Method and apparatus for cutting aquatic vegetation
First Claim
1. Apparatus for cutting aquatic vegetation comprising:
- a first stationary cutterbar presenting a first set of spaced-apart cutterbar teeth mounted therealong;
a second stationary cutterbar presenting a second set of spaced-apart cutterbar teeth mounted therealong;
a cutterhead shroud mounting said first and second stationary cutterbars;
a drum rotatably mounted proximate said cutterhead shroud, said drum presenting a substantially smooth drum surface and presenting a plurality of radially projecting drum teeth therealong;
means rotatably mounting said drum proximate said cutterheads andmeans mounting said drum teeth to present gaps between the points thereof whereby some of said drum teeth pass closely adjacent said first set of teeth in tearing relationship and other of said drum teeth pass closely adjacent said second set of teeth in tearing relationship during rotation of said drum.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for cutting aquatic vegetation is provided which substantially reduces the tendency to wrap or clog conventional cutterheads. A cutterhead of the present invention includes a plurality of radially oriented rotatable cutting members which cooperate with stationary cutting teeth to tear weeds and other aquatic vegetation. The rotatable cutting members are preferably spirally mounted along a smooth rotatable drum to inhibit draping of the vegetation during cutting. Recessed cutting teeth are located at the ends of the drum to further inhibit aquatic vegetation from passing through gaps between the drum and the cutterhead shroud. The shroud directs the cut vegetation to a submersible pump so that it may be pumped to a remote site.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus for cutting aquatic vegetation comprising:
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a first stationary cutterbar presenting a first set of spaced-apart cutterbar teeth mounted therealong; a second stationary cutterbar presenting a second set of spaced-apart cutterbar teeth mounted therealong; a cutterhead shroud mounting said first and second stationary cutterbars; a drum rotatably mounted proximate said cutterhead shroud, said drum presenting a substantially smooth drum surface and presenting a plurality of radially projecting drum teeth therealong; means rotatably mounting said drum proximate said cutterheads and means mounting said drum teeth to present gaps between the points thereof whereby some of said drum teeth pass closely adjacent said first set of teeth in tearing relationship and other of said drum teeth pass closely adjacent said second set of teeth in tearing relationship during rotation of said drum. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for cutting aquatic vegetation comprising:
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a cutterhead shroud presenting an port for passing cut vegetation therethrough; a drum; means mounting said drum for rotation relative to said shroud; a motor for rotating said drum; and an array of drum teeth projecting radially from said drum, said array being of a substantially helical configuration about said drum for promoting movement of the cut vegetation to said port during rotation of said drum. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of cutting aquatic vegetation comprising the steps of:
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providing a dredge including a pump and means for conveying cut vegetation from said pump, said pump mounting a cutterhead having a shroud and a drum, said drum presenting a substantially helical array of drum teeth, said shroud present at least one stationary cutterbar presenting a plurality of cutterbar teeth, at least some of said cutterbar teeth being oriented in vegetation tearing relationship to said drum when said drum is rotated relative to said shroud, said shroud further including a port for passing cut vegetation to said pump; placing said cutterhead in engagement with aquatic vegetation; rotating said drum to cut said vegetation; moving said vegetation transversely along said drum by augering action of said helical array of teeth; and passing said vegetation through said port and into said pump.
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Specification