WO2002074058A1

WO2002074058A1 - Chassis with ground spikes for decompacting soil and controlling method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2002074058A1
Application number: PCT/DK2002/000162
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claus Lange
Original assignee: Lange's Industriservice Aps
Priority date: 2001-03-15
Filing date: 2002-03-12
Publication date: 2002-09-26
Also published as: DK174359B1; DK200100442A

Abstract

A chassis (1) for carrying a ground spike (2) that is injected into the soil by compressed air and whereby compressed air is released into the soil. On the chassis there is provided means for horizontal and vertical displacement of the ground spikes. The invention also relates to a method of controlling ground spike/-s and chassis.

Description

CHASSIS WITH GROUND SPIKES FOR DECOMPACTING SOIL AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREFOR

The invention relates to a transport unit for decompacting soil areas and comprising a ground spike, said ground spike comprising an upper end and a lower end tapering relative to the upper end, said ground spike being injected into the soil by compressed air for providing bursting of the soil overlying the lower end of the ground spike, said transport unit additionally comprising a frame, said frame comprising a displacement means as well as a pressure means, at least one ground spike being arranged on the displacement means, said displacement means and said pressure means, respectively, providing a horizontal displacement and vertical displacement, respectively, of the ground spikes relative to the frame.

The invention also relates to a method of controlling ground spikes on a transport unit for providing decompaction of soil, e.g. grass areas.

SE Published Application No. SE 44 106 B discloses a system for decompacting cultivated land, e.g. grass areas, comprising an air compressor which is connected via a pipe connection, or a hose connection, with a container containing sand, fertilizer or the like. The pipe connection, or the hose connection, runs from the container to a handle having a valve and an associated tubular probe which may be adjusted vertically. The probe comprises several holes at its preferably tapering end, which holes communi- cate with a supply line to the container and are activated by a valve on an injector. Fertilizer or the like, together with the air flow, may be fed to the soil via the supply pipe.

In the use of the system, the probe is inserted down into the soil to the final depth, corresponding to the intended weeding depth. The compressed air is fed via the holes of the probe by activation of the valve, causing bursting of the soil layer disposed above the tip of the probe. Sand, fertilizer or the like may be fed into the resulting cracks from the container by further activation of the valve.

The system may additionally be constructed to comprise several probes and be mounted on a carrier arm that forms part of a three point suspension tool which is e.g. drawn by a tractor. The decompaction may take place either by a continuous process or by discontinuous process, so that a large area of soil may be decompacted at a time.

In the continuous process, there must be a suitable adaptation between the travelling speed and the time the probes must be in the soil. This, however, requires a large mechanical structure, as the probes must be inserted into the soil simultaneously, and the probes therefore have to be arranged at a rather great mutual distance.

In the discontinuous process, there will be a stop corresponding to the time the probes are present in the soil. This process is thus time-consuming.

For both systems, the relatively heavy structure will leave marks on the surface of the soil and thus necessitate subsequent rolling.

A corresponding system having a single probe will be extremely time-consuming, as stated above, and therefore unsuitable for large areas of land.

For all systems, it is necessary to have thorough knowledge of the condition of the soil and also of which inserted depth the probe is to have for the fed fertilizer or the like to be absorbed optimally in the soil. In addition, irregularities will occur after bursting of the soil. Since bursting of the soil as well as feeding of sand, fertilizer or the like does not take place simultaneously, this will result in an additional expenditure of time. EP 0 134 350 discloses a transport unit for aerating lawns and comprising a rotatable vertical lifting frame secured to a vehicle, e.g. a tractor, on which lifting frame an aerator is positioned on each side, where the distance between these may be adjusted.

The aerator comprises a frame on which an accumulator and a vertical compressed-air hammer are arranged. The compressed-air hammer has arranged thereon a ground spike which is inserted into the soil by means of the compressed-air hammer and an actuator placed on the vehicle. The frame is carried by tracks, and the frame as well as the ground spike may be displaced horizontally by means of rolls provided in the track.

After aeration/oxidation at a predetermined depth, the ground spike is lifted again by means of the compressed-air cylinder and the actuator to a height, likewise predetermined, above the soil surface. The lifting frame is thus raised to a predetermined height by means of the actuator, and by additionally pushing a bracket on the front of the accumulator the ground spike is simultaneously raised from the soil and moved to a predetermined height. Both arrangement and raising of the ground spike are controlled by a con- trol system.

The control system thus comprises a start unit, a soil depth detector for detecting whether the ground spike is at the predetermined depth, a stop unit consisting of a pressure button, a soil control switch also consisting of a pressure button as well as a source of compressed air. The start unit, the stop unit as well as pressure buttons are all operated from the driver's seat in the tractor.

The soil depth detector comprises a frame-height detector that records whether the lifting frame is at the predetermined height above the soil surface, as well as a ground spike depth detector disposed between the hold- ing frame and the aerator. The frame height detector comprises a frame height sensor including lifting rods rotatable on both side ends of the lifting frame, and the ground spike depth detector comprises a cam disc for fixing the ground spike depth as well as a depth sensor.

In the use of the transport unit, the transport unit is transported to the desired location, with lifted frame and aerators. Pressing the start unit lowers the frame to the predetermined height above the soil surface by means of the frame height detector, so that the lifting frame as well as the lower end of the ground spike is in contact with the soil surface. Activation of the detector causes a connection to be set up with the compressed-air hammer, which then injects the ground spike into the soil. When the ground spike is at its predetermined depth, the soil depth detector will be activated to indicate that the ground spike is at the predetermined depth, and the control system automatically saves the position. When the ground spike is to be raised again subsequently, the stop unit is activated and the ground spike is moved to the predetermined height above the soil surface. The transport unit is then moved to the next location, and the process is repeated.

In the stated decompaction, both ground spikes are thus injected into the soil simultaneously, thus having the effect that the vehicle cannot simultaneously be moved in a forward direction. When decompacting large areas, this is an extremely slow method because of the many stops, and furthermore it requires great precision from the driver to activate the various units at the proper time. Further, no sand or fertilizer is fed to the soil during decompaction. Consequently, the method has to be repeated frequently, thereby involving a great risk of damaging the upper soil layer.

The object of the present invention is to provide a transport unit which solves the above-mentioned problems, and where the transport unit is adapted to be adjustable to the desired depth such that fertilizer or other may be fed optimally and simultaneously, and the transport unit is moreover capable of performing decompaction over a large area without causing damage to the upper soil layer, and where this decompaction is provided continuously and automatically.

This object is achieved by a transport unit of the type stated in the opening paragraph, and wherein a soil substance is fed at the upper end of the ground spike, and holes are arranged in the tapering lower end, oriented toward the soil area, said soil substance being fed from said arranged holes and during the bursting of the soil, and the pressure means comprises a compressed-air cylinder acting for each ground spike, and the displacement means comprises at least one guide rail on the frame in parallel with the travelling direction of the transport unit, said guide rail having arranged thereon a plate on which the ground spike is arranged, rolls being arranged between said guide rail and connected with each other by a wire, and the control means comprise at least four sensors, two sensors, a first sensor and a third sensor for the release of compressed air, a second sensor for the supply of the soil substance, as well as a fourth sensor for recording the maximum forwardly directed position and rearwardly directed position, respectively, of the ground spike/spikes.

This provides a transport unit wherein the ground spikes may be adjusted partly in relation to the transport of the transport unit from one area to another and partly in relation to the use of the transport unit. When the trans- port unit is transported, air is pumped into the cylinders which are secured partly to the arms of the frame and partly to the wheels of the transport unit, whereby the transport unit is raised and the ground spikes are cleared from the travelling surface. The ground spikes will thus not be damaged during transport. During decompaction, the transport unit is lowered correspond- ingly by evacuating the cylinders, and the one ground spike is caused to assume a front position and the other ground spike a rear position. Activa- tion of compressed air causes the front ground spike to be injected into the soil, and because of the displacement means the ground spike will slide along the frame to a rear position during the forward movement of the transport unit, while the other ground spike will assume a front position. When the rear ground spike thus assumes a front position and the ground spike positioned in the soil simultaneously assumes a rear position, the front ground spike will be injected into the soil and the rear ground spike will correspondingly be lifted. The ground spikes are thus activated correctly relative to each other, that is alternately, so that the process is continuous.

The respective positions are recorded by sensors, whereby a continuous and precise switching between the operating ground spikes and also a precise indication of the position of the individual ground spike are provided. The transport unit is thus capable of performing decompaction without it being stopped, thereby allowing larger areas to be decompacted even by the use of few ground spikes or a single ground spike.

By providing a transport unit according to the invention and additionally as stated in claim 2, it is ensured that the ground spike/spikes does/do not slide along the travelling surface during the transport of the transport unit and can be withdrawn from the soil in use.

By providing a transport unit according to the invention and as additionally stated in claim 3, it is ensued that no sand is left on the surface, thereby obviating wear on tools. Moreover, the working process provides a saving of time.

By providing a transport unit according to the invention and as additionally stated in claim 4, it is ensured that ground spike and ground roll are cleared from the travelling surface and are thus not damaged during transport e.g. from the garage to the soil area. By providing a transport unit according to the invention and as additionally stated in claim 5, it is ensured that the process is rapid and economical.

According to the introductory portion of claim 6, the invention also relates to a method of controlling ground spikes on a transport unit for decompaction of areas, said ground spikes comprising an upper end and a lower end tapering relative to the upper end, said ground spike being injected into the soil by compressed air to provide bursting of the soil overlying the lower end of the ground spikes.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that a soil substance is fed at the upper end of the ground spike, and holes are arranged at the tapering lower end, oriented toward the soil, sand, optionally in combination with fertilizer or the like, being fed from the arranged holes during said bursting, and that the transport unit comprises at least one guide rail in parallel with the travelling direction of the transport unit, at least one ground spike being placed on said guide rail/rails and secured to a compressed-air cylinder, said guide rail/rails and said compressed-air cylinder/cylinders, respectively, providing a vertical displacement and a horizontal displace- ment, respectively, of the ground spike/spikes relative to the frame of the transport unit and alternately relative to each other during the forward movement of the transport unit, said displacement as well as alternate displacement being activated by the position/positions of the ground spike/spikes, said position/positions being recorded by sensors, said alter- nate displacement of each ground spike being additionally dividable into two categories, start as well as process courses.

This provides a transport unit which because of comprised sensors causes the ground spikes to operate partly displaced from each other and partly displaced relative to the frame in such a manner that the position of one ground spike relative to the frame determines the position of the other ground spike, and vice versa. Thus, during the movement of the transport unit, it is ensured that a continuous and precise switching takes place between the ground spikes, and that only one ground spike is in the soil at a time.

By using a method according to the invention and as stated in claim 7, it is ensured that the transport unit may be transported to a desired soil area which is to be decompacted, without any risk of the ground spikes being damaged during driving.

By using a method according to the invention and as stated in claim 8, it is ensured that the position of one ground spike activates the other ground spike, such that the ground spikes operate alternately, and that the process is continuous and consequently rapid.

The invention moreover relates to a use of the transport unit according to claims 1-5 for performing the method according to claims 6-8.

The invention will now be explained more fully with reference to the draw- ing, in which

fig. 1 shows a transport unit according to the invention in perspective,

fig. 2 shows a single ground spike for the transport unit shown in fig. 1 , and

fig. 3 shows a section of a nozzle for the dosing of sand, fertilizer or the like as well as activation of the nozzle when feeding sand, fertilizer or the like to the soil. Figure 1 shows a transport unit 1 according to the invention in perspective, comprising a frame 4, on which frame 4 a wheel 13 is arranged on two opposite sides.

The frame 4 has no distinct configuration and may assume any shape in principle. In this embodiment, the frame 4 comprises two parallel-displaced length sides 18 secured to each other at two transverse sides.

A pentagonal profile 20 is secured on one transverse side 19 and in exten- sion of it to provide the front of the transport profile, said profile 20 comprising two short parallel-displaced long sides 20' likewise parallel-displaced relative to the length sides 18 of the frame. Two inclined sides 20" are arranged in extension of the long sides 20' and are joined to secure a draw rod 20'". A draw device 21 is arranged on the draw rod 20'", and this draw device 21 may e.g. be a coupling or a ball coupling as is known e.g. from trailers, said draw device 21 being arranged in connection with the coupling on a tractor or similar vehicle.

On one side of the pentagonal profile 20, an adjustable support wheel 22 is arranged on the inclined side 20", comprising a wheel 22' which engages a surface when the transport unit 1 is not in use, as well as a rod 23 secured to the pentagonal profile 20. The support wheel 22 is adjusted vertically by a handle 23' which is positioned in immediate extension of the rod 23 of the support wheel. However, the support wheel 22 may also be positioned at other places than the one mentioned.

A ground roll 24 is secured on the other transverse side 19, comprising two parallel-displaced legs 25 which are oriented toward the surface of the soil. The legs 25 have interposed between them a roll 26, which engages the surface of the soil and thus provides rolling of the soil after the decompaction. An arm 12, on which a wheel 13 is mounted, is arranged on each length side 18. A cylinder 14 in the form of a compressed-air container is arranged in extension of the joint between the arm 12 and the wheel 13, oriented away from the travelling surface. The arm 12 may be displaced vertically by means of compressed air, thereby causing the frame 4 to be raised and lowered, respectively.

A displacement means 5 comprising two guide rails 15 is arranged between the two transverse sides 19 and perpendicularly to these, each guide rail 15 being secured to the transverse sides 19 by a carriage 16 which is secured either to the upper side 19' or the lower side 19" of the transverse sides. In this embodiment, the plates 16 are secured to the upper side 19' of the transverse side.

Each guide rail 15 comprises two pipes, an inner pipe 15' and an axis-parallel outer pipe 15", parallel-displaced relative to the length sides 18. The outer pipe 15" is positioned at the length side 18, but without getting into direct contact with the length side 18, while the inner pipe 15' is positioned at a given distance from the outer pipe 15" and oriented toward the other guide rail 15.

On each guide rail 15, each pipe comprises two enclosable and displaced slide arms 27 which are secured to each other by a carriage 16. The carriages 16 may assume any configuration, and in this embodiment they are rectangular with the longest side oriented along the inner pipe 15' and the outer pipe 15", respectively. However, it is essential to the invention that the carriages 16 do not adjoin each other, thereby essentially maintaining the distance between the two pipes, the inner pipe 15' and the outer pipe 15", respectively, and also that the carriage 16 on the inner pipe 15' is disposed opposite the carriage 16 on the outer pipe 15". An upper plate 16' is arranged on the carriages 16, which essentially extends in the transverse di- rection of the plate to provide a bridge 17 between the two pipes 15', 15". The upper plate 16' may assume any configuration, it being essential, however, that it does not exceed the boundary of the frame toward the wheel 13, or that the two upper plates 16' do not touch each other.

Each of the upper plates 16' has arranged thereon a ground spike 2 between the outer pipe 15" and the inner pipe 15', as well as a nozzle 8 displaced relative to the ground spike 2 for the supply of sand, fertilizer or the like. The ground spike 2 will be described more fully in connection with fig. 2, and the nozzle 8 as well as its mode of operation will be described more fully in connection with fig. 3.

Two rolls, a front roll 10 and a rear roll 11 , are arranged on each guide rail 15 between the outer pipe 15" and the inner pipe 15', said rolls being ori- ented toward the pentagonal profile 20 and toward the ground roll 24, respectively. The rolls 10, 11 are connected with each other by a wire 9 and with the adjacent rolls 10, 11 on the opposite guide rail 15 in that the wire 9 extends from the rear roll 11 further on to the adjacent rear roll 11. With this wire 9, the carriage mechanism is provided such that when one carriage 16 and/or upper plate 16', and thereby the associated ground spike 2, on one guide rail 15 engages the front transverse side 19, the carriage 16 and/or the upper plate 16' on the opposite guide rail 15 will engage the rear transverse side 19. When the front carriage 16 and/or the upper plate 16' thus slides back, the rear carriage 16 and/or the upper plate 16' on the opposite guide rail 15 correspondingly slides forwards because of the wire 9.

To control where the ground spikes 2 are present in their movement along the frame 4 and to each other, as well as when the ground spikes 2 are to be injected into the soil and be fed with sand, fertilizer or other, the trans- port unit 1 has arranged thereon eight sensors, two first sensors T , two second sensors 7", two third sensors 7'" and two fourth sensors 7"". The first sensors 7' are arranged singly on each ground spike 2 oriented toward the inner pipe 15' on the guide rail 15 and inject the ground spikes 2 into the soil by compressed air. The first sensors 7' and their function will be described more fully in the description of the fourth sensors 7" and in con- nection with fig. 2.

The second sensors 7" are arranged opposite each other and on each of the length sides 18 of the frame oriented toward the front of the transport unit, and record when each carriage 16 with associated ground spike 2 has reached the position where the ground spike 2 is to send sand, fertilizer or other into the ground. Correspondingly, the third sensors 7'", which are arranged opposite each other and likewise on each of the length sides 18 of the frame, but oriented toward the ground roll 24, will record when each carriage 16 with associated ground spike 2 has reached the position where the ground spike 2 is to be pulled out of the soil. The recordings are provided when the carriages 16 touch/hit the respective sensors 7", 7'".

In this embodiment, the second sensors 7" and the third sensors 7'" are arranged on the upper side of the length sides 18 and oriented toward the arms 12 and the guide rails 15, respectively. Another position is also possible, however, it being merely essential that the distance between the front transverse side 19 and the second sensor 7" is identical on each length side 18, and that the distance between the second sensor 7" and the third sensor 7'" is likewise identical on each length side 18 in order for the change between operating ground spikes 2 to provide an even and continuous supply of sand, fertilizer or the like into the given soil area.

When e.g. the third sensors 7'" are simultaneously parallel-displaced in the longitudinal direction of the frame 4, the frequency of stroke of the ground spikes 2 may be adjusted. This means that when the third sensors 7'" are adjusted toward the second sensors 7", a higher stroke frequency is achieved, and if the third sensors 7'" are adjusted closer to the rear transverse side 19, the stroke frequency gets correspondingly smaller. The stroke frequency is important to the amount of sand, fertilizer or other which is to be fed into the ground. The higher the stroke frequency, the more sand, fertilizer or other is fed into the ground, and vice versa. How the supply of sand, fertilizer or other takes place will be described in connection with figs. 2 and 3.

The fourth sensors 7"", one on each carriage 16 and oriented toward the ground roll 24, in combination with a cam 38 arranged on the inner side of each length side 18, likewise oriented toward the ground roll 24, will record which ground spike 2 assumes the maximum rearwardly directed position in the neutral position.

That first sensor 7' which is arranged on the ground spike 2 that correspondingly assumes the maximum forwardly directed position, will be activated and inject the ground spike 2 into the soil and provide bursting of the soil overlying the lower end 2" of the ground spike.

The sensors described above, comprising first sensors 7', second sensors

7", third sensors 7'" and fourth sensors 7"" are called control means 7.

In addition to the above-mentioned sensors T , 7", 7'", two sensors 37 positioned opposite each other are arranged on the draw device 21. These sensors 37 ensure that the ground spikes 2 always operate linearly relative to the travelling direction. If the draw device 21 swings out of line course, the ground spikes 2 will be drawn into a neutral position, that is both ground spikes 2 are clear of the ground and the one ground spike 2 assumes a maximum forwardly directed position and the other ground spike 2 corre- spondingly a maximum rearwardly directed position. When the transport unit 1 is transported from the garage to the working site, compressed air is pumped into the cylinders 14 by the arm 12, such that the transport unit 1 is raised to the transport position, in which the ground spikes 2 and the ground roll 24 are clear of the travelling surface. In the operating position, the ground spikes 2 are pulled into a neutral position so that one of the fourth sensors 7"" of the ground spikes touches/hits the associated cam 38. The air is evacuated from the cylinders 14 and the transport unit 1 is lowered down on the ground roll 24, which is adjusted such that the carriages 16 are horizontal. The adjustment is established in that the legs 25 holding the roll 24 are displaced vertically downwards and may thus be positioned such that the two guide rails 15 may assume a horizontal position, irrespective of the vehicle used.

The transport unit 1 described above is based on a transport unit 1 com- prising two guide rails 15, where each guide rail 15 comprises a single ground spike 2, and where the transport unit 1 comprises eight sensors for controlling where the ground spikes 2 are present in their movement along the frame 4 and to each other, as well as when the ground spikes 2 are to be injected into the soil and be supplied with sand, fertilizer or other. The transport unit 1 may very well comprise more ground spikes 2, just as it may be narrowed to comprise a single ground spike 2, with the number of sensors being maximized or minimized correspondingly, but such that each ground spike 2, irrespective of the number on the transport unit 1 , comprises at least four sensors. Thus, it is essential to the invention that the ground spike/spikes 2 can perform a horizontal movement relative to the frame 4 during the forward movement of the frame so that no stops are necessary on the way.

Figure 2 shows a single ground spike 2 for the transport unit 1 shown in fig. 1 comprising an essentially cylindrical rod 28 comprising an upper end 2' and a lower end 2" tapering relative to the upper end 2'. The ground spike 2 is suspended from the upper plate 16' from one of the two guide rails, and may be adjusted via an intermediate pipe 29 to assume various vertical positions depending on how the ground spike 2 is to be injected into the ground.

Four to six holes 3 or more are provided at the tapering lower end 2", said holes 3 being arranged evenly around the end 2". The tapering of the lower end 2" may be provided in several ways, e.g. to be conical, pyramidal or other. However, it is most expedient that the height of the tapering just con- stitutes a small part relative to the total height of the ground spike, as the ground spike 2 is hereby easier to inject into the ground and also strong enough to resist any stones without breaking or being damaged otherwise.

The upper end 2' has arranged thereon a first sensor T in the form of a contact comprising an essentially horizontal rod 30 having a contact tip 30' vertical relative to the rod 30. The first sensor 7' is positioned such that it is oriented toward the inner pipe on the guide rail.

A pressure means 6 comprising a compressed-air cylinder is mounted in immediate extension of the upper end 2' and essentially axis-parallel with the ground spike 2. When the carriage 16 of the ground spike touches/hits the second sensor 7", positioned on the length side 18 of the frame, the compressed-air cylinder 6 is activated, whereby the ground spike 2 will inject sand, fertilizer or other into the ground. When the ground spike 2 is cor- respondingly in a position where the carriage 16 touches/hits the third sensor 7'", the ground spike 2 is pulled out of the ground again, likewise by compressed air. After completed stroke length, the first sensor 7' on the second ground spike 2 is activated, and thus injects the ground spike 2 into the ground.

As indicated in fig. 1 , a nozzle 8 (see also fig. 3) is additionally arranged on the upper plate 16'. Sand, fertilizer or a combination of these is passed from this nozzle 8 up into the upper end 2', from where it is directed down to the holes 3 on the lower end 2". During the injection of the ground spike into the soil, sand and/or fertilizer will thus be fed simultaneously into the cracks in the burst soil.

It should be noted that the transport unit 1 moves in a continuous forward direction during the treatment of the soil.

Figure 3 shows a section of the nozzle 8 shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2 for dosing sand, fertilizer or the like and comprising a cylindrical container in whose lower end two bores are arranged, oriented toward the upper plate 16' (see fig. 1), viz. an air inlet 31 and an outlet 32 for air, sand and/or fertilizer to the upper end of the ground spike.

A chamber 33 for the supply of sand and/or fertilizer is arranged between the air inlet 31 and the outlet 32 and in extension of these. Supply of sand and/or fertilizer is provided by a hose (not shown), which is connected with a channel 34 that extends from the upper wall 33' of the chamber and ter- minates at the upper end of the nozzle 8. The sand and/or fertilizer is passed from there further on to the chamber 33. A valve 35 is arranged in the boundary between the channel 34 and the chamber 33, and a diaphragm 36 comprising a hole 36' is arranged in the boundary between the chamber 33 and the outlet 32.

Thus, when sand and/or fertilizer is to be filled, this takes place via the channel 34, and the valve 35 will assume a position (indicated by a) that causes the chamber 33 to be "filled". When feeding sand and/or fertilizer to the soil, compressed air is fed from the compressed-air cylinder 6 of the ground spike to the air inlet 31 , and owing to the air expansion the valve 35 closes (indicated at b), causing the sand and/or fertilizer to be pressed through the hole 36' of the diaphragm, further through the outlet 32. The sand and/or fertilizer is fed from the outlet 32 to the ground spike.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A transport unit (1 ) for decompacting soil areas, comprising a ground spike (2), said ground spike (2) comprising an upper end (2') and a lower end (2") tapering relative to the upper end (2'), said ground spike (2) being injected into the soil by compressed air for providing bursting of the soil overlying the lower end (2") of the ground spike, said transport unit (1) additionally comprising a frame (4), said frame (4) comprising a displacement means (5) as well as a pressure means (6), at least one ground spike (2) being arranged on the displacement means (5), said displacement means

(5) and said pressure means (5) respectively, providing a horizontal displacement and a vertical displacement, respectively, of the ground spikes (2) relative to the frame (4), characterized In that a soil substance is fed at the upper end (2") of the ground spike, and that holes (3) are arranged at the tapering lower end (2"), oriented toward the soil area, said soil substance being fed from said arranged holes (3) and during the bursting of the soil, and that the pressure means (6) comprises a compressed-air cylinder acting for each ground spike (2), and that the displacement means (5) comprises at least one guide rail (15) on the frame (4) in parallel with the travelling direction of the transport unit, said guide rail (15) having arranged thereon a plate (16') on which the ground spike (2) is mounted, rolls (10, 11 ) being arranged between said guide rail (15) and interconnected by a wire (9), and that the control means (7) comprise at least four sensors, two sensors, a first sensor (7') and a third sensor (7'") for the release of com- pressed air, a second sensor (7") for the supply of the soil substance, and a fourth sensor (7"") for recording the maximum forwardly directed position and rearwardly directed position, respectively, of the ground spike/spikes (2).

2. A transport unit (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the horizontal displacement and the vertical displacement, respectively, of a ground spike (2) is activated by control means (7), and when arranging more than one ground spike (2) the activation of the horizontal displacement and the vertical displacement, respectively, of one ground spike (2) will be provided by the position of another ground spike (2).

3. A transport unit (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the soil substance comprises sand and/or fertilizer, said soil substance being fed to a nozzle (8) positioned in connection with the upper end (2') of the spike, said nozzle (8) comprising a valve (35), said valve (35) being acti- vated by the pressure means (6).

4. A transport unit (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a wheel (13), rotatable relative to the frame (4), and a cylinder (14) are arranged on two opposite sides of the frame (4), said cyl- inder (14) providing a vertical displacement of the frame (4) relative to the wheels (13).

5. A transport unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport unit (1) is transported after a motorized ve- hi e, e.g. a tractor.

6. A method of controlling a ground spike (2) on a transport unit (1) for de- compacting areas, said ground spike (2) comprising an upper end (2') and a lower end (2") tapering relative to the upper end (2'), said ground spike being injected into the soil by compressed air for providing bursting of the soil overlying the lower end (2") of the ground spikes, characterized in that a soil substance is fed at the upper end (2') of the ground spike (2), and that holes (3) are arranged at the tapering end (2") oriented toward the soil, sand, optionally in combination with fertilizers or the like, being fed from said arranged holes (3) during said bursting, and that the transport unit (1 ) comprises at least one guide rail (15) in parallel with the travelling direction of the transport unit, at least one ground spike (2) being arranged on said guide rail/rails (15) and secured to a compressed-air cylinder (6), said guide rail/rails (15) and said compressed-air cylinder/cylinders (6), respectively, providing a vertical displacement and a horizontal displacement, respec- tively, of the ground spike/spikes (2) relative to the frame (4) of the transport unit and alternately relative to each other during the forward movement of the transport unit, said displacement as well as said alternative displacement being activated by the position/positions of the ground spike/spikes, said position/positions being recorded by sensors (7), said alternate displacement of each ground spike (2) being additionally dividable into two categories, start as well as process courses.

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the start course takes place in that

compressed air is pumped into the cylinders (14) at the wheels (13) of the transport unit,

the transport unit (1) is transported to the working site, following which the air is evacuated from the cylinders (14),

the displacement means (6) assumes a starting position/neutral position by means of a wire (9) arranged on the guide rails 15), so that one ground spike (2) assumes a position forward and dis- placed relative to the other ground spike/spikes (2).

8. A method according to claims 6-7, characterized in that the process course comprising at least two ground spikes (2) takes place in that

- one ground spike (2) is injected into the soil by compressed air from the arranged compressed-air cylinder of the ground spike and is retained when the fourth sensor (7"") on the other ground spike (2) touches/hits a cam (38),

the ground spike (2), which has been injected into the soil, is sup- plied with sand and/or fertilizer when the second sensor (7") is touched/hit by the plate (16'),

the ground spike (2), which has been injected into the soil, is withdrawn from the soil by air pressure when the third sensor (7'") is touched/hit by the plate (16'), and when the fourth sensor (7"") touches/hits the cam (38), the other ground spike (2) assumes a front position and is injected into the soil, likewise by air pressure,

the sequence is repeated until the desired area of soil has been decompacted.

9. Use of the transport unit (1) according to claims 1-5 and the method according to claims 6-8 preferably for golf courses.