Abstract: A weeding device for crops having a seedling avoidance function includes a rack connected to a weeding machine. A hydraulic pump and two hydraulic cylinders are mounted to the rack. Bottom ends of each of the two hydraulic cylinders are provided with a vertically arranged support rod. An inter-row weeder is mounted to a bottom end of each of the two support rods. A slider configured to reciprocate in a horizontal direction is positioned on two slide rails that are mounted to the rack. An inter-plant weeder is mounted to a bottom side of the slider. A plurality of weeder blades are arranged side by side on the inter-plant weeder. At the weeding position, an arrangement direction of weeder blades is perpendicular to an advancing direction, and at the weed avoidance position, the arrangement direction of the weeder blades is parallel to the advancing direction, thereby avoiding crops.

Abstract: A roller assembly for smoothing an expanse of granular media such as golf bunker sand, snow, horse race track dirt, or other media. The assembly has one or more rollers having a longitudinal axis. Each roller includes wires spaced from the axis to define a roller surface. Each wire is resiliently flexible to distort inwardly in response to force of contact on, and to recover during release of force from, the granular media as the roller rotates about the axis on the granular media. A shaft extends along the axis of the roller assembly between the arms of a yoke with a handle extending therefrom. As the roller surface traverses the media, at least some of the media is flung outwardly of the roller, smoothing the expanse. The roller assembly may be manually operated or may be towed behind a towing apparatus.

Abstract: A vegetation cutting device comprises: a rotating cutting head and having a cutting line, the cutting line arranged to define a swath for cutting vegetation. A cutting line feeding mechanism comprises a counterweight for balancing a free end of the cutting line protruding from the cutting head, the counterweight being configured to actuate the cutting line feeding mechanism and feed more cutting line when the length of free end the cutting line is shorter than or equal to a feed length. A guide wheel is mounted on the vegetation cutting device and has an outer surface for engaging the ground. The guide wheel is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein when the guide wheel is in the retracted position, the feed length is substantially equal to a distance between the outer surface of the guide wheel engaging the ground and the cutting head.

Abstract: A sprayer apparatus for applying treatment liquid to a landscaping material. The sprayer apparatus includes first and second spray outlets and an agitator therebetween. In use, the landscape material to be treated is first sprayed, the material is agitated (e.g., turned), and a second spray of treatment liquid is applied to the landscape material. Also described are methods for applying a treatment, such as colorant, to an installed landscaping material (such as wood chips or mulch), reducing the need to replace worn or weathered material. The methods include applying a pre-treatment to protect elements proximate the landscape material that are not to be treated, applying a treatment liquid to the landscaping material by spraying, and then rinsing any elements proximate the landscape material that may have be inadvertently and undesirably treated.

Abstract: A tool stand mountable to a tool having a relatively long handle. The handle has a tool head mounted to the second end of the handle. The tool stand has a pivot member, an axle, a rotational stop arm and a leg assembly. The pivot member is coupled to a handle between the first and second end thereof. The axle is rotatably coupled to the pivot member, with the axle rotation in an orientation that is oblique or substantially perpendicular to a handle. The rotational stop arm is fixed to the axle. The leg assembly extends toward a second end of a handle, with the rotational stop arm and the leg assembly being angled at an angle that is less than 180°. The leg assembly, the rotational stop arm and the axle are rotatable about the pivot member between a stowed orientation and an operational orientation.

Abstract: A hand tool (or an add-on accessory for the hand tool) with a handle includes one or more retractable arms that, when unfolded and extended maintains the tool in an upright position while the tool is at rest; and an attachment coupling the one or more retractable arms to the handle, the one or more arms rotatably engaged to attachment and the handle and when unfolded the one or more arm maintains the handle in an upright position off the ground to make the tool visible to an operator, wherein the one or more arms are retracted and secured into a closed position against the handle when the operator desires to resume work.

Abstract: A rake for leveling loose particulate matter on a ground surface is described. The rake head is constructed of a series of bars that are mounted in a mounting spar and spaced a fixed distance apart from each other. A rake handle is movably attached to the rake head. The bars may be made of round bar stock or channel stock. The surface of the bar that is in contact with the loose particulate matter that is to be leveled is a smooth continuous surface. Moving the rake head over ground that is covered with loose particulate matter will move the particulate matter around, pushing excess material into recesses and thereby leveling the surface.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed gardening tool such as a rake has an elongated handle slidably and removably mounted to the tool head. A spike or an auxiliary gardening implement is mounted at the lower end of the handle such that the spike may be operated to secure the rake at an upright free standing position on a lawn or solid ground surface. The handle is secured to tool head with a latch mechanism which is operative to secure or release the handle from the rake head selectively. The removed handle with the auxiliary implement mounted thereon may also be used for various gardening tasks.

Abstract: Raking devices are provided for switching between pull-type applications and push-type applications. The raking devices include a toothed blade having a pushing surface and a plurality of teeth with free ends. For pull-type applications, the raking device is arranged to place the free ends of the teeth in engagement with the ground. For push-type applications, the raking device is turned over to place the pushing surface in engagement with the ground. An undercarriage of the raking device may be provided with wheels or other transport members for enhanced maneuverability and control during push-type applications. Adapters and methods are also provided for retrofitting a pull-type rake for use in both pull- and push-type applications.

Abstract: A leaf rake for mounting to the chassis of a conventional lawn tractor. Frame kits for attaching the leaf rake to either the front or rear of the tractor for various manufacturers. The lawn tractor may be equipped with hydraulic systems for raising or lowering the leaf rake unit. A spring loaded locking hinge mechanism allows the unit to be raised. Designed leaf raking tines and a forward sweeping leaf rake collect the leaves and allow them to be piled up for disposal.

Abstract: A lawnmower raking attachment comprising a plurality of flexible tines anchored to a tine head held rotatable and lockable between the side arms of a U-shaped frame near the close end. Each tine extending downwardly, having the free end bent forwardly to engage the thatch during the forward travel, having each at least one slidable and rotatable bead. A first and second frame supports with vertical slots having the upper end open to accept pivotally a shaft connecting the open end of the U-shaped frame. Latch arms are disposed pivotally on the frame supports to prevent the shaft to escape from the support slots but allowing to rotate to adopt stable operational or resting positions. Stoppers affixed to the frame supports limit the rotational travel of the U-shaped frame. A finger arm pivoted on one frame side near the shaft engages one stopper and prevents the rake frame from going to the resting position unless is manually disengaged.