Patent ID: 6029378
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: B07B,E02F

Abstract:
A padding machine for extracting padding material of a maximum predetermined size from excavated material removed from an open trench and depositing at least a portion of said padding material at a selected location in the trench to form a bench pad, the apparatus to be mounted to a vehicle which may be located near a side of the trench, said apparatus comprising:an elongated housing having a first and a second end, the first end having a tapered head fixed thereto whereby the head and first end of the housing may be inserted directly into the excavated material removed from the trench;an inlet assembly formed in the housing proximate the first end of the housing and adapted for allowing a portion of the excavated material to pass through the inlet assembly and into the housing when the head and first end is inserted sufficiently into the excavated material;a conveyor assembly mounted in the housing and positioned for receiving the extracted portion and conveying the extracted portion toward the second end of the housing;a first outlet assembly formed in the housing between the first and second ends of the housing for receiving at least a portion of the extracted portion and depositing the portion of the extracted portion into the trench; anda screen assembly having openings of the maximum predetermined size to allow particles less than the maximum predetermined size in the excavated material to pass through said screen assembly and be used as padding material, said screen assembly connected to the housing and forming a part of the inlet assembly or first outlet assembly.