Abstract:
A land preparation tool includes a tool body, wherein the tool body comprises a cutting surface, a mounting surface disposed along a side of the body opposite the cutting surface, a first angled surface that sweeps backward from the cutting surface toward the mounting surface, and a second angled surface that is disposed on a side of the cutting surface opposite the first angled surface and sweeps backward from the cutting surface toward the mounting surface. The tool further includes a blade disposed on the same side of the tool body as the cutting surface and on an end of the tool body opposite the first and second angled surfaces and a channel disposed into the mounting surface and extending into the tool body. The mounting surface includes a nonplanar profile.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/560,329, filed Apr. 5, 2016, now pending, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/466,991, filed Sep. 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. D757,124, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/918,677, filed Nov. 30, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,540,033, which is a PCT National Phase entry of PCT/US2009/034872, filed Feb. 23, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/030,744, filed Feb. 22, 2008, all of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to attachment systems and methods for land preparation tools, such as cutting, grinding, mulching, and/or shredding tools, more particularly tool interfaces for attachments to powered vehicles. 
         [0003]    Land preparation and clearing machines and apparatus such as forestry machines and apparatus are utilized for clearing land, creating paths, and otherwise removing debris, brush, trees, vegetation, soil, concrete, asphalt, rock, and/or other materials, making the land suitable for further development or use. To carry out these tasks, such machines can be fitted with land preparation attachments or apparatus operable to mulch, cut, shred, and/or grind vegetation, brush, trees, stumps, soil, concrete, asphalt, rock, and other materials. 
         [0004]    In particular, the apparatus may be integrally or detachably attached to a tractor, skid steer, or other vehicle to facilitate articulation and movement of the mowing apparatus with respect to the vegetation. Often, the vehicle is a multi-purpose vehicle having the capability to be fitted with any of a variety of attachments suitable for the task at hand. For example, the vehicle can include a common connection for connecting to and driving the apparatus such as brush cutters, rotary mowers, shredders, grinders, and crushers. Such land preparation and clearing apparatus can be hydraulically driven via hydraulic power from the vehicle. One illustrative type of land preparation and clearing apparatus is known as a “flail mower” which utilizes a rotatable axle with either swinging or fixed position cutting tools (often known as “flails”). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to one embodiment, an exemplary land preparation apparatus comprising a rotatable drum and a plurality of tool assemblies disposed on the rotatable drum is provided. Each tool assembly comprises a tool holder comprising a mounting surface defining a non-planar profile, and a land preparation tool connected to the tool holder and comprising a mounting surface in flush contact with the tool holder mounting surface. The mounting surface of the land preparation tool defines a non-planar profile which is the inverse of the non-planar profile of the tool holder mounting surface. 
         [0006]    According to another embodiment, another exemplary land preparation apparatus comprising a rotatable drum and a plurality of tool assemblies disposed on the rotatable drum is provided. Each tool assembly comprises a tool holder comprising a mounting surface defining a non-planar profile, a land preparation tool comprising a mounting surface, and an intermediate connector disposed between and connecting the tool holder and the land preparation tool. The intermediate connector comprises a tool holder interface in flush contact with the mounting surface of the tool holder. The tool holder interface defines a non-planar profile inverse to the non-planar profile of the tool holder mounting surface. 
         [0007]    According to further embodiments, the non-planar profile is convex, concave, V-shaped, or combinations thereof. 
         [0008]    In even further embodiments, the above described land preparation tool further comprises a cutting surface disposed on a surface opposite the mounting surface of the land preparation tool, wherein the cutting surface defines an upper region and a lower region. The lower region defines a non-planar profile extending outwardly from a plane defined by the upper region. The land preparation tool also comprises a pair of side surfaces extending between the mounting surface and the cutting surface, wherein each side surface comprises an upper region and a lower region. The lower region of the cutting surface extends widthwise a horizontal distance beyond the width of the tool holder mounting surface, and wherein the lower region of the side surfaces extend widthwise a horizontal distance beyond the width of the tool holder mounting surface. 
         [0009]    These and additional objects and advantages provided by the embodiments of the present invention will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the drawings enclosed herewith: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of an exemplary land preparation and clearing machine according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a isometric view of the exemplary land preparation and clearing machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a front elevational view of an exemplary land preparation apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a cutaway exploded view of an exemplary rotatable tool showing the coupling arrangement of the exemplary tool assembly of  FIG. 4A  to the rotatable drum of  FIG. 3A  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  is an exploded isometric view of an exemplary tool assembly comprising a tool holder, and a land preparation tool according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  is a rotated isometric view of the exemplary land preparation tool of  FIG. 4A  which shows the mounting surface of the exemplary land preparation tool according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  is an exploded isometric view of another exemplary tool assembly comprising a tool holder, and a land preparation tool according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  is a rotated isometric view of the exemplary land preparation tool of  FIG. 5A  which shows the mounting surface of the exemplary land preparation tool according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6A  is an exploded isometric view of yet another exemplary tool assembly comprising a tool holder, and a land preparation tool according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6B  is a rotated isometric view of the exemplary land preparation tool of  FIG. 6A  which shows the mounting surface of the exemplary land preparation tool according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  is an exploded isometric view of yet another exemplary tool assembly comprising a tool holder, and a land preparation tool comprising pairs of upper and lower cutting blades according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7B  is a rotated isometric view of the exemplary tool assembly of  FIG. 7A  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8A  is an exploded isometric view of another exemplary tool assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8B  is a rotated isometric view of the exemplary tool assembly of  FIG. 8A  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9A  is an exploded isometric view of an exemplary tool assembly comprising a tool holder, an intermediate connector, and a land preparation tool according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9B  is a rotated isometric view of the exemplary intermediate connector of FIG. 9 A which shows the mounting surface of the exemplary land preparation tool according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10A  is an exploded isometric view of an exemplary tool assembly comprising a tool holder, an intermediate connector, and a land preparation tool according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10B  is a rotated isometric view of the exemplary intermediate connector of  FIG. 10A  which shows the mounting surface of the exemplary land preparation tool according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11A  is an exploded isometric view of an exemplary tool assembly comprising a tool holder, an intermediate connector, and a land preparation tool comprising a plurality of blades according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11B  is a rotated isometric view of the exemplary intermediate connector of  FIG. 11A  which shows the mounting surface of the exemplary land preparation tool according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12A  is a front view of an exemplary land preparation tool comprising a cutting surface with an outwardly extending lower region according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12B  is a isometric view of the exemplary land preparation tool of  FIG. 12A  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13A  is a front view of another exemplary land preparation tool comprising a cutting surface with an outwardly extending lower region and side surfaces with outwardly extending lower regions according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 13B  is a isometric view of the exemplary land preparation tool of  FIG. 13A  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0035]    The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature and not intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims. Moreover, individual features of the drawings and the invention will be more fully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    The present invention is generally directed to land preparation and clearing machines (“Land Preparation Machine”) that are designed to cut, grind, mulch, shred, clear, mill, and/or mix trees, brush, ground cover, vegetation, debris, asphalt, concrete, and/or soil. The Land Preparation Machines and their corresponding implements may comprise a variety of vehicles and implements, including but not limited to skid steer vehicles, forestry machines and vehicles, PTO tractors, farm tractors and/or any other known vehicles and their corresponding implements compatible with land preparation and clearing. Such Land Preparation Machines may prepare the surface and subsurface of the earth. As used herein, the phrases “land preparation and clearing” and “”land preparation” will mean any land preparation and clearing operations, including but not limited to forestry operations such as cutting, grinding, mulching, shredding, clearing, milling, and/or mixing trees, brush, ground cover, vegetation, debris, soil, rock, asphalt, concrete, and/or soil. As used herein, “feed material” describes trees, brush, ground cover, vegetation, debris, soil, rock, asphalt, concrete, and/or soil produced from such land preparation and clearing operations, including but not limited to forestry operations such as clearing land, cutting and/or mulching trees, and/or preparing land surfaces (e.g., creating paths). 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , an exemplary embodiment of a Land Preparation Machine  10  includes a vehicle  12  (e.g., a forestry vehicle) and a land preparation apparatus  14  connected to the vehicle  12 . In this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle  12  is a skid steer vehicle suitable for off-road travel, and includes a driver station  20  as well as an all-terrain wheel assembly  24 . The wheel assembly may include tires  26 . In addition, tires  26  may drive all-terrain tracks (not shown), which may provide traction for the vehicle  12  to move over a variety of terrains and in a variety of conditions. The all terrain tracks may comprise metal or rubber-based tracks that wrap around tires  26  as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The vehicle  12  also includes a hydraulically operated vertical lift assembly  29  for vertically lifting the land preparation apparatus  14 , and any other attachments that may be used with the vehicle. Controls  22  can be provided for control of the hydraulic lift assembly  29 , including the lift arms  32  as well as for controlling the power provided to the wheel assembly  24  and for controlling the operation of the land preparation apparatus  14 . 
         [0038]    While the land preparation apparatus  14  is shown in this example connected to and powered by vehicle  12  which is a skid steer vehicle, other suitable all-terrain vehicles with capability for powering and utilizing a hydraulic motor attachment or tool (e.g., such as land preparation apparatus  14 ) could be provided, such as other forestry vehicles, mini-track loaders, excavators, backhoes, PTO tractors, farm tractors, and/or any other known vehicles and their corresponding implements compatible with land preparation and clearing. Further examples of suitable skid steer vehicles are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,168,757 and 4,209,071, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0039]    In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the land preparation apparatus  14  is removably connectable to the vehicle  12 . The connection between the attachment  14  and the vehicle  12  can be accomplished in any of a variety of manners, such as by providing receptacles  30  for receiving vertical lift arms  32  from the vehicle  12 . The land preparation apparatus  14 , in this example, further includes a hydraulic supply connection for receiving an operating supply of hydraulic fluid from a pump within the vehicle to power the land preparation apparatus  14 , and a hydraulic return connection for returning hydraulic fluid to a tank within the vehicle  12 . The hydraulic supply and return connections may comprise convention quick-disconnect connections as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0040]    It is understood that land preparation apparatus  14  may also be fixedly attached to the vehicle  12  and/or be a stand alone machine such as a walk behind land preparation apparatus. Also, it is understood that other hydraulically-operated rotary mowing or cutting attachments may be utilized with principles of the present invention, integral with or detachable from vehicle  12 , and/or separately from or in combination with the land preparation apparatus  14 . Other configurations are also possible, such as where the fluid pump and tank are located at other locations. Connection, powering, and movement of the land preparation apparatus  14  can be accomplished with various configurations, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,148,366, and 5,813,792, for example, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3A , the land preparation apparatus  14  may include a housing  44  forming a chamber  100 , right and left end plates  105  and  107 , respectively, connected to the housing  44 , and a movable tool (e.g., rotatable tool  50 ) movably (e.g., rotatably) connected to and between the right and left end plates  105  and  107  within the chamber  100 . Right and left end plates  105  and  107  may alternatively be integral with the housing  44 . In this exemplary embodiment, the rotatable tool  50  comprises a rotatable drum or rod  52  and a plurality of tool assemblies  60  spaced along and extending radially from the tool drum  52  as shown in  FIGS. 2  and  3 A. For additional details regarding the arrangement of tool assemblies  60  on the rotatable drum, U.S. application Ser. No. 12/172,691 has been incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.  FIGS. 4A-14B  shows multiple exemplary embodiments of tool assemblies  60  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Optionally, rotatable tool  50  may also comprise an axle  56  extending longitudinally from either one or both ends of the tool drum  52 . For movement of the rotatable tool  50 , a hydraulic motor  40 , such as a hydraulic piston motor, provides rotation of a rotor (e.g., drive shaft  42 ) which drives the rotatable tool drum  52 , which thereby causes rapid rotation of the tool assemblies  60 , such as at speeds of between about 100 to about 3000 rpm. The drive shaft  42  may drive a belt (not shown), which engages and drives the axle  56  to turn tool drum  52 . Alternatively, the drive shaft  42  may be directly connected to the drum  52  or axle  56 . 
         [0042]    In one particular embodiment, the hydraulic lift arms  32  raise and lower the land preparation apparatus  14  via controls  22  to allow the tool assembly  60  (e.g., the teeth or cutters of the tool assembly  60 ) to come into contact with brush, trees, vegetation, or other objects to be cut or shredded or cleared. Controls  22  may also control the supply of fluid to the hydraulic motor  40  to start and stop the rotation of the tool drum  52  and tool assemblies  60 . The land preparation attachment  14  may include any number of suitable components, cutters, grinders, mixers, and/or tools for providing a cutting, grinding, mulching, shredding, clearing, milling, and/or mixing function. In addition, the land preparation apparatus may comprise safety mechanisms such as a guard assembly  46  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3A . 
         [0043]    In yet another exemplary embodiment, the hydraulic motor  40  is controlled by a hydraulic brake  16  which automatically slows the motor  40  when the flow of hydraulic fluid to the motor via the hydraulic supply line is discontinued. For additional detail on land preparation machinery (e.g., forestry machinery) or hydraulic components associated with land preparation machinery (e.g., forestry machinery), U.S. Publication No. 2006/0032222 has been incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
         [0044]    Referring to the embodiments of  FIGS. 3B-11B , each tool assembly  60  comprises a tool holder  62  and a land preparation tool  66 . As will be described herein in view of the figures, the term “land preparation tool” includes, but is not limited to a cutter, blade, grinder, chipper, knife, hammer tool, milling tool, flailing tool or element, carbide tip, steel tip, composite tip, any other tool for suitable for land surface preparation and clearing as described and defined above herein, or any combination thereof. The tool assemblies  60 , and any of its components, may be fabricated from a variety of metals, composites, plastics, or combinations thereof. Additional detail regarding tool assemblies is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,441 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,222,418, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Further as will be described herein in view of the figures, the term “tool holder” is a support structure for the land preparation tool. The land preparation tool  66  may be directly connected to the tool holder  62  as shown in  FIGS. 4A-8A  or may be connected to the tool holder  62  via an intermediate connector  76  as will be described in detail below and shown in  FIGS. 9A-11B . As used herein, “connected” may mean fixedly connected (for example, by welding together the tool holder  62 , the land preparation tool  66 , and optionally the intermediate connector  76 ) or removably connected (for example, by bolting, matingly coupling, adhering, or magnetically coupling the tool holder  62 , the land preparation tool  66 , and optionally the intermediate connector  76 ). If removable, the land preparation tool  66  may comprise a replaceable tip that is designed to be replaced once worn due to use, permitting the tool holder  62  to remain affixed to the tool drum  52  while the tool  66  is replaced. 
         [0045]    Referring to the embodiment of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the tool holder  62  comprises a mounting surface  64  defining a non-planar profile. As used herein, non-planar profile defines any surface, which is not a straight planar surface, for example, V-shaped, concave, convex, or combinations thereof. As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 4A , the non-planar profile of the tool holder mounting surface  64  may define a convex V-shape, wherein the mounting surface  64  tapers outwardly towards the middle of the tool holder mounting surface  64 . Referring to an alternative embodiment as shown in  FIG. 5A , the non-planar profile of the tool holder mounting surface  164  may define a concave V-shape, wherein the mounting surface  164  tapers inwardly towards the middle of the tool holder mounting surface  164 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , each land preparation tool  66  may also comprise a mounting surface  68 , which defines a non-planar profile which is the inverse of the non-planar profile of the tool holder mounting surface  64 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , the mounting surface  68  of the land preparation tool  66  may define a concave V-shape, which is the inverse of the convex V-shape configuration of the tool holder mounting surface  64 . In an alternative embodiment as shown in  FIG. 5B , the mounting surface  168  of the land preparation tool  66  defines a convex V-shape, which is the inverse of the concave V-shape configuration of the tool holder mounting surface  164 . As a result of the inverse non-planar profiles of the mounting surfaces, flush contact may be achieved when the tool holder  62  and land preparation tool  66  are connected. This yields an interference fit or a friction fit between the inverse surfaces  64  and  68 , which combats sliding (e.g., horizontal sliding) of the tool holder  62  or land preparation tool  66 . 
         [0047]    In addition to the interference fit between inverse surfaces  64  and  68 , other coupling arrangements are further contemplated. Referring again to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , each tool holder  62  may comprise a coupling mechanism  65  disposed on the mounting surface  64  of the tool holder  62 . As shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the coupling mechanism may comprise at least one rounded bushing or peg  65  extending from the mounting surface  64  of the tool holder  62 . The rounded peg  65  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  may be hollow with a channel  63  therein, wherein the channel  63  extends from the rounded peg  65  to an opening  61  disposed on the opposite end of the tool holder  62 . While  FIGS. 4A and 4B  depict only one channel  63  extending through the tool holder  62 , it is contemplated to have more than one channel. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the tool holder  62  comprises a pair of rounded pegs  265  with a pair of rounded channels  163  disposed therein. As shown in  FIG. 7A and 7B , the one peg is disposed above the other peg; however, a side-by-side configuration of rounded pegs (not shown) is also contemplated herein. 
         [0048]    In yet another embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B , the tool holder  62  may lack a rounded peg or comparable coupling mechanism on the mounting surface  64 ; however, the tool holder  62  may still include a channel  63  extending from opening  165  on the mounting surface  64  to opening  61  disposed on the opposite end of the tool holder  62 . The  FIG. 9A and 9B  embodiments also lack a coupling mechanism but include two channels  163  extending from openings  465  on the mounting surface  64  to openings  161  disposed on the opposite end of the tool holder  62 . Moreover, the opposite mating arrangement to the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 4A-5B, and 7A-7B  is contemplated. For example, the tool holder  62  may comprise at least one round recess and the land preparation tool  66  may comprise at least one round peg which may be matingly inserted into the round recess of the tool holder  62 . Although the present embodiments depict rounded pegs or rounded recesses, other shapes, for example square or rectangular pegs are also contemplated herein. 
         [0049]    Additionally, although the figures generally depict channels  63  and  163  with circular tube shapes, other channel shapes and configurations are contemplated herein. Moreover, the channel  63  may be a threaded channel (not shown) disposed inside hollow pegs  65 ; however, it is contemplated to use non-hollow pegs without channels extending therethrough. 
         [0050]    To couple (e.g., matingly couple) with the coupling mechanism of the tool holder  62 , the land preparation tool  66  may comprise a coupling mechanism on its mounting surface  68  as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the coupling mechanism of the land preparation tool  66  may comprises at least one round recess  73 , which may receive the round peg  65  of the tool holder  62 , thereby facilitating the mating of the land preparation tool  66  and the tool holder  62 . While mating is the depicted coupling arrangement in the figures, other coupling mechanisms for the tool holder  62  and land preparation tool  66  are contemplated herein, for example, welding, adhering, magnetically coupling, or combinations thereof. Further as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the land preparation tool  66  may comprise a pair of rounded recesses  273 , which are configured to receive the rounded pegs  265  of the tool holder  62 . In yet another embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the coupling mechanism of the tool holder  62  may also comprise a raising bushing  365  (for example, a raised oval shaped bushing) comprising a pair of orifices therein. For coupling, the land preparation tool  66  comprises a rounded recess  373  (e.g., oval shaped) to correspond to the shape of the raised busing  365  in order to receive the raised bushing  365  of the tool holder  62 . 
         [0051]    Moreover as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the land preparation tool  66  may optionally comprise at least one channel  77  extending from the round recess  73  to an opening  79  disposed on the cutting surface  67  of the land preparation tool  66 , which is disposed on a surface opposite the mounting surface  68  of the land preparation tool  66 . When the tool holder  62  and land preparation tool  66  are coupled, the respective channels  63  and  77  of the tool holder  62  and land preparation tool  66  are aligned. Alternatively, the land preparation tool  66  may also comprise multiple channels such as the two channel  177  embodiment of  FIGS. 7A and 7B . In a further embodiment, the channel  77  may be a threaded channel (not shown). The benefits of threaded channels in the tool holder  62  and land preparation tool  66  will be discussed in detail below. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the cutting surface  67  may comprise at least one blade, or any other tooling component described above. For example, the cutting surface  67  may comprise twin side-by side blades  74  as shown in  FIG. 4B . Alternatively as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the cutting surface  167  may include two pairs of blades  174  disposed on opposite sides of the cutting surface  67 . In yet another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 11A , the cutting surface  267  may be a quad tooth cutting tool  274 . Quad tooth cutting tools  274  are commercially available from Quadco Inc. Additional details regarding the cutting surface  67  embodiments of  FIGS. 4A-6B and 12A-13B  are provided below. 
         [0053]    Referring again to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3B and 4A , the interference fit of inverse mounting surfaces  64  and  68  in combination with the insertion of rounded peg  65  into rounded recess  73  yields twofold male-female coupling between the tool holder  62  and the land preparation tool  66 . To further ensure that the tool holder  62  and the land preparation tool  66  are secured to each other, an additional securing mechanism may also be provided. As shown in  FIG. 3B , the rotatable tool  50  may utilize one or more securing bolts  90  extending through the land preparation tool  66 , specifically through the tool holder channel  63  and the channel  77  of the land preparation tool  66 . For the double channel exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7A , two securing bolts (not shown) may be used to secure the tool holder  62  to the land preparation tool  66 . 
         [0054]    As stated above, the respective channels of the land preparation tool  66  and the tool holder  62  may comprise internal threads. These internal threads may be used to engage external threads (not shown) of the securing bolts  90 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , a locking washer  92 , locking pin or other suitable mechanism may be used to ensure the securing bolt(s)  90  is firmly secure within the channels of the land preparation tool  66 , and the tool holder  62 . For additional details regarding the bolt securing mechanism, U.S. application Ser. No. 12/171,784 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0055]    Referring again to  FIG. 3B , the inverse mounting surfaces  64  and  68  of the tool holder  62  and land preparation tool  66 , respectively, yield many unique advantages to the land preparation machines  10 . For example, the V-shape non-planar profiles of inverse mounting surfaces  64  and  68  provides a locking advantage by ensuring that all forces are driven to the center of the tool holder. This increased contact area, along with the V-shaped profile reduces the opportunity for the bolting system to loosen during vibration and shock loading. The vertical direction of the V-shape profile allows for symmetrical tools that can be flipped to utilize a double ended tool design. The locking advantage that the V-shape design provides greatly reduces the risk of the tool rotating or twisting the mounting joint with impacted compared to alternative designs. 
         [0056]    Along with these advantages, the V-shaped tool profile allows for lower cost manufacturing. With the traditional mulching application, the mounting surfaces  64  and  68  of the tool holder  62  and the land preparation tool  66 , respectively, require flat machined surfaces that must be perpendicular to the bolt axis. In contrast, the V-shaped profile is much more forgiving to surface finish and tolerances. The increase surface area along with the V-shape profile allows for manufacturing variations as well as the performance benefits provided by the larger supporting surface area. 
         [0057]    Referring to the embodiments of  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the tool assemblies  60  may also comprise intermediate connectors disposed  76  between the tool holder  62  and the land preparation tool  66  and configured to couple the tool holder  62  and the land preparation tool  66 . Due to wear and tear on the tool assemblies  60  from the rotation of the drum  52  and the mulching action performed, it has been found beneficial to have an intermediate connector  76 , which may be easily removed and replaced. While various materials are suitable, it is contemplated that the intermediate connector  76  may comprise a different material than the land preparation tool  66  or the tool holder  62 . The intermediate connector  76  may comprise carbide, mild steel, or other materials, such as metals, and durable organic and inorganic compositions as would be familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art. The intermediate connectors  76  may also have varying shapes and dimensions. In operation, the intermediate connector  76  is operable to join the land preparation tool  66  and the tool holder  62  by press fitting, slip fitting, etc. 
         [0058]    While optional, the intermediate connector  76  provides numerous benefits to this land preparation apparatus  14 . For example, the intermediate connector  76  protects against tool holder  62  wear, while acting as a structural support for tool positioning and lateral loading. The intermediate connector  76  may also improve fastening between the tool holder  62  and land preparation tool  66 . As stated above, the intermediate connector  76  has a unique design and removability that enables it to be manufactured out of materials different from the tool holder  62  or land preparation tool  66 . By altering the material properties of the intermediate connector  76  material, component wear can be controlled and an increased level of tolerance may be provided with minimal cost to the system. 
         [0059]    Referring again to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the intermediate connector  76  may comprise a tool holder interface  78 , which is a surface configured to be in flush contact with the mounting surface  64  of the tool holder  62 , thereby forming a friction of interference fit. The tool holder interface  78  defines a non-planar profile inverse to the non-planar profile of the tool holder mounting surface  64 . Like above, the non-planar profile defines any surface, which is not a straight planar surface. Illustrations of a non-planar profile may include V-shaped, concave, or convex profiles, or combinations thereof. As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the tool holder interface  78  may comprise a V-shaped concave profile, which is an inverse shape of the V-shaped convex profile of the tool holder  62 , and thereby facilitates mating of the tool holder interface  78  and the tool holder mounting surface  64 . 
         [0060]    Referring again to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the intermediate connector  76  also includes a tool interface  85  disposed on a surface of the intermediate connector  76  opposite the tool holder interface  78 . The tool interface  85  may be configured to contact the mounting surface  268  of the land preparation tool  66 . Although  FIGS. 9A and 9B  depict the mounting surface  268  as a flat planar profile, it is contemplated that the mounting surface  268  could include a non-planar profile, such as the V-shaped profile or the other non-planar profiles described in detail above. It is further contemplated that the tool interface  85  and the tool mounting surface  268  may define inverse surfaces, configured to form an interference fit. 
         [0061]    To provide additional securing of tool assembly  60  components, additional coupling components may be utilized. Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the tool holder interface  78  may comprise a coupling mechanism configured to matingly connect with a coupling mechanism (e.g. a pair of rounded pegs  265  as in  FIG. 10A ) of the tool holder  62 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the coupling mechanism of the tool holder interface  78  may comprise two round recesses  83  operable to matingly receive the rounded pegs  265  of the tool holder  62 . In the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the coupling mechanism of the tool holder interface  78  may comprise one round recess  183  operable to matingly receive a rounded peg  65  of the tool holder  62 . The reverse configuration wherein the tool holder interface  78  comprises at least one round peg and the tool holder mounting surface  64  comprises at least one rounded recess is further contemplated herein. 
         [0062]    Moreover, each tool interface  85  may comprise a coupling mechanism operable to matingly connect with a coupling mechanism of the land preparation tool  62 . As shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the coupling mechanism of the tool interface  85  may comprise at least one rectangular recess  82  and the coupling mechanism of the land preparation tool  66  comprises at least one rectangular peg  75  matingly inserted into the rectangular recess  82  of the tool interface  85 . In an alternative embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the coupling mechanism of the tool interface  85  may comprise one round recess  182  operable to matingly receive a rounded peg  175  of the land preparation tool  66 . Although the figures only depict one rectangular or round peg and one corresponding rectangular recess or rounded recess, respectively, it is contemplated that the mating arrangement may include more than one peg/recess or a combination of rectangular and round peg/recesses. Like above, the reverse configuration wherein the tool interface  85  comprises at least one rectangular peg and the tool holder comprises at least one rectangular recess is further contemplated herein. 
         [0063]    As described above, the attachment of the tool holder  62  to the land preparation tool  66  may further include an additional securing mechanism, for example, via bolts  90  as shown in  FIG. 3B . Similarly, the additional securing mechanism may also be incorporated into the tool assemblies  60  which include am intermediate connector  76 , for example, the tool assembly  60  embodiments of  FIGS. 9A-11B . As shown in  FIG. 9A , the intermediate connector  76  may comprise at least one channel  81  extending from the tool holder interface  78  to the tool interface  85 , wherein the channels  81  are configured to align with the channels  161  of the tool holder  62  and the channels  177  of the land preparation tool  66 . Similar to the bolting arrangement of  FIG. 3B , the bolt(s)  90  would be secured through the aligned channels of the tool holder  62 , the intermediate connector  76 , and the land preparation tool  66 . In contrast to the double channel  81  embodiments of  FIGS. 9A-10B , it is further contemplated that single channels  181  may also be used, as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . Further similar to the bolting arrangement of  FIG. 3B , the channels  81  or  181  may include internal threads (not shown) to engage the external threads (not shown) of the bolt  90 . 
         [0064]    When assembling the land preparation apparatus  14  as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the tool holder  62  is mounted to a drum  52  by a suitable mounting mechanism, for example, through a bolt, screw, or weld. To couple the land preparation tool  66  to the tool holder  62 , the inverse mounting surfaces  64  and  68  contact one another, thereby forming an interference or friction fit. Additionally, the round peg  65  of the tool holder  62  may be matingly inserted into the recessed region  73  of the land preparation tool  66  to additionally secure the tool assembly  60 . Moreover, bolt(s)  90  may be inserted through the channels of the tool holder  62 , and land preparation tool  66  to further secure the tool assembly  60 . 
         [0065]    Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the intermediate connector  76  may be utilized in the tool assembly  60  when assembling the land preparation apparatus  14 . First, the tool holder interface  78  of the intermediate connector  76  and the mounting surface  64  of the tool holder  62 , which define inverse non-planar surface profiles, contact one another, thereby forming an interference or friction fit. Further as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10A , the rounded pegs  165  of the tool holder  62  may be matingly inserted into the rounded recesses  83  of the intermediate connector  76 . Then, the rectangular peg  75  of the land preparation tool  66  may be matingly inserted into the recessed region  82  of the intermediate connector  76 . At which point, the intermediate connector  76  resides within the land preparation tool  66  and the tool holder  62 . Additionally, a bolt(s)  90  may be inserted through the channels of the tool holder  62 , the intermediate connector  76 , and the land preparation tool  66  to further secure the tool assembly  60 . 
         [0066]    In addition to the improved coupling of the components of the tool assembly  60 , other embodiments of the present invention are directed to improvements in the land preparation tool  66 , specifically with regard to the cutting surface  67  disposed on a surface opposite the mounting surface  68  of the land preparation tool  66 . As shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the cutting surface  67  (as shown in  FIGS. 4A-6B ) may define an upper region  67 U and a lower region  67 L. The lower region  67 L defines a non-planar profile extending outwardly from a plane defined by the upper region  67 U. The non-planar lower region  67 L of the cutting surface may inwardly taper from a pair of opposite edges toward a midpoint of the cutting surface, or outwardly taper from a pair of opposite edges toward a midpoint of the cutting surface. Additionally, the non-planar profile may be a V-shaped outwardly extending profile as shown in FIGS. 12 A- 13 B, a convex profile, a concave profile, a trapezoidal profile or another suitable profile familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art. Due to this non-planar profile, the lower region  67 L may define a non-planar profile extending outwardly a distance D 2  from a plane defined by the upper region  67 U as shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B . Moreover, the lower region  67 L may extend widthwise (W 2 ) a horizontal distance which is greater than the width (W 1 ) of the upper region  67 U. Moreover, as shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the land preparation tool  66  may comprise a pair of side surfaces  70  extending between the mounting surface  68  and the cutting surface  67 , wherein the side surfaces  70  comprise an upper region  70 U and a lower region  70 L. In conjunction with the lower region of the cutting surface  67 L, the lower region  70 L may also extend widthwise a horizontal distance greater than the width (W 1 ) of the upper region  67 U of the cutting surface. As shown in an alternative embodiment on  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the non-planar lower region  367 L may define a non-planar profile extending outwardly a distance D 1  from a plane defined by the upper region  367 U; however, the lower region  367 L does not extend widthwise a horizontal distance, which is greater than the width of the upper region  67 U. 
         [0067]    The non-planar profile of the cutting surface yields many advantages to the tool assembly  60 . For example, the non-planar profile provides protection to the welds and/or the structural members of the rotor system. The welds, or fastening seats, can be achieved in a variety of mechanical or chemical fastening methods at the base of the tool holder  62 . The shape of the cutting surface may protect the fastening joint, thereby providing physical protection by blocking abrasive materials from contacting the joint as well as providing ideal material flow paths to direct the abrasive material away from the joint. This protection in the form of physically blocking and the induction of material flow direction also provide improved wear characteristics of the rotor tube or center support structure and the tool holder along with the fastening joint. 
         [0068]    In addition, the non-planar profile also provides processing advantages by directing the material flow around the tool assembly  60  to reduce the horsepower required to move the rotor through the material, and by directing the material towards the cutting tip and away from the rotor drum or center section. This material flow advantage provides the tooling system control to the depth of cut again maximizing the horsepower efficiency by limiting the size of the cut or chip. 
         [0069]    It is noted that terms like “specifically,” “preferably,” “commonly,” and “typically” are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present invention. It is also noted that terms like “substantially” and “about” are utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. 
         [0070]    Having described the invention in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present invention are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present invention is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of the invention. 
         [0071]    All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern. 
         [0072]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.