Patent ID: 8166676
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
1. A method of removing a rigid, elongate object from the earth, with a human operated, powered mobile vehicle having a lift arm, the rigid, elongate object having a first portion embedded in the earth and a second portion protruding from the earth comprising: a) moving the powered mobile vehicle into proximity to the rigid elongate object with a substantially flat plate attached to the lift arm of the powered mobile vehicle, the flat plate having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface, wherein the flat plate hangs vertically from the lift arm and can move in an arc relative to the lift arm and into proximity with the rigid elongate object; b) moving the vehicle in a first direction to position the flat plate over and above an upper end of the elongate object such that the plate is disposed with the inward facing surface forward of the rigid elongate object or the outward facing surface rearward of the rigid elongate object; c) lowering the flat plate until the upper end of the rigid elongate object protruding from the earth is proximate to a rectangular opening in the flat plate; d) moving the powered vehicle to cause the respective inward or outward surface of the flat plate to move towards the rigid elongate object and project the upper end of the rigid elongate object through the rectangular opening, the rectangular opening having a width being substantially greater than a width of a cross-section of the rigid elongate object; e) lowering the flat plate over the rigid elongate object such that the rectangular opening slides down the length of the rigid elongate object a desired distance in a tilted configuration relative to the plane of the axis of the rigid elongate object; f) raising the lift arm to cause the flat plate to move to a parallel configuration relative to the axis of the rigid elongate object, thus engaging the rigid, elongate object in the rectangular opening with sufficient force such that the rigid elongate object is retained in the rectangular opening when upward force by the lift arm is applied to the flat plate; and g) raising the lift arm and pulling the flat plat upward until the rigid elongate object is pulled away from the earth.