An apparatus for in-situ reconditioning of a media used in an effluent treatment bed is disclosed, in which passage of effluent has become impeded by clogging matter within the media, the bed having been planted with vegetation having roots extending into the media. The apparatus includes a frame supporting a superstructure operable to be disposed above a surface of the bed when in operation, a pair of spaced apart arms having distal ends extending downwardly from the frame, and an agitator extending between the pair of arms and having tines for sub-surface tilling of the media. The agitator is coupled to a drive system operable to cause rotation thereof. A lifter bar is disposed between the arms above the agitator such that when the frame is advanced through the bed the lifter bar passes through the bed below a primary root zone of the vegetation lifting and separating the primary root zone while the agitator tills the media below causing clogging matter to be separated from the media.

The invention provides a mechanical device to assist in weed removal from crops in an organic manner by mechanically pulling weeds by use of a rotating member to grasp and pull weeds from the soil while leaving the desired crop in place. The rotating members may be wheels, metal rollers, and combinations thereof removably attached to a tractor wherein one rotating member is larger in diameter than a second rotating member diameter.

The invention relates to a carrier system (10) comprising a carrier (12) and a mobile device (14) for tilling the soil and/or for manipulating flora and fauna, the carrier (12) having: a drive (16) for moving the carrier system (10); a control system (12b); an energy source (24), which co-operates with the drive (16) and provides the voltage required for operation; a receptacle (12a) for receiving and connecting to the mobile device (14); a communication unit (30); a first communication interface (36a) that co-operates with the communication unit (30) in order to exchange data with the mobile device (14) which has a dedicated interface (36b); and a second communication interface (32) that co-operates with the communication unit (30) and that at least receives control data and forwards said data to the control system (12b) for the pre-defined movement of the carrier system (10).

An implement for clipping weeds in a field, where the weeds are standing taller than the crop. The implement comprises a plurality of rotatable blades on a frame, with variable height adjustment means to elevate the frame and position the blades above the crop but at a level sufficient to clip the upper portions of the weeds, The blades are powered by PTO-driven shaft segments, the segments connected by U-joints, wherein the implement further comprises alignment means for aligning the U-joints so that the frame can be folded for transport without damaging the shafts or U-joints.

An implement for clipping weeds in a field, where the weeds are standing taller than the crop. The implement comprises a plurality of rotatable blades on a frame, with variable height adjustment means to elevate the frame and position the blades above the crop but at a level sufficient to clip the upper portions of the weeds, The blades are powered by PTO-driven shaft segments, the segments connected by U-joints, wherein the implement further comprises alignment means for aligning the U-joints so that the frame can be folded for transport without damaging the shafts or U-joints.

The invention relates to a mobile analysis and processing device (14) for agriculture for processing the soil and/or manipulating flora and fauna. The device (14) comprises at least one sensor (62), a tool unit (52) having at least one motor-driven tool (58), an actuator (48) for moving at least the tool (58) of the tool unit (52), a motor (50) for driving the tool (58) and/or the actuator (48), a database (78), a first communication unit (60) having an interface (70a), and a first computer (46) for controlling the sensor (62), the tool unit (52) and the actuator (48) by means of generated control commands. The data captured by means of the sensor (62) are continually compared with the data stored in the database (78) in order to generate corresponding control signals for the actuator (48), the tool unit (52) and/or the motor (50). By means of said device, mobility and flexibility are created, in accordance with which flexibility the device (14) forms a unit by means of which all data can be processed in real time, control signals can be generated for the actuator (48), the tool unit (52) and/or the motor (50) and immediate operation in accordance with the control signals is possible. Thus, combination with, for example, different carriers (12), which move the device (14) over the field if necessary, is possible.

An apparatus for treating turf, comprising: a cylindrical rotor, rotatable about an axis, the rotor having: a first helical track portion having a first helical track extending about the axis in a first direction from a first end towards a central portion thereof; a second helical track portion having a second helical track extending about the axis in a second direction between a second end and the central portion thereof; wherein each helical track portion comprises at least one helical track having a plurality of teeth arranged therealong.

A tractor mounted tiller/cultivator system that includes right and left swing arms pivotally attached to tractor chassis, right and left cutting head assemblies mounted on the swing arms, each including a right disc motor driving a rotary disc mounted on a distal portion of the swing arm and operatively coupled to the motor. Ground-engaging cultivation wheels surround the rotary disc, and an annular guard prevents unwanted contact of the wheels with vines or trunks of vines and trees. A drive mechanism lowers and raises the swing arms to put the cultivation wheels into engagement and disengagement with ground and to rotate said swing arms about their longitudinal axes. User controls operatively connected to the swing arms, cutting head assemblies, and drive mechanisms enable a user to finely tune the movement of the cutting heads into and out from rows of trees or vines.

A tractor mounted tiller/cultivator system that includes right and left swing arms pivotally attached to tractor chassis, right and left cutting head assemblies mounted on the swing arms, each including a right disc motor driving a rotary disc mounted on a distal portion of the swing arm and operatively coupled to the motor. Ground-engaging cultivation wheels surround the rotary disc, and an annular guard prevents unwanted contact of the wheels with vines or trunks of vines and trees. A drive mechanism lowers and raises the swing arms to put the cultivation wheels into engagement and disengagement with ground and to rotate said swing arms about their longitudinal axes. User controls operatively connected to the swing arms, cutting head assemblies, and drive mechanisms enable a user to finely tune the movement of the cutting heads into and out from rows of trees or vines.

An apparatus for in-situ reconditioning of a media used in an effluent treatment bed is disclosed, in which passage of effluent has become impeded by clogging matter within the media, the bed having been planted with vegetation having roots extending into the media. The apparatus includes a frame supporting a superstructure operable to be disposed above a surface of the bed when in operation, a pair of spaced apart arms having distal ends extending downwardly from the frame, and an agitator extending between the pair of arms and having tines for sub-surface tilling of the media. The agitator is coupled to a drive system operable to cause rotation thereof. A lifter bar is disposed between the arms above the agitator such that when the frame is advanced through the bed the lifter bar passes through the bed below a primary root zone of the vegetation lifting and separating the primary root zone while the agitator tills the media below causing clogging matter to be separated from the media.