Apparatus for applying and retrieving protective ground coverings

A method for laying or retrieving a ground cover, comprising:

• a) providing a cover reel assembly removably attached to a prime mover, said cover reel assembly having a cover reel with a ground cover;
• b) lowering said cover reel to the ground using raising and lowering means attached to the cover reel assembly;
• c) applying a downward pressing force to the cover reel with said raising and lowering means to press the ground cover onto the ground;
• d) pushing the cover reel assembly with the prime mover so as to freely unwind said ground cover;
• and
• e) retrieving said ground cover by attaching the ground cover to the cover reel, and pushing the cover reel assembly with the prime mover.

An apparatus for laying or retrieving a ground cover, comprising:

• a) a first frame removably attached to a prime mover;
• b) a second frame rotatably attached to the first frame, said second frame having a cover reel mounted rotatably thereon and a brush/guide mechanism mounted rotatably thereon;
• c) hydraulic means connected between the first frame and the second frame to raise and lower the second frame;
• d) said first frame having a motor, a transmission, and shaft for disengageably driving said cover reel to retrieve the ground cover;
• e) a third frame attached rotatably to said second frame, said third frame having cable reels with cables, and a motor, a transmission, and shaft for disengageably driving said cable reels to retrieve said cables, said cables providing a retaining action for said ground cover on the ground;
• and
• f) hydraulic means connected between said first frame and said third frame to lower and raise said third frame to facilitate the laying down or retrieval of said cables.

A method for laying or retrieving a ground cover, comprising:

• a) providing a cover reel assembly removably attached to a prime mover, said cover reel assembly having a cover reel with a ground cover, cable reels with cables, and a brush/guide mechanism;
• b) lowering said cover reel to the ground using hydraulic means attached to the cover reel assembly;
• c) applying a downward pressing force to the cover reel with the hydraulic means to press the ground cover onto the ground, thereby facilitating and ensuring an even, uniform, and aligned laying down of the ground cover onto the ground;
• d) securing to the ground said ground cover and said cables;
• e) pulling the cover reel assembly with the prime mover so as to freely unwind said ground cover and cables onto the ground, said cables providing a retaining action for said ground cover on the ground;
• f) retrieving said ground cover by inserting the ground cover through the brush/guide mechanism, attaching the ground cover to the cover reel, and winding the ground cover onto the cover reel by pulling the cover reel assembly with the prime mover;
• and
• g) retrieving said cables by attaching the cables to the cable reels and winding the cables onto the cable reels by activating a motor, transmission, and shaft on the cover reel assembly.