AU2009101202B4 - Improved turf cultivator - Google Patents

Abstract

IMPROVED TURF CULTIVATOR A turf cultivator comprises a frame on which is transversely mounted in progressive order, a free wheeling roller, a driven shaft carrying a series of disc mounted rotary blades and a series of cutting discs. The cutting discs are mounted in staggered pairs on axles attached to brackets fixed to the frame, 10 the rotary blades are attached to discs carried on the driven shaft and are located in front of and between individual discs.

Description

1 IMPROVED TURF CULTIVATOR FIELD OF INVENTION 5 This invention relates to machines for cultivating grass cover especially for lawns and playing fields. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 US 2004/0244351 teaches a device for cultivating a grass cover comprising a frame coupled to a tractor, said frame supporting a drive shaft, which, during use of the device, extends square to the direction of movement of the frame and extends almost horizontally, said shaft being provided with a number of cultivating members, square to the axis of said shaft, at spaced-apart positions. 15 At each location behind and between the cultivating members on the drive shaft, a cutting disc is present which is rotatably supported on a shaft mounted on the frame and each cutting disc is prior to and immediately in line followed by a rising coulter. In some instances at the rear of the machine a roller is fitted 20 for pressing the parts of the grass cover that were turned upwards by the rising coulter back down to form a smooth turf cover. This device achieves fair results in cultivation of recreational fields, such as sports playing fields for example. The soil and turf ploughed up by the 25 cultivating members is distributed across the ground and the slots made in the ground by the cultivating members can be closed sufficiently by the rear coulter knives pulling through the soil so that the sports field can be used again after a period of time.

2 However unevenness due to the heaving and tearing by the rear coulter knives can occur along the edges where the slots occur. This is caused by the rear rising coulter knives which cut the slots thus tearing and damaging the grass 5 cover. Accordingly it can take some time for a smooth turf cover to re-establish. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a cultivator which overcomes 10 the disadvantages of prior cultivating devices or at least to provide a useful alternative. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a turf cultivator comprising 15 a frame on which is mounted in progressive order, a roller, a driven shaft carrying a series of rotary blades, and a series of cutting discs. The roller, driven shaft, and series of cutting discs are arranged on the frame transversely with respect to a forward direction of travel. The order of the roller, driven shaft, and series of cutting discs is progressive starting from a front of the frame with 20 respect to the forward direction of travel. The roller is preferably a free wheeling roller that may be used as a height adjustment device. Preferably the cutting discs are mounted in staggered pairs on respective axles attached to brackets fixed to the frame, typically the rear of the frame. 25 Preferably sets of rotary blades are attached to the driven shaft, even more preferably to rotary blade discs carried on the driven shaft. Preferably each set 3 of rotary blades comprises three blades arranged uniformly around the driven shaft. Preferably each set of rotary blades is located in front of and between adjacent pairs of cutting discs. 5 Preferably the cutting discs are made from stainless steel and the rotary blades are made from high abrasion resistant steel with a hard face disposed on the leading edge. Preferably the hard face is welded on the leading edge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 10 Figure 1 is an elevation of a cultivator drawn behind a tractor Figure 2 is an exposed plan view of the cultivator of Figure 1 Figure 3 is an elevation of a pair of staggered cutting discs Figure 4 is a front elevation corresponding to Figure 3 15 Figure 5 is an elevation of an individual disc with rotary blades and Figure 6 is a plan view of the spacing and orientation of a series of rotary blades as shown in Figure 5 mounted on a driven shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 20 In Figure 1, cultivator frame 1 is coupled to a tractor and has transversely mounted on it a series of cutting discs 2 and a driven shaft carrying disc mounted rotary blades 3. A free wheeling roller 4 is also mounted at the front of frame 1 as a height adjustment device. 25 The relative spacing and radial orientation of discs 2 and blades 3 is illustrated 4 in Figure 2. Discs 2 are mounted in staggered pairs on axles 5 attached to brackets 6 which are fixed to frame 1 via struts 7 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Blades 3 are bolted to discs 8 which are mounted on drive shaft 9 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. 5 Accordingly blades 3 are located in front of and between discs 2 so that after blades 3 cut slots in the turf and soil, rotating discs 2 break and push the turf and soil sideways to the direction of travel. This action breaks up and reconditions the soil and turf profile. 10 ADVANTAGES In the prior art device of US 2004/0244351 the coulter knives it employs to break and lift the turf and soil cause considerable damage to the cover and so 15 re-establishment of the cover takes longer than with cutting blades 3 of the present invention. Further the spacing of discs 2 and cutting knives 3 is closer than in the prior art device and this closer spacing produces more top dressing soil. Finally discs 2 are fabricated from stainless steel so that soil does not readily adhere and a cleaner cut is achieved while blades 3 are made from high 20 abrasion resistant steel with a hard face welded on the leading edge. The closer spaced and increased number of discs 2 and blades 3 allows more turf thatch reduction while increasing soil quantities. Accordingly higher water infiltration and retention rates are achieved and the ability to inject soil 25 ameliorants and water retention materials is enhanced. The end result is a 5 faster re-establishment of an improved cover than that achieved by prior art devices. VARIATIONS 5 It will be realized that the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example only and that all other modifications and variations as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth. 10 Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises " and "comprising" are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers, or steps. Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere. 15

Claims (5)

1. A turf cultivator comprising a frame on which is mounted in progressive order from the front of the frame with respect to a forward direction of travel: a roller, a driven shaft carrying a series of rotary blades, and a series of cutting discs.

2. The cultivator of claim 1 wherein the cutting discs are mounted in staggered pairs on respective axles attached to brackets fixed to the frame.

3. The cultivator of claim 1 or 2 wherein sets of rotary blades are attached to rotary blade discs carried on the driven shaft.

4. The cultivator of claim 3 wherein each set of rotary blades is located between adjacent pairs of cutting discs.

5. The cultivator of any one of the preceding claims wherein the cutting discs are made from stainless steel and the rotary blades are made from high abrasion resistant steel with a hard face disposed on the leading edge.