Turfco Manufacturing, Incorporated

John Blackburn Kinkead

Scott Kinkead

Thomas E Isaman

Loren F Hansen

George B Kinkead

Steven Ferguson

Terrence R Bondeson

Robert C Brophy

Tom Fiske

Matthew A Donner

Kenneth W Sylvester

Donavon D Kotula

A seeder () includes multiple cutting head units () pivotally mounted to a jack shaft () of a frame () and spring biased downwardly by hold downs (). Each multiple cutting head unit () includes multiple roller blades () received on an axle () rotatably mounted in a carrier () and in gearing relation to the jack shaft (). The roller blades () include a series of oppositely formed, circumferentially spaced radially extending indentations () extending from a continuous, smooth periphery at a constant extent from the axle (). Fingers () extending between the roller blades () are pivotally mounted to the carrier () to adjust the depth of the slits formed by the roller blades (). Each hose () extending from a seed box () diverts seed into adjacent slits immediately after the roller blades ().

Turf overseeding apparatus and methods

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. The differential mechanism is also functional in driving the transport rollers at the front of the machine. The improved aerator is also fitted with brakes installed on each side of the unit which can reduce the speed of rotation of the separate tine wheel halves and the individual drive rollers on the front of the unit, thus increasing the steering efficiency and a spring-actuated lift assist to help the operator raise the unit into the transport position. The aerator includes heavy duty springs on both sides of the unit to apply equal forces to both of the transport wheel lift members. A release mechanism operated from the handle bar is provided to allow the operator to disengage the retaining latches, which will allow these springs to pull the transport wheels under the unit thus raising the tine shaft halves. The aerator also incorporates drums of sufficient mass so as to not require the addition of water or other additional weighting methods.

Method and apparatus for an aerator with differential, steering assist and power lifting

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.

Seeder apparatus for dispensing seed with or without top dressing

Growing community of inventors

Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

John Blackburn Kinkead