Silt Fence Installation System And Method

Abstract

An assembly for installation of a silt fence. The assembly comprises a cutting member, a silt fence guide, and a spool of silt fence material. The cutting member may be a plow blade, a trenching assembly, or another cutting means. A vibrator may be utilized to enhance the effectiveness of a plow blade. The silt fence guide may be a grab wheel adapted to place the silt fence material into an opened trench or other means. The spool of silt fence material is preferably adjustable to change a position at which the silt fence material contacts the silt fence guide. Preferably, a roller or similar means is used to compact the soil proximate installed fence. Alternatively, a second cutting member and a second silt fence guide may be utilized to cut another trench. A second spool of silt fence material allows simultaneous installation of two fences. The assembly may be adapted to cut a curved path behind a work vehicle traveling in a generally straight direction. An alternative embodiment includes a stake driving apparatus.

1 . A work tool attachment for a work vehicle, the work tool attachment comprising:
 two ground cutting members adapted to cut two substantially parallel trenches;   at least one spool of silt fence material, the silt fence material having a width; and   a silt fence material guide disposed proximate the cutting members such that the material guide places a portion of the width of silt fence material into the two substantially parallel trenches.   
   
   
       2 . The work tool attachment of  claim 1  wherein the cutting members comprise blades. 
   
   
       3 . The work tool attachment of  claim 2  wherein the cutting members comprise vibratory plows. 
   
   
       4 . The work tool attachment of  claim 1  wherein the material guide comprises a wheel. 
   
   
       5 . The work tool attachment of  claim 1  wherein the sift fence material is guided into said trenches such that a horizontal section of material remains along the surface of the soil between said trenches. 
   
   
       6 . The work tool of  claim 5 , wherein the material guide is adapted to stretch the silt fence material between said trenches. 
   
   
       7 . The work tool attachment of  claim 1  further comprising an additional spool of silt fence material. 
   
   
       8 . The work tool attachment of  claim 1  further comprising at least one compacting wheel positioned such that it closes the trench about the silt fence material. 
   
   
       9 . The work tool attachment of  claim 1  wherein the two cutting members are at different positions relative to a length of the work vehicle. 
   
   
       10 . A work tool attachment for a work vehicle, the work tool attachment comprising:
 a vibratory plow having a first ground engaging blade;   a spool of silt fence material; and   a silt fence material guide comprising a wheel;   wherein the guide places the silt fence material into a trench proximate a path of the vibratory plow blade when the silt fence material is unspooled.   
   
   
       11 . The work tool of  claim 10  further comprising a second ground engaging blade. 
   
   
       12 . The work tool of  claim 11  wherein the second ground engaging blade is located a distance apart from the first ground engaging blade along a width of the work vehicle. 
   
   
       13 . The work tool of  claim 12  wherein the second ground engaging blade is offset from the first ground engaging blade along a length of the work vehicle. 
   
   
       14 . The work tool of  claim 10  further comprising an adjustable positioner adapted for insertion of silt fence material of variable height. 
   
   
       15 . The work tool of  claim 10  further comprising a stake handling system adapted for inserting stakes into the ground proximate the path of the ground engaging blade. 
   
   
       16 . The work tool of  claim 10  further comprising a soil compactor, adapted to engage soil along a base of the installed silt fence material. 
   
   
       17 . The work tool of  claim 16  wherein the soil compactor comprises a roller. 
   
   
       18 . The work tool of  claim 10  wherein the work vehicle comprises a horizontally oscillating member, adapted to move the work tool such that a position of the work tool varies along a width of the work vehicle. 
   
   
       19 . The work tool of  claim 18  wherein the oscillating member comprises a swing arm. 
   
   
       20 . The work tool of  claim 18  wherein the oscillating member comprises a rail assembly. 
   
   
       21 . A method for inserting silt fence material into the ground comprising the steps of:
 cutting a trench with a vibratory plow; and   inserting a portion of a silt fence material into the trench;   wherein the step of inserting the fence material comprises using a guide and a stuffing wheel.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of cutting a trench comprises cutting more than one trench and inserting a portion of silt fence material into each of the trenches. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the step of inserting a portion of silt fence material into each trench comprises the step of laying a portion of the silt fence material horizontally on the ground surface between the trenches. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the step of inserting a portion of silt fence material into each trench comprises the step of installing two silt fences simultaneously. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of packing loose soil against a base of the silt fence material. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of cutting the trench comprises the step of traversing a cutting assembly along a rail. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of cutting the trench comprises the step of horizontally oscillating a cutting assembly with a swing arm.