A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SOIL SCARIFICATION IN PATCHES

Abstract: An apparatus for soil scarification in patches to provide a suitable planting surface for forestry plants. The apparatus comprises a frame-like structure (1) arranged to be connected to a rear lifting means (2) of a towing vehicle. The frame (1) is provided with a plurality of claw-like devices (6) which are fixedly connected to the frame-like structure at an angle such that when the structure is lowered during forward movement of the towing vehicle the claw-like devices penetrate the soil (10) and loosen a turf (11), and when the frame-like structure (1) is subsequently lifted during continued forward movement of the vehicle, the loosened turf (11) is turned by the claws (6). A plate (7) is preferably arranged between the claw-like devices (6) at a distance from the ends thereof co-acting with the ground (10). Sideplates (8) are also preferably arranged between the outer claw-like devices (6) and the frame-like structure (1). The invention also relates to a method for soil scarification in patches.

Description: A method and apparatus for soil scarification in patches Technical field The present invention relates to a method for soil scarification in patches, to produce a suitable planting area for forestry plants, and apparatus for carrying out the method. Background of the invention When planting forestry plants, the first step is normally to scarify the soil, which includes clearing the humus layer to expose the mineral soil. The soil is cleared, among other things, so that the plants need not compete with surrounding vegetation, and to reduce the risk of attack from pine weevil. Pine weevil are mainly unable to wander over bald patches of soil without the protection of ground vegetation. At present soil scarification is carrid out by means of large, complicated and expensive machines, the use of which over small, widely spaced logging areas is not economically viable, and requires relatively firm ground to support their weight. Known soil scarifiers are normally equipped with scarifying wheels provided with hooks, or ploughs and, in many instances, produce con- tinuous furrows. These furrows, however, are able to function as ditches and carry away water frcm sloping ground, with serious results. T.ie furrows may also be¬ come filled with water, drowning the plants planted xn the furrows . Because of this, it is endeavoured to scarify the soil in patches, preferably combined with the forma¬ tion of mounds on which the actual plants are planted. The planting of plants in mounds of mineral soil affords a number of advantages, ar.ong which is the mere rapid growth of the plant, because the temperature in a mound is higher than the temperature in the surrounding ground lit --HO Qfmmm BAD ORIGINAL "" layer, and less risk of the plant being drowned. In moist ground, the mound itself is also drained. Planting mounds ha ve previously been formed with the aid of buckets or shovels , operated as conventional mechanical shovels . This is very time consuming and expensive, however. Moreover, the mounds comprise a mixture of twigs , branches, roots and earth, which is not suitable for planting. Other mound-producing appa ¬ ratus comprise small shovels moving behind a conven- tional scarifying wheel and turned when filled. Mounds of mixed material are also obtained in this case, in¬ stead of mounds comprising solely soil. Objects of the invention The main objects of the present invention are to provide a simple and efficient method, and a simple and inexpensive apparatus for soil scarification in patches in a manner to provide planting mounds comprising sub¬ stantially only soil- Brief summary of the invention This object is achieved by means of the method according to the invention, which is characterized by causing an apparatus provided with a plurality of claw¬ like devices and connected to a towing vehicle to pene¬ trate the soil during forward movement of the towing ve- hide to loosen a turf; ana to cause said apparatus to lift the loosened turf for turning during continued for¬ ward movement of said towing vehicle. Thus, the method enables plants to be planted on an inverted turf, so called turf planting, i.e. in substantially pure soil, which promotes the growth of the plant as a result of the absence of competitive ve¬ getation and reduces the risk cf attack by pine weevil. Further, the turf will drain, to eliminate the risk of the plant being drowned in pools of water. Alternatively, the plantcan be planted in the soil adjacent the edge BAD O i "»ι^ of the patch from which the turf has been removed. Preferably, the apparatus is caused to penetrate the soil gravitationally, and to then be lifted progress¬ ively with the aid of lifting arms associated with the 5 vehicle. This enables the method to be carried out with the use of conventional agricultural tractors, with the aid of extremely simple apparatus which enables the soil in small and spaced felling areas to be scarified econo- 10 mically, and at times best suited to the owner of the forest, since each forest owner is able to provide him¬ self with the simple equipment required. The method can alco be applied in difficult terrain, and the ground need not have the same degree of firmness as that re- 15 quired for conventional apparatus. The invention also relates to an apparatus for soil scarification in patches in accordance with the aforegoing, the apparatus being characterized in that it includes a frame structure arranged to be attached 20 to a rear lifting device of a tov/ing vehicle, said frame structure carrying a plurality of claw-like devices fixedly connected to said frame structure at an angle such that when the frame structure is lowered during forward movement of the vehicle said claw-like devices 25 penetrate the soil and loosen a turf, and when the frame structure is subsequently lifted during continued for¬ ward movement of said vehicle the claw-like devices turn the loosened turf. "6 The apparatus is particularly simple, since, 30 among other things, it comprises no moveable parts. In order to enable a ccrr.plete turf to be loos¬ ened and to be kept intact while being turned, a plate is preferably arranged between the claw-like devices at a distance from the ends thereof co-acting with the ground. 35 Furthermore, side plates are suitably arranged between the outer claw-like devices and the frame structure, j/ --. QA Q i f OMPI these plates partly cutting loose the turf along the side edges therof and partly holding the ' turf intact while it is being turned. By arranging the plates in a manner so as they converge towards the claw-like devices, it is also possible to compress the turf. Suitably, the claw-like devices form an angle of about 45° ± 10° with the frame structure, which is pre¬ ferably provided with two attachment points for pivotal connection to the lifting arms of a conventional tractor, and an attachment point for pivotal connection to a push rod or arm connected to the tractor. Further characterizing features of the invention are set forth in the accompanying claims . Brief description of .the drawings The invention -will now be described in more de¬ tail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates an apparatus according to the invention in perspective; and Figures 2-4 illustrate schematically an apparatus according to Figure 1 during three different stages of a working cycle. Description of a preferred embcdimenrt of the invention In Figure 1 the reference numeral 1 identifies a frame structure which is pivotally connected to the hy¬ draulic lifting arms 2 of a conventional agricultural tractor, of which only one rear wheel 3 is shown. The frame 1 is provided with a diagonal beam 4 , which is pivotally connected to push rod 5 of the tractor. When using a tractor of this simple kind for operating the apparatus according to the invention, the arms 2 are lifted hydraulically and lowered gravitionally as a re¬ sult of the weight of the equipment carried thereby. The push rod 5 is arranged to maintain the distance between the diagonal beam or stay 4 and a point on the — . - tractor constant. This distance can be adjusted by extend ¬ ing or shortening the push rod- 5 „ In the illustrated embodiment, three claw-like devices 6 are fixedly mounted on the rear end of the frame structure 1. The clav/-like devices form an angle of about 45° with the frame structure. A plate 7 is mounted behind the claw-like devices 6 at a distance from the outer ends of said devices. Arranged between the frame structure 1 and the outer claw-like devices 6 are side- plates 8, which strengthen the apparatus and also serve as cutting sideplates, as explained hereinafter. The plates 8 also hold the loosened turf intact, and may also be caused to converge slightly towards the claw-like de¬ vices, so as to compress the turf to some extent. The re- ference 9 identifies weights, wnich are suitable detach¬ able so as to enable the weight of the apparatus to be adapted to the nature of the ground and also to enable the apparatus to be handled more easily when said appara¬ tus is disconnected from the tractor . For a more detailed description of the method according to the invention and the function of the ground-preparing apparatus, reference is made to Figures 2-4. Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus in a stage of ground preparation, in which the apparatus has been lowered against the ground while the tractor is moving forwards . The claw-like devices 6 have just begun to penetrate the layer of humus 1C while loosening a turf. Figure 3 illustrates the apparatus in a stage where a turf 11 of the desired length has been loosened from the ground by the claw-like devices 6 and cut along the side edges, partly as a result cf the side-plates 8. The turf 11 in this stage is supported by the claw-like devices 6 and the plate 7. The lifting arms 2 of the tractor are activated, to lift the apparatus. * ' Depending upon the relationship between the speed at ' which the apparatus is lifted and the speed at which the tractor is moving, the turf 11 can either be turned while still joined to the ground along its leading edge, in which case said leading edge will function as a hinge, see Figure 4, or the turf can be completely removed from the ground so as to be spaced a given distance from the scarified patch 12. The distance of the removed turf from the patch can, for example, be so determined as to permit plants to be planted at the edge of the patch and in the turf itself. As before mentioned, however, the plants are preferably planted in the inverted turf, which in addition to the aforementioned advantages also affords a good supply of plant nutrients. It has been found in practice that the task of loosening and turning a turf, as illustrated in the drawing, can be carried out very easily. The turf is turned as a result of a combined forv/ard and upv/ard move¬ ment of the claw-like devices 6. In"the present embodi- ent and the illustrated manner of coupling the frame¬ like structure, the push rod 5 has the advantageous ef¬ fect of causing the claw-like device arrangement to be swung around a circular arc, about the pivot points cf the lifting arms 2 when lifting the frame-structure 1. This means that the claw-like devices are able to release the turf 11 more readily, when the turf is being turned. A corresponding pivoting action decreases the angle of attack of the claw-like devices against the surface cf the ground while the claw-like devices are penetrating the soil. If desired, for example, in dependence of the nature of the ground being worked, this also enables very thin turf to be loosened, which can be desirable, for example, v/hen wishing to obtain shallow, scarified patches for planting. The angle at which the claw-like devices meet the ground can also be regulated by varying the length of the push rod 5. BAD ORIGINAL " QMH As described in the aforegoing, an apparatus according .to the invention is an extremely simple unit, which can be manufactured at low cost, since it has no moveable parts. Consequently, it requires no maintenance whatsoever. As will be understood, the apparatus according to the invention can be modified in several respects within the scope of the Claims. Thus, the number of claw¬ like devices can be varied as desired. The plates 7 and 8 may also be modified v/ith respect to shape and size, or may in special cases be excluded. The design of the frame-like structure may also be modified, and, for example may be provided v/ith means for carrying a plu¬ rality of units provided v/ith claw-like devices and working in parallel. In addition to conventional trac¬ tors, the apparatus may also be driven and operated by means of other types of forestry vehicles. The apparatus- may also be provided v/ith some kind of release mechanism, arranged to come into operation when the claw-like de- vices become wedged under a large stone or root. Further, the pulling forces applied to the apparatus via the push rod may be controlled in accordance v/ith conventional techniques, so that the apparatus is lifted and lowered in dependence of the force on the push rod. For the purpose of compressing the inverted turf, a roller or the like may be arranged behind the appara¬ tus, so as to pass over said inverted turf. BAD ORIGINAL ^^tJR OM •

Claims: Claims 1. A method for soil scarification in patches to provide a suitable surface for planting forestry plants, characterized by causing an apparatus provided with a plurality of claw-like devices and connected to a tov/ing vehicle to penetrate the soil during forward movement of said vehicle to loosen a turf; and to cause said apparatus to lift the loosened turf for turning during continued forward movement of said vehicle. 2. A method according to Claim 1, characterized by causing the apparatus to penetrate the soil gravita- tionally; and by then lifting said apparatus progress¬ ively with the aid of lifting arms associated with the towing vehicle. 3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by swinging the ' apparatus in a circular arc when -the apparatus is lifted and lowered. 4. A method according to any one of Claims 1-3, characterized in that the turf is loosened during the co-action between the claw-like devices cf the apparatus and cutting, sideplates attached to said apparatus. 5. An apparatus for soil scarification in patches to provide a suitable planting surface for forestry plants, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a frame-like structure (1) arranged to be connected to a rear lifting device (2) of a tov/ing vehicle, said frame (1) carrying a plurality of claw-like devices (6) which are connected to the frame structure at an angle such that when the frame structure is lowered during forward movement of the vehicle the claw-like devices penetrate the soil (10) and loosen a turf (11) , and when the frame (1) is subsequently lifted during con¬ tinued forward movement of the tov/ing vehicle the claw- like devices (6) turn the loosened turf (11) . 6. An apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized by a plate (7) which is arranged between the claw-like devices (6) at a distance from the ends thereof co-acting with the ground (10) . 7. An apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6 , charac ¬ terized in that sideplates (8) are arranged between the outer claw-like devices (6) and the frame-like structure (1) • 8. An apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in that said sideplates (8) converge towards the claw¬ like devices (6) . 9. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 5-8, characterized in that the claw-like devices (6) form an angle of about 45 - 10 with the frame-like structure (1) . 10. An apparatus according to any one of Cliams 5-9, characterized in that the frame-like structure (1) has two attachment points for pivotal connection to the lifting arms (2) of a conventional tractor, and an attachment point for pivotal connection to a push rod (5) connected to the tractor. - - OMPI

Inventors: BRATE ERIK AKE PAUL, BRATE HANS ERIK PAUL
Applicants: BRATE ERIK AKE PAUL, BRATE HANS ERIK PAUL
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A01B35
IPC codes: A01B13, A01B35