Ground Conditioner

Abstract

A conditioner is configured to couple to a support member of a construction vehicle and condition the ground while the vehicle remains stationary. A conditioner can include a mounting assembly for releasably coupling to the vehicle and rotatably supporting a roller configured to provide a plurality of seed beds. A cylindrically shaped roller can have a plurality of cleats disposed along a circumferential surface. The cleats may be arranged to provide a spaced-apart staggered pattern of seed beds. Through operation of the vehicle's support member and hydraulic system, the roller can be manipulated to move along steep slopes within confined areas while the construction vehicle remains stationary at a stable location. The roller can be configured for adjustable ground compaction through addition and/or withdrawal of fluids through a port.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for conditioning terrain, comprising:
 a cylindrically-shaped roller having a plurality of elongated cleats provided along a circumferential surface parallel to a cylindrical axis of the roller, wherein the cleats configured to engage the ground to provide a plurality of spaced-apart seed beds; and   a mounting assembly configured to rotatably support the roller and releasably couple with a support member of a construction vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a port is provided to the roller to allow fluid to be added to the interior of the roller. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket assembly is configured to releasably couple with a dipper arm of a construction vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for releasably coupling a ground-engaging roller to a support member of a construction vehicle, comprising:
 a frame configured to rotatably support a ground-engaging roller; and   a bracket coupled to the frame, the bracket configured to releasably couple with a support arm of a construction vehicle.   
     
     
         5 . A conditioning roller, comprising:
 a cylindrically-shaped body having an outer surface for compacting the ground and a plurality of spaced-apart cleats extending from a circumferential surface of the cylindrical body, the cleats extending parallel to the cylindrical axis of the cylinder and configured to engage a surface to create a seed bed in the ground.   
     
     
         6 . The conditioning roller of  claim 3 , wherein the cleats are arranged in a plurality of cleat columns in a spaced apart arrangement. 
     
     
         7 . The conditioning roller of  claim 5 , wherein the cleats are misaligned. 
     
     
         8 . The conditioning roller of  claim 5 , further comprising a port for adding fluid to an interior of the cylindrical body.