Apparatus for applying and retrieving protective ground coverings

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

• a) a first frame removably and rotatably attached to a prime mover;
• b) support arms attached to said first frame;
• c) a cover reel attached rotatably to said support arms for laying down or retrieving said ground cover and wherein said means for rotating lowers said cover reel whereby the weight of said cover reel provides a downward pressing force onto the ground;
• and
• d) means for rotating said first frame downward or upward to lower and raise said cover reel, said means attached to said first frame between the prime mover and said first frame.

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

• a) a first frame removably and rotatably attached to a prime mover;
• b) support arms attached to said first frame;
• c) a cover reel attached rotatably to said support arms for laying down or retrieving said ground cover;
• d) means for lowering and raising said cover reel, said means attached to said first frame between the prime mover and said first frame;
• and
• e) tension bar arms attached to said first frame providing a tension bar in front of said cover reel and a tension bar in back of said cover reel.

An apparatus for laying or retrieving a ground cover comprising:

• a) a first frame removably attached to a prime mover;
• b) pivotal support arms having first ends and second ends, said first ends attached rotatably to said first frame, and a cover reel attached rotatably to said second ends;
• c) means for raising and lowering said pivotal support arms attached between said first frame and said pivotal support arms wherein said raising and lowering means raise and lower said cover reel;
• and
• d) a second frame attached to said second ends of the pivotal support arms, said second frame having a motor, a transmission, and a shaft for disengageably driving said cover reel to retrieve said ground cover.

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

• a) a first frame removably attached to a prime mover;
• b) a second frame rotatable attached to the first frame, said second frame having a cover reel mounted rotatable thereon;
• c) hydraulic means connected between the first frame and the second frame to raise and lower said second frame;
• and
• d) a third frame attached rotatably to said second frame, said third frame having cable reels with cables, said cable reels having a motor, transmission, and a shaft for disengageably driving said cable reels to unwind said cables on top of said ground cover and to rewind said cables onto said cable reels.

A method for rapidly laying down 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 said cover reel assembly;
• c) pushing the cover reel assembly with the prime mover so as to freely unwind said ground cover onto the ground;
• and
• d) retrieving said ground cover by attaching said ground cover to said cover reel, and winding said ground cover onto said cover reel by pushing said cover reel assembly with the prime mover.

A method for rapidly applying laying down 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 said cover reel assembly;
• c) pulling the cover reel assembly with the prime mover so as to freely unwind said ground cover onto the ground;
• d) retrieving said ground cover by attaching said ground cover to said cover reel, and winding said ground cover onto said cover reel by pulling said cover reel assembly with the prime mover;
• and
• e) providing cable reels with cables which freely unwind simultaneously as the prime mover pushes the cover reel assembly, laying said cables onto the ground cover to hold said ground cover on the ground.