Abstract: A tracked, self-propelled machine for laying a film and depositing ballast on it to cover a landfill or other ground area. The machine (20) has a ballast box (28) with a reciprocating slat floor (38) and an end gate (34) for holding the ballast (50). A ballast distribution module (58) at the back of the ballast box has a pair of conveyors (68, 70) separated by a gap (72). A roll of film (96) is held by a film roll support mechanism (94) at the back of the machine for unwinding onto the ground surface as the machine moves forward. Ballast is moved to the back of the box by the reciprocating slat floor and is released from an opening (52) under the end gate onto the conveyors and into the gap for deposition onto the laid film.

Abstract: A breakaway shaft assembly is disclosed which comprises a segmented tube and shaft member. The tube member and at least one of the shaft member segments are retained together for conjoint movement under axial loading until the shaft segments are interengaged. Additional axial loading and movement severs the attachment between the tube member and shaft segment allowing the tube member to telescope further until limited. At such limitation, the location of segmentation for each of the tube and shaft members is aligned permitting breakaway separation in response to still further axial loading.