A cover reel assembly for laying down or retrieving a ground cover on the ground comprising a first frame attachable to a prime mover, the first frame having support arms to hold a cover reel rotatably, with a hydraulic pump between the prime mover and the first frame, between the first frame and support arms, or between the first frame and a second frame raise and lower the cover reel. The prime mover pushes the cover reel assembly forward to unwind a ground cover from the cover reel onto the ground, simultaneously laying cables or chains on top of the ground cover to hold the ground cover on the ground. The ground cover and cables or chains are rewound by a reverse procedure pushing the cover reel assembly forward. An alternate embodiment operates by pulling the cover reel assembly.