GB2125686A - Separation of silage - Google Patents

Abstract

A quantity of silage is separated from a bulk mass of the silage using a machine which has support means comprising a horizontal row of pointed tines (60) and upwardly extending blades (87, 88). The machine is reversed into the silage to cause the tines (60) and the blades (87, 88) to penetrate the silage. A severing member (53) comprising further blades is then lowered into the silage from above, to sever block of the silage which can then be carried away by the machine for use. The cutting action of all the blades may be enhanced by vibrating them. The severed block of silage may be displaced to rollers (22, 23) for chopping the silage up for discharge by means of conveyor (38). The machine can be given an additional function if the two top rods (49) are replaced by hydraulic rams. Operation of the rams enables the member (53) to be pivoted upwardly an rearwardly, and then on its return to roll a bale of crop formed in the field into the loading space between the sidewalls (17). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Separation of silage This invention relates to the separation of a quantity ofsilagefrom a bulk mass of silage.

Known machinesforthis purpose (DE-OS 2.307.689) comprise support means for supporting a separated block of silage, and at least one cutting member. However, they have the disadvantage that the support means, which often comprises pointed tines, first hasto be inserted into the silage before any ofthe upwardly extending boundary faces ofthe block can be cut.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a machine for separating a quantity ofsilagefrom a bulk mass of silage, comprising at least one cutting member and support means for supporting the separated silage, the cutting member and the support means being positioned to penetrate the bulk mass of silage during travel of the machine.

With a machine in accordance with the present invention, at least one upwardly extending boundary face of the block ofsilage to be separated is cut loose as the support means is inserted to the desired depth into the silage. When two spaced cutting members are provided, two boundaryfaces of the block can be thus cut loose.

Means may be provided for causing the cutting member, or a blade ofthe cutting member, to vibrate, whilst, during operation, the path described by a point on a cutting edge ofthe cutting member maintains a constant position with respect to a frame of the machine. The cutting membermaycomprisetwo parts, which are movable in opposite directions to each other. Such a vibrating blade can be inserted into thesilageatthe same rate as, but using considerably less power than, a non-vibrating blade.

A severing member may be arranged on a displacing member by means of which loosened silage can be moved into the laoding space ofthe machine. A wheel set ofthe machine may be able to turn through an angle of about 150 intheforwards and rearwards direction respectively with respect to the direction of movementofthe machine in order to adjust, in a simple manner, the height of operative parts of the machine with respectto the ground orwith respectto the silage.

According to another aspect ofthe present inventin there is provided a method of separating a quantity ofsilagefrom a bulk mass ofsilage, the method comprising inserting into the bulk mass of silage a plurality of substantially horizontal inserting members and at least one cutting member, the cutting member being moved in a substantially horizontal direction into the silage simultaneously with the inserting members.

For a better understanding ofthe present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa side elevation of a machine for separating a block of silage from a bulk mass of the silage, the machine being attached to a tractor and positioned to cut silage at a relatively high level; Figure 2 is a plan view ofthe machine of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged rearview ofthe machine taken in the direction ofthe arrow Ill in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line IV-IV in Figure3; Figure 5 is a viewtaken in the direction ofthe arrow Vin Figure 4; Figure 6 is a view taken in the direction ofthe arrow VI in FigureS;; Figure 7 is a view of part the machine taken at the level ofthearrowVII in Figure 1; Figure 8 is a viewtaken in the direction ofthe arrow VIII in Figure7; Figure 9 is a plan view taken in the direction ofthe arrow IX in Figure8; Figure 10 is a side view corresponding to Figure 1 but showing the machine positionedto cut silage at a relatively low level; and Figure 11 is a side view of a modified machine which is suitable for loading and transporting crop.

Referring to Figure lithe machine is intended for chopping up a cut silage block into small lumps, for discharging the silage and for use as a crop transporting wagon. The machine comprises a frame 1 which slopes downwardly in the direction indicated by an arrowA, at least in the working position shown in Figure 1 in which it is attached to a tractor for moving the machine. The frame 1 comprises a framework of, for example, hollow steel beams. The framework is rectangular viewed on plan, that is to say it comprises longitudinal beans 2 interconnected by a front transverse horizontal beam 2A and by a reartransverse beam 3 (Figures 1 and 3).Midway along the length of the front transverse beam 2Athe frame 1 has welded to it a drawbar 4which extends from the beam 2A in the direction Aand is provided at its front end with a draw eye by means of which the machine can be coupled to the drawhook of a tractor. Rear wheels 5 of the tractor are visible in Figures 1 and 2.

As is shown in Figures 1,2 and 3, the frame 1 is supported at both sides of the machine by ground wheels 6 connected to the outermost end of the rear transverse beam 3. Thetwoground wheels 6, constituting a wheel set, extend, as viewed on plan, beyond the superstructure of the machine, as will be described more fully later in this description. At each end of the reartransverse beam 3 there is a bearing 7, about which a wheel support 8 can turn. The wheel support8 is pivotable on its bearing 7 about a pivotal shaft extending transversely of the direction A and, depending on its position, it extends awayfromthe bearing 7 downwardly and/orforwardly or rearwardly. The wheel axle of the ground wheel 6 is fastened to a part ofthe wheel support 8 away from the bearing 7.

As shown in Figure 1, each wheel support 8 has a substantiallytriangular shape, the bearing 7 being mounted in the upper corner of the wheel support and the wheel axle (in the position shown in Figure 1) in the foremost ofthe two other corners, with respect to the direction A. At the third corner the end ofthe piston rod of a hydraulic ram 9 is pivotally connected to the wheel support 8. The end ofthe cylinder of the ram 9 is pivotally connected to the underside of the beam 2 about midway between the transverse beams 2A and 3. By energising the hydraulic rams 9 on both sides of the machine, the wheel axle of each ground wheel 6 can be turned about the associated bearing 7.

To the top of the frame 1 is secured a fixed superstructure 10 comprising vertical walls 11 secured to thetop side ofthe longitudinal beam 2 and extending in the direction A. The walls 11 are disposed symmetricallyaboutthevertical longitudinal central plane ofthe machine. The walls 11 form sidewalls of the superstructure 10, which also has afront wall 12 arranged on top of the transverse beam 2A, a portion of this wall 1 2 above the frame 1 being upwardly and rearwardly inclined and, on the top side of the superstructure 10, extending substantially horizontal lyfor a short distance to form a top wall 13.The rear edge ofthetop wall 13 is at a distance behind the vertical part of the frontwall 12 which is about 35 to 40% ofthe length ofthe longitudinal beams 2 ofthe frame 1, measured in the direction A. The sidewalls 11 are bounded attheirfront and top edges by peripheral beams 15 extending, as viewed from the side, along the frontwall 12 and the top wall 13, as shown in Figure 1. In the position shown in Figure 1 the top wall 13 and the upper peripheral beams ofthe sidewalls 11 extend substantially horizontally.The peripheral beam 15 extends, behind the rear edge of the top wall 13, in a substantially horizontal direction to the rear beyond the vertical plane going through the centre line of the reartransverse beam 3 for a distance which is 55 to 60% of the length of the frame 1 measured in the direction A. Nearthe rear transverse beam 3 each sidewall 11 is fastened to a peripheral beam 16which extends substantially vertically as shown in Figure 1.

The beam 16 is fastened at the top to the horizontal beam 15. The lower ends ofthe beams 14 and 16 are welded to thetop surfaces ofthe longitudinal beams 2 ofthe frame 1. The beams 14, 15 and 16 are arranged on the outerfaces of the associated sidewalls 11 so that the space enclosed between the two side walls 11, thefrontwall l2andthetopwall 13is bounded by smooth walls without protuberances. On each side of the superstructure 10 the sidewall 11 is prolonged behind the upright beam 16 byaflatwall 17, which is coplanarwith the adjoining side wall 11 and is also fastened to the beam 16 and to the partofthe beam 15 located behind the beam 16.The wall 17 is rectangular and terminates at the rear level with the hindmost end ofthe beam 15 and on the underside at the level ofthe top of the transverse beam 3. The wall 17 is provided with a plurality of parallel, spaced stiffening ribs 18, which are parallel to the beam 15 and which, as viewed at right angles to the plane of the wall 17, have a small height and tapertowards their rear ends.

On each side ofthesuperstructure 10, on the outboard side of the side walls 11, there is a carrier beam 19, the lower end ofwhich is secured to the top of the longitudinal beam 2 oftheframe 1, and the top end of which is secu red to the underside of the peripheral beam 15 nearthe rear edge ofthe top wall 13. The carriers 19 siope upwardly and forwardly at an angle of about 200 to a vertical plane transverse ofthe direction A. Each ofthetwocarriers 19, locatedoneon each side ofthe superstructure 10, is provided at positions between its ends with two spaced supports 20 and 21 which projectforwardly, with respect to the direction A.The two supports 20 of the two carrier beams 19 located one on each side of the superstructure 10 hold a horizontal rotary shaft, extending transversely ofthe direction A, of a distributing or chopping roller22which is located between the sidewalls 11. The distributing roller 22 comprises a plurality of knives or scrapers, which are fastened to the rotary shaft and are regularly distributed along the length ofthe rotary shaft. In thetwo supports 21 located one on each side of the superstructure 10 is journalled a distributing roller 23which is constructed in the same manner as the distributing roller 22 located above it. A plane going through the centre lines ofthe rotary shafts of the distributing rollers 22 and 23is parallel to the two carriers 19.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, there is a gearwheel transmission 24 situated at the level oftheframe I and at the level ofthe centre of the fronttransverse beam 2A. The gearwheel transmission 24 comprises two bevel gearwheels having an input shaft projecting in the direction Aforconnection to an auxiliary shaft 25, which can be connected with the powertake-off shaft of a tractor. The output shaft 26 ofthe gear wheel transmission 24 is at right angles to the vertical, longitudinal central plane of the machine and provides the input of a gear box 27, which is arranged at a lower, front corner of the superstructure 10 at the level ofthetop oftheframe 1. The gear box 27 also comprises two bevel gear wheels.An output shaft 28 of the gear box 27 extends away from the gear box horizontallytothe rear and provides the input of a further gear box 29, which -viewed from the side (Figure 1)-is arranged perpendicularly belowthe rotary shaft of the lower distributing roller 23 and is fastened to the outer side of the superstructure 10. The gear box 29 also hastwo bevel gearwheels and the output shaft ofthe box 29 is horizontal and at right anglestothe longitudinal plane of the machine and carries a sprocket which drives, by means of a chain 30, a furthersprocketfastened to an outer end of the rotary shaft ofthe distributing roller 23.The drive of the distributing roller 23 is such that by means ofthe gear boxes 24,27 and 29 and ofthe chain transmission, the distributing roller 23 is driven at a lower speed than the auxiliary shaft 25. The distributing roller 23 is coupled by means of a chain 31 and a sprocket on the rotary shaft ofthe distributing roller 22 with the upper distributing roller. The drive direction is such that with respect to the direction A, the distributing rollers 22 and 23 move forwards atthetop and, as viewed in Figure 1, in an anticlockwise direction as indicated by the arrows B.

The output shaft 28 of the gear box 27 also constitutes the input shaft of a reversing box 32 having anoutputshaft33. In a manner not shown the reversing box 32 can be changed over so that the output shaft 33 can be driven in either direction of rotation. The output shaft 33 is integral with the rotary shaft of a roller 34. The centre lines ofthe roller 34 and of the output shaft 33 are, in the position shown in Figure 1, substantially horizontal and parallel to the vertical central longitudinal plane ofthe machine.

Viewed on plan (Figure 2), the roller 34 is located some distance outboard of the adjacent sidewall 11 of the superstructure 10 and is supported on both sides by supports 35 fastened to the top ofthe frame 1. On the other side of the superstructu re 10 there is a non- driven roller36which is arranged as a mirror-image of the roller 34. The rotary shaft ofthe roller 36 is parallel to that ofthe roller34,and is mounted ontheframe by supports 37. Around the two rollers 34 and 36 passes a belt 38, which extends transversely ofthe direction A across the space between the sidewalls 11. The rear edge of the belt 38 is approximately perpendicularly below the rear edge ofthe top wall 13.In orderto allow passage of the belt, the sidewalls 11 each have a rectangular aperture 39, whose length measured in the direction Aslightly exceedsthewidth of the belt 38.The aperture 39 extends upwardly, as seen inthe side elevation of Figure 1, approximately to the level of the-underside of the upper distributing roller 22. The lower edge of each aperture 39 is formed by the top of the adjacent longitudinal beam 2. Owing to the above-described drive ofthe roller 34, operation of the reversing box 32 enables the upper run of the belt 38 to travel in either direction transversely of the direction A.

On both outer sides of the superstructure 10 there are parallelogram linkages, one of which is visible in Figure 1. This linkage comprises two rods 40 and 41, which are pivotable attheir lower ends about pivotal shafts 42 and 43 respectively which are at right angles to the vertical longitudinal central plane of the machine. The corresponding pivotal shafts ofthe linkage on the other side of the superstructure 10 are aligned with those of the linkage visible in Figure 1.

The pivotal shafts 42 and 43, in the position shown in Figure 1, are parallel to a substantially horizontal plane. The pivotal shaft 42 is situated atthe level of the lower end of the carrier 19. The pivotal shaft 43 is some distance behind the pivotal shaft 42, this distance being substantially equal to about 20% of the height ofthe superstructure 10. The rods 40 and 41 are provided at the top with pivotal shafts 44 and 45, which are also substantially parallel to a horizontal plane and arejournalled in the lower region of a triangular supporting plate 46 which extends upwards from the pivotal shafts 44 and 45.On the other side of the superstructure 10 is arranged an identical supporting plate atthe top ofthe linkage on that side in mirror-imagefashionwith respectto the vertical central longitudinal plane ofthe machine. In the upper region of each supporting plate 46 there are two pivotal shafts 47 and 48 which extend horizontally and substantially parallel to the vertical plane at right angles to the longitudinal central plane of the machine. Pivotal rods 49 and 50 are pivotable about the pivotal shafts 47 and 48, these rods extending from the pivotal shafts 47 and 48 to the rear with respect to the direction A. The length ofthe rods 49 and 50 is substantially equal to the distance of the beam 1 6from the rear of the machine.The rear ends ofthe rods 49 and 50 are pivotable about pivotal shafts 51 and 52 which are parallel to the pivotal shafts 47 and 48 and are fastened to a displacing and cutting or severing member 53 which is in the form of a plate and extends between the walls 11 and 17 onthesidesofthe superstructure and their prolongations and being substantiallyvertical and parallel to a plane at right angles to the vertical central longitudinal plane of the machine. The parallelogram linkage 47 to 52 is supported on the other side ofthe superstructure lOin an analogous manner by an identical, parallelogram linkage 41 to 45.The supporting plates 46 located one on each side ofthevertical central longitudinal plane ofthe machine are rigidly interconnected by two spaced tubes 54 disposed one above the other.

The lengths of the rods 40 and 41 (which are arranged in an identical manner on both sides outside the superstrucutre 10) are such that the undersides of thetriangularsupporting plates 46 are always located above the tops of the peripheral beams 15. As shown in Figure 3, the supporting plates 46 are double, each pair or rods 49 and 50 being located between each pair of plates 46. The inboard plate of each pair of supporting plates 46 is located, as viewed on plan, inside the space between the sidewalls 11,17 and is downwardly prolonged by means of a support 55 having about halfthe height ofthe supporting plates 46. Nearthe lower end of each support 55 isjournalled an upwardly directed hydraulic ram 56.The top end of the piston rod of this hydraulic ram is pivotally connected at a comparatively short distance from the pivotal shaft 48 with the rod 50 of the parallelogram linkage 47 to 52.

On the rear side of the transverse beam 3 at each end there is an upwardly directed supportwhich is provided with a horizontal pivotal shaft extending transversely ofthe vertical central longitudinal plane ofthe machine, about which is pivotable a hydraulic ram 57 which extends forwardly away from the support. The end ofthe piston rod ofthe ram 57 is pivotally connected with the rod 41 ofthe parallelogram linkage 40to 45. The ram 57 is arranged on both sides ofthe superstructure 10 to turn the linkages 40to 45 on both sides. The pivotal shaft by which the piston rod is fastened to the rod 41 is located at a comparatively short distance from the pivotal shaft 43.

The upper peripheral beam 15 ofthe superstructure 10 is provided with a stop 58 (Figure 1), which limits the rearward movement of the linkage 40 to 45. The position ofthe stop 58 is such that in the rearmost position the member 53 is located near a vertical plane transverse ofthe direction A and going through the rear end ofthe superstructure 10. The stops 58 provided one on each side of the superstructure 10 may be releasable in order to permit the member 53to move rearwards beyond the rear end ofthesuper- structure 10, in which case the rods 40 and 41 have to be longen Thefrontmost position of the linkage 40to 45 is indicated in Figure 1 in broken outline and is determined by contact between the member 53 and the rearofthe distributing roller 23.

Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment ofthe linkage 47 to 52. The rod 49 ofthe linkage of Figures 1 to 3 is replaced by a hydraulic ram 59, which is pivotally arranged between the pivotal shafts 47 and 51. In this was the member 53 is not limited to movement parallel to itself, but can be turned -as shown in Figure 11 -about the pivotal shafts 51 and 52 to assume a downwardly and rearwardly inclined position.

A row of insertion elements in the form of rods o tines 60 extend to the rear orfrom the top of the transverse beam 3. The tines 60 are all the same distance from a plane parallel tothetwo peripheral beams 15. The rearmostfree end of each tine 60 is pointed. The tines 60 constitute support means for a cut-out silage block, in particular during the transport of the severed block.

Figure 3 illustrates the general structureofthe member 53. Atthetop ofthe member 53 is bounded by a horizontal tube 61 at right angles to the vertical longitudinal central plane of the machine, this tube being rigidly secured at its outermost ends to two upwardly extending peripheral beams 62 and 63. The space between the peripheral beams 62 and 63 is closed upto the tube 61 by a plate 64, which extends downwardly into the proximity ofthe member 53. To the plate 64 is fastened in a manner symmetrical about the vertical longitudinal central plane ofthe superstructure 10 a channel member 65, which extends from thetube 61 to the lower edge ofthe plate 64. The member 65 is fastened to the rear face ofthe plate 64 -with respect to the direction A.Near the tube 61, on the front surface ofthe plate 64 is mounted a hydraulic motor 66 (drivable at a speed of about 2000 rev/min) which is arranged symmetrically about the vertical longitudinal central plane ofthe machine. The output shaft of the motor 66 projects to the rear and is provided with an eccentric by means of which a connecting rod 67 extending downwards from the motor 66 can be driven. The length of the connecting rod 67 is about 1 metre or more. The rod 67 is located between the sidewalls ofthe channel member 65 and is shown in its central position in Figures 3 and 5.

To the horizontal lower rim oftheweb ofthechannel member 65 is welded a horizontal supporting strip 68 (Figure 5), to which are welded two relatively spaced, cylindrical pins 69 and 70 which extend perpendicular to the plane of the plate 64 and are arranged symmetrically about the vertical longitudinal central plane ofthe superstructure 10. A bracket 71 is secured to the lower end of the connecting rod 67 and extends downwardly. The lower end of the bracket 71 is offset with respectto the surface to which the top end is fastened. Nearthe lower edge of thins outwardly offset part, the bracket 71 has a pin 72, which - like the pins 69 and 70-is at right angles to the plane of the plate 64. The other end of the pin 72 is rigidly secured to the web ofthe connecting rod 67.Between the bracket 71 and the lower part oftheweb ofthe connecting rod 67 are arranged the top end of a lever73 and the top end of a driving strip 74, both of which are pivotable about the pin 72. The lever 73 is generallytriangular and the pin 72 is located near its top corner. The pin 70 constitutes a pivotal shaftforthe lever 73 and is arranged near a second corner of it. Below the pin 70 there is a pin 75, disposed at the third corner ofthe lever73, aboutwhich the lever 73 is pivotable. The pin 75 is rigidlysecured to an elongate cutting member or blade 76, the length of which is at right angles to the vertical longitudinal central plane ofthe machine.

The driving strip 74, which is pivotable about the pin 72, is provided near its lower end with a pin 77 arranged near one corner ofthe lever 78, which is also a generallytriangular plate. The lever 78 is pivotable aboutthe pin 77 with respect to the strip 74. On the side of the lever 78 away from the vertical longitudinal central plane ofthe machine, the lever 78 is pivotable near an upper corner about the pin 69 ofthe supporting strip 68. The third corner ofthetriangular lever78, located belowthecornernearthe pin 69, is provided with a pin 79, aboutwhich the lever 78 is pivotable. The pin 79 is fastened nearthe end of a cutting member or blade 80 which is aligned with the blade 76.

Asshown in the Figures the lower edges of the blades 76 and 80 are bevelled to form straight cutting edges 81 without projections. Alternatively, the cutting edges 81 could be serrated so thatthe blades can operate like a saw. The adjacent ends of the blades 76 and 80 are a short distance from each other and have cutting edges 82,which are also straightand smooth.

The levers 73 and 78 have bevelled edges with regard to the movement of the silage along them.

As shown in Figure 3,the outermost ends of the blades 76 and 80 are pivotally connected by means of upwardly directed shackles 82 and 83 respectively with the lower ends ofthe peripheral beams 62 and 63.

The lower end of each shackle 82A and 83 respectively is pivotally connected to the blade by a pivotal shaft84 extending at right angles to the blade and the upper end is connected to the respective beam 62 or 63 by a pivotal shaft 85 which is parallel to the pivotal shafts 84.

The side elevations of Figures 1, 10 and 11 showthat at each ofthe two vertical rear ends ofthe superstructure 10, nearthe rear end of each ofthewalls 17, a blade structure is provided which fully corresponds with the blade structure described above at the lower end ofthe member 53, though it is arranged in a side face ofthe superstructure 10 parallel to the vertical plane of symmetry of the superstructure 10. Forthis purpose hydraulic rams 86 are provided nearthe beam 16 one on each side ofthe superstructure 10 for driving the blades designated by reference numerals 87 and 88.The blades 87 and 88 have cutting edges directed substantiallyvertically and making reciprocatory cutting movements invariably in opposite direc tions to each other parallel to thevertical longitudinal central plane of the machine, whereas the blades 76 and 80 ofthe member 53 perform vibratory cutting movements parallel to a vertical plane at right angles to the vertical central longitudinal plane of the machine (also invariably in opposite directions to each other). A point on the cutting edge of each blade describes a closed path which is in a substantially invariable position with respect to the frame 1.

The cutting edges 81 of the blades 76,80,87 and 88 have smooth flat surfaces. The cutting edges themselves are straight. Each pair of blades 76,80 and 87, 88 may be considered as a single blade whose parts 76,80 and 87,88 respectivelyoutinthesame plane.

Thefrontwall 12 is provided with a forwardly directed support 89, on thefront end of which is mounted a control box 90 by means of which the operator can control the hydraulic rams and the hydraulic motors ofthe machine from his seat on the tractor. These hydraulic rams and motors can be connected by ducts not shown with the hydraulic system ofthe tractor.

During operation the machine is positioned as shown in Figure 1 and driven backwards, opposite the direction A, against a silage heap 91. The tines 60 are then at a height above the ground which issubstantial- ly equal to or largerthan the diameter ofthe ground wheels 6. The member 53 is moved bythe hydraulic rams 56 and 57 into its topmost and hindmost position (indicated by broken lines) in which the undersides of the blades 76,80 ofthe member 53 are located above the top ofthe silage heap.The machine is subsequently pressed backwards by the tractor into the silage so that the sharp points ofthe tines 60 penetrate into the silage, and the blades 87 and 88, driven bythe hydraulic motors 86 located one on each side of the superstructure perform a rapidly vibrating, reciprocatory movement so that even asthemachinepene- trates into the silage the fodder is cut loose on both vertical side faces. The oppositely directed movements ofthe blade parts ensure effective balancing of the blade structure as a whole.

The mode of cutting of the two upwardly directed blades into thesilage has the advantagethat in this cutting direction the required enegeryand pressing force are lowerthan in the case in which anon- vibrating, horizontal knife is pressed from above into the silage. The time requiredfor inserting thetines 60 is utilzed to cut two sides ofthe block to be cut out so that appreciable saving of time is obtained.

Referring to Figure 5, it will be appreciated that, by driving the eccentric of the hydraulic motors 66 and 86 respectively the adjacent ends of the connecting rods 67 will each perform a circular movement parallel to the plane ofthe drawing in Figure 5. The end of the connecting rod 67 located nearerthe blades will perform, as viewed in Figure 5, an upward and downward and, in addition, reciprocatory movement guided by the pin 70 fastened to the channel member 65. The triangular lever 73 will reciprocate about the pin 70 so that the pin 75 causes the blade 76to reciprocate over an arcuate path.Since the driving strip 74 is pivotable independently of the lever73 aboutthe pin 72, the driving strip 74 will cause the lever78to turn aboutthe fixed pin 69so that the pin 79 causes the blade 80 to reciprocate over an arcuate path. The relative movements of the blades 76 and 80 are such that the blades simultaneously move away from and towards one another respectively. The distance between the adjacent cutting edges 82 is chosen so that the fodder is cut also between these cutting edges.

The rear of the superstructure 10 thus moves, whilst cutting, into the silage until the ground wheels 6 come into contact with the front ofthe lower part of the silage heap. When that happens, the driver actuates the hydraulic ram 56so that the member 53 is pressed from above into the silage, the blades 76 and 80 being driven bythe hydraulic motor 66 in the same manner as the blades 87 and 88 at the sides. The member 53 moves downwards parallel to itself and describes, as viewed from the side, an arc of a circle of a small chord aboutthe pivotal shafts 47 and 48.The vibrating blades 76 and 80 cutthe silage approximately along a vertical plane at right angles to the vertical longitudinal central plane of the machine until the blades 76 and 80 have reached the top sides of the rear ends ofthe tines 60, in which position the cutting edges ofthe blades 76,80 adjoin those ofthe blades 87,88. Then the silage block has been cut loose and is located in the loading space between the walls 17 and the member 53. The driver can then drive the machine to wherever the fodder has to be discharged.By actuating the hydraulic ram 57 the rod system 40to 45 is moved in the direction Aso that the member 53 moves the cut silage block in that direction into the loading space between the smooth walls 11, 17 until the front end of the block comes into contact with the distributing rollers 22 and 23 which are actuated. These distributing rollers are driven from the powertake-off shaft of the tractorthrough the auxiliary shaft 25 and via the shafts 26 and 28 and the chains 30 and 31 in the direction B. The distributing rollers scrape the silage black and ejectthe scraped-off parts between the rollers and over the top roller 22 onto the belt 38. The top wall 13 prevents the chopped fodderfrom escaping from the superstructure 10.At the place where the silage is to be deposited, for example near the feeding passage of a stable or cowshed, the transverse conveyor 38 is driven through the reversing box 32 so that the chopped silage can be deposited at will from the left or right side of the machine.

The silage can be taken in an analogous manner from the lower part of a silo (Figure 10). By actuating the two hydraulic rams 9 so thattheir piston rods are retracted, the ground wheels 6 are moved forwards with respect to the direction A and upwards relatively to the superstructure 10 aboutthe bearings 7 until the rear lower edge of the superstructure touches the ground so that a position is obtained in which the points of the tines 60 scrape along the ground and can be inserted beneath the silage by driving the tractor backwards. Otherwise the method of operation is the same as described above. The member 53 is shown in Figure 10 in an intermediate position, in which the blades 76 and 80 have penetrated approximately midway into the silage.Owing to the slightly arcuate movement ofthe member 53 during cutting the rear surface of the blockto be cut loose is slightly pressed awayfrom the remaining silage.

In the foregoing description it is stated that afterthe silage block has been cut loose the member 53 displaces the block in the direction A into the loading space of the superstructure 10 until the block reaches the rollers 22 and 23. During this movement, in which the member 53 serves as a displacing member, the member 53 remains at the same level with respect to the superstructure 10. This is ensured because near the top ends of the peripheral beams 62 and 63, that is to say, at a position between the pivotal shafts 51 and 52 on each side ofthe member 53 there is a shaft 92, the centre line of which is at right angles to the central plane ofthe machine. The shafts 92 project outwardly ofthe member 53 and, at their outermost ends, carry rollers 93, which are freely rotatable about the shafts 92 (see Figures 7 to 9). The two upper horizontal peripheral beams 15 are channel sections, the web of which is situated on the outer side ofthe superstructure 10 and is directed vertically, whereas the two limbs ofthe channel section are directed inwardly, i.e.

towards the vertical central longitudinal plane of the superstructure 10. Nearthe rear ends ofthe two peripheral beams 15, part of the upper limb is removed over a length slightly exceeding the diameter ofthe roller 93 (Figures 8 and 9). The rear end of each of the two peripheral beams 15 is closed by a vertical partition 94. When the hindmost rod 41 of the rod system 40to 45 is moved into its rearmost position, in which the rear surface of the top end of the rod 41 bears on the stop 58, and when the member 53 is moved downwards by means ofthe linkage 47to 52 bythe hydraulic rams 56, the dimensions are such that the rollers 93 can just move through the recesses in the upperlimbsto contact the rear ends ofthe peripheral beams 15 so thattheywill bear on the lower limb.Actuation ofthe hydraulic ram 57 then moves the linkages 40 to 45 forwards, the hydraulic rams 56 being put out of operation so that the hydraulicfluid can flowfreely in and out ofthem. The roller93will then roll forwards along the peripheral beams 15 during displacement of the cut-out silage block in the direction A so thatthe lower boundary of the member 53 remains at a constant level with respect to the machine. The beams 15 thus constitute a straight guide.

During transport ofthe cut-out silage block, the height ofthe machine is compartively small because the member 53 is in its lowermost position (in the straight guide 15) and onlythe supporting plate 46 projects above the superstructure 10. This height, which is considerably smallerthanthe height of the top ofthe member 53 in the position prior to cutting, is particularly suitable for passing through the doors of stables or cowsheds.

Figure 11 illustrates an alternative use for a machine generally similarto that depicted above. As stated above, the two top rods 49 ofthe previous embodiment are replaced by hydraulic rams 59. The use illustrated in Figure 11 consists in loading, for example, cylindrical bales of crop formed in the field by rolling balers. As in the operation last described the ground wheels 6 turned forwards by the hydraulic rams 9 so thatthe rear lower end of the superstructure 10 is at ground level. By reversing the machine, the rear end ofthe machine is moved around the ends of the bale of crop, the member 53 being turned upwards.This upward turn is achieved by actuating the two hydraulic rams 59 which pivotthe member 53 upwards and rearwardly so thatthe blades 76 and 80 or (if the member 53 in this application does not comprise blades 76,80) the lower edge of the member 53 is at a level higherthan the top ofthe bale to be loaded. By simultaneously moving backwards and turning the member 53 in the direction C by means of the hydraulic rams 59, the bale of crop can be pressed or rolled into the loading space between the sidewalls 11 and 17 on both sides of the superstructure. The dimensions shown in Figure 11 are such that the superstrucutre 10 can contain two large bales of crop.

Of course, other kinds of objects can be loaded such as bales from high-pressure balers, or even hay lying loosely on the field. In the latter case the machine operates as a pick-up wagon. The loaded crop can be divided up into small quantities in the same manner as described forthe silage by means ofthe rollers 22 and 23 and be delivered via the belt 38, for example, to a blowing system which blows the crop into a store.

When the loading space ofthe machine isfilled up to the rear side, for example, in the case ofthe bales shown in Figure 11, it is desirable-with regard to the running properties ofthe machine-to have a suitable location ofthe centre of gravity during transport. Forthis reason the piston rods ofthe hydraulic rams 9 can be extended further into the position indicated in Figure 1 by broken lines and designated by reference number95, in which the ground wheels 6 are displaced to the rearwith respect to the superstrucutre 10 to an extent such that the centre of gravity of the machine is located in front of the axles ofthe ground wheels. The possibility of turning the ground wheels 6with respect to the rest of the machine is such thatthe wheel supports 8 can turn out ofthe position shown in Figures 10 and 11 into the position designated by reference numeral 95 in Figure 1 through an angle of about 150 about the associated bearings 7.

Whilst various features of the machines that have been described, and that are illustrated in the drawings, will be set forth in the following claims as inventive features, it is to be noted that the invention is not necessarily limited to these features and that it encompasses all ofthe features that have been described both individually and in various combinations.

Claims (32)

1. Amachineforseparating aquantityofsilage from a bulk mass of silage, comprising at least one cutting member and support meansforsupporting the separated silage, the cutting member and the support means being positioned to penetrate the bulk mass of silage during travel ofthe machine.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which vibrating means is providedforcausing a cutting edge of the or each cutting memberto perform a vibratory movement, the path traced by a point on the or each cutting edge ofthe cutting member, in operation, maintaining a constant position with respect to a frame ofthe machine.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the cutting member is one of two upwardly directed cutting members comprising blades, the cutting members being spaced from and substantially parallel to each other.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, in which the or each blade issupported attwo ormore relatively spaced places.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which the or each blade comprises two partswhich are movable in opposite directions.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 5, in which the parts of the or each blade are relatively movable in the same plane.

7. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 3to 6, in which an upwardly directed blade is provided at each side ofthe machine.

8. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, in which the upwardly directed blades are disposed at the rearofthe machine.

9. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 3to 8, in which the support means is disposed between the lower ends ofthe upwardly directed blades.

10. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9, in which the upwardly directed, relatively spaced blades can be inserted simultaneously into the bulk mass of silage bythe mobile machine.

11. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a severing blade is provided which extends transversely of the intended direction oftravel of the mobile machine.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 11, in which the severing blade is movable upwardly or downwardly with respect to the rest ofthe machine.

13. A machine as claimed in claim 11 or 12, in which the severing blade is arranged horizontally on the underside of a displacing membersuitablefor displacing silage in a loading space ofthe machine.

14. A machine as claimed in claim 13, in which the displacing member is movable with respect to a furtherpartofthe machine by means of at least one movable rod linkage.

15. A machine as claimed in claim 13or 14, in which the displacing member is substantially vertical and is generallythe form of a partition.

16. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, in which the displacing member comprises at least one extension which is movable in a straight guide ofthe machine.

17. A machine as claimed in claim 16, in which the extension comprises a roller.

18. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 3to 17, in which the blade, orat least one ofthem, can be vibrated by a hydraulic motor.

19. A machine as claimed in claim 18, in which the motor can be driven at a speed of about 2000 rev/min.

20. A machine as claimed in claim 18 or 19, in which the motor drives an eccentric which causes the bladetovibrate by means of a connecting rod.

21. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20, in which, with respectto the cutting direction of the respective blade, the motor is not less than about 1 metre behind the blade.

22. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21 when appendantto claim 13, in which the motor, or one ofthem, is mounted on the displacing member.

23. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22, in which the motor, or at least one ofthem, is mounted on a sidewall ofthe machine.

24. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the machine comprises a wheel set which is pivotable through an angle of about 150 .

25. A machine as claimed in claim 24, in which the wheel set is displaceable forwardly and rearwardly with respecttothe intended direction of travel ofthe machine and is fixable in a plurality of positions with respectto a further part of the machine.

26. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which means are provided for attaching the machinetoa drawhookofatractorand for driving the machine from a power take-off shaft of the tractor.

27. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one roller is provided in the front region ofthe machine for chopping up silage.

28. A machine as claimed in claim 27, in which a transverse conveyor is provided nearthe rollersfor conducting away chopped silage, the conveyor being drivable in two directions.

29. Amethodofseparating aquantityofsilage from a bulk mass of silage, the method comprising inserting into the bulk mass of silage a plurality of substantially horizontal inserting members and at least one cutting member, the cutting member being moved in a substantially horizontal direction into the silagesimultaneouslywiththe inserting members.

30. A method as claimed in claim 29, in which at least two spaced, upwardly directed cutting members and the insertion elements are inserted into the bulk mass of silage, an subsequently a substantially horizontal severing member extending transversely ofthe cutting members is moved downwardlyfrom a position above the top ofthe bulk mass of silage into the silage to a position in which the severing member approximately adjoins the lower ends of the upwardly directed cutting members.

31. A machine for separating a quantity of silage from a bulk mass of silage substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 10 or Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings.

32. A method of separating a quantity of silage from a bulk mass of silage as claimed in claim 29 and substantially as described herein.