An aeration tine includes a mounting portion removably connectable to an aeration apparatus and defining a central axis; and a curved blade portion that extends longitudinally from the mounting portion to a tip of the aeration tine and that is operable to fracture soil and form an aeration pocket. The curved blade portion includes a concave first edge and an opposed convex second edge, wherein the concave first edge includes (i) a proximal first edge portion, (ii) a distal first edge portion proximal the tip of the aeration tine, and (iii) a middle first edge portion between the proximal first edge portion and the distal first edge portion, the middle first edge portion closer to the central axis than both the proximal first edge portion and the distal first edge portion.

A perforator quick disconnect system for an aerator device includes a perforator and a retaining device. The perforator has a head with an exterior configured to be received within a mounting block of the aerator device and a female component that extends into the exterior of the head. The retaining device has a connector configured to connect to the mounting block and a male component disposed within the connector and moveable relative thereto from a first position to a second position. The female and male components together form a quick disconnect mechanism such that when the perforator and retaining device are received by the mounting block, the male component engages the female component when the male component is in the first position to connect the retaining device to the mounting block and disengages the female component when in the second position to disconnect the perforator from the mounting block.

A turf aerator includes a frame, a tine shaft rotatably supported by the frame, a plurality of tines coupled to the tine shaft, a swing arm supporting the plurality of tines, and an input. The swing arm being rotatably supported by the frame and configured to rotate the plurality of tines between an operating position and a retracted position. Actuation of the input (i) actuates the swing arm to transition the plurality of tines from the retracted position to the operating position and (ii) activates the tine shaft to move the plurality of tines.

A detection system for use with a powered ground maintenance vehicle, the detection system adapted to detect and avoid contact of a ground maintenance implement carried by the vehicle with an object associated with the ground surface. In some embodiments, the detection system may automatically disengage the implement from the ground surface before the implement contacts the object and, optionally, automatically re-engage the implement with the ground surface after the implement has passed the object.

A detection system for use with a powered ground maintenance vehicle, the detection system adapted to detect and avoid contact of a ground maintenance implement carried by the vehicle with an object associated with the ground surface. In some embodiments, the detection system may automatically disengage the implement from the ground surface before the implement contacts the object and, optionally, automatically re-engage the implement with the ground surface after the implement has passed the object.

A strap-on aerator wheel comprises two or more curved pieces having metal spikes protruding outwardly from an outside surface, a first strap end fixed to a first end of a first curved piece and a second strap end fixed to a second end of a last curved piece, a linking mechanism joining each second end of a curved piece to a first end of a next curved piece not already fixed to a first or second strap end wherein when the first and second strap ends are joined, the two or more curved pieces form a circular shape and wherein each linking mechanism is configured to be adjusted to conform to the diameter of the wheel wherein the circular shape is held onto the wheel and wherein the metal spikes are configured to aerate a lawn as the wheel is moved over the lawn.

A strap-on aerator wheel comprises two or more curved pieces having metal spikes protruding outwardly from an outside surface, a first strap end fixed to a first end of a first curved piece and a second strap end fixed to a second end of a last curved piece, a linking mechanism joining each second end of a curved piece to a first end of a next curved piece not already fixed to a first or second strap end wherein when the first and second strap ends are joined, the two or more curved pieces form a circular shape and wherein each linking mechanism is configured to be adjusted to conform to the diameter of the wheel wherein the circular shape is held onto the wheel and wherein the metal spikes are configured to aerate a lawn as the wheel is moved over the lawn.

A turf cutting machine, more particularly a four-wheel drive turf cutting machine, is provided. The turf cutting machine has a transmission arrangement which includes a transmission belt arranged between a rear axle pulley and a front axle pulley and which further includes a plurality of deflection pulleys which are arranged between the rear axle pulley and the front axle pulley so as to define a path for the transmission belt that extends from a rear axle to a front axle and then back to the rear axle passing over a cutting blade.

A turf aerator includes a tine assembly and an input mechanism. The tine assembly includes multiple tines, a retractor plate for positioning the plurality of tines, and a linkage for selectively moving the retractor plate and the plurality of tines between an operating position and a retracted position. The input mechanism coupled to the linkage, the input mechanism operable to activate the linkage to move the retractor plate and the plurality of tines between the operating position and the retracted position.

Tines (120) of tine assemblies (100a, 100b, 104) are secured by a single bolt (126) extending diametrically through each tine (120) located in a cavity (112) of a tine plate (110), through the tine plate (110) and through an attachment ring (130). The attachment ring (130) of an outer tine assembly (104) is connected to a sleeve (116) rotatably mounted adjacent the outer ends on each of two independently rotatable shafts (102) to which inner tine assemblies (100a, 100b) are rotatably connected adjacent the inner ends of the two independently rotatable shafts (102). The attachment rings (130) of the inner tine assemblies (100a, 100b) are welded to the two independently rotatable shafts (102).