US 4,905,767 AGranted

Rock picking device

OwnerGary G. Schneiderinventor

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Abstract

A device for picking rocks from a field includes a frame which is mounted on a pair of wheels. A hitch is pivotally attached to the frame and is adapted for engagement with a conventional tractor. The offset of the hitch is adjusted by a hydraulic cylinder to adjust the tracking of the frame behind the tractor. A reel is mounted for rotation on the frame and is powered by a chain and sprocket drive from a rotary hydraulic motor. The reel has a plurality of radially extending spokes, each terminating in a stone picking rake formed by a plurality of spaced teeth. The elevation of the reel with respect to ground level is adjusted by a pair of hydraulic cylinders connected to a pivotal reel mounting frame. A depth stop mechanism is provided to lock the reel in an adjusted elevational position. In a first embodiment, a semi-cylindrical stone collecting box is mounted within the reel frame. As each of the reel spokes rotates to a top position, collected stones fall by gravity into the open stone box. A hinged door is provided in the bottom of the stone box and is operated by a hydraulic cylinder for enabling the collected to be deposited in a desired location. In a second embodiment, the stone collecting box is replaced by an endless belt type conveyor for transporting the stones to a trailer or truck bed.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A rock picking device, comprising:

a frame formed by front and rear frame members connected in spaced parallel relation by first and second side frame members;
a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said frame;
an elongated towing hitch bar pivotally attached for movement about a vertical axis adjacent a front corner of said frame formed by intersection of said front frame member and one of said side frame members;
a hydraulic cylinder on said frame operatively connected to said frame for pivotally adjusting said hitch bar with respect to said frame;
a pair of vertical support members mounted adjacent opposite rear corners of said frame formed by intersections of opposite ends of said rear frame member with said side frame members;
a pair of pivotal side frame members, each having first end pivotally mounted for movement about a horizontal axis to an upper end of one of said vertical support members;
a stationary shaft extending between second ends of said pivotal side frame members, said shaft securing said pivotal side frame members in spaced parallel relation;
at least a second hydraulic cylinder on said frame and operatively connected to pivotally raise and lower said pivotal side frame members;
depth stop means on said frame for securing said side frame members at a selected adjusted position;
a reel mounted for rotation on said stationary shaft;
said reel having a plurality of radially extending spokes;
a stone picking rake on an outer end of each of said spokes;
motor means on said frame operatively connected for rotating said reel;
and
collecting means on said frame for collecting stones from said rakes.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.