Ground roller

Abstract

A ground roller for compacting and leveling ground, includes a frame having a front and a rear with one or more cylindrical rollers rotatably journaled to a plurality of roller supports affixed to a bottom portion of the frame. A hitch structure is affixed to the front of the frame for connecting to a three point hitch of a tractor.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to landscape maintenance equipment and more specifically to a roller for ground leveling.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Landscaping can be found around and in all developed areas. While landscaping can include a variety of flower beds and clumps of shrubs, trees, and other greenery, one aspect of landscaping is central to almost every development, a well maintained lawn or turf. Areas of well groomed turf provide a pleasant area on which people can walk or recreate to enjoy a variety of activities, and for many, a soft, cool, green turf improves their physical and emotional health. Many sports such as golf, baseball, soccer, football and others are played on fields of natural turf. In many cases these areas are expansive and subject to very hard use and extreme weather. In order to maintain beauty and functionality, the turf must be maintained and repaired on a frequent and regular schedule.

Turf management is both a fine art and a complex science. Planning and daily care are required from the very inception of the area on which the turf is to be maintained. The variety of grass must be chosen based on the projected use, light conditions, and climate among other factors. Irrigation is often utilized to maintain a healthy green growth. And, while a well established turf provides a firm but relatively resilient foundation on which to recreate, environment effects such as weather and the freeze-thaw cycle, as well as heavy use, can have very severe and detrimental effects on the turf. In particular, sports fields can become torn up and bumpy after just one game, particularly if the ground is saturated from heavy rain. For example, a smooth football field can be quickly damaged and transformed into a surface of ridges, dips, holes, and bumps during the course of a game. When the turf's original condition becomes untenable it can present a danger to athletes in subsequent games, particularly if the ground freezes after becoming damaged with holes, bumps and ridges.

One turf maintenance procedure utilized by grounds keepers is turf rolling. Rolling turf is not a new concept, and has been in known use since the late 1920's. Manual drum rollers are usually a single hollow drum mounted to a handle for pulling or pushing across a surface. Triplex attachment rollers are designed to be mounted on triplex mowers in place of the reels and have a similar weight resulting in light compaction. Dedicated greens rollers are self-propelled and can be fitted with various roller attachments that are smooth, grooved, or have a different configuration for specialized applications. Finally, rollers can be mounted on high-quality mowing units to increase mowing quality.

Rolling was originally practiced as an aid to establish turf and to smooth minor disruptions in the turf surface. As an establishment aid, rolling is irreplaceable. After cultivation and prior to turf seeding or planting of other vegetation, rolling helps the soil settle and identifies low spots not otherwise evident. After planting, rolling helps creating critical seed-to-soil contact, or if the turf is sodded to remove any air pockets that would cause the turf roots to dry out. Surface disruption in the turf can have multiple causes. Insects, earthworms and burrowing animals such as moles, can all be detrimental to the integrity of the turf surface. Further, in northern climates frost occurring as a result of the winter freeze-thaw cycles can seriously disrupt the turf surface, and leaves the surface of the turf uneven and in need of smoothing.

Many of the turf or ground rollers in use are relatively small for use on smaller areas of turf such as the greens of a golf course, and are not efficient when used on larger areas. Other ground rollers in use do not allow for easy adjustment in ground pressure or compacting force by changing the weight of the roller. Thus what is desired is a roller that can be attached to a tractor and is efficient for use on large areas of ground or turf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a ground roller that satisfies the need for a roller attachable to a tractor for large area rolling. The ground roller for compacting and leveling ground includes a frame having a front and a rear. At least one and preferably a plurality of roller supports are affixed to and extend from a bottom of the frame. One or more cylindrical rollers are rotatably journaled to the roller supports. A hitch structure is affixed to the front of the frame for connecting to tractor.

Other aspects of the present invention include a bed for carrying additional weight to increase the compacting force delivered by the ground roller. The bed can be partially constructed of a metal mesh to permit particulates to fall through thereby preventing the buildup of dirt and other undesired material on the bed. A roller brush can be pivotally mounted to the frame proximate to each roller for removing soil adhering to said cylindrical roller during operation. Further, the hitch can be configured to attach to a standard three point hitch system on a tractor.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a ground roller embodying the present invention, wherein the ground roller is attached to a tractor and in a raised position for traveling to a site to be rolled;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the tractor and roller illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the roller is in a lowered position for rolling the ground;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the ground roller shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a partial exploded perspective view of the ground roller illustrating the attachment of the roller brush and roller to the roller frame.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 3. However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with preferred and practical embodiments thereof, one will also recognize that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 3 shows a ground roller 20 which is one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and illustrates its various components. Ground roller 20 has a chassis 30 including a rectilinear frame 32. Rectilinear frame 32 substantially surrounds and supports therefrom a weight bearing bed 34. In its most preferred embodiment, weight bearing bed 34 is constructed of a heavy-duty steel mesh. The openings of the steel mesh allow dirt that may normally tend to collect on the bed 34 to filter through and thus maintain bed 34 substantially dirt free. A front part of the frame 32 has a front roller support 36 depending from each corner, wherein each front roller support 36 terminates at a front bearing flange 37. A rear part of the frame 32 has a rear roller support 38 depending from each corner thereof, wherein each roller support terminates at a rear bearing flange 39. The lateral separation between rear roller supports 38 can be different than the lateral separation between front roller supports 36 to accommodate rollers of different lengths.

The strength and rigidity of chassis 30 is enhanced with a bracing system 40. Bracing system 40 includes a series of members such as front lateral braces 46, rear vertical brace 43 and rear lateral braces 44, and upper longitudinal brace 42 extending between lateral braces 44 and 46. Braces 42, 43, 44, and 46 are exemplary and can assume various configurations well known in the art to provide the strength and rigidity desired for chassis 30.

Now referring to FIGS. 1-3, a hitch structure 50 is provided at the front of chassis 30 to permit ground roller 20 to be connected to a tractor 14. In the most preferred embodiment, hitch structure 50 is constructed to permit attachment of ground roller 20 to a three-point hitch system 16 of tractor 14. Three-point hitch system 16 is of a configuration well known and integral to most field type tractors such as tractor 14 and includes a pair of laterally separated lifting arms 17 positioned at a lower part of the tractor 14 and a stabilizing top link 18 centrally positioned above the lifting arms 17. Hitch structure 50 which is permanently affixed to frame 32 includes laterally opposed center hitch supports 52, 54 that are spaced apart to receive therebetween an end of top link 18. An appropriately sized aperture permits the insertion of top hitch pin 53 for securing top link 18 to supports 52, 54. Supports 52, 54 are integrally affixed to bracing system 40, such as by welding or other known construction methods. In the most preferred embodiment, longitudinal brace 42, front lateral braces 46, and a front portion of frame 32 are affixed to supports 52, 54. Similarly, outer and inner hitch supports 56, 58 respectively are affixed to frame 32 and lateral brace 46 on either side of supports 52, 54 corresponding to the lateral spacing of lifting arms 17 of tractor 14. Supports 56 and 58 are spaced one from the other to receive an end of lifting arms 17 therebetween. An appropriately sized aperture extending through supports 56, 58 permits the insertion of bottom hitch pin 57 for securing each lifting arm 17 to a respective pair of supports 56, 58. The integration of supports 52, 53, 56, 58 with frame 32 and bracing system 40 functions to properly transfer the lifting loads from ground roller 20 to three-point hitch system 16 of tractor 14 without causing deformation of ground roller 20. Additionally, in lieu of a three point hitch structure 50 as illustrated, an alternate hitch structure comprising a well known tongue and tow bar configuration (not shown) may be implemented for use with tractors that do not have a three-point hitch system.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, ground roller 20 includes two rollers, a front roller 60 and a rear roller 80. In the most preferred configuration, rear roller 80 is longer than front roller 60, although other configurations are contemplated within the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The length of roller 60 is generally such to approximate the width of the rear tires of tractor 14. The additional width of roller 80 permits overlapping of successive passes along the area to be packed. Other than length, each roller configuration is substantially identical and the description herein will be directed to rear roller 80 and its associated roller brush 90 with the similar features of front roller 60 and front roller brush 70 having similar reference numbers.

Roller 80 includes a drum 82 of a sufficient diameter such that its outer surface contacts the ground during the compacting process. Drum 82 can be fabricated of a solid metal bar or other solid material. Drum 82 has an axle stub 83 extending from each end. Axle stub 83 is journaled in bearing 85 of bearing housing 84. Each bearing housing 84 is affixed to a rear bearing flange 39 at the bottom of rear roller support 38. In the most preferred configuration, bearing housing 84 is bolted to bearing flange 39 using bolts extending through holes 87.

Roller brush 90 includes a brush support 96 including a laterally oriented pivot pin 97 and is affixed to the rear of each roller support 38 using fasteners through holes 98. Each brush support 96 is mounted to its respective roller support 38 such that opposing pivot pins 97 are oriented one facing to the other. A brush pivot 94 having an aperture 25 is sleeved over each pivot pin 97 and is pivotal thereon. A brush 92 extends between and is affixed to each brush pivot 94. In the most preferred embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 4, brush 92 is configured as a solid bar with a knife edge 93 for scraping the surface of drum 82 as it rotates. The various elements of brush support 96, brush pivot 94 and brush 92 are sized and arranged such that brush 92 rests on and engages the surface of drum 82 in a substantially tangential manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, ground roller 20 is used in the following manner. When a ground surface area 12 is seeded with, for example, grass seed and needs to be rolled or compacted to help establish the desired turf surface, tractor 14 typically having flotation tires 15 is backed up to ground roller 20. The top link 18 of three -point hitch system 16 is affixed between supports 52, 54 of ground roller 20 and secured with pin 53. In like manner left and right lifting arms 17 of hitch 16 are positioned between their respective supports 56, 58 and affixed thereto with pins 57. The operator of tractor 14 engages the hydraulic controls to raise three-point hitch system 16, thereby lifting ground roller 20 off the ground surface 12. Ground roller 20 and tractor 14 are then transported to the site to be rolled. Additional weights 19 can be placed on weight bearing bed 34 to increase the compaction force of roller 20 as desired. The hydraulic controls of tractor 14 are then activated in order to lower ground roller 20 to the ground surface 12. Multiple and successive passes across ground surface 12 can then be made with ground roller 20 engaged with ground surface 12 until a desired compaction is achieved. Depending on soil conditions, particles of soil from ground surface 12 may accumulate and build up an undesirable layer on the surface of drum 82. This layer is continually removed by knife edges 73 (not shown) and 93 tangentially engaged on the surface of respective roller drums 62 (not shown) and 82. Upon completion of the rolling process, the operator of tractor 14 again engages the hydraulic controls to raise ground roller 20 off of ground surface 12, whereupon tractor 14 and ground roller 20 are transported to their respective storage areas.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A ground roller for compacting and leveling ground, said ground roller comprising:

a frame having a front and a rear;

a plurality of roller supports affixed to a bottom portion of said frame;

at least one cylindrical roller rotatably journaled to said at least one roller support; and

a hitch structure affixed to said frame front for connecting to a tractor.

2. The ground roller according to claim 1 further including a weight bearing bed and wherein said frame circumscribes at least a portion of said weight bearing bed.

3. The ground roller according to claim 1 further including a roller brush interengageable with said at least one cylindrical roller for removing soil adhering to said cylindrical roller during operation.

4. The ground roller according to claim 3 wherein said roller brush comprises a rigid blade extending a length of said cylindrical roller, said rigid blade tangentially contacting said cylindrical roller.

5. The ground roller according to claim 4 wherein said roller brush is pivotally mounted to said frame.

6. The ground roller according to claim 1 wherein two front roller supports are affixed below said frame front and laterally separated one from the other and wherein two rear roller supports are affixed below said frame rear and laterally separated one from the other.

7. The ground roller according to claim 6 further including:

a front cylindrical roller rotatably journaled to said front roller supports; and

a rear cylindrical roller journaled to said rear roller supports; wherein:

at least a portion of said front cylindrical roller extends between said front roller supports and at least a portion of said rear cylindrical roller extends between said rear roller supports.

8. The ground roller according to claim 7 wherein said front cylindrical roller and said rear cylindrical roller are of different lengths.

9. The ground roller according to claim 8 wherein said front cylindrical roller is shorter than said rear cylindrical roller.

10. A ground roller for compacting and leveling ground, said ground roller comprising:

a frame having a front and a rear;

a weight bearing bed extending between said front and rear of said frame;

at least one roller support affixed to a bottom portion of said frame;

at least one cylindrical roller rotatably journaled to said at least one roller support; and

a hitch structure affixed at said frame front for connecting to the three point hitch system of a tractor, said hitch defining two lower spaced apart apertures for connecting to lifting arms of the tractor's three point hitch and further defining an upper aperture for connecting to the top link stabilizer of the tractor's three point hitch.

11. The ground roller according to claim 10 further including a roller brush interengageable with said at least one cylindrical roller for removing soil adhering to said cylindrical roller during operation.

12. The ground roller according to claim 11 wherein said roller brush comprises a rigid blade extending a length of said cylindrical roller, said rigid blade tangentially contacting said cylindrical roller.

13. The ground roller according to claim 12 wherein said roller brush is pivotally mounted to said frame.

14. The ground roller according to claim 10 wherein two front roller supports are affixed below said frame front and laterally separated one from the other and wherein two rear roller supports are affixed below said frame rear and laterally separated one from the other.

15. The ground roller according to claim 14 further including:

a front cylindrical roller rotatably journaled to said front roller supports; and

a rear cylindrical roller journaled to said rear roller supports; wherein: at least a portion of said front cylindrical roller extends between said front roller supports and at least a portion of said rear cylindrical roller extends between said rear roller supports.

16. The ground roller according to claim 15 wherein said front cylindrical roller and said rear cylindrical roller are of different lengths.

17. The ground roller according to claim 16 wherein said front cylindrical roller is shorter than said rear cylindrical roller.

18. A ground roller for compacting and leveling ground, said ground roller comprising:

a frame having a front and a rear;

a weight bearing bed extending between said front and rear of said frame, said weight bearing bed at least partially comprising a metal mesh for allowing particulates to pass therethrough;

two front roller supports affixed below said frame front and laterally separated one from the other;

a front cylindrical roller rotatably journaled to said front roller supports;

two rear roller supports affixed below said frame rear and laterally separated one from the other;

a rear cylindrical roller journaled to said rear roller supports;

a roller brush interengageable with each said cylindrical roller and pivotally mounted to said frame for removing soil adhering to said cylindrical roller during operation and

a hitch structure affixed at said frame front for connecting to the three point hitch system of a tractor, said hitch defining two lower spaced apart apertures for connecting to lifting arms of the tractor's three point hitch and further defining an upper aperture for connecting to the top link stabilizer of the tractor's three point hitch.

19. The ground roller according to claim 18 wherein said front cylindrical roller and said rear cylindrical roller are of different lengths.

20. The ground roller according to claim 19 wherein said front cylindrical roller is shorter than said rear cylindrical roller.