Patent Publication Number: US-10781637-B1

Title: In-ground container installation apparatuses and auger blade assemblies

Description:
FIELD 
     Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to apparatus suitable for forming holes in soil for the installation of soil containers for vegetation. More particularly, illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to in-ground container installation apparatuses which are suitable to facilitate expeditious formation of holes in soil and mixing of soil components for the installation of soil containers and planting of vegetation and/or to prevent scatter or spillage of soil outside edges of augered holes to aid or facilitate soil removal from a hole or area. 
     SUMMARY 
     Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to in-ground container installation apparatuses suitable to facilitate expeditious formation of holes in soil and mixing of soil components for the installation of soil containers and planting of vegetation. In some embodiments, the in-ground container installation apparatuses may include a housing support frame. An apparatus housing having a housing interior may be resiliently carried by the housing support frame in a plumb and pendulum configuration, or may hang or suspend in a plumb bob state of pendulum. The housing support frame may be mounted for axial displacement between a mixing position and a digging position with respect to the apparatus housing when the apparatus housing is in a stationary position. A drive motor may be provided on the housing support frame. An auger blade assembly may be drivingly engaged for rotation by the drive motor. The auger blade assembly may be disposed in the housing interior in the mixing position of the housing support frame and extend from the apparatus housing in the digging position of the housing support frame. The drive motor may travel along a vertical axis to facilitate augering of depths in soil while traveling through the housing interior to guide the auger blade assembly into and out of the soil. 
     Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are further generally directed to auger blade assemblies for driving engagement by a drive motor of an in-ground container installation apparatus. In some embodiments, the auger blade assemblies may include an elongated blade drive shaft drivingly engaged for rotation by the drive motor. An auger blade flighting may extend from the blade drive shaft. The auger blade flighting may have a blade edge. An extra length pilot extension may extend from the blade drive shaft distal to the auger blade flighting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of the in-ground container installation apparatuses, mounted on a front-end loader in typical application of the apparatuses; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an illustrative in-ground container installation apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged top perspective view of the housing interior of the apparatus housing with a typical auger blade assembly disposed in the housing interior; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded front perspective view of the apparatus housing preparatory to deployment of the apparatus housing into a container sleeve (partially in section) in typical application of the in-ground container installation apparatuses; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a typical auger blade assembly suitable for implementation of the in-ground container installation apparatuses, more particularly illustrating a drive motor drivingly engaging the auger blade assembly for rotation and the auger blade assembly raised from the housing interior of the apparatus housing; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of an illustrative in-ground container installation apparatus, mounted on a front-end loader (partially in section), with the housing support frame of the apparatus disposed in a raised mixing position with respect to the apparatus housing and the apparatus housing deployed in a lowermost position on the housing support frame; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of an illustrative in-ground container installation apparatus, mounted on the front-end loader, with the housing support frame of the apparatus disposed in a lowered digging position with respect to the apparatus housing and the apparatus housing deployed in an uppermost position on the housing support frame: 
         FIG. 8  is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus housing with the auger blade assembly disposed in the mixing position in the housing interior of the apparatus housing; 
         FIG. 9  is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus housing with the auger blade assembly disposed in the digging position with respect to the apparatus housing; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view, taken along section lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 , of the apparatus housing an auger blade assembly in the apparatus housing; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of a typical auger blade assembly suitable for implementation of the in-ground container installation apparatuses; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded front perspective view of the auger blade assembly; and 
         FIGS. 13-22  illustrate sequential steps in a typical method of installing an in-ground soil container using the in-ground container installation apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 13-22  of the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the in-ground container installation apparatuses, hereinafter apparatus, is generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . As will be hereinafter described, the apparatus  1  may be suitable for mounting on a front-end loader or other utility vehicle  80 , typically having a skid steer mount plate  82 , to facilitate expeditious formation of a hole  95  ( FIGS. 15-22 ) in the ground  94  typically for the purpose of installing a soil container  76  ( FIG. 17 ) for the planting of trees  98  ( FIG. 22 ) or other vegetation in the holes  95 . The apparatus  1  may additionally be suitable for mixing soil  96  ( FIGS. 20-22 ) removed from the holes  95  with soil amendments  92  ( FIG. 20 ) prior to backfilling or placement of the soil  96  back into the holes  95  for planting. The apparatus  1  may facilitate formation of a large number of the holes  95  in the ground  94 , installation of the soil containers  76  in the holes  95  and mixing of the soil  96  with soil amendments  92  in each hole  95  in a fraction of the time and with a fraction of the manpower which can be achieved using shovels and other manual digging equipment and personnel. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the utility vehicle  80  may have a conventional design with a pair of loader arms  81  and a skid steer mounting plate  82  extending between the loader arms  81 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 2-12  of the drawings, the apparatus  1  may include a housing support frame  52 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the housing support frame  52  may be mounted on the skid steer mounting plate  82  of the utility vehicle  80  typically in a manner which will be hereinafter described. An apparatus housing  2  may be mounted on the housing support frame  52 . The apparatus housing  2  may be resiliently mounted with respect to the housing support frame  2  in a plumb or pendulum state or configuration and in such a manner that the housing support frame  52  is vertically or axially displaceable between a raised mixing position ( FIG. 6 ) and a lowered digging position ( FIG. 7 ) with respect to the apparatus housing  2  when the apparatus housing  2  is in a stationary position engaging the ground  94 . A drive motor  88  may be provided on the housing support frame  52 . In some embodiments, the drive motor  88  may be a slower speed higher torque hydraulic motor known by those skilled in the art. In other embodiments, the drive motor  88  may be gas- or electric-powered and may have other capacities. In alternative embodiments, the drive motor  88  may utilize a planetary drive, a chain drive or other drive mechanism known by those skilled in the art. An auger blade assembly  14  may be drivingly engaged for rotation by the drive motor  88 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in the mixing position of the housing support frame  52 , the auger blade assembly  14  may be disposed in the housing interior  6  of the apparatus  2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in the digging position of the housing support frame  52 , the auger blade assembly  14  may extend from the housing interior  6  of the apparatus housing  2 . 
     The housing support frame  52  may have any design which is suitable for the purpose of resiliently supporting the apparatus housing  2  thereon. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in some embodiments, the housing support frame  52  may include an elongated main frame member  53 . The drive motor  88  may be mounted on the main frame member  53  using welding, brackets, clamps, mechanical fasteners and/or other suitable techniques known by those skilled in the art. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in some embodiments, the main frame member  53  may include a pair of main frame member segments (not numbered) which may be attached to opposite sides of the drive motor  88  such as by using respective frame brackets  54 . At least one frame arm  56  may extend from the main frame member  53  typically in perpendicular relationship thereto. In some embodiments, a pair of elongated frame arms  56  may extend from the main frame member  53  in parallel, spaced-apart relationship to each other, as illustrated. A pair of arm collars  58  may be adjustably mounted on the housing support frame  52  and selectively securable thereon according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Each frame arm  56  may extend from each corresponding arm collar  58 . Accordingly, the arm collars  58  may be slid along the main frame member  53  and secured in place to position the frame arms  56  at a desired spacing with respect to each other for purposes which will be hereinafter described. In some embodiments, a collar pin opening  59  may be provided in each arm collar  58 . A collar securing bolt (not illustrated) may be threaded through the collar pin opening  59  and tightened against the main frame member  53  to secure the corresponding arm collar  58  to secure the arm collar  58  at a selected position along the length of the main frame member  53 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in some embodiments, the apparatus housing  2  may have a housing wall  3  which may be elongated and cylindrical. The housing wall  3  may have a distal wall end  4  which is farther from the drive motor  88  ( FIG. 6 ) and a proximal wall end  5  which is closer to the drive motor  88 . A housing interior  6  may extend from the distal wall end  4  to the proximal wall end  5 . The housing wall  3  of the apparatus housing  2  may have an interior wall surface  7  which faces the housing interior  6 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in some embodiments, the housing wall  3  of the apparatus housing  2  may have a housing height or length  12  of from about 30″ to about 40″, and optimally, about 36″ for purposes which will be hereinafter described. In other embodiments, the housing wall  3  may be any height. 
     The apparatus housing  2  may be resiliently mounted on the housing support frame  52  using any suitable technique which is known by those skilled in the art and suitable for the purpose. In some embodiments, at least one arm receptacle  10  having a receptacle interior  11  may be provided on the housing wall  3  of the apparatus housing  2 . Each arm receptacle  10  may telescopically receive the corresponding frame arm  56  of the housing support frame  52 . Accordingly, in the mixing position of the housing support frame  52 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the frame arms  56  may extend from the respective arm receptacles  10 . As the housing support frame  52  is lowered from the mixing position to the digging position, illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the frame arms  56  may retract into the respective arm receptacles  10 . In some embodiments, each arm receptacle  10  may include square tubing, for example and without limitation, which may be welded, fastened, or fabricated in one piece with the housing wall  3  according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in some embodiments, at least one housing suspension member  62  may attach the apparatus housing  2  to the housing support frame  52 . In some embodiments, each of a pair of housing suspension members  62  may be attached to each arm collar  58  and each corresponding frame arm  56  using welding, mechanical fasteners and/or other suitable technique known by those skilled in the art. Each housing suspension member  62  may include a chain, as illustrated, or may alternatively include a cord or strip of rubber, fabric and/or other flexible material. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in some embodiments, the housing suspension members  62  may be attached to the respective arm collars  58  and arm receptacles  10  on opposite sides of the apparatus housing  2  for weight-balancing purposes. 
     The drive motor  88  may be mounted in a plumb or pendulum state or configuration on the skid steer mounting plate  82  of the utility vehicle  80  according to any suitable technique which is known by those skilled in the art. As further illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in some embodiments, a pair of spaced-apart plate flanges  83  may extend from the skid steer mounting plate  82 . An apparatus mount bracket  84  may be pivotally mounted on the plate flanges  83  via a fore/aft pivot pin  85 . A lateral pivot pin  90  may pivotally mount the drive motor  88  to the apparatus mount bracket  84 . Accordingly, the fore/aft pivot pin  85  may facilitate forward and rearward pivoting of the drive motor  88  on the skid steer mounting plate  82 , whereas the lateral pivot pin  90  may facilitate lateral or side-to-side pivoting of the drive motor  88  on the apparatus frame  82 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8-12 , the auger blade assembly  14  may include an elongated blade drive shaft  15 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the blade drive shaft  15  may have a distal shaft end  16  and a proximal shaft end  17 . An auger blade flighting  20  may extend outwardly from the blade drive shaft  15  between the distal shaft end  16  and the proximal shaft end  17 . In some embodiments, the auger blade flighting  20  may include 3-3.5 (optimal) auger blade wraps on the blade drive shaft  15 , although in some embodiments, the auger blade flighting  20  may include less than 3 or greater than 3.5 auger blade wraps, depending typically on the height of the apparatus housing  2 . Accordingly, the auger blade flighting  20  may include a distal flighting blade portion  21  which is proximate the distal shaft end  16  and farthest from the drive motor  88 , a middle flighting blade portion  26  which extends from the distal flighting blade portion  21  toward the proximal shaft end  17  and a proximal flighting blade portion  30  which extends from the middle flighting blade portion  26  and is proximate the proximal shaft end  17  and closest to the drive motor  88 . A cutting edge  22  may extend along the leading edge of the distal flighting blade portion  21 . 
     In some embodiments, a plurality of cutting teeth  23  may be provided along the cutting edge  22 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 , the auger blade flighting  20  may have an outer blade edge  32 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in some embodiments, a blade clearance space  66  may be defined between the outer blade edge  32  of the auger blade flighting  20  and the interior wall surface  7  of the housing wall  3 . In some embodiments, the blade clearance space  66  may be between 3/16″ (0.1875 in.) and ½″ (0.5 in.) in width for purposes which will be hereinafter described. To achieve a uniform blade clearance space  66  throughout the length of the auger blade flighting  20 , the distal flighting blade portion  21 , the middle flighting blade portion  26  and the proximal flighting blade portion  30  may have a uniform width or diameter. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in the mixing position of the housing support frame  52 , the housing interior  6  may include a fill volume  8  between the proximal flighting blade portion  30  of the auger blade flighting  20  and the proximal wall end  5  of the housing wall  3  of the application housing  2  for purposes which will be hereinafter described. 
     As further illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , in some embodiments, the auger blade assembly  14  may further include a pilot extension  34  which extends from the distal shaft end  16  of the blade drive shaft  15  distally beyond the distal flighting blade portion  21  of the auger blade flighting  20 . The pilot extension  34  may include an elongated pilot extension shaft  35  which extends from the blade drive shaft  15 , a pointed pilot extension tip  36  terminating the pilot extension shaft  35  and at least one pilot extension blade  37  extending from the blade drive shaft  35  and typically terminating at the pilot extension tip  36 . In some embodiments, the pilot extension shaft  35  may be mechanically coupled and/or welded to the blade drive shaft  15  according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art, such as by inserting the pilot extension shaft  35  in the distal shaft end  16  and extending a pilot extension bolt  44  through a pilot extension bolt opening  18  in the blade drive shaft  15  and through a registering shaft bolt opening  38  in the pilot extension shaft  35 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . In some embodiments, a securing nut (not illustrated) may be threaded and tightened on the pilot extension bolt  44 . In alternative embodiments, the pilot extension shaft  35  may be fabricated in one piece with the blade drive shaft  15  according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the pilot extension  34  may have a length of from about 8 inches to about 16 inches. This length of the pilot extension  34  may prevent or substantially minimize “walking” of the auger blade assembly  14  and malformation of the hole  95  in the ground  94  in typical operation of the apparatus  1 . 
     The auger blade assembly  14  may be drivingly coupled for rotation by the drive motor  88  according to any suitable technique which is known by those skilled in the art. As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , in some embodiments, a drive head  48  having a drive head shaft  49  may be drivingly engaged by the drive motor  88  ( FIG. 2 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the blade drive shaft  15  of the auger blade assembly  14  may be drivingly coupled to the drive head  48  such as by inserting the drive head shaft  49  into the open proximal shaft end  17  of the blade drive shaft  15  and inserting a blade drive shaft bolt or pin  40  through a shaft bolt opening  19  in the blade drive shaft  15  and threading a securing nut  41  on the shaft bolt or pin  40 . In alternative embodiments, the blade drive shaft  15  may be fabricated in one piece with the drive head  48  according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, a depth gauge  24  typically having a depth gauge terminus  25  may be suspended from the main frame member  53  of the housing support frame  52 . In typical application of the apparatus  1 , which will be hereinafter described, the depth gauge  24  may descend with the housing support frame  52  from the raised mixing position to the lowered digging position. Accordingly, the position of the depth gauge terminus  25  with respect to the apparatus housing  2  may be used to measure or estimate the depth of each hole  95  as the hole  95  is formed in the ground  94 . In some embodiments, depth markings (not illustrated) may be provided on the exterior surface of the housing wall  3 . Accordingly, the depth gauge terminus  25  on the depth gauge  24  may register with the depth markings to indicate the current depth of the hole  95  as the hole  95  is being formed in the ground  94 . 
     In typical application, which will be hereinafter described, the apparatus  1  may be used in conjunction with a container sleeve  70  and a soil container  76  ( FIG. 17 ) to facilitate expeditious planting of vegetation  98  such as a tree, for example and without limitation, in the ground  94 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, the container sleeve  70  may include a container sleeve wall  71  which may be generally cylindrical. A typically annular container sleeve flange  73  may extend outwardly from an edge of the container sleeve wall  71 . In some embodiments, the container sleeve wall  71  may be generally conical and may taper inwardly from the container sleeve flange  73  to a lower wall edge  75  ( FIG. 17 ) of the container sleeve wall  71 . A container sleeve slot  72  may interrupt the container sleeve wall  71  and the container sleeve flange  73 . In some embodiments, a pair of container sleeve handles  74  (one of which is illustrated) may be attached to the interior surfaces at opposite sides of the container sleeve wall  71 . In some embodiments, the container sleeve wall  71  may be fabricated of fiberglass. In other embodiments, the container sleeve wall  71  may be fabricated of other flexible and durable material. As further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, the opposite ends of a cam buckle strap  77  may be attached to the container sleeve wall  71  using hooks, brackets, clamps, clips, mechanical fasteners and/or other attachment technique (not illustrated). The cam buckle strap  77  may extend across the container sleeve slot  72 . A cam buckle  78 , which may be standard or conventional in design, may engage the cam buckle strap  77 . Accordingly, the cam buckle  78  may be selectively operated in a forward direction to reduce the length of the cam buckle strap  77  and facilitate a selected overlap between the edges of the container sleeve wall  71  at the container sleeve slot  72  in order to selectively reduce the diameter or width of the container sleeve wall  71 . The cam buckle  78  may be selectively operated in a reverse direction to lengthen the cam buckle strap  77  as the container sleeve wall  71  recoils and enlarges in diameter approaching the container sleeve slot  72 . 
     The soil container  76  may be suitably sized and configured to accommodate the container sleeve wall  71  of the container sleeve  70 . In some embodiments, the soil container  76  may be fabricated of a biodegradable fabric material, polypropylene and/or other polymeric material known by those skilled in the art. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 13-22 , in typical application, the apparatus  1  may be used to form a hole  95  ( FIGS. 15-22 ) in the ground  94  such as for the purpose of planting a tree or other vegetation  98  in the ground  94 , as illustrated in  FIG. 22 . Alternatively, the apparatus  1  may be used to remove soil from a site, such as to replace the soil with other material, for example and without limitation. Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the utility vehicle  80  may initially be operated to raise and position the apparatus  1  over the area of the ground  94  in which the hole  95  will be made typically by operation of the loader arms  81 . Thus, the housing support frame  52  may be deployed in the mixing position with the apparatus housing  2  suspended in the lowermost position on the frame arms  56  by gravity and the auger blade assembly  14  disposed inside the housing interior  6 , as was heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 8 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the loader arms  81  of the utility vehicle  80  may next be operated to lower the apparatus housing  2  onto the surface of the ground  94 . As the distal wall end  4  of the apparatus housing  2  contacts the ground  94 , the housing support frame  52  may initially be deployed in the mixing position with the apparatus housing  2  still deployed at the lowermost position on the frame arms  56  of the housing support frame  52 , as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The loader arms  81  of the utility vehicle  80  may continue to be lowered as the housing support frame  52  is lowered from the mixing position to the digging position as the frame arms  56  of the housing support frame  52  insert into the respective arm receptacles  10  on the apparatus housing  2  and the pilot extension  34  and auger blade flighting  20  of the auger blade assembly  14  progressively extend from the housing interior  6  beyond the distal wall end  4  of the housing wall  3 . Simultaneously, the drive motor  88  may be operated to rotate the auger blade assembly  14  in the housing interior  6  of the apparatus housing  2 , as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Accordingly, the pilot extension  34  may initially penetrate the surface of the ground  94 , after which the auger blade flighting  20  may cut the hole  95  in the ground  94  and displace the soil  96  ( FIG. 20 ) into the housing interior  6  as the drive motor  88  continues to rotate the auger blade assembly  14 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , as the housing support frame  52  typically remains in the mixing position with the apparatus housing  2  in the lowermost position on the frame arms  56 , soil amendments  92  may be poured from a suitable container  93  into the fill volume  8  ( FIG. 8 ) above the auger blade flighting  20  in the housing interior  6 . The rotating auger blade assembly  14  may mix the soil amendments  92  with the displaced soil  96  from the ground  94 . 
     As the auger blade assembly  14  cuts the hole  95  in the ground  94 , the housing support frame  52  may descend from the raised mixing position to the lowered digging position as the apparatus housing  2  typically remains stationary on the ground  94 . Simultaneously, the depth gauge  24  may descend with the housing support frame  52 . Accordingly, the position of the depth gauge terminus  25  with respect to the exterior surface of the housing wall  3  may be used to measure or estimate the depth of the hole  95  as it is cut in the ground  94 . In some applications, the depth gauge terminus  25  on the depth gauge  24  may register with the depth markings to indicate the current depth of the hole  95  as the hole  95  is being formed in the ground  94 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 15 , as the auger blade flighting  20  cuts the hole  95  in the ground  94 , the soil amendments  92  may continue to be poured from a suitable container  93  into the fill volume  8  ( FIG. 8 ) above the auger blade flighting  20  in the housing interior  6 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , after formation of the hole  95  in the ground  94  is completed, operation of the drive motor  88  may be suspended. The loader arms  81  of the utility vehicle  80  may be raised to lift the housing support frame  52  from the digging position to the mixing position as the arm receptacles  10  of the frame arms  56  of the housing support frame  52  extend from the respective arm receptacles  10  on the apparatus housing  2  and the apparatus housing  2  is suspended on the frame arms  56  above the hole  95 . Most of the soil  96  which is removed from the ground  94  to form the hole  95 , as well as the soil amendments  92  which were added from the container  93 , may cling to the auger blade fighting  20  of the auger blade assembly  14  inside the housing interior  6  of the apparatus housing  2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the soil container  76  may next be deployed in place around the container sleeve wall  71  of the container sleeve  70 . As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the container sleeve  70  with the soil container  72  thereon may next be lowered into the hole  95  with the container sleeve flange  73  typically protruding above the surface of the ground  94 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , from the suspended state, the apparatus housing  2  of the apparatus  1  may next be lowered into place over the hole  95  with the container sleeve flange  73  on the container sleeve  70  encircling the apparatus housing  2  such that the apparatus housing  2  assumes a soil dropping or backfilling position. In  FIG. 20 , the soil dropping position, the auger blade assembly  14  may then be rotated in the opposite direction to backfill the hole  95  or dispense the displaced soil  96  with soil amendments  92  back into the hole  95 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the typically conical shape of the container sleeve wall  71  may eliminate or substantially reduce spillage of soil from the container sleeve  70  upon backfilling. As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , the apparatus  1  may subsequently again be lifted from the container sleeve  70 . The container sleeve  70  may then be removed from the soil container  76 , which may remain in place in the hole  95 . In some applications, the container sleeve handles  74  ( FIG. 4 ) may be used to manually lift the container sleeve  70  from the soil container  76 . In other applications, the sleeve handles  74  may be extended over the respective handle pegs or hooks  28  extending from the respective arm receptacles  10  on the apparatus housing  2 . Accordingly, the sleeve handles  74  may pull or lift the container sleeve  70  from the soil container  76  as the soil container  76  remains in place in the hole  95 . The tree or other vegetation  98  may then be planted in the displaced soil  96  in the hole  95 , as illustrated in  FIG. 22 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the apparatus  1  eliminates the need for manual backfilling of the hole  95 . This expedient may significantly reduce the installation cost of the soil container  76 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6-10 , in some embodiments, at least one handle peg/hook  28  may extend outwardly from the apparatus housing  2 . In some embodiments, a pair of the handle pegs  28  may extend from the apparatus housing  2 , such as from the respective arm receptacles  10 , for example and without limitation. Accordingly, in removal of the container sleeve  70  from the hole  95 , as was heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 21 , the container sleeve handle or handles  74  ( FIG. 4 ) may be extended over the respective handle peg pegs/hooks  28  such that the container sleeve  70  is removed from the hole  95  as the loader arms  81  on the utility vehicle  80  are operated to lift the apparatus  1  from the container sleeve flange  73  of the container sleeve  70 , as was heretofore described. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 10  of the drawings, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the blade clearance space  66  between the outer blade edge  32  of the auger blade flighting  20  and the interior wall surface  7  of the housing wall  3  may be 3/16″-½″ to facilitate optimum rotation of the auger blade flighting  20  in the housing interior  6  and mixing of the soil amendments  92  with the displaced soil  96  in the apparatus housing  2 , as was heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 20 . Accordingly, the difference in widths or diameters between the outer blade edge  32  of the auger blade flighting  20  and the interior wall surface  7  of the housing wall  3  may be ⅜″-1″. It has been found that a blade clearance space  66  which is less than 3/16″ tends to cause excessive friction and consequent auger blade jamming or hindering of blade rotation, whereas a blade clearance space  66  of greater than ½″ tends to cause irregular accumulation of displaced soil  96  between the auger blade flighting  20  and the housing wall and/or unacceptable quantities of the displaced soil  96  to fall from the housing interior  6  upon lifting the apparatus  1  from the ground  94  following formation of the hole  95 , as was heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 16 , and/or during mixing of the soil amendments  92  with the displaced soil  96 , as was heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 20 . Factors which may alter and determine the tendency of the soil to adhere to the auger blade flighting  20  or fall through the blade clearance space  66  include soil texture, soil type and soil moisture. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 8 , it will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the apparatus housing  2  may a housing length  12  of from about 30″ to about 40″, and optimally, about 36″. A housing length  12  within this range renders ease to an operator of the apparatus  1  in viewing the housing interior  6  and pouring the soil amendments  92  into the fill volume  8  ( FIG. 8 ) preparatory to and during mixing of the soil amendments  92  with the displaced soil  96  ( FIG. 20 ). The apparatus housing  2  can be fabricated in different widths and diameters to facilitate augering holes  95  of corresponding widths or diameters for various purposes. For example and without limitation, exemplary widths or diameters for the apparatus housing  2  may include 10″, 12″, 16″, 18″, 24″, 30″, 36″, 48″, 60″, 72″, or 84″. In other embodiments, the apparatus housing  2  may have smaller or larger widths or diameters. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the apparatus  1  is useful in a variety of applications including but not limited to planting of vegetation, as was heretofore described. For example and without limitation, the apparatus  1  may be useful as a construction tool, aiding in all types of pole installations. The apparatus  1  solves the main reason why plant growers choose not to use fabric containers or growbags due to high upfront installation costs. The apparatus  1  is among the safest, simplest and most cost-effective bag installing machines available. The apparatus  1  provides the capability to incorporate or amend soil through lime, fertilizer, organic matter, mycorrhiza, moisture retention agents, pesticides, etc. Furthermore, the apparatus  1  aerates the soil during bag installation while mixing the soil to provide a uniform texture. 
     The apparatus  1  is capable of operating on most farm topography including flat or uneven ground and slopes and many soils such as sandy, loamy, clay, rocky and sticky soils to include dry), moist, and wet conditions. The apparatus  1  is capable of operating consistently without regular adjustments on extremely-low maintenance. The apparatus  1  can easily accommodate multiple sizes with quick setup and change-over between sizes. The apparatus  1  can easily be retrofitted to skid steer augers in many cases. 
     While certain illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made to the embodiments and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.