Method and apparatus for distributing soil amendments

• US 6,997,122 B1
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sandman of North Atlanta Incorporated (Sandman)
• Original Assignee: Sandman of North Atlanta Incorporated (Sandman)
• Inventors: Guzman, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Novosad, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US10/644,017
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 111130-133, 111 11- 13, 111/200, 111900-902, 172/21, 172/22, 172/612, 172/189, 172/197, 172/199, 172/200
• US Class Current: 111/133
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/006 Hoppers
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/122 with moving floor parts
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/124 with adjustable shutters or slits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/90 Methods of planting seeds and miscellaneous compositions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/925 Tank and hopper trailers

Abstract

Method and apparatus for dispensing aggregates for lawn improvement. Aggregates are delivered to the site in a primary dispensing vehicle, which is configured to allow a smaller secondary dispensing vehicle to be loaded with the aggregate directly from the primary vehicle. The process includes aerating the soil, distributing a variety of soil amendments evenly over the area to be treated and then dragging a unique drag mat over the area to make a smooth contour and to even the distribution of the aggregate.

Claims

1. A method of improving turf conditions to improve plant growth over a specified area of soil, using a mechanized aerator unit, comprising the steps of:

cleaning the mechanized aerator unit;

aerating the soil of the specified area by punching uniform holes of a given diameter, depth and relative spacing in a uniform pattern in the specified area using the mechanized aerator unit, said diameter, depth and relative spacing being a function of the soil condition;

applying a selected granular aggregate over the specified area to at least partially fill the aerating uniform holes using a vehicle which dispenses the selected granular aggregate uniformly;

applying soil amendments over the selected area using a vehicle which dispenses the soil amendments uniformly; and

smoothing the selected area using a drag mat to even the distribution of the applied selected granular aggregate and cause the surface of the selected area to have a smooth appearance.

2. The method according to claim 1 and including the additional step of moistening the area with water before aerating the soil.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the granular aggregate is sand.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein the soil amendments include compost.

5. The method according to claim 2 wherein the soil amendments include fertilizer.

6. The method according to claim 2 wherein the soil amendments include compost and fertilizer.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein a mycorrhizal fungus is applied before the application of the granular aggregate.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the soil condition comprises one of:

heavy clay—

clean;

heavy clay—

sandy;

sandy loam;

sand;

loam;

topsoil—

clean;

all soils—

containing rock; and

all soils—

lightly compacted.