Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Towed Soil Leveling System with Rear Pivoted
Pulverizinq Roller
This application has been divided out of Canadian Patent
Application Serial No. 471,983 filed January 11, 1985.
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to a device
for attachment to a vehicle for cutting, leveling and other-
wise grading soil or the like. More particularly, this
invention concerns a soil leveling apparatus incorporating
an improved frame, an improved hitch, an improved scarifier
assembly, an optional pulverizer attachment, and other
features which provide more versatility and controllability
in order to achieve better performance.
Background Art
Proper site preparation re~uires that the ground be
graded as necessary for compatibility with planting, sod-
ding, paving or whatever the next and usually final con-
struction or maintenance step may be. Such site preparation
typically involves first breaking up and loosening the soil
as necessary followed by leveling the soil to the desired
grade. This may entail the use of different tools, depend-
ing upon the soil conditions, and multiple passes over the
site which is both time consuming and expensive.
In the past weighted boards and the like were
dragged behind tractors to smooth and level the surface of
the soil. This technique was relatively crude and unsatis-
factory because it did not allow for controlling the angle
or grade of the soil surface, and loose dirt tended to
collect in front of the board which would
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escape around the outer edges leaving ridges which then
had to be smoothed manually with rakes or the like.
My prior U. S. Patent No. 3,556,228 shows an
apparatus for leveling soil and the like which was
adapted to overcome the difficulties associated with
the prior art at that time. This device generally con-
sisted of a frame adapted for connection to a three-
point hitch on a draft vehicle such as a tractor. The
frame consisted of a number of transverse ground
engaging members arranged in longitudinally spaced
apart relationship. The leading member therein was a
member of generally inverted U-shaped cross section to
effect cutting, while the other trailing members were
of closed, generally rectangular cross section for
leveling purposes. The transverse ground engaging mem-
bers were interconnected by longitudinal braces in a
ladder-like fashion to form a rigid frame. Individual
retaining shoes or plates were provided on opposite
ends of each ground engaglng member to retain loose
20 soil to avoid formation of soil ridges.
This device operated well and was a signifi-
cant improvement over the prior art at that time,
although experience later showed that improvements
could be made. The patent referenced above,
discloses such an improved soil leveling apparatus. It
has been found, however, that even this device can be
improved upon. For example, under some soil conditions
it has been found that the effectiveness of a leading
ground engaging member of generally inverted U-shaped
cross section can be severely restricted if it should
become plugged with soil. In addition, three-point
hitches of various types and ages exhibit various
degrees of looseness which may not be compatible with
different soil conditions. Some degree of play or
looseness at the top link of the three-point hitch is
generally desirable because it enables the apparatus to
float somewhat on the soil surface without undue
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gouging, however, too much looseness is undesirable.
Further, some conditions may call for soil
working relatively less aggressive, but which is
desired as a substitute for or in addition to, that
type of soil working provided by the scarifier
assembly.
There is, thus, a need for an improved soil
leveling apparatus of even greater versatility.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention comprises an improved
soil leveling apparatus which overcomes the foregoing
and other difficulties associated with the prior art.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a
soil leveling apparatus having an improved frame, con-
nection means for the hitch, and other features and
options which enhance its capability and versatility.
The frame comprises a plurality of transverse
ground engaging members, the leading member being a
scraper member of generally inverted J-sha~ed cross
section in order to avoid soil plugging. The frame
includes a pair of laterally spaced apart side frame
members which are of uneven channel~ e configuration
secured to opposite ends of the trailing ground
engaging member so as to reduce construction costs
while providing the necessary structural rigidity.
The trailing ground engaging members are of
generally inverted rounded V-shaped cross section in
order to provide a substantially upright surface for
pushing the soil in a forward direction, with an
inclined surface for lifting the soil in a rearward
direction.
The connection means on the frame for securing
the apparatus to a three-point hitch is of generally
A-shaped configuration, which is- also adapted to serve
as the support for the adjustible scarifier assembly.
This also simplifies construction of the soil leveling
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apparatus and enhances the structural integrity thereof. An
adjustable lost motion linkage is preferably provided at the
top end of the connection means for receiving the top link of
a three-point hitch in order to provide the degree of play
desirable under the particular conditions.
In one embodiment there is provided an apparatus for
leveling soil, comprising: hitch means which is adapted for
connection to a tractor or like motive vehicle; frame means
which is connected to said hitch means and includes at least
one surface for engaging the ground; means connected to said
frame means which is adapted for scarifying ground soil, said
scarifying means including an elongated central portion having
at one end an element for engaging the soil; a pair of
longitudinal arms, each arm pivoted at one end to said frame
means; soil finishing means mounted between the other ends of
said arms for pivotal movement into and out of ground
engagement wherein soil finishing means comprises a roller;
and means for selectively actuating the attachment between
raised and lowered positions.
In another embodiment there is provided an apparatus for
leveling soil, comprising: hitch means which is adapted for
connection to a tractor or like motive vehicle; a generally
rectangular frame including a plurality of transversed
elongate ground engaging members having lower surfaces which
are fixedly secured in mutually spaced-apart relationship
between a pair of longitudinal side members each arm or said
pair of longitudinal arms being pivoted at one end to a side
member of said generally rectangular frame element; and a soil
finishing means mounted between the other ends of said arms
for pivotal movement into and out of ground engagement,
wherein said soil finishing means comprises a roller.
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In yet a further embodiment there is provided an
apparatus for leveling soil and the like; comprising: a
generally rectangular frame including a transverse, elongate
scraper member and at least one trailing transverse elongate
ground engaging member fixedly secured together in a mutually
spaced apart relationship; the scraper member including a
leading lower edge, and each ground engaging member including
a lower surface which is wider than the lower edge of the
scraper member, the leading edge of the scraper member and the
lower surfaces of the ground engaging members being
substantially coplanar; hitch means for mounting the frame to
a vehicle; and soil finishing means pivoted to said frame for
movement into and out of ground engagement in trailing
relationship with the apparatus.
The invention also provides a method of leveling soil.
Brief Description of Drawings
A better understanding of the invention can be had by
reference to the following Detailed Description in conjunction
with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an improved soil
leveling apparatus of the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along lines
2-2 of FIGURE 1 in the direction of the arrow;
FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines
3-3 of FIGURE 1 in the direction of the arrows;
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detailed view of a modification
of the scarifier stop assembly;
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FIGURE 5 is a view taken along lines 5-S of FIGURE 3
showing the front side of the adjustable lost motion
linkage mounted at the top end of the connection means;
FIGURE 6 is vertical sectional view taken along lines
6-6 of FIGURE 5 in the direcion of the arrows;
FIGURE 7 iS an enlarged perspective detailed view
showing a tine assembly which can be substituted for the
teeth of the scarifier assembly in order to provide
relatively less aggressive soil working action;
FIGURE 8 is a sectional detailed view the tine
assembly of FIGURE 7 mounted on the cross-shaft of the
scarifier assembly;
FIGURE 9 iS a partial perspective view showing the
soil leveling apparatus herein with an optional
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pivotal pulverizer assembly mounted thereon; and,
FIGURES 10 and 11 are sectional views taken along
lines 10-10 and 11-11, respectively, of FIGURE 9 in the
direction of the arrows.
Detailed Description
Referring now to the Drawings herein, in which like
reference numerals designate like or corresponding elements
throughout the views, and particularly referring to FIGURE
1, there is shown a soil leveling apparatus 10 of the
invention. The apparatus 10 comprises a frame 12, a hitch
or connection means 14 mounted on the frame for attachment
of the apparatus to a suitable draft means, and a scarifier
assembly 16.
As illustrated, the connection means 14 is adapted
for use with a three-point hitch, however, it will be
appreciated that the frame 12 of the apparatus 10 can be
provided with a connection means like that shown in the
parent application for use with a skid-steer vehicle or any
other suitable connecting hitch means depending upon the
type of draft vehicle with which the apparatus is to be
used.
Referring now to FIGURE 1 in conjunction with
FIGURES 2 and 3, the frame 12 of the soil leveling appara-
tus 10 comprises a leading ground engaging member 18 and a
plurality of trailing ground engaging members 20. All of
the ground engaging members 18 and 20 are oriented trans-
verse to the direction of travel of the apparatus 10. The
forward ground engaging member 18, as is best seen in
FIGURE 3, is of generally inverted J-shaped cross section
and includes braces 22 secured between the divergent front
and back walls of the ground engaging member. A blade 24 is
secured to the front, relatively longer wall of the ground
engaglng
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member 18 for better cutting action and wear
resistance. The blade 24 can be welded, bolted or
otherwise suitably secured to the forward ground
engaging me~ber 18. It will thus be apparent that the
S rear wall of the forward ground engaging member 18 is
relatively shorter than the front wall. This is advan-
tageous because it provides rigidity without allowing
soil to plug the interior of the member, which can
occur under certain conditions when an inverted channel
section is utilized for the forward ground engaging
member. The forward ground engaging member 18 thus
functions as a scraper member.
The forward ground engaging member 18 is
secured between a pair of side plates 26 which serve as
soil retainers to prevent the soil from flowing out-
wardly around the apparatus and thus forming ridges.
If desired, braces 28 can be secured between the soil
retaining plates 28 and the forward ground engaging
member 18 for reinforcement.
A plurality of trailing ground engaging mem-
bers 20 are located behind the forward ground engaging
member 18 for purposes of leveling the soil. Three
trailing ground engaging members 20 are shown, however,
any suitable number can be utilized. Each trailing
ground engaging member 20 includes a wear plate 30
secured to and enclosing the open end of a hollow
member 32. The hollow member 32 is preferably of
generally inverted rounded V-shaped cross section with
the forward wall thereof being substantially upright
in order to push the soil in a forward direction, and
the rear wall being inclined to allow the soil to pass
over the ground engaging member in the reverse direc-
tion.
The trailing ground engaging members 20 are
secured between a pair of longitudinal side members 34.
Each side member 34 is of general channel-shaped cross
section along the portion thereof extending between the
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trailing ground engaging members 20 with the upper sur-
faces of the side members sloping downwardly away from
the forward ground engaging member 18. The ends of the
trailing ground engaging members 20 are thus butted
against the outer legs of the side members 34 and are
welded at their ends both to the outer leg and to the
lower edge of the inner legs of the side members. A
longitudinal member 36 is preferably secured across the
tops of the trailing ground engaging members 20 for
additional rigidity. If desired, lugs 37 can be
attached to the side members 34 for connection of a
drag or the like to the apparatus 10.
The connection means 14 is of generally A-
shaped configuration including a pair of legs 38 which
are secured at their lower ends to a pair of laterally
spaced apart feet or supports 40 secured to the forward
ground engaging member 18. The legs 38, which are
inclined forwardly as shown, extend upwardly to a
member 42. The connection means 14, as illustrated is
adapted for use with a three-point hitch, the top and
bottom links of which are indicated by phantom lines.
The base supports 40 include pivotal connection points
44 for attachment to the bottom links of a three-point
hitch, while the top member 42 is adapted for attach-
ment to the top link of the three-point hitch. A
longitudinal brace 46 is preferably connected between
the top member 42 of the connection means 14 and the
longitudinal member 46 of the frame 12.
Referring to FIGURE 3 in conjunction with
FIGURES 5 and 6, the soil leveling apparatus 10 pre-
ferably includes a lost motion linkage 48 in the top
member 42 of the connecting means 14. The purpose of
the lost motion linkage 48 is to provide an adjustable
amount of controlled play between the top link of the
three-point hitch on the draft vehicle and the connec-
tion means 14 so that some pivotal floating action of
the soil leveling apparatus can occur. The lost motion
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linkage 14 includes a plate 50, which is illustrated as
being a section of channel stock, supported for pivotal
movement on a pin 52 extending across the top member
42. Another pivotal connection 54 is provided at the
upper end of the plate 50 for attachment to the top
link of the three-point hitch on the draft vehicle. A
first stop 56 is secured to the lower end of the plate
for cooperation with a cross piece 58 extending
across the lower end of the top member 42. The lost
motion linkage 48 thus includes a fixed stop which
limits rearward pivotal motion of the plate 50. And
adjustable stop 60 is also provided for limiting for-
ward pivoting of the plate 50. As illustrated, the
adjustable stop 60 comprises a number of shims 62 with
offset holes therein through which a bolt 64 extends to
secure the shims to the inside of the top member 42.
It will thus be appreciated that the amount of pivotal
motion of the plate 50 can be controlled by 1006ening
the bolt 64 and turning a suitable number of shims
upwardly between the lower end of the plate 50 and the
back of the top member 42, as shown in FIGURE 1, and
then tightening the shims in place with the bolt 64 so
as to limit the range of fore~aft pivotal movement of
the linkage 48. This comprises a significant feature
of the present invention. By means of the adjustable
lost motion linkage 48, suitable play can be provided
between the top link of a three-point hitch and the
connection me~ns la of the soi' 'e~e~ ng a~pa~atus lC.
Referring again to FIGURES 1 through 3, the
soil leveling apparatus 10 preferably includes a
scarifier assembly 16 which is mounted for adjustable,
vertical positioning relative to the frame 12. The
scarifier assembly 16 includes a single connector 66
having a pair of sleeves 68 secured at the forward end
for receiving a cross shaft 70 extending between the
base members 40 of the connection means 14. The cross
shaft 70 extends through the sleeves 68 of the connec-
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tors 66 and through bushed holes in the base members
40, and is retained in place by means of collars 72.
The connector 66, which is preferably formed
from a piece of plate bent as shown for rigidity, also
includes a pair of clamps 74 at the side opposite that
of the sleeves 68. Clamps 74 function to secure the
pivotal connector 6~ to a second, relatively longer
cross shaft 76 on which the teeth subassemblies 77 are
suspended in side-by-side relationship between end caps.
Each subassembly 77 includes a depending tooth ~8
secured at its upper end to a sleeve 79 pivotally sup-
ported on the second cross shaft 76. The scarifier
teeth 78 can be individually pivoted to the cross shaft
76, or pivotally supported in groups. Bushings 80 are
provided in the ends of each sleeve 79. A double
acting cylinder 81 is connected between the top brace
46 and a pair of lugs on the connector 66 for
controlling the position of the scarifier assem~ly 16
and thus the extent of penetration into the soil by the
teeth 78.
If desired, a pair of diagonal braces ~7, as
is best seen in FIGURE 2, can be provided on the under-
side of the connector 66 for reinforcement.
Referring momentarily to FIGURE 4, there is
shown a modification of the scarifier assembly 16. The
scarifier assembly 16 as shown in FIGURES 1 through 3
includes a number of pivotal scarifier teeth 78 whose
rearward pivotal motion is limited by the adjacent
trailing ground engaging member 20. The longitudinal
spacing between the forward ground engaging member 18
and the next adjacent ground engaging member 20 is pre-
ferably sufficient to allow the scarifier teeth 78 to
pivot forwardly out of ground engagement when the
apparatus 10 is reversed. In some situations, however,
it may be desirable to limit pivotal movement of the
scarifier teeth 78 by means other than the next adja-
cent trailing ground engaging member 20. For example,
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the second cross shaft 76 can be notched as shown in
FIGURE 4 for cooperation with an inwardly pro~ecting
stop 82 provided on the sleeve supporting the tooth.
The particular orientation of the notch in the cross
shaft 76 and the stop 82 is not critical to the inven-
tion, however, in some situations it may be desirable
to rotate their position about 150 degrees clockwise
from that shown for better load distribution. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed
stop arrangement can be reversed so that a stop member
is provided on the cross shaft 76 for cooperation with
a notch in the sleeve supporting the scarifier teeth
78. This is considered fully equivalent.
FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate another modifica-
tion of the scarifier assembly 16. Some conditions
call for working the soil less aggressively than the
scarifier teeth 78 would provide. In such situations,
tine subassemblies 90 can be substituted for the
scarifier subassemblies 77 on the cross shaft 76. Each
tine subassembly 90 includes a sleeve 92 with a flange
94 and tool bar 96 secured thereto. Bushings 98 of
plastic or other suitable construction are preferably
provided in opposite ends of the sleeve 92. A plura-
lity of depending tines 100 are secured to the tool bar
96. As illustrated, the lower ends of the tines 100
diverge outwardly, however, this is not critical to
practice of the invention and either straight or curved
tines can be utilized as desired. Each tine
subassembly 90 further includes a stop 102 thereon for
cooperation with another stop 104 mounted on the next
adjacent trailing ground engaging member 20. Since the
tines 100 are generally less rigid than the scarifier
teeth 78, the use of such separate stop structure is
preferable. If desired, of course, such separate stop
structure could also be adapted for use with the
scarifier subassemblies 77. Another cylinder 136 is
coupled between the frame brace 46 and the forward
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cross member 122 of the attachment 110 for controlling
its pivotal positioning.
Referring now to FIGURES 9, 10 and 11, there
is shown an optional pulverizer attachment- 110 which
can be mounted on the soil leveling apparatus 10 to
provide additional soil working. The attachment 110
includes a pair of arms 112 which are pivoted at their
forward ends to brackets 114 secured by bolts 116 to
the side members 34 of frame 12. Each bracket 114
includes an inner sleeve 118 on which an outer sleeve
120 of the associated arm is received to define a
pivot. A pair of cross members 122,124 are secured
between the arms 112 for rigidity and bracing. A
toothed roller 126 is mounted for rotation between the
outer or trailing ends of the arms 112. As is best
seen in FIGURE 11, a bushing 128 is provided in each
end of the roller 126 for rotation on an inwardly pro-
jecting trunion 130 on a plate 132 secured by bol~s 134
to the associated arm 112. This type of mounting
enables the roller 126 to span substantially the entire
width of the apparatus 10 so that the apparatus can be
operated closely adjacent to buildings, sidewalks, etc.
Although the assembly 110 is illustrated with a toothed
roller 126 for pulverizing small dirt clots and the
like, it will be appreciated that other devices can be
mounted on the attachment. For example, a row of
spring fingers or flexible tines can easily be substi-
tuted for the toothed roller 126 and carried by the
attachment 110.
From the foregoing, it will thus be apparent
that the present invention comprises an improved soil
leveling apparatus having several advantages over the
prior art. One significant advantage involves use of
an adjustable lost motion connection with the con-
necting means to provide controlled flexibility and
some float of the apparatus in order to compensate for
various three-point hitches and soil conditions.
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Another advantage involves the use of a forward ground
engaging member which is not susceptible to clogging
under sticky soil conditions in order to perform a
scraping function more effectively. The connecting
means also serves as the primary support for the
scarifier assembly. Other advantages will be evident
to those skilled in the art.
Although particular embodiments of the inven-
tion have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings
and described in the foregoing detailed description, it
will be understood that the invention is not limited
only to the embodiments disclosed, but is intended to
embrace any equivalents, modifications, substitutions
and/or rearrangements of elements falling within the
scope of the invention as defined by the following
claims.
