Agricultural implements

• US 4,383,580 A
• Filed: 12/18/1980
• Issued: 05/17/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul M. Huxford
• Original Assignee: Paul M. Huxford
• Inventors: Huxford, Paul M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAPIRO, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US06/217,828
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 172/21, 172/22, 172/311, 172/456, 172/540, 172/554, 172/548-551, 172/553, 172/555, 172/556
• US Class Current: 172/21
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 45/02 for aerating

Abstract

An agricultural implement particularly suitable for aerating soils and pastures comprises a frame attachable to the three-point linkage of a tractor, a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted on the frame and a plurality of cutting blades projecting from each of the rollers. The blades are formed from plate material and are preferably formed to a point. Various edges are preferably bevelled to assist the implement in cutting the soil without undue lifting or tearing of the soil surface.

Claims

1. A ground driven agricultural implement comprising a frame constructed and arranged for mounting on a prime mover to be drawn thereby in use in the direction of travel thereof, a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted on said frame with their axes at an angle of 80°

-87.5°

with respect to said direction of travel, and a plurality of substantially planar ground cutting and penetrating members mounted on each of said shafts with the plane of each cutting member at an angle between 82.5°

-87.5°

with respect to the axis of the respective shaft extending between said cutting member and the outer end of said respective shaft, so that said cutting members have substantially edgewise engagement only with the ground, each cutting member having a peripheral configuration so that when viewed along the axis of the respective shaft on which it is mounted the radially outermost part is narrower than the root thereof when it is mounted on said shaft, said angle of said axes of said shafts with respect to said direction of travel being such that contact between said cutting members and the ground when said implement is drawn by the prime mover rotatably drives each shaft.

2. An implement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frame is constructed and arranged for mounting on the three point linkage of an agricultural tractor serving as the prime mover.

3. An implement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 and further comprising a static weight mounted on said frame to displace said ground cutting members into the ground when in use.

4. An implement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the angle between said shafts and the direction of travel is adjustable.

5. An implement as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said ground cutting members is formed to a point at the outermost part thereof.

6. An implement as claimed in claim 5 wherein said point is defined by a first edge of said ground cutting member which extends substantially radially from said shaft and a second edge which extends substantially obliquely from said first edge radially inwardly, said first edge defining the leading edge when said ground cutting member is pointing vertically downward.

7. An implement as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second edge meets a third edge of said blade which extends to said shaft substantially parallel to said first edge.

8. An implement as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said second edge is bevelled.

9. An implement as claimed in claim 8 wherein a section of said first edge between a point on the length thereof and the root thereof is bevelled.

10. An implement as claimed in any one of claims 1, 5 or 6 wherein at least two additional shafts are provided, each of said additional shafts being displaceable between positions in which each of said additional shafts are substantially coaxial with one of said plurality of said shafts and a further position in which said additional shafts lie in planes above the plane of said plurality of shafts.

11. An implement as claimed in claim 10 wherein said additional shafts are rotationally displaceable between said two positions.