Abstract: Molded polymer elevator buckets are reinforced by tapering the thickness of front and sidewalls and integral arcuate corner parts to improve bucket life without significant weight increase or reduced bucket capacity. Front lip wear indicators may be molded into the front wall section delimited by the lip and/or on the arcuate corner parts.

Abstract: An all-earth foundation trencher has a digger body (1) pivotal selectively on a track-laying chassis (7). The digger body has an earth-mover blade (16) that is manipulatable multi-directionally on a front end. A digger boom (19) has a base end that is pivotal vertically forward from an aft end of the digger body. A digger head (22) is manipulatable on a digger end of the digger boom for power-digging foundation trenches having desired widths and depths in all likely consistencies of earth that ranges from hard and rocky earth to loose dirt. Conveyors (28–31) are positioned intermediate the track-laying chassis and the digger head for conveying removed earth sufficiently far from either or both sides of a foundation trench that the removed earth will not spill back into the foundation trench. A laser guide (99) proximate the digger head provides control assurance of accurate attitudinal digging. Operational controllers (102) include control knobs (104) on knob plates (49) positioned on a control panel (45).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for excavating material from a mining or reclamation operation, and is generally considered useful in open cast mining operations. The apparatus has a first conveyor and a second conveyor attached to a chassis. The first conveyor is fitted with a material remover such as a excavator bucket on a first end. Material discharges from the first conveyor onto a second conveyor which is generally longitudinally aligned with the first conveyor and has a material receiving point located elevationally below the discharge point of the first conveyor.

Abstract: A padding machine (10, 100) is disclosed which is capable of separating materials in a spoils bank beside a trench into coarser materials, which are redeposited in the spoils bank behind the machine, and finer materials which are conveyed to the trench for padding the pipeline. The machine includes a conveyor with a conveyor chain which moves around the perimeter of the machine. Material caught by the scraper blade (28) is conveyed by the conveyor chain along a belly pan (70) and thereafter over a plurality of grizzly bars (72). Coarser material which will not pass through the grizzly bars is conveyed by the conveyor chain (56) to the rearward end of the machine and dumped off the rearward end of the machine back to the ground. The finer materials passing through the grizzly bars are again separated by a vibrator unit (76, 104).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning beaches or other similar sandy areas which includes a digger chain and an associated sweeper chain for capturing debris and other articles and conveying the same to a collection box or separation conveyor.

Abstract: A device is provided for clearing a swath within the earth. The device has a frame for mounting the device onto an industrial vehicle. A rotating track is disposed on the frame. At least one reinforcing panel is mounted adjacent an end of the track that protects the end of the track from binding and damage due to obstacles disposed on the swath being cleared. A bottom plate is disposed directly beneath the track, and a ton protecting shield is disposed above the track. When the vehicle moves forward, the bottom plate and the track operate to move a layer of earth from in front of the vehicle to a side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device is provided for clearing a swath within the earth. The device has a frame for mounting the device onto an industrial vehicle. A rotating track is disposed on the frame. At least one reinforcing panel is mounted adjacent an end of the track that protects the end of the track from binding and damage due to obstacles disposed on the swath being cleared. A bottom plate is disposed directly beneath the track, and a top protecting shield is disposed above the track. When the vehicle moves forward, the bottom plate and the track operate to move a layer of earth from in front of the vehicle to a side of the vehicle.