Pruning apparatus
OwnerDennis A. Tinerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bush pruning apparatus adapted for use in combination with a tractor or similar vehicle, wherein the apparatus is mounted to the tractor by a frame that allows the position of the cutting blade relative to the bush be pruned to be freely independent of the position or tilt of the tractor, such that changes in elevation or ground surface encountered by the tractor are not transmitted to the cutting blade to adversely affect the height of the cutting blade.
Claims19
A pruning apparatus adapted for mounting to a tractor, wherein the tractor defines a direction of travel, the apparatus comprising:
- an independent suspension frame assembly comprising a front frame member, a rear frame member and a main frame member, wherein said front frame member is adapted to be pivotally mounted to the tractor and joined to said main frame member, and wherein the rearward portion of said main frame member is pivotally joined by a pivot assembly to said rear frame member such that the forward portion of said main frame member moves in a vertical arc centered on said main frame member pivot assembly, said pivot assembly having an axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of travel, and wherein said rear frame member is adapted to be rigidly mounted to the tractor;
- a pruning assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said pruning assembly comprising a height adjustable cutting blade;
- and
- a ground support wheel mounted to said frame assembly;
- whereby said front frame member and said main frame member move independently of the tractor and said rear frame member, such that said frame assembly precludes transfer of any tilting or up and down movement of the tractor to the pruning assembly during a pruning operation and such that movement of said pruning assembly is maintained within a substantially vertical plane.
A pruning apparatus adapted for mounting to a tractor, wherein the tractor defines a direction of travel, the apparatus comprising:
- an independent suspension frame assembly comprising a front frame member, a rear frame member and a main frame member, wherein said front frame member is adapted to be pivotally mounted to the tractor and joined to said main frame member, and wherein the rearward portion of said main frame member is pivotally joined by a pivot assembly to said rear frame member such that the forward portion of said main frame member moves in a vertical arc centered on said main frame member pivot assembly, said pivot assembly having an axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of travel, and wherein said main frame member is adapted to be mounted parallel to the direction of travel, and wherein said rear frame member is adapted to be rigidly mounted to the tractor;
- a pruning assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said pruning assembly comprising a height adjustable cutting blade;
- and a ground support wheel mounted to said frame assembly;
- whereby said front frame member and said main frame member move independently of the tractor and said rear frame member, such that said frame assembly precludes transfer of any tilting or up and down movement of the tractor to the pruning assembly during a pruning operation and such that movement of said pruning assembly is maintained within a substantially vertical plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.