Abstract: An apparatus for retaining soil aerating tines during soil aerating operations comprising a tine holding assembly having a plurality of holes therein, wherein each hole is adapted to hold a soil aerating tine therein, wherein the holes are arranged in a plurality of rows of holes, wherein a plurality of spaces separate adjacent rows of holes, wherein the holes of at least one row of holes are positioned between the holes of at least one other row of holes. The apparatus can have at least one space that is at least twice as wide as at least one other space. The apparatus can further comprise a plurality of tine holding members, wherein each tine holding member comprises at least one row of holes of the plurality of rows of holes. Tines can be inserted into the holes to form a zigzag pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining soil aerating tines during soil aerating operations comprising a tine holding assembly having a plurality of holes therein, wherein each hole is adapted to hold a soil aerating tine therein, wherein the holes are arranged in a plurality of rows of holes, wherein a plurality of spaces separate adjacent rows of holes, wherein the holes of at least one row of holes are positioned between the holes of at least one other row of holes. The apparatus can have at least one space that is at least twice as wide as at least one other space. The apparatus can further comprise a plurality of tine holding members, wherein each tine holding member comprises at least one row of holes of the plurality of rows of holes. Tines can be inserted into the holes to form a zigzag pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining soil aerating tines during soil aerating operations comprising a tine holding assembly having a plurality of holes therein, wherein each hole is adapted to hold a soil aerating tine therein, wherein the holes are arranged in a plurality of rows of holes, wherein a plurality of spaces separate adjacent rows of holes, wherein the holes of at least one row of holes are positioned between the holes of at least one other row of holes. The apparatus can have at least one space that is at least twice as wide as at least one other space. The apparatus can further comprise a plurality of tine holding members, wherein each tine holding member comprises at least one row of holes of the plurality of rows of holes. Tines can be inserted into the holes to form a zigzag pattern.

Abstract: A soil aerating apparatus movable along a soil surface in a first direction during soil aerating operations comprises a frame assembly and a plurality of reciprocating arm assemblies. Each arm assembly comprises a tine holder for retaining a tine, an upper arm pivotally attached between the tine holder and the frame assembly, a lower arm pivot attached between the tine holder and the frame assembly, wherein the lower arm is positioned below the upper arm, and a drive arm pivotally attached between a crankshaft and the lower arm. In an embodiment the crankshaft comprises a plurality of central shaft sections and a plurality of eccentric shaft sections, wherein each eccentric shaft section moves in the first direction when each eccentric shaft section is positioned above the plurality of central shaft sections during soil aerating operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining soil aerating tines during soil aerating operations comprising a tine holding assembly having a plurality of holes therein, wherein each hole is adapted to hold a soil aerating tine therein, wherein the holes are arranged in a plurality of rows of holes, wherein a plurality of spaces separate adjacent rows of holes, wherein the holes of at least one row of holes are positioned between the holes of at least one other row of holes. The apparatus can have at least one space that is at least twice as wide as at least one other space. The apparatus can further comprise a plurality of tine holding members, wherein each tine holding member comprises at least one row of holes of the plurality of rows of holes. Tines can be inserted into the holes to form a zigzag pattern.

Abstract: A soil aerating apparatus movable along a soil surface in a first direction during soil aerating operations comprises a frame assembly and a plurality of reciprocating arm assemblies. Each arm assembly comprises a tine holder for retaining a tine, an upper arm pivotally attached between the tine holder and the frame assembly, a lower arm pivot attached between the tine holder and the frame assembly, wherein the lower arm is positioned below the upper arm, and a drive arm pivotally attached between a crankshaft and the lower arm. In an embodiment the crankshaft comprises a plurality of central shaft sections and a plurality of eccentric shaft sections, wherein each eccentric shaft section moves in the first direction when each eccentric shaft section is positioned above the plurality of central shaft sections during soil aerating operations.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a grass treatment apparatus (an aeration device), including a support, a ground treatment implement mounted on the support, means for sensing the operating position of the ground treatment implement relative to the ground in use, means for adjusting the ground treatment implement in response to the sensed position of the ground treatment implement to maintain the ground treatment implement at a desired operating position following the contour of the ground, over which the ground treatment implement travels in use. Alternatively, the invention is an aeration device having a frame that supports reciprocating tines, and a frame orientation control for an aeration device, and includes a means for sensing or tracking the ground that is operatively connected to a means to control a ram and the associated ram.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a grass treatment apparatus (an aeration device), including a support, a ground treatment implement mounted on the support, means for sensing the operating position of the ground treatment implement relative to the ground in use, means for adjusting the ground treatment implement in response to the sensed position of the ground treatment implement to maintain the ground treatment implement at a desired operating position following the contour of the ground, over which the ground treatment implement travels in use. Alternatively, the invention is an aeration device having a frame that supports reciprocating tines, and a frame orientation control for an aeration device, and includes a means for sensing or tracking the ground that is operatively connected to a means to control a ram and the associated ram.

Abstract: A hitch system attachable between a towing utility vehicle and a towed device, where the utility vehicle has a power source. The hitch system has a first frame adapted to pivotably couple the towing vehicle and the towed device, a lift frame attachable to the utility vehicle, where the lift frame has a first member and a second member and the second member is pivotably connected to the first member. The second member is operationably connected to the power source to pivot the second member in relation to the first member. The second member has a tow point, which is offset from the centerline of the second member, enabling the towed device to be towed in an offset configuration. Finally, a top link pivotably connects the second member and the utility vehicle, the top link connecting at the tow point.

Abstract: A hitch system attachable between a towing utility vehicle and a towed device, where the utility vehicle has a power source. The hitch system has a first frame adapted to pivotably couple the towing vehicle and the towed device, a lift frame attachable to the utility vehicle, where the lift frame has a first member and a second member and the second member is pivotably connected to the first member. The second member is operationably connected to the power source to pivot the second member in relation to the first member. The second member has a tow point, which is offset from the centerline of the second member, enabling the towed device to be towed in an offset configuration. Finally, a top link pivotably connects the second member and the utility vehicle, the top link connecting at the tow point.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sod plug cutting and replanting device having a body with a sod plug retention cavity formed therein. The device further includes a cutting surface positioned at a lower section of the body such that the cutting surface will cut a plug of sod prior to the plug entering the plug retention cavity. The device also has a connector attached to the body such that the body may be fixed to a device for driving the body into the sod. The invention also provides a method for harvesting a section of sod by inserting into the section of sod a cutting device having a opening formed within the parameter of a cutting edge such that a plug of sod is separated from the section of sod. The method further includes positioning the plug of sod in the ground below a predetermined depth of the section of sod; and cutting the sod section at the predetermined depth such that the plug of sod remains in the ground when the section of sod is removed.

Abstract: A turf aeration device is provided, comprising a wheeled frame having a journalled drive shaft, wherein the frame is attachable to a pulling vehicle having a power take-off capability. Balanced chain and sprocket assemblies are used to transfer power from the power take-off to the drive shaft, and a plurality of aerator mechanisms are attached to the drive shaft and the frame. Each aerator mechanism comprises a link member which supports a pivotable tine holder having at least one tine, a stop member attached to the link member for contacting the tine holder and maintaining a minimum predetermined angle between the tine holder and the link member; a means for adjusting the predetermined angle between the tine holder and the link member; an elastomeric band pivotally connected between the frame and the tine holder for urging the tine holder against the stop member; a drive link attached to the drive shaft; and a connecting rod pivotally attached between the drive link and the link member.