Patent ID: 7186059
Filing Date: 2007-03-06
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
1. A padding device for separating the fines from the spoil pile adjacent a trench and returning the fines to the trench, the device comprising: a. a vehicle; b. a digging auger attached to the front of said vehicle and designed and constructed to come into contact with the spoil pile or the ground beneath it, or both; c. an up conveyor attached to said vehicle behind said digging auger; d. a screen and cross conveyor frame rotatably attached to said vehicle for housing a screen assembly and a cross conveyor; e. a screen assembly attached to said frame; f. a cross-pass conveyor attached to said frame; and g. means for rotating said frame so that the screen assembly and cross-pass conveyor remain at their preferred orientation relative to the horizontal when the vehicle traverses up slopes and down slopes.