ROELOF HARM DEVRIES
Engineering in West Lebanon, OH

6347502, Feb 19, 2002

Nov 8, 1999

09/436300

Roelof H. deVries - Dalton OH

Textron Inc. - Providence RI

A01D 3464

56 157, 56 171

A cutter assembly positioning mechanism provides an improved positioning mechanism and control for a riding lawn mower. Specifically, the mechanism optimizes the speed and accuracy of positioning the cutter assembly in the desired position and allows the operator to raise and lower the cutter assembly without sacrificing control of the mower. The lawn mower has a frame including an actuator adapted to be coupled to the frame, a cutter assembly adapted to be movable relative to the frame for adjusting a cutting height and a first flexible member interconnecting the actuator and the cutter assembly. The actuator is operable to extend and retract thereby raising and lowering the cutter assembly.

6571883, Jun 3, 2003

Jun 4, 2001

09/873900

Roelof H. deVries - Dalton OH

Steiner Turf Equipment, Inc. - Dalton OH

A01B 4504

172 19, 171124, 171138

An improved method of mounting the cutting head of a sod harvester with respect to the conveyor employs a single ball joint between the cutting head and the conveyor, and a pair of side links spaced outwardly of the conveyor and arranged to constrain the cutting head against lateral displacement with respect to the conveyor. Preferably, the links are adjustable in length to permit vertical and lateral adjustment of the cutting head with respect to the conveyor, e. g. “tracking” of the cutting head.

5775436, Jul 7, 1998

Jul 26, 1996

8/686555

Thomas E. Noyes - Creston OH
Roelof H. DeVries - Dalton OH
Glenn D. Gerber - Apple Creek OH

Steiner Turf Equipment, Inc. - Dalton OH

A01B 4504

172 20

A sod harvester includes a cutter for forming a strip of cut sod, and an inclined conveyor for conveying the strip from the cutter to a roll-forming enclosure. The roll-forming enclosure comprises two belt conveyors at right angles to one another. The strip is delivered onto a generally horizontal one of the two conveyors, by which it is moved towards the second conveyor. The second conveyor then causes the leading end portion of the strip to turn back on itself and form the roll. A pair of spring-biassed fingers ensure proper roll formation. The strip of sod is cut transversely at an appropriate point and the sod within the enclosure is rolled up to complete the roll. The enclosure is turnable about a vertical axis to a laterally directed position, in which the roll can be discharged laterally clear of the next pass of the harvester. The roll can be wrapped in netting which is automatically cut as the roll-forming enclosure turns. The enclosure can be arrested in an intermediate position for release of a core tube into the enclosure, so that the roll is formed around the tube.

7195077, Mar 27, 2007

May 30, 2002

10/479632

Roelof H. Devries - Dalton OH, US

Brouwer Turf, Inc. - Keswick

A01B 45/04

172 19, 414911

An improved method of mounting the cutting head of a sod harvester with respect to the conveyor employs a single ball joint between the cutting head and the conveyor, and a pair of side links spaced outwardly of the conveyor and arranged to constrain the cutting head against lateral displacement with respect to the conveyor. Preferably, the links are adjustable in length to permit vertical and lateral adjustment of the cutting head with respect to the conveyor, e. g. “tracking” of the cutting head.

6223830, May 1, 2001

Aug 30, 1999

9/385973

Roelof H. deVries - Dalton OH

Steiner Turf Equipment, Inc. - Dalton OH

A01B 9504

172 19

A method of harvesting sod using a sod harvester involves the formation of a series of defined slabs of sod that are positioned end-to-end, and conveyed up a conveyor that is driven at ground speed so that the slabs stay together. The slabs may be defined by respective series of spaced perforations so that the slabs remain connected by portions of the sod between the perforations. Where the slabs are completely separate, netting is introduced continuously below the series of slabs as they enter a roll-forming enclosure of the harvester. The netting keeps the slabs together and allows them to be formed into a roll in essentially the same fashion as a continuous strip of sod. Roll formation is continued until a large diameter roll has been formed comprising multiple layers of sod slabs. The large roll forms a unitary structure that can be manipulated and transported to a laying site in the same manner as a large single strip roll. At the site, the roll can be tipped onto its side, permitting individual slabs of sod to be pulled away from the roll and carried off for laying.

6056064, May 2, 2000

Jul 15, 1998

9/115858

Roelof H. deVries - Dalton OH

Steiner Turf Equipment, Inc. - Dalton OH

A01B 9504

172 20

A method of harvesting sod using a sod harvester involves the formation of a series of discrete slabs of sod that are positioned end-to-end, and conveyed up a conveyor that is driven at ground speed so that the slabs stay together. Netting is introduced continuously below the series of slabs as they enter a roll-forming enclosure of the harvester. The netting keeps the slabs together and allows them to be formed into a roll in essentially the same fashion as a continuous strip of sod. Roll formation is continued until a large diameter roll has been formed comprising multiple layers of sod slabs. The large roll forms a unitary structure wrapped in netting that can be manipulated and transported to a laying site in the same manner as a large single strip roll. At the site, the roll can be tipped onto its side, exposing the netting for removal and permitting individual slabs of sod to be pulled away from the roll and carried off for laying.