AU663133B2 - Sheep husbandry work station - Google Patents

Description

663AUSTRALI33

AUSTRALIA

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 PATENTS ACT 1990 CCMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: REEVES KINGI BRISTOWE 105 Malibu Road Safety Bay 6169 Western Australia

APPLICANT

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eLINTON GIRA1IO V.

?7-S443-Albany-Hwy Victoria Par] t6100 Western Auctrahla -k 0-C- 6 L)LDIVIS T Ll -j IV1 6 ~1-4 F tC (C c t4 fl 0* 4 4 5 4 Standard Complete Specification for the invention entitled: SHEEP HUSBANDRY WORK STATION Details of Associated Provisional Applications: PK 9761 dated December 2, 1991 Details of Parent Application for Divisional Applications: The following is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 2 SHEEP HUSBANDRY WORK STATION The present invention relates to a sheep husbandry work station particularly, but not exclusively, envisaged for use in crutching, topping, shearing, mulesing, drenching, pregnancy testing and the like of sheep.

The present invention will be described exclusively in relation to husbandry of sheep, although it is envisaged that it may be useful for other animals.

In order to understand the art of handling sheep one must first understand the psychology of sheep. Firstly, whilst sheep may not appear nor act like they are clever, they do respond very well to gentle handling and act strongly 0 against rough handling. As a result sheep react badly to t 'being dragged out of a holding pen, made to sit on their tail, 2.5 and shorn whilst being squashed by a shearer as is conventionally done in shearing, crutching and the like.

Also, sheep react badly to being grabbed, dragged sideways out of a race and thrown upside down into a cradle as is often done in more modern crutching systems (using crutching races).

Secondly, I have discovered that sheep can be easily ;i disoriented such as by rapidly turning them upside down but without frightening them. This has the effect of enabling tipping of a sheep upside down into a cradle and the sheep once in the cradle remains relatively still and tends not to react badly.

Thus, husbandry of sheep can be greatly assisted by a work station which takes advantage of both of these aspects i of sheep psychology by providing comfort, gentle handling, i rapid inverting of the sheep into a cradle for presentation to i an operator a shearer or vet) and relatively calm surroundings. However, due to the very large numbers of sheep that must be attended to the operation of a work station must- i be fast in order to load and unload sheep as quickly as i possible. I have found that such a work station can increase the throughput rate of a shearer since the shearer saves time because he/she no longer, has to retrieve and drag a sheep to .i

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-3be shorn or grasp and invert a sheep to be crutched. Also, the work station can be attended by more than one shearer in a cooperative effort in shearing or crutching and topping or the like for each sheep. I have found that two shearers using my work station in a cooperative manner can typically crutch and top a total of 3000 sheep per day whereas two shearers using conventional means would crutch and top a maximum total of 2000 sheep in a day. Hence, the work station virtually acts as a third shearer as far as throughput is concerned. The increase in rate of throughput is due to the increased speed of presentation of sheep to the shearers and the decrease in fatigue of the shearers such that their rate of throughput remains substantially constant throughout the day.

The present invention seeks to rely on these two aspects of sheep psychology by providing a tumbler for inverting sheep one at a time and a cradle for holding each sheep in the inverted position, for husbandry, and then for ejecting each sheep.

-According to one aspect of the present invention 2'0 there is provided a sheep husbandry work station comprising: a tumbler capable of receiving a sheep- in.etig iAnd a cradle located proximate the tumbler for receiving and holding the sheep in an inverted position whilst husbandry is performed; whereby, in use, the sheep can be ejected from the cradle once the husbandry has been completed.

Preferably, the tumbler has opaque sides, capable of carrying the force of the weight of a sheep, and a transparent end (such as provided with bars) capable of preventing passage of the sheep.

Preferably, the cradle has a hammock suspended in it for receiving and holding the sheep.

Typically, the tumbler pivots about an axis located at a height corresponding to partway up the height of the 'sheep, the axis being spaced from the tumbler so as to move )the sheep to the cradle as the sheep is inverted.

i .ii-i- aCv r, -1 I ~i i; r r 4 Preferably, a shearing handpiece and/or other tools for sheep husbandry are located for use at each end of the cradle so that two shearers may shear the sheep simultaneously.

The cradle may be one of a plurality of cradles located on an endless loop carriage system so as to carry the sheep down a shearing line from one shearer to another each shearer performing a set assignment of blows in shearing the sheep.

0 The work station could be located upon a trailer (and hence be portable) or could be installed in a shearing SsheC.

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ts bL t r r r p One embodiment, being an example only, of the present invention will now be described with reference to the e15 accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view, seen from above, of a sheep husbandry work station, shown mounted upon a vehicle trailer; Figure 2 is a plan view of the sheep husbandry work 210 station of Figure 1; Figure3is a side view of a tumbler and cradle of the sheep husbandry work station of Figure 1 showing a typical tipping sequence; and, 2 Figures 4, 5 and 6 are respectively end, plan and rear view of the cradle of Figure 3; and, Figures 7 and 8 are, respectively, a side view and a plan view of an endless loop carriage system for use with the sheep husbandry work station of Figure 1 in replacing the cradle of Figure 3.

In Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a sheep husbandry work station 10, hereinafter referred to as work station The work station 10 comprises a base 12, a tumbler 14, a first tipping mechanism 16, a cradle 18, a second tipping mechanism a hydraulic power supply 22, and two shearing hand pieces 24.

A The tumbler 14 has a base 26 for sheep to stand on Sand a first side 28 and a second side 30 disposed upwardly and

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.1 I _I _j 1 diverging from longitudinal sides of the base 26. The tumbler 14 has a gate end 32 disposed between one end of the first and second sides 28 and 30, and a fence end 34 disposed between the other ends of the first and second sides 28 and 30. The gate end 32 can be operated so as to allow entry of sheep from a race 36 into the tumbler 14, whilst allowing vision out of the fence end 34 but inhibiting exit therefrom. The first side 28 is capable of bearing the force of the weight of a sheep as the tumbler 14 is pivoted (described hereinafter).

The first tipping mechanism 16 has two supports 38 disposed upwardly from the base 12 and an axle 40 journalled between the supports 38. A flange 42 connects the axle 40 to Sthe first side 28 of the tumbler 14. The flange 42 is S disposed parallel to the lengthwise extending dimension of the I, tumbler 14 and hence parallel to a sheep located therein.

Typically, the flange 42 is located intermediate the height of the first side 28. The first tipping mechanism 16 also has a lever arm disposed radially outwardly from the axle 40 and in a direction substantially opposite to that of the flange 42.

*m4 The first tipping mechanism 16 further has a hydraulic ram 46 pivotably attached to a free end of the lever arm 44 so that S retraction of the hydraulic ram 46 causes tipping of the :(EF tumbler 14 through the rangeof positions shown in Figure 3.

Limit switches 48 are provided on the support 38 to be actuated by the tumbler 14 to the transfer position shown in S Figure 3, Particularly as shown in Figures 4 to 6 the cradle 18 has a base 50, a frame 51 disposed upwardly therefrom and a flexible web in the form of hammock 52 suspended in the frame 51. The frame 51 has upright columns 51a- and 51b and horizontal bars 51c and 51d fixed between the columns 51a and 51b, respectively. The frame 51 includes a restraint bar 54 designed to trap a sheep's fetlock at one end 54a and its horns at the other end 54b. The hammock 52 is suspended S 35 between horizontal bars 51c and 51d of both pairs of upright columns 51a and 51b. A first side 55 of the frame 51 having the upright columns 51a is horizontally pivoted to the base j.LIL4 6 by pivots 56. A rope, cord or cable 57 adjusts and sets the angle of the upright columns 51a and 51b upon the base 50 to accomodate sheep of differing sizes.

The second tipping mechanism 20 has an axle 58, see also Figure 1, journalled upon the base 12 and connected to the base 50 by a flange 60. A hydraulic ram 61, (see Figure 2) is provided to pivot the axle 58 for moving the first side from an upward position for holding a sheep to a horizontal or downward position for substantially straightening the flexible web e-V\for unloading the sheep (see Figure3).

As shown in Figure 2 the hydraulic power supply 22 comprises a motor 62, a hydraulic pump 64, and an oil reservoir 66. The hydraulic pump 64 is driven by an output S' shaft 68 of the motor 62 via drive belts 70 for pumping oil S,,F between the oil reservoir 66 and the hydraulic rams 46 and 61.

The hydraulic power supply 22 also comprises two electric clutches 72 driven from the output shaft 68 of the motor 62 by drive belts 74. The electric clutches 72 each operate flexible drive shafts 76 for operation of the shearing hand pieces 24. The electric clutches 72 are electrically i' connected to foot switches 78.

S" The work station 10 may be mounted upon a trailer i S- as shown in Figure 1 or could be installed into a shearing shed.

25 In Figures 7 and 8 there is shown an endless loop I carriage system 100 for use in place of the cradle 18 of the work station 10 as described hereinabove. The endless loop carriage system 100 has a conveyor 102 disposable for receiving the sheep inverted by the tumbler 14. Typically, the conveyor 102 is a roller chain type conveyor mounted on a Stable 104. A plurality of cradles 106 similar to the cradle :I 18 are disposed along the length of the conveyor 102. The cradles 106 differ from the cradle 18 in that the cradles 106 are not made to pivot for ejecting the sheep. Instead, the cradles 106 eject a sheep by rotating around an outer end 108 of the conveyor 102. The cradles 106 then return to the ftumbler 14 for collection of further sheep.

r c, -7- A plurality of shearing plants 110 are located proximate the conveyor 102 and at locations along the conveyor 102.

In use, the motor 62 of the hydraulic power supply 22 is started to provide hydraulic energy for actuation of the hydraulic rams 46 and 61 to provide power to the shearing hand pieces 24 via the electric clutches 72 and the flexible drive shafts 76.

A sheep is driven up the race 36 and the gate end 32 is opened to allow the sheep to enter into the tumbler 14.

The gate end 32 is then closed to inhibit the exit of the sheep. Operation of the tumbler 14 and the cradle 18 is S inhibited whilst the gate end 32 is open. A shearer then operates a control switch 120 adjacent the cradle 18 for St 15 providing hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic rams 46 and 61.

The control box 80 first allows actuation of the ram 61 for ejecting a sheep from the cradle 18 and then for actuating the hydraulic ram 46 for tipping the tumbler 14 to load the sheep into the cradle 18. Pivoting of the cradle 18 is effected 0 before pivoting of the tumbler 14 so that only one control switch 120 is required to achieve ejecting and reloading of sheep into the cradle 18. Accordingly, the rate of throughput of sheep through the work station 10 can be increased. Once the sheep is loaded into the cradle 18 a further sheep can be loaded into the tumbler 14.

Once the sheep has been loaded into the cradle 18 the hammock 52 conforms around the sheep and the first side pivots inwardly to clamp the sheep into the cradle 18. The chord 57 limits the amount of outward pivoting of the first side 55. The shearers stationed adjacent each end of thecradle 18 may then operate the foot switches 78 to activate the two shearing hand pieces 24 for crutching and topping the sheep. Drenching and pregnancy testing and the like of the sheep can also be performed, along with other sheep husbandry procedures at this time. Once completed the control switch is again activated for pivoting the cradle 18 to eject -the sheep, and to pivot the tumbler 14 from its upright position d P

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to a substantially horizontal position whilst the cradle 18 returns to its rest position. The further sheep then falls into the cradle 18 in an inverted position and the entire procedure can recommence.

The control box 80 counts each time the gate end 32 is opened (or alternatively each time the tumbler 14 is actuated) and therefore keeps an accurate tally of the number of sheep processed.

Particularly for the purposes of shearing the sheep the endless loop carriage system 100 is used in place of the cradle 18 and the second tipping mechanism 20. The endless 9 4 loop carriage system 100 is located with one of its cradles 106 disposed adjacent the tumbler 14 in the position ordinarily taken up by the cradle 18. Operation of the control switch 120 causes operation of the conveyor 102 to S move the cradles 106 along its length. When one of the cradles 106 moves past the outer ends 108 of the conveyor 102 the sheep carried in the cradle 106 is ejected, the sheep 4t t having been completely shorn. As an empty one of the cradles St.' 106 is moved adjacent the tumbler 14, the tumbler 14 is caused to pivot to tip the next sheep into the cradle 106. That is, Cot, the tumbler 14 and the conveyor 102 operate in a timed sequence (or with position switches) so that manual actuation of the tumbler 14 is obviated.

Shearers located at the first cradle 106 then perform a prescribed assignment of shearing blows upon the sheep whlst the cradle 106 propogates along the conveyor 102.

One or more further shearers then perform further assignments blows on the first said sheep whilst the first mentioned shearers continue to perform their assigned blows on the sheep loaded into the cradle 106 adjacent the tumbler 14.

Typically, the conveyor 102 has four locations for shearers to operate at and with each shearer performing between twelve and twenty two blows on the sheep. Accordingly, once the sheep has traversed the positions of the four shearers it will have been completely shorn and will then proceed past the outer end 108 of the conveyor 102 and be ejected. It is to be -9understood that the shearers must move along with the conveyor 102 whilst performing their assigned blows and then move back towards the tumbler 14 to start performing the same assigned blows on the next sheep in the next cradle 106. Thus, each shearer pair of shearers one at each end of the sheep) have a set length of the conveyor 102 along wlhlich he/she operates.

By the use of the work station 10 of the present invention it is possible to rely upon the psychology of a sheep by placing it upside down in the cradle 18 in a relatively relaxed condition. Husbandry can then be performed on the sheep and the sheep relatively easily ejected for S processing of further sheep. Activation of both the cradle 18 and the tumbler 14 via the same control switch 120 increases the rate of throughput of sheep since delays between ejecting S sheep from the cradle 18 and reloading the cradle 18 from the tumbler 14 are reduced. Also, since the sheep are provided in close proximity to the shearers the throughput of the shearers S is greatly increased. Further, since it is not necessary to 0 man handle the sheep for loading them into the cradle 18 the effort required by the shearers is reduced and the shock and Strauma experienced by the sheep is reduced. The hammock 52 in the cradle 18 has the advantage that is conforms to the shape of the sheep. The cord 57 allows the cradle 18 to readily accommodate sheep of differing sizes. Also, the hammock 52 Sprovides relative comfort for the sheep. Still further, pivoting of the cradle 18 has the advantage that the sheep is more positively ejected from the cradle 18. Also, back strain is reduced since the shearer does not have to bend his/her back as much. Further, time taken colliding sheep to crutch or the like is eliminated and so the rate of throughput increases greatly.

The endless loop carriage system 100 has the advantage that a plurality of shearers cooperate in the shearing of a single sheep by performing a prescribed I assignment of -blows as they move along set regions of the t: conveyor 102 with the sheep. Accordingly, shearers Qperating 10 in each region can become proficient in their assignment of shearing blows whilst the sheep is maintained in relative comfort and without the need for excessive force in maintaining the sheep in position. Hence, teaching shearig becomes easier since it is broken up into learning how to shear different parts of the sheep. The rate of throughput of sheep by use of the endless loop carriage system 100 is increased since the time take by shearers in retrieving sheep from a shearing pen and setting the sheep for shearing is removed. Also, the need for the shearers to bend over the sheep is obviated and therefore the likelihood of back strain or back injury is substantially reduced and the need for c shearing back supports is also obviated.

Modifications and variations such as would be I apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of t he present invention.

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Claims (6)

1. A sheep husbandry work station comprising: a tumbler capable of receiving a sheep; a hydraulic actuation means arrange to pivot the tumbler, a cradle located proximate the tumbler for receiving and holding the sheep in an inverted position whilst husbandry is performed; whereby, in use, the cradle can eject the sheep once the husbandry has been completed, and then receive a further sheep.

2. A sheep husbandry work station according to claim 1, in which the tumbler includes; a base for the sheep to stand on; a first side depending upwardly C Cl from a longitudinal side of the base, the first side being capable of bearing the force of the weight of the sheep; a second side depending upwardly from the other longitudinal side of the base; a gate end disposed between the first and S second sides for allowing entry of the sheep one at a time; and a fence end disposed between the first and second sides for allowing the sheep to see out of the tumbler but not to exit therefrom.

3. A sheep husbandry work station according to claim 2, in which the tumbler is I pivoted about an axis located intermediate the height of the first side, the axis j e t C being spaced laterally from the centre axis of the tumbler.

4. A sheep husbandry work station according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hydraulic actuation means comprises a hydraulic ram pivotally connected to a member, the member being attached to an axle disposed between a pair of spaced apart supports, a flange connecting the axle to the first side of the tumbler, wherein actuation of the hydraulic ram pivots the j tumbler about the axle. A sheep husbandry work,.station according to any one of the preceding claims Sin which the cradle includes two sides disposed at diverging angles to its base, one of the sides being pivotable about an axis disposed along the

12- length of the side, and means for controlling the amount of pivoting of said side, whereby, in use, pivoting of the said side allows adjustment of the width of the cradle to accommodate sheep of differing sizes. 6. A sheep husbandry work station according to any of the of the preceding claims in which the cradle is pivotable about a further axis for ejecting the sheep once the husbandry has been completed. 7. A sheep husbandry work station according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cradle includes a flexible sling suspended in it for supporting the sheep once inverted. 8. A sheep husbandry work station according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cradle has a retaining means to secure a foreleg of the sheep. V C C 9. A sheep husbandry work station according to any one of the preceding claims in which tools of sheep husbandry are located for use proximate ends of the cradle. A sheep husbandry work station according to claim 9, in which the tools of the sheep husbandry include a shearing hand piece. 11. A sheep husbandry work station according to claim 10, in which each C shearing hand piece is driven by a flexible shaft from an electrically actuated clutch, wherein operation of respective switches causes starting and stopping of the operation of each shearing hand piece. 12. A sheep husbandry work station according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising an endless loop carriage system comprising: a conveyor S means including a plurality of cradles spaced apart along the conveyor Smeans, each cradle being capable of moving proximate the tumbler for receiving a sheep, each cradle being capable holding a sheep for receiving I 13 husbandry, the cradles being movable by the conveyor means; and control means for controlling the tumbler and the conveyor means; whereby, in use, each of the cradles receives a sheep as it moves proximate the tumbler, one or more providers of sheep husbandry can operate at each cradle, whilst the cradles propagate along the conveyor means and each sheep is ejected from its cradle as the cradle traverses an end of the conveyor means remote from the tumbler.

13. A sheep husbandry work station substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this twenty- fifth day of July 1995. i C REEVES KINGI BRISTOWE Applicant I t C t V C Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant. C t I .o,1 ES (4 t k I ABSTRACT A Sheep husbandry work station (10)for use in applying sheep husbandry to sheep. The station (10) relies upon a tumbler (14) to invert the sheep into a cradle (18) in a manner which keeps the sheep relatively carm. The cradle (18) can have two operators, such as two shearers, one a each end of the sheep. The cradle (18) has a hammock (52) to conform to the shape of the sheep's back and a chord (57) to adjust the cradle (18) to suit sheep of differing sizes. The station (10) can be portable or mounted in situ. S t S r S