Mulching unit for use in mulching apparatus
OwnerJohn W Edwardsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mulching unit for a mulching apparatus includes at least one cutting assembly having a rotatable support element and at least one cutting element releasably mounted and movable or rotatable with respect to the support element. With this structure, it is possible to easily replace cutting elements without also replacing the corresponding support structure as well. In addition, the mulching unit may include a tubular assembly including inner and outer tube members connected using bracing members. A plurality of support elements of associated cutting assemblies may be fixedly attached to an outer surface of the outer tube member. This structure has improved resistance to impact with obstacles during the mulching operation that would otherwise cause misalignment.
Claims35
A mulching apparatus comprising:
- a tractor;
- and
- a mulching unit coupled to and receiving power from the tractor, the mulching unit including at least one cutting assembly having a freely rotatable support element and at least one cutting element releasably mounted to the support element.
A cutting assembly for use with a mulching unit of a mulching apparatus, comprising:
- a support element having a collar defining an inner surface rotatably and slidably mounted to a support rod of the mulching unit, and a cutting element holder member integrally formed with the collar, the holder member including at least first and second through holes;
- and
- at least first and second cutting elements releasably mounted within the first and second through holes, respectively.
A mulching apparatus comprising:
- a tractor having a power source;
- and
- a mulching unit in communication with the power source, the mulching unit including a rotating tube assembly having inner and outer tube members, the inner tube member being connected to a drive shaft of the power source and the outer tube member including at least one cutting assembly, the cutting assembly including a support element fixedly connected to the outer tube member and at least one cutting element freely supported on the support element so as to be movable with respect to the support element.
A cutting assembly for use with a mulching unit comprising:
- a support element having a collar defining an inner surface rotatably and slidably mounted to a support rod of the mulching unit;
- and
- at least first and second cutting elements extending away from the collar and being spaced apart by a predetermined distance to define a gap therebetween.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.