Yard roller

Claim 1

A yard roller, comprising, in combination: (a) a frame transversable over ground to be rolled, said frame including a U-shaped element having a web and a pair of spaced, substantially parallel, coextensive legs extending from the web toward and terminating at ends forming an open end area of the element, a platform extending from the web of the element, and a cross-bar disposed extending between and connected to the legs of the element, the bar supporting the platform in cooperation with the web of the element, a caster wheel swivel mounted at the web of the U-shaped element centrally of the legs of the element for cooperating with the drum to form a traversing support for the U-shaped element; (b) a drum rotatably mounted on the frame and arranged extending between the legs at the ends of the legs for bridging the open end area of the U-shaped element and engaging ground over which the frame traverses; (c) power means including an engine mounted on the platform, a gear box also mounted on the platform and connected to the engine, and a drive train connected to the gear box and the drum for causing the engine to rotate the drum and propel the frame, the cross-bar being journaled on the legs of the U-shaped element and forming the output shaft of the gear box, the cross-bar being connected to the drive train for actuating same; and (d) a handle pivotally mounted on the platform adjacent the web of the U-shaped element and arranged extending away from the drum and frame.