Claims:1. An agricultural implement (100) configured to be connected to one of a front end (102) and a rear end (104) of an agricultural vehicle (10), said implement (100) comprising:
an elongated central frame member (106) extending between a pair of fixed side members (108), said central frame member (106) having a front end (106a) and an opposite rear end (106b);
a pair of front lower link mounting brackets (110) coupled to said front end (106a) of said central frame member(106)at predetermined locations;
a pair of rear lower link mounting brackets (112) coupled to said rear end (106b) of said central frame member (106) at predetermined locations;
a front top link mounting bracket (114) extending transversely and coupled to said central frame member(106) towards said front end (106a); and
a rear top link mounting bracket (116) extending transversely and coupled to said central frame member(106) towards said rear end (106b),
wherein
said pair of front lower link mounting brackets(110) and said front top link mounting bracket (114) enables connection of said implement(100) to said front end (102) of said agricultural vehicle (10), and
said pair of rear lower link mounting brackets (112) and said rear top link mounting bracket (116) enables connection of said implement(100) to said rear end (104) of said agricultural vehicle (10).
2. The agricultural implement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central frame member(106) includes:
a top cover (124) defined between said pair of fixed side members (108), and
at least one beam structure (126) supported between said fixed side members (108).
3. The agricultural implement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said each fixed side member (108) is coupled to a dual direction skid board (128) at a bottom portion of said fixed side member (108), said dual direction skid board (128) is adapted to skid on a ground surface thereby facilitating easy movement of said implement (100) over said ground surface.
4. The agricultural implement (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said dual direction skid board (128) is coupled to said side fixed member (108) through a depth control bracket (130), said depth control bracket (130) is adapted to move between a stowed position and an expanded position, such that it varies a height of said dual direction skid board (128) from said ground surface thereby facilitating a predetermined depth of cut for a soil operation, wherein said depth control bracket (130) is adapted to be moved between a plurality of positions defined between said stowed position and said expanded position to vary said height of said dual direction skid board (128).
5. The agricultural implement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said implement (100) includes a safety guard (132) coupled to said central frame member (106) towards one of said front end (106a) and said rear end (106b) of said central frame member (106), said safety guard (132) includes a pair of safety guard mounting brackets (134) defined at predetermined locations to couple said safety guard (132) to said central frame member (106).
6. An agricultural implement (200) for an agricultural vehicle (10), said implement (200) comprising:
an elongated central frame member (202) extending between a pair of fixed side members (204), said central frame member (202) having a front end (202a) and an opposite rear end (202b);
at least one rotary shaft (206) mounted within said central frame member (202); and
a driving means (208) adapted receive a rotary motion from a power take off shaft of said agricultural vehicle (10) and transmit said rotary motion to said rotary shaft (206),
wherein
said driving means (208) includes an extended PTO shaft (210) having an input end (210a) and an output end (210b), said extended PTO shaft (210) is adapted receive power from said power take off shaft of said agricultural vehicle (10) and transmit said power to at least one auxiliary equipment (212), wherein said auxiliary equipment (212) is coupled to said implement (200).
7. An agricultural implement (300) configured to be connected to one of a front end (302) and a rear end (304) of an agricultural vehicle (10), said implement (300) comprising:
an elongated central frame member (306) extending between a pair of fixed side members (308), said central frame member (306) having a front end (306a) and an opposite rear end (306b);
a pair of front lower link mounting brackets (310) coupled to said front end (306a) of said central frame (306) member at predetermined locations;
a pair of rear lower link mounting brackets (312) coupled to said rear end (306b) of said central frame member (306) at predetermined locations;
a front top link mounting bracket (314) coupled to said central frame member (306) towards said front end (306a);
a rear top link mounting bracket (316) coupled to said central frame member (306) towards said rear end (306b);
at least one rotary shaft (318) mounted within said central frame member (306); and
a driving means (320) adapted receive a rotary motion from a power take off shaft of said agricultural vehicle (10) and transmit said rotary motion to said rotary shaft (318),
wherein
said pair of front lower link mounting brackets (310) and said front top link mounting bracket (314) enables connection of said implement (300) to said front end (302) of said agricultural vehicle (10),
said pair of rear lower link mounting brackets (312) and said rear top link mounting bracket (316) enables connection of said implement (300) to said rear end (304) of said agricultural vehicle (10), and
said driving means (320) includes an extended PTO shaft (322) having an input end (322a) and an output end (322b), said extended PTO shaft (322) is adapted receive power from said power take off shaft of said agricultural vehicle (10) and transmit said power to at least one auxiliary equipment (344), wherein said auxiliary equipment (344) is coupled to said implement (300).
8. The agricultural implement (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said central frame member (306) includes:
a top cover (328) defined between said pair of fixed side members (308); and
at least one beam structure (330) supported between said fixed side members (308).
9. The agricultural implement (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said pair of front lower link mounting brackets (310), said front top link mounting bracket (314), said pair of rear lower link mounting brackets (312) and said rear top link mounting bracket (316) define a plurality of apertures to receive a coupling means to connect said corresponding front brackets and rear brackets to corresponding front end and rear end of said agricultural vehicle (10).
10. The agricultural implement (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said each fixed side member (308) is coupled to a dual direction skid board (332) at a bottom portion of said fixed side member (308), said dual direction skid board (332) is adapted to skid on a ground surface thereby facilitating easy movement of implement (300) over said ground surface.
11. The agricultural implement (300) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said dual direction skid board (332) is coupled to said side fixed member (308) through a depth control bracket (334), said depth control bracket (334) is adapted to move between a stowed position and an expanded position, such that it varies a height of said dual direction skid board (332) from said ground surface thereby facilitating a predetermined depth of cut for a soil operation, wherein said depth control bracket (334) is adapted to be moved between a plurality of positions defined between said stowed position and said expanded position to vary said height of said dual direction skid board (332).
12. The agricultural implement (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said implement(300) includes a safety guard(336) coupled to said central frame member (306) towards one of said front end (306a) and said rear end (306b) of said central frame member (306), said safety guard(336) includes a pair of safety guard mounting brackets (338) defined at predetermined locations to couple said safety guard(336) to said central frame member (306).
13. The agricultural implement (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein driving means (320) includes a multi speed gear box (340) and an interchangeable side gear box (342), said multi speed gear box (340) is positioned at mid-section of said central frame member (306) and adapted to receive input from said PTO shaft of said agricultural vehicle (10), and said interchangeable side gear box (342) is positioned towards one of said side fixed member (308) and is adapted to receive a rotary motion from said multi speed gear box (340) through a shaft and transmit said rotary motion to said rotary shaft (318).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to agricultural implements, and more particularly, to an agricultural implement which is selectively operable in one of front end and rear end of an agricultural vehicle (tractor). Further, the embodiments herein relate to an agricultural implement which is capable of passing power from PTO of the agricultural vehicle to an auxiliary equipment to achieve multiple soil and farm operations at the same time.
BACKGROUND
[002] Agricultural vehicles such as tractors are machines capable of pulling, transporting and providing power to agricultural implements connected thereto. Several types of agricultural implements exist for performing various soil operations, for example, a rear tine SRT ("standard rotating tine") tillers, a rear tine CRT ("counter rotating tine") tillers and front tine tillers, also commonly referred to as cultivators. Each of these tillers have particular construction and they are configured to be used for particular operating conditions or operations. Performance of the agricultural implement in combination with the tractor has been under study, as it directly affects the operational efficiency and fuel consumption of the tractor.
[003] The conventional rear tine SRT tillers include tines which rotate in the same forward direction as of a drive wheels and thus cooperate with the wheels to propel the tractor forwardly. These types of tillers are best suited for tilling previously tilled soil or light sandy soil. However, rear tillers are not particularly well suited for tilling hard soil, as the tines tend to skip and till only to a very shallow depth. In addition, they tend to be cumbersome and difficult to maneuver in tight areas, such as around existing plants or other obstacles.
[004] Further, in conventional rear tine CRT tillers, the tines rotate in the opposite direction, i.e. opposite to the direction of rotation of the drive wheels. This construction solves few of the problems associated with the rear tine SRT tiller by penetrating to a deep depth even in hard soil or soil which has not been tilled previously. However, in the rear tine CRT tiller, the drive wheels may tend to lose traction relative to the deep digging "counter rotating" tines. As a result, the tiller may stop moving forward or may even be pulled rearwardly against the forward pull of the drive wheels. Furthermore, the conventional CRT tillers are generally very large and heavy, due which they may not be suitable for relatively light duty tilling operation.
[005] Another conventional agricultural implement available, is a front tine tiller or cultivator. During operation of the front tine tiller, the wheels are located between the tines and the operator and the tines rotate in the forward direction to propel the tractor forwardly. This type of tiller is ideally suited for relatively light duty operations such as tilling small areas. The front tine tiller however, is not the suitable for routine tilling operations as the wheels tend to leave tracks or furrow in the freshly tilled soil, thereby causing uneven tilling.
[006] In another approach, the conventional agricultural implement are constructed such that, it can perform multiple soil operation in a single pass. In this approach, the agricultural implement includes a combination of soil operating tools under a single frame structure to perform the multiple soil operation. Such tillers are generally very large and heavy, commonly in excess of 200 kg, due to which additional traction arises. Also, this approach is inefficient and cumbersome to operate for relatively light duty tilling, such as home garden use or other small area tilling.
[007] Thus, owning a separate machine for each of the above described tilling operations is not desirable, as it incurs heavy investment. Further, few of the machines may remain idle for longer time unless they are needed for routine operation. Thus, it is desirable to have a single agricultural implement capable of operating effectively in more than one mode to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks.
[008] Therefore, there exists a need for an agricultural implement which is selectively operable in different operating modes. Further, there exists a need for an agricultural implement, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[009] The principal object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an agricultural implement which is selectively operable in one of front end and rear end of an agricultural vehicle.
[0010] Another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an agricultural implement which is capable of passing power from power take off (PTO) of the agricultural vehicle to an auxiliary equipment to achieve multiple soil and farm operations at the same time.
[0011] Yet another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an agricultural implement which is convertible to selectively operate in different operating modes.
[0012] Still another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an agricultural implement which is adapted to be connected to one of front and rear hitch arrangements of an agricultural vehicle.
[0013] Another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an agricultural implement which includes interchangeable top links to selectively connect the agricultural implement to one of a front end and a rear end of an agricultural vehicle.
[0014] Yet another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an agricultural implement which is inexpensive and easy to fabricate.
[0015] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1a depicts a perspective view of an agricultural implement, according to first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 1b depicts aside view of the agricultural implement, according to first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0019] FIG. 1c depicts a top view of a central frame member, according to first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0020] FIG. 1d depicts a top view of a cover of the agricultural implement, according to first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0021] FIG. 2a depicts a perspective view of an agricultural implement, according to second embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0022] FIG. 2b depicts a side view of the agricultural implement assembled to an auxiliary equipment, according to second embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0023] FIG. 3a depicts a perspective view of an agricultural implement, according to third embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0024] FIG. 3b depicts a side view of the agricultural implement, according to third embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0025] FIG. 3c depicts a top view of a central frame member, according to third embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0026] FIG. 3d depicts a top view of a cover of the agricultural implement, according to third embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0027] FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the agricultural implement assembled to an agricultural vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0029] The embodiments herein achieve an agricultural implement which is selectively operable in one of front end and rear end of an agricultural vehicle. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the agricultural implement which is capable of passing power from power take off (PTO) of the agricultural vehicle to an auxiliary equipment to achieve multiple soil and farm operations at the same time. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the agricultural implement which is convertible to selectively operate in different operating modes. Moreover, the embodiments herein achieve the agricultural implement which is adapted to be connected to one of front and rear hitch arrangements of the agricultural vehicle. Additionally, the embodiments herein achieve the agricultural implement which includes interchangeable top links to selectively connect the agricultural implement to one of the front end and the rear end of the agricultural vehicle. Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through FIG. 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0030] FIGS. 1aand 1b depicts a perspective view and side view of an agricultural implement (100), according to first embodiment as disclosed herein. In first embodiment, the agricultural implement (100) (also referred to as implement in this description) is coupled to an agricultural vehicle (10). The agricultural vehicle (10) has a front end (102) and a rear end (104). The implement (100) includes an elongated central frame member (106), a pair of fixed side members (108), a pair of front lower link mounting brackets (110), a pair of rear lower link mounting brackets (112), a front top link mounting bracket (114), a rear top link mounting bracket (116), at least one rotary shaft (118),a plurality of flanges (120), at least one cutting blade (122), a top cover (124), at least one beam structure (126), a dual direction skid board (128), and depth control bracket (130), and a safety guard (132).
[0031] The implement (100) is pulled by the agricultural vehicle (10) in one of a forward direction and a rearward direction. The tractor has a conventional power take-off shaft (not shown) extending forward and rearward from its body. These and all other features of the tractor are conventional and consequently details are neither shown nor described relative to those features.
[0032] The implement (100) includes the elongated central frame member (106). The central frame member (106) includes a front end (106a) and a rear end (106b). The elongated central frame member (106) is configured to be connected to a clevis by means of a pin (not shown). The elongated central frame member (106) further includes the pair of fixed side members (108) which are disposed at opposite ends of the central frame member (106).
[0033] The implement (100) further includes the pair of front lower link mounting brackets (110) which are coupled to the central frame member (106). The pair front lower link mounting brackets (110) are coupled to the central frame member (106) at the front end (106a). The pair front lower link mounting brackets (110) are coupled to the central frame member (106) at predetermined locations such that there is a predetermined gap between the pair front lower link mounting brackets (110). In an embodiment, the front lower link mounting brackets (110) are coupled to the central frame member (106) by at least one of welding and fastening. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of coupling means between the front lower link mounting brackets and the central frame member without otherwise deterring the intended function of the coupling as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. Further, each of the front lower link mounting bracket (110) is coupled to tractor lower link (not shown) through at least one hitch pin (not shown).
[0034] The implement (100) further includes the pair of rear lower link mounting brackets (112) which are coupled to the central frame member (106). The pair rear lower link mounting brackets (112) are coupled to the central frame member (106) at the rear end (106b). The pair rear lower link mounting brackets (112) are coupled to the central frame member (106) at predetermined locations such that there is a predetermined gap between the pair rear lower link mounting brackets (112). In an embodiment, the rear lower link mounting brackets (112) are coupled to the central frame member (106) by at least one of welding and fastening. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of coupling means between the front lower link mounting brackets and the central frame member without otherwise deterring the intended function of the coupling as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. Further, each of the rear lower link mounting bracket (112) is coupled to tractor lower link (not shown) through at least one hitch pin (not shown).
[0035] The implement (100) further includes the front top link mounting bracket (114) which is coupled to the central frame member (106). The front top link mounting bracket (114) is coupled to the central frame member (106)at the front end (106a). The front top link mounting bracket (114) extends transversely from the central frame member (106) towards upward direction. In an embodiment, the front top link mounting bracket (114) is coupled to the central frame member (106) by at least one of welding and fastening. Further, the front top link mounting bracket (114) includes a plurality of supporting structure (114a) which are connected in a predetermined manner to provide connection of the front top link mounting bracket (114) to a front hitch arrangement provided in the tractor. The pair of front lower link mounting brackets (110) along with the front top link mounting bracket (114) enables connection of the implement (100) to the front end (102) of the agricultural vehicle (10).
[0036] The implement (100) further includes the rear top link mounting bracket (116) which is coupled to the central frame member (106). The rear top link mounting bracket (116) is coupled to the central frame member (106) at the rear end (106b). The rear top link mounting bracket (116) extends transversely from the central frame member (106) towards upward direction. In an embodiment, the rear top link mounting bracket (116) is coupled to the central frame member (106) by at least one of welding and fastening. Further, the rear top link mounting bracket (116) includes a plurality of supporting structure (116a) which are connected in a predetermined manner to provide connection of the rear top link mounting bracket (116) to a rear hitch arrangement provided in the tractor. The pair of rear lower link mounting brackets (112) along with the rear top link mounting bracket (116) enables connection of the implement (100) to the rear end (104) of the agricultural vehicle (10).
[0037] The central frame member (106) includes the top cover (124) and the at least one beam structure (126) mounted between the pair of fixed side members (108). The top cover (124) is provided at a top portion (not shown) of the implement (100) so as to prevent soil or other particles from getting splashed on the beam structure (126). Further the beam structure (126) is configured to support and provide rigidity to the central frame member (106). In an embodiment, the central frame member (106) may include a plurality of beam structures (126) to provide more rigidity to the central frame member (106) as shown in FIG. 1c.
[0038] The implement (100) includes at least one rotary shaft(118) which is disposed between the pair of fixed side members (108)of the central frame member (106). The rotary shaft (118) is rotatably mounted within the central frame member (106). The rotary shaft (118) further includes the plurality of flanges (120) which are disposed at predetermined locations of the rotary shaft (118) as shown in FIG. 1a. For example, the rotary shaft (118) may include at least eight flanges (120) which are disposed at predetermined locations as shown in FIG. 1a. Each flange (120) may include at least one aperture to receive at least one fastener (not shown). Each flange (120) is further configured to receive at least one cutting blade (122). The cutting blade (122) is coupled to the flange (120) through the fastener. Each of the flanges (120) is coupled with a predetermined number of the cutting blades (122). Further, each cutting blade (122) is coupled to the flange (120) at a predetermined angle as shown in FIG 1a. In an alternate embodiment, the flange (120) and the cutting blade (122) may be made up of unitary structure. The cutting blades (122) are made up of at least one of shape selected from a group comprising L shape, C shape and J shape. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any shape of blade for fabricating the blade without otherwise deterring the intended function of the tilling as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings.
[0039] The implement (100) further includes the dual direction skid board (128) which is provided at a bottom portion of the fixed side member (108). The dual direction skid board (128) is adapted to skid on a ground surface thereby facilitating easy movement of the implement (100) over the ground surface in both front and rear direction of tractor travel. The dual direction skid board (128) is coupled to the side fixed member (108) through the depth control bracket (130). The depth control bracket (130) is adapted to move between a stowed position and an expanded position, such that it varies a height of the dual direction skid board (128) from the ground surface thereby facilitating a predetermined depth of cut for a soil operation. Further, the depth control bracket (130) is adapted to be moved between a plurality of positions defined between the stowed position and the expanded position to vary the height of the dual direction skid board (128).
[0040] The implement (100) further includes the safety guard (132) which is coupled to the central frame member (106) towards one of the front end (106a) and the rear end (106b) as shown in FIG. 1d. The safety guard (132) further includes a pair of safety guard mounting brackets (134) defined at predetermined locations to couple the safety guard (132) to the central frame member (106). In an embodiment, the safety guard (132) is configured to retain the tilled soil without getting splashed far away from a tilled region.
[0041] FIG. 2a depicts a perspective view of an agricultural implement, according to second embodiment as disclosed herein. FIG. 2b depicts a side view of the agricultural implement assembled to an auxiliary equipment, according to second embodiment as disclosed herein. In second embodiment, the implement (200) is connected to the agricultural vehicle (10). The implement (200) includes an elongated central frame member (202), a front end (202a) and a rear end (202b), a pair of fixed side members (204), at least one rotary shaft (206), a driving means (208), extended PTO shaft (210), an input end (210a) and an output end (210b).
[0042] The implement (200) includes the elongated central frame member (202). The central frame member (202) includes a front end (202a) and a rear end (202b). The elongated central frame member (202) is configured to be connected to a clevis by means of a pin (not shown). The elongated central frame member (202) further includes the pair of fixed side members (204) which are disposed at opposite ends of the central frame member (202).
[0043] The implement (200) includes the at least one rotary shaft (206) which is disposed between the pair of fixed side members (204) of the central frame member (202). The rotary shaft (206) is rotatably mounted within the central frame member (202).
[0044] The implement (200) further includes the driving means (208). The driving means (208) is adapted receive a rotary motion from a power take off shaft of the agricultural vehicle (10) and transmit the rotary motion to the rotary shaft (206). Further, the driving means (208) includes the extended PTO shaft (210). The extended PTO shaft (210) includes an input end (210a) and an output end (210b). The extended PTO shaft (210) is adapted to receive a power from the power take off shaft of the agricultural vehicle (10) and transmit the power to at least one auxiliary equipment (212) which is coupled to the implement (200). In an embodiment, the extended PTO shaft (210) is single shaft. The input end (210a) of the extended PTO shaft (210) is adapted to receive the power from the power take off shaft of the agricultural vehicle (10) and simultaneously, transmit the power to the auxiliary equipment (212) via the output end (210b). In an embodiment, the auxiliary equipment (212) may be at least a sprayer, fertilizer application machine, seeder, planter and the like.
[0045] FIG. 3a depicts a perspective view of an agricultural implement, according to third embodiment as disclosed herein. FIG. 3b depicts a side view of the agricultural implement, according to third embodiment as disclosed herein. In third embodiment, the implement (300) is coupled to the agricultural vehicle (10). The agricultural vehicle (10) has a front end (302) and a rear end (304). The implement (300) includes an elongated central frame member (306), a pair of fixed side members (308), a pair of front lower link mounting brackets (310), a pair of rear lower link mounting brackets (312), a front top link mounting bracket (314), a rear top link mounting bracket (316), at least one rotary shaft (318), a driving means (320), an extended PTO shaft (322), an input end (322a), an output end (322b),a plurality of flanges (324), at least one cutting blade (326), a top cover (328), at least one beam structure (330), a dual direction skid board (332), depth control bracket (334), safety guard (336), a pair of safety guard mounting brackets (338), a multi speed gear box (340), an interchangeable side gear box (342), and an auxiliary equipment (344).
[0046] The implement (300) is pulled by the agricultural vehicle (10) in one of a forward direction and a rearward direction. The tractor has a conventional power take-off shaft (not shown) extending forward and rearward from its body. These and all other features of the tractor are conventional and consequently details are neither shown nor described relative to those features.
[0047] The implement (300) includes the elongated central frame member (306). The central frame member (306) includes a front end (306a) and a rear end (306b). The elongated central frame member (306) is configured to be connected to a clevis by means of a pin (not shown). The elongated central frame member (306) further includes the pair of fixed side members (308) which are disposed at opposite ends of the central frame member (306).
[0048] The implement (300) further includes the pair of front lower link mounting brackets (310) which are coupled to the central frame member (306). The pair front lower link mounting brackets (310) are coupled to the central frame member (306) at the front end (306a). The pair front lower link mounting brackets (310) are coupled to the central frame member (306) at predetermined locations such that there is a predetermined gap between the pair front lower link mounting brackets (310). In an embodiment, the front lower link mounting brackets (310) are coupled to the central frame member (306) by at least one of welding and fastening. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of coupling means between the front lower link mounting brackets and the central frame member without otherwise deterring the intended function of the coupling as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. Further, each of the front lower link mounting bracket (310) is coupled to tractor lower link (not shown) through at least one hitch pin (not shown).
[0049] The implement (300) further includes the pair of rear lower link mounting brackets (312) which are coupled to the central frame member (306). The pair rear lower link mounting brackets (312) are coupled to the central frame member (306) at the rear end (306b). The pair rear lower link mounting brackets (312) are coupled to the central frame member (306) at predetermined locations such that there is a predetermined gap between the pair rear lower link mounting brackets (312). In an embodiment, the rear lower link mounting brackets (312) are coupled to the central frame member (306) by at least one of welding and fastening. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of coupling means between the rear lower link mounting brackets and the central frame member without otherwise deterring the intended function of the coupling as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. Further, each of the rear lower link mounting bracket (312) is coupled to tractor lower link (not shown) through at least one hitch pin (not shown).
[0050] The implement (300) further includes the front top link mounting bracket (314) which is coupled to the central frame member (306). The front top link mounting bracket (314) is coupled to the central frame member (306) at the front end (306a). The front top link mounting bracket (314) extends transversely from the central frame member (306) towards upward direction. In an embodiment, the front top link mounting bracket (314) is coupled to the central frame member (306) by at least one of welding and fastening. Further, the front top link mounting bracket (314) includes a plurality of supporting structure (314a) which are connected in a predetermined manner to provide connection of the front top link mounting bracket (314) to a front hitch arrangement provided in the tractor. The pair of front lower link mounting brackets (310) along with the front top link mounting bracket (314) enables connection of the implement (300) to the front end (302) of the agricultural vehicle (10).
[0051] The implement (300) further includes the rear top link mounting bracket (316) which is coupled to the central frame member (306). The rear top link mounting bracket (316) is coupled to the central frame member (306) at the rear end (306b). The rear top link mounting bracket (316) extends transversely from the central frame member (306) towards upward direction. In an embodiment, the rear top link mounting bracket (316) is coupled to the central frame member (106) by at least one of welding and fastening. Further, the rear top link mounting bracket (316) includes a plurality of supporting structure (316a) which are connected in a predetermined manner to provide connection of the rear top link mounting bracket (316) to a rear hitch arrangement provided in the tractor. The pair of rear lower link mounting brackets (312) along with the rear top link mounting bracket (316) enables connection of the implement (300) to the rear end (104) of the agricultural vehicle (10).
[0052] The central frame member (306) includes the top cover (328) and the at least one beam structure (330) mounted between the pair of fixed side members (308). The top cover (328) is provided at a top portion (not shown) of the implement (100) so as to prevent soil or other particles from getting splashed on the beam structure (330). Further the beam structure (330) is configured to support and provide rigidity to the central frame member (306). In an embodiment, the central frame member (306) may include a plurality of beam structures (330) to provide more rigidity to the central frame member (306) as shown in FIG. 3c.
[0053] The implement (300) further includes at least one rotary shaft (318) which is disposed between the pair of fixed side members (308) of the central frame member (306). The rotary shaft (318) is rotatably mounted within the central frame member (306). The rotary shaft (318) further includes a plurality of flanges (324) which are disposed at predetermined locations of the rotary shaft (318) as shown in FIG. 3a. For example, the rotary shaft (318) may include at least eight flanges (324) which are disposed at predetermined locations as shown in FIG. 3a. Each flange (324) may include at least one aperture to receive at least one fastener (not shown). Each flange (324) is further configured to receive at least one cutting blade (326). The cutting blade (326) is coupled to the flange (324) through the fastener. Each of the flanges (324) is coupled with a predetermined number of cutting blades (326). Further, each cutting blade (326) is coupled to the flange (324) at a predetermined angle as shown in FIG 3a. In an alternate embodiment, the flange (324) and the cutting blade (326) may be made up of unitary structure. The cutting blades (326) are made up of at least one of shape selected from a group comprising L shape, C shape and J shape. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any shape of blade for fabricating the blade without otherwise deterring the intended function of the tilling as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings.
[0054] The implement (300) further includes the dual direction skid board (332) which is provided at a bottom portion of the fixed side member (308). The dual direction skid board (128) is adapted to skid on a ground surface thereby facilitating easy movement of implement (300) over the ground surface in both front and rear direction of tractor travel. The dual direction skid board (332) is coupled to the side fixed member (308) through the depth control bracket (334). The depth control bracket (334) is adapted to move between a stowed position and an expanded position, such that it varies a height of the dual direction skid board (332) from the ground surface thereby facilitating a predetermined depth of cut for a soil operation. Further, the depth control bracket (334) is adapted to be moved between a plurality of positions defined between the stowed position and the expanded position to vary the height of the dual direction skid board (332). For example, depth control bracket (334) may include four different positions defined between the stowed position and the expanded position i.e. the plurality of positions may include at least two positions defined between the stowed position and the expanded position.
[0055] The implement (300) further includes the safety guard (336) which is coupled to the central frame member (306) towards one of the front end (306a) and the rear end (306b) as shown in FIG. 3d. The safety guard (336) further includes a pair of safety guard mounting brackets (338) defined at predetermined locations to couple the safety guard (336) to the central frame member (306). In an embodiment, the safety guard (336) is configured to retain the tilled soil without getting splashed far away from a tilled region.
[0056] The implement (300) includes a driving means (320) which is adapted to receive power from a power take off shaft (not shown) of the agricultural vehicle (10). The driving means (320) is adapted to transmit thepower received from the PTO to at least one of the rotary shaft (318) and the auxiliary equipment (344). In an embodiment, the driving means includes a multi speed gear box (340) and an interchangeable side gear box (342). The multi speed gear box (340) is positioned at mid-section of the central frame member (306) and is adapted to accommodate various input shaft RPMs as well as change RPM for operating the rotary shaft (310) and the auxiliary equipment (344) as per soil condition and blades type. The multi speed gear box includes a plurality of unique gear ratios to meet variation in input RPMs as well as includes predetermined gear ratios to achieve predefined uniform outputs with respect to travelling speed. The multi speed gear box (340) is adapted to receive input from the PTO shaft of the agricultural vehicle (10). Further, the interchangeable side gear box (342) is positioned towards one of the side fixed member (308) and is adapted to accommodate various input shaft RPMs as well as change RPM for operating the rotary shaft (310) as per soil condition and blades type. The side gear box (342) includes predetermined gear ratios to achieve predefined uniform outputs with respect to travelling speed. The side gear box (342) is adapted to receive a rotary motion from the multi speed gear box (340) through a shaft (not shown) and transmit the rotary motion to the rotary shaft (318). Furthermore, the driving means (320) includes an extended PTO shaft (322). The extended PTO shaft (322) defines an input end (322a) and an output end (322b). The extended PTO shaft (322) is adapted receive power from the power take off shaft of the agricultural vehicle (10) and transmit said power to at least one auxiliary equipment which is coupled to the implement (300). In an embodiment, the extended PTO shaft (322) is single shaft. The input end (322a) of the extended PTO shaft (322) is adapted to receive the power from the power take off shaft of the agricultural vehicle (10) and simultaneously, transmit the power to the auxiliary equipment (344) via the output end (322b). Thus, the implement (300) is capable of passing power from power take off (PTO) of the agricultural vehicle to the auxiliary equipment (344) to achieve multiple soil and farm operations at the same time. In an embodiment, the auxiliary equipment (344) may be at least a sprayer, fertilizer application machine, seeder, planter and the like.
[0057] The implement (300) is adapted to be convertible to selectively operate in different operating modes as shown in FIG. 4. In an embodiment, the implement (300) may be used for rear mounted down cut, rear mounted up-cut, front mounted upcut, front mounted down cut, combination of attachments and the like. For example, when the implement (300) is positioned to perform rear mounted down cut, the rear top link mounting bracket (316) and the rear lower link mounting brackets (312) are connected to the rear end (304) of the agricultural vehicle (10), while the implement (300) is positioned to perform rear mounted up cut, the front top link mounting bracket (314) and the front lower link mounting brackets (310) are connected to the rear end (304) of the agricultural vehicle (10). Similar, connection of the implement (300) is followed for performing front mounted down cut and front mounted up cut, by mounting the implement (300) at the front end (302) of the agricultural vehicle (10). Further, the combination of attachments are used for performing multiple soil and farm operation at the same time in a single pass. The combination of attachments may be attached to one of front end (302) and the rear end (304) of the agricultural vehicle (10).
[0058] The technical advantages disclosed by the embodiments herein are, single implement for multiple mode of operations, one implement for both front and rear attachment, two PTO inputs shafts in a one gear box, both side hitch arrangements, interchangeable top link mounting, provision for PTO from Implement, and speed variation using gear box.
[0059] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
REFERRAL NUMERALS
10 agricultural vehicle
100 implement
102 Front-end of agricultural vehicle
104 rear end of agricultural vehicle
106 central frame member
106a, 106b front end of frame, rear end of frame
108 pair of fixed side members
110 pair of front lower link mounting brackets
112 pair of rear lower link mounting brackets
114 front top link mounting bracket
114a plurality of supporting structure
116 front top link mounting bracket
116a plurality of supporting structure
118 rotary shaft
120 plurality of flanges
122 cutting blade
124 top cover
126 Beam structure
128 dual direction skid board
130 depth control bracket
132 Safety guard
134 Safety guard mounting brackets
200 Implement
202 central frame member
202a, 202b front end, rear end
204 pair of fixed side members
206 rotary shaft
208 driving means
210 Extended PTO shaft
210a& 210b Input& output end of extended PTO shaft
212 Auxiliary equipment
300 Implement
302 front end
304 rear end
306 central frame member
306a, 306b front end, rear end
308 pair of fixed side members
310 pair of front lower link mounting brackets
312 pair of rear lower link mounting brackets
314 front top link mounting bracket
314a plurality of supporting structure
316 rear top link mounting bracket
316a plurality of supporting structure
318 rotary shaft
320 driving means
322 Extended PTO shaft
322a Input end of extended PTO shaft
322b output end of extended PTO shaft
324 plurality of flanges
326 cutting blade
328 top cover
330 Beam structure
332 dual direction skid board
334 depth control bracket
336 Safety guard
338 Safety guard mounting brackets
340 Multi speed gear box
342 Interchangeable side gear box
344 Auxiliary equipment