Patent ID: 6138769
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: A01B,A01C,A01G

Abstract:
A root cutter for cutting roots and defining a root ball for transplanting, the root cutter comprising:a handle;a shaft having a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end;a narrow cutting blade, said cutting blade having a length measured between a proximal end of the blade and a leading edge of the blade, the proximal end of the blade being narrower than the leading edge of the blade, the blade also having side edges, said leading edge sharpened to define a root ball and said side edges converging toward the proximal end of the blade, andan arcuate shaft connected to the distal end of the shaft and extending to and connected to the proximal end of the narrow cutting blade, the arcuate shaft having a forward side oriented away from a user, the arcuate shaft being at least 24 inches in length and longer than the length of the narrow cutting blade, the arcuate shaft also being curved in a forwardly direction, the arcuate shaft cooperating with the cutting blade when the cutting blade penetrates the surface of the earth around a plant such that the path of the cutting blade through the earth defines a curve as the blade is advanced through the earth cutting the roots of the plant to define a root ball at least 24 inches in diameter when the distal end of the shaft is level with the surface of the earth without harming the plant so that the plant may be transplanted to another location.