Rotating disk-type ditcher

A ditcher assembly for forming longitudinal ditches through soil in a given area comprising

• a prime mover for moving said assembly in a line of travel corresponding to the end of the longitudinal ditch desired,
• a rotary soil removing disk mounted in said assembly,
• said disk having a generally vertical planar orientation generally transverse to said line of travel,
• a housing within which said disk is rotated comprising a lower shroud and an upper shroud mated therewith,
• power supply means for rotationally driving said soil removing disk,
• said disk comprising a series of soil gathering scoops spaced about the circumferential edge of said front face,
• a lower front portion said lower shroud being open to expose a lower portion of said rotary disk,
• a soil cutting edge and plow section at the lower leading edge of said lower shroud provided in advance of said rotary disk by which soil being cut is fed in loosened condition to the path of movement of said scoops,
• means for selectively setting the cutting depth of said cutting edge and plow section,
• and an adjustably orientable chute means overlying said disk for receipt of soil centrifugally lifted and discharged from said scoops for directing the cut soil to preselectable locations relative to the line of travel of said assembly,
• and a replaceable wear surface of wear resistant material provided adjacent and about the soil conveying path of movement of said scoops through said ditcher,
• said scoops each being longitudinal members mounted in radially oriented relation at the circumferential edge of said disk,
• said scoops each having a concavity in the soil lifting direction of movement on said disk and having an open top end arranged to be substantially closed by said wear surface as it conveys soil through said ditcher,
• said longitudinal scoops each having a back and each being provided with a slanted outside edge extending generally from the upper center of said back to a point at said outside edge at least one-third of the distance of the length of the scoop down from its top edge to assist in rejecting clumps and rocks in the path of movement of said scoops.

A ditcher assembly for forming longitudinal ditches through soil in a given area comprising

• a prime mover for moving said assembly in a line of travel corresponding to the line of the longitudinal ditch desired,
• a rotary soil removing disk mounted in said assembly,
• said disk having a generally vertical planar orientation generally transverse to said lids of travel,
• a housing within which said disk is rotated comprising a lower shroud end an upper shroud mated therewith,
• power supply means for rotationally driving said soil removing disk,
• said disk comprising a series of soil gathering spaced about the circumferential edge of said front face,
• a lower front portion of said lower shroud being open to expose a lower portion of said rotary disk,
• a soil cutting edge and plow section at the lower leading edge of said lower shroud provided in advance of said rotary disk by which soil being cut is fed in loosened condition to the path of movement of said scoops,
• means for selectively setting the cutting depth of said cutting edge and plow section,
• and an adjustably orientable chute means overlying said disk for receipt of soil centrifugally lifted and discharged from said scoops for directing the cut soil preselectable locations relative to the line of travel of said assembly,
• and a replaceable wear surface of wear resistant material provided adjacent and about the soil conveying path of movement said scoops through said ditcher,
• said scoops each being longitudinal members mounted in radially oriented relation at the circumferential edge of said disk,
• said scoops each having a concavity in the soil lifting direction of movement on said disk and having an open top end arranged to be substantially closed by said wear surface as it conveys soil through said ditcher.
• an outside edge of each of said scoops having a top edge and a slanted edge portion extending from the center of said top end generally downwardly and outwardly at an angle in a range of 30 to 60 degrees to said top edge of said scoop.

A ditcher assembly for forming longitudinal ditches through soil in a given area comprising

• a prime mover for moving said assembly in a line of travel corresponding to the line of the longitudinal ditch desired,
• a rotary soil removing disk mounted in said assembly,
• said disk having a generally vertical planar orientation generally transverse to said line of travel,
• a housing within which said disk is rotated comprising a lower shroud and an upper shroud mated therewith,
• power supply means for rotationally driving said soil removing disk,
• said disk having a front face facing the direction of travel of said assembly,
• said disk comprising a series of soil gathering scoops spaced about the circumferential edge of said front face,
• a lower front portion of said lower shroud facing the direction of travel of said assembly being open to expose the lower portion of said rotary disk,
• a plow section in advance of said rotary disk having a cutting edge located at the bottom of said open lower shroud by which soil is cut and fed in loosened condition in the path of movement of said scoops,
• means for selectively setting the cutting depth of said cutting edge,
• an adjustably orientable chute overlying said disk and upper shroud for receipt of soil lifted in said scoops,
• said upper shroud providing a closed path of movement of soil in scoops passing therethrough,
• said upper shroud having an opening positioned for passage therethrough of soil from said scoops into said chute whereby said discharged soil can be directed through said chute to desired locations of deposit, and
• a pair vertically adjustable side sloping blades positioned to cut a selectable steepness in the sidewalls of ditch passes formed.

A method of forming an elongate soil depression with side walls in a selected area comprising

• providing a longitudinal plow section with a cutting edge oriented transversely to the elongate depression to be formed,
• selecting a depth for cutting soil with said cutting edge for said depression,
• advancing said cutting edge to cut the soil at said selected depth,
• plowing said cut soil over said cutting edge under the influence of said advancing cutting edge,
• collecting said plowed soil with a series of open ended scoops by moving said scoops generally transversely to the direction of advancement of said cutting edge,
• lifting the soil collected with said scoops through a confined arcuate path,
• releasing said lifted soil from said scoops to an overhanging directing chute under the influence of the force of movement of said soil from said scoops,
• orienting said chute to deposit the soil from said scoops a preselected distance laterally of the elongate depression being formed, and
• providing a pair of vertically adjustable side sloping blades positioned to cut a selectable steepness in the sidewalls of ditch passes formed.