Abstract: A scraper for moving friable material. The scraper includes a frame adapted for attachment to a vehicle and an articulated blade. The blade has left and right portions mounted on the frame for pivoting about a substantially horizontal axis transverse to the articulated blade. Each of the left and right portions of the articulated blade is adapted for pivotal movement about the axis between a substantially horizontal lowered position and a raised position, and each portion is independently positionable in at least one position between the lowered position and the raised position. The articulated blade is positionable for engagement with the friable material as the vehicle travels over the friable material for moving a part of the friable material to shape the friable material in accordance with a predetermined design.

Abstract: An overburden removal system is provided which includes a bucketwheel (3) which cuts overburden from a wall (5) of the mine and discharges the overburden via a discharge boom (7) onto a hopper car (11) which travels on rails (9). The hopper car (11) delivers the overburden onto a conveyor belt (13). The system is characterized by a sensor (17) mounted on the hopper car (11) to detect the lateral position of the conveyor belt (13) relative to the hopper car (11) and a control device responsive to the extent of lateral drift for controlling the position of delivery of overburden into the hopper car.

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. The first conveyor is moved in a forward direction by a crowder which consists of motion generally along the coincident longitudinal axes of the two conveyors. The first end of the first conveyor which is fitted with the excavating bucket is elevationally moved by virtue of a boom and cable configuration.

Abstract: An excavating machine includes a discharge conveyor which is movable (1) from an operative position in which an inlet end thereof is located directly under the outlet end of an associated loading conveyor (2) to a transport position in which the discharge conveyor extends substantially in parallel with the loading conveyor and in which the discharge end thereof is located between the inlet and discharge ends of the loading conveyor--thereby maintaining the discharge conveyor within the dimensional confines of the vehicle on which it is mounted. Movement of the discharge conveyor from its operative position to its stowed or transport position is facilitated by a support assembly including a slide and a turntable assembly. The slide includes a base which is mounted on rails or the like so as to move laterally with respect to the chassis, and the turntable assembly supports the discharge conveyor on the base for rotation about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a disk-type ditcher adaptable to being drawn by a tractor can dig ditches under control of a laser system by which a desired ditch grade can be selected. The ditcher incorporates a disk rotatable in a generally vertical plane transverse to the line of travel of the ditcher, the disk having circumferentially spaced scoops which during rotation function in cooperation with a bottom-cutting blade and soil plowing section to lift the cut soil for discharge from an angularly oriented overlying chute for directing soil particles a pre-selected lateral distance from the line of travel of the tractor. A pair of forwardly and oppositely positioned angularly adjustable side cutting or scraping blades can be provided in spaced relation on opposite sides of the center line of travel to impart steeper side walls to the ditch than would otherwise be formed with the circular disk alone.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering drilling mud returns in a drilling mud pit. A soil-projecting apparatus which is attachable to the rear of a conventional farm tractor comprises a plurality of scoop-like members connected to a drive shaft member which is operably associated with the power take-off of the tractor, independently adjustable blade membes placed forward of the scoop-like members for displacing soil toward the scoop-like members, and a protective partial enclosure of the scoop-like members. A method for covering drilling mud returns comprises placing a first, supporting layer of a material adjacent the returns and placing a layer of topsoil adjacent the first, supporting layer.

Abstract: An excavating bucket wheel has a plurality of radially outwardly open bucket chambers disposed in a circular array. During rotation of the bucket wheel each chamber cyclically assumes a material receiving position and a material dumping position. Each bucket chamber is defined by a cutting plate supported at the wheel periphery and having a trailing edge as viewed in the direction of wheel rotation, two axially spaced, parallel side walls and a rear wall extending axially between the side walls. An outer edge of the rear wall is situated adjacent the cutting plate. Each bucket chamber is further defined by a bottom wall extending axially between the side walls and being supported for pivotal motion about an axis oriented parallel to the rotary axis of the bucket wheel and situated adjacent the outer wheel periphery. The bottom wall has a first pivotal position for receiving material and a second pivotal position for dumping material.

Abstract: A pivotable bucket comprising a built-in housing containing a rotatable earth moving mechanism secured to an elbow-type power boom of an excavator or vehicle having hydraulic power thereon. The earth moving mechanism is adapted to dig earth both in a horizontal and lateral direction and to force the diggings out of the upper side of the bucket in a continuous controlled flow. The earth moving mechanism is activated by the power plant of a carrier vehicle.

Abstract: A ditch digger adapted to dig ditches of different cross-sections; such as of different depths and, in particular, with sides at any selected transverse slope within a predetermined range. The ditch digger is characterized by angularly adjustable side wings to define the selected transverse slope and by a digging rotor unit which is pivoted to the supporting frame with an actuation linkage to adjust the depth of digging and to hold the unit in relatively the same upright attitude irrespective of the depth of digging. This ditch digger is adapted to be hitched to a tractor and powered by the latter. The frame is constituted of a boom which connects at the front end to the five-point hitch of the tractor with the digging rotor unit pivotally suspended at the rear end of the boom.