Abstract:
An apparatus such as an attachment for a skid steer used to remove and transport sidewalk segments may include a plurality of translating forks configured to drive into the ground surrounding the segment. The apparatus also may include a plurality of bearing surfaces for contacting and applying an upwardly directed force to the underside of the segment. Each of the forks may be tapered to slide into the ground more easily, and each bearing surface may be removably attached to the apparatus for easy repair or replacement. By limiting the amount of the apparatus that penetrates the ground to the plurality of forks, the apparatus provides a method of removing sidewalk segments that is quick and efficient, resulting in minimal disturbance to the ground and easier preparation for pouring a new sidewalk segment.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus for removing and transporting portions of concrete or other paving, specifically for removing and transporting sections of sidewalk. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Various methods for removing and transporting sections of sidewalk exist. One end of the spectrum involves jackhammering the section into smaller pieces and manually picking up and carrying the pieces to a second location such as a waste bin or a bin connected to a dump truck or semi. While this method may minimize the disturbance to the surrounding area, it is labor and time intensive, which may lead to decreased productivity and increased cost. In addition, this process may render the sidewalk sections unusable for many applications, since it may result in breaking the sections into several smaller pieces to better manage the weight. 
         [0005]    Less manual methods also exist. For example, a small mechanized machine, including, e.g., a skid steer sold under the trademark BOBCAT, may be used with a bucket attachment to dig beneath the side edge of a concrete slab. Due to the weight of the skid steer, this process often results in substantial destruction of the landscaping surrounding the sidewalk and of the earthen foundation under the sidewalk. Particularly with soft soil, the wheels or tracks of a skid steer may create ruts in the parkway or other landscaped area as the skid steer moves toward and away from the sidewalk and adjusts position when attempting to remove the sidewalk portions. The bucket attachment also may significantly disturb the ground underneath the sidewalk, requiring substantial preparation and grading to ready the area for a new sidewalk. 
         [0006]    Still another method of removing sidewalk portions may be to penetrate the ground under the sidewalk with one or more long forklift-type forks that can pivot relative to the ground. These forks may extend substantially along the length of the portion of sidewalk to be removed so that they provide significant lateral support underneath the portion. However, in order to penetrate far enough along the length of the portion, the forks often must be embedded deep into the soil underneath the portion. As they then are pivoted up towards the portion, they may disturb and remove a substantial portion of that foundation. In addition, the sidewalk portion may be relatively unstable when lifted to significant heights, such as when raising it over the edge of the bin connected to a semi. 
         [0007]    What is needed is an apparatus that overcomes the drawbacks described above. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In one aspect, an apparatus for removing a sidewalk segment may comprise: a base portion including a plurality of rails; a plurality of forks translatable along the rails, each of the forks having a distal end that may taper; a hydraulic system controlling translation of the forks; and a plurality of bearing surfaces proximate the distal ends of the forks; wherein the plurality of forks extend substantially downward when inserted into ground surrounding the sidewalk segment; and wherein the bearing surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the forks. The base portion may include a flange and a bearing plate configured to releasably couple the apparatus to a skid steer. 
         [0009]    The bearing surfaces may be releasably coupled to said plurality of forks. For example, the apparatus may have a plurality of holders proximate the distal ends of the forks, the plurality of holders configured to hold a plurality of wear bars, wherein the plurality of wear bars include the bearing surfaces. The wear bars may include at least one prong, and the holders may include at least one recess configured to receive the prong. In addition, each of the holders may taper in an opposite direction as the fork tapers. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, an attachment for a skid steer may comprise: an attachment plate configured to couple to the skid steer; a plurality of rails coupled to the attachment plate; a plurality of forks coupled to a plurality of wheels, wherein the plurality of wheels translate along the rails; a plurality of bearing surfaces proximate distal ends of the forks; and at least one tapered tine proximate a distal end of each of the plurality of forks. The bearing surfaces may be removably coupled to the attachment, and the rails may include a plurality of inwardly-extending stops configured to limit translation of the wheels. The attachment also may include an adjustable depth limiter and a hydraulic system coupled to the forks, wherein the hydraulic system controls translation of the forks. The hydraulic system may include both a main line and a crossover line, the main line controlling translation of one of the forks, and the crossover line controlling translation of a second fork. 
         [0011]    The attachment also may include a first cover coupled to one fork between the distal end of the fork and the hydraulic system and a second cover coupled to a second fork between the distal end of the second fork and the hydraulic system. In addition, the covers may overlap one another to provide coverage substantially across a distance between the forks. 
         [0012]    In still another aspect, an apparatus for removing a sidewalk segment may comprise: a plurality of translatable forks, each fork including a proximal end and a tapered, distal end; a plurality of wear bars, each wear bar having a bearing surface, each surface substantially perpendicular to a respective fork; a plurality of wear bar holders proximate the distal ends of the respective forks; and a hydraulic ram coupled to at least one of the forks; wherein at least one wear bar includes a prong and at least one wear bar holder includes a recess configured to receive the prong. In addition, at least one wear bar holder may include at least one tine extending below the distal end of the fork, and the tine may taper from proximate the bearing surface toward a distal end of the tine. 
         [0013]    The apparatus also may include a plurality of wheels coupled to the forks proximate the proximal end, and a plurality of rails configured to receive the wheels, wherein at least one rail includes a stop extending inward, the stop configured to restrain translation of at least one of the forks. The apparatus further may include a removable pin and the rails may include a plurality of openings configured to receive the pin, where the pin may be configured to restrain translation of at least one of said forks and to resist deformation caused by forces applied by the forks. Moreover, the apparatus may include a base portion configured to support the forks, the wear bars, the wear bar holders, and the hydraulic ram. The base portion may further be configured to translate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sidewalk segment and to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to the sidewalk segment. 
         [0014]    These and other features and advantages are evident from the following description of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an apparatus for removing and transporting sections of sidewalk or other paving. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1   
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , including a sidewalk section removed from the ground. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , attached to a skid steer, and shown in an elevated configuration for dumping a removed sidewalk section. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the other side of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , illustrating one possible maximum open configuration in broken line. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , illustrating one possible maximum open configuration in broken line. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , illustrating one possible maximum open configuration in broken line. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , illustrating one possible maximum open configuration in broken line. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    An apparatus  1  for removing and transporting sections of sidewalk or other paving may be an attachment to a skid steer, compact track loader, all-wheel steer loader or another type construction equipment, including e.g., a loader sold under the trademark BOBCAT or an excavator sold under the trademark GRADALL. Although the apparatus is described herein as an attachment for a skid steer  90 , the apparatus may be modified to attach to these other types of equipment without diverging from the scope of the invention, such as by modifying attaching plate  2  to comply with the attachment requirements for that equipment. For the sake of description, apparatus  1  may be referred to herein as a “slabber.” 
         [0026]    As seen in  FIG. 1  and the various orthogonal views of  FIGS. 7-10 , skid steer  90  may include a plurality of prongs  92  and a locking mechanism  94 . Attachment plate  2  may include a flange  34  disposed at substantially the same angle as prongs  92 , so that prongs  92  may abut flange  34  when apparatus is mounted to skid steer  90 . Plate  2  also may include bearing plate  36  for releasable engagement with locking mechanism  94 . Bearing plate  36  may be inclined at substantially the same angle as flange  34  or, preferably, at an angle to maximize engagement with bearing plate  36 . Attachment plate  2  may have a first side  40  and second side  42 , with flange  34  extending substantially along a width of plate  2 , from side  40  to side  42 . Flange  34  may be attached to attachment plate  2 , e.g., by welding to base of plate and to sides  40 ,  42 . In addition, one or more braces  35  may be welded to attachment plate  2  and flange  34 . 
         [0027]    Slabber  1  may include a plurality of picking forks  3  traversable on a plurality of rails  4 . Rails  4  may be supported by underside of attachment plate  2  and may extend laterally along a width of plate  2 . Preferably, rails  4  extend beyond sides  40 ,  42  of attachment plate  2 , allowing forks  3  to adjust over a longer range, thereby permitting slabber  1  to pick up sidewalk portions of larger, varying widths. 
         [0028]    Forks  3  may traverse along rails  4  via one or more rollers  5  coupled to forks  3 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , each fork  3  may be coupled to a plurality of roller shafts  6 , e.g., via fasteners  32 . Each roller shaft  6  may be operatively coupled to a plurality of rollers  5 , preferably with at least one roller  5  on each end of shaft  6 . Rollers  5  may be coupled to shaft  6  via bearings to facilitate rotation, e.g, via sealed bearings. 
         [0029]    Each rail  4  may be generally C-shaped, forming channel  60 , in order to provide rolling surfaces  66  for rollers  5 , while keeping rollers  5  contained between sidewalls  68  of rails  4 . One or both of rails  4  may include rolling stops  19  to limit traversal of rollers  5  and, as such, of forks  3 . Rolling stops  19  may comprise tabs protruding inward from upper and lower portions  66  of rails  4 , preferably proximate ends  64 . As such, stops  19  may delineate a maximum possible extent that forks  3  may traverse laterally. In one embodiment, forks  3  may have a maximum separation between about 4 feet and about 8 feet, preferably about 6 feet. 
         [0030]    Each rail  4  also may include one or more openings  62  spaced along rail sidewall  68 . Slabber  1  may include a removable rod  10  adapted to pass through a respective pair of openings  62  in rails  4 . Rod  10  may serve as another fork traversal limiter in one or more capacities. For example, one or more forks  3  may be located inward from rod  10 . In this configuration, rod  10  may prevent fork  3  from extending laterally a distance beyond where rod  10  is placed. This configuration may be useful when transporting slabber  1  in order to keep forks  3  constrained in a storage configuration or when picking up smaller sidewalk sections where the full extent of traversal is not necessary. Rod  10  may be formed from a high strength material such as a high carbon steel in order to withstand force of forks pressing against rod  10  when a limit position is reached, thereby resisting deformation of rod  10 , which may inhibit later removal of rod  10 . 
         [0031]    Alternatively, one or more forks  3  may be disposed between stops  19  and rod  10 , in order to constrain traverse of forks  3  to a narrower range. By aligning openings  62  to comport with various standard sidewalk portion widths, e.g., to allow forks to close a distance slightly smaller than the sidewalk portion width, a pair of openings  62  corresponding to the appropriate width of the sidewalk portion being removed may be selected. As such, the slabber  1  may be constrained in the degree to which forks  3  may compress the sidewalk portion, which may allow forks  3  to close on the sidewalk portion but also prevent accidental crushing, cracking, or other breakage of the portion being removed. 
         [0032]    Each fork  3  may have a laterally extending portion to which roller shafts  6  may be connected and a longer, downwardly extending portion that terminates at distal end  50 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , roller shafts  6  may be connected to forks  3  via fasteners  32 . 
         [0033]    Distal end  50  may be tapered downward from outer face  52  to inner face  54  in order to form a blade-like surface for cutting through soil around sidewalk portion. Fork  3  also may include or be coupled to an inwardly extending wear bar holder  7 . Holder  7  may include one or more downwardly extending tines  72 . Returning to  FIG. 1 , each holder  7  may include a pair of tines  72  with a gap  74  therebetween. Like distal end  50  of fork  3 , tines  72  may be tapered. Combined tapers of tines  72  and distal end  50  may provide fork  3  with a generally V-shaped wedge, which may reduce resistance and ease driving of forks  3  into the ground. 
         [0034]    Holder  7  also may include one or more recesses  70 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , recesses  70  may be generally aligned with, or may be formed within, tines  72 . Slabber  1  may include a plurality of wear bars  9  on which sidewalk portion may rest during removal and transport. Wear bar  9  may include a plurality of prongs  28  configured to be inserted into recesses  70  of holder  7 . In addition, holder  7  may include one or more openings, e.g., in side  76  of holder. Openings may be configured to receive wear bar pins  8  for removably coupling wear bar  9  to holder  7 . In one embodiment, wear bar  9  also may include aligned openings such that pins  8  may pass through wear bar holder  7  and against or into wear bar  9 . Pins  8  may be sized for frictional engagement with holder  7  and/or wear bar  9 . Alternatively, pins  8  may be threaded, as may be one or more of holder  7  and wear bar  9 . 
         [0035]    Preferably, wear bar  9  may need replacement or repair significantly more frequently than forks  3 . As such, pins  8  allow for easy removal and/or replacement of wear bars  9  without having to disassemble more of slabber  1 . 
         [0036]    Each wear bar  9  may include a bearing surface  30  on which a portion of the sidewalk segment may rest when the segment is removed from the ground. Bearing surface  30  also may allow for the transmission of a generally vertical force to separate sidewalk segment from foundation. Bearing surface  30  may be generally flat and may extend inward, substantially perpendicular to fork  3 . Preferably, however, bearing surface  30  may be grooved, etched, or otherwise textured in order to increase surface area and frictional engagement with sidewalk segment. Bearing surface  30  may have a width substantially similar to width of fork  3 , e.g., between about 4 inches and about 10 inches, preferably about 6 inches. Additionally, bearing surface  30  may extend inward between about 1 inch and about 8 inches, preferably between about 1 inch and about 4 inches, and in one embodiment, about 2 inches. 
         [0037]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , slabber  1  includes a pair of forks  3 . Additional forks may be included to provide additional penetrating tines to aid in penetrating under the sidewalk segment and additional bearing surfaces for distributing and balancing the weight of the segment. Preferably, slabber  1  may include an even number of forks, generally equally distributed on either side of the segment, although slabber may include unequally distributed forks or one or more forks generally perpendicular to forks  3  for engaging a generally perpendicular side of the segment. 
         [0038]    Forks  3  and holder  7  may be made of a strong, durable material such as high strength, high carbon steel. Added strength may allow forks  3  and holder  7  to drive through compacted soil, rocks, concrete fragments, etc. without cracking, breaking or deforming substantially. 
         [0039]    Slabber  1  may include a piston or ram such as hydraulic ram  11  for opening and closing forks  3 . Ram  11  may connect to skid steer hydraulics via pressure regulator  12 . Turning to  FIG. 3 , regulator may be disposed within hydraulic pass-through or opening  38  in attaching plate  2 . As such, hoses of pressure regulator  12  may be disposed substantially above attaching plate  2 , which may reduce or eliminate binding of hoses within slabber. In addition, attaching plate  2  may shield hoses from debris, reducing or eliminating puncturing or other wear to hoses. 
         [0040]    Ram  11  may be removably coupled to at least one of, and preferably both, picking forks  3 . For example, ram  11  may include a first mounting bracket  78  at one end for connecting to a first fork  4  and a second mounting bracket  80  at an opposite end for connecting to a second fork  4 . Brackets  78 ,  80  may connect ram  11  to a plurality of ram mounts  56  disposed on forks  4 , e.g., via pins  23  inserted through openings  58  in mounts and openings in brackets  78 ,  80 . 
         [0041]    Hydraulics may be configured to open and close each rail generally equally or at substantially the same time. Preferably, however, pressure regulator  12  may include a hydraulic crossover. Crossover may allow for direct opening of one fork until a limit position is reached. At that point, hydraulic pressure may increase across the crossover, powering the other fork to a desired amount of separation. 
         [0042]    Slabber  1  may include a first cover  13  coupled to a first fork  4  and a second cover  14  coupled to a second fork  4 . Covers  13 ,  14  may be sized to allow one to fit inside the other, permitting lateral movement of covers relative to each other. As seen in  FIG. 4 , cover  13  may be sized to fit within cover  14 , although an opposite configuration also is possible. Covers  13 ,  14  may combine to shield ram  11  and regulator hoses  12  from potential damage caused by debris, e.g., if slab cracks upward or if forks  3  are lowered too far into ground. 
         [0043]    Cover  13  may include a forward plate  102 , a rear plate  104 , and a lateral plate  106  therebetween. Similarly, cover  14  may include a forward plate  122 , a rear plate  124 , and a lateral plate  126  therebetween. 
         [0044]    Forward plates  102 ,  122  may extend generally vertically, i.e., generally parallel to rails  4 . Rear plates  104 ,  124  may be angled with respect to rails  4 , which, due to overlap between covers  13 ,  14 , may provide support for cover  14  along its length. Cover  13  also may include a hook  108  extending away from forward plate  102 , forming gap  110  between forward plate  102  and end of hook  108 . A portion of forward plate  122  of second cover  14  may be disposed within gap  110 , and gap  110  may be sized slightly larger than a thickness of forward plate  122 , so as to permit sliding of second cover  14  relative to first cover  13 . 
         [0045]    Covers  13 ,  14  may couple to their respective forks  4  at cover mounts  20 . Cover mounts  20  may comprise a plurality of tabs or flanges extending inward from forks  4  proximate ram mounts  56 . Preferably, a plurality of cover mounts  20  may extend from each fork  4 , e.g., one on each side of ram mount  56 . Cover mounts  20  may be disposed beneath openings  58  in ram mounts  56 , or between openings  58  and wear bars  9 . As such, when covers  13 ,  14  are coupled to mounts  20 , covers  13 ,  14  may be disposed between ram  11  and sidewalk portion supported by wear bars  9 . Cover mounts  20  may overlap with notches  114 ,  128  on covers  13 ,  14 , respectively. Cover mounts  20  may couple to covers  13 ,  14  proximate notches  114 ,  128 , e.g., via welding or fastening. 
         [0046]    Lower cover  13  may include one or more braces such as brace  112 . Brace  112  may abut or be disposed proximate a plurality of support brackets  24  (described below) and reduce fulcrum-type loading on lower cover  13  at connection with cover mounts  20 . In addition, support bracket  24  may help maintain a generally constant gap between lateral plate  106  of cover  13  and support brackets  24 , protecting ram  11  from crushing or other damage. 
         [0047]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , slabber  1  also may comprise a safety hoop  15  integral with or coupled to a forward end of attachment plate  2 . For example, safety hoop  15  and attachment plate  2  each may include a plurality of aligned openings such as openings  130  on hoop  15  and openings  33  on attachment plate  2 . Hoop  15  may be coupled to attachment plate  2  with a plurality of connecting fasteners  25  and nuts  26 . Hoop  15  may extend outward a greater distance than substantially all sidewalk segments to be lifted so that a bystander may not accidentally be standing on a segment as the operator starts to remove it. Alternatively, as seen in  FIG. 3 , hoop  15  may extend a distance generally equal to or less than sidewalk segments. In this case, hoop  15  preferably extends far enough beyond forward end of attachment plate that, in the event sidewalk segment tips while being lifted overhead, hoop  15  may prevent the segment from rotating backward and potentially falling on operator. 
         [0048]    Staying with  FIG. 3 , hoop  15  may comprise a generally V-shaped protrusion extending outward from attachment plate. Hoop  15  may take other forms, such as a generally semi-circular arch or a generally U-shaped protrusion having a pair of arms generally parallel to attachment plate  2  with a crossbar generally perpendicular to the arms. 
         [0049]    As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , slabber  1  may include a depth limiter  16  extending downward toward sidewalk segment. For example, limiter  16  may be coupled to attachment plate  2 . In one embodiment, limiter  16  may be coupled directly to attachment plate  2 . Alternatively, limiter  16  may be coupled to attachment plate  2  via a connector such as bracket  22 . Bracket may abut multiple surfaces of limiter  16 , which may increase surface contact area or seam length for limiter. In the event that limiter  16  is welded to bracket  22 , increased seam length may allow for longer welds and, relatedly, higher attachment strength for limiter. Preferably, limiter may be located in a position easily viewable by the operator. For example, limiter  16  may be centered widthwise on attachment plate  2  and disposed proximate a rearward end of attachment plate  2 . 
         [0050]    Limiter  16  may slidably couple to a limiter insert  17 , e.g., insert  17  may fit inside limiter  16 . Insert  17  may include a foot  134  or cap at a distal end, which may prevent debris from compacting inside insert  17  and/or make distal end more easily viewable to the operator. For example, foot  134  may have a wider perimeter than insert  17  and/or be colored differently than insert  17  to provide better visible contrast. 
         [0051]    Limiter  16  may include at least one opening  132 , and insert  17  may include at least a first plurality of openings  136 . To adjust the depth control, insert  17  may be translated a desired amount until one opening of the first plurality of openings  136  is aligned with opening  132 , and a pin  18  may be inserted into the aligned openings to maintain the selected depth. In one embodiment, limiter  16  may include a pair of openings  132  on opposite sides of limiter, insert  17  may include a second plurality of openings on an opposite side of the first plurality of openings  136 , and pin  18  may have a length configured to pass through all aligned openings. 
         [0052]    If the operator knows how deep each sidewalk portion to be removed is, he may preset a depth of the limiter insert  17  prior to removing any segments. Insert  17  may include a scale along one or more of its sides to display a vertical distance between bottom of insert foot  134  and tops of wear bars  9 . When the insert displays a distance corresponding to the sidewalk distance or, if no match, the next distance larger than the distance to the sidewalk, the operator may insert pin  18  to set the insert depth. 
         [0053]    Alternatively, because sequential sidewalk segments often have substantially the same thickness, the operator may drive forks  3  under a first segment without setting the depth of insert  17 . Once wear bars  9  abut an underside of the first segment, the operator or another person may adjust the limiter insert  17  to a proper depth, which then may be used for each successive segment to be removed. 
         [0054]    Limiter  16  with insert  17  may serve several purposes. First, it may provide a visual indicator of the depth to which the operator needs to drive forks  3  into the ground alongside the sidewalk segments. This may lead to a more efficient removal process, as less time is spent driving forks unnecessarily deep. In addition, by controlling the depth of fork embedment, it may help minimize disturbance of the soil surrounding and underneath the sidewalk segment. Moreover, insert  17  may serve as a stop to prevent any inadvertent rotation of the segment in one direction, which may lead to the segment being more securely transported. 
         [0055]    Turning to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , slabber  1  may include a plurality of brackets  24  for supporting one or more of rails  4  and/or attachment plate  2 . Brackets  24  may comprise a plurality of fingers  138 . Each finger  138  may extend along underside of attachment plate  2 , and each finger  138  may be coupled to rails  4  and/or attachment plate  2 , e.g., via welds. As seen in  FIG. 4 , each bracket  24  may include a fan-like array of fingers  138 , each finger  138  extending from a central point proximate a rear end of attachment plate toward one or more of rails  4 . Fingers  138  each may originate from a common point. Alternatively, slabber  1  may include a plurality of brackets  24  disposed in a side-by-side arrangement across a width of attachment plate. Angles between fingers  138  may be substantially equal, attaching to rail  4  at substantially equal intervals along a length of rail  4 . 
         [0056]    Staying with  FIG. 4 , one or more of fingers  138  may be coupled to attachment plate  2 . As such, fingers  138  may provide additional rigidity to attachment plate  2  while also helping to distribute weight of slabber  1  and sidewalk section across attachment plate  2 . 
         [0057]    As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , slabber  1  may be connected to skid steer  90  or other equipment so that attachment plate  2  is generally parallel to the ground and forks  3  extend generally downward toward ground when skid steer  90  is in a dumping configuration, i.e., where end arm of skid steer  90  is generally horizontal/level with ground. Once the sidewalk segment is removed from the ground, the skid steer end arm may be retracted, rotating slabber  1  and the sidewalk segment upward. This configuration may allow the slabber  1  and segment to be lifted higher off the ground than when in the dumping configuration. Higher clearance may be beneficial when lifting slabber and segment, such as when loading segment into a bin hauled by a semi truck. As seen in  FIG. 4 , once the slabber  1  and segment clear the upper edge of the bin, slabber  1  may be rotated back to the dumping position, which may decrease the distance the segment falls when released. In addition, it may cause the segment to be more level when released, which may reduce the occurrence of cracked and/or broken segments. 
         [0058]    Slabber  1  may be used to remove a sequence of sidewalk segments while causing minimal damage to the area surrounding the sidewalk. Preferably, segments may be saw-cut into predetermined lengths or ranges of length, e.g., by cutting along seams between segments or by cutting every about 4 to about 6 feet. The slabber  1  may be maneuvered onto the sidewalk without driving over the parkway or other landscaped area. For example, skid steer  90  with attached slabber  1  may travel up a driveway, street, or other path until it intersects with the sidewalk. Skid steer  90  then may travel along sidewalk until reaching the section of sidewalk to be removed. Preferably, skid steer may travel to the farthest segment first. 
         [0059]    After segment is cut to separate it from its adjoining segments, slabber  1  may be disposed over segment. Forks  3  may be translated along rails  4  until spacing between forks  3  is substantially equal to segment width and then lowered into the ground. If segment depth is known and depth limiter previously was set according to segment depth, forks  3  may be lowered until limiter insert  17  contacts the segment or is slightly above segment. In either case, once forks  3  are driven to a depth that allows wear bars  9  to be disposed underneath the segment, forks  3  may be drawn together to partially clasp segment between forks. Slabber  1  may be raised and lowered one or more times to break vacuum pressure between segment and underlying ground. Whether this step is done or not, forks  3  then may be drawn even more closely together so that the underside of the sidewalk segment rests on wear bars  9  and forks  3  provide a compressive force to the sides of the segment. 
         [0060]    Once gripped, slabber  1  and segment may be raised substantially vertically until the segment and wear bar holder  7  are clear of the newly-formed hole. Skid steer then may be turned around or reversed down the sidewalk to the driveway and driven to a location for dumping the removed segment. Alternatively, depending on the distance between the sidewalk and a street curb, a dump truck, semi truck with dumping bin, flatbed truck, or other vehicle may be positioned alongside the curb. Once the segment is removed, the skid steer may be turned to face the truck. Slabber  1  may be raised to clear an upper edge of the vehicle&#39;s storage area, which may include rotating the end arm of the skid steer and the attached slabber upward. Once cleared, slabber  1  may be rotated back to the initial dumping configuration. In either event, to release the sidewalk segment, forks  3  may be widened, releasing their grip on the segment. 
         [0061]    Once the segment is deposited, skid steer  90  may return to the sidewalk and remove the next closest segment. In this way, skid steer  90  with slabber  1  may move from segment to segment while travelling along existing sidewalk, eliminating the need to travel on the surrounding parkway or landscaping or from driving into and disturbing the hole formed by removed segments. Removing each segment may result in leaving a hole substantially the same size as the segment and a plurality of small holes corresponding to the number of forks  3 . In this case, preparing the area for a new section of sidewalk may be simplified greatly, as the only landscaping that may be required may be to fill the small holes formed by the forks  3 . 
         [0062]    As discussed above, slabber  1  may allow a user to remove sidewalk segments while keeping those segments substantially intact. As such, sidewalk segments may be loaded into a bin or truck bed, e.g., and transported intact to another site. At that second location, slabber  1  or additional equipment may be used to lift slabs and use them for another purpose. For example, removed sidewalk segments may be used to form a new sidewalk path. Other exemplary uses for sidewalk segments may include forming retaining walls or installing segments as part of a system for erosion control. 
         [0063]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific exemplary embodiments and methods herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments and methods, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.