Patent ID: 7614821
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: E02D

Abstract:
1. An impact compactor, comprising: a chassis structure having wheels for supporting the structure above the ground; a pair of opposite non-round impact rollers carried on an axle assembly linked to the chassis structure via a pivotal drag link, the rollers being shaped to, in use, impart under their own weight a series of compaction impacts on a ground surface over which they are displaced; an engagement formation provided on one of the drag link and the axle assembly; and a lifting arrangement for lifting the rollers with respect to the chassis structure to a raised level at which the rollers are spaced above the ground, the lifting arrangement including a lifting arm and a hydraulic piston/cylinder mechanism, in which: the lifting arm is located above the drag link and is pivotable about a front end thereof the lifting arm has a depending lifting formation depending from a rear end of the lifting arm and defining at a bottom end thereof a formation for engaging the engagement formation; a bottom end of the piston/cylinder mechanism is mounted to act on the chassis structure at a level below the drag link, a top end of the piston/cylinder mechanism is mounted to act on the lifting arm, and the piston/cylinder mechanism extends through a space defined through the drag link; and the piston/cylinder mechanism is operable to effect pivotal displacement of the lifting arm between a first position, in which the formation for engaging the engagement formation is at a level below and spaced from the engagement formation, and a second position, in which the formation for engaging the engagement formation is engaged with the engagement formation and the rollers are thereby raised with respect to the chassis structure to the raised level at which the rollers are spaced above the ground.