the powered rolling and crimping device prc of current invention is generally shown in fig1 . in the preferred embodiment , the powered roller / crimper prc is designed to be attached to and pulled by a conventional walk - behind tractor . typical examples of these types of tractors are manufactured by dr , troy - built , and bcs . for the purposes of the current invention , a walk - behind tractor is a tractor that does not accommodate a riding operator so that the operator walks behind the tractor and guides the tractor with a linkage that may include handlebars , hand grips , or the like . in the preferred embodiment , the tractor power takeoff extends rearward from the back of the tractor so that the powered rolling and crimping device prc engages the power takeoff and is towed behind the tractor in a “ tow configuration ”. fig1 shows the prc device in the tow configuration . however , in alternative embodiments , the tractor power takeoff may extend forward from the front of the tractor so that the current invention also has a front - mounted “ push configuration ”. in the push configuration the prc device extends out in front of the tractor so that the tractor pushes the prc device . the push configuration enables an operator to access corners and tight spots that would otherwise be inaccessible . as generally shown in fig1 , the powered rolling and crimping device prc comprises a linkage assembly 10 . the linkage assembly 10 includes a mounting plate 12 and a base connecting member 14 as well as a drive shaft 16 with a flexible coupler 17 . the linkage assembly 10 also includes a dynamic stabilizing device 11 and a vertical stabilizing member 13 . as shown in fig1 , the mounting plate 12 bolts to a power takeoff housing of a tractor . a drive shaft stabilizer flange 18 bolts to the mounting plate 12 . the drive shaft 16 extends through the mounting plate 12 and stabilizer flange 18 , and meshes with the splines of the tractor power takeoff shaft . the dynamic stabilizer device 11 has a first end that is connected to the tractor and a second end connected to the vertical stabilizing member 13 . a mounting bracket 15 for auxiliary wheels extends rearward from the vertical stabilizer . the auxiliary wheels enable a user to more easily maneuver the prc device for transportation and storage . in the preferred embodiment , the dynamic stabilizer device 11 is a shock absorber that further stabilizes the prc device and relieves stress on the tractor power takeoff assembly and drive shaft 16 . the linkage assembly 10 is connected to a roller assembly 20 . the roller assembly 20 comprises the crop roller frame support member 22 , endplates 24 , and a crop roller 26 . the linkage assembly 10 base connecting member 14 extends to the roller assembly 20 crop roller frame support member 22 . in the preferred embodiment , an axle ( not shown ) extends from each end of the crop roller 26 . end portions of the axle nest in a bearing assembly on the inner side of each of the end plates 24 so that the axle turns in the bearing assemblies . in the preferred embodiment , the crop roller component 26 comprises a smooth cylindrical roller . in alternative embodiments , the cylindrical roller 26 may include straight or angular projections that crimp the crops as the roller 26 is towed behind the tractor . in further alternative embodiments a plurality of crop rollers 26 may be incorporated into a single powered rolling and crimping device prc . in the preferred embodiment , the base connecting member 14 extends further away from the tractor to a crimping assembly 30 . the crimping assembly 30 primarily comprises a stationary support beam 32 and a movable crimping bar 34 . the crimping assembly 30 stationary support beam 32 is connected to the crop roller frame support member 22 by the base connecting member 14 and a plurality of horizontally extending stabilizers 28 . the stationary support beam 32 is also connected to the vertical stabilizing member 13 . a pair of vertically oriented crimping member control rods 36 extend through the stationary support beam 32 to the crimping bar 34 . a helical compression spring 38 encircles each of the crimping member control rods 36 and maintains the crimping bar 34 in the extended position . the crimping bar 34 is raised and lowered by a crimping bar lifting assembly 40 . in the preferred embodiment , the crimping bar lifting assembly 40 essentially comprises a gearbox 42 , a pair of output power shafts 44 , and at least one cam lobe 48 mounted on each output power shaft 44 . the gearbox 42 is mounted on the aft portion of the base connecting member 14 . the gearbox 42 receives input torque from the driveshaft 16 and distributes the torque to the two output power shafts 44 that extend latterly from the gearbox 42 . the output power shafts 44 are secured and supported by a plurality of shaft support flanges 46 . the shaft support flanges 46 are mounted on the horizontal stabilizers 28 that connect the crop roller base frame member 22 with the stationary support beam 32 . a cam lobe 48 is attached to each output power shaft 44 between two of the respective shaft support flanges 46 . as the output power shafts 44 rotate , the periphery of the cam lobes 48 engages cam followers 50 that extend horizontally from a top portion of each of the crimping bar control rods 36 . as each cam lobe 48 rotates , the associated cam follower 50 travels upwardly along the periphery of the ramp portion of the cam lobe 48 . when the cam followers 50 reach the nose portion of the respective cam lobes 48 , the crimping bar 34 is in the fully raised position and the helical compression springs 38 are fully compressed . as the cam followers 50 pass over the nose portion of associated the cam lobes 48 , the helical compression springs 38 drive the crimping bar 34 downwardly so that the crimping bar 34 crimps the target cover crops . as the output power shafts 44 and associated cam lobes 48 continue to rotate , the cycle repeats itself as the cam followers 50 once again travel upwardly along the ramp portion of each of the respective cam lobes 48 . as discussed supra , the current invention also includes an alternative embodiment ( i . e . a push configuration ) wherein the prc device is disposed in front of the walk - behind tractor so that the tractor pushes the prc device . in the alternative embodiment , the gearbox 42 and linkage assembly 10 are rotated 180 degrees to extend rearward and the vertical stabilizing member 13 is relocated to avoid interference with the linkage assembly 10 . other aspects of the invention are essentially unaffected by the modification . in operation , the mounting plate 12 is bolted to the tractor power takeoff housing so that the tractor power takeoff engages the drive shaft 16 . the drive shaft 16 provides input power to the gearbox 42 . the gearbox 42 rotates laterally extending power output shafts 44 . cam lobes 48 mounted on the power output shafts 44 engage corresponding cam followers 50 . the cam followers 50 are attached to crimping bar control rods 36 that essentially raise and release a crimping bar 34 . as the tractor propels the powered rolling and crimping device across a field , targeted cover crops are first flattened by the crop roller 26 and then crimped by the crimping bar 34 . the combination of the rolling and crimping action of the powered roller crimper prc destroys the cover crop without cutting or uprooting the cover crop stalks . in the preferred embodiment , the number of crimping cycles per unit of time is a direct function of tractor power takeoff rotary speed ( for example power takeoff revolutions per minute ( rpm )). at a constant power takeoff rpm , if a user increases the ground speed that the device is propelled across a field , the number of crimping cycles per linear foot is decreased . if the user decreases his speed , the number of crimping cycles per linear foot is increased . this arrangement allows a user to vary his horizontal travel speed to apply more crimping cycles to areas of a filed in which cover crop growth has the greatest density . a change in the gearing of a tractor power takeoff transmission ( if equipped with a transmission ) will increase or decrease the crimping rate by increasing or decreasing the power takeoff rpm . in alternative embodiments , the power takeoff transmission may receive input from the tractor wheels so that the prc device delivers ( for example ) a specified number of crimping cycles per linear foot of travel . in further alternative embodiments , the prc gearbox 42 may be modified so that the gearbox 42 comprises a selectable - speed transmission . in this embodiment , the prc device crimping revolutions are selectable by a user independent of the tractor power takeoff rpm . for the foregoing reasons , it is clear that the current invention provides an innovative means of destroying a cover crop . the invention may be modified in multiple ways and applied in various technological applications . the current invention may be customized as required by a specific operation or application , and the individual components may be modified and defined , as required , to achieve the desired result . for example , although the preferred embodiment is intended for use with a walk - behind tractor , in alternative embodiments the scale of the components may be increased or decreased . an implement with the design described herein may be used with other types of powered devices including conventional riding - type farm tractors as well as devices that would not conventionally be considered to be “ tractors ”. such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention , and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to included within the scope of the following claims .
the powered rolling and crimping device is used to terminate cover crops in a minimum tillage soil conservation system . the device includes a powered crimping mechanism in combination with a crop roller . power is transferred from a tractor power takeoff to a plurality of cam mechanisms via mechanical gearbox . the cam mechanisms raise and lower a crimping bar . as an operator directs a walk - behind tractor across a field of cover crops , a crop roller first flattens the crops and the powered crimping bar crimps the crops , thereby terminating the cover crops without severing the crop stalks disturbing the soil .