Patents Assigned to Turfco Manufacturing Inc.
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Patent number: 12144293Abstract: When a GPS unit electronically detects being within a boundary, a motor controller electronically controls providing electrical power from a battery pack to a high-speed electric motor directly driving a rotatable turbine rotor inside a cylindrical housing at operational speeds. The motor controller electronically controls the high-speed electric motor to stop rotation, to rotate at operational speeds, or to rotate at turbo boost speeds. A single remote electronically controls multiple motor controllers. The motor controller inverts DC battery voltage of 100 volts to 3-phase alternating current used by the high-speed electric motor. A DC-DC converter is electrically connected between the battery pack and a nozzle motor and a display.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2021Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: TURFCO MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: Scott Kinkead, Lucas Crist, Nicholas Oeding
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Patent number: 12114585Abstract: A turf aerator is configured with components that allow a user to set a desired turf aeration depth and then automatically adjust hydraulic pressure to produce a proper level of downward pressure into the ground in order to maintain consistent depth penetration with the tines. The turf aerator implements a depth control lever that is operatively connected to a switch that increases or decreases tine depth up or down. Since the desired tine depth is set and the hydraulic pressure is capable of puncturing the ground accordingly, portions of the ground that are relatively harder or softer are still properly penetrated due to the set level of depth. The turf aerator is also configured with a tine housing which shields drive chains from dirt and debris from the aerating, thereby increasing the life of the drive chains.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2020Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: George B. Kinkead, Kenneth W. Sylvester, Thomas J. Fiske, Terrance R. Bondeson
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Patent number: 11849657Abstract: Optional attachments, such as a drop seeder and a sprayer unit, can be removably attached to the front plate of a turf aerator. The attachment includes a hitch slideably received in a tubular receiver and pinned therein by a pin. A lock is pivotal relative to the attachment from an unlocked position to a locked position with the front plate received in slots of the lock. The lock is pivoted relative to the attachment by a rod which is threadably received in the hitch. Valve openings in a valve plate are aligned or mis-aligned with lower openings formed in a hopper mounted to the hitch by a linear electric actuator. A lever is pivotably mounted to a housing which is removably attached to the chassis of the turf aerator and activates the linear electric actuator and a switch controlling an agitator. A valve is alternately in fluid communication with a spray nozzle mounted relative to the hitch and a spray wand.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: TURFCO MANUFACTURING, INCInventors: George Kinkead, Nicholas Oeding
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Patent number: 11832541Abstract: Tines (120) of tine assemblies (100a, 100b, 104) are secured by a single bolt (126) extending diametrically through each tine (120) located in a cavity (112) of a tine plate (110), through the tine plate (110) and through an attachment ring (130). The attachment ring (130) of an outer tine assembly (104) is connected to a sleeve (116) rotatably mounted adjacent the outer ends on each of two independently rotatable shafts (102) to which inner tine assemblies (100a, 100b) are rotatably connected adjacent the inner ends of the two independently rotatable shafts (102). The attachment rings (130) of the inner tine assemblies (100a, 100b) are welded to the two independently rotatable shafts (102).Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: TURFCO MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: George Kinkead, Steven Ferguson, Terrence R. Bondeson, Tom Fiske, Roger Lee Larson
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Patent number: 11083184Abstract: An applicator includes a spinner rotated by the parking brake output shaft of a hydrostatic transaxle driving first and second drive wheels. Material delivered from a hopper on the spinner is spread by the spinner rotating at a speed corresponding to the rotating speed of the drive wheels. Liquid is sprayed by either a trim nozzle intermediate sides of the frame or broadcast nozzles adjacent the sides of the frame. A spray lever is pivoted to slide a slide linkage from an upper position to a lower position abutting with a biased actuator of an on/off valve, with the spray lever and a spinner gate opening lever operable at the same time with just one hand. During transport, a front bumper is received in a horizontal leg of an L-shaped slot and a cutout in an arm pivotably mounted to a stop in which the L-shaped slot is located and in a locking position. A locking pin is inserted through apertures in the arm and the stop in the locking position.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: George B. Kinkead, Nicholas Oeding
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Patent number: 10952363Abstract: Tines (120) of tine assemblies (100a, 100b, 104) are secured by a single bolt (126) extending diametrically through each tine (120) located in a cavity (112) of a tine plate (110). An outer tine assembly (104) is connected to a sleeve (116) rotatably mounted adjacent the outer ends on each of two independently rotatable shafts (102) to which inner tine assemblies (100a, 100b) are rotatably connected adjacent the inner ends of the two independently rotatable shafts (102). Thus, the outer tine assemblies (104) are located intermediate the inner tine assemblies (100a, 100b) and the outer ends of the two independently rotatable shafts (102).Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: George Kinkead, Steven Ferguson, Terrence R Bondeson, Tom Fiske, Roger Lee Larson
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Patent number: 10849262Abstract: A turf aerator is configured with components that allow a user to set a desired turf aeration depth and then automatically adjust hydraulic pressure to produce a proper level of downward pressure into the ground in order to maintain consistent depth penetration with the tines. The turf aerator implements a depth control lever that is operatively connected to a switch that increases or decreases tine depth up or down. Since the desired tine depth is set and the hydraulic pressure is capable of puncturing the ground accordingly, portions of the ground that are relatively harder or softer are still properly penetrated due to the set level of depth. The turf aerator is also configured with a tine housing which shields drive chains from dirt and debris from the aerating, thereby increasing the life of the drive chains.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: TURFCO MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: George B. Kinkead, Kenneth W. Sylvester, Thomas J. Fiske, Terrance Bondeson
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Patent number: 10212872Abstract: Tine assemblies (100a, 100b, 104) are secured by a single bolt (126) extending diametrically through each tine (120) located in a cavity (112) of a tine plate (110). An outer tine assembly (104) is connected to a sleeve (116) rotatably mounted on independently rotatable shafts (102) to which inner tine assemblies (100a, 100b) are connected. A tine cover (50) removably closes an opening (40) in the top plate (28) and in which weights (70) are removably received over the tine assemblies (100a, 100b, 104). Transport wheels (134) are moveable by pivoting a stop plate (140) to position an upper pivot axis (150a) of an abutment bar (150) ahead of or behind the stop axis (142) and lower pivot axis (150b). A stop (146) positioned on the stop plate (140) without the use of tools adjusts the depth of the tine assemblies (100a, 100b, 104).Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: George Kinkead, Steven Ferguson, Terrence R Bondeson, Tom Fiske, Roger Lee Larson
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Patent number: 10194582Abstract: An apparatus applies product and includes a pivotal platform solely supported through bushings formed of compressible material. The ground speed can be locked by stepping on a step pivoting a composite block to engage with an engagement of the transmission proportioner arm. A gate is opened utilizing a control lever pivotally mounted to a pivotably mounted control block to either engage or avoid a tang of an adjustment guide. A drive belt system includes a variator having first and second sheaves having variable effective diameters when their pivot pin is moved by pivoting a lever. A spray tip sprays a fan style spray at a small acute angle to the application area. A flip shield is pivoted about an axis parallel to the movement direction and includes a linear straight portion parallel to the axis in a redirection position.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: David A. Kline, Loren F. Hansen, Robert C. Brophy
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Patent number: 9986692Abstract: A debris blower includes an engine mounted to an engine mount and connected to a turbine. The engine mount and housing of the turbine are respectively mounted between a second side of a frame and first and second longitudinal supports connected to and between first and second sides of the frame. A screen guard is secured utilizing bolts extending in a non-rotatable manner from a top plate connected between the second longitudinal support and the second side. Due to the frame and engine mount having a parallelism and flatness tolerance, the engine and turbine can be aligned without shimming. A sensor senses first and second trip devices positioned at circumferential locations on the exit nozzle to rotate the exit nozzle to preset angles. Remote and hard wire controls each include direction and speed switches. A resume switch throttles the engine between idle and operating speeds.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Scott Kinkead, Nicholas Oeding, Daryl Halvorson
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Patent number: 9560810Abstract: A debris blower includes an engine mounted to an engine mount and connected to a turbine. The engine mount and housing of the turbine are respectively mounted between a second side of a frame and first and second longitudinal supports connected to and between first and second sides of the frame. A screen guard is secured utilizing bolts extending in a non-rotatable manner from a top plate connected between the second longitudinal support and the second side. Due to the frame and engine mount having a parallelism and flatness tolerance, the engine and turbine can be aligned without shimming. A sensor senses first and second trip devices positioned at circumferential locations on the exit nozzle to rotate the exit nozzle to preset angles. Remote and hard wire controls each include direction and speed switches. A resume switch throttles the engine between idle and operating speeds.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Scott Kinkead, Nicholas Oeding, Daryl Halvorson
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Patent number: 9491902Abstract: A top dresser advances sand contained in a hopper on a dispensing conveyor moving at a linear speed onto a rotatable spinner rotating at a rotating speed. The linear and rotatable speeds are controlled by a controller by electrically actuating first and second electrically actuated valves providing fluid flow to hydraulic motors driving the rotatable spinner and the dispensing conveyor. The rotatable and linear speeds are inputted into an electrical display electronically connected to the controller. The hydraulic flow to the second electrically actuated valve may be solely from the first electrically actuated valve to create back pressure acting as a cushion. Multiple function switches on the electrical display may be actuated in sequence to replicate a linear line relationship between the rotational and linear speeds. Start-up, run, look up and application calculation screens may be displayed on a monitor of the electrical display.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: George Kinkead, Scott Kinkead, Kenneth Sylvester, Steven Ferguson
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Patent number: 9474196Abstract: Tine assemblies (100a, 100b, 104) are secured by a single bolt (126) extending diametrically through each tine (120) located in a cavity (112) of a tine plate (110). An outer tine assembly (104) is connected to a sleeve (116) rotatably mounted on independently rotatable shafts (102) to which inner tine assemblies (100a, 100b) are connected. A tine cover (50) removably closes an opening (40) in the top plate (28) and in which weights (70) are removably received over the tine assemblies (100a, 100b, 104). Transport wheels (134) are moveable by pivoting a stop plate (140) to position an upper pivot axis (150a) of an abutment bar (150) ahead of or behind the stop axis (142) and lower pivot axis (150b). A stop (146) positioned on the stop plate (140) without the use of tools adjusts the depth of the tine assemblies (100a, 100b, 104).Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2011Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: George Kinkead, Steven Ferguson, Terrence R. Bondeson, Tom Fiske, Roger Lee Larson
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Patent number: 9321075Abstract: An apparatus applies product and includes a pivotal platform solely supported through bushings formed of compressible material. The ground speed can be locked by stepping on a step pivoting a composite block to engage with an engagement of the transmission proportioner arm. A gate is opened utilizing a control lever pivotally mounted to a pivotably mounted control block to either engage or avoid a tang of an adjustment guide. A drive belt system includes a variator having first and second sheaves having variable effective diameters when their pivot pin is moved by pivoting a lever. A spray tip sprays a fan style spray at a small acute angle to the application area. A flip shield is pivoted about an axis parallel to the movement direction and includes a linear straight portion parallel to the axis in a redirection position.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: David A. Kline, Loren F. Hansen, Robert C. Brophy
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Publication number: 20140131465Abstract: An apparatus applies product and includes a pivotal platform solely supported through bushings formed of compressible material. The ground speed can be locked by stepping on a step pivoting a composite block to engage with an engagement of the transmission proportioner arm. A gate is opened utilizing a control lever pivotally mounted to a pivotably mounted control block to either engage or avoid a tang of an adjustment guide. A drive belt system includes a variator having first and second sheaves having variable effective diameters when their pivot pin is moved by pivoting a lever. A spray tip sprays a fan style spray at a small acute angle to the application area. A flip shield is pivoted about an axis parallel to the movement direction and includes a linear straight portion parallel to the axis in a redirection position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: David A. Kline, Loren F. Hansen, Robert C. Brophy
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Patent number: 8632018Abstract: An apparatus applies product and includes a pivotal platform solely supported through bushings formed of compressible material. The ground speed can be locked by stepping on a step pivoting a composite block to engage with an engagement of the transmission proportioner arm. A gate is opened utilizing a control lever pivotally mounted to a pivotably mounted control block to either engage or avoid a tang of an adjustment guide. A drive belt system includes a variator having first and second sheaves having variable effective diameters when their pivot pin is moved by pivoting a lever. A spray tip sprays a fan style spray at a small acute angle to the application area. A flip shield is pivoted about an axis parallel to the movement direction and includes a linear straight portion parallel to the axis in a redirection position.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: David A. Kline, Loren F. Hansen, Robert C. Brophy
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Patent number: 8056828Abstract: An apparatus (10) applies product in liquid or granular form to an area and includes a pivotal platform (34) solely supported to a vehicular portion through bushings (46, 54) formed of compressible material to reduce operator fatigue. The apparatus ground speed can be locked by stepping on a step (74) pivoting a composite block (82) to engage with an engagement (84) of the transmission proportioner arm (70). A gate (88) of the hopper (26) is opened utilizing a control lever (108) pivotally mounted to a pivotably mounted control block (100) to either engage or avoid a tang (106) of an adjustment guide (102). A drive belt system includes a variator (144) having first and second sheaves (142, 146) having variable effective diameters when their pivot pin (148) is moved by pivoting a lever (164). A spray tip (200) sprays a fan style spray at a small acute angle to the application area.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: David A. Kline, Loren F. Hansen, Robert C. Brophy
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Patent number: 7448333Abstract: A seeder (10) includes multiple cutting head units (30) pivotally mounted to a jack shaft (24) of a frame (12) and spring biased downwardly by hold downs (80). Each multiple cutting head unit (30) includes multiple roller blades (36) received on an axle (34) rotatably mounted in a carrier (32) and in gearing relation to the jack shaft (24). The roller blades (36) include a series of oppositely formed, circumferentially spaced radially extending indentations (36a) extending from a continuous, smooth periphery at a constant extent from the axle (34). Fingers (46) extending between the roller blades (36) are pivotally mounted to the carrier (32) to adjust the depth of the slits formed by the roller blades (36). Each hose (98) extending from a seed box (96) diverts seed into adjacent slits immediately after the roller blades (36).Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Scott Kinkead, Terrence R. Bondeson, Tom Fiske, Thomas E. Isaman, Kenneth Sylvester, Steven Ferguson, John Blackburn Kinkead
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Patent number: 7347320Abstract: A top dresser (10) includes sheeting (70) in the form of an endless belt passing around first and second drums (148, 160) and a bed (166) including a plurality of rollers (106). Continuous V-shaped guides (122) are received in pulleys (120) on the drums (148, 160) for tracking the endless belt. A blocking device (112) in the form of a rod is slid in the mid-frame (102) to prevent the shafts (108) of the rollers (106) from axially sliding against their bias from their operative positions to their installation positions. Ledges (116) having friction reducing strips (118) extend over the shafts (108) of the rollers (106). A compound gear (180) in gearing relation with the second drum (160) and in driving relation with a spindle (82) of a brush (74) is rotatably mounted to an arm (174) pivotally mounted to the second drum (160). The spindle (82) includes two portions (82a, 82b) removably connected by a coupler (76), with the first portion (82a) being cantilevered supported from the side frame (100).Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Isaman, David V. Cress, Steven M. Ferguson
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Publication number: 20070074645Abstract: A seeder (10) includes multiple cutting head units (30) pivotally mounted to a jack shaft (24) of a frame (12) and spring biased downwardly by hold downs (80). Each multiple cutting head unit (30) includes multiple roller blades (36) received on an axle (34) rotatably mounted in a carrier (32) and in gearing relation to the jack shaft (24). The roller blades (36) include a series of oppositely formed, circumferentially spaced radially extending indentations (36a) extending from a continuous, smooth periphery at a constant extent from the axle (34). Fingers (46) extending between the roller blades (36) are pivotally mounted to the carrier (32) to adjust the depth of the slits formed by the roller blades (36). Each hose (98) extending from a seed box (96) diverts seed into adjacent slits immediately after the roller blades (36).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2005Publication date: April 5, 2007Applicant: TURFCO MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: Scott Kinkead, Terrence Bondeson, Tom Fiske, Thomas Isaman, Kenneth Sylvester, Steven Ferguson, John Kinkead