Subsoiling grapple rake

• US 7,086,184 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2004
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Department Of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: United States Department Of Agriculture
• Inventors: Archuleta, James G. Jr., Karr, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): BATSON, VICTOR D
• Application Number:
  US10/781,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20040187365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 374/05, 374/04, 374/03, 374/06, 374/68, 374/09, 374/10, 172/252, 172/445.1, 414/724
• US Class Current: 37/406
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/40 Dippers; Buckets ; Grab devices, e.g. manufacturing processes for buckets, form, geometry or material of buckets devices to connect tools to arms or booms E02F3/3604; teeth therefor E02F9/28
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/962 Mounting of implements directly on tools already attached to the machine E02F3/404 and E02F3/8152 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/305 Arrangements for breaking-up hard ground E02F5/32 takes precedence; hammer-type tools E02F3/966; breaking-up paving of roads or the like E01C23/12; breaking-up subaqueous rock E02B3/02

Abstract

A grapple rake adapted for receiving subsoiler shanks is useful for multiple post-timber harvest management activities. A pair of downwardly-depending, forward-oriented subsoiling shanks is mounted on the underside of the rake, allowing the implement to accomplish the tasks of (1) grapple piling to deal with post-timber harvest fuels reduction and (2) subsoiling to improve soil productivity by reducing soil compaction. The implement is optionally equipped with a coulter blade. This invention will be useful for decommissioning forest roads, skid trails, landings, and harvest units with new and/or legacy compaction without the need for multiple pieces of heavy equipment or for multiple entries into the treatment area.

Claims

1. A combination grapple rake and subsoiling implement adapted for pivotal attachment to an excavating machine consisting essentially of:

(a) a frame;

(b) a plurality of discrete tines, wherein each of said tines has a proximal end securely attached to said frame and further wherein each of said tines has a distal end;

(c) a thumb pivotally attached to said frame by a proximal end in the vicinity of the proximal end of each of said tines;

(d) at least one shank socket affixed to said frame, said socket adapted to receive and secure a subsoiling shank having a substantially pointed earth-working end, and wherein said socket is further adapted to orient said shank in an operating position when said tines are substantially parallel to the ground; and

(e) at least one coulter blade secure to one of said tines, said blade having a leading edge extending from the vicinity of the distal end of said one tine to the vicinity of said shank socket.

2. The grapple rake of claim 1, wherein said shank socket is adapted to receive at least one removable fastener for securing said subsoiling shank within said socket.

3. The grapple rake of claim 1 having two of said shank sockets.

4. The grapple rake of claim 1, and further comprising a subsoiling shank secured within said shank socket.

5. The grapple rake of claim 4, wherein said subsoiling shank lies substantially in a plane and comprises at least one wing perpendicular to said plane.

6. A combination grapple rake and subsoiling implement adapted for pivotal attachment to an excavating machine consisting essentially of:

(a) a frame;

(b) a plurality of discrete tines, wherein each of said tines has a proximal end securely attached to said frame and further wherein each of said tines has a distal end;

(c) a thumb pivotally attached to said frame by a proximal end in the vicinity of the proximal end of each of said tines;

(d) at least one shank socket affixed to said frame, said socket adapted to receive and secure a subsoiling shank having a substantially pointed earth-working end, and wherein said socket is further adapted to orient said shank in an operating position when said tines are substantially parallel to the ground; and

(e) a curvilinear subsoiling shank secured within said shank socket;

(f) at least one coulter blade secured to one of said tines, said blade having a leading edge extending from the vicinity of the distal end of said one tine to the vicinity of said shank socket.

7. The grapple rake of claim 6, wherein the number of said shank sockets and the number of said shanks is one or two.

8. The grapple rake of claim 6, wherein said shank socket is adapted to receive at least one removable fastener for securing said subsoiling shank within said socket.

9. The grapple rake of claim 6 having two of said shank sockets.

10. The grapple rake of claim 6, wherein said subsoiling shank lies substantially in a plane and comprises at least one wing perpendicular to said plane.