AU697038B2

AU697038B2 - Apparatus for cutting

Info

Publication number: AU697038B2
Application number: AU17772/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Denison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-04-23
Filing date: 1997-04-07
Publication date: 1998-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2017-04-07
Also published as: AU1777297A

Description

i i I- ii APPARATUS FOR CUTTING TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to an apparatus for cutting. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to a rotary cutting implement to form, for example, a water drainage channel.

BACKGROUND ART Conventional cutting implements used for forming ditches and channels generally comprise a vertically mounted cutter which rotates to form the channel. A disadvantage with these implements is that the channels are formed with shoulders making it difficult for vehicles to pass over.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first broad aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for forming channels comprising a frame for supporting a cutting member, the cutting member being associated with the frame and being rotatable, in use, by drive means, and cutting member adjustment means for adjusting the position of the cutting member relative to the ground to, in use, form a channel as the apparatus is being moved along.

Preferably the cutting member is rotatably attached to the frame.

Desirably the cutting member adjustment means includes a depth adjustment member, the depth adjustment member being pivotably connected to the distal end of the frame to, in use, adjust the Scutting member relative to ground level to a desired position.

Preferably a wheel is rotatably mounted to the distal end of the depth adjustment member.

Preferably the wheel is provided with stabilising ridges to counter the side thrust of the cutting member. Desirably the depth adjustment member is activatable by a ram. Preferably the ram is activatable by a ram control means located remote from the apparatus.

Preferably the cutting member adjustment means comprises a first ram activatable between the depth adjustment member and the frame to adjust the depth of the cutting member relative to the ground, and a second ram means activatable between the frame and a supporting link arm to adjust the tilt angle of the cutting member relative to the ground, the first and second rams being, in use, separately activatable to form a channel in the ground of a desired depth and width.

Desirably the cutting member is a rotating disc, the rotating disc being provided with at least one paddle radiating outwardly from the central axis of the rotating disc to adjacent the periphery of the rotating disc, the paddles having cutting blades along an edge adjacent the periphery of the disc to provide a cutting action.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a perspective view of the cutting apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING An apparatus for forming channels, generally described as 1, includes a frame 2 for supporting a 7ucting member 8. The frame 2 includes side members 3 and transverse members 4, 5. The frame 2 is desirably moved along during use by transport means in the form of a tractor. The tractor 19 is used for the purpose of moving or towing the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 is pivotably attached to tractor arms 7 by pivots 6.

The cutting member 8 is provided with desirably four paddles 8a with cutting blades 8b spaced apart about the cutting member 8 to provide a tilling, digging or cutting action during use. In use, )the blades 8b cut or scrape dirt, and the paddles 8a fling loose dirt and other matter away from the apparatus 1. The paddles 8a are positioned about a circular shaped cutting member 8 but it will be appreciated other shapes and forms of rotatable cutting members can be used to carry out the cutting action required. Four paddles are preferred but it will also be appreciated that a variable number of blades or paddles can be used about the cutting member 8.

The cutting member 8 is rotatably mounted in a gearbox 9. The gearbox 9 can be driven, when connected, by a tractor's power take-off spindle via drive shaftll 10 and universal joint 11. The gearbox 9 is preferably attached to bracing member 13. However, it will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment the gearbox 9 and cutting disc 8 can be pivotably mounted to the frame 2 so as to be able to tilt the cutting disc 8 during use.

A first hydraulic ram 15 is desirably pivotably connected between a gearbox projecting member 14 and a depth adjustment member 16. The depth adjustment member 16 is preferably braced and pivotably connected to the transverse member 4 by pivots 17. A wheel 18 is rotatably mounted to the depth adjustment member 16 to facilitate the height control of the frame 2. The wheel 18 is desirably ridged to reduce the side thrust caused by the rotating cutting member 8.

This arrangement is such that the cutting depth of the cutting member 8 can be adjusted depending on the degree of retraction and expansion of the ram 15. The ram 15 is desirably hydraulic and activated remotely from the tractor 19 by tubes 20. The tubes 20 extend from the ram 15 to a liquid supply (not shown) located on the tractor 19. The ram 15 may be activated to adjust the depth of the disc 8 in the ground before or during use of the apparatus 1.

A second hydraulic ram 21 can be pivotably attached between a fork 22 and the gearbox projecting member 14. The fork 22 is pivotably attached to the frame at mounts 23. A top link arm 24 supports the fork 22 to the tractor. The ram 21 is adjusted to tilt the frame 12 about pivots 6 to adjust the cutting member 8 during use. The tilt angle determines the curvature of the channel being formed. The apparatus 1 can operate to adjust the tilt angle of the cutting member 8 forward to a depth of 25% of the diameter of the cutting member 8. The result can be a channel formed with the same width as the diameter of the cutting member 8, desirably having a smooth shape, without sharp edges, and which can be easily crossed by machinery and other ground moving objects.

In operation, a user carries out the preliminary stage of mounting the apparatus 1 to connecting means 5 to the tractor 19 via pivots 6 to the tractor arm 7, and linking the tractors power take off spindle to the drive shaft 10. The top link arm 24 is connected to the fork 22. The user then engages the cutting member 8, allowing it to rotate, and then activates ram 15 and/or ram 21 to the required depth and tilt relative to the ground surface. The tractor 19 is then driven a predetermined k -A distance and course to allow the apparatus 1 to form or excavate a channel to the desired width and depth.

It is seen that it is an advantage to have an apparatus 1 which quickly and easily forms a channel as it is being towed over ground.

Wherein the foregoing reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the principles taught herein.

Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent for those skilled in the art after considering the principles in particular form as discussed and illustrated. Thus, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described or illustrated, but is intended to cover all alterations or modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims.

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Claims

1. An apparatus for forming a channel in the ground, the apparatus including a tiltable frame for supporting a cutting member and being pivotally associated with and movable by transporting means, the cutting member being disposed in a substantially horizontal orientation and being rotatably associated with the frame, the cutting member being rotatable, in use, by drive means, and cutting member adjustment means for adjusting the angle and/or position of the cutting member relative to the surface of the ground, in use, to form a channel as the apparatus is being moved along.

2. An apparatus according to claim I wherein the tiltable frame is adjustable to tilt the cutting member forward in the direction of travel of the transporting means.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cutting member adjustment means includes a deuth adjustment member, the depth adjustment member being pivotably connected to the distal end of the frame to, in use, adjust the cutting depth of the cutting member.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein wherein a wheel is rotatably mounted to the distal end of the depth adjustment member.

An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the wheel is provided with stabilising ridges to counter the side thrust of the cutting member.

6. An apparatus according to any one c, claims 3 to 5 wherein the depth adjustment member is activatable by a ram.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the rain is activatable by a ram control means located remote from the apparatus. 6 4 //zu i Y Pi-cu cw

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cutting member adjustment means comprises a first ram activatable between the depth adjustment member and the frame to adjust the depth of the cutting member relative to the ground, and a second ram means activatable between the frame and a supporting link arm to adjust the tilt angle of the cutting member relative to the ground, the first and second rams being, in use, separately activatable to form a channel in the ground of a desired depth and width.

9. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cutting member is a rotating disc, the rotating disc being provided with at least one paddle radiating outwardly from the central axis of the rotating disc to adjacent the periphery of the rotating disc, the paddles having cutting blades along an edge adjacent the periphery of the disc to provide a cutting action.

10. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the drawing. Dated: 4 day of vjv 1998. 20 JOHN SAMUEL DENISON By his Attorney i ERNST SCHUCH Ji 7 3- hS f^ L\L J~ i^ n^. '1 ABSTRACT A cutting apparatus 1 for forming channels comprising a frame 2 for supporting a cutting member 8, the cutting member 8 being associated with the frame 2 and being rotatable, in use, by drive means in the form of the drive shaft 10 of a tractors power take-off spindle, and the cutting member adjustment means in the form of a depth adjustment means 16 and a tilting adjustment means in the form of a second ram 21 pivotally attached between a fork 22 and a gear box producing member 14, the cutting member adjustment means being for adjusting the position of the cutting member 8 relative to the rotatably to, in use, form a channel as the apparatus 1 is being moved along. f i