Abstract: A convertible vibratory material separating apparatus, and kits to convert the apparatus to a woven-screen or finger-rod upper separating surface. The separating apparatus includes a universal shaker head adapted for vibratory movement within a frame with a tall and short end. The shaker head includes side plates and a centerplate, and removable support rails or plates when the shaker head is converted to finger-rod combs for a separating surface. The shaker head includes flanges on a lateral support tube enclosing an eccentric motor driven shaft and flanges when the shaker head is converted to a woven-screen upper separating surface. The kits include right angle flanges, bars and plates for conversion of the shaker head with woven-screens or combs of finger-rods.

Abstract: An improved soil feeder system in combination with a soil separating apparatus and method of controlling the feeding of soil material employing the soil feeder. The soil feeder apparatus includes a hopper body to receive soil material and an opening at one end for controlling the feeding of soil material to be screened. The body includes hydraulic cylinders at the one end to tilt the hopper body between a soil receiving position and a tilted soil discharging position. An interruption system is provided to cause a series of abrupt interruptions in the tilting of the hopper body. The interruption system includes a cycle timer which controls the period of time between the start of each interruption and an interruption timer which controls the length of time of each interruption. The interruption is caused by a sudden and temporary diversion of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic cylinders which tilt the hopper body.

Abstract: A waste material separating apparatus and method of separating waste landfill material which apparatus and method includes a frame and a vibratory screening deck or tier within the frame, the screening deck having a plurality of generally parallel, straight rod elements to act as bludgeons on the waste material. The rod elements are removably extended from a transverse rail. Waste material to be separated into a coarse material and a finer material is discharged onto the rod element. The separating apparatus has an eccentric rotating shaft secured to the deck to impart vibratory motion to the rod elements so that the free ends of the vibratory fingers vibrate in a generally vertical direction, and bludgeon and break up the compacted solid waste landfill material.

Abstract: A waste material separating apparatus and method which comprises a frame and a vibratory screening deck or tier within the frame, the screening deck having a plurality of generally parallel, straight rod elements to act as bludgeons on the waste material. The rod elements are removably extended from a transverse rail. Waste material to be separated into a coarse material and a finer material is discharged onto the rod element. The separating apparatus has an eccentric rotating shaft secured to the deck to impart vibratory motion to the rod elements so that the free ends of the vibratory fingers vibrate in a generally vertical direction, and bludgeon and break up the compacted solid waste landfill material. The solid material is progressively moved from the tall to short end of the frame by forward rotary motion of the rotary shaft and falls off the ends of the vibratory rod elements onto the lower tiers to decompact and break up and tumble the waste material.

Abstract: An improved separating apparatus for separating a feed material into coarse material and a finer material. The separating apparatus includes a frame with a tall and short end, vibratory separating screen or rods as a separating surface within the frame, and a fixed, angled, feed directing plate as a funneling surface to direct feed material into the separating surface at the tall end of the frame. The separating apparatus includes a feed directing plate extension to extend the funneling surface of the apparatus and includes a support arm and a support bracket on the frame to move the feed directing plate extension between an angular extended use position and a non-use position adjacent the frame surface to permit the separating apparatus to be road-transportable.

Abstract: A material separating apparatus and method which comprises a frame of a pair of spaced apart generally downwardly sloping, upper and lower vibratory screening decks within the frame, the upper screening deck comprising a plurality of comb-like elements, which are generally parallel, straight finger elements removably extending from a transverse bracket support and onto which finger elements a feed material is discharged to be separated into a coarse material and a finer material. A lower deck comprises a plurality of comb-like elements having a plurality of transverse cross members and a plurality of downwardly extending, small diameter finger elements extending therefrom, the finger elements being of greater plurality and of smaller diameter than the finger elements of the upper screening assembly, and downwardly angled so as to provide for the separating and sizing of feed material falling from the upper screening deck onto the lower screening deck.