Optional attachments, such as a drop seeder and a sprayer unit, can be removably attached to the front plate of a turf aerator. The attachment includes a hitch slideably received in a tubular receiver and pinned therein by a pin. A lock is pivotal relative to the attachment from an unlocked position to a locked position with the front plate received in slots of the lock. The lock is pivoted relative to the attachment by a rod which is threadably received in the hitch. Valve openings in a valve plate are aligned or mis-aligned with lower openings formed in a hopper mounted to the hitch by a linear electric actuator. A lever is pivotably mounted to a housing which is removably attached to the chassis of the turf aerator and activates the linear electric actuator and a switch controlling an agitator. A valve is alternately in fluid communication with a spray nozzle mounted relative to the hitch and a spray wand. A switch mounted to the chassis is electrically connected to a motor driving a pump in fluid communication with a tank and the valve.

A piercing tool can be used by optionally replacing a distal end portion, which is to be first brought into abutment against an object to be pierced such as the ground, and can facilitate a replacement operation of the distal end portion. A piercing tool includes: a distal end portion, which has a cylindrical shape, and is to be first brought into abutment against an object; and a main body portion, which has a cylindrical shape at the main body portion, and has one end portion to which the distal end portion is mounted, wherein the distal end portion is removably mounted to the one end portion of the main body portion. The distal end portion has an inner peripheral surface having a female thread formed at an end portion of the distal end portion on a side to be mounted to the main body portion.

A vehicle for automated lawn chemical treatment application is described. A vehicle that is configured to traverse a lawn or other area is provided that includes a plurality of container receptacles; a plurality of containers configured to be detachably attached to the container receptacles; a mixing reservoir fluidly connected to the containers; and processing circuitry configured to determine a mixing formula and selectively direct portions of liquid from the plurality of containers into the mixing reservoir in accordance with the mixing formula such that the portions of the liquid are mixed, thereby generating a treatment solution in accordance with the mixing formula, and disperse the treatment solution using an applicator of the vehicle.

A vehicle for automated lawn chemical treatment application is described. A vehicle that is configured to traverse a lawn or other area is provided that includes a plurality of container receptacles; a plurality of containers configured to be detachably attached to the container receptacles; a mixing reservoir fluidly connected to the containers; and processing circuitry configured to determine a mixing formula and selectively direct portions of liquid from the plurality of containers into the mixing reservoir in accordance with the mixing formula such that the portions of the liquid are mixed, thereby generating a treatment solution in accordance with the mixing formula, and disperse the treatment solution using an applicator of the vehicle.

An integrated aeration spreader for use with an aerator includes a mounting plate, a mounting block rigidly coupled to the mounting plate, a support arm rotatably coupled to the mounting plate, a support block rigidly coupled to the support arm, wherein the mounting block is located a first distance from the support block, a shaft rotatably coupled to the support block, wherein the shaft extends through the mounting block, a first nut threaded on the shaft, wherein the first nut is located a second distance from the support block and the second distance is less than the first distance, a first spring having a first end engaged with the first nut and a second end engaged with the mounting block, a second nut threaded on the shaft, wherein the second nut is located a third distance from the support block and the third distance is greater than the first distance, and a second spring having a first end engaged with the second nut and a second end engaged with the mounting block. The integrated aeration spreader combines a spike-type aeration and sand spreader that fills the aeration holes in a single pass of a vehicle, after having a top dresser vehicle lay sand down over the ground and grass-covered surface to be aerated.

An integrated aeration spreader for use with an aerator includes a mounting plate, a mounting block rigidly coupled to the mounting plate, a support arm rotatably coupled to the mounting plate, a support block rigidly coupled to the support arm, wherein the mounting block is located a first distance from the support block, a shaft rotatably coupled to the support block, wherein the shaft extends through the mounting block, a first nut threaded on the shaft, wherein the first nut is located a second distance from the support block and the second distance is less than the first distance, a first spring having a first end engaged with the first nut and a second end engaged with the mounting block, a second nut threaded on the shaft, wherein the second nut is located a third distance from the support block and the third distance is greater than the first distance, and a second spring having a first end engaged with the second nut and a second end engaged with the mounting block. The integrated aeration spreader combines a spike-type aeration and sand spreader that fills the aeration holes in a single pass of a vehicle, after having a top dresser vehicle lay sand down over the ground and grass-covered surface to be aerated.

Systems and methods are provided to assess water/rain runoff conditions at an area such as a turf or lawnscape. The system can include a computer processor (CP) and a database. The processing can include (a) inputting first data regarding a first candidate ingredient or operation to be considered for application (recommendation, initiation, etc.) to the area; (b) inputting second data regarding a second candidate ingredient or operation to be considered for application to the area; (c) inputting third data including a runoff score for the area; (d) determining a selected candidate ingredient or operation based on the runoff score; and (e) applying the selected candidate ingredient or operation to the area.

Systems and methods are provided to assess water/rain runoff conditions at an area such as a turf or lawnscape. The system can include a computer processor (CP) and a database. The processing can include (a) inputting first data regarding a first candidate ingredient or operation to be considered for application (recommendation, initiation, etc.) to the area; (b) inputting second data regarding a second candidate ingredient or operation to be considered for application to the area; (c) inputting third data including a runoff score for the area; (d) determining a selected candidate ingredient or operation based on the runoff score; and (e) applying the selected candidate ingredient or operation to the area.

Systems and methods are provided to assess light conditions at a location. The system can include a computer processor (CP) and a database. The database can store a grid map that includes a plurality of grid areas that segregate the location. The system can include a location sensor and a light sensor that generates sensor light. The CP can perform processing including: (1) determining that a sample event has been attained; (2) inputting sample data including location data and light data, (3) identifying, based on the location data, a grid area, of the plurality of grid areas, that corresponds to the location data; and (4) associating, based on the identifying, the sample with the grid area. The processing can further include (5) aggregating the sample with a previous sample that has been associated with the grid area; (6) generating a light value result based on the light level value and the previous light level value; and (7) applying the light value.

Systems and methods are provided to assess light conditions at a location. The system can include a computer processor (CP) and a database. The database can store a grid map that includes a plurality of grid areas that segregate the location. The system can include a location sensor and a light sensor that generates sensor light. The CP can perform processing including: (1) determining that a sample event has been attained; (2) inputting sample data including location data and light data, (3) identifying, based on the location data, a grid area, of the plurality of grid areas, that corresponds to the location data; and (4) associating, based on the identifying, the sample with the grid area. The processing can further include (5) aggregating the sample with a previous sample that has been associated with the grid area; (6) generating a light value result based on the light level value and the previous light level value; and (7) applying the light value.