Scrubbing paddles for aeration core harvesting apparatus

An aeration core harvesting machine comprising:

• a frame adapted for movement over the ground in a direction of travel;
• a core collection mechanism to collect earthen aeration cores;
• at least one paddle assembly oriented transverse to said direction of travel and positioned rearwardly of said core collection mechanism to receive earthen aeration cores therefrom, said at least one paddle assembly being rotatable about a transverse axis of rotation;
• a screen member positioned adjacent said at least one paddle assembly to be cooperable therewith, said screen member having openings therein to permit dirt to pass therethrough to the ground;
• and
• said at least one paddle assembly being formed with a pair of opposing paddle members pivotally mounted on a central member rotatable about said axis of rotation, each said paddle member being pivotable away from said screen member.

An aeration core harvesting machine comprising:

• a core collection mechanism to collect earthen aeration cores;
• a series of transversely oriented paddle assemblies, each of said paddle assemblies being
• formed with a pair of opposing paddle members pivotally mounted on a central member rotatable about a pivot axis such that each said paddle member is pivotable away from a screen member, each said paddle member being formed with a bent member terminating in a tip rotatable about the corresponding said axis of rotation to define a corresponding arc of rotation, each said bent member having a mounting portion and an angled portion trailing said mounting portion during rotation of said paddle assemblies to destroy said earthen aeration cores by forcing said earthen aeration cores into said screen as said paddle assemblies are rotated;
• positioned longitudinally of each other said paddle assembly and rearwardly of said core collection mechanism to receive earthen aeration cores from said core collection mechanism;
• and
• rotatable about a respective transverse axis of rotation located at a center of said paddle assembly;
• and
• said screen member being positioned beneath said paddle assemblies to be cooperable therewith to destroy said earthen aeration cores when said paddle assemblies are rotated in a core destroying mode, said screen member having holes therein permitting dirt to pass through said screen member to the ground.

A machine for the harvesting of earthen aeration cores having a dirt portion and a thatch portion, comprising:

• a frame adapted for movement over the ground in a direction of travel;
• a beater mechanism oriented transverse to said direction of travel to receive said earthen aeration cores, said beater mechanism being rotatable about a transverse axis of rotation;
• and
• a screen member positioned adjacent said beater mechanism to be cooperable therewith, said screen member having openings therein for the passage of dirt therethrough to the ground.