Simple, durable and easy-to-use earthworking machine

Abstract

A sod cutter ( 10 ) is disclosed including a frame ( 12 ) formed by welding the free edges of mount, frame and end plates ( 46 a , 46 b 46 c ) bent relative to one of two side plates ( 46 ) to the corresponding edges of the other side plate ( 48 ). An axle assembly ( 160 ) is pivotal relative to the frame ( 12 ) by a depth adjustment lever ( 198 ) between a working position where wheels ( 16 ) carried by the axle assembly ( 160 ) engage tubular members ( 168 ) slideably and nonrotatably received on a drive shaft ( 166 ) and a transport position where the wheels ( 16 ) are spaced from the tubular members ( 168 ). A U-shaped handlebar ( 210 ) is positionable between an operating position for grasping during operation and a storage position for lifting and handling. A U-shaped control ( 212 ) is pivotably mounted in front of and above the U-shaped handlebar ( 210 ) for actuating the throttle of the engine ( 18 ). A threaded lock ( 192 ) provides a connection between the handle mounting tube ( 180 ) and the mast ( 214 ) of the handlebar ( 210 ) and is not threadably removable by a spring pin ( 196 ) extending from the lock ( 192 ) and received in a gap defined between the mounting tube ( 180 ) and a locking plate.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . Method for forming a frame comprising: 
 obtaining first and second planar elements each having an opening therein;    bending a frame plate generally perpendicular to one of the first and second planar elements, with the frame plate having a free edge;    bending an end plate generally perpendicular to one of the first and second planar elements, with the end plate having a free edge;    aligning the openings of the first and second planar elements;    welding the free edge of the bent frame plate to the other of the first and second planar elements while the openings are aligned; and    welding the free edge of the bent end plate to the other of the first and second planar elements while the openings are aligned.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  with the frame plate having a rear edge and the end plate having a top edge, with the method further comprising welding the rear edge to the top edge while the openings are aligned  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  with bending the frame plate comprising bending the frame plate generally perpendicular to the first planar element, and with bending the end plate comprising bending the end plate generally perpendicular to the first planar element.  
   
   
       22 - 25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . Assembly for an earthworking machine comprising, in combination: a handlebar having a mast secured thereto; a handlebar mount, with the mast of the handlebar being removably and slideably connected to the handlebar mount, with the handlebar being positionable in a working position and in a storage position by slideably removing the mast while secured to the handlebar from the handlebar mount, then changing an orientation of the handlebar with the mast secured thereto relative to the handlebar mount, and then slideably connecting the mast while secured to the handlebar with the handlebar mount, with the handlebar in the working position being positioned for gripping by an operator while operating the earthworking machine, and with the mast in the storage position being positioned over the earthworking machine for lifting and hauling.  
   
   
       27 . The assembly of  claim 26  with the handlebar being generally U-shaped and including first and second legs extending from opposite sides of a center, with the mast extending from the center, with the first and second legs extending generally horizontally rearward and the center extending generally horizontally in the working position, with the first and second legs extending forward and on opposite sides of the earthworking machine in the storage position.  
   
   
       28 . The assembly of  claim 27  with the mast including a first linear portion having a lower end and an upper end, with the center being spaced from the upper end and extending generally perpendicular to the first linear portion, with the first linear portion being removably connected to the handlebar mount by being slideably connected generally vertically to the handlebar mount in the working position, with the first linear portion being removably connected to the handlebar mount by being slideably connected at an acute angle to vertical to the handlebar mount in the storage position.  
   
   
       29 . The assembly of  claim 28  with the mast including a second linear portion extending from the center of the handlebar at an obtuse angle relative to the first and second legs of the handlebar and extending from the first linear portion at an obtuse angle.  
   
   
       30 . The assembly of  claim 29  with the handlebar mount being a first tube having an inner periphery and an outer periphery; a first aperture formed in the first tube between the inner and outer peripheries, with the first linear portion having an outer periphery of a size for slideable receipt in the inner periphery of the first tube; a bore formed in the first linear portion aligned with the opening in the first tube when the first linear tube is slideably received in the first tube; a lock plate held relative to the outer periphery of the first tube to define a gap therebetween; a second aperture formed in the lock plate; a threaded lock extending through the first and second openings, with the threaded lock being theadably received in one of the first tube and the lock plate; and a pin located in the gap and extending radially from the lock, with the pin preventing the lock from being threaded out of the said one of the first tube and the lock plate, with the lock being insertable into the bore to prevent sliding of the first linear portion relative to the fist tube and being removable from the bore to allow sliding of the first linear portion relative to the first tube.  
   
   
       31 . (canceled)