Abstract: An excavating machine includes a main frame, an endless digging chain, and a boom. The boom is mounted to the main frame and is adapted to carry the digging chain. The boom includes an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner end and outer end. The surfaces are adapted to slidably engage the chain. A drive sprocket is mounted to the main frame and is disposed at the inner end of the boom for engaging the chain. A wear plate is mounted to the boom and is disposed between the drive sprocket and the inner end of the boom for slidably engaging the chain between the drive sprocket and the upper surface of the boom inner end.

Abstract: A method for pipeline padding for reducing the size of spoil disposed in a pile utilizes a vehicle having first and second sides adapted for movement on the surface of the spoil pile. The vehicle includes first and second surface engaging devices disposed on each side of the vehicle. The spoil is crushed using a crushing assembly connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle. Spoil is transferred using a transferring assembly connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle for transferring spoil from the pile to the crushing assembly. Disposed between the vehicle sides, adjacent the transferring assembly and connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle is a control structure for controlling passage of spoil from the spoil pile forward of the surface engaging devices to a position under the surface engaging devices.

Abstract: A self-loading mobile crusher system for reducing the size of debris disposed in a pile includes a vehicle having first and second sides adapted for movement on the surface of the debris pile. The vehicle includes first and second surface engaging devices disposed on each side of the vehicle. A debris crushing assembly is connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle. A debris transferring assembly is connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle for transferring debris from the pile to the crushing assembly. Disposed between the vehicle sides, adjacent the transferring assembly and connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle is a control structure for controlling passage of debris from the debris pile forward of the surface engaging devices to a position under the surface engaging devices.

Abstract: A ground supported vehicle for excavating the ground is extremely large and must be dismantled into several sections in order to transport it down a roadway or a railway. The vehicle has a mid-section that is located between opposed ends. A digging apparatus wider than the vehicle is attached within a lower part of the vehicle mid-section, and can bear the entire weight of the vehicle in order to apply an unusually heavy load onto the digging apparatus. The digging apparatus is rotatable mounted on a massive shaft that is anchored at the center of gravity of the vehicle. Digging teeth are arranged on the outside surface of the digging apparatus so that the teeth dig into and excavates the ground when moved against the ground while rotating.