초록 ▼

A sod laying apparatus is provided which also has sod roll loading and transporting capabilities and a method of laying sod using such an apparatus without requiring a winch or a separate forklift to load sod onto the apparatus while also providing for increased sod laying rates. The sod laying appa

A sod laying apparatus is provided which also has sod roll loading and transporting capabilities and a method of laying sod using such an apparatus without requiring a winch or a separate forklift to load sod onto the apparatus while also providing for increased sod laying rates. The sod laying apparatus includes a frame having a pair of elongate arms pivotally attached thereto for supporting sod rolls therewith. The preferred apparatus is a three-wheeled vehicle with large, wide tires for sharp turning without scuffing the ground and for rolling transport of the roll along the surface. The preferred apparatus is self-propelled and carries the operator who drives the vehicle and lays sod at a faster speed than the normal walking speed. When laying the sod, the roll is allowed to rest on the sod in a float position to force the sod against the cantour of the ground. A hydraulic drive system drives the wheels propelling the frame in forward and reverse directions and pivots the arms to a plurality of different positions in front of the frame for loading and carrying sod rolls and laying sod dispensed from the sod rolls.

대표청구항 ▼

A sod roll laying apparatus for transporting a sod roll having a central turning axis extending between sides of the roll to a site and for laying the sod at the site in a sod laying operation, the sod roll laying apparatus comprising: a frame movable along the ground for carrying the sod roll; a pa

A sod roll laying apparatus for transporting a sod roll having a central turning axis extending between sides of the roll to a site and for laying the sod at the site in a sod laying operation, the sod roll laying apparatus comprising: a frame movable along the ground for carrying the sod roll; a pair of roll supports on the frame movable between a non-supporting position at which the roll supports are spaced outwardly from the sides of the sod roll and a supporting position wherein the roll supports support the roll at its turning axis for supporting the roll for transport; and a motor drive having controls for an operator to raise and lower the roll supports and the sod roll and to control the motor drive to propel the frame across the ground with the sod being laid while rotating about the roll supports and unwinding from the sod roll, the drive exerting a lifting force on the supports for lifting the arms and roll and having a float position wherein the lifting force is reduced so that when the roll is engaged with the ground during the sod laying operation and the drive is shifted to the float position, the sod roll will be drawn across the ground with the sod unrolling from the sod roll and the sod roll will maintain constant engagement with the ground and follow the contour to lay sod smoothly with a minimum of wrinkles therein.