Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A utility vehicle for removably mounting and carrying a plurality of different equipment, such as turf maintenance equipment, is provided. The utility vehicle is motorized and has a support frame. A multi-purpose platform is mounted to the support frame. The multi-purpose platform has a plurality of different equipment mounts so configured and arranged to removably mount the plurality of different equipment to the multi-purpose platform. A hydraulic lifting mechanism pivots the multi-purpose platform upward while the equipment is mounted to the multi-purpose platform to provide access to the area of the vehicle underneath the multi-purpose platform.

Abstract: An aerator that allows the operator to make a turn with the machine while the tines are still in contact with the turf through the use of a differential shaft and brakes that enhance the maneuverability of the machine. The aerator is fitted with a mechanical gear type differential on an intermediate drive shaft that provides for automatic, separate and variable rotational motion of the individual halves of the tine shaft. This differential apparatus also provides constant and equal torque application to both sides of the tine wheel assembly simultaneously while the machine is operating. This insures that tine penetration into the turf is equal on both sides at all times. The tine shaft halves are designed and mounted in such manner as to allow each half (left and right sides) to be driven by separate chains from the differential shaft. This design results in a desired variation in the speed of rotation of the two halves that facilitates turning the unit.

Abstract: An aerator that allows the operator to make a turn with the machine while the tines are still in contact with the turf through the use of a differential shaft and brakes that enhance the maneuverability of the machine. The aerator is fitted with a mechanical gear type differential on an intermediate drive shaft that provides for automatic, separate and variable rotational motion of the individual halves of the tine shaft. This differential apparatus also provides constant and equal torque application to both sides of the tine wheel assembly simultaneously while the machine is operating. This insures that tine penetration into the turf is equal on both sides at all times. The tine shaft halves are designed and mounted in such manner as to allow each half (left and right sides) to be driven by separate chains from the differential shaft. This design results in a desired variation in the speed of rotation of the two halves that facilitates turning the unit.

Abstract: A utility vehicle for removably mounting and carrying a plurality of different equipment, such as turf maintenance equipment, is provided. The utility vehicle is motorized and has a support frame. A multi-purpose platform is mounted to the support frame. The multi-purpose platform has a plurality of different equipment mounts so configured and arranged to removably mount the plurality of different equipment to the multi-purpose platform. A hydraulic lifting mechanism pivots the multi-purpose platform upward while the equipment is mounted to the multi-purpose platform to provide access to the area of the vehicle underneath the multi-purpose platform.

Abstract: A walk-behind turf aerating apparatus includes two pairs of tine arm assemblies, each assembly having a pair of vertically reciprocating tine arms for driving coring tines into the turf. A tine arm return mechanism includes a gear box for each pair of tine arms, the lower ends of the tine arms being connected to cranks extending from the gear box to reposition the tine arms prior to ground engagement. Stops are provided to limit the tine arm travel. A spring-loaded lifting mechanism permits manual shifting of the tine arm mechanism from a lowered ground-engaging position to a raised transport position. A belt drive with clutch and reduction drive for the wheels also drives the tine arm mechanism with automatic disengagement when the wheels are in the transport position. A handle assembly is connected to the apparatus frame through a pivotal connection including vibration damping elements for minimizing transmittal of vibrations, particularly in the vertical plane, to the handle.

Abstract: A side-ejecting double coring tine includes a pair of vertically depending tine members, each having an upper end portion with a generally rectangular cross-section, a central body portion and a lower end portion having a generally circular cross-section, the central body portion having one side open for the ejection of cores therefrom, the rectangular configuration of the upper end portion providing attachment points for a crosspiece which provides additional structural rigidity to the assembly.

Abstract: A coring tine for use in a turf aerator and the like has an elongated generally tubular body having a core discharge end and a turf penetrating end. The turf penetrating end has a core gripping configuration which, in various embodiments, may take the form of an obround, longitudinal flutes, a generally frusto-conical wall having radially inwardly formed core retaining fingers, or a narrowed neck adapted to improve frictional engagement with a turf core and retain the core within the tine during retraction from a turf surface.

Abstract: A machine for gathering and collecting particles from a ground surface or the like includes an upwardly inclined conveyor or elevator mounted on the side of a transport vehicle and having a lower receiving end cooperative with forwardly diverging gathering arms which guide particles on the ground surface to the receiving end of the conveyor for transfer to an upper conveyor end where the particles are discharged into a receptacle. The conveyor is supported on the transport vehicle by a rigid truss frame arrangement including upper and lower pivot arms having ball joint connection to the conveyor so as to allow rotation of the conveyor substantially about its longitudinal axis in response to changes in ground contour. The conveyor is movable between lowered operating and raised transport positions. Counterbalance springs limit the contact force of the conveyor acting on the ground surface during operation.

Abstract: A walk-behind turf aerating apparatus includes two pairs of tine arm assemblies, each assembly having a pair of vertically reciprocating tine arms for driving coring tines into the turf. A tine arm return mechanism includes a gear box for each pair of tine arms, the lower ends of the tine arms being connected to cranks extending from the gear box to reposition the tine arms prior to ground engagement. Stops are provided to limit the tine arm travel. A spring-loaded lifting mechanism permits manual shifting of the tine arm mechanism from a lowered ground-engaging position to a raised transport position. A belt drive with clutch and reduction drive for the wheels also drives the tine arm mechanism with automatic disengagement when the wheels are in the transport position. A handle assembly is connected to the apparatus frame through a pivotal connection including vibration damping elements for minimizing transmittal of vibrations, particularly in the vertical plane, to the handle.

Abstract: A slide assembly for use in supporting and guiding a reciprocating push rod or the like so as to enable reciprocating movement of the push rod while undergoing translation transverse to its longitudinal direction. The slide assembly includes a tubular slide guide which receives a slide tube therethrough having a slide housing supported transversely on an end of the slide tube externally of the slide guide, the slide housing having an axial passage to receive the reciprocating rod. TEFLON bearings are interposed between the slide housing and the reciprocating rod and between the slide guide and the slide tube, and lubricating fluid felts are supported within the slide housing so as to maintain a lubricating film on the reciprocating rod. The slide assembly finds particular application in a turf aerator of the vertical reciprocating tine type wherein the tines are caused to move transverse to their longitudinal axes during reciprocation.

Abstract: An arrangement for preventing clogging of particulate material flowing through a curved section in a tubular duct or chute employs an air manifold operatively associated with the duct or chute and having an elongated discharge orifice positioned to discharge a wall of pressurized air along the internal concave duct surface so as to create positive laminar air flow along the curved surface and prevent stagnation and clogging of the particulate material. In a preferred embodiment, mutually cooperating auxiliary air discharge openings in the manifold and duct effect laminar air flow over other internal surface areas of the duct within the curved section. The anti-clogging arrangement finds particular application in grass mowers and the like wherein clippings tend to clog within curved sections of chutes through which the clippings pass to a receptacle.

Abstract: A turf aerator includes a wheel-supported frame and drive means for propelling the frame across the ground at a predetermined rate. A pair of substantially vertical tine arms each having a plurality of downwardly directed turf coring tines attached to the lower end thereof are mounted on the frame for alternate penetrating engagement with the ground. A tine arm actuating mechanism produces an essentially elliptical movement of the upper end of each tine arm, the major axis of the elliptical movement being substantially vertical. A rocker mechanism indirectly connects the lower end of one tine arm with the lower end of the other tine arm such that the horizontal movement of one tine arm with respect to the frame upon engagement of that tine arm with the turf produces an equal and opposite horizontal movement of the other tine arm and vice versa. The aerator produces a substantially vertical insertion and withdrawal movement of the tines and a resultant minimal disturbance of the surrounding turf area.

Abstract: A turf aerator includes a wheel-supported frame and drive means for propelling the frame across the ground at a predetermined rate. A pair of substantially vertical tine arms each having a plurality of downwardly directed turf coring tines attached to the lower end thereof are mounted on the frame for alternate penetrating engagement with the ground. A tine arm actuating mechanism produces an essentially elliptical movement of the upper end of each tine arm, the major axis of the elliptical movement being substantially vertical. A rocker mechanism indirectly connects the lower end of one tine arm with the lower end of the other tine arm such that the horizontal movement of one tine arm with respect to the frame upon engagement of that tine arm with the turf produces an equal and opposite horizontal movement of the other tine arm and vice versa. The aerator produces a substantially vertical insertion and withdrawal movement of the tines and a resultant minimal disturbance of the surrounding turf area.