Turfco Manufacturing, Incorporated

George B Kinkead

Steven Ferguson

Matthew A Donner

Roger Lee Larson

Terrence R Bondeson

Tom Fiske

Kenneth W Sylvester

Vernon J Worrel

Scott Kinkead

Nicholas Oeding

Scott Bjorge

Terrance R Bondeson

Thomas J Fiske

John Blackburn Kinkead

A turf aerator is configured with components that allow a user to set a desired turf aeration depth and then automatically adjust hydraulic pressure to produce a proper level of downward pressure into the ground in order to maintain consistent depth penetration with the tines. The turf aerator implements a depth control lever that is operatively connected to a switch that increases or decreases tine depth up or down. Since the desired tine depth is set and the hydraulic pressure is capable of puncturing the ground accordingly, portions of the ground that are relatively harder or softer are still properly penetrated due to the set level of depth. The turf aerator is also configured with a tine housing which shields drive chains from dirt and debris from the aerating, thereby increasing the life of the drive chains.

Methods and apparatus for aerating turf

Optional attachments, such as a drop seeder and a sprayer unit, can be removably attached to the front plate of a turf aerator. The attachment includes a hitch slideably received in a tubular receiver and pinned therein by a pin. A lock is pivotal relative to the attachment from an unlocked position to a locked position with the front plate received in slots of the lock. The lock is pivoted relative to the attachment by a rod which is threadably received in the hitch. Valve openings in a valve plate are aligned or mis-aligned with lower openings formed in a hopper mounted to the hitch by a linear electric actuator. A lever is pivotably mounted to a housing which is removably attached to the chassis of the turf aerator and activates the linear electric actuator and a switch controlling an agitator. A valve is alternately in fluid communication with a spray nozzle mounted relative to the hitch and a spray wand. A switch mounted to the chassis is electrically connected to a motor driving a pump in fluid communication with a tank and the valve.

Tines () of tine assemblies () are secured by a single bolt () extending diametrically through each tine () located in a cavity () of a tine plate (), through the tine plate () and through an attachment ring (). The attachment ring () of an outer tine assembly () is connected to a sleeve () rotatably mounted adjacent the outer ends on each of two independently rotatable shafts () to which inner tine assemblies () are rotatably connected adjacent the inner ends of the two independently rotatable shafts (). The attachment rings () of the inner tine assemblies () are welded to the two independently rotatable shafts ().

Driven and non-driven rotatable tine assemblies for a turf aerator

An applicator includes a spinner rotated by the parking brake output shaft of a hydrostatic transaxle driving first and second drive wheels. Material delivered from a hopper on the spinner is spread by the spinner rotating at a speed corresponding to the rotating speed of the drive wheels. Liquid is sprayed by either a trim nozzle intermediate sides of the frame or broadcast nozzles adjacent the sides of the frame. A spray lever is pivoted to slide a slide linkage from an upper position to a lower position abutting with a biased actuator of an on/off valve, with the spray lever and a spinner gate opening lever operable at the same time with just one hand. During transport, a front bumper is received in a horizontal leg of an L-shaped slot and a cutout in an arm pivotably mounted to a stop in which the L-shaped slot is located and in a locking position. A locking pin is inserted through apertures in the arm and the stop in the locking position.

Walk behind applicator and a transport hold down

Tines () of tine assemblies () are secured by a single bolt () extending diametrically through each tine () located in a cavity () of a tine plate (). An outer tine assembly () is connected to a sleeve () rotatably mounted adjacent the outer ends on each of two independently rotatable shafts () to which inner tine assemblies () are rotatably connected adjacent the inner ends of the two independently rotatable shafts (). Thus, the outer tine assemblies () are located intermediate the inner tine assemblies () and the outer ends of the two independently rotatable shafts ().

Turf aerator having driven and non-driven rotatable tine assemblies

Tine assemblies () are secured by a single bolt () extending diametrically through each tine () located in a cavity () of a tine plate (). An outer tine assembly () is connected to a sleeve () rotatably mounted on independently rotatable shafts () to which inner tine assemblies () are connected. A tine cover () removably closes an opening () in the top plate () and in which weights () are removably received over the tine assemblies (). Transport wheels () are moveable by pivoting a stop plate () to position an upper pivot axis () of an abutment bar () ahead of or behind the stop axis () and lower pivot axis (). A stop () positioned on the stop plate () without the use of tools adjusts the depth of the tine assemblies ().

Turf aerator having removable cover over rotatable tines

A top dresser advances sand contained in a hopper on a dispensing conveyor moving at a linear speed onto a rotatable spinner rotating at a rotating speed. The linear and rotatable speeds are controlled by a controller by electrically actuating first and second electrically actuated valves providing fluid flow to hydraulic motors driving the rotatable spinner and the dispensing conveyor. The rotatable and linear speeds are inputted into an electrical display electronically connected to the controller. The hydraulic flow to the second electrically actuated valve may be solely from the first electrically actuated valve to create back pressure acting as a cushion. Multiple function switches on the electrical display may be actuated in sequence to replicate a linear line relationship between the rotational and linear speeds. Start-up, run, look up and application calculation screens may be displayed on a monitor of the electrical display.

Broadcast spreading top dresser for sand

Apparatus for aerating turf including positionable transport wheels

A top dresser ( ) includes a spinner assembly ( ) removably connected by clips ( ) to a cross beam ( ) of the frame ( ) mounting a hopper ( ). The first and second sides ( ) of the hopper ( ) slope downwardly and inwardly to a conveyor ( ) formed by sheeting ( ) in the form of an endless belt having a relatively smooth outer surface. The valve ( ) for the hydraulic motor ( ) of the conveyor ( ) is in series downstream of the valve ( ) for the hydraulic motors ( ) for the spinners ( ) of the spinner assembly ( ). Thus, it is not possible to mistakenly run the conveyor ( ) without the spinners ( ) operating. Therefore, the top dresser ( ) is able to spread extremely minimal amounts of material evenly and without clumping or bunching.

Broadcast spreading top dresser

A top dresser (10) includes a spinner assembly (40) removably connected by clips (44) to a cross beam (20) of the frame (12) mounting a hopper (30). The first and second sides (36) of the hopper (30) slope downwardly and inwardly to a conveyor (140) formed by sheeting (70) in the form of an endless belt having a relatively smooth outer surface. The valve (84) for the hydraulic motor (164) of the conveyor (140) is in series downstream of the valve (78) for the hydraulic motors (56) for the spinners (54) of the spinner assembly (40). Thus, it is not possible to mistakenly run the conveyor (140) without the spinners (54) operating. Therefore, the top dresser (10) is able to spread extremely minimal amounts of material evenly and without clumping or bunching.

The seeder apparatus includes a first hopper for dispensing seeds onto a conveyor mechanism to be moved thereby to an entry nip between a rotary brush and the conveyor mechanism for propelling the seed downwardly at the discharge end of the frame on which the hopper is mounted. A shield assembly is mounted to the frame discharge end portion to minimize the effects of wind on the trajectory of seed or other material being propelled to the ground by a brush and conveyor mechanism. In one embodiment, a metering gate extends vertically in its closed position relative to the conveyor mechanism, the metering gate controlling the rate of dispensation of seed being moved to the entry nip. In a second embodiment, the seed hopper is mounted to a top dresser hopper whereby either seed from the seed hopper and/or dressing material from the top dresser hopper may be moved by the conveyor mechanism to the entry nip, with a top dressing metering gate being provided for controlling the rate of dispersion of material from the top dresser hopper to the entry nip.

Seeder apparatus for dispensing seed with or without top dressing

The seeder apparatus includes a material hopper for dispensing material onto a conveyor to be moved thereby to an entry nip between a rotary brush and the conveyor for propelling the material downwardly at the discharge end. In one embodiment, a metering gate extends vertically in its closed position relative to the conveyor, with the metering gate controlling the rate of dispensation of seed or other material being moved to the entry nip. A shield assembly is provided to minimize the effects of wind on the trajectory of seed or other material being propelled to the ground by the brush and conveyor. In preferred forms, a separate seed hopper is mounted to the top dresser, and in a second embodiment, either seed from the seed hopper and/or dressing material from the top dresser hopper may be moved by the conveyor to the entry nip. In other embodiments, a terrain opening element in the form of a spiking roller is provided to puncture the terrain before top dressing and/or seeds are dispensed, and a brush element in the form of a pull brush is provided to move seed and any top dressing supported on grass blades downward in the terrain.

Growing community of inventors

Mendota Heights, MN, United States of America

George B Kinkead