Abstract:
A method employing a basic structure and a collection of components to improve efficiency in caring for laws and gardens. The basic structure comprises a single engine, speed reducer, and transmission mounted on a frame with handle bars and controls. The components make up a collection of tines, wheels, blades, rollers, plows, racks and mounting parts. The operator mounts selected components on the basic structure to create a custom ramification for accomplishing a specific task. The specification describes eighteen applications. Eight apply to common tasks of tilling, grading, removing snow, shredding, edging and mowing. The ten remaining apply to new methods for wet lands tilling, hard ground tilling, rolling, aerating, dethatching, scooping, lifting, cross country transporting, and automatic mixing and separating. A primary advantage of the method lies in a consolidation that reduces costs for capital outlay, maintenance, storage, and transportation of walk behind equipment. A secondary advantage exists in a power take-off and mounting base for pumps, blowers, and generators to operate log splitters, yard vacuums, chemical sprayers, recreational gear, and fire fighting equipment.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/338,275, filed Nov. 14, 1994 &#34;Custom Assembled Equipments For Landscaping&#34;, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/093,263, filed Jul. 16, 1993 &#34;Competitive Medium Power Counterrotating Tiller&#34;, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to incorporating equipment used in landscaping and gardening by walking attendants, specifically to mounting different combinations of components on a single, basic structure to accomplish unique tasks. 
     In the field of standard parts that yield multipurpose equipment for walking attendants inventors have done very little relative to other fields, such as wood shop machines. This trend results in part from the dominance of the riding tractor and attachments there to, such as mower decks, snow removers, and dozer blades. However, designers have failed to adapt the so called garden tractor to cultivating a growing vegetable garden, or to edging, shredding, mixing, and separating. The aforementioned trend also stems from not recognizing emerging pollution requirements and farmland conservation efforts. Nonpolluting engines raise first cost and maintenance. The smaller landscaped plots of the future; which will be intricate, manicured, separated, and sloping; will probably require walk behind equipment exclusively. If tractor drawn equipment survives, it will require increased supplementary action from walk behind implements. However, the prior art provides only complex special units for walking attendants. 
     Common characteristics of equipment operated and serviced by walking attendants that till, grade, shred, edge, mow, and remove snow include for each piece; (1) an individual power plant, usually a gasoline engine that creates a fire hazard when the tank is undrained; (2) many nonstandard parts that elevate first cost and maintenance; (3) bulk which is difficult to clean, store, or transport to a rental or service agency; (4) a unique application that occurs seasonally and infrequently. These disadvantages manifest excessive capital, maintenance, storage, and transportation expenditures. 
     The general problem is, therefore, how to reduce capital and operating costs for walk behind equipment that till, grade, shred, edge, mow, and remove snow. One implement with a single engine that would perform all six tasks would be ideal. From a practical view point some adjustment would be necessary such as manipulating controls and adding and deleting components. Since grading, mowing, and removing snow require a forward and backward motion, a high response, console controlled mechanism for reversing rotation is required. Fundamentally, the effort by the operator to assemble and operate the custom implements must not exceed the savings in capital and operating expenditures realized from incorporating. 
     In response to the general problem and disadvantages cited inventors created limited systems of implements and torque reversing techniques. U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,541 to Adams (1970) shows a wet lands tiller with buoyant shoes and a torque reversing system controlled by a lever that activates a separate hydraulic system. Adams&#39;s machine demonstrated the feasibility of wet lands tilling using a large commercial machine with buoyant shoes. However, the torque reversing technique is too complex and costly for residential equipment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,671 to Mays (1981) shows a kit for converting a rotary tiller into a plow. However, the plow cuts a narrow, shallow furrow that appears suitable only for planting. U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,969 to Wilson (1982) shows a reversing mechanism activated by raising or lowering the engine. The mechanism, which is extensive and cumbersome, complicates mounting the engine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,459 to Resume (1985) shows a reversing transmission for a tiller. However, the gears employed make it prohibitively expensive. U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,599 to Zinck (1986) shows a counterrotating tiller with wings that vary the distance between output shafts and thereby adapt to different sizes of rotative tines. However, the machine is limited to tilling. U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,536 to O&#39;Neal (1989) shows a rotary cultivator with a dethatcher means that replaces tines. However, the machine functions on only two tasks, i.e., cultivating and dethatching. U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,047 to Kobashi et, el (1989) shows a rotary tilling device that also mows. The device applies to tractors. U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,476 to Rau (1993) shows a system for simultaneous ground soil preparation and sowing. However, the machine is tractor powered for commercial use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,552 to Lee, et, el (1993) shows a reversible machine that can be altered to till, mow, or remove snow. However, reversing is not controllable from a console and the reel type mower is limited in application. Several manufacturers offer rear tine tillers with dozer blade attachments. However, the high speed used on the rear tines dulls the tine cutting edges in rocky soil. None of the references cited incorporate more than three types of machines. Nevertheless specific problems remain for the average landscape manager using walk behind equipment. A budget, schedule, and plot layout limit storage facilities and expenditures for equipment and hired help. The operator mixes and separates by hand, waits for soil to dry before cultivating, loosens hard ground with a pick, and improvises ballast on tillers. He does not attempt simultaneous moldboard and chisel plowing, rolling and aerating, or aerating and dethatching. He rolls lawns with leg power, scoops with a scoop shovel, lifts with his back, ascends ramps with a hand truck, transports cross country with a wheel barrow, an fights forest fires with a garden hose. Since manufacturers lock in the user with pedantic instructions for unalterable, single purpose equipment, they deny the manager/operator use of certain creative abilities and special knowledge of his own plot that could optimize his efforts. 
     OBJECTS 
     Accordingly an object of my invention provides an inventory of components, a powered basic structure, and a method for assembling selected components to the basic structure to yield a completed machine for use on a unique task. 
     A further object extends the method to yield machines that till, grade, shred, edge, mow, and remove snow. 
     A further object refines the method so that the cost for the inventory, basic structure, and assembly is less than the cost for separate machines supplied by the prior art. 
     Another object provides a method for assembling additional components to the basic structure to create machines for tilling wet lands and hard ground and, for rolling, aerating, dethatching, scooping, lifting, transporting, mixing, and separating. 
     Another object supplies a mounting on the basic structure for auxiliary equipment powered by the engine. 
     A qualifying object of my invention limits the aforementioned methods to the use of one inventory of components selectively mounted on one basic structure with a single engine. 
     Further objects and the advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES 
     In the drawings numbers for prior art parts are prefaced by the letter &#34;P&#34;. 
     FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment on a background of prior art. 
     FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the transmission in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 shows details of the clutch in FIG. 2 and section 3--3 FIGS. 8 and 9. 
     FIG. 4 shows details of the rear wing in FIG. 2 and section 4--4 FIGS. 8 and 9. 
     FIG. 5 shows details of the like rotating outlet in FIG. 2 and section 5--5 FIG. 8. 
     FIG. 6 shows details of the counterrotating outlet in FIG. 2 and section 6--6 FIG. 8. 
     FIG. 7 shows the basic structure of the preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment. 
     FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment. 
     FIG. 10 shows an aerating tine 
     FIGS. 11a to 11b show chisel tines. 
     FIGS. 12a to 12b show low penetrating tines 
     FIG. 13 shows an axle 
     FIG. 14 shows an insert for an axle. 
     FIG. 15 shows a pair of frame extensions. 
     FIG. 16 shows a typical structural angle brace. 
     FIG. 17 shows a pair of support bars. 
     FIG. 18 shows a pair of rear flanges. 
     FIG. 19 shows a pair of front flanges. 
     FIG. 20 shows a pair of corner braces. 
     FIG. 21 shows a section of a typical wheel. 
     FIG. 22a to 22d show automatic stops and a signal initiator to reverse rotation. 
     FIG. 23 shows a typical moldboard plow. 
     FIG. 24 shows a typical wheel. 
     FIG. 25 shows a typical wheel track. 
     FIG. 26 shows a channel brace. 
     FIG. 27 shows a double blade. 
     FIG. 28 shows a single blade. 
     FIG. 29 shows a roller. 
     FIG. 30 shows a snow plow. 
     FIG. 31 shows a fork lift rack. 
     FIG. 32 shows exploded views of blades. 
     FIG. 33 shows an exploded view of the roller in FIG. 29. 
     FIG. 34 shows a shredder. 
     FIG. 35 shows an edger subassembly. 
     FIG. 36 show a dethatchment tine. 
     FIG. 37 shows a mower deck. 
     FIG. 38 shows a front tine tiller. 
     FIG. 39 shows a counterrotating tiller 
     FIG. 40 shows a mixer and separator. 
     FIG. 41 shows a wet lands tiller. 
     FIG. 42 shows a counterrotating tiller for hard ground. 
     FIG. 43 shows a combined moldboard and chisel plow. 
     FIG. 44 shows a grader. 
     FIG. 45 shows a snow dozer. 
     FIG. 46 shows a snow plow. 
     FIG. 47 shows a powered roller. 
     FIG. 48 shows a combined aerator and roller. 
     FIG. 49 shows a combined aerator and dethatcher. 
     FIG. 50 shows a powered scoop. 
     FIGS. 51a to 51f show the sequence of operations for a powered scoop. 
     FIGS. 52a to 52d show the sequence of operations for a powered hand truck. 
     FIG. 53 shows a cross country sprayer. 
     FIG. 54 shows a self propelled shredder. 
     FIG. 55 shows an edger. 
     FIG. 56 shows a self propelled mower. 
     
         ______________________________________REFERENCE NUMERALS______________________________________49           Transmission for Second Embodiment50           Transmission for Preferred        Embodiment51           Transmission for Third        Embodiment52           Male Half Housing54           Female Half Housing56           Powered Inlet Shaft58           Reversing Clutch Assembly60           Collar62 to 66     Shifter Bushings68           Right Jawed Sprocket70           Dampening Spring72           External Spline73           Spline Snap Ring74           Double Radial Jawed Sleeve76           Stabilizing Shaft77           Bushing Snap Ring78           Left Jawed Sprocket79           Elongated Roller Chain80           Roller Chain Preferred81           Shortened Roller Chain82           Bushing84           Bushing Support86 to 90     Male Bushing92           Sprocket at Rear Wing94           Bushing Rear Female98           Bushing Support RearP99          Frame100          Seal102          Hollow Shaft Outlet Rear104          Counterrotating Outlet106          Like Rotating Outlet107          Hollow Shaft Set Bolt108 to 112   Bushings Like Rotating114 to 118   Bushings Counterrotating120          Gear Like Rotating121          Idler Sprocket122          Gear Counterrotating123          Counterrotating Sprocket124          Like Rotating Sprocket126 to 136   Bushing AssembliesP138         Power Input SprocketP140         Input Roller ChainP142         Reducing SprocketP144         Reducing Roller ChainP146         High Speed SprocketP148         Stepped PulleyP150         V-Belt For ReducerP152         Engine Stepped PulleyP154         Engine Clutch PulleyP156         HandlebarsP156         Rotation Reversing GripsP160         Engine Clutch ControlP162         Engine Throttle ControlP164         Typical Gasoline Engine166          Basic Structure168          Agitator170          Aerating tine172          Chisel Tine174          Nonpenetrating Tine176          Unhubbed Tine177          Dethatachment tine178          Axle180          Axle Insert182          Frame Extension, PairP190         Structural Angle192          Rear Flange, Pair194          Front Flange, Pair196          Corner Braces, Pair198          Wheel Key199          Wheel Set BoltP200         Wheel202          Spring Loaded Stop Rear204          Cable Activator206          Bell Crank208          Spring Loaded Stop Front210          Wheel TrackP212         Typical Moldboard Plow214          Channel Brace216          Double Blade218          Single Blade220          Blade Back Half222          Blade Top Stabilizer224          Scraper226          Connector Strap227          Nut228          Blade End Plates229          Open Side Washer230          Scoop Stop231          Scoop Slot232          End Plate Covers233          Notch in Scoop End234          Rectangular Head Bolt235          Scoop Load236          Assembled Cylinder238          Sprocketed Shaft Insert240          Roller Roller Chain244          Roller Sprocket246          Roller End Plate250          Right Roller End252          Left Roller End254          Water Ballast Port256          Snow Plow Blade300          Front Tine Tiller320          Counterrotating Tiller340          Mixer and Separator342          Sluice Box344          Bottom Mesh360          Wet Lands Tiller380          Ballasted Chisel Plow400          Chisel and Moldboard Plow420          Small Area Grader440          Snow Dozer460          Snow Plow480          Powered Roller500          Aerator and Roller510          Aerator and Dethatcher520          Powered Scoop540          Powered Hand Truck542          Fork Lift RackP544         Fluid ContainerP546         Fluid PumpP548         Pulley and V-BeltP550         Reel, Hose and NozzleP555         ShredderP557         Shredder ShaftP559         V-Belt For Shredder560          Shredder Self Propelled580          Edger582          Edger SubassemblyP584         V-Belt For Edger586          Edger Blade600          Mower610          Mower DeckP615         V-Belt for Mower______________________________________ 
    
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments are made up from a basic structure and a collection of components for mounting on this structure. The preferred embodiment is a basic structure 166 shown in FIG. 7 that employs a transmission 50 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 and the components shown in FIGS. 10 to 37. Second and third embodiments employ transmissions 49 and 51 described in FIGS. 8 and 9 as modifications of transmission 50. Second and third embodiments, also, accept components shown in FIGS. 10 to 37. 
     The description of the basic structure 166 begins with FIG. 1. There the heart of my invention, i.e., a transmission 50, protrudes through a frame P99. A reversing clutch shifter assembly 58 projects a power input shaft 56 to a larger diameter sprocket P138 meshing with a roller chain P140. A smaller diameter sprocket screened from view by a reducing sprocket P142 receives chain P140 and concentrically supports sprocket P142 on a shaft not shown. A roller chain P144 meshes with sprocket P142 and a smaller sprocket P146 mounted on a shaft supporting a larger stepped pulley P148. A V-belt P150 joins pulley P148 with a smaller stepped pulley P152 through a clutch pulley P154 on an engine not shown in FIG. 1. A shroud, which is not shown for clarity, supports parts P138 through P154. A pair of handlebars P156 support flexible cables not shown connected to an engine clutch control P160 and an engine throttle control P162. Also a pair of handgrips P158 mounted on handlebars P156 provide control via flexible cable for clutch assembly 58. FIG. 7 shows the basic structure 166 completed with the addition of a typical gasoline engine P164. 
     Structurally FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of transmission 50. FIGS. 3 to 6 show sectional views of the input apex and output wings of transmission 50. These views are best identified by part number rather than section lines since FIG. 2 is exploded. Powered inlet shaft 56 rotatably attaches to an external spline 72 through a dampening spring 70. A snap ring 73 retains spline 72. Shaft 56 also enters a splined and jawed sleeve 74 which rotatably supports a right jawed sprocket 68 and press fits a collar 60. A bushing assembly from parts 62, 64, and 66 attaches sleeve 74 at a first end to a transmission female half housing 54. A solid, stabilizing shaft 76 rotatably supports a left jawed sprocket 78 and rotatably enters sleeve 74 as a support at a second end. Shaft P76 rotatably adheres to a male half housing 52 through a snap ring 77 and bushing assembly of parts 82 and 84. A sprocket 92 press fits a rear wing hollow outlet shaft 102 which is supported in housing 52 by a bushing assembly of parts 86, 88 and 90. A bushing assembly of parts 94, 98 and 100 supports outlet shaft 102 in housing 54. A counterrotating spur gear 122 press fits a counterrotating hollow outlet shaft 104 which is supported in housing 52 by a bushing assembly of parts 126, 128 and 130. A bushing assembly of parts 114, 116 and 118 supports outlet shaft 104 in housing 54. A like rotating hollow outlet shaft 106 press fits a sprocket 124 and a like rotating spur gear 120 which meshes with counterrotating spur gear 122. A bushing assembly of parts 108, 110 and 112 supports outlet shaft 106 in housing 54 and a bushing assembly of parts 132, 134, and 136 supports shaft 106 in housing 52. A roller chain 80 of the preferred embodiment meshes with sprockets 68, 78, 92 and 124. Structural details become more evident in the following operational description. 
     The operational description of basic structure 166 begins in FIG. 7, where a typical gasoline engine P164 supplies rotary power to pulley P152 shown in FIG. 1. The train of belts, pulleys, chains, and sprockets designated by parts P152 through P138 reduce the rate of rotation in typical prior art fashion by approximately 10 to 1. Inlet shaft 56 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 picks up this rotation in the exemplary direction shown by the letter -R, and shaft 56 drives sleeve 74 through spring 70 and spline 72 all in the -R direction. Sleeve 74 turns freely between sprockets 78 and 68 when shifter assembly 58 is in neutral. When hand grips 158 activate shifter 58 via prior art flexible cables from a console, collar 60 moves sleeve 74 axially from neutral. When sleeve 74 engages sprocket 78, chain 80 drives sprockets 92 and 124 in the -R direction and sprocket 68 in the +R direction. When sleeve 74 engages sprocket 68, chain 80 drives sprockets 124, 78 and 92 in the +R direction. Sprocket 92 and hollow shaft 102 rotate in the same direction. Sprocket 124, hollow shaft 106 and gear 120 rotate in the same direction. Gear 120 drives gear 122 and its supporting shaft: 104 in a direction opposite to that for gear 120 and shaft 106. In summary hollow shafts 102 and 106 always rotate in the same direction and opposite to the direction of hollow shaft 104 regardless of the direction of input rotation to inlet shaft 56. FIG. 7 shows a completed basic structure 166 of the preferred embodiment of my invention. 
     FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment which is a modification of transmission 50, FIG. 2. The modification occurs when chain 80 is separated, reversed, and reassembled to form a chain 81; and sprocket 124 is transferred from shaft 106 to shaft 104. Chain 81 then contacts sprocket 124 so as to drive shaft 104 opposite to the direction of rotation of shaft 102. Therefore, gear 122 drives gear 120 and shaft 106 in the same direction that shaft 102 rotates. 
     FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of transmission 50, FIG. 2, whereby gears 120 and 122 are eliminated and a pair of sprockets 123 and 121 are added. An elongated chain 79 contacts sprocket 124 to drive it counterclockwise for example. Then it contacts the following sprockets to drive them as indicated: sprocket 123 cw; sprocket 121, ccw; sprocket 78 cw; sprocket 92 ccw; and ccw for sprocket 68 which is superimposed by sprocket 78. 
     Therefore, all three embodiments of the transmission shown in FIGS. 2 to 9 provide identical rotary outputs. The preferred embodiment provides the best combination of structural integrity, economy of materials, appearance, and originality. However, the second embodiment requires less chain and provides more space to mount an engine. The third may be cheapest but adds significant weight. 
     The structure and operation of the components shown in FIGS. 10 through 37 can be described best when they are called to make up the ramifications. 
     RAMIFICATIONS 
     FIG. 38 shows Ramification I a front tine tiller 300. The operator assembles tiller 300 by attaching the following components to basic structure 166: A front axle 178 FIG. 13 into hollow shaft 104 and rear axle 178 into hollow shaft 102, FIG. 2; a double pair of chisel tines 172 FIGS. 11a and 11b on front axle 178; a pair of wheels P200 FIG. 24 on rear axle 178 by set bolt 199, FIG. 21; and a plurality of axle corner braces 196 FIG. 20 to axles 178 and frame P99. Tiller 300 operates as a conventional front tine tiller. Set bolts 107, FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 in shafts 102 and 104 and tines 172 cause a roto-tiller action. Wheels P200 rotate freely on rear axle 178 when a key 198 FIG. 21 is removed. Many suppliers of lawn and garden equipment offer wheels that either rotate freely on an axle or receive rotary power through a key or set screw. FIG. 21 shows an example of a wheel P200 longitudinally positioned on an axle 178 by a set bolt 199 where removable key 198 transfers rotary power from axle 178 to wheel P200. 
     FIG. 39 shows Ramification II a counterrotating tiller 320. The operator assembles tiller 320 by attaching the following components to basic structure 166: front axle 178 into shaft 104; rear axle 178 into shaft 102, FIG. 2; and an array of nonpenetrating tines 174 and 176, FIG. 12 to axles 178 which counterrotate. The operator manipulates tiller 320 as described in the references, i.e. tilting the machine with handlebars P156. 
     FIG. 40 shows Ramification III an automatic thresher 340. The operator assembles thresher 340 by modifying basic structure 166 as follows: Removing handlebars P156; mounting the same axles and tines used on tiller 320, FIG. 39; entering a set of four axle inserts 180, FIG. 14 into the ends of two axles 178; nonrotatably attaching two of the set of four inserts 180 to one of two axles 178; allowing the remaining two inserts of set 180 to rotate freely within the remaining axle 178; mounting a flexible cable activator 204, FIG. 22b on the ends of insets 180; attaching a cable in activator 204 to clutch assembly 58, FIGS. 2 and 3; building an elevated sluice box 342; and attaching a pair of spring loaded stops 202, FIG. 22a and 208 FIG. 22c to a side of sluice box 342, thereby, completing the assembly of an agitator 168. 
     The operator threshes beans, for example, by loading sluice box 342 with dried bean stalks, starting the engine, and moving clutch 58 from neutral. Agitator 168 moves slowly along the upper edges of sluice box 342 due to friction between the edges and the axle inserts 180. Tines 174 and 176 glide over perforated grid 344 and churn the bean stalks so that freed beans drop through grid 344. When agitator 168 nears an end of sluice box 342, a rigid inverted &#34;T&#34; boss 207 FIG. 22b, for example, contacts spring loaded stop 208, which turns clockwise until it clears boss 207. The spring then drives stop 208 against a bell crank 206 FIG. 22b attached to a cable wire terminating in clutch assembly 58. There rotation reverses and agitator 168 moves to the opposite end of sluice box 342 where reversing is repeated. Different tine arrangements and sluice box designs make possible a wide variety of mixing and separating activities. 
     FIG. 41 shows Ramification IV a counterrotating wet lands tiller 360. The operator assembles tiller 360 by mounting the following components on basic structure 166: pair of axles 178 in shafts 102 and 104; tines 174 FIG. 12a on axles 178; a pair of rear flanges 192, FIG. 18, and a pair of front flanges 194, FIG. 19, on frame P99; a pair of support bars 186, FIG. 17, on each pair of flanges 192 and 194; and a single blade 218, FIG. 28 rigidly on each pair of support bars 186. 
     Although FIG. 32 shows details of a double blade 216, details of single blade 218, FIG. 28 become apparent when a stabilizer 222 and a scraper 224 FIG. 32 are shortened and a body 220 with a connecting strap 226 are deleted. Bolts join remaining body 220 of rolled sheet metal to a pair of steel end plates 228 and end plate covers 232. Scraper 224 and stabilizer 222 of appropriate length provide rigidity. Bolts 362 prevent front and rear single blades 218 from turning relative to frame P99. 
     Tiller 360 operates on wet lands or over slurries of mud that would bog down an ordinary tiller. Horizontal blades 218 provide buoyancy so that the operator can push the machine over land submerged in one or two inches of water such as rice paddies. Tiller 360 also operates well in ordinary gardens to dislodge clumps of grass when the soil is saturated with water. 
     FIG. 42 shows Ramification V a ballasted counterrotating chisel plow 380. The operator assembles plow 380 by mounting chisel tines 172 on axles 178 and supporting the ends with two pair of axle braces 196. He adjusts single blade 218 as described for tiller 360, FIG. 41. 
     Chisel Plow 380 operates on ground that is too hard for existing tillers where chopping mulch into the surface is required. The counterrotation provides the operator with a means of adjusting forward progress by tilting the machine on the tines. He controls depth by using ballasted blade 218 as a fulcrum. 
     FIG. 43 shows Ramification VI a like rotating chisel plow pulling a moldboard plow P212, FIG. 23, yielding a combination plow 400. The operator assembles plow 400 by attaching the following components to basic structure 166: a pair of axles 178 to shafts 102 and 106 FIG. 2; an array of chisel tines 172 oriented for like rotation on axles 178; two pairs of corner braces 196 to the ends of axles 178 and to the four corners of frame P99; and plow P212 to the rear of frame P99. Operation of plow 400 provides both a chisel action of the surface and the deep draft of a moldboard plow. 
     FIG. 44 shows Ramification VII a grader 420. The operator assembles grader 420 by: removing moldboard plow 212 from plow 400 Ramification VI; and installing single blade 218 at a steep angle as described for Ramifications IV and V. 
     The operator grades in a forward and backward action initiated by reversing direction of rotation of like rotating tines 172. On the first pass over an area to be graded he tilts the machine forward so that leading edge 224 of blade 218 FIG. 28 rests on the ground. This provides resistance to tines 172 which dislodge some material. On the second pass blade 218 penetrates deeper, since the surface has been roughened and loosened in the first pass. This increases resistance to tines 172 causing increasing amounts of material to be dislodged with each pass. Finally, the operator reaches equilibrium between what is graded by blade 218 and what is loosened by tines 172. 
     FIG. 45 shows Ramification VIII a snow dozer 440. The operator assembles dozer 440 by attaching the following components to basic structure 166: two axles 178 to shafts 102, 106 FIG. 2; two pairs corner braces 196 to the ends of axles 178 and to the corners of frame P99; one pair of wheels P200 nonrotatably keyed to each of two axles 178 on the outside of braces 196; extension 182 to front corners of frame P99; flanges 194 to extension 182; bars 186 to flanges 194; a double blade 216 FIGS. 27 and 32, nonrotatably to bars 186. 
     The operator uses dozer 440 to sweep large areas of light material such as snow, brush, leaves, and pine needles. Since all four wheels are powered and readily reversed, he successfully sweeps rolling terrain by raising and lowering handle bars P156 in repeated passes. 
     FIG. 46 shows Ramification IX a snow plow 460. The operator assembles plow 460 by installing a pair of wheel tracks P210 on wheels P200 and mounting a snow blade 256 at the front of frame P99. Several manufacturers supply track P210 which could be made from molded rubber, fiber glass and resin, or a :simple tire chain. Refer to Lockheed Missile and Space Co., Inc., 4800 Bradford Drive, N.W., Huntsville, Ala. 35816, (205)722-4000. Plow 460 cuts a path through deep snow. Reversing clutch 58 enables the operator to repeatedly hit a snow drift. 
     FIG. 47 shows Ramification X a powered roller 480. The operator assemblies roller 480 by attaching the following components to basic structure 166: axle 178 to shaft 102; a pair of wheels P200 free to rotate on axle 178 by tile removal of keys 198 FIG. 21; braces 196 to axles 178 and frame P99; extension 182 to frame P99; flanges 194 to extension 182; Bars 186 to flanges 194; an assembled cylinder 236 FIGS. 29 and 33 to bars 186; a roller chain 240, FIG. 33, to a sprocketed shaft insert 238 and to a sprocket 244 welded on a pair of end plates 246 for a pair of cylinders 250 and 252; and an insert 238 to shaft 106 FIG. 2. Cylinder 236 receives water ballast through ports 254. The operator rolls lawns, asphalt paving, quick drying concrete, etc. on grades. 
     FIG. 48 shows Ramification XI a combined lawn roller and aerator 500. The operator assembles combination 500 by: setting axles 178 onto like rotating shafts 102 and 106 FIG. 2; mounting an array of aerating tines 170 on axles 178; reinforcing axles 178 with braces 196 and rear extensions 182; mounting roller 236 for free rotation on front extension 182 through flanges 194, braces 196, bars 186, and a channel 214, FIG. 26. Aerating tines 170 in penetrating the ground provide ample friction to propel combination 500 and control it on grades. 
     FIG. 49 shows Ramification XII a combined aerator and dethatcher 510. The operator assembles aerating dethatcher 510 by attaching the following components to basic structure 166: an array of aerating tines 170 to axles 178 from shaft 102; and a helical array of dethatchment tines 177 FIG. 36 to axle 178 from counter-rotating shaft 104. If the ground to be treated is hard, the operator could attach blade 218 to carry ballast as described for Ramifications IV or V. The operator tilts the machine to favor either the rear aerating tines or the counterrotating dethatchment tines. 
     FIG. 50 shows Ramification XIII a scoop 520. The operator assembles scoop 520 by attaching the following components to basic structure 166: inserting rear axle 178 in shaft 102 and front axle 178 in like rotating shaft 106; mounting corner braces 196 to the ends of axles 178 and to frame P99; mounting four wheels P200 keyed to the ends of the two axles 178; mounting flanges 194 to frame P99 and bars 186 to flanges 194; and rotatably attaching single blade 218 with a stop 230 to bars 186 through a bolt assembly 234, FIG. 32, on each end of blade 218. 
     The operator uses scoop 520 to load, transport, and dump any loose material, such as sand, rock, top soil, feed, etc. FIGS. 51a to 51f define the sequence of operations. FIGS. 51a shows scoop 520 enroute to the loading site. FIG. 51b shows scoop 520 tilted forward and rammed into a pile of loose material 522. thereby loading blade 218 and forcing bolts 234 on bars 186 into notches 233 at the forward ends of slots 231, FIG. 32. In FIG. 51c the operator continues to engage notches 233 by a downward pressure on handlebars P156 and withdraws loaded blade 218 from pile 522 by reversing rotation of wheels P200 at console controls P158 FIG. 1. Since the center of gravity of loaded blade 218 is now rearward of notches 233, blade 218 rotates to stop 230. In FIG. 51d at the dumping site the operator releases downward pressure on handlebars P156 allowing loaded blade 218 to rest on the ground and thereby disengaging bolts 234 from notches 233. The operator then reverses the machine to draw bolts 234 to the rear of slots 231 against resistance of loaded blade 218 with the ground. In FIG. 51e the operator pivots the machine about rear wheels P200 and dumps the load, since the center of gravity of loaded blade 218 was forward of the rear ends of slots 231. FIG. 51f shows that lowering the machine and running it against the dump returns bolts 234 on bars 186 to the forward ends of slots 231 to engage notches 233. Since the center of gravity of empty blade 218 is now rear of this point of engagement, blade 218 rotates to stop 230 for return to the loading site as shown in FIG. 51a. 
     FIGS. 52a to 52d show Ramification XIV a fork lift 540. The operator assembles fork lift 540 by attaching the following components to basic structure 166: Two axles 178 inserted in like rotating shafts 102 and 106; four wheels P200 on axles 178 reinforced with braces 196; and a fork lift rack 542, FIG. 31, braced with various lengths of a structural angle 190, FIG. 16, to frame P99. 
     The operator uses fork lift 540 primarily to move palleted loads. Since four wheels 200 are powered, he traverses inclines and maneuvers in small area with comparative ease. FIGS. 52a to 52d show the operations for loading, moving and unloading. FIG. 52a shows lift 540 enroute to the work site. FIG. 52b shows lift 540 tilted on the front wheels and inserted under a loaded pallet. FIG. 52c illustrates moving the load on an incline. FIG. 52d shows the unloading procedure. 
     Since lift 540 inherently contains a significant source of rotary power and a supporting rack, many types of power consuming appliances can be carried and operated. One example is the cross country sprayer in FIG. 53. Rack 542 is supported by a third pair of wheels P200, belted to the front pair by track P210. The load is made up from a pump P546 with inlet inserted in a fluid container P544 and outlet connected to a hose reel P550. Since all six wheels P200 are powered, lift 540 quickly traverses rough terrain to a fire fighting site for example. There the operator attaches pump 546 to engine output pulley 152, FIG. 1, via a V-belt P548, FIG. 53 and delivers a forceful, high trajectory stream. Another example is a shredder P555 shown in FIGS. 34 and 54. Many types of shredders without engines are available for mounting, such as item 71BF79787N in Sears Farm and Ranch catalog 1991-1992. The opposite end of a shaft P557 is powered by a V-belt P559 from pulley P152 FIG. 1 on engine P164. Other examples are generators for remote electric power and blowers for dusters and vacuums. 
     FIG. 55 shows Ramification XV an edger, 580. The operator assembles edger 580 by attaching the following components to basic structure 166: three freely rotating wheels P200 to axles 178 supported by three corner braces 196 and shafts 102 and 106. Two additional corner braces 196 support an edger subassembly, 582, FIG. 35 on frame P99. Engine output pulley 152, FIG. 1 drives a V-belt, P584 powering edger blade 586. The operator raises blade 586 by lowering handlebars P156 so that the machine tilts about two rear wheels. He lowers blade 586 by raising handlebars P156 so that the machine tilts about the single wheel at the front of the machine and the rear wheel at the left of the operator. 
     FIG. 56 shows Ramification XVI a mower 600. The operator assembles mower 600 by attaching the following components to basic structure 166: A pair of powered wheels P200 to shaft 102 through axile 178 supported by a rear pair of corner braces 196; and a mower deck, 610, to a front pair of corner braces, 196. A V-belt, P615 from engine output pulley 152, FIG. 1 powers mower deck 610. 
     ADVANTAGES 
     My invention provides several advantages for walking attendants and their suppliers. The method reduces capital investment and operating costs, improves performance, and provides new procedures for landscaping and gardening. 
     Cost savings arise from using the same parts and subassemblies along with a simple, fast method of assembly to incorporate a wide variety of equipment. The operator bolts various combinations of components to a basic structure supporting a single engine. These custom assemblies yield at least a tiller, grader, mower, shredder, edger, and snow removers, which include most of the equipment used on the average landscape. A first cost savings obviously results when a single basic structure and a modest collection of components are compared to buying multiple units of single purpose equipment. The single engine employed for all assemblies accounts largely for reduced maintenance and also eliminates a fire hazard. Manufacturers recommend winterizing and refurbishing gasoline engines semiannually and draining fuel tanks after use. Adjustments of gasoline engines will become more critical as pollution requirements increase. Since the operator stores only a basic structure and an inventory of components, he saves much space compared to storing a collection of single purpose machines. The method invented simplifies the buy, rent, or contract issue in that only components and subassemblies need be purchased or rented and transported, when a basic structure is owned. The method adapts well to renting or contracting with a lawn care entrepreneur since the components can be easily transported. A wide variety of components stocked by a dealer or rental agency would stimulate a user to create custom implements for unique problems. Assembly of the ramifications requires little time compared to operating time since the procedures are simple and many parts are standard. For example parts 170, 172, 174, 178, 182, 186, 190, 192, 194, 196, P200, P210, 216, 218, 220, 228, 232, 236, and 592 appear repeatedly in the assemblages of components as well as ramifications. Therefore, my invention reduces capital investment, maintenance, storage, and transportation for the manufacturer, middleman, dealer, renter, servicer, and lawn care entrepreneur as well as the home owner. 
     The present invention shows superior performance for the ramifications that till, grade, and edge; compared to existing walk-behind equipment. The tiler shown in FIG. 42 better attacks hard ground particularly when ballast is carried. The grader shown in FIG. 44 out performs a blade on a rear tine tiller in that it can be manipulated faster particularly on small areas. The edger shown in FIG. 55 demonstrates faster, more accurate response to raising and lowering tile cutting blade since the operator retains both grips on the handle bars rather than releasing one hand to manipulate a lever. General superiority occurs in less weight and envelop. 
     My present invention provides methods for assembling machines to be used on tasks never before attempted with walk behind equipment. The drawings and description show these tasks to be a mixer and separator particularly adapted to mixing low water to cement ratio concrete or separating rock from top soil; a wet lands tiler for a garden saturated with water; a combined chisel and moldboard plow; powered lawn roller; combinations for aerating, rolling and dethatching; self propelled shredder; and powered scoop and hand truck that picks up material, transports it cross country and dumps it in response to manual controls. 
     An advantage of the cross country transportation mentioned is particularly interesting. When a forest fire threatens the vicinity, the powered hand truck can be rigged with a sprayer as shown in FIG. 53 and held in readiness to move cross country to attack small fires. Also, the rack can be loaded with camping gear and a disassembled sluice box, for example, to go across country to set up a mining operation. At the camp site a pump or generator can be supported by the rack and belted directly to the engine output shaft. The method provides many elements for recreational activities. 
     The reversing mechanism shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is compact and simple. Remote outlets from a transmission can be reached without the use of gears. Shift control at a console is possible through flexible cables commonly used to throttle engines. 
     CONCLUSION AND SCOPE 
     While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitation on the scope of the invention, but rather an exemplification of embodiments and ramifications thereof. Many other variation are possible; i.e., the scoop could employ a double blade; hilling and furrowing plows could be added; the aerators could harrow; carts, augers, trenchers, sickle bards, dethatchers, sweepers, and broadcasters could yield additional ramifications; and a take off could power a blower that vacuums through a container carried by the fork lift rack. The power take off could, also, operate a pressure washer, log splitter, and generator. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.