Abstract: A roadway breaker plate for a planer apparatus having a drum type planer cutter for removing the top portion of an existing roadway, the breaker plate providing a counteracting shearing force on the top portion of the roadway at a predetermined distance from the planer cutter whereby the top portion of the roadway removed by the planer cutter is removed in the form of cuttings generally of a uniform size.

Abstract: An improved portable grade averaging apparatus comprising an averaging bar assembly that serves as an elevation control reference for a track supported road working machine. One end of an averaging bar member is pivotally supported by a forward steering drive track assembly that serves as a forward walking beam, and the other end of the averaging bar member is pivotally supported by a rear track assembly that serves as a rear walking beam. A grade sensor assembly supported on one side by the road working machine contactingly engages the averaging bar member for directing the elevation of one side of the road working machine to establish the elevation of a working tool supported by the road working machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resurfacing an existing paved roadway to produce a new roadway surface having a predetermined grade and cross slope, particularly wherein the existing paved roadway has at least one irregular depression therein extending below the predetermined grade and wherein the portion of the roadway above the predetermined grade is removed in particulate form for use as a recyclable aggregate in resurfacing the roadway.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing fragments of asphalt removed from a roadway by a paved roadway planing apparatus includes a grid upon which the fragments are deposited and a crushing tool having a plurality of cutting bits mounted on a rotating drum for movement along circular paths intersecting the grid. The crushing apparatus can be towed behind the paved roadway planing apparatus to receive the asphalt removed from the roadway from the paved roadway planing apparatus and to redeposit the crushed fragments on the roadway.

Abstract: In a conveyor apparatus for conveying particulate material from an input end for discharge from an output end disposed vertically higher than the input end, the improvement comprising a burner assembly, including a flame burner connected to the conveyor apparatus, for directly heating the particulate material in the conveyor apparatus via the flame burner in one position thereof, and for indirectly heating the particulate material via the products of combustion only of the flame burner in one other position thereof. A further improvement consists of an improved exhaust control system wherein the velocity of the gases exiting from the conveyor apparatus is rapidly decreased to induce precipitation of substantially all particulate material entrained therein prior to exhaustion to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A construction machine is provided with a flywheel having a torque limiter which permits the flywheel to slip when a rotationally driven cutting tool of the machine is halted. The torque limiter is spring loaded to eliminate the need for adjustment which might otherwise be occasioned by wear.

Abstract: A portable grade averaging apparatus comprising an averaging bar assembly that serves as an elevation control reference for a track supported road working machine, one end of the averaging bar assembly being pivotally supported by a forward walking beam and the other end of the averaging bar being pivotally supported by a rear track assembly that serves as a track walking beam. A grade sensor assembly supported on one side by the road working machine contactingly engages the averaging bar assembly for directing the elevation of one side of the road working machine to establish the elevation of a working tool supported by the road working machine. A lifting bracket supported by the road working machine serves to lift the grade averaging apparatus into a grade clearing position while the machine is being maneuvered into a cutting position.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously mixing and conveying particulate material, the apparatus comprising a housing having an input end and an output end disposed vertically higher than the input end, means for feeding the particulate material into the input end of the housing, a conveyor disposed within the housing and having a plurality of lifting surfaces provided with perforations therethrough so that a portion of the particulate material being lifted by each lifting surface descends through the perforations and is mixed with particulate material being lifted by lifting surfaces disposed therebelow, and means for discharging the mixed particulate material from the output end of the housing.

Abstract: An improved sidebank excavator for removing earth from the side of a hill or other embankment, the excavator having a fixed, bidirectional horizontal earth removal assembly; a rotating, bidirectional vertical earth removal assembly; a conveyor assembly for conveying particulate material deposited on a receiving portion thereof to a discharge portion thereof remote from the receiving portion; and a plurality of independently vertically adjustable track drive assemblies.

Abstract: An improved material transfer mechanism comprising a selectively variable speed hydraulic power assembly having an output connected to and powering a material conveyor. A double acting hydraulic ram positions a swash plate control lever that determines the rotational speed of the output shaft, and a hydraulic porting valve assembly is disposed to actuate the hydraulic ram, the hydraulic porting valve assembly comprising a pivotally supported valve body having an internally disposed fluid control means, the fluid control means being variably displaced in the valve body by the actuation of a pressure controlling mechanism for the purpose of selectively determining and establishing fluid communication of a source of hydraulic pressure fluid to alternate ends of the hydraulic ram with the hydraulic porting valve assembly to selectively control the hydraulic ram.