DESC:A TRACTOR MOUNTED MULTI-FUNCTIONAL FARM MACHINE EQUIPMENT WITH ASSEMBLY OF AUGERS WITH TUNGSTEN CARBIDE TIPS & JAGGED SERRATED HELICOID FLANGE EDGES AND MECHANISMS FOR TILTING & POSITIONING AUGERS FOR DIGGING PITS, MAKING PLANTATION BEDS AND DROPPING MANURE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a tractor mounted farm machine equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tractor mounted farm machine equipment comprising three augers(21) with tungsten carbide braced bottom edges and jagged, serrated helicoid flanges, in an inline or radial arrangement or with mechanisms that enables change distance between the plantation beds. The augers are used for engaging the soil for digging pits in a vertical position and for making troughs, ridges and plantation beds, in an inclined position, with tractor movement on the field. The equipment is powered by the tractor PTO, using an expandable / contracting spline shaft(8) with universal coupling to engage and drive two sets of spiral helical bevel gear sets (11) & (12) that enables change of direction of transmission and deliver rotary torque from the tractor PTO to the augers in the auger assembly. A hopper(7) with feed screw augers and a hole in the bottom with a T connector hose(22) and flexible hoses, with the feed screw augers driven by chain and sprocket wheel arrangement(13), enable manure in the form of a slurry to be dropped over the plantation beds or in designated pits.

[0002] The present disclosure details a tractor mounted farm machine equipment [Fig. 1] with the steel support frames fitted on the sides of the tractor(3) and anchor positions for mounting various mechanical components, such as the lift arm frames(4) on which the auger assembly(20) is carried, the drive transmission components and describes the mechanisms and manner in which the auger positions can be changed with (i) raising or lowering of the augers (ii) changing the inclination of the augers and (iii) varying the inter-plantation-bed distances.

[0003] The auger assembly (20) is driven by the tractor PTO, with the drive transmission from the tractor PTO through a propeller splined cardan shaft(8) to two sets of spiral bevel gears, in their housing (11) & (12) mounted on the shaft at the far end of the inclined extended lift arms (9). The lift arm frames(4) are trapezoidal shaped steel frames with additional extended inclined frame extensions(9) to hold on bearings, the shaft fitted with the two spiral helical bevel gear set housing boxes (11) & (12) with flange coupling between them. The first spiral helical bevel gear set housing is fixed on the lift arm extended inclined frame(9), while the second spiral helical bevel gear set housing is mounted on top of the auger assembly housing(20). The shafts through the crown spiral helical bevel gear in both the spiral helical gear set housings extend on both ends, with the shafts on the orthogonal pinion bevel gears having six splines with locking slots. These splined shafts at either end of the two coupled spiral helical bevel gear sets engage the incoming propeller shaft(8) from the tractor PTO and at the other end, the auger assembly central drive shaft(15), in order to transmit the rotary torque.

[0004] The lift arm frames(4) are anchored and pivoted on the top end of raised support frames(2) on either side of the tractor, welded to horizontal support frames(3) on the sides of the tractor, with another set of support frames welded to base plates (1) bolted on the sides of the tractor. The raised support frames(2) are additionally bolted with structural frames to the rear end hitch plate slots.

[0004] An orthogonal change of drive transmission parallel to the ground is accomplished with the first spiral helical bevel gear set (11), with drive from the first spiral helical bevel gear set, transmitted to the input shaft of the second tiltable spiral helical bevel gear set, whose housing is mounted on top of the auger assembly housing(20). The output pinion spiral helical bevel gear shaft (15), driving the central drive shaft in the auger assembly (20), transmits power to the engaging gears on the adjacently placed auger shafts either in an inline arrangement [Fig 3] or placed apart at 120 degrees radially [Fig. 1 & Fig. 2].

[0005] Agriculture field operations for digging pits or making troughs and plantation beds are performed in the manner explained below.
The augers in their housing can be tilted to be positioned vertically or in inclined position with earth cutting carbide tool tips breaking ground and helicoid auger flanges with jagged, serrated edges, excavating loose earth and moving the excavated soil on the periphery of the auger helicoid flanges. In a vertical position the augers dig the pits at designated locations, where the tractor is halted. In an inclined position, the excavated soil is moved on either sides of the augers, as the tractor moves forward in the field, enabling formation of ridges and corresponding plantation beds, between adjoining troughs. Multiple passes are made in the field to cover the breadth of the field for the formation of adjoining sets of troughs and plantation beds.

[0006] The arrangement for lowering or raising the auger assembly is as follows;
The lift arm frames(4) on both sides of the tractor have central trapezoidal plates welded, with a lowered anchor positions to which are fitted hydraulic cylinders(5) on either side of the tractor. These hydraulic cylinders(5) are anchored at the other end on a lower position on the raised vertical support frames(2) on the sides of the tractor. The actuation of these hydraulic cylinders with connections to the hydraulic oil pressure line of the tractor, have the effect of raising or lowering the lift arms with their mountings. The hydraulic system of the tractor and the position control mechanisms provided with the tractor, along with additional direction control valve components fittings to provide pressure line, return line and operator handle (if not already provided for in the tractor), enables operation of the hydraulic cylinders(5) for raising or lowering the auger assembly.

[0007] The arrangement for tilting of the auger assembly is as follows;
Hydraulic cylinders(18) are anchored and pivoted on the sway arms(19) behind the driver seat, of the 3 point hitch mechanism of the tractor, on either side of the tractor. The other ends of the hydraulic cylinders with extended links(17) as may be necessary, are fitted to the auger assembly housing(20), so as to tilt the auger assembly about the shaft(6) on which the spiral bevel crown gears are mounted, to a vertical position for digging pits or to an inclined position for earth cutting at an appropriate depth, with the positioning of the auger assembly, aided by the lowering or raising of the lift arm(4). The position control lever mechanism provided with the tractor for handling external field engaging farm equipment and if necessary additional direction control valve and handle to use the hydraulic oil pressure line outlet provided in the tractor, are used by the operator to activate the sway arms(19) and the hydraulic cylinder(18) actuation to the required extent optionally, for appropriate positioning of the inclination of the augers(21). Optionally the auger assembly(20) is fitted with a link connected to the upper link of the three point hitch mechanism of the tractor which senses draft in order to achieve automatic draft control at the operating setting for draft control lever on the tractor.

[0008] The arrangement of augers in the auger assembly(20) is made in any of the following configuration;
(a) an inline arrangement of five shafts in the auger housing cage [Fig. 3] with engaging gears fitted on all the five shafts, augers fitted on the central drive shaft(15), and thereafter on the shafts at either extreme ends, with flange coupling(23). The two intermediate idler gears ensuring that all augers rotate in the same direction, as they do the earth cutting, moving the excavated soil away from the trough to form ridges and plantation beds.
(b) the augers placed at 120 degrees apart in a simple radial arrangement with drive transmission from the central drive shaft to the gears on the auger shafts in the radial position.
(c) using a planetary gear and four bar link variant mechanism, [Fig. 1 & Fig. 2] [described in a patent of addition bearing no. IN 519420 (202133014453), main patent no. 480766 (202031025555) granted earlier*], detailing the manner in which the augers can be moved towards each other or away from each other to vary distances between the augers – enabling digging pits with varying diameters or for formation of troughs and corresponding plantation beds with varying distances between consecutive troughs and plantation beds.
* Patent granted to the sole Director of the Applicant Company, who is also the true and first inventor of the invention of the present application.

BACKGROUND

[0009] Ploughing of soil to loosen earth to enable growth of agricultural and horticulture crops, is done with mould board ploughs, disc ploughs, tines, cultivator, rotovator and such other variants, in a self-propelled agriculture machine or as a tractor attached farm equipment.

[00010] The drag force required to break soil, with the moving of hard lumps of soil to form ridges, plantation beds is usually high, on account of digging and draft forces that get developed. Hence, tractors with high power and capability to manage such increased draft forces are required. Such operation hence, is also not very efficient, in terms of fuel efficiency, wear and tear and resultant higher costs of cultivation.

[0011] With rotary soil cutting and excavation using augers with tungsten carbide cutting tool tips, jagged serrated helicoid flange edges, breaking ground, the tilling of soil or soil excavation for ditching, furrowing and deflecting soil on either side, forming ridges and plantation beds, results in lesser draft force getting generated and ensures lesser use of tractor power to realize higher efficiencies and lowers costs for cultivation.

[0012] However, the limitation in the earlier disclosures, [described in a patent of addition bearing no. IN 519420 (202133014453), main patent no. 480766 (202031025555) (supra)] was observed to be the outer inclination of the augers(21) in the assembly, with the auger tips positioned away from the rear end of the tractor, with the helicoid flange surfaces of the augers coming into contact with the soil for digging and excavation of soil. This results in excessive wear of the augers, requiring frequent replacement of augers. This makes operations with the farm machine uneconomical.

[0013] This limitation is overcome in the present disclosure, with the auger assembly mechanism(20) mounted at the rear end of a tractor, with an arrangement that enables positioning of the auger tips at an inclination, inwards towards the rear end of the tractor. The bottom edges of the augers(21) braced and fitted with tungsten carbide tips, and jagged serrated helicoid flange edges, comes into contact with the field for cutting and excavation of the soil, with the loosened soil removed by the helicoid flange surfaces.

[0014] Two horizontal support frames (3) with extensions are fitted on either side of the tractor and welded to base plates(1) bolted to the tractor sides. The other upward vertical extended support frames(2), on the other extreme end of horizontal support frames fitted on the sides of the tractor, have two anchor positions {A} & {B}, at the top end and at the lower end. The raised support frames(2) are additionally bolted with structural frames to the rear end hitch plate slots of the tractor. Trapezoid shaped structural frames serving as lift arm frames(4) are anchored and pivoted at the top anchor position {A} of the vertical support frames(2) to carry an auger assembly(20). Upward extended inclined structural members(9), welded to the lift arms carry a shaft(6) for the mounting of bevel gear sets(11) & (12) and sprocket wheel drives(13). The lower anchor positions {B} on the vertical support frames(2) are for fitment of the hydraulic cylinders (5) for the raising and lowering of the lift arms(4), with the extension or contraction of the hydraulic cylinder(5) anchored on the lower anchor positions on the trapezoidal plates welded to the mid-section of the lift arm frames(4).

[0015] The PTO at the rear end of the tractor is coupled with a cardan propeller drive shaft(8), with PTO connector end locking on the shaft with splines and universal couplings at its ends with the spline shaft mated fitting, enabling expansion or contraction of the propeller drive shaft(8). This drive shaft(8) is connected at the other end to the spiral helical bevel gear sets(11) & (12) mounted on the shaft(6) supported on the bearing blocks on the inclined extensions of the lift arm frames(9), at the far extreme end.

[0016] Two gear boxes (11 & 12) having spiral helical bevel gear sets, transmit the power from the tractor PTO to the auger assembly, with an arrangement that enables the augers to be positioned vertically for digging pits and tilted with the auger tips towards the tractor end and drive end away from the tractor in an inclined position, about the spiral bevel helical gear shaft (6) parallel to the field, as the turning pivot on the far end of the lift arm frame inclined extension(9), so as to enable breaking ground, forming troughs and corresponding plantation beds with tractor movement on the field alongside auger rotation, with the movement of the tractor.

[0017] The first spiral helical bevel gear box (11) takes the rotary torque input from the propeller shaft(8), transmitting drive from the tractor PTO. The output shaft from the universal coupling of the propeller cardan drive shaft(8), transmits power through spline connector with lock (10) [Fig. 3], to the spiral helical bevel gear set in the first gear box(11), fitted on the inclined extended lift arm frames(9). The drive direction is changed in an orthogonal direction, parallel to the ground. The output shaft of this first spiral helical bevel gear set box then, is fed to the second spiral helical bevel gear set housing box(12). This output shaft of the first bevel gear set(6), aligned with the input shaft of the second spiral helical bevel gear set, is also the pivotal axis for tilting of the second spiral helical bevel gear box fixed on top of the auger assembly housing.

[0018] A co-axial flange coupling (18) is used between the first and the second helical bevel gear set box housings (11) & (12). The 6 spline orthogonal output shaft of the second spiral helical pinion bevel gear (15) connects, with the auger assembly (20) central shaft with the spline connector and locking arrangement, to facilitate disassembly for maintenance and servicing.

[0019] The second spiral helical bevel gear set housing box (12) is fixed on the top outer housing of the auger assembly cage (20). Links(17) anchored on the sway arm (19) of the 3 point hitch mechanism (19) is coupled to hydraulic cylinders (18) on either side, which are anchored on the side of the outer housing of the auger assembly (20). The action of the sway arm (19) of the 3 point hitch and the hydraulic cylinders (18), enables the titling of the entire auger assembly caging (20) and the augers(21) about the axis of the shafts(6) of the spiral bevel crown gears, parallel to the field, on the inclined extended lift arm frames(9) to the required tilt angle for digging troughs and making ridges/plantation beds or position the auger assembly (20), in a vertical direction for digging pits.

SUMMARY

[0020] The object of the present invention is to improve the construction and operation of earth augers(21) for earth cutting during agriculture field operations, by brazing the bottom edges of the augers with tungsten carbide tool tips and jagged serrated edges on the helicoid flanges. This enables breaking the soil and soil excavation by the auger helicoid flanges around the central axial tube of the augers. The auger assembly(20) is tilted with the auger tips towards the tractor rear end, with the auger assembly drive end away from the tractor, in a manner that makes the auger end tungsten carbide tool tips coming into first contact with the earth with jagged serrated helicoid flange edges facilitating the excavation of soil, to form the trough and corresponding ridges and plantation beds in an inclined position with movement on the field or to dig pits in a vertical position. The making of troughs with the rotary movement of augers(21), with its hard tungsten carbide tips aided by the excavation of soil by the helicoid flanges, is made more efficient with lesser use of draft force of the tractor.

[0021] With three augers (21) in inline arrangement or radially at 120 degree apart, three troughs and corresponding plantation bed ridges, are made with one travel pass of the tractor across the field. The raising or lowering of the lift arm frames (4), along with appropriate tilting of the augers(21), enables changes to be made for the depth of cut in the field, during the tilling operation.

[0022] Yet another object of this invention is to arrange the mounting of the auger assembly(20), at the rear end of the tractor, with the arrangement comprising ;
Two horizontal support frames (3) with frame extensions welded on either side of the tractor to base plates(1) bolted to the tractor sides. Another set of upward vertical extended support frames(2), on the other extreme end of horizontal support frames(3) fitted on the sides of the tractor, have two anchor positions {A} & {B}, at the top end and at the lower end. The raised support frames(2) are additionally bolted with structural frames to the rear end hitch plate slots in the tractor. Trapezoid shaped structural frames serving as lift arms(4) are anchored and pivoted at the top anchor position {A} of the vertical support frames(2) to carry an auger assembly(20). Upward extended inclined structural members(9), fixed on the lift arm frames carry a shaft (6) for the mounting of spiral helical bevel gear sets(11) & (12) and sprocket wheel drives. The lower anchor positions {B} on the vertical support frames(2) are for fitment of the hydraulic cylinders (5) for the raising and lowering of the lift arms(4), with the extension or contraction of the hydraulic cylinders(5) anchored on the lower anchor positions on the trapezoidal plates welded to the mid-section of the lift arm frames(4).

[0023] Links(17), with a hydraulic cylinders(18), anchored on the sway arms(19) of the 3 point tractor hitch mechanism, behind the operator seat with its other end anchored on the sides of the auger assembly(20), enable tilting of the auger assembly(20) with the activation of the sway arm(19) of the 3 point hitch mechanism and the hydraulic cylinders(18). Such tilting is about the shaft(6) mounted on bearings on the far extreme end of the extended inclined lift arm frames(9) on which the crown gear shaft extensions of the spiral helical bevel gear sets(11)&(12) are also coaxially mounted using flange coupling(18).

[0024] With such spiral bevel gear shaft axes parallel to the field, acting as the pivot for the required tilting of the auger assembly housing(20), the augers(21) are positioned at an inclined position to dig troughs and make ridges and plantation beds with excavated soil, as also dig pits when tilted to a vertical position.

[0025] Yet another object of the invention is to ensure rotary torque input and power transmission from the tractor PTO to the auger assembly(20) through (i) a propeller cardan shaft(8) with splines expanding and contracting, with sliding action through the splines and universal coupling at its ends; (ii) a spiral helical bevel gear set in the first gears housing box(11) connected to the propeller cardan shaft through the six spline connector in the orthogonal offtake input shaft of the pinion spiral helical gear with the shaft extending on both sides of the engaging spiral helical bevel crown gears mounted at the far end of the inclined extended lift arm frames(9) on bearings, enabling a change of direction of drive transmission in an orthogonal direction parallel to the field; and (iii) another crown spiral helical bevel crown gear(12) connected to the output shaft from the first spiral helical bevel gear set housing (11) with coaxial flange coupling of the second crown spiral helical bevel gear in the second housing box fixed on top of the auger assembly housing (20) with the pinion spiral bevel gear six splined shaft (15) [Fig. 3], connected [(with spline connector], on to the central drive shaft of the auger assembly. The arrangement enables the drive transmission to remain engaged during the tilting of the auger assembly (20) and spiral helical bevel gear set housing (12) fixed on top of it, from an inclined position to vertical position or vice versa.

[0026] Yet another object of the invention, is to mount a hopper on the lift arm frames(4), with feed auger which is driven by a chain drive with sprocket wheels at either end – one of which is mounted on the feed auger shaft, with the other sprocket wheel mounted on the shaft of first spiral helical bevel gear set(11) mounted on bearings in the inclined extended lift arm frame(9).

[0027] The feed screw auger in the manure hopper (7), moves the manure slurry filled in the hopper for gravity drop through a chute in the bottom surface of the hopper with a T connector(22) and flexible hoses making the slurry manure drop to the field, over the plantation beds that have been created by the movement of the tractor mounted farm machine with the auger assembly(20) on the field. Appropriate mixtures for soil amendments, when necessary can also be placed in the hopper, for its application during ploughing operation.

[0028] The tractor mounted rotary auger mechanism enables ploughing that converts barren land into cultivable land in single passes, across the field by avoiding usage of any further secondary tillage implement. It enables preparation of the soil for seeding operation very quickly and helps in reducing the labour requirement.

[0029] The tractor mounted rotary auger plough utilizes better tractor power, on account of lesser draft force and thereby ensures high field efficiency, enabling less amount of draft force and high quality performance. The rotary auger plough helps with loosening and granulating actions during the rotary tilling operation to improve soil conditions for cultivation.

[0030] The farm machine provides accurate and precise ploughing apparatus that achieves desired depth in the soil for making troughs and for creation of ridges and plantation beds on the farm in a single pass, without using secondary implements. It also provides the farmer a farm machine that requires quite less amount of fuel consumption and labour requirement to perform soil processing for cultivation in shorter time frames.

[0031] Document US20110272252A1 provides the flighting for screw conveyors of improved construction and resulting in better wear characteristics and carrying capacity is provided through the use of cold roll manufacturing and a roller which forms the flighting with a shape which moves some of the material being conveyed away from the outside peripheral edge of the flighting and thereby distributes wear over a larger portion of the surface of the flighting.

[0032] Document US20080156148A1 published on July 3, 2008 describes methods for forming bodies of earth-boring drill bits and other tools include milling a plurality of hard particles and a plurality of particles comprising a matrix material to form a mill product comprising powder particles, separating the particles into a plurality of particle size fractions. Some of the particles from the fractions may be combined to form a powder mixture, which may be pressed to form a green body. Additional methods include mixing a plurality of hard particles and a plurality of particles comprising a matrix material to form a powder mixture, and pressing the powder mixture with pressure having an oscillating magnitude to form a green body. In yet additional methods a powder mixture may be pressed within a deformable container to form a green body and drainage of liquid from the container is enabled as the powder mixture is pressed.

[0033] Document US20110318129A1 published on December 29, 2011 describes an auger bit and a method of manufacturing the auger bit. The auger bit has an axially-elongated shank portion, a tool-engaging portion on a first end of the shank, and a work-entering head portion on a second end of the shank. The machined bit is neutral heat treated and the cutting face is locally hardened by induction heat treating.

[0034] Document US 7743852 describes an auger stabilizer which includes a rigid elongated body having a first end and a second end. The length of the body is adjustable between a retracted transport position and an extended drilling position. A pair of spaced apart wheels are attached at the second end of the body. A split body with two halves connected by fasteners is used to pivotally attach the first end of the body to a handle of an auger. When the body is in the extended drilling position, the pair of spaced apart wheels roll along a ground surface away from the auger as the handle of the auger descends and the pair of spaced apart wheels act to stabilize the handle of the auger against reactive torque.

[0035] However, the documents or prior art descriptions as above, do not describe an auger mechanism embodiment, that can be effective for multiple operations of (a) digging pits, (b) perform earth cutting or soil breaking operation with the formation of troughs and corresponding plantation bed preparation in a single pass of tilling, and (c) manure, seed or soil amendment application alongside tilling operation.

[0036] Resultantly, farming becomes efficient, less power consuming and provides advantages of mechanized farming, with the use of tractor mounted multipurpose farm equipment described in the present disclosure.

[0037] With tractors being used widely in agriculture, this embodiment details the manner in which multifunctional farm equipment can be used as an attachment with the tractor for agriculture operations, with the rotary tilling and digging pits, as also manuring and deep digging, making it possible, to use less draft force and make farming more efficient and less power consuming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] It is appreciated that the drawings provided in the present disclosure only illustrate application examples of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be construed as limiting its scope. The disclosure provides additional information with additional specificity and details with the accompanying drawings, which are listed below for quick reference.

[0039] Fig. 1 depicts the embodiment of the auger assembly (20) fitted to the tractor rear end. Two horizontal support frames (3) with extensions are welded on either side of the tractor to base plates(1) bolted to the tractor sides. Another set of upward vertical extended support frames(2), on the other extreme end of horizontal support frames(3) fitted on the sides of the tractor, have two anchor positions {A} & {B}, at the top end and at the lower end. The raised support frames (2) are additionally bolted with structural frames to the rear end hitch plate slots. Trapezoid shaped structural frames serving as lift arm frames(4) are anchored and pivoted at the top anchor position {A} of the vertical support frames(2) to carry an auger assembly(20). Upward extended inclined structural frame members(9), fixed on the lift arms carry a shaft (6) for the mounting of spiral helical bevel gear sets(11) &(12) and sprocket wheel for chain drive(13) to hopper feed screw auger. The lower anchor positions {B} on the vertical support frames(2) are for fitment of the hydraulic cylinders (5) for the raising and lowering of the lift arms, with the extension or contraction of the hydraulic cylinder anchored on the lower anchor positions on the trapezoidal plates welded to the mid-section of the lift arm frames(4).

[0040] At the far end of the inclined extended lift arm frames(9), the two spiral helical bevel gear sets (11) & (12) in their housing are mounted, with the shafts extending from the crown spiral helical bevel gears on both sides, the crown spiral helical bevel gear shafts coupled through a flange coupling, and aligned with the shaft (6) mounted on bearings in the far end of the inclined extended lift arm frames(9). The orthogonal shafts on the pinion spiral helical bevel gears engaging both the crown spiral helical bevel gears have splines to which spline connectors on drive shafts with locks can be inserted. The input drive shaft connecting the first spiral helical bevel gear set is from the propeller spline shaft(8) and the output drive shaft of the second spiral helical bevel gear set(15) [Fig. 3], is connected to the central drive shaft of the auger assembly(20). The housing of the second spiral helical bevel gear set is mounted and fixed to the auger assembly housing.

[0041] The transmission for rotary torque input drive for the auger assembly is taken from the tractor PTO, through a propeller cardan shaft(8), with splines to enable expansion or contraction while transmitting rotary torque. One end of the cardan shaft is connected to the tractor PTO, and the other end to the orthogonal spline shaft of the first spiral helical bevel gear set in its housing box(11) through a spline connector with locking pins.

[0042] Fig. 2 illustrates the rear assembly of augers mounted on the tractor with radial arrangement of augers with planetary gears and variant four bar link mechanism. The central shaft drive to the auger assembly(20) is transmitted to the three intermediate gears and to the three peripheral gears which are interconnected with a variant four bar link mechanism that enables their movement around the intermediate gears even with the drives engaged. The augers are mounted on the shafts of the peripheral gears. The movement of the peripheral gears is effected through a worm gear arrangement, operated manually through the wheel and handle of the worm gear arrangement to enable the augers on the peripheral gears move towards each other or move away from each other, which has the effect of changing the diameter of the pit being dug (when auger assembly is vertical) or the distances separating the adjoining troughs and ridges/plantation beds.

[0043] Fig. 3 depicts the three augers(21) in an in-line arrangement with a central driving gear on the central drive shaft(15) engaging the gears mounted on the adjoining idler shafts, which in turn engage the gears on the auger mounted shafts.
[0044] It may be noted that the one or more elements may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the drawings with details, that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In accordance with the purposes of the invention, the present invention as embodied and broadly described herein;

[0046] The invention relates to tilling operation of soil performed by a set of three augers(21) in one of the following arrangements;
(a) inline arrangement of augers in the auger assembly housing(20) [Fig. 3]
(b) placement of the augers at 120 degrees apart connected through a set of simple gears
(c) an arrangement with planetary gear with variant four bar link mechanism that permits, the augers to come together or move away from each other, which has the effect of changing the distances between the adjoining troughs or ridges and plantation beds. [Fig. 2]

[0047] The augers for tilling are positioned and supported on lift arm frames(4) behind the tractor and are raised or lowered with the help of hydraulic cylinders(5) anchored and pivoted on extended vertical frames(2) welded to the base horizontal support frames(3) on either side of the tractor welded to another set of extended frames welded to the base plates(1) and bolted to the body of the tractor, on either side.

[0048] The auger bottom edges have tungsten carbide tips braced on the auger bottom end and serrated helicoid flange edges, coming in contact with the soil to aid in breaking ground and removal of soil excavated through the movement of the helicoid flanges on the central tubular support of the augers.

[0049] The earth cutting action is performed with the auger tool tips and jagged serrated helicoid flange edges, coming in first contact for the breaking of soil. To enable this, the tilting of the auger assembly is such that the auger tool tips are positioned towards the tractor rear end, with the drive end of the auger assembly away from the tractor.

[0050] The hydraulic cylinders(5) for the lift arm frames(4) for raising or lowering the auger assembly(20), as also the hydraulic cylinders(18) for tilting the auger assembly, connected to the sway arm(19) of the 3 point hitch system of the tractor, are actuated with the hydraulic oil pressure line of the tractor, from the outlet provided at the rear of the tractor. If necessary reverse control valve switch with operator handle can be fitted to provide the pressure line and return line if not explicitly made available with the tractor.

[0051] Tractors are provided with position control lever which enable the operator to use the hydraulic system provided in the tractor and activate raising or lowering of the lift arm frames(4) and auger assembly(20) held on them, as also for the required tilting through the swing arms(19) and if necessary, the additional hydraulic actuators(18) fitted to the swing arms(19) on one side and the auger assembly housing(20) at the other end.

[0052] The power transmission to the auger assembly is through tractor PTO connected to a cardan propeller shaft(8) expanding and contracting through splines with universal coupling at either end. The spline connector with the lock engages the input orthogonal spline shaft of the first spiral helical bevel gear set(11) which in turn transmits rotary input torque to the second spiral helical bevel gear set(12) and to the orthogonal splined output shaft(15) of the second spiral helical bevel gear set. Such output shaft(15) drives the central drive shaft of the auger assembly(20).

[0053] The two spiral helical bevel gear sets(11 & 12) come into action to transmit power from the propeller cordon shaft(8) to the auger assembly central drive shaft(15), in its vertical position or inclined position.

[0054] The first spiral helical bevel gear set enables orthogonal change of direction of the power transmission from the PTO shaft parallel to the horizontal direction aligned with the shaft(6) mounting the spiral helical bevel gear sets (11) & (12) on the inclined extended lift arm frames(9). The output from the first spiral helical bevel gear set drives the crown spiral helical bevel gear of the second gear set, in turn engaging the pinion spiral helical bevel gear which is then connected to central drive shaft (15) of the auger assembly.

[0055] The first set of the spiral helical bevel gears’ housing(11) is fixed on to the far end of inclined extended lift arm frames(9), while the second set of spiral helical bevel gear set housing(12) is fixed on the auger assembly housing(20) and tilts along with it, with the axis of the spiral helical crown bevel gear shafts parallel to the ground as the pivot for tilting, on the inclined extended lift arm frames(9) and in a manner that ensures the engagement of the pinion bevel gear with its crown spiral helical bevel gear, even as the tilt occurs and in the tilted position.

[0056] Both the auger assembly housing(20) and the spiral helical bevel gear set housing (12) fixed on top of it undergo tilting about the shaft(6) mounted on bearings on the inclined extended lift arm frames(9) at its far end, parallel to the field, with the actual tilting occurring through activation of the sway arm(19) of the 3 point hitch mechanism of the tractor and additionally through extension or contraction of the hydraulic cylinders (18) connected to the auger assembly housing(20).

[0057] Those skilled in the art will recognize other use cases, improvements, and modification to the embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and other use-cases are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.

[0058] It should be understood at the outset that, although illustrative implementations of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should be in no way limited to illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques, illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of equivalents.

[0059] Reference is made herein to some “embodiments”. It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the foregoing claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the foregoing claims fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

[0060] Although the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalent arrangements as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0061] Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially technical and/or scientific terms, used herein, may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinarily skilled in the art.

,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A multipurpose farm machine equipment mounted on a tractor, wherein said machine comprises, the mounting of an assembly(20) of augers(21) with tungsten carbide braced bottom edges and jagged serrated helicoid flange edges, at the rear end of the tractor, with the arrangement that consists of:

(a) two horizontal support frames (3) with frame extensions, on either side of the tractor, welded to base plates(1) bolted to the tractor sides, with another set of upward frame extensions(2) on either side of the tractor on the horizontal support frames(3) on the sides of the tractor;

(b) the upward vertical extended support frames(2) on the other end of horizontal support frames(3) fitted on the sides of the tractor, having two anchor positions {A} & {B}, at the top end and at the lower end. The raised support frames(2) are additionally bolted with structural frames, to the rear end hitch plate slots of the tractor;

(c) trapezoid shaped structural frames serving as lift arm frames(4) anchored and pivoted at the top anchor position {A} of the vertical support frames(2) to carry an auger assembly(20);

(d) upward extended inclined structural frame members(9), fixed on the horizontal segment of the lift arm frames(4) carrying a shaft(6) mounted on bearings on such inclined extended lift arm frames (9) for the mounting of spiral helical bevel gear sets(11) & (12) and sprocket wheel for chain drive to feed screw auger in the hopper(13);

(e) the lower anchor positions {B} on the vertical support frames(2) with the fitment of the hydraulic cylinders(5) on either side of the tractor, for the raising and lowering of the lift arm frames(4) which holds the auger assembly(20) and augers(21), with the extension or contraction of the hydraulic cylinders(5), anchored on the lower anchor positions on the trapezoidal plates, welded to the mid-section of the horizontal segment of the lift arm frames(4);

(f) the tractor PTO, coupled with a cardan propeller shaft(8), with universal couplings at its ends and having spline connections, that enable expansion or contraction of the propeller drive shaft(8);

(g) the propeller cardan drive shaft(8) connected to two spiral helical bevel gear sets in their housing boxes(11&12) mounted at the far end of the inclined extended lift arm frames(9) to transmit the rotary torque input and power from the tractor PTO to the auger assembly(20);

(h) the first spiral helical gear set housing box(11) fixed to one of the inclined extended lift arm frames(9) at its far end, taking the rotary torque input from the propeller shaft(8), transmitting drive from the tractor PTO, through the spline connector with lock, to an orthogonal spline input pinion spiral helical gear in gear box(11) to the spiral helical bevel crown gear in the gear box(11) with shaft extending on both sides;

(i) the output shaft of the first spiral helical gear set housing box 1(11), fed through a flange coupling(18) to the input shaft of the second spiral helical crown bevel gear in its spiral helical bevel gear set housing box 2 (12), after a change in the drive direction to an orthogonal direction, parallel to the ground; the second spiral helical gear set housing box(12) fixed on the top outer housing of the auger assembly housing(20), having a spiral helical bevel gear set, with the crown spiral helical bevel gear connecting to the output shaft coming from the first spiral helical gear set housing box(11). The spiral helical pinion bevel gear splined output shaft (15), providing the drive output for the auger assembly(20) through a spline connector with lock;

(j) links(17) from the sway arm(19) of the 3 point hitch mechanism on either side of the tractor connected to hydraulic cylinders(18) anchored to such links and connecting to the sides of the outer housing of the auger assembly(20);

(k) the auger assembly housing(20) pivoted on the inclined extended lift arm frames(9);

(l) the arrangement of augers in the auger assembly(20) is made in any of the following configuration:
{i} an inline arrangement of five shafts in the auger housing cage with engaging gears fitted on all the five shafts[Fig. 3], augers(21) fitted on the central drive shaft and thereafter on the shafts at either extreme ends, with the two intermediate idler gears ensuring that all augers(21) rotate in the same direction.
{ii} the augers placed at 120 degrees apart in a simple radial arrangement with drive transmission from the central drive shaft to the gears on the auger shafts in the radial position.
{iii} using a planetary gear and four bar link variant mechanism, [described in a patent of addition bearing no. IN 519420 (202133014453), main patent no. 480766 (202031025555) granted earlier].

(m) a mechanism for tilting of the auger assembly(20) in its housing, with the spiral helical bevel gear set housing box(12) fixed on top, about the spiral helical crown bevel gear shafts(6) parallel to the ground, made possible with the action of the sway arm(19) of the 3 point hitch and the activation of the hydraulic cylinders(18), on either side of the tractor and fixed to the auger assembly housing(20);

(n) the auger bottom edges having tungsten carbide tips braced on them and the helicoid flange edges being jagged and serrated;

(o) a hopper(7) mounted on the lift arm frames(4), with feed augers for movement of the manure slurry or seed placed inside, towards a drop chute and T connector(22) hose and flexible hoses at the bottom of the hopper(7), to administer the manure slurry or seeds over the plantation beds;

(p) the rotation of the feed screw augers enabled with chain drives moving on sprocket wheels(13), with the rotary drive power offtake from the sprocket wheel mounted on the shaft(6) mounted on bearings on the outer inclined extended lift arm frames(9).

2. The machine claimed in claim 1, wherein the earth cutting action is performed with the tungsten carbide auger cutting tool tips on the bottom edge of the augers and jagged serrated helicoid flange edges, coming in first contact for the breaking of soil and removal of soil excavated through the movement of the helicoid flanges, thickness whereof is increased in keeping with strength requirements for breaking hard soil, with the stacking of helicoid flanges, on the central tubular support in such rotary tilling augers.

3. The machine claimed in claim 1, wherein auger assembly with the spiral helical bevel gear housing(12) fixed on top, is tilted to the required tilt angle, with the auger tips tilted towards the tractor end and the drive end away from the tractor, making it possible in such inclined position, to break ground, cutting earth, forming troughs and corresponding ridges and plantation beds with tractor movement on the field.

4. The machine claimed in claim 1, wherein auger assembly with the spiral helical bevel gear housing(12) fixed on top, is tilted to a vertical position perpendicular to the ground, for digging of pits at designated places on the farm field.

5. The machine claimed in claim 1, wherein with an arrangement using a planetary gear and four bar link variant mechanism, the augers can be moved towards each other or away from each other to vary distances between the augers, enabling formation of troughs and corresponding plantation beds with varying distances between consecutive troughs and plantation beds and additionally, also enabling digging pits with varying diameters in the vertical position of augers.

6. The machine claimed in claim 1, wherein the three augers(21) arranged in any of the configuration arrangements, enables three troughs and plantation bed ridges and plantation beds, to be made with one travel pass of the tractor across the field. Multiple such passes being made with turning of tractor at the far end to cover the breadth of entire field area.

7. The machine claimed in claim 1, wherein the raising or lowering of the lift arms(4), along with appropriate tilting of the augers, enables changes to be made for the depth of cut of the field, perform deep digging operations alongside manuring to enrich deeper layers of the soil and such raising or lowering of the augers or change of inclination, is adapted to suit varying soil conditions, textures, surface hardness, during the tilling operation.

8. The machine claimed in claim 1, wherein appropriate mixtures for soil amendments, when necessary are placed in the hopper, for its application during ploughing and plantation bed preparation operation or when new farm land is brought under cultivation, with deep digging enriching the deeper layers of the soil, making the field suitable for plant cultivation.

9. The machine claimed in claim 1, wherein the tractor mounted rotary auger mechanism enables ploughing that converts barren land into cultivable land in a single pass, by avoiding usage of any further secondary tillage implement.

10. The machine claimed in claim 1, wherein the tractor mounted rotary auger plough utilizes lesser tractor power, on account of lesser draft force and thereby ensures high field efficiency, less amount of draft force and high quality performance. The rotary auger plough enables loosening and granulating actions of ploughing to improve soil structure for cultivation of crops.

11. The machine claimed in claim 1, provides accurate and precise ploughing apparatus that achieves desired depth in the soil and for creation of ridges and plantation beds on the farm in a single pass, without using secondary implements. Also requiring quite less amount of fuel consumption and labour requirement to perform soil processing for cultivation, making farming operations less costlier.

12. The machine claimed in claim 1, wherein with the augers replaced with raking rods with spikes perpendicular to the axial stem, and the assembly tilted outward away from the tractor, the stubble removal is performed with the forward movement of the tractor.