Patent ID: 6832657
Filing Date: 2004-12-21
Classification: A01B

Abstract:
A combination, comprising:a wheeled lawn care apparatus having a forward end, and a frame; a hitch structure having means for releasably connecting the hitch structure to the lawn care apparatus frame such that the hitch structure moves with and in advance of the lawn care apparatus when the lawn care apparatus is moving in a forward direction; an aerator structure having a forward end, a rearward end, and ground-penetrating tines mounted on the forward end thereof, for engaging a ground surface; axle means for pivotally connecting the rearward end of the aerator structure to the hitch structure; a linear actuator having a first end and a second end; first pivot means for pivotally connecting the first end of the linear actuator to the hitch structure, second pivot means for pivotally connecting the second end of the linear actuator to the aerator apparatus; the linear actuator being supported on the aerator structure such that the first pivot means is disposed in a raised position above the second pivot means when the tines are disposed in a ground-penetrating position; and power means connected to the linear actuator and operative to pivotally raise the rearward end of the aerator structure upwardly with the forward end of the lawn care apparatus toward said raised position in which the weight of the lawn care apparatus biases the ground-penetrating tines toward a ground-penetrating position.