Patent ID: 7824127
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: E01C

Abstract:
1. A method of smoothing asphalt that has been laid into a trench, to a desired level, said method comprising: (a) providing a tractor having laterally spaced first and second support and motive force assemblies defining a direction of forward movement and having a smoothing device having a hydraulically adjustable width and including a smoothing blade assembly, having a bottom edge, deployed between a pair of asphalt side-spill guards, aligned to each other and to said direction of forward movement, said smoothing device being hydraulically vertically moveable relative to said motive force assemblies; and (b) using said support and motive force assemblies to move said tractor so that it bridges said trench, and is supported by said first support and motive force assembly on a first side of said trench and said second support and motive force assembly on a second side of said trench; (c) hydraulically vertically moving said smoothing device so that said bottom edge of said smoothing blade assembly is at said desired level; (d) hydraulically adjusting said width of said smoothing device to approximately match said width of said trench; and (e) using said support and motive force assemblies to push said tractor forward, thereby causing said smoothing device to push any asphalt above said desired level forward, thereby leaving only asphalt at or below said desired level.