Control system for a multiple shank impact ripper

A control system for an impact ripper having a frame, a plurality of laterally spaced hydraulically actuated impactors connected to the frame with each impactor having an impact element, and a plurality of ripper shanks connected to the frame for limited fore and aft movement relative thereto, each of said ripper shanks being individually associated with one of the impactors and positioned to engage that impactor when a force is imposed on the ripper shank and to receive impact blows from the impact element, said control system comprising:

• a source (58) of pressurized fluid having at least first and second preselected volumetric output flow rates;
• a supply conduit connected to the source of pressurized fluid;
• a plurality of signal generating means, each being individually, operatively associated with a respective one of the ripper shanks for generating a control signal when a force greater than a predetermined level is applied to that ripper shank;
• and
• means responsive to the number of control signals being generated by the plurality of generating means for controlling the volumetric output of the source of pressurized fluid so that only the first preselected volumetric output is communicated to the supply conduit when only one control signal is being generated and the second preselected volumetric output is communicated to the supply conduit when more than one control signal is being generated.

A control system for an impact ripper having a frame, a plurality of laterally spaced hydraulically actuated impactors connected to the frame with each impactor having an impact element, and a plurality of ripper shanks connected to the frame for limited fore and aft movement relative thereto, each of said ripper shanks being individually associated with one of the impactors and positioned to engage that impactor when a force is imposed on the ripper shank and to receive impact blows from the impact element, said control system comprising:

• a source of pressurized fluid having at least first and second preselected volumetric output flow rates;
• a supply conduit connected to the source of pressurized fluid;
• a plurality of signal generating means, each being individually, operatively associated with a respective one of the ripper shanks for generating a control signal when a force greater than a predetermined level is applied to that ripper shank;
• means responsive to the discrete control signals from the generating means for controlling communication of fluid from the supply conduit to the impactors so that only the impactor(s) associated with the ripper shank(s) having a force greater than the predetermined level applied thereto receives (receive) fluid from the supply conduit, and
• means responsive to the number of control signals being generated by the plurality of generating means for controlling the volumetric output of the source of pressurized fluid so that only the first preselected volumetric output is communicated to the supply conduit when only one control signal is being generated and the second preselected volumetric output is communicated to the supply conduit when more than one control signal is being generated.