Boxed tree transporter
AssigneeEnvironmental Tree and Design, Inc.
InventorsThomas Cox, Mark A. Merit
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transporter 16 is provided for moving a live tree which has a root ball B which is boxed or otherwise contained. A powered slide mechanism 22 is movable from an inclined position to engage the boxed tree to a horizontal transport position on the trailer or truck bed. A powered loading mechanism 26 attached to the slide mechanism engages the boxed tree to move up the inclined slide mechanism. A powered tilting mechanism 40 tilts the boxed tree to an inclined transport position.
Claims20
A transporter for transporting a live boxed tree having a root ball, comprising:
- a bed having a bed support surface raised from the ground level;
- a powered slide mechanism pivotally attached to the trailer or truck bed and movable from an inclined boxed tree engaging position to a substantially horizontal transport position;
- a powered loading mechanism for engaging the boxed tree and moving the boxed tree up the inclined slide mechanism;
- and
- a powered tilting mechanism attached to the trailer or truck bed for tilting the boxed tree while the slide mechanism is in the relatively horizontal transport position from a substantially upright position to an inclined transport position.
A transporter for transporting a live boxed tree having a root ball, comprising:
- a bed having a bed support surface raised from the ground level;
- a powered slide mechanism pivotally attached to the trailer or truck bed and movable from an inclined boxed tree engaging position to a substantially horizontal transport position, the slide mechanism powered by a hydraulic cylinder acting between the trailer or truck bed and the slide mechanism;
- a powered loading mechanism for engaging the boxed tree and moving the boxed tree up the inclined slide mechanism;
- and
- a powered tilting mechanism attached to the trailer or truck bed for tilting the boxed tree while the slide mechanism is in the relatively horizontal transport position from a substantially upright position to an inclined transport position, the tilting mechanism powered by another hydraulic cylinder acting between the trailer or truck bed and the slide mechanism.
A method of transporting a live boxed tree having a root ball, comprising:
- providing a bed having a bed support surface raised from the ground level;
- pivotally attaching a powered slide mechanism pivotally attached to the trailer or truck bed and movable from an inclined boxed tree engaging position to a substantially horizontal transport position;
- engaging the boxed tree with a powered loading mechanism and moving the boxed tree up the inclined slide mechanism;
- and
- pivotally attaching a powered tilting mechanism to the trailer or truck bed for tilting the boxed tree while the slide mechanism is in the relatively horizontal transport position from a substantially upright position to an inclined transport position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.