Abstract:
A grooming apparatus, for sloping, aerating and fluffing bedding material in livestock free stalls, is attached to a vehicle such as a skid steer. The grooming apparatus includes a rotary arm, having grooming members, and connected to the vehicle by a boom. The rotary arm, when viewed across the stalls, is angled at a slope. The grooming members contact the bedding material to fluff and aerate it, and arrange it according to the slope. The rotary arm, when viewed from the end of a stall, may be pitched forward or rearward. These pitches and angles permit the grooming members to more effectively move the bedding material within each stall to create the slope. Such a slope is beneficial for livestock that prefers a sloped bed. Using the boom, the rotary arm can be moved up and/or out of the way when the vehicle is moved through doorways and the like.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to animal farming, and more particularly to an apparatus for manipulating the bedding material in an animal stall. 
   In the larger animal farming operations today, animals are kept in stalls that are generally separated by railings. Cows in particular are kept in these types of stalls, commonly know as “free stalls.” These stalls are arranged in large rows that are separated by alleys. At the rear of the stall is a relatively short curb, and at the front of the stall, a low wall known as a brisket board. Between the curb and the brisket board is a bedding material such as sand, ground rubber, ground nut shells, sawdust or the like. 
   After the animal has resided in a free stall for a period of time, the bedding tends get mashed down and arranged in a less than ideal fashion. For example, certain animals such as cows prefer that the bedding slope upward toward the brisket board. After a period of time, the bedding will become mostly horizontal, and some of it will have spilled over the curb. It is desirable to groom the bedding for several reasons. First, it introduces air into the bedding to dry it and retard growth of anaerobic bacteria. Second, it fluffs the bedding to make it more soft and comfortable. Finally, for animals that prefer a slope, the grooming process should make the bedding sloped in accordance with that preference. 
   One type of apparatus used to groom animal stalls consists of a hydraulically controlled arm that is attached to the front of a vehicle, such as a farm tractor or a skid steer loader, the latter hereafter referred to simply as a “skid steer.” The arm may be raised to fit though narrow doors or the like, and may be lowered so that it is substantially horizontal with the stall floor. Four or five propeller-like blades are spaced along the length of the arm. Each propeller-like blade rotates independently of the others. As the skid steer proceeds along a row of stalls, the blades are lowered into each stall to stir the bedding. However, the bedding remains substantially horizontal. Further, if a large rut is present in a stall, the propeller blades may not move enough bedding to repair the rut adequately. In addition, the arm and propeller-like blades are relatively large, and cannot fit under rails used to commonly separate each stall. Thus, the groomer must stop and groom each stall individually instead of continuously grooming each consecutive stall as the groomer proceeds along the alley. 
   In an effort to solve the problem with the sloping and rut repair, a similar apparatus was developed by the present inventor. Rather than use a plurality of propeller like blades, one large rotating member was used. This member had several fixed fins spaced along its length. As the skid steer proceeded along the stalls, the member rotated by means of a motor with a gear box. The fins could move sand from the rear of a stall toward the front of a stall to repair ruts better than prior apparatus. However, the fins could not move the sand in a manner that was effective to create the slope that is desired. Further, though this apparatus had the ability to continuously groom each consecutive stall as the groomer proceeded along the alley, it could only do so if the rails separating the stalls were raised up from the bedding so that the rotating member and corresponding motor could fit underneath the rails. Because stall rails are fixed rather than adjustable, this would mean that pre-existing stalls would need to undergo some level of construction to accommodate the groomer. This may not be desirable. Moreover, it is not desirable to raise the rails separating the stalls because the animals, when lying down, may spread out and not stay contained within their own stall. 
   Thus, there is a need for an apparatus for animal stall grooming that can aerate and fluff bedding, repair ruts and have the capability of providing a slope to the bedding. There is a further need that such apparatus be compact enough to fit underneath the rails commonly used to separate stalls. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an improved animal stall groomer that is particularly useful for moving bedding to not only aerate and fluff the bedding, but also to create a significant slope in the bedding. The apparatus can be attached to the front of a vehicle such as a skid steer. A boom extends from the skid steer to the animal stall. A second rotary arm is rotatably connected to the first arm so that it does not extend beyond the rear and forward confines of the stall, as defined by the curb and brisket board. Several fins or shovels are spaced along the length of the second rotatable arm. Varying degrees of bedding can be moved from the rear of a stall to the front of a stall by adjusting the angle at which the rotary arm contacts the bedding. 
   Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description including illustrative examples setting forth how to make and use the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of the grooming apparatus of the present invention, with the rotary rake arm engaging bedding in an animal stall; 
       FIG. 1   a  is a partial front elevational view showing in greater detail the panel and brackets of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 1   b  is a cross-sectional view of the panel and brackets taken at line  1   b — 1   b  in  FIG. 1   a.    
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the grooming apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is another front elevational view of the grooming apparatus of  FIG. 1 , with the rotary rake arm in a stowed position; 
       FIG. 4  is side elevational view of the rotary rake arm, taken at lines  4 — 4  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic system of the grooming apparatus of the present invention, when the rotary rake is positioned to engage the bedding; and 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic system of the grooming apparatus of the present invention, when the rotary rake is in a raised position. 
       FIG. 7  is a partial side-perspective view of the grooming apparatus of the present invention, just prior to mounting the adapter plate to a mounting plate of a skid steer. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the grooming apparatus in  FIG. 1 , removed from a vehicle and supported by a parking stand. 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus having a fixed boom; and 
       FIG. 10  is partial side elevation of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, showing the motor mounted away form the rotational axis of the rotary arm. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention provides an animal stall groomer  10 , which may be selectively or permanently attached to a vehicle  12 , and making contact with bedding  28  contained in a row of free stalls  14 . Generally, the groomer  10  apparatus is constructed from a boom  16 , a rotary arm  18 , a curb guide  20 , and a lifting actuator  22 . The groomer  10  is attached to the vehicle  12 , such as a skid steer or the like, with an adaptor assembly  24 . A scraper assembly  26  may be attached to the boom  16  for scraping bedding material  28  back into the free stalls  14 . 
   Free stalls  14  are the type of animal stalls typically used in the dairy industry. Free stalls  14  are arranged in long rows defined by a brisket board  30  at the head end in generally parallel relation to a curb  32  at the tail end, and the stalls are separated from each other by railings  34 . The brisket board  30  may be a low wall that will generally be taller than the curb. The livestock in the stalls, such as cows, are separated from one another by the railings  34 . Though there are footings located underneath the curb  32  and brisket board  30 , there is generally only a dirt floor  36 , that is, soil, underneath the bedding  28 , for drainage purposes. The bedding  28  generally fills the volume between the curb  32  and brisket board  30 , above the floor  36 . The bedding  28  is either sand, ground rubber, ground nut shells, sawdust or the like, or even straw. Some of these materials absorb moisture more readily than others, and some pack down more solidly than others. However, it is desirable to aerate and fluff any type of bedding material to keep it sanitary and comfortable. 
   In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , groomer  10  is shown in a working position. In contrast,  FIG. 3  shows groomer  10  in a stowed or raised position. Preferably actuator  22  is retracted to raise the boom  16  along with rotary arm  18  so that groomer  10  does not extend significantly beyond the width “W” of vehicle  12 . This allows the vehicle  12  to fit through relatively narrow passages such as a barn door  40  or between rows of free stalls  14 . 
   As indicated above, the invention contemplates that the groomer  10  may be attached to any suitable vehicle having the ability to raise and lower, and possibly even rotate, an accessory, and in addition having an auxiliary hydraulic circuit. Examples of such a vehicle includes a farm tractor, or even have a vehicle dedicated to the use of the groomer  10 , and it is most preferable to attach groomer  10  to a vehicle commonly called a skid steer  12 . Conventional skid steers are capable of having various attachments connected thereto, such as buckets and plow blades, and further have the capability of rotating such attachments about an axis that is parallel to the front wheel axis of the skid steer  12 , as contrasted to the rotation that can be seen by comparing  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Thus, when groomer  10  is attached to a skid-steer or equivalent vehicle, the boom  16  can be rotated forward from a substantially vertical position shown in  FIG. 3 , to a substantially horizontal position extending outwardly from the front of the skid steer. Using this same capability, with the boom  16  in the generally horizontal operating position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the skid steer  12  can adjust the pitch of the rotary arm  18  as described herein. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 2 , boom  16  is described in greater detail. Boom  16  is the primary structural component of groomer  10 . A proximal end  42  of boom  16  is pivotally connected to the adaptor assembly  24 , described below. While there are many ways to accomplish this connection, a preferred way is to attach arm  16  to a pin  43  that is rigidly connected to a saddle member  106 , described herein. So that boom  16  does not inadvertently detach from the pin  43 , a washer  44  is selectively connected to pin  43  with a suitable fastener. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the curb guide  20  is attached to boom  16  so that it may be selectively placed along the body of boom  16  between the ends. The purpose of curb guide  20  is to keep the rotary arm  18  within the length “L” of free stalls  14  as the vehicle  12  moves in parallel relation to curb  32 . Curb guide  20  is most preferably constructed from a flat shoe  46  that is pivotally connected to a leg  50  in a manner that permits the shoe to rotate up to about 20 degrees with respect to the leg. Leg  50  is selectively connectable to the body of boom  16  by any suitably selective connection. In the embodiment shown, at the top of shaft  50  is a flange member  54 , to which a pair of brackets  52  or the like may be attached. This selective attachment permits the use of curb guides of different height configurations attached to boom  16 , which in turn allows the curb guide  20  to be positioned along boom  16  to accommodate different length rotary arms  18 . Preferably, after curb guide  20  is positioned on boom  16 , brackets  52  are bolted to flange  54  so that the curb guide  20  cannot freely slide along the length thereof. If the curb guide  20  should touch the floor, more bedding material should be added to the free stalls  14 . 
   The pivotability of shoe  46  permits it to “float” against the exposed side  48  of curb  32 . Further, it is preferable that the fore and aft edges of shoe  46  are bent outwardly away from curb side  48 . This shoe configuration, combined with the ability to pivot, prevents shoe  46  from catching on any protrusions which may occur on curb  32 . It further allows the operator of the skid steer  12  to approach the curb  32  at a slight angle. 
   As indicated above, a scraper assembly  26  may be attached to the boom  16  for scraping bedding material  28  from the curb  32  back into the area of the free stalls  14 . Preferably, like curb guide  20 , the position of scraper assembly  26  is slidably adjusted along the length of boom  16 . The scraper assembly  26  includes a scraping blade  66  attached to the boom  16  so that it is oriented at an angle with respect to the lengthwise direction of curb  32 . An angle of roughly 45 degrees is most efficient to push or plow any bedding material that happens to be on top of the curb  32  back into the area of the free stall  14 . 
   On certain occasions the curb  32  has a top surface that is not horizontal as shown in  FIG. 1 , but rather is angled, from a high point at the edge of curb  32  away from the free stall  14 , to a low point at the edge of the curb nearest the free stall. The low point may even be lower than the level of the bedding  28 , so that a smooth transition is provided from the bedding to the curb  32 . In the preferred embodiment the blade  66  includes a mounting that can accommodate such an angled curb, such as mounting slots or multiple mounting holes (not shown). 
   The scraper assembly  26  further includes a pair of L-shaped arms  68 , at one end rigidly connected to a rear surface of blade  66  to provide support thereto, and at an opposite end, rotatably connected to a hinge member  70 . Most preferably, hinge member  70  is spring-biased, which in turn means that the blade  66  is spring-biased to bear against curb  32 . Hinge member  70  is rigidly attached to mounting plate  62 . A pair of brackets  60  or the like may be used to selectively clamp the mounting plate  62  to boom  16 . Preferably, arms  68  are arranged at an angle to boom  16 , so that blade  66  has the effect of scraping material from the curb surface. As the bedding material height changes, the spring biasing of hinge member  70  permits the pitch of blade  66  to also change to accommodate the change in height. 
   Of course, other equivalent methods of selective attachment may be used to connect curb guide  20  and scraper assembly  26  to boom  16 . For example, each component may slide within a slot on boom  16 , or perhaps only a single bracket may be used. Quick connections may be used so that several bolts do not have to be loosened and tightened for each adjustment. Further, it may be desirable to use an incremental type of adjustment rather than the continuous adjustment just described. Such improvements to the basic adjustable connections shown in respect to curb guide  20  and scraper assembly  26  are considered to be within the scope of this invention. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a motor  80  is attached to the distal end  82  of the boom  16 . The rotary arm  18  is attached to the motor and is rotated thereby. It is important that, together, motor  80  and rotary arm  18  have a low profile, to allow the rotary arm to fit under stall rails  34  during operation of the groomer  10 . 
   When rotary arm  18  rotates, it does so within a plane  88  as suggested by the phantom lines in  FIG. 2 . As described below, grooming members, or more specifically, shovel members  85 , are spaced along the length of rotary arm  18 . Preferably, shovel members  85  have rounded leading edges. It should be understood that different types of grooming members can be used e.g., tines, forks, etc., and that they do not necessarily need to be attached to a bottom side of rotary arm  18 . It may be desirable to have optional sets of grooming members that can be easily switched. The combined height of the rotary arm  18  and grooming members is preferably less than about 12.7 cm (5 inches), and most preferably less than about 9 cm (3.5 inches). This allows the rotary arm to fit under most stall rails  34 . 
   Preferably, a bracket  84  is used to attach motor  80  to boom  16  at a pre-determined angle  86  (as viewed from the front of the vehicle  12 , or across the stalls  14 ), this angle preferably about 5 degrees with respect to the floor  36 . This angle  86  represents the “roll angle” of the plane  88 . The roll angle  86  can be adjusted by switching to a bracket  84  having a different predetermined angle  86 , e.g. about 1–15 degrees. Alternatively, the bracket  84  may itself be adustable by way of a hinge or the like. 
   Likewise, referring to  FIG. 4 , the bracket  84  is used to attach motor  80  to boom  16  at a pre-determined angle  90  when viewed from the side of the vehicle  12 . Most preferably, however, the pre-determined angle  90  is 0 degrees. To adjust the “pitch” angle of the rotary arm  18 , as indicated above, the skid steer  12  may rotate the boom  16  so that the plane  88  in which the rotary arm  18  rotates is pitched forward or rearward. When the plane  88  is pitched forward, it is considered to be a negative pitch. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 2 , shovel members  85  are shown as flat blades attached to rotary arm  18  at roughly a 45 degree angle. Preferably, shovel members  85  are bolted to rotary arm  18 , and may be replaced if damaged or worn. Rotary arm  18  preferably rotates in a clockwise direction in order to move bedding from the region of curb  32  towards the region of brisket board  30 . Preferably, thinking in terms of the rotational motion of the rotary arm  18 , a rearward edge  92  of each shovel member  85  is further from the rotational center of the rotary arm than the forward edge  94  of the shovel member. The orientation of shovel members  85  with respect to rotary arm  18  may be uniform. Alternatively, those shovel members  85  located closest to the motor may be oriented at a greater or lesser angle. 
   It should be noted that shovel members  85  are preferably oriented on rotary arm  18  so that they push the bedding material rather than dig into the bedding material. If the shovel members are oriented to dig into the bedding, the rotary arm could more easily become caught on items commonly buried in the bedding to prevent the animals from digging, e.g. tires. 
   Roll angle  86  and pitch angle  90  are adjusted to achieve the desired degree of slope to the bedding surface. As the pitch angle  90  and roll angle  86  are increased, the shovel members  85  move more bedding from the region of curb  32  to the region of the brisket board  30 . Thus, a greater slope of the bedding can be achieved. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  7 , as indicated above, adapter assembly  24  is used to indirectly attach the groomer  10  to vehicle  12 . Adapter assembly  24  is constructed from a panel  100  preferably formed from sheet metal so that it is lightweight yet durable. For aesthetic and safety reasons, some or all of the panel  100  edges may be bent or rolled over. In a preferred embodiment, panel  100  is connected to the mounting plate  25  of a skid steer, the skid steer being the most preferred vehicle  12 . Panel  100  may have a lip  29  constructed to receive the shoes  27  of mounting plate  25 . Other connector configurations may be necessary or desirable depending on the type of vehicle  12  used with groomer  10 . 
   Again in the preferred embodiment brackets  102  are attached to the front surface of panel  100 , and may be made from a two pairs of angle iron that are welded or otherwise affixed to the front surface of panel  100 . Brackets  102  are used to mount a saddle member  106  to panel  100 , as described herein. As viewed from the top edge of panel  100  (see  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b ), brackets  102  are in generally parallel relation and arranged symmetrically to form a channel between the brackets  102 . Preferably, a series of apertures  104  are identically spaced along the length of each bracket  102 . The purpose of the apertures  104  is to accommodate different height/type of vehicles  12  and/or different styles of adapter assemblies  24 . 
   A saddle member  106  is selectively attached to the front of panel  100  so that the saddle member is in a horizontal position. Preferably, two pairs of bars  108  are attached to saddle member  106  by welding or the like, the bars  108  positioned horizontally on opposite surfaces of saddle member  106  so that the ends of each pair of bars  108  are aligned. Each bar  108  has a pair of apertures therein that coincides with the apertures  104  on each bracket  102 . Thus, saddle member  106  may be selectively attached to brackets  102  with bolts or the like, at various incremental heights. Preferably, an arm  110  extends outwardly from saddle member  106  to support the boom  16  when groomer  10  is in use. 
   As an alternative to the angle iron construction of brackets  102  they may also be constructed from other equivalent structures and materials such as solid blocks of material. Similarly, saddle member  106  may be constructed from channel stock or the like. In addition, shims or wedges (not shown) may be placed between the brackets  102  and saddle member  106  to adjust the angle at which the saddle member is held. Shims and wedges used in this way have two main functions. First they allow users to attach the groomer  10  to different skid steers or vehicles  12  so that when the boom  16  is an upright stowed position, the scraper assembly  26  will not hit the vehicle  12  cab or the like. Second, the use of shims or wedges is one method of positioning the saddle member  106  parallel to floor, which is desirable. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  8 , as indicated above, actuator  22  functions to raise and lower boom  16 , that is, when actuator  22  retracts, boom  16  is raised from a horizontal position to an upright position ( FIG. 3 ). Actuator  22  is attached at one end to a bracket  116  extending from the boom  16 , and at the opposite end to an ear  114  that extends from bracket  107 . The bracket  107  may be attached to saddle member  106 . Likewise, a vertical support  112  may be attached directly across from bracket  107 , on an opposite side of saddle member  106 . A pair of gussets  109  may extend between the underside of saddle member  106  and vertical member  112  to provide reinforcement should member  112  be subjected to a side force. Welding is the preferred method of attaching bracket  107  and member  112  to saddle member  106 . 
   Preferably, vertical member  112  is made from solid metal so that it has sufficient mass to act as a counterbalance, mainly when attaching the groomer  10  to or detaching the groomer from vehicle  12 . Weights may be added to vertical member  112  to provide further counterweight. Member  112  also serves as a parking leg when the groomer  10  is detached from vehicle  12 . 
   Most preferably, the actuator  22  and motor  80  are powered hydraulically from a single source of hydraulic fluid and pressure, generally the auxiliary hydraulic output commonly provided by many models of skid steer  12 . The problem is that, with that single hydraulic source, both actuator  22  and motor  80  must be operated, and actuator  22  needs to be actuated in both directions, one to lower boom  16 , and one to raise the boom. In order to achieve a particular rotational speed, the motor  80  is supplied with hydraulic fluid at a particular rate. The particular motor  80  used by the inventor was obtained from White Hydraulic, Incorporated, Model 420750P3122AAAAA. In the usage described for the present invention, the motor  80 , and therefore the rotary arm  18 , rotates at about 40 RPM. If it rotates substantially faster than 40 RPM, too much bedding may be thrown out of the stall. If it rotates at substantially less than 40 RPM, then the groomer  10  may move too slowly. For most hydraulic motors to achieve a particular rotational speed, hydraulic fluid must be supplied at a specific rate. For the motor  80  set forth above to rotate at about 40 RPM, it must be supplied with hydraulic fluid at a rate of about 8 gallons per minute (GPM). 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , hydraulic fluid is generally delivered from the single source of vehicle  12  at a rate of about 8 to 25 GPM, and is distributed through the hydraulic circuit there shown. The circuit includes a flow control  120 . The particular flow control used by the inventor was obtained from Prince Manufacturing Corp., Model No. RD-405R-8. Flow control  120  delivers the predetermined amount of fluid to its first outlet  120   a , that is, about 8 GPM, and returns the remaining fluid to vehicle  12  through its second outlet  120   b , via a check valve  122 . Check valve  122  permits flow only in the direction  122   a  from flow control  120  toward vehicle  12 . The flow control  120  is provided with a relief valve  124 , that opens and allows further fluid to flow into check valve  122  and back to vehicle  12 , should the pressure within the flow control rise above a certain level, e.g. 1200 psi. 
   When the boom  16  is being lowered, fluid flows from first outlet  120   a , besides to the motor  80 , in a direction  81  toward and into the base end  22   a  of actuator  22 , causing the actuator rod to extend and the boom to lower. At the same time, fluid exits the rod end  22   b  of the actuator  22  and returns to the fluid source at vehicle  12 . When the boom  16  is fully lowered, and the actuator  22  is thus fully extended, no further fluid can flow into actuator  22 , causing the fluid flow in direction  81  to stop. This stoppage increases fluid flow at the inlet of the motor  80 , and the motor begins to rotate, in turn beginning to rotate rotary arm  18  ( FIG. 1 ). As shown in  FIG. 3 , the boom  16  may be stowed in its raised position at an angle just less than vertical, in order to reduce the hydraulic fluid pressure required to lower the boom. To prevent boom  16  from dropping too abruptly, a restrictor may be placed on actuator  22  to govern the movement of the actuator rod. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , when boom  16  is being returned to its raised or stowed position, the flow direction of hydraulic fluid is reversed by vehicle  12 , as compared to the flow in  FIG. 5 . This reversal of flow has the effect of causing fluid to flow into the rod end  22   b  of actuator  22 , as the check valve  122  prevents flow from the vehicle  12  toward the motor  80 . Fluid then flows out from the base end  22   a  of the actuator, returning to vehicle  12  via flow control  120 . Because fluid pressure is greater on the “stop” side  122   b  of the check valve  122  than on the flow side  122   c , fluid does not flow into motor  80  as indicated above, and the rotary arm  18  does not rotate in this mode. 
   As described above, motor  80  and actuator  22  are most preferably hydraulic. However, it may be desirable to use other types of components, e.g. electric or pneumatic. The choice will likely be governed by the type of vehicle used in conjunction with groomer  10 . In addition, the preferred materials for constructing the blades  66 , shoe  46  include abrasion resistant steel, whereas the shovel members  85  should preferably be formed of mild steel or the like. 
   In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown in  FIG. 9 , the boom  16   a  is fixed to panel  100  in a substantially horizontal position. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no need for actuator  22 . Rather, the boom  16   a  is attached directly to brackets  102  just as the saddle member  106  was connected in the previous embodiment. Most other aspects of groomer  10  remain the same. 
   Because there is no need to reverse the direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid in the groomer of  FIG. 9 , another hydraulic feature may be added. For example, a boom  16   a  could be designed to telescope in length using a hydraulic actuator (not shown). Of course, boom  16   a  could be designed to manually telescope in length (also not shown). 
   It is further conceivable that one skilled in the art may add auxiliary hydraulic sources to the apparatuses of  FIGS. 1–10  to obtain even more automated features. For example, the boom  16 ,  16   a  or  16   c  could be telescoped. Boom  16 ,  16   a ,  16   c  could be raised during the grooming operation. Curb guide  20  and/or scraper assembly  26  could be adjusted in position along the length of boom  16 . Further, saddle member  106  or boom  16   a ,  16   c  could be raised and lowered. 
   In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as seen in  FIG. 10 , the motor  80   a  is distanced away from the rotational axis  198  of rotary arm  18 . An advantage of this embodiment is that rotary arm  18  can pass under relatively low stall rails  34  because the motor is farther away from the rotational axis of rotary arm  18 . In this embodiment, a motor  80   a  is connected to a chain case  200  by a chain  202 , shown schematically in  FIG. 10 . Of course, a belt could be used instead of a chain  202 . 
   So that the chain  200  (or belt) is properly aligned with chain case  200 , the boom is split into a two parts, namely boom  16   c  and arm  16   d . The proximal end of arm  16   d  is connected to boom  16   c  by a bracket  84   a . Like bracket  84  of the first embodiment of the present invention, it is bent at an angle  86   a , preferably at 1–15 degrees. Bracket  84   a  could also be made to be adjustable (not shown). Rotary arm  18  (schematically shown) may be connected to the chain case  200  by a spindle  204  that is rotationally supported by a pair of bearing assemblies  206 . Motor  80   a  may be connected to the proximal end of arm  16   d  at bracket  84   a , or if desired, motor  80   a  could be mounted anywhere along the length of arm  16   d  (not shown). The embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  could be used with a fixed boom  16   b  rather than a rotatable boom  16 . 
   In operation, the user attaches the groomer  10  to a vehicle  12 . The saddle member  106  is positioned so that when boom  16  is resting against arm  110 , the rotary arm  18  and grooming members such as shovels  85  are at a desired height with respect to the bedding material. Curb guide  20  and scraper assembly  26  are adjusted to that they are positioned properly with respect to curb  32 . The motor  80  is actuated so that the rotary arm  18  rotates. 
   The operator grooms the rows of free stalls  14  by maintaining the curb guide  20  against curb  32  as the vehicle moves in a forward direction. The relatively low-profile motor  80  and rotary arm  18  will fit under most stall rails  34 . The same is true for motor  80   a , arm  16   d  and rotary arm  18  of the alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
   If desired, the actuator  22  may be retracted to raise the boom  16  upward. This will cease grooming and allow the operator to move through relatively narrow passages. If the groomer of  FIG. 10  is used boom  16   a  cannot be raised or lowered. 
   When not in use, groomer  10  may be removed from vehicle  12  and stowed as shown in  FIG. 8 . Preferably, groomer  10  rests on a separate parking stand  13  so that it is supported in a horizontal position. Parking stand  13  may be selectively attached to curb guide  20 . Preferably, parking stand  13  has a vertical post that fits inside curb guide leg  50 . 
   While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations, and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and should not limit the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.