GB1598902A

GB1598902A - Cutting turf

Info

Publication number: GB1598902A
Application number: GB2153278A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: MOLONEY T
Current assignee: MOLONEY T
Priority date: 1977-06-01
Filing date: 1978-05-23
Publication date: 1981-09-23
Also published as: IE41431B1; IE41431L

Description

(54) CUTTING TURF (71) We, THOMAS MICHAEL MOL ONEY and MARTIN MOLONEY both Citizens of the Republic of Ireland, of Gaiety Buildings, Ennis, County Clare and Furoor, Kilmaley, County Clare, Ireland, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to by particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a cutting tool for peat.

It is known to provide extremely complex and expensive machines for the cutting of peat.

However such machines are relatively expensive and are thus only economic for large scale operations. Further, such machines usually comprise a milling cutter which cutter cuts into the soil and gathers the peat which is in a fragmented and at least partially wet state.

This wet peat is then mixed either in the machine as the machine works or in a separate machine and compressed to provide turf or peat sods.

Accordingly, in smaller scale operations it is known to cut the peat or turf by hand into sods and then to stack the sods for drying. This is needless to say a laborious and time consuming task. Various devices have been proposed for the cutting of peat and such devices are usually in the form a a tool, for example, for mounting on a tractor. Unfortunately, heretofore these tools or devices have not been particularly satisfactory in use.

The present invention is directed towards providing an improved construction of cutting tool for mounting on an earthworking machine or similar apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided a cutting tool for peat, for mounting on an implement support arm of a mechanical earth working machine the cutting tool being of substantially channel shape in cross-section and comprising a base plate member having an edge forming a front cutting edge and upstanding side cutting blade at each end of the front cutting edge, each side cutting blade having a front facing cutting edge; and a transverse cutting blade for mounting on the implement support arm at a spacing from the mounting of the base plate member so that on tilting movement of the tool or blade will approach the base member at a distance rearwardly from the front cutting edge.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating a first embodiment of the cutting tool of the invention connected to the dipper arm of an hydraulic excavator, but with certain parts omitted; Fig. 2 is a side view of the cutting tool of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is rear view of the cutting tool of Figs. 1 to 3; Fig. 5 is a plan view of a transverse cutting blade of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4; Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative construction of the cutting tool of the invention; Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 6;; Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a further construction of the cutting tool of the invention; and Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line V-V of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings and initially Figs.

1 to 5, there is illustrated a portion of the dipper arm 1 of an hydraulic excavator and its tilting ram 2. For clarity only that portion of the excavator as is necessary to understand the invention is illustrated.

The cutting tool comprises a base plate member 3 having an edge forming a front cutting edge 4. A pair of upstanding side cutting blades 5 having front facing cutting edges 6 are mounted one at each end of the front cutting edge 4.

Upstanding intermediate cutting blades 7 having front facing cutting edges 8 are mounted between the side cutting blades 5. The base plate member 3 and said cutting blades 5 form a tool of substantially channel-shape in crosssection.

A back stop plate is provided by two pairs of opposed channels forming a box section 9 mounted on the base plate member 3 remote from the front cutting edge 4.

A top plate 10 is mounted on the base plate member 3 and between the side cutting blades 5. The top plate 10 inclines upwardly from the base plate member 3 at a position 11 adjacent the rearmost part of the intermediate cutting blades 7 to the back stop plate, that is to say to a position just below the top of the box section 9.

Attachment means for connection to the dipper arm 1 is provided by a channel 15 mounted on the box section 9 and having a pair of further upstanding channels 16 forming a support which is connected to the dipper arm 1 by means of a bar 17. Attachment means for the tilting ram 2 is provided by a tilt support 19 projecting rearwardly from the box section 9. The tilt support 19 engages the tilting ram 2 by means of a shaft 20. A reinforcing member 21 formed by a further channel section is provided. Additional back stops 22 are provided on the box section 9.

A transverse cutting blade 30, having a cutting edge 31, is provided. The transverse cutting blade 30 is bolted to a support 32 formed by a channel iron section which is secured transversely across the dipper arm 1.

In use, the cutting tool is connected to the dipper arm of an hydraulic excavator or other earth working machines such as the backactor of a JCB type shovel. With the top portion of the bog removed and a face provided on the bog the cutting tool is offered up to the bog face and pushed against the bog face by the dipper arm 1 in the direction of the arrows A (See Fig. 2) thus causing the cutting edges 4, 6 and 8 to cut into the bog. As the cutting tool is moved into the bog the top portion of the bog is cut off and is at the same time by means of the intermediate cutting blades 7 divided into longitudinal blocks which are pushed back over the top plate 10. When the peat impinges against the box section 9 the tilting ram 2 is operated thus raising the tool and the peat contained thereon.When the tool is tilted in the direction of the arrow B (See Fig. 2) the cutting edge 31 of the transverse cutting blades 30 cuts the peat into the correct sod length. The peat is then laid to one side for drying. The operation is repeated as required.

In this embdoiment of the invention the cutting tool cuts twenty sods of turf approximately 13 inches long with each cutting stroke.

An alternative construction of the cutting tool according to the invention is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 in which like reference numerals identify like parts. This construction is sub stsially similar to that described with refer ensue to Pigs. 1 to 5. The side cutting blades 5 project from the base plate'member 3 to a position above the top of the box section 9.

Additional back stops 22a formed from bars of mild steel are mounted between the side cutting blades 5 and the ends of the channel 15.

The top plate 10 inclines upwardly from the base plate 3 at a position 11 intermediate the rearmost parts of the intermediate cutting blades 7 and their cutting edges 8.

The tilt support 19 projects rearwardly and upwardly from the box section 9 to facilitate the attachment of the cutting tool to a back end digger as for example a FOSTER (Trade Mark) back end digger. A reinforcing member 23 is fitted between the upstanding channels 16.

The operation of this cutting tool is similar to that of the cutting tool described with refer ence to Figs. 1 to 5.

A further alternative construction of the cutting tool is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9; again like reference numerals identify like parts. This construction is substantially similar to that described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Ten horizontal front cutting blades 27 each with a front facing cutting edge 28 are mounted above the base plate member 3 and between the upstanding blades. Thus a front cutting blade 27 is positioned between each adjacent pair of intermediate cutting blades 7 and between each side cutting blade 5 and its adjacent intermediate cutting blade 7. The front cutting blades 27 are positioned approxi mately midway up the height of the inter mediate cutting blades 7, that is to say half way between the base plate member 3 and the tops of the upstanding blades. A reinforcing member 23 is fitted between the upstanding channels 16.A support member 29 is positioned between the top plate 10 and the base plate member 3.

In use, this cutting tool is connected to the backactor of a JCB type shovel and used as described already.

The front cutting blades 27 make an addi tional horizontal cut in the bog, thus giving two layers of blocks. When the peat impinges on the box section 9 the transverse cutting blade (not shown) will divide the longitudinal blocks of peat into the correct sod lengths.

In the embodiment described above the top plate has been illustrated as a flat plate. It will be appreciaeed that it may be more advan tageous to have the plate slightly concave to compensate for the arcuate movement of the earth moving machinery.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A cutting tool for peat, for mounting on an implement support arm of a mechanical earth working machine the cutting tool being of substantially channel shape in cross-section and comprising a base plate member having an edge forming a front cutting edge and an upstanding side cutting blade at each end of the front cutting edge, each side cutting blade

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. plate member 3 and said cutting blades 5 form a tool of substantially channel-shape in crosssection. A back stop plate is provided by two pairs of opposed channels forming a box section 9 mounted on the base plate member 3 remote from the front cutting edge 4. A top plate 10 is mounted on the base plate member 3 and between the side cutting blades 5. The top plate 10 inclines upwardly from the base plate member 3 at a position 11 adjacent the rearmost part of the intermediate cutting blades 7 to the back stop plate, that is to say to a position just below the top of the box section 9. Attachment means for connection to the dipper arm 1 is provided by a channel 15 mounted on the box section 9 and having a pair of further upstanding channels 16 forming a support which is connected to the dipper arm 1 by means of a bar 17. Attachment means for the tilting ram 2 is provided by a tilt support 19 projecting rearwardly from the box section 9. The tilt support 19 engages the tilting ram 2 by means of a shaft 20. A reinforcing member 21 formed by a further channel section is provided. Additional back stops 22 are provided on the box section 9. A transverse cutting blade 30, having a cutting edge 31, is provided. The transverse cutting blade 30 is bolted to a support 32 formed by a channel iron section which is secured transversely across the dipper arm 1. In use, the cutting tool is connected to the dipper arm of an hydraulic excavator or other earth working machines such as the backactor of a JCB type shovel. With the top portion of the bog removed and a face provided on the bog the cutting tool is offered up to the bog face and pushed against the bog face by the dipper arm 1 in the direction of the arrows A (See Fig. 2) thus causing the cutting edges 4, 6 and 8 to cut into the bog. As the cutting tool is moved into the bog the top portion of the bog is cut off and is at the same time by means of the intermediate cutting blades 7 divided into longitudinal blocks which are pushed back over the top plate 10. When the peat impinges against the box section 9 the tilting ram 2 is operated thus raising the tool and the peat contained thereon.When the tool is tilted in the direction of the arrow B (See Fig. 2) the cutting edge 31 of the transverse cutting blades 30 cuts the peat into the correct sod length. The peat is then laid to one side for drying. The operation is repeated as required. In this embdoiment of the invention the cutting tool cuts twenty sods of turf approximately 13 inches long with each cutting stroke. An alternative construction of the cutting tool according to the invention is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 in which like reference numerals identify like parts. This construction is sub stsially similar to that described with refer ensue to Pigs. 1 to 5. The side cutting blades 5 project from the base plate'member 3 to a position above the top of the box section 9. Additional back stops 22a formed from bars of mild steel are mounted between the side cutting blades 5 and the ends of the channel 15. The top plate 10 inclines upwardly from the base plate 3 at a position 11 intermediate the rearmost parts of the intermediate cutting blades 7 and their cutting edges 8. The tilt support 19 projects rearwardly and upwardly from the box section 9 to facilitate the attachment of the cutting tool to a back end digger as for example a FOSTER (Trade Mark) back end digger. A reinforcing member 23 is fitted between the upstanding channels 16. The operation of this cutting tool is similar to that of the cutting tool described with refer ence to Figs. 1 to 5. A further alternative construction of the cutting tool is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9; again like reference numerals identify like parts. This construction is substantially similar to that described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Ten horizontal front cutting blades 27 each with a front facing cutting edge 28 are mounted above the base plate member 3 and between the upstanding blades. Thus a front cutting blade 27 is positioned between each adjacent pair of intermediate cutting blades 7 and between each side cutting blade 5 and its adjacent intermediate cutting blade 7. The front cutting blades 27 are positioned approxi mately midway up the height of the inter mediate cutting blades 7, that is to say half way between the base plate member 3 and the tops of the upstanding blades. A reinforcing member 23 is fitted between the upstanding channels 16.A support member 29 is positioned between the top plate 10 and the base plate member 3. In use, this cutting tool is connected to the backactor of a JCB type shovel and used as described already. The front cutting blades 27 make an addi tional horizontal cut in the bog, thus giving two layers of blocks. When the peat impinges on the box section 9 the transverse cutting blade (not shown) will divide the longitudinal blocks of peat into the correct sod lengths. In the embodiment described above the top plate has been illustrated as a flat plate. It will be appreciaeed that it may be more advan tageous to have the plate slightly concave to compensate for the arcuate movement of the earth moving machinery. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A cutting tool for peat, for mounting on an implement support arm of a mechanical earth working machine the cutting tool being of substantially channel shape in cross-section and comprising a base plate member having an edge forming a front cutting edge and an upstanding side cutting blade at each end of the front cutting edge, each side cutting blade

having a front facing cutting edge; and a transverse cutting blade for mounting on the implement support arm at a spacing from the mounting of the base plate member so that on tilting movement of the tool or blade the blade will approach the base plate member at a distance rearwardly from the front cutting edge.

2. A cutting tool as claimed in claim 1 in which at least one upstanding intermediate cutting blade is mounted between the side cutting blades.

3. A cutting tool as claimed in claim 2 in which the side cutting blades extend rearwardly to connect with a back stop plate and in which the or each intermediate cutting blade is mounted between the side cutting blades and extends a short distance rearwardly of the front cutting edge of the base plate member.

4. A cutting tool as claimed in claim 2 or 3 in which a front cutting blade having a front facing cutting edge is mounted above the base plate member between the upstanding cutting blades.

5. A cutting tool as claimed in claim 4 in which the front cutting blade is mounted approximately midway between the base plate member and the tops of the upstanding blades.

6. A cutting tool as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 in which a top plate is mounted on the base plate member and between the side cutting blades, said top plate inclining upwardly from the base plate member adjacent the rearmost part of the intermediate cutting blade or blades to the back stop plate.

7. A cutting tool as claimed in claim 6 in which the top plate is concave.

8. A cutting tool as claimed in any preceding claim in which attachment means, for connection to two implement support arms of the earth working machine, are provided adjacent the edge remote from the front cutting edge of the base plate member and on a support projecting rearwardly from the base plate member.

9. A cutting tool for peat substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A cutting tool for peat substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A cutting tool for peat substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.