Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
  • A01B13/00—Ploughs or like machines for special purposes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
  • A01B35/00—Other machines for working soil
  • A01B35/02—Other machines for working soil with non-rotating tools
  • A01B35/10—Other machines for working soil with non-rotating tools mounted on tractors

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for soil scarification in patches, to produce a suitable planting area for forestry plants, and apparatus for carrying out the method.
• Background of the invention When planting forestry plants, the first step is normally to scarify the soil, which includes clearing the humus layer to expose the mineral soil. The soil is cleared, among other things, so that the plants need not compete with surrounding vegetation, and to reduce the risk of attack from pine weevil. Pine weevil are mainly unable to wander over bald patches of soil without the protection of ground vegetation.
• mounds ha ve previously been formed with the aid of buckets or shovels, operated as conventional mechanical shovels. This is very time consuming and expensive, however. Moreover, the mounds comprise a mixture of twigs, branches, roots and earth, which is not suitable for planting. Other mound-producing apparatus comprise small shovels moving behind a conventional scarifying wheel and turned when filled. Mounds of mixed material are also obtained in this case, instead of mounds comprising solely soil. Objects of the invention
• the main objects of the present invention are to provide a simple and efficient method, and a simple and inexpensive apparatus for soil scarification in patches in a manner to provide planting mounds comprising substantially only soil.
• This object is achieved by means of the method according to the invention, which is characterized by causing an apparatus provided with a plurality of clawlike devices and connected to a towing vehicle to penetrate the soil during forward movement of the towing vehide to loosen a turf; and to cause said apparatus to lift the loosened turf for turning during continued forward movement of said towing vehicle.
• the method enables plants to be planted on an inverted turf, so called turf planting, i.e. in substantially pure soil, which promotes the growth of the plant as a result of the absence of competitive vegetation and reduces the risk of attack by pine weevil. Further, the turf will drain, to eliminate the risk of the plant being drowned in pools of water.
• the plant can be planted in the soil adjacent the edge of the patch from which the turf has been removed.
• the apparatus is caused to penetrate the soil gravitationally, and to then be lifted progressively with the aid of lifting arms associated with the vehicle.
• the invention also relates to an apparatus for soil scarification in patches in accordance with the aforegoing, the apparatus being characterized in that it includes a frame structure arranged to be attached to a rear lifting device of a towing vehicle, said frame structure carrying a plurality of claw-like devices fixedly connected to said frame structure at an angle such that when the frame structure is lowered during forward movement of the vehicle said claw-like devices penetrate the soil and loosen a turf, and when the frame structure is subsequently lifted during continued forward movement of said vehicle the claw-like devices turn the loosened turf.
• the apparatus is particularly simple, since, among other things, it comprises no moveable parts.
• a plate is preferably arranged between the claw-like devices at a distance from the ends thereof co-acting with the ground.
• side plates are suitably arranged between the outer claw-like devices and the frame structure, these plates partly cutting loose the turf along the side edges therof and partly holding the turf intact while it is being turned.
• the claw-like devices form an angle of about 45° ⁇ 10° with the frame structure, which is preferably provided with two attachment points for pivotal connection to the lifting arms of a conventional tractor, and an attachment point for pivotal connection to a push rod or arm connected to the tractor.
• Figure 1 illustrates an apparatus according to the invention in perspective
• Figures 2-4 illustrate schematically an apparatus according to Figure 1 during three different stages of a working cycle. Description of a preferred embodimenrt of the invention
• the reference numeral 1 identifies a frame structure which is pivotally connected to the hydraulic lifting arms 2 of a conventional agricultural tractor, of which only one rear wheel 3 is shown.
• the frame 1 is provided with a diagonal beam 4, which is pivotally connected to push rod 5 of the tractor.
• the arms 2 are lifted hydraulically and lowered gravitionally as a result of the weight of the equipment carried thereby.
• the push rod 5 is arranged to maintain the distance between the diagonal beam or stay 4 and a point on the tractor constant. This distance can be adjusted by extend ⁇ ing or shortening the push rod 5
• three claw-like devices 6 are fixedly mounted on the rear end of the frame structure 1.
• the claw-like devices form an angle of about 45° with the frame structure.
• a plate 7 is mounted behind the claw-like devices 6 at a distance from the outer ends of said devices.
• side plates 8 Arranged between the frame structure 1 and the outer claw-like devices 6 are side plates 8, which strengthen the apparatus and also serve as cutting sideplates, as explained hereinafter.
• the plates 8 also hold the loosened turf intact, and may also be caused to converge slightly towards the claw-like devices, so as to compress the turf to some extent.
• the re ference 9 identifies weights, which are suitable detachable so as to enable the weight of the apparatus to be adapted to the nature of the ground and also to enable the apparatus to be handled more easily when said apparatus is disconnected from the tractor.
• Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus in a stage of ground preparation, in which the apparatus has been lowered against the ground while the tractor is moving forwards.
• the claw-like devices 6 have just begun to penetrate the layer of humus 10 while loosening a turf.
• Figure 3 illustrates the apparatus in a stage where a turf 11 of the desired length has been loosened from the ground by the claw-like devices 6 and cut along the side edges, partly as a result cf the side-plates 8.
• the turf 11 in this stage is supported by the claw-like devices 6 and the plate 7.
• the lifting arms 2 of the tractor are activated, to lift the apparatus.
• the turf 11 can either be turned while still joined to the ground along its leading edge, in which case said leading edge will function as a hinge, see Figure 4, or the turf can be completely removed from the ground so as to be spaced a given distance from the scarified patch 12.
• the distance of the removed turf from the patch can, for example, be so determined as to permit plants to be planted at the edge of the patch and in the turf itself.
• the plants are preferably planted in the inverted turf, which in addition to the aforementioned advantages also affords a good supply of plant nutrients. It has been found in practice that the task of loosening and turning a turf, as illustrated in the drawing, can be carried out very easily.
• the push rod 5 has the advantageous effect of causing the claw-like device arrangement to be swung around a circular arc , about the pivot points cf the lifting arms 2 when lifting the frame-structure 1. This means that the claw-like devices are able to release the turf 11 more readily, when the turf is being turned. A corresponding pivoting action decreases the angle of attack of the claw-like devices against the surface of the ground while the claw-like devices are penetrating the soil.
• an apparatus according to the invention is an extremely simple unit, which can be manufactured at low cost, since it has no moveable parts. Consequently, it requires no maintenance whatsoever.
• the apparatus according to the invention can be modified in several respects within the scope of the Claims.
• the number of clawlike devices can be varied as desired.
• the plates 7 and 8 may also be modified with respect to shape and size, or may in special cases be excluded.
• the design of the frame-like structure may also be modified, and, for example may be provided with means for carrying a plurality of units provided with claw-like devices and working in parallel.
• the apparatus may also be driven and operated by means of other types of forestry vehicles.
• the apparatus may also be provided with some kind of release mechanism, arranged to come into operation when the claw-like devices become wedged under a large stone or root.
• the pulling forces applied to the apparatus via the push rod may be controlled in accordance with conventional techniques, so that the apparatus is lifted and lowered in dependence of the force on the push rod.
• a roller or the like may be arranged behind the apparatus, so as to pass over said inverted turf.

Landscapes

• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Soil Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Soil Working Implements (AREA)
• Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)
• Paper (AREA)
• Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)
• Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=20344069

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (2)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 1981
  • 1981-06-15 SE SE8103754A patent/SE429390B/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1982
  • 1982-06-14 WO PCT/SE1982/000211 patent/WO1982004376A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1982-06-14 EP EP82901928A patent/EP0093721A1/en not_active Withdrawn
• 1983
  • 1983-02-10 NO NO830446A patent/NO153591C/no unknown
  • 1983-02-14 DK DK63883A patent/DK63883A/da unknown
  • 1983-07-13 FI FI832559A patent/FI74185C/fi not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events