Patent ID: 7591323
Filing Date: 2009-09-22
Classification: A01B

Abstract:
1. A walk-behind power lawn aerator machine that permits an operator walking behind it to control the direction and speed of travel with great precision; comprising a frame including a transverse axle, the axle being mounted at a fixed location on the frame; a left aerator reel and a right aerator reel both journalled side by side on said axle and rotatable independently of one another; an engine mounted on said frame and positioned above said aerator reels; separate left and right independent drive means each powered by said engine and providing motive power to said left and right aerator reels respectively; each capable of rotating the associated reel at a forward speed and at a reverse speed; wherein each of said left and right drive means includes a continuous drive web situated at a respective end of said frame, and engaging a drive sprocket situated at an outboard end of the associated aerator reel; a control handle assembly that extends from the frame to an operator position behind the frame, having left and right control handles each operatively coupled to the associated drive means permitting an operator to control the rotation speed of each of said reels; left and right front drive wheels; and a front boom on which said left and right front drive wheels are mounted at a location forward of said axle and said aerator reels, the front boom having a pivot axis on the transverse axle on which the aerator reels are mounted, and including means for moving said boom about the pivot axis thereof between an elevated position and a lowered position, wherein, in the elevated position the front drive wheels are raised and the aerator machine is supported on said aerator reels, and in the lowered position the machine is supported on the drive wheels and the left and right aerator reels are raised; wherein said left and right drive wheels are each supported on a respective independent axle; and wherein said left and right drive means include respective left and right drive mechanisms connecting the drive wheel with its associated aerator reel, such that when the boom is lowered and said machine is supported in the drive wheels, the operator can turn the machine by use of said left and right control handles.