Technical field

[0001] Disclosed herein is shearing module that enables sheep to be easily moved from a pen to shearers located on a shearing board. Also disclosed herein is a method of moving sheep from a pen to a shearer located on a shearing board.

Background art

[0002] The process of sheep shearing is a manual and labour intensive process. It may involve a shearer entering a catching pen to catch and then drag the sheep out of the pen for shearing. This 'catch and drag' method is laborious as it requires the shearer to manually catch the sheep that is to be shorn, where each sheep weighs around 80 kilograms. Once the sheep is captured, the shearer is then required to manually twist the sheep onto its back and then drag the sheep out onto a shearing board, which may several metres away.

[0003] The cumulative and repetitive action used in the 'catch and drag' sheep shearing process may result in sheep shearers sustaining major long-term physical injuries. As a result, the shearing industry has difficulty with the retention of shearers, experiences major worker shortages, and has a lack of new entrant workers in the industry. Additionally, the catch and drag method can result in poor animal welfare outcomes as the method of manually catching and dragging sheep across to a sheering board causes stress to the sheep.

[0004] In this specification, unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Summary

[0005] Disclosed herein is a shearing module. The module may comprise a shearing platform configured to support a sheep and a shearer; and a sheep delivery system connected to the shearing platform for delivering the sheep to the shearer, the sheep delivery system comprising: an elongate race extending between first and second ends, the race being open at the first end so that a sheep is able to enter the race; and a movable portion that is connected to the second end of the race, the moveable portion comprising: a floor arranged to support the sheep; and first and second clamping walls connected to the floor, the first and second walls being spaced such that the sheep is able to be received therebetween when supported by the floor, the clamping walls being arranged to move between a released position, where the sheep is able to move, and a clamped position, where the sheep is clamped between the first and second clamping walls such that it is restricted from moving; the moveable portion being configured to move away from the race when a sheep is clamped between the first and second clamping walls to deliver the sheep to the shearer on the platform.

[0006] In some forms, the movable portion comprises: a sheep clamping portion, the sheep clamping portion comprising the floor and the first and second clamping walls; and a support system configured to move the sheep clamping portion with respect to the platform and the race.

[0007] In some forms, the support system comprises tracks that enable the sheep clamping portion to separate from the race; and a base connected to the tracks, the base able to move with respect to the tracks between a connected position, whereby the sheep clamping portion is aligned with the race, and a separated position, whereby the sheep clamping portion is separated from the race.

[0008] In some forms, the support system comprises a first piston, a first end of the first piston being mounted to the base and a second end of the first piston being mounted to the platform, wherein extension of the first piston causes the sheep clamping portion to translate along the tracks towards the separated position.

[0009] In some forms, the support system comprises a rotatable support that is rotatably mounted to the base such that the sheep clamping portion is able to rotate with respect to the platform.

[0010] In some forms, the rotatable support is pivotally mounted to the sheep clamping portion to enable the sheep clamping portion to pivot with respect to the rotatable support to tilt the sheep towards the shearer on the platform.

[0011] In some forms, the support system comprises a second piston, a first end of the second piston being mounted to the rotatable support and a second end of the second piston being mounted to the sheep clamping portion, wherein extension of the second piston causes the sheep clamping portion to pivot with respect to platform and move towards a tilted position where the floor of the sheep clamping portion forms an acute angle with the platform. [0012] In some forms, retraction of the second piston causes the sheep clamping portion to pivot with respect to the platform and move towards a position where the floor of the sheep clamping portion is substantially parallel to the platform.

[0013] In some forms, the rotatable support comprises: a first portion that extends substantially parallel to the platform, the first portion having an aperture formed therethrough; a second portion disposed at a first end of the first portion, the second portion extending away from the first portion towards the platform; wherein the first end of the second piston is mounted to the second portion and extends through the aperture of the first portion such that when the second piston is in the retracted position the floor of the sheep clamping portion is able to sit on the first portion.

[0014] In some forms, the module may comprise a module frame, the race and platform being mounted to the module frame.

[0015] In some forms, the module frame comprises a plurality of legs, the platform being mounted to the frame above the legs such that the platform is spaced from a ground surface.

[0016] In some forms, the module may comprise a sheep exiting portion, the sheep exiting portion comprising a ramp disposed between the platform and ground surface to allow the sheep to exit the shearing module.

[0017] In some forms, the sheep exiting portion comprises a wall that is connected at a first end to the race and extends from the first end of the race and along the platform.

[0018] In some forms, the ramp is disposed between the wall of the sheep exiting portion and the race.

[0019] In some forms, the module may comprise a gate disposed between the race and the moveable portion, the gate being operable by the shearer to allow the sheep to enter the moveable portion from the race.

[0020] In some forms, the moveable portion is operable by the shearer.

[0021] In some forms, the first clamping wall is fixed, and the second clamping wall is moveable to towards the first clamping wall to restrict movement of the sheep. [0022] In some forms, the first and second clamping walls each comprise a rubber mat covering a surface of the respective walls.

[0023] Also disclosed herein is a shearing module for delivering a sheep to a shearer located on a shearing platform. The module may comprise; a sheep delivery system connected to the shearing platform for delivering the sheep to the shearer, the sheep delivery system comprising: an elongate race extending between first and second ends, the race being open at the first end so that a sheep is able to enter the race; and a movable portion that is connected to the second end of the race, the moveable portion comprising: a floor arranged to support the sheep; and first and second clamping walls connected to the floor, the first and second walls being spaced such that the sheep is able to be received therebetween when supported by the floor, the clamping walls being arranged to move between a released position, where the sheep is able to move, and a clamped position, where the sheep is clamped between the first and second clamping walls such that it is restricted from moving; the moveable portion being configured to move away from the race when a sheep is clamped between the first and second clamping walls to deliver the sheep to the shearer on the platform. The shearing module may be as otherwise described above

[0024] Also disclosed herein is a system for shearing, the system comprising at least two shearing modules as described above, the at least two shearing modules being disposed side by side such that sheep are able to move from one shearing module to another.

[0025] Also disclosed herein is a method of shearing a sheep. The method may comprise; allowing the sheep to enter an elongate race of a shearing module, the elongate race extending between first and second ends, the race being open at the first end so that the sheep to enter the race; opening a gate of the shearing module to allow the sheep to move from the race to a sheep delivery system of the shearing module, the gate being disposed between the race and the sheep delivery system; clamping the sheep between first and second clamping walls of the sheep delivery system; extending the sheep delivery system away from the race and towards a shearer located on a shearing platform of the shearing module; rotating the sheep delivery system to tilt the clamped sheep towards the shearer on located on the shearing platform; releasing the sheep from between the first and second clamping walls to allow the shearer to shear the sheep.

[0026] In some forms the method may comprise rotating the sheep delivery portion after it is extended away from the race to align the sheep delivery portion with the shearer on the platform. Brief Description of Drawings

[0027] Various embodiments/aspects of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the following figures.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a shearing module according to the present disclosure;

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a front view of the shearing module shown in Fig. 1;

[0030] Fig. 3 shows a right side view of the shearing module shown in Fig. 1;

[0031] Fig. 4 shows another front view of the shearing module shown in Fig. 1;

[0032] Fig. 5 shows a view of a sheep passing through the race of the shearing module shown in Fig. 1;

[0033] Fig. 6 shows a view of a sheep located in the shearing delivery system of the shearing module shown in Fig. 1;

[0034] Fig. 7 shows a view of the shearing delivery system extending forward along the platform of the shearing module shown in Fig. 1;

[0035] Fig. 8 shows a view of the shearing delivery system rotated towards the shearer on the platform of the shearing module shown in Fig. 1;

[0036] Fig. 9 shows a view of the shearing delivery system tilted towards the platform of the shearing module shown in Fig. 1;

[0037] Fig. 10 shows another view of the shearing delivery system tilted towards the platform of the shearing module shown in Fig. 1;

[0038] Fig. 11 shows a view of the shearing delivery system returning to the race of the shearing module shown in Fig. 1;

[0039] Fig. 12 shows a view of the shearing delivery system having returned to the race of the shearing module shown in Fig. 1; and

[0040] Fig. 13 shows a view of the shearing module shown in Fig. 1 in a stacked arrangement on a truck and on the ground. Detailed description

[0041] Disclosed herein is a shearing module. The shearing module will initially be described with respect to Figs. 1 to 3, which provide a perspective view (Fig. 1), front view (Fig. 2) and right side view (Fig. 3) of the shearing module. The shearing module 1 includes a shearing platform 3. The shearing platform 3 extends across a front portion 5 of the shearing module 1 and is configured to support a sheep and a shearer in use. In other words, a shearer is able to be stand on the platform 3 and shear a sheep when using the shearing module 1.

[0042] The module 1 includes a sheep delivery system 7 connected to the shearing platform 3 for delivering the sheep to the shearer. In the detailed embodiment, the sheep delivery system 7 is mounted to a frame 9 of the module 1 such that it is positioned at the rear portion 11 of the module 1. The sheep delivery system 7 includes an elongate race 13 extending between first 15 and second 17 ends. The race 13 is open at the first end 15 so that a sheep is able to enter the race (e.g. from another module disposed adjacent module 1, or from a location where sheep are located prior to shearing).

[0043] The sheep delivery system 7 also includes a movable portion 19 that is connected to the second end 17 of the race. The moveable portion 19 includes a floor 21 arranged to support the sheep when in the moveable portion 19. The moveable portion 19 also includes first 23 and second 25 clamping walls connected to the floor 21. The first 23 and second 25 walls are spaced such that a sheep is able to be received between the clamping walls 23, 25 when supported by the floor 21. As will be described in further detail below, the clamping walls 23, 25 are arranged to move between a released position, where the sheep is able to move, and a clamped position, where the sheep is clamped between the clamping walls 23, 25 such that it is restricted from moving. As will also be described in further detail below, the moveable portion 19 is configured to move away from the race 13 when a sheep is clamped between the clamping walls 23, 25 to deliver the sheep to the shearer on the platform 3.

[0044] In the detailed embodiment, the first clamping wall 23 is fixed, and the second clamping wall 25 is moveable towards the first clamping wall 23 to restrict movement of the sheep. As will be evident to the skilled addressee, other arrangements may be implemented for the purpose of restricting movement of the sheep when supported in the moveable portion 19. In the detailed embodiment, the first and second clamping walls 23, 25 each include a rubber mat covering an inner surface of the respective walls 23, 25 to protect the sheep and to reduce the clamping force required (e.g. by increasing friction between the walls 23, 25 and the sheep).

[0045] The module frame 9 includes a plurality of legs 27. In the detailed embodiment, three legs 27 are evenly spaced across the length of the platform 3 and span the width of the platform 3. The platform is mounted to the frame 9 above the legs 27 such that the platform is spaced from a ground surface. As will be evident to the skilled addressee, a different arrangement of legs could be used to raise the platform 3 off the ground.

[0046] The module 1 also includes a sheep exiting portion 29. The sheep exiting portion 29 includes a ramp 31 (see Figs. 2-3) disposed between the platform and ground surface to allow sheep to exit the shearing module. The sheep exiting portion also includes a wall 33 that is connected at a first end 35 to the race 13 and extends from the first end 15 of the race 13 and along the platform 3. The ramp 31 is disposed between the wall 33 of the sheep exiting portion and the race 13 (i.e. the ramp 31 is positioned in the gap between the wall 33 and the race 13 and is angled down towards the ground to allow a sheep to be directed onto the ramp and off the platform).

[0047] The module 1 includes a gate 32 disposed between the race 13 and the moveable portion 19. The gate 32 is operable by the shearer to allow the sheep to enter the moveable portion 19 from the race 13.

[0048] The movable portion 19 will now be described in further detail with respect to Fig. 9. The moveable portion 19 includes a sheep clamping portion 35. The sheep clamping portion 35 includes the floor 21 and the first 23 and second 25 clamping walls. The moveable portion 19 also includes a support system 37 configured to move the sheep clamping portion 35 with respect to the platform 3 and the race 13 (obscured from view in Fig. 9).

[0049] The support system 37 will now be described in further detail. The support system 37 includes tracks 39 that enable the sheep clamping portion 35 to separate from the race, and a base 41 connected to the tracks 39. The base 41 is able to move with respect to the tracks 39 between a connected position (shown in Figs. 4-6 and 10), whereby the sheep clamping portion 35 is aligned with the race 13, and a separated position (shown in Figs 7-11), whereby the sheep clamping portion 35 is separated from the race 13. [0050] The support system 37 includes a first piston 43. A first end of the piston 43 is mounted to the base and a second end of the piston 43 is mounted to the platform 3 (e.g. via the module frame 9). Extension of the first piston 43 causes the sheep clamping portion 35 to translate along the tracks 39 towards the separated position.

[0051] In the detailed embodiment, the support system 37 also includes a rotatable support 45 that is rotatably mounted to the base 41 such that the sheep clamping portion 35 is able to rotate with respect to the platform 3. The rotatable support 45 is pivotally mounted to the sheep clamping portion 35 to enable the sheep clamping portion 35 to pivot with respect to the rotatable support 45 (and therefore the base 41 and platform 3) to tilt the sheep towards the shearer 47 on the platform 3. The support system 37 includes a second piston 49. A first end of the second piston 49 is mounted to the rotatable support 45 and a second end of the second piston 49 is mounted to the sheep clamping portion 35 such that extension of the second piston 49 causes the sheep clamping portion 35 to pivot with respect to platform 3 and move towards a tilted position (shown in Figs. 9-11) where the floor 21 of the sheep clamping portion 35 forms an acute angle with the platform 3. Retraction of the second piston 49 causes the sheep clamping portion 35 to pivot with respect to the platform 3 and move towards a position where the floor 3 of the sheep clamping portion 35 is substantially parallel to the platform 3 (shown in Fig. 12).

[0052] The rotatable support 45 includes a first portion, in the form of plate 51, that extends substantially parallel to the platform 3 and base 41. The plate 51 includes an aperture 53 formed therethrough. The rotatable support 45 also includes a second portion, in the form of plate 55, disposed at a first end of the plate 51. The plate 55 extends away from the plate 51 towards the platform 3 and base 41. Together, the plates 51 and 55 form an "L" shaped arrangement. The first end of the second piston 49 is mounted to the plate 55 and extends through the aperture 53 of the plate 51 such that when the second piston 49 is in the retracted position the floor 21 of the sheep clamping portion 35 is able to sit on the plate 51 (i.e. be positioned substantially parallel with the plate 51).

[0053] In the detailed embodiment, movement of the moveable portion and gate is controlled by the shearer 47 (e.g. the module includes a controller such as a PLC that enables the shearer 47 to direct movements, or a sequence of movements, by the moveable portion and gate). In another embodiment, an arrangement of sensors provide positional information on the sheep to the controller to allow for movements of the moveable portion 19 and gate to be automated. In this embodiment, the controller may include a processor configured to direct such movements and a HMI to allow for the shearer to interact with the controller as required.

[0054] A method of shearing a sheep using the above described module 1 will now be described with respect to Figs. 5-12.

[0055] As is shown in Fig. 5, a sheep enters the race 13 and steps down into the moveable portion 19. As is shown in Fig. 6, the shearer 47 pushes a button 57 (disposed on the side of the race 13 that faces the platform 3 and provides an input to the controller) which closes the gate 32 (obscured from view in Fig. 6) behind the sheep to separate it from other sheep in the race 13. In the detailed embodiment, pressing the button 57 also causes the first clamping wall 25 (see Fig. 1) of the sheep delivery system 35 to angle forward to restrain the sheep in position. Rubber matting on the sides of the sheep delivery system 35 allow for the sheep to be gripped securely and comfortably.

[0056] As is shown in Fig. 7, the sheep delivery system 35 then traverses perpendicular to the race 13 (i.e. translates in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the race 13) approximately one metre out onto the platform 3 and stops. Again, in the detailed embodiment, this movement sequence is caused by pushing the button 47 (i.e. no further interactions are required by the shearer and the sequence of movements occur automatically).

[0057] As is shown in Fig. 8 (no sheep shown for convenience), the sheep delivery system 35 is then automatically sequenced (from a control perspective) to pivot to an angle of approximately 25 degrees (other angles are contemplated), with the rear of the sheep delivery system 35 being aligned to the position of the shearer 47.

[0058] As is shown in Fig. 9, the sheep delivery system 35 is then automatically sequenced (from a control perspective) to tilt back towards the shearer 47 to an angle of approximately 45 degrees (other angles are contemplated). The sheep is still securely held in the sheep delivery system 35, with its hind legs 59 on the platform 3.

[0059] As is shown in Fig. 10, the shearer 47 then holds the sheep’s head as per the normal sheep tipping position and pushes the release button (obscured from view in Fig. 10). The first clamping wall 25 of the sheep delivery system 35 returns to its open position releasing the sheep and allowing the shearer to easily turn the sheep into the normal shearing position with its legs off the ground. [0060] As is shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the sheep delivery system 35 then automatically returns to its original position (adjacent the race 13 - Fig. 11 shows the sheep delivery system 35 partially returned to this position and Fig. 12 shows the sheep delivery system 35 fully retuned to this position) and the gate opens to allow the next sheep to enter the sheep delivery system 35. Once the sheep is shorn it is directed and released down the angled shoot (i.e. via the sheep exiting portion 29), which directs the shorn sheep to a fenced area at the back of the module 1.

[0061] As is shown in Fig. 13, a plurality of modules 1 may be aligned side by side both in use and for transporting purposes. This advantageously allows for the modular system to be conveniently transported between locations, and simply arranged at a location to allow for multiple sheep to be shorn at the same time.

[0062] The shearing module disclosed herein reduces the requirement for shearers to perform the cumulative and repetitive task of walking into a catching pen, pulling the sheep over/down & dragging the sheep out of the pen for shearing. As such, the module provides a 'no catch and drag' arrangement that improves occupational health and safety issues and achieves a better animal welfare outcomes with less stress on the sheep prior to shearing.

[0063] In the detailed embodiment, the module is constructed of galvanised steel and timber, with rubber inserts to protect the sheep. As will be evident to the skilled addressee, alternate materials may also be used to construct the module.

[0064] In the detailed embodiment, all movements of the module are pneumatically driven with a series of controls and actuators sequenced to deliver the sheep to the shearer at a predetermined position and angle. As will be evident to the skilled addressee, alternate mechanism may be used to provide the movements described above.

[0065] In one embodiment (not shown), depending on the shed application (e.g. if there is currently a shearing board in the shed) the top section of the module may be produced separately (race & sheep delivery system) - with a hole in the module realigned for the new angled return shoot. This provides for a cheaper module (from a cost perspective), however, this module is not transportable.

[0066] The word ‘comprising’ and forms of the word ‘comprising’ as used in this description and in the claims does not limit the invention claimed to exclude any variants or additions. [0067] Modifications and improvements to the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention.