of the invention to exhibit a pruning residue shredding machine so as to ensure woody structures occurring after pruning operation particularly in agricultural sector to be shredded into small pieces.

The present invention presented so as to carry out all objectives to be appeared from the description above and below mentioned is a pruning residue shredding machine to be used particularly in agricultural field, which comprises at least one of an upper pick-up unit and a lower pick-up unit and at least one shredding chamber. Accordingly, it is characterized in that the shredding chamber comprising at least one sieve configured such that its distance to at least one shredding rotor, on which at least one shredding blade is positioned, can be adjusted. Therefore, it is ensured to fertilize soil by shredding woody structures on the ground particularly in agricultural sector.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, it is characterized by comprising at least one sieve adjustment mechanism configured such that the sieve is drawn closer/away to/from the shredding rotor. Thus, it is provided a more efficient shredding cycle by means of increasing and decreasing distance between the sieve and shredding rotor depending on the density of woody structures.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, it is characterized in that the sieve is hinged to the sieve adjustment mechanism from a side and to a main body of the shredding unit from other side. Therefore, distance between the sieve and shredding rotor can be adjusted and it is provided an easy construction option.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided a plurality of blades such that there is a predetermined distance between shredding blades. Thus, it is provided a more efficient shredding depending on motion of woody structures during shredding operations. In a possible embodiment of the invention, it is characterized by comprising at least one upper cover at least partially covering the shredding chamber. Thus, it is ensured that user can interfere with the shredding chamber whenever he/she desires .

In a possible embodiment of the invention, it is characterized by comprising at least one main drive element associated with the shredding rotor. Thus, it is provided the motional energy required by the shredding rotor to carry out shredding operation .

In a possible embodiment of the invention, it is characterized by comprising at least one first pulley and at least one second pulley so as to perform action transmission between the main drive element and shredding rotor. Thus, the action transmission is carried out by belt-pulley system. Belt-pullet system lets belt get damaged in case of any excessive force, thereby protecting other systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a representative side view of the inventive self-propelled pruning residue shredding machine .

Figure 2a illustrates a representative isometric view of the shredding unit comprised by the inventive self- propelled pruning residue shredding machine.

Figure 2b illustrates a representative schematic view of the shredding unit comprised by the inventive self- propelled pruning residue shredding machine.

Figure 3 illustrates a representative isometric view of the connection mechanism comprised by the inventive self- propelled pruning residue shredding machine. DE TAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, an inventive shredding machine (10) is disclosed by means of no-limiting examples so that the subject is understood better.

The present invention relates to a shredding machine (10) provided so as to shred leftovers of branches and trees particularly in vineyards and orchards in agricultural sector. Said shredding machine (10) essentially comprises at least one vehicle portion (70), at least one shredding unit (20) and at least one connection mechanism (60) .

Said shredding machine (20) comprises at least one main body (21) and at least one side wall (22) . It comprises at least one upper pick-up unit (30), at least one lower pick-up unit (40) and at least one shredding chamber (50) in the shredding unit (20) . There is a predetermined distance between said upper pick-up unit (30) and said lower pick-up unit (40) . Said shredding chamber (50) is positioned at a rear side of the lower pick-up unit (40) according to the work flow.

There is at least one shredding rotor (54) provided in the shredding chamber (50) . Said shredding rotor (54) essentially extends over the width of the shredding chamber (50) . There is at least one shredding blade (55) provided on the shredding rotor (54) . Said shredding blade (55) provided in plural numbers such that there is a predetermined space therebetween. There is at least one sieve (56) at the lower neighborhood of the shredding rotor (54) . In a possible embodiment of the invention, the sieve (56) is provided in a round form. Thus, the distance of every portion of said sieve (56) to the shredding rotor can be close to each other. There is at least one sieve adjustment mechanism (58) so as to adjust the distance between said sieve (56) and shredding rotor (54) . In a possible embodiment of the invention, the sieve (56) is hinged to said main body (21) from its one side and can be drawn closer/away to/ from the shredding rotor (54) by being pivoted in the hinge axis by means of the sieve adjustment mechanism (58) provided in other side thereof. The shredding rotor (54) rotates around its own axis. The shredding rotor (54) receives the energy required while carrying out this rotation from at least one main drive element (51) . The shredding rotor (54) is connected with at least one second pulley (53) and said drive element (51) is connected with at least one first pulley (52) . Action transmission is carried out by belt by means of employing said pulleys.

The lower pick-up unit (40) comprises at least one lower drive element (41) and at least one lower drive shaft (42) . It is positioned between said lower drive element (41) and said lower drive shaft (42) . The lower drive shaft (42) essentially extends over the lower pick-up unit (40) . At least one lower pick-up arm (43) is positioned on the lower drive shaft (42) . In a possible embodiment of the invention, said lower pick-up arm (43) is in plural numbers, wherein it is connected with the lower drive shaft (42) such that arms are at least on- sided and have a phase space.

The upper pick-up unit (30) comprises at least one upper drive element (31) and at least one upper drive shaft (32) . It is positioned between said upper drive element (31) and said upper drive shaft (32) . The upper drive shaft (32) essentially extends over the upper pick-up unit (30) . At least one upper pick-up arm (33) is positioned on the upper drive shaft (32) . In a possible embodiment of the invention, said upper pick-up arm (33) is in plural numbers, wherein it is connected with the upper drive shaft (32) such that the upper pick-up arm

(33) are at least on-sided and has a phase space. Further, the upper pick-up unit (30) is covered by at least one protective cover (35) such that it protects its own upper portion. The upper pick-up unit (30) is connected with the main body (21) by means of at least one upper pick-up adjustment element (34) . Said upper pick-up adjustment element (34) moves the upper pick-up unit (30) upward and downward. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the upper pick-up adjustment element (34) may be extended and shortened hydraulically or mechanically .

Vehicle portion (70) comprises at least one motor (71) . Said motor (71) provides the energy required for the shredding machine (10) . In a possible embodiment of the invention, the motor (70) converts diesel fuel into motional energy. Motor

(70) is connected with at least one hydraulic pump (73) . Said hydraulic pump (73) is connected by means of employing the drive elements and hydraulic transmission element. Said hydraulic pump (73) provides the hydraulic pressure required by elements of the shredding machine (10) by means of the oil taken from the hydraulic oil tank (72) . The vehicle portion (70) further comprises at least one drive wheel (74) . Said drive wheel (70) rotates in the work flow such that it ruts. The drive wheel (74) is connected with at least one drive element (not shown in Figures) . Said drive element provides energy required so that the drive wheel (74) rotates. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the drive element may be a hydraulic motor.

The vehicle portion (70) and shredding unit (20) are positioned by employing said connection mechanism (60) . The connection mechanism (60) comprises at least one connection body (63) . Said connection body (63) is connected with at least one height adjustment mechanism (61) and at least one parallelism adjustment element (62) . Said parallelism adjustment element (62) is connected with the connection body (63) and shredding unit (20) . The parallelism adjustment element (62) can be extended and shortened. Said height adjustment mechanism (61) is fundamentally a three-arm mechanism. The height adjustment mechanism (61) comprises at least one longer arm (614) . Said longer arm (614) is connected with the shredding unit (20) . The longer arm (614) further connected rigidly with at least one shaft (613) . Said shaft (613) is connected rigidly with at least one shorter arm (612) . Said shorter arm (612) and at least one height adjustment piston (611) are connected therebetween. Further, said height adjustment piston (611) is connected also with the vehicle portion (70) . The height adjustment piston (611) may be extended and shortened.

In a detailed description, the inventive shredding machine (10) ensures that woody structures in an area are shredded into small pieces. Shredding process is carried out by the shredding unit (20) . The vehicle portion (70) ensures that the shredding unit (20) changes its locations and is directed. According to the work flow, the lower pick-up unit (40) and upper pick-up unit (30) carry out rotational movement in an opposed direction such that they direct woody structures into the shredding chamber (50), and in its own axis such that they push woody structures into the shredding chamber (50) . Woody structures on the ground are pushed into the shredding chamber (50) by means of the arm (33) comprised by the upper pick-up unit (30) and the arm (43) comprised by the lower pick-up unit (40) when the shredding machine (10) is started in an area containing woody structures.

The upper drive shaft (32) performs rotational movement by means of power taken from the upper drive element (31) . The upper drive element (31) is essentially a hydraulic motor, wherein it converts hydraulic pressure into motion. The upper drive element (31) transmits motional energy to the upper pick-up arm (33) by means of the upper drive shaft (32) . The upper pick-up arm (33) pushes woody structures into the shredding chamber (50) . The upper pick-up adjustment element (34) is provided to adjust the space between the upper pick-up unit (30) and lower pick-up unit (40) .

The lower drive shaft (42) performs rotational movement by means of power taken from the lower drive element (41) . The lower drive element (41) is essentially a hydraulic motor, wherein it converts hydraulic pressure into motion. The lower drive element (41) transmits motional energy to the lower pick-up arm (43) by means of the lower drive shaft (42) . The lower pick-up arm (43) pushes woody structures into the shredding chamber (50) .

The shredding chamber (50) carries out the shredding process by way of rotational movement of the shredding rotor (54) . Woody structures are shredded by striking to the shredding blade (55) rotating in the shredding rotor's (54) axis. Woody structures shredded into the size such that they can be discharged through holes comprised by the sieve (56) fall through the sieve (56) onto the ground. The shredding rotor (54) takes motional energy from the main drive element (51) . The motional energy transmission between the main drive element (51) and shredding rotor (54) is carried out by means of said first pulley (52) and said second pulley (53) . The sieve adjustment mechanism (58) may adjust the distance between the sieve (56) and shredding rotor (54) . Increasing and decreasing distance between the sieve (56) and the shredding rotor (54) ensures a more efficient shredding control. In other words, size of pieces to be fallen through the sieve can be varied. Upper cover (57) ensures that user monitors and interferes with the shredding chamber (50) .

The vehicle portion (70) ensures that the shredding unit (20) can be moved and directed. All energy requirement of the shredding machine (10) is met by the motor (71) . The motor (71) transmits motional energy to the hydraulic pump (73) . The hydraulic pump (73) generates hydraulic pressure. Said hydraulic pump (73) is connected with drive elements. The drive wheel (74) moves the shredding (10) on ground. While doing this, it is driven by drive elements.

Connection mechanism (60) provides mechanical connection of the vehicle portion (70) to the shredding unit (20) . It adjusts height and parallelism of the shredding unit (20) according to ground. The parallelism adjustment element (62) ensures parallelism of the shredding unit (20) depending on ground slope by means of user. The parallelism adjustment element (62) can be extended and shortened. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the parallelism adjustment element (62) may comprise a hydraulic or mechanical structure. The height adjustment mechanism (61) controls the distance between the shredding unit (20) and ground. While doing this, the height adjustment piston (611) may be extended and shortened. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the height adjustment piston (611) may comprise a hydraulic or mechanical structure. Extending and shortening the height adjustment piston (611) ensures that the shorter arm (612) changes its position. Since the shorter arm (612), shaft (613) and longer arm (614) are connected with each other rigidly; they ensure that the longer arm (614) moves. Motion of the longer arm (614) moves shredding unit (20) downwards and upwards. In a possible embodiment of the invention, shaft

(613) extend over the connection body (63) . Height adjustment mechanism (61) connected with each other is positioned at two ends of the shaft (613) during its motion.

Addition to all these embodiments, at least one support wheel (23) and at least one sled (24) positioned at the side wall (22) in the shredding unit (20) helps the shredding unit (20) to move on ground freely. Said support wheel (23) can rotate in its own axis bidirectionally. The support wheel (23) is not driven by any mechanical power, wherein, in a possible embodiment of the invention, it is driven by a hydraulic motor .

Upper pick-up arms provided on the upper pick-up unit (30) and lower pick-up arms (43) provided on the lower pick-up unit (40) comprised by the invention self-propelled pruning residue shredding machine (10) are provided essentially in a predetermined curved form. In other words, upper pick-up arms (33) and lower pick-up arms (43) are provided in a palm-like form. Said curve, namely palm-like form is provided on upper pick-up arms (33) such that it directs pruning residues toward the ground. Said curve, namely palm-like form is provided on lower pick-up arms (33) such that it picks up and pushes pruning residues on the ground upwards into the shredding chamber (50) . Due to said embodiment, it is facilitated to carry pruning residues to the shredding chamber (50) .

The extent of protection of the invention is defined in accommodating claims, wherein it is not limited to illustrations disclosed in the detailed description. Because, it is clear that those skilled in the art can exhibit similar embodiments in the light of description disclosed above without exceeding the main theme of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN FIGURES

10 Self-propelled pruning residue shredding machine

20 Shredding unit

21 Main body

22 Side wall

23 Support wheel

24 Sled

30 Upper pick-up unit 31 Upper drive element

32 upper drive shaft

33 Upper pick-up arm

34 Upper pick-up adjustment element

35 Protective cover

40 Lower pick-up unit

41 Lower drive element

42 Lower drive shaft

43 Lower pick-up arm

50 Shredding chamber

51 Main drive element

52 First pulley

53 Second pulley

54 Shredding rotor

55 Shredding blade

56 Sieve

57 Upper cover

58 Sieve adjustment mechanism

60 Connection mechanism

61 Height adjustment mechanism

611 Height adjustment piston

612 Shorter arm

613 Shaft

614 Longer arm

62 Parallelism adjustment element 63 Connection body

70 Vehicle portion

71 Motor

72 Hydraulic oil tank

73 Hydraulic pump

74 Drive wheel