Patent ID: 6098387
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
Ground clearing apparatus comprising a mobile support structure movable along a path of travel on a ground surface, an elongate, hollow perforated drum supported by said support structure transversely of said path of travel, a rotatable shaft extending coaxially through said drum, means for rotatably driving said shaft, a plurality of flails having inner and outer ends and extending laterally of said shaft, means for mounting said flails at the inner ends thereof to said shaft for rotation therewith and for free swinging rotation of said flails about axes parallel to said shaft, a plurality of air-flow generating blades extending laterally of said shaft and having free outer edges generally parallel to said shaft, means for mounting said blades to said shaft for rotation therewith, said drum having a debris receiving mouth extending axially therealong and opening forwardly along the path of travel substantially at the level of the ground surface, said blades, upon rotation of said shaft, moving across said mouth and enhancing an inward flow of debris into said drum for pulverization of the debris as said apparatus moves along said path of travel.