Machine for laying film material

• US 4,513,530 A
• Filed: 06/22/1983
• Issued: 04/30/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mechanical Transplanter Company
• Original Assignee: Mechanical Transplanter Company
• Inventors: Nyboer, Duane A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stouffer, Richard T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DeMille, Danton D.
• Application Number:
  US06/507,291
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 111/1-3, 172/701, 47/9, 47/56
• US Class Current: 47/9
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 13/0287 Devices for laying-out or removing ground coverings

Abstract

The machine is coupled to a standard tractor, and normally slides over the ground on a skid plate as the vehicle moves forward. A film roll is supported on the machine in a position to be unwound, and the film is progressively deposited on the ground behind the skid plate. Groove-forming structure under the skid plate are disposed centrally inward from the edges of the film roll, and following wheels depress the edges of the film into the groove. Scraper plates then move earth into the grooves, entrapping the edges of the film.

Claims

1. A machine for laying film material on the ground for agricultural purposes, comprising:

a skid plate having coupling means adapted to associate said machine with a vehicle;

a pair of laterally-spaced film roll brackets mounted on said skid plate;

roll-support means engageable with said brackets;

a pair of laterally-spaced arms pivotally mounted on said roll brackets, respectively, and a pressure roller rotatably mounted at the opposite ends thereof on said arms, respectively;

laterally-spaced groove-forming means mounted on the underside of said skid plate;

scraper plates mounted on structure fixed with respect to said skid plate and disposed to scrape earth into the groove formed by at least certain of said groove-forming means;

a frame secured to said skid plate and having laterally spaced cantilever sides;

a pair of trailing links pivotally attached to said frame sides, respectively;

an axle secured at its opposite ends, respectively, to said links;

wheels constituting film-depressing members rotatably mounted on said axle in rearward alignment with said groove-forming means, respectively;

a cross-member of said frame secured to said frame side members at the opposite ends thereof from said skid plate, said scraper plates being mounted on said cross-member; and

biasing means extending from said trailing links to said cross-member urging said wheels downward.