Abstract: Paired, side-by-side sets of upper and lower sprocket wheels are commonly chain driven at similar speeds. Crank arms are pivotably mounted at their upper ends to the upper wheels of each set and project slidably through cylindrical bushings fixed to journals rotatably mounted to the lower wheel for rotation about the journal axes, radially displaced from the axis of rotation of the lower wheels. Tines are mounted to the lower ends of the crank arms for penetration into and extraction from the turf to aerate the turf. Machine propulsion is effected automatically as a result of driving the tines into the turf and retraction of the same. Holes at different radial positions within the upper and lower wheels permit the crank arms to be mounted to the upper wheels at different radial positions to control the depth of tine penetration into the turf.

Abstract: Paired, side by side sets of upper and lower wheels are connected together and driven by jack shafts pivotally mounted at respective ends to the upper and lower wheels of each set. One common shaft rotatably mounts the upper wheels, and a second shaft mounts the lower wheels for rotation about common axes to effect driving of the upper wheels and lower wheels in unison. The jack shafts joining the upper and lower wheels, respectively, of each set, are angularly offset to achieve desired timing and rotation of the wheels in unison and the sequence in projection and retraction of tines mounted through the jack shafts to the lower wheels of each set. The arrangement insures tine entry and retraction from the ground perpendicular to the ground. It also permits doubling the RPM of the wheels to increase the force driving the tines into the turf. Machine propulsion is effected automatically as a result of driving the tines in the ground and retraction of same.

Abstract: A mechanism for driving the upper ends of a pair of tine arms of a turf aerating apparatus comprises an engine-driven crank shaft having a pair of cranks extending in diametrically opposed relation therefrom. A pair of pitman arms are each pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of one of the tine arms and at the opposite end to an oscillating link suspended from the aerator frame. A crank is pivotally connected to each of said pitman arms at a point intermediate its end attachment points. Rotation of the crank shaft produces an elliptical motion of each of the tine arm upper ends with the major axis of the ellipse lying in a substantially vertical plane, thereby maintaining a substantially vertical attitude of the tine arms.

Abstract: An improved tool for removing weeds and for planting plugs of grass is provided with an elongated, upright sleeve having a hollow chamber at the lower extremity thereof. A plunger is operated to pass through the chamber by means of an elongated handle extending upwardly through the sleeve. The plunger is positioned over weeds or other undesirable vegetation and the walls of the chamber are pushed into the soil to surround the root system of the weeds and to define a plug of soil. The tool is then lifted from the soil, carrying with it the weed with the plug of soil containing the root system of the weed intact. The handle is operated to push the plunger through the hollow chamber to eject the plug of soil and the weeds carried therewith.

Abstract: A tine holder for turf aerating equipment includes a horizontal tine arm having a plurality of spaced apertures therein having a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the upper ends of the tines. The hollow tines are substantially cylindrical at their upper ends and abut the tine arm in alignment with the tine arm apertures. A tine holding bar disposed beneath the tine arm includes a plurality of tapered apertures aligned with the apertures in the tine arm. The tines pass through the tine holding bar apertures and are secured in position by split collets having frusto-conical exterior surfaces which seat within the tapered apertures of the tine holding bar. A plurality of bolts passing through aligned bolt holes in the tine arm and tine holding bar provide a tightening of the split collets to secure the tines in position against the tine arm.

Abstract: The soil sampler device has a cylindrical tubular shaped body member, one end portion of which is formed into a soil receiving section comprised of a pair of transversely opposite semicylindrically shaped half members one of which is integral with the body member and the other of which is cut from the body member for movable support thereon into and out of a cylinder forming relation with the integral or stationary half member. The movable member is guided into the cylinder forming relation with the stationary member on ground insertion of the device and such relation is maintained by the pressure applied on a footrest projected laterally from the movable member. An inlet opening of reduced diameter for the soil receiving section provides for a friction free travel of the soil sample material throughout the length of such section, with the sample being removed for testing by merely being dropped from the stationary member when the movable member is out of the cylinder forming relation.

Abstract: A soil aerating apparatus comprising a towing vehicle, a soil aerating device comprising a drum, tines extending radially from the drum, and a frame for supporting the drum for rotation about a horizontal axis. The frame includes a forward end with a draw arm, and the forward end is pivotally attached to the towing vehicle so that the frame is raised and lowered by moving the draw arm. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for moving the draw arm comprising a hydraulic cylinder including a piston rod and connected between the draw arm and the towing vehicle, and a valve operably connected to the cylinder for extending and retracting said piston rod. The valve includes a valve member movable between a position wherein the valve extends the piston rod, a position wherein the valve holds the piston rod in a fixed position, a position wherein the valve retracts the piston rod, and a position wherein the valve permits the piston rod to extend or retract in response to movement of the draw arm.

Abstract: This invention is an aerating device particularly suitable for use in connection with golf course greens and similar applications. The device is adapted to be pulled behind a vehicle such as a tractor which also acts as a power source for operation of the aerator. A plurality of crank plates are orbitaly driven which in turn, through a plurality of individual crank arms, drive associated drill bits which auger out the aeration holes. A mobile frame is provided for raising and lowering a drilling apparatus when in use. In a modification of the present invention, a self-propelled vehicle is used to both transport and power the aerating system.

Abstract: A soil penetrating and coring implement is provided and is adapted to be towed by a vehicle across the round surface to remove plugs of soil from the ground. The coring implement comprises a tubular and cylindrical rim having a plurality of circumferentially extending slots formed through it and the slots are both circumferentially and axially spaced from each other. The entire rim is rotatably mounted on an axle which in turn is connected to the towing vehicle. A plurality of elongated mounting assemblies are pivotally secured within the interior of the rim so that the mounting assemblies are circumferentially spaced about the interior of the rim and have their axes parallel to but radially spaced from the axis of the rim. A plurality of tubular coring elements are secured to each mounting assembly so that each coring element extends diametrically through and radially outwardly from one side of the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aerator for use in providing cylindrical holes in a lawn or similar type surface so as to provide a nesting area for fertilizer and to allow the introduction of air beneath and along the root system of botanical life to be thus treated. The device comprises an elongate shaft from which emanates along the lower portion thereof a helical type of screw provided with shelf portions and a pointed extremity at the terminus of the shaft which is so constructed that the device not only cuts into the earth, but also carries the thus loosened dirt on the shelf portions so that when the device is removed from the hole a substantially cylindrical void is provided.

Abstract: A powered machine for moving along the ground surface and producing a succession of holes therein to aerate the soil. The present aerator includes a pair of ground-penetrating members that are moved alternately to engage, penetrate, and disengage the ground's surface. They are moved both vertically and horizontally to "walk" the aerator in a forward path. Each ground-penetrating member is moved through an elliptical circuit in a vertical plane parallel with the forward path. The penetrating members are retained in substantially upright orientation throughout the complete circuit. They are tipped slightly as they engage and leave engagement with the ground to form a uniform upwardly open hole as the aerator is propelled forwardly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a turf aerating device including a cylindrical drum rotatably supported from a frame for rolling travel over the surface of the turf to be aerated, a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, core-forming elements or tines mounted on the outer periphery of the drum in laterally-spaced, generally parallel rows, and a plurality of guard members mounted on the frame rearwardly of the drum axis. Each of the guard members extends toward the outer periphery of the drum to a location adjacent one of the rows of tines and has a surface located to travel closely adjacent the turf surface and thereby positively restrain the turf from being pulled upwardly by the tines as they are withdrawn from the turf after penetration. The guard members terminate in a generally straight edge closely spaced from the outer periphery of the drum so as to serve as a scraper from removing debris collecting on the drum.

Abstract: A soil aerating device consisting of a spindle inclined from vertical but power driven to rotate about a vertical axis, and an arm rotatably mounted at its midpoint on the spindle, having a downwardly projecting tubular tine mounted at each end thereof, and being disposed just above ground level, the gyrating movement of the spindle as it rotates about a vertical axis imparting to the arm a movement having a vertical rocking component in a plane longitudinal thereto, so that said tines are alternately inserted into and withdrawn from the ground to form holes therein, and an axial rocking component around the axis of the arm, so that the arm is caused to "walk" rotatively around the vertical axis of rotation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a soil aerating device which is adapted for connection to a powered vehicle, which includes a first frame rotatably supporting a drum carrying a plurality of core-forming tines adapted to penetrate the ground or turf to be aerated and remove a plug of soil and/or grass as the drum is rolled over the surface of the ground or turf, and which further includes a second frame having forward and rear portions. The first frame is pivotally connected to the rear portion of the second frame for limited relative pivotal movement between the two frames and the forward portion of the second frame is pivotally connected to the vehicle for pivotal movement of the two frames relative to the vehicle between a raised position wherein the drum and tines are disengaged from the ground or turf and a lowered position wherein the drum is in engagement with the ground or turf.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a soil aerating device including a cylindrical drum having an outer peripheral wall and rotatably mounted on a frame for rolling travel over the surface of the ground or turf to be aerated and a plurality of core-forming elements or tines mounted on the exterior of the peripheral wall for removing plugs or cores of earth and depositing same in the interior of the drum as the drum is rolled over the surface of the ground or turf. A portion of the peripheral wall is formed by a trap door hingedly mounted on the drum and releasably held in the closed position by a pair of latch arms, each including a notch for receiving a respective locking pin on the trap door and carried on a shaft member mounted on the drum for rotation about an axis parallel to the drum axis.

Abstract: A lawn perforating machine for forming rows of holes in the ground comprises a perforating roller which is adapted to roll on the ground and whose peripheral surface carries perforating tubes mounted for pivotal movement about axes extending parallel to the axis of the roller so that from the beginning to the end of their contact with the ground their axes remain substantially perpendicular to the ground. Part of the periphery of the roller is enclosed by a guide plate to intercept plugs of earth formed by the perforating tubes. In one embodiment a spring comb is disposed behind the roller to produce clean holes even in wet ground.

Abstract: A wheel supported chassis has a motor driving it intermittently across a lawn or turf surface for predetermined distances between cycles, a rotary drilling means drills holes in the turf area while the apparatus is stationary, a collecting platform feeds tubular plugs from an upper elevation to a transport wheel which positions a plug carried in a tubular container over a drilled hole, a cylinder for reciprocating the drilling means also effects pushing of the plug into the drilled hole with the plug being removed from a tubular container and the cycle being repeated as the apparatus traverses a desired work area.

Abstract: A device for planting seeds into soil includes an elongated tubular housing having a concentrically-disposed axially-aligned elongated rigid member slidably mounted within the hollow interior of the housing. A tubular socket is connected to the end portion of the member for extending through an opening in the bottom end of the housing to dig into and retain a soil plug from the soil to be planted. A handle portion is connected to the opposite end of the member for extending through an opening in the top portion of the housing to enable the member to be moved axially relative to the housing toward its bottom end so that the socket can be forced into digging engagement with the soil and then the member retracted in the housing to withdraw the soil plug from its hole in the soil, whereby a seed can be dropped in the soil hole. An ejecting mechanism discharges the soil plug from the socket and into the soil hole for covering the seed therein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a soil aerating device including a frame, a hollow cylindrical drum supported from the frame for rotation about a horizontally extending axis and for folling travel along the surface of the ground or turf to be aerated. Fixedly mounted on the exterior of the drum in registry with respective apertures provided in the drum are a plurality of hollow core-forming tines which are arranged to act much like involute gear teeth, while cutting and removing a plug or core from the ground or turf as the drum is rolled over the surface thereof, and to leave a "rack-like" pattern of holes. Each tine includes a pair of generally V-shaped, opposed side walls having an apex located on or near a radial plane extending radially from the drum axis.

Abstract: As the applicator is propelled about the surface to be treated, hollow spikes called tines or tongs are alternately thrust, vertically downwards below the surface and withdrawn vertically upwards. A bulk supply of treating liquid is maintained separate from the applicator, so the applicator is more maneuverable and less bulky. The supply is pressurized and supplied to the applicator via a high pressure hose line. The drive for reciprocating the tongs also powers a flow-dividing valve, which supplies the treating liquid to each of the tongs in turn, so that each tong liquid injects only when that tong is under the ground surface.

Abstract: A turf reconditioning apparatus adapted to aerate and relieve the compaction of the soil, and comprising a plurality of cutting discs disposed along a supporting drive shaft, and with each cutting disc comprising a plurality of curved blades defining a sharp point at the remote free end thereof. The speed of rotation of the discs is coordinated to the forward movement of the apparatus whereby the point of each blade enters the ground substantially vertically to thereby reduce the power consumption and minimize wear along the side edges of the blade. The curved nature of the blade further serves to lift some of the loosened soil from the slits formed in the ground to thereby provide a light top dressing of the removed soil. The curved blades may be efficiently cut from a rectangular plate by a process wherein no additional machining or finishing operations is required.

Abstract: A turf perforating device for aerating lawns by removing plugs therefrom comprising a wheeled frame having a plurality of reciprocating tools connected by a linkage to a crankshaft and each linkage slidably mounted in a pivotable sleeve which prevents binding of the linkage as the frame is moved across the lawn and the tool is disposed in the ground.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a soil aerating device including a frame, a hollow cylindrical drum supported from the frame for rotation about a horizontally extending axis and for folling travel along the surface of the ground or turf to be aerated. Fixedly mounted on the exterior of the drum in registry with respective apertures provided in the drum are a plurality of hollow core-forming tines which are arranged to act much like involute gear teeth, while cutting and removing a plug or core from the ground or turf as the drum is rolled over the surface thereof, and to leave a "rack-like" pattern of holes. Each tine includes a pair of generally V-shaped, opposed side walls having an apex located on or near a radial plane extending radially from the drum axis.