METHOD OF REMOVING SYNTHETIC TURF AND SYTHETIC TURF REMOVAL ATTACHMENT

Abstract

A turf removal attachment is attached to a skid steer to allow hydraulic motors thereon to first power cutting blades to form easily removable strips of turf and then, on a lower gear ratio, the drum to which roller tines are attached to spool the strips of turf. Hydraulic circuitry may be provided to permit the hydraulic fluid of the skid steer to power the turf removal tools on the turf removal attachment.

Claims

1. A method of removing synthetic turf, comprising the steps of: attaching a synthetic turf removal attachment to a skid steer, and removing the synthetic turf, wherein the synthetic turf removal attachment comprises (a) a frame, comprising: (i) a transverse component; (ii) a first arm extending from a first distal end of the transverse component; and (iii) a second arm extending from a second distal end of the transverse component, wherein the first distal end is on the opposite end of the transverse component from the second distal end; (b) a first removable turf removal tool connected to a distal end of the first arm; (c) a second removable turf removal tool connected to a distal end of the second arm; (d) a first hydraulic motor operably coupled to the first turf removal tool; (e) a second hydraulic motor operably coupled to the second turf removal tool; and (f) a mounting plate attached to a rear face of the transverse component permitting attachment of the synthetic turf removal attachment to the skid steer.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adjusting a distance between the first arm and the second arm by moving at least one of said first arm and second arm laterally with respect to a respective end of the transverse component.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of moving at least one of said first arm and second arm laterally comprising telescoping the at least one of said first arm and second arm laterally.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second removable turf removal tools comprise turf rolling tools.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second removable turf removal tools comprise a turf cutting tool.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the turf cutting tools comprises a turf cutting blade, a cutter shoe, and a retractable blade guard, wherein the retractable blade guard covers the turf cutting blade when not in use, and wherein the turf cutting tools is configured to cut the synthetic turf into strips.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of cutting a strip of synthetic turf via the turf cutting tools.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of replacing the turf cutting tools with turf rolling tools.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of rolling a strip of synthetic turf using the turf rolling tools.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of rolling a strip of synthetic turf using the first and second removable turf removal tools.

11. A synthetic turf removal attachment, comprising: (a) a frame, comprising: (i) a transverse component; (ii) a first arm extending from a first distal end of the transverse component; and (iii) a second arm extending from a second distal end of the transverse component, wherein the first distal end is on the opposite end of the transverse component from the second distal end; (b) a first removable turf removal tool connected to a distal end of the first arm; (c) a second removable turf removal tool connected to a distal end of the second arm; (d) a first hydraulic motor operably coupled to the first turf removal tool; (e) a second hydraulic motor operably coupled to the second turf removal tool; and (f) a mounting plate attached to a rear face of the transverse component permitting attachment of the synthetic turf removal attachment to a skid steer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0010] The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is/are described in conjunction with the associated drawings in which like features are indicated with like reference numerals and in which

[0011] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective front view of a first embodiment of the turf removal attachment of the present invention showing a partial turf roll thereon;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a cutter shoe and blade guard of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the frame of first embodiment; and,

[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the turf removal attachment of and embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A first embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 4 generally at 20. Turf removal attachment 20 includes a frame featuring a longitudinal spine 24 and two laterally extending arms 26a and 26b. Arms 26a and 26b are connected to spine 24 by means of slidable mounts 28a, 28b (FIG. 3) which telescope into the longitudinal ends 27a, 27b of spine 24, respectively. Hydraulic rams 30a, 30b move arms 26a, 26b in and out for the dual purposes of adjusting the width of the cut of the strip of turf 11 and to permit release of the turf roll 13 once a strip has been completely rolled. Mounting plate 32 is attached to the outside of spine 24 and allows the turf removal attachment 20 to be bolted to the front of a skid steer using the conventional attachment bolts associated therewith through holes 34.

[0016] Arms 26a and 26b have first and second motors 36a, 36b mounted thereon for powering turf removal tools which can be mounted thereon. Preferably, motors 36a, 36b are preferably hydraulic motors which receive hydraulic fluid from a source found on the skid steer (not shown). The hydraulic circuit 40 which makes this possible includes hydraulic quick couplers 42a, 42b which connect to the output and return lines from the hydraulic pump on the skid steer; electric over hydraulic valve assembly 44; first T-connector 46 for hydraulic lines 47 to extend hydraulic rams 30a, 30b and second T-connector 48 for hydraulic lines 49 to retract hydraulic rams 30a, 30b; hydraulic flow divider 50 to ensure equal flow through hydraulic lines 52 to power motors 36a, 36b.

[0017] FIG. 2 depicts a cutter shoe 52 and blade guard 54 which surround turf cutting blade 55 and protect it (and personnel) against contact with foreign materials. Cutting blades 55 are connected to arms 26a, 26b in such a manner as to permit them to be powered by hydraulic motors 36a, 36b and shoes 52 attached to arms 26a, 26b so that they are just above or minimally contact the surface of turf 11.

[0018] Additional turf removal tools are depicted in FIG. 4 and include a pair of roller tines 60 which support roller pipes 62. Roller tines 60 can either have dual arms 61 as shown in FIG. 4 or can alternatively feature two sets of two, or four arms on each tine 60. In either case, tines are spaced in such a manner that roller pipes 62 (FIG. 4) grasp the lead end of turf 11 as roll formation is initiated and maintain a hold on the turf to avoid slippage ensuring a tight roll 13 is formed. Wheels 64 can be height adjusted to accommodate the particular features (thickness, etc.) of the synthetic turf field with which it is used. While the turf removal attachment 20 of the present invention may be made in whatever size desired, a preferred embodiment is capable of cutting turf 11 into strips having widths of 7.5 to 15 feet (2.5-5 yards).

[0019] Various changes, alternatives, and modifications will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after a reading of the foregoing specification. It is intended that all such changes, alternatives, and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims be considered part of the present invention.