Patent ID: 9629296
Date: 2017-04-25
CPC Classifications: A01G

Claim:
1. A chop mechanism for a sod harvester comprising: a fixed frame; a chop frame that is configured to move within the fixed frame, the chop frame including a blade that inserts into the ground as the chop frame moves within the fixed frame; a follower secured to the chop frame; a cam positioned to contact the follower as the cam is rotated thereby lifting the chop frame, the cam including a flat edge which causes the follower to be dropped when the cam is rotated to a drop position, the cam having a ready position in which the cam is positioned prior to a chopping action and a safe position in which the follower will not strike the cam while the follower descends during the chopping action; a motor for rotating the cam; and a control unit configured to receive position information identifying a rotational position of the cam, the control unit further being configured to employ the position information to generate a first control signal to cause the cam to rotate from the ready position to the safe position, and a second control signal to cause the cam to rotate from the safe position to the ready position.