Ground working accessories with side shifting option

Abstract

Disclosed is a ground modifying apparatus of a type sometimes known as levellers, typically as used on tractors and skid-steer vehicles. In current practice these are used for preparing, levelling, and contouring the ground. Such device includes at least an accessory body portion supporting a ground modifying accessory or includes a way to attach the same. The apparatus includes a travelling carriage assembly pivotably attached by a carriage pivot, about a rotational axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus. The carriage pivot is positioned lower than the center of gravity of the travelling carriage assembly.

1 . A ground modifying levelling assembly comprising a front accessory body portion and a rear body portion,
 wherein said front accessory body portion includes a ground modifying accessory,   there being four body connecting linkages connecting said front accessory and rear body portions,   each of said four body connecting linkages being connected at one end to the front accessory portion, and at another end to said rear body portion, by pivotable linkage connections;   the length of said four body connecting linkages being aligned substantially parallel one to the other,   said pivotable linkage connections permitting at least vertical translation of the front accessory portion relative to said rear body portion, and wherein the length of said four body connection linkages remain substantially parallel during a said translation,   wherein, when viewed from above, at least two of said body connecting linkages being disposed one side of a centerline connecting the middles of said front accessory and rear body portions, and with two of said body connecting linkages on the other side,   and wherein there is at least one stabilising linkage connecting at each end to said front accessory and rear body portions by a pivotable connection, and when viewed from the front the connection points to each of said body portions is horizontally displaced,   and where extending from the rear body portion is a forward extending boom with a wheeled carriage assembly forward of said front accessory body portion,   and wherein there are elevation controlling linkages extending between said front accessory and rear body portions, each connected at each end at different elevation when the ground modifying levelling assembly is viewed from the front.   
     
     
         2 . The ground modifying levelling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pivotable linkage connections of said body connecting portions allow rotation of the front accessory body portion, about a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis, relative to said rear body portion. 
     
     
         3 . The ground modifying levelling assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said elevation controlling linkages can control rotation of the front accessory portion relative said rear body portion. 
     
     
         4 . The ground modifying levelling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said elevation controlling linkages are positioned outside of said body connecting linkages when the ground modifying levelling assembly is viewed from the front. 
     
     
         5 . The ground modifying levelling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein there are booms extending upwardly from said front accessory body portion for supporting sensor equipment. 
     
     
         6 . The ground modifying levelling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein there is a forward facing ground contacting blade assembly attached to said front accessory body portion. 
     
     
         7 . The ground modifying levelling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein there is a rearward facing ground contacting blade assembly attached to said front accessory body portion. 
     
     
         8 . The ground modifying levelling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a said stabilising linkage restricts lateral translational movement of the front accessory body portion relative to the rear body portion. 
     
     
         9 . The ground modifying levelling assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said stabilising link may be fixed length or adjustable in length to maintain the desired lateral translational disposition of the front accessory portion relative to the rear body portion. 
     
     
         10 . The ground modifying assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a ground modifying accessory comprises at least one of: a blade, a mouldboard, a powered drum, a powered drum with protruding features, and a rake. 
     
     
         11 . The ground modifying assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a ground modifying accessory comprises a blade or mouldboard, and there is second a second ground modifying accessory ahead of said blade or mouldboard. 
     
     
         12 . The ground modifying assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein second ground modifying accessory is mounted on a pivoting transverse mount, at least one actuator allowing for pivoting of said transverse mount between accessory raised and accessory lowered positions. 
     
     
         13 . The ground modifying assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , which includes a scarifier module comprising a plurality of tines, pivotably attached to the accessory body portion about a substantially transverse axis. 
     
     
         14 . The ground modifying assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said travelling carriage assembly can be pivoted upwardly about a substantially transverse axis to rest substantially above said accessory body portion. 
     
     
         15 . The ground modifying assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said body mounting portion comprises a connection for one of: an excavator arm bucket linkage, a standard quick-hitch arrangement for skid-steer loaders, a linkage for tractor arms. 
     
     
         16 . The ground modifying levelling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said ground modifying assembly including a travelling carriage assembly which is pivotably attached by a carriage pivot, about a rotational axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said ground modifying assembly, to said ground modifying assembly; 
 said carriage pivot being positioned lower than the center of gravity of said travelling carriage assembly.   
     
     
         17 . The ground modifying assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said carriage assembly is pivotably mounted, to provide rotation about a substantially longitudinal axis, to a forwardly positioned downward projection of said forwardly extending boom. 
     
     
         18 . The ground modifying assembly as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said pivotable mount is positioned, when view from the front, at or below the centre of mass of the pivoting carriage assembly with wheels. 
     
     
         19 . The ground modifying levelling assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said elevation controlling linkages are positioned outside of said body connecting linkages when the ground modifying levelling assembly is viewed from the front. 
     
     
         20 . The ground modifying levelling assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said elevation controlling linkages are positioned outside of said body connecting linkages when the ground modifying levelling assembly is viewed from the front.