Abstract: A pre-starter for starting a turn in the end of a sod strip travelling up a conveyor in a sod harvester. The pre-starter includes a metal plate sloping downwardly and rearwardly with its end pressing against the sod strip to catch the blades of grass on the upper surface of the sod strip, thereby causing the end of the sod strip to curl upwardly. The curled end of the sod strip then moves into a conventional sod roll-up mechanism spaced immediately behind the pre-starter, to roll the sod strip. This forms accurate and consistent rolls suitable for automation.

Abstract: A sod harvester having a conveyor assembly to receive sod from a cutting head, a roll-up mechanism to form rolls from the cut sod, and a storage conveyor to receive a set of formed sod rolls, with a clamp to clamp the set of sod rolls and transfer it to a pallet. A diverter between the conveyor assembly and the storage conveyor normally allows sod rolls to travel to the storage conveyor but can be moved to create a gap through which defective sod rolls fall and are thereby rejected. A deflector located below the gap deflects scrap sod and defective sod rolls onto the cut portion of the sod field, rather than onto the uncut portion, so that the scrap sod deflected onto the field will not interfere with the next pass of the cutting head.

Abstract: A collapsible forklift vehicle has three frame sets, namely a main frame, a pair of front wheel frames which can be retracted into the main frame, and a mast frame which runs partly on the main frame and partly on the front wheel frames. The main frame defines a rear space for the rear wheels, and motor and operator platforms, all of which can be retracted into the rear space to shorten the vehicle for transport. The mast, carried by the mast frame, includes intermediate channels running in outer channels using top and bottom rollers, enabling the use of lighter gauge steel for the mast.

Abstract: We provide methods and apparatus for handling sod which includes a washing machine in which the water is recycled and during recycling the soil removed from the sod is delivered for reuse. We also provide a method of delivering and take up of rolls of sod in which the peripheral speed of the roll remains constant regardless of the roll diameter; we display methods of physically working sod to remove soil therefrom and also methods of handling sod by supporting it with a flexible mesh where there is likely to be stress on the sod.

Abstract: A forklift vehicle having front wheels mounted on retractible horizontally extending legs which are normally locked in position, by cylinder operated locking pins, to slide plates on the rear frame of the vehicle. To collapse the vehicle, the fork carriage is rolled forwardly on the front legs; locking pins are hydraulically extended from the fork carriage into the legs while the rear locking pins are hydraulically retracted, and then the mast carriage is retracted retracting the front legs with it. The procedure is reversed to extend the front legs. An operator protective cage and seat extends rearwardly of the rear vehicle frame and can be collapsed upwardly and forwardly, further shortening the vehicle length.

Abstract: We provide methods and apparatus for handling sod which includes a washing machine in which the water is recycled and during recycling the soil removed from the sod is delivered for reuse. We also provide a method of delivering and take up of rolls of sod in which the peripheral speed of the roll remains constant regardless of the roll diameter; we display methods of physically working sod to remove soil therefrom and also methods of handling sod by supporting it with a flexible mesh where there is likely to be stress on the sod.

Abstract: A sod harvester in which sod is cut, conveyed upwardly, and then travels downwardly over a floppy conveyor and falls into a roll forming enclosure formed by a bottom conveyor and a vertical conveyor. The floppy conveyor swings downwardly at the start of roll forming, to reduce the free fall of the sod, and swings upwardly as the roll grows. When the roll is formed, the bottom conveyor is unlatched and tilts downwardly to discharge the roll, at the same time pulling into cocked position a core tube injector arm. When the roll discharges, the bottom conveyor snaps upwardly, releasing the core tube injector arm which injects a fresh core tube into the roll forming enclosure. The sod is rolled with its grass side outwardly to facilitate laying and to protect the grass roots. A tray on a cart at the end of the harvester receives the discharged roll and can convey it to either side of the cart.

Abstract: A sod harvester in which sod is cut, conveyed upwardly, and then travels downwardly over a floppy conveyor and falls into a roll forming enclosure formed by a bottom conveyor and a vertical conveyor. The floppy conveyor swings downwardly at the start of roll forming, to reduce the free fall of the sod, and swings upwardly as the roll grows. When the roll is formed, the bottom conveyor is unlatched and tilts downwardly to discharge the roll, at the same time pulling into cocked position a core tube injector arm. When the roll discharges, the bottom conveyor snaps upwardly, releasing the core tube injector arm which injects a fresh core tube into the roll forming enclosure. The sod is rolled with its grass side outwardly to facilitate laying and to protect the grass roots. A tray on a cart at the end of the harvester receives the discharge roll and can convey it to either side of the cart.

Abstract: A sod laying machine having front and rear sections articulated together. A boom on the front section has arms extending forwardly, with gripper arms extending downwardly from the boom to grip a roll of sod. A control roller connected to the boom arms drives the sod roll to control its speed of unwinding. The sod roll has its grass side facing outwardly and its top unwinds rearwardly so an operator in a seat at the front of the machine, between the boom arms, has an unobstructed view of the critical area of sod extending in the air from the roll to the ground, to reduce the likelihood of buckles and tears therein. The machine passes over the sod after it is laid, to roll the sod.

Abstract: A sod laying machine having front and rear sections articulated together. A boom on the front section has arms extending forwardly, with gripper arms extending downwardly from the boom to grip a roll of sod. A control roller connected to the boom arms drives the sod roll to control its speed of unwinding. The sod roll has its grass side facing outwardly and its top unwinds rearwardly so an operator in a seat at the front of the machine, between the boom arms, has an unobstructed view of the critical area of sod extending in the air from the roll to the ground, to reduce the likelihood of buckles and tears therein. The machine passes over the sod after it is laid, to roll the sod.

Abstract: A sod harvester in which sod is cut, conveyed upwardly, and then travels downwardly over a floppy conveyor and falls into a roll forming enclosure formed by a bottom conveyor and a vertical conveyor. The floppy conveyor swings downwardly at the start of roll forming, to reduce the free fall of the sod, and swings upwardly as the roll grows. When the roll is formed, the bottom conveyor is unlatched and tilts downwardly to discharge the roll, at the same time pulling into cocked position a core tube injector arm. When the roll discharges, the bottom conveyor snaps upwardly, releasing the core tube injector arm which injects a fresh core tube into the roll forming enclosure. The sod is rolled with its grass side outwardly to facilitate laying and to protect the grass roots. A tray on a cart at the end of the harvester receives the discharged roll and can convey it to either side of the cart.

Abstract: A sod laying machine having front rear sections articulated together. A boom on the front section has arms extending forwardly, with gripper arms extending downwardly from the boom to grip a roll of sod. A control roller connected to the boom arms drives the sod roll to control its speed of unwinding. The sod roll has its grass side facing outwardly and its top unwinds rearwardly so an operator in a seat at the front of the machine, between the boom arms, has an unobstructed view of the critical area of sod extending in the air from the roll to the ground, to reduce the likelihood of buckles and tears therein. The machine passes over the sod after it is laid, to roll the sod.

Abstract: A sod harvesting machine travels forwardly along a path of travel and has a sod cutting head pivotally connected to a fixed rear frame by a horizontal front pivot shaft having its axis aligned along the path of travel and located close to the ground, and by a pair of rear pivots. The rear pivots are formed by a pair of curved tracks and rollers at the rear of the cutting head, well above the ground, allowing the front of a conveyor to be brought near the ground and close behind the sod cutting knife. The curved tracks have a common center of curvature located on the axis of the front pivot shaft so that they have the same effect as a horizontal rear pivot shaft located close to the ground and aligned with the front pivot shaft.

Abstract: A self propelled forklift vehicle having a frame formed by two spaced parallel longitudinal frame members and a rear transverse frame member. The fork carriage is movable forwardly and rearwardly on the longitudinal frame members, along the path of the machine, and carries a fork tower and forks. The forks can be forced below the vehicle to raise the vehicle up beneath the rear of a trailer for transport. The vehicle's rear wheels, which steer and drive the vehicle, are closely spaced and tiltable from side to side to allow for rough terrain, with the operator seat and motor on opposite sides thereof to balance each other. A manually operated split pulley drive allows creeping of the vehicle at a closely controlled low speed. The fork tines include erectable rollers to support part of the vehicle weight when the forks carry a forwardly extended load, to prevent tipping. A front gate causes discharge of the contents of a pallet onto the ground when the fork carriage is retracted.

Abstract: A forklift vehicle has hooks mounted on the forks for preventing removal of a loaded pallet from the forks and a gate for ejecting the contents of the pallet as the forks are withdrawn. The hooks are normally biased out of engagement with the pallet but a cam mechanism moves the hooks into pallet engaging position when the forks are moved to a selected unloading height. The gate is mounted on the rear of the forks and is biased there by two pairs of extensible links. During unloading the forks are moved forwardly and downwardly to bring the gate in front of a pair of stops. The forks are then moved rearwardly, withdrawing the pallet while the gate ejects the pallet contents. The forks are then raised above the stops, allowing the biased links to return the gate to its rear position.

Abstract: A forklift vehicle is mounted on the rear of a carrier vehicle with the front pneumatic tires of the forklift vehicle received in wheel pockets on the carrier vehicle, and with telescopic links suspending the rear of the forklift vehicle from the rear of the carrier vehicle. The pneumatic tires of the forklift vehicle act as a prime shock absorbing device, absorbing much of the vibration during road travel, thus reducing damage to the forklift vehicle.

Abstract: A self propelled forklift vehicle having a frame formed by two spaced parallel longitudinal frame members and a rear transverse frame member. The fork carriage is movable forwardly and rearwardly on the longitudinal frame members, along the path of the machine, and carries a fork tower and forks. The forks can be forced below the vehicle to raise the vehicle up beneath the rear of a trailer for transport. The vehicle's rear wheels, which steer and drive the vehicle, are closely spaced and tiltable from side to side to allow for rough terrain, with the operator seat and motor on opposite sides thereof to balance each other. A manually operated split pulley drive allows creeping of the vehicle at a closely controlled low speed. The fork tines include erectable rollers to support part of the vehicle weight when the forks carry a forwardly extended load, to prevent tipping. A front gate causes discharge of the contents of a pallet onto the ground when the fork carriage is retracted.

Abstract: A sod cutting knife having a horizontal undercutting blade, vertical support arms connected to each side of the undercutting blade, and removable side cutting blades mounted at the front of each support arm. The side cutting blades project below the bottom of the undercutting blade to protect the connection between the undercutting blade and the support arms against wear. The vertical and horizontal extent of the protrusions of the side cutting blades below the undercutting blade is limited to avoid undue resistance to vertical movement of the knife into the ground.