Abstract: A snow conversion system for removal of snow from an access surface includes a mixing tank and a conveyor apparatus fluidly connected to the mixing tank for transferring the snow from the access surface into the mixing tank. The system also includes a fluid delivery arrangement for injecting a chemical agent into the mixing tank to combine the chemical agent with the transferred snow and thereby generate a solution of the melted snow and the chemical agent. The system additionally includes a mixer for agitating and mixing the snow and the injected chemical agent in the mixing tank to thereby further facilitate melting of the snow in the mixing tank. The system further includes a fluid nozzle in fluid communication with the mixing tank for dispensing the solution of the melted snow and the chemical agent onto the access surface to thereby provide de-icing and/or anti-icing of the access surface.

Abstract: An excavating and loading apparatus and method. The excavating and loading apparatus includes an excavator and a stacker conveyor. The excavator includes paired crawler tracks and an articulated boom with a bucket. The excavator further includes an inclined feeder conveyor with an intake end and a discharge end. A wide apron is positioned at the intake end of the feeder conveyor. The apron includes a left-hand side and right-hand side load receiving area that are arranged on opposing sides of the feeder conveyor. Two double hinged feeder blades are positioned at the apron. The feeder blades are arranged to operate asynchronously. Each feeder blade includes a main blade and a wing blade. The stacker conveyor is on paired crawler tracks and includes an intake end and a discharge end. The excavator includes a control cabin that is turreted to the crawler tracks.

Abstract: An excavator (1) includes an excavator main body (7), an apron (2) for the receipt of excavated material and a conveyor (3), the apron being located at or in proximity to the front of the main body, the conveyor extending from the apron to the rear of the main body. In use, the conveyor moves excavated material from the front to the rear of the main body, the excavator further includes an arm (11) having an attachment (5) for excavating material and moving the excavating material towards the apron (2). The excavator has a support associated with the front of the main body, the support being movable from a first position in which the support is in resilient contact with the ground to a second position in which there is substantially no contact between the support and the ground. The support includes one or both of the apron and conveyor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hitch suspension system that reduces a transfer of energy (e.g., provides a smoother ride) between two bodies hitched together, such as between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle/trailer. In an embodiment, the suspension system includes a hydraulic cylinder with an extendable rod in fluid communication with a fluid pump. A control valve is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the fluid pump and is configured to adjust an extension length of the rod. Additionally, a variable orifice that adjusts resistance to extension and retraction of the rod is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the control valve. A first fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy ad the rod extends and a second fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy as the rod retracts.

Abstract: A wheel tractor scraper having a rear wheel drive assist, the wheel tractor scraper includes a tractor portion pivotally coupled to a rear scraper portion, the rear scraper portion having a bowl for hauling material and a fluid powered work tool configured to assist in loading the bowl, the work tool powered by a fluid pump connected to a fluid operated work tool motor. The rear wheel drive assist includes a fluid operated drive motor coupled to the rear wheels of the machine, a diverter valve having a first position at which fluid flow is delivered from the pump to the work tool motor and a second position at which fluid flow is delivered from the pump to the drive motor, and a controller being configured to control the diverter valve to engage the rear wheel drive assist. The machine may be operated by engaging the pump and work tool motor, and then actuating the diverter valve to the second position to divert flow from the work tool motor to the drive motor.

Abstract: An excavator has a moving conveyor with vanes that penetrate the earth and section it. A cutter bar follows the vanes, cuts a section of earth loose and directs it to a lifting throat. The lifting throat, in combination with the conveyor and vanes, lifts the excavated earth into a hopper.

Abstract: A storage car for storing bulk material contains a car chassis which may be optionally supported on rail-bound carriages or non-rail-bound carriages. A floor conveyor belt, runs in a car longitudinal direction and is disposed in a storage container. A transfer conveyor belt is disposed at an angle extending over a front end of the car chassis. At a rear end of the floor conveyor belt with relation to a transport direction, the storage car has an excavator device for picking up and removing the bulk material onto the floor conveyor belt. The excavator device is arranged outside the storage container and contains an adjustable grab operated by actuators. The excavator device further contains a take-up conveyor belt with a low take-up end and an ejection end positioned above the floor conveyor belt.

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 suction dredge for the planned taking up of suction material, particularly for excavating soil from underground pipes, has a pneumatic suction hose for taking up the suction material and at whose lower end is provided a suction stub. At its opposite, upper end the suction hose issues into a collecting tank. To simplify the handling of the suction stub, it is provided with a guide body fitted to the suction hose and a suction nozzle axially movable relative thereto and which by means of a drive mechanism can be retracted into and extended from the guide body. As a result the stroke frequency of the suction nozzle and/or its stroke length and/or the impact energy on the soil can be adjusted.

Abstract: A piste-preparation device for preparing a half-pipe comprises at least one tool adjustably mounted on a piste vehicle, and lateral members which are laterally disposed relative to the tool and can essentially be assigned to side walls of the half-pipe. To prepare a half-pipe even in cases where the surface is hard and, at the same time, to remove a large amount of material, in particular from the half-pipe side walls, each lateral member comprises removal means designed with removal tools which can move substantially transversely to the direction of travel of the piste vehicle.

Abstract: A continual digging, transporting, and loading accessory can handle material. The accessory is adapted for exchangeable attachment on earth or material moving equipment. The accessory includes a digger outwardly mounted on the earth or material moving equipment for digging the material. Also included is a transporter having an inward unloading end mounted on the earth or material moving equipment and an outward onloading end mounted adjacent to the digger for receiving and transporting the material dug by the digger. The transporter has a carrier for moving between the onloading end and the unloading end to carry the material. The accessory includes a loader having a loading end positioned to receive and transport away from the vehicle the material discharged from the unloading end of the transporter.