Patent ID: 8322507

Claim:
A mobile conveyor machine for a cascading conveyor system in the form of a series of mobile conveyor machines pivotally connected together in the form of a conveyor train, said conveyor machine comprising: an elongate main supporting frame arranged substantially horizontally and having longitudinal side frame members and first and second ends, said supporting frame straddling a central longitudinal axis of the conveyor machine; a conveyor belt system mounted on said supporting frame and arranged to convey materials from said first end towards said second end; a pair of transversely aligned propelling devices each separately connected to a respective one of the longitudinal side frame members for pivotal movement about a respective one of two generally vertical pivot axes for the propelling devices, said pair being located near but spaced from said first end and having a common axis of rotation when said propelling devices are positioned to move the conveyor machine in a straight forwards direction, power steering means for steering said pair of propelling devices; and a pivot mechanism for pivotally connecting said mobile conveyor machine at said first end to an adjacent end section of another mobile conveyor machine, said pivot mechanism including a curved track bent in a horizontal circular arc having a centre of curvature located midway between the propelling devices on said axis of rotation and rigidly mounted on said supporting frame and a hitch unit mounted for rolling movement on said track and connected to said track, said hitch unit having roller means for engaging said track and said hitch unit being adapted for detachable connection to said another mobile conveyor machine.