Apparatus for extracting plant specie and a method thereof

An apparatus for extracting plant species of varying heights and varying diameters adapted to be mounted on a conventional land vehicle includes a frame and an extracting member rigidly attached to and extends outwardly from a bottom edge of the frame. The extracting member includes a first elongated extracting portion having a knife-like free end, a pair of second extracting portions each positioned adjacent a respective edge of the first elongated extracting portion and having a cutting edge formed generally perpendicular to the respective edge of the first elongated extracting portion, and a pair of third extracting portions each connecting an end of the cutting edge of the second extracting portion with a respective end of the bottom edge of the frame. A pair of elongated member are attached to the rear surface of the frame for attaching it to the land vehicle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to plant specie extracting devices and, more particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for extracting bushes, shrubs, trees and the like which is adapted to be mounted on a conventional rubber tired or track mounted land vehicle and a method thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One problem that is constantly experienced in clearing bushes, shrubs and trees, particularly of cedar and juniper plant species, from cultivated or pasture lands is the ease with which such plant species can re-grow when their root portion is left in the ground. Accordingly, the root portion of such plant species must be extracted from the ground in order to minimize the re-growth. Another problem is related to reduction of the contact area of the clearing equipment with the surrounding soil in order to minimize soil disturbance and preserve valuable grass covering surrounding such plant species.

Efforts have been made to alleviate problems of extracting cedar and juniper plant species. U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,477 issued to Weaver discloses a tree removing device which is designed for mounting on a land vehicle such as a conventional bulldozer or tractor and has a bulldozer-type extracting device fitted with a power extractor for cutting the roots of a tree and a tree jack for levering the tree from the ground after the roots are cut.

The power extractor is characterized by a frame pivoted to the bulldozer-type extracting device and a vertically adjustable carrier mounted in the frame and internally fitted with a hydraulically operated extractor which may be extended into the ground from the carrier to cut the roots of a tree by operation of the land vehicle.

The tree jack includes a jack frame pivoted to the land vehicle bulldozer-type extracting device and a mast attached to the jack frame, which jack frame is fitted at one end with a foot for engaging the tree. The mast includes hydraulic cylinders for both engaging the tree and causing the mast to pivot, thereby jacking the tree from the earth by operation of the jack frame foot. However, the use of hydraulically operated extractor and mast and their support structures increases the manufacturing and maintenance costs and reduces the reliability of the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,599 issued to DeSalvo et al discloses an implement for uprooting and removing bushes and small trees from pasture land. The device is adapted to be mounted on a tractor having a front end loader assembly and includes a transverse horizontal bar having tooth like projections along its leading edge. The teeth are long and reinforced for greater strength.

Channels are defined by the teeth and shaped to provide narrow openings at the roots of the teeth to grasp small bushes. The wider mouth of each channel between teeth will accommodate larger stems or trunks. Brush is conveniently uprooted and transported by the tractor mounted device. While providing a simpler and more reliable apparatus, DeSalvo failed to resolve the problem of reducing the contact area in order to preserve valuable grass covering surrounding such plant species.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for extracting plant species of varying heights and varying diameters. The apparatus is adapted to be mounted on a conventional land vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame. An extracting means is rigidly attached to and extends outwardly from a bottom edge of the frame for engaging and extracting such plant specie. The extracting means includes a first extracting portion having a knife-like free end. An attachment means is provided for attaching the frame to such land vehicle.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for extracting plant species of varying heights and varying diameters. The apparatus is adapted to be mounted on a conventional land vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame and an extracting member which is rigidly attached to and extends outwardly from a bottom edge of the frame. The extracting member includes a first elongated extracting portion having a knife-like free end, a pair of second extracting portions each positioned adjacent a respective edge of the first elongated extracting portion and having a cutting edge formed generally perpendicular to the respective edge of the first elongated extracting portion, and a pair of third extracting portions each connecting an end of the cutting edge of the second extracting portion with a respective end of the bottom edge of the frame. An attachment means is provided for attaching the frame to such land vehicle.

According to a further embodiment, the invention provides a method of extracting plant species of varying heights and varying diameters. The method includes the step of providing an apparatus which is attached to a land vehicle and which has an elongated extracting member extending outwardly relative to the land vehicle. Next, positioning, by way of the land vehicle, the elongated extracting member at a predetermined angle relative to a ground surface. Then, inserting a free end of the elongated extracting member into the ground surface and adjacent a root portion of the plant specie. Thrusting, by way of the land vehicle, the elongated extracting member into the root portion and under the plant specie. Finally, lifting, by way of the land vehicle, the elongated extracting member to extract the plant specie portion from the ground surface.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for extracting bushes, shrubs, trees and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for extracting bushes, shrubs, trees and the like which minimizes disturbance of the surrounding soil.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for extracting bushes, shrubs, trees and the like which is easily mounted on a conventional land vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for extracting bushes, shrubs, trees and the like which is usable on plant species of various heights.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for extracting bushes, shrubs, trees and the like which employs stationary members.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for extracting bushes, shrubs, trees and the like which is economical to manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for extracting bushes, shrubs, trees and the like which is simple and reliable to operate.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with some degree of specificity above, various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that the definition of a land carrier applies to any conventional rubber tired or track mounted vehicle capable of carrying a conventional bucket.

Reference is now made, toFIGS. 1-5, wherein there is shown an apparatus, generally designated10, for extracting a plant specie4, such as brush, shrubs and trees, of varying diameters. The apparatus10is adapted to be mounted on a land vehicle2.

The apparatus10includes a frame12having a bottom edge14and an opposed top edge16. The presently preferred width of the frame12is about 5 feet.

An extracting means, generally designated20, is rigidly attached to and extends outwardly from the bottom edge14of the frame12for engaging and extracting such plant specie4. It is presently preferred that the extracting means20is attached generally perpendicular to the frame12. The extracting means20includes a first portion22which is generally elongated and has a knife-like free end24. The knife-like free end24is formed by a pair of side edges26which converge to an apex.

Preferably, the knife-like free end24is hardened to increase reliability of the apparatus10. It is further presently preferred for each side edge26to include a bevel28which is oriented upwardly. The presently preferred first extracting portion22is positioned about the mid-point of the bottom edge14and has a length of about 4 feet.

An attachment means, generally designated70, is provided for attaching the frame12to such land vehicle2.

The operation of the apparatus10is best illustrated inFIG. 5. With the first portion22being positioned at a predetermined angle to a ground surface3and aligned relative to the plant specie4, the knife-like free end24is first inserted into the ground surface3, adjacent a root portion6of the plant species4, to a depth of about 4 inches to about 8 inches with below the ground surface3. The first extracting portion22is thrust forward by the land vehicle2for positioning such first extracting portion22within the root portion6and under the plant specie4and then is lifted upwardly, by the land vehicle2, to extract the upper root portion6from the ground surface3. It has been found that an angle of about 30 degrees is advantageous for effective extracting of such plant specie4.

It has been further found advantageous, for cutting plant specie4having a height of less than about 4 feet, for the extracting means20to further include at least one and preferably a pair of second extracting portions30each positioned adjacent a respective edge of the first portion22and having a cutting edge32which is formed generally perpendicular to the respective edge of the first extracting portion22. The cutting edge32is positioned about the mid-point of the first extracting portion22. Such cutting edge32may be straight, but preferably, the cutting edge32includes a plurality of pointed tooth-like projections34disposed in side by side relation and having first and second tapered elongated side edges with the ends of the side edges of adjacent tooth-like projections converging so as to form V-shaped openings36between the adjacent tooth-like projections34.

After the knife-like free end24has been inserted into the ground surface and the first extracting portion22is thrust forward, cutting edge32is positioned to engage root portion6. Employment of the pair of second extracting portions30is advantageous for ease of positioning the extracting means20relative to the plant specie4and for increasing the extraction rate.

It has been found that for extracting plant specie4having a height of between about 4 feet to about 10 feet, it is advantageous for the extracting means20to additionally include at least one and preferably a pair of third extracting portions40each connecting an end of the cutting edge32of the second extracting portion30with a respective outer end of the bottom edge14of the frame12.

Preferably, each third extracting portion40has a curvilinear outer edge42complementing the generally round shape of the root portion6. By employing such pair of third extracting portions40, the first extracting portion22is laterally spaced from the plant specie4at a distance which is sufficient for one of such pair of third extracting portions40to directly engage the root portion6.

Then, the frame12is tilted toward the plant specie4. Next, the knife-like free end24is inserted into the ground surface3. The first extracting portion22is thrust forward by the land vehicle2enabling the third extracting portion40to engage the root portion6. Finally, the apparatus10is simultaneously lifted upwardly and pushed forward by the pressure generated by the land vehicle2to extract the root portion6from the ground surface3and tilt the plant specie toward the ground surface3. Employment of the pair of third extracting portions40is further advantageous for ease of positioning extracting means20relative to the plant specie4and for increasing the extraction rate by reducing movements of the land vehicle2.

To extract a larger plant specie4having a height of greater than 10 feet, the present invention contemplates for the extracting means20to include means, generally designated50and best shown inFIG. 4, which is rigidly attached to an upper surface of the first extracting portion22and adjacent the knife-like free end24thereof for damaging the root portion6.

It is presently preferred, for such root damaging means50to include an elongated member52which is disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the upper surface of the first portion22and oriented toward the frame12. The distal end54of such elongated member52includes a bevel56which is preferably oriented toward the upper surface of the first extracting portion22.

The apparatus10may include an optional pair of pointed teeth44each formed at a respective distal end of the third extracting portion40and adjacent the respective end of the bottom edge14of the frame12. Such tooth44is advantageous for positively engaging the root portion6during extracting effort.

In operation, the knife-like free end24is inserted into the root portion6and the root damaging means50is first employed to break-up root portion6with the land vehicle2moving in a reverse direction. The frame12is pressed against the plant specie4to test it for movement. If forward movement of the plant specie4is not detected, the operator of the land vehicle2continues to break-up root portion6by reversing the direction of motion of such land vehicle2.

When movement of the plant specie4is detected, the apparatus10is simultaneously lifted upwardly and pushed forward by the pressure generated by the land vehicle2to extract the root portion6from the ground surface3and tilt the plant specie4toward ground surface3. If required, limbs of the plant specie4may be removed prior to break up of the root portion6. The bottom surface of the extracting means20and the bottom edge14of the frame12is then used to level the disturbed ground surface3.

The present invention further contemplates that the root damaging means50may be employed for breaking up the root portion6of the plant specie4having the height of between about 4 feet to about 10 feet.

The apparatus10may be adapted with a vertically positioned reinforcing rib60which is attached to the upper surface of the first portion22and a front surface of the frame12and which is also advantageous in aiding the extraction of the larger plant specie4having the height of greater than about 10 feet. Furthermore, a deflector means62may be attached to the upper edge16of the frame12for deflecting such lager plant species4away from the land vehicle2.

When such land vehicle2is a well known skid-steer loader2, such attachment means70includes a first elongated member70which is attached at a predetermined angle to a rear surface of the frame12and adjacent the upper edge16thereof and a second elongated member74which is attached to the rear surface of the frame12adjacent the bottom edge14for engaging the implement attachment portion of the skid-steer loader2in a conventional manner.

It will be understood that the apparatus10constructed according to the present invention is economical to manufacture and is reliable and simple to operate. Furthermore, the employment of the elongated first extracting portion22minimizes disturbance of the surrounding ground surface and soil.

Although the present invention has been shown in terms of the apparatus10used with a conventional skid-steer loader, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may be applied to other conventional rubber tired or track mounted vehicle2which is capable of carrying a conventional bucket (not shown) which is well known in the art.

Thus, the present invention has been described in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It will be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.