Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting depressions in a road surface. The cutting machine includes a rotatable cutting head connect with a drive device for rotating the cutting head and an engaging device for moving the cutting head out of and into contact with the road surface. A power unit that moves the cutting head along the road surface is provided with a detector for continuously detecting a distance that the cutting head is moved by the power unit and for generating a signal indicative of the distance moved. An electronic controller, responsive to the signal, electronically controls the engaging device so that the cutting head moves out of and into contact with the road surface in accordance with the distance that the cutting head moves along the road surface and a specified dimensional profile of the depressions which are stored in the electronic controller. The movement of the cutting head cuts depressions in the road.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting depressions in the shoulder or along the center line of a roadway comprises a plurality of rotatable cutting heads which are aligned generally in parallel with one another and which are fixedly connected to one another and to drive means for rotating the cutting heads. Each of the cutting heads may be rotatably mounted within a respective drum housing. First and second ones of the drum housings are rigidly connected to one another via a rigid connecting member to form a first cutting head set, and third and fourth ones of the drum housings are rigidly connected to one another to form a second cutting head such that the first and second cutting head sets is self-aligning. A least one of the cutting members is driven to rotate in a direction opposite from that of the other cutting members to prevent the cutting heads from pulling the cutting tools down the roadway.