Abstract: A soil treatment system, including heat treatment apparatus configured to travel in a forward direction along a plot of ground having a soil surface and configured for disturbing the soil surface and treating associated soil with steam as the heat treatment apparatus travels to provide steam treated soil, and a source of steam in flow communication with the heat treatment apparatus for supplying steam to the heat treatment apparatus. The heat treatment apparatus includes a blade configured to contact the soil surface and lift and circulate the soil and return the soil to the ground and a plurality of steam outlets configured to introduce steam to the soil as it is lifted and circulated. The system also includes an insulative sheet material and a cooperating dispenser configured to dispense the sheet material to overlie the treated soil with the sheet material after the passage of the heat treatment apparatus.

Abstract: A soil treatment system, including heat treatment apparatus configured to travel in a forward direction along a plot of ground having a soil surface and configured for disturbing the soil surface and treating associated soil with steam as the heat treatment apparatus travels to provide steam treated soil, and a source of steam in flow communication with the heat treatment apparatus for supplying steam to the heat treatment apparatus. The heat treatment apparatus includes a first heat treatment section having a plurality of rotating blades configured to contact the soil surface and lift and circulate the soil and return the soil to the ground, and a plurality of first steam outlets proximate the rotating blades configured to expose the soil lifted and circulated by the rotating blades to steam from the first steam outlets.

Abstract: A soil treatment system, including heat treatment apparatus configured to travel in a forward direction along a plot of ground having a soil surface and configured for disturbing the soil surface and treating associated soil with steam as the heat treatment apparatus travels to provide steam treated soil and a source of steam in flow communication with the heat treatment apparatus for supplying steam to the heat treatment apparatus. The heat treatment apparatus includes a blade configured to contact the soil surface and lift and circulate the soil and return the soil to the ground and a plurality of steam outlets configured to introduce steam to the soil as it is lifted and circulated. The system also includes an insulative sheet material and a cooperating dispenser configured to dispense the sheet material to overlie the treated soil with the sheet material after the passage of the heat treatment apparatus.

Abstract: A sod harvesting machine comprising a wheeled frame with single or dual cutterheads at the forward end and a sod-receiving wind-up saddle at the rear end. An endless conveyor with a single flight spans the length of the machine and cut sod which is received at the forward end is advanced rearwardly for elevation and transport to the wind-up saddle and discharge at the rear end. The wind-up saddle comprises an expandable frame with pivotally attached supporting arms which commence the wind-up operation in a generally closed “U” configuration, but are controllably adjustably expandable outwardly to open the saddle for continuously accommodating the increase in diameter of the sod roll being helically wound therewithin. When the sod roll reaches its maximum and completed size, the saddle arms are pivoted rearwardly to the horizontal for direct discharge from the harvesting machine onto the ground surface.

Abstract: A sod harvesting machine comprising a wheeled frame with single or dual cutterheads at the forward end and a sod-receiving wind-up saddle at the rear end. An endless conveyor with a single flight spans the length of the machine and cut sod which is received at the forward end is advanced rearwardly for elevation and transport to the wind-up saddle and discharge at the rear end. The wind-up saddle comprises an expandable frame with pivotally attached supporting arms which commence the wind-up operation in a generally closed “U” configuration, but are controllably adjustably expandable outwardly to open the saddle for continuously accommodating the increase in diameter of the sod roll being helically wound therewithin. When the sod roll reaches its maximum and completed size, the saddle arms are pivoted rearwardly to the horizontal for direct discharge from the harvesting machine onto the ground surface.

Abstract: A sod roll-out machine with endless tracks having a low center of gravity to prevent tipping on hills or inclines. The machine can be operated and steered by one person, wherein the roll of sod can be unwound in a forward or reverse direction. A pair of arms are elevated by hydraulic cylinders to facilitate the loading of a roll of sod to the distal ends of the arms, and to maintain the roll of sod slightly above the earth during the unrolling process. Due to the unique two track driving mechanism, the machine can be turned in place and operated in areas having limited accessibility. The tracks are driven by a motor, wherein each track can be individually controlled to be rotated in either a forward or reverse direction. A hydraulic pump is driven by the motor, wherein hydraulic fluid is provided to each of the hydraulic cylinders to control the elevation of each of the elevating arms.