Reversibly powered rotary snow tiller

Abstract

A vehicle drawn snow tiller for loosening, cutting, grinding, packing and leveling a wide path of snow for improved, more enjoyable skiing. The tiller comprises an elongate rotary snow cutter assembly with radially projecting snow cutting blades distributed over the length and about the circumference of a cutter tube directly powered by reversible hydraulic motors, one mounted upon each of its ends. The snow is cut, selectably, in or away from the direction of travel of the tiller over the snow. An elongate apron disposed over the cutter assembly collects and directs the loose cut snow onto the surface behind the cutter assembly, where it is compacted by the apron and finally leveled and smoothed by a horizontal grooming bar on the trailing edge of the apron. According to one aspect of the invention, an elongate snow splitting baffle may be disposed above the cutter to deflect a portion of the cut snow forward to fall again into the path of the reversely rotating cutter for additional cutting and grinding. According to another aspect of the invention, the cutter assembly may comprise two segments flexibly coupled at the center of the tiller to facilitate fabrication and assembly of the tiller, and to alleviate the effects of shock to the cutter. Each segment may be similarly coupled to one of the motors. The tiller may be raised from the snow to be transported upon the vehicle.