DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to agricultural implement, particularly to accessories such as, a detachable reversible mould board plough for agricultural vehicles, more particularly, to an adaptable reversible mould board plough providing provision for enabling interchangeability between mechanical and hydraulic variants for a given type reversible mould board plough.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mould board ploughs are a common type of ploughs used in farming. Reversible mould board plough is one such type of mould board plough, which is used in soil preparation and used as an accessory to agricultural vehicles. To control the reversing and positioning operation of such reversible mould board ploughs, a separate control system is required. Usually a hydraulic control system or a mechanical control system is employed for this purpose.

Conventionally, reversible mould board plough with mechanical reversing and positioning control or hydraulic reversing and positioning control are available separately as two different units. Reversible mould board plough with mechanical reversing and positioning control is economical but required more effort and monitoring of the operator. On the other hand, reversible mould board plough with hydraulic reversing and positioning control is bit costlier but requires less effort & time and minimal or no monitoring of the operator and hence results in higher productivity.

Reversible mould board plough with hydraulic reversing and positioning control can't be replaced with mechanical variant, because of mounting and structural differences in base frame which is called as Headstock Assembly. Hence, if the farmer likes to changeover from mechanical variant to hydraulic variant or vice-versa, he could buy new equipment.

There is therefore a need in the art for an adaptable reversible mould board plough having provision for enabling interchangeability between mechanical variant and hydraulic variants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR-ART

US4062410A provides an adjustable moldboard for variable speed plowing comprising a plow bottom which is pivotally connected to the stub beam by which the plow bottom is connected to the main frame. Both mechanical and fluid biasing devices are disclosed together with an additional embodiment wherein a hydraulic actuator under the control of the operator is used to pivotally adjust the plow bottom.

US4671363 discloses a plow moldboard made of a plurality of sections which are reversible and interchangeable. so that each moldboard section can alternatively serve as the leading edge of the moldboard in two different positions. Whenever sufficient wear occurs on the leading edge, the leading moldboard section can be reversed in position or interchanged with another moldboard section. Whenever all the moldboard sections have sufficiently worn, they can be replaced by new moldboard sections. Thereafter, the reversing and interchanging of each moldboard section can be repeated.
US2015060098 relates to an adjustable cutting edge for a moldboard having a material engaging surface and a bottom edge. The adjustable cutting edge has a series of cutter bodies and a series of retainers comprising actuators which are carried by the moldboard, each retainer permitting a respective cutter body to move along the concave curvature to advance or retract the bottom cutting edge relative to the bottom edge of the moldboard and engaging the position control profile of a respective cutter body to retain the respective cutter body in a selected position. Each actuator may be manually operated or operated by a power source, such as an electric motor.
EP02257685 discloses a reversible plough which comprises: a headstock ; a plough frame having a plurality of pairs of reversible plough bodies spaced apart along its length; and a mounting means for the plough frame on the headstock for rotational movement between two ploughing positions corresponding to left side ploughing and right side ploughing by the plough bodies in order to reverse the plough bodies.
From the above cited prior-art it is evident that conventionally reversible mould board plough with mechanical variants and hydraulic variants are available in separate units. The present invention provides an adaptable reversible mould board plough which is reversibly attachable to agricultural vehicles. Further the adaptable reversible mould board plough of the present invention provides a provision for enabling interchangeability between mechanical and hydraulic variants for a given type reversible mould board plough. Further the present invention embodies an adaptable reversible mould board plough that enables the operator to change hydraulic variant to mechanical variant and vice-versa, simply by changing few parts, without changing the entire unit as against the conventional one.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION:

The main objective of the invention is to provide an adaptable reversible mould board plough which is attachable to agricultural vehicles.

The second objective of the invention is to provide an adaptable reversible mould board plough having provision for enabling interchangeability between mechanical variant and hydraulic variants.

Another objective of the invention is to achieve the interchangeability between mechanical variant and hydraulic variants by changing few parts, without changing the entire unit.

Yet another objective of the invention is to enable the interchangeability of the said reversible mould board plough at minimal cost and time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention provides an adaptable reversible mould board plough attachable to agricultural vehicles, enabling interchangeability between mechanical and hydraulic variants comprising of : a static headstock (101) with a pivot point (106) connected to agricultural vehicle three point linkage, includes a hollow steel tube with bearing hub, struts and back support plate; a mainframe (103) mounted on the said headstock (101) and a centre shaft; a stand (102); a plurality of leg holders (104) operatively connected to the mainframe (103), wherein the said plurality of leg holder comprises of a first end and a second end; a plurality of saddle assemblies (105) operatively connected to the said first end and the second end of the leg holders (104); and a control system, Wherein the said control system is a mechanical control system (120) or a hydraulic control system (110). The said headstock (101) of the reversible mould board plough is designed to suit for both mechanical and hydraulic variants, this enables the present invention to be largely adaptable compared to the conventional machinery available for the purpose. In the present invention the said interchangeability between mechanical variant and hydraulic variants is achieved by changing few parts, without changing the entire unit. Further the present invention enables the interchangeability of the said reversible mould board plough at minimal cost and time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates the present invention with hydraulic reversing and positioning control.
Figure 2 illustrates the exploded view of the hydraulic reversing and positioning control.

Figure 3 illustrates the present invention with mechanical reversing and positioning control.
Figure 4 illustrates the exploded view of the mechanical reversing and positioning control.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.

Throughout this specification, the use of the term "mechanical variant" or "mechanical control system" implies to the reversible mould board plough with mechanical reversing and positioning control.

Throughout this specification, the use of the term "hydraulic variant" or "hydraulic control system" implies to the reversible mould board plough with hydraulic reversing and positioning control.

The present invention provides an adaptable reversible mould board plough attachable to agricultural vehicles, enabling interchangeability between mechanical and hydraulic variants comprising of : headstock (101); mainframe (103); a stand (102); a plurality of leg holders (104); a plurality of saddle assemblies (105); and a control system.

In the preferred embodiment, wherein the said control system is a mechanical control system (120) or a hydraulic control system (110).

In the preferred embodiment, wherein the said headstock (101) is a static structural member with a pivot point (106) connected to agricultural vehicles' three point linkage, comprises of hollow steel tube with bearing hub, struts and back support plate.

In the preferred embodiment, wherein the said mainframe (103) is a dynamic structural member, which is mounted on the headstock (101), having centre shaft (not shown); the plurality of leg holders (104); and the saddle assemblies (105). The said mainframe (103) is capable of rotating 180 degree in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. The centre of gravity of the mainframe (103) is not in line with reversible mould board plough's centre line. Thus the mainframe (103) rotates itself on its own with the entire mass in the mechanical variant due to mass imbalance. The said leg holders (104) are structural members connected to the mainframe (103). Both the ends of the leg holders (104) are connected with saddle assemblies (105). Each Leg holder would create a furrow and based on the requirement number of leg holders (104) can be increased.

In the preferred embodiment, wherein the said the hydraulic control system (110) comprises essentially of: a base plate (111); a cylinder mounting pin (112); a plough turning cylinder (113) having a first end and a second end; a plurality of first hex bolts (114); a plurality of first hex nuts (115); a plurality of lock washers (116); a plurality of second hex bolts (117); and a plurality of second hex nuts (118). Wherein the said base plate (111) is mounted on the headstock (101) using a plurality of first hex bolts (114), a plurality of lock washers (116) and a plurality of first hex nuts (115). Wherein the said first end of the plough turning cylinder (113) is connected with the base plate (111) using the cylinder mounting pin (112) and the other end is associated with the mainframe (103). The said plough turning cylinder (113) further comprises an inlet hose and an outlet hose (not shown), wherein one end of the hoses are connected with the plough turning cylinder (113) and the other ends are connected with the agricultural vehicle.

In the preferred embodiment, wherein the said mechanical control system (120) comprises essentially of: a tilting mechanism (122); a lever (121) with a lever ball (121a) and a lever nut (121b), wherein the lever ball (121a) is mounted on the lever (121) using the lever nut (121b) and the lever is connected with the headstock (101); a pin (123); a tilting lock (124); a spring (125); a pin hook (126); a top pin hook (127); a turn buckle (128) having a first end and a second end; a tilting hook (129); and a bottom pin hook (130). The said tilting mechanism (122) is mounted on the headstock (101) using the pin (123). The pin hook (126) with the tilting lock (124) is connected with the tilting mechanism (122) and the spring (125) is inserted. The tilting hook (129) is connected with the tilting mechanism (122) using the top pin hook (127) as illustrated in the Fig. 4. The first end of the turn buckle (128) is connected with the tilting hook (129) using the bottom pin hook (130) and the other end is associated with the mainframe (103).

In the preferred embodiment, the method of converting the reversible mould board plough (100) from the hydraulic variant to the mechanical variant comprises essentially of the following steps:

a) detaching the inlet hose and the outlet hose from the plough turning cylinder (113);
b) removing the plough turning cylinder (113) from the mainframe (103) and the base plate (111);
c) removing the base plate (111) from the headstock (101) by removing the plurality of first hex bolts (114), the plurality of lock washers (116) and the plurality of hex nuts (115);
d) connecting the tilting mechanism (122) to the headstock (101) by means of a pin (123);
e) connecting the pin hook (126) having the tilting lock (124) to the tilting mechanism (122) and inserting the spring (125);
f) fixing the tilting hook (129) to the tilting mechanism (122) by means of the top pin hook (127);
g) connecting the first end of the turn buckle (128) to the tilting hook (129) by means of the bottom pin hook (130);
h) fastening the second end of the turn buckle (128) to the mainframe (103); and
i) connecting the lever (121) to the pivot point (106) on the headstock (101).

The reversible mould board plough now starts working as the mechanical variant without changing any other parts of the mould board plough.

The method of converting the reversible mould board plough (100) from the mechanical variant to the hydraulic variant comprises essentially of the following steps:

a) removing the lever (121) from the pivot point (106) on the headstock (101);

b) unfastening the second end of the turn buckle (128) from the mainframe (103);

c) detaching the first end of the turn buckle (128) from the tilting hook (129) by removing the bottom pin hook (130);

d) removing the tilting hook (129) from the tilting mechanism (122) by removing the top pin hook (127);

e) disengaging the spring (125) from the pin hook (126) and removing the pin hook (126) having the tilting lock (124) from the tilting mechanism (122);

f) disconnecting the tilting mechanism (122) from the headstock (101) by removing the pin (123);

g) connecting the base plate (111) to the headstock (101) by means of a plurality of first hex bolts (114), a plurality of lock washers (116) and a plurality of hex nuts (115);

h) engaging one end of the plough turning cylinder (113) to the mainframe (101) and the other end to the base plate (111);

i) connecting the inlet and outlet hoses with the plough turning cylinder (113).

Now the reversible mould board plough starts working as the hydraulic variant without changing any other parts of the mould board plough.

In the preferred embodiment, the said headstock (101) of the reversible mould board plough is designed to suit for both mechanical and hydraulic variants. This aspect enables the present invention to be largely adaptable compared to the conventional machinery available for the purpose.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention may be made by a person skilled in the art.
,CLAIMS:1) An adaptable reversible mould board plough attachable to agricultural vehicles, enabling interchangeability between the mechanical and hydraulic variants comprising of : a static headstock (101) with a pivot point (106) connected to agricultural vehicle three point linkage, includes a hollow steel tube with bearing hub, struts and back support plate; a mainframe (103) mounted on the said headstock (101) and a centre shaft; a stand (102); a plurality of leg holders (104) operatively connected to the mainframe (103), wherein the said plurality of leg holder comprises of a first end and a second end; a plurality of saddle assemblies (105) operatively connected to the said first end and the second end of the leg holders (104); and a control system.

2) The Adaptable reversible mould board plough as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said control system is a hydraulic control system (110).

3) The Adaptable reversible mould board plough as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the said hydraulic control system (110) comprises of : a base plate (111), mounted on the headstock (101) by means of a plurality of first hex bolts (114), a plurality of lock washers (116) and a plurality of first hex nuts (115); a plough turning cylinder (113), having its first end connected to the base plate (111) through a cylinder mounting pin (112) and its second end associated with the mainframe (103),wherein the said plough turning cylinder (113) further comprises of a inlet hose and a outlet hose connected to the agricultural vehicle; a plurality of second hex bolts (117); and a plurality of second hex nuts (118).

4) The Adaptable reversible mould board plough as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said control system is a mechanical control system (120).

5) The Adaptable reversible mould board plough as claimed in claim 1 and claim 4, wherein the said mechanical control system (120) comprises of: a lever (121) connected to the headstock (101), wherein the said lever includes a lever ball (121a) mounted on the said lever (121) using the lever nut (121b); a tilting mechanism (122) mounted on the headstock (101) by means of a pin (123); a pin hook (126) with a tilting lock (124) connected to the tilting mechanism (122); a spring (125); a tilting hook (129) connected to the tilting mechanism (122) by means of a top pin hook (127); a turn buckle (128), first end of which is connected to the tilting hook (129) by means of a bottom pin hook (130), and its second end is fastened to the mainframe (103).

6) The Adaptable reversible mould board plough as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said main frame (103) is rotatable up to 180° in both clockwise and counter-clockwise direction.

7) A method for converting an reversible mould board plough from the hydraulic variant to the mechanical variant comprises of :

a. detaching the inlet hose and the outlet hose from the plough turning cylinder (113);
b. removing the plough turning cylinder (113) from the mainframe (103) and the base plate (111);
c. removing the base plate (111) from the headstock (101) by removing the plurality of first hex bolts (114), the plurality of lock washers (116) and the plurality of hex nuts (115);
d. connecting the tilting mechanism (122) to the headstock (101) by means of a pin (123);
e. connecting the pin hook (126) having the tilting lock (124) to the tilting mechanism (122) and inserting the spring (125);
f. fixing the tilting hook (129) to the tilting mechanism (122) by means of the top pin hook (127);
g. connecting the first end of the turn buckle (128) to the tilting hook (129) by means of the bottom pin hook (130);
h. fastening the second end of the turn buckle (128) to the mainframe (103); and
i. connecting the lever (121) to the pivot point (106) on the headstock (101).

8) A method for converting an reversible mould board plough from the mechanical variant to the hydraulic variant comprises of:

a. removing the lever (121) from the pivot point (106) on the headstock (101);
b. unfastening the second end of the turn buckle (128) from the mainframe (103);
c. detaching the first end of the turn buckle (128) from the tilting hook (129) by removing the bottom pin hook (130);
d. removing the tilting hook (129) from the tilting mechanism (122) by removing the top pin hook (127);
e. disengaging the spring (125) from the pin hook (126) and removing the pin hook (126) having the tilting lock (124) from the tilting mechanism (122);
f. disconnecting the tilting mechanism (122) from the headstock (101) by removing the pin (123);
g. connecting the base plate (111) to the headstock (101) by means of a plurality of first hex bolts (114), a plurality of lock washers (116) and a plurality of hex nuts (115);
h. engaging one end of the plough turning cylinder (113) to the mainframe (101) and the other end to the base plate (111);
i. connecting the inlet and outlet hoses with the plough turning cylinder (113).