Abstract: An apparatus for padding a pipeline lying in a ditch separates fine particles from coarse particles in the material excavated from the ditch and windrowed along the side of the ditch. The apparatus includes a frame having an open ended hollow separating drum having a plurality of scoop members adapted to lift and drop excavated material through a screen located beneath the scoop members. The scoop members are spaced above the screen a distance such that the efficiency of the separating drum is increased.

Abstract: The invention comprises a mobile backfilling machine wherein raw materials located adjacent an excavated trench are picked up, graded and delivered to the open trench in an order of size grading from finest to coarsest, thereby providing a fine material padding for a product which has been placed into the trench. The machine may also be used to place a warning ribbon into the trench at a point above the padding.

Abstract: A mobile machine for uprooting vegetation from the ground and for separating soil attached to the uprooted vegetation is disclosed. The machine includes a frame and an uprooting mechanism for uprooting and removing vegetation from the ground, the uprooting mechanism being rotatably supported by the frame and driven by a source of power. A soil separating mechanism is driven by the source of power for separating the soil from the uprooted vegetation and for conveying the uprooted vegetation away from the ground at an acute angle relative the ground, the soil separating mechanism being rotatably supported by the frame. The soil separating mechanism includes a first and a second end, the first end being disposed adjacent the uprooting mechanism, the first end receiving thereon the uprooted vegetation and attached soil removed from the ground by the uprooting mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating peanuts and like commodities from vines and debris entrained with the peanuts during the harvesting process includes an endless conveyor forming a screen structure made up of elongated platelike members interconnected by spaced apart endless roller chains trained over a triangular arrangement of drive shafting and supporting sprockets. The conveyor screen members are formed by the elongated plates which include horizontally projecting spaced apart tines and vertically extending rake teeth aligned with the tines. The adjacent tines and adjacent plates form openings of predetermined size for allowing peanuts to drop through the conveyor screen into a first receiving hopper while retaining stems, vine parts and other debris on the conveyor screen to be deposited in a second receiving hopper.