Aeration machine

Abstract

An aeration machine 10 comprising a drive mechanism 16 connected to sets of tines 18 by a vibration absorbing linkage arrangement 34. The arrangement 34 enables the tines 18 to remain vertical when extending into the ground thereby avoiding elongation of the holes formed thereby.

1 . An aeration machine, the machine comprising one or more tines selectively movable into and out of the ground, and a linkage arrangement between the machine and the tines which arrangement is substantially vibration absorbing and permits the tines to move in substantially only a vertical direction when any part of the tines extends into the ground.  
     
     
         2 . An aeration machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the linkage comprises a vibration absorbing member.  
     
     
         3 . An aeration machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the vibration absorbing member comprises first and second parts, and the first part is located at least partially within the second part and held therein by one or more resilient members.  
     
     
         4 . An aeration machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the or each resilient member comprises one or more pieces of a resilient material.  
     
     
         5 . An aeration machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the resilient material is self-damping.  
     
     
         6 . An aeration machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the resilient material comprises rubber.  
     
     
         7 . An aeration machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the second part comprises a hollow housing with the first part held therein by a plurality of pieces of resilient material.  
     
     
         8 . An aeration machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the first part may be of generally square cross-section.  
     
     
         9 . An aeration machine according to  claim 8 , wherein a piece of material is along each side of the first part.  
     
     
         10 . An aeration machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the second part is of square cross-section.  
     
     
         11 . An aeration machine according to  claim 10 , wherein in a rest condition the first and second parts may be oriented at substantially 45° relative to each other.  
     
     
         12 . An aeration machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the first part is mountable to the tines.  
     
     
         13 . An aeration machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the second part is mountable to the remainder of the machine.  
     
     
         14 . An aeration machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the first part is mounted to the tines by a pivotal arrangement.  
     
     
         15 . An aeration machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the arrangement comprises a first member extending from the vibration absorbing member and which pivotally mounts a linkage member.  
     
     
         16 . An aeration machine according to  claim 15 , wherein the linkage member pivotally connects to the tines.  
     
     
         17 . An aeration machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the tines are vertically drivable by a link member pivotally mounted off centre on a drive wheel.  
     
     
         18 . An aeration machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the link member pivotally mounts the linkage arrangement.