Kthompson,
Yes, I search both existing and patents. Example: Straw bed mulchers for crops such as strawberry fields or like me, hardneck garlic. I currently use a 1958 New Holland 331 manure spreader that I modified that chops and spreads straw mulch over the raised beds and furrows at 6 inch depth. The problem is it drops from the back as do the big $150K+ models which obviously makes the need for much larger turns plus now I need to change everything back over to sling poo or buy another one. A blower works, but now more labor required. A bale processor blower with RC hydraulic shoot works pretty good until you have a wet fall like we just did when the field was soaked and had to wait until it was frozen. Wind is also an issue there. Joe Hobson invented something similar to what I'm looking at in the early 80's and the patent has expired. His was designed to mulch furrows to boost yields and reduce erosion, it was genius and it works especially well with plasticulture, however does not cover the entire bed. If anyone has any ideas or better solutions, pitch it, I'm listening! Another example would be rock removal for horse arenas that could be used for paddocks too. The Barber Surf Rake works well, but at $50k+, is there any wonder why only cities can afford them. They're using our money to buy them, not their own. The screening machine can be built for much cheaper where I can produce a great product leaving happy customers all while supporting my family and church
