Mini big bale vegetation shredding and dispersal apparatus

摘要

The present invention is directed toward a reduced size vegetation shredding and dispersal apparatus that is capable of being attached to a skid steer front end loader (such as a Bobcat) that can be maneuvered into restricted areas and deliver shredded vegetation and mulch into recently seeded and landscaped areas. The apparatus comprises five major components: 1) a holding tray which is lined with a suitable plastic or other similar low coefficient of friction material to provide a consistent coefficient of friction; 2) two or more bale clamps which grasp the bale after the holding tray is placed over it; 3) a shredding conveyor wherein the bale comes into contact with a series of spikes on the conveyor; 4) a combination beater/blower shaft wherein the vegetation is further shredded and then directed through the blower out onto the surface to be covered; and (5) an integrating surface wherein the device is integrated into the quick disconnect, mounting plate for specialized attachments on the skid steer front end loaders. The interaction of these components as the device is operated is described in detail below. The holding tray and bale clamps are used so that the skid steer loader equipped with the present invention is self loading. The shredding conveyor then feeds pieces of the baled vegetation into the beater/blower apparatus. The beater/blower apparatus then continues to shred the vegetation and keep it suspended in the air that is being directed into the blower. The shredded mulch is then ejected from the blower and spread onto newly seeded areas to prevent ground erosion and to promote seed germination. A skid steer loader equipped with the present invention is more economically feasible for the smaller landscaping company that would like to utilize the labor saving large rectangular bales of vegetation.