Walk-Behind Power Seeder

Abstract

A power seeder may include a frame, one or more wheels, one or more blades capable of cutting into soil, an engine capable of powering the one or more blades, and a seed hopper. The seed hopper may have an opening capable of dispensing seed located forward of the one or more blades. The one or more blades may rotate in an opposite direction to a forward rotation of the one or more wheels. In some embodiments, the seeder may further include a handle for adjusting the height of the one or more blades, a plurality of interlocking teeth, and a spring. The spring may provide a load to counteract the force of gravity on the one or more blades. The aerator may also include a flap located between the opening and the one or more blades.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power seeder comprising:
 a frame;   one or more front wheels and one or more rear wheels;   one or more blades capable of cutting into soil;   an engine capable of powering the one or more blades;   a seed hopper;
 wherein the seed hopper has an opening capable of dispensing seed; 
 wherein the seed hopper is mounted to the frame such that said opening is disposed within a side profile of the one or more front wheels and forward of said one or more blades; and 
 wherein the one or more blades rotate in an opposite direction to a forward rotation of said one or more front and rear wheels; 
   a seed metering gate capable of adjusting a size of said opening; and   a flap disposed between said opening and said one or more blades.   
     
     
         2 . The power seeder of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism for adjusting the height of said one or more blades. 
     
     
         3 . The power seeder of  claim 2 , further comprising a shaft connected to said one or more blades and wherein a handle is connected to said shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The power seeder of  claim 1 , wherein said engine is capable of being engaged to cause rotation of said one or more blades and capable of being disengaged to stop rotation of said one or more blades. 
     
     
         5 . The power seeder of  claim 1 , wherein said frame further includes a front axle and said seed metering gate is coupled to said front axle. 
     
     
         6 . The power seeder of  claim 5 , wherein said seed meeting gate is coupled to said front axle with a bearing to allow said seed metering gate to pivot around said front axle shaft to adjust the size of said opening. 
     
     
         7 . The power seeder of  claim 5 , wherein said opening is disposed approximately in line with said front axle. 
     
     
         8 . The power seeder of  claim 1 , wherein the seed metering gate is configured to be adjusted by an operator. 
     
     
         9 . A power seeder comprising:
 a frame including a front axle;   a first front wheel and a second front wheel;   one or more rear wheels;   one or more blades capable of cutting into soil;   a handle for adjusting a height of said one or more blades;   an engine capable of powering the one or more blades and capable of being engaged to cause rotation of said one or more blades;   a seed hopper including an opening capable of dispensing seed;
 wherein the seed hopper is mounted to the frame such that said opening is disposed between said first and second front wheels and forward of said one or more blades; and 
 wherein said one or more blades rotate in an opposite direction to a direction of rotation of said first and second front wheels and one or more rear wheels; 
   a seed metering gate coupled to said front axel and capable of adjusting a size of said opening; and   a flap disposed between said opening and said one or more blades.   
     
     
         10 . The power seeder of  claim 9 , further comprising a shaft connected to said one or more blades and wherein said handle is connected to said shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The power seeder of  claim 9 , wherein said seed meeting gate is coupled to said front axle with a bearing to allow said seed metering gate to pivot around said front axle shaft to adjust the size of said opening. 
     
     
         12 . The power seeder of  claim 9 , wherein said opening is disposed approximately in line with said front axle. 
     
     
         13 . The power seeder of  claim 9 , wherein the seed metering gate is configured to be adjusted by an operator. 
     
     
         14 . The power seeder of  claim 9 , wherein said engine is capable of being disengaged to stop rotation of said one or more blades.