Rotary Driven Tool Patents (Class 172/123)
  • Patent number: 9920496
    Abstract: Piste grooming vehicle and clearing blade for a piste grooming vehicle. The piste grooming vehicle has a clearing blade arranged at the front and includes a middle part and two side parts swivellably movable relative to the middle part, a setting arrangement for adjusting the middle part and/or the side parts and at least one manually operable actuating element arranged inside a cab for operating the setting arrangement. An electronic control unit is connected between the actuating element and the setting arrangement and operates the setting arrangement with a timed sequence of control commands for achieving at least one control function for the side parts and/or the middle part from an initial position to an end position preset by the control function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: KAESSBOHRER GELAENDEFAHRZEUG AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Ummenhofer, Dieter Hann, Sven Holzapfel
  • Publication number: 20140261120
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of turf (11) comprising grass (12) growing in a matrix (15, 16) comprising removing matrix (15, 16) including any thatch and other infestation by blading (18) moving through the matrix (15, 16) to a predetermined depth (d). The method may be used to treat turf (11) reinforced with artificial grass (13). Equipment for carrying out the treatment comprises a bladed rotor (17) rotating about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Richard Campey Limited
    Inventors: Richard John Campey, Simon Jonathan Gumbrill
  • Patent number: 8499848
    Abstract: A gas tiller including a frame defining a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis spaced a distance from the first pivot axis, a motor coupled to the frame, a set of rotary tines coupled to the frame and operatively coupled to the motor, a swing arm pivotably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the first pivot axis between a first and second arm positions corresponding to travel and tilling configurations, respectively, of the tiller, the swing arm including one or more wheels coupled thereto, and a drag stake pivotably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the second pivot axis between first and second stake positions. Movement of the swing arm between the arm positions moves the drag stake between the stake positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology Limited
    Inventors: William E. Colber, Jr., James Ferrell, Benjamin Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20130154339
    Abstract: A self-propelled or stationary construction machine or agricultural machine is provided having a rotatable work device, in particular, a work device for processing soil surfaces or for chopping material. The machine has a drive device for the work device, the drive device having a first drive source and a switchable coupling unit between the first drive source and the work device for engaging the work device with the first drive source. The drive device is equipped with an additional drive unit, the machine being configured for controlling the drive device to accelerate the work device by means of the additional drive unit to an operating speed which would result during operation of the work device by means of the first drive source. In addition, an associated method for driving a work device of a construction or agricultural machine is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: BOMAG GMBH
    Inventor: BOMAG GmbH
  • Patent number: 8408324
    Abstract: A residue clearing apparatus for a shank of an agricultural implement includes a spoked wheel adapted for attachment to the implement such that the spoked wheel rotates about a wheel axis oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to an operating travel direction of the implement and forward of the shank. A drive is operative to rotate the spoked wheel. The spoked wheel is oriented such that ends of spokes of the spoked wheel pass above the ground forward of the shank, and such that the ends of the spokes of the spoked wheel pass adjacent to a front face of the shank. The spokes may be resiliently or pivotally mounted to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Peter Dillon
  • Publication number: 20130056233
    Abstract: An excavation apparatus is disclosed. The excavation apparatus includes a chassis having a length that extends from a front end to a rear end of the chassis. The chassis also has a width oriented perpendicular to the length. A boom is pivotally attached to the rear end of the chassis. A cutting component mounted to the boom. A shroud structure at least partially covers the cutting component. A source of vacuum is in fluid communication with an interior of the shroud structure for drawing air containing dust from the interior of the shroud structure. A filter filters the air drawn from the interior of the shroud structure by the source of vacuum. A dust barrier projects downwardly from the shroud structure and extends along at least a portion of a perimeter of the shroud structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David William Gift, James Thaddeus Schmidt, Mark Cooper
  • Patent number: 8066081
    Abstract: A small-sized tiller includes a stand unit configured to solely support the tiller in a self-standing state. The stand unit has a pole portion removably mountable to a resistance-bar attachment portion of the body frame when a resistance bar has been removed from the resistance-bar attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoki Ito, Koichi Azuma, Tomomi Nakaya, Masayuki Sasaoka
  • Patent number: 7975631
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combine agricultural machine (1) comprising a planting device (3), in particular a potato planting device, provided with at least one storage container (10), an extraction device associated thereto, a setting plow (7) and an downstream mounted end damming device (4). A loosening tool (2) for preparing a seedbed is arranged upstream of the planting device (3) in a travelling direction and one or several wheels (18) for disintegrating soil and supporting the machine are mounted upstream of said loosening tool (2) in said travelling direction. The invention also relates to a method for mechanically planting seeds comprising a stage for preparing the seedbed, a sowing stage and a final damming stage which are simultaneously carried out by means of tools mounted on the agricultural machine (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Andreas Heiss, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7896095
    Abstract: A soil aeration apparatus may include aeration tines that are actuated by a relatively compact gear system that reduces the size and weight of the apparatus. In addition, a soil aeration apparatus may operate without a centrally disposed support shaft, thus enabling the tine-holder shafts to be positioned closer to one another and reducing the size of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: PlanetAir Turf Products, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Maas, Scott W. Bjorge
  • Patent number: 7874375
    Abstract: An attachment for a conventional, walk-behind power tiller for forming seed rows and adjacent furrows wherein an auger disposed perpendicularly to the seed row being formed has a larger diameter at its proximal ends and a smaller diameter at its central, inner end. The auger is rotated using power derived from the tiller to which the novel seed row forming apparatus is attached. In operation, the larger diameter outer portions of the auger dig a furrow and move the disturbed soil inwardly along the diminishing diameter of the auger, thereby depositing the soil from each side of the auger into a central berm or seed row. The apparatus provides seed row-forming capability for use with small rotary tillers and provides minimum soil tillage while readily forming planting rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Dennis R. Pearce
  • Patent number: 7717188
    Abstract: A soil aeration apparatus may include aeration tines that are actuated by a relatively compact gear system that reduces the size and weight of the apparatus. In addition, a soil aeration apparatus may operate without a centrally disposed support shaft, thus enabling the tine-holder shafts to be positioned closer to one another and reducing the size of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: PlanetAir Turf Products, LLC
    Inventors: Scott W. Bjorge, David R. Maas
  • Patent number: 7588090
    Abstract: A device for fixing blades to plates which are rotationally integral with a rotary shaft and an agricultural machine fitted with the device. The device is characterized in that the flanks of each plate are cut and embodied such that they can receive in an interlocking matter and radially retain a planer additional part acting as a supporting leg for a blade and in that the end plates are axially and jointedly packed against each other in order to lock the blades to the respective end plates. The invention can be used in agricultural machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Dairon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Michel Dairon, José Loyer
  • Patent number: 7575064
    Abstract: A soil aeration apparatus may include aeration tines that are actuated by a relatively compact gear system that reduces the size and weight of the apparatus. In addition, a soil aeration apparatus may operate without a centrally disposed support shaft, thus enabling the tine-holder shafts to be positioned closer to one another and reducing the size of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: PlanetAir Turf Products, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Maas, Scott W. Bjorge
  • Publication number: 20090038814
    Abstract: A soil aeration apparatus may include aeration tines that are actuated by a relatively compact gear system that reduces the size and weight of the apparatus. In addition, a soil aeration apparatus may operate without a centrally disposed support shaft, thus enabling the tine-holder shafts to be positioned closer to one another and reducing the size of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: PLANETAIR TURF PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Scott W. Bjorge, David R. Maas
  • Patent number: 7472759
    Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging wheels, the frame carrying a coring head having a plurality of side-by-side tine assemblies. The wheels define a wheelbase which is substantially equal to or less than the width of a coring swath and the wheels are located in advance of the coring head to keep the wheels from passing over the holes or soil cores left in any preceding coring swathes formed by the aerator. The vertical position of the coring head is adjustable up and down as the ground contour changes to keep hole depth substantially constant. The tine assemblies are reciprocated by a single crankshaft driven by a single pulley, the crankshaft being assembled from multiple crank arms that are splined and bolted together. Sealed bearings connect drive arms that drive the tine assemblies to the crankshaft. The crankshaft can be disassembled to allow the sealed drive arm bearings to be replaced. Integral core deflectors are used on the drive arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Walter J. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20080283256
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a roller assembly on an excavator for degrading natural and man-made formations has a plurality of pointed inserts disposed along its outer diameter. The inserts have a tip adapted to impact the formation and at least one of the tips has polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented metal carbide segment. The diamond also has a substantially conical geometry with a 0.50 to 0.200 inch radius and a thickness greater that 100 inches at the apex. The diamond also has a volume that is 75 to 150 percent of a volume of a carbide substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Ronald Crockett, Sigmar Tobias
  • Patent number: 7451831
    Abstract: A soil aeration apparatus may include aeration tines that are actuated by a relatively compact gear system that reduces the size and weight of the apparatus. In addition, a soil aeration apparatus may operate without a centrally disposed support shaft, thus enabling the tine-holder shafts to be positioned closer to one another and reducing the size of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: PlanetAir Turf Products, LLC
    Inventors: Scott W. Bjorge, David R. Maas
  • Patent number: 7331402
    Abstract: A device for attaching blades to rings which are integrally connected to a rotating shaft for an agricultural machine. Each ring has several cutouts which can receive, by nesting support feet of flat segments, each segment bearing one or several blades, for mounting the segments to the ring adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction and for configuring the segments into a blade support disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: SAS Dairon
    Inventors: Michel Maurice Dairon, José Alain Loyer
  • Patent number: 7308946
    Abstract: A travelling rolling digger (1) for sequential hole drilling or for producing sequential cultivated spots in soil. The travelling rolling digger (1) includes at least one drilling shaft which is rotatable by a drive mechanism about a longitudinal shaft axis and has a rotating soil penetrating edge. The drilling shaft is mounted to roll about a horizontal shaft in a soil penetrating plane while the horizontal shaft moves in a direction of travel of the traveling rolling digger. The rotating drilling shaft enters the soil at an entry angle and digs into the soil while the horizontal shaft moves in the direction of travel and the drilling shaft continuously changes its angle relative to the soil from the entry angle to a vertical position. The traveling rolling digger further comprising at least one cleaning blade (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Gedalyahu Manor
  • Patent number: 7303025
    Abstract: A rotatably driveable work tool (1) of a motor-driven work apparatus has, at a front end (2, 3), an end plate (5, 6) lying perpendicularly to a rotational axis (4). The end plate (5, 6) has an outer diameter (DR) which is less than a flight circular diameter (DF) of the work tool (1). The end plate (5, 6) is configured as a roll-up protective ring (8) which extends in a radial direction (14) from an inner diameter (DI) to the outer diameter (DR). The roll-up protective ring has an axially-extending component from the work tool (1) outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Günter Mayer
  • Patent number: 7293612
    Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging wheels, the frame carrying a coring head having a plurality of side-by-side tine assemblies. The wheels define a wheelbase which is substantially equal to or less than the width of a coring swath and the wheels are located in advance of the coring head to keep the wheels from passing over the holes or soil cores left in any preceding coring swathes formed by the aerator. The vertical position of the coring head is adjustable up and down as the ground contour changes to keep hole depth substantially constant. The tine assemblies are reciprocated by a single crankshaft driven by a single pulley, the crankshaft being assembled from multiple crank arms that are splined and bolted together. Sealed bearings connect drive arms that drive the tine assemblies to the crankshaft. The crankshaft can be disassembled to allow the sealed drive arm bearings to be replaced. Integral core deflectors are used on the drive arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Walter J. Petersen, Gerald J. Pomerening
  • Patent number: 7168501
    Abstract: A rotor system for ground milling or mine milling comprising a base rotor provided with a number of support plates for accommodating tools. The tool support plates are detachably joined to the base rotor in the rotor system. A number of segments are radially arranged around a central axis (M) and a number of retaining plates are provided in an axially interspaced manner between the individual segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Ahwi Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Willibald
  • Patent number: 7100702
    Abstract: A turf aerator is provided with three aligned aerator shafts having aerator devices mounted thereon. The innermost shaft is mounted in a frame for free-willing operation and the two outer shafts are each connected to a motor through selectively controlled hydraulic pumps which in turn are connected to hydraulic motors for driving the outermost shafts selectively or simultaneously with the innermost shaft being mounted for free-willing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Schiller-Pfeiffer, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Classen
  • Patent number: 7096969
    Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging wheels, the frame carrying a coring head having a plurality of side-by-side tine assemblies. The wheels define a wheelbase which is substantially equal to or less than the width of a coring swath and the wheels are located in advance of the coring head to keep the wheels from passing over the holes or soil cores left in any preceding coring swathes formed by the aerator. The vertical position of the coring head is adjustable up and down as the ground contour changes to keep hole depth substantially constant. The tine assemblies are reciprocated by a single crankshaft driven by a single pulley, the crankshaft being assembled from multiple crank arms that are splined and bolted together. Sealed bearings connect drive arms that drive the tine assemblies to the crankshaft. The crankshaft can be disassembled to allow the sealed drive arm bearings to be replaced. Integral core deflectors are used on the drive arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Walter J. Petersen, Jackie R. Gust, Michael J. Gilberg, Gerald J. Pomerening
  • Patent number: 7055617
    Abstract: A soil aeration apparatus may include aeration tines that are actuated by a relatively compact gear system that reduces the size and weight of the apparatus. In addition, a soil aeration apparatus may operate without a centrally disposed support shaft, thus enabling the tine-holder shafts to be positioned closer to one another and reducing the size of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: PlanetAir Turf Products, LLC
    Inventors: Scott W. Bjorge, David R. Maas
  • Patent number: 7047905
    Abstract: The animal stall soil agitator includes a mounting plate assembly pivotally attached to a tractor loader boom for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal loader boom axis. An elongated frame assembly has an inboard frame end attached to the mounting plate assembly and outboard frame end that extends laterally to one side of the tractor loader boom. An elongated bar is journaled on the elongated frame assembly. A plurality of flat soil agitator bars are fixed to the elongated bar. The flat soil agitator bars are oriented to minimize lateral movement of agitated soil. A reversible hydraulic motor is connected to a hydraulic system of the tractor and rotates the elongated bar in a selected direction. The elongated frame assembly is pivotable about a vertical axis relative to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Gene M. Brade
  • Patent number: 7021393
    Abstract: An implement and method of assembly, wherein the implement comprises a housing having a first-side portion and a second-side portion, at least one element having a weight, the element being attached to the second-side portion of the housing and the weight of the element creating a moment arm, a shaft positioned between the first-side portion and second-side portion of the housing and operably coupled to at least one of the element, and a counterweight attached to the first-side portion of the housing, the counterweight offsetting the moment arm created by the weight of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel G. Khairallah, Michael A. Pepe, James B. Normann
  • Patent number: 6997268
    Abstract: A trimmer comprises a cutting head (1) housing a cutter (5), and a shaft (2) for supporting the cutting head. A large diameter wheel (8) is rotatably mounted with respect to the cutting head (1), and a motor is provided for driving the cutter (5) via an output shaft (7). The cutting head (1) is connected to the shaft (2) by a joint (3) permitting the cutting head (1) to be positioned with its cutter (5) either substantially horizontal or substantially vertical. The wheel (8) is sized to contact the ground when the cutter (5) is substantially vertical and to circumscribed the axis of the output shaft (7). The arrangement is such that the cutter (5) extends beyond the circumference of the wheel (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Electrolux Outdoor Products Limited
    Inventor: Ian Zetterstrom Smith
  • Patent number: 6968906
    Abstract: An electric tilling machine has a motor mounted on a machine body for rotationally driving a tilling shaft provided with tilling claws. A housing/cleaning box has an upper opening and is configured to receive therein the tilling shaft and tilling claws with the machine body closing the opening of the box. Front and rear locking sections lock the machine body to the housing/cleaning box with the tilling shaft and tilling claws housed in the box. A control section keeps the motor in a controllably operable condition while the machine body is locked in the housing/cleaning box so that the motor can be operated to rotate the tilling shaft and tilling claws within the box in a cleaning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ito, Joji Maeda
  • Patent number: 6865827
    Abstract: A utility vehicle or other device for excavating soil or the like includes a utility mechanism, such as, e.g., a trencher, an auger or the like, with a motor-driven utility drum. In preferred embodiments, the motor is contained substantially entirely inside the drum. Preferably, the drive shaft is operatively connected to the drum to rotate the drum at a connection location that is displaced inward from ends of the drum. In some embodiments, the drive shaft is also preferably operatively connected to a second utility mechanism, such as, e.g., a trencher chain. In some embodiments, a planetary transmission is also located inside the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Smith, Mark A. Recker
  • Patent number: 6854525
    Abstract: A tine assembly comprising a plurality of individual tines, each tine with an arcuate shaped base section and a blade section. Each tine is mountable between a pair of hubs suds that each blade extends radially outward therefrom. The base portions are clamped, secured, or otherwise engaged between the hub assemblies. The blades may be positioned to be twisted in various angles about a line extending substantially radially outwards, by the use of wedge-shaped, arcuate blocks. The blocks and individual tines may be positioned in a multitude of different configurations to providing desired rotational positioning of the tine blade sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: James Martindale
  • Patent number: 6854526
    Abstract: A walk-behind working machine has a machine body and a wheel mounted on the machine body for undergoing rotation to move the walk-behind working machine along a ground surface. A cultivator device is mounted on the machine body for cultivating the ground. A working device attachment is removably connected to the machine body for working the ground. A connection mechanism removably connects the working device attachment to the machine body. The connection mechanism has a pair of link members each pivotally connected at a first end portion thereof to the working device attachment and a control unit for controlling a position of the working device attachment with respect to the ground surface so that when the working operation, the first end portions of the link members are disposed closer to the ground surface than the second end portions of the link members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Yamazaki, Hironori Nishie
  • Publication number: 20040251037
    Abstract: A walk-behind trenching implement has a side mounted rotary trenching tool for creating a profiled trench into the surface of the earth, which can also be used as an implement to edge landscape beds. The trenching implement is powered by an engine that delivers rotational power in an unbalanced manner to the wheel adjacent to the rotatable trenching tool. The wheel opposite to the trenching tool is can be non-powered to freely rotate as the implement is moved across the surface of the ground, or braked to unbalance power delivery through a differential. This unbalanced propulsion drive induces a skewing action into the operation of the implement that counterbalances the opposite skewing action resulting from the operation of the trenching tool to provide a more smoothly operating implement. A trenching tool having a configuration conducive to profile modification allows flexibility in the desired shape of the trench being formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Turf Teq, LLC, a Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: David J. Templeton
  • Patent number: 6823947
    Abstract: A walk-behind cultivator has a body, at least one pair of first tine assemblies mounted on the body to undergo rotation about a rotational axis in a first direction of rotation, and at least one pair of second tine assemblies mounted to undergo rotation about the rotational axis in a second direction of rotation different from the first direction of rotation. Each of the first tine assemblies has first tines connected together along end portions thereof. Each of the second tine assemblies has second tines connected together along end portions thereof. The second tine assemblies are arranged in the same phase with respect to each other around the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Nagaoka, Hideaki Kobayashi, Yoshitaka Ohta, Fumiyoshi Kanbara
  • Patent number: 6820358
    Abstract: A compact self-propelled vehicle for composting windrows of compost material found in cramped confines has a low frame forming a central tunnel for mounting a flow-through conveyor. A front pick-up end has a central-flow auger system for attacking into the windrow end-on along the long axis thereof. The conveyor that has a lower intake end immediately trailing the central-flow auger system and a high discharge end for back-depositing the discharged material back into windrow formation. Hence central-flow auger system breaks apart, disintegrates and/or stirs the dug-into material while ultimately accomplishing transfer of it onto the conveyor. In essence, the vehicle worms its way through the windrow by virtue of the wheels rolling through a temporary and traveling void created between the leading pick-up end and the back-deposited material discharged by the discharge end of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Louie Huelsewiesche
  • Patent number: 6810609
    Abstract: A snow tiller (10) suitable for grooming ski hills, trails, or other areas, provides an adjustable profile tiller assembly. The snow tiller (10) is preferably pulled by a tracked vehicle (12) and has a tiller assembly formed of a plurality of tiller subassemblies (56,58). By varying the respective orientation of the tiller subassemblies (56,58), the snow tiller (10) can selectively provide coactive, level, convex, or more complex snow profiles depending upon the tiller configuration, snow conditions, and the intended uses. The snow tiller (10) also provides a control system to substantially maintain a selected snow profile while selectively permitting individual tiller subassemblies to float, thereby reducing the possibility of damage. The assembly can simultaneously provide an automatic release mode to protect the equipment from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Bombardier Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Lassonde, Michel Pelletier
  • Publication number: 20040200626
    Abstract: A rotor system for ground milling or mine milling comprising a base rotor provided with a number of support plates for accommodating tools. The tool support plates are detachably joined to the base rotor in the rotor system. A number of segments are radially arranged around a central axis (M) and a number of retaining plates are provided in an axially interspaced manner between the individual segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Artur Willibald
  • Publication number: 20040182585
    Abstract: In an electric tilling machine, a housing/cleaning box houses a tilling shaft and tilling claws provided on the tilling shaft, and it has an opening closable by a machine body. Front and rear locking sections lock the machine body to the housing/cleaning box with the tilling shaft and tilling claws housed in the box. Control section keeps the motor in a controllably operable condition while the machine body is locked the housing/cleaning box via the locking sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Jun Ito, Joji Maeda
  • Patent number: 6779611
    Abstract: A walk-behind working machine includes a motive power source, right and left transmission shafts, and a clutch for transmitting motive power from the source to the shafts. The transmission shafts are disposed in alignment with their respective ends butting against each other. The clutch includes a driving cylindrical member rotationally mounted around the transmission shafts. The transmission shafts have first grooves formed on their outer peripheral surfaces while the cylindrical member has second grooves formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof. The clutch further includes balls disposed between a space defined by the first and second grooves. The first groove is of substantially V-shaped configuration. The first groove has a leading end positioned between the ends of the transmission shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Sugimoto, Hiroshi Sueshige
  • Patent number: 6766866
    Abstract: A tiller includes an engine, a transmission mechanism, and a rotor shaft having tillage tines mounted thereon. The transmission mechanism transmits a motive power of the engine to the rotor shaft to thereby cause the tillage tines to perform a tilling operation. The tiller also includes a tranmission case having the transmission mechanism housed therein, and a fender disposed to cover the tillage tines. The fender is mounted to the tranmission case by bolts. Each bolt has a portion projecting downwardly from the fender. The tiller further includes a guard member extending downwardly from the transmission case to a level lower than the downwardly projecting portion of each bolt. The guard member guards the bolts against a foreign object thrown upwardly by the tillage tines during the tilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Miyahara, Masayuki Sasaoka, Nobuchika Katagiri
  • Patent number: 6758283
    Abstract: An aerator is provided having a front axle, including a differential and a tine wheel assembly which may be raised from the ground during maneuvers of the aerator while power continues to be supplied to the front axle, and a tine wheel assembly is provided which allows the operator to repair and change the configuration of the tines of the tine wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Billy Goat Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Kent Lauer, Lyman D. Hannah, David O. Locascio, Holland A. Mertell
  • Patent number: 6708774
    Abstract: Driving worm provided on a transmission shaft, driven worm wheel provided on a cultivating shaft, main shaft portion of the transmission shaft and clutch are collectively accommodated in a transmission casing, which includes first and second bearings for preventing the clutch and driving gear from being displaced toward each other. The main shaft portion is screw-coupled to the clutch and a direction in which the screw-coupling between the main shaft portion and the clutch is tightened corresponds to only one rotational direction of an engine. The casing has a single opening for inserting therein the worm and worm wheel, and the opening is closed with a lid that also functions to prevent the worm from coming off the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Miyahara, Hideaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6662880
    Abstract: A traveling rolling digger for sequential hole drilling or for producing sequential cultivated spots in soil. The traveling rolling digger includes at least one drilling shaft which is rotatable by a drive mechanism about a longitudinal shaft axis and has a rotating soil penetrating edge. The drilling shaft is mounted to roll about a horizontal shaft in a soil penetrating plane while the horizontal shaft moves in a direction of travel of the traveling rolling digger. The rotating drilling shaft enters the soil at an entry angle and digs into the soil while the horizontal shaft moves in the direction of travel and the drilling shaft continuously changes its angle relative to the soil from the entry angle to a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Gedalyahu Manor
  • Patent number: 6644167
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement to mitigate damage to a rotary cultivator type mine clearer. In the event of detonations, triggered by the mine clearance tool, the present invention acts to mitigate damage to the mine-clearing tool, the mechanical mine clearer drive function, and its suspension. Detonation forces are, in a first stage, damped by hydraulic and/or mechanical damping members which are coupled between the bearing points of the tool and the engine driving the tool and which connect those parts to form a combined unit. If the detonation force is not absorbed, then, in a second stage, the detonation force remaining after the first stage damping, is counter to some of the combined weight of a unit formed by the tool, its bearings and the engine driving the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Bofors Defense AB
    Inventors: Lars-Olov Lindskog, Gunnar Sjödin, Torgny Röjare
  • Patent number: 6591520
    Abstract: Centrifugal thrower-crusher device for arid matter and other materials having a revolvable inertia wheel (1) and mallets (2) diametrally matched on at least one face of the wheel inside a housing (3) with a front opening (8) at the side in which the mallets (2) are housed in a peripheral channel (17), while in the periphery another opening is defined (9), through which the materials leave thrown selectively in a centrifugal projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventors: Jose Manuel Abascal Rubio, Pedro Abascal Rubio, Javier Abascal Rubio, Ignacio Abascal Rubio, Jose Fermin Garralda Arizcun
  • Patent number: 6497294
    Abstract: A soil conditioner implement designed for operation in cooperation with a supporting skid steer vehicle, the skid steer vehicle being moveable over the soil to be conditioned and having a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure for transmission to the soil conditioner implement for powering thereof and having a skid steer control system for providing a plurality of commands to the soil conditioner implement, the soil conditioner implement includes a drum member having a rotatable drum, the drum being selectively contactable with the soil to be conditioned. A bolster member is operably coupled to the drum member for supporting in part the drum member, the bolster member being shiftable between a soil engaging disposition and a flipped-up disposition, the bolster member being borne on the drum member when in the flipped-up disposition. A method of conditioning soil is further included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventor: Michael L. Vought
  • Patent number: 6484811
    Abstract: A mulching unit for a mulching apparatus includes at least one cutting assembly or hammer having a rotatable support element and two cutting elements spaced apart from one another by a predetermined gap that allows debris to pass between the cutting elements, thereby increasing efficiency and enabling higher rotating speeds for sustained amounts of time. The cutting elements include tips that may be formed in one piece with the support element, e.g., a collar, and the tips may be covered with a protective layer of tungsten and/or carbide. Alternatively, the tips themselves can be made from tungsten and/or carbide and physically attached, e.g., by welding, to the collar to form an integral unit. The cutting elements may be mounted on support element halves that can independently rotate on a support rod of the mulching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6467550
    Abstract: A tiller assembly includes a tine assembly that is rotatably connected to a tiller body and the tine assembly includes at least one tine for use in tilling associated soil. A hydraulic system is operatively connected to the tine assembly and includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor for use in rotating the tine assembly in first and second directions, a control valve, and hydraulic hose for use in communicating hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic motor, and the control valve. The control valve may be positioned on-the-go into a first position thereby causing the tine assembly to rotate in a first direction and into a second position thereby causing the tine assembly to rotate in a second direction. The tiller assembly may also include a roller assembly that has a roller frame pivotably connected to the tiller body. The roller assembly also includes a roller that is rotatably connected to the roller frame and a spring for use in maintaining the roller against the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: MTO Products INC
    Inventor: Usman Firdaus
  • Patent number: 6367561
    Abstract: A tine assembly for a cultivator includes a first tine member having a plurality of radially extending non-planar tines. At least two tines on each tine member differ in shape from the remaining tines. The tine assembly may include a second tine member which is shaped like a mirror-image of the first tine member. When assembled on a shaft, the second tine member is off-set from the first tine member so that tines on alternating tine members contact the ground as the shaft rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc.
    Inventor: Usman Firdaus
  • Patent number: 6349775
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining optimal cultivation of a parcel of land. A soil working machine with drivable working members, such as a rotary harrow, is provided with soil working members which rotate about approximately vertically orientated axes, and cooperates with a geographic positioning system such as DGPS, GPS, Lorean or a dead reckoning system to determine on a continual basis the actual position of the soil working machine on a parcel of land. Simultaneously, the condition or the composition or both of the underlying soil is determined and data of same is transmitted to a processing unit which maps the parcel of land into subareas wherein the states of the soil are the same. A control unit applies this mapping for controlling the soil working members during the soil working machine's operations so that each subarea of the same soil state is optimally cultivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Maasland, N..V.
    Inventors: Olaf van der Lely, Alexander van der Lely, Franciscus J. A. de Groen, Cornelis J. G. Bom